Steffan Lewis: I thank the First Minister for that response. Last week, the Member of Parliament for Aberavon said that we must move away from multiculturalism and towards assimilation, and that we must stand for one group: the British people. Will the First Minister condemn these comments in no uncertain terms, and will he reassure this Assembly that such views are not representative of Welsh Government...
Steffan Lewis: Earlier this afternoon, in response to a question from my friend and colleague the Member of Parliament for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, the UK transport Secretary told the House of Commons that the UK Government had not agreed to devolve the Wales and borders franchise to this place. This is contrary, of course, to my understanding of the outcome of the St David’s Day process. Can we have...
Steffan Lewis: To follow on from the comments by the Member of Torfaen, there’s support across parties for this project, and on these benches too. I’m sure the Cabinet Secretary is aware of the reported financial difficulties facing Silverstone, with key figures in the Formula 1 sector questioning whether it will host the UK Grand Prix beyond 2026. Many of those same key figures in the sector are openly...
Steffan Lewis: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on maternity services in Wales? OAQ(5)0079(HWS)
Steffan Lewis: Previously, the Cabinet Secretary suggested to me that Wales did not need a specialist mother and baby unit because such services were being delivered in the community, but on further investigation it appears to me that all but two health board areas in this country have no provision for specialist perinatal mental health care. Presumably, the Government, maybe even the Cabinet Secretary,...
Steffan Lewis: 5. Will the First Minister provide an update on efforts to secure a review of the Mineworkers Pension Scheme surplus? OAQ(5)0331(FM)
Steffan Lewis: I thank the First Minister for his answer. It was very pleasing that, a few weeks ago, the National Assembly unanimously passed a motion calling for a review of the MPS surplus, and also that motion mandated the Welsh Government to build alliances with regional leaders in England and with other devolved Governments to put increasing pressure on the UK Government. Can he give assurances that...
Steffan Lewis: I want to declare an interest, that my wife is employed by the NHS. The Cabinet Secretary mentioned in his previous answer the review by the Care Quality Commission in England that found that there is a failure there to learn from patient deaths and other serious errors in the system. That prevents and inhibits processes being put in place in the future, because there isn’t the culture of...
Steffan Lewis: 10. Will the Minister make a statement on steps taken by the Welsh Government to protect wild animals in circuses? OAQ(5)0073(ERA)
Steffan Lewis: I very much welcome that answer from the Cabinet Secretary and thank her for it. I wonder if she could give an indication, therefore, of the timescale in terms of implementing and introducing any new regulations and legislation, as this has been an issue that has been ongoing for some time already.
Steffan Lewis: Will the Minister make a statement on the tackling poverty initiatives within his portfolio?
Steffan Lewis: I was interested in the First Minister’s earlier comments regarding our future relationship with the EU, in particular the implications for Welsh ports. He suggested that it would be unacceptable for Northern Ireland to have more favourable customs arrangements than Wales. So, in that context, in that scenario, would he be arguing against such terms for Northern Ireland, or would he seek a...
Steffan Lewis: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's economic priorities for south east Wales?
Steffan Lewis: I declare an interest in that my sister works for Network Rail. First Minister, I’ve had correspondence from people who are frustrated at insufficient public transport links in Blaenau Gwent at night time. Currently, the last Cardiff train stops at Llanhilleth, with no public transport links to get further up the valley, leaving taxis as the only option, if any of those are available. So,...
Steffan Lewis: There are two matters I’d like to raise with the leader of the house. Firstly, can we have a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for the economy on what the Government is doing to intervene when local community assets and landmarks are at risk? In my region, the iconic Market Hall cinema in Brynmawr has been closed since November because of asbestos problems, and there’s a growing...
Steffan Lewis: I welcome today’s statement and I’m very pleased that Wales has a clear, reasonable and creative voice on this vital issue. I’m very pleased that Plaid Cymru has played a central role in this. Could I also agree with the comments of the Torfaen Member? This is such an important issue that it’s vital for us to come together for the benefit of our nation. Of course, at the core of this...
Steffan Lewis: 4. What are the implications of the UK Government's industrial plan on Wales? OAQ(5)0406(FM)
Steffan Lewis: Obviously, the industrial plan will impact on devolved matters in some way, but we won’t exactly know that until the Welsh Government publishes an industrial plan for Wales itself. In response to a question from my friend the Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr last week, the economy Secretary dismissed any need for an urgent industrial plan for Wales, with some suggesting that we might...
Steffan Lewis: Last week, I asked the leader of the house for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for the economy on interventions to defend community assets, particularly those that enrich our heritage. Over the weekend, there were reports about the future of the old Tredegar General Hospital building, an important building in the history of the NHS and, sadly, a building that has been empty for several...
Steffan Lewis: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on environmental vandalism?
