Part of 2. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:56 pm on 6 June 2017.
This is all being considered as part of the due diligence process. There is no difference to my mind in being asked to provide money upfront and being asked to provide a guarantee. The commitment is the same. Indeed, with a guarantee, there is a need for more robustness in terms of making sure that that guarantee is unlikely to be called upon. I think it can never be guaranteed—if I can use that—but it’s important that as much is done to minimise any risk to the public purse, and that’s what we’re looking at as part of this process. And, as I said before, it’s a project that has potential, and I think this has helped the circuit themselves—a robust testing process of their model is good for them. They are able then to think carefully about what they think will be sustainable in the longer term, and on that basis we look forward now, when all the information is in—we trust this week—to be able to take a decision over the course of the next two or three weeks.