David Rowlands: Yes, of course.
David Rowlands: It is said that many jobless people are forced to take these zero-hours contracts. I confine myself in this debate to some economic consequences of mass immigration, but it brings in its wake perhaps even more dire abuses than those I seek to outline: people trafficking, sex exploitation, child abuse and even an unbelievable concept in Britain in the twenty-first century—slavery. I have...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. Over the last 17 years, the UK has seen a huge proliferation of zero-hours contracts, rising from under 200,000 in the year 2000 to approaching 1 million today. This unprecedented increase correlates directly to the phenomenon of mass uncontrolled immigration over those years. In truth, ‘zero-hours contract’ is a misnomer—it is not a contract at all. A contract is an...
David Rowlands: I particularly like the Chair’s idea of a panel made up of members from the public, but, of course, the strength in that panel will be in its make-up. It would be very detrimental if it had some political bias. So, would the Chair be able to give us any idea as to how he feels that panel would actually be selected?
David Rowlands: Does the Cabinet Secretary not agree with me that it is vital that the two parties have an effective working relationship if the whole project is to be delivered on time and on budget?
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, this morning the Economy and Infrastructure Committee considered the strategy of the Welsh Government’s proposal to deliver the borders franchise and the metro project. We note that the Welsh Government has adopted the integrated contract approach, meaning, of course, that the rail franchisee—whoever that might be—and the chosen infrastructure company...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, we all welcome your statement this afternoon, but would you not agree that the whole strategy of delivering bus services needs a new and, perhaps, radical approach? Surely, the sight of 50-plus passenger buses often running empty and very often in tandem does not seem economically or environmentally acceptable. We are seeing the rise in community buses,...
David Rowlands: UKIP broadly supports the motion and welcomes the opportunity to take part in this debate. Whilst we recognise the excellent work done by the credit unions and Plaid’s desire to see the remit expanded, we’re not too sure about the aspiration to a Welsh people’s bank, which sounds far too much like an institution from North Korea. But we do acknowledge that it is desirable for there to...
David Rowlands: What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made to ensure that his latest blueprint for change to local governance is fit for purpose?
David Rowlands: We thank the Welsh Government for bringing this debate forward and welcome the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. The Swansea tidal lagoon presents a huge opportunity for the UK and Wales to be at the forefront of this groundbreaking technology. Although the Swansea lagoon is just a pilot project for this industry, we understand that Cardiff is a front-runner in the plans for the...
David Rowlands: Following on from the question from John Griffiths, AM for Newport East, Arriva Trains Wales tell us that the Ebbw Vale line is at full capacity with those wishing to travel to Cardiff. It would seem that only a twin track through to Ebbw Vale would alleviate this problem. Would the First Minister inform us if there are any plans to implement this option?
David Rowlands: Absolutely. I’m sure we all welcome that. We all care passionately about the steel industry and the people it employs in Wales. EU state aid rules only allow state support in such areas as research activities or relief of energy costs of steel companies. We shall support this motion. Thank you.
David Rowlands: I will.
David Rowlands: Well, David, obviously I would argue the fact that it wasn’t European money: it was British money coming back to us after they took something like 50 per cent of it. However, as we know all too well in Wales, the steel industry suffers from energy costs much higher than its competitors, exacerbated of course by the environmental levies, and these, coupled with high business rates, make our...
David Rowlands: One second, Dave, and then of course I will.
David Rowlands: The steel industry should play a large part in retaining and expanding such a skill base.
David Rowlands: UKIP welcomes the UK Government’s Green Paper, ‘Building our Industrial Strategy’. We look forward to the Welsh Government’s plan, which we should have in April. I’ll echo what Russell George has said, and the other people, that we hope it will fit in with the plan of the UK Government. Now, we accept that some progress has been made towards rebalancing the economy since 2010, but...
David Rowlands: What measures are being taken to protect teachers from increasing violence from pupils?
David Rowlands: I’m fortunate enough to be old enough to have heard the promises that took us into the European Union, and I can assure you that the lies that took us into the European Union are greater lies than these lies that have taken us out. [Interruption.] Those lies, like you say they’re lies, that took us out of the European Union pale into insignificance with the lies that took us into the...
David Rowlands: A pleasure. Wales voted to leave the EU. Accept it, embrace it and move forward positively, and trust the Welsh people to deliver. Thank you.
