9. Debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee Report: Public procurement in the primary economy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:21 pm on 11 November 2020.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 6:21, 11 November 2020

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I only blame myself, because I agreed to the request of the Business Committee to reduce the time for this debate, so I blame myself—I've only 50 seconds, or 45, now. Helen Mary was focused on recycling the public pound in Wales. Jenny Rathbone argued that—well, was concerned that the policy is still developing at this stage. David Rowlands was correct, I think, in that we need a good definition of the foundational economy, and also concerned—correctly, I think—about skills within the local authorities. Joyce Watson was raising issues around childcare and how we can level up in that regard. The Deputy Minister—I was a little bit unsure about some of his comments; I'm perplexed by his remarks. I can assure the Deputy Minister that my comments were not my personal comments, they were the views of the committee, the cross-party committee, and I'm disappointed that he thinks otherwise, it appears. I was pleased to hear his comment about masks, and I think that demonstrates that, actually, this is achievable, so I think that's positive. I'm very grateful to all those who gave evidence to the committee, including Mohammad Asghar, who was a member of the committee at the time. Thanks also to our great clerking team and integrated team, who support us. I'm sure, Deputy Presiding Offer, this will not be the last time we discuss public procurement in this Chamber, but I hope, by the next time we discuss it, the dial and pace will have moved on a bit. Thank you.