David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, we constantly hear from the First Minister that we need to remain in the single market and the customs union. Do you agree with the situation that, regardless of the booming markets outside the European Union, that is the case?
David Rowlands: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's priorities for developing businesses in Wales?
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I start by fully endorsing all the sentiments expressed so eloquently by Dai Lloyd earlier on? As a sitting magistrate for 13 years, I saw the devastating effect that drugs and alcohol can have on individuals' lives and, very often, those individuals came from chaotic backgrounds and really did not have the sort of start in life that most of us enjoyed. Therefore,...
David Rowlands: [Inaudible.]
David Rowlands: I'm appalled that you don't take these figures. These are figures that I have investigated and are in the local and national press at all times. All the figures can be verified, I can assure you.
David Rowlands: I am, indeed, yes. I'm sorry, Dirprwy Lywydd; I thought Joyce had indicated that she would like some time to speak.
David Rowlands: I am, in this case.
David Rowlands: The situation was vastly exacerbated with the accession of the east European states to the EU. Estimates of the likely numbers expected to come to the UK were often quoted as just tens of thousands. These have proved to be totally inadequate. We now have more than 4 million from eastern Europe in the UK. These are official figures and mask a huge underbelly of illegal immigrants who, being...
David Rowlands: In Plenary, a few days before recess, the First Minister said that leaving Europe would raise the cost of food for us in Wales. Well, perhaps the next time you shred the cabbage for Sunday lunch, or dice the carrots, you should spare a thought for the human cost of putting these and many other products on your table. I want you to picture a scene at a BP petrol station. It's 4.00 a.m. on a...
David Rowlands: I thank the First Minister for that confirmation because, First Minister, we've seen a number of instances where companies involved in the opencast industry have failed to honour their obligation to reinstate sites, either partially or wholly, once activities have ceased. It seems incredible, then, that the company previously owning Ffos-y-fran opencast in Merthyr has been allowed to rescind...
David Rowlands: 10. Will the First Minister confirm that it is the policy of the Welsh Government not to allow any new opencast developments in Wales? OAQ51261
David Rowlands: Can I thank the committee Chair for his statement and, indeed, the honesty of his report? In 2001, the Welsh Government launched its regeneration strategy for the south Wales Valleys. Amongst the many initiatives envisaged the flagship proposal was the Communities First programme. This, as the name suggests, was to be a communities-based set of interventions that were designed to eradicate...
David Rowlands: Whilst we in UKIP recognise that the public sector pay cap must be brought to an end and all employees, not just a chosen few, should be paid commensurate with their work grades, we also believe that there are huge opportunities to avoid the high levels of waste in some parts of the public sector. Bureaucracy and waste are still prevalent in the NHS and, in some instances, could be said to be...
David Rowlands: Well, I thank the First Minister for his observation, but the latest figures show that immigrant workers from the EU amount to just 1.55 per cent of employees in NHS Wales, and, given that the Welsh population of immigrants from the EU amounts to 3.3 per cent, it would seem that controls on immigration may well have a positive effect on our health service. But, I have previously brought to...
David Rowlands: 7. What assessment has the First Minister made of the impact that any changes to immigration controls following Brexit will have on the NHS in Wales? (OAQ51229)
David Rowlands: I thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. I’m sure that you’ll agree with me that we in Wales are proud of our armed forces and the work they do on our behalf. We must remember it is the politicians who sent them into conflict, therefore it’s incumbent upon politicians to ensure they’re looked after when they leave the service. Even given all the interventions that I know the...
David Rowlands: Cabinet Secretary, following on from the comments earlier, I’m sure you’re aware of the potential for conflict that free access to Wales’s waterways may bring between those who use them in differing ways, in particular anglers and canoeists. I would say that David Rees is quite right in that if we can get some consultation between these two groups, that’s the best way forward....
David Rowlands: 5. Will the Cabinet Secretary outline the Welsh Government’s priorities for ex-service people in Wales, following his discussions with the armed services expert group? (OAQ51192)
David Rowlands: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the funding barriers preventing renewable energy from reaching its potential in Wales?
David Rowlands: UKIP fully supports and applauds the Welsh Government’s strategies on recycling in Wales, and acknowledges the outstanding progress made so far. There is, of course, more to do if we are to achieve the ambitious target set for the next few years. Given that the Welsh public has, to a great extent, taken on board the whole concept of recycling, is it now time that the Welsh Government began...
