01/05/2012 am.pm

Good afternoon, welcome to the programme. It's not been the best

weather for campaigning has it? The local elections are of course on

Thursday, and Assembly Members I'm sure will be glad of a sit down in

the dry chamber for First Minister's Questions. We'll take

you over to the Senedd in a moment. Don't forget that you can contact

us throughout today's programme via Twitter, we're @walespolitics or

I call the National Assembly for Wales to order. By Tim one.

Questions to the First Minister. Russell George. -- item one.

Will the First Minister make a statement on how the government is

improving the lives of people in Montgomeryshire?

We are improving the lives of people in Montgomery shot by

delivering on our programme for government.

Normal load carrying replacement turbine blades came across the

border this morning on its way to an existing wind farm. What

concerns me is that traffic Wales were unaware this load was coming

across. People had to contact them. The load did cause disruption,

particularly during rush-hour as it went through New Town. First

Minister, are you concerned that poor communication relating to

traffic Wales affected mid-Wales traffic structure and it could

potentially been 4,000 of these abnormal loads over seven years?

Clearly, it is important we are aware of the passage of an abnormal

vehicle. I will investigate the matter.

First Minister, I recently spent an excellent morning litter picking

and installing bird boxes with a group of volunteers who are

committed to improving their local area. Will you join me in paying

tribute to the work of these and other volunteers who give freely of

their time and worked tirelessly to insure the have communities to be

proud of? Indeed so. We know that volunteers

contribute much to life in Wales and we have had schemes that we

have supported over the years and I fully applaud the work carried out

in Newtown. This Minister, the fact that Dairy

Crest were able to vary the price at which they bide milk from

farmers by two pence per litre overnight when the farmers

themselves are tied to the contract for long periods has had a

detrimental effect on the dairy industry in Bonn, Russia and beyond.

What are you doing to insure the dairy market is there to farmers in

Wales? This is obviously not something the

farmers is -- the farmers are going to welcome but there are other

companies they could speak to. It is difficult to know the nature of

their contract because the price has been varied without their

agreement. What I will do, of course, is raised this issue with

Alun Davies, Minister for Agriculture, so that he may assess

what we as a government can do to assist farmers.

Question two, for Gething. What action is the Welsh government

taking to support people in Wales? We are working with partnerships in

Wales to insure a joined-up approach to crime, anti-social

behaviour, substance abuse and youth offending.

I have recently been talking to a number of police officers as

constituents and in my day job. They speak to me about the reality

of the 20% cut in police funding. The South Wales Police Federation

say, we have a very demoralised police service despite being

committed to putting the best service that we can in. There are

hundreds of police officers going on a national mark on 10th May.

Against that backdrop, they are keen to hear this government is

keeping its promises. Can you confirm the progress this

government has made on keeping our pledged to put in place what he

Esso's. -- PS those. 30% of the planned total work

already deployed and that is within one year of the government's life.

We plan to deliver on 500 police officers.

In terms of community safety, First Minister, I'm sure you would agree

that public transport services are extremely important. I have just

met with villagers who have understood that they are to use a

local bus service. That part of the route is particularly dangerous.

Willie contact Arriva trains -- will you contact Arriva trains to

put pressure to reinstate it? I will of course refer to Carl

Sargeant, the Minister. Questions from party leaders. The

first this afternoon is leader of the opposition, Andrew RT Davies.

First Minister, why did the chair of pure science advisory council

resigned from the TB eradication programme?

That is a matter for Professor Pollock. He has contributed greatly

to farming and rural Sciences in Wales over the years.

You know full well that the reason he stated that he was resigning was

that he said, I was disappointed the Minister was adopting a

strategy that was not justified by the scientific evidence. That was

his quote on his resignation letter. Given that you as First Minister in

response to this question and in your programme for government, have

highlighted that the cause of action the government will take

will be science led, do you not take this advice the professor has

said as his reason for advising has cast doubt on the decision your

government has taken to deal with bovine TB that we have in Wales?

