Plaid Cymru AM calls on Labour government to support devolution of water powers
22/02/2012
Plaid Cymru AM Jocelyn Davies has today called on the Labour government to support the devolution of powers over water. She said that Plaid Cymru wants the people of Wales to be able to benefit from any further exploitation of our natural resources such as water.
In her question to the Business minister in the Senedd this afternoon, Plaid Cymru’s Jocelyn Davies AM said:
"Minister you’ll be aware that there are calls for water to be transported from Wales to drought stricken parts of the UK. You’ll also be aware that Plaid Cymru, in our submission to the Silk Commission, called for Wales to be allowed to levy taxes on our natural resources. I note that the Welsh Government’s submission did not do that. Would you now be prepared to support in principle the devolution of powers over water?"
Following her question to the Minister, Ms Davies added:
"Recent calls to move water from Wales to areas of the UK affected by drought, highlight the need for control over Wales’ natural resources to be devolved for the benefit of our nation. Bringing Wales’ natural resources under Welsh control would allow us to benefit from the water and wind that we have in abundance, in the same way as other nations benefit from their resources. In Plaid Cymru’s evidence to the Silk Commission we have called for the transfer of responsibilities for our natural resources including water. The Welsh Government would then be in a position to make sure that Wales benefits from the transfer of these resources."