4. 4. 90-second Statements

– in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 14 June 2017.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 2:34, 14 June 2017

(Translated)

So, the next item is the 90-second statements. Darren Millar.

Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative

Diolch, Llywydd. Thirty-five years ago, the Falkland islands, a small British overseas territory in the south Atlantic, was invaded by Argentina. The conflict that ensued was a major episode in the protracted confrontation in the territory’s sovereignty. On 5 April 1982, the British Government sent a taskforce of over 100 vessels and 26,000 service personnel to reclaim the islands. While the conflict was fought over a relatively short two-month period, the effects of the horrors of war have had a deep cultural, political and psychological impact on both Britain and Argentina, and in particular, on the gallant servicemen and women who fought on both sides of that conflict. Of course, Welsh servicemen and women were also involved in the heart of the conflict, and the Welsh Guards paid an especially high price for their involvement, with 48 deaths and 97 casualties.

As chair of the cross-party group on the armed forces and cadets in the National Assembly, I’ve been immensely pleased to be able to welcome some of those former service veterans and their families to the Senedd here today, as we commemorate the thirty-fifth anniversary of the date of the end of the war. In total, 907 were killed during the 74 days of the conflict—255 British servicemen, 649 Argentine servicemen and three islanders. It’s only right that we remember them today and that we pay tribute to all those involved in the conflict, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country.

Photo of Nathan Gill Nathan Gill Independent

Thank you, Llywydd. On 5 June, I was devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and colleague Sam Gould. When Sam was diagnosed with bowel cancer, his reaction was to do what he knew best: to campaign. Through his videos and social media campaign, Sam raised awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer. His videos have been viewed by over 100,000 people, and comments and messages that we’ve received suggest that many people have found comfort from them, and the strength to go to their GP with their symptoms.

Today, I am proud to join Bowel Cancer UK’s Never Too Young campaign, of which Sam was a supporter. The campaign is focusing on young people and raising awareness that you’re never too young to get bowel cancer. Sam Gould was 33 years old. In Wales each year, 2,335 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and nearly 1,000 people die from it, making it the second biggest cancer killer. Unfortunately, younger people often have a worse experience of being diagnosed, treated and cared for than older people. Young people also tend to have poorer outcomes: 60 per cent are diagnosed at the later stages of the disease, and 34 per cent are diagnosed in emergency care, when the chance of survival is much lower. If diagnosed at the early stage of the disease, nearly everyone survives. This drops to around 7 per cent if diagnosed at the later stage. I hope all Members will join with me to help raise awareness for the Never Too Young campaign.