01/03/2016 am.pm

Good afternoon and a happy St David's Day to you all.

Welcome to the programme and our weekly coverage of questions

According to the order paper, Carwyn Jones can expect questions

on treatment referral times, attracting investment and transport.

Don't forget, you can keep up to date with all the Welsh political

goings-on by keeping an eye on our Twitter feed

Well, business in the chamber is underway - so let's take a look

now at today's questions to the First Minister.

And now we move to the first item, questions to the First Minister.

TRANSLATION: Will the First Minister make a statement on referral to

treatment times in West Wales? TRANSLATION: I expect all patients

to be seen in order of clinical priority, and within Welsh

Government weighting targets, to assist this, we have set up a client

-- a planned care programme led by clinicians to develop sustainable

solutions. TRANSLATION: A surgeon from England contacted me because

his mother had been taken into the stroke unit in a Welsh hospital, and

he deeply regretted the fact that the physiotherapy service was not in

place that for his mother. He said it was entirely inadequate, those

were his words. Since then, many staff, patients and families of

patients have contacted me, because it is clear that in terms of

orthopaedic treatment, that patients are initially referred to the

physiotherapy Department rather than being referred to the surgery to

part meant, and as a result of that the physiotherapy resources are very

few and far between in that health board area. Will you speak to the

Minister and Deputy Minister responsible for these issues in

order to ensure that this practice ceases and that patients are given

the treatment they deserve in this hospital? TRANSLATION: As the member

knows, I am not aware of this case, but it is important to be

considered. I will ask the Minister to write to the member to respond to

those questions posed in the chamber. TRANSLATION: One way of

tackling referral to treatment times in West Wales is to tackle

recruitment and staff retention problems in the area. In order to

address these recruitment problems it is important that we ensure that

we have an appropriate number of training places available for

doctors and nurses. In these circumstances, can you tell us what

you as a government have done to ensure that these places are in

place, and how many additional training places have been created

over the past year, for example? TRANSLATION: Of course, it is a

matter for the deanery to ensure these places are available. Having

said that, we have seen the numbers being trained at Morriston Hospital

rising, when you think of the trading places in another hospital,

as regards to its figures, more patients are being seen and the

waiting times are reducing. There has been an 86% reduction in those

people waiting over eight weeks for a diagnostic test. They have reduced

since last year. Of course, we have seen, for example, a reduction in

the numbers waiting more than 36 weeks, and more patients receiving

more cancer treatments and also, of course, more people receiving

treatment with Thimba targets for cancer treatment that we have set.

So the figures that have improved, and we are continuing to work with a

profession and the Royal colleges in order to consider what are the

opportunities might be available to create training places across the

whole of Wales. Will the Minister make a statement

on the Welsh government's biotech investment? We have committed to

make Wales the best possible environment for life sciences

innovation and business growth, we have a strategy to attract biotech

investment into Wales including funding, proposition strengthening

and development. He will be aware of a critical comment recently but will

also know that his predecessor was very keen that we should be a smart

small country. How important is this investment to Wales, for the future

of this generation and the future? Will he outlined what strategy he

intends to employ to make this another success? The life sciences

investment fund has 11 investments into nine companies, it has

attracted considerable levels of co-investment and significantly

raise the global profile of Wales as a location for life science

companies. The life sciences hub has been developed, which has welcomed

more than 5000 visitors and facilitated more than 80 life

science events and 850 meetings and 81 member organisations have joined.

He has already referred to the Wales audit office report last week. That

confirms that the successful tenderer for delivery of the fund

was paid 207 -- ?207,600 for deals in the pipeline in October 10-12, a

further ?480,000 thereafter. Finance for Wales as folk confirmation from

the Welsh government as regards to confirmation from the Minister that

they should pay the additional sum requested, but they refused to do so

without confirmation from the Minister. The Welsh government then

paid ?370,800 directly to the successful tenderer. That was only

?32,000 less than the contract allowed for had he been in position

to sign the contract at the time originally intended. Can I ask

whether and not the Welsh Government is in a position to explain the

reasons for the totality of payment to the successful tenderer under the

interim arrangements, and why no deductions were made to the tenderer

given that they were unable chewing that period to perform one of the

key functions because there was no registration under the Financial

Services Authority? Regarding the report, we will consider that and

respond in due time, of course, in a comprehensive matter. The Legion of

Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood. -- the leader of. TRANSLATION: Happy St

David's Day to everyone. IN ENGLISH: I am aware that there

will be a statement on the Wales Bill, but on the day of our national

patron saint, I think it is important to focus on the matter

fully. The Secretary of State for Wales has decided to press pause and

delay the bill until the summer. Do you agree that the forthcoming

assembly elections are an opportunity to seek a mandate from

people on the nature of devolution? Do you agree with Plaid Cymru that

it is fair will that should shape the future of devolution and that

act, rather than the whim of Westminster? TRANSLATION: We are

very much on the same page when it comes to our view of the Wales Bill.

