3. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:31 pm on 21 June 2016.

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Photo of Mr Simon Thomas Mr Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru 2:31, 21 June 2016

Business Minister, thank you for your statement. Of course it has been a sad week for all of us as elected politicians to see one of our number gunned down on the street whilst going about her daily work of helping people. Now, Assembly Members have all been notified of how we can improve and consider our own personal security, and I’m sure many will consult with their local police. But I wondered if the Government was considering also how we deal with the well of hatred and poison that ferments on so much social media. The threat of violence, sexual assault and harm on Twitter and Facebook is becoming a daily occurrence for those in the public eye, and women in particular face a nasty social media misogyny. Surely these threats should be treated exactly the same as if they were made face to face. So, when the Government next meets—as I know it does regularly—with the four police and crime commissioners and the four police chief constables, will this issue please be discussed? And can we, therefore, have a statement as soon as practicable from the Government outlining how the police forces in Wales will work together to root out hatred from our midst?

On a related matter, I see that we have three upcoming statements from the Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language, who seems to want to keep himself busy, but we’ve yet to have one from the education Secretary. When, therefore, can we expect an update from her on progress on the new curriculum development in the pioneer schools, and, particularly, in this context, information as to how the new religion, ethics and philosophy element is being developed? This is where we tackle such hatred and prejudice—right in the classroom itself.

Finally, on a happier note, I’m sure we were all shouting ‘Olé’ as Wales weaved their magical way through the European championships last night. Can the Minister confirm any intention by the Government to use the Senedd to give an appropriate ‘thank you’ to Chris Coleman and his team after doing our nation proud, with much more to come, I’m sure? I also want to put on record our thanks for the admirable behaviour of the fans in entertaining the public in France. The Senedd over the last two weeks has been a place of sadness, remembrance, and solidarity; we know it can also be a place and a forum for national celebration and joy. I hope that opportunity does come our way.