01/11/2011 am.pm


01/11/2011

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Welcome to the programme. We will see how refreshed our politicians

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are after a week away from Cardiff Bay in a moment. We will take our

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usual look at Prime Minister -- a First Minister's questions. Feel

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free to get in touch with us while we are on air. You can do that by a

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Business in the Chamber is already underway it so we will take away at

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today's questions to the First Minister.

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Will the First Minister make a statement on training doctors in

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the NHS? Medical education Wales ensures that doctors are

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appropriately trained to deliver services in the future. Wales has a

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1.5 medical colleges in Cardiff and Swansea. There is quite a difficult

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recruitment problem in parts of Wales. North Wales Health Board has

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the intention of creating a Medical College in north Wales with links

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with the University of Bangor. The education minister and former

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health minister has declared support for that intention in the

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past. Is that still part of the current government's policy?

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Meetings have been held to discuss the proposals on the table in terms

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of Bangor. There was a meeting in September on this and there will be

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another meeting at the start of next month. You will know the

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report from the British Medical Association that there are some 400

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vacant doctor posts in Wales. That is of great concern. I also note

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that there is an increase in waiting times for patients. We are

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going to launch a recruitment campaign for doctors in Wales. It

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is clear through meeting -- speaking to members of the Medical

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profession that preconceptions need to be addressed. We want to ensure

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that Wales is seen as the right place to come for doctors to

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develop their careers. More details regarding that campaign will be

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made known in the very near future. The Royal Glamorgan Hospital in my

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constituency has experienced many of these recruitment difficulties

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and have attempted to adopt a global approach to recruit doctors.

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They are also changing the mixed economy mode of middle-ranking

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doctors and more skilled nurse practitioners. Could you issue a

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statement as to how the Welsh Government will ensure that Welsh

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accident and emergency departments will be supported in recruitment

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training? You make an important point. It is not just about doctors,

:03:29.:03:38.
:03:39.:03:39.

it is about the wider workforce. It is important that A&E services are

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configured properly. But it is also important that those services will

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only be attended during emergency services rather than the out-of-

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hours services of local GP offices. Will be First Minister have a

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discussion with the Wales Deanery about his proposal to close in

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March next year be generic curriculum training programme for

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doctors' training and Wales? This training includes of Medical Ethics,

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communication, which is essential for all doctors, and the law.

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Doctors' training in Wales we lose the expertise they will gain from

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that course. We are currently looking and reviewing all of the

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course's the deanery of funds from our budget allocation. We are

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looking at other options. Will be First Minister outlined the Welsh

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Government's plans for regenerating towns in North Wales? The work on

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regenerating towns on -- in North Wales is undertaken by the Welsh

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Government through the strategically focused multi-million

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pound North Wales Regeneration Area Programme. Thank you. You will be

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aware that there are a number of experience -- examples were

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indigenous families have suffered and had to close as a result of the

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development of supermarkets on the outskirts of the towns. There are a

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number of other towns facing possible planning applications in

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the near future. Could I ask whether the Welsh Government will

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be willing to consider introducing ways of safeguarding the interests

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of those businesses in town centres in the face of out-of-town

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developments and bringing forward the Planning Bill? Of course we

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will be carrying out an assessment on the impact of any large

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supermarket out soured the town at all in the centre of the town

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itself. I would wait for any local -- expect any local authority to

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look at that first before allowing supermarkets to be built on the

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outskirts of town. The concept of a knowledge corridor along the A 55

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is something that politicians in the private and public sectors have

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long been working to achieve. What methods are the Welsh Government

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making to realise this and to boost value-added industries in North

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Wales? There will be two enterprise zones in the north that will

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concentrate on energy related industries. We remained open to

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other proposals for enterprise zones as well. There are other

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projects being developed with institutions such as universities,

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and of course we are supporting a college to deliver a training

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centre. Latest research from the Forum of Private businesses,

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members will know that more needs to be done to help small firms to

