Russell George: Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. The aim of today’s debate is to recognise the importance of regeneration schemes in enhancing the future prosperity of communities in Wales. We also want to draw out of the Government how it proposes to increase investor confidence for regeneration projects. I know that my colleagues hope to be called with regard to regeneration schemes in north and...
Russell George: As the leader of the opposition said yesterday, there is little evidence that the £100 million business park, which has been announced to soften the blow of the Circuit of Wales disappointment, will create the promised 1,500 jobs or the regeneration of Blaenau Gwent, given the Welsh Government’s track record of creating new jobs in this part of Wales. This is the question: what confidence...
Russell George: I’d like to raise the issue of hotels, in particular, with you Cabinet Secretary. I’d be grateful if you could let me know if you have, or you are prepared to, look at changing regulations into banning designated smoking in hotel rooms. A constituent has raised this issue with me over a large period of time. One, there’s a safety issue, but, two, beyond this statement today, of course,...
Russell George: I’d like to contribute today to this debate very much focusing on higher education and lifelong learning and how that links in with the Welsh economy. But there are two things I would be very keen to know today, and this is one: what course is Darren Millar doing? He told us he’s doing a part-time FE course; he didn’t tell us what he was doing. And, secondly, I would like to know from...
Russell George: Cabinet Secretary, of course, I accept it’s the job of local authorities to encourage residents to recycle their food waste. But can I ask you, Cabinet Secretary, what considerations you’ve given to a national, Wales-wide campaign, to encourage people to think about the way they shop and plan their meals in regard to reducing food waste?
Russell George: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement today. Today’s decision to reject the Circuit of Wales will clearly be disappointing to the people of Blaenau Gwent. It is, I think, incredibly disappointing that it has taken six years and in excess of £9 million of public money for the Cabinet Secretary to reject this project, which of course could have been as significant an investment in...
Russell George: Wales has a largely good record in investing in NHS IT infrastructure. Now, the Welsh Government has outlined aims for a £180 million all-Wales digital services framework. Can I ask the Cabinet Secretary to outline his vision as to how the NHS IT infrastructure will be improved by the scheme, what safeguards he has in place to protect patient confidentiality, especially with regard to...
Russell George: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's support for adult mental health in Montgomeryshire?
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I have two very short and focused questions. Cabinet Secretary, you have confirmed that you will reduce the cap for compensation from £15,000 to £5,000. Now, there will be, of course, some farmers that have invested in high genetic valuables to improve the genetic value and productivity of their herd. How is the Government going to ensure that farmers in this...
Russell George: First Minister, the Welsh Government’s record to date in working to ensure that Welsh firms benefit as much as possible from public procurement issued in Wales is a poor one, I think. As of early 2016, of the 130 Welsh Government corporate procurement contracts awarded since 2011 and worth more than £500,000, just 53 per cent were awarded to Welsh businesses. And nothing highlights this...
Russell George: Will the First Minister make a statement on student finance in Wales?
Russell George: I would like to thank the Minister for her statement today, and to say that the Superfast Cymru project has undoubtedly improved the availability of fibre broadband across Wales, and this is very much to be welcomed. However, it is undeniable that the Welsh Government have failed to deliver on their 2011 commitment to—and I quote—ensure that ‘all residential premises and businesses in...
Russell George: Thank you, First Minister. I’m sure you will agree that the Newtown bypass will provide an opportunity to develop a meaningful active travel network for Newtown. Regrettably, Powys County Council were recently unsuccessful in securing funding from the local transport fund, which would have gone some way to securing the town’s aspirations to be an active travel town. Now, I understand the...
Russell George: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on the development of an active travel network in Montgomeryshire? OAQ(5)0653(FM)
Russell George: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your answer, which I very, very much welcome. The Newtown bypass is a huge opportunity for Newtown in mid Wales and I’m keen that Newtown town centre is supported when the bypass is completed. Now, there is an area of land owned by Powys County Council and used as a car park in the town centre, but due to an historical clawback provision the area has not...
Russell George: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement about assets owned by local authorities? OAQ(5)0134(FLG)
Russell George: Leader of the house, a couple of weeks ago here in Plenary, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure agreed to publish the Welsh Government’s response to the UK Government’s industrial strategy. Please can you confirm when it will be published?
Russell George: You may recall there was a vote on this, and this group here supported in favour of the motion that you put forward on this.
Russell George: Read it, then.
Russell George: Would you accept that in the Conservative—in Theresa May’s—manifesto, she made an absolute, clear commitment on the Severn crossing, but that Labour—. In Jeremy Corbyn’s manifesto, all that was said in there was—there was a light, ‘We’ll try and work with the Welsh Government’. Don’t you accept there’s a much firmer, cast-iron guarantee commitment in Theresa May’s...
