2. Urgent Question: Ford’s Bridgend Engine Plant

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:35 pm on 13 September 2016.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 2:35, 13 September 2016

Thank you, Presiding Officer. Minister, thank you for the answers you’ve given. I think they’ve given clarity in certain areas. I do welcome your intervention in saying that you’re going to go to Detroit. The First Minister, though, in response to myself in First Minister’s questions, clearly identified that, as far as Ford was concerned, the ongoing developments at the factory were very much a Ford Europe decision, and, ultimately, those decisions will be taken here at their headquarters in Europe. Can you try and map out how you see, going forward then, the decisions that need to be taken, in a positive way, by Ford, and by the Welsh Government, and the gateways, and in particular the key dates that need to be met? Are you aware of key dates for investment that need decisions taking in the next 18 months to two years, to secure the future viability of that plant, and, importantly, where those decisions will be taken? Will it be Detroit, where this decision was taken, or will it be Ford Europe HQ?