Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 1:48 pm on 6 March 2019.

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Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative 1:48, 6 March 2019

Diolch. I always like it when Ministers refer to public accounts inquiries, clearly with my Chair of that committee hat on as well. Aside from the work that public accounts has done into this area, according to a recent written Assembly question and answer to that question in 2018, 22 per cent of procurement spend by the Welsh Government on construction contracts worth over £500,000 went to firms based outside Wales—you've just mentioned that issue. That leakage represents a lost opportunity for investment in Welsh supply chains and, consequently, lost opportunities to further strengthen the economy of Wales. Now, I know when we've mentioned this previously in the Chamber, you and your predecessors have said there are, of course, issues in terms of giving contracts to English firms. Of course, that is a vital part of the UK economy as well, but I'm sure we would all like to see greater support, greater opportunities for Welsh firms and local firms.

You've mentioned the regional basis and the public accounts inquiry. Without pre-empting your reaction to that, could you tell us how you see the economic action plan and other aspects of Welsh Government policy ensuring that the Welsh firms, local firms, do get a fair share of the cake when it comes to the distribution of future procurement contracts in Wales?