31/01/2017 First Minister's Questions

and our weekly coverage of Questions to the First Minister.

As ever, Carwyn Jones will be answering questions

on a range of topics which fall under his responsibility,

including health policy, his plans for industry

and his reaction to local bank closures.

Don't forget we're @walespolitics on twitter,

where you can see all the latest on Welsh politics.

and today's Questions to the First Minister.

I call the National Assembly to order and the first item on our

agenda this afternoon is questions to the First Minister. Janet

Finch-Saunders. Will the First Minister make a statement on the

health service in north Wales? Our priorities for the health service in

the north and throughout Wales are to continue to protect investment

and deliver the range of commitments in taking Wales forward. Clearly

your priorities are not orthopaedic care because I hope you are as

shocked as I am with the recent findings of a 5000 per increase in

those having gone longer than the 36 weeks treatment time for orthopaedic

and trauma services. That is 3052 patients now having gone

considerably longer than that. I have constituents waiting for a new

replacement, 130 weeks for a hip replacement. They are in constant

pain, fed up with popping really serious painkillers. We learned

yesterday that all orthopaedic replacement surgery at Ysbyty Glan

Clwyd is now on hold. I am now advise the entry ward is now closed

for surgery. That frustrates me and my constituency even more. Such

delays in this kind of treatment is a national scandal and if this is an

example of your government putting the health board in special measures

18 months ago, then serious questions must be raised. How, under

your watch, have you allowed such scandalous waiting times and what

will you do now as First Minister on behalf of my constituents and those

patients across North Wales to investigate the matter urgently and

to provide my constituents and others with the appropriate

treatment... You need to bring your question to an end. The approach --

appropriate treatment they not only need but deserve. The majority of

patients in North Wales are within less than 26 weeks but we understand

that Orthopaedics is a challenging area. Extra money has been made

available to Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in order to reduce waiting

times. They are outsourcing some activity to alternative providers

and we expect to see the situation improved markedly over the next two

months. Earlier this month, the annual safeguarding report from

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board was published which was quite a

frightening read. The risk register showed 13 serious risks, including

failure to comply with various pieces of safeguarding legislation

or that there was a real risk that a child or a person couldn't be

identified if they were to go to A, which could lead to serious

harm to that individual. After a year and a half in special measures,

do you believe that is acceptable? We know that the board is not yet

ready to come out of special measures at present but, having said

that, we also know that looking broadly at the performance of the

health board, things have improved and we saw that in looking at the

framework in November where it showed that very good work had been

done and what's important now is to make sure that every part of service

being delivered by the health board improves in the same manner as the

cancer treatment times and so on and also the waiting times for

diagnostic tests. First Minister, how can you justify offering free

prescriptions and additional childcare regardless of income and

at huge cost while the number of people waiting for orthopaedic

treatment in North Wales has rocketed. Where are your priorities?

Because we were elected on that basis. I can't speak for her party

but we like to keep our promises. Question two. Will the First

Minister make a statement on the provision of bespoke mental health

services for former armed services personnel? Taking Wales forward

confirms our commitment to making sure that runs receive health care

that meets their needs and we will maintain that, which provides access

to evidence -based treatment for veterans with mental health

problems. Can I welcome what you said about preserving the service.

