Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:36 pm on 22 October 2019.
Could I identify with the comments in particular about Tomlinsons Dairies, where we had the urgent question last week? And I appreciate the Government has been involved for some considerable period of time with the dairy. But it is imperative and incumbent, I would suggest, on Sainsbury's to live up to their pledge. They directed producers to this dairy. I don't blame the Welsh Government for this, but, by the heavy involvement of Welsh Government, many farmers took that as a green light, if you like, to put their supplies with that particular dairy. And because of economic circumstances, many now face a very bleak couple of weeks, trying to understand how they're going to plug that cashflow. So, if the Welsh Government does feel it is able, in any way, shape or form, to use its contacts at Sainsbury's, that would be hugely appreciated. I appreciate it's a commercial decision, but any activity and action the Welsh Government could bring would be most welcome—I'm assuring you of that.
Could I also seek a statement from the housing Minister, please, in relation to Celestia Homes, just up the way from this building here? Many Members have been lobbied and informed of the very precarious situation that all residents find themselves in in that particular block. In excess of 400 houses have had a fire prevention order served on them, and, in particular, a lot of the work looks as if it was substandard when it was built in 2006-07. I appreciate, again, this is in the field of commercial activity and that it's a dispute between Redrow and other individuals involved in the construction of that particular block, but it would be worth while if the Minister would give a statement forward to Members so that we can understand whether the Welsh Government see themselves having a role at all in being honest broker in this dispute. And importantly, the enforcement of building regulations—. I met residents on Friday, and some of the pictures they showed clearly are at the build stage, and the non-supervision of the implementation of plumbing works, fire prevention measures were not correctly installed—. And it is unbelievable to think that they could have been signed off by building regulation officers from the local authority. I do think that's a really important—[Interruption.] I can hear plenty of people chundering. I've built three or four properties myself, so I do understand a bit about building regs, and the building regs do allow for an impartial person to come in and sign, at every stage, the building works off, so that they meet a satisfactory level. There are, as I said, in excess of 400 residents, just a stone's throw away from this building, who are at their wits' end. And I would be grateful if the Minister could bring a statement forward, to indicate whether the Government is able in any way to act as honest broker. I'm not blaming the Government at all, but there is a role for Government here to assist, I would suggest, along with the local authority—in this case, Cardiff council.
And the second point I would like to make, if possible, please, is to understand why yesterday's statement was given in a written form on the new loan to Cardiff Airport. Only three weeks ago, I raised it with your good self about the Minister coming forward with a statement after the evidence that was given to the Public Accounts Committee over the continuing involvement of Welsh Government. And to have another loan put on the table, without oral examination from Members in this Chamber, really is disrespectful, I would suggest. This is a considerable sum of money, now taking in excess of £50 million leant to the airport. And the Government can talk all they want about this being on commercial terms, and rates; none of us know what those commercial terms are because, every time we question on these areas, we are told that this is commercial confidentiality and we cannot release that information. Well, if you feel strong enough about it and you feel prepared to stand by it, you should be able to take questions in this Chamber. And looking at the agenda today, there is more than enough time available to the Government to have brought a statement forward. So, I'd be grateful to understand why a written statement and not an oral statement was brought forward, when this substantial sum of money was injected into the airport.