In his eagerness to find fault with the Welsh government’s economic policy (and being somewhat spoilt for choice) Peter Black queries why ministers have ignored Swansea when determining the siting of enterprise zones. His view is that a worthy candidate would be the “Life Science Institute” and which he extols for its activities in “high technology and engineering work”.
Although the general response to his question rests with Edwina Hart, it's probably worth pointing out that the Institute of Life Science (ILS) is actually the research arm of Swansea University's College of Medicine. In fact it is collaboration between IBM, Swansea University and the Welsh Assembly Government where staff currently specialise in medical research, business incubation and technology transfer.
Ah well. It is unlikely that the Evening Post will be so discerning over such rather basic inaccuracies when they print his press release tomorrow. Nor, we can assume, will they or the Lib Dems be asking why themed enterprise zones are suddenly so acceptable when the ‘discredited’ Technium concept is about to be dumped.
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But the ILS works closely with the Engineering faculty on nanotechnology and other projects. The two are interrelated.
Just to help you, this is from last Wednesday's Plenary session:
Julie James: I welcome the Government’s sectoral approach to boosting Welsh manufacturing and our economy with the establishment of the five enterprise zones in the first phase. As you know, Minister, Swansea University in my constituency is a centre of excellence in biotechnology and nanotechnology. Those sectors are predicted to be significant global growth industries and important for the future of our manufacturing and knowledge economy. Will you consider establishing an enterprise zone in Swansea, focusing on biotechnology, nanotechnology and advanced engineering sectors during your deliberations on enterprise zones in Wales?
Rather a basic mistake for an AM with his experience. Didn't he used to be the Lib Dem health spokesman?
Interesting that you chose not to publish my comment pointing out that the Life Sciences Institute works closely with engineering on nanotechnology projects. Instead you appear to prefer pursuing your own little fantasy even to the extent of publishing comments from others whose ignorance reinforces your own.
So its not his own ill-informed idea to give enterprise zone status to a publicly funded institution - in competition with private R&D ventures - simply one he pinched off another AM.
Another example of Mr Black's approach of suggesting achievement by association. He is attempting something similar over rail electrification.
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