I will go into more detail in the statement, suffice to say it is

quite clear that the points made by the Welsh government have influenced

the course of action that the Secretary of State has taken. The

leader of Plaid Cymru is right to say that these things are a matter

for the people of Wales, it is for the people of Wales to decide which

degree of power they would wish to see. I would agree, but the nature

and pace of wealth should devolution has been a clear point of division

between your party -- Welsh devolution. Labour MPs, including

labour secretaries of state for Wales over many years, have acted as

roadblocks on the Welsh devolution journey. Can you give us an

assurance today that the current position of the Welsh government is

the same as the current position of the Labour Party, and if it is one

position, can you please tell us what exactly is your vision for the

next stage of Welsh devolution? I will remind the leader of Plaid

Cymru that it was the Welsh government, led by Welsh Labour,

that deliver the referendum in 2011 in the first place. We campaigned,

alongside the other parties, of course, very strongly and very hard

to deliver an overwhelming yes vote in 2011. Review of the Welsh Labour

Party and the Welsh government is one of the same. The bill was

inadequate, it would never be sustainable and we want to see what

the Secretary of State would like to do next. To my mind, they were

unacceptable. Same with the reservations. The issue of creating

a sustainable constitutional framework for Wales cannot be done

without addressing these issues. You and I know that it was Plaid

Cymru in that government that drove that referendum further...

LAUGHTER You were polled to that table, I

many instances, kicking and screaming.

Welsh devolution has been stalling because of split in Labour. Just as

the UK's place in the European Union is under threat because of splits in

the Conservative Party. It is no coincidence, First Minister, that

the nation with the weakest devolution settlement, the least

generous funding arrangements and the least influence is the only

nation left with a Labour government. I wonder if you can tell

is, is there a single concession that you have won for Walsh

devolution during your decade as First Minister that would not have

been secured in any event? Put simply, what have you won from

Westminster for the people of Wales? The referendum itself, for a start,

that gave us the powerless to do what we have done since 2011. --

gave us that the powerless to do. A large body of legislation opposed by

government that the assembly itself was able to scrutinise properly,

because we know that legislation has been the result. We have delivered

on the referendum. I regret suggesting that somehow you were

reluctant in 2011, you cannot think I was reluctantly spending every day

campaigning in favour of a yes vote and, indeed, that Welsh Labour and

your party would deliver the votes and the voters needed to make sure

this place became a proper legislative. We would continue to

make the case to the UK Government that process to continue. She sucks

what influence we had, we have major the Secretary of State was not able

to proceed with the Wales Bill as proposed, we pointed out the

constitutional weaknesses, we pointed out the issues regarding the

necessity test, the reservations and, indeed, the Jewish diction and

the need for a unique jurisdiction. -- and, indeed, the jurisdiction.

Last week we heard from the current member that he had a rousing

reception at the Labour Party conference in London no. -- in

Llandudno. He got a very good reception here before he was sent

packing. The point I would like to ask you, you launch your pledge card

at that conference, at this Assembly you have spent a lot of last five

years talking about local government reorganisation, you have

commissioned report, pieces of work, to look at the best local Government

outcome for Wales. If you are re-elected in May, and God help us,

the bailiff Glamorgan, Pembrokeshire, can Marvin Schulz,

Monmouthshire, Denbighshire and Conway will disappear from the face

of the local government map in Wales? -- Pembrokeshire, can Marvin

Schulz. He has already given up on the election campaign. An

interesting comment. We would seek to move ahead in order to provide a

stronger basis for local government in Wales. We have always said that.

I take it by your answer you mean that if the people of Wales

re-elected you, and I am sure they will not, but if they did, they

would be losing the bailiff Glamorgan, can Marvin Schulz,

Denbigh, Pembrokeshire, people will lose the services that they depend

Denbigh, Pembrokeshire, people will on from those local authorities? But

Denbigh, Pembrokeshire, people will in Wales. Although he did bizarrely

talk about constituencies I didn't mention. Order. Order. One of the

other pledges he talked about was the helped to buy scheme that your

government, 18 months after the UK Government brought it forward,

brought into Wales. You said it would give a leg up to home buyers

in Wales. Well, actually, you are talking about taking two thirds of

the budget can be helped to buy scheme out in this financial year.