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tackle high business costs. How do you respond to the report they came

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out last tee -- last week which says that new shops on our high

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streets should receive the same business rates treatments as

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charity shops? We know there is a cost to any change in the business

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rate regime. It is absolutely crucial that when the retail

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businesses begin, they are viable. That is the test of ensuring that

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that business has a future. We already have a scheme for small

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businesses. We are committed to continuing that until September

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:07:52.:07:53.

next year. A review is taking place with regards to that. May I endorse

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the statement that there are a number of towns in North Wales at

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present that are under siege by supermarkets and I believe that you

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as a government should consider whether it is possible to

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strengthen the present situation as regards the Planning Bill that will

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be coming before us next year? Built isn't the appropriate tool

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here, but planned guidance. I have to say that this is a decision for

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local authorities and it is up to them to give permission for any

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supermarket. Now questions from the party leaders. We have agreed

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across this Tabor about bringing forward capital spending is one way

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that we can stimulate the economy. -- across this Chamber. Given that

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we have dire economic news, particularly with GDP figures being

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published today, it is about time that we had some capital projects

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on this government. Why is it that in the three areas, health,

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education and transport, all capital projects are on hold?

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capital projects are not on hold. There are many health capital

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projects that are still moving forward. It is also the case that

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discussions are taking place between the parties as to how the

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�38.9 million project might be used to stimulate the economy in the

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future. It is obvious that you have not read the evidence given by your

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own ministers to each committee in the last few weeks. Let me tell you

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what the health minister said. He said, decisions on the strategic

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health care, capital expenditure, are on hold. Her words, while

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health care service plans are being developed. The Transport Minister

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told his committee that there will be no transport projects announced

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because he is we prioritising all the schemes. The Education Minister

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appeared before his committee and the early announcement he made were

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the announcements made by the previous government in March 2011.

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Can you point out to me since your election, name me one capital

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project that started from you? There are substantial capital

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projects continuing in the field of health particularly. We have

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committed to continuing with substantial capital projects even

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as we see our budgets squeezed by 40 % over the course of the next

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three years. That much is correct. Suggesting that all cattle products

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are on hold is simply not true. -- capital projects. The question I

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asked to was are they new capital projects being brought forward? You

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have been unable to give me a single example of one capital

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project that your government has announced since May. Not a single

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one. I challenge you to tell me whether there has been one. Going

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to accept that your delay in bringing forward capital projects

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is undermining your case in discussing this with the UK

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government? If you are asking them to bring forward capital

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expenditure, they can save you have not started a single capital

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project since you have been re- elected? Isn't it time that you got

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a grip? There are plenty of capital projects we would like to take

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forward if we have the money. As the leader of Plaid Cymru nose, I

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will repeat this again, the money I mentioned, the �39 million, can be

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used for capital projects. We are discussing this on a cross-party

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basis. There are so scared -- suggestions as to how that money

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can be used and he will discover that in time. Leader of the

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opposition. One of the things that the government is able to help

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economic activity is at the its pure current -- procurement

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processes. There is nothing in the economic renewal programme to

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assist economic development and also procurement from the

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government via the public procurement process. Given their

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figures and your figures about say that it costs �20 million for many

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businesses just to get on the starting blocks for the public

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sector procurement process, don't you think there is much more that

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can be done by the government to assist companies to be able to be

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in Labour's to bid for contracts? The �20 million is your figure that

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it costs businesses to get in the qualification round. I'm not sure

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where the figure for �20 million per business comes from in terms of

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getting into pre-qualification contracts. It is right to say that

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we will continue to help small businesses to be in a position

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where they can bid for contracts. If you look at the procurement that

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is taking place of many small businesses, the bid for the larger

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contracts, given the fact that they were too small to bid for, was

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:13:12.:13:16.

particularly true in the food industry. I did not say per

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businesses -- pro-business, I said businesses. If you look at the

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Institute of Directors, there is an intense frustration around the

