Question
Communities across Wales are desperate to see economic growth and new jobs, and that is why the Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that Wales needs more powers, including powers over borrowing, full powers over rail infrastructure and full powers over the Crown estate. Does the Secretary of State agree and, if so, will Wales get more powers during this Parliament?
Answer
I wish the hon. Gentleman luck in the forthcoming leadership election—I believe he is standing against himself, so I am sure he will have a positive outcome. He mentioned rail, and I am delighted that we have secured at least £445 million to progress rail projects across Wales, including £30 million for Cardiff Parkway, which is front-loaded to support delivery of Welsh priorities during the spending review period. I am sure that he and his party will join me in welcoming those measures.20% point-scoring
Verdict: RED (3/100)
The reply does not answer either part of the question. On whether Wales needs more powers over borrowing, rail infrastructure and the Crown estate, it discusses £445 million of rail funding, which is a different matter from powers. On whether Wales will be given more powers in this Parliament, it offers only pleasantries about a leadership election and gives no position, commitment or timing, so the questioner would most likely need to ask again.
Verdict: RED (8/100)
The reply does not answer the question as asked. It does not say whether Wales needs more powers over borrowing, rail or the Crown estate. It discusses rail funding instead, and it does not state whether Wales will receive additional powers during this Parliament. The person who asked would most likely need to submit a follow-up question to get an answer.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Secretary of State agrees that Wales needs more powers, including powers over borrowing, full powers over rail infrastructure, and full powers over the Crown estate | Not Addressed | Generic MISREADS QUESTION | The question asks whether Wales needs more powers (borrowing, rail infrastructure, Crown estate), but the reply only mentions rail and cites £445 million of funding for rail projects, which is a different matter from powers. It never states a position on borrowing, rail powers, or the Crown estate. |
| Does the Secretary of State agree that Wales needs more powers, including powers over borrowing, full powers over rail infrastructure and full powers over the Crown estate? | Partially Addressed | Generic MISREADS QUESTION | The reply never says whether Wales needs more powers over borrowing, rail or the Crown estate; it acknowledges rail and then substitutes rail funding (£445m, £30m for Cardiff Parkway) for the rail-powers question asked. |
| Whether Wales will be given more powers during this Parliament | Not Addressed | Generic | The question asks whether Wales will be given more powers in this Parliament, but the reply contains only pleasantries about a leadership election and welcoming measures, with no statement on future powers or their timing. |
| Will Wales get more powers during this Parliament? | Not Addressed | Generic | Nothing in the reply addresses whether Wales will receive additional powers during this Parliament; the statements are about a leadership contest, rail funding and welcoming measures. |