We have taken a science led approach and had to consider the

state of the current law. That, of course, provides a certain level to

badgers, a level of protection to badgers. I have to reiterate that

the intention is to eradicate bovine TB in the long term and that

is what we will do. The eminent professor has indicated

that the decision taken by your Government was not based on the

science and was based, actually, and political considerations. That

is entirely fair because you are in government and you can make those

decisions. It is misleading to the communities that have been blighted

for many years now and also to the public purse, because the actions

that your government will undertake will impose a significant extra

burden on the public purse, estimated to be �3.6 million, by

pursuing an unscientific approach to eradicating bovine TB. Is it

therefore safe to realise from the decisions taken by your government

that you have taken a political decision here, not a science based

decision? Not in the slightest. I am not sure

Professor Pollock said that. Professor Pollock is a respected

figure and continues to be a respected figure. As ministers, the

only consideration we took into account were the science and the

law. That is it. The politics did not come into it.

The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams.

First Minister, a report published today by the Stroke Association

states that around 11,000 people in Wales have a stroke each year or

get Wales remains the only part of the UK without a dedicated

comprehensive stroke strategy and why is that the case?

We are developing a stroke delivery plan. This will set out plans to

tackle stroke and help the NHS to achieve this.

You say that you are now making progress but it is two years since

the health well-being and local government committee published its

own report into stroke services in Wales and its first recommendation

was that the Minister develops a stroke strategy, a comprehensive

stroke strategy. Why has it taken so long to implement such an

important health initiative? You have to bear in mind we have

launched a Wales wide project which aims to improve the help available

for stroke survivors when they return from hospital, which is an

important issue. We respect the health board and expect them to

work together to meet the needs of patients. The recommendation is to

insure there is a comprehensive delivery plan.

Presiding Officer, I note the First Minister can give no explanation as

to why two years later this important health initiative has not

been taken forward in a timely matter but I'm glad he mentions the

issue of after-care. Many stroke patients feel that once they leave

the hospital setting, they are abandoned. Would you now agree with

me that it's time we accepted that a one size fits all model of

services is outdated and instead implement a tailored social care

system that uses personal budget to ensure individuals who have

suffered a stroke can choose their own packages of care?

There needs to be consistency of approach across Wales and this will

help standardise care in the months following a patient's destroyer

from hospital and the viewers of stroke patients and their carers

will be incorporated as part of that framework to help shape

services in future. We now move to leader of Plaid

Cymru. Prior to the last elections last

May, you gave a clear promise to the people of Wales at a Welsh

Labour government would not downgrade district general

hospitals and today the BBC has recorded that your government has a

plan to undermine public confidence in the Welsh NHS so you can go

ahead with your plans to downgrade hospitals. You have an opportunity,

First Minister, to set the record straight. Will you tell us ahead of

next Thursday's local elections, does your government plan to

downgrade hospitals or centralise services?

It is an exceptionally serious allegation to make about the BBC

that they have published a news story claiming we are trying to

undermine the health service. I've seen what they have reported and it

isn't at all what they said. The cut was let out of the bag by the

leader of Plaid Cymru when she talked about the local elections.

We want to make sure health services are safe. No hospital is

under threat. No hospital is ever under threat in Wales. In a price

can be Preseli, they say as far as this -- in a plied can read press

release, they say this is a scaremongering tactic and the

people of Wales worried that people will sink to the steps to get their

way. Were they looking in the mirror?

There was no denial in the report by the BBC today. Is it the case

that your government intends to scaremonger in order to undermine

public confidence in NHS services? Is the BBC scaremongering? On the

1st February, this year. Can we listen to Leanne Wood,

please? On the 1st February, at this health

service -- the Health Minister said she denied she knew the plans with

regard to health Configuration. Last week she said she was awaiting

plans within the next two months. If that is true, how could your

Minister and government no what case to make to the people of

Wales? There are no plans in place from

the NHPs. This was commissioned by a government report and it contains

information that we cannot ignore. It is simply the case we want to

improve the health service and mortality rates in the NHS. If that

is not a priority for Plaid Cymru, they should say so. The leader has

stepped back from the allegation she made about the BBC and I repeat

what she didn't hear the first time. No hospital in Wales is under

threat. We want to make sure there are centres of excellence across

Wales that provide safe and sustainable services for all the

people of Wales. First Minister, you say you have no

final plans. Will you publish the plans that you have? Were you admit

that you have tried to keep it under wraps until after the local

elections and now you have been caught out? It is time for some

honesty. If your government is making the case, what exactly are

you making the case for? What services do you intend to step out

of Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli or Bronglais Hospital or

as the team I Lord in Wrexham? -- or the hospital in Wrexham? You

know that there are a big concerns locally about the future of our

district general hospitals. First Minister, why won't you come clean?

