The Welsh Affairs Select Committee has said that a dedicated new armed response unit is needed to police what they call the "strategically vital" energy sector in Pembrokeshire.
The recently opened LNG terminals and pipeline at Milford Haven, along with the nearby refineries, serve the energy needs of the whole of the UK, rather than Wales.
Aside from the point about policing, what economic value would these facilities generate if Wales was an independent country?
"Senior Tory activist rocked by Cameron"
1 hour ago
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The facilities themselves will generate very few long term jobs. The "thousands" promised were during the construction phase, and many of the workers came from outside the area. The terminals probably employ no more than 40-50 people now.
On the other hand it's useful to know that independent countries in Europe charge "transit fees" for the transport of gas through their territories. These fees net millions of pounds for the nations exchequers.
In this way countries affected by these big developments can charge a fair price for the risks (economic, environmental, terrorism etc) they take in allowing the gas to pass through.
Of course, because we're in the UK, we can't charge such fees, and the UK government is able to pass the economic, social and risk costs of the projects onto us, without us claiming any of the rewards.
It's another argument for Welsh Independence really...
well the only reason energy facilities in pembroke might allegedly be facing any kind of 'threat' is as the result of the disastrous and illegal wars by the british govt in the last decade....
A self governing wales im sure wouldnt be party to such war crimes, so there would be no need to have so called 'armed response units' around any of wales's future energy sectors as we would not be slaughtering innocent muslims by the thousands!!!
Regarding the fact that these facilities supply other parts of the uk i dont think would necessarily be a problem. Providing a fair price was paid and these facilities did not degrade the welsh environment i'd be perfectly happy to see consumers in england recieve energy from these facilities.
But there must be no repeat of peter hain's disgraceful and little known clause in the 2006 govt of wales act which ensures that english water companies will continue to pay well below the market price for welsh water for the next 70 years!!!
Leigh Richards
swansea
According to EU Law, customs duties are chargeable at point of entry to EU, but can not be charged at intra-EU borders. Which means that Wales could get say 5% of value of such imports. Of course, England could import directly to say Canvey Island if they did not want us to have the duty......
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