Carwyn Jones: Well, clusters tend to emerge in those areas where there are already skills to support them and also where there are already businesses that exist in that area. That doesn’t mean, of course, they can’t be created elsewhere, but they are more difficult to create in areas where those skills are not as available. Nevertheless, we’d want to ensure that the clusters that are created are...
Carwyn Jones: We have to ensure that there is balance. We know that skills in the higher education sector are extremely important, particularly with, for example, Wylfa Newydd. Further education is also important in order for people to have the skills—practical skills—in order for them to secure jobs. We do understand that that balance is important, and, of course, this will be part of the way in which...
Carwyn Jones: The national transport finance plan, published in 2015, sets out investment for transport and infrastructure and services for 2015-20 across all parts of Wales.
Carwyn Jones: It’s hugely important that we start to think of Sunday as a day that is not exactly like any other day, of course, but similar in terms of people’s work patterns. We are no longer a Sabbatarian nation and people do travel on Sundays, and, quite often, the public transport networks don’t reflect that. It is something that we will reflect on as part of the franchise negotiations. It’s...
Carwyn Jones: It’s hugely important that people are able to travel on a reliable service and in comfort. There are many occasions where Members have drawn attention to a breakdown in that service over the years. From next year, of course, it is the responsibility of the Welsh Government, and we accept that. He should count himself lucky he was not in London yesterday, where I travelled back and fore on a...
Carwyn Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. Just about everyone can agree that leaving the European Union is a step of massive importance for Wales and the UK as a whole, and in a whole range of ways. The EU we will leave is much bigger and more complex than the Common Market, which we joined all those years ago, and it’s precisely because of this that leaving is an even bigger step than joining was. So, the...
Carwyn Jones: Can I thank the leader of the Welsh Conservatives for his comments? Can I say to him: I listened to what he said about looking to come to a common position, but it would certainly help me if I were to understand what his position is on some of the more fundamental aspects? I know he was somebody who advocated that the UK should leave the EU. That is there for all to see. But does he believe...
Carwyn Jones: Can I thank the Member for his comments? I think it’s fair to say that before the general election the idea of there being an equal partnership of four Governments was not in the vocabulary of the UK Government. They saw themselves as being superior to the three devolved administrations, even in areas that were devolved. The language has changed. I’m not sure that the desire, in terms of...
Carwyn Jones: Can I thank the Member for his comments? First of all, the approach has not been consistent, shall we say, with regard to the devolved nations. Some departments are better than others, at official level, in engaging. The very first act that Michael Gove—one of the very first acts that Michael Gove—took forward when he became the DEFRA secretary was to cancel meetings with the devolved...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I suspect if he was there, then the plough wouldn’t move at all if I was trying to push it. I’ll try and be generous in terms of what he said. We’re in very different positions. There’s one thing that I agree with him about, and that is that it’s hugely important that the UK adjusts to the new reality. He and I are never going to agree on the customs union; I think we should...
Carwyn Jones: First of all, yes, in terms of the UK frameworks, UK plus 1, we believe, is a reasonable way of resolving disputes. We’d hope, of course, that there would be unanimity, but in the absence of unanimity, there has to be a process in place that deals with how to get decisions done. In terms of binding frameworks, those frameworks wouldn’t be binding by statute, but they would be binding by...
Carwyn Jones: First of all, in response to my friend the Member for Ogmore: not just do I believe that what is in this paper is achievable, but it’s necessary if the UK is going to show its flexibility in order for it to prosper in the future. Does it mean, for example, we re-examine, in time, concepts such as parliamentary sovereignty? Yes, it does. We know that there are other countries, like Canada,...
Carwyn Jones: These things have to be resolved based on parity. I don’t think it is right that there should be a difference in the nature of the border regardless of where that border actually is. The common travel area issue cannot be resolved unless you have border controls on the border because otherwise it’s perfectly possible for people, once they arrive in Ireland from wherever they are in the...
Carwyn Jones: Yes. We work closely with Welsh police forces, Natural Resources Wales and local authorities to prevent and tackle rural crime and to help make people feel safer both at home and in public places.
Carwyn Jones: Bearing in mind that policing is not devolved and, therefore, funding largely comes from the Home Office, but I can say that, of course, we support the team. The Cabinet Secretary met with the team on 15 June and received an update on the scale of the issues, the response that they had put in place, and also the work ongoing to change the law at a UK level.
Carwyn Jones: Firstly, a change of attitude and culture, so that some people—those who do fly-tip—realise how anti-social it is. Secondly, of course, enforcement and working with Natural Resources Wales and local authorities, and the public, indeed, to make sure that happens. And, thirdly, through enforcement of penalties. For example, we know that we’ve looked at introducing fixed penalty notices...
Carwyn Jones: Yes, of course I will. It’s vital that we can secure more evidence so that people can be prosecuted. Of course, the police and every authority are dependent on the information that they receive from farmers and others living in rural areas so that they can augment that evidence.
Carwyn Jones: There are a number of first-class sport facilities in north Wales, which serve both elite and community sport. Sport Wales, our key delivery agent, are working with partners to ensure there is appropriate provision across Wales.
Carwyn Jones: Well, you listed some places there that are not supported by the Government, namely the arena in Cardiff and the arena in Swansea. You raised the question about the Racecourse. We wish to ensure that that is developed, ultimately, but it’s very important that the Racecourse itself puts projects forward so that we can look at how we could provide support. We, of course, can’t establish our...
Carwyn Jones: Well, how topical the question is from the Member, because I see that money has been made available for specific projects to the Northern Ireland Executive, and Wales has not been treated in the same way. We’d be more than delighted to take forward more measures on the A55 to reduce congestion if only we were in a position where we had DUP Members who could be bought by the Conservative...
