David Rees: Thank you for that answer, Minister, and it’s important that we ensure parity of esteem for vocational qualifications as, for many, that’s going to be a stronger route for them into further education and into work opportunities, and it allows young people to demonstrate the skills that, perhaps, the academic route doesn’t offer. Now, as such, too many parents and too many young people...
David Rees: Thank you for taking the intervention. You’ve just said it: are you publicly saying, before you go into negotiations, that the EU-27 are intending to take us down? Because that’s what you just said.
David Rees: Will you take an intervention?
David Rees: 4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the progress being made regarding the Welsh Government's economic and industrial strategy? OAQ(5)0602(FM)
David Rees: Well, thank you for that, First Minister. I know that the Welsh Government understands the importance of manufacturing and engineering industries, their strengths within the Welsh economy. Unfortunately, the UK Government seems not to recognise the same thing, by placing steel towards the bottom of their priorities. I look forward to the Welsh Government strategy making sure that steel is at...
David Rees: Cabinet Secretary, I welcome the reduction in waiting time waits for the diagnostic tests that you’ve identified. It’s very important that we get people through as quickly as possible. I also welcome the investment in the hub at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital that’s been put into place to ensure that diagnostics work with clinicians on site to improve the service for people. Will you be...
David Rees: This Saturday marks International Clinical Trials Day. Around the world, people will be celebrating the anniversary of James Lind, carrying out the first randomised clinical trial, aboard a ship, on 20 May 1747. International Clinical Trials Day helps to raise awareness of clinical trials, and honours clinical research professionals and trial participants, by recognising their contribution to...
David Rees: 3. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the progress being made to improve air quality across Wales? OAQ(5)0147(ERA)
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. I’m sure that you’ll agree with me that air pollution impacts both on our environment and on our health. On the environment issues, we actually have the visible impacts upon our species, our plants and in our towns. Just come to Taibach in my constituency to see some of the visual impacts yourself. But also, there are many organisations in the...
David Rees: 8. What recent discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government regarding the future of the steel industry in Wales? OAQ(5)0625(FM)
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. I think it’s telling, the answer you’ve given. But, last week, I met with senior managers at the Port Talbot works, and we were actually discussing the progress that’s been made within the sector, and particularly in the plant. I think we all came to the conclusion that, unfortunately, there are still serious challenges ahead of the sector here...
David Rees: I thank the Member. You just said about Keir Starmer’s comment; would you agree that one of the six points he identified was that we have the same benefits as if we were a member of the European single market and the customs union, and therefore it’s not necessarily being a member, but the benefits we get from it that’s important?
David Rees: Can I thank Plaid Cymru, actually, for bringing forward this debate this afternoon, on the day before the general election and, as Simon Thomas said, on an issue on which the general election was called? However, I am very disappointed that they tried to jam so much into the motion, because each part of that motion and each sub-part actually deserves consideration in its own right and we...
David Rees: First Minister, work experience is critical for young people, and those with learning difficulties and perhaps other neurological conditions, such as autism, which we’ll be discussing tomorrow, often find difficulty in getting out to the workplace. Now, there are some schools that put on assimilated work placements, and, for those, it’s wonderful because they are in a safe and familiar...
David Rees: Cabinet Secretary, last Thursday, we saw many young people taking part in the democratic process across the UK, being enthused—mainly by Jeremy Corbyn—to actually get involved and take part in their rights and have their voices heard. Will you agree with me that if this Assembly moves forward to a vote for 16 and 17-year-olds—[Interruption.] I’m disappointed that Members are not...
David Rees: I think, this afternoon, we’ve seen that, like most Members across the Chamber—Leanne Wood, Lynne Neagle, Mark Isherwood—have highlighted, we all receive many representations from families who have children or siblings living with ASD. They often come into our offices angry, stressed, anxious, exhausted, and sometimes holding back tears, as they explain the hardships they’ve...
David Rees: Can I thank the Member for Neath for this debate this evening and for offering me a minute of his time? He has talked about Patagonia and our moves across in the 1850s, but can I also remind him of where our values of fairness and social justice have also been expressed? It is with the many Welsh citizens that joined the international brigade in the Spanish civil war, to fight fascism, to...
David Rees: Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd, and can I thank the First Minister for his statement this afternoon and the paper he produced and published last Thursday? I think, as the committee has taken evidence over the last 12 months, we’ve identified many issues. And you talked about the JMC—I think, from our first report onwards, the JMC has been seen as more of a pantomime than actually as a...
David Rees: I thank the Member for taking an intervention. I just want one clarification. We keep talking about single market membership. Is there a legal definition of single market membership, so we can be clear about what it actually means?
David Rees: 3. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the assessments taken by Natural Resources Wales in relation to the proposal for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon? OAQ(5)0161(ERA)
