David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Minister, last week, you'll probably be aware that there was, I think, an unprecedented joint inquiry by four House of Commons committees, stating that poor air quality is now a national health emergency in the UK. Obviously, they're talking about all Governments; it's not just yours. They've called for a clean air Act. We know from our own Public Health Wales that...
David Melding: I just wonder, Minister, if this piecemeal approach, even if it's well co-ordinated, is enough, and that's why I'm pushing you on a clean air Act. Can I just remind you that poor air quality contributes to 40,000 early deaths in the UK—in Wales, 1,300—and that the annual cost of all that at UK level is over £27 billion? Road transport is responsible for 80 per cent of roadside nitrogen...
David Melding: Again, I'm going to push you. I think car-free days are wonderful. The first I ever experienced was about 20 years ago when I was in Brussels, and I was wandering around thinking—[Interruption.] Well, no, I don't share some of the phobias that are present in certain parts of the Chamber. [Laughter.] But I remember feeling, 'What's strange? What's unusual' and then I thought, 'Gosh, I can...
David Melding: Can I support Jane Hutt's representations to you that we need an environmental impact assessment? That plea has also been made by the Tory-led Vale of Glamorgan Council. There's complete political unanimity on this. If you go down to Barry and talk to anyone, often the first thing they'll talk about is this incineration plant and its sheer scale. We need that assessment and we need NRW to...
David Melding: But calling him a liar is—[Inaudible.]
David Melding: Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is fitting that we pay tribute today to Nicholas Edwards who died on Saturday. As Secretary of State for Wales between 1979 and 1987, he made a lasting contribution to Welsh public life. Here in the Senedd, Nick Edwards's vision for the urban renewal of Cardiff Bay is obviously apparent. This morning, I crossed the barrage and had views of a truly beautiful...
David Melding: We're embarking on this huge constitutional Bill with a matter of profound principle that has been placed into the Scottish version of, well, their Bill, and you're now saying we don't have time to really examine these things and fully consider them. So, isn't this whole procedure an utter sham?
David Melding: You now have the audacity as a Government to make a virtue of the fact that you used an emergency procedure, which, of course, doesn't mean you can actually scrutinise things properly. That's what you've just told Simon Thomas. I mean, it is shambolic.
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I move the amendments. It was strange that this Bill had no repeal clause, unlike the Scottish Bill. The amendment I am speaking to will rectify that defect, and I believe this is necessary because the Welsh Government continues to state that it would prefer to proceed via a UK Bill, and I do accept that statement as in good faith. The Welsh Government continues to...
David Melding: I thank the Members for their vigorous parliamentary performance and reflections on my traditional opinions on these issues. The point is that, over this major area of constitutional law and Britain's exit from the European Union, we need legal clarity. We would need to move quickly. The whole reason that you argue you have to do this in an emergency fashion is that you need speed in the...
David Melding: I move.
David Melding: We remain opposed to this Bill in principle for the reasons I set out in Stage 1. I don't think anything that's happened this afternoon could reassure people that this has in fact been a robust process for any type of Bill, frankly, let alone a constitutional one. But, in essence, as I said at Stage 1, the LCM process is the appropriate constitutional mechanism to protect the devolved...
David Melding: I think many of us are very confused if this is the coach station, or does it include local buses as well? Because, as I understand it, the need for local transport being centred at the train station is really important, where the central station used to be, and it was part of the scheme that the bus station would be redesigned and be part of this new, exciting project. Indeed, the architects...
David Melding: Whilst I welcome today's statement, I must say, two years in, it is very general indeed in its construction, and I fear in places it deflects us with expansive phrases from some very poor delivery. Do you know, I think sometimes more reflection needs to be made on the texts that come before you? I have to say, to state in this Assembly, and I'm quoting the statement: 'I am therefore calling...
David Melding: Can I look at some specifics, then, to highlight my concerns? Woodlands, forestry. You're now committed to refresh the woodland strategy. Well, what does that mean? Does it mean you're going to bin the current targets and come up with something much less ambitious? You will know that the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee report into woodlands in Wales picked up this...
David Melding: What is the Welsh Government doing to improve the energy efficiency of housing in Wales?
David Melding: 1. What additional funding will the Cabinet Secretary provide to the local government and public services portfolio to support people who are in debt? OAQ51998
David Melding: Can I thank the Cabinet member for that answer? You may know that it's national Stress Awareness Month, and according to the Debt Support Trust, of those in serious debt, around half of the people in that situation have mental health difficulties and contemplate suicide. It's a terrible, terrible strain on people. In 2017, citizens advice bureaux across Wales helped 28,500 people with debt...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, between November 2016 and October 2017, South Wales Police dealt with nearly 36,000 incidents of domestic abuse, and those are the ones they've dealt with. So, this is an enormous problem, and in many ways, it's only now that it's getting full recognition. Will you join with me in commending the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales? Indeed, the...
David Melding: Can I start by noting the restrained tone of the Counsel General? I do welcome this as a sign that the Welsh Government is genuinely seeking agreement on these matters. I also think the decision by the UK Government to refer the matter to the Supreme Court should be viewed as an attempt to clarify the current legal position. The Scottish Presiding Officer, after all, considered their Bill to...