You are leading the way in the UK and I commend you for that but as we

now revealed this service, which has had a lot of initial success, I

think we are too reliant on self referral. That is one of the things

that has come through at the moment. One key objective is to inform

veterans that the resettlement stage as they moved back into civilian

life, that in itself can be very challenging, but they may then have

information that could be very important to them a few months or

years hence. I take the point that the member makes. We know there are

high levels of satisfaction that the service has provided. I think we can

do this, we can raise the issue with the Royal British Legion and the

Armed Forces to see what more could be done to inform veterans of the

availability of the service and also to encourage them to seek help from

the service rather than hold back but I will, the Minister will have

heard what's been said in the chamber and if we can do more to

improve communication to ensure that people who can benefit from a

service which does have such high risk of satisfaction, we will. I

wonder if you know that there was a motion to bring forward a No

Soldier, left behind. ... Can I just direct, the decision taken by the

business committee is not to be questioned on this floor and is not

to be timetabled. Priority has been given to another member as a

legislative proposal. Thank you for your clarification. So we do have an

opportunity to bring it back, it seems. But too many veterans are

struggling for health care, struggling for housing, especially

as the colleague across the chamber said, mental health care. Local

authorities don't have to give veterans priority. The reality is

that we don't leave soldiers behind on the battlefield and we shouldn't

be leaving them behind when they come home. Will your government

support a Bill, legislation, to make sure that what a lot of people are

suffering at the minute no longer happens and we make a difference and

make a change to the lives of these people? All I know there is a

suggestion and we have to see what the detail might be. It may be that

a lot of the issues the member raises has been covered by the

service as it stands. We do make ?585,000 available each year to fund

the service. It does provide therapeutic interventions in each

local health board. It also has a referral pathways to signpost that

runs to other areas in order for them to get help and support. The

question will be, would a Bill add to that and much would depend would

depend on what is in the Bill before taking a proper view on whether a

Bill would add to the services available already. Caroline Jones.

Just over two years ago, a Welsh government review of the veterans

NHS Wales service found that veterans were waiting at 280 days

for an initial assessment and up to 140 days from assessment. The review

also highlighted the fact that the service would face additional

pressures resulting from the UK defence and security review. In

total 15 recommendations were made as a result of the review. First

Minister, can you update us on the progress that has been made by Welsh

government and the local health boards in implementing the --... And

ensuring the service can respond to future demand? That report was

received in November 2014 and it did show high satisfaction rates among

veterans using the service. The recommendations have been accepted

and are being taken forward. Questions now from the party

leaders. Leanne Wood. Following the announcement of President Trump's

racist travel ban, they have been demonstrations throughout the world

including in Wales, rejecting the idea of division. But the issue is

wider than that just of a specific ban. The whole question of migration

has become a toxic debate. Will you join me and others in this Assembly

to make it clear that Wales remains open for business, open to visitors

and, just as importantly, open to those fleeing prosecution. --

persecution. And do you agree with me that this ban on the grounds of

place of origin or religion has no ground here? We are, each and every

one of us in this chamber, the descendants of immigrants, it just

depends when they came to these islands. I do share the view that

the current debate in more than one country around the world regarding

migration is toxic. It is ironic that the debate is sometimes at its

most toxic in countries that are made up of immigrants, first, second

and third generation. That is the irony of this. But the irony is that

we know that where nationalism in terms of extreme right-wing

nationalism is allowed to take a grip, as we saw in the 1930s, the

result is calamity. Thank you for your answer and I agree with much of

your sentiment there. One of the factors that was influential in the

EU referendum result was the issue of wages and the undercutting of

Labour. There is no doubt about that. You will be aware, as I am,

and an scruple employers charging for accommodation and nominally

deducting it from people's wages. Those workers are not in trade

unions. They are often being paid less than the minimum wage. Migrant

workers are being exploited and those employers are also

undercutting Welsh workers so both types of workers are losing out.

Yesterday we met with the UK Government Secretary of State for

exiting the European Union and this point was made, I think it's great

to say, strongly. This morning I've written to the UK Prime Minister

calling for much stronger enforcement, just as I called on

previous Labour governments to do. It has to be dealt with because this

undercutting and exploitation is being used by some politicians to

exploit people's concerns about migration. Even the Secretary of

State for Wales yesterday was joining in, flying in the face of

facts and evidence, as to why wages have been stagnant. Does the First

Minister agree with me that the exploitation of workers by

unscrupulous employers has to stop and will he agreed to tackle it

using whatever powers may be available to him regardless of the

Brexit negotiations? She and I were at that meeting with David Davies

yesterday and he agreed with what we said but the question is, agreeing

is one thing, action is another. The point was made and she made the

point that we have not seen prosecutions for breaches of minimum

wage legislation, largely because it's not as straightforward as that.

