David Rowlands: I thank the Minister for that answer. Of course, as with all statistics, the devil is in the detail. For instance, we find that this unemployment statistic includes as employed those on the iniquitous zero-hours contracts. And another factor not addressed is the increase in the number of people in our border areas, particularly in South Wales East and the east of north Wales who, although...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. And can I also congratulate the Minister on being retained in his Cabinet position? The First Minister stood in this Chamber—sorry. The previous First Minister stood in this Chamber and proclaimed that unemployment in Wales was below the UK average at 3.8 per cent. However, the latest figure is now running at 4.2 per cent, which is above the UK average. Does the Minister...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. I first met Steffan at a hustings in Blaenau Gwent during the last Assembly elections, but it was obvious to me at that time that he was an exceptionally gifted person. Over his two and a half years in the Assembly, I believe we have all witnessed his special capabilities, and I know that all in this Chamber will agree with me that we have lost one of our most able AMs. On a...
David Rowlands: Well, echoing some of the words of Rhun ap Iorwerth, during our evidence sessions on the state of the roads in Wales, many, if not all, stakeholders were adamant that there was a need for longer strategic planning, and this could only be achieved by long-term budget proposals from the Welsh Government, most advocating this be at least for a term of five years. It is therefore regrettable that...
David Rowlands: Not being a member of the committee, I was not involved in the deliberations leading to this report, but I would like to thank the Finance Committee for their carefully-thought-out report on the cost of caring for an ageing population. Advances in health and social care enable all of us to live longer and healthier lives. Coupled with an increase in population, it is not surprising that the...
David Rowlands: What consideration has the Minister given to funding schools directly?
David Rowlands: Whilst all of us acknowledge the importance of the public sector in the delivery of the services we have all become accustomed to, almost every in-depth study of the Welsh economy identifies the fact that Wales is far too reliant on job creation and the generation of economic wealth from this sector. Could the First Minister please outline the economic strategies he intends to put in place to...
David Rowlands: Can I take this opportunity to congratulate the First Minister on his appointment and I for one look forward to the dry wit you often display in your responses, even if I've been the recipient of some of the more barbed ones. Turning to my question:
David Rowlands: 4. What are the First Minister's priorities for the Welsh economy? OAQ53136
David Rowlands: Abstain.
David Rowlands: Again, I thank you, but I think you'll see that the thrust of my questioning is that, for instance, the European Commission Vice-President, Andrus Ansip, has said he was concerned that Chinese technology companies were required to co-operate with Chinese intelligence services on things such as mandatory back doors, which are designed to allow access to encrypted data. With those concerns in...
David Rowlands: Thank you for that answer. I'm sure that the leader of the house is aware of the international concerns regarding Chinese companies, who are said to be world leaders in fifth generation technology. What steps will the leader of the house be taking to ensure that the issues that have led to the USA and Australia banning some Chinese product suppliers do not occur in Wales?
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. First, leader of the house, can I make reference to your statement on the Superfast Cymru scheme, and acknowledge the success of the implementation of such a massive and mammoth task, and, indeed, the increased provision of mobile phone provision that you've had? Following on a little from Bethan Sayed's comments, I know that you will be aware that 5G technology is...
David Rowlands: As you will be aware, the fishing association have referred a complaint to the EU Commission that argues that huge quantities of slurry and poultry manure are being spread indiscriminately on large areas of farm land, and that the rules and guidelines governing how this should be done are consistently being broken. This is, of course, having a substantial impact on the ecology of our rivers....
David Rowlands: 5. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on action taken to address pollution in Welsh rivers? OAQ53073
David Rowlands: You were saying people were lied to in 2016. What about the lies that took us into Europe? Are they nothing to them? We would never surrender our parliamentary sovereignty. We would keep full rights over all our fishing. We would never be asked to go into a single currency. There would be the supremacy of British courts. They are the lies that took us into Europe, David, and I fell for them...
David Rowlands: As the committee Chair pointed out, our inquiry centred on three areas: trade, tourism, skills and training. It must be acknowledged that selling a small country such as Wales on the global market is no easy task. Sadly, our diaspora throughout the world is far smaller than that of either Scotland or Ireland. Consequently, the world's general knowledge of Wales is far less than that of these...
David Rowlands: Well, Cabinet Secretary, I feel I may be echoing some of your sentiments there, but, Cabinet Secretary, is it not time to silence your critics and point out that bringing Aston Martin to Wales opens up the possibility of attracting other iconic names and high-profile companies to invest in Wales? These are the companies that can help bring long-term quality jobs and wealth to the country....
David Rowlands: Well, I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that rather obscure answer. I, for one, will say that I hope you remain in your position after next week, but I'm sure that many in this house and further afield in Wales would say that it would be difficult to put a price on attracting such an iconic motor manufacturer to Wales. Perhaps I'd go as far as to say you would be justified in spending a...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, I was unable to question the First Minister in Plenary yesterday due to time restraints, so perhaps I can use this opportunity to question you along the same lines. Why is there a reluctance to disclose the cost of attracting Aston Martin Lagonda to Wales?
