Part of 1. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:03 pm on 2 May 2017.
Bethan Sayed
Plaid Cymru
2:03,
2 May 2017
First Minister, I heard your response to David Rees, but I didn’t hear whether you as First Minister and as a Government here would be supporting the prison in Port Talbot. I recognise what you say about Bridgend, but you will understand that the prison in Port Talbot, if it is built, will be significantly over capacity, and is not something that we think will add benefit to the local economy. I’ve had concerns from local people with regards to the fact that many of them are trying to rent out space of over 10,000 sq ft in Port Talbot; small businesses wanting to develop, who are now moving to your area—I’m sure you’re pleased to hear that—but they can’t stay in Port Talbot. So, could you not be focusing on the real everyday issues our small businesses are facing, as opposed to imposing a super-prison on Port Talbot?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
