Nick Ramsay: Well, I'm glad you've said that, Mick Antoniw, because it is quite true to say that we did not support the public ownership of that airport. But I tell you what, what is ironic is when you support public ownership of the airport and you put public money into that, and then you take decisions that refuse flights to fly from that airport that is going to get money back for the taxpayer. So, if...
Nick Ramsay: I would otherwise, Jenny. The relaxation of the coronavirus restrictions on travel has created, I think it's true to say, a range of challenges, but also a range of opportunities, and I think that we need to look at the balance between those and make sure that we appreciate that. As Darren Millar said in opening, there's no doubt at all that restrictions, such as the 5-mile rule, no matter...
Nick Ramsay: What plans does the Welsh Government have to improve transport links to the new Grange University Hospital when it opens in November 2020?
Nick Ramsay: Minister, we've known for a long time that the risks associated with air travel are lower, because of the air filtering systems that planes are fitted with, and it looks now as though that sort of technology might be more widely available for other transport. Own Buses in Warrington is thought to be the first bus company in the world to install air cleaning devices across its entire fleet in...
Nick Ramsay: Minister, I must admit that I do like the expression 'build back better', it's got a certain catchiness to it, but, of course, what matters is that it actually works on the ground and that we do see really positive policy changes to make sure that there is change as we come out of the pandemic. Whilst I would agree with all of those areas that John Griffiths rightly cited as areas for...
Nick Ramsay: Can I concur with the comments and questions that were posed by my colleague Janet Finch-Saunders at the opening of this topical questions session? Minister, a lot has been said about the importance of testing and tracking and the issues in the domiciliary care sector. I know that Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have put a particular emphasis recently on testing patients before they...
Nick Ramsay: I've got the message, Chair; I will be succinct. Thank you, and I'm pleased to contribute to this debate and, indeed, to follow the Minister emeritus—it's always good to listen to what Alun Davies has to say. It did amuse me slightly when you said, Alun, that you hoped you'd have more luck with Rebecca than her predecessor, because her predecessor was, of course, the First Minister, so I...
Nick Ramsay: Thank you for your statement, First Minister. A couple of questions from me. Firstly—and this was covered in an answer that you gave to a question, partially covered in an answer you gave to a question, a few minutes ago—with regard to the health service and operations, a number of constituents have contacted me who have had operations deferred due to the COVID-19 situation. I appreciate...
Nick Ramsay: No? Okay.
Nick Ramsay: I think Michelle Brown just about covered everything there, didn't she, First Minister? But I'll ask you about the tax situation. Yesterday, in Finance Committee, we had an evidence session with the finance Minister, where she spoke about the impact of the pandemic on house sales and on land transaction tax. What assessment has been made of the ongoing pandemic on not just that tax but on all...
Nick Ramsay: Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government policies to support the rural economy as we build back better following Covid-19?
Nick Ramsay: Minister, Jenny Rathbone makes some good points. The Welsh Government often talks about building back better after the pandemic, and I think that planning reform and changing the way that the planning system is used to encourage sustainability is all key to this. All applications should be carbon proofed. I previously raised the issue of an application for an electric-car charging station...
Nick Ramsay: Well, I was going to start this contribution by welcoming the consensus that was breaking out across the Chamber, but I'm not sure that's appropriate now. But, as Paul Davies said in his comments earlier—his opening comments—we're all like-minded here in wanting to see this pandemic dealt with as swiftly and as safely as possible, and the lockdowns eased as swiftly as is safely possible....
Nick Ramsay: 3. Will the First Minister make a statement on the opening of the Grange University Hospital? OQ55534
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, First Minister, for that answer. I'm sure you'd like to join me in thanking the construction workers who've helped keep this important project on time and on budget over the last few months and years, particularly at a time when the sector has been so badly affected by the pandemic, with construction microbusinesses making up around a third of applications to the economic...
Nick Ramsay: Trefnydd, the issue of mental health has massively moved to the forefront of all our minds over recent years, and particularly during the pandemic with the associated issues of mental health that have been affecting some people. You may be aware that Mind Cymru have launched their Stand For Me campaign, calling on Welsh political parties, current Members of the Senedd and future candidates to...
Nick Ramsay: 5. Will the Minister provide an update on revenues from the land transaction tax? OQ55535
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, procurement is one of the key ways in which public bodies need to be able to demonstrate that they are securing value for money, something that we took evidence from you on recently in the Public Accounts Committee. Two of the Auditor General for Wales's reports in autumn 2017 concluded that national governance arrangements for procurement could be strengthened and...
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister, and I'm pleased to hear that that work is under way, because the National Procurement Service frameworks do need looking at and overhauling. Public bodies in Wales have been spending in the region of £6 billion procuring goods and services, so we shouldn't be in any doubt about the importance of procurement in getting the Welsh economy moving again. Unfortunately, as you...
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, and I look forward to hearing that information later this month. I appreciate that officials' time and your own time and the Government's time over recent time has been preoccupied with the pandemic and dealing with that, but if I can, in my final question to you, ask how this whole issue of procurement can be seen in terms of the issue of building back better, and renewing the...
