Mark Reckless: I had thought that, in the third part of this motion, actually, the Welsh Government was not willing to call for a second referendum—was using weaselly words that work should begin immediately on preparing for a public vote, whatever that may be; perhaps it was a general election, perhaps they couldn't agree. Perhaps, like the people in the House of Commons, who didn't even dare put an...
Mark Reckless: I will.
Mark Reckless: The Member didn't accept the result from the word 'go'. He's managed to inveigle the Labour Party gradually into agreeing with Plaid Cymru on a Brexit in name only and pushing that, and, as we get closer and closer to the deadline, being more and more clear in their belief that their voters were wrong and they should be made to vote again. But when they say, in part 2 of this motion, that it,...
Mark Reckless: The fundamental reason those few years have been so difficult is people like the Member will not accept the result of the referendum. Now, the fact is, his constituency voted 'leave' more than anywhere else in Wales.
Mark Reckless: With Turkey, the Member gives an example of why it's so bad to be in a customs union with the EU while having no say over its trade policy. But does he recognise that one positive result for the competitiveness of steel produced in his constituency since the vote to leave the European Union is an exchange rate that is 15 per cent lower? And, yes, WTO will bring challenges, but it will also...
Mark Reckless: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on the progress of growth deals in Wales? OAQ53379
Mark Reckless: One of the challenges of growth deals in Wales, compared to in England, where many were going previously, is that the Welsh Government is another significant partner in the room, whose agreement is needed to progress deals, and will legitimately have different emphases, and perhaps in some areas, different priorities to the UK Government. What can Welsh Government do to ensure its presence,...
Mark Reckless: Does he accept there can also be a benefit to people in Wales of rail investment even if it's not within Welsh borders, in particular the electrification of the line from Paddington to Severn tunnel? It's of a huge benefit to Wales and will he recognise that?
Mark Reckless: Will the Minister make a statement on the future of obstetric and inpatient paediatric services in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board?
Mark Reckless: One issue that's been raised with me is that the courses that Merthyr college offer and are available to adult learners generally require full-time attendance and attendance in the daytime as well as in the evening. I just wonder—given the commitments that many adults will have for caring and employment, would the Minister agree with me that it would be desirable if Merthyr, and indeed...
Mark Reckless: In point 1 of our motion, we speak about increasing inequality as evidenced by GVA, then in point 4(b) we speak about our objective to grow wages and to grow prosperity across Wales. I'd just like to emphasise that there is a difference between GVA and wages and prosperity, because GVA looks at production in a particular area. As I think Mike mentioned, a lot of people commute into Cardiff...
Mark Reckless: Of course.
Mark Reckless: I don't rule out supporting it; we'll consider the debate and take a decision. But it is more difficult to create those benefits of agglomeration in rural areas because that agglomeration needs lots of people working together in a confined space. To a degree, we have that in Cardiff, and many of my constituents in south-east Wales commute into Cardiff to often reasonably well-paying jobs, and...
Mark Reckless: Quickly, yes.
Mark Reckless: I agree with the Member's point. The city deals started back with the first eight of them being agreed within the UK in July 2012. Now those were eight deals in England, including places, such as Bristol and Nottingham, of a similar size to Cardiff and not much bigger than Swansea. Why did it take so long for this concept then to be developed in Wales? In England, between July 2012 and that...
Mark Reckless: Disputes, generally, centre on money and power. First Minister, you're generally thought to have had a fairly successful record at negotiating the fiscal framework with the UK Government to resolve the funding coming to Wales. Your predecessor, I would say, did a good job negotiating with the UK Government about the powers of this Assembly and the devolution settlement in the Brexit context....
Mark Reckless: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on financial returns accruing from the Wales Development Bank? OAQ53405
Mark Reckless: What discussions has the Counsel General had with the Leader of the Opposition at Westminster on the Welsh Government's proposals for dynamic alignment on EU state aid rules?
Mark Reckless: We were delighted on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee to conduct our annual scrutiny of the Wales development bank last week. Last year, I hosted a lunch at the Assembly for Giles Thorley and a number of his senior team. I've been very impressed with their capability, and optimistic as to what the bank is going to achieve, building on Finance Wales. The Minister set out the...
Mark Reckless: I believe the Minister and Transport for Wales have suggested we may in due course see tri-mode trains on this line, with both overhead electric, diesel and battery operation. How firm is that policy, because I'm aware that some concerns have been raised as to the added weight of the battery and, despite the advantage of that for coming through the Caerphilly tunnel, whether that added weight...