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aspect of procurement. If you look at the CBI Commons, Wells has a

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growing reputation as one of the most difficult places in the United

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Kingdom for public procurement so. Your own document says, with some

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exceptions, the Welsh public sector does not engage particularly well

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with the supply base. That is your own government document. The not

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think that in these times of economic worries, but there is more

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that the government can be doing to facilitate greater access to public

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procurement for many small and medium-sized businesses in Wales

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when you look at the pre-qualifying costs to businesses and the quotes

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from business representatives across Wales, and indeed your own

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government's observations on the initiatives that you have brought

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forward. There are many good examples of how procurement has

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been improved in terms of the access small and medium-sized

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enterprises have to those contracts. We continue to work with all parts

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of the public sector to make sure that that access improves. It is

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right to say that local authorities have a very good record indeed in

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terms of procuring locally. It is important that the other local

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authorities learn from them. Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

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Last week, at the health committee, the Health Minister did state that

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a whole series of investment projects which were announced just

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before May's elections were now on stop. There could you tell us which

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one of those projects are at risk? Non-. The projects that have been

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announced are being taken for. There are some that will need to be

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re-examined, but most of the products have that have been

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announced will be taken forward. would be interested to hear which

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ones of those projects announced just prior to that election your

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government now intends to re- examine? Will then health minister,

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making the announcement of an extra �2 million in capital funding, said

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but you were maintaining your investment over the next three

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years despite the impact of the UK government's caps to the Welsh

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budget. What she misleading the public, all we have guaranteed

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today that every one of those projects announced just weeks

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before the Assembly elections will It is not our intention to stop any

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projects in the health service. As I have said several times, we are

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committed to continuing with the programme because we know how

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important that is. Contrast that, for example, with the substantial

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reduction in funding securing under the Conservatives and Lib Dems

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across the border. The reality is, First Minister, and I would urge

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you to read the transcript of the health committee meeting to find

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out exactly what your Health Minister said, you would also note

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that a senior official in the health department said, and I quote,

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I suspect it is very unlikely that the whole plan is to be torn up.

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Many people will not find that very reassuring. Which part of the plan

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is not going to be torn up? E Investment in Newport? The

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Investment announced just before the election in Morriston or the

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Investment elsewhere announced just before the election? The Labour

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Party promised that they would get a delivery on those projects. Will

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you commit here and now that it one of them will go ahead? None of

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those projects are scheduled to be stopped in any way. We recognise

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how important it is that week seek capital investment in the health

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service. We stand by what we said before the election, unlike your

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party, who before the general election promised all manner of

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things and then completely caved in. Question 3. For the First Minister

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make a statement on the encouragement provided by public

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sector bodies for the expansion of credit union membership in Wales?

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Public sector organisations in Wales, including the Government,

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support was credit unions. We know mostly they provide a tremendous

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service for many individuals and communities who otherwise would

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have no access to formal credit. Since you last answered questions

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here, international creditDay has been celebrated in many different

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parts of Wales and part of that celebration is to draw more people

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into credit unions, especially at a time when fair and affordable

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credit is ever more important. Public sector organisations have a

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leading role to play in extending that opportunity to their workers,

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and as well as encouraging them to Lough Erne -- offer that the

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facility, where the also encourage them to do those small but

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important things they are able to do to advertise, encourage and

:18:29.:18:33.

promote credit union membership amongst their employees? Yes, we

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know that, for example, trade unions are excellent Net works. We

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know there are many employers moving forward with increasing

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credit union membership among their employees. We have looked to

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support those initiatives. We have worked, for example, with the TUC,

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to promote credit unions through training events and their networks

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and reps. First Minister, I would concur with many comments made

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about the positive aspects of credit unions. I did not know it

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was national year in rent -- national credit union day. My party,

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in advance of the elections, said that we wanted to support credit

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unions through post offices, to get a far greater link fostered between

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post offices and credit unions, which would be retreat beneficial

:19:28.:19:37.

