Mr Simon Thomas: I thank David Melding for his questions, and I recall that I wasn’t aware that he was shy in coming forward in the previous Assembly with his views at any stage, and I think he maximised the opportunity, but I’m very pleased that there are even more opportunities now for Chairs and for committees as well to inform the Assembly. I think he raises an important point around tracking changes...
Mr Simon Thomas: Under the children’s health plan that you published, First Minister, every child under seven is supposed to be given the same consistency of service in winter and summer. So, how do you respond to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s report today on babies born prematurely, which shows that they are given a second-rate service here in Wales? Only 31 per cent, for example,...
Mr Simon Thomas: Can I say to the Cabinet Secretary for Education that she, like Plaid Cymru, at least had the courage to go into an election with an alternative to the current system and to call out the emperor’s new clothes around the tuition subsidy? It costs too much, and it’s unsustainable, and I’ve been saying that for four years. The silence from the Labour benches, for not having the courage to...
Mr Simon Thomas: You know them already.
Mr Simon Thomas: It’s School Milk Day today, so we should recognise and acknowledge that as we discuss nutritious food in our schools. What opportunities does the Cabinet Secretary have now to improve nutrition and the quality of school food, given the fact that we’re leaving the European Union and procurement rules won’t apply in the same way, so we could promote local food, and with the possibility...
Mr Simon Thomas: I’m pleased to hear that the Counsel General will be going to Haverfordwest and will be travelling to west Wales, but may I ask him—? He will, I’m sure, be aware that developing the marine plan and a number of marine conservation areas stems directly from European legislation, and I think it’s extremely important that such legislation is implemented by the Welsh Government. There are...
Mr Simon Thomas: Yes, of course. Is it working now?
Mr Simon Thomas: I do apologise that I hadn’t tabled a question, but I seem to have two questions in any case. I was asking the Counsel General, as the marine plan and other legislation that the Government has stems originally from European legislation, and as we are already late, as I understand it, in implementing these plans, is there any risk that the European Commission—whatever the result of the...
Mr Simon Thomas: Thank you, Llywydd. I’m pleased to open this debate and I’m particularly pleased that the debate is supported by Members of all opposition parties at least, here, and is an attempt, I hope, to put before the Senedd a picture of what is happening today on the ground in our rural communities—the threat to the livelihoods of many families and farms and to community life that this disease...
Mr Simon Thomas: Indeed, I’ll give way.
Mr Simon Thomas: I don’t disagree with Huw Irranca-Davies in that matter, but I would say to him that I don’t think these things are guaranteed at all because there is so much uncertainty in the situation that we are in. I do need to bring my opening remarks to a conclusion so that other Members can have their say, but I think it is important also to put on record that the clear advice to the Welsh...
Mr Simon Thomas: Would the Minister give way?
Mr Simon Thomas: I’m grateful to the Minister for giving way at that point. I welcome what she’s said. I understand that she’s going to make an oral statement, and so the detail is not here, but, of course, one part of the motion that she has accepted precisely addresses what she’s just said about the commensurate approach in different areas of Wales. Can she confirm, if possible, today, however,...
Mr Simon Thomas: Will you give way?
Mr Simon Thomas: I’m grateful. Just on that point. I’ve had discussions with my health board, Hywel Dda Local Health Board, about how we can encourage more of those nurses in training to come to places like Withybush that are not traditionally seen as places where nurses train. And if we were having some security of what the future plans were from the Government, we could move ahead with some of those...
Mr Simon Thomas: Will the Member give way?
Mr Simon Thomas: I am grateful to the Member for giving way, and I understand the points that he’s making, and I understand the Government have supported this. But I have to say to him it was the budget before last, in which his Government suggested cutting Supporting People, that’s led to this debate now.
Mr Simon Thomas: I welcome the fact that councils are now starting to build council houses once again. But, the main way of generating social housing is through housing associations, and I declare an interest as a member of a housing association. A decision by the ONS to change the classification of housing associations in Wales, to bring them into the public sector, does have very serious repercussions for...
Mr Simon Thomas: What are the opportunities now to put the situation right in terms of payments to farmers and payments that are seen as environmental payments to create one national scheme for Wales that is agri-environmental as a whole? Within that context, isn’t it also true that producing food that is nutritious, healthy, local and environmentally sustainable also provides public benefit?
Mr Simon Thomas: You should join us, really. [Laughter.]
