I'd like to thank the Assembly Member and anybody else, actually, who is working on moving forward with this dignity and respect. I know it's mentioned as a debate—I don't think there's any debate, any argument, about this whatsoever. In speaking to you today, I do so on behalf of the Welsh Conservative group, of which I am the chair.

We fully support this motion—in fact, we welcome it. I'm sure that this will not, as I say, constitute much of a debate, although I will—. He's gone, he's left the Chamber, but I was going to raise an issue with my colleague Mr McEvoy. I would expect all Members here present to support the policy, the aims and the objectives that it presents. I'm extremely pleased to see that it's going to link in very closely with the standards commissioner.

I think, at all times, wherever we are, as Assembly Members, we should be mindful of our own code of conduct and the Nolan principles, because I think integrity in life, in any professional role, especially in a public role, is key. Ensuring that inappropriate behaviour has no place at the National Assembly for Wales, and ensuring freedom from harassment of any kind for all those associated with the Assembly, must be a fundamental principle from which we continue to build. But I think this also applies to us when we are working or—. As my own chief whip here has mentioned on occasions, we are Assembly Members 24/7, 365, and we must never ever forget that. We must be proud and honoured to represent our constituents. If bad behaviour is allowed, then I would want to question the institution itself. We have to set about creating the right culture. We have to have a culture that, if inappropriate behaviour has taken place, or even if there's the perception of inappropriate behaviour, we have the right mechanisms in place here, and the support, so that nobody feels that they cannot come forward.

The Welsh Conservatives welcome the aims of the dignity and respect policy, breaking down barriers for those who would wish to raise a concern. It is vital that anyone who feels that they have faced inappropriate behaviour or harassment feels empowered. Empowerment is key. Confidence in the system is also important in encouraging people to speak out when something is not right, whether perceived or in real terms. This policy provides clear and confidential procedure and outlines systems that I believe people should be confident in.

I will say this, though: I have been extremely disappointed, and I will be writing to the BBC, and I have been approached by members of my own staff—. I believe a survey has gone out by the BBC to all staff of Assembly Members, and the questions on there are routine, and some of them, actually, I find are obtrusive. I've found that, really, it's caused offence and upset to some members of staff, and I feel that the BBC themselves need to look inwards at their own organisation, because if we're going to have a culture of trust and honesty and appropriate behaviour, I'm very, very disappointed at the nature and tone of the actual survey that has gone out, and I will be writing to the BBC. There are no support mechanisms in place with regard to that particular survey, and some of the questions, I think, go beyond the pale. So, I just wanted to put that on record, because I will be writing on behalf of the group. Thank you.