to both. Casti, -- can I asked you, what your Government is doing not

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just to promote credit unions but to ensure that in rural communities,

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particularly post offices are playing a far bigger role in

:19:44.:19:48.

supporting them? We have taken forward a number of initiatives to

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support credit unions, for example, the Minister for Local Government

:19:54.:19:59.

and communities is promoting credit union membership using pay roll

:19:59.:20:03.

deduction. We have actively supported credit unions to broaden

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their membership base by helping them to develop a range of services

:20:06.:20:10.

they can offer, such as basic bank accounts and pre-payment debit

:20:10.:20:17.

cards. With the greatest of respect, I do not accept that. The three-

:20:17.:20:22.

year action plan was launched in December 2010, that said the credit

:20:22.:20:26.

unions will achieve some sustainability by the year 2013,

:20:26.:20:29.

but how will these actually be achieved, because as in most

:20:29.:20:32.

policies from this Government, you have not actually spelled it out.

:20:32.:20:38.

It is fine talk but it is all talk and no action. Direct financial

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support from the Welsh Government and European Regional Development

:20:40.:20:44.

Fund to improve the longer term sustainability and financial

:20:44.:20:51.

viability of credit unions, amounting to a substantial

:20:51.:20:57.

investment and action over the next few years. The Swansea credit union

:20:57.:21:02.

are currently working on developing a sure-fire loan product, or an

:21:02.:21:07.

ethical loan product, which they are hoping to introduce in their

:21:07.:21:10.

area, but to do that they will need direct Government support in terms

:21:10.:21:14.

of actually developing that product and getting it to the state where

:21:14.:21:19.

they can actually introduce it. Can I ask whether you would consider a

:21:19.:21:23.

request from the credit union to provide funding to get his product

:21:23.:21:28.

onto the market? I will consider any such request. I will give it

:21:28.:21:33.

due consideration when it is received. Cardiff credit union is

:21:33.:21:37.

experiencing difficulty recruiting companies and individuals from the

:21:37.:21:41.

private sector, amongst whom there will be some of the very lowest

:21:41.:21:46.

paid in the country. I wondered what the Welsh Government can do to

:21:46.:21:50.

ensure that credit unions are are offered to people who most need

:21:50.:21:55.

them, so they are not falling into the hands of loan sharks.

:21:55.:21:58.

provide business support to budge credit unions through the Social

:21:58.:22:01.

Investment business and a key action for that over the next few

:22:01.:22:04.

years will be to raise the profile of credit unions so more people are

:22:04.:22:10.

made aware there are alternatives, to high-caste lenders and the legal

:22:10.:22:16.

and registered many lenders they sometimes see in their communities.

:22:16.:22:20.

What is the worst Government doing to improve the lives of people in

:22:20.:22:25.

Aberavon? We are acting to make a real difference. As set out in our

:22:25.:22:31.

programme for Government. I should point out there are many facets to

:22:31.:22:36.

this but on this occasion I want to focus on just jobs and the economy.

:22:36.:22:41.

Particularly in light of the reason UK Growth figures of 0.3 %, I am

:22:41.:22:46.

sure you will agree that is important that as well as creating

:22:46.:22:48.

new jobs we support existing businesses to maintain their jobs

:22:48.:22:54.

and therefore, can you tell me whether you will be meeting with

:22:54.:22:59.

the Chancellor and the UK -- the other UK ministers to discuss the

:22:59.:23:03.

carbon tax, as we know it, and do you agree with the CBI that it

:23:03.:23:08.

should be exempt for energy heavy industries such as Tata Steel, so

:23:08.:23:15.

that the advantages are taken away? There is no doubt whatsoever that

:23:15.:23:19.

the high costs are a deterrent to investment. We are finding this

:23:19.:23:23.

time and time again when we are looking for investment

:23:23.:23:28.

opportunities from abroad. Energy is an expensive here. I can say

:23:28.:23:32.

that following an announcement on 23rd March of a unilateral carbon

:23:32.:23:36.

floor price, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Business

:23:36.:23:41.

innovation and stills, that letter was copied, in his response, the

:23:41.:23:43.

business, innovation and skills Secretary stated that the UK

:23:43.:23:48.

