Oral Answers to Questions

Alex Davies-Jones Excerpts

Wednesday 17th November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Alex Davies-Jones (Pontypridd) (Lab)]

5. What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister of Wales on the safety of coal tips in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (David T. C. Davies)]

Last month, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and the First Minister of Wales co-chaired the coal tip safety summit, to receive an update from the joint taskforce. The taskforce has co-ordinated work to identify and categorise tips in Wales and has undertaken inspections of all the highest-risk tips, providing reassurance to the communities that live nearby.

[Alex Davies-Jones]

Just a few weeks ago, my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour the Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) asked the Prime Minister for support for coal tip repairs throughout our local authority area; in response, the Prime Minister said:

“This is something that I do want to try to fix”—[Official Report, 3 November 2021; Vol. 702, c. 923.]

and promised to talk to the Welsh Government. Will the Minister provide an update on those conversations? Is the plan for support being put in place, or is it just more empty words?

[David T. C. Davies]

I am not yet responsible for the Prime Minister’s diary, but I know that he welcomes engagement with the First Minister at every opportunity. With respect to the hon. Lady, coal tip safety is a devolved issue and the Welsh Labour Government do not seem to welcome our involvement in devolved issues. Of course, we have provided the Welsh Government with £2.5 billion of extra funding, so they have the powers and the money to deal with the issue. We urge them to get on and deal with it.

[Alex Davies-Jones]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

We cannot do points of order; they come afterwards.