I'm amazed to hear her say this is apparently secret. We published it

on the website. Let me make something quite clear. She talks

about scaremongering but there were canvassers for Applied can really

saying that they would close the accident and emergency in Llanelli.

People in an arrest growth have been told Bronglais Hospital will

close -- in Aberystwyth. If that isn't scaremongering, what is? Next

have honesty in their election leaflets and let's be saying to the

people of Llanelli and Aberystwyth, there is no threat to those

hospitals. There never was a threat. We want to make sure they are

centres of excellence because we as a government can about health, we

care about access to services, out comes and lives. Unfortunately,

Pyecombe we seem to care about Thank you. We now move to question

three. Will the First Minister make a statement on the delivery for

programme for government? We are making good progress and the first

will we report will be published at the end of this month. From now on

the you rides and measure places the important duty on your

government to have due regard for the UN Convention on the rights of

the child. How would you demonstrate what your government is

doing to uphold those rights? what the new law imposes on us and

of course we will be looking for to insure that the whites are worked

through. All that we do it as a government and during the course of

the debate on the report of the programme for government there will

be an opportunity for members to question asked. I know that many

families in my own constituency are benefiting from flying start and I

welcome the additional �55 million investment to support its expansion.

Which is obviously going to help deliver better outcomes for

children living in poverty in Wales. I was pleased to visit the Action

for children family centre recently and this is a community based drop

in and service which offers a range of family support services and

advice to children, parents and carers. With due join with me in

commending the work of the centre and we doing great that by

investing in those early years of a child's life, this is an investment

in their future. That is why we are looking to double the families who

are able to get the support on the programme. We know very well in

addition to the new duties that will be imposed on us by the

measure regarding children and young people and their rights,

taken together this will prove a significant step forward for young

children. First Minister, your programme for government pledged to

review what entrepreneurial support is needed by small firms to thrive

and grow. We know that the independent review panel into the

impact of business relief rate in Wales is due to report this month.

If that panel recommends they should be a reduction in business

rates for businesses, will you give those businesses an assurance that

you will implement that recommendation? We will await any

recommendations before commentating -- commenting. 30 months ago, and

the healthy eating measured received royal consent. If that

measure is not being commenced, when do you intend to commence the

measure? We had to wait for appetite for life to finish the

programme and provide evidence. Will you outline your priorities

for the wonder airier over the net course of the next year? Those

priorities are to deliver on our programme for government. We are

one of the areas that will suffer greatly if the coalition presses

ahead and imposes regional pay on Wales. Can you outline what steps

the Welsh Government has taken to put the argument against regional

pay and what steps the government is taking to mitigate the argument

that is being put forward for regional paid to be imposed?

continue to make the case very strongly. We believe regional pay

is inappropriate not just Bolwell but the whole of the UK. One of the

areas that has been let down by successive Welsh government

programmes is wander. Sadly the outcomes have not been as desired.

Figures are fairly disappointing. Given that the commissioner for the

European Union was over last week and talking about quantifiable

results in the next round of funding, what goals will be set for

your government to ensure that the next two opportunities from not be

another missed one? We will continue to seek an increase in GDP

and to continue with the increase we have seen in G D H five. We need

the UK government to do its bit and reverse its disastrous economic

policies. Unemployment is a big programme - a problem. Jobs we can

ill afford to lose our rat risk in Wales with a threatened closure of

seven out of nine Remploy factories. These factories could close as

early as July. With the clock ticking, can you tell us what your

government is doing to secured their future and can you tell us

whether or not you have pushed the idea of devolving the Remploy

budget to Wales and whether you have explored ways of making more

financially viable by making sure they get more public procurement

contracts? We have written to the UK government asking for the

devolution of the budget for went wide. That has been refused. We are

looking at other options particularly how we can help to see

the jobs saved through the establishment of social enterprise

because so many of these factories have full order books. We will

continue to fight for those workers who are being let down by the UK

government. You will be aware that one there have been spending a

considerable amount of time and money redeveloping the centre of

Pontypridd. But local traders were staggered that one existing town

centres are struggling, their development plan includes plans for

a new town centre. Local residents do not want it, local businesses do

not want it, it cuts or against evidence this Assembly has seen.

