Huw Irranca-Davies: I'm delighted to speak in support of the recommendations that came out of this committee, and to welcome as well the way in which John stewarded this committee. We heard an immense amount of evidence—those people who came in front of us, the visits that we made as well, where we spoke with prison governors, prison staff, front-line staff and also with people who are incarcerated themselves....
Huw Irranca-Davies: Caroline, I wonder if you'd give way just on that point.
Huw Irranca-Davies: It's simply to make the point: would you recognise that there is a significant proportion of the prison population that are actually ex-servicepeople? They're veterans who actually served our country on the front line, and they have got into the situation where they are in prison for a time. For us to write them off when we want them to be back and reintegrated into society is an unusual message.
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would the Chair give way?
Huw Irranca-Davies: He must have been taken, as I was, by the evidence given by the Prison Reform Trust when they said, 'Let's not forget that many of the people in prison come from those communities, disproportionately from black and ethnic minority communities, disproportionately from disadvantaged communities as well.' They're not a separate community; they are part of our community. And that's right, because...
Huw Irranca-Davies: What discussions has the Minister had in relation to the contribution of Sony UK in Pencoed to the development of coding skills in schools across south Wales?
Huw Irranca-Davies: 3. How will the First Minister use the Rugby World Cup to promote exports from and inward investment to Wales? OAQ54442
Huw Irranca-Davies: That's really good news. I'm sure the Minister will join me in celebrating the fantastic result on the weekend with Wales against the Wallabies—we're getting into a winning formula here now; long may it continue—but also celebrating the fantastic Japanese win as well. Both of those matches have brought the world cup to light, but there is, indeed, a real team Wales approach going on here....
Huw Irranca-Davies: Could I first declare my interest as chair of the European advisory group for the First Minister? And with that, can I just thank all those on that group and on other sector-specific groups who've given up their time to contribute their expertise on preparing for Brexit, and in particular in preparing for a 'no deal'? Just a simple factual reflection here: the sad fact is that this huge and...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 7. Will the Minister provide an update on the work being carried out to extend the frequency of rail services on the Maesteg line? OAQ54441
Huw Irranca-Davies: That is really good news to hear, because he knows how keen local campaigners have been, and I've been, to chase progress on this. We recognise that this will not be an overnight fix, but to increase the frequency will not only be good for passengers along the north-of-Bridgend line, but actually along the whole of the main line, because it could actually relieve pressure. We're very much...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 11. What discussions has the Counsel General held with the UK Government on emerging proposals for an alternative to the backstop arrangements relating to the UK's exit from the EU? OAQ54440
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the Minister for that response. Indeed, James Duddridge appeared in front of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee only last week, and he was very courteous and tried to give as much information as he could, but it was clear from his responses that the level of engagement on these critical issues with the Welsh Government—. It was simply not a matter that he...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Today, over 200 people took part in the annual Cycle on the Senedd, and they were joined by cross-party Assembly Members and, indeed, a couple of Ministers too. They did so because they believe that the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, that groundbreaking law passed by this Senedd, can help solve many of the most pressing problems facing Wales. But they also did so because they want to see the...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Will the Member give way?
Huw Irranca-Davies: Can I just join him in commending the work of all those people who've put the time and effort into the Rhondda tunnel and getting that reopened? We know the progress that's been made, but how much more is still to be done. But I'd also welcome, on the back of that—and I'm sure they would, the Rhondda tunnel people themselves—in the future, the reopening of what is known in engineering...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 1. What use will be made of citizens assemblies to tackle issues relating to the climate change emergency declared by the Welsh Government? OAQ54463
Huw Irranca-Davies: That is very welcome news indeed, First Minister. The First Minister will have noted that, only just over a week ago, I and several Assembly colleagues sponsored an event in the Senedd that brought together activists and campaigners, local authorities and other organisations, and members of the public, to focus minds and ideas on the climate emergency, but also the biodiversity emergency we...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Last weekend, I, along with my colleague Chris Elmore MP accepted an invitation for a drink by Bridgend council leader, Huw David. We were delighted to do so because he offered to buy the first round, which is unheard of, quite frankly, but also because of the special nature of the pub that we went to. Two years ago, a group of villagers in Cefn Cribwr raised, with only one day to go, enough...
Huw Irranca-Davies: My thoughts also go out to all the families who've suffered deep and enduring loss. Could I add to the comments that were made by my colleague Dawn Bowden on the issue of the ability to encourage and support whistleblowers on the front line, but also to encourage people to speak out at board level as well? Because it does seem to me that one of the failures here was the lack of confidence to...
