Russell George: Can I ask, Minister, how proactive has the Welsh Government been in ensuring that its investment was widely spent by Ford on alternative opportunities for the plant, including, of course, investment opportunities for bringing the production of electric engines to Bridgend? You've outlined the large amount of capital support that's been provided to Ford, but can I ask you what kind of...
Russell George: 6. Will the First Minister provide an update on pain management services available to residents in north Powys? OAQ53984
Russell George: Thank you, First Minister, for your answer, but I would say I do think that the Welsh Government needs to have a good look at what pain management provision services are being offered across Wales. Can I ask the First Minister what your views are on the Welsh Government developing a fully funded multidisciplinary service, within the NICE guidelines, of course, to offer local services in...
Russell George: Diolch, Presiding Officer. Minister, can I ask how confident you are that this new commission that you have established to look at the M4 relief road will come to a conclusion in the space of just six months, after, of course, spending £140 million on the project over the last six years? Given that the public inquiry has already looked at 28 different alternatives, what is there new to...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. In many ways, it demonstrates how much time and resource the Government has spent on looking at alternative routes already, which is the basis, really, of my question. Turning to the public inquiry itself, obviously, Members and I have had time to digest the public inquiry report. In his statement, the First Minister said that he would not have gone ahead...
Russell George: Well, you mentioned that the bar has been raised and you mentioned the climate emergency that the Welsh Government has declared in the meantime. That does, of course, bring me back to my question again about the need for changes in legislation. I appreciate the answer that you have given, but it's difficult to understand how a change in those circumstances cannot affect future schemes, and I...
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I probably agree with the Minister's first response today. Can I thank the Presiding Officer and can I move the amendments in the name of my colleague, Darren Millar? I appreciate the Government won't agree with this—I heard the Minister's comments earlier—but £114 million has been wasted in developing a scheme, as well as the public inquiry, which already...
Russell George: Will the Minister make a statement on road infrastructure improvements in mid-Wales?
Russell George: 9. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's proposals for a community bank for Wales? OAQ54058
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, First Minister. In your manifesto to become First Minister, you set out proposals to support the development of a new Wales-only community bank, with branches open to customers for a face-to-face transaction service, before the end of this Assembly term. Now, the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee has been doing some work in this area and, certainly, the...
Russell George: Minister, earlier this year, my colleague here, David Melding, led a debate that recognised that the number of homes being built in Wales is inadequate to meet demand, and during the debate we all recognised that there was a shortage of social housing across Wales. But there is also a shortage of other types of homes that will attract younger, aspirational home owners to move to Wales. I...
Russell George: 7. Will the Minister make a statement on the planning process for developments of national significance? OAQ54057
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. There is an impending large-scale incinerator application proposal at Buttington Quarry in Powys, which has prompted me to look at the relevant planning guidance. Now, I was quite surprised to see this proposal because it is in a particular site where there's no other large industry at that rural location. When the application is submitted, the scale of it...
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I move the amendments in the name of my colleague Darren Millar. On 23 October, the then leader of the house, Julie James, standing in for the then First Minister, speaking on behalf of the Government, committed that we would have a binding vote in Government time on the M4 relief road project. I think it's disappointing that this commitment has not been...
Russell George: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's plans to improve facilities for disabled people on public transport in mid Wales?
Russell George: 3. What consideration did the Minister give to facilitating the creation of a community bank for Wales when formulating the Welsh Government's budget? OAQ54102
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. Obviously, in January, you did say to me then that the Welsh Government was at some very early stages in discussions with a number of stakeholders who were keen to explore the feasibility of establishing a community bank. Last week, the First Minister reiterated that the Government was indeed working with partners who were also preparing a full market...
Russell George: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to promote tourism in mid Wales? OAQ54095
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for your answer. You'll be aware of the work on the mid Wales growth deal, which is being supported by both the Welsh and UK Governments, and work being undertaken by both local authorities in Powys and Ceredigion through the Growing Mid Wales partnership. I wonder what conversations you've had with Government colleagues here, or indeed with either of the local...
Russell George: 1. Will the Deputy Minister provide an update on what support the Welsh Government has provided to construction company Jistcourt? 329