How is taking two thirds of that budget out helping people to get the

home that they require across Wales? If you look at the figures, only six

people in my constituency benefited from the scheme. In Newport it was

300 people. How are you giving home-buyers a leg up when you are

taking two thirds of the budget away from people in Wales? The scheme is

demand led. We will not do is seek the continued sell-off of public

housing which is why we will abolish the right to buy. Otherwise it is

like filling a bath with a plug out. That is what the Conservative Party

want to do. I am looking at their features and housing. They want to

system -- cut the sustainability budget. Just to remind us where they

stand on this. I have had to be meant that I am happy to talk about

our six pledges to the people of Wales. They are ambitious for Wales

and they are six pledges we believe people will be supportive of. We

look forward to seeing what the Conservative Party would produce and

we are looking forward to their costings because they said they

hadn't crashed the numbers. We move to the leader of the Welsh liberal

Democrats. We have seen news reports of Doctor shortages across the UK

and a poll today that says the NHS is the top concern of people in

Wales. Last week you said you are not aware of any patients suffering

due to a lack of GPs in North Wales. In response, the chairman of The

Royal College of GPs in Wales said, the number of GPs working full time

has not increased and GP provision in the North is getting worse.

Patients are bearing the brunt of this longer waiting times and

pressurised consultations. What makes you think you know better than

GPs working on the ground in North Wales? First of all, to an event

where we are in terms of doctor numbers in Wales and secondly what

we are doing to address challenges in parts of Wales which are there.

The number of hospital consultants working in the Welsh NHS increased

by nearly 15 -- 50%. The number of medical and dental staff has

increased with 27.5%. The number of GPs has increased by 10.5%. Between

2013 and 2014, 137 he GPs join the profession in Wales and the number

of registered patients per practitioner has followed by 5.5%.

