Andrew RT Davies: First Minister, one of the big calls that has been made in recent weeks is obviously the changing restrictions over the Christmas period by the four nations of the United Kingdom. The situation here in Wales has moved on since that call was made, and I respect the climate in which that call was made by your good self as the First Minister. What do you think the public's reaction is to, and...
Andrew RT Davies: I thank the Minister for moving the regulations this afternoon. For those watching our proceedings this afternoon, they might find it slightly bizarre—and this is a debate that we've had several times in this Chamber—that we are voting to give enforcement, or give power, to the regulations that have been in existence nearly two weeks now, and actually will be reviewed on Friday, as I...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Minister, for your response to this topical question. It is, obviously, hugely distressing to see such a major logistical firm cease trading—170 vehicles, 150 articulated trailers and a warehouse operation that spans across nine sites across the United Kingdom. And especially at this time of the year with the uncertainly, it's vital now that the help that you've identified from...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you for the answers so far, Minister. Could you update us on the state of the health boards that have not so far suspended elective surgery? We know that two in Wales, Aneurin Bevan and Swansea Bay health boards, have both cancelled elective surgery. You alluded in your previous answer that you'd just come from a meeting about staff sickness within the NHS, so could you please give us...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. It's a pleasure to move the first of the short debates this evening. I can see the Chamber full of bodies who want to listen to this really important debate, and it is an important debate, in fairness, because it relies on the letter that was sent by various governing bodies and people interested in the return of fans to sports, ranging from the Football...
Andrew RT Davies: So, the letter begins by saying, 'Dear First Minister, 'We are writing as executives and senior representatives of rugby, cricket, horse racing and football—the elite stadium sports in Wales. 'Sport is a fundamental part of life in Wales. It puts our nation on the global stage and provides communities across Wales with a sense of belonging and identity. We form part of an industry that...
Andrew RT Davies: No, no requests.
Andrew RT Davies: Minister, thank you for your statement this afternoon. I have some questions to ask in relation to vaccines, hospital pressures, the supply of testing in education, and the new variant. I'll leave my comments on the restrictions that were imposed before Christmas to when we have our debate in the Senedd on our return after the Christmas recess. On vaccination, Minister, why is Wales lagging...
Andrew RT Davies: First Minister, the vaccination programme is a huge programme for the Government and the people of Wales to embark on, and it's important people maintain confidence in its delivery in every part of Wales. What consideration have you given to creating a position within the Government of a vaccination Minister to help drive this logistical exercise across Wales, to iron out any of the...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Minister, for your statement this afternoon. If I could place on record my sincere thanks to all involved with the vaccination campaign, because the intensity of the effort must have been huge, and will continue to be huge and demanding as we go forward. Could I ask a series of questions, please, Minister, in relation to the plan that you put forward yesterday and given the...
Andrew RT Davies: [Inaudible.]—I'll deal with them in individual sequence. The Welsh Conservatives will be voting in support of the regulations as tabled this afternoon. On agenda item 6, and in particular trying to elicit from you some information as to how we might get into a position where these restrictions might slowly start to be alleviated, have you gateways that you as Ministers and as a Government...
Andrew RT Davies: Will the Minister make a statement on how the Welsh Government's budget will support businesses affected by the latest national lockdown?
Andrew RT Davies: [Inaudible.]—for the answer, and also some of the points that you've made already. But the fact of the matter is that, on a population share, we are 40,000 people behind where England is. That's the equivalent of a town the size of Caerphilly being completely vaccinated. These numbers are getting bigger as the days and weeks go by, because, two weeks ago, that gap between where England is...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Minister, for moving the regulations this afternoon. We will be supporting these regulations. Obviously, we've had additional information as the week progressed last week about other new variant strains of the virus from Brazil and South America. Last week, I did ask you the specific question about whether you had any concerns about other countries and whether other conditions or...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Minister, earlier in the week, there were reports that 26,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine had to be put rejected at the testing stage. These doses were designated for Wales. Can you update the Plenary as to your understanding as to the reason for rejection and how that might affect supply in Wales?
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I just want to be clear: I was talking about the AstraZeneca vaccine, not the well-documented delays—
Andrew RT Davies: —with the reconfiguration of the factory and the Pfizer vaccine. But if I could also ask you about evidence that appeared in the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies papers in relation to our BAME communities and work that SAGE has undertaken about the perception of the vaccine programme in those communities, the work that they undertook indicated a high percentage—72 per cent, in...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you for that answer, Minister, and if you could provide us with a regular update as the progress and the vaccine roll-out goes forward here in Wales around these figures, because they're quite alarming—72 per cent in the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies papers. So, I think it's important that we try and allay any fears that might be pervading those communities to stop people...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, last week there was much focus on the target of having 70 per cent of over-80-year-olds vaccinated. I heard your response to an earlier question this afternoon, but I think it is very, very important that we know quite clearly whether you've hit that target or not. You said last week that you will have day-to-day information in your possession...
Andrew RT Davies: You have not met your commitment, First Minister. Last week, you said quite clearly, and your health Minister said quite clearly—that was information offered by you as a Government—that everyone over the age of 80, 70 per cent of that cohort, would be vaccinated by the end of the week. I heard loud and clear what the response was, but you didn't give a clear answer. You have cleared that...
