Wayne David: The Leader of the House knows that, a few weeks ago, an excellent debate was held in Westminster Hall on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union decision-making process. Given that the Convention on the Future of Europe is nearing the end of its work, will my right hon. Friend find time for a debate on the Floor of the House on the role of national Parliaments in EU decision making?
Wayne David: What recent measures have been taken to encourage women entrepreneurs.
Wayne David: Does my hon. Friend agree that there is an urgent need to tackle sexist bias in the media? The Western Mail yesterday included a feature on Welsh entrepreneurs. It stated that Welsh business "men" were more positive and looking to build on their current success. It contained seven photographs of men but none of women.
Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the recent report on orthopaedics in Gwent by Professor Edwards.
Wayne David: I welcome this positive statement, but as a Gwent Member I must express some disappointment. For some time Gwent has been disadvantaged by the funding formula, and Gwent police and Gwent Members had hoped for a significant improvement in 2003–04. Gwent's chief constable agrees. Gwent's police force, like others, faces a number of unavoidable cost increases. Increases related to pension...
Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support is given to organisations that work with the victims of crime.
Wayne David: The hon. Gentleman did not listen carefully enough. I referred to sub-national bodies, but also to national bodies that do not possess legislative powers like those of the House. I gently remind him that elections to the National Assembly for Wales will be held in a couple of months time, and I have absolute confidence, given the small blip that occurred in Wales, that those traditional...
Wayne David: I warmly welcome this report because I firmly believe that Europe matters. To the people of this country, it matters that the European Union works. That is because the economy of this country is now inextricably linked to the economies of other European states. The single market is a reality. It is becoming ever deeper and increasingly successful. In my constituency of Caerphilly in south...
Wayne David: I would be happy to elaborate on that now, as that was my next point, anyway. If we are serious about extending the role of national Parliaments, it is important that we have a dual perspective, and envisage the role of national Parliaments increasing not in each member state, important though that is, but internationally. There is scope for developing the Conference of Community and European...
Wayne David: I will try not to take the canine analogy too far, but I would say that we must have institutions that can bite. The process of European scrutiny has to be undertaken at national as well as European level. I should like to make a few closing remarks about our work in this Chamber. The European Scrutiny Committee does an excellent job, but there is scope for its powers to be increased. The...
Wayne David: Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that the great success of the European project to date has been the successful completion of a single market that has created more jobs and more prosperity than we have ever seen? That is why so many countries want to join it.
Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Gwent Police concerning its funding allocations for 2003–04.
Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects to review the recruitment procedure for the police; and if he will make it his policy to re-examine the rule within the recruitment procedure relating to epilepsy.
Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is being done to bring about greater international debt relief for Ethiopia.
Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans she has to amend the Consumer Credit Act 1974; (2) what the scope is of her review of the Consumer Credit Act 1974; (3) when the Government intends to publish its review of the Consumer Credit Act 1974
Wayne David: Will my hon. Friend give way?
Wayne David: What measures he has taken to encourage into work those in the most deprived communities who are counted as economically inactive.
Wayne David: I know the Minister will agree that this is a huge issue. In some parts of the south Wales valleys, as many as one in four of the working-age population are categorised as economically inactive. Does my right hon. Friend also agree that it is necessary to improve the health and well-being of many in our poorest communities, and that healthy living programmes must be a vital part of our...
Wayne David: The amendment says that the Wales centre for health Xshall not use media channels widely accessible in the any area outside Wales", but how wide is wide? Are we talking about 2 or 202 square miles? The amendment must be precise; otherwise it is meaningless.
Wayne David: I begin by congratulating the hon. Member for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr (Adam Price) on securing this debate. It is vital that we focus on the development of a coherent regional policy in this country, and I agree that that has not attracted sufficient attention, at least in the recent past. I am delighted that he supports my campaign to have the capital city of Wales moved north from...