3. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:39 pm on 21 June 2016.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 2:39, 21 June 2016

Could I identify with the sentiments raised by the regional Member for Mid and West Wales? It is almost inconceivable, when you think of these numbers, that in excess of 400 of the children identified in this report just have gone missing and cannot be found. It really is incumbent on all the authorities to look at the protocols they have in place and to make sure that there is that safety net and there is that accountability so that when young children, and, indeed, anyone, are placed into care they’re just not lost in the system. Some of the horrendous stories that this report covers—and that was identified by the Member—clearly do require answers, not just from this Government, but from Governments anywhere in the United Kingdom who have an obligation and responsibility. I would implore the Minister to ask the Minister responsible to bring a statement forward to give assurances that we can have the safeguards in place here in Wales, and that he or she has confidence that those safeguards are as robust as they need to be.

I would also like to ask for a statement—there’s a story today, obviously, around the travel of the First Minister out to the European championships. I agree entirely—I agree entirely—that it is right that Government Ministers travel to events to represent the Government and also the country, whether they’re sporting or international events of any significance. But I do think that there is a question as to how those services are procured, the value for money for those services, and the protocol that the Welsh Government uses to actually purchase those travel services. And I’d be grateful if a statement could be made available from the Welsh Government to outline whether there is a protocol in place around purchasing services for travel for any function that Government Ministers undertake, the value for money exercise that is undertaken, and, above all, that, where possible, those services are accessed through operators here in Wales, or airports or ports are used here in Wales. As I understand it, in this instance, the aeroplane was from Wales, from an operator in Haverfordwest, but that’s not the question I’m asking: I’m asking how can we be sure that there is best value for money and there is a protocol in place, because we’re not talking insignificant sums of money—in this instance, I think we’re talking nearly £10,000.