David Melding: I was delighted to see the popularity of the National Eisteddfod, with very many people visiting the event for the very first time. Having the Lle Celf in the Senedd seemed to be a very appropriate use of the building, and I would be interested to hear about the broader benefits that it brought to the Assembly.
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, can I refer you to a report delivered to the Royal College of Midwives's annual conference last week? This report found that midwives, despite being specifically trained to recognise domestic abuse, often didn't realise when they were themselves the victims. One of the key recommendations to come out of the research was the need for specific policy to support staff who may...
David Melding: 1. What assessment has the Commission made of the Assembly's participation in the 2018 National Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay? OAQ52715
David Melding: Presiding Officer, can I also record my sympathies to those who have been affected in any way by what will be seen as adverse outcomes that could have been, possibly, prevented? Obviously, the Cabinet Secretary's quite right: we must await further examination of the evidence. I do think that, when an event like this occurs and requires investigation—and this is really as a result of...
David Melding: The commissioner also said 'the Black Route is particularly weak...on the criteria set out in the Well-being of Future Generations Act'. I think this is a key moment. I'm quite neutral on what the decision should be; I think there are arguments on both sides. But it's clearly going to be a key moment for the application of this Act for long-term projects and policies, and I do hope the...
David Melding: I campaigned hard for us to remain in the EU, and I will join the campaign to get us back in the day after Brexit becomes a reality, because that's when a democratic response is possible. Public opinion has not shifted at all in the time since the vote, and all these arguments have been rehearsed repeatedly. People still stick to the judgment they made in that referendum.
David Melding: Would the Member give way?
David Melding: Friendly fire. [Laughter.]
David Melding: What I don't understand, when you say you are not a climate change denier, is that we know there's twice as much carbon in the atmosphere now as there was before pre-industrial levels, and you've got to go back many millions of years before there was enough volcanic activity, presumably, to have reached a similar level of carbon. We know that. Nearly all that additional carbon is man made,...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, I welcome this initiative, but it's taken us a long time to design, build and maintain roads to this sort of standard, and I just wonder why we still have a fairly selective approach. I just wonder whether the improvements planned between Dowlais Top and Hirwaun will be part of this solution as well, because roads are a huge intervention in the natural environment,...
David Melding: Talking about Neath abbey, I'm obviously pleased to see the reference to the Welsh places of worship forum. You referred to this and the incredible heritage we have with chapels. I think something like one a week opened in the nineteenth century—5,000 or more places of worship. One of the great expressions of the advance of evangelical Christian faith, and it's something we should be...
David Melding: I'm delighted to make my first contribution as the new culture and heritage spokesperson for my party, following in the great example of the person now chairing our proceedings; I think that's an elegant link. Can I say, Minister, that for 12 most distinguished years, you sat in that chair and you promoted the concept of constructive challenge, and that's the type of relationship I think that...
David Melding: So much for the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
David Melding: First Minister, you no doubt would have heard the Prime Minister's announcement for £2 billion for social homes in England and she emphasised her pride in social housing, and I think we should all share that pride. It's been at the heart of the great house-building programmes throughout the last century. Sadly, it's tailed off in the twenty-first century. As part of the UK Government's...
David Melding: 4. Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government funding for social housing? OAQ52646
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, I hope you'll forgive me for having the temerity to start with some good news, because actually there is some good news out there. I know we bumped into each other in the canteen during the summer recess, proving that AMs continue to work through what the outside world continues to call the holiday period, and I did explain that my niece Nia was about to get her A-level...
David Melding: Minister, I think you've heard the real concerns that are around this Chamber, although there are positives as well, but as the great Mark Isherwood has just told you, your wishy-washy approach just won't wash, and, frankly, that is something I wish to echo very, very strongly. I really think post-legislative scrutiny is an essential aspect of what we need to do in this Chamber, and we should...
David Melding: Minister, you'll know that Arthritis Care merged with Arthritis Research UK last year and I understand that in Wales, the charity will now be known as Cymru Versus Arthritis. I'm sure we all commend that objective. Regarding provision in south Wales, I am aware that the paediatric rheumatology provision was included in the annual financial plan for the Welsh Health Specialised Services...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, I've heard, in relation to the proposed transfer/closure of Llancarfan Primary School, which my colleague has just referred to, that the issue of access to the school building programme requires schools, often, to be built on new sites and schools to be consolidated or expanded. This is a real problem for schools in rural communities, where there may be a constrained site,...
David Melding: 5. What is the Welsh Government doing to protect rural schools? OAQ52599