Government would consider a package of measures to reduce the impact of

:23:48.:23:52.

energy and climate change policies on these industries that are energy

:23:52.:23:55.

intensive, including the steel industry, and now we wait to see

:23:55.:24:03.

what happens. Good local transport links would help the economy in

:24:03.:24:07.

Aberavon so I wondered, are you able to give us an update on a

:24:07.:24:16.

current project, namely the M4 relief road in Port Talbot? These

:24:16.:24:22.

road is -- of the road is not really describe as that. There are

:24:22.:24:28.

no reasons to believe that that project is not following its

:24:28.:24:30.

timetable but the other point is that there is substantial

:24:31.:24:36.

investments now that is going to be made in Port Talbot Parkway station

:24:36.:24:40.

which is no less than the people of Port Talbot deserve.

:24:40.:24:44.

TRANSLATION: thank you. Following on from that question, as the

:24:44.:24:51.

Government considered developing businesses around the road for the

:24:51.:24:55.

future, as Port Talbot is not part of the enterprise of initiative put

:24:55.:24:58.

forward by the Government. I wonder if there are any other plans to

:24:58.:25:03.

bring additional jobs to the industrialised areas which has a

:25:03.:25:12.

great deal of expertise contained within it? Of course we want to see

:25:12.:25:14.

the new road giving the local economy a boost and assisting in

:25:15.:25:19.

bringing in more businesses into the industrial estate close to that

:25:19.:25:25.

road. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh

:25:25.:25:28.

Government's powers of compulsory purchase and also on have

:25:28.:25:31.

frequently those powers have been exercised in the last few years?

:25:31.:25:35.

Yes, we have the power to compulsorily purchase land or

:25:35.:25:39.

property necessary for proposed development which is considered to

:25:39.:25:43.

provide public better it. In the last four years these powers have

:25:43.:25:49.

been exercised on 18 occasions. Since the Welsh Government acquired

:25:49.:25:53.

its compulsory purchase powers, following the demise of the Land

:25:53.:25:56.

Authority, and subsequently the Welsh Development Agency, there has

:25:56.:26:01.

been a growing perception that compulsory purchase orders to have

:26:01.:26:04.

been under-exploited. This, combined with the relative risk

:26:04.:26:07.

aversion of local authorities in Wales, has had unfortunate

:26:07.:26:11.

consequences for many of our communities. Well the First

:26:11.:26:14.

Minister please confirm the readiness of the Government to work

:26:14.:26:17.

in partnership with local authorities to progress compulsory

:26:17.:26:22.

purchase where it is necessary to combat dereliction and to promote

:26:22.:26:26.

regeneration across Wales? Absolute. I am not sure of any evidence that

:26:26.:26:30.

the powers are being and used in any way. The powers exist for a

:26:30.:26:34.

reason, to ensure the land is brought into public use fully

:26:34.:26:42.

benefit of the community. These powers are indeed a useful tool in

:26:42.:26:48.

the box for local authorities to be able to take over dilapidated

:26:48.:26:51.

properties and various areas of land. Is it not a fact that his

:26:51.:26:56.

power actually did play better with the Welsh Development Agency at the

:26:56.:26:59.

time and that you have failed to actually NPower authorities to use

:26:59.:27:04.

his power? Would you not agree that there is no use having the stool

:27:04.:27:08.

without the resources to implement these purchases, and what steps are

:27:08.:27:11.

you taking to ensure that these powers can and will be used

:27:11.:27:15.

effectively? Given by you have produced no evidence at all to

:27:15.:27:25.
:27:25.:27:27.

support your argument, I have to agree -- disagree with you.

:27:27.:27:30.

