Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 247(v4) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 04/12/2019 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30.

Questions 1-5 and 7 were asked. Question 6 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

 

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister (in respect of his Brexit Minister responsibilities)

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.19

Questions 1-6 and 9 were asked. Questions 7 and 8 were withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

 

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To ask the Minister for Economy and Transport

 

David Rees (Aberavon) Will the Minister provide an update following the announcement by Tata Steel of 1000 job losses in the UK?

 

To ask the First Minister

 

Leanne Wood (Rhondda): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the threat to Welsh citizens following the terror attack in London last Friday?

 

Will be answered by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.58

To ask the Minister for Economy and Transport

David Rees (Aberavon) Will the Minister provide an update following the announcement by Tata Steel of 1000 job losses in the UK?

To ask the First Minister

Leanne Wood (Rhondda): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the threat to Welsh citizens following the terror attack in London last Friday?

Answered by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

 

 

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.24

Helen Mary Jones made a statement on the 10 Year Anniversary of the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel.

Leanne Wood made a statement on Treorchy High Street competing against high streets across the UK for best High Street.

 

 

(30 mins)

5.

Debate on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee report: Community and District Nursing Services

NDM7210 Dai Lloyd (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee:  Community and district nursing services, which was laid in the Table Office on 21 August 2019.

Note: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 23 September 2019.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.27

 

NDM7210 Dai Lloyd (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee:  Community and district nursing services, which was laid in the Table Office on 21 August 2019.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

 

 

(60 mins)

6.

Debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report: Empty Properties

NDM7212 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, 'Empty Properties', which was laid in the Table Office on 10 October 2019.

Note: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 27 November 2019.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.54

NDM7212 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, 'Empty Properties', which was laid in the Table Office on 10 October 2019.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

 

(60 mins)

8.

Plaid Cymru debate - Brexit and Future Trade

NDM7214 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that:

a) the UK is currently due to leave the EU on 31 January 2020;

b) informal trade negotiations between the UK and US concerning a future trade deal has begun, which reportedly include references to the marketisation of patents/NHS drug pricing;

c) international treaties are outside the scope of powers of the National Assembly for Wales;

d) Section 82 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 allows the Secretary of State to direct Welsh Ministers to take any action required for the purposes of giving effect to any international obligation.

2. Believes that:

a) Wales’s future would be best served by continued membership of the EU and that a referendum should be held between remain and a credible leave option;

b) the Welsh NHS should not be forced by the UK Government to open up its market for greater private provision, or have increased drug costs imposed upon it as a result of any international agreement that extends patents and restricts use of generic drugs;

c) a future trade deal between the UK and the US which included provisions relating to the NHS would be a disaster for the Welsh NHS;

d) the health care system in the United States has failed to properly regulate the marketing and prescribing of Opioids, and notes that this inadequate regulatory environment has contributed to over 70,000 deaths in the U.S  from opioid overdoses in 2018, and this is just one example of the dangers of deregulation that could follow a trade agreement written in the interests of US pharmaceutical companies;

e) the UK Government should not be able to direct Welsh Ministers to take actions in devolved fields which have the potential to detrimentally affect Welsh public services.

3. Calls for:

a) the devolved parliaments of the UK to be given a veto over trade matters which have the potential to affect devolved fields;

b) Welsh MPs to support the NHS protection bill due to be introduced in Westminster in the new term;

c) Section 82 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 to be repealed.

Government of Wales Act 2006

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that Wales voted to leave the European Union in June 2016.

2. Believes that the outcome of referendums should always be implemented.

3. Welcomes the opportunities for Wales which will arise as a result of new free trade agreements post the United Kingdom's departure from the EU.

4. Recognises that, under the devolved settlement, responsibility for international treaties is a matter for the UK Government.

5. Acknowledges the assurances provided by the UK Government regarding market access to the NHS in future trade deals. 

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

Amendment 2 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Calls for:

a) The devolved institutions to have a formal role in negotiations on international agreements when devolved competence is engaged, applying at all stages of negotiations and having statutory backing.

b) A UK-wide constitutional convention to ensure that future constitutional arrangements reflect this and prevent the UK Government over-riding the National Assembly where it is acting within devolved competence.

Looks forward to the election of a UK Government which is fully committed to safeguarding the NHS in Wales and across the UK.

 

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.19

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7214 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that:

a) the UK is currently due to leave the EU on 31 January 2020;

b) informal trade negotiations between the UK and US concerning a future trade deal has begun, which reportedly include references to the marketisation of patents/NHS drug pricing;

c) international treaties are outside the scope of powers of the National Assembly for Wales;

d) Section 82 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 allows the Secretary of State to direct Welsh Ministers to take any action required for the purposes of giving effect to any international obligation.

