Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM said:

“I am slightly disappointed in the councils approach to closing the pool. I understand that we are in tough times financially. When there is talk of job losses finding the £20,000 that the council suggest is needed for the damage to be repaid is difficult. However I am sure everyone concerned would have benefited from being told this sooner. Not only would early notice have avoided the current situation, where just as the school holiday’s are starting children locally are being told they will not have use of the facility, but it would have also given all parties more time to be able to look for funding elsewhere.”

Jonathan Edwards MP added:

“We obviously would love to see this local service repaired and open for public use. It seems unlikely at best that this will happen this year but we shouldn’t simply accept that it will close on a permanent basis. I know local members of the Swimming Pool Association have been proactive and wanted to find a resolution to the issue. Rhodri and I will be looking into what finance can be made available through various avenues and have already been in touch with officials at Westminster and the Assembly to see what options, if any, can be pursued at present.”

Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“I would urge as many people as possible to submit their views to the consultation process. It is vitally important that if we are to have any chance of saving the court that the strength of opposition locally is made clear. People are passionately opposed to these closure plans and that needs to be expressed.”

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM added:

“We have made it clear in our representations, as part of the consultation process, that there are a range of factors that we believe make the court closure a huge mistake. We believe that it will lead to increased costs, increased travel, increases in the number of people failing to turn up to court and a decrease in the number of victims of crime receiving justice. There is little doubt that the plans have failed to take into account the geographical, social or economic impacts the closure will have on the community.”

DIWEDD / ENDS

Nodiadau / Notes:

Anyone wishing to take part in the consultation should send their views to:

FAO Stephen Whale

Director, Courts Transformation (Wales)

HMCS Wales

Churchill House

Churchill Way

Cardiff CF10 2HH

stephen.whale@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk

02920 678 304 (Phone)

02920 678 406 (Fax)

http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-cp15-10.htm

For a number of years Plaid Cymru politicians in the county have been campaigning against the practice, which disproportionately takes place across Carmarthenshire in comparison to other areas of the UK. Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM and Jonathan Edwards MP say that their office is routinely contacted by concerned constituents who have a range of complaints from health issues, noise issues and the damaging impact it has on livestock.

The Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM and MP were left angry after recent information gathered by the parties Westminster leader, Elfyn Llwyd MP, revealed that low flying activity had increased by 11% in the past year at the same time the Westminster government, under the previous Labour administration, had agreed to allow sixteen different countries, including Germany, to use UK airspace to carry out low-flying training at no cost.

Jonathan Edwards MP has now formally requested a parliamentary debate on the matter to discuss the health issues relating to the military training.

Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“This is a major issue in the county. I am appalled that instead of looking at the detailed impact that low flying activity has on the health of county residents, the Westminster government, under Labour previously and now continued by the ConDem coalition, have actually been increasing the frequency of these flights. What is worse they have allowed other nations, including Germany who have ceased low flying in their own country on health grounds, to use Welsh residents as test subjects.”

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM added:

“For years I have been speaking to constituents who have endured a great deal of stress as a result of low flying activity in the county. Residents, especially the more elderly and vulnerable in our communities, are often left at their wits end as a result of the frightening noise these flights create. There are also serious questions about the damaging health aspects, specifically with hearing problems, which is a big concern when dealing with young children.”

Commenting, Elfyn Llwyd MP said:

“We must have an urgent rethink of this situation. More jets than ever before are now being trained and in no way are the people of north and mid Wales being compensated for this.

In my constituency, a high percentage of those who were children in primary schools there, now have problems with hearing.

Professor Ising persuaded the German Government to cease on health grounds. Where does the Luftwaffe train their low flying pilots now? Over UK air space. At no cost to them – but at a cost to the hearing of UK taxpayers!

When will the UK government stop treating the people of Wales with such contempt and do something about the intrusion and the damage to health?

The UK government should show the same respect towards people as the German government has shown over this issue.”

DIWEDD / ENDS

Nodiadau / Notes:

1. In a letter to Elfyn Llwyd dated 14th July 2004, Ivor Caplin MP (then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans) said:

“Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply the noise suppression methods used for civil aircraft without an unacceptable loss of operational capability.”

“Should new research provide evidence of a credible link between military low flying and adverse health effects then we would of course, consider what changes could be made to our operations.”

2. Recent parliamentary question by Lord Corbett:

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Which air forces, other than the Royal Air Force, are allowed to carry out low-flying training in United Kingdom air space; how many nations have done so; and what charges are levied for the use of those facilities.

Under Secretary of State for Defence, Lord Astor of Hever:

The Ministry of Defence does not charge foreign air forces to use the UK Low Flying System, but permits them to do so on the basis of reciprocal agreements.

The nations that have used the UK Low Flying System are Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and USA.

3. Written Statement (19th July 2010) from the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Andrew

Robathan):

“The amount of low flying training carried out in the UKLFS during the training year 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 was … [i]n comparative terms, … an increase of 5,632 hours, or approximately 11 per cent on the previous training year due to operational pre-deployment training for both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, and the continuing introduction of Typhoon into service.”

Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“This is fantastic news for Alex on a personal level. She has been a star in Wales for some time but to land one of the biggest roles in British TV is a huge achievement. It is also great news for the town locally. Many people will know Alex and I am sure there will be a lot of very proud people throughout Ammanford and the county upon hearing the news.”

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM said:

“It is great for people in areas like Ammanford to have role models like Alex. Landing such a high profile position as the anchor of the One Show will no doubt inspire a great deal of others. Alex has been a great ambassador for Ammanford over the years with a portfolio of excellent work, especially through welsh language television. I wish Alex all the best in her new job and I am sure she will be a huge success.”

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM said:

“I was really pleased to have been able to meet with the charity at its Ammanford event and hear about the important work it has been doing. I am very keen to support any proposals that could see a branch open in the town and with it offer an outlet for people locally to gain help and support in dealing with epilepsy.”

Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“Anyone who would like to get involved in helping establish an Ammanford branch should get in touch with the Regional Services Manager for Wales, Ann Sivapatham on 01633 253 407. I know from the work other branches, such as the one based in Llanelli, have done that having a local facility like this is hugely important not just on an individual basis but also in the wider concerns of tackling epilepsy.”

Epilepsy Action Regional Services Manager for Wales Ann Sivapatham said:

“We had a very positive response from the public to the event we held in Ammanford, and were also very pleased to have the chance to speak to Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM about local issues. Taking things forward by establishing an Ammanford branch would be excellent in terms of offering advice and support locally.”

Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“A lot of people have spoken to me locally about their concerns that the consultation period is not long enough. People feel incredibly passionate about opposing these plans and I want to ensure that everyone has the chance to make their views heard.

I am sure that responses submitted to the consultation will highlight beyond doubt the long list of reasons that people have for wanting, and needing, the court facility to remain open in the town.”

Elfyn Llwyd MP, who is a barrister by profession, has raised this issue formally with the Justice Secretary, said:

“In all my time in parliament, I have never seen a serious consultation take place during the month of August – it won’t have full parliamentary scrutiny. Ushering out the report then will lead to hurried closures being made on the hoof which is a very dangerous move. It will make life very difficult for people who use the courts – be it defendants, lawyers or justices of the peace.

“I have warned before that if these closures go ahead then I believe it will usher in the demise of the lay magistracy and greater use of district judges.”

But that’s just what Owen will be doing this September, when he undertakes a daring skydive in a bid to raise £395 for RNID – the largest charity in Wales working on hearing loss and hearing health.

RNID wrote to a number of Welsh MPs and Assembly Members, asking them to take part in the skydive and raise much needed funds. Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards is a great supporter of RNID, as he himself is hard of hearing, and his office was keen to help out. Jonathan’s Press and Research Officer, Owen Hathway, offered to step into the breach and do the jump himself.

“I’ve always wanted to do a Sky Dive and am really looking forward to it. Since agreeing to it I have started to think about what that actually means and am starting to wonder what I’ve let myself in for! But it is for a great cause supporting RNID Cymru so I will happily be throwing myself out of the plane on September 26th. Anyone wishing to sponsor me can do it online at www.justgiving.com/Owen-Hathway or just come into the Plaid office.”

Jonathan is 100% behind Owen and will be helping to publicise his skydive and raise as much money as possible for the charity. He said:

“Many people are unaware that as many as one in seven of the population is deaf or hard of hearing. Without support, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can face isolation and exclusion that can have a devastating effect not only on their own lives, but also on the lives of their family and friends. I’m determined to support RNID in the fantastic work they do right across the UK.

Many people in the county suffer from hearing difficulties and so will know first hand the impact of the RNID. Hopefully Owen will raise a lot of money and also help raise awareness of these important issues.”

Alaric Shorter, Senior Events & Community Fundraising Executive at the RNID added.

“We are immensely grateful to everyone who is brave enough to take the plunge and raise vital funds for RNID by taking part in a skydive. Without them we couldn’t keep doing the important work we do across the UK for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. If you think you’re a bit of a daredevil and would like to join Owen please get in touch!”

The skydive will take place on 26th September at Swansea Airport.

ENDS –

Owen can be sponsored through http://www.justgiving.com/Owen-Hathway by dropping money into the Plaid office or alternatively through the RNID direct at events@rnid.org.uk or call 0845 634 0687.

RNID Cymru is the charity working on hearing loss and hearing health. We do this with the help of our members by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.

For further information about RNID Cymru or to become a member, visit www.rnid.org.uk/Wales, contact RNID’s Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email informationline@rnid.org.uk

Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“These figures and the impact they could have on front line policing are very worrying. We are naturally concerned that such financial cutbacks could lead to less police on the beat which will have a significant impact on tackling crime. Dyfed Powys Police have one of the finest records in the whole of the UK. I am extremely proud of their performance but obviously you can not expect the best without the appropriate funding.”

