David Lloyd: Naturally, I would support the comments of Jeremy Miles on the dire need to electrify the main line to Swansea. Some of us have been making that case for a decade and more. But the original question here is on leaves on the line. Naturally, autumn comes round every year and the leaves fall annually. I understand the point that this system is not devolved, but I don’t know if anyone’s told...
David Lloyd: With no interest in ‘Strictly’, but with a huge amount of interest in this debate on the draft budget, may I thank all those who’ve contributed, almost, especially from this side of the Chamber? But I will focus my attention on this agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru that has delivered what we have to study before us today. I would agree with those comments that we do need greater...
David Lloyd: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on promoting Welsh arts and culture abroad? OAQ(5)0093(EI)
David Lloyd: Will the Minister make a statement on devolving the Wales and Borders rail franchise, following comments yesterday by the Secretary of State for Transport in Westminster suggesting that the UK Government will not devolve the franchise as a whole? EAQ(5)0098(EI)
David Lloyd: Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of social care for disabled people?
David Lloyd: Thank you for that answer. Can I direct the Cabinet Secretary to the annual Lorient inter-Celtic festival, held each year in Brittany? It’s the biggest festival in France and the largest celebration of Celtic cultures in the world. The festival has invited Wales to be the honoured nation in 2018. Next year it’s to be Scotland. Can I ask what the Welsh Government is doing to support the...
David Lloyd: Thank you very much to you for that response. Naturally, there was a great deal of talk yesterday following the comments made by the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, who made it clear that full control of the franchise will not be devolved to the Welsh Government. That was contrary to what we came to understand was your situation, from your Government, and also the...
David Lloyd: I’m very pleased to be taking part in this important debate on a very important and serious subject. It’s important that we don’t just talk about it, but try to get to grips and tackle it. Perhaps I’ve mentioned in passing previously that, in another life, I am a doctor, but also, naturally, I’ve been dealing with problems stemming from obesity over the years. And it’s a...
David Lloyd: First Minister, you’ll be aware of last week’s announcement by the UK transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, as you mentioned, with regard to joint management teams for rail franchises, and also that the new varsity line between Oxford and Cambridge, announced in the autumn statement, will be designed, constructed and run by a new body called East West Rail, totally separate from Network...
David Lloyd: May I thank the Counsel General for his statement, welcome the aim and enthusiastically support this proposal to consolidate and codify Welsh law? There is a huge need to simplify our law and to make it easier for people to understand legislation in one place at one time, because that’s essentially what we’re talking about here. Of course, we’re quoting Aristotle here, but I would also...
David Lloyd: 4. What assessment has the Minister made of the energy potential of tidal lagoons? OAQ(5)0084(ERA)
David Lloyd: Thank you for that response, Cabinet Secretary. You will be aware, of course, of all the discussions that have been ongoing now over a long period of time on the possible development of a tidal lagoon in Swansea bay. What local people want to know is when the Swansea tidal lagoon will be built.
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Llywydd. May I thank the Cabinet Secretary for business for her statement? Further to that, Ken Skates, the Cabinet Secretary for the economy, published a written statement yesterday, ‘Expert Review of Local Museum Provision in Wales 2015 report—Update on progress’. Following that statement, a number of questions arise, particularly in terms of the possibility of...
David Lloyd: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on planned capital expenditure within this Assembly term? OAQ(5)0077(FLG)
David Lloyd: Thank you for that response. Further to that, the Welsh Government’s infrastructure investment plan lists some 350 investments across Wales, with a total value of over £40 billion. You will be aware of that, I’m sure. Clearly, capital settlements provided by the UK Government, or the limited borrowing powers of this Assembly, will enable us to deliver all of those infrastructure...
David Lloyd: Following on from Sian Gwenllian’s question to Alun Davies a little earlier, I too have been looking at the WESPs in the ERW area, and particularly in the Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend areas. I have to say that the targets proposed as part of those plans are extremely disappointing. I don’t think we can overemphasise the undermining that’s happening here. If you’re expecting...
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. It’s a pleasure to take part in this important debate. Naturally, we’re talking about winter preparedness. As my fellow Members of the health committee will be aware, we have been continuing an inquiry over the past few weeks into this particular issue. Of course, it’s true to note, as we heard in evidence, that the health service in Wales...
David Lloyd: Yes, I’m entirely content to accept that point. We always accept that point, but sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we need more beds regardless. The system is at its most efficient when 85 per cent of bed capacity is full. We need some kind of give in the system, because when things remain full we don’t have that flexibility to be able to respond to different emergencies. Thank you.
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. It’s a pleasure to move this amendment that notes that taxation of unhealthy products and rules over the advertising of such products are non-devolved matters, and regrets that successive UK Governments have failed to utilise these powers to tackle obesity. So, that’s what our amendment states. In the amendment we note the preventative agenda...
David Lloyd: Similar concerns to Hefin David, but concerning the Heart of Wales line from Swansea to Shrewsbury—with travellers feeling that the present contract is a long way short of being fit for purpose. Can you assure passengers that you’re looking to provide more trains, faster trains and better trains as part of the next franchise agreement?
