David Rowlands: UKIP broadly supports the motion and welcomes the opportunity to take part in this debate. Whilst we recognise the excellent work done by the credit unions and Plaid’s desire to see the remit expanded, we’re not too sure about the aspiration to a Welsh people’s bank, which sounds far too much like an institution from North Korea. But we do acknowledge that it is desirable for there to...
David Rowlands: What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made to ensure that his latest blueprint for change to local governance is fit for purpose?
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, we all welcome your statement this afternoon, but would you not agree that the whole strategy of delivering bus services needs a new and, perhaps, radical approach? Surely, the sight of 50-plus passenger buses often running empty and very often in tandem does not seem economically or environmentally acceptable. We are seeing the rise in community buses,...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, this morning the Economy and Infrastructure Committee considered the strategy of the Welsh Government’s proposal to deliver the borders franchise and the metro project. We note that the Welsh Government has adopted the integrated contract approach, meaning, of course, that the rail franchisee—whoever that might be—and the chosen infrastructure company...
David Rowlands: Does the Cabinet Secretary not agree with me that it is vital that the two parties have an effective working relationship if the whole project is to be delivered on time and on budget?
David Rowlands: I particularly like the Chair’s idea of a panel made up of members from the public, but, of course, the strength in that panel will be in its make-up. It would be very detrimental if it had some political bias. So, would the Chair be able to give us any idea as to how he feels that panel would actually be selected?
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. Over the last 17 years, the UK has seen a huge proliferation of zero-hours contracts, rising from under 200,000 in the year 2000 to approaching 1 million today. This unprecedented increase correlates directly to the phenomenon of mass uncontrolled immigration over those years. In truth, ‘zero-hours contract’ is a misnomer—it is not a contract at all. A contract is an...
David Rowlands: Yes, of course.
David Rowlands: It is said that many jobless people are forced to take these zero-hours contracts. I confine myself in this debate to some economic consequences of mass immigration, but it brings in its wake perhaps even more dire abuses than those I seek to outline: people trafficking, sex exploitation, child abuse and even an unbelievable concept in Britain in the twenty-first century—slavery. I have...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. First of all, I want to take up two points, one by Julie Morgan and the other by Bethan Jenkins, when they said it’s ironic we should bring this debate to the Chamber. Well, it’s not ironic at all. We’re the only party in this Chamber that has consistently tried to protect British workers from exploitation, and this whole fact of the zero-hour contract shows that we were...
David Rowlands: Yes, of course.
David Rowlands: Yes, and I’m absolutely certain that if I went through any of the parties’ manifestos in this Chamber—every one of the parties—we would be able to punch huge holes in them as well. But anyway, back to—[Interruption.]
David Rowlands: Back to the debate, please, if we can. First of all, I’d like to take up with Russell George, who says that it helps some people that they would prefer to be in this type of zero-hours contract. The truth of the matter, actually, Russell, is that it’s the employer who usually sets the times and number of hours and not the employee unfortunately. I want to take up with Jenny Rathbone,...
David Rowlands: 2. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government's plans to improve access to Cardiff airport? OAQ(5)0494(FM)
David Rowlands: I thank the First Minister for his answer. I think all in the Chamber welcome the huge improvement in the airport’s performance since the Government’s intervention. But does the First Minister not agree that a rail link will greatly enhance its appeal to the international traveller and give it a competitive edge over other local airports? So, can he tell us why this has not been included...
David Rowlands: Cabinet Minister, I understand that Loganair has operated a successful operation connecting the Orkney islands to Kirkwall on the Scottish mainland for some eight years. Would the Cabinet Secretary consider looking at the model used for this service, given the collapse of the third operator on the north Wales-to-Cardiff route? And will he also consider the use of Hawarden aerodrome as an...
David Rowlands: Much of what I say will echo comments by other members of the committee, but it does no harm to reiterate some of those points. Firstly, I confirm that the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, recognises and welcomes the formation of a commission that will provide expert, professional and, above all, independent advice to the Government of Wales. As a member of that committee, I’m...
David Rowlands: First Minister, I’m given to understand that there are at present 175 businesses on waiting lists for council-owned units in Caerphilly, some for up to five years. Can you therefore indicate whether there are any Government plans to help councils like Caerphilly construct new units to accommodate such surpluses, given the fact that, obviously, these companies have the potential have to...
David Rowlands: Can I thank Jeremy Miles and the other AMs who brought forward this very important debate? UKIP acknowledges the huge contribution our coastline contributes to the prosperity of Wales and, as has been mentioned earlier, its future of potential with regard to the Swansea and subsequent lagoon projects. Of course, much of our tourist industry is linked to the quality of our coastal waters....
David Rowlands: Yes, of course.
