David Rowlands: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for her statement. Can I say it receives a broad welcome from both me and my party? We were particularly pleased to hear about the involvement of businesses and the funding for Welsh universities in your proposals, as well as your emphasis on prioritising superfast broadband provision in Welsh schools. I also welcome the fact that the scheme 'Cracking the...
David Rowlands: What plans does the First Minister have to launch an investigation into car wash services in Wales, in light of the announcement by the chair of the House of Commons' Environmental Audit Committee that it intends to look into the issue at a UK level?
David Rowlands: What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to changing the way schools are funded?
David Rowlands: Firstly, I wish to point out that UKIP has been the only major UK-wide party to oppose any military action in the middle east, including the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. We in UKIP acknowledge that the political scenarios in almost all the nations of this region are far too complex for western countries to get involved. Even where there has been some success, for instance Afghanistan,...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Firstly, can I thank all those who have contributed to the debate, and in such a positive manner on most occasions? Can I take this opportunity to congratulate those behind WASPI for the work they have done, and are doing, to raise the awareness of this wholly unsatisfactory state of affairs? Legislation passed by the UK Government has meant that some 2.6 million women...
David Rowlands: Well, again, I thank the leader of the house for her answer, but the stark fact is that agencies such as the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit and Welsh Women's Aid state that far from funding being adequate to fund extra refuges, they are now fearful that some refuges will have to close. Is, therefore, moving funding from these projects to local authorities a sensible alternative, given the...
David Rowlands: I thank the leader of the house for her comprehensive answer, but the figures with regard to sexual violence and domestic abuse do not make good reading. In March 2017, data showed a 23 per cent increase in this form of crime over the previous three years. Even given the fact that people are more readily reporting such incidents, it still shows worrying trends. However, what is far more...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. By sheer coincidence, my question somewhat follows on from some issues raised by Sian Gwenllian earlier on. In April 2015, the Welsh Assembly passed the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015. This was a laudable piece of legislation designed to protect, in particular, female victims of domestic abuse. As with any piece of...
David Rowlands: I will begin by confirming that UKIP will be supporting this motion today. You will, of course, not be surprised that I wish to point out that this debacle is the result of European Community regulation 1071/2009, which is being imposed on the UK and takes no account that community transport is an almost unique British solution to plugging gaps in our commercial transport provision. The...
David Rowlands: Following on from the other participants, we understand the Welsh Government is considering a deposit-return scheme to cut down on the use of single-use drink containers. This, of course, follows on from the hugely successful charge placed on plastic bags. Can I urge the Government to make sure that any deposit-return charge is set at a level that will make the return scheme a viable option?...
David Rowlands: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the provision of health services in Welsh prisons?
David Rowlands: How does the First Minister ensure that the Welsh Government operates in an open and transparent manner?
David Rowlands: Yes, I'll be corrected on that, of course, Cabinet Secretary.
David Rowlands: Yes, thank you. Well, I would urge her to seriously consider the use of section 12 of the animal rights Act, because it's obvious, throughout the comments made in this Chamber today, that we need urgent action with regard to this, otherwise we will be falling behind other legislatures and Wales will be looked at as an easy option for these circuses. So, I will mention the fact that we will,...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to thank all the Members for their contributions to the debate and, again, to the petitioner for bringing this petition forward. It's obvious by the numbers who have wanted to speak during this debate that there is huge cross-party support for the ban on wild animals in circuses. Paul Davies spoke about it being mixed up with mobile animal exhibits, and he was...
David Rowlands: I would like to formally thank Linda for bringing the petition forward and for prompting the Assembly to consider this important issue. The petition collected a total of 6,398 signatures. Those signatures were collected online and on paper and from across Wales and further afield. Clearly, this is an issue that concerns many people in Wales who object to wild animals being used for the...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm pleased to open this debate on the petition 'Calling on the Welsh Government to ban the use of wild animals in circuses in Wales'. I want to begin by paying tribute to the petitioner, Linda Joyce Jones, whose passion and dedication to this issue and to animal welfare in general has been clear for the committee to see. Members of the Petitions Committee and, indeed, a...
David Rowlands: Thank you for agreeing an intervention, John. Actually, what I'm saying is simply that it is the return of so many prisoners—. And I am absolutely in agreement with all those in this Chamber. Jenny Rathbone spoke about Holland and the way they treat their prisoners. It's the way we treat our prisoners that means they are returning back to prison when they shouldn't be. I am in absolute...
David Rowlands: Well, I'm sorry, David, I'm very au fait with the sentencing guidelines and I can assure you they are there not to send people to prison. I will say here that I have a great deal of sympathy with the views expressed in items 1(b) and 2(b). I believe that there should be a substantial expansion in secure mental facilities as an alternative to normal prisons and that some, but by no means all,...
David Rowlands: Of course.
