Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I am pleased to move the motion in the name of Rhun ap Iorwerth.

The former south Wales coalfields, the Valleys, have been in a state of economic crisis probably since at least the general strike of 1926. And since then, there have been a number of initiatives over the decades, often in response to social unrest, each one failing to achieve the objective of a just prosperity for the Valleys communities, based on diversification from the old industries to new ones. Indeed, we can go back to the Special Areas Act 1934 where all of south Wales was designated a special economic area, right through to the age of European structural funds that is about to come to an end.

Plaid Cymru’s motion today firstly notes the current economic state of play in the Valleys region, and proposes steps to re-industrialise, rejuvenate and restore the communities of that region. In point (c) in our motion, we draw attention to the importance of prioritising investment. This is a very important theme, because we can see at a state and sub-state level around the world the impact of a geographically unbalanced economy flowing and stemming from unequal investment. We see it here in the UK in relation to London and the south-east of England compared to all other areas, and even in smaller countries, too, like our neighbours in Ireland, who are intervening fiscally and economically now to spread opportunity and investment outside the capital region in Dublin and around the city.

My own view in this field is that we need a new economic and fiscal fairness Bill, and that such Bills should be introduced at both the national and state level, and that that can provide us now with an opportunity to implement a new bespoke regional aid policy for Wales in the context of our leaving the European Union.

Point (b) in our motion calls for a positive Government decision on the Circuit of Wales project, subject to normal due diligence, of course. This is a decision we were told would be made within four to six weeks back in February this year and my friend the Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr has articulated earlier in today’s proceedings the sad sequence of events relating to that issue. I just want to add to that that as someone, like others in the Chamber, who’s spent almost all my life in the Valleys communities, it is disappointing and sad that we still see the process of raising local expectations, only to leave them unfulfilled, and that this is in great part the reason why so many people, particularly in the Valleys but not exclusively in the Valleys, are so cynical about politics and politicians and have little hope for the future, and that they feel powerless and disengaged. [Interruption.]