David Lloyd: May I thank the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure for his statement, and welcome this statement indeed, and also thank him for his kind words? I thank him for the collaboration over the past few months between his office and Adam Price’s office and my office, on this idea of a national infrastructure commission for Wales, the NICW. Of course, as the Cabinet Secretary has...
David Lloyd: Thank you to the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure for his comprehensive statement—comprehensive in terms of the answers and comprehensive in terms of that questions that have been asked, so I won’t rehearse anything that has already been mentioned, but just to emphasise that the bus service is vital, especially for that cohort of our population that is increasingly...
David Lloyd: In accordance with your request that we should be brief and to the point, can I ask for two debates in Government time? The first relates to a statement made by the Cabinet Secretary for health the week before last, following the last Plenary session, on new funding to attract young doctors to become GPs in those areas where it’s difficult to attract GPs. Now, whilst I clearly welcome that...
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m very pleased to take part in this discussion today, and I’m also very pleased to recognise that the Conservatives have accepted our two amendments. So, superfast broadband—we naturally accept and celebrate the fact that over 89 per cent of homes in Wales can have access to superfast broadband. It’s important to recognise that, but, of...
David Lloyd: Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh medium education provision in South Wales West?
David Lloyd: Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh medium education provision in South Wales West?
David Lloyd: 6. Will the First Minister make a statement on historical Welsh place names? OAQ(5)0249(FM)
David Lloyd: Thank you very much for that response, First Minister. It’s been noted, as you’ve noted, over the past few years that there are a number of examples of historic place names on old houses, halls and farms. These historic Welsh names have all come under threat and very often some are changed to English names. Do you as a Government agree that there is potential to develop legislation where...
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Lywydd, and I thank the Minister for her statement on superfast broadband. You mentioned in your statement that some modelling work by the Welsh Government and the UK Government suggests that the Superfast Cymru investment fund will produce some £30 million to £50 million by 2023, as between 35 per cent and 50 per cent choose to use these services. So, what emerges from...
David Lloyd: May I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement? Having said that, I would much prefer it were we having a debate in Government time, as I have requested twice in this Chamber previously, because the matters before us are of crucial importance, as the Cabinet Secretary has already suggested. They are crucially important to us as a nation, and I agree with him on that. In those bleak days...
David Lloyd: [Continues.]—the full merger of Amgueddfa Cymru, National Museum Wales, with Cadw? Will you rule out implementing option 4 of the PwC report during this Assembly term? Because, Cabinet Secretary, in another context, when we’ve been discussing the national infrastructure commission for Wales, NICW, you have shown admirable flexibility and a want to listen to concerns and a walking towards...
David Lloyd: Cabinet Secretary, you’ll be aware, obviously, that the Welsh Government’s stated ambition is to deliver a new not-for-profit rail model, but the current bidders, as you’ve outlined, to become the Wales and borders operator and development partner won’t themselves be not-for-profit companies. So, clearly, there’s a potential for some misunderstanding. Now, I want to see a proper...
David Lloyd: You made that announcement last month of £20,000 to attract new junior doctors to work in general practice in areas of Wales where it’s difficult to attract doctors. Naturally, we welcomed that, but it does nothing for the huge pressures on GPs currently in post this afternoon, in all parts of Wales if truth be told. So, what about vireing some resources and funding to primary care now in...
David Lloyd: It’s a pleasure to participate in a debate where such ideas are being aired. Congratulations to Suzy and to Mike for their contributions. I, like Sian Gwenllian, have been fortunate geographically and in familial terms to have been given a Welsh upbringing, to such an extent that I wasn’t able to speak English until I was seven and I didn’t know what the concept of a second language...
David Lloyd: First Minister, you will naturally be aware that smoking rates have declined over the years, partly of course because legislation has been put in place because the number that smoked was still stubbornly high until we had that ban on smoking in public buildings. In the same period, in the last decade, the rates of obesity have increased rather than fallen. Would you agree that legislative...
David Lloyd: 11. Will the Minister provide an update on the attempted regeneration of the Kingsway in Swansea as a business and employment hub? OAQ(5)0062(CC)
David Lloyd: Thank you for that response, Minister. Further to that, of course, there have been great delays on the Kingsway, and the main route in the centre of Swansea has begun to look quite dilapidated. There are a number of projects, and you have referred to one, which not only relates to the local authority but also, of course, involves the Government here. So, could I push you further to ask what...
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I move the amendment, which calls for devolving responsibility for the Severn bridges when they return to public ownership, and supports the abolition of tolls payable on the crossings. So, that’s our position. We’ve been against these tolls for many years, because we are talking about the main gateway to Wales in terms of the bridges....
David Lloyd: We’re talking about an economic boost here and the additional money. If you want to fund the metro or whatever, then you could fund it, Lee, from the additional money that will come into the Assembly’s coffers if we have the responsibility devolved here, and the additional money that will come from abolishing the tolls. [Interruption.] From abolishing the tolls. So, please support the...
David Lloyd: Will the Minister make a statement on the development of community renewable energy schemes?
