Andrew RT Davies: ...under, and I'd be grateful to understand what interaction his department has had with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to make sure that Wales's representative role within that new footprint of representation, diplomatically, is recognised and is as strong as possible?
Llyr Gruffydd: 'The staff feel that, throughout this process, the communication has been poor and not undertaken in a timely manner, effectively preventing union representation and causing serious distress and worry to all staff concerned. The staff therefore request that you investigate and remedy deficiencies in the processes that have been highlighted to you.' Now, Betsi Cadwaladr, of course, is under...
Suzy Davies: ...and for me, this has got Swansea bay city deal written all over it. What recent discussions have you had with the local government leaders about pinning down the governance structure, with balanced representation from the private sector—you mentioned the ports earlier—so that we can see some accelerated activity on the deal?
Caroline Jones: Leader of the house, I have received representations from constituents expressing dismay about their inability to travel on public transport with friends, because they all need wheelchair spaces. And, if you're lucky, most public transport has one or two spots for wheelchairs. Most of us take for granted the ability to travel together, yet disabled people in Wales are being denied that right....
Lesley Griffiths: ...recommendations and the findings in the report. I think there's significant work to be done and I know that she is establishing a taskforce, a Minister-led taskforce, that will include significant representation from disabled people and disability groups to enable her to address those sort of stubborn, deep-rooted inequalities that the report highlighted.
Carolyn Thomas: ...Wales. Unfortunately, border communities, like the ones I represent in north Wales, could still be impacted by fracking. In particular, contamination of the water quality is a serious threat. What representations will be made to the UK Government regarding concerns about water protection from fracking here in Wales?
Alun Davies: ...on the armed forces, I'd like to echo the points that Darren Millar has made. The armed forces liaison officers form a critical part of the infrastructure of the provision of services, and the representation of need within local government across Wales. We were able to extend the funding—I think it was for two years—which runs out now in March, and it would be a really essential and...
Mark Drakeford: ...isn’t just his understanding of the past that’s at fault here, it’s his understanding of the present as well. His idea that there are no unions involved in private companies in Wales—has he not heard of Ford or Tata or Toyota or many other private sector employers that I could mention? I have to say to him what the First Minister said to him yesterday: his interest in reasonable...
Mick Antoniw: ...to fall at an alarming rate—with several police station schemes on the verge of collapse.' We know that in our Valleys, our advice deserts. 'Access to justice—including the fundamental right to representation at the police station—is in serious peril and the government is ignoring the threat.' It says the reckless decision is 'likely to prove to be a fatal blow to a criminal justice...
Hannah Blythyn: Cabinet Secretary, I am proud to be a member of a party and an institution that has led the way on the importance of the representation of women in political life, but as always we can always do more, and it’s important that we continue to do so, to ensure that voices of over half of the population are not only heard, but are actively and fully represented in our democracy. Therefore, can I...
David Lloyd: But I've received representations from individuals who have expressed concerns over the quality and timeliness of several organisations in dealing with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Even after referring the matter to the Information Commissioner's Office, the wait took so long that, by the time the information was received, it was no longer required or events had overtaken....
Carl Sargeant: ...for people suffering from domestic violence, and other causes are supported through Wales and across the UK. I’m very concerned that supported accommodation, including women’s refuges, is not exempt from the local housing allowance cap. We have made representations to the Department for Work and Pensions. I do hope that this pause in the appointment of this policy may give the Minister...
Janet Finch-Saunders: ...for further scrutiny of the BBC, to include the appointment of a non-executive director to be agreed by the UK and Welsh Governments. Amid concerns that the National Assembly for Wales will not be afforded, however, the same weighting as the House of Commons and the House of Lords, what representations are you making on behalf of this Assembly to ensure that we are part of that...
Mick Antoniw: Well, of course, there was a consultation, but the point you make is exactly right, and was exactly the same issue as in my own constituency of Pontypridd, when that court closed. Where detailed representations were made, as they were in respect of Cwmbran and Abergavenny, showing that the basis on which the decisions were being taken, in terms of access to courts, was actually substantially...
Jane Hutt: ..., which are available to that family, and to those people affected—to the Rebwah family—will be available. And, of course, this has been noted and shared, and is on the record in terms of your representations.
David Melding: Can I make it clear I’m speaking as an individual, rather than representing the Welsh Conservative view on what I’m going to say? It’s not particularly interesting, I suspect, but—[Interruption.] I’ve now obviously—[Interruption.] I’ve now raised expectations. [Laughter.] Can I just say, on extending the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds, I warmly welcome this, if it’s going to...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I rise because she’s raised the representations that the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee has made, and that invitation still stands, by the way. The reason it stands is because, in the spirit of the constructive engagement made by the First Minister, by opposition leaders, and also by the Presiding Officer—even to the extent of suggesting amendments—we genuinely feel we...
Jeremy Miles: ...schools are being treated less favourably than English academies. The payroll of a local authority school may attract the levy, when the payroll of a similar-sized academy in England might not. Will the Government bring forward a statement, indicating what representations it may be making to the UK Government, to make sure that Welsh local authority schools aren’t being unfairly treated,...
Caroline Jones: ...would be lost by scrapping the CHCs and replacing them with a small national body with an office in Cardiff, for example. If the new body is to truly be the voice of the citizens it has to have representation in all parts of Wales and be accessible to everybody, regardless of where they live in Wales.
Carwyn Jones: There were very many representations made—over 250. They are more detailed than would usually be expected in this situation, and a summary of all those will be published erelong. The review of the NVZ is statutory under the nitrates directive, and, of course, that has to be considered in the context of pollution as well. So, striking the balance is what's vital here. Of course, we want to...
