Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd

Expected timing: 114(v3) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 24/01/2018 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

Presiding Officer Statement

The Presiding Officer announced, in accordance with Standing Order 26.75, that the that the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 and the Abolition of Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Act 2018 were given Royal Assent that day.

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

Questions 1-2, 4, and 6-10 were asked. Questions 6 and 8 were grouped together for answer. Questions 3 and 5 were withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Leader of the House

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Leader of the House after Question 2.

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.20

The first 7 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Leader of the House after question 2.

(30 mins)

3.

Questions to the Assembly Commission

Minutes:

The item started at 15.08

The 6 questions were asked.

(20 mins)

4.

Topical Questions

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services:

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Hywel Dda University Health Board’s most recent service change proposals which could potentially result in the closure of Withybush Hospital in the future?

To ask the First Minister (to be answered by the Minister for Housing and Regeneration):

Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's decision to take legal action against two firms in relation to the sale of land through the Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales?

Minutes:

The item started at 15.30

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services:

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Hywel Dda University Health Board’s most recent service change proposals which could potentially result in the closure of Withybush Hospital in the future?

To ask the First Minister (answered by the Minister for Housing and Regeneration):

Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's decision to take legal action against two firms in relation to the sale of land through the Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales?

(5 mins)

5.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 16.01

Jane Hutt made a statement to mark the 40th anniversary of Welsh Women’s Aid.

Julie Morgan made a statement on the Gypsies and Travellers Holocaust Memorial Event.

(60 mins)

6.

Debate on the Finance Committee report: Inquiry into the financial estimates accompanying legislation

NDM6632 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Finance Committee on the financial estimates accompanying legislation, which was laid in the Table Office on 25 October 2017.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 16 January 2018.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.04

NDM6632 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Finance Committee on the financial estimates accompanying legislation, which was laid in the Table Office on 25 October 2017.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(60 mins)

7.

Debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee report: City Deals and the Regional Economies of Wales

NDM6634 Russell George (Montgomeryshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee on City Deals and the Regional Economies of Wales, which was laid in the Table Office on 1 November 2017.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 17 January 2018.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.43

NDM6634 Russell George (Montgomeryshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee on City Deals and the Regional Economies of Wales, which was laid in the Table Office on 1 November 2017.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(60 mins)

8.

Welsh Conservatives debate

NDM6631 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Believes that the Welsh Government’s 'Prosperity for All: Economic Action Plan' fails to provide a comprehensive strategy for delivering economic prosperity in Wales.

Prosperity for All: Economic Action Plan

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 

Believes that:

a) the Welsh Government’s Prosperity for All: Economic Action Plan will fail to make any tangible difference to economic prosperity in Wales;

b) Wales’s economic prosperity is also hindered by the UK Government’s misallocation of public spending on non-humanitarian overseas aid, green subsidies, national debt interest payments and vanity projects like HS2; and

c) whilst spending on the NHS and other public services could be increased substantially if diverted from these mistaken priorities, Wales’s relative poverty as a nation will be redressed only by a long-term economic policy based on lower taxes and more proportionate regulation of business activity.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the challenges facing the Welsh economy over the coming decade including productivity, automation and decarbonisation.

2. Notes the recently published Economic Action Plan and the ambition to stimulate inclusive growth across Wales through a whole government approach to economic development.

3. Notes the proposal to develop a new economic contract and ensure public investment drives a social purpose by increasing the availability of fair work, reducing carbon emissions and supporting a competitive environment for Welsh business.

4. Notes the calls to action contained in the plan designed to encourage new ideas and new partnerships between industry, government, education, trade unions and partners that can stimulate inclusive economic growth.

5. Calls on the UK Government to ensure the UK industrial strategy supports investment across the all parts of the United Kingdom.

Prosperity for All - Economic Action Plan

Minutes:

The item started at 17.42

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6631 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Believes that the Welsh Government’s 'Prosperity for All: Economic Action Plan' fails to provide a comprehensive strategy for delivering economic prosperity in Wales.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

22

0

27

49

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 

Believes that:

a) the Welsh Government’s Prosperity for All: Economic Action Plan will fail to make any tangible difference to economic prosperity in Wales;

b) Wales’s economic prosperity is also hindered by the UK Government’s misallocation of public spending on non-humanitarian overseas aid, green subsidies, national debt interest payments and vanity projects like HS2; and

c) whilst spending on the NHS and other public services could be increased substantially if diverted from these mistaken priorities, Wales’s relative poverty as a nation will be redressed only by a long-term economic policy based on lower taxes and more proportionate regulation of business activity.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

5

1

43

49

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the challenges facing the Welsh economy over the coming decade including productivity, automation and decarbonisation.

2. Notes the recently published Economic Action Plan and the ambition to stimulate inclusive growth across Wales through a whole government approach to economic development.

3. Notes the proposal to develop a new economic contract and ensure public investment drives a social purpose by increasing the availability of fair work, reducing carbon emissions and supporting a competitive environment for Welsh business.

4. Notes the calls to action contained in the plan designed to encourage new ideas and new partnerships between industry, government, education, trade unions and partners that can stimulate inclusive economic growth.

5. Calls on the UK Government to ensure the UK industrial strategy supports investment across the all parts of the United Kingdom.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

27

0

22

49

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6631 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the challenges facing the Welsh economy over the coming decade including productivity, automation and decarbonisation.

2. Notes the recently published Economic Action Plan and the ambition to stimulate inclusive growth across Wales through a whole government approach to economic development.

3. Notes the proposal to develop a new economic contract and ensure public investment drives a social purpose by increasing the availability of fair work, reducing carbon emissions and supporting a competitive environment for Welsh business.

4. Notes the calls to action contained in the plan designed to encourage new ideas and new partnerships between industry, government, education, trade unions and partners that can stimulate inclusive economic growth.

5. Calls on the UK Government to ensure the UK industrial strategy supports investment across the all parts of the United Kingdom.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

28

6

15

49

The motion as amended was agreed.

9.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 18.48

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

10.

Short Debate

NDM6633 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

A century since women gained the right to vote, but does Wales have equality today?

Minutes:

The item started at 18.51

NDM6633 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

A century since women gained the right to vote, but does Wales have equality today?