: The Minister, I'm
sure, will have seen the recent announcement from Rolls-Royce
that Deeside is one of six locations shortlisted for the first
small nuclear reactor factory. Now, the reality is that nuclear
power will have a role to play in ending our reliance on fossil
fuels, and the Minister and Members will know that we do have a
highly skilled workforce in the north-east of Wales required for
such bids. And I say that with pride as a Member who previously
has worked in the manufacturing and engineering industry in
Deeside alongside colleagues in that sector, and I am proud to be
able to say that. Minister, this is a chance to increase economic
growth not just in Alyn and Deeside, but right across north
Wales. Therefore, can I ask you, Minister, what the Welsh
Government can do to support such a bid?
(Minister for
Economy): Yes, I take on board the preamble stuff about the
reality that nuclear will be a part of our future energy mix. If
you look at what the alternative is, Germany, for example, having
moved away from nuclear, is now having to restart and reinvest in
coal and that has real and significant unavoidable consequences
for the whole planet and not just Germany itself. So, we are very
clear that we want to see investment that will benefit the local
economy, and, of course, you're right that north Wales, across
the board, has significant strengths in advanced manufacturing
and engineering. And if that investment were to be made in
Deeside, and we would like it to be, there would be significant
numbers of jobs, not just within Deeside, but what it would mean
for the future. So, we'll continue to be positively engaged
around Trawsfynydd, around Wylfa, and around Rolls-Royce's
potential ambitions and what that could mean for Wales. My
officials continue to meet with Rolls-Royce;
there is good constructive engagement. And we look forward and
hope that Deeside will, ultimately, be the starting point of SNR
production, and, indeed, as the First Minister said yesterday, a
future for radioisotope production in Traws as well.
