David Rowlands: Again, I thank the Minister for—
David Rowlands: That's fine, Llywydd. Again, I thank the Minister for his answer, but following on from the cancellation of the Circuit of Wales, I'm noting that the Ebbw Vale enterprise zone was responsible for just 179 jobs during its seven years of existence. Surely, then, Cabinet Minister, it is time the Welsh Government put in place, as a matter of urgency, the infrastructure—both physical and...
David Rowlands: The importance of mobile connectivity has grown exponentially over the past few years, with mobile phone ownership in Wales said to be standing at over 90 per cent for adults—and, from my own experience, it may be even greater with children. Of these mobile phone users in Wales, 57 per cent report using a mobile phone to go online. Therefore, the importance of such connectivity has...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. For almost two years, we've endured the prophecies of a cataclysmic impact on the UK economy should we leave the EU in a 'no deal' scenario—such adverse consequences promulgated by both socialist parties of this Assembly and much of which is sheer negative speculation. We in UKIP concede there may be some short-term negative impacts on our economy, but almost all...
David Rowlands: Of course.
David Rowlands: I'm sure that the AM is misreading what we're saying. We're saying that we'll give a vote on that to the people. Contrary to the idea propagated by many in this Chamber, the people were very well aware of what they were voting for in the referendum. It seems that most in this Chamber wish to forget that a comprehensive brochure was sent to every household in Wales and the UK outlining the...
David Rowlands: Yes.
David Rowlands: The great difference with that, of course, is that under NATO we still have control of our own forces. Under this proposed European army, we will not have control of our own forces—[Interruption.] No, I've listened to you. Thank you, very much. The Franco-German grand reform is a plan to put in place a joint budget, Parliament and finance Minister for the eurozone. Should we remain in the...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, I'd like to raise the subject of public procurement. Post Brexit we should be able to re-examine the rules governing public procurement, and this should make it easier for the public sector in Wales to award contracts to small companies and SMEs. However, even discarding Brexit, there are opportunities for the public sector to make it easier for small firms to bid...
David Rowlands: We do, on these benches, acknowledge the fact that the National Procurement Service is making a difference, but we also know that the Welsh Government will need to change its approach after Brexit, and this was recognised by the First Minister, who stated in the Chamber recently that the Welsh Government would, after Brexit, look at using procurement on a more local or regional level. And we...
David Rowlands: Of course I thank, again, the Minister for her answer, but one of the obstacles to tendering for contracts is, of course, the tendering process itself, which involves completing lots of complex forms, and then the process takes up lots of resources, which will often be beyond the capability of small or medium-sized companies. So, to sum up, Minister, I really do think this is an area that the...
David Rowlands: I thank the Assembly Member for his question. The Assembly’s website provides information on how to reach the Senedd via a variety of travel modes, including public transport, walking and cycling. There are publicly accessible cycle racks in close proximity to the Senedd, outside both Tŷ Hywel and the Pierhead. We have met with the nextbike scheme to help facilitate the installation of a...
David Rowlands: As with all suggestions coming from Assembly Members, we welcome those suggestions that will help us make access to the Assembly safer as well as being much more accessible. Just to broaden it out, just a little, on your question earlier, we note and welcome that the local authority, which, of course, is responsible for the local infrastructure with regard to bikes, has plans for five new...
David Rowlands: If you could just give me two seconds to catch up with my paperwork on this, please. The Commission is fully committed to ensuring access to the Assembly estate for disabled people and this is not confined just to wheelchair accessibility but also to other disabilities, such as those for the visibly impaired and those with autism. We continually review accessibility to all buildings and...
David Rowlands: Again, I thank the Member for bringing those matters to the Commission and I can assure you that when we get more extensive information from you, we will fully investigate that. You know that we do provide disabled parking in the Senedd and the Tŷ Hywel car park, but we could obviously review those to see if they're adequate now. I have to say, the Senedd building, from its inception, was...
David Rowlands: 8. Will the First Minister provide an update on the work the Welsh Government is doing to develop policies in accordance with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015? OAQ53749
David Rowlands: I thank the First Minister for that answer. The work of the 70/30 organisation plays a vital part in combating child abuse. Their target of reducing such abuse by 70 per cent by 2030 goes with an acceptance that parenting skills do not always come naturally to some. It would therefore seem that this issue needs to be vigorously addressed. Will the First Minister ensure that his social justice...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, I think it is true to say that university students are often portrayed in a negative way, but shouldn't we acknowledge that there are many areas where students from across the academic spectrum show initiative and drive, often outside their particular curriculum? It is therefore gratifying that Welsh students outperformed those in other parts of the UK with regard...
David Rowlands: I thank the Minister for that. Some critics point out the fact that as much as 44 per cent of these start-ups end in failure and that would-be entrepreneurs attempt this route because they are unable to find suitable employment. But is it true to say that many businesses fail, which are not started by students, and we should also acknowledge that many things can be learned from failure? There...
David Rowlands: I must admit, when I first considered this question, I had a startling image of a whole cortege of Granvilles turning up outside with their baskets fully laden, but of course these are purpose-built vehicles. The Commission agrees that they have a potential for reducing the impact of delivery vehicles in an urban environment, particularly for the so-called 'last mile' section of a delivery....
