Russell George: As I understand it, First Minister, different local authorities across Wales use different payment methods, which does sometimes cause a problem when children move schools. I wonder if you believe that there is rationale in standardising payment methods across Wales.
Russell George: 5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the services provided to the people of Powys by Shropdoc? OAQ51594
Russell George: Thank you, First Minister. You'll be aware, of course, that Powys doesn't have a district general hospital, which makes it all the more important to my constituents that there is an excellent out-of-hours GP service. The current out-of-hours service is run by Shropdoc, and the health board has said that they want to end that service and the contract with Shropdoc and replace it with the 111...
Russell George: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement this afternoon? Of course, Transport for Wales is currently managing the procurement of the new Wales and borders rail franchise. The oversight of the awarding of this contract, I would argue, is the most important transport-related project managed by the Welsh Government to date. Going forward, the Cabinet Secretary has outlined an...
Russell George: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, how many households who were previously in scope for an upgrade under the Superfast Cymru programme, and expected to receive an upgrade by the end of December, have been let down?
Russell George: Well, you answered a question, but it wasn't the one I asked, okay. I asked how—
Russell George: I did ask how many people have been let down and you should know the answer to that, because you will know that many people were checking last year, and they were told that their property was in scope by 31 December. Now, on checking, they receive a different message saying that they're exploring solutions. So, it shouldn't be that difficult to work out how many people have been let down and...
Russell George: I'm grateful for you acknowledging the communications issues that have taken place. The open market review, which, of course, you conducted, identifies the premises for the next scheme. Those premises that were part of the Superfast Cymru scheme and have been let down would not be included in that analysis because, of course, they were told that they would get an upgrade by the end of last...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. And to my small fan club on this side of the Chamber. [Laughter.]
Russell George: I move the motion in my name. Over the next 10 to 15 years, £2.5 billion will be heading to the Cardiff city region and the Swansea city region as part of the city deals, signed of course by the UK Government, the Welsh Government, local authorities and other partners as well. In north Wales, the Economic Ambition Board has submitted its bid for a similar agreement serving its area. In our...
Russell George: I am grateful to the Cabinet Secretary, as well, for allowing his official to come to a meeting that I organised last week with stakeholders. The meeting was probably more technical in terms of what areas should be covered and who should govern a deal, because I think it is, perhaps, a little bit too early to get into any detail. Of course, city deals are already reshaping the economic...
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can I thank all Members for taking part in this debate today, especially Members who are not members of the committee? It's always welcome to have contributions from Members who didn't take part in our committee as well. I'll comment on a few of the items that were mentioned today. Hefin David and Dai Lloyd, particularly, talked about getting the collaboration...
Russell George: Yes.
Russell George: I very much agree with what the Cabinet Secretary said. In the new, potential mid Wales growth deal, there's the cross-collaboration work in there with the midlands engine, but I appreciate, as a constituency Assembly Member like me, you also represent a constituency that absolutely has to work across boundaries. I think, in many ways, we're perhaps talking with crossed wires to a point where...
Russell George: I am.
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. The real Andrew R.T. Davies has only left me with three minutes to close this debate, so I won't be able to namecheck all who took part, but I would like to thank all Members who have taken part in the debate this afternoon. I hope I can also reassure Hefin David that I will be the real and reasonable Russell George that he mentioned in the last debate, and I...
Russell George: Does the Welsh Government have any plans to review its procurement policies?
Russell George: Will the Leader of the House make a statement on the Mobile Action Plan for Wales?
Russell George: 9. Will the First Minister make a statement on bowel cancer screening in Wales? OAQ51641
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, First Minister. Certainly, I have a constituent who's contacted me, who is over the age of 74, and their concern is they haven't been able to self-refer for a screening test themselves. This is something that is available in other parts of the UK—in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as I understand it—and I would be grateful if the Welsh Government could...
