David Rowlands: Well, it amazes me—the negativity that so often comes from the other side of this house. We’ve heard many things lauded in this Assembly with regard to the European Union. One of the AMs this morning alluded to the protection for workers within the European Union, and the legislation of the European Union that gave protection to those. You did in fact allude to that. Well, I would like to...
David Rowlands: Sorry, no.
David Rowlands: Whilst my party broadly welcomes the metro project, closer inspection makes it difficult to envisage any real advantage it brings to the conurbations of the eastern Valleys. Could the First Minister comment where, if any, improvements are envisaged to enhance connectivity for this area?
David Rowlands: Will the First Minister provide an update on what is being done to address the working conditions of migrant workers involved in car valeting facilities?
David Rowlands: I want to address just a small part of this project, Cabinet Secretary, and notwithstanding the situation that you’ve outlined, and given that you’ve indicated that the door is always open, I therefore still find it very disappointing that Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council are not offering their support to this prestigious project, especially as this is very much in their catchment...
David Rowlands: I’m sorry, Presiding Officer; I only have a secondary question.
David Rowlands: I do apologise for that.
David Rowlands: Fine. As you haven’t been able to give me an answer on that, can I say that it slightly alters what I’m going to say now? But there is a suggested alternative to the difficulty of constructing a turn-back facility at Newport, which appears to be a major stumbling block, which under the present circumstances will require extensive structural changes. The alternative compromise is that the...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Lywydd. Can I rather belatedly congratulate the Cabinet Secretary on his appointment to what is a very comprehensive portfolio? I’m sure he’ll prove as competent in handling it as he has in his previous roles. I look forward to working in a constructive manner with him as UKIP’s member on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee. The matter that gives rise to my...
David Rowlands: Yes.
David Rowlands: Well, that’s what’s happening. [Interruption.] That’s what’s happening. [Interruption.] It’s a consequence of not having the industry. The answer lies in the fact that, after 17 years of Labour rule in this institution, and for many years with a Labour Government in Westminster, we qualified for those grants—. I’m sorry, I’ll just repeat this, because I was interrupted. We...
David Rowlands: Diolch yn fawr. Well, I have to say that much has been said in this Chamber about the necessity to keep confidence in both the Welsh and the British economy. Well, over the last two weeks since Brexit, anybody who had been listening to the comments in this Chamber would have no confidence whatsoever in our ability as a nation to run a good, confident, expanding economy. It goes without saying...
David Rowlands: Would the First Minister confirm that, and I’m not implying in any way that you were involved, during the 1970s, France and Britain co-operated to build Concorde? I believe it was called ‘entente cordiale’, well before we became members of the EU. The inference of this is, of course, that matters at Airbus will continue unabated and that this debate now is another example of...
David Rowlands: Will the First Minister provide an update on the current situation regarding the construction of the Specialist Critical Care Centre in Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran, which was first announced in 2004?
David Rowlands: Yes, I nominate Mark Reckless.
David Rowlands: Yes, okay.
David Rowlands: Well, I welcome your intervention on that part, but you still seem to be in denial about the reasons why they voted to come out of the European Union. But I think what I’ll go on to say will probably answer the question that you’ve just asked, and that is that I said that the implications of this referendum are far too important for any such indulgence. I put it to you that this is a time...
David Rowlands: First of all, I cannot believe that the Labour Party are still in denial about the true desires and aspirations of the working-class people of Wales. I have to say that they’re talking about just 2 or 4 per cent difference in the ‘in’ and the ‘out’ vote; well, in places such as Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and many other parts of those Welsh Labour strongholds, it was something like 60...
David Rowlands: Much has been made, particularly in this Chamber, of the benefits to Wales of so-called European money. We’ve heard a Member say today that the £10 billion we give to Europe is absolutely inconsequential. But, when a part of that comes back to Wales, they represent it as absolutely crucial to the economy of Wales. So, one thing doesn’t tie up with the other. So, can I seek to enlighten...
David Rowlands: Respect the people on the doorstep, please.
