Mr Simon Thomas: I appreciate that the statement by the Minister today goes further than just responding to a legislative challenge, but I think it is—and needs to be put on the record—shameful that the Welsh Government has had to reach this point by dint of responding to a High Court case, and it's taken an awful long time because, a year ago now, Plaid Cymru actually sought to amend the public health...
Mr Simon Thomas: We need to look at how we ban non-hybrid vehicles much earlier than the UK Government intends—2042, I think, is the date there. I'd like to hear what the Welsh Government thinks of that. We need air pollution monitors in our towns and cities, particularly outside schools and hospitals, clear air zones, which have been mentioned, but I think need a legal underpinning, and, of course,...
Mr Simon Thomas: [Inaudible.]
Mr Simon Thomas: Thank you very much, Llywydd. I raise this point of order because there is breaking news, and I ask for your assistance to see if the Assembly could discuss this breaking news. The situation is that it’s become clear now that the Welsh Government has reached agreement with the Conservative Party in Westminster on the EU withdrawal Bill, on the powers that are to be devolved and the powers...
Mr Simon Thomas: Would the Member give way?
Mr Simon Thomas: Just on that point—and if I can declare an interest, as a member of Wales and West—to the fact that Wales and West took over Tai Cantref, in that regard, there was no consultation at all with the tenants, as you say, under the current legislation. It created a great deal of unhappiness, which is still there, with people unsure as to whether this new landlord is actually answerable to...
Mr Simon Thomas: 1. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary held regarding plans for a new site for Ysgol Dewi Sant in Llanelli? OAQ52045
Mr Simon Thomas: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the future of health services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area? OAQ52043
Mr Simon Thomas: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary for that initial response. She will be aware, however, that three Estyn reports have now said that the current condition of the school is having an effect on learning in that school, and that the pupils of ysgol Dewi Sant deserve the best possible education, and that’s the purpose of the twenty-first century schools programme that her department is responsible...
Mr Simon Thomas: What's just been outlined in Betsi is also true of Hywel Dda, and I have a constituent who's also been told to pay £1,000 for a multiparametric MRI scan. The reason for that is that, as you say, the NICE guidelines talk about such a scan following a biopsy, but we have health boards in Wales—Cardiff and the Vale, Cwm Taf and Aneurin Bevan—that offer these scans as a routine diagnostic...
Mr Simon Thomas: Hywel Dda university health board is currently consulting on its proposals to transform community and hospital services in mid and west Wales. I encourage everyone with an interest to engage in and participate in the consultation, and have their say in helping to shape future services for the region.
Mr Simon Thomas: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for the answer, and I will of course participate fully, as I'm already doing, in that conversation, but I think the people of west Wales deserve excellent healthcare delivered at a reasonable distance, and this includes the best healthcare possible, including urgent care and teaching hospitals. Bronglais in Aberystwyth looks after the northern part of the Hywel...
Mr Simon Thomas: Diolch, Llywydd. I'll do my best. Can I say to the Cabinet Secretary that the disagreement here, I think, is not around the work that he has undertaken or the hard work that he and his officials have done? It's between those of us who do not have the touching faith that he has exhibited today in the UK constitution to deliver for Wales, and who want to take a much more critical and much...
Mr Simon Thomas: Well, they are. It's one of the few things they are talking about.
Mr Simon Thomas: Who's First Minister here?
Mr Simon Thomas: I notice, leader of the house, that it's been stated today that the incinerator proposed for Barry is likely to be operational by the end of the year, and I think there are wider lessons for the whole of Wales from the experiences the people of Barry have had over the last couple of years. Something has gone seriously wrong, I think, if we have a incinerator so close to homes, in an area of...
Mr Simon Thomas: It includes Carmarthen.
Mr Simon Thomas: Thank you for the statement, Minister. I just want to focus on one aspect of it, and that's energy. The statement, rather than the consultation, makes it clear that energy is at the heart of the place making, as you suggested. Specifically, there's a great deal of talk in the consultation, in the paper, of renewable energy, which is in the Welsh Government's hands, of course. But it's also...
Mr Simon Thomas: I'd like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement and for the opportunity to discuss many similar issues in the past, with the Minister too. May I just start with the point that the Cabinet Secretary finished with? I'm pleased to hear that he's confident that things have improved in Powys, but in looking at three issues—the report on children's services, the report today on adult...
Mr Simon Thomas: Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government support for Hywel Dda University Health Board's consultation on the future of health services?