I have mentioned in this chamber before now that I have heard

believable testimony from Polish workers particularly that they have

been paid the minimum wage is -- wage but they have used other

methods to take money from them, such as a realistic bonds when they

go into accommodation, such as against damage and when they go

there it is white furniture, white walls, and it is very difficult to

keep it in full order. We made the point yesterday that there is a huge

amount of work to do to make sure these people are brought to account

because, she is quite right, they exploit migrant workers and make

things of a lower standard as a result for workers from the UK.

Unfortunately many of the people who sit in the UK Government at the

moment are not interested. You are right, there are number of ways that

unscrew bless employers can exploit workers but this question of the

minimum wage is a key one. Last I looked HMRC only employed six people

to enforce the National Minimum Wage and it is clearly not a priority for

the UK Government. There have been minimal prosecutions in recent years

and that was the case under the previous Labour government as well.

Will you join me in condemning in the strongest possible terms those

politicians who seek to peddle myths about the reasons behind people's

wages being squeezed because while we are pointing out at migrants

instead of the government's inaction towards rogue employers, we are

letting the real culprits off the hook. Will you also commit to this

Assembly today to let us know what Welsh government resources you will

be able to identify to stop this exploitation so that enforcement

and, if necessary, the What I'd like to do is work closely

with those communities affected so they don't feel afraid to come

forward to offer their testimony. Quite often, that will be done and

the promise of anonymity will be taken forward. Recently, I finished

reading Dennis Skinner's autobiography. He isn't a politician

I'd normally share a lot in common but what he did say about Polish

workers in the mines after the war was interesting. There was no

animosity towards them because they were members of the trade union.

They weren't seen as undercutting wages. They had the same protection

as workers in the UK. That is what we need to get back to. Too many

people have low wages because of austerity and because they don't

have the support of a trade union. And we know were places that are

unionised have better terms and conditions for people in those

workplaces, which is why it is important that all workers are

covered through trade union membership, wherever they come from

in the world. First Minister, on Saturday, it is world Cancer Day,

something which many members in this chamber would have been touched by

and I know myself and my family have had an unfortunate episode where we

have lost a loved one to cancer. One in two of us going forward will have

an episode of cancer in our lives, down from one in three. So the odds

of people getting cancer are increasing by the day and by the

week. Regrettably, the Welsh government's target of a 62 day

target time hasn't been met since 2008. That aside, there is good

progress is going on in cancer services across Wales. What is your

overview of the delivery of cancer services here in Wales, bearing in

mind we have the National Cancer day to look forward to on the weekend to

reflect on where where at and one in two of us will of cancer in a

lifetime? I declare an interest here. My wife is employed by

Macmillan. What is clear is that there are two developments that

people will find if they're diagnosed with cancer. More and more

people are living with cancer, that is the phrase that is used, cancers

that cannot be cured in the conventional sense of five years

remission. But that actually allow people to live a normal life and

doesn't necessarily shorten their lives with the right level of

treatment. Secondly, huge progress is being made and we are fortunate

to have the unit in Cardiff in developing treatments that are

tailored to the genetic needs of the individual. Cancer treatment has

been a blunt instrument for many years. The same treatment was

applied to people over the years, it was more like trial and error. We

are in the forefront of genetic treatment in Wales and I want to

make sure more and more people have the opportunity to be rid of cancer

in the course of their lives and are able to live with cancer because

they have the support of pharmaceutical and moral, in order

to do that. You are right to point out the positive since cancer

treatments and the developments and the way Wales is leading the way. We

have pioneering science, pioneering technology here. Your government has

targets are having 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050. There is a

statement this afternoon towards 2030 from the education secretary.