2. Believes that:

a) Wales’s future would be best served by continued membership of the EU and that a referendum should be held between remain and a credible leave option;

b) the Welsh NHS should not be forced by the UK Government to open up its market for greater private provision, or have increased drug costs imposed upon it as a result of any international agreement that extends patents and restricts use of generic drugs;

c) a future trade deal between the UK and the US which included provisions relating to the NHS would be a disaster for the Welsh NHS;

d) the health care system in the United States has failed to properly regulate the marketing and prescribing of Opioids, and notes that this inadequate regulatory environment has contributed to over 70,000 deaths in the U.S  from opioid overdoses in 2018, and this is just one example of the dangers of deregulation that could follow a trade agreement written in the interests of US pharmaceutical companies;

e) the UK Government should not be able to direct Welsh Ministers to take actions in devolved fields which have the potential to detrimentally affect Welsh public services.

3. Calls for:

a) the devolved parliaments of the UK to be given a veto over trade matters which have the potential to affect devolved fields;

b) Welsh MPs to support the NHS protection bill due to be introduced in Westminster in the new term;

c) Section 82 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 to be repealed.

Government of Wales Act 2006

For

Abstain

Against

Total

7

0

37

44

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that Wales voted to leave the European Union in June 2016.

2. Believes that the outcome of referendums should always be implemented.

3. Welcomes the opportunities for Wales which will arise as a result of new free trade agreements post the United Kingdom's departure from the EU.

4. Recognises that, under the devolved settlement, responsibility for international treaties is a matter for the UK Government.

5. Acknowledges the assurances provided by the UK Government regarding market access to the NHS in future trade deals. 

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

33

44

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Calls for:

a) The devolved institutions to have a formal role in negotiations on international agreements when devolved competence is engaged, applying at all stages of negotiations and having statutory backing.

b) A UK-wide constitutional convention to ensure that future constitutional arrangements reflect this and prevent the UK Government over-riding the National Assembly where it is acting within devolved competence.

Looks forward to the election of a UK Government which is fully committed to safeguarding the NHS in Wales and across the UK.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

3

15

44

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7214 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that:

a) the UK is currently due to leave the EU on 31 January 2020;

b) informal trade negotiations between the UK and US concerning a future trade deal has begun, which reportedly include references to the marketisation of patents/NHS drug pricing;

c) international treaties are outside the scope of powers of the National Assembly for Wales;

d) Section 82 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 allows the Secretary of State to direct Welsh Ministers to take any action required for the purposes of giving effect to any international obligation.

2. Believes that:

a) Wales’s future would be best served by continued membership of the EU and that a referendum should be held between remain and a credible leave option;

b) the Welsh NHS should not be forced by the UK Government to open up its market for greater private provision, or have increased drug costs imposed upon it as a result of any international agreement that extends patents and restricts use of generic drugs;

c) a future trade deal between the UK and the US which included provisions relating to the NHS would be a disaster for the Welsh NHS;

d) the health care system in the United States has failed to properly regulate the marketing and prescribing of Opioids, and notes that this inadequate regulatory environment has contributed to over 70,000 deaths in the U.S  from opioid overdoses in 2018, and this is just one example of the dangers of deregulation that could follow a trade agreement written in the interests of US pharmaceutical companies;

e) the UK Government should not be able to direct Welsh Ministers to take actions in devolved fields which have the potential to detrimentally affect Welsh public services.

3. Calls for:

a) The devolved institutions to have a formal role in negotiations on international agreements when devolved competence is engaged, applying at all stages of negotiations and having statutory backing.

b) A UK-wide constitutional convention to ensure that future constitutional arrangements reflect this and prevent the UK Government over-riding the National Assembly where it is acting within devolved competence.

4. Looks forward to the election of a UK Government which is fully committed to safeguarding the NHS in Wales and across the UK.

Government of Wales Act 2006

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

7

11

44

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

 

9.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 18.20

 

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

10.

Short Debate - No motion tabled

Minutes:

No motion tabled

 

 

(60 mins)

7.

Debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee report - Regional Skills Partnerships

NDM7213 Russell George (Montgomeryshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee on its Inquiry into: Regional Skills Partnerships which was laid in the Table Office on 10 October 2019.

Note: The response by the Welsh Government was laid on 27 November 2019.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.47

NDM7213 Russell George (Montgomeryshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee on its Inquiry into: Regional Skills Partnerships which was laid in the Table Office on 10 October 2019.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.