3. What assessment has the Government made of the contribution of rail freight to the Welsh economy? OQ57116

Thank you for the question. Rail freight is a critical part of Wales's transport system and supply chain. We will continue to encourage more freight to be moved by rail and support interventions that shift freight from road to rail, together with future innovations to help make the sector more sustainable. This is a transport infrastructure-led area that falls within the portfolio led by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change.

Thank you, Minister. Most goods have to be transported by lorries and vans along our roads in north Wales, and that's true for the most part in all of rural Wales. There's virtually no freight carried on the tracks of mid and north Wales. If we want to see fewer carbon emissions from vehicles, then we do have to carry more goods via rail.

Now, the Welsh Government's freight strategy in 2008 suggested that we should invest in more inter-modal exchanges, but not one has been developed across the railways of mid and north Wales. Having an inter-modal exchange alongside the north Wales and mid Wales line would enhance the economy and environment in Gwynedd, Môn, Powys and Ceredigion, so will you consider investing in such a development as soon as possible?

Well, as I said, this is an area that is led by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. Despite the fact that rail infrastructure is largely not devolved, we have, however, made rail facilities grants available to help develop some parts of the rail infrastructure. I’m sure the Deputy Minister for Climate Change will take a keen interest in your point and be happy to write to you if there are further matters to add to the answer I’ve already given.

Thank you to the Member for submitting a really important question in relation to rail freight and the Welsh economy. Minister, the Conwy valley railway line in my region runs from Llandudno down to Blaenau Ffestiniog, actually, in the Member’s constituency, and continues to be a really important transport route for many people. I’ve been really pleased to see Network Rail invest millions in recent years in the line to secure its future, which may, of course, present an opportunity for freight usage in the future. Indeed, I’ve had a number of meetings recently with Breedon Aggregates, who have themselves invested in a significant project at Llandudno Junction for a new rail head to better enable freight travel, which, as you acknowledged, certainly supports economic growth whilst also helping our planet by reducing those emissions on the road.

I acknowledge what you say, Minister, in terms of where the transport side of things lie in terms of ministerial portfolios, but, in terms of supporting companies and businesses in Wales, what support would you be looking to give companies like Breedon in their endeavours to make better use of the opportunities that freight has to offer?

Well, when it comes to looking at the economic development opportunities that come, then, yes, we’re always interested in working with companies and other partners. But I’m pleased you mentioned Network Rail in your answer, because, outside the core Valleys lines network, rail infrastructure is not devolved, and it is for Network Rail and the UK Government to invest in that, and it’s an area where they’ve conspicuously not done so over a significant period of time. There’s a broader point here—rather than picking a fight on areas that are plainly devolved, we'd be much better off if the UK Government would invest in areas that it is solely responsible for. We’d be happy to work with them to do so and to make sure that we do then realise the economic development opportunities that come from it.

Question 4, Altaf Hussain.

Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. Thank you, Minister. It is good to see you after six years, really. My question is—[Laughter.] It was the fourth Senedd, and it's the sixth Senedd. [Laughter.]

Carry on.