Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:50 pm on 6 October 2020.
Organiser, can I identify with the comments of Alun Davies, the Member for Blaenau Gwent, around choirs and the ability for choirs in restricted forms to obviously try and come back together in some shape or form, because they provide a huge amount of enjoyment for the communities they serve and they are emblematic of Wales as a country? But could I seek two statements from you as well, please, one on the suspension of Qatar Airways flights from Cardiff Airport? Regrettably, in other parts of the UK, they are starting to re-establish themselves, in Belfast and Scotland—in Edinburgh, I think it is—but regrettably here in Wales they've chosen to cancel the whole winter schedule. I do not believe a statement has been forthcoming from the Welsh Government as to what actions the Government are trying to undertake, working with the airline, to establish flights, certainly for the next summer season, and it has been a major investment on behalf of Welsh Government to secure this airline to Cardiff Wales airport. So, an understanding of how the Government are going to engage with the airport and the airline would be beneficial for all.
Secondly, could I seek a statement from the health Minister in relation to Velindre Cancer Centre and the development of the new hospital and facilities on the site? The Minister was in the health committee last week and, because he is determining the business case, he obviously had to absent himself from much of the discussion and contribution. But there are serious concerns within the community that this centre will serve that the proposals, as currently outlined, are not fit for purpose and that an inquiry, a review, which is independent and ultimately led by a cancer specialist from outside Wales to ascertain the best outcome for the development of cancer services in south-east Wales is the way forward, so that we can be sure that the £300 million investment is the correct investment for the next 40 to 50 years. A statement from the health Minister as to whether he would be prepared to construct such a review, and appoint an individual to undertake it, would be most welcome.