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM added:

“These cuts are extremely damaging. Dyfed Powys Police are being asked to work under almost impossible conditions. We have contacted the Chief Constable in order to see what support we can offer during this period. The high standards of the local police in Carmarthenshire have to be recognised and for them to continue we will need to fight their corner on issues of funding. It will be a huge blow for the county if the visibility of front line staff is reduced because of the cuts imposed on the authority from Westminster.”

Plaid Cymru treasury spokesperson, Jonathan Edwards MP, said:

Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“I have spoke to many people associated with the court, including local solicitors and people I the local community who are unanimously opposed to these cuts. There is little doubt in my mind that shutting this court will severe the link between justice and the local communities in which it is administrated. There are also some serious concerns about the practicality of the proposals which will leave people financially and physically unable to make court appointments.

Clearly these decisions have been made on purely financial considerations with absolutely no local knowledge of the impact this closure will have.”

DIWEDD / ENDS

Nodiadau / Notes:

Jonathan Edwards MPs Speech for the Westminster hall Debate:

May I congratulate the honourable member for Ceredigion for securing this vitally important debate. As many here will testify this is an issue that will have a major impact on a great number of our constituents. In my constituency the proposed closures will be a hammer blow to the local area eroding the connection between the local community and the justice that is provided through magistrates courts. From speaking to local residents and solicitors this is something that is of great concern to them. If the proposals do go ahead, and the notion of justice being directly linked to the communities in which the crimes took place is lost, the entire ideal of fairness in our society is put at risk.

Looking at the detail of the proposals I can only assume that the courts that are facing closure have been chosen completely at random as any examination of the impact would make it clear that these are not practical suggestions. One of the courts down for closure in my constituency is that of Llandovery. This certainly highlights to me the ‘off the cuff’ approach the UK government has taken. Anyone with knowledge of these provisions would have pointed out that the Llandovery service has in fact been closed for some time. I can only hope that it wasn’t the Ministry of Justices intention to shut the town’s library which has been operating from that site over the past few years!

However, what is deeply concerning is the lack of attention given to the impact of closing the main service in my constituency, namely the Ammanford Magistrates court. One of the justifications given for shutting the court services in Llandovery, in the north of Carmarthenshire, was that the people there could make the long journey to Ammanford. As someone who makes that journey by private means I can attest that it can take close to an hour despite the fact that the route is serviced by the main Swansea to Manchester trunk road.

The most recent round of closures will of course require people from the Llandovery, Cilycwm and Rhandirmwyn areas to make an extended trip out of the constituency to Llanelli. For people who can call on private transport, this is difficult at the best of times, but for those who can not, and with such poor public transport services in the county, it will be almost impossible for many people. We must also remember the government is asking people to be taking on the additional expense of public transport or added petrol costs at a time when families are already making the very difficult choices as a result of tightening family budgets.

The north of Carmarthenshire to Llanelli is not a natural public transport route with only the Heart of Wales line providing a direct route. Those who have travelled on that beautiful rail track will know that services aren’t regular enough to enable convenient travel to Llanelli with trains running on the line at four hour intervals if memory serves correct..

In my constituency this does not only impact on those travelling great distances to Ammanford but even people in the surrounding Amman Valley. Closing the Ammanford court will result in people in areas such as Brynamman, Garnant and Glanamman in the upper Amman Valley having to catch several different busses, often with long waiting times between connections. It would leave my constituency without a single Court.

I was recently speaking to someone who plays an active role in the court services in Carmarthenshire who explained how one defendant had actually requested to be sent to jail as they did not foresee it financially or physically possible to undertake community service in another part of the county due to the limited public transport available.

There is certainly a strong case to be made that through closing these sites and expecting defendants, witnesses and court employees to travel further at greater personal cost we will inevitably end up with a situation where the amount of time and effort spent on chasing individuals who do not turn up to court rockets. This could be counter productive in regards to saving the public money.

It is evident from looking at the Ammanford court in my constituency that the decision was made without evaluating the individual merits of the court. £59,000 was spent refurbishing the facility over the last few years. It seems extraordinary that such a large amount of public money would be spent improving the court, to what I am told is now a good quality building and a state of the art Magistrates Court, only for it to then be closed without a second thought. This totally contradicts the mantra of ‘value for money’ that is supposedly at the heart of these proposals.

This is not the first time Ammanford Court has faced the threat of closure. At the last round of closures Ammanford was also on the hit list. Local Magistrates and the local legal community believed that the recent investment in the Court would safeguard its future. They are clearly very concerned about the Government’s proposals.

The proposals would also create one Carmarthenshire Bench. The Dinefwr bench which currently serves my constituency services one of the most concentrated areas of Welsh speakers in Wales and provides a fully bilingual service. Justice is therefore delivered in the language of choice of defendants. There are concerns that this could be lost as a result of the loss of the Dinefwr bench.

I am strongly opposed to these proposals and as they will have a hugely detrimental impact on the community based justice delivered by local Magistrates. I would urge the Minister to look again at his proposals, especially in Carmarthenshire where the negative impact of these closures will be felt throughout the County, especially amongst the most vulnerable in society.