Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:02 pm on 24 October 2018.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:02, 24 October 2018

I was sorry to hear the Member respond in such an agitated and uncomradely way. I think it's important to recognise that on many issues—[Interruption.] On many issues, I think we would agree. And, on the particular issue of rail investment, there is no difference, I'm sure, across the Chamber, in our views that more resource should be spent in Wales. But the Member has already highlighted that he would wish to take on responsibility for spending Welsh taxpayers' money on projects that the UK Government should be investing in, such as the electrification of Cardiff to Swansea. That is a UK Government responsibility—that is not a Welsh Government responsibility—and the money should come from the UK Government. Why do you not challenge the UK Government over this issue and say, instead, that you would wish to take on that spending? It's absurd. It's absurd. I know that we're in the period of Halloween, with scary stories and practical jokes, but your idea of spending Welsh taxpayers' money on services and infrastructure that should be paid for by the UK Government is nothing short of a joke.