Questions now from the party spokespeople. Questions from the Conservative spokesperson, to be answered by the Deputy Minister for arts and sport, and to be asked by Tom Giffard.

Diolch, Llywydd. Good afternoon to you, Deputy Minister. I wanted to start by drawing your attention to yesterday's comments by former Welsh Rugby Union chief executive, David Moffett, who said in an interview with the BBC that Welsh rugby was a laughing stock. He's also the man responsible for the regionalisation of the rugby structure in Wales and also said that the concept had not worked, and he called for one of the four rugby regions in Wales to be cut, which obviously mirrors a report commissioned by the professional rugby board, where one of the recommendations was that a region be cut as well. I understand the next meeting of the PRB is set to be held today, where that report is to be considered. So, I wonder what discussions you've had with the WRU in this area. Do you think regionalisation of rugby in Wales has been a success? Can Wales sustain four rugby teams and, if so, what steps are you taking to ensure that that model can be successful going forward?

Can I thank Tom Giffard for that question? Certainly we're aware of the reports in the press that the WRU is exploring options for a change in their structure. You'll appreciate that I and my officials meet with the WRU on a fairly regular basis and one of the things that we do talk to them about is the ongoing financial sustainability of the WRU and the regions. But as you've already said, the reports in the press are based on an independent report commissioned by the PRB and it's not yet been considered by the PRB or the WRU. So, it's purely a matter for the WRU, as the governing body for the game, to work with the PRB and make those decisions for the benefit of the game in Wales.

As you know, we have provided a significant loan to the WRU to help manage the impact of COVID and to support our regional teams, and any discussions around changes in the structure or the number of the regions won't affect that arrangement. But I would certainly want to have further discussions with the WRU, once they make their decisions and once they've considered that report, about the future financial viability of the regions, which is so important to the future of the game in Wales.

Thank you, Deputy Minister, for that answer. Turning to another topic, since the last time you and I did spokespersons' questions together, we've seen the welcome news of a new appointment of the chief executive of the National Library of Wales, with Ashok Ahir taking up the new role. And as part of that process, he came before the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee, of which I'm a member, for a pre-appointment hearing, and I'm pleased to say I endorsed him to that new position. However, when asked by my colleague Alun Davies about the future financial stability of the library, he said that whilst he recognised that public bodies needed to look after their own finances, he also said, and I quote:

'you can always expect the Welsh Treasury...to bail you out from time to time'.

Is he right?

Sorry, I didn't catch the last bit of your question. Sorry.

He said:

'you can always expect the Welsh Treasury...to bail you out from time to time'.

Is he right?

Well, you know—. Bail him out? I mean, what we want to do is ensure the sustainability of our national organisations, our cultural organisations, and one of the things that we've committed to in the co-operation agreement with Plaid is that we will do just that. The national library is one of those organisations that we want to ensure will be sustainable going forward. So, I don't look at it as bailing anybody out. What we are looking to do is to work with all of our national sponsored bodies and governing bodies to ensure that they are financially sustainable going forward. And our investment in the budget over the next three years gives a clear indication that we propose to do that and intend to do that with the national library.

Thank you, Deputy Minister. I agree that it's really important that these institutions are financially solvent, but it is worrying that that might be the attitude in some of these organisations, and that's probably something that comes from you, as the Deputy Minister, to bring in that change of culture.

Finally, turning to another institution for which you're responsible, I wanted to ask about the ongoing situation with Amgueddfa Cymru. Two months ago, WalesOnline reported there was a significant rift at the heart of its senior management team. The relationship between the president and director general of the organisation was reported as being at rock bottom and it was having a real impact on the ability of Amgueddfa Cymru to function properly, with the auditor general noting significant concerns about it too in their financial report. But since the publication of that article two months ago, I've seen no clarification from the organisation that any of the claims are untrue and there hasn't been a written or oral statement from you, as the Minister responsible. Why hasn't that happened? And surely you must agree with me that this is a situation that requires your intervention.

