David Melding: Thank you. The proposal is to note the committee's report. Does any Member object? The motion is therefore agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
David Melding: Item 8 is the Plaid Cymru debate on hydrogen energy and I call on Simon Thomas to move the motion.
David Melding: Order. I'm sorry, Simon, but we've lost the translation. The testing is working. Has everyone now got the transmission? Thank you. I do apologise, Simon. Do continue.
David Melding: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on fire safety in high-rise blocks in Wales? OAQ52469
David Melding: First Minister, of course, I acknowledge the work that's been done in the social sector, and very welcome it is, but, last month, Wales's chief fire adviser said that residents in private high-rise blocks may have to live with unsafe cladding for years because of wrangling over who should pay for it, and the Residential Landlords Association has called on the Welsh Government to offer...
David Melding: Get to it. [Laughter.]
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I do accept the point that this is an important referral, even though it is not an active one for the Welsh Government, now that they have come to an agreement, and a very solid agreement, in my view, with the UK Government. It was always our position, this side of the Assembly, that the legislative consent motion process remains the key defence, but there are...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I move the amendment. Can I congratulate Neil Hamilton on the sensitivity of his speech in emphasising that environmental concerns must override the free market? I'm sure that many of us have thought that a very, very, very important principle. Hurrah, UKIP now embrace it also. This is a very important debate and we don't talk enough about it in the Chamber, so I'm...
David Melding: I appreciate your science-led approach in this matter, and I do hope you extend it to other areas of your policy.
David Melding: Neath abbey.
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, you'll know the Low Pay Commission is visiting Anglesey today and tomorrow to get the views of people affected by the minimum wage. Do you agree with me it's essential that all people are involved, from businesses, workers and trade unions—indeed, anyone with an interest in this important public policy area—to ensure that they deliver evidence so that next year's...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, I do commend the written statement you made earlier today for concentrating on the prevention of fires and the work of the fire service and the other emergency services to raise awareness in schools and also just around the community about the dangers of starting fires. I think that's a really, really important part of their work, and we are seeing a lower incidence it...
David Melding: Today is 4 July, and in Jefferson's sparkling prose, we are reminded that we are born with inalienable rights, and the most important are 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness'. Now, 'the pursuit of happiness' we would define as some form of emotional well-being today, and there's absolutely no doubt that the denial of effective help and diagnosis of emotional and mental health...
David Melding: First Minister, access to green spaces is really important today. Ninety-six per cent of Copenhageners live within a 15-minute walk of a sizeable green or blue area, and work is indeed under way to even improve those access rates. The city has biodiversity volunteers who play a vital role in nurturing the city's green areas and the city has planted more than 3,600 trees, many of them adopted...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I move the amendment in the name of Paul Davies. 15,841; 20,158; 17,236. These are not abstract numbers. Let me explain. In 1954, the number of house completions, or dwellings completed, by all agencies was 15,841: 13,197 of those were in the public sector, the largest number of houses ever built by the public sector. That was 1954. In 1967—and I will just finish...
David Melding: Yes, they are for Wales, as we are the Welsh Assembly, thank you. The question, I suppose, because of the scale that these show, is a good one to put, because of the numbers we have been routinely talking about in recent years—under both Labour and Conservative Governments, it has to be acknowledged. But it just shows you how much we need to raise our ambition. Housing, affordable housing,...
David Melding: Well, it disgusts me as a capitalist.
David Melding: If they can build on the Holmans model and bring it up to date, that's fine, but it was published just three years ago. I think we can exaggerate how up-to-date you may feel it is.
David Melding: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the grants provided by local government to deliver public services? OAQ52498
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, can I welcome that part of the consultation that proposes the restructuring of the use class system to provide further protection for pubs in a manner similar to that in England? We've lost something like 17 per cent of our pubs since the year 2000. In England, there's a further protection in the planning system whereby a pause is placed on the disposal of assets that are...