That said, there are reports of Wales whether or challenges in

attracting GPs. What we are doing is working with the BMA, with the GPC,

with The Royal College in order to address those particular issues and

to encourage more people to work in those parts of Wales that have

experienced this -- difficulties in recruitment. I am glad you

acknowledge the figure is 10% for GB increases. The answer you give last

week could have been misunderstood when you said you have recruited

more than 2000 GPs. We do have a 2006 GPs but we haven't recruited an

additional 2000 GPs in the last ten years and your document to state

that in of health boards have identified difficulties in

recruiting general practitioners and what that means for patients was

reflected in your own health survey when 40% of those who responded to

the Wales have report said they had difficulty securing a GP

appointment. We accept that there are issues with GP recruitment and a

knock-on effect for patients getting an appointment or should we conclude

that the North Wales GP, in response to your questions, accused you of

being removed from reality? Who is right? I do use a GP so it is not

like we are removed from reality. There is inconsistency in services

across Wales, that is true. There are GP surgeries or it is possible

to get an appointment tomorrow and others it is more difficult. We want

to make sure that those inconsistencies are ironed out. In

fairness, the profession has responded. We see more surgeries

open during the core hours, we seek more open in the evenings and that

is something we want to work with the profession on to nature that

trend continues in the future. We need to ensure we are training more

people to become GPs, to work in our health service, but Wales as field

-- filled 85% of available places. Based on expected future demands, we

need to trim 190 new trainees every year. Given the difficulties of

recruiting to existing training places and the fact that those

places will not meet future demand for general practitioner services,

would you agree with me that the problem will get worse for patients

in Wales, not better? I take the point about training as many people

as possible but the reality is we have attracted doctors to Wales from

other countries and it is always good to be the case. The key to

recruiting more GPs is to create the environment for them where they can

prosper, where they can innovate, where they can truly be part of the

community and work for a community. It is not about money, it is about

making sure the freedoms to innovate are there that they want and the

freedoms they would want to use. We are looking to recruit abroad. We

say a doctors abroad, come to Wales, it is a good working environment and

historically over 50 years or more we have recruited from other

countries. We will continue to work with the profession to make sure we

can attract more GP training places. There is a problem across England,

Wales and Northern Ireland in terms of recruiting doctors so it is not a

problem that is a junior to Wales. Nevertheless, it is an issue we do

with the profession to address. What plans does the Welsh Government to

invest in skilled manufacturing jobs in south Wales? We have set out a

key role for regional partnerships to advise the government on

prioritisation of funding in line with regional employment and skills

needs. Both regional skills partnerships in the south of Wales

identified manufacturing as a priority. Is there anything the

Welsh Government can do to help support after operations at Forest

farm in my constituency in Cardiff North? Perhaps to diversify in view

of the fact that 86 rooms are being lost, the manufacture of paper

products used in the pharmaceutical industry are going to China and some

research rooms are being lost and it is not in an assisted area where it

is located? Is there anything the government can do to help? We are

working with the company to identify alternative employment opportunities

for the affected staff within the growing number of life sciences

companies in Wales. We supported the creation of the GE innovation

villages. Officials are in discussion with GE health care to

explore how we can help further to provide opportunities for those

whose jobs might be at risk. First Minister, as with any investment in

investing in skills, it needs to be investment in developing those

skills. What is your government doing to involve the manufacturing

sector in designing the national curriculum and increasing uptake of

stem subjects? Uptake is important, but skills more generally are

important to manufacturing as well. We know Wales is a country where

manufacturers want to come. We saw that with Aston Martin last week.

After two years of hard work we beat off competition from making the

sites to get that investment into the Vale of Glamorgan. In terms of

developing further skills, two examples I can give, jobs growth

Wales was a scheme born of discussions with S M ease. They were

saying they needed to train people, they had jobs but not the jobs or

money to train them. That is why it was so successful. We have plans to

create 100,000 partnerships for all ages in the coming assembly. Thank

you Presiding Officer and on that point I think we would be agreed

that we do need new apprenticeships to promote this agenda. Can you

provide us with some clarity? You mentioned 100,000 apprenticeships,

is that a total by the end of the next assembly, which is the same

target as Plaid Cymru court -- or an additional 100,000 on top of the

50,000 in place already? We are talking about during the next five

years of the assembly. What is important is that we target people

of all ages, bearing in mind it is difficult to get a job for life

these days and it is extremely important that people have the

opportunity to retrain during the working lifetime. Investments like

the Aston Martin factory are a fantastic opportunity for local

people as long as they can access the opportunities for training and

development, but apprentices have said to me that a barrier to them

taking on another addition is the financial cost of doing so. What

will the Welsh Government the practical terms to make sure

apprenticeships are truly open to people of all ages? That is what we

intend to do after May. Aston Martin is mentioned as an example. We have

been working with Aston Martin to develop the skills that they need

for the future, they are confident they can find those skills in the

area and we will continue to work with companies in order to ensure we

understand what the skills needs are and to meet them. Investment in

manufacturing brings the opportunities for good quality

apprenticeships and I welcome the Welsh Labour commitment to 100,000

extra apprenticeships in the next assembly. Manufacturing apprentices

tend to be male, said more needs to be done to encourage women into

these rows and the cross-party women in the economy group has put forward

suggestions on how we can do this by desegregating data by gender and

having more female tutors and mentors. When you look at how we can

take these suggestions forward to get the best practitioners and tap

into all Welsh talent? Absolutely. It is important that industries that

are seen as a traditionally male, that we encourage more women and

girls to go into those industries and into apprenticeships. If I can

give one example, if we look at the Erebus industrial cadets, they took

20 female students with the support of female barbarous mentors and role

models. -- air boss. The gender imbalance undoubtedly exists and

needs to be addressed. What progress is being made to work in promoting

the South East Wales transport plan? The implementation of the plans is a

matter for local authorities. We know one of the important aims of

the assembly is the economic regeneration of the Southern

valleys, working closely with those local authorities, whatever that may

be, how will this local transport plan similar economic growth in the

South East Wales valleys and do you think we should consider free

transport to 16 to 25-year-olds to assist them to increase the

deployment opportunities? We need to make sure transport is affordable

and available, which is quite immature is so important, to make

sure we have faster, more comfortable and more frequent

services across the Metro network and I look forward to the

cultivation from the UK Government to the City Deal which will help

regenerate parts of the South East of Wales.

The South East Wales local transport plan forecast a 20% increase in the

number of residents commuting to work in the Cardiff region, capital

region, in the next 25 years. What consideration has the Welsh

government given to the creation of a rail park and ride station similar

to Bristol Parkway, which serves as the major rail hub of Cardiff and

could also serve Cardiff airport? These are all wrapped up in Metro.