There is a girl that the British Cancer coalition have which is to

increase the survival rates from lung cancer, irrespective of where

you live. The survival rates are very, very poor. 16% in other parts

of the UK, 5-6% in Wales. You'll agree with me that is something

we've got to desperately improve. They have a target to increase the

survival from lung cancer after five years up to 25% by 2025. I've

highlighted other goals your government has set. Will you be

prepared to set that as a goal for your government to work too,

certainly up to 2021 and hopefully to deliver? I think that is

reasonable. We want to see more people live with and survive long

cancer. The survival rates are about 8% - 9%. They are low figures. Much

of it is because early diagnosis is so crucial, common to any type of

cancer. And symptoms don't manifest so readily. I believe our GPs are

referring people as they should, there's no question to my mind that

is happening and that people are receiving attention as they need.

Where there are complex cancers, it does take some time to get the right

treatment for them. I am looking to support an initiative that wants to

cut the number of deaths through long cancer in the way the leader of

the Welsh Conservatives has described. Thank you for that

commitment. If it is met, it could save 600 lives, who were dying

prematurely to lung cancer at the moment in Wales. Ultimately, that is

a goal we should all be striving to. Two weeks ago I heard an event for

patient voices around cancer services. Tom Crosby, the clinical

need for cancer services in Wales, highlighted the importance of

bringing forward a Cancer plan to underpin cancer development in

services, putting oncologists into Wales and developing long-term

sustainable services. If were going to hit that target of an increase in

survival up to 25% by 2025, and if we want to be serious about getting

on track now, we need to bring that plan forward, and when people like

Tom Crosby are identifying that has a need, I hope you'll agree the

government does need to listen to him and listen to others who are

saying that is what is required to drive the strategy forward.

Macmillan, who you identified in members interests, identified only

last week there needs to be a dramatic improvement in the delivery

of services for patients in 2017. Will you commit to bringing forward

a Cancer plan along the lines of what Tom Crosby has identified and

an improvement in services that Macmillan have called for in 2017?

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives will no doubt know

these are issues that are raised constantly in the house where I live

and the points I make fresh strongly and rightly so. We will listen to

those who suggest how cancer can be dealt with. We want to ensure we

have the right level of medical staffing, which is why we have a

recruiting campaign which were launched last year. And it's

important to what the third sector organisations. They provide support

for people who are shocked with the cancer diagnosis. The knocking their

income, the knock in the confidence, and it is a question as well that

people have support outside. I've seen similar examples of people who

because they have received support because they've kept their spirits

in the right place, they have survived cancer, whereas other

people who have lost their spirit don't survive. And I've seen that.

It is hugely important that while he makes the point that we have the

right level of medical staff to give treatments, we also need to make

sure people have support around them and ordered to help them fight the

disease as well. Leader of the Ukip group. First Minister will know the

Fordham motor company cancelled ?1.6 billion in Mexico and decided

instead to invest in its plant in Michigan. This is partly, they say,

a vote of confidence in the Trump administration policy. 1850 jobs in

Bridgend, depending on company, despite slashing investment by ?100

million in September. Are those jobs rendered more secure by his

insulting call to cancel the proposed invitation to President

Trump to visit to the UK? The Ford Motor Company has condemned his

comments over the weekend. We'll see the chaos that has resulted. What I

can say to him, it is a great threat, the barrier between it and

it's only customer in Germany. It exports every single engine it

makes. If there are barriers in place between that engine plant and

Germany, Ford will be tempted to shift their production to Romania or

other plants in Europe. We ought to be on a level playing field and not

be put in a position of weakness. My point is the prospering trade

relationship with the United States, which will, to an extent, depend

upon having a positive relationship with the United States government. I

appreciate there will be different views around the chamber on the

domestic policies the United States government and, indeed, President

Trump's apparent views on world trade, but given the United States

is Wales' biggest individual nation trading partner, we exported 2600

?44 million worth of exports to that country, 22% of all the exports from

Wales, is it not vitally important that we should be as positive

towards President Trump in our international relations and

therefore welcome the state visit from him later this year? First of

all, it is right to engage the US government. I will be in America at

the end of next month, working with the Congress, the Caucus, the Welsh

caucus of Congress members, and I will keep on doing that. Theresa May

herself said that we should speak to friends. And she has not done that.

