WILLIAM GRAHAM QUESTIONS MINISTER ON
ASSEMBLY SUPPORT FOR ALPHASTEEL
A media release on 15th January by William Graham AM
William Graham (Conservative AM for South Wales East) responding the Deputy First Minister & Minister for the Economy and Transport statement on Alphasteel:
William sought assurances concerning workers pensions, outlining that “Alphasteel operated a money purchase pension scheme. Are all accrued contributions made to the scheme safely held in their pension fund?”.
William outlined how in April 2007 – I copied an email to Andrew Davies (then Assembly Minister for Economic Development) asking for clarification on the position of Alphasteel following an article in the trade paper “Metal Bulletin” which reported one of Alphasteel’s biggest creditors had filed a petition to put the company in administrative receivership, and received no reply”.
William also asked if “the role of the regeneration company ‘Newport Unlimited’ required to be re-defined, allowing it to liaise with existing companies within the City to ensure their economic sustainability?”.
He concluded by “acknowledging the business rescue specialists Begbies Traynor have taken control of the company, and they have already indicated interest in buying the company, that would allow Alphasteel to return to full production. Potential for this is good as the site benefits from its location on the M4 corridor, having its own berth on the River Usk and a private connection to the national rail network”.
William Graham JP, AM
CHIEF WHIP, PARTY CHAIRMAN AND EUROPEAN SPOKESMAN
Email – William.Graham@Wales.gov.uk