, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: 20mph speed limits
Determined to pursue its road safety policies, the Welsh Government ignored all inconvenient evidence to the contrary. It dismissed the authoritative independent 20 mph research study published by the UK Department for Transport in November 2018, which found…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
It's my understanding from Wrexham council of good news that the Wrexham Gateway project should be secure, partly because of Welsh Government funding, partly because of the shared prosperity funding, which Wrexham did receive—almost £23 million out of over…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting
So, I now propose, in accordance with Standing Order 17.42(ix), that the committee resolves to meet in private for the remainder of the meeting. Are all Members content? I see that all Members are content, so, therefore, I'd be grateful if we could go into…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. Thank you very much indeed. That brings, I think, our collective questions to a conclusion, and, as I say, we will follow up on your offer of a private session and we will discuss, in private session, the invitation to attend the airport also and follow…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
I'm only saying what the Welsh Government itself has said in the context of its long-term strategy. So, in complete conclusion, therefore, can you confirm that the statements that the Welsh Government have made, which I quoted, are still applicable?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Not if you live in the north it isn't.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Does the Welsh Government remain open-minded about how this regional airport, not national airport, is owned in the future?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay, thank you. My final question, again to the Welsh Government: in announcing the longer term strategy, the Welsh Government said it's open to exploring different ownership models in the long term and is open-minded about how the airport is owned in the…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay, so you're effectively saying that this former airport non-executive director was incorrect in his statement.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. Does Mr Slade wish to add anything to that?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Yes, thank you.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Has the Welsh Government directly incentivised airlines, yes or no?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. Again, a question for Welsh Government: the former non-executive director suggested the Welsh Government has directly incentivised airlines. What incentives, therefore, has the Welsh Government provided? How does it balance doing this with the airport…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay, a not-unexpected response. It's clear the key point is that he is no longer a non-executive director and perhaps feels freer to talk. This question is for the Welsh Government: the former airport non-executive director also noted the Welsh Government’s…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. The last few questions from me: in an opinion piece, published in WalesOnline in August, a former airport non-executive director said, 'Reading between the lines, I judge that Cardiff Airport is in serious trouble now.' How do you respond, and what are…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
So, technically, it is non-binding. Is that correct?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. You made a few references to offering to provide some information in private session. Our clerking team will follow up with you over proposed dates and times on that. We understand that the CMA report will be non-binding. Is that your understanding…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay—
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Well, committee will consider that in its own private session and the clerking team will follow up on the committee's decision then. So, are you, therefore, not able to tell us what areas of information, without being specific about information itself, would…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. Thank you very much indeed. Clearly, a plan is only a draft plan until it incorporates the who, what, why, when, where and how, and, clearly, the CMA conclusions are going to be key to that, as you've indicated. Mr Slade, you've committed to provide…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay, thank you. Natasha Asghar, over to you.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Thank you. I would corroborate Mike's point that, for reasons of proximity and convenience, in north Wales, John Lennon in Liverpool and Manchester will remain the airports of choice unless people happen to be travelling to Cardiff as part of their itinerary…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Can I intervene? We're running horribly short on time. We will, I think, have to move on, if Mike's content with that.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Yes.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Diolch. Thank you. Can I bring in Mike Hedges to take up the questions, please?
