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Work Programme

With permission, Mr Havard, I would like to make a statement. I congratulate the Committee and all those who have been involved in organising today’s sitting. It is extremely important that the Welsh Grand Committee should meet in Wales. That is a statement of the commitment of both the UK Parliament and the Government to the people and economy of Wales. I hope that this is the first of many occasions on which UK Government Ministers address the Committee in Wales. I apologise to the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd for not having brought a speech; I have come to talk. He is very welcome to read Hansard afterwards, but I tend to prefer to talk from my own experience and about my own views than to read a statement prepared by officials.