Carwyn Jones: The reality is, of course, that international trade is such that it means that goods will move around the world. We are hugely reliant in Wales on exports. The last thing we would want to do is to restrict our ability to export. Of course, we want to source as locally as possible, where that can be done, and our procurement strategy reflects that.
Carwyn Jones: I don’t think it’s inconceivable, given what I’ve heard about fracking and opencast mining; I don’t believe it is inconceivable. The Clean Air Act came in because people were literally dropping dead in London because of toxic fogs in that city. There wasn’t much choice other than to introduce legislation at that stage. But, certainly, in the 1980s, our rivers were still—. There...
Carwyn Jones: It’s right to say that EU directives have driven much of our air-quality legislation and we will look at these on a case-by-case basis once we have agreed the negotiating position for withdrawal, but local air-quality management is driven by the Environment Act 1995.
Carwyn Jones: As I said earlier on, what is already transposed into Welsh law will remain in Welsh law. It’s a matter then for the Welsh Government and, of course, the Assembly to decide which laws should then remain. But, it’s worth pointing out that it’s been European incentives that have enabled the UK to clean up its act. The UK had a bad reputation, environmentally, as a source of acid rain. I...
Carwyn Jones: I can absolutely assure the Member I had nothing to do with Concorde—its maiden flight occurred when I was two, so I can say that. [Laughter.] But, bear in mind, of course, that Concorde was an example of UK and French co-operation that was a failure, actually. As a project, it didn’t work—it never worked on a commercial basis. He has to bear in mind that the UK was desperate to join...
Carwyn Jones: I met with the president of Airbus in the week of the referendum. I know that the Cabinet Secretary has also met with Airbus. I have regular meetings with Airbus to listen to their concerns. All manufacturers are saying to me that they are concerned about access to the single market. They are European operations, and if the UK is outside of the market they sell in, there are consequences for...
Carwyn Jones: Given that that would ensure access to the single market, and that is the only model that’s currently on the table, the answer must be ‘yes’. But, of course, we have to accept that that would involve free movement of people and, of course, we know that many, many people voted on that issue, above the issue of jobs, actually—I heard it on the doorstep—in the referendum a week last...
Carwyn Jones: I can give that absolute assurance. I know how important Airbus is as an employer in Wales. I know, particularly at Broughton, the thousands who are employed there will be uncertain about the future, as are all manufacturers in Wales at the moment. They are waiting to see what the outcome of the negotiations actually is, particularly over access to the single market. If we do not get access...
Carwyn Jones: It’s part of a theme where, the younger you are, the more you have to pay. If it comes to housing benefit, if it comes to access to housing, if it means getting your foot on the mortgage ladder, there’s never been a more difficult time. I had it easy in my generation, as did my parents, but now it’s much, much more difficult for young people. I think we have to make a point that more...
Carwyn Jones: We are in regular dialogue with anchor companies and the economy Secretary met with Airbus last Friday. We will be writing to key companies in Wales, including the anchor companies, with a view to holding a business engagement forum focusing on issues raised by the result.
Carwyn Jones: Councils, of course, will be planning according to the demographic change. We know that, historically—for many, many decades—houses were built on the basis that they were going to house families. We know that there are increasingly more and more people who are on their own. They’ve been hit hard by the bedroom tax, particularly in rural Wales, where one-bedroomed accommodation is hard...
Carwyn Jones: We want to ensure, of course, that those who are most vulnerable do not suffer as a result of decisions taken elsewhere. I know the Minister is actively looking at the current situation in order to mitigate any impact on those most vulnerable.
Carwyn Jones: I'm keen to avoid this being seen as a competition between local authorities and housing associations. They're both crucial to the delivery of our new target. We want to see, of course, more ambition from local authorities when it comes to house building. It is difficult, because local authorities were prevented from building houses for so many years. But we are working with both local...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I can say that the example that the Member gives has been helped by funding from Welsh Government, and another example I can offer is the relocation of the rent archives in Ebbw Vale at a brand-new building, a hugely important resource, and a resource that is particularly accessible—part, of course, of the redevelopment of the old steelworks site.
Carwyn Jones: We continue to invest in social housing, which will be an important element of our target of 20,000 affordable homes in this term, and we are supporting both local authorities and housing associations in order to meet that target.
Carwyn Jones: Yes, I would join the Member in thanking those people. I've seen an example of it myself in Briton Ferry, where volunteers are now running the library, and I know that the library service is—. Well, one of the stories I was told there is that people are now more likely to use the library—some people thought the library had closed years ago. And it's hugely important, then, that volunteers...
Carwyn Jones: It is a matter, of course, for local authorities as to how they organise their library services, though I am aware that one of the libraries that will receive money is Brecon area library in order to modernise it, but it is for local authorities to decide how to provide library services.
Carwyn Jones: In 2016-17, we will provide over £600,000 of grant funding to support the modernisation of three libraries in Mid and West Wales.
Carwyn Jones: This does happen, of course, in many parts of Wales, particularly in parts of rural Wales. It's important, of course, that each health board considers the right model for its area. Now, I'm aware and I've seen examples myself of how this operates well. We should not, of course, use that as a reason not to ensure that people can go home with the right support as quickly as possible, but the...
Carwyn Jones: The Member is right on the situation in Waunfawr—there are huge pressures there. I understand that the surgery itself is discussing this in very great detail with the health board. The problem has to be resolved as soon as possible—I understand that. Of course, there would have to be an application from the surgery in the first instance, but to do that, of course, it would have to be...