I think it is hugely important these points are made. The phrase that

I've used, it is difficult to imagine a successful state visit at

the moment given the controversy and the timing of this. Bill Clinton

didn't have a state visit Noorda George Bush nor did Ronald Reagan.

At least two years after they became president did presidents have state

visits. The timing is strange, I have to say. I don't criticise

Theresa May were trying to force links with the US government, that

is the nature of international diplomacy, but it means that if we

are truly to be, as it were, friendly critics, if I can use that

phrase, of the US government, then the British government shouldn't

refrain from doing that. Theresa May has given from the criticism to

President Trump already in various ways. And I'm not against being

candid with our allies. But there is a difference in diplomacy between

candid criticism given a date-mac in a polite way, and megaphone

criticism which is more about grandstanding for domestic political

game. He sat down when he heard the words Nigel Farage being mentioned,

to do with the megaphone. The weather chosen are appropriate and I

think they are self-evident to most people in Britain. As I said

yesterday, its circumstances change, the circumstances around the visit

might change as well. Could the last few days and members can make up

their own minds about what is happening in the US, because we have

no clarity despite what Boris Johnson said, and I think there are

issues for the Prime Minister. First question is when did she know about

this? Was it Friday? Did she make representations? When did she know

about the conditions that are attached to the executive order? If

so, did she make representations for British citizens and British

passport holders? Which was asked about the order, why did she say it

is a matter for the US? If it had been any other country, she wouldn't

have made that response. Why did it take so long for Boris Johnson to

get on the phone to clarify the position? It isn't as clear as he

has suggested in Parliament. These are all questions I think the prime

minister has to answer. Of course, we have to have a relationship with

the US government. Of course we will continue our relationship with the

businesses. But it doesn't mean that we should say nothing about policies

put in place with which we disagree. We haven't done that with countries

like China or Russia. It is right we should also make our views known

when we disagree with something the US does, rather than be quiet and

sit in the corner. That I believe isn't the right way for the UK to

conduct its affairs. Question three. Will the First Minister make

statements on the Welsh Common's progress on physical activity? We

have measures which are being considered and are forthcoming.

Every Saturday morning at 9am right across Wales, thousands of people

take part in a park runs. They are volunteer led, they are timed people

are able to chart their progress as they hopefully their times over the

months and, indeed, the years. In Newport, the park run has been added

to with the city centre urban park run along the riverside. I took part

in recent events and enjoyed the benefits, as so many others do,

although my joy in setting a personal best was reduced when the

man who finished in front of me confided he'd just had a hip

replacement. Nonetheless, they are very important events, and I did set

a personal best. Will you join me, First Minister, in recognising and

paying tribute to the importance and significance of these park runs,

which are making a growing contribution to getting a more

physically active population right across Wales?

It is hugely important that people feel comfortable in taking exercise

in ways that are appropriate to them. They were two points that I

feared he would make. The first when he did make, namely that he has been

involved in a part run himself, and the second he didn't make, which I

welcome, which was an invite for me to join him in a park run because I

know full well he would have the edge on me there. But it is

important to encourage people to take exercise in new ways. Dai

Lloyd. Following on from John Griffiths' question, the First

Minister will recall the last time we had a ballot was to safeguard

playing fields and so I hope there will be some development along the

line as John suggested but it is also a matter of concern that 13% of

children in Wales do no physical activity from one week to the next.

What plans do you have in place to tackle the situation? Well, the

Welsh schools network, healthy schools network scheme, does support

schools to promote schemes to improve the health of pupils in

schools. 99% of schools are part of the programme. Those schools that

aren't private schools. And of course we also work with the W LGA

in order to support the children in continuing with their exercise,

including in the summer holidays, by ensuring there are activities

available. It could bring substantial benefits for

the health and well-being of the nation. The consultation on

improving... When will your government be in a position to bring

forward proposals that will encourage activities such as cycling

and horse riding while protecting the environment and the livelihood

of people who work in the countryside in Wales? Let's Walk,

Wales, is aimed at introducing walking into people's daily lives to

tackle the onset of heart disease and obesity. It is important that

people know where they can walk and where they can cycle and the active

travel act is a piece of legislation that helps us to develop those

methods of both exercise and transport in Wales in the future.