Can I just assure the Member that I am fully aware of what is going on in Amgueddfa Cymru and that I'm having regular discussions with officials and with the museum itself? However, what you would also appreciate is that it wouldn't be appropriate for me to bring to the floor of this Senedd internal staffing issues that are currently being considered. There are various legal processes in place and there are internal processes that are being pursued. And whilst those are ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to bring that to the floor of the Senedd or to make any statement, but I will do in due course when those issues are resolved.

In terms of the wider governance issues of Amgueddfa Cymru, then we are working closely with them to determine the scope of the upcoming tailored review, which was identified as being necessary by the auditor general. And when I have the proposals finalised for that, I will be bringing that to the floor of the Senedd for your information, and that should be done in the summer at the latest.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson now, Heledd Fychan.

Diolch, Llywydd. A year ago, shortly following my election to the Senedd, and your appointment to your role, I asked how you would ensure a more central role for the arts and culture in the Government of the sixth Senedd, as compared to the fourth and fifth Senedd, and how you planned to tackle the underinvestment that has been seen for over a decade. I'm sure you will recall that I thought, and still do, that your portfolio merits a ministerial post, not just a Deputy Minister post. You responded by noting that you would work alongside the economy Minister to make sure the cultural sector was adequately funded, and that the cultural sector plays a key part in economic recovery. However, since then, I believe that we have seen a sidelining of the cultural portfolio and the cultural sector in Wales by Welsh Government, despite your personal effort. For example, since the Senedd election in 2021, up to 6 May this year, there have been only 46 arts, culture and sport announcements from Welsh Government, of which only two were orally delivered in this Chamber—the fewest of all portfolios, according to an analysis of all announcements and statements. Why is this?

First of all, Heledd, thank you for those questions. And I would say that I'm not 'just' the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, I am the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport and I have an integral role in the Government of Wales, and my views and my input into Government is as valuable as any other Minister's. But in terms of the cultural announcements, I can assure you culture is not being sidelined. But there are things that we have to do—we take forward operational plans for all of our national governing bodies and sponsored bodies. And so part of those discussions will now be that we're waiting—. They've all had their remit letters, they know what they have to do, and we're now waiting for their operational plans. And there will be significant things in those operational plans that will come out and will be announced on the floor of this Senedd. But again, a lot of the work that we do is ongoing on a daily basis. It is work as usual, it's business as usual, it's the things that we do. And I have made announcements, on creative skills and other issues, and I will continue to make announcements, supporting the cultural sector, which is hugely important to Welsh Government, and certainly to me.

Thank you, Minister. I very much look forward to hearing more announcements over the next year. But the facts do speak for themselves at the moment, when we do compare to the other portfolios. Obviously, as you would expect, we have seen 301 coronavirus announcements, but 51 on communities and regeneration. Culture and sports and arts do deserve to be heard here, and if we are not vocal and discussing them here, then they are not being seen as central, as I know that you believe they are, to growth and recovery post pandemic.

I was lucky enough this morning to visit Bad Wolf studios and Screen Alliance Wales. It was fantastic to hear about all the work that is being done to provide a gateway between the film and tv industry and its workforce, alongside providing alternative pathways. So, how is Welsh Government working with organisations such as Screen Alliance Wales, to maximise opportunities for people from across Wales, and from every background, to work in the creative industries and the cultural sector?

That is absolutely right and very important as well, because that is exactly what the establishment of the creative skills board is about. The creative skills board will be working with all the creative industries across Wales—and Screen Alliance is very much one of those bodies that is involved with that—so that we do reach out to people across the country, and get them to look at creative industries as a viable career choice. One of the things that I found when I last spoke to Screen Alliance Wales was how they get young people to think about the creative industries as being a career choice, not just as an actor or not just as lighting and photography technicians and so on, but plasterers, carpenters, plumbers—all these people. The work of a film set, as you probably know, is like a small town. And we have a great film industry here in Wales, particularly in the south-east of Wales—the third largest film production area in the United Kingdom. So, all of that work is about reaching out across the country, to try to encourage more people to come in to the creative industries—one of the fastest growing industries in Wales, currently employing in the region of 56,000 people. So, that is very much on the top of my list as well.

Question 3, Janet Finch-Saunders.