Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:51 pm on 27 February 2018.
I'm grateful for an element of clarity. I appreciate the public inquiry is still ongoing, but obviously I'm basing my questions on the letter that was received by Members on another transport issue that came to light over the recess, which was Abellio's withdrawal from the rail franchise that is currently up for negotiation and tender from the Welsh Government. A bitterly disappointing outcome, obviously. Now, 50 per cent of the bidders have withdrawn from the process. One would ask the question: did the Welsh Government or Transport for Wales work proactively with Abellio to try and resolve the problem around Carillion to keep them in the race for the tender? Because the more ideas, hopefully, the better franchise agreement we will get. And one thing that train users in Wales deserve is a better service than they're getting at the moment. Irrespective of party colour, we can all agree with that, we can.
So, what I'd like is an indication from the leader of the house, if possible, on whether the Government is confident that the two remaining bidders' bids are robust and will go the duration. And, secondly, what clarity can she give around the engagement with Abellio to try and resolve some of the issues they had with the Carillion collapse? Given Carillion's longstanding financial problems that were well understood for many months, was there much engagement from Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government to try and facilitate them staying within the tendering process?