Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I just begin by saying how much I do respect Members' views on this issue? There have always been a wide range of opinions on this topic—passionately held beliefs and principled positions, and I recognise that strength of feeling. I hope that Members will also recognise the sincerity with which I respond to this debate today.

There are Members in this Chamber who have been consistent for many years in either supporting or opposing the proposed black route—the M4 relief road. I don't think there is disagreement, to be honest, in this Chamber on the very question of whether something needs to be done around Newport and the Brynglas tunnels. I think everybody in this Chamber would agree that the situation is unacceptable and that it cannot go on. Commuters, passengers and businesses, freight goods and produce—they all spend far too long delayed, queuing and waiting on that stretch of the M4. 

Deputy Presiding Officer, even those who question the proposed scheme and those who hold principled concerns about the need for any major road upgrade do not think that 'do nothing' is a viable option. What I think is the cause of disagreement is what we do to tackle the problem around Newport and the Brynglas tunnels, just as how we go about tackling problems with congestion in other parts of Wales is often a central point of disagreement: whether we go blue or whether we go black, whether we pour the capital into a single road project or into active travel, or rail, or a combination of solutions. As a Welsh Government, we have put forward a proposal, based on a manifesto commitment my party was elected on at the last election. Crucially, the scheme is part of a wider vision for an integrated world-class sustainable and multimodal transport system in south Wales, which Mick Antoniw talked warmly of. One that, alongside the ambition and creativity of metro, can provide a strong and lasting foundation for inclusive growth—growth not just in, but around the region.

Now, as I said, I am mindful of the varied views that have been expressed about this proposal today and over many years. And to ensure that all views on all sides are rigorously and systematically considered, independent inspectors have, over many, many months, been taking evidence, carefully listening to and considering all views. Every Member in this Chamber, every political party, every business, every group, every individual in Wales, has had the opportunity to input into that process, and evidence presented to the inquiry is now being tested rigorously. Given the rather unpleasant and unfair comments we have seen in recent times, concerning public officials who provide independent advice, I know that we will set a better standard and a better example over the next few months, by respecting the process by which evidence has been tested, and by respecting the outcome of the inquiry. The inquiry will soon conclude its work. I've always said that I want this public inquiry to be open, and also to be robust, testing all suggested alternatives to inform what would be a significant infrastructure investment for Wales.

Given the interest from parties in this Chamber, that's why I instructed the blue route to be developed and assessed in considerable detail, with seven variations of it laid before the inquiry, to compare it against the Welsh Government's proposed scheme. Members have, of course, talked about the cost differential as justification for the motion today, and yet, until the inquiry has reported, we won't really know what the cost differential is. Indeed, there may not be a cost differential.

I also recognise that many Members today have talked about the emerging technologies that can be utilised in cars in the future. Applying the so-called predict and provide model of the present to vehicles of the future could actually see, based on a lot of international evidence, increased need for road space, given that autonomous cars, certainly in their infant stage, are likely to require more space in order to comply with new rules and regulations. [Interruption.] Yes, of course. Yes.