Paul Davies: Cabinet Secretary, as has already been said in this Chamber before, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have made it clear that a 24-hour paediatric service is needed in order to maintain a full-time accident and emergency service. Given that you continue to tell us that the Welsh Government is listening to experts, can you tell us whether you agree with the Royal College of Emergency...
Paul Davies: Cabinet Secretary, you’ve just referred to the national ENT implementation plan, which was published earlier this year, and that plan announced that each health board would actually establish an ENT care collaborative group, to oversee issues such as appropriate patient streams and referral thresholds, which would help with reducing waiting times. In light of that plan, can you provide an...
Paul Davies: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of paediatric services in Pembrokeshire? OAQ(5)0056(HWS)
Paul Davies: Cabinet Secretary, I’m sure that I speak for many people in Pembrokeshire when I say that the soldiers of Cawdor barracks and their families are an important part of our local community and are a huge support to our local economy. So, I’m extremely disappointed and frustrated that the UK Government has taken this decision. I’m also saddened that the earlier decision to shut the 14th...
Paul Davies: First Minister, it is important that historic Welsh place names are safeguarded so that people understand their local history better, and it also helps to keep that history alive. In order to help in safeguarding historic place names, in addition to publishing a list, what guidance has your Government published to date?
Paul Davies: First Minister, I’m sure you’d agree with me that Pembrokeshire produces a great deal of excellent produce that places Pembrokeshire and, indeed, Wales, on the map. It’s crucial that the Government should do everything within its ability to promote our produce in nations such as the United States. I understand that the Welsh Government is reviewing its export support for food and drink...
Paul Davies: As the Member for Cynon Valley has just said, this programme is making a difference in some schools in Wales, including Milford Haven comprehensive school in my own constituency, but I appreciate that results seem to be patchy across Wales. However, given that the programme will now end just three years after its establishment, is the Cabinet Secretary satisfied that a programme like this has...
Paul Davies: I’m grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for that response. Now, the Cabinet Secretary will be aware that a number of consultations have been held regarding secondary provision in Haverfordwest over the last two to three years, which has delayed the progress of improving education for children and young people. It’s now important that Pembrokeshire County Council start delivering, because...
Paul Davies: 1. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government’s plans to develop secondary education in Pembrokeshire? OAQ(5)0036(EDU)
Paul Davies: Cabinet Secretary, of course, these latest developments at Withybush hospital of a consultant paediatrician retiring and a consultant paediatrician going on maternity leave are a huge concern to my constituents, who have already seen paediatric services downgraded from a 24-hour service to a 12-hour service, which, quite frankly, has been a disaster for us in Pembrokeshire. But I am pleased...
Paul Davies: In a letter to the consultation into TAN 20 earlier this year, the Welsh Language Commissioner stated that it’s important that local authorities are given clear guidance in order to ensure that there is consistency across Wales when it comes to language impact assessments in planning. Can you therefore confirm today that your Government intends to ensure that there is clear guidance...
Paul Davies: Will the Minister make a statement on the future of paediatric services at Withybush Hospital? EAQ(5)0058(HWS)
Paul Davies: Can I also thank the Cabinet Secretary for her statement this afternoon? I’d like to state for the record that my parents-in-law’s farm has been affected by bovine TB over the last 15 years, and I know from personal experience how devastating it is. Whilst I welcome the Welsh Government’s consultation on its refreshed approach, the Cabinet Secretary will not be surprised to hear that I...
Paul Davies: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement today and for his phone call earlier, giving me advance notice of the headline figures in today’s draft budget? I understand his logic in laying a one-year revenue budget and a four-year capital budget, but I’m sure it won’t surprise the Cabinet Secretary that we on this side of the Chamber cannot support this draft budget in its...
Paul Davies: First Minister, access to adequate broadband has been a huge issue for us in Pembrokeshire too. I do welcome the steps announced by the Minister last week to assist those communities that can’t be connected under the Superfast Cymru programme, and I understand that there will be some engagement activities happening now. I wonder, in these circumstances, can you tell us how the Welsh...
Paul Davies: Thank you. I’m very pleased to take part in this important debate to draw attention to some of the matters that people who live with autism face in west Wales, and especially showing my support for an autism Act. I’m sure that Members have received heartbreaking correspondence from constituents who are frustrated with the long waiting times in diagnosis for their children. In the...
Paul Davies: I’m grateful to you for that response, but I’m sure that you would agree with me that regulations can, in some cases, represent an obstacle to efficient farming practices and business growth. Therefore, in light of the previous Government’s ‘Working Smarter’ report, will you commit to evaluating the costs attached to farming regulations in Wales and look at ways in which the Welsh...
Paul Davies: Thank you for that clarification. Of course, one set of regulations that the Welsh Government is looking at is in relation to nitrate vulnerable zones. Now, you won’t be surprised that I’ve received plenty of correspondence on this matter, and there are serious concerns regarding these proposals, which could impose huge burdens on farmers and, as a result, force many out of business due...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, in a meeting of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee on 14 September, you responded to a question on farming regulations, saying that you’ll look to strengthen regulations in some areas when looking at Welsh-specific requirements going forward. Can you clarify what you mean by ‘strengthen’ and tell us what specific regulations...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Lywydd. Like others, I also welcome that the Welsh Government has committed £12.9 million to reaching those final few per cent of properties. But can the Minister perhaps provide any further details at this stage on how that funding will actually be allocated across Wales, given concerns raised by many of my constituents regarding the lack of action in some areas? I know that the...
