I want to put the tidal lagoon in the broader context of Wales’s blue economy, but, before I do that, I think it’s worth noting that Charles Hendry’s backing for the lagoon in Swansea bay has not only been widely welcomed in this Chamber but also, speaking personally, by my constituents and also by businesses across the supply chain and potential supply chain of the region. I believe that the lagoon has captured the imagination because, as David Melding was alluding to earlier, modern Wales was built on energy, and clean tidal energy technology could be Wales's next big industry. And let's not underestimate, either, the effect of a 100-year economic commitment on the regional economy of Swansea bay. This could be a catalyst for major economic development in sectors that could support lagoon technology and construction.

Wales is a tidal nation, and one of our major assets is our long coastline and a high tidal reach that few other countries can match. So, it makes good sense for us to focus on developing sectors of our economy where we can offer something that most other countries can't, and sectors that don't depend on our ongoing membership of the European Union, and making sustainable—and I emphasise ‘sustainable’—use of our natural resources make sense. Indeed, it gives us a competitive advantage. Countries that don't have our coast and don't have our tides can't develop that advantage. But let's not rest on our laurels. There are certainly enough other countries with similar natural assets to pose a competitive threat, and our competitors are not going to hang around while Wales develops the upper hand in this sector. So, we need fast action from the UK Government, and we also need swift action from Natural Resources Wales, to grant marine licences and to avoid further delays. If these steps are not taken promptly, we will lose our first-mover advantage to some other location, and a golden opportunity may be lost, and that would be unforgivable.

Like other Members, I've had representations from local anglers with genuine concerns, with which I sympathise, about the effects on fish stocks, though the actual detail is disputed, as we know. But, what's not disputed—