David Rees: Perhaps the central issue facing Welsh ports in the context of Brexit is the questions relating to the future of the Irish border. It became clear that whilst looking at the impact upon Welsh ports in totality, the ports that would be most affected would be our ferry ports at Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock. We heard concerns of how a soft border between Northern Ireland and the...
David Rees: What published evidence is available in relation to the economic benefits that will come to Port Talbot if the Ministry of Justice goes ahead with plans to build a prison on Baglan industrial park?
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, First Minister, but—. Many people know Port Talbot is associated with famous actors such as Richard Burton—and there are many others that I probably should name, but I haven’t got enough time for them all—but most people know it for its steelworks. Our local economy over the centuries has been driven by industry, is still being driven by industry,...
David Rees: 7. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for securing economic growth in Aberavon? (OAQ51167)
David Rees: Cabinet Secretary, obviously bladder problems can result in people being catheterised for a variety of reasons. In a recent coroner’s report on a death in a nursing home within my constituency, in Cymmer, the coroner’s narrative actually indicated that there was inadequate training of staff, and a person who was catheterised long term suffered as a consequence and died. Will you ensure...
David Rees: When will the Welsh Government commence any consultation on the changes to the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Cwm Taf University Health Board boundaries?
David Rees: Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd. Can I thank all Members who’ve taken part this afternoon for their contribution, and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government for setting out the Government’s response to our work in a little more detail this afternoon? I wish to go ahead with a couple of points. As Suzy highlighted, one thing that was mentioned to us was that it was not...
David Rees: Diolch, Gadeirydd. It’s a privilege to move today’s motion and to bring forward this opportunity for the National Assembly to debate our report on the future of regional policy—where next for Wales. Before I go into the discussion on the report, I would like to express our thanks to the witnesses who came to the committee, to the clerking team, who provided the excellent support,...
David Rees: Our first set of recommendations looked at the immediate challenges for the current funding round. Members will be aware that in autumn 2016, the Chancellor of the Exchequer guaranteed funding for projects until 2020, and we as a committee were unequivocal in our support for this. The picture is less certain, however, when it comes to threats posed by currency fluctuations post Brexit. Whilst...
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. As you say, the number of questions you’ve already fielded this afternoon on this issue shows the importance of ensuring fair funding for local government, particularly in the times of austerity being imposed upon us by the Tory Government in Westminster. At the beginning of this month, Jeremy Miles and I attended a question-and-answer session...
David Rees: 8. What actions are being taken by the Welsh Government to protect public services within local government? (OAQ51075)
David Rees: ‘We’re Still Here’.
David Rees: Leader of the house, last night, I actually attended the fantastic performance by National Theatre Wales, which reflected on the crisis and the challenges faced by steelworkers in the time since January 2016 when there was a threat of 750 job losses and then possible closures. Now, I recommend to any Member who’s available to actually see it, and I know that some Members have already seen...
David Rees: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, I can join with the concerns of my colleagues regarding the major trauma centre being located in Cardiff and the possible losses of services at Morriston. We know that, when services move, others tend to follow them. Now, in this case, there is no service move because it’s a new service, but what I want is guarantees that services at Morriston stay in...
David Rees: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for allowing me the intervention. I appreciate that the prison estate is the responsibility of the MOJ, but in this particular case the land is owned by the Welsh Government and, therefore, it’s a decision for the Welsh Government on the social needs as well as anything else. And particularly as we have the possibility of Swansea and Cardiff closing because...
David Rees: Not at this point.
David Rees: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for taking the intervention. I appreciate that the Welsh Government provides that service for all businesses, but in your response to me in May you highlighted the criteria the MOJ supplied you for sites. One of them was that it shouldn’t be a flood plain, and yet you supplied a site, which is this particular site, which is on a flood plain. Could you tell me...
David Rees: Will you take an intervention?
David Rees: I appreciate your point that the evidence is mixed, but I haven’t yet found any evidence to show that larger prisons actually reduce reoffending rates. I think that’s the crucial element here. They’re arguing that it does, but yet I haven’t found the evidence that it actually does. It might be approaching it, but I haven’t seen the evidence yet.
David Rees: Will the Member give way? I don’t wish to disparage anything, but, just for clarification, actually the announcement came from the MOJ, not Carl Sargeant. I don’t want to defend him, but it was theirs, unfortunately.
