Huw Irranca-Davies: I concur with the comments that have just been made that it’s a fundamental rethink that we need in terms of investment strategy but also that long-term durability of investment and turning the thing on its head so that we do see the investment flow into the Valleys. But I would like to suggest two things. One is that the metro, for me, has always been more than the metro as currently...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would the Member give way on that point?
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...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I welcome very much the Secretary of State here today, and I would genuinely welcome him back again so that the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, which I now Chair, can constructively engage on scrutiny and, indeed, help him improve the Wales Bill. Now, they may not discuss this ad nauseam in the Dog and Duck, but I’m more than happy to buy him a pint in the Mountain Hare in...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Briefly, to intervene to say I really welcome the constructive response of the Secretary of State for Wales to continue discussing this, and it wasn’t my final offer on two pints; I’m willing to go higher. [Laughter.]
Huw Irranca-Davies: Could I draw the attention of the Minister to Bridgend College, which was ranked last year top amongst our further education institutions in Wales on student health and well-being, help and support, information and advice, and responsiveness? But as well as excellent student satisfaction and excellent academic routes, it also helps deliver quality apprenticeships in collaboration with local...
Huw Irranca-Davies: On the same theme as the last two questions, I note that, within my own constituency and the constituency of the First Minister, we’ve just had the announcement as part of rural development of grants of up to £100,000 for individual regeneration schemes. It often surprises people that in a constituency like mine in Ogmore, a former mining and heavy industry constituency, that all but two...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Will the First Minister make a statement on measures to develop skills in the digital industries in Wales?
Huw Irranca-Davies: Could I draw the Cabinet Secretary’s attention to a company in my constituency, the national-award-winning Sony Pencoed factory, and not only to that, but to the 30-and-more indigenous companies that have spun off from the Sony excellence in design to manufacturing on that site and the Sony Pencoed UK technology centre? It really is a case of developing our home-grown talent here in...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would she give way on that point?
Huw Irranca-Davies: To take you back to the point you made just a moment ago on farming subsidy, would she agree with me that it is not simply a debating point, it is a competitive imperative that, in this transition period going forward, not only in the Brexit negotiations but subsequently, we cannot have our farmers and rural communities at a competitive disadvantage to what is happening across Offa’s Dyke...
Huw Irranca-Davies: The majority of the employees in Ford Bridgend are in the constituency of my friend, the First Minister, but also my own. Having spoken to the unions and the workforce and Ford’s management themselves it is clear that whilst Brexit isn’t the pertinent factor in this decision—it’s a lower volume of the production of the Dragon engines—it is an issue that is concerning them because of...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Diolch, Lywydd. I will indeed keep it very short. One particular moment in the statement made my ears and those of others on the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee prick up, and it was towards the end of the statement, when the First Minister said: ‘As we contemplate a changed relationship with our European neighbours, so we must also contemplate changed relationships here...
Huw Irranca-Davies: We’re all very aware of the benefits of woodland creation in terms of biodiversity, ecosystem services, flood alleviation, carbon capture and so many other of our important natural systems for this and future generations, but I wonder if she’s had time to reflect on her visit to the Spirit of Llynfi Woodland—30 hectares of reclaimed land from the former Maesteg washeries and Coegnant...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you, Simon for giving way. Your point is very well made. In fact, there is a parallel with the investment that went into the areas around Hull and Grimsby. Prior to 2010, £60 million was put into port expansion there in order to enable the expansion of offshore wind, and it is happening, and Siemens are located there; they have manufacturing capability as well as everything else. This...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 3. What assessment has the First Minister made of the role of allied health and social care professionals in delivering Welsh Government priorities of promoting health and well-being throughout life? OAQ(5)0160(FM)
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the First Minister for that answer. I had better declare an interest, as my wife—it’s in the register of interests—is a radiographer. She also has very cold hands, so I warn people in advance. [Laughter.] In Wales, 50 per cent of people—[Interruption.] She does. [Laughter.] Fifty per cent of the population of Wales will be over 65 by 2037. There is now a higher proportion of...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Will the honourable gentleman take an intervention?
Huw Irranca-Davies: Could I commend Simon in both bringing this debate forward but also in the way he has introduced it very calmly and rationally? He is right; we heard that concern today, and I’ve heard it from individual farmers in my own constituency as well as others that we’ve met with the Farmers Union of Wales and National Farmers Union. That actually makes it incumbent upon UK Ministers at this very...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would the Cabinet Secretary give way?
