David Rowlands: The reason that we’re having this funding is that Wales is still seen as a very poor country in Europe after 17 years of a Labour Government in Wales.
David Rowlands: It’s quoted in ‘The Times’ today, Sir. It’s showing utter contempt for the British working classes. But, of course, what they don’t understand is that the British people did understand what they were voting for, and that’s precisely why they voted Brexit. It is time this Chamber took a positive stance on the UK’s exit from the European superstate. Every single prediction of...
David Rowlands: It seems as if they are willing things to go wrong, even if it means a disaster for the working classes—
David Rowlands: Yes.
David Rowlands: Of course, and more. [Interruption.] And more. [Interruption.] You can almost hear them saying, ‘Serve them right for daring to vote against we, the intellectual elite.’ Don’t they understand that it’s we who know what’s best for them? Or, as one of them said, ‘Why should the pond life that dragged itself from the estates to the ballot box be allowed to ruin everything for the...
David Rowlands: I think we will carry on. If you’d like to make an interjection, by all means, Eluned, you can.
David Rowlands: But perhaps we had better put the European funding into perspective. Again, in a response to this report, the Government states that we get just £370 million per annum across all EU funding arrangements. This pales into insignificance when compared to UK funding, even under the flawed Barnett formula, which sees Wales benefit to the sum of over £14 billion per year. This means that the UK...
David Rowlands: HM Treasury has guaranteed to underwrite all European structural and investment fund projects approved or due to be approved during the ordinary course of business before the UK exits the EU. This guarantee also covers the common agricultural policy, the European territorial corporation programmes, including the Ireland-Wales programme, and the funding awards under the EU’s directly managed...
David Rowlands: Well, of course, that’s why we’re saying that we’re not going to have free access to the European market. It’s typical, I’m afraid, of the attitudes of those who were against Brexit to try and bring out all the negative possibilities from us coming out of the European Union. That’s an example of exactly what I’m saying. We now understand, from sources in the European Parliament,...
David Rowlands: Yes, of course.
David Rowlands: Can I thank Jeremy Miles and the other AMs who brought forward this very important debate? UKIP acknowledges the huge contribution our coastline contributes to the prosperity of Wales and, as has been mentioned earlier, its future of potential with regard to the Swansea and subsequent lagoon projects. Of course, much of our tourist industry is linked to the quality of our coastal waters....
David Rowlands: First Minister, I’m given to understand that there are at present 175 businesses on waiting lists for council-owned units in Caerphilly, some for up to five years. Can you therefore indicate whether there are any Government plans to help councils like Caerphilly construct new units to accommodate such surpluses, given the fact that, obviously, these companies have the potential have to...
David Rowlands: Much of what I say will echo comments by other members of the committee, but it does no harm to reiterate some of those points. Firstly, I confirm that the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, recognises and welcomes the formation of a commission that will provide expert, professional and, above all, independent advice to the Government of Wales. As a member of that committee, I’m...
David Rowlands: Cabinet Minister, I understand that Loganair has operated a successful operation connecting the Orkney islands to Kirkwall on the Scottish mainland for some eight years. Would the Cabinet Secretary consider looking at the model used for this service, given the collapse of the third operator on the north Wales-to-Cardiff route? And will he also consider the use of Hawarden aerodrome as an...
David Rowlands: I thank the First Minister for his answer. I think all in the Chamber welcome the huge improvement in the airport’s performance since the Government’s intervention. But does the First Minister not agree that a rail link will greatly enhance its appeal to the international traveller and give it a competitive edge over other local airports? So, can he tell us why this has not been included...
David Rowlands: 2. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government's plans to improve access to Cardiff airport? OAQ(5)0494(FM)
David Rowlands: Back to the debate, please, if we can. First of all, I’d like to take up with Russell George, who says that it helps some people that they would prefer to be in this type of zero-hours contract. The truth of the matter, actually, Russell, is that it’s the employer who usually sets the times and number of hours and not the employee unfortunately. I want to take up with Jenny Rathbone,...
David Rowlands: Yes, of course.
David Rowlands: Yes, and I’m absolutely certain that if I went through any of the parties’ manifestos in this Chamber—every one of the parties—we would be able to punch huge holes in them as well. But anyway, back to—[Interruption.]
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. First of all, I want to take up two points, one by Julie Morgan and the other by Bethan Jenkins, when they said it’s ironic we should bring this debate to the Chamber. Well, it’s not ironic at all. We’re the only party in this Chamber that has consistently tried to protect British workers from exploitation, and this whole fact of the zero-hour contract shows that we were...
