Carwyn Jones: I think that’s quite right. What we should say, of course, is that we want the power—and it has been given to us—to change the electoral system to any system that the Assembly should vote for, rather than restricting ourselves to one system. What we have at present is a wording that states that we ask Westminster to change the system to a particular model, rather than us having the...
Carwyn Jones: Formally, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Carwyn Jones: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank most Members for their contributions? [Laughter.] Just to explain first of all—to deal with the amendments. I know that Members are concerned that the ministerial code should be open—it is; that it gets amended and reviewed from time to time—it is; and that Members are aware of what the ministerial code actually says. What the amendment does, of...
Carwyn Jones: My answer to that is: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Special advisers have never been called into question in terms of their behaviour. They are indeed expected to behave in accordance with their own code. I see no reason why there should be hearings for the appointment of special advisers. In terms of the third amendment in the name of Paul Davies, this is a mischievous amendment,...
Carwyn Jones: The answer is ‘yes’ and she did, as she’s just informed you. As all Ministers are bound by the ministerial code there is no question of them being able to pick and choose, and there never has been. That code will apply to all and it is known what the consequences are if the code is broken. Well, I won’t comment much on what the Member Neil McEvoy said. His obsessions are well known...
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Government is working to support the farming industry in Pembrokeshire so that it becomes more profitable and sustainable, and, of course, to ensure that farmers make a profit ultimately.
Carwyn Jones: That’s ongoing, of course, bearing in mind that the environmental law that has been transposed into Welsh law will remain in place although the UK is to leave the European Union. It will then be an issue for the Welsh Government to decide which laws should be retained ultimately and which would not be retained.
Carwyn Jones: It’s true to say that we’ve supported farmers in doing that over the past few years through schemes such as Farming Connect and through the rural development plan. It’s very important that we ensure that all means of making a profit are presented to farmers in order to ensure that their farms are more sustainable.
Carwyn Jones: It will be crucially important, but it’s uncertain at the moment as to what the situation is. If PGI status were to be lost, that would be a blow not only to Pembrokeshire potatoes, but to lamb. The lamb export market is extremely important, and one of the things that ensures that we can sell across the world is that we can give a guarantee to purchasers that the lamb is from Wales and of...
Carwyn Jones: We remain committed to delivering a successful Cardiff capital region city deal. We have not yet had a response from the UK Government, however, in terms of them guaranteeing that the funding element of that deal that comes from European funds would be honoured by them, and that, of course, has a direct impact upon match funding for the city deal.
Carwyn Jones: As things stand, as soon as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, then access to that funding will end. Now, I’m putting in place a team in Brussels to look at negotiating on Wales’s behalf in parallel with the UK, with the European Commission. But, if the European funding is not made up by the UK Government, then, clearly, that leaves a hole in funding and we will have to revise...
Carwyn Jones: Well, if he chaired it, I’m not surprised that very few businesses were there, I have to say. The reality is that businesses will be a hugely important part of the city deal, and we’ll work with local authorities and businesses to make sure that the benefits of the deal can be maximised.
Carwyn Jones: I agree very much with that. The concept of the metro is designed to do two things, primarily. First of all, of course, to make it easier for those who have jobs in Cardiff to travel quickly into Cardiff, but also to attract investment away from the coast and further up the Valleys, and to get rid of that perception that our northern Valleys communities are hard to reach. We know that’s not...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I’m not going to pretend to the leader of the opposition that things are stable at Westminster—that’s there for all to see. But I can say, as far as we’re concerned as a Government, we will fight for every single penny that Wales is owed, and I am absolutely confident that all those who represent my party at Westminster will do the same.
Carwyn Jones: In a way, that gives me the opportunity to answer the urgent question now, which I’m happy to do. I have written to the Home Secretary and I have said to her that, as far as the Welsh Government is concerned, we believe that EU citizens living in the UK should retain the right to do so after the UK withdraws from the EU. She and I are in the same position on that. I believe it’s utterly...
Carwyn Jones: First of all, she’s right to point out the funding gap that would exist. Secondly, she and I have discussed the issue of what the negotiating stance should be and I’m quite happy to share it with the Chamber: that is, first, that we will explore every possible avenue of benefit to Wales; secondly, I’ve already asked the economy Secretary to announce a series of measures to protect jobs...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I can only quote what the Foreign Secretary has said and, indeed, the person who might yet become the Prime Minister, who has said that those rights are not guaranteed. Now, we need to have clarity and there needs to be a response from the current Home Secretary as quickly as possible in order that people can have assurance that, for many people who’ve lived in the UK for many, many...
Carwyn Jones: The economy Secretary will be making an announcement on the Circuit of Wales next week.
Carwyn Jones: All these factors will be taken into consideration. I assume I will have a heads-up before the decision is taken—I’m sure I will—but the economy Secretary, I know, will be making an announcement next week on the progress of this scheme.
Carwyn Jones: That’s not what she said.
