Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:32 pm on 11 December 2019.
I take Mark Isherwood's point. This is a very complex area. What we were concerned about as a committee is that, although we saw the ambition of Banc Cambria, we were concerned about the consequences on credit unions and other organisations, in terms of having a negative impact, and perhaps the unintended consequences on other services. But it is a very hugely complex area, and the Welsh Government has to, I think, work hard at the levers that it has at its disposal. Our inquiry I think barely scratched the surface, but hopefully we've shone some light, perhaps, on this in terms of what banks have to face.
I will end my contribution. Jack Sargeant did say he wanted to wish a happy Christmas in terms of—. I think he said he wanted to wish everyone—. His wish for Christmas was a bank in Buckley—is that right? That's right. All he wants for Christmas is a bank in Buckley. But I would say that we should thank everyone who took part in this inquiry. The evidence that was provided was of a high standard and I would particularly like to wish a happy Christmas to those that support us as Assembly Members when it comes to bringing forward our inquiries, in terms of drafting them and the research that goes into them as well. So, happy Christmas to the staff that help us to so widely do this.
I think I would end—. It is disappointing—Joyce Watson pointed this out—that the banks themselves did not engage with our inquiry as we would have liked. This is really disappointing, I'm afraid. They had the opportunity to participate and they didn't. So, we're not wishing them a happy Christmas. [Laughter.]