Gareth Bennett: Diolch, Llywydd.
Gareth Bennett: Who are you, by the way, sir? [Interruption.] Well, yes, professor—
Gareth Bennett: Such a well-earned professorship. Thank you again, Llywydd. Well, it's been an interesting debate today, but I really do think that the First Minister, in opposing this LCM, must be a sucker for punishment. Since seeing his side lose the Brexit debate in 2016, when they lost the referendum not only in the UK but also here in Wales, he has been at the heart of trying to stop Brexit from...
Gareth Bennett: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, there was some discussion in the Chamber yesterday about the proposed—
Gareth Bennett: Sorry. Apologies.
Gareth Bennett: 4. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to improve public transport in South Wales Central? OAQ54944
Gareth Bennett: Yes, thanks for the answer. I was just trying to say, there was a little bit of discussion yesterday about the proposed congestion charge—that you're going to be involved in compiling the report with Cardiff county council, and that's good news, that there is going to be some hopefully meaningful liaison between the two of you. Now, could I just raise one of many issues that you may need to...
Gareth Bennett: What steps is the Welsh Government taking to provide affordable housing in South Wales Central?
Gareth Bennett: Thanks to the First Minister for bringing today's debate, which is, indeed, an important one, and I've listened carefully to what other Members have been saying. It's clear that one key issue is that of funding. We've heard a lot about the underfunding of things like legal aid and the running of the court service in Wales, and these are very real issues, but they're also issues in England....
Gareth Bennett: No. No. Carwyn Jones—[Interruption.]
Gareth Bennett: I'm not, Llywydd.
Gareth Bennett: Yes, and I'm trembling, son. Carwyn Jones appointed Lord Thomas to chair that commission and since then, Lord Thomas, who doubles up as chancellor of Aberystwyth University, has overseen the appointment of Carwyn as professor of law at that august institution, which is all a rather convenient arrangement for the two of them.
Gareth Bennett: Diolch yn fawr. The point is we know that Lord Thomas and Carwyn Jones are singing from the same hymn sheet, but what has their song got to do with the people of Wales? Where is the democratic consent for these greater powers for the Assembly? Devolution of justice was not proposed in the last Welsh Assembly Labour manifesto of 2016, and it wasn't even proposed in Welsh Labour's general...
Gareth Bennett: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on the future of bus services in South Wales Central? OAQ55125
Gareth Bennett: Thank you. As the Minister will be well aware, the congestion charge for Cardiff is being consulted on; the council are pushing that forward as a proposal. I know that the Minister has been in consultation with them, which is good. Now, there is a major problem with the lack of public confidence in the public transport system in and around Cardiff, particularly since we haven't had a bus...
Gareth Bennett: 4. What assessment has the First Minister made of plans to move the Assembly's operations to north Wales for a week? OAQ55184
Gareth Bennett: Yes, I take on board the separation between the Executive and the Assembly, but to the public outside this is all public money. It seems to me that this proposal is a colossal waste of public money and is nothing more than a PR stunt. A week in north Wales isn't going to rectify 20 years of neglect. Now, the First Minister is calling on the UK Government to give money for flood victims, but...
Gareth Bennett: Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government policy to combat fly-tipping?
Gareth Bennett: What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support the economy in South Wales Central?
Gareth Bennett: It was against.
