Andrew RT Davies: You've hit the nail on the head there, Mick, in fairness, because the independent advisers I've said—and I haven't been corrected on this—will only be looking at the specific referral of the First Minister regarding the allegations that have come forward over the last 14 days. The allegations that are in the public domain about bullying and intimidation stretch back to 2009, and the point...
Andrew RT Davies: I think both are important in the public's mind. Ultimately, if an important committee—the premier committee, I would suggest, of this Assembly—of all the Chairs of the Assembly coming together and scrutinising the First Minister on allegations that have been made cannot undertake that scrutiny, then there is something seriously wrong. I will take the intervention in a minute. I do draw...
Andrew RT Davies: I couldn't agree more. It's about understanding whether the allegations in the first instance stack up, what actions were taken when the allegations were made to the First Minister and, above all, what actions were put in place to address the concerns, if they stacked up when they were investigated. And, importantly, who investigated them? Because none of us knows the answers to any of those...
Andrew RT Davies: I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate this afternoon. Although obviously not from the north, through my role as leader of the Welsh Conservatives here, I obviously spend quite a considerable time going up to north Wales and seeking first-hand experience of the plight, as I'd put it, that many people feel they're in about the service that they're getting from the health board, which...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I certainly haven't given any clarification this afternoon, because I haven't given any interviews at all, although I see the BBC reporting some line. I've said my comments in my contribution to the debate today, and I stand by the comments that I made in the debate.
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, did Leighton Andrews make a complaint of any nature in 2014 about the conduct or behaviour of members of staff in the Welsh Government or your office?
Andrew RT Davies: First Minister, why have you subsequently, then, when we've been questioning you in this Chamber, indicated that you had issues brought to your attention by the individual I named and others, and that you dealt with those issues at that time? Because there are quite clearly two stories running here, and it is difficult for the impartial observer to try and get to the truth of what people want...
Andrew RT Davies: So, you're saying that, in the answers you gave this Chamber over the last several weeks, where you identified—and these were your words—issues were addressed and actions were taken, that those issues were not related to behaviour of the nature that has been described by Leighton Andrews, by the special adviser or by other individuals who've gone to the press indicating such an atmosphere...
Andrew RT Davies: Minister, obviously, public procurement more generally is an important lever that you as a Government have of stimulating localised economies. The previous Welsh Government brought forward the national public procurement framework, which was to allow smaller businesses, obviously, to get a greater share of the public procurement pie. I've received many representations that businesses have...
Andrew RT Davies: I listened carefully to your answer, leader of the house, and congratulations on your appointment. Across the whole of the South Wales Central area, of which obviously Pontypridd is one of the key towns, there are these pockets of difficulty, shall we say, identified in Pontypridd at 6 per cent, but that could be anywhere across the South Wales Central region. I hear you've had an update...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Minister, I agree with most of the sentiment that has been expressed in this Chamber; you can't dispute that. One of the points that has been made about the assurances Members have received from the banks about neighbouring banks taking up the slack, as it were, is one of the most frustrating arguments that has been put time and time again. In Llantwit Major,...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. As this is the last Plenary before the Xmas recess, may I wish the First Minister and other Members the compliments of the season? And in particular, hopefully, a happy and peaceful new year as well, First Minister. First Minister, over the last couple of weeks, I've asked several questions in this Chamber and I've been reviewing those questions over the last...
Andrew RT Davies: I am grateful that those inquiries are under way, but I do think it is appropriate in this Chamber where we are elected to ask these questions, because if we don't ask those questions then what is our role? That's what First Minister's questions is about. I have to say, as I have spoken to people who don't normally show much of an interest in Welsh democracy, this is an issue that they have...
Andrew RT Davies: I do regret again that you haven't been able to give me an answer to the second question. [Interruption.] With the greatest of respect, that is an elected Member's ability, to come to this Chamber—that's the privilege that we have as elected Members—to ask those questions. That's what First Minister's questions and ministerial questions and statements are about. We choose the questions,...
Andrew RT Davies: 8. What is the Cabinet Secretary doing to promote school governorships and the filling of vacant governor posts within the education system in Wales? OAQ51469
Andrew RT Davies: Cabinet Secretary, Jo Johnson made an announcement on the weekend about some of the changes that he was making to university courses and the availability of two-year courses in the English higher education system. Obviously, student finance and the amount of debt that students take on is of grave concern to many students when considering their options. Have you made any assessment of the...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. This is an area I've taken a special interest in, because I think one of the most rewarding periods I had was the 13 years that I was a primary school governor. But, regrettably, in that time, I did become aware of many vacancies that did exist at that time and I have to say, in the evidence that I've seen gathered here via written questions, et...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Could I also extend a welcome to the new Member here today, and endorse the First Minister's comments about how welcome it is to see Steffan back in the Chamber here, and wish him well in the weeks and months ahead? And I'd also offer my congratulations to David Melding, who was recognised in the new year's honours list—a very worthy contribution to Welsh...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, First Minister, for that answer. I do recognise that there are pressures across the whole of the United Kingdom as we've all seen in the news. My first question was were they predictable and were they preventable, some of the pressures unique to Wales, such as no GP out-of-hours service, as I'm led to believe, here in Cardiff over the festive period. There were chronic waiting...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, First Minister. I, too, pay tribute to all the staff who were out over the festive period while many of us were enjoying the festive period, and, without that staff, our NHS would not work in whatever section of the service they work in. But the point I made in my second contribution this afternoon, which is that if there is no out-of-hours provision whatsoever, then it's obvious...