Will you call for these plans to be reviewed? The Welsh Government has

a role in terms of where their LDPs are called in or not. You have a

good record in terms of developing the open environment, particularly

the redevelopment that has taken place in Pontypridd town-centre.

Will the First Minister outlined the Government's's policy to reduce

smoking? The tobacco control action plan aims to drive down smoking to

16 % by 2020. Could he outlined how his government is to tackle the

increase in smoking she should? Recent research has indicated that

it during a typical one hour session, a smoker inhales over 100

full strength cigarettes equivalent. It is currently unregulated. I have

to say they have been no discussions but I will raise the

matter with the Chief Medical Officer. I am aware of the

technique involved in issue Show pipes. I have seen them. They run a

number of establishments that are fed the pipes but unable to take if

the offer up with the Chief Medical Officer. Following a visit by young

ambassadors from ash last week to the Assembly, using Assembly

Members to take wide in a consultation in pay and packaging

for cigarettes, what proposals does the First Minister have to help

young people who may have already started smoking to help young

people to stop? Star Smoking Wales provides support to young people

who classify themselves as smokers to help them stop smoking. These

sessions are delivered on a one to once basis. The service also offers

brief intervention training to individuals who work with young

people to raise the health effects of smoking to ensure they are aware

of the support available. First Minister, the scientific evidence

is clear that smoking in cars is very damaging to the health of

children. Why then will you not start a process now of legislating

to ban smoking in cars were children are present? What we have

said there is a campaign to reduce the number of smokers his mode in

cars. When children are present, if that does not work, it will

legislate. William Powell. Will the First Minister outline his plans to

develop the Welsh tourism industry? The programme for government sets

out proposals to develop those. Thank you. Last week I had the

opportunity to attend a conference on sustainable tourism. During

which the important matter of overseas of Wales as a destination

for was a topic of concern. One of the concerns raised was that your

government has in recent times drastically reduced the Budget and

the privatisation given to the marketing of Wales, to the overseas

market for tourists. I wonder whether you would make a statement

as to whether these concerns are well-founded and also confound your

understanding of the importance of Wales as a destination for a

overseas tourists? Visit Wales has been allocated 15.3 million for

2013. Of that, 18.6 has been marketed for marketing. -- 8.6. I

spent some time talking to tourism operators to see what would work in

terms of promoting Wales in those markets and some of the ideas they

gave us will be implemented. First Minister, our communities have

successfully created a tourism industry based on mountain biking

and walks. To build upon this, the local council is seeking the views

of people for a bike bus to transport public and their bikes.

Promoting greener travel and tourism. Do you welcome the Labour

controlled authorities proposal to organising this bike bus? It has

been refreshing to see the development of tourism in the

valleys full step I opened the Centre of their some seven or eight

years ago now and utilised the Forestry that is in the area, it

has meant a substantial increase in the number of tourists visiting.

First Minister, you will be aware that caravan parks offer

accommodation in the tourism industry across Wales, not least in

my own constituency. Last week, you indicated that he would publish the

contents of a letter to the Chancellor that you intended to

write on the issue of the VAT arrangements for static caravans

and I wonder if you have actually written to the Chancellor of now? I

was disappointed to know that the business minister had not done so

as of this week and I wonder whether you was shared the contents

of that letter? The letter has gone. I will give consideration to the

contents being shared. There is nothing startling in their because

as you would expect, I had made the case expressing my concerns about

the imposition of VAT on static caravans but I am sure that the

member will also make representations within his party,

because it was a Conservative Chancellor who imposed this VAT in

the first place. Will the First Minister outline his Government's

policies to improve health care outcomes amongst the population of

North Wales? It is there in the programme. There are a number of

health services that rely on charities to meet patients' needs,

like the Pamela's North Cove fanned -- fund. And the work of the North

Wales Chrysalis trust. What are you doing to support these charities to

provide core services and without which, patients would be forced to

pay privately or to travel to England to receive treatment?

