Darren Millar: It's not just about applications, though, is it? It's about how many places are actually offered to students from Wales. Can you tell us how many students who are part of the Seren network were actually offered places at Russell Group universities in recent years?
Darren Millar: Well, you already have responded to questions on this matter, and of course you're not able to provide the information because the Welsh Government doesn't actually record it, which is pretty astonishing given that you're making significant investment in the Seren network and we want people to be able to succeed. But if you're not tracking the success or otherwise of the Seren network in...
Darren Millar: I'm particularly interested, Cabinet Secretary, in the research links between universities and schools. You'll be familiar, because of your visit to Ysgol Pen y Bryn, in Colwyn Bay in my constituency, with the strong links between that school and Bangor University in terms of research into mindfulness and the development of the Paws b curriculum there. What can we do to establish more of...
Darren Millar: Can you tell us what work is being done to ensure that GP training takes into account the fantastic opportunities that new technology provides for GP services in the future? You'll be aware, I'm sure, that there are applications now that people can download, even onto their mobile phones, in order to have consultations with a GP, and we need to be at the cutting edge of this. I'm sure you...
Darren Millar: Can I call for two statements from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, please? It was reported widely in the media yesterday that, last year, teachers from 16 of the 22 local authorities had reported incidents of racism. I'm sure you would be very concerned about that, leader of the house. Also, there's been quite a spike, of course, in religious hate crime that has been recorded in Wales....
Darren Millar: 6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to address flood risk in north Wales? OAQ51537
Darren Millar: Minister, you'll be aware of the importance of the timber industry in my own constituency, particularly for businesses like Clifford Jones Timber in Ruthin, which, of course, is a significant employer and one of the main forestry-related companies, if you like—timber-related companies—in Wales. One of the concerns that they've cited to me, and was raised with the committee during the...
Darren Millar: One of the areas that has received significant investment in recent years, of course, is the bay of Colwyn, but there is one part of the bay of Colwyn that is particularly vulnerable to flooding, and experienced flooding very recently in Storm Eleanor, which hit north Wales just a few weeks ago when the promenade of Old Colwyn was flooded. This is a regular occurrence now, and I'm very...
Darren Millar: I'm grateful to you for taking the intervention. I wrote that article because I was concerned that there was a growing number of people who were taking an interest in the use of raw cannabis for medicinal purposes. I object to the use of raw cannabis for medicinal purposes. I do not, however, object to the use of cannabis-derived drugs that are effective clinically and can reduce the sorts of...
Darren Millar: Thank you. I'm very grateful to you for taking the intervention. I have to say, I find myself in the unusual position of agreeing with almost every word that you've said. One thing I think that would be very, very important would be further research into the benefits of cannabis and some of the medicinal purposes for which it can be used. I wonder, Minister, whether there's any work that you...
Darren Millar: 1. Will the First Minister outline what consideration the Welsh Government has given to improving infrastructure in north Wales? OAQ51601
Darren Millar: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. One thing that many people in north Wales crow about is the disparity between the investment in south Wales in the transport infrastructure and that in the north. You're spending £1.4 billion on an M4 relief road, £400 million more than you were anticipating not that long ago. You announced £180 million for the metro central project in Cardiff,...
Darren Millar: Can I call for two statements from the leader of the house, the first from the Cabinet Secretary for health on emergency department performance across Wales? The latest figures, of course, are very, very poor indeed. Unfortunately, yet again, the health board that is currently being run by the Welsh Government is the worst performing of all of the health boards in Wales against the four-hour...
Darren Millar: 2. What consideration has the Assembly Commission given to establishing chaplaincy services for Assembly Member support staff and Assembly Members? OAQ51600
Darren Millar: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Darren Millar: I'm sorry, I can't hear.
Darren Millar: Thank you for your answer, Commissioner. The cross-party group on faith recently held a discussion on the topic 'Faith-based chaplaincy, is it worth it?' and we heard from people serving as chaplains within public sector organisations and we heard from individuals who've been recipients of the benefits of chaplaincy services, which, of course, are helping to reduce disputes and disagreements...
Darren Millar: I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate, and I have to say I'm a little bit disappointed with some of the contributions so far. I was very surprised to hear Rhun ap Iorwerth, in his criticism of the Welsh Government, not reflect on the fact that, for four years in the past decade, we had an economy Minister who was a Plaid Cymru Deputy First Minister, and, during his period...
Darren Millar: Sorry, I gave way to accept an apology, but clearly didn't get it. I have to say I'm also very disappointed that the Welsh Government doesn't seem to understand that it's businesses that create the wealth, which pay the taxes and pay the members of the public, which then pay for public services. So, you've obviously got to have a business base, both small, medium and large businesses,...
Darren Millar: Well, I think it's very clear from your contribution that you don't like the fact that there's collaboration and discussion going on with other parts of the United Kingdom, particularly England, in terms of trying to create prosperity within Wales. Now, I welcome the fact—[Interruption.] I welcome the fact that the Cabinet Secretary has made his position quite clear. He wants connections...