We have made it clear that we are ambitious to create a fully

integrated transport system encompassing heavy rail, light rail,

bus rapid transit, that is moving forward now. Question five, Kirsty

Williams. The vice will he make a statement on health care services in

Brecon and Radnorshire? We wish to ensure that the people in that area

have access to health areas Dellacqua services which are safe,

sustainable and deliver best outcomes. Workers well under way

which will allow was to bring new services to that community. -- work

is. One thing that my constituents would dearly love to have in

community hospitals is access to chemotherapy services. At present,

many constituents travel well over an hour to access chemo services in

the district general hospitals, but there are no clinical reasons why

they could not be provided in community hospitals in Brecon and

Radnorshire, thus negating the need to travel so far. What will be Welsh

government do to work with the local health board to deliver chemotherapy

in our local hospitals? I thank the leader of the Lib Dems for the

acknowledgement of the investment which forms the first phase in wider

refurbishment proposals for essential hospital services in the

site. And also enhancing the long-term viability of the hospital.

I would add the Health Minister to write on the issue of chemotherapy,

I don't know whether there are clinical reasons, whether there are

other reasons preventing chemotherapy from being taken forth.

I would certainly investigate that and make sure she gets a letter

back. TRANSLATION: Brecon and Radnorshire

and Mid Wales more generally is one of those areas where there are

problems in terms of access to GPs, particularly on evenings and

weekends. Now, you are very fond in saying that you have increased the

number of GPs 10% over the past ten years, the same increase in England

over the same period is 20%, so every time you increase

over the same period is 20%, so further behind. What specifically do

over the same period is 20%, so you have in place to attract GPs to

over the same period is 20%, so change. Thank you. Could you please

clarify these are areas of concern for me, that your government will

give full consideration to the work being carried out by Aberystwyth

University 's river dynamics and hydrology depart and which

challenges current thinking on floods in Wales, that the work to

rethink and remap the drainage systems in the Upland Forest will

proceed urgently. I am told these systems data back to the 1940s. And

she will be aware that one hydropower station is already

capable of discharging 8 million tonnes of water into the river

Conway, another is planned. Will your government be calling the plan

for Conway for that ahead of this river? Firstly we can't obviously

take the view of one person and want department and say that is the only

evidence in a particular area. We need to look at the weight of

evidence, it is a matter for NRW. When it comes to flooding, I know

the people in the affected area have been happy to see the work. I

visited on New Year's Eve. I saw the work for myself, I spoke to local

councillors and they demonstrated how the flood defence schemes had

helped to make sure that that area did not flood, particularly to the

levels in years gone by and particularly when ground water is

coming up through houses, against which there is no defence. Local

authorities have the responsibility of dealing with flooding. They, of

course, are able to bid for grant funding for flood schemes and have

done so successfully around Wales. NRW are there to advise how flood

schemes should be taken forward. TRANSLATION: Thank you very much.

May I return to the statements made by the professor yesterday on what

he suggested was that NRW weren't taking into account the historic

floods on Welsh rivers? Constituents in my area suffered more than any

other part of Wales as a result of flooding on Boxing Day. One of the

very obvious problems was the experience of people on the ground

and their memories of previous floods. What is characteristic about

the public meetings I have attended is that the professionals are not

often aware of that at all. I think that the professor has a point. Do

you believe that ignoring historic evidence such as this is

unacceptable and good practice? TRANSLATION: Well, I don't pretend

to be an expert in this field, but what I know is, and I understand

this research has been taken and I realise it is important, I am not

critical at all, but this is the view of one person and one group of

researchers. It is important to consider the work that they have

undertaken and that evidence, but no one would expect the direction to

change because of one piece of work. What is important is that the work

be considered and that the work add to the caucus of evidence which

already exist. I am sure you will join me in applauding the UK

Government's last-minute change of heart in deciding after all to put

in a bid to the EU Solidarity fund for the relief of flood victims. I

have been campaigning on this issue since just after the Boxing Day

floods occurred as, indeed, has my UK party leader. I wrote to David

Liddington and Liz Truss on this matter, both pro-EU ministers. It

would appear that the current civil war within the government has at

least enabled this wise decision to be agreed. First Minister, what can

we now do to ensure that this much-needed money from the European

Solidarity fund, were made available, is directed to those that

need it most and we have as little as possible caught up in the UK

Administration in this regard? We are in discussion with the UK

Government on this, the best way to secure the funding is to stay in the

EU, clearly. His view and my view are similar on this issue. If the

leader of the Welsh Conservatives had his way, the money would not be

there at all and those people would not be helped. This is the man who

has said he will not debate anything on the EU, there you are. We are

still waiting for the article he was going to write to justify selling

farmers down the river. But it is important to make sure we are able

to access that many to help our people.

