Gwent AM demands action over laptop row (From South Wales Argus)

Gwent AM demands action over laptop row

3:10pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News

A CALL by an AM for the Welsh Government to make a statement on the schools laptops row was rebuffed in the Assembly yesterday.

Lindsay Whittle, Plaid AM for South Wales East, asked in the Senedd for a “statement, comment or decision” from ministers on the iLearnWales issue in Torfaen.

But Jane Hutt, leader of the Assembly and finance minister for the Welsh Government, didn’t say whether one would be provided.

It comes after it emerged that almost £800,000 worth of IT kit is in storage on top of £1 million worth of laptops.

They were intended for Newport council but Torfaen says the council withdrew – a matter disputed by Newport council.

Mr Whittle, who has called the issue a farce, said: “We must know what action the government is going to take to resolve the situation.”

Ms Hutt replied the Welsh Government would work closely with Monmouthshire and Torfaen councils to ensure public funds are used appropriately.

Mr Whittle said the minister shed no further light on the matter with her ‘non-answer’.