Caroline Jones: I have always been of that mind. [Interruption.] I'm speaking for myself. You've asked me a question; you haven't asked my party. You've asked me—my point, and I've emphasised it. Thank you. So, both Wales and Westminster need to invest in the development of wireless vehicle charging. Both Governments also need to ensure the roll-out of electric vehicle charging is not impeded by the...
Caroline Jones: Certainly.
Caroline Jones: Well, because the traffic congestion on junction 41 and so on is awful.
Caroline Jones: But the congestion there of vehicles stopped has—
Caroline Jones: We can have a conversation later. In addition to local authorities monitoring air quality, there needs to be a reporting system to alert residents of poor air quality. Developments such as the British-made Sentinel-5P satellite, which monitors air pollutants, could be utilised at a national level to improve forecasting of high levels of air pollution and should be used to warn the public...
Caroline Jones: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic and thank the Welsh Conservatives for bringing forward this debate. As I've highlighted many times, poor air quality is one of the biggest public health challenges facing Wales. This is particularly true in the region I represent and live in, South Wales West, which has some of the dirtiest air quality in the UK. PM10s are often well...
Caroline Jones: I thank the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee for their report on endoscopy services. As I, and many others, have highlighted, pressures on diagnostic services in Wales are impeding our ability to improve cancer survival rates. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Wales. Around 17 people die of bowel cancer each week. We have lost two of our own to this horrible...
Caroline Jones: Minister, as a result of cuts to local government budgets over the years, the over-60s have been hit disproportionately. We have seen the closure of day centres and libraries, which have increased loneliness and isolation in this age group. Minister, how will your Government ensure that your future budget decisions do not contribute to increasing loneliness and isolation?
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. We will be voting against this Bill today. I've been inundated with calls and e-mails from concerned parents who fear they will be turned into criminals as a result of the Welsh Government's proposals. I am not advocating for wholesale assault on children. Indeed, as a teacher and as a person who looked after two children for many years, I can confirm they were never...
Caroline Jones: I must declare an interest at this point, as I am a landlord of a couple of rented properties in the private rented sector. Tenants have always had a secured tenancy agreement with myself, and rent charged has always been charged under what the property is valued at. If they have an issue, they ring the agent in charge, and the work is done immediately. So, I too believe that we should ensure...
Caroline Jones: I'd like to thank the Welsh Conservatives for tabling this debate. The Welsh Government rejected Paul’s autism Bill, telling us that we didn't need an autism Act because the Welsh Government is delivering real change in services for those on the autism spectrum. But that's not always so, is it? Because Welsh Government assertions do not match delivery on the front line. We are failing on...
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Llywydd, but I think my question has just been answered, because it was on heating and cooling. So, thank you.
Caroline Jones: Minister, now that the UK Government have shelved the Swansea tidal lagoon, what consideration has your Government given to looking at alternative, smaller-scale proof-of-concept schemes? A tidal lagoon could assist with the decarbonisation of the Port Talbot steelworks. Has your Government discussed this possibility with Tata?
Caroline Jones: First Minister, there was an alarming number of deaths and a large number of patients suffering severe harm due to patient safety breaches in our NHS over the past 12 months. Two thirds of the deaths and 58 per cent of the severe harm occurred in Betsi Cadwaladr. I'm sure that you will agree with me that this is unacceptable. So, First Minister, what is wrong with the culture at this health...
Caroline Jones: I would like to thank the Chair and members of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee for their report. I had the pleasure of serving on the committee during some of the inquiry and would like to add my thanks to the clerks and all those who took part in the inquiry. It provided us with much valuable insight. The film and tv sector is a vital part of our economy and Wales...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister. We welcome the independent review also. The lack of quality affordable housing is resulting in families living in overcrowded homes or in bed-and-breakfast accommodation, and individuals in hostels or on the street. I've seen first hand people placed in prison for vagrancy telling me they were not looking forward to being released because they had a bed...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister, and for providing us with advanced copy of the Bill and explanatory memorandum. Putting an end to the exploitation of wild animals for the pleasure of the viewing public is well overdue and I thank the Minister for introducing legislation to achieve this in relation to travelling circuses. Wales will soon be joining a growing list of countries that ban...
Caroline Jones: First Minister, last month, over 10,000 people waited more than 30 minutes for an ambulance response to an amber call. Two weeks ago, a friend of mine, a constituent, waited almost three hours for an emergency response following a suspected stroke. I'm sure you'll agree with me that this is unacceptable. First Minister, when can the people of Wales expect to see an end to waits of more than...
Caroline Jones: I thank the Welsh Conservatives for tabling this debate, but I am disappointed that it's a 30-minute debate as opposed to one hour, because I think it's such a valuable subject. The fact that people have gone blind whilst waiting for treatment—
Caroline Jones: Yes.