Question six, Christine Chapman. What is the worst Government doing

:27:31.:27:36.

to improve opportunities for people in the Cynon Valley. As in the rest

:27:36.:27:43.

of Wales, we have implemented are employability programme in August.

:27:43.:27:48.

I know you will share my concern at the continuing bad news regarding

:27:48.:27:51.

youth unemployment and its practical and psychological effects.

:27:51.:27:56.

I do welcome the creation of jobs growth Wales and the end as much of

:27:56.:27:59.

the other measures recently outlined by your Government. Do you

:27:59.:28:02.

agree with me that they will go some way to repairing the damage

:28:02.:28:07.

done by the UK Government's callous axing of the Future Jobs Fund,

:28:07.:28:13.

which seems intent on condemning a generation of our young people?

:28:13.:28:19.

Youth unemployment is a price work -- worth paying. A price worth

:28:19.:28:24.

paying for the party opposite. We saw that in the 1980s. We have

:28:24.:28:28.

introduced programmes for 16 to 18 and euros steps to implement for

:28:28.:28:34.

adults who are $18. Presiding Officer, First Minister,

:28:34.:28:39.

unemployment is a major concern for many people and as we look forward,

:28:39.:28:42.

there are many initiatives that have been taught about in the South

:28:42.:28:46.

Wales economy, one of them being the South Wales met Christine. What

:28:46.:28:49.

assistance has the Welsh -- is the worst Government giving to

:28:49.:28:53.

developing the business case for this metro scheme so that it can be

:28:53.:29:00.

either taken forward ball rolled out? -- the Welsh Government.

:29:00.:29:04.

a matter for the Department of Transport, not the Welsh Government.

:29:04.:29:08.

But we will assist the Department of Transport to ensure the case is

:29:08.:29:15.

taken for would favourably. constituency has one of the lowest

:29:15.:29:19.

rates of economic activity in the whole of Wales and this problem is

:29:19.:29:23.

more acute for all young people. Lack of jobs and apprenticeships is

:29:23.:29:29.

making the situation many -- a very gloomy for many school leavers in

:29:29.:29:33.

the Cynon Valley and it will become more acute if the recommendations

:29:33.:29:38.

are implemented and support for a re employ factories is withdrawn

:29:38.:29:45.

throughout Wales. Around 50 people are employed in that factory. Do

:29:45.:29:50.

you support the principle of Supported Employment, and of what

:29:50.:29:55.

are you in a position to offer those workers, not just in my

:29:55.:29:58.

constituency but across the whole of Wales, who are extremely worried

:29:58.:30:01.

for the future of their livelihoods? The answer to your

:30:01.:30:05.

question is yes, of course. I have raised the issue with the Secretary

:30:05.:30:09.

of State as I said I would. I have raised the issue of whether the

:30:09.:30:16.

Budget should be devolved to, as I explained I would do. The education

:30:16.:30:19.

minister is at present looking at the issue of re-employ. He will

:30:19.:30:25.

issue a statement in the near future.

:30:25.:30:31.

TRANSLATION: Will the First Minister outline his priorities,

:30:31.:30:34.

please, for improving transport infrastructure in Wales? Yes, they

:30:35.:30:40.

will be contained in the national transport plan. First Minister, I

:30:40.:30:43.

visited the Community Transport Association at their base in

:30:43.:30:46.

Swansea this week and saw first- hand the excellent work that they

:30:46.:30:51.

do and the essential services they provide. The Community Transport

:30:51.:30:54.

Association and their partners are essential to plug the gaps in

:30:54.:30:59.

public transport and deliver for the most vulnerable in society.

:30:59.:31:03.

When you committed to ensure this sector is recognised in any future

:31:03.:31:05.

plans for borough transport in Wales, because without it we will

:31:05.:31:14.

never have a fully integrated transport system? Yes, and I spoke

:31:15.:31:24.
:31:25.:31:27.

