Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: The Welsh Government has not undertaken any action to support the proposal that the Member refers to.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Something I prepared earlier—
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: These are priorities for developing the creative industries sector in Wales, and this will be launched down the road—you’re welcome to join us—in Cardiff and Vale College in the next half an hour. Thank you very much.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: As I said earlier on, we are launching Creative Wales this evening, and although every industry in Wales contributes in a vital way to our society, the creative industries have a unique way of contributing. Not only do creative industries create jobs and wealth as part of the economy, like other industries, but it also contributes to creating an identify and national brand for Wales on the...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much, deputy speaker. Before I begin this debate, it will come as no surprise to Mike Hedges or others here that I would like to mark the passing of a great champion of Welsh culture in Sybil Crouch, to whom we will say our final farewell—in this life, anyway—tomorrow in Swansea, and to extend our condolences to David Phillips, and all her family, and her hundreds if not...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: All of them? Every one of them?
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: I'm glad that you selected your—not quite top 10, but you were almost there, I think, of heroes. And I'm also glad to see the word 'heroes' used not in the context of some individualistic achievement, as sometimes does happen, even with sporting heroes and other heroes, but that we celebrate the fact that these heroes come from a community, from a train of thought, from a social experience,...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. It gives me great pleasure to respond to this debate. A short debate is one of our more creative pieces of Standing Orders, in that it allows Members to choose a topic and then it falls to any appropriate Minister that is available to respond to the debate. But I'm particularly pleased to be able to do that today because, I believe, by choosing to celebrate...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Naturally, I’m going to agree with that. I had the opportunity of opening a new pitch in Parc Eirias in the county that I live in, and I know how important this resource is for all sorts of sporting activities where these pitches are suitable. So, what I will do is convey what has been said here today to Sport Wales and ask for a further report on the progress that they're making in Ynys...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much for that comment. We have invested substantially already through Sport Wales, which is leading on our investment in 3G football and artificial pitches. They've invested £3.731 million in the collaborative sports facilities group, which includes the Football Association of Wales Trust, the Welsh Rugby Union and Hockey Wales. This has helped the FAW Trust in establishing 77...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much for that comment. I can assure you that I will be discussing this issue specifically with the Football Association of Wales and with Sport Wales in order to see how we can particularly develop the community aspects related to this, because one of the successes that emerges from the high profile of international teams, in rugby and in other sports too—and in this...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much for the question. South-west Wales is an outstanding visitor destination. Welsh Government continually invests to improve the quality of the local offer and is committed to continuing to grow tourism to this area and to promote tourism there and throughout Wales.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Well, I'm pleased to confirm that the lottery spending in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, as you know, amounts to over £13 million over the period of that spend and 70 projects have been completed or are currently in delivery. And you'll be aware, because we've visited some of these projects together, of the important work that has been done and is still being developed at the Cyfarthfa Castle...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you, Dawn. The National Lottery celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary last year. Since 1994 National Lottery players have supported around 50,000 projects across Wales with nearly £1.75 billion of investment. This obviously has had a transformational effect on funding for arts, sport, heritage, charitable causes and community projects throughout Wales.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much for that detailed question. I will certainly undertake to observe the castle in context and in landscape, or townscape, because historic buildings do not exist on their own. They always exist in relation to the natural environment or the built environment that surrounds them and therefore there is a responsibility on Cadw and we do always comment, 'We are statutory.' I...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: I think we're going there this week, aren't we, or next week? [Interruption.] I think.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: I will provide this response in Welsh, because I know you're a Welsh learner. The Welsh Government supports the conservation of historic sites, which are important to Wales, such as Ruperra castle.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Is that right? Ruperra—Rhiw'r Perrai. Well, so say my scholastic advisers.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Cadw has provided long-term support to the castle over many years through financial grants and professional advice.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: I'm unable to give you figures on that from the briefing I have before me today, but I will look into it. But I will also say that any related works that are needed need to be part of a feasibility study that relates to developing the tunnel, because it doesn't make sense to open a tunnel and not ensure that the access to it on both sides means that it is part of the national cycle network.
