Shadow Minister for the Economy David Melding AM today questioned the Deputy First Minister on the future of Finance Wales.
During Assembly questions to the Deputy First Minister, Mr Melding asked whether:
- Finance Wales would be privatised?
- If privatised, what measures would be put in place to ensure that excessive private profits are not made on public capital?
- Given Finance Wales’ diversification into the North East of England, whether Finance Wales’ main focus of operation will remain in Wales.
The Deputy First Minister refused to confirm or deny that Finance Wales would be privatised and only agreed to make a statement clarifying the situation in ‘due course’.
Mr Melding said:
“We would not oppose privatisation as long as value for money for the public pound is protected and that Finance Wales’ main operation remains in Wales.
“It is also important that the future structure of Finance Wales is clarified as soon as possible.”
