Mark Reckless: Does the Counsel General recognise that that Supreme Court judgment cut across the previous position, as put forward by the Welsh Government and, indeed, the First Minister? I recall him in this Chamber telling us of the importance to vote for the LCM on the Wales Bill, because it would put Sewel into statute and, as in Scotland, we would benefit from having that statutory underpinning of the...
Mark Reckless: Does the Cabinet Secretary agree we should invest more in rail as well as road to drive that economic development? Since new stations at Llanwern and St Mellons will change the pattern of mainline services, does he agree a new station at Magor could complement this? With campaigners meeting the Department for Transport and Network Rail tomorrow, will he consider matching the £80,000 that...
Mark Reckless: 9. What is the Welsh Government doing to maximise the economic development benefits that will flow to south-east Wales following the UK Government’s confirmation that the Severn bridge tolls will be abolished during 2018? (OAQ51158)
Mark Reckless: Is he really saying that the entire problem we have with workforce planning and shortages in the NHS, including GPs in Wales, is due to a period of seven years from 1990 to 1997?
Mark Reckless: Will the Member give way?
Mark Reckless: I move the amendment in the name of Paul Davies. When I raised NHS work planning two weeks ago at First Minister’s questions, I questioned why, after 20 years of Labour running Wales, there are still Welsh Government reports that say substantial work is needed for medical recruitment and retention to be fit for purpose. The First Minister didn’t answer me then, and the Cabinet Secretary...
Mark Reckless: I note, also, that the Cabinet Secretary has been advertising for non-executive members of the board for this health authority and did quite a lot of work in terms of these reports from Mel Evans and Professor Williams that we had before. I just wonder if he can say what he is doing to ensure that the board will operate truly independently at arm’s length from Welsh Government, and also to...
Mark Reckless: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the establishment of Health Education and Improvement Wales as a special health authority? (OAQ51095)
Mark Reckless: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the value placed on the Welsh baccalaureate by universities in England?
Mark Reckless: What is the Welsh Government doing to maximise the benefits that will flow to Wales following the UK Government's confirmation that the Severn Bridge tolls will be abolished during 2018?
Mark Reckless: When I last questioned the Cabinet Secretary on this, the UK Government had guaranteed payments to 2020. They’ve now guaranteed them until at least 2022. So, I hope that she will welcome that. And also, when she has discussions with the UK Government around the complex area of how devolution works post Brexit and what areas of agriculture should be determined here and what the UK framework...
Mark Reckless: The First Minister has, though, it seems, had discussions with the First Minister of Scotland and development of joint strategy and approach with the Scottish Government. Does the First Minister not appreciate that Wales voted ‘leave’ in the referendum? He said himself that had a lot to do with free movement of people, yet his document here is supporting free movement of people in all but...
Mark Reckless: 3. What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government regarding the Welsh Government's 'Brexit and Fair Movement of People' policy document? (OAQ51052)
Mark Reckless: It’s a pleasure to respond to the penultimate motion of the term. Given the importance of the Wales Audit Office and its board and robust governance, I think it’s important we give this consideration. I am pleased that the Finance Committee hasn’t just nodded through the reappointment of three members and a chair. The legal provision for the members is that they’re allowed two...
Mark Reckless: Unlike the other members of the board, there is express provision allowing the chair’s term to be extended, and, given the turnover of members, I do agree it is appropriate for that chair’s term to be extended, and also note that it’s only been extended for three years, rather than four. So, nothing is taken for granted, and that also ensures an appropriate rotation of members of the...
Mark Reckless: Will the Member give way?
Mark Reckless: In introducing this debate, the Chair of the committee said that he found this quite extraordinary: what had happened at NRW. Is the Member saying that, conversely, in his view, he thinks this is fairly normal behaviour across the public sector in Wales?
Mark Reckless: The Public Accounts Committee concluded that RIFW and Welsh Government lost the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds. Yet, the Welsh Government has claimed it’s not possible to demonstrate that land was sold under value. In responding to the PAC, Welsh Government confirmed that a legal process had been initiated, and said further legal steps were under review. Will the First Minister confirm...
Mark Reckless: Is the Counsel General aware that Lord Kerr’s own record of involvement and support for the European Union is almost as lengthy as Eluned Morgan, and perhaps his view on the revocability or otherwise of article 50 might be seen in that light. I was disappointed that the Counsel General was drawn rather further on his second response than he was in the first, because isn’t it the case that...
Mark Reckless: Will the Member give way? If all this is as positive as she describes, why not just publish the information so the public can see how much of this time is given?
