Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:47 pm on 2 October 2018.

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Photo of Adam Price Adam Price Plaid Cymru 1:47, 2 October 2018

Let's agree, in the time that you have left, First Minister, on the terms of trade: I ask the questions and you give the answers. It's your record that's under the focus here. Now, maybe one—I don't know—of your proudest moments was the great unveiling ceremony, when an Aston Martin car was draped in a Welsh flag in front of the Welsh Government's offices in Cathays Park. Now, what you've been less enthusiastic about revealing is precisely how much public money was used in order to secure the company's investment. You were compelled to reveal the £5.8 million initial grant you gave by the information commissioner. It was literally dragged out of you, but you're now yet again refusing to say whether the company has had any additional money, or to confirm that you've underwritten some of Aston Martin's debt, despite the fact that the company has itself confirmed that in the prospectus for its forthcoming flotation. So, two questions, First Minister: doesn't the Welsh public have a right to know about how much public money is being given to private companies? And, secondly, why are we underwriting the debt of a company that is about to raise £5 billion on the London stock exchange?