Question four. What are the implications of the UK Government's

industrial plan on Wales? Thus far it is not full of detail but we have

a call for the rebalancing of the economy and we will look at the

Green Paper when we see it in more detail. Obviously, the industrial

plan will impact on devolved matters in some way but although we don't

exactly know that until the Welsh government publishes an industrial

plan for Wales itself and in response to a question from my

friend, the member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr last week, the

economy secretary dismissed any need for an urgent industrial plan for

Wales with a suggestion we might have to wait until late in the

summer. When will the Welsh government stop playing hide and

seek with the future prosperity of this country? The unemployment rate

is 4.1%, lower than England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We

take the view that it is hugely important that we develop business.

We have set up the development bank for Wales. Some supporting sectors

where they need support. We have not seen support from the UK Government

for steel. We have provided that support and it is for that reason

there is a future in prospect for the Welsh steel industry so from our

perspective, we have invested in skills as well, and we believe the

story we can tell is a good one. First Minister, you just mentioned

steel. Are you as disappointed as I am when I read through the

industrial plan from the UK Government that there is very little

reflection on steel. Their approach to steel is nonexistent,

effectively. Manufacturing is 16% of the GPA in Wales. It's a major

sector so when you produce the economic strategy, will you make

sure the industrial strategy ensures that our manufacturing sector and

steel sector are reflected in the actions we take? We are judged by

what we have done for the steel sector in Wales. The financial

support we have provided, the fact we have engaged so much with Tata

and other steelmakers, showing them that we see steel as an important

part of the Welsh economy. There is scant reference to it in the Green

Paper it self despite what we have heard from the UK Government. We

need to see more detail on how the UK Government will do its bit to

support the steel industry. Russell George. In regards to your White

Paper on exiting the EU, First Minister, there is much I can agree

on but there does seem to be a lack of strategic planning to the

opportunities to grow the Welsh economy. We know that Welsh exports

were down in 2015, new business start-ups since 2011 have reduced by

26%, so in growing the Welsh economy, how is your paper linking

with a prosperous and secure strategy that your Cabinet secretary

talked about last week? What Welsh government plans are there to

reverse the export declines and support particularly new business

start-ups? I thank him for what he said about the White Paper. He

talked about SMEs. We offer repayable finance to SMEs.

Immediately following the referendum, we did launch the

business confidence plan aimed at promoting business confidence. We

want Wales to remain an attractive place for businesses to invest. On

top of that, Finance Wales has introduced two new funds. For

example, the Wales technology venture investment fund and the

Wales business fund. We are determined to make sure that we can

provide as much support as SMEs need. It is right to say that there

is still some uncertainty as to what happens post-Brexit. We don't know

what the arrangements will be for accessing the single market until

those questions are answered so it's natural that some businesses will

want to wait and see what happens before they take investment

decisions. Question five. What assessment has the First Minister

made of bank closures in north Wales? What is absolutely crucial is

that people, with a loot their bank branches are able to access banking

services through the Post Office. Just last week, HSBC announced its

intention to close its branch in Holywell, hot on the heels of

NatWest taking the same decision in the same town. The consequence of

which will hit the high street hard. I joined members of the community

last Friday to take a stand against this latest closure and the hurt and

anger of local people was palpable. They really feel enough is enough

for the area. When HSBC closed its bad in Flint last year, they advised

customers to use the Holywell Arch. -- branch. While the banks make

clear it is possible to use the local post office, this is not

applicable to business customers and the future of Hollywood post office

is far from certain. While I recognise that any legislation to

protect our local bank branches would need to be eaten at the UK

level, what can the Welsh government do to make sure that people and

businesses in my constituency and across Wales continue to access

face-to-face banking and support our high streets? We have over the years

supported our post offices financially and they are hugely

important in local communities. It is right to say that while personal

banking services can be provided by post offices, the reality is that

most business customers don't get that kind of service. When

businesses cash at the end of the day, where do they take their money?

