David Melding: Well, we've not lost housing stock, have we? The tenancy has changed, obviously, and that's significant. There's a whole debate to be had about that, but to somehow say we've lost 150,000 homes in Wales is really a rather silly argument. In other amendments that I'm proposing, I will return to this issue of whether sensible reform could be suggested, and a different balance. And should we...
David Melding: Thanks, Llywydd, and I move amendment 6. I'll speak to the other amendments. Amendment 6 has been submitted with the intention of limiting the Act's operation to 10 years, following which the Welsh Ministers may lay regulations proposing that the abolition is made permanent. These regulations would be made subject to the affirmative resolution procedure, and so would require a vote by the...
David Melding: Thank you, Llywydd. I'm a little surprised by the Minister's response because, in fairness to the Cabinet Secretary, during the committee proceedings, he did concede that some form of sunset clause could be reasonably considered. He thought a far longer period than 10 years would be most appropriate, if the Government went down that road. But we now hear from the Minister that complete...
David Melding: I'll withdraw it; there's no point now.
David Melding: Likewise, I withdraw.
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Amendment 7's purpose—and I'd like to move amendment 7—is to incorporate the recommendations made in the report of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, namely that section 8 of the Bill makes provision for information to be provided to landlords and tenants about the effects of this Bill. This amendment imposes an absolute duty on the Welsh...
David Melding: Llywydd, you will have probably seen by now that I'm fairly resigned to my fate. But I have to say it is a new one that we don't need an absolute duty because we already know who they are. Well, you know, that's going to be rigorous over the years, isn't it, if you have a similar approach in other areas? I really think it's important that you have an absolute duty, because even if you are...
David Melding: I think that, in terms of the information that should be given, these are sensible amendments and we will support them. I don't need to make any more general remarks at this stage, as there are two groups left in which we will be fully engaging, but we would support these amendments.
David Melding: Llywydd, I move amendment 10. The Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee noted their concern that section 9, as drafted, gave very wide powers to make consequential amendments. This amendment narrows that power by deleting the words 'or expedient'. As part of the CLAC committee—and I'm sure that I have a certain reputation for these issues and their importance, even if they're not...
David Melding: Llywydd, the weakness of the example reflects the weakness of the Government's position. I urge Members to support my amendment.
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. As you said, this is the final group and I move the lead amendment—amendment 12. This amendment will ensure that the abolition of the right to buy and associated rights may not come into effect until at least two years after the Bill receives Royal Assent. As currently drafted, abolition would come into effect after one year. Additionally, amendment 4 is a...
David Melding: Can I just concede one point, that the 12 months, in effect, is more than that? Because it's during those 12 months you've got to express your intention to exercise the right to buy, and then if that intention is expressed, then it could actually formally then be exercised during the period after 12 months. So, that is a help, and I was pleased that the Government made that clear in...
David Melding: Okay. Well, you know, Mike, I've said that we need to build more houses. I've said that I'm happy with councils building houses now. In fact, I said that, I think, before colleagues in Westminster, in my party, came round to this. We just need to build. Whatever the necessary mechanisms or the help that would allow us to do that, I'm going to be very pragmatic. That's all I can say. So, it...
David Melding: Can I welcome the Minister to her new responsibilities and wish her well with them? Can I echo what other Members have said? This is such an important site in south Wales. It's so popular, within its own right but also in its close proximity to Castell Coch. I think the key thing is that, after two or three years, there's a proper assessment, and all the people that have been concerned, all...
David Melding: Minister, having previously just now congratulated you, I think I should now switch into attack mode. [Laughter.] Otherwise, you will be given false reassurance about how you will be treated in this Chamber. I think this is a really important question. Peatlands are the most important terrestrial carbon store in the UK—20 times more carbon stored there than in UK forests. You say that you...
David Melding: Diolch, Llywydd. It's now been two years since the innovative homelessness Measure and the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 were introduced, and I think it's won many plaudits for its preventative approach. I think it's been tougher to deal with rough-sleepers already on the streets, or on the verge of going on the streets, and I wonder if I can ask the Minister what the Welsh Government is doing to...
David Melding: Can I say, Llywydd, I agree with the Minister that this is an important matter at this time of year, because we naturally, as Christmas approaches, think in particular of people who are having to sleep on the streets? But it really is a longstanding problem and it occurs all around the year, and it is multifaceted, you're quite right, in terms of why people feel forced to live on the streets....
David Melding: There's much I agree with in that response and, piecemeal, we see many, many good initiatives, and it's trying to combine them, and I just wonder if we need to look at traditional models that have not answered the problem to the extent that we would demand. They're basically treatment first models, usually based in hostel environments, rather than in a home that is then supported—you...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, it's clear that automation is going to extend to the professional classes as well, such as doctors and many working in the health sector, but also others giving professional advice, and advice through local authorities and the civic sector in general. I think what's important is that much of this will offer a great way to complement those services, basically allowing people...
David Melding: We debate a very important subject this afternoon, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to co-table this motion, and I commend Mick Antoniw for his initiative in raising this issue. I do want to say that cavity wall insulation does remain an important tool in fighting fuel poverty, but of course it has to be done where appropriate, and it has to be done effectively. I would like just to...
