Welsh Conservative Shadow Environment Minister Andrew RT Davies has said Plaid Cymru ministers must explain why a fisheries patrol vessel has been put up for sale.
On Wednesday, it was announced the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability has agreed to proceeding with the sale of Fisheries Patrol Vessel Catrin and appointing a broker to market the vessel.
The vessel was purchased in 2018 at a cost of over £1 million.
Questions have been raised over the output of the Welsh Government fleet in recent years, after it emerged several vessels undertook few patrols.
Mr Davies has written to the Minister requesting confirmation of the reasons the vessel is being sold, and details of any faults identified over the past two years.
He also asked for confirmation of the total cost of maintenance of the vessel and how many times it has been on patrol during Welsh Government’s ownership.
Mr Davies said:
“Over several years, questions have been raised regarding the output of Senedd ministers’ fleet, given the low number of patrols undertaken by some vessels.
“Ministers purchased this vessel in 2018 at a cost of over £1 million, so they must explain why it’s now being sold.
“It raises question as to whether taxpayers are receiving value for money.”
ENDS
NOTE: Link to the announcement can be found here
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