Speeches by Witherden.

“In the past month alone, Israel has bombed Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. Yesterday, for the first time, it bombed Qatar. What is the Government’s legal assessment of the strikes on Qatar, and do they consider them to be a violation of international law?”

“T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.”

“New polling by the Trades Union Congress shows that the public overwhelmingly support packages of taxes on wealth, on banks and on gambling companies. It also found that 74% of 2024 Labour voters who are now leaning towards Reform back those measures. Will the Chancellor commit to protecting working people from higher …”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Jeremy. Indefinite leave to remain marks a defining moment for individuals seeking to make Wales and the UK their permanent home. It grants the right to work, access to NHS healthcare and eligibility for the benefits system, enabling people to plan for their future…”

“Does my hon. Friend agree that to change the culture of cover-ups that has caused so much harm to so many, we must have a duty of candour, with criminal sanctions for individuals as well as organisations and authorities?”

“T9. The Vyrnwy Frankton project, which aims to connect onshore wind to the grid, would cut across my constituency and affect local communities and cherished countryside, posing a threat to businesses and tourism. Will the Minister assure me that the impact of the project and its associated lifetime costs will be minimi…”

“Do you have anything you would like to add, Dr Evans, or has it been covered?”

“We have heard some very interesting responses. Myself and my colleagues on the Committee have all been in a position, coming up to the spending review, of having rail infrastructure projects in our constituency that we are keen to see. Thinking about my own constituency, we are desperate to see a station in Carno, and …”

“I would like to shift the debate on to rail infrastructure investment. I would like to hear from the entire panel, but I will start with Dr Evans. Should the £445 million of rail enhancements for Wales announced at the spending review be seen as a win?”

“That is very revealing.”

“This is a question that we asked the previous panel, but it is an important one that needs to be put to this panel as well. What are your views on the UK Government’s immigration White Paper and the impact it will have on your universities?”

“I lived in Aberystwyth for a year, so I am well aware.”

“For my final question on this topic, Chair, if I may, I would like to hear from the entire panel. I will go back to Professor Larner to begin. In the 2022-23 academic year, Welsh universities received less funding per researcher from UKRI research councils than any other UK nation. What barriers have your universities …”

“I will shift across now to north and mid-Wales, starting with Professor Burke. Cardiff and Swansea receive much of this funding in Wales, but how important is it to other institutions? Is it allocated fairly?”

“I would like to start with Professor Larner, please. Are you satisfied that UKRI’s competitive grant funding process serves Welsh universities well?”

“Professor Burke, on the same theme, are you concerned about your ability to comply with the strengthened requirements being imposed on institutions around sponsoring student visas?”

“In my constituency—one of the most rural parts of the UK—whole areas are without mobile phone coverage. People are forced to cope with unreliable phone lines and, most worryingly, are sometimes unable to call 999. Can the Minister assure me that after the withdrawal of the public switched telephone network, no one will…”

“The Government have announced £37 million for the first round of schools to expand nursery provision, supporting the roll-out of the extended 30 hours childcare offer in England, but the Public Childcare Now campaign points out that nearly two thirds of the funded schools are part of multi-academy trusts. While we are …”

“5. What steps she is taking to expand school-based nurseries.”

“Absolutely, yes. Dominic, I do not know whether you have anything to add on that.”