David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, I'd like to raise the subject of public procurement. Post Brexit we should be able to re-examine the rules governing public procurement, and this should make it easier for the public sector in Wales to award contracts to small companies and SMEs. However, even discarding Brexit, there are opportunities for the public sector to make it easier for small firms to bid...
David Rowlands: The great difference with that, of course, is that under NATO we still have control of our own forces. Under this proposed European army, we will not have control of our own forces—[Interruption.] No, I've listened to you. Thank you, very much. The Franco-German grand reform is a plan to put in place a joint budget, Parliament and finance Minister for the eurozone. Should we remain in the...
David Rowlands: Of course.
David Rowlands: I'm sure that the AM is misreading what we're saying. We're saying that we'll give a vote on that to the people. Contrary to the idea propagated by many in this Chamber, the people were very well aware of what they were voting for in the referendum. It seems that most in this Chamber wish to forget that a comprehensive brochure was sent to every household in Wales and the UK outlining the...
David Rowlands: Yes.
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. For almost two years, we've endured the prophecies of a cataclysmic impact on the UK economy should we leave the EU in a 'no deal' scenario—such adverse consequences promulgated by both socialist parties of this Assembly and much of which is sheer negative speculation. We in UKIP concede there may be some short-term negative impacts on our economy, but almost all...
David Rowlands: The importance of mobile connectivity has grown exponentially over the past few years, with mobile phone ownership in Wales said to be standing at over 90 per cent for adults—and, from my own experience, it may be even greater with children. Of these mobile phone users in Wales, 57 per cent report using a mobile phone to go online. Therefore, the importance of such connectivity has...
David Rowlands: Again, I thank the Minister for—
David Rowlands: That's fine, Llywydd. Again, I thank the Minister for his answer, but following on from the cancellation of the Circuit of Wales, I'm noting that the Ebbw Vale enterprise zone was responsible for just 179 jobs during its seven years of existence. Surely, then, Cabinet Minister, it is time the Welsh Government put in place, as a matter of urgency, the infrastructure—both physical and...
David Rowlands: I thank the Cabinet Minister for his answer. However, since the announcement with regard to the park and to the advanced automotive technology site, some 18 months ago, not a single industrial unit has been built. Will the Minister now give the people of Blaenau Gwent and Ebbw Vale a firm date for the commencement of work, and perhaps even an actual time frame for the creation of jobs at the site?
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. Could the Cabinet Minister update us on the progress of the Blaenau Gwent advanced technology park?
David Rowlands: Will the First Minister provide an update on the Tech Valleys programme in Ebbw Vale?
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement today? Deputy Minister, UKIP welcomed the announcement from the Welsh Government in February 2017 that you were committed to establishing 100,000 apprenticeships over a five-year period. It has for far too long been a neglected element in economic growth. We also believe that focusing on apprenticeships above level 3 was a well-founded...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Diprwy Lywydd. First of all, can I thank all the Members who have made a contribution to this debate? And if I can just go through a few points that some of them have made, Mark Isherwood pointed out the superior outcomes with mpMRI scans over normal MRI scans, and he said that there was a lack of data being provided by health boards, particularly in north Wales. Rhun ap Iorwerth...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. This evening’s debate will focus on a petition submitted by Stuart Davies, who lives in the constituency of Clwyd South. It calls for all men in Wales to have access through the NHS to the best possible diagnostic tests for prostate cancer. The petition received 6,345 signatures and the Petitions Committee is grateful for the opportunity to bring this petition to...
David Rowlands: All those companies said exactly the same thing about whether we went into the euro or did not go into the euro. Every single one of the companies you just said. Now, you know and I know that there's more investment going in to Nissan. They're building the Corolla, which is the biggest selling car. They've just invested that sort of money. Those companies are not going to come out of the UK.
David Rowlands: They're not convicted when they're on remand.
David Rowlands: Again, I thank the Minister for his answer. However, this indeed could be a candidate for the mutual investment model, or. again, is there a possible intervention by Cardiff capital city region? Surely, Minister, it is not beyond your considerable expertise to find a suitable funding mechanism to address this dire situation. This road is in an appalling condition. The money given to potholes...
David Rowlands: I thank the Minister for that answer. I lately had the misfortune to have to use the southern access road known as Rover Way. Whilst I understand that this does, for some unknown reason, not constitute a trunk road, and therefore falls outside your direct remit, the road is in such an appalling condition that it cries out for some sort of government intervention. Surely, Minister, there is...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd—[Inaudible.]—difficulties faced by Cardiff commuters in gaining access to the city, could the Minister outline Welsh Government plans to alleviate these problems?
