Part of 4. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:32 pm on 6 March 2019.
Thank you very much for that. I can confirm that the official who has been acting on my behalf in this area clearly understands the economic implications, because the head of sport is also involved in regional development—not exactly in the same area, but in south Wales. So, I will re-emphasise in further discussions, both with other officials in Government, and with him, and in my forthcoming discussions with the Welsh Rugby Union, that these matters will be properly addressed. And this of course relates to what David asked earlier about the social programme and the community programme. Rugby is a form of culture, as well as a major sport in Wales, clearly, and therefore we must look at all aspects of what we do. Because, on the one hand, we can't talk about the benefit of sport to the community and yet allow the community to be denuded of some of that direct benefit when changes like this are being contemplated. I only wish that these sorts of discussions—as many Members have echoed—should be happening at another time, and not during the heights of the rugby season at this moment.