Much of what I say will echo comments by other members of the committee, but it does no harm to reiterate some of those points. Firstly, I confirm that the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, recognises and welcomes the formation of a commission that will provide expert, professional and, above all, independent advice to the Government of Wales. As a member of that committee, I’m also pleased that this commission will receive an explicit mandate and a clear idea of its funding model.

Whilst I realise and accept that it will be instituted as a non-statutory body in the first instance, I note the information received from a number of Australian infrastructure advisory bodies, which almost all stated that the standing of the body was substantially enhanced by its status as a body of statute. In addition to this announced status, there would be the added advantage of the commission being a permanent institution. So, whilst I am sure that the present Cabinet Secretary would at no time seek to dissolve this body, it would prevent anyone, subsequently holding his position, from doing so at some time in the future. I would also add that I believe that the commission’s permanence would greatly assist its prospects of recruiting the very best quality of personnel. The acceptance in principle to locate the commission outside of Cardiff is seen as a positive move and I welcome this proposal.

I wish to make the point that scrutiny of the commission is of paramount importance and I note here that we do not have a defined set of targets. I feel that it’s highly desirable that this deficit be remedied at the earliest possible opportunity. It cannot be stressed too forcefully that the appointment of the commission chair should be the subject of a pre-appointment hearing by a relevant committee. This is an absolute necessity, given the importance of the appointment, and would establish, from the outset, the independence of the commission. I also wish to echo my fellow committee members’ comments with regard to including social infrastructure in the commission’s remit.

So, in conclusion, we in UKIP welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s vision of creating a body that is removed from the burden of political expediency when making decisions of strategic importance with long-term implications. My party will fully support its implementation.