5. Urgent Question: Heathrow

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:41 pm on 1 November 2016.

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Photo of Mr Simon Thomas Mr Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru 3:41, 1 November 2016

(Translated)

Thank you for that statement. It would have been good to have a statement rather than hearing through the press about something that is so important, both economically and environmentally. But I’ll put the environmental questions to one side in terms of climate change and a third runway at Heathrow, and the placing of that at Heathrow rather than somewhere else, and turn to what exactly this Welsh Government has negotiated with Heathrow and the Westminster Government that will benefit Wales.

I will turn to the memorandum that’s been discussed between Heathrow and the Scottish Government, which talks, among other things, about up to 16,000 new jobs in Scotland because of Heathrow, £200 million of capital expenditure in Scotland in terms of planning and construction, £10 million for the development of new air routes internally within the UK and a reduction of £10 per capita for the landing fees between Scottish airports and Heathrow. These all look like a valuable package for the Scottish Government, which, I’m sure, justifies the Scottish Government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow.

So, what exactly has the Welsh Government got for their support? Given that the Government’s failed even to ensure the devolution of APD to us here in Wales, how will this development benefit passengers from Wales?