David Lloyd: Back in those dark days when we had no national political structure in Wales, it was a cause of pride for us that we could identify with and support our rugby and football teams, and go to our national museum and our national library. They were the focus of our nation's memory when Wales wasn't recognised as a political entity of any kind with its own Parliament. And in the National Library...
David Lloyd: Thank you for that, Minister, and I echo your comment about the tremendous achievements of local authority staff during this pandemic. But, obviously, we also have non-COVID issues as well, of a chronic nature, and speaking now as the chair of the cross-party group on vision, obviously we recognise that local authorities have a key role to play in continuing to provide support services, and...
David Lloyd: Thank you, Minister. I listened to the previous answer, plainly, but also national boundaries, I would contend, mean little or nothing when it comes to our beloved pollinators, my little bees. So, can you commit to ruling out the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in Wales for as long as possible—forever, I would contend? And how concerned are you with regard to this change in environmental...
David Lloyd: 8. What assessment has the Minister made of the UK Government's decision to authorise the use of neonicotinoid pesticides? OQ56215
David Lloyd: 2. What assessment has the Minister made of the levels of local authority staff available to provide key services across Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ56216
David Lloyd: Can I thank the Minister for his statement, and also begin by saluting the terrific performance of all those involved in the vaccination programme? Truly heroic, epic, and every similar adjective applies. Can I also say that lockdowns actually work? I think it's important to emphasise that point. It may come as a shock to one or two of my regular correspondents online, but lockdowns do work,...
David Lloyd: What assessment has the First Minister made of the provision of rehabilitation services during periods of COVID-19 restrictions?
David Lloyd: Wales needed a new stroke delivery plan before COVID; after all, early treatment is key to recovery. COVID has stretched already-struggling stroke services as it laid bare the fragile state of health and social care services, and mercilessly flayed our phenomenal staff and carers who are naturally programmed to go over and above the call of duty for stroke and so many other conditions. I know...
David Lloyd: We've been inspired by the experiences of those surviving stroke, by their heart-rending tales, their suffering, the heartbreak, seeking services, and the huge pressure on carers, and the nurses and doctors going that extra mile, and incredible treatments such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy being provided, and then COVID struck, and the significant challenges of accessing services during a...
David Lloyd: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. As chair of the cross-party group on stroke, I am pleased to introduce this motion on how COVID-19 has impacted on the 70,000 stroke survivors in Wales and their carers. I am grateful for the support of Members across my Senedd screen and look forward to their input, as, in the time allotted, I cannot possibly cover all bases. Now, the cross-party group on stroke meets...
David Lloyd: Thank you, First Minister for that answer. Obviously, the current situation at the DVLA is inexcusable. The number of staff that have contracted COVID, as you've outlined, is a huge worry, reflecting the concerns expressed by workers at the site with regard to poor working practices and COVID safeguarding practices. Can I just quote from a recent e-mail received from a staff member? 'On my...
David Lloyd: Thank you. Finally, I raised the issue of the UK shared prosperity fund with you, Minister, back in December and how this will impact the Welsh Government's ability to implement their own framework for regional investment in Wales. You stated, in response to my question, Minister, that, 'the UK Government ought to engage with us about how we can, even at this late hour, make sure that the...
David Lloyd: Thank you for that, Minister. Moving on, buried deep within the UK-EU trade and co-operation agreement is an article that states that the European Parliament and UK Parliament, 'may establish a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly' consisting of MPs and MEPs. My understanding is that there is already talk within the UK and European Parliaments as to how to get this moving, but nothing's been...
David Lloyd: Thank you, Llywydd, and good afternoon, Minister.
David Lloyd: It was good to see a written statement from you, Minister, last week, informing Members that you'd issued formal proceedings in the administrative courts seeking permission for a judicial review to the UK internal market Act. Now, Plaid Cymru supports this endeavour. As we've stated before many times, the Act undermines Welsh democracy and drives a coach and horses through the devolution...
David Lloyd: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the number of COVID-19 cases at the DVLA in Swansea? TQ533
David Lloyd: Can I thank the Minister for his statement, and also it is appropriate to salute the heroic efforts of all involved in delivering this huge vaccination programme. I know my GP colleagues are absolutely chomping at the bit, and if they could get more vaccines, they'd be lining up people as we speak. So, there's a phenomenal performance happening as we speak. One question, which I alluded to...
David Lloyd: House names, the names of farms and places more generally are very important for a nation's memory and history. Often, they have a direct link to the history and geography of the area or a link with famous names, events such as battles for our independence as a nation, and important elements in Welsh history, with links to ancient traditions, historical industry and the myths and legends of...
David Lloyd: We know that, across Wales, names of historic farmhouses and homes are being lost. Losing these names means that we are losing part of our local and national heritage. It was disappointing that the Government in 2017 voted against the principle of developing legislation in this area, and I still believe that there is more that the Welsh Government can do to protect these names—mere guidance...
David Lloyd: Can I thank, first of all, Janet Finch-Saunders as Chair of the Petitions Committee, and also the petitioner and the 18,000-plus people who signed the petition? As alluded, this is an issue close to my heart. That's why I presented a Bill to the Assembly—the Senedd now—in 2017, seeking to protect historic place names in Wales. As part of that Bill, I also wanted to look at protecting...
