Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 1:51 pm on 7 February 2018.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 1:51, 7 February 2018

I think it's important that Government considers all legitimate proposals for economic development in all parts of Wales. With regard to the Heads of the Valleys, I'm determined to move on with the development of the automotive tech park. It was found, based on international evidence, that the development of a cluster did not require the circuit that was proposed—that specific proposal—however, a test facility, which would be akin to a circuit, could be complementary to the development of an automotive tech park, and, indeed, build on the investment that could go into it. So, I remain open minded about the long-term development of that particular project.

In the short term, we're determined to move ahead with the building of a suitable facility that can kick-start the vision of delivering 1,500 jobs. In the longer term, it's entirely possible that automotive companies that will be based in the tech park will require a test facility, and that's something that—I think we can base it on 5G technology. If we can base it on autonomous and connected technology then it's something that would provide Wales, but particularly the Heads of the Valleys, with a really unique selling point in a global market.