Ferrar number of ways in which charities are supported. Some are

supported by the local health boards, there are those who will be

supported by other funding streams but we recognise the good work that

is done by charities that we would not want to add to their burden

while recognise the good work that First Minister, I was at the

opening of another trestle trust food bank in Malta on Friday.

Having enough to eat his a basic when it comes to good health. The

chairman said that clients are faced with impossible choices

between paying the rent and buying food and putting it on the table.

He said thousands are going hungry in 21st century Britain. When you

assure me the Welsh government will do its best to continue mitigating

the effects of policies of other places on our citizens and protect

them as much as we can in future? I can give that assurance. We know

that nearly 90% of the cuts that have been made in benefits have yet

to be implemented but there are people suffering great hardship as

a result, people who, through no fault of their own, have worked all

of their lives in many cases, and now it means that poverty will

increase and the sad story that the number has referred to will be when

we hear for many years to come. A Presiding Officer, one of the

problems facing the health service in North Wales, as in the wet -- in

the rest of Wales, is the lack of consistency between the health

service and social services and of course between primary care and the

secondary or acute care. As we could reduce the number of urgent

or emergency cases going to hospital if that relationship was

improved, what steps is the government taking to ensure that

happens? We want all local health board to

work closely with local authorities to insure no problems are caused

because of a lack of collaboration between the two organisations. I

would expect them to work closely together to insure that when one

leaves hospital and is able to return home, they can do that in a

reasonable timescale. First Minister, the BBC report this

morning as regards to changes within the health service confirms

that although government will receive reports from local health

boards until the end of this month, the changes will be implemented in

August. Is that timetable accurate and do you believe this is

efficient for effective consultation on these far-reaching

changes? We want to ensure people have

plenty of time to express their opinions on these changes as

regards to the report itself. It wasn't a government report but the

conclusions contained within the report our conclusions we must take

note of and must ensure that the health service is safe and

sustainable at the end of the day and that means decisions will have

to be made in order to ensure that is the case.

Will the First Minister make a statement on employment levels in

Islwyn? In common with the rest of the UK,

the labour market in Islwyn remains difficult.

I know how hard you government is working to preserve jobs in the

valleys. I joined Leighton Andrews on a visit to Remploy to discuss

options for saving jobs on the site. Do you agree with me that this

attitude is a stark contrast to the UK Government who have attempted to

pull the rug from under this diligent group of workers could

smack it is astonishing that at a time of difficulty in terms of

people trying to find jobs that the UK government would decide to

remove employment for those who find it most difficult to find jobs.

We will always stand up for Remploy workers. I have outlined what the

Minister has done and we will continue to fight any proposals

that would lead to them losing their jobs.

I have tried not to mention the fight at a forest of the employee

in my remarks which was caused by the Labour government. I agree with

what my colleague in Islwyn has said. There are three factories in

my region of Remploy about to close. What efforts will the Welsh

government be making with local authorities and other potential

employers in order to seek opportunities for alternative

employment and even training as well?

We will explore any option that will be of benefit to the Remploy

workers. Whether that means opportunities in local authorities

or local authorities becoming customers in order to ensure a full

order book for continuing employment for those who work in

Remploy factories. We will leave no stone unturned.

Presiding Officer, First Minister. A boost to employment levels in

Islwyn and elsewhere is to extend the provision of super-fast

broadband. Will you join me in welcoming news that BT is making

super-fast broadband available to more than 21,000 homes and

businesses in Blackwood and parts of Newport? That opens up new

opportunities for small and medium- sized enterprises in the area. I

would be grateful if you start a similar development in other areas.

I we are installing super-fast broadband by 2015.

What assessment has the Welsh government made of the impact of

the recession on third sector organisations in Wales?