Is one of the issues. It helps the football of a post office as well.

The difficulty with banking is that football has dropped in branches. We

must find a way, working with the Post Office, to make sure that those

services are available to the people that need them. We have made

representations over the years to the Post Office and the banks to

make sure that where banks decide they no one to be -- no longer want

to be in the community, the Post Office is able to take over the

services they offer, and to look at whether credit unions can take over

as well. Rhun ap Iorwerth. I have also raised concerns in this chamber

to the First Minister on a series of announcements in my constituency.

They have been further announcements recently on financial institutions,

not only banks closing, HSBC in Holyhead, the Yorkshire building

society in Llangefni, they are the latest two. The outcome of this is

that there is a centralisation of services and regional hubs. We are

seeing a pattern of that emerging at the moment and that does deprive

people of services as other members have said. There is the First

Minister agree that the Welsh government does need to put pressure

on the UK Government to make sure that banks, not as individual

companies but as a wider sector, should make sure that there are

financial services which are accessible to all communities in

Wales? Yes, that is a fair point. If the banks can't do it, in my view

they are duty bound to offer alternative ways of delivering the

financial services, via the Post Office and also, as a government, we

want to make sure that credit unions can fill the gap that the commercial

banks are leaving. As I said earlier, by so doing, I think it

will be possible to make sure that people will receive the services

they should receive. Mark Isherwood. As he Jess be told me when I met

them last year to discuss the closures in Flintshire, as NatWest

replied to me when I wrote to them regarding their closure in

Hollywood, and as the Yorkshire building society is now saying, the

reason for this is the switch from bank raised service usage to digital

usage. That, as is now being said by HSBC in Holywell, Hollywood head and

Llanrwst, leaves those without transport, those without Internet

access, shopkeepers and small businesses, losing out. What

dialogue and what submission did your government made to Professor

Grigg's independent review into how banks have intimated the banking

protocol to minimise the impact of bank closures and into dialogue with

the Post Office regarding the newly announced partnership to secure

access to local banking services? We welcome the recommendations for

better engagement and communication between the banks and customers but

it is important the UK Government, as the lead organisation here, to

make sure that what the review actually suggests is taken forward,

namely that the banks improve the way they engage with communities

facing branch closures, including working with small business

customers to mitigate the challenge of cash deposits. While we welcome

the recommendations, we do need to see action now on the part of the UK

Government. Question six. Will the First Minister make a statement on

support for micro businesses in Wales? Business support is available

for entrepreneurs, Micro, small and medium-sized businesses across

Wales, through our business Wales service, and our focus remains on

supporting innovation, jobs and the economy. As well as the support you

have referred to, I am aware that business Wales provides considerable

practical support for guidance on developing businesses such as

business plans, research, bands etc. In Merthyr Tydfil we have a

fantastic organisation which offers facilitated office space for

businesses to share resources and ideas under one roof. The space

offers a one-stop cost-effective environment to kick-start ideas and

share skills, knowledge and success. An important part of the hub's role

is not just to provide the facilitated office space but it

provides a forum for these new or developing small businesses to share

experience and good practice and mutual support. Do you agree with me

that initiatives like this can be incredibly beneficial to small

businesses, particularly in their formative years, and have an

important role to play in supporting the continued growth of small

businesses in Wales, supplementing the work done by business Wales?

Sharing expertise, good practice is a good factor for start-ups. I note

the sector in Conwy, in conjunction with the entrepreneurial sector, is

looking at the type of spaces needed to make sure that provision is

available. Will the First Minister make a

statement on the Hendry review? We welcome it. It supports the case for

the tidal lagoon and the specific recognition that gives to the

projects already under development around our coast. Thank you. We all

welcome it. What we don't need of course is the issue of the marine

licence holding up progress. Bearing in mind that I raise the delay in

September 2015, how often has your government chased and Derby to come

forward with the license, and what reasons has it given for its species

report? NRW at arms length organisation. There is a limit to

what we can appropriately say to them as they are determining a

marine licensing application. I will say the application needs to be

determined as possible. And we all understand in this chamber of the

importance of the tidal lagoon in terms of jobs. We also need to see a

firm commitment from the UK government in terms of the strike

price in order to ensure this worthwhile project goes ahead.

