Darren Millar: What action is the Welsh Government taking to monitor the quality of public services delivered across Wales?
Darren Millar: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. As you will know, people across Wales have been coming together over the past four years to mark the centenary of the events of the first world war, and I want to pay tribute to your Government for its Cymru'n Cofio Wales Remembers programme, which I think has been exceptionally good and has helped to focus the attention of the nation on what are...
Darren Millar: 5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s commemorative programme in relation to the anniversary of the end of the first world war? OAQ52667
Darren Millar: Will you take an intervention?
Darren Millar: Will you agree with me, Cabinet Secretary, that the UK Prime Minister was treated utterly disrespectfully in Salzburg last week, and that she is absolutely trying to defend the best interests of this country, including the protection of the United Kingdom, which, of course, is absolutely essential? You will be aware that there have only been two deals that have been presented, if you like, as...
Darren Millar: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the maintenance of the trunk road network?
Darren Millar: Can I call for three statements from the leader of the house today on behalf of the Government? The first is in relation to the trunk road network and its maintenance. The leader of the house will be aware that there have been significant delays on the A55 in north Wales recently, in my own constituency, as a result of roadworks that have caused a closure in Llanddulas. The tailbacks have...
Darren Millar: I too, Presiding Officer, also want to rise in support of Jack's calls for a kinder politics here in Wales, which respects the dignity of every human being. After all, we're all equal, we're all made in the image of God, and we all have a right, I think, to be heard. We forget sometimes, I think, and lose ourselves in the theatre that is this Assembly Chamber. I would be the first one to...
Darren Millar: I would be the first person in this Chamber to acknowledge the hard work of teachers across Wales, who do their best to support learners to achieve their potential. I want to congratulate as well those young people across Wales, including my own daughter and my own son, who managed to get decent grades in their GCSEs and A-levels this year. I also think it's appropriate to thank the school...
Darren Millar: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for responding to our debate, although, obviously, I disagree, largely, with what she said? Our debate, of course, was opened by Suzy Davies, our new spokesperson in this role, and I thought she did an excellent job, despite the disparaging view of the Cabinet Secretary. I certainly welcome her to the role and know that...
Darren Millar: Thank you for that answer, health Secretary, but one thing you didn't mention was the quality of accommodation for NHS staff, which is very often provided by health boards. The feedback I've received from north Wales staff in recent months has been that the quality of accommodation is absolutely appalling and does discourage people from coming to try working in that part of the country. So,...
Darren Millar: That's the first time that's ever happened. [Laughter.]
Darren Millar: You're too kind—[Interruption.] [Laughter.]
Darren Millar: Come on, you've done enough damage to my reputation. Please move on. [Laughter.]
Darren Millar: 5. What action is the Welsh Government taking to address recruitment challenges in the Welsh NHS? OAQ52575
Darren Millar: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for the advance copy of his statement that I received this afternoon? But I have to say I'm absolutely none the wiser as to why he's actually made it, because, of course, it has simply been a repetition of the kind of diatribe that we've been used to expecting in recent months, particularly as the election for the leadership of the Labour party moves forward...
Darren Millar: Can I thank the Member for his praise for the overseas offices that in previous years we were roundly criticised for opening? But I welcome the conversion. The National Procurement Service has, for some years now, provided an excellent service for businesses to take advantage of procurement opportunities. We've seen, for example, the amount of locally procured services increase in local...
Darren Millar: First Minister, would you agree with me that Wales needs to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Brexit, as well as dealing with the potential adverse consequences? One of those opportunities, in addition to the overseas trade opportunities—which you've already identified, to be fair, as a Government, and you've invested in your overseas offices—is changes to the procurement...
Darren Millar: I just want to pay my tribute as well to the work of Huw Vaughan Thomas for the eight years that he served as auditor general. Six of those he spent with me as the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, and I have to say that he was always extremely professional. He maintained absolutely his independence, and of course he pulled no punches in the reports that he published. Many of those...
Darren Millar: Thank you for your answer to Lynne Neagle. I think it is important that this is widely promoted across the country, and that we don't just leave it down to local authorities, particularly over a summer period when many families may be less able to communicate directly with schools about the availability of support. Can I ask you, Cabinet Secretary—? We have another budget round coming up....
