David Melding: As I extend my deepest sympathy to Her Majesty and the whole royal family, I recall with great fondness the official opening of the fourth Assembly in 2011. It was my honour to attend on Prince Philip, introduce him to the guests and host his table for the celebratory lunch, held in the Wales Millennium Centre. Put simply, the Duke was good company and engaging. That was the basis of his...
David Melding: Llywydd, my career has been a tale of two institutions and something important connects them. The institutions are the Temple of Peace and the Assembly, now Senedd. And what connects them for me is the issue of children's rights. The Temple of Peace is Cardiff's finest art deco building, but perhaps an under-appreciated national institution. It is a haven for the voluntary sector, and a...
David Melding: I would like to start my contribution by thanking Bethan for her outstanding leadership as Chair of the committee. You've led the committee with energy, edge and commitment, and it's obvious to see in the outstanding reports the committee has produced. I also want to put on record my gratitude to Helen Mary Jones, who helped so ably during the time of your maternity leave. I just want to make...
David Melding: —are an essential part of the—[Inaudible.]
David Melding: Thank you for that answer, Minister. We were talking about stigma earlier, and, can I just say, when, in the Chamber, I talked about my own experience during political service of panic attacks, it had the biggest response of anything I've ever done in my career? Well over 100,000 likes on the social media that I put out on that, and I think this demonstrates—. They were worldwide,...
David Melding: Yes, I've been reconnected. Can you hear me, Deputy Presiding Officer?
David Melding: I will proceed to my final question. It did cut out when I think the Minister was going to launch an attack on the Conservative Party—
David Melding: I think you were focusing on the UK party rather than the Welsh Conservative Party, but I don't want a harsh finish to my questions. Can I just say that I have been encouraged by the Welsh Government's participation with the Charity Commission in the programme Revitalising Trusts, which you may know looks at dormant accounts, basically, and tries to transfer those moneys where appropriate to...
David Melding: Thank you for that generous reply, Minister, and I certainly would like to join you in the tribute you made to Dafydd Elis-Thomas. I also want to commend Mind, who are working closely with Hafal and other organisations. I think the mental health sector is outstanding in its co-operative work—the umbrella bodies really pack a punch because they work together. One of the main things they're...
David Melding: I thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Minister, can I start on the engagement we've had? I've enjoyed shadowing this brief. We had briefings during the first lockdown on the cultural challenges ahead in terms of getting finance out. I do, however, want to talk about mental health and I was encouraged by your references earlier to the NGO sector. Will you join me in commending young...
David Melding: 5. What services are in place to support people suffering from panic attacks and anxiety? OQ56493
David Melding: Can I wish you well for the future, Minister? You have survived five years and prospered, I think, despite having to start under the incubus of a commendation from me—there we are, it obviously, didn't affect your authority and performance. I do have some sympathy with Neil McEvoy's point here, because I think we need a flexible approach in some respects. And I'm particularly concerned bout...
David Melding: Minister, I'm sure you'll be relieved to hear I'm not a candidate for the election, so I'll not read out my election address; I'll just move to an appropriate question. When large sums of money are given for public use, I think we need the maximum value for the Welsh pound. And here, I do commend RCT council for the way they've used some of these moneys to promote, through the schools...
David Melding: Minister, do you agree with me that we need to see in the 2020s a social housing renaissance, building at, or preferably above, historical trends? And are you, like me, particularly concerned with that new group: people in their 30s and 40s on good incomes but having no family wealth and that cannot access the market to purchase family homes, to the great detriment of their children?
David Melding: Can I start by commending the committee? I'm not a member of it, but I really think this is an excellent report, as was the previous one, and I also commend the committee members for the way they've sought to work across the sectors and have a very integrated approach, and I think that's clearly shown in the first recommendation, which makes a very powerful reference to the children's...
David Melding: Thank you for the reply, Minister. You know that Wizz Air, for reasons that really need no description, are delaying the operation of their new services from Cardiff Airport. These will be very significant new scheduled services when they do begin, and I just want to have a reassurance that whoever forms the Welsh Government after the forthcoming election will ensure that these routes,...
David Melding: 3. What measures are in place to support Cardiff Airport when the lockdown restrictions end? OQ56353
David Melding: Will the Counsel General make a statement on measures taken to smooth the flow of European trade to and from Wales?
David Melding: I thank you for that answer, First Minister. You will know the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development now regards innovation and public policy to be really important and necessary to involve citizen participation, and, indeed, it's one of the key factors in its well-being index. And do you agree with me that, further to this legislation, the time now has come for an action...
David Melding: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's efforts to promote citizen participation in decision making? OQ56355