It is good of you to answer questions, but when he is sitting

down here is not asking you a question, so you do not have to

respond. Will he make a statement on the Welsh government strategy for

small businesses in Taff Ely? Help is available to Business Wales to

businesses in Taff Ely and across Wales. Your pledges in respect of

the renewal and extension of small businesses has been very well

received in the Pontypridd high street. Of course, we have many

other small towns with vibrant communities of retail and I wonder

if you can outline to what extent that policy would benefit those

small businesses and what the benefits might be to the high street

in our small towns of south Wales? It will benefit all those who

qualify for the relief. We expect three quarters of small businesses

to be affected positively, we expect about half not to pay business rates

at all. These are difficult times, particularly in the retail sector,

for SMEs. We will reduce taxes for small witnesses.

First Minister, the Welsh Conservatives have a long-standing

policy on business rates to exclude all businesses the rate of a value

up to ?12,000 and taper that up to ?15,000. For nine years we have

pressed a Welsh Labour government to implement such a business rate

relief policy. The members of Pontypridd touched on the policy

announced at the conference, will it be as generous as the Welsh

Conservative policy or merely an extension of what is currently in

place, up to ?6,000 business rate relief? I don't know what the Welsh

Conservatives' policy is. He keeps saying latter 's party has

policies... What is odd is he keeps saying we have policies, I have just

told you, yet when I showed his party's documents showing the cuts

they want to make, that is not policy, an old policy, not his

policy! We have reduced the policy, it will be a benefit to small

businesses across Wales. Small businesses wait to hear what he will

say when he has quenched his numbers.

Thank you very much, presiding officer. For the First Minister make

a statement on the action being taken by the Welsh government to

tackle cancer waiting times currently experienced eye patients

and South Wales Central. I will try to and say his fifth question.

Cancer is a top rarity for the NHS and we are continuing to make

progress in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, more people are

being diagnosed, more people are being treated and survival rates are

at highest. I am sorry troubles you that I have had five questions, it

is called democracy but I appreciate there is not much of that in Labour.

The cancer wait times... Ultimately, the national average is only 83%,

your own target in Wales is 195% of patients to be referred within the

time frame. That target has never been met. Since 2008. -- your own

target in Wales is 95%. With Cardiff and the Vale having the worst

referral times, what actions are being taken to make sure those times

are being looked closer to the Welsh government's own target, so that

when someone gets a devastating cancer diagnosis they can be assured

they will be put on the right treatment path in the time they

expect to be treated in? I have no problem with him as king a lot of

questions, but his backbenchers might feel they cannot. He asked

about Cardiff and the Vale, Cardiff plays an important role in respect

to specialist services, along with more routine services it offers

those services, but there is greater pressure on Cardiff and Vale.

Referrals have been 17% higher than the previous year, Cardiff has

needed to see and treat more patients. There has been an

improvement in for December of last year, it ends, the best performance

since May. He talks about figures the cancer waiting times, they have

consistently been better than England. We have not reached targets

because our targets are more officious, but we have consistently

shown that if people want to get diagnosis and treatment than the

figures in Wales are better. What discussions has he had with the

UK Government regarding the actual reorganisation? I don't know what

the member means by electoral reorganisation, but I can such

discussions have taken place. I am referring to the intention to reduce

the number of number of members of Parliament from 40 to 29 in Wales. I

have no opposition in principle, but of course Wales is experiencing more

than its share of the cuts proposed. There are exceptions to the changes,

namely some of the Scottish islands and the Isle of Wight with their

status as Ireland's meaning they have the right to remain as distinct

constituencies. The same is not true here in Wales. The risk of merging

initial morning with most of the population of any other constituency

is that it would be a disservice to the island and the mainland. With

the first miniature drunk with me in calling four that exemption? The

member is asking a very clever question on behalf of his electorate

and his constituency and on behalf of Holyhead. I am not in favour of

cutting the number of MPs in Westminster because it would be

diluting the voice of Wales and the member makes his point very strongly

to the boundaries commission once that process takes place. Your first

local government Wales built included costs of over ?4 million to

undertake foundry reviews even though final directions have not

been issued for undertaking these. Could you advise as to the full

costings associated with these reviews considering none of us know

what the final directions will be? Does this figure include the

proposed final directions and Tattie allocated any money in respect of

this? I have had discussions with the UK Government at this point.

There we are, that was First Minister's Questions.

If you want more coverage of the National Assembly you can

head online to BBC Wales's Senedd Live

And there'll be more on Wales Today at six thirty on BBC1 Wales