May I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement here today, which follows a previous statement on this issue, of course, as we all know? Following publication of the recommendations made by the steering group in early February, I asked the Cabinet Secretary to respond to the recommendations fairly quickly, and the reason for that was that I felt the sector needed assurances going forward. In thanking the Cabinet Secretary for bringing the statement before us today, there are still some questions that need to be answered.

Following earlier discussions, the Cabinet Secretary is aware that I'm quite happy to support the idea of co-operation between bodies in the sector, but I definitely think there is a need to safeguard the independence of these organisations as well. In fact, I'm glad to see that the steering group also recognises the importance of this point. Point 3.1 of the report by the steering group says, in English:

Oherwydd y gyfraith elusennau, siarteri llywodraethu a gofynion statudol eraill, bydd yr argymhellion yn parchu hunaniaeth, gonestrwydd, annibyniaeth a dibenion craidd y sefydliadau cenedlaethol.

PwC's report also talks about the risks associated with merging these national bodies to create a single body across the sector.It was disappointing, therefore, to read again about merger in the Cabinet Secretary’s letter on 30 March to Justin Albert. Specifically, in talking about the recommendations of the steering group, the Cabinet Secretary said, and I quote:

mae’n iawn ein bod yn profi’r cyfleoedd hyn ac yn gwerthuso eu heffaith cyn archwilio pa un a all uno ffurfiol fod yn effeithiol.

Why the talk of formal mergers all the time? It’s mentioned in the statement again today. From my perspective, the steering group’s message is clear, namely, that there is potential for these bodies to work together in a strategic partnership, but that there should be respect for the freedom and independence of these organisations at the same time. Does the Cabinet Secretary not understand that talk of formal mergers generates uncertainty among staff members throughout the sector and that there is a need to stop using that term?

Regarding CADW, a number of reports have talked about the need to move the body out of the direct control of the Government - the Professor Terry Stevens report, the PwC report, and now the report of the steering group. So, we were disappointed to see the Cabinet Secretary propose in his letter to Justin Albert that other options should be considered for, in his own words, ailadliniad mewnol neu Gorff a Noddir gan Lywodraeth Cymru.

All this creates a perception that the Government wants to control as many things as possible centrally.

Of course, it is important that the Government monitors the effectiveness of any investment in the sector. That's what taxpayers would expect. But it is important that the Government does not restrict the freedom and independence of these national organisations, which play a unique and important role in the life of the nation. In talking of investment, it is not clear how the Cabinet Secretary sees the strategic partnership working and whether additional financial resources will be provided to deliver the wide range of recommendations that the strategic partnership will need to address.

In closing, may I welcome recommendation 4.8 by the steering group on the creation of a skills strategy for the cultural sector, and could I also ask the Cabinet Secretary about his vision regarding local museums as part of this statement? I have visited several local museums recently, including, naturally, those in Swansea time and again, and also Tenby, and there are questions arising about how those organisations are interwoven with the national organisations. An update on this would also be welcome. Thank you.