David Melding: First Minister, I agree with what you said about energy efficiency, but it’s also quite a startling fact that, according to Citizens Advice Cymru, only 12 per cent of those on lowest incomes are on the lowest available tariffs, and I do think there’s a job to be done here to inform people of the tariffs that are available and the lowest ones. Welsh Government, local authorities and...
David Melding: I must say I find more than a hint of encouragement in this statement, and that’s not always been the case on housing issues with the Welsh Government, and we’ve had our differences. But I particularly welcome aspects of this statement. For instance, on house building, he says, and I quote, it ‘creates enormous job and training opportunities’, I completely agree with that, and also...
David Melding: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can I say we’re happy to note the proposal without necessarily endorsing it? I do have a qualified position on this. Also, the current position, which is essentially a moratorium on applications until this area is devolved, is something we think is appropriate so that, in effect, the Welsh Government and this Assembly are allowed to develop an evidence-based...
David Melding: [Continues.]—full rigour to those claims. I’ll give way.
David Melding: I think we should advance in a way that is fair to all technologies, basically. So, I think that’s what we need to remember when we’re looking at developing energy sources, that we use the same criteria. I think one of the big issues that fracking would have to face is whether it can be reconciled at all with our wider strategic objectives, especially in the well-being of future...
David Melding: 4. Will the First Minister make a statement on cyclist safety in Wales? OAQ51337
David Melding: First Minister, it's Road Safety Week this week, and I think we would commend all measures to road safety. We also, in South Wales Central, unfortunately, have to reflect on two fatal accidents in October, and we send our condolences to the families of the victims. I just wonder if it is now time for a much more integrated and ambitious approach to these matters, along the lines we see in the...
David Melding: First Minister, I was very pleased to hear that the health Cabinet Secretary and the education Secretary announced additional investment for child and adolescent mental health services in schools. I do hope that we'll be seeing some of this benefit in places like Aberdare.
David Melding: Can I start by welcoming the Minister to his new post? I confidently predict great political success ahead for you. But you will need all your skills, because you are now perhaps having to reflect on a decision that, in April, you perhaps had indicated wouldn't be the eventual direction the Government is taking, in that you seemed very sympathetic to Cadw being placed outside Government. I do...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, last month the Welsh Government announced plans for a regeneration-led targeted investment programme worth some £100 million. I wonder what economic impact you expect this targeted programme to have in the former industrial areas of Wales, like the Glamorgan valleys.
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Today, the world heard the long-awaited verdict in the trial of General Ratko Mladić. The judgment and sentencing before the Yugoslav war crimes court in the Hague marks the culmination of a case spanning 22 years. Mladić was convicted of 10 counts, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, all of them committed during the conflict that claimed...
David Melding: Can I say that I thought it was very important the cross-party group commended the partnerships formed with the voluntary sector, because these can lead to some of the most innovative and relevant services that are available to our veterans? I want to mention one particular example in particular, and that's Woody's Lodge, which is based at HMS Cambria in Sully. I think quite a few people in...
David Melding: Can I commend Llyr for bringing forward this very important short debate? Like him, I think 'The Knowledge Gap' is a really important report, and I want to put on record my thanks to the Children's Society and the Church in Wales. I was delighted to be able to host and chair the launch of the report, actually, in the Senedd. Can I say to Dawn that she makes really important points about the...
David Melding: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the budget of Rent Smart Wales? OAQ51384
David Melding: First Minister, according to the freedom of information request put forward by the Residential Landlords Association, Rent Smart Wales is currently operating at over double its projected cost. At the end of February 2017, it had hired 50 full-time equivalents to administer the scheme, which is five times the projection of your regulatory impact assessment. Was the Welsh Government naive in...
David Melding: Can I make it clear I'm speaking at the moment in my role as chair of the ministerial advisory group? Deputy Presiding Officer, this is the first chance I've had to pay tribute to Carl Sargeant, so I will take that opportunity, because Carl showed great vision and leadership in this area. To convene the group as a ministerial advisory group under the chairmanship of an opposition Member, I...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. And I move amendment 5. Before I speak to amendment 5, can I just say a few words about Carl Sargeant, who was, of course, the Cabinet Secretary at Stages 1 and 2 of this Bill? I have to say, after concluding Stage 2, in which there were many very serious debates around issues of principle, I never for a moment thought that I would be in this position of having to...
David Melding: It was a suspension, not abolition.
David Melding: Thank you, Llywydd. I’m grateful to Members who have taken part in the debate around amendment 5. I’m very frustrated, naturally, that this whole issue of equality and equity has been dodged. Let me just reiterate why that causes us real concern on this side of the Chamber. When tenants were consulted on the suspension in those authorities, they took comfort in the thought that the...
David Melding: But, obviously, that argument has been aired and we have lost it. But I still think it's important to put them in some perspective. I will give way, if—.
