Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you very much. I’m pleased to pay my own tribute to Rhodri—a giant of our nation. He was a patriot, a democratic, pragmatic socialist who made a huge difference to our nation. He brought stability to this place in a very troubled time. My own story with Rhodri goes back to the 1980s, when I was extremely proud that our branch of the Labour Party was the first to nominate Rhodri to...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: I think it’s worth pointing out that these hollow promises are, indeed, hollow.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Would you take an intervention?
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Does the Member think that, actually, those promises do ring rather hollow, in particular when it comes to the Circuit of Wales? Because they feign support, but their chief executive is on record as saying that the Circuit of Wales project is the most ridiculous and destructive project ever. That is the chief executive of Plaid Cymru. Where do we get that from? A blog post. A blog post that...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I think the incident last week has raised many questions, most importantly how we are going to protect our patients in the NHS. As you say, the reports have suggested that 47 trusts in England have been affected, and 13 in Scotland, because they’d failed to apply recent security updates that might have protected them. Now, I think it’s worth noting that the...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: What assurances can the Cabinet Secretary give that the IT infrastructure in Wales is protected, to ensure the continuity of care for Welsh patients following the cyber-attacks in the NHS in England? TAQ(5)0173(HWS)
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: That’s very good to hear, but it’s also worth, I think, underlining the point that it’s not just economic challenges that the NHS is facing; there are particular problems in terms of recruitment. And, as well as in parts of England, there are particular problems in rural Wales in terms of recruitment, where, for example, the Hywel Dda health board have committed to revert to 12-hour...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. We heard during the referendum that Brexiteers like R.T. Davies and Neil Hamilton made promise after promise—[Interruption.]—yes, and you, Janet Finch-Saunders, fair enough; you made those promises as well. I think it’s worth saying that those promises were made to the farmers of Wales and the people of Wales, who were promised that they would not see a cut...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: 9. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on how rural Wales can boost its economy? OAQ(5)0172(EI)
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on how the Welsh Government aims to provide the health services that the people of Wales need in light of current economic challenges? OAQ(5)0172(HWS)
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: The Welsh Government has an ambition to see 1 million Welsh speakers by the year 2050. Now, in order to reach that target, we need to get as many children as possible starting their education through the medium of Welsh. As you have said, it’s difficult for you to discuss this individual issue, but just as a matter of general principle, do you acknowledge that in those rural areas it costs...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the adoption of the real living wage in Wales?
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Will the First Minister make a statement on house building in Wales?
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: I wouldn’t mind a deference to me, actually. It’s all right deferring to the Presiding Officer, but I’d like an apology as well.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I’d like to ask the First Minister about his interpretation of the letter that was sent. One of the points made was that the Prime Minister said that she would fulfil her responsibilities as a member state. Does that mean that the UK Government will cough up in terms of commitments entered into with other member states, and can we, therefore, expect...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Does the First Minister agree with me that today is a profoundly sad day for the nation and also for our children and our children’s children? And, of course, those who will pay the highest price for article 50 will be those who can least afford it.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: I wonder if the First Minister could tell me his interpretation—[Interruption.]
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: The Circuit of Wales, of course, is not asking for direct funding, as the £425 million is private investment. What they’re looking for is a guarantee—that’s what the project is awaiting. And, having exerted extreme pressure on the Circuit of Wales to come up with a commitment within two weeks, what confidence can the Cabinet Secretary give to those investors and enthusiastic supporters...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: 6. When will the Welsh Government make a decision on funding the Circuit of Wales track? OAQ(5)0155(EI)
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Will you take an intervention?
