David Rowlands: I certainly acknowledge that, Rhianon, but it does appear from the statistics that we have in Wales, compared to those they have in England and the other parts of the UK, that there seems to be an over-zealous approach being used in Wales by those social workers who are looking after these children, and I'll come to what happens after. And I want to just look at what happens once the children...
David Rowlands: When we refer to looked-after children, we mean those children and young people looked after by the state in a manner described under UK and Wales legislation, whether that be in state institutions or under some form of fostering arrangement. Looked-after children and children living in state care remain, unfortunately, one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. The number of children...
David Rowlands: I think we ought to recognise the connections we have with Italy through the Italian people who came to Wales, obviously, in the last century, and populated our Valleys, and the fact that, in Bardi, it's said that the Welsh language was spoken more than Italian at one period in time there.
David Rowlands: I thank you for that answer, Minister. In the Welsh Labour manifesto for the 2016 Welsh Assembly elections, there was a commitment to create stronger, larger local authorities that would lead to devolution of powers from Cardiff bay. We know that your predecessor told us that councils had to change, or he would make them change. Can you please explain why your manifesto pledge was not adhered to?
David Rowlands: 1. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that local government reorganisation does not result in higher costs for taxpayers? OAQ55148
David Rowlands: How will the Minister ensure that the Welsh Government's approach to farming will contribute to a sustainable farming industry?
David Rowlands: Could we have a statement, Minister, with reference to comments about the new education curriculum by a number of academics and educationalists? Chief amongst these are the Welsh Local Government Association and the National Association of Headteachers Cymru. Both contend that the challenge in implementing it is enormous. This follows on from the Association of Directors of Education in Wales...
David Rowlands: Companies who trade and make vast profits in the UK should be made to pay tax on their goods and services to the UK Treasury, not the Irish Treasury, which now occurs using the dog-legged tax avoidance system—a system said to be employed by Amazon, Dell, Google, Starbucks, Facebook and others to take advantage of Ireland's lower corporation tax rates. So, although the vast profits made by...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. So, Brexit is done. The UK is no longer a member state of the European Union. In this sense, at least, a very significant if not historic one, the outcome of the 2016 referendum has finally been honoured. But how done is done? And what happens next? While Brexit to date has hardly been a walk in the park, much of the real work and hard decisions lie ahead. In the first...
David Rowlands: I want to confine my comments to the two major roads in Wales, and the financing of any enhancements that might take place, whatever sort of enhancements are decided. Those two major roads are the A55 in the north and the M4 in the south. Both enjoy the status of E-designated motorways by the European Union—in the case of the A55, E22, and the M4, E30. This means they are part of the...
David Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. Could the Minister please provide an update on the foundational economy in Wales?
David Rowlands: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Gerald Holtham, giving the Hodge lecture, said he had no idea how the Welsh economy was going to develop over the next decade. He made the point that Wales should look more towards the foundational economy to simply protect living standards. But he maintained that even if the Welsh economy grows to enrich most of the people in Wales, places like Merthyr...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? We, of course, all share your ambition to see a more prosperous Wales. We might sometimes disagree on how to achieve that, but I think it is true to say that, by and large, we as a party have supported your attempts to reinvigorate the economy with a more business-friendly approach, with the improvements in infrastructure forming a...
David Rowlands: Perhaps I should start by acknowledging the huge amount of work the Welsh Government has done to ensure almost all of us in Wales can access internet facilities and to assure the Minister this is not in any way a condemnation of your efforts in this area. For all of us, the changing world of communications has altered our lifestyles forever. For most of us, it has been a real and positive...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Minister for her statement? Housing is a key priority area in the Welsh Government's 'Prosperity for All' national strategy. In the past, we have criticised Ministers of this Welsh Government of carrying on regardless rather than listening to those who deliver vital services. It is therefore appropriate to acknowledge the efforts of the Minister, who has clearly listened to,...
David Rowlands: Well, I can only agree with you entirely on those comments. Unfortunately, it's much more difficult to actually do this in practice than the theory of this, but we are always looking—the Commission and, of course, the catering staff are always looking for alternatives to this waste of food.
David Rowlands: I thank Bethan for her supplementary. The fact of the matter is, obviously, that the best way is that we have far less waste at all. But unfortunately, the catering service is compelled to comply with food hygiene regulations, which stipulates that chilled food laid out for buffets at room temperature must be disposed of after four hours. The Commission must point out that most buffets are...
David Rowlands: Can I thank Bethan Sayed for her question on a matter that I'm sure concerns all of us in the Chamber? Can I assure her, and the rest of the Chamber, that the catering service in the Assembly works hard to reduce food waste where possible? Through effective menu and portion planning based on historical trends and differing daily customer demands. The relatively small amount of food waste...
David Rowlands: Sorry, Llywydd. The 2017-18 Government report shows the Welsh Government spent £323 million on direct funding to third sector organisations. This does not include indirect payments through such agencies as local government. Given that there are numerous instances of duplication in the delivery of third sector services—for instance, there is said to be around 48 organisations involved in...
David Rowlands: Could we have a statement by the First Minister on the launch of the Welsh Government's first ever national strategy for the nation, which, of course, begs the question of why it has taken over 20 years to provide such an overarching document and why is it deemed necessary at this particular time? Perhaps the Minister could also explain why, once again, there are no timelines or signposts in...
