David Melding: I was very interested, First Minister, by that answer because I’ve not seen the data, and I thought that some level of investment would be required to reduce these emissions, which were over twice the actual agreed European limit. So, I’m sure if you could put that information in the Library or circulate it to Members, we would be very, very grateful. But the thing is you do have to act...
David Melding: Deputy Presiding Officer, can I pay tribute to Julie Morgan for that most eloquent and moving speech, and also for all the work she’s done over the years for children, and her current work for the all-party group on children? I’ve also had the honour of meeting Cedric Moon, and I also pay tribute to him, in this particular case, for bringing this matter to our attention, but also for his...
David Melding: I welcome this debate on a very important subject, actually. The spread of electricity supply in the 1920s and 1930s liberated many from much drudgery, but it did mark our landscape and rather transformed it in an ugly way. Whereas the romantic poets saw Wales as one of the great areas of the sublime and beautiful, we now all too often have to look at what would be wonderful views if it...
David Melding: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can I start by commending all involved in gathering support for this Bill and making it a better Bill? We’ve heard it’s been a long process. I particularly want to mention the Secretary of State, Alun Cairns, Lord Bourne in the House of Lords, and the First Minister for, I think, his genuine statecraft to make a judgment that you will accept the whole because...
David Melding: Thank you—[Interruption.]
David Melding: First Minister, I think a clear Brexit was always the most likely outcome, given what people voted for in the referendum, but now what happens afterwards has to be our main focus. Do you agree with me that we should seek arrangements that are based on respect for our EU neighbours? There should be no part of wishing the EU to fail; that will cause huge problems for us directly. A...
David Melding: I think the relevance of higher education in Wales can be demonstrated by the recent announcement from Cardiff University to spend £23 million on a new maths and computing building and £32 million on new student accommodation. Indeed, the face of Cardiff has been transformed in the last 10 or 20 years, much of it by the investment from our principal university, and I’m delighted to say...
David Melding: Minister, can I commend the Welsh Government for promoting the Careers Wales mark. I think it’s an excellent initiative and it’s I think now attracting the membership of most schools in Wales and leading to more informed career choices and identification of necessary skills for students as they prepare to enter the world of work. But I’m told there have been problems in the last few...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, I must say that in yesterday’s final budget debate I was very pleased to hear you refer to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, but I have to say, when the environment budget was before the committee, it seemed to me in our scrutiny of the budget line that the Act was used much more to interpret the existing budget than to actually shape it. I do hope in...
David Melding: First Minister, I also commend this excellent report. I think it’s very important that committees work hard and reflect on the work of previous committees. I know that the successor committee will be returning to this. But this is ambition, and it’s that ambition that we want reflected, I think, in the Government’s programme. There’s a real chance here, you know. The Welsh economy was...
David Melding: I thank Plaid Cymru for introducing this motion—very important. It is the season when traditionally we have looked at the needs of the most vulnerable in terms of housing, but I think it’s a lesson that should be considered all year round. As has been observed already, I think most evictions are undertaken by social landlords and Shelter estimates that over 900 social evictions a year are...
David Melding: Can I add to the commendation of this particular programme, because there’s no doubt that we can use data very effectively to see where behaviour change can result from some fairly small changes to the way we deliver services or what we allow in the urban environment, for example, whether you have glass glasses or plastic glasses. There are lots of things there that contain the issue of a...
David Melding: It’s quite clear the message here is that urban areas, to be really attractive for the local population, but also inward investment and their economic health, require clean air—the best quality possible. There are ways that we can manage that now, even before we formally ban diesel cars. It’s really important that, in Wales, we see the leadership we could be giving for the whole of the...
David Melding: 8. What are the implications for the Welsh Government following the C40 Mayors Summit in which Paris, Athens, Madrid and Mexico City committed to diesel free status by 2025? OAQ(5)0076(ERA)
David Melding: Will the Minister make a statement on the alternative housing projection contained in the Holmans Report?
David Melding: Can I just start by saying I’ve learnt something that the laws of Hywel Dda are dated to 962, and Dai also mentioned this, but Hywel died in 950? But I suppose it took the monks of Whitland a little while to produce the manuscript. But, anyway, it does seem that our law making and dealing with our fundamental constitutional law takes a little while, so perhaps I should bear that in mind....
David Melding: First Minister, I’d invite you to walk through Cogan if you want to really experience poor air quality—it’s quite astonishingly bad there. I walk through Cogan quite frequently. It’s clear that we need to reduce the number of needless journeys, or journeys that are not shared—so, you know, just one occupant driving the car. There are many quick wins we can gain, and that ought to be...
David Melding: Can I welcome this UKIP debate and also commend the opening speech by Gareth Bennett, which analysed very effectively and thoroughly the current situation and, I thought, made a very persuasive case? So, we do give a general welcome to this policy shift. I think it’s very important to reflect the change in society. We now have generation rent. It will take us a long time to build the...
David Melding: Llywydd, 100 years ago, David Lloyd George became Prime Minister. The Government he formed led the allies to a hard-won victory, massively extended the franchise, and established health and housing as governmental priorities. Wales seemed to find a hero figure—the Arthur of legend. The first man without independent means to become Prime Minister, Lloyd George demonstrated that the Welsh...
David Melding: Minister, I’m encouraged about Cwm Taf, but, as you know, 20 of the most common illnesses can be treated in pharmacies very well, and this relieves pressure on GPs. There is an advertising scheme—I think probably run by NHS England, but it still has application here in Wales—encouraging people to seek early advice, including visiting their pharmacies. Now, as I understand, there is...
