Rebecca Evans: Thank you for raising both of those issues. I was able to provide a brief update to colleagues on the MRI and prostate cancer issue just a couple of weeks ago in the Plenary session during the business statement, but I'll certainly ask the health Minister to provide you with a more detailed update, in which we'd also include more information about our plans for radiography services in the...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much. I'm certainly happy to oblige in terms of the first statement that you asked for. The Minister, Lesley Griffiths, will be delivering a statement on a low-carbon Wales on the twenty-fifth of this month, and obviously that will encapsulate the statement that she made earlier today, but also the document that the Welsh Government published a few months ago, which set out our...
Rebecca Evans: On the first issue, of course Welsh Government is concerned if we hear of waste that has not been disposed of in an appropriate way, which is why we're really keen to develop our own recycling and processing capacity here in Wales. And I know that the Deputy Minister is doing a lot of work in order to make this possible. Clearly, we have an excellent reputation here in Wales as being world...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much to Huw Irranca-Davies for that invitation. I will start by firstly addressing some of the points about First Cymru. Obviously, the First Cymru buses operate predominantly in south-west Wales, based in Swansea, and, as Huw Irranca-Davies says, they have already provided reassurance that it does envisage business as usual for its bus network, as a result of a reorganisation...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising both of those important issues. Of course, next week is Refugee Week, and I know that the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip intends to provide a written statement to update Members on Welsh Government action to support refugees, and to create a nation of sanctuary here in Wales. In relation to the request for an update on mental health, I'll certainly ask the...
Rebecca Evans: I'm grateful to you for raising this particular issue and, as Helen Mary Jones says, we are introducing new performance measures for eye care patients. At present, all new referrals for eye care are required to be seen within the referral-to-treatment target, and that has served the majority of new patients well. However, for most patients, the start of treatment is only the first point on...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Mick Antoniw for raising this issue, and, of course, we do have frequent opportunities to discuss various aspects of Brexit and the impact that it might have on people in Wales across all parts of life, not least including the health service and health provision. The US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, has said that healthcare will be a strong focus of any post-Brexit trade deal...
Rebecca Evans: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. This debate takes place during a time of absolute chaos brought about by the UK Government's handling of Brexit. Parliament is gridlocked, and the election of a new Conservative leader means the prospect of a catastrophic 'no deal' Brexit is very real. We're likely to face a straight choice between a 'no deal' Brexit or remaining in the EU. Faced with this prospect, we...
Rebecca Evans: EU funds have improved broadband coverage, built research capacity, invested in renewable energy, and developed vital infrastructure for transport, tourism and business. These and a wide range of other benefits are at risk without continued long-term and needs-based investment. Despite the significant improvements across Wales since devolution, inequalities within the UK persist and are the...
Rebecca Evans: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm very grateful to all Members for their contributions in the debate today. I always look to find consensus where I can find it, and I do think that there was some of that demonstrated in the debate that we've had this afternoon. One of the themes, I think, that came through really strongly was just simply the scarcity of information that we do have about the UK shared...
Rebecca Evans: Yes, of course.
Rebecca Evans: I absolutely agree with you and I'm glad that you feel that way as well. I really would urge you to be making those representations to the candidates for the new leader of the Conservative Party. Because I'm sure that—. Well, we're certainly on the same page and I would hope that they would be as well. And I do intend to come back to address some of the comments in relation to the...
Rebecca Evans: Diolch, Llywydd. There is one change to this week's business. The motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage 3 amendments to the Legislation (Wales) Bill has been withdrawn. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Rebecca Evans: Yes, thank you very much. On the first issue of the consultation document, I'll certainly find out what's going on there and update Members, as you've requested, in terms of the availability of that consultation document and the circulation of it.FootnoteLink On the second issue, we've been very clear that Welsh Government does see Britain and Wales's best interests best served by remaining...
Rebecca Evans: So, as the Member quite rightly points out, Welsh in education strategic plans are central to the growth in Welsh-medium education and is one of the key factors in terms of helping us achieve our ambition of a million Welsh speakers by 2050. As part of those WESP requirements, local authorities must have a statement on the availability of Welsh-medium provision in relation to home-to-school...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Huw Irranca-Davies for raising this issue and the concern that he's been steadfastly expressing for his constituents who are employed at the Ford plant at Bridgend and constituents even beyond his own area. I know that the economy Minister is very keen to keep all Members up to date on progress, but I would say today that we've begun the process of establishing that taskforce to work...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for your question. The statement on Welsh Government support for tourism—you'll be aware, of course, of the additional £2 million that was invested in the industry to make sure that Wales does have an excellent tourism offer. I know that the Minister for international relations intends to make a statement on the international strategy on 9 July, and I'm certain that...
Rebecca Evans: May I ask you in the first instance to write to the health Minister outlining the concerns that you have raised? I'm sure that he'll be pleased to address them with the health board. The Minister will be bringing forward a statement on the task and finish group on critical care's report on 2 July, and I think that would be an appropriate opportunity, as well, to have these discussions on the...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Joyce Watson for raising this issue. Public land and, particularly, the disposal of public land is something that I've taken a particular interest in and have had some good discussions or early discussions with my colleague the Minister for economy and also the Minister with responsibility for local government. We're at very early days in these discussions, but I'd be keen to explore...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you for raising both of those issues. With regard to the first, which was the north-east Wales metro, it is certainly a vital part of our plan to improve and modernise transport in the region, and work on delivering the metro vision is progressing well. A Transport for Wales business unit in north Wales has been established to support the delivery of the metro project, including the...
