1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's support for major events in mid Wales? OAQ(5)0228(FM)

This year we have supported a range of sporting and cultural events in mid Wales, including the Machynlleth Comedy Festival, the Hay Festival, the World Alternative Games, the Tour of Britain, and the Wales Rally GB.

Thank you, First Minister, I appreciate your answer. The Welshpool air show is celebrating its tenth anniversary next June. It’s now called the Bob Jones Memorial Airshow. Over the last nine years, the event has gone from strength to strength and now attracts thousands of visitors to mid Wales each year. It’s previously played host to the Red Arrows, the RAF Falcons parachute display team and the Battle of Britain memorial flight and typhoon. I would like to extend an invitation to you to attend the event next year, but, in the meantime, I would be grateful if you could outline what kind of financial and logistical support the Welsh Government is able to provide for such a major event in mid Wales?

I can say that I am aware that a request for funding has been made to support the event next year and officials will be in touch with the organisers shortly.

May I recommend the Machynlleth Comedy Festival? It’s certainly worth a visit, and it’s used as a practice ground for the Edinburgh festival, so the quality is excellent.However, can I turn to cycling? You’ve just mentioned one of the important tours that takes place in mid Wales, but there are all sorts of opportunities to develop cycling in mid Wales, for holidays and major events, and also for tourism. There are moves in Carmarthen to develop the velodrome there and to improve standards. There are also plans in Aberystwyth to have a cycling resource, along with the university. So, what can the Government do to support more cycling events in mid Wales?

Well, of course, there are a number of organisations, such as Sustrans and the local authorities, working on the creation of cycle tracks. We’ve supported them in the past and we are looking to support other good schemes. Of course, we are also working with the mid Wales tourism forum and the councils of Powys and Ceredigion in order to develop these opportunities.