Mike Hedges: I would like to ask for two statements—the first statement on Welsh Government action to improve electrical safety, following electrical fires in Mid and West Wales in the last two years. There have been 121 due to faulty equipment or appliances, 119 due to faulty electric supply, 15 from faulty leads and 52 from overheating. Those are serious problems. I'd like to have a Welsh Government...
Mike Hedges: 8. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on schools in Wales graded excellent by Estyn? OAQ52210
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that response? Will the Cabinet Secretary join me in congratulating Cwmrhydyceirw on achieving 'excellent' in both categories in its recent inspection? Is the Cabinet Secretary considering visiting the school to see some of its excellent practice in action—excellent practice that was identified by Estyn in their report?
Mike Hedges: David Rowlands gave a very good summary of what we've been through. I think that he understated it when he said there wasn't a meeting of minds between the petitioners and EDF. I think they probably started off very far apart and didn't get one inch closer during the whole of the discussion that took place. I will start off with what EDF's view is. They say they're one of many companies...
Mike Hedges: Certainly.
Mike Hedges: 'Yes', is the answer. I'm going to come to that in a few moments, but, yes, I desperately do. I'll just finish off the first part. Taking the naturally occurring and artificial radioactivity together, the levels are so low they pose no danger to human health or the environment—that's the view of EDF. Following on from what Jane Hutt said, why is there a problem? We've been told it's all...
Mike Hedges: Firstly, can I request an update on Welsh Government action to help people working for Virgin Media? It has been reported in the South Wales Evening Post that employees have been refused time off to attend job tests and to attend job interviews, despite the fact that their jobs are seriously under threat. Has the Welsh Government taskforce been given access to Virgin Media and an...
Mike Hedges: I welcome the Minister's statement. We need to use the Welsh language in the workplace, socially and within the family. When I visit Caernarfon, the Welsh language is the natural language of conversation in shops, pubs and on the street. As the Minister knows, I had some difficulty last year in getting a bank to accept a letter through the medium of Welsh. Does the Minister agree that we need...
Mike Hedges: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the economy of the Swansea bay city region? OAQ52269
Mike Hedges: 5. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Welsh Government proposals to improve transport links in the Swansea bay city region? OAQ52259
Mike Hedges: Thank you for that answer. I want to highlight the importance of the university as an economic driver, creating highly paid and highly skilled employment. We know the importance of cities as drivers of growth. I ask that, in conjunction with the university, the Welsh Government looks to create both a business park and an entrepreneurship centre that will provide a founder and incubator...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank you for that answer? Most movement in the Swansea bay city region is within the region, not out of it. I believe there is a need for the cycle paths to be completed, railway stations such as Landore to be reopened, and bus-rail interchanges to be created. What progress has been made by the Welsh Government on these types of schemes to improve transport within the Swansea bay city...
Mike Hedges: First of all, can I welcome the debate and the way David Melding brought it forward? I hope it's going to be part of a series that the Conservative group are going to bring forward in a constructive manner, as David has today. It is absolutely true that we need to acknowledge the importance of Wales’s urban areas as engines of economic growth, learning and activity. More specifically, it...
Mike Hedges: Certainly, yes.
Mike Hedges: Absolutely. That's what I was going to say: we need bus services linking residential areas, work and leisure, going at the times people want to go to the work and leisure. In conclusion, to grow our economy in south-west Wales, we need to develop and expand the economic opportunities in the Swansea bay city region and we all need to work together. So, thank you, David Melding, for bringing...
Mike Hedges: 7. Will the First Minister make a statement on efforts to tackle the problems caused by Japanese knotweed? OAQ52298
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the First Minister for that response? Knotweed is a serious problem in Swansea, especially in my constituency, but I'm sure Julie James could tell you exactly the same for Swansea West as well. Whilst the experiment with a natural predator and improved chemical treatments are to be welcomed, we have areas of green wedge where knotweed has become a problem. Has the Welsh Government...
Mike Hedges: I very much welcome the Government's statement today. It always surprises me the number of people—especially younger people—who have ended up moving into the private rented market who, one generation, two generations or three generations ago, would quite naturally have moved into house purchase. I think that's a change in society that is not necessarily for the better. Like many...
Mike Hedges: Does the Cabinet Secretary think it is fair that the cost of building the first tidal lagoon in the world is being compared to nuclear power provision at Hinkley Point, when the first nuclear power plant at Calder Hall was built in 1956, and where decommissioning and disposal costs are capped, and where, if the actual cost exceeds the cap, the cost is being borne by the Government, i.e. us...
Mike Hedges: Can I ask for a further update on the Welsh Government action to support people working for Virgin Media in Swansea? Has the Welsh Government taskforce been allowed access to talk to staff and provide details of potential other employers? Can I ask a second question? As the Cabinet Secretary's well aware, living in the same area, there's been huge success with the development of Llandarcy,...
