Llyr Gruffydd: 'If it appears to the Secretary of State'—
Llyr Gruffydd: on a UK level—
Llyr Gruffydd: 'that adequate facilities are not available for the safe disposal or accumulation of radioactive waste, the Secretary of State may— (a) provide such facilities, or (b) make arrangements for their provision by such persons as the Secretary of State may think fit.'
Llyr Gruffydd: I will ask again, therefore: does the Welsh Government have sufficient powers in order to veto any site that is identified for nuclear waste—radioactive waste, to make the distinction that you made in your previous response? Because, again, it appears to me that the Secretary of State has the final say.
Llyr Gruffydd: Well, I don’t quite understand the point that you’re making, because, at the end of the day, it's a decision for Government. I understand the fact that you wish to respect the views of communities, and I would agree with you in that regard, but the environmental licensing regulations make it entirely clear, and I will read again:
Llyr Gruffydd: 'If it appears to the Secretary of State that adequate facilities are not available'—
Llyr Gruffydd: that is, where a community doesn’t want responsibility in this area—
Llyr Gruffydd: 'the Secretary of State may— (a) provide such facilities'—
Llyr Gruffydd: a veto, so it’s going to happen come what may—
Llyr Gruffydd: 'or (b) make arrangements for their provision by such persons as the Secretary of State may think fit.'
Llyr Gruffydd: It appears to me, Minister, that there is confusion here. We should have far greater clarity, and certainly the Welsh Government should should be far clearer on where responsibility lies, and throwing it back and saying, ‘Well, it’s not up to us; it’s up to the community’—the principle is fine, but, at the end of the day, you are the Minister, you are the Government, and you should...
Llyr Gruffydd: May I support the comments made by Lynne Neagle? It is important that we strengthen the voice of the local community within the planning regime. What’s disappointing, of course, is that Plaid Cymru did table amendments to the planning Bill in this very place in 2013 to do exactly that, but that was rejected by the Labour Government, and they voted against those amendments, as they did, by...
Llyr Gruffydd: A shortage of affordable housing is a particular problem in rural areas, but where there are affordable homes built—and I can show you examples in my own region in north Wales—even those, although they are built with the best of intentions, remain vacant for a number of reasons, including, of course, the need for a deposit, which is too great for local people to afford very often. So, as...
Llyr Gruffydd: It's interesting that you describe the Act as 'well regarded', because, usually, Government Ministers tell us it's 'world-leading' and 'groundbreaking' legislation. I remind you regularly that it'll only be as much if it leads to groundbreaking and world-leading change. I have to say that this doesn't augur well, but I suppose the jury's still out on that. We clearly tried to strengthen the...
Llyr Gruffydd: Will the Minister make a statement on the demand for affordable housing?
Llyr Gruffydd: 9. Will the Minister make a statement on the allocation of capital funding for North Wales? OAQ53926
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you to me—thank you for that response, rather than thanking me for the question, as I had done initially. [Laughter.] Thank you for that response. It’s interesting that you referred to the Minister for Economy and Transport, because the Minister earlier this week announced the local transport fund allocations, which is a fund of almost £33 million. Only £3.6 million is to be...
Llyr Gruffydd: It's not only a single parcel turning up in a van, but very often there's one member of staff or one—
Llyr Gruffydd: It’s not only a single parcel turning up in a vehicle, but very often there are individuals turning up in vehicles, be they staff or Members of this place. May I ask, therefore, in light of the fact that this Assembly has declared a climate emergency, that the Commission should look at wider transport policies in this place and should do more to encourage initiatives that not only encourage...
Llyr Gruffydd: You said in your initial response that there's an ongoing discussion between you and your Cabinet Ministers on this issue. Of course, the whole purpose of declaring a climate emergency is to change gear and to ensure that more happens. So, can I ask you what instruction you've given to your Ministers on how the declaration of a climate emergency is going to change their priorities? And will...
