Welsh Secretary Simon Hart has set out why a freeport in Wales would get less funding than those in England as he bids to push forward the proposal he says will bring 15,000 jobs.
海角视频 and Welsh governments have clashed over freeports in Wales with the government in Wales saying they are being offered £8m seed funding - compared to £25m for ports in England.
It comes as Stena Line voiced fears that a port like Holyhead could lose out to Liverpool as a freeport moves ahead in that city.
Mr Hart said he was still "optimistic" about securing a freeport in Wales that he believed could bring 15,000 jobs - with places like Holyhead and Milford Haven in the running.
Freeports offer breaks on duties and tariffs as well as business rate and planning benefits.
But critics say freeports could just lead to ‘economic displacements’ by simply relocating jobs.
The Welsh Secretary was asked to explain the difference in the funding offer to freeports in Wales and England.
He said: "Part of the reason for that difference in figure is down to the fact that a freeport in Wales will produce numerous advantages to Welsh Government by way of tax receipts and inward investment, income tax arising out of jobs creation, etc, etc.
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"I don't think it is quite as simple as saying 'England get £25m and Wales get £8m, therefore it isn't fair, therefore we're taking our toys home'.
"To me that doesn't seem to be a legitimate argument and even if it was I think it could be overcome.
"The biggest risk here is of job displacement from Wales to England, that is the risk."
He said that he believed that if previous Welsh Government Economy minister Ken Skates (who was replaced by Vaughan Gething in May) had remained in post "we would have been able to deliver this by now".
He added: "For reasons that are a matter for the First Minister and not for me we don't seem to be in quite as good a place now as we were then."
The Welsh Secretary said port authorities and local authorities were enthusiastic about a freeport
Mr Hart said: "We are getting people saying 'when are you going to do this?'.
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"I don't understand why there is an argument about something that could produce 15,000 jobs. at a time and in a place where we desperately need them."
Head of 海角视频 Port Authorities at Stena Line Ian Davies said "why shouldn't Welsh ports have the same level of seed funding as their counterparts in England".
But he added that the important thing was to start moving on this with Liverpool set to become a freeport.
He told the committee: "If you have two ports, Liverpool is two hours up the road from North Wales, currently it has freeport status, it is ahead of the game and it has clarity on its seed funding.
"We haven't really started the process in Wales."
He warned about displacement if Holyhead was not in the "same game" as Liverpool.
He added: "The sooner we start moving the better - we have a very strong case.
"Time is of the essence. Parity(on funding) yes, but focus on delivering a freeport, or ports for Wales rather than exact funding levels."
Welsh Ministers said it remained open to further discussion, subject to the 海角视频 Government’s agreement on three areas:
■ Joint decision making - including setting the criteria for bids, assessing bids and awarding freeport status.
■ Conditionality – to ensure the implementation of freeports reflects Welsh Ministers’ values and priorities, particularly in respect of environmental standards, fair work and social partnership.
■ A fair funding settlement - that neither disadvantages Freeports in Wales nor requires us to divert millions of pounds away from other priorities.
Wales Economy minister Mr Gething said they needed a formal offer to discuss.
He criticised "unhelpful comments" from the Wales Office that Welsh Government were 'blocking things' when they don't have a formal offer.
He added: "Any freeport in the 海角视频 should have the same financial support. "
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Finance minister Rebecca Evans said they wanted to be "constructive partners but that Wales "can't be at a disadvantage" with less funding that English ports.
She added that she had asked for evidence on the economic impact of freeports and this had not been received.
She questioned whether 海角视频 Government was "unwilling or unable" to provide evidence.