David Melding: I do think how we control the supply of land is a really important issue; I'm not convinced this is going to be a particularly productive way to do that, but I'm certainly open to evidence. There's a real public interest here—the greatest windfall, I should say to you, Minister, of course, is when land is zoned for building when it had a previous use, especially if the previous use was...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd, and I'm pleased to move the amendments, and I'm pleased to take part in this debate. I'm not sure we discuss planning very often, but it's very, very important. To reciprocate the generosity of the Minister in bringing this forward this afternoon, I'd like to start in an area where there is undoubted agreement, and that is that good planning and development of...
David Melding: Can I just add our support to efforts to increase the capacity of credit unions? At the moment, according to the Money Charity, we spend £139 million per day on repayments and personal debt. It's absolutely incredible. And credit unions are a key part, I think, certainly for people in limited financial circumstances, but more generally as well, potentially. So, it's organisations like...
David Melding: I agree with a lot of what has just been said by Lee Waters, but I do thank Rhun for bringing this forward as a legislative proposal, and I certainly agree with the broad objective. Whether we need a legislative vehicle—sorry to use the pun—I'm unsure, but it's good that we are discussing these issues. As Lee Waters said, we need to remember that the way we generate energy is key here,...
David Melding: Will the Member give way?
David Melding: It's interesting only half of eligible people are getting the screening, but I've also had a constituent who's regularly gone for the screening, or done the screening test, and then, at age 75, it just stops, and it really causes a great deal of anxiety. I wonder if there is any evidence emerging that, actually, continuing screening beyond 75 is also beneficial.
David Melding: I thank Jenny for bringing this important subject to our attention this afternoon. We have a very clear approach, I think, from the left side of politics and you make some interesting and powerful points. I agree with you on a couple of issues. The housing market is, in areas, certainly dysfunctional and there are a number of reasons for that. We have this phenomenon of generation rent, where...
David Melding: What consideration does the Cabinet Secretary give to local government when allocating funding in the budget?
David Melding: First Minister, radioactive waste management is a devolved issue, and we currently have no high-level waste disposal site in Wales. Now, a consultation was launched in January to see if anywhere in Wales would volunteer to be the home of a nuclear waste disposal site. Have you had any responses and can you report any progress to the Chamber?
David Melding: I'm pleased also that this decision is being reconsidered, and I also made representations in writing and by meeting the senior figures in the Vale of Glamorgan Council. I think there's been some confusion locally as to the presumption against the closure of rural schools, which you outlined in the consultation on the revised school organisation code, and I stressed to the council that I...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, we in the Welsh Conservatives launched our urban strategy last week, and we put in place some measures to improve air quality, such as the requirement on all schools and nurseries to have air quality monitoring on their premises. I wonder what sort of conversations you're having with your Cabinet colleagues, particularly the Cabinet Secretary for the environment, to start...
David Melding: 2. What is the Welsh Government's response to the final report of Dame Judith Hackitt's independent review of building regulations and fire safety? 180
David Melding: Can I welcome that initial response there? As you know, the review concluded that indifference and ignorance led to a race to the bottom in building safety practices, with costs prioritised over safety. It was also said that a new standards regulator should be the centrepiece of a reformed system, but the use of combustible materials was left unclear. Flammable insulation and cladding...
David Melding: Can I thank David Rowlands and his Petitions Committee for the diligence with which they've worked and produced this report? I'm also grateful to Tim Deere-Jones, who took the trouble to meet with me and brief me on the campaign. I sit, as does Mike, as the Chair, on the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, and, of course, we have had discussion of these matters and...
David Melding: Just a moment. I do think we have a problem regarding the public understanding of these issues and the engagement with the public, and I will address that. But if we are going to ride roughshod over the established norms of scientific internationally accepted practice, as is conducted by states all over the world, then we're in a very, very difficult position, and I do urge Members to bear...
David Melding: Well, my understanding of the evidence is that that internationally accepted methodology could have detected the need to examine specifically for the other contaminants that you have referred to. And you've put that on record, and it is for others now to point to evidence if it so exists. Can I just say that we've already heard that the data has been made available to the campaign? Now, I...
David Melding: Just a moment. But the basic transparency of sharing of the information cannot be contested. Again, I think we should do something to ensure that it can be then interpreted by as wide a range of people as want to look at it, but it is not a closed procedure. I know you're interested in this issue very deeply and you will make your own contribution, but if you want to intervene again, this...
David Melding: Well, my understanding is that it's been acknowledged by the campaign to have been given over to the campaign. Now—as I said, I understand the issues. I know time is now racing on and I just need to make a few essential points, because there has been a discussion about the methodology. I am not a nuclear scientist—I'm not a scientist of any description, unless you count political science...
David Melding: First Minister, can I welcome the fact that Monmouthshire will be chosen as a 5G test bed? I think the implications for rural connectivity are outstanding, and this announcement is a clear example of the UK Government delivering in terms of a digital strategy for Wales, and I look forward to how you're going to co-operate with it. We've heard about the range of applications and these, to add...
David Melding: May I begin by commending the Minister for a careful and thoughtful approach to developing public policy in this area? It is a complicated area, as you've suggested. We clearly need a strong business model for park home owners. At their best, park homes and park home owners create a pleasant environment in which to live. Investment in facilities such as roads, grounds, common areas, needs an...