TRANSLATION: De you think that it is acceptable but ministers in your

:31:27.:31:36.

transport department abolished the to the 10 daily services between

:31:36.:31:41.

villages, and to do that without any consultation without anyone in

:31:41.:31:45.

either of those villages? TRANSLATION: If that has happened,

:31:45.:31:53.

write to me and I will look at it. You will be aware of the long-

:31:53.:31:58.

running history of traffic congestion which is making life

:31:58.:32:02.

difficult for residents. It is a stumbling block for the further

:32:02.:32:06.

economic generation of the area. Will the world government consider

:32:06.:32:10.

revising plans for the second phase of the distributor road? What is

:32:11.:32:15.

needed is for the transport consortium are switched to identify

:32:15.:32:18.

a face two of the distributor road as their priority and to include it

:32:18.:32:27.

in their bid. I am sure that the First Minister is aware that many

:32:27.:32:31.

members agree with and identified the economic, social and

:32:31.:32:34.

environmental benefits of delivering high quality and high

:32:34.:32:38.

capacity transport in Wales. Can he provide an update on where the

:32:38.:32:43.

Welsh Government it with its proposal to secure the necessary

:32:43.:32:46.

investment for the Department of Transport to deliver a

:32:46.:32:52.

electrification? As I mentioned earlier, we hope that a business

:32:52.:33:02.
:33:02.:33:03.

case will be prepared by the end of I would like the opportunity to

:33:03.:33:12.

show you the extent to which the its -- Glamorgan's position as an

:33:12.:33:21.

economic hub is hampered by the transport. The year and be

:33:21.:33:28.

responsible ministers want to take me up on the offer? I am grateful

:33:28.:33:33.

for the offer, but I know that my friend and colleague has showed me

:33:33.:33:40.

around many parts of the veil over the years. It is an area very well.

:33:40.:33:44.

I was at the airport on Sunday, picking my family up, and I know

:33:44.:33:49.

the roads very well. We are looking at the access issues, but bear in

:33:49.:33:56.

mind that the Glamorgan railway was approved by a Labour minister. It

:33:56.:34:00.

is exceptionally important and effective. We look forward to a

:34:00.:34:04.

time when those trains can be made more frequent as they travel to

:34:04.:34:11.

Bridgend and Cardiff. Will the First Minister outlined the was

:34:11.:34:17.

government's policy on effective waste management? Our policies are

:34:18.:34:24.

set out to zero waste. You will note the decision not to proceed

:34:24.:34:27.

with the waste scheme, but what has -- what progress has your

:34:27.:34:33.

government made to effectively give instructions for recommendations to

:34:33.:34:37.

local authorities regarding similar schemes? The reality is that

:34:37.:34:43.

residual waste has to be dealt with somehow. Landfill sites are now

:34:43.:34:48.

becoming more and more difficult to use, and difficult to open in the

:34:48.:34:55.

future. We have committed to 70 % recycling by 2025. We wish to be a

:34:55.:34:59.

zero waste nation by 2050, but in the meantime, there will need to be

:34:59.:35:05.

ways of dealing with waste. That is for local authorities to consider

:35:05.:35:11.

what the defective weights -- ways of. Cardiff council has improved

:35:11.:35:15.

recycling levels this year, but it still has a way to go to reach the

:35:15.:35:19.

Wales average. What can the Welsh Government do to support local

:35:19.:35:22.

authorities and held them to learn from each other in terms of

:35:22.:35:27.

improving recycling? I mentioned the target early on, but to help

:35:27.:35:31.

local authorities achieve them, we provide a sustainable waste

:35:31.:35:34.

management grant on an annual basis to local authorities in Wales. This

:35:34.:35:44.
:35:44.:35:54.

year, we provided over �71 million. Brecon and Radnorshire finds itself

:35:55.:36:01.

jammed between the West Wales and the Valleys Initiative and the

:36:01.:36:07.

newly announced enterprise zone in Herefordshire and the Herefordshire

:36:07.:36:11.

and Shropshire European Business Enterprise Fund. Your government

:36:11.:36:17.

has announced no intention to develop an enterprise zone in the

:36:17.:36:21.

county of powers to help support the development of the economy

:36:21.:36:27.

there. Could you look again at your decision, not to put an enterprise

:36:27.:36:32.

zone there and what you can do to assist local businesses in this

:36:32.:36:37.

most raw of counties to survive and thrive during this difficult time?

