Andrew RT Davies: Could I seek two statements, Cabinet Secretary, please, today, if possible? One is on the proposals to build a new road from junction 34 in the Vale of Glamorgan to Sycamore Cross. I do declare an interest in that, potentially, some of my land could be affected by it. There was a large public meeting that I was unable to attend on Thursday night, but I know that the Member for the Vale of...
Andrew RT Davies: Minister, obviously bringing together flood alleviation schemes relies on agencies working very closely together—local authorities and NRW, in particular, who are, obviously, the advisers on many of these projects. You’ll be aware that staff surveys have indicated a certain amount of unrest in NRW. Since you've become Minister, what is your assessment of the ability of NRW to work with...
Andrew RT Davies: Minister, you are most probably aware that the Vale of Glamorgan Council at full council in February supported a motion proposed by Councillor Vincent Bailey to make sure that there was an environmental impact assessment undertaken. And I do declare an interest in that that councillor does work for me—[Laughter.]—just to put it on the record. But it is a statement of fact that parties...
Andrew RT Davies: Cabinet Secretary, you went around the whole of Wales saying that the Government, as currently constructed, certainly will not be giving permissions for any—well, you said superprisons, but I assume you're talking about any form of prisons. [Interruption.] That isn't the case? So, can you clarify exactly what permissions or what engagement you will have over what would be built in...
Andrew RT Davies: I welcome the opportunity to engage in the debate today, and I commend the opener for the comments that he made in setting the scene as to the way Wales faces the new environment, the new era of tax rates, and the competitive edge—or not, as the case may be—that Wales finds itself in with the rates that the Government sets. It is quite right and proper that the Government does set the...
Andrew RT Davies: Yes.
Andrew RT Davies: Well, what I would say is: the evidence that's emerging from the Scottish situation shows that the lower the rate of tax—and I believe this, as a Conservative, anyway: that a low-rate tax economy actually generates more revenue overall because you stimulate individuals to go out, work hard and generate more wealth. [Interruption.] I’ll take another intervention if you can point to a...
Andrew RT Davies: From the evidence that is emerging—and I appreciate we need to see that evidence emerge, but it wouldn’t be right if we, as politicians, weren't responding to the concerns that have been flagged to us—the professionals in the field that are trying to attract this investment in are already pointing to a downturn in the commercial sector. They are pointing to making it more difficult to...
Andrew RT Davies: I'll sell you some now.
Andrew RT Davies: I am grateful, Mike, that you've taken the intervention, and you've thrown several figures out there. But, you have to have a market to create those figures, and if you put punitive measures in place as a Government, you kill the market, so you kill the value, so you lose the tax revenue. Don't you recognise that? People don't have to come to Wales to invest. They've got other opportunities...
Andrew RT Davies: Would you take an intervention?
Andrew RT Davies: I'm grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for taking an intervention. Do you recognise, though, that whilst the percentage terms of number of deals is relatively small, this is the most mobile sector of the market, which can invest that money elsewhere, and, in the letter that you received from the industry itself, it says: 'As industry experts, we are already seeing reducing asset valuations and...
Andrew RT Davies: Will you take an intervention?
Andrew RT Davies: I commend the initiatives that the Minister has highlighted in her speech, but something that Hefin David touched on is a key missing link in the house-building toolbox, and that's the ability for small and medium-sized builders to actually get on the market and start building houses. I heard what you said about making Welsh Government land available, but there is a stranglehold by the big...
Andrew RT Davies: Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government intervention in health boards across Wales?
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. It's not very often I start First Minister's questions by saying I agree with the First Minister, and he might not want that type of praise from the leader of the opposition here in the Senedd. I'd like to ask you about the rail franchise, First Minister, and the tendering exercise that is under way at the moment. Obviously, there is huge anticipation of the...
Andrew RT Davies: I think the language you used yesterday did confuse the situation for many people, because we were led to believe that the change would come in the very early years, but I'm glad of the clarification you've given. The Cabinet Secretary in February indicated that the announcement as to the winner of the tendering process would be made now in May of this year. I don't see anything on the...
Andrew RT Davies: So, on that timeline that I just asked you about, i.e. the announcement on the preferred bidder will be made in May of this year and, obviously, in October the actual franchise will begin, and given the difference in interpretation of improvements, i.e. the major improvements in five or four years' time, what can you also identify as being the quick wins that can be identified for early...
Andrew RT Davies: Leader of the house, you will have heard the First Minister's exchange—the questions exchanged between myself and the First Minister in relation to any announcement that we might be able to expect as an Assembly on the awarding of the rail franchise. The Cabinet Secretary is on record as saying that this will be made in May 2018. Can you confirm as leader of the house that next week there...
Andrew RT Davies: 7. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the availability of funding for capital projects over the next three years? OAQ52160
