Speeches by Hoare.

“Dr Hayward, would you make Aberystwyth the capital of the world?”

“To encourage the venture capitalists through policy—okay. Mr Rupprecht?”

“All very helpful answers. Thank you.”

“In the business roundtable that we held in May—this is a question specifically to Mr Greenslade, if I may—businesses told us that they have experienced inconsistent engagement from the civil service and wider officials. That is particularly the case when officials change roles. We all know that the one thing that busin…”

“Thank you very much.”

“While understanding the need to respect the devolution settlement, is there any merit in Westminster, Cardiff and the local authorities considering the creation of a one-stop shop or front door for investment, which can then provide signposts and advice, rather than people either having to think to come to the CBI, or …”

“I have huge sympathy with all of you who seem to be saying as an underlying message that clusters, and the governmental support that can sit behind them and the initiative, can act as a driver. But ultimately, markets and investors decide, and they may take decisions across a range of things, not necessarily because a …”

“Yes, I think it was just Dr Hayward who had answered. Would colleagues like me to remind them of the question?”

“Yes, of course. It would be a bit unfair of us to test your memory. What can the UK Government be doing to promote inward investment opportunities? Allied to that, how best can we make sure that the Government are not using, at a time when the public finances are under pressure, taxpayers’ money where the private secto…”

“Mr Carter?”

“Mr Greenslade?”

“It does, thank you. Mr Rupprecht?”

“And sometimes a bit of pruning as well.”

“Exactly. This is when you indulge me in my favourite game: let’s pretend I am the Chancellor of the Exchequer—thank God I am not—and that I can effectively tell every Secretary of State what they are going to do, because I have the chequebook. Each of you has one ask of HMG that you think would make a tangible, meaning…”

“Good afternoon, Minister. It is nice to see you. In our first session in this inquiry, back on 4 June, we heard from three of the largest farming groups in Wales. I know that you will not be at all surprised to hear this, but they were best described as being aghast at the proposed tax changes announced in the Budget, …”

“Minister, I do not disagree with much of what you said with regard to the desirability of future-proofing agriculture, both in Wales and, indeed, across the United Kingdom, with a cemented-in next generation. Most will know that it is tough work. It is long hours. It is antisocial. It is 365 days a year, particularly i…”

“I just want to turn briefly, if I may, to intergovernmental relations; I chair PACAC for the House and have responsibility for scrutinising this area. I just want a word or two, Minister, if you might, on the effectiveness, in your assessment, of the inter-ministerial group for environment, food and rural affairs and h…”

“They always do. Thank you, Minister.”

“Minister, you are right to point out that there have been conversations, debates and all the rest of it. When the Home Office, the Department for Education, the Department of Health, the Ministry of Justice or the MOD has a punch-up with Treasury leading up to a Budget, a fiscal event, a spending review or whatever, it…”

“I thought we were going to have a punch-up!”