David Melding: I'm very pleased to speak at the final stage of this important piece of legislation today. As I said at the outset, at Stage 1, this Bill is just one step in the effort to build a housing market that is fit for the future. It is indeed unfair that tenants across the country should be stung by unexpected and unreasonable costs, and that is why I'm happy that we will be banning those fees,...
David Melding: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the value of the esports industry in Wales?
David Melding: First Minister, it would be rude of me to ask here what your current pay rate is, but I think it's fair to say that if you were a vice-chancellor you'd be the poorest paid in Wales, and I do think this is something of a measure. When the pay of senior officers at universities is considerably above what you get, then they need clear justification for that, and they do need to be held...
David Melding: Can I thank the Minister for this statement today? And can I, Deputy Presiding Officer, also acknowledge the outstanding contribution that you've made in this field, which has gained international recognition? I believe that the publication of this expert group's road map is a landmark for everyone concerned to ensure that people living in high-rise buildings are safe and feel safe, and I do...
David Melding: Minister, can I commend you for trying to get as much of the national collection out there and seen as possible? Too much of it is held in storage and we should remember that these items are there to be seen and that is why they're in the collection in the first place. Will you join me in commending Dawn Bowden's work to promote knowledge of Merthyr's Jewish community, established in 1848,...
David Melding: Minister, I think that many Members in this Chamber would have dealt with often distressing cases involving this particular aspect of care and we're talking about some of the most vulnerable young people in society. I've had experience of cases where the treatment plan has not, really, been very successful after in-patient admission and, in fact, repeat admissions have occurred and this is...
David Melding: It's not the world of Benny Hill, you know.
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Can I say that Darren Millar started this debate by saying that mental health debates are amongst the best debates we have in the Assembly? And the Minister generously acknowledged the constructive tone of this debate, and I think we would all agree that it's been very meaningful and apposite. Darren also went on to talk about the personal stories that several AMs...
David Melding: First Minister, I'm sure you're aware of the situation at the city of Cardiff swimming club where, earlier this year, following the transfer of the Cardiff international swimming pool to Legacy Leisure, and a subsequent reduction in the council subsidy of £100,000, the club found themselves having to find £53,000 a year and a loss of pool time. This club has run for over 40 years, has seen...
David Melding: Business Minister, you'll be aware that the First Minister announced at your party's conference early in April that section 21 evictions will be abolished. The UK Government has made a similar announcement that these so-called no-fault evictions will come to an end, and they're considered at the moment to be one of the biggest causes of family homelessness. The UK Government made a written...
David Melding: I hope the Assembly will indulge me if I take us all back to 1984 and the presidential election campaign and Walter Mondale's use of the Wendy's slogan, 'Where's the beef?' We've been around this racecourse a few times now, back as far as July 2016. And when it comes to Creative Wales, it seems that this Government is all preparation and no decision and we do need to make progress. I welcome...
David Melding: Perhaps I can tell you, Deputy Presiding Officer, that I spent part of the Easter recess lecturing at the College of William and Mary on the subject, 'Britain after Brexit'. I have to say, the title was chosen in December, when it didn't seem so wildly improbable. I visited the National Library of Wales earlier in the year, and they knew of my connection with the college. They dug out from...
David Melding: 7. What is the Welsh Government's view on the use of 20 mph zones in Wales? OAQ53821
David Melding: Can I congratulate the First Minister for making my supplementary utterly redundant? [Laughter.] Because I was going to call for exactly that default position. It's logical that we set the standard limit in built-up areas at 20 mph and then councils have the power to set it at 30 mph for those more arterial routes through their urban areas.
David Melding: 8. What discussions is the Welsh Government having with Cardiff Airport officials regarding the expansion of its freight services and business zone? OAQ53820
David Melding: Minister, the airport has had a couple of setbacks recently—the Flybe announcement being the worst. I'm not sure that you would have heard that Peter Phillips, a former senior manager at Cardiff Airport and a former adviser to Brisbane and Amsterdam airports, has said that Cardiff Airport needs to develop its freight services and its business zone in response to the Flybe announcement. In...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I'm very pleased to open this Welsh Conservative debate on a topic that—I think it's fair to say—is making its debut in the National Assembly. It's a topic that's very fresh and exciting in my opinion, and which has the potential for substantial growth in Wales if it's given the recognition and the attention that its success to date warrants. Around the world,...
David Melding: Now, e-sports have been around for as long as the video-game industry itself, and collectively refer to competitive video-game play by professional and amateur gamers. Back in the early 1990s, it existed simply through a group of friends sitting around a Sega Mega Drive or Nintendo 64 console. But in recent years, growth in the gaming audience and player engagement has elevated e-sports into...
David Melding: The potential, Deputy Presiding Officer, is clearly vast, yet Wales is yet to play its full role or the role it is capable of performing, despite some commendable activity, which I'm sure the Minister will refer to later. But this is an industry that is yet to really take off, and if we get in there now and really capture these trends, then we can be a real leader. Other UK cities are...
David Melding: Well, I must follow the Minister's inspiring observation that, you know, perhaps this is the world that will now mark the next 20 years of devolution, where we debate subjects on which we have broad agreement, but subjects that are still critical to our society—and in this case the economy and creative industries. But, can I thank everyone who has taken part in this debate? It's been a...
