Welsh Conservatives are to meet with National Botanic Garden bosses this week, after the institution called on the Assembly Government to wipe out their debts.

Reports last week claimed Garden management are asking Ministers to write off its £1.7million debt, and provide it with an annual grant of £500,000.

Following the request last week, the Government has still not made a statement to the Assembly about what it intends to do.

Speaking after First Minister's Questions today, Shadow Culture Minister Paul Davies AM has said:

"We found out about this request last week and it is extremely concerning that the Labour-Plaid coalition have still not made a statement on the issue.

"The Botanic Garden clearly feels this request is justified after the Assembly bailed out the Wales Millennium Centre.

"I am meeting with the Manager of the Garden this Thursday to discuss the demand further.

"It is important that with such a large amount of tax payers money being asked for, we are all kept fully in the picture.

"We do need to know however what the Government is thinking on the subject. Are they seriously considering the request, and if so how are they going to fund it?

"The Garden is a national treasure but public spending is under pressure from competing demands.

"If the Assembly Government does agree to this request, we need cast iron assurances that no other project or organisation will lose out and we need to ensure a robust business plan is in place."