Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats

Following his attendance at the All Parliamentary Party Group for the Horse AGM, Group secretary Roger Williams used DEFRA Questions to pushed the Secretary of State Owen Paterson for reform and improvements to the current system.

Speaking in the House, Roger Williams the Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire, said:

Today during Defra questions, Roger Williams, Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire highlighted the need for greater food security through ensuring that the direct single payment for farmers are protected under Common Agricultural Policy reforms.

Roger, speaking in the House asked Minister David Heath MP:

Brecon and Radnorshire MP, Roger Williams, on Tuesday met with Transport Minister, Stephen Hammond MP, to urge him to introduce Graduated Driver Licensing in the UK. He was joined by public health expert, Dr. Sarah Jones, and Ellen Booth, of the road safety charity, Brake.

A system of Graduated Driver Licensing is designed to enable young drivers to gain invaluable experience of driving whilst reducing the risks they face during and after the learning period. The Government is publishing a Green Paper on Young People and road safety which will propose a number of measures for consideration, including a minimum learning period before holders of a provisional licence can take their driving test and restrictions on the number of young passengers. The Green Paper is expected to be published towards the end of the summer.

Roger Williams, Secretary for the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Horse, attended a meeting to discuss the future of Horse passporting after the meat adulteration debacle had shown that the system was not working properly. The government believe that the weaknesses can only be overcome by having a central database, and having only one organisation issuing passports.

Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has used today's Business　 Statement to call for greater action on the measles outbreak. The measles outbreak continues to spread, with cases in Wales, since November, currently standing at 1,257, including cases in Powys.

Commenting Kirsty Williams said:

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has accused Centrica of making vague promises over their huge British Gas profits in the first months of this year.

Mr. Black was reacting to the news that Centrica has said that it will use the profits it has made from the 18% increase in gas usage as a consequence of this year's unrelenting cold weather to hold energy prices 'for as long as possible.'

Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Spokesperson Aled Roberts has called for clarity in proposed changes to Post-16 funding in Wales. The proposals are contained in the Welsh Government's Post-16 Planning and Funding Review: Final report which was published this week.

Commenting, Aled Roberts said:

Responding to the Government statement on Jobs Growth Wales and the news that 66.5% of the 6000 jobs created for young people have been filled, Eluned Parrott AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Economy Minister said:

"I congratulate the government on creating over 6,000 job opportunities and filling two thirds of them; that alone is a substantial task and deserves credit.

William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy, has called on the Welsh Government to deliver on their Low Carbon ambitions in the wake of the First Minister's Energy Wales update today.

William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat for Mid and West Wales, said:

"Despite Welsh Government policy being big on rhetoric regarding green energy and a low carbon transition, we continue to be confronted with relatively little quantifiable progress as a direct result of specific Welsh Government action.

William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy, has called on the Welsh Government to deliver on their Low Carbon ambitions in the wake of the First Minister's Energy Wales update today.

William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat for Mid and West Wales, said:

"Despite Welsh Government policy being big on rhetoric regarding green energy and a low carbon transition, we continue to be confronted with relatively little quantifiable progress as a direct result of specific Welsh Government action.