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Work Programme (Wales)

(Translation) I declare an interest. I intend to repair my house in the near future. Building regulations and planning rules are quite onerous, but they are there for a reason. I intend to build in the middle of Caernarfon, which is full of registered buildings. I would be opposed to any thoughtless development, as is unfortunately likely to happen in parts of the United Kingdom. All I wish is for the Government to consider targeting cuts in VAT, specifically in respect of construction, repairs and—this is particularly relevant to this area—tourism, which is a big employer. I tabled a ten-minute rule Bill earlier this year on devolving certain Jobcentre Plus duties to Cardiff. The argument is clear—the Government in Cardiff are responsible for education, skills, lifelong learning, the economy in the business portfolio, IT and science, transport, industry, tourism and the programme of social inclusion, which has an element of employment. Despite that, the responsibility for finding people to fill job vacancies is given to an agency that is responsible to the London Government. In practice, it would be better if that part of the agency were able to speak directly to the Assembly and the Assembly were made responsible for the matter. It is common sense. The Scottish Government are calling for the same policy. Such a system already works in Northern Ireland. Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, both Unionists and others, who represent constituencies in Northern Ireland, have all confirmed to me that the system works well. In their terms, even the different system in Northern Ireland offers no threat to the unity of the United Kingdom. I ask the Government to look again at those particular aspects. There is a lot more that I could say about child care and the third sector, but I thank you, Mr Caton, for the opportunity to speak and I shall be quiet from this point.