Mr Simon Thomas: Can I say to the Minister that, after a cheap date, there often comes the morning after? The Minister seems to have woken up in Plaid Cymru’s clothes, but based on the statement he’s made so far they suit him very well. There are a couple of things that I’d like to ask him, following his response to the statement so far. One is: he’s touched on accountability by referencing back to...
Mr Simon Thomas: In responding to the programme for government and the legislative programme, I do think that I must emphasise how dissatisfied I am at present with the Government’s response to the situation that’s arisen from the decision on Brexit. I think this is a real challenge, not only for the Labour Party but for the whole of the Senedd, and it’s a real challenge to the devolution process....
Mr Simon Thomas: Will the First Minister make a statement on the change in status of housing associations by the Office of National Statistics?
Mr Simon Thomas: One of the areas that should certainly be a Government priority area is your enterprise zones. In Pembrokeshire, around the Cleddau, you have an enterprise zone where you have to pay a toll to go from one part of the enterprise zone to another, and then pay another toll to come back. I’m talking, of course, about the tolls on the Cleddau bridge—the bridge that spans the two parts of the...
Mr Simon Thomas: Cabinet Secretary, as you know, the parents of Pembrokeshire have lost the neonatal services at Withybush hospital, supposedly to have a better service provided at Glangwili, but the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says that neonatal services in Wales are overstretched and under incredible pressure, putting the safety of the sickest babies at risk, and they say that only two out...
Mr Simon Thomas: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I move the motion in the name of Plaid Cymru and say how appropriate it is, I think, at this time that we discuss the importance of the rural development plan as part of the way in which the Government is dealing with rural communities and how important it is to deal properly and appropriately, as we leave the European Union, with the way in which the rural...
Mr Simon Thomas: I’m pleased to say that the SNP, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru have signed an agreement to fight against that disgusting attitude towards people from outside the UK. We still believe that it’s vital for the agricultural sector to foster the seasonal workers and the worker who contribute so much to our food production sector.
Mr Simon Thomas: Will the Member give way?
Mr Simon Thomas: Just on that point, and I agree that it has to be our decision, obviously; would he therefore reject any moves by the Westminster Government also to hold back either resources or powers without devolving them fully to this place?
Mr Simon Thomas: I’m grateful to all Members who took part in the debate. Clearly, this will be an ongoing conversation that we need to have, but I think three clear themes have emerged. First of all, we must ensure that there is no holding back of the powers or resources in London when we move away from the European Union. It was very disappointing to me that Andrew R.T. Davies, when he managed to have his...
Mr Simon Thomas: UKIP, but not Plaid.
Mr Simon Thomas: Will the Minister give way?
Mr Simon Thomas: Just on that point, and trying to look for common ground between ourselves on this matter, the fact is that out-of-town parking developments don’t pay business rates on their huge free parking. We have to restore some of that balance in order to revive our town centres. Yes, short-term free parking in town centres can be part of that, but we also need to address those out-of-town parking...
Mr Simon Thomas: Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policy of using minor injury units to meet demand for unscheduled care?
Mr Simon Thomas: Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's plans to trunk the A477 over the Cleddau Bridge?
Mr Simon Thomas: It’s difficult to reach the state of normality that you talk about, First Minister, when cycling accounts for 1 per cent of all journeys taken in Wales and in Pembrokeshire, and being killed or seriously injured on a bicycle is 33 per cent. Therefore there is a huge mismatch there between the journeys taken by those on cycles and those who are killed or seriously injured. It’s...
Mr Simon Thomas: 8. What plans does the Welsh Government have to review TAN8? OAQ(5)0196(FM)[W]
Mr Simon Thomas: Well, that’s a disappointment, First Minister, because TAN 8 has been in place without significant review since 2005. In a way, it’s failed in its main objective, namely planning for renewable energy and the target that the Government had set. We’re a long way off that target. Of, course we know that new powers in that area will come to the Government, up to 350 MW, which includes all...
Mr Simon Thomas: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’ve taken some flak in this Chamber, particularly from Members opposite, in the past for suggesting that Communities First was not effective and not working as it should. That was borne out of the experience of living in a Communities First community myself. I’m not going to welcome the statement as such, however, as I’m not clear yet what the...
Mr Simon Thomas: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for her statement and just ask a few questions following what has been discussed this afternoon? First of all, I understand that there isn’t yet an explanation or a reason for this particular incident, but it’s still a serious pollution event on this land, one of the most serious that we’ve had in the past few years. Now, local people will certainly be...