Question eight. We were delighted Charles Hendry visited the Assembly

last week. What discussions has the First Minister had with the Prime

Minister regarding the Swansea Bay tidal lagoons since the Hendry

review was published? Can I thank the member for the heads up on his

supplementary? Not directly with the Prime Minister but I know the

Cabinet Secretary for Conwy infrastructure met last week and

officials are in close contact with the Department in Whitehall. Thank

you for your patience. It was a clear and resounding endorsement of

the Swansea Laguna Seca Pathfinder, he said, and the cost of the project

would be about 30 people are household were a year for the first

30 years. The benefits he said that investment could be huge, especially

in South Wales but also in many other parts of the country. Having

looked at the evidence and spoken to the key players on both sides of the

debate, it is my view we should seize the opportunity to move this

technology forward now. Would be First Minister note the cross-party

support here in the Senedd? The cross-party support among Welsh MPs?

The cross sector business support? The University support? And whilst

we need to deal with the environmental concerns, the wider

NGO support for this sustainable energy scheme? Would you further

agree that this, as I said to Charles Hendry when he first came

here to take views, is a no-brainer or as he said, in no regret policy

for government. And we would welcome a supportive statement from the UK

government for the pathway Project at the earliest opportunity. What

can he do to help to get that statement? We have made it very

clear that this is a project that doesn't just deliver green anergy

beyond our own lifetimes, which is not something we are used to

predicting in politics. It also has the potential to create 1300 jobs,

particular import tool but that is required. -- particular in Port

Talbot. And I hope we can move forward with the project that will

only be good for the Welsh people. Will the First Minister make a

statement on recognition given those who carried out their National

Service as Bevin Boys during and after the Second World War? I know

the member has a very firm interest in this issue and we know that Bevin

Boys, many of whom worked in dangerous minds, played their part

in winning the Second World War and it is fitting memorial commemorating

them has been planned in the Staffordshire arboretum. I was

contacted by my constituent who turns 91 this year and was a Bevin

Boys during the Second World War. When the Bevin Boys programme was

wound up in 1948, they didn't receive medals and their efforts

went unrecognised until VE Day, the 50th anniversary celebrations, in

May 19 95. In June 2007, the UK government announced Bevin Boys

would get a badge for their service. I feel it wasn't enough. I will be

writing to the Bevin Boys association to ask them to contact

my constituent. With the First Minister pay tribute to my

constituent and people like him and recognise his contribution to our

country's security during the Second World War? Indeed, I would because

even though they weren't competence, without them, there would not have

been the ability to release those who went into the armed forces,

there wouldn't have been the ability to fill so many of the engines that

were needed in ships particularly and we know the economy would have

ground to a halt. That would have been as debilitating as military

reversal. War pensions, for example, are not devolved and they haven't

been applied to Bevin Boys, they are the response poverty of the UK

government. But I'd be happy to write to the responsible minister in

the UK government to make him aware of the issues you phrase today, and

the issue of war pensions and what should be done now to honour all of

those who are still with us who contributed so much to the war

effort. That was First Minister's questions.

Proceedings continuing Cardiff Bay and if you want more coverage of the

National Assembly, go online to BBC Wales live page, which is. More

politics on Wales Today at 6:30pm. As for today, from all of us on the

programme, thanks very much for watching. Goodbye.

When people talk about the game being in the nation's soul,

We only taste delirium because we've had despair as well.

Eddie Butler meets the fans and players who make it what it is.

It's probably the most emotionally charged rugby you play.

Friday night at 8:00, on BBC One Wales.

CHEERING 'Well, this is the moment

'that the whole of Wales has been waiting for...'