Andrew RT Davies: 8. Will the First Minister make a statement on Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's winter preparations? OAQ52664
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, First Minister. I appreciate that the day-to-day delivery of health service provision in Cardiff and Vale is the health board's responsibility, but there's a level of interaction between the Welsh Government and the health board. One of the key pinch points last year was the provision of beds within the hospitals within that area. What certainty can you give the people of Cardiff...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for that answer. As you know, from these benches, we've been very supportive of change in this particular area. We're talking significant sums of money that's lost to the Welsh livestock industry. I do agree with you it's disappointing that it wasn't in the Agriculture Bill and we will use our influence as best we can to obviously try and influence that decision....
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. It's great when you go second and two of your three questions have already been asked. [Laughter.] If I could ask you, Cabinet Secretary: as I understand it, at the start of this process, the department took legal opinion as to whether the proposals in the consultation on the reform of the common agricultural policy and payments to farmers in Wales met World...
Andrew RT Davies: Yes, but does that mean that, obviously, opinion has been sought and that they are compliant with the WTO rules? Thank you for indicating that, Cabinet Secretary. On the economic impact assessments, which I think the previous speaker raised, it is really important that, given that those impact assessments have not been done, as you pointed out, there is a clear understanding form the industry...
Andrew RT Davies: I'm grateful for that indication, because it is critical that we do understand when this will be done. As I said, those impact assessments are vital to understanding the various modelling that is currently being undertaken. But what we do know under the current proposals, obviously—'land managers' are not necessarily active farmers. Now, I personally support the point that it should be an...
Andrew RT Davies: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the management of Welsh Government-owned land by Natural Resources Wales?
Andrew RT Davies: I, too, join Members' sentiments about this terribly tragic sequence of events that have led to, obviously, the cases coming to public attention. It is worth noting that the Cwm Taf health board, from a senior management level, has been heavily engaged in a merger with the Princess of Wales Hospital, and I'd be grateful to understand from the Cabinet Secretary as to whether that merger has...
Andrew RT Davies: 2. What events does the Commission have planned to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War? OAQ52740
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Commissioner, for that answer. There have been, you quite rightly pointed out, many commemorative events over the last four years, and in particular the programme that the Welsh Government has led on, which is to be commended, in fairness. But this is the national Parliament of Wales, and as you walk through this building, there is, at the moment, no physical memorial to the fallen...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer, and can I thank everyone who's contributed to this debate this afternoon? It has captured the public's concern, this particular issue has, and I find myself on the line, as it were, with people who wouldn't naturally align themselves with a Conservative politician and, indeed, someone who does support the building of Hinkley Point and other nuclear power...
Andrew RT Davies: With the greatest respect, I will defer to the expert evidence that's been given, as introduced into this debate to the Petitions Committee from NRW and Cefas, who said that they were prepared to undertake that if they were instructed. I respect the position you occupy in this institution, Jenny, but I would defer to the expert evidence here, and I believe that testing should be undertaken....
Andrew RT Davies: The timeline has been there, Cabinet Secretary. It is for you on those benches to decide whether you want to lead on this issue, or if you just want to shut the door on the powers that you have available to you, and address the wider concerns of the public in the gallery and the public around the south Wales coast. They can have answers; they should have answers; and you should deliver that,...
Andrew RT Davies: You might be going on to this, Minister, but could you clarify? As I work out, I think we've got about seven weeks of term left, and two weeks this side of half term. The First Minister has said that he is going to make that announcement and he's standing down in the last week, so that leaves five weeks the other side of half term. So, there are seven parliamentary weeks left. What is the...
Andrew RT Davies: Leader of the house, could I join in the calls that have come from the Plaid Cymru benches in relation to a Cabinet statement from the Cabinet Secretary for rural affairs in relation to the nominee she's likely to put forward, if indeed she will put a nominee forward, to the review group that Michael Gove has set up to look into funding options around the whole of the UK? It was welcome news...
Andrew RT Davies: Minister, thank you for your statement today, and I also join in other Members' comments and condolences to the families and those affected by the—I think that 'horrific events' isn't too strong, really, when you see some of the images that have come out from across Wales. When death is obviously one of the effects of those events, then they are horrific, to say the least. I'd like to...
Andrew RT Davies: Is it new money? Is it new money?
Andrew RT Davies: There'll be a differing view from some Members in the Chamber whether it should be 18 or 16, but there's a clear direction of travel that shows a vote at 16 will be coming into play in Wales. But at every opportunity—and this is where I agree with the Member for Pontypridd—young people have indicated that they do feel that they require more education to understand the role that they will...
Andrew RT Davies: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on discussions the Welsh Government has had with Vertex Pharmaceuticals about the cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi? OAQ52768
Andrew RT Davies: It is regrettable, Cabinet Secretary, that you haven't had direct conversations with them, although you do point out that you had some discussion about their responsibilities. In other parts of the United Kingdom, this drug is available for cystic fibrosis sufferers and, regrettably, it's not available here in Wales, as I understand it. Why has there been so little progress in making that...
