Huw Irranca-Davies: We note very much—everybody in the Chamber notes—that the First Minister is not ruling out a continuity Bill, although perhaps we should call it the great continuity Bill; if there can be a great repeal Bill, there can be a great continuity Bill. But it should be there as a backstop, because surely the first thing we need to do is to see whether the UK Government is genuine in its desire,...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I just want to speak up for the northern valleys of the Ogmore constituency. We have four valleys, many of which will benefit from better public transport in terms of faster buses, cheaper ticketing, joined-up ticketing, but particularly the Llynfi valley. I wonder: what is the view of the First Minister on the importance of the Maesteg to Cheltenham, as it now is, main line—or community...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Could I ask one very straightforward question based on the contributions already from opposition spokesmen? Has the Prime Minister given any guarantee at all on funding for agriculture and rural development up until 2020, and that that funding would be passed for Wales? And my second question is: in response to the comments last week by one of the prime ‘leave’ campaigners—now somewhat...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Surely, Cabinet Secretary, one of the other ways of improving access to GPs is to reduce unnecessary burdens, and I’ve seen first hand the tremendous work of community pharmacists in my own constituency dealing with, for example, minor ailments. So, I wonder what hope he holds out that the Choose Pharmacy platform, where patients can, with some knowledge, actually access community...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m delighted to say a few very short words here today. I made the mistake on the committee of acknowledging some familiarity with the Farriers Registration Council, and, for my sins, the Chair graciously said, ‘Well, you can say a few words.’ He’d be more than capable himself. But I only want to touch on a few things. As we’ve just heard, this...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would—?
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for giving way. In discussing marine plans, and I’m conscious that we do have time because I can see some colleagues complaining about the way that we do it. Could I ask him—? In bringing forward those marine plans, to do it on an all-Wales basis is quite ambitious and I wonder whether, in consulting on it, both he and the Cabinet Secretary for the...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would you give way?
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you. I speak as a former fisheries Minister, and I share some of the frustrations. But could I point out to her that before 2010, we were starting to move towards regional seas management, for example in the North sea, and the cod population there, after using the science, is now actually starting to recover? But could I urge her to be chastened against suggesting that we should go back...
Huw Irranca-Davies: So, my question would be: would she say, regardless of exiting the EU, we actually need to work with other nations, come what may, to avoid that gunboat diplomacy?
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would the Member give way?
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you. I thank Vikki for giving way, and congratulate her and other colleagues, and Jeremy, for introducing this. Would she agree with me that because of the potential, the very potential of the renewable energy sector, whether it’s tidal lagoons, whether it’s other floor-bed renewables and so on, but also dredging, pipe laying et cetera, in concert with taking forward the potential...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Diolch, Lywydd, and before commencing, can I give my apologies to you and fellow Members, and to the Minister as well, for being slightly late and missing his very opening remarks? I was taken aback by the progress we’ve made this afternoon. So, my apologies.
Huw Irranca-Davies: Diolch, Lywydd. Well, can I first of all commend the very constructive and engaging way that both the Minister and his team have worked with us on the scrutiny of this Bill? We reported on the Bill on 10 March, we made 12 recommendations, and it is pleasing that, in his speech today and in a letter to the committee, the Cabinet Secretary has accepted 10 recommendations. So, we note the...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I wonder if we can find time for a statement on the impact of the changes to work and pensions conditions for the employment support allowance that are kicking in on 1 April, and the impact in Wales in particular. The Work and Pensions Select Committee, a cross-party committee, has questioned the very principle behind these cuts to employment and support allowance from 1 April. They've been...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the First Minister for that answer. It was heartening to hear of the new code of practice for ethical employment for supply chains to the Welsh public sector because it shows real leadership. But, in launching the code of practice, the Cabinet Secretary said: ‘It is only by working together that we can help deliver a better, and crucially, a fairer deal for workers in our supply...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Personally, I very much welcome the leadership that the First Minister is showing on this drive towards a constitutional convention. But, further to David Melding’s important question, in the immediate here and now, and following that fascinating session we had yesterday, where we had in the gallery law students from the University of South Wales looking on, if we do not achieve that...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 7. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote good employment practices for workers involved in public sector supply chains in Wales? OAQ(5)0523(FM)
Huw Irranca-Davies: I’m enjoying thoroughly his extensive peroration here. Could I simply ask, on the issue of national infrastructure, where is the electrification from beyond Cardiff down to Swansea and west Wales? When is it going to happen—if ever?
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would the Cabinet Secretary give way again?
