Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, will you provide an update on the delivery of the Wales and borders rail franchise?
Paul Davies: First Minister, I received an e-mail last week, and I'm sure that sounds familiar from a leader of the opposition. I received an e-mail from Gill and Antosh, who run a bed-and-breakfast in my own constituency. They have received correspondence from two of their guests about their train journey from Newport to Haverfordwest. Now, the guests had a fantastic time walking our coastal path and...
Paul Davies: I want to start my contribution by saying that we on this side of the Chamber tabled this debate because we believe that the Welsh language is a huge asset for our people and our society. Indeed, the Conservatives have been very supportive of increasing access to the Welsh language over many decades. Wales has a long and rich history, and retaining the Welsh language is part of that. That is...
Paul Davies: Minister, I was pleased to visit a community pharmacy in my constituency earlier this week, and I had a very positive conversation with the pharmacist about the services he offers and indeed some of the challenges he faces as well. One of the issues he raised was the NHS computer system, which is used to store patient information. He feels he's greatly hampered by the long-winded process of...
Paul Davies: Minister, I'm sure you'll agree with me that partnerships between higher education authorities and businesses are critical to ensure that the next generation have the knowledge and right skill sets to enter the workforce, which I'm sure will be very different in 10 years' time, given the adoption of automation and artificial intelligence. Naturally, these changes will require workers...
Paul Davies: Well, this is another health board, First Minister, which is not doing very well, because the accident and emergency waiting times for the health board are 19 per cent below your target—once again, one that has never been met—and complaints about the health board have risen by 29 per cent in 2018. What I find shocking, First Minister, is that Andrew Davies talks about the constant focus...
Paul Davies: First Minister, senior management at Hywel Dda University Health Board have made it absolutely clear in comments today to the press that they are planning to change maternity services at the hospital, and it is a disgrace that the maternity services are being reduced to an on-call, out-of-hours service despite your previous comments that they weren't. Let me remind you what you said to me in...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, can you give us an update on maternity services at Withybush hospital?
Paul Davies: Minister, in order to achieve this ambitious target, I’m sure you would agree that we will need to recruit far more teachers who can speak Welsh and teachers who are able to teach through the medium of Welsh. Unfortunately, the number of students who can teach through the medium of Welsh is at its lowest level for 10 years, and only 10 per cent of applicants are able to do this at the...
Paul Davies: Thank you, Llywydd, and it’s a pleasure to speak on behalf of the Welsh Conservatives in this important debate. May I say, Llywydd, that the creation of a Welsh Youth Parliament is one of the greatest successes of the National Assembly for Wales? It is so important in terms of strengthening the voice of young people here in Wales. I would, first of all, like to thank Members of the Youth...
Paul Davies: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on what further steps the Welsh Government is taking to achieve the target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050? OAQ54097
Paul Davies: First Minister, this is about openness and transparency and how your Government makes sure that information is in the public domain and that our taxpayers' money is being invested appropriately. It's quite clear to me that your Government has failed to listen to the report of the Wales Audit Office in 2016. Three years ago, the auditor general said, on the Wales life sciences investment fund,...
Paul Davies: Well, this has been going on for three years now, First Minister, and we should see that report as soon as possible. And whilst we're talking about Welsh Government's use of taxpayers' money, as you know, First Minister, the Wales life sciences investment fund has a target investment of £100 million to attract and grow life science businesses that are based, or will be based, here in Wales....
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, six weeks ago you stated that your Minister would have no difficulty in publishing the report into Kukd.com. Despite your reassurances to this Chamber, the report hasn't fallen into my hands, as your Minister says the appropriate clearances have not been given. What are the clearances that need to be given, and when will the report be published?
Paul Davies: But surely we should be providing services here in Wales for those young people and we should be offering a wide range of services, including beds as well. So, surely, First Minister, you've got to accept that. Now, further concerns have been raised around patient waiting times with me. A recent Healthcare Inspectorate Wales report found that an average of 57 per cent of patients waited no...
Paul Davies: The First Minister's absolutely right: there are things that can be done better because there are concerns in Wales that there are currently only two child and adolescent mental health services centres open to young people in Wales, only offering a total of 27 beds. Now, the third sector has had their capacity reduced to 12 beds from 24, but due to concerns with standards at the centre back...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, do you believe that healthcare services in Wales are meeting the needs of our young people?
Paul Davies: It is crucially important, I think, that the JMC structure is strengthened for the future, and I also feel that we should reform the committee, and place it on a statutory level, to ensure that the Welsh voice is clearly heard in any future discussions. I think that, in response to the Member for Aberavon, you said that you don't favour placing the JMC on a statutory level. Could you explain...
Paul Davies: Minister, I've raised the issue of Milford Haven train station in my constituency on several occasions with successive Welsh Governments over the years. Now, this train station is being used by an ever-increasing number of cruise ship visitors and tourists each year, and although improvements have been promised in recent years, it's currently deteriorating and in a very poor state of repair....
Paul Davies: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to improve train services in west Wales? OAQ53980
