1. Will the First Minister confirm at what cost the Welsh Government will look at alternatives to the current proposed plans for the M4 relief road? OAQ51826

A public inquiry has been taking place over the last 12 months to scrutinise all aspects of the project, including costs and suggested alternatives. The independent inspectors’ report and the business case will inform a final decision this year on whether to proceed with the scheme.

The First Minister told us in 2015 that the project would cost, and I quote, 'nowhere near £1 billion.' I suppose, in one sense, that's correct because the cost is now put at around £1.4 billion. If the Assembly does support the black route in the vote that we're now going to have, how can we trust the Welsh Government to deliver it at acceptable cost when you've shown no ability so far to do so, and the costs on the Heads of the Valleys road are out of control? Are you asking the Assembly to write you a blank cheque?

No, not at all. I'm not going to comment on the merits of the project due to the fact that the statutory final decision remains to be made, and it's quite clear that there are a wide range of views on this significant potential infrastructure investment, and it's extremely right that these views are all being heard at the inquiry and should be taken into account. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport has clearly stated in this Chamber that he instructed the inquiry be comprehensive and test the need for the scheme in the light of the latest proposals for the south Wales metro, and consider alternatives, and, indeed, consider the costs involved in that. Once the outcome of the inquiry is known, that will inform a final decision on whether to proceed with construction, and that will include, obviously, a business plan, which will then be put into place. 

I was 13 years old when an M4 relief road around Newport was first mooted in 1991. [Laughter.] I haven't aged. [Laughter.] The current local public inquiry is the longest and most thorough inquiry in Welsh history, testing seven potential routes, including the option of doing nothing. The independent public inquiry is eagerly anticipated by my constituents, and it's only right and proper to look closely at the findings when they're published later this year. As for many businesses, visitors, commuters and constituents, the option of doing nothing, or more delays to a decision, are costly. It's estimated that the M4 is a key artery for 70 per cent of Wales's population and economy. Will the leader of the house relay to the Cabinet Secretary and the First Minister the imperative of a speedy resolution once the independent inspector reports, particularly with the removal of the Severn tolls, which will increase traffic and congestion on that part of the road?

Yes, I think the Member makes a fair point. Sadly, I was a little older than 13 at the start of this. Not much older, obviously. [Laughter.] There are a large number of legal implications involved in the consideration of the public inquiry, and we will need to consider options once we've got the outcome of the inquiry, and that will have to include also the timing of the decision, the costing and the business plan, as I say. But, absolutely, we're all aware of the serious issues on the M4 around Newport, and the Cabinet Secretary is here listening to your remarks, which I'm sure he heard. 

I'm sure you're not going to go ahead of the public inquiry, as you stated very clearly, but I'm sure you'd agree as well that we in this Parliament have not outsourced £2 billion-worth of public spending or the opportunity costs of alternative investment in alternative road transport, and alternative transport methods, to a public inquiry. We are the elected Assembly and, ultimately, we should take that decision. I welcome the letter today from the Cabinet Secretary saying there will be a real vote in the Assembly, and to make that an even more vital and real vote, will you now, in deputising for the First Minister and as leader of the house, and you're chief whip, make it a free vote for your group?

I'm very delighted to confirm that we'll bring forward a debate in Government time on the M4 corridor around the Newport project following the conclusion of the public local inquiry. Given the legal implications, we are currently considering options as to the timing and format of that, and I will be keeping the Assembly informed of those plans as myself, other than in deputising for the First Minister. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport has just written to all party groups in the Assembly, but he will be arranging a technical briefing with project team officials on the current position, to ensure Members are fully apprised of all the facts relating to the scheme beforehand. So, I hear what the Member says and I take the point he makes, but we will be considering that once we know the outcome of the inquiry.