Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:35 pm on 24 May 2016.
Diolch, Lywydd. I don’t have too many questions for the First Minister on this, and I would like to congratulate all his appointees.
Llongyfarchiadau i chi gyd.
First Minister, you said earlier in answer to questions that all of your Members would be bound by collective Cabinet responsibility. How then will you resolve difficult questions like whether or not the M4 black route goes ahead, if there’s disagreement between members of the Cabinet on specific issues?
I’d like reassurances from the First Minister that the Welsh language has not been downgraded in this Cabinet. Previously, it was the First Minister’s responsibility, so I’d be grateful to hear what he can say to those of us who are concerned about this, to reassure us that the future of the Welsh language and its growth are important to this Government, and will not be treated as an afterthought.
I’d be grateful to know who in Government is responsible for resolving the Public and Commercial Services Union museum dispute. I wrote to you about this yesterday, having first written to your Government about it over a year ago. Now, you’ve previously said that you intend to intervene to resolve this dispute. Is it your responsibility, First Minister, or does that now fall to another Member of your Cabinet? Likewise, I’d be grateful to hear who in your Cabinet has responsibility for trade union legislation. Will the First Minister retain responsibility for steel and the EU referendum?
And, finally, can we please have some clarity as to who takes responsibility for the question of student finance? You’ve got three Ministers in your Cabinet with a role in education—one for skills, one for lifelong learning, and another for education. Three separate portfolios. Which Minister will take the final decision on the future of student finance here in Wales please?