David Rowlands: 6. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's employment figures? OAQ54270
David Rowlands: What one has to remember is that any tariffs put on any of the exports, particularly of the car industry, after Brexit, will have a hugely detrimental effect on European car manufacturers. And we're not just talking about the German car industry; we're talking about the French car industry, which is increasingly dependent upon their exports to the UK. So, to say that Brexit is going to have...
David Rowlands: In keeping with all the parties in this Chamber, the Brexit Party is hugely disappointed with Ford's decision with regard to the plant at Bridgend. Our sympathy lies with the workforce, which has made tremendous efforts to comply with Ford working regimes over the years. But, let us be explicit here: Ford's decision has nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit. This has been categorically stated...
David Rowlands: Okay. I thank the Minister for his answer. I'm given to understand that Rolls-Royce are at the forefront of this type of technology. As such, a development at Trawsfynydd could benefit British industry as a whole. I'm also given to believe that much of the grid infrastructure linking to the national grid system is still in place at Trawsfynydd. So, given the local expertise and general...
David Rowlands: Diolch Llywydd. Minister, when I was a member of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, we visited Trawsfynydd, where we learned about the decommissioning of the nuclear power station. At that time, there were discussions about the possibility of the site being used for the emerging small modular nuclear reactors. Has the Minister explored this option in any way?
David Rowlands: I thank the First Minister for his answer, but when judged by all normal parameters—GVA, GDP or productivity—we see that Wales appears to be performing less well than any other region of the UK apart from the north-west of England. Does the First Minister agree that this runs contrary to the ambitions laid out in the Government's 'Prosperity for All' economic action plan?
David Rowlands: 4. What assessment has the First Minister made of Wales's economic performance over the past twenty years? OAQ54217
David Rowlands: First, Dirprwy Lywydd, can I also extend my and my party's deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the two workmen killed on the Cardiff to Swansea line this morning? In its 'Prosperity for All' economic plan, the Welsh Government stressed the importance of connectivity in Wales as essential to economic success. Transport for Wales will have a key role to play in the delivery of the...
David Rowlands: Does the Minister not agree that there is an undeniably strong case for investigating the whole adoption service, especially given the spiralling cost to the public purse?
David Rowlands: Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. A large part of my casework is taken up with matters related to social services, in particular with regard to the adoption services. This is not surprising given that, in the South Wales East region alone, some 280 children were referred for adoption in 2016-17—a massive 66 per cent increase on the previous year. I understand that this trend has...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm sorry, Llywydd. I do apologise, Llywydd. That came upon us a little quickly, I'm afraid.
David Rowlands: Deputy Minister, a large part of my casework is taken up with matters related to social services—[Interruption.]
David Rowlands: I do apologise. Thank you.
David Rowlands: 1. What assessment has the Minister made of the procedures for forced adoptions, in light of a recent increase in the number of cases? OAQ54158
David Rowlands: It is indeed gratifying to note the recommendations in the Welsh Affairs Select Committee report, because there is no doubt that if air passenger duty were to be devolved, and the Welsh Government were to use this opportunity to reduce or better still abolish APD, it would unlock the true potential of Cardiff Airport by considerably enhancing the Welsh Government's ability to attract new...
David Rowlands: Yes, of course, David.
David Rowlands: Well, I will very quickly reply to that, David. I quite agree that the whole process has been very badly mishandled. And I would not stand here and defend the Tory Government and their handling of the matter. Thank you.
David Rowlands: Following on from the theme explored by Helen Mary Jones, but almost certainly not as eloquently as she has put it, I wanted to discuss the governance of the institutions that are charged with delivering our higher education. Whilst we acknowledge the financial crisis now faced by the higher education sector and regret the substantial job losses over the last few years, we also have to...
David Rowlands: Cabinet Minister, the saga of land at Lisvane in Cardiff being sold for £1.8 million by the regeneration investment fund for Wales, and subsequently sold for £39 million, has been well documented. But we understand that legal proceedings were issued in December 2017 against the two companies who were advisers to RIFW at the time, namely Amber Fund Management and the Lambert Smith Hampton...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I formally move amendments 1 and 5 tabled in the name of Caroline Jones, and wish to confirm at this point that we will be supporting amendments 2, 3 and 4, tabled in the name of Darren Millar. I move amendment 1 and simply record that the delivery of a relief road for the M4 motorway at Newport was a Labour Party manifesto pledge. Moving amendment 5, I fear it is...
