John Griffiths: First Minister, every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. right across Wales, thousands of people take part in parkruns. They’re volunteer led, they’re timed and people are able to chart their progress as they, hopefully, improve their times over the months and, indeed, the years. In Newport, the existing Tredegar House parkrun has just been added to with a city centre urban parkrun along the...
John Griffiths: Cabinet Secretary, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals consider that there’s a hidden problem in Wales in terms of monkeys and other primates. They think that around 120 are being kept as pets in Wales, and some of them at least will be suffering unnecessarily, as a result of inadequate care and the fact that they’re not suitable for being kept as domestic animals....
John Griffiths: Cabinet Secretary, I hope you would agree with me that Newport has seen beneficial use of Vibrant and Viable Places for city-centre regeneration, creating accommodation and alternative use to retail effectively. Whatever the future holds in terms of Vibrant and Viable Places or a similar scheme, will you continue to work closely with Newport City Council to take forward this important and...
John Griffiths: I think it’s good that we’re debating and discussing further education in the Assembly today and reflecting on its contribution to education and skills in Wales, because I do believe it is a very impressive contribution, which should be recognised, and we should discuss how we can strengthen it and take it forward. One aspect of further education, of course, is the opportunity to have a...
John Griffiths: 6. Will the First Minister make a statement on rail services in south-east Wales? OAQ(5)0461(FM)
John Griffiths: Thank you for that, First Minister. As you are well aware, the Newport to Ebbw Vale passenger rail link remains a top propriety for local people, and there is a deal of frustration and impatience that it’s not yet established. Are you able, First Minister, to provide further reassurance today that that passenger rail link between Newport and Ebbw Vale remains a priority for Welsh...
John Griffiths: Cabinet Secretary, are you able to confirm that the running costs for the Welsh Revenue Authority remain within the estimates published last year?
John Griffiths: 7. What representations has the Counsel General made in respect of appointing a Welsh judge to the Supreme Court? OAQ(5)0026(CG)
John Griffiths: Counsel General, it seems to me that the absence of representation from Wales on the Supreme Court panel is an important gap in the democratic framework within the UK. Do you agree that the body adjudicating on constitutional matters affecting the whole of the UK population should include representatives from the whole of the UK?
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd. I am pleased to be opening the first Plenary debate on the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee. The Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act is a landmark piece of legislation that sets out a statutory framework to prevent abuse and improve support for survivors. But passing legislation isn’t...
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Can I begin by thanking Members for their contributions today, because I think the number of contributors is testament to the strong feeling in this Assembly that we need to effectively prevent domestic abuse, sexual violence and violence against women, and redouble and renew our efforts to make sure that this legislation is effective? There have been quite a...
John Griffiths: Cabinet Secretary, I think it is right today to recognise the commitment to the steel industry of the workforce, the trade unions, local management and Welsh Government, as other Members have stated. For me, of course, Llanwern is a real priority and a major concern, and, as with other steel plants, the workforce at Llanwern have shown great commitment over the years, constantly retraining,...
John Griffiths: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's priorities for public sector procurement in Wales, in the context of leaving the EU?
John Griffiths: 5. What steps will the Welsh Government take to strengthen Wales’s international relationships? OAQ(5)0469(FM)
John Griffiths: Thank you for that. Cabinet Secretary, the European Union is a great economic, social and political force in the world, and leaving the European Union threatens to greatly diminish the standing of Wales and the UK in the world. So, could you reassure me that as far as Wales is concerned, the Welsh Government must find new ways of working with the European Union and European Union member...
John Griffiths: What progress is being made in developing a preventative health agenda in Wales?
John Griffiths: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policy on economic development in south-east Wales? OAQ(5)0493(FM)
John Griffiths: First Minister, Newport has great economic potential, with its transport, geographical and industrial strengths. On the M4, main rail lines and coast, part of the capital city region, neighbouring Bristol, it is the hub of its wider regional economy. So, First Minister, will you agree with me that driving economic development in Newport will be a major factor in Wales achieving its great...
John Griffiths: I would like to—not for the first time—raise the issue of community-focused schools, which I continue to believe is very important to the performance of our education system in Wales. I think one issue that Estyn has raised in its report, and consistently raises, is variability in the education system in Wales. That variability applies to community-focused schools. Some schools are very...
John Griffiths: 3. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve access to the Welsh countryside? OAQ(5)0113(ERA)
