Speeches by Tufnell.

“Will rural areas in particular miss out?”

“The decisions are made centrally, even if the local commanders have to request those resources from that central command under that structure.”

“Do you all agree with that? Just on that rural point, are rural communities going to lose out as a result of the move?”

“Do you have problems monitoring that performance with that cross-border element because you have different powers in terms of the complications between England and Wales?”

“That is the argument to just go national. Why bother having four regions? If you are operating across those different lines, what is the point of having four of you?”

“Can I follow up with a question to you, Dafydd, about violence against women and girls? My understanding is that in Dyfed-Powys—the area that you cover—the highest level of offending in respect of violence against women and girls is in Pembrokeshire. It is my understanding that the operational resourcing does not refle…”

“You are the only one.”

“Forgive me for asking this question because I probably should know the answer: do you operate a BCU model in South Wales?”

“My last point, following on from this, is about the operational independence you just talked about. Are you worried about compromising operational independence in terms of the removal of PCCs directly responsible to the Home Secretary? Are you worried about operational independence of the chief constable?”

“Do you foresee a problem if it goes to a national level?”

“Can I just take a step back? Do you think that you are a victim of the way you are set up right now? All four of you cover massive areas. You are not getting the great advantages of the economies of scale because you are still split into four areas. But at the same time, given how you are set up in terms of your basic …”

“The requirement of owners of banned dog breeds to hold third-party liability insurance has been removed due to market availability, and the risks are the same. What is the impact? Who carries the cost if injury or damage is caused by the dogs?”

“Can I ask about dry spills? Why are the companies not reporting immediately in respect of dry sewage spills? Why are they doing it monthly? Why have they been asked by the Environment Agency to do it monthly?”

“Can you be more specific?”

“Presumably, the bill is going to be picked up by the customers, if the Government are not interested in special administration.”

“I think the Environment Agency released information saying that it was okay with companies doing it monthly rather than annually.”

“I wanted to ask whether you are content with some of these figures in respect of delay. Thames Water disclosed last February that it is spending £15 million per month on lawyers and advisers. A £3 billion emergency loan comes with an interest rate of 9.75%. And there is £200 million in fees and sweeteners. Even the jud…”

“Will the Secretary of State set out how the defence investment plan and the record investment of nearly £300 billion over the next four years will help to strengthen local supply chains in my constituency and create good, unionised, well-paid jobs as well as to stimulate economic growth?”

“Laura, do you think that is one of the issues, in terms of being so risk averse, and that no one organisation is getting the bull by the horns because of lawyers and liability?”

“You have touched on it already, Professor, but I want to touch on the co-ordination across these different bodies that are responsible, whether it is councils, NRW or the Mining Remediation Authority. We have reports from the BBC—I think this was in March 2025—that half of the 22 councils said they could not or would n…”