THE Welsh first minister has assured AM that there’s currently no indication that the production of the Jammie Dodger is to leave Wales.

Owners of Burton’s Biscuits are looking for a buyer for their factory in Llantarnam, which makes the jam-centred treats as well as Wagon Wheels, Maryland Cookies and other favourties.

South Wales East Tory AM William Graham, speaking in First Minister’s Questions in the Senedd, asked Carwyn Jones could outline what the Welsh Government was doing “to ensure the production of Jammie Dodgers remains in Wales?”

Mr Jones replied that was the most original question “I have ever had at First Minister’s Questions – but it is an important question as the member knows.”

“Could I say that there is no indication at this stage of any threat to the continued production of Jammie Dodgers or any other biscuits that are manufactured at the moment in Llantarnam,” he said.

He said that Welsh Government officials would be closely monitoring the situation to “make sure a new buyer is found and a buyer who wishes to continue production as it is and hopefully to expand in the future.”

Lynne Neagle, Torfaen Labour AM, contributed to the debate adding: “Isn’t it also the case that we must avoid talking down the plant’s future particularly given the large investment that we’ve seen there in recent years.”

Mr Jones replied there was no suggestion the plant is in difficulty and no “suggestion at this very early stage there might not be a buyer.”

“We have to wait and see. We of course as a government will be encouraging new buyers to come forward and will be doing all we can to help them and of course those who work at the facility itself,” he said.

The producers of Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels are looking to sell their three manufacturing sites in Cwmbran, Edinburgh and Blackpool with a price-tag of £350 million.

There are approximately 700 employees at the Llantarnam factory that opened in 1937 and which recently received a £4.6m worth of investment in new technology.