Darren Millar: I just want to speak very briefly about this Bill. I rise with a heavy heart to say that I'll be voting against the general principles today, not because I don't agree with most of what's in this Bill, as I've had many conversations with the Llywydd in the past, but because of this principle of extending the franchise to younger voters aged 16 and 17. And it's not because—[Interruption.]...
Darren Millar: I appreciate the response of the Minister, actually, because, of course, the UK Government was simply trying to respond to requests from this Government, and the Scottish Government as well, about the way in which Whitehall and UK departments operate. And we very much welcome the fact that the Prime Minister has responded in such a positive way by announcing this review. Number 10 has made...
Darren Millar: It speaks volumes, frankly, Minister, that this administration here in Wales will take every single opportunity that it can to criticise the UK Government, no matter how unfair that criticism is, and yet you jump at the chance to praise the European Union no matter how undeserved that praise might be. We heard this week that the Welsh Labour Party's priorities are clear. It's the European...
Darren Millar: Well, the truth is that, despite the constant doom and gloom from the Welsh Government, and from you, Minister, the reality is that there will be some fantastic opportunities for Wales, once the barriers that are currently in place and the shackles that are currently there as a result of our membership of the European Union have been removed. We will no longer have to walk on eggshells,...
Darren Millar: Diolch, Llywydd. What opportunities has the Welsh Government identified as a result of Brexit?
Darren Millar: I'm sure, like me, you'll welcome the fact that we've been seeing rising numbers of international visitors, particularly from places like Japan in recent years. You may be aware that, last month, the Prime Minister announced plans to create five tourism zones in the United Kingdom in order to boost the sector and boost visitor numbers by 9 million, and to create 130,000 new hotel room...
Darren Millar: 5. What assessment has the Minister made of the economic impact of tourism in north Wales? OAQ54199
Darren Millar: First Minister, can I congratulate your Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport for the refreshing honesty that he displayed last month when he admitted that your Government and, indeed, the predecessor Labour Governments did not have a clue what they were doing on the economy? Now, I understand that he's since apologised for those comments and backtracked on them. He's not the only person...
Darren Millar: Can I thank my colleague Jack Sargeant for giving me a minute of his time? I too read through the Carnegie report, and was very pleased, actually, to see that Wales is a kinder place, perhaps, than many of us sometimes think. We know and see acts of kindness and civility in our own communities, but very often, we think that it's just confined to our own immediate area, and that's clearly not...
Darren Millar: One of the things that I find in my own constituency is people receiving letters cancelling their appointments, sometimes on the day of the appointment, and, very often, those letters not even being suitable for the visually impaired. They're in small font sizes and things. Is this the sort of problem you're also having in Cardiff and Vale?
Darren Millar: Will you take an intervention?
Darren Millar: I heard what you said there and I think it was very uncharitable. When was the last time you tabled a debate on eye care, and did you have any plans to do so before today?
Darren Millar: I welcome the action that's been taken to date but, of course, we can always do more, and I would absolutely want to see some more of the investment from the gambling industry, via the Gambling Commission, coming into Wales in order to develop our services and treatment centres for those with addictions. I hosted the annual conference with Beat the Odds last week on problem gambling, and it...
Darren Millar: Will the Minister make a statement on access to NHS facilities in north Wales?
Darren Millar: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. I welcome the publication of that report and the action that's been taken by the Welsh Government to date. As you will know, it was Armed Forces Day on Saturday and there were communities across the UK and, indeed, across Wales that were celebrating and commemorating the contribution of the armed forces to the nation. And on Monday last week, I held...
Darren Millar: 3. Will the First Minister provide an update on Welsh Government support for the armed forces? OAQ54157
Darren Millar: I move.
Darren Millar: I'm extremely pleased to hear that you raised the human rights record of China with the deputy premier. It's extremely important that we ensure that these are issues that are raised at every single opportunity. I notice that you referred to the Uighurs Muslim population in China. We just had a meeting of the cross-party group on faith this afternoon, and we were talking about some of the...
Darren Millar: Thank you for that response. Of course, one of the cornerstones of our democracy here in Wales and, indeed, the rest of the United Kingdom, is this proud tradition of respect that we have for human rights, and it's good to say that we've been a leader on human rights, in many respects, around the world for many, many years. You recently met with the Chinese vice-premier during his visit to...
Darren Millar: Thank you, Llywydd. Will the Minister make a statement on discussions she holds with foreign officials and diplomats surrounding human rights?