:36:37.:36:42.

As I said many times before in the Chamber, we have made announcements

:36:42.:36:45.

on five enterprise zones, but we have also said that we will

:36:45.:36:50.

consider other areas as well. We are actively looking at all parts

:36:50.:36:55.

of Wales to see whether there is a merit in announcing further

:36:55.:36:58.

enterprise zones in those areas where announcements have not been

:36:58.:37:06.

made. First Minister, for the economy of Mid Wales, it is vital

:37:06.:37:09.

that there is a robust infrastructure they might in place,

:37:09.:37:14.

particularly in excellent road infrastructure. I have concerns

:37:14.:37:18.

about the new bypass project. I have written to the minister at

:37:18.:37:21.

several times expressing my concerns, but businesses and

:37:21.:37:24.

residents are frustrated about the lack of progress and the accuracy

:37:24.:37:28.

of information that is being conveyed about where the project

:37:28.:37:32.

will actually start. Can you reassure the people of Mid Wales

:37:32.:37:36.

that this project has not slipped down the government's priority list

:37:36.:37:40.

and the scheme will start as detailed in the national transport

:37:40.:37:44.

plan and as per the dates given to many constituents by letters from

:37:44.:37:49.

the Welsh Government earlier this year? Work is under way to

:37:49.:37:53.

prioritise the work in the national transport plan. I can say that

:37:53.:37:58.

preparatory work is continuing in the meantime. We will soon invite

:37:58.:38:04.

tenders for a design contract. TRANSLATION: The First Minister

:38:05.:38:11.

will be aware that many residents of Mid Wales are concerned about

:38:11.:38:14.

renewable energy developments, but some of us see an opportunity to

:38:14.:38:20.

improve and develop the Mid Wales economy through using renewable

:38:20.:38:23.

energy technology, specifically by doing two things: Ensuring that

:38:23.:38:28.

local people do get the electricity and the benefits from those

:38:28.:38:31.

developments, and secondly by establishing a wealth fund to

:38:31.:38:40.

distribute funds through -- a crude through these processes. What steps

:38:40.:38:48.

the taking to ensuring that these steps are cheap? We do promote

:38:48.:38:51.

local authorities to use the law to ensure that community fund is

:38:51.:38:57.

created for renewable energy projects under 50 megawatts. Over

:38:57.:39:01.

that, that is a matter for the United Kingdom government. But we

:39:01.:39:06.

do have a number of opportunities in Wales as regards a renewable

:39:06.:39:14.

energy. In order to create future jobs. What criteria up will be what

:39:14.:39:19.

criteria -- government used when deciding whether to produce White

:39:19.:39:23.

or Green papers prior to legislation? We will consult on all

:39:23.:39:28.

legislation prior to introduction. We would decide what method to use

:39:28.:39:32.

on a case-by-case basis. Let me welcome the fact that the

:39:32.:39:35.

government now publishes a legislative programme for the

:39:35.:39:38.

horror of the Assembly's life, which could be up to five years in

:39:38.:39:42.

this case. That is very welcome for the major pieces of legislation

:39:42.:39:47.

that can be anticipated. Obviously, other things will occur as need

:39:47.:39:52.

necessitates. Given that we are a small legislator dealing with a

:39:52.:39:56.

relatively small output because of the capacity issues we have, we can

:39:56.:40:00.

at least aim to get best practice into the way we deliver that

:40:00.:40:05.

legislation by allowing for planned better consultation. I wonder if

:40:05.:40:09.

publishing legislation in draft will be part of that as well as

:40:09.:40:13.

publishing White papers, or even Green papers, I think