Pinewood

Part of 4. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:35 pm on 6 December 2017.

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Photo of Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Independent 3:35, 6 December 2017

(Translated)

Thank you very much for that series of questions. I would expect no less from the Member. But my answer, very clearly, is that the three objectives that he has set out are interlinked and all relevant to the film industry, of any kind. And what has happened here, of course, is that commercial changes have taken place in the ownership of Pinewood and that that has led to new priorities for the company in the way that it works, and the Welsh Government has been working very closely with Pinewood on that situation.

In addition to the international investments and the attempt to attract international companies to produce in Wales, and bring jobs to Wales, we as a Government have also, through the arts council, invested in Ffilm Cymru Wales—and I look forward to working with them—which has a greater cultural emphasis, in the usual meaning of the word there, although I personally consider all film production, certainly, as part of our culture—it has more of an artistic value in that regard, and that work will continue. And as I have extended an invitation to Suzy, I’ll also extend it to you to have an intelligent conversation as to the Government’s aims to this end.