, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Okay. Thinking about the transition board—because I know we're tight on time, Chair—both you and I were on the same transition board where we agreed the priorities for going forward. How do you see the Welsh Government getting involved in those priorities…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Well, I'd worry it'd be a bit too late then. The reason I'm asking these questions as well is because we've seen Tata show its true colours, if we're going to be totally honest, over the last couple of months. We've had them threaten to reduce redundancy…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
So, what is the backstop is what I'm trying to get at here, then? If those negotiations don't go well for the potential incoming Labour Government, what is the backstop?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Well, we've talked about nationalisation as being an opportunity to buy time for a just transition, because what we have right now is not a just transition, is it?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Nationalisation?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I'm finding it difficult to understand why there's a reluctance to have on the table nationalisation as a clear option, and I say that because, in negotiations, you need a carrot and you need a stick. The carrot in this scenario would be that £3 billion plan…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
So, what happens if those conversations take place and Tata still don't change their position? Would you support a move by the UK Government to nationalise the site?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
With respect, there's a commitment of £3 billion but no specific detail around the site in Port Talbot.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
To be fair to Tata, though, they have to deal in absolutes here, don't they?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
So, do you think that could be down to not really being sure what is on offer if, say, a Labour Government came into power? We know that there's a carrot there, but the carrot is still very much in the ground, isn't it? We know there's a £3 billion plan put…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
So, you've been clear about Tata not making irreversible decisions before the general election. How receptive have they been to that?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Diolch, Gadeirydd. Sticking with steel, then, you've been clear in terms of your calls on Tata about them not making any irreversible decisions before the general election. How receptive have they been to that?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Great. Diolch.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Just out of interest, what were the specifics that were raised with you from that round-table with the FSB?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Diolch, Gadeirydd. I'm really interested in the productivity side of this. I know we've had our conversations, both inside and outside the Chamber, on this. And actually, on your recommendation, I went to visit Sony in Pencoed, to see some of the stuff…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
I second that.
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
—comment, Chair. I think the role of doing this in tandem with communities is important. In my view, it should have started with that, rather than taking as long as it has to get to this point. So, I just would want to put that on the record.
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Just an additional—
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. I think it's important to make it clear that the petition to rescind 20 mph is the largest petition that's come through this committee. It's difficult to see what this committee can do, going forward. But I also think it's important that we…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Gadeirydd. Obviously, this petition was debated in the Chamber, I think on 20 March, and from what I understand it was quite a lively debate. So, I think we as a committee have come to the end of what we can actually do here. But nevertheless, I think…
, Petitions Committee
New Petitions
Diolch, Gadeirydd. Could I extend that as well to, potentially, a letter to the economy Minister in relation to this? I think that it's important that we get an idea of what sort of impact assessments the Government has done around this particular cut. If we…
, Petitions Committee
New Petitions
Diolch, Gadeirydd. A lot has happened in this area, but I notice that there are still no firm commitments on satellite options within Wales for these services. So, I'm wondering if it would be possible for us to ask the Cabinet Secretary for an update…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Nuclear
Plaid Cymru have long campaigned to ensure the Wylfa development is a community-centred development, so that local businesses and local workers are served by the development and not the other way around. I will end, Llywydd, just by pointing to the fact, as…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Nuclear
We've just said, right, that we'd be supporting the United Nations' treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. That requires work across the global community, doesn't it, to disarm. You can't expect every country in the world to disarm if nobody's willing…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Nuclear
Yes.
