Ms Randerson told AMs on Thursday that the project was a "commercially sensitive issue", but she added that she hoped to be able to give members a report on the matter before Christmas.

Jenny Randerson: Hopes for decision soon

The centre - which would house the Welsh National Opera and stage West End shows - has been beset by rows over costs and by securing a plot of land in Cardiff Bay.

Peter Law, Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, again called for the Assembly to be given the chance to vote on the project.

He told Ms Randerson there were many people throughout Wales who did not want £25m of public money spent on the centre.

Mr Law said the use of grant aid was "disgraceful" given the deprivation in many parts of the country.

Mr Law's comments came on the same morning the MP for his constuency, Llew Smith, called "for the plug to be pulled" on public investment in Cardiff Bay.

Kathryn McDowell: Stood down from WMC

Ms Randerson said she was committed to spreading arts funding throughout Wales and she added the Arts Council for Wales had spent more than £1.5m in the south Wales Valleys last year.

Plans for the centre were dealt a blow in April this year when its chief executive Kathryn McDowell stepped down, just weeks after the project had been given the green light by the assembly.

Sir David Rowe Beddoe was appointed as the new chairman to help quell fears about the scheme.

Project costs have from £75m to £92m and Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan said he wanted full assurances that the scheme could be built to budget and run commercially.

A row last autumn over the possible sale of a 4.7-acre site earmarked for the scheme in Cardiff Bay led to the project being delayed.

Land owners Grosvenor Waterside, though, agreed to a deal with Cardiff County Council for the site.