Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance – in the Senedd at 1:41 pm on 14 November 2018.

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Photo of Steffan Lewis Steffan Lewis Plaid Cymru 1:41, 14 November 2018

I thank him for that answer. Of course, yet again, it's disappointing that the so-called respect agenda, one that the Cabinet Secretary himself said that he hoped would begin as a result of the agreement between his Government and the UK Government on the withdrawal Bill, and one that would see a shift in attitudes and patters towards discussions with devolved administrations—. And, again, Wales seems to be treated with the same old contempt. Apparently, there are reports that the Government of Gibraltar have had sight of the text. I wonder if he could confirm whether that is indeed the case, and whether he thinks it's acceptable for one government, that's not even in the United Kingdom, to have sight of the draft text and for governments within the UK not to. 

I appreciate the fact that, without the detail, it's very difficult to be specific, but one of the rumours emanating from the draft text so far is that, under the draft text, Northern Ireland will remain effectively in the EU single market for goods. Does the Cabinet Secretary agree that that would give Northern Ireland an unfair competitive advantage, making Wales less attractive for inward investment? And, if so, isn't that basis enough for the Welsh Government to oppose the draft withdrawal agreement?