Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government – in the Senedd at 1:48 pm on 11 January 2017.
Well, Llywydd—. Look, there is a serious point in what the Member has to say, which is that we all need to recognise that all parts of Wales need to feel that this National Assembly is attentive to their needs, and that what goes on here results in decisions where they can see the benefit in their lives. Where I think he goes wrong is in trying to portray the decisions we make as not having any interest in that topic. Of course they do. That’s why you see the major investments that you see in all parts of Wales. It isn’t surprising that population makes a difference to investment. The vast bulk of the population of Wales lives in certain parts of Wales, and it’s inevitable that some of the major investments will follow that, but he —[Interruption.] No, no, the per capita figure doesn’t counteract what I just said, because, cumulatively, those per capita expenditures will result in the agglomeration of investment in particular parts. But, if the serious point he is making is do we need to make sure that we invest everywhere where there are important things that need to be done, and that we can demonstrate to people across Wales that we take their needs seriously, then that’s a point on which I would not disagree with him.