1. Urgent Question: Ford in Bridgend

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:55 pm on 1 March 2017.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 1:55, 1 March 2017

Yes. Can I thank the Member for her questions? First of all, the Member asked whether the First Minister will be flying to Detroit to meet with Ford. As I’ve already said, I have spoken with the person who will be making the decision. More importantly, we know what I’ve been doing, we know our position: where has the Prime Minister been on this? We need a similar assurance—[Interruption.] We need a similar assurance for Ford as was given to Nissan. The First Minister has proven that he is able to stand up for Welsh industry: where is the Prime Minister? As I’ve said, I will continue to engage with the person that will make the decisions about the Bridgend plant. That person is the vice-president of Europe, that person is the person I spoke with this morning and will continue a dialogue with, and the mischief making from the Members opposite will not detract me from speaking with key decision makers in securing the future of Ford at Bridgend. Regardless of what mischief they wish to make, we prefer actions not words on this side—so, actually averting a crisis rather than promoting the idea of one.

In terms of Ford itself—[Interruption.] In terms of Ford itself, the communications between—[Interruption.] The Members protest too much.