Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in Siambr Hywel, Tŷ Hywel and others joining by video-conference.

At 13.30, the Llywydd made a statement to note the opening match for Wales at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 on Saturday 5 July.   

At 13.40, the Llywydd made a statement to note the presence in the public gallery of the President of the New South Wales Legislative Council.

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

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

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

View Questions

The item started at 14.23

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

At 15.11, Jenny Rathbone MS and Heledd Fychan MS raised points of order relating to remarks made by Darren Millar MS in his supplementary question to the Cabinet Secretary. The Deputy Presiding Officer invited the Member to clarify his remarks.

View Questions

The item started at 15.17

The 2 questions were asked.

No Topical Questions were received.

No Topical Questions were submitted.

The item started at 15.23

Heledd Fychan made a statement on - The local Pontypridd Eisteddfod (28 to 29 June).

NDM8946 Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee on the Holyhead Port storm damage and closure, which was laid in the Table Office on 3 April 2025, and on which the Welsh Government laid its response on 25 June 2025.

The item started at 15.25

NDM8946 Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee on the Holyhead Port storm damage and closure, which was laid in the Table Office on 3 April 2025, and on which the Welsh Government laid its response on 25 June 2025.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8940 Hefin David (Caerphilly)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on Owain’s Law, named after Owain James of Caerphilly, who passed away from a brain tumour in 2024.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to ensure that:

a) consent for the handling and storage of tumour tissue must be obtained from the patient, or next of kin where appropriate, prior to surgery;

i) the consent process shall include a clear written explanation of how excised tissue will be stored following surgery, and pathological and histological examination; and

ii) the consent will outline that all remaining tissue will be owned by the patient and only consent from the patient, or next of kin where appropriate, can determine its use;

b) the minimal amount of excised tumour tissue will be used for pathological and histological analysis, ensuring diagnostic accuracy;

c) the remaining excised tumour tissue must be flash or fresh frozen, at -80 degrees centigrade, without any chemicals or preservatives (including saline or paraffin). Tissue should be stored in multiple aliquots, where possible, to maximise the future use of tissue for various purposes; and

d) where emergency situations arise and consent is not possible prior to surgery, the same protocol for tissue storage must be followed and consent must be completed within 48 hours.

Supporters

Altaf Hussain (South Wales West)

Janet Finch Saunders (Aberconwy)

Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales)

Natasha Asghar (South Wales East)

Rhianon Passmore (Islwyn)

Rhys ab Owen (South Wales Central)

The item started at 16.04

NDM8940 Hefin David (Caerphilly)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on Owain’s Law, named after Owain James of Caerphilly, who passed away from a brain tumour in 2024.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to ensure that:

a) consent for the handling and storage of tumour tissue must be obtained from the patient, or next of kin where appropriate, prior to surgery;

i) the consent process shall include a clear written explanation of how excised tissue will be stored following surgery, and pathological and histological examination; and

ii) the consent will outline that all remaining tissue will be owned by the patient and only consent from the patient, or next of kin where appropriate, can determine its use;

b) the minimal amount of excised tumour tissue will be used for pathological and histological analysis, ensuring diagnostic accuracy;

c) the remaining excised tumour tissue must be flash or fresh frozen, at -80 degrees centigrade, without any chemicals or preservatives (including saline or paraffin). Tissue should be stored in multiple aliquots, where possible, to maximise the future use of tissue for various purposes; and

d) where emergency situations arise and consent is not possible prior to surgery, the same protocol for tissue storage must be followed and consent must be completed within 48 hours.

Supporters

Altaf Hussain (South Wales West)

Janet Finch Saunders (Aberconwy)

Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales)

Natasha Asghar (South Wales East)

Rhianon Passmore (Islwyn)

Rhys ab Owen (South Wales Central)

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8944 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

Calls on the Welsh Government to declare a health emergency.
The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd

1. Recognises the NHS in Wales faces increased demand from demographic changes and the consequences from rising obesity and long-term, chronic health problems but this does not mean this is a health emergency.

2. Notes the action the Welsh Government is taking to address these issues and improve people’s health and access to healthcare including:

a) £120m to cut waiting times and the overall size of the waiting list;

b) changes to the GP contract to provide continuity of care for people with long-term conditions; and

c) Wales becoming a Marmot Nation to tackle health inequalities.

The item started at 16.25

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8944 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

Calls on the Welsh Government to declare a health emergency.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd

1. Recognises the NHS in Wales faces increased demand from demographic changes and the consequences from rising obesity and long-term, chronic health problems but this does not mean this is a health emergency.

2. Notes the action the Welsh Government is taking to address these issues and improve people’s health and access to healthcare including:

a) £120m to cut waiting times and the overall size of the waiting list;

b) changes to the GP contract to provide continuity of care for people with long-term conditions; and

c) Wales becoming a Marmot Nation to tackle health inequalities.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the NHS in Wales faces increased demand from demographic changes and the consequences from rising obesity and long-term, chronic health problems but this does not mean this is a health emergency.

2. Notes the action the Welsh Government is taking to address these issues and improve people’s health and access to healthcare including:

a) £120m to cut waiting times and the overall size of the waiting list;

b) changes to the GP contract to provide continuity of care for people with long-term conditions; and

c) Wales becoming a Marmot Nation to tackle health inequalities.

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 17.25

NDM8945 Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

From service to suffering: RAF veterans and their hidden battle with cancer

The item started at 17.28 

NDM8945 Julie Morgan (Cardiff North) 

From service to suffering: RAF veterans and their hidden battle with cancer