Michelle Brown: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Welsh eight-year-old Sofia Bow was born with the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis, which affects one in every 2,500 babies born. This Government has refused to fund the drugs Orkambi and Symkevi, even though they have been proven to improve lung health and reduce the need for hospital admissions, saying they're too expensive, while the Scottish Government...
Michelle Brown: In its response to the report, Welsh Government said, and I quote, 'The Welsh Government believes that enabling at least some prisoners to vote will send very strong and positive messages to prisoners that they still have a stake in society and, in turn, that they have responsibilities towards society as a whole.' Such a claim ignores the fact that fewer than one in 12 prisoners are...
Michelle Brown: 5. What assessment has been made of how a no-deal Brexit would impact the Welsh economy? OAQ54446
Michelle Brown: Thank you for that answer, Trefnydd. The A55 is a busy road, mainly due to trade traffic, including that heading to and from Holyhead. If the Government's project fear is to be believed, shouldn't the decision to build a new road along the red route, which is largely going to be for trade traffic, be frozen and re-examined at a later date, particularly since the current plans involve...
Michelle Brown: 3. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the efficacy of local authorities' inspection and regulation services? OAQ54483
Michelle Brown: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Following the recent investigation by the BBC that showed the licensing system isn't working and that dogs are being held in disgusting and cruel conditions, your Government has said it's going to review the rules. If you think that the BBC report makes for distressing viewing, you should see some of the stuff on the C.A.R.I.A.D. campaign website. It's...
Michelle Brown: 5. How effective has business rate relief been in helping businesses in Wales? OAQ54533
Michelle Brown: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Rhyl High Street and town centre have declined over the years, like many town centres in Wales. Once, it had a thriving town centre, now it looks like many of the towns that have decayed under this Government's watch. Shop owners are losing out to out-of-town retail parks, which offer free and convenient parking, and outlets that have, more than likely,...
Michelle Brown: Thank you to Plaid for bringing this motion. I'll be voting in favour of the motion, as I support our nurses, and I really don't think it's fair that their working conditions should worsen. The NHS has been built on the back of the nursing staff. Nursing is an incredibly pressurised, difficult job, and nurses need all the support that we can give them. And the proposals that came out of Betsi...
Michelle Brown: No-one wants to have to drive to work, nor have the expense of running a car that's going to spend most of the time parked outside their workplace. But many are forced to because this Government and others have been unable to provide a viable public transport alternative, much less one that's as convenient as a car. The policies of successful UK and Welsh Governments and local authorities...
Michelle Brown: 1. How does the Welsh Government intend to improve academic outcomes for school children? OAQ54771
Michelle Brown: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. On the eighteenth of this month, Qualifications Wales stated that the GCSE brand is 'valued and widely recognised', and should not be ditched as part of the Government's education reforms. This is in direct contrast to the future generations commissioner, who wants GCSEs to be scrapped. I agree with Qualifications Wales, and think that, although...
Michelle Brown: 4. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact that holding another referendum on Brexit will have on the Welsh economy? OAQ54796
Michelle Brown: Thank you for that answer, Minister. It's a shame for Wales that you and your Government and your brethren across the border want to continue the uncertainty that's afflicting Welsh businesses because you and your remainer allies in the Liberal Democrats and Plaid didn't get your own way in 2016. Labour have said that you would campaign to stay in if there were another referendum. You want...
Michelle Brown: 9. What actions are the Welsh Government taking to improve pay and conditions for farm workers? OAQ54834
Michelle Brown: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I'd just like to drill down into working conditions, because farms can be dangerous places to work, and although great strides have been made in safety in other sectors such as construction, the same improvement—. There are still many, many deaths occurring on British farms. The Health and Safety Executive have reported that six people were killed on...
Michelle Brown: I'd like to thank Plaid for bringing this motion and I do agree with much of what Plaid have said today and what other Members have said. I think it's entirely right for people in this place to call out the abysmal conviction rates for rape and sexual abuse. The difficulties faced by victims of rape and sexual abuse are well known, and it appears the situation is worse now than it was 10...
Michelle Brown: 6. What is the Welsh Government doing to help victims of crime in Wales? OAQ54975
Michelle Brown: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. A number of months ago, I asked you if you would support my call for the fathers of children conceived by an act of rape being barred from gaining a right to see those children. At the time, you refused to give me a straight answer, saying that it was not a devolved matter, despite the fact that you in this place often call on the Westminster...
Michelle Brown: Thank you, Presiding Officer. [Interruption.]
