David Melding: Minister, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health recommends more 20 mph zones around green spaces so that children can walk, cycle and play safely, and also access those spaces more safely. I'm particularly concerned about the lack of access to green spaces for children who live in relatively more deprived areas. We need an action plan to ensure that children do have access to safe...
David Melding: Two weeks ago, I was with British Gas to discuss the roll-out of smart meters in Wales; 47,000 now have been installed in homes in South Wales Central. They're part of the solution. Obviously, as a more informed consumer, you can observe the impact of your energy consumption. Of course, when combined with better insulation, it can be a key factor in reducing energy poverty. So, I would like...
David Melding: 4. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the impact that smart meters are having on combating fuel poverty in Wales? OAQ51750
David Melding: What additional financial provision has been made to the energy, planning and rural affairs portfolio to support national parks in Wales?
David Melding: It's for you to decide, I think, who—
David Melding: I am likely to be making some amendments, basically reflecting what both committees have said, and I'm a member also of CLAC, but in no way will we—well, on this side of the house—put ourselves in a position where we're not able to make the necessary adjustments. Because any restriction on the borrowing capacity of housing associations would deliver a real blow to the targets we currently...
David Melding: You will recall, Presiding Officer, that Carl Sargeant and I often clashed on the right to buy—and, it has to be said, on some other housing matters as well—but on this, we were in agreement. And can I welcome his son, Jack, to the Chamber this afternoon? Your father was held in great affection and respect on this side. He was a truly worthy and powerful opponent. I suppose I ought to...
David Melding: No, not all.
David Melding: Can I also join with other Members in congratulating Laura McAllister and the panel for producing an authoritative report? I think it stands comparison with anything you'd see produced in other parts of the United Kingdom and it stands in a proud tradition of constitutional reporting that we've had in our history of devolution. Perhaps we've had to do a lot of the thinking along the...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, can I say I've not seen such an elegant button hole since William Graham was a regular in the Chamber? You will be aware that the 2016 Tour of Britain event was a huge success for the Cynon valley, not only its economic benefits, but also for the promotion of cycling. I know it's at the elite level, but the rest of us can take inspiration. I believe the 2018 route is...
David Melding: Can I welcome the fact that the Welsh Government is now moving to adopt a housing first policy, or at least to extensively pilot it? It's something the Welsh Conservatives have been urging for some time, and I'm pleased to see it. I do have some specific questions, however. First of all, how many of the pilots will be on a county basis, or are they on a smaller scale? I think we need to know...
David Melding: Then Mick said that the practice for existing leaseholders needs to be examined. Again, I think the Minister did indicate that that's a real concern. So, I thought, in general, where you started is where the other Members then took us in more detail, and then the Minister broadly, I thought, did reply to most of the points. Janet Finch-Saunders mentioned the action, or the intentions, that...
David Melding: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I just say that serving in the fifth Assembly is a great honour? When I compare it to the fourth Assembly, two things stand out: (1) the Deputy Presiding Officer's got much better—[Interruption.] Yes, we're very lucky. But, secondly, the way these debates are being used has brought a new dimension and a new power to the backbenches. Using this...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, such is the plentitude, if I can put it that way, of gambling opportunities that we hear today that 16 per cent of children aged 11 to 15 gambled in the past week. I do find that quite shocking. I should say that I do gamble occasionally. But we've got a real problem with gambling addiction, and now we hear from the chief medical officer that it is one of the major public...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, I have for many years been a member of the governing body of Meadowbank Special School, which is a school that delivers educational services for children with speech and language learning difficulties. It's been at its site in Gabalfa for over 40 years and was foremost in developing best practice in this area, not least with its parents and teachers doing so much to...
David Melding: There's much in this statement that I generally welcome. I realise that we've got a few months ahead of us before the legislation is brought into the Assembly, so I do hope the Cabinet Secretary is in listening mode. And, myself, I think extending the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds will allow us to spend more time on discussing education, particularly for the under-18s. I don't think we do...
David Melding: First Minister, you would probably have heard that Afasic Cymru, which is the charity that supports parents with children who have speech and language learning difficulties. The charity is closing its Cardiff office tomorrow and will close its north Wales office at the end of March. This is a charity that has very deep roots in south Wales, founded over 40 years ago. We'll continue to have a...
David Melding: 5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the support that is available for children and young people with additional learning needs in Wales? OAQ51687
David Melding: I'm unsure whether you're arguing for the aid budget to be used in a different way or whether you want to cut the aid budget. Because your colleague sat next to you often tells us how you'd like that part of the UK's budget to be cut dramatically.
David Melding: No, we don't.
