Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Damaging "bribe" allegation must be withdrawn

I have read again the letter issued by Alun Ffred Jones and Dafydd Wigley claiming that companies receive a "bribe" to locate in Wales. I find this allegation in a letter to local business in Arfon both bizzare, and possibly damaging to our economic interests. As Andrew Davies told the Asembly :

"However, the other candidate was a present Assembly Member, who wrote to local businesses in the Arfon constituency stating that, over the past 30 successive years, Governments, Conservative and Labour alike, have placed far too much emphasis on paying grants to bribe—a word that I would like Members to note—large companies into Wales rather than nurturing our own business sector. I am sure that companies such as Inspired Broadcast Networks, at Technium CAST in Parc Menai, Bangor, and Brandsauce, which has created 30 jobs, and The Book People, both of which are also at Parc Menai, would be interested to hear that a Government is offering bribes and that such companies are willing to accept them. Plaid Cymru needs to consider whether it is in favour of developing a sustainable economy or whether, just as in its attitude to the defence industry and the Ministry of Defence, it wants to put up barriers around Wales".

This "bribe" allegation should be withdrawn. Plaid must put up or shut up based on evidence :

Which local companies got a "bribe" ?

How many jobs will be lost if such grant support is not offered - is it not part of the purpose of Ob jective One to offer grants in Arfon?

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