Hefin David: Welsh Government support for libraries is welcomed, particularly in Caerphilly. We’ve seen the development of libraries in Caerphilly and Bargoed, and Ystrad Mynach is currently undergoing a lot of work. I was interested, also, in the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure’s evidence to the communication committee last week, in which he said libraries are more than just about...
Hefin David: Thank you for allowing me to contribute to this debate today. The issue of the Welsh language is an important one. I wonder whether it might have been better to spend a little more time on this issue than the half hour allocated. We’re doing Brexit again—it’s like groundhog day. I agree with the principles supporting this motion, but I feel that it may well fall short of what it seeks...
Hefin David: Diolch, Lywydd. I’d like to declare an interest as a visiting lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Indeed, on Saturday, 10 September, I was there teaching executive MBA students—a very, very small group of part-time students, who were largely funded by their organisations. When I was full time—when I was back as a senior lecturer—often I’d be teaching groups of 100 students,...
Hefin David: 9. Will the Minister make a statement on efforts to support the heritage sector in Wales? OAQ(5)0048(EI)
Hefin David: Our nation as a tourist destination is vital in promoting Wales to the world, and our heritage is our living history, something tangible from our past that our children can interact with. There are great historical assets in Caerphilly. We’ve got the largest concentric castle in Europe, a grade II listed ancient monument in Ruperra castle, which needs work, and Llancaiach Fawr, a Tudor...
Hefin David: Will the First Minister make a statement on the importance of trade unions in Welsh civil society?
Hefin David: My working experience has been touched by autism. As a university lecturer, I was teaching a student who spent an entire class looking at a computer screen and not paying attention to me, and I remember getting annoyed by this. At the end of the session, before I could actually speak to the student, he came up to me and he said, ‘I really appreciate your teaching today, but I need you to...
Hefin David: I take the point, and I think that the draft autism Bill is worth looking at. The point I’m making, really, is that the need for legislation shouldn’t be ruled out, and that further investigation of that Act is necessary. I’ve held discussions with residents affected by autism in my community, and affecting their families, and I’ve taken up those concerns with my local council as a...
Hefin David: Yes, I absolutely agree with that, and the Member for Cardiff North seems to have had very similar representations to those that I’ve had. Therefore, if we are to vote with the Government today, I’d suggest that we ask the Minister to provide some assurances in her response that these issues are going to be addressed and closely monitored, and that the need for future legislation...
Hefin David: Just a point—you know, you’re saying that things haven’t changed since 1999, but would you acknowledge that the social services Act, which was Wales-designed, Welsh-born and Wales-introduced, could have that effect? Would you accept that?
Hefin David: Can I intervene there, please?
Hefin David: I think Gareth Bennett should be very careful about what he’s talking about there, as the majority of councillors knew nothing about the situation with the pay in Caerphilly. It was a number of cabinet members and the deputy leader of Plaid Cymru who were part of the committee, and when the majority Members found out, the Labour leadership apologised and reversed the majority of that...
Hefin David: Will the Minister provide an update on reform to non-domestic rates in Wales?
Hefin David: I’ve considered carefully some of the comments that have been made today, and, listening to Jeremy Miles, it’s not just the western Valleys, but the northern Valleys that are important too. Communities like Deri, Brithdir, Tir-phil, Pontlottyn and Rhymney actually exist in my friend’s Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency—Dawn Bowden’s constituency—but people in Bargoed will be...
Hefin David: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the Wales and Borders rail franchise? OAQ(5)0069(EI)
Hefin David: I’d like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for that, and note, with thanks, the statement that was made this morning on rolling stock. Within the statement, the Cabinet Secretary said that, on core Valleys lines, passenger operations—which includes from my constituency—making use of diesel-only traction will be phased out, and conventional electrification, stored-energy systems, and hybrid...
Hefin David: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the green economy in Wales? OAQ(5)0070(EI)
Hefin David: Diolch. Greening our economy is an important part of our efforts to tackle climate change here in Wales, and, last month, I attended a public meeting sponsored by Stop Climate Change Chaos. I took their pledge to speak up on climate change and use my role as an Assembly Member to drive action on climate change. I note with interest the different approaches taken by different UKIP AMs on this...
Hefin David: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on services provided at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr? OAQ(5)0069(HWS)
Hefin David: That is the correct answer, Cabinet Secretary. [Laughter.] I’d say, amongst residents in Caerphilly, the role of Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, though, is not fully understood. The specialist critical care centre that’s designated for Cwmbran, or near Cwmbran—Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr was designed to serve it. And, by the way, you won’t ever hear me call it ‘the SCCC’ ever again after this mention,...
