Mike Hedges: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. First of all, can I thank Simon Thomas, not only for introducing the debate, but for going around and getting people to sign up for it? Because it really is important that we do start debating issues like this. ‘Reduce carbon use by 80 per cent’—that’s a tremendous aim. How are we going to do it? Well, it’s got to be personal contributions, I...
Mike Hedges: I also very much warmly welcome the introduction of this first committee-generated Bill. Eighteen years after we voted for devolution we’ve now got a Bill being introduced by an Assembly committee. I think that’s a huge piece of progress. I was part of the Finance Committee in the fourth Assembly, and can I join with Simon Thomas in paying credit to Jocelyn Davies for the work she did as...
Mike Hedges: What are the Cabinet Secretary’s priorities for public health in Wales?
Mike Hedges: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the number of GCSE entries in year 10 and year 11?
Mike Hedges: Four very quick points. First thing: this has proven the benefits of the Finance Committee reviewing the cost of legislation. Second: cost is important, and the real key is distinguishing between cashable costs and nominal costs. I think that’s where the Bill went wrong. It didn’t have the wrong numbers, but you couldn’t actually make some of the savings within the Bill that were being...
Mike Hedges: Can I first of all thank the Cabinet Secretary for his speech and what he said to us today? I think the direction that he’s laid out is one that is for the benefit of the people of Wales. And I think that, sometimes, we all must remember this: that we may come here and bring our egos out, to make ourselves feel good, but the reality is that what we’re here for is to benefit all the people...
Mike Hedges: Hasn’t the Conservative Government in Westminster already lost its AAA rating?
Mike Hedges: First of all, can I agree with everything Joyce Watson has said and thank her for allowing me a minute in this debate, but, more importantly, for raising this incredibly important issue? I want to highlight the importance of trees and bushes. Can I start with a short anecdote? There was a house in my constituency that had never had a problem with water, but, one year, the front step turned...
Mike Hedges: Will the Member give way?
Mike Hedges: Can I just say that the reason the tidal lagoon wasn’t brought in by a Labour Government is that it hadn’t been thought about back in the time of the Labour Government? But the real problem with suffering in Wales is Tory austerity from Westminster. Don’t you agree with that?
Mike Hedges: Thank you. Tabernacle Chapel has been voted Wales’s favourite church or chapel. The Cymru Sanctaidd—Sacred Wales competition was launched by broadcaster and journalist and vice-president of the National Churches Trust, Huw Edwards, in July of this year. He called on the public to vote for their favourite church or chapel in Wales. Tabernacle Chapel has today been revealed as the winner,...
Mike Hedges: There are many budget review techniques that are available to look at budgets. Has the finance Secretary considered introducing zero-based budgeting to functional areas so people have to re-prove the need for some of the expenditure that’s taking place?
Mike Hedges: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on private finance initiative schemes within Welsh public services?
Mike Hedges: I welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s statement on energy. I know that burning carbon creates carbon dioxide. I also know that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Thus, we need to reduce our use of carbon-based fuels and reduce our carbon dioxide production, unless we want to be wading in here up to our knees in water. So, I welcome the proposed target for Wales to be generating 70 per cent of...
Mike Hedges: I want to ask for two Government statements. Firstly, as we know, not just in Cambridge and around major American universities, but in European cities such as Aarhus in Denmark and Mannheim in Germany, the university sector acts as an economic driver. Can I ask that the Welsh Government makes a statement on how it sees the university sector in Wales helping create wealth in Wales, either via...
Mike Hedges: Will the First Minister make a statement on the role of universities in developing the Welsh economy?
Mike Hedges: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. It’s very difficult being fourth to speak and the third person who went on a visit and trying to say different things. I will endeavour to do so, and if I don’t I’m sure you’ll tell me. Firstly, can I thank Simon Thomas for his statement on the Finance Committee’s visit to Edinburgh? I think the one thing we’re going to have to start getting to...
Mike Hedges: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I just want to raise three very brief points. First, I welcome the decision of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government to produce a first supplementary budget for scrutiny by the Finance Committee. I strongly agree with the Finance Committee’s recommendation, and what’s been said by Nick Ramsay and Simon Thomas, that: ‘Whilst the changes in...
Mike Hedges: Sometimes, as people argue over structures and powers, the reason for local government is often forgotten: to provide high-quality, cost-effective local services; to react to local need; to do all of the above with a democratic, local accountability. On community and town councils, will the same powers be given to all community and town councils, irrespective of size, and what happens in...
Mike Hedges: As everyone is aware, the fatal fire in Grenfell Tower that killed at least 80 people was caused initially by a fire that started in an electrical item. Can I ask for a Government statement on electrical safety, including proposals for tests for white goods, especially in high-rise flats, but I think that all white goods—? Can I just remind the leader of the house that any item taken into...
