Joyce Watson: 6. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of The State of Britain's Hedgehogs Report 2018? OAQ51754
Joyce Watson: 5. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the implementation of the landfill disposals tax? OAQ51740
Joyce Watson: In recent years, the sale of puppies and dogs has moved to online sales, and many sick animals have been sold to unsuspecting people. Those sellers are very often not licensed to breed, and they're certainly not putting the welfare of the animals first, but profit. The Blue Cross are calling for a registration and licensing system for anyone breeding or selling animals through any means...
Joyce Watson: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your answer. In November last year, the Welsh Government did announce a £4 million investment to establish four new business hubs. I understand that that will be part-funded by the European regional development fund. Two of the new hubs will be in my constituency: one in north-west Wales and the other in mid Wales. Of course, it's a very welcome investment,...
Joyce Watson: 4. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote entrepreneurship in Mid and West Wales? OAQ51702
Joyce Watson: I think today, whilst we look back, has to be an opportunity for us to pay tribute, not only to those women who delivered the vote, albeit restricted, 100 years ago, but for the struggles that went on and those women who delivered us here to the Assembly. I'm particularly thinking here that it was in 1918 that we had the vote, albeit limited, but it was 1999, 81 years later, that women took...
Joyce Watson: I want to call very briefly for two statements. The first is from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport on emergency vehicle access to Shell Island campsite via Llanbedr airfield. Emergency vehicles have had high-tide access through the Government-owned airfield for more than 50 years, but the tenant, Snowdonia Aerospace LLP, has not guaranteed long-term continued access, putting...
Joyce Watson: I thank you very much for your answer, First Minister, but Wales is home to some incredible wildlife, like the iconic bottlenose dolphin in Cardigan bay, red kites in Powys and other areas, and ospreys in Montgomeryshire. And we are lucky enough to have some fantastic nature reserves, like the Llanelli fowl and wetlands centre, Skomer island, and the Dyfi osprey centre, and many more...
Joyce Watson: 8. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote tourism in Mid and West Wales? OAQ51720
Joyce Watson: I particularly want to welcome the Time to Talk, Listen and Play campaign that was launched last week by Welsh Government. We all know that helping children have an early grasp of language is hugely important not only as they progress through school, but through life and into the workplace. I really am a huge supporter of this programme, because I think that initiatives like this, which...
Joyce Watson: 1. Beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n ei wneud i hybu sgiliau iaith a chyfathrebu ymhlith disgyblion? OAQ51657
Joyce Watson: I'm not going to repeat everything said, but I do welcome the progress, and I'm even old enough to remember the dial-up system in the 1990s. But we did have Openreach at committee stage last week, and I raised the issue about what constitutes a business model for them in terms of new properties. The answer I got was 30 properties. We all know that in rural areas, that in itself is now going...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Siân. Thanks very much for bringing this debate. This figure for local government, the representation of women, is 28 per cent if I remember the figure right. At a time when austerity is hitting really hard, right down to local government budgets, the lack of women around the table in the first place and the serious lack of women driving the economic agendas forward in cabinets is of...
Joyce Watson: We've had this leaked document, we know that it is going to form the basis of a consultation and we know that, within that, there is mention of the closure of Withybush hospital. It has already raised considerable alarm within my constituency, the one that I live in. I think that our job here as politicians is to have a conversation that starts to calm down those fears. Because as I read this...
Joyce Watson: I can, but I can't make people sign up. So, as Commissioner I will join you in your plea for Assembly Members to become dementia friendly, because I think that will not only help us here, but it will help us when we're engaging with people, wherever that might be. There has been a conversation that has started with the Commission's diversity and inclusion team. They've engaged with a dementia...
Joyce Watson: The Commission is committed to ensuring access for all to the Assembly estate and we do continuously review accessibility to all buildings. Equality impact assessments are made before any refurbishment or improvements are carried out, and we always observe legislative requirements and strive for best practice.
Joyce Watson: Before I took this post—the reason for taking this post was because I am really very keen on driving forward equal opportunity in work, whether that's through pay or any other means. I have not actually received any reports that say that we are not paying the living wage. So, if you have a particular case that you want to bring to my attention, I will welcome that. What I have done—and...
Joyce Watson: The Commission has been an accredited living wage employer since December 2012 and requires that all staff employed directly are paid at least the living wage. We also do all that we can to ensure that all staff employed via contractors are paid the living wage as a minimum, by making this a contractual obligation. Our contractors are required to provide evidence that they are up to date with...
Joyce Watson: I actually welcome your interest in this, because it would be to the benefit of everybody if as many people as can actually breastfeed their children wherever they wish to go. As I've said, we've looked at the location of that chair. It hasn't been decided. That's happening in consultation with those people who will want to use that. I think, as part of that consultation, it will necessarily...
Joyce Watson: The Senedd is already recognised as a welcoming place, and it has received awards for the efforts made to cater for the needs of different audiences, including changing facilities. The cafe is now breastfeeding friendly, and there is a sign near the menu that highlights that. There is also a sign on the scanners as you enter the Senedd. A nursing chair has been purchased, and we're...
