Thank you, Rhianon Passmore, for allowing me to speak in your short debate today. I do apologise if I go slightly over a minute, but I'll do my best, because music to me is really, really important. I remember the first instrument I learnt was the recorder, of all things, my mother teaching me how to play the recorder. Then, I moved on to the clarinet as I got more proficient in recorder. I did my GCSEs on the drums, of all things, and then, my A-level music on the guitar. I've had a love for music through all my life, and I was really pleased to be able to speak on this as briefly as I can. 

Obviously, the importance of music to our culture is well known, but also, the importance of music to mental well-being is what I want to highlight today as well. In a former life, I was working at a bank, and I had a home-based role there for a few years. And, actually, it was music that really helped me at home. I grew an unhealthy obsession with country music of all things through that time. I still have a love for country music. 

But also, music can be great for families, and I've got to mention my daughters who are having piano lessons; they've actually had piano lessons today. My eldest daughter, who is playing a piece called 'Music Box' at the moment, is doing very well. My middle daughter has just learnt 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm', and she's doing fantastically as well. I want my four-year-old to have lessons at some point as well. So, it brings families together. There's more to it than just what meets the ears, as you might say. 

I would like to highlight as well the great work being carried out by charities, by co-operatives, and those in educational settings in improving access to music currently, because of, as has already been highlighted, the exceptional benefits that music can bring. A great example of this are the Denbighshire and Wrexham music co-operatives, who I had the pleasure of meeting in September. They provide a live-stream performance to local schools, showing children a range of instruments, and actually allowing children to have access to instruments and music, which they may not usually experience. This type of support and contribution by charities and co-operatives should be encouraged and supported. 

So, I'd like to thank you again, Rhianon Passmore, for bringing forward this debate, and I look forward to the rest of the debate.