Mark Reckless: It’s a pleasure to respond to the penultimate motion of the term. Given the importance of the Wales Audit Office and its board and robust governance, I think it’s important we give this consideration. I am pleased that the Finance Committee hasn’t just nodded through the reappointment of three members and a chair. The legal provision for the members is that they’re allowed two...
Mark Reckless: Unlike the other members of the board, there is express provision allowing the chair’s term to be extended, and, given the turnover of members, I do agree it is appropriate for that chair’s term to be extended, and also note that it’s only been extended for three years, rather than four. So, nothing is taken for granted, and that also ensures an appropriate rotation of members of the...
Mark Reckless: 3. What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government regarding the Welsh Government's 'Brexit and Fair Movement of People' policy document? (OAQ51052)
Mark Reckless: The First Minister has, though, it seems, had discussions with the First Minister of Scotland and development of joint strategy and approach with the Scottish Government. Does the First Minister not appreciate that Wales voted ‘leave’ in the referendum? He said himself that had a lot to do with free movement of people, yet his document here is supporting free movement of people in all but...
Mark Reckless: When I last questioned the Cabinet Secretary on this, the UK Government had guaranteed payments to 2020. They’ve now guaranteed them until at least 2022. So, I hope that she will welcome that. And also, when she has discussions with the UK Government around the complex area of how devolution works post Brexit and what areas of agriculture should be determined here and what the UK framework...
Mark Reckless: What is the Welsh Government doing to maximise the benefits that will flow to Wales following the UK Government's confirmation that the Severn Bridge tolls will be abolished during 2018?
Mark Reckless: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the establishment of Health Education and Improvement Wales as a special health authority? (OAQ51095)
Mark Reckless: I note, also, that the Cabinet Secretary has been advertising for non-executive members of the board for this health authority and did quite a lot of work in terms of these reports from Mel Evans and Professor Williams that we had before. I just wonder if he can say what he is doing to ensure that the board will operate truly independently at arm’s length from Welsh Government, and also to...
Mark Reckless: I move the amendment in the name of Paul Davies. When I raised NHS work planning two weeks ago at First Minister’s questions, I questioned why, after 20 years of Labour running Wales, there are still Welsh Government reports that say substantial work is needed for medical recruitment and retention to be fit for purpose. The First Minister didn’t answer me then, and the Cabinet Secretary...
Mark Reckless: Will the Member give way?
Mark Reckless: Is he really saying that the entire problem we have with workforce planning and shortages in the NHS, including GPs in Wales, is due to a period of seven years from 1990 to 1997?
Mark Reckless: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the value placed on the Welsh baccalaureate by universities in England?
Mark Reckless: 9. What is the Welsh Government doing to maximise the economic development benefits that will flow to south-east Wales following the UK Government’s confirmation that the Severn bridge tolls will be abolished during 2018? (OAQ51158)
Mark Reckless: Does the Cabinet Secretary agree we should invest more in rail as well as road to drive that economic development? Since new stations at Llanwern and St Mellons will change the pattern of mainline services, does he agree a new station at Magor could complement this? With campaigners meeting the Department for Transport and Network Rail tomorrow, will he consider matching the £80,000 that...
Mark Reckless: Does the Counsel General recognise that that Supreme Court judgment cut across the previous position, as put forward by the Welsh Government and, indeed, the First Minister? I recall him in this Chamber telling us of the importance to vote for the LCM on the Wales Bill, because it would put Sewel into statute and, as in Scotland, we would benefit from having that statutory underpinning of the...
Mark Reckless: Cabinet Secretary, shouldn’t that engagement, though, come before the plan is finalised? You have limited resources in your department; you face having to make more savings. There are extraordinary challenges about these marine protected areas; we know very little about what goes on at the bottom of the sea, and it’s very expensive to find information. Why do you not bring the...
Mark Reckless: The unemployment rate in south-east Wales has fallen to 3.5 per cent this year; the employment rate in the year to June is up from 70.2 per cent to 72.5 per cent. Given that the Government in Westminster’s welfare reforms are designed at least in part to help people into work, and the Cabinet Secretary himself says he supports the principle of universal credit, shouldn’t he be welcoming...
Mark Reckless: I’m very happy to clarify. The Presiding Officer wrote to Andrew R.T. Davies and to myself and confirmed that I should be considered a member of the Conservative group for all purposes of this Assembly, just as she has ruled that the committee Chairs should be moved in order to reflect the balance of the party groups. It ill behoves this institution, which wishes to be considered a...
Mark Reckless: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on what impact property transaction tax changes will have on the supply of commercial property?
Mark Reckless: First Minister, you described your approach to the public finances on 23 April, when you were asked, 'The Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said £500bn more borrowing is in order to give the economy a bit of a boost—you’d go along with that then would you?' You answered, 'Yes, I would'. Do you still think borrowing £500 billion—10 times the current UK deficit—would be sensible, and...
