Mike Hedges: 6. What representations has the Counsel General made to the UK Government regarding the impact on Wales of the proposed changes to the civil litigation and small claims courts? OAQ(5)0008(CG)
Andrew RT Davies: ...said that it was completely unreasonable to request that for businesses, and ultimately the Welsh Government, time and time again, turned a deaf ear to those pleas—pleas that were underpinned by representations made by the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, the Confederation of British Industry and many businesses and chambers of commerce around Wales. And yet...
Steffan Lewis: ...will cost up to 40 per cent more than the Welsh alternative constructed in Gwent. Can we have a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for the economy or, indeed, the First Minister, to hear what representations have been made by Welsh Government to the MOD regarding this process, and the attempts made by the Welsh Government to secure a level playing field in this particular case?
Carwyn Jones: I know that the Minister is looking at this very carefully. She has received representations, I know, from constituency members and concern will be expressed from us as a Government along the lines that I’ve just mentioned.
Carwyn Jones: The Member knows full well that it’s a local authority decision, and he should direct his anger at the local authority and not at Welsh Government. He knows full well that Welsh Government only intervenes under certain circumstances. I wonder if he has made those representations to the local authority; I’m sure his constituents would want to find out. But, generally, as the education...
Steffan Lewis: ...address all injustices against the miners and their families, including the issue of the miners’ pension surplus. Neil Hamilton was right to point out that miners paid into this scheme, and it is not an act of charity for them to benefit from that scheme: the money belongs to miners and their families. Jeremy Miles put the key question, which is at the heart of this whole debate: what is...
Paul Davies: ...part in this very important debate today and I move amendment 1 tabled in my name. Of course, securing and protecting pensions is of the utmost importance to ensure that people are rewarded and not disadvantaged following the end of their careers. Therefore, it’s important that former mineworkers’ pensions are protected and that any arrangements with the UK Government are appropriate,...
Carl Sargeant: ...where it also touches other areas, such as Communities for Work and the Lift programme. I’m very keen that we are able to present a resilient communities programme as we move forward, and I’m not in a position currently to make that decision. However, I’ve noted the Member’s comments, the strong discussions that we’ve had, and the representations that he’s made, and I will give...
Joyce Watson: ...Westminster Government has now budgeted an additional £104 million to help recruit 2,500 new prison staff, and some prison reform, and I hope in a way that that will help. But my question is: what representation has the Welsh Government made to the Westminster Government in terms of our Barnett consequential and how that might help us here in Wales in picking up the pieces of their mess?
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...: because the Welsh Government is so focused on biodiversity, could she give some assurance to us today that, at the forthcoming Cancun convention on biological diversity, there will be a strong representation from the Welsh Government there, either in person, ideally, or, if not, by senior officials?
Joyce Watson: ...and informative paper, and, most importantly, to recognise the thousands of dedicated, passionate volunteers who, through their love of nature, donate their time. Without their help, we would not be as well informed about the state of nature in Wales and this would make it incredibly difficult to know where intervention is most needed. The report does give us a stark insight into...
Carl Sargeant: As I responded to the others, I refer the Member to my previous response to the Members. It is a matter for individuals to make representation as the elected Members representing those bodies. I would advise the Member to write directly to the Ministry in order to make her representation known.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I think we all hear what you’re saying, Cabinet Secretary, in that Assembly Members, of course, have made their voices heard. But, whilst this is not a devolved matter, and we also accept that point, it is quite appropriate for the Government to make its opinions known and to make representations to UK Government on non-devolved matters. Would the Cabinet Secretary agree with me on that?
Carl Sargeant: ...brought it to my attention during this debate and earlier. However, this isn’t the responsibility of Welsh Government—it’s a matter for the Home Office, and therefore Members must make their representation to the Home Office for them to make the appropriate decision. It’s not normal practice for the Welsh Government to make representation for individual cases here in Wales.
Carl Sargeant: We’re very grateful for the comments by Jenny, and I know Julie Morgan and Lynne Neagle have also made representation to me. I am sympathetic to the case, but I am not the decision maker here, and I am sure the Member is aware of that. The process here is a clear one, whereby representation needs to be made to the Home Secretary, which I know that Members have done in this Chamber. It is...
Carl Sargeant: I understand that many elected Members have made representations, to which the Home Secretary is answerable, and they’ve made a strong case. Indeed, the Cardiff MPs have done so, and they made a strong case representing Mr Naderi’s case and I hope the Home Secretary will take notice of the views expressed here and amongst the wider Welsh public. However, immigration policy is not devolved...
Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for his question. I am sympathetic to the circumstances of this case, but immigration is not a devolved issue and it’s not the Welsh Government’s practice to make representation on individual cases. I know that Assembly Members have made representation to the Home Office, and others may wish to join them in this.
Vikki Howells: ..., which includes my constituency, 28.1 per cent of four- to five-year-olds, the second highest in Wales, are overweight or obese, and there is a pressing need to take action. Will the Minister make representations to the UK Government that the proposals contained in their action plan are inadequate and need urgent revisiting to give children in my constituency and across Wales the...
Rebecca Evans: ...standards might be and what orders might involve in the future. So, obviously, changes will be decided at UK Government level, but we’ll be keen to have our input into that and to make strong representations. We have provided local authorities and health boards with funding over the past three years in order to try and have them fulfil their legal obligations with regard to those...
Neil McEvoy: In light of the imminent possible removal of Bashir Naderi from the UK next Tuesday, will the Minister consider making representations to stop this from happening? EAQ(5)0063(CC)
