David Rowlands: Thank you, Rhun. Would you agree that we had a trade agreement with the United States long before we went into the EU and that there was an opportunity all along, from 1948 when we had the NHS, right up to 1975 when we went into the EU, for the United States pharmaceutical industry and all the other industries to have done exactly what you're saying to the NHS at that time?
David Rowlands: Wouldn't you agree that there are many hundreds of thousands of people in this country who are the victims of the overprescription of drugs—in this country, at this moment?
David Rowlands: Regional skills partnerships are in place to drive investment in skills by developing responses based upon local and regional need. Given that the Government says their remit is simply to provide statistics and information and not innovate operational work or advise, are they delivering as envisaged? We understand there are three regional skills partnerships in Wales covering south-east...
David Rowlands: Well, I thank the Minister for his answer. My question really was made more in hope than in expectation, given that, obviously, the actual dates for commencement would be with the TVR company itself. Turning to the development of the park itself, can you give us any details as to other companies that have expressed an interest in coming to Ebbw Vale, and could you confirm reports that the...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Following the announcement in June this year that the automotive company TVR had selected a west Wales company to furnish their factory unit on the Ebbw Vale automotive technology site, which was a very welcome announcement in itself—that they had chosen a Welsh company to do that—can the Minister give us an update on the progress made so far with regard to the...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Cabinet Minister for his statement, which acknowledges the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities? I think that it's true to say that we all share concerns on how we treat our fellow citizens who find themselves unable, through disabilities, to find work. But I may say at this juncture that it seems to be the case that employers do not share the same...
David Rowlands: I thank the First Minister for that answer. As you say, on 27 November, the commission presented its first annual report. No Assembly Members were invited, and I am informed that even the Chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, Russell George, was not informed of the presentation. It would seem massively disappointing that, after sitting for 12 months, the report simply...
David Rowlands: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on the performance of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales? OAQ54798
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Conservative Party for bringing this debate forward, as I feel it covers matters that are fundamental to the governance of Wales? If we are to discuss the funding available to Wales, we cannot do so without consideration of the Barnett formula, which—I am sure there would be agreement across the Chamber—is fundamentally flawed. In this respect, I think it is pertinent to...
David Rowlands: I thank the Minister for that answer, but not only is communication between NHS staff and patients critical, but, I'm sure we'd all agree, good communication throughout all NHS institutions can be crucial in patient care. We've had several instances brought to us by constituents that this communication is often not satisfactory, in particular communication between Nevill Hall Hospital in my...
David Rowlands: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on efforts to improve communication between the NHS and patients in Wales? OAQ54738
David Rowlands: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for your statement. I'm afraid much of what I have written here reiterates a lot of what you've said, but I'll make no excuses for that, because it just shows that perhaps we're all thinking along the same lines. So, the importance of the foundational economy cannot be overstated, with a UK figure of 40 per cent of the workforce, and accounting for £1 for every...
David Rowlands: Given that a press conference was held in Europe this week, at which Professor Guus Berkhout of the Climate Intelligence Foundation gave information on the 700 signatures he has collected from prominent scientists and professionals, including a Nobel Prize winner, where they declare there is no climate emergency, and also that four new scientific indices have recorded that the earth's...
David Rowlands: Would you take just a very short—? Can I fully endorse what John is saying with regard to the Magor station? I think you have to now acknowledge exactly the work that's been put in in order to get that station. I really do feel you ought to make the funds available, Minister, for that scheme to go ahead.
David Rowlands: Whilst there are a number of elements in the Plaid Cymru debate we are able to support, we also acknowledge and support a number of the Labour amendments. Under item 1 and 2(a), Plaid are right to point out that, as long ago as 2013, the then Enterprise and Business Committee proposed that the Welsh Government develop a strategy with regard to rolling stock, but we have to acknowledge that...
David Rowlands: Whilst we can understand the aim of this motion, which is designed to encourage people out of cars and onto public transport, any such legislation is likely to hit the less well off amongst the local authority employees. Those on executive salaries could well afford the levy and would carry on as before, whilst the worst off may be forced to use public transport, which may well be...
David Rowlands: Yes, of course, Llyr.
David Rowlands: Yes, I agree—that may well be, but the administration of that may be quite difficult as well. But I agree, that is a possibility, of course. We have to recognise that outside the larger conurbations, such as Cardiff, public transport can be erratic and sparse, particularly at such times as the manual element of local authority employees would need to access it, as opposed to the office...
David Rowlands: Would the Minister make a statement on the Government's current position with regard to the wilding project in mid Wales known as O'r Mynydd i'r Môr, given that the other so-called wilding projects have often resulted in devastation to the upland areas? The removal of livestock from our hills, supposedly essential in this rewilding process, can have such detrimental effects as tick...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? There are few in this Chamber who would not acknowledge the excellent work done by the Business Wales service teams, and, as with Rhun ap Iorwerth and Russell George, can I endorse the fact that indeed the Minister himself is right to point out the importance of the SME and the microbusiness sector in Wales? Coming back to Business...
