David Rowlands: There's no doubt that, initially, the vaccine roll-out in Wales could be said to be tardy, but we have to acknowledge that the Welsh Government very quickly got its act together and the figures show that we are now in advance of both Scotland and Northern Ireland, and very close to figures for England. I will, of course, point out here that we are far in advance of southern Ireland whose...
David Rowlands: As stated by the Minister, we acknowledge that the support offered to Welsh businesses has been the most generous of all UK Governments. However, the finances available to Welsh businesses, even with the help of the UK Government, are patently not enough, given the number of businesses across all sectors who are either closing permanently or are shedding jobs at an alarming rate, as evidenced...
David Rowlands: What assessment has the Counsel General made of the impact of leaving the EU on Welsh ports?
David Rowlands: Well, can I thank everyone who has contributed to this debate? But, as usual, of course, the true facts and the figures have been ignored, especially by the health Minister. I have put the facts and the figures, and they are incontrovertible. The lockdown's a result of the UK Government's total mishandling of the COVID-19 threat. In 2003, SARS, a far more deadly and dangerous disease, was...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to begin my contribution to this debate by restating my continuing thanks to all those in our NHS and other essential services, who are working so hard during these critical times. I also preface my contribution by apologising for the plethora of statistics contained in it, but statistics are being used to enforce the lockdown, so these statistics must be...
David Rowlands: Certainly. We have—[Inaudible.]—fast, efficient public transport offer. Given the extraordinary delays we have experienced with regard to action on this massively important transport project, we can only wish Welsh Government well in this—
David Rowlands: Yes—[Inaudible.]
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement? Just one small disappointment in the Deputy Minister's statement, touched on by Helen Mary Jones, and that is he uses the words, 'accept in principle'. Now, given that the Welsh Government commissioned this report and chose the chair, it's surprising that these words were used at all. However, apart from that mild criticism, it is gratifying...
David Rowlands: I wish to deal primarily with the first petition mentioned in this debate, which is on the closing of gyms. It is an undisputed fact that a person's overall health condition is one of the most important factors in their being able to deal with infections of all kinds, including COVID-19. We have been told for many years to keep fit and exercise in order to ward off ill health. It is an...
David Rowlands: I thank the First Minister for that answer. However, First Minister, will you give us definitive figures that illustrate that this is a health crisis caused by an infectious disease like no other? In 2018, there were 32,000 deaths from typhoid fever; in 2019, 17,000 died from—[Inaudible.] And again, in 2018, cumulative deaths from communicable diseases amounted to 91,000. Why is it that we...
David Rowlands: 3. Will the First Minister make a statement on the difference between the figures provided by the Welsh Government and those provided in Public Health England's notifications of infectious diseases weekly reports in relation to COVID-19? OQ56121
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. I formally move the amendment in the name of Caroline Jones. Whilst we do not believe this deal really reflects the desire of the Welsh people, it does, we hope, bring to an end the political divide that has opened up in Great Britain since the democratic decision of the British people to leave the European Union taken on 23 June 2016. I would also hope that it will silence...
David Rowlands: Will the Minister make a statement on house building in South Wales East?
David Rowlands: Will the Minister make a statement on tree felling by Torfaen County Borough Council?
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Counsel General for his statement? I applaud the Welsh Government's preparation for a number of Brexit scenarios. It is both prudent and sensible. But, Counsel General, you continue to bemoan the fact that, after four years, you have come down to the last few days, but how much is that down to the stance of the remainers, including you and the Welsh Government, by your...
David Rowlands: In view of the apparent continuing impasse in three critical areas in the Brexit negotiations, could we have a statement on what concessions the Welsh Government would be willing to make in order to avoid a 'no deal' scenario? Would it be to concede on our fishing grounds—which, incidentally, at this moment are being plundered by giant trawlers dredging up 250 tonnes of fish a day, with...
David Rowlands: I thank the Minister for that answer. First Minister, the Welsh Government were highly successful in bringing the Spanish train manufacturing company CAF to South Wales East, with the potential to bring 300-plus skilled engineering jobs to the area. CAF secured a contract to supply 77 state-of-the-art diesel multiple units to Transport for Wales. Delivery was scheduled for 2022. Could the...
David Rowlands: 6. Will the First Minister make a statement on the impact of coronavirus on the economy of South Wales East? OQ56047
David Rowlands: On what scientific data does the First Minister's advisers rely? The chief executive of Brains brewery, the largest in Wales, says that, of the 100 plus public houses it owns, only three have been involved in the track and trace initiative. A deep clean of those pubs resulted in no further instances. He further went on to say that, of the 150,000 or so customers served, only six were...
David Rowlands: I begin my contribution to this debate by acknowledging the personal courage of the First Minister over the last six months in bringing the legislation, which he knew would be, in the most, very unpopular with the Welsh public. Where I seek to differ from the First Minister's approach is in the science, or so-called science, which he has acted upon. [Interruption.] But let me make this clear:...
