2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:23 pm on 24 April 2018.

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Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 2:23, 24 April 2018

Leader of the house, I think you've had some indication of what I'm going to raise. You will know that a written statement was issued by the housing Minister on affordable housing and the assessment of future need, and therefore targets for supply. I do believe that something of such enormous significance should have been made to this Chamber as an oral statement. It opens the possibility of a huge policy shift, which I would welcome, but, as was clearly indicated in the press coverage that resulted from an extensive Welsh Government campaign to get its message out—I don't criticise you for that, but, clearly, the Welsh Government realised how significant yesterday's move was, and, frankly, you are not treating this Chamber with the respect it deserves by issuing it as a written statement.

It could be weeks before this is now fully scrutinised, and the actual forming of the review and the group that will do the review, and those that will be on that group—the leader or the chair of that group has already been chosen by the Minister—none of this will receive early scrutiny here, despite the fact it's now gone out to all and sundry via the Western Mail and the BBC. I do hope there won't be a repeat of this sort of shabby treatment. If you have a huge press campaign on any announcement, as sure as eggs is eggs, you should be making a statement here in the Chamber.