David Rowlands: First of all, shall I say that we will be supporting this motion? But, if, as it appears, the purpose of the ‘Future Landscapes’ report is to form a basis upon which any new legislation on our national parks will be made, the first question we must therefore ask is: why does the Welsh Government see a need for such legislation? The report seems to imply that the need for new legislation...
David Rowlands: We must all acknowledge that these are uncertain times for the farming community in Wales. Until the full details of the Brexit deal are finalised, Welsh farmers, and, indeed, all UK farmers, are unsure of what the future holds. The truth of the matter, however, is that, if the UK Government makes the right decisions, British farmers should be far better off than they were under the common...
David Rowlands: Well, no. I have to disagree with you. What the Welsh farming industry should be asking itself is not what is going to happen post Brexit, but what would have happened if we had not had Brexit. I have to disagree with Rhun ap Iorwerth when he says that the common agricultural policy has been favourable to Welsh farmers. The common agricultural policy is not a static one. The accession of some...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. Continuing on the earlier theme of staging events, Cabinet Secretary, would the Cabinet Secretary update us on his proposal for the construction of a multipurpose arena with a capacity of, perhaps, 20,000, and which would host a multiplicity of smaller events?
David Rowlands: Well, I understand that we do have arenas in Cardiff that host something like up to 80,000 people, but we’re talking about major, say, musical events et cetera. Would the Welsh Government be open to the possibility of helping to fund a major arena for this sort of thing, because it can’t be right that in Cardiff city, which is one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe, we have Welsh...
David Rowlands: I’d like to confine my comments to the Conservatives’ amendments. First, can I take point 1? That is, of course, after ignoring the usual fallacious point of ‘delete all’, a gambit that should be disallowed. Amendments should be instruments to alter, not annul motions, and I notice that the other two parties are using exactly same ploy this evening. But I will be magnanimous in saying...
David Rowlands: Yes, of course.
David Rowlands: Well, providing those students pay their way and actually do pay for their education here, we ought to be welcoming them. Absolutely. I’ll deal with Conservatives’ third amendment with a reminder of the Conservative pledges under Cameron before the previous general election. He said: ‘Our plan to control immigration will put you, your family and the British people first. We will reduce...
David Rowlands: And Jeremy, that is precisely—
David Rowlands: [Continues.]—why we are here, because you did not listen to the people.
David Rowlands: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on stimulating economic growth in south-east Wales outside of Cardiff?
David Rowlands: First Minister, we know that many of those who have developed these community hydro projects are very, very worried about these huge increases. Now, as the member for Arfon has alluded to, the Scottish Government has actually said that it will have 100 per cent business rates relief for these projects, and even the Government in England has committed that it will not cost them more than £600...
David Rowlands: Can I begin by saying that UKIP will be supporting this motion? Indeed, I myself have argued for the emphasis to be on reducing carbon output by using the sort of strategies outlined in the motion proposals, rather than concentrating on so-called carbon-free energy production. Because there is, of course, no such thing as carbon-free energy production because the production of, say, solar...
David Rowlands: Of course.
David Rowlands: Well, I welcome that intervention. Of course we do. We need both things to work in harmony. What we’re talking about here, though, of course, is where the emphasis should lie, and I’m in agreement with this motion, where the emphasis should lie. Whilst agreeing with point 2 in the proposals, I have to note here that there is more than a little irony in the proposal to reduce fuel...
David Rowlands: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement, and can I say that UKIP Wales welcomes many aspects of this legislation? In particular, that the Government is making the scheduling process for monuments and buildings more open and accountable. We also welcome the proposal to put owners and occupiers at the heart of the consultation process, with a right to request a review of a decision by...
David Rowlands: 4. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the savings anticipated as a result of the Welsh Government’s new model for local government? OAQ(5)0147(FLG)
David Rowlands: I thank the Cabinet Minister for that answer. But, following on from a number of comments you’ve made earlier, do you not agree that there have been many attempts to reform local government in Wales, including the aborted attempt to institute the Williams commission recommendations, and that the present arrangement of 22 local authorities has proved to be financially and strategically...
David Rowlands: I’m not too sure that I can get it in within that period of time. Any crime or incident motivated by either prejudice or hatred of an individual or a specific group of people is clearly deplorable. Fortunately, such crimes are a rare occurrence as the majority of people living throughout Wales and the UK are, quite rightly, respectful and tolerant. Where this does occur, as a civilised and...
David Rowlands: Patently, they’re not accurate figures. That’s the whole point of this debate. You’re taking those figures as having to be absolute and accurate. We’re arguing that they are not. So, you can quote whatever figures you want to, Cabinet Secretary, but the truth of the matter is if they’re not being recorded properly and in the right manner, then those figures, I’m afraid, are not...
