Bethan Sayed: The First Minister has said that he wants a different justice system for Wales, in an answer given over the past few weeks, but the Government policy isn't clear on new prisons here in Wales. The First Minister tends to be more willing to accept that than the new Minister, Alun Davies. What discussions has the commission had in the context of the fact that, if there were to be a new prison...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you for that response. It was tricky whether to ask this question, because, of course, you raise awareness of the fact that these people exist and that they have such hate in their souls. I think the best response has been the Love a Muslim day on 3 April, which has been promoted to oppose the Punish a Muslim day. In my response, I said that I love a Muslim every day as I recently...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you, and thank you to Hefin for bringing this, and for your passion; I feel it loud and clear, and I'm glad that you have brought this here today. In recent weeks, we've been exploring some of the problems with leasehold contracts and unadopted roads, so it's logical that we're now moving on to the problems created by so-called 'fleecehold' arrangements, as you mentioned, service...
Bethan Sayed: Will you give way?
Bethan Sayed: When you say people should be school-ready, what I'm hearing from people in schools is that people are arriving at school without being able to read on any level, and many parents not communicating with children as they potentially would have, because of new technology. It does help, in many instances, with reading, but often it militates against their development. What are you doing to try...
Bethan Sayed: People not turning up to out-patient appointments has a direct effect on ambulances and their capacity to turn up on time. Just in the last few hours, I've had a story from a constituent whereby they contacted the ambulance service at 10 o'clock one evening in Maesteg, it was categorised as a red risk of a heart attack because of the stress on that constituent, who has already had various...
Bethan Sayed: They're happy to share.
Bethan Sayed: I wanted to ask for a ministerial statement in relation to what’s happening with the private sector’s involvement in the safety of flats that come under the aluminium composite material scenario. I know that the Westminster Government is looking into this situation, but when we received evidence to the committee chaired by John Griffiths, it became clear that much of the private sector...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. These regulations are clearly a very important part of the Welsh language standards system introduced by the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. The Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee agreed that it was important that the regulations should be scrutinised as carefully as possible, with an opportunity for stakeholders to submit written evidence...
Bethan Sayed: I can?
Bethan Sayed: I thought it was a statement. Sorry.
Bethan Sayed: It's a debate now.
Bethan Sayed: We did ask those who appeared before the committee about that particular idea, but we haven't had sufficient time to scrutinise that effectively. But I think that is something that we have raised, as something that could be considered. I have a little bit of time remaining. So, it's a matter for the Government to bring forward standards that can be applied sensibly to primary care and to...
Bethan Sayed: Will you take an intervention?
Bethan Sayed: What we heard from one member of the committee, Siân Gwenllian, was that it was possible to give that flexibility about how that standard would be implemented. So, you could then place a standard on Gwynedd, whereas Blaenau Gwent might take more time to reach that particular standard. If there isn't a standard, then the obligation isn't perhaps as strong—if that standard isn't in place.
Bethan Sayed: Well, follow that, isn't it? Clee Tomkinson Francis estate agents recently put out an ad in my region for a private rental, and I'm sure many have seen it, including the words, 'No pets' and 'No DSS' in the same sentence. I know that other people have been putting similar such adverts around on Facebook, but that's in their private capacity. Do you agree with me that that's something that's...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you for that answer. Just to continue on this, I've raised the issue with the Residential Landlords Association and they've told me that it's often to do with insurance or mortgage, which is a policy put on them from the UK Government. My concern is that, with job insecurity as high as it is and with the private rented sector being the only option for many people, the discrimination...
Bethan Sayed: Okay. Thank you. Well, I'll look forward to having an update on that particular issue, because I think it's important because it sets the tone for how people in society treat one another as well. I think that's something that I'd be very keen to hear more about. Keeping to the private rented sector, solving the challenge of homelessness and housing security will require the private rented...
Bethan Sayed: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's decision not to facilitate the building of more prisons in Wales?
Bethan Sayed: 3. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Welsh Government spending commitments in relation to the local government and public services portfolio? OAQ52006
