Speeches by Ranger.

“Is that due to decisions made 20-odd years ago when devolution of rail happened more widely across the UK?”

“Thank you. To wrap up this housing section, we have heard that engagement between prison resettlement teams and local authority housing teams is often inadequate. Quite often, you have people moving around between different prisons and records getting lost, and then a problem with rehousing as people leave prison. This…”

“Thank you for joining us today. The Welsh Government have long called for greater devolution of rail policy. Does the Railways Bill as drafted progress that ambition?”

“Thank you very much.”

“What outcomes would devolution of rail enable that could not be achieved in Wales through the current settlement? What difference would it make?”

“It has been good to see that there has been—as you have already alluded to—some great partnership working already happening. I am thinking of the developments happening in my area in north-east Wales, but also in south Wales and all the investment that is going on. It does rely on partnership working, and there is pote…”

“Again, it links back to prisoners moving around the prison estate. They might have had education or skills training in the prison, but they have been moved around and those employment opportunities might not present themselves. It is the linkage of records again; we could have provided all the skills, education and tra…”

“That sounds interesting and really good.”

“Thank you. I am sure we can pass that contact on and let you have those details if it would help. Let me move on to employment; again, we touched on this when we were talking about education and skills to allow prison leavers to get meaningful employment outside of prison. Minister, how are you making it easier for bus…”

“As you said, and as we heard from the panel before, Scottish Ministers will enjoy significant powers of direction under clause 8 of the Bill. But in the context of the current settlement, or in the Bill as it stands, is there any scope for Welsh Ministers to have some powers of direction?”

“Yes, on a continuation of that point. Lots of Transport for Wales assets are actually in England. I am thinking about Chester station, Shrewsbury station, the Shrewsbury-Chester line and the Marches line, which are key connection routes. The Transport for Wales brand, as you have highlighted, is quite a strong brand in…”

“As the Secretary of State outlined, the new defence growth deals announced earlier this year promise exciting opportunities, particularly for young people entering high-skill engineering and new apprenticeship roles. North Wales already hosts world-class defence firms, such as Teledyne Qioptiq; what benefits, especiall…”

“3. What steps he is taking through defence spending to help increase economic growth.”

“As someone with a long and proud career in the hospitality industry before being elected to this place, I know—as we all do—that the sector plays a vital role for our high streets and communities. It brings people together, provides crucial local jobs and boosts economies. In Wrexham alone, over 1,200 people are employ…”

“6. What steps his Department is taking to help create economic growth.”

“Good morning and thank you for joining us today. I would like to look now more at, as you led on to, how the two Governments work together on promoting inward investment. As a Committee, we recently visited the US and learned how the Government’s teams over there work together. Could you tell us more about the practica…”

“That is great. Thank you very much.”

“We saw for ourselves in the consulate in New York how the Wales team and the DBT team are working together there. You had written to us in some evidence saying that there were some areas of improvement between those two teams that you had some recommendations for. Could you elaborate on those points for us? What change…”

“Good morning and thank you for joining us today. I would like to look now more at, as you led on to, how the two Governments work together on promoting inward investment. As a Committee, we recently visited the US and learned how the Government’s teams over there work together. Could you tell us more about the practica…”

“That is great. Thank you very much.”