In one of his last acts as Business Secretary before he left the Government, Jacob Rees-Mogg answered a question from Michael Fabricant in Business Questions this morning.

Michael asked:  “He will know that the West Midlands is a major centre, if not the major centre, for car manufacturing.

“What discussions has he had with the Mayor of the West Midlands, who is a keen proponent for a gigafactory to assist electric car manufacture based in Coventry?”

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg answered: “I was in Coventry last week because it is a centre for battery technology development, and my Hon Friend knows very well that Andy Street is one of the most effective campaigning advocates for the West Midlands.

“What is needed is for companies to indicate they want to invest in gigafactories, and the Government stands ready to support as much as it can.”

Michael says afterwards:  “It is now up to major car manufacturers to step up to the mark with a firm proposal for a gigafactory to produce electric car batteries which the Government can then support.”