We have arrangements in place to monitor the impact that the current

economic climate is having on third sector organisations in Wales and

that work is a fundamental part of the arrangements we have put in

place. There is considerable concern from

many Third Sector organisations that changes to the funding

structure, particularly to supporting people, where the

funding is going via the local authorities but small, at the

creative organisations that serve specific groups are going to be

locked out as there is a shortage of funding and these small groups

are not represented around the table for these advisory bodies at

Welsh government level. What can you tell us to allay those

anxieties. The Minister for Local Government

and communities will shortly be making an assessment of how these

services will be taken forward in light of the unprecedented

challenges facing these providers. First Minister, as the business

Minister recognises, social enterprises are actually businesses

and eligible for business loans and grants. Banks don't always feel the

same. First Minister, the prime Minister is establishing the "big

society" to fund soft loans for Social entrepreneurs. Do you

welcome that policy? Anything that enables organisations

to have access to capital is welcome. It is a shame not more is

being done by the UK government to help hard-pressed enterprises.

According to an inquiry by the WC BA, although confidence is growing

in the third sector, there is concern that a number of

organisations think their financial situations is going to suffer in

the next 12 months. What can you do to assist these organisations that

do feel as though they are facing such pressure as?

Well, a report will be given to the third sector partnership council

this month as regard to the problems that they encounter after

the changes to welfare payments. They will be a statement from the

Minister as regards to some of the organisation's that give advice to

people. What plans does the Welsh

government have to support licensed premises?

We continue to seek to support a licensed premises to in Wales. We

have initiatives to lobby the UK government to increase minimum unit

price for alcohol which will help pubs, bearing in mind the problems

they face at the present time because of the unfair competition

from supermarkets. The level of payments that pubs pay

for Sky subscriptions are based on their ratable value and many of

them pay over �1,000 per month for various services. A number of

services are given a significant business rate relief from the Welsh

government. We used support the campaign that I have launched in

North Wales to call on Sky to charge a subscription cost based on

the level of tax that those businesses pay, rather than they

are ratable value? That would insure a more viable situation for

many pubs? I would be happy to support

anything which reduces the charges that pubs have to make to Sky. I

know this is an old problem and something that has been raised

previously. It is important to ensure sustainable pubs in future,

that they are able to receive Sky services at an affordable price as

compared to their position. Can I ask the First Minister if he

has had further discussions with the national government in

Westminster over attempting to tackle binge drinking in Wales and

also, can I also tell him and others that if you are a main

member of a cricket club, you get Sky at half price?

I won't comment on whether that is a proper arrangement or not. He

raises an important point on how we stop binge drinking. We work with

the UK government on changed for life for Wales which is to cover

alcohol misuse prevention. Whilst it is exceptionally important to

reduce the amount of alcohol people drink, particularly binge drinking,

we must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water all

the beer. Thus causing many local pubs which are the heart of the

communities, to close down. We know that pubs around exceptionally

important part of any community and we need to be careful not to

support any blanket policy which jeopardises their opportunity to

exist. We leave it there this week. There

is more from the National Assembly on our Democracy Live online

As usual, our Welsh Affairs Editor, Vaughan Roderick, is here. Primed

like a coiled spring ahead of the local elections. We had a bit of an

election spat between Carwyn Jones and Leanne Wood but not much

election talk. Quite surprising, really. I

expected the three party leaders to go with some of their showcase

policies for the local elections, but we would hear the Conservatives

talk about freezing business rates or Council Tax. We didn't have much

of that. It seemed a normal First Minister's Questions.

Do you think that is a deliberate ploy? They want to let the election

carry on and instead try and score some political points against the

First Minister or was it a missed opportunity?

I'm not sure but I suspect the politicians here think the results

in the local elections are a set in stone by now. It is difficult to

see anything happening on a Welsh basis, a national basis or a eight

UK basis, that could really alter or many vote Snell. All sorts of

technical squeezes are being carried out but the political

context seems to be set. We have seen some poll results

today that you can tell us about? This is by YouGov, commissioned by

the Centre for Welsh governance in the University of Cardiff. It is an

interesting poll but local polling is always interesting. It tends to

confirm what we always expect, there is a big rise in the support

for Labour and Labour could be looking to do well on Thursday

night. I think reading too much into a national poll for what our

local battles could be risky. On election night, I will be in

Caerphilly, covering it for our coverage. Where will you be?

The BBC in Cardiff with live coverage of the results as they

come in. That is it for today. We are back

tomorrow, less than 24 hours for you to wait for our programme at