Thursday, May 05, 2005
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
As a public service I have decided to record this week the attendance records of the four Assembly Members who are standing for Parliament. On Tuesday both Jonathan Morgan and Alun Cairns appeared in the chamber looking sun-tanned and relaxed. Yesterday, it was the turn of David Davies, who according to my PA, looked absolutely knackered. Peter Law made an appearance on both days. All four candidates spend some considerable time in Plenary, though none of them managed to stay for the full session.
The appearance of the three Tories in particular always attracts some comment, so it was when David Davies rose to ask a question of the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning:
David Davies: Would you agree that encouraging older people who wish to do so to go back to university or to engage in the learning process is probably a better use of our precious resources than encouraging younger people who do not particularly wish to go to university to do so and to undertake inappropriate courses that often do not lead to any sort of job?
Jane Davidson: Your absence from this Chamber has clearly not ensured that you have learned any more about Assembly Government policy. We have always encouraged—
The Presiding Officer: Order. I have not noticed any absences from the Chamber.
Jane Davidson: I was referring to David’s absence in your absence, Presiding Officer.
We will have to see if David manages to sustain a full attendance if he is elected as an MP tonight.
The appearance of the three Tories in particular always attracts some comment, so it was when David Davies rose to ask a question of the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning:
David Davies: Would you agree that encouraging older people who wish to do so to go back to university or to engage in the learning process is probably a better use of our precious resources than encouraging younger people who do not particularly wish to go to university to do so and to undertake inappropriate courses that often do not lead to any sort of job?
Jane Davidson: Your absence from this Chamber has clearly not ensured that you have learned any more about Assembly Government policy. We have always encouraged—
The Presiding Officer: Order. I have not noticed any absences from the Chamber.
Jane Davidson: I was referring to David’s absence in your absence, Presiding Officer.
We will have to see if David manages to sustain a full attendance if he is elected as an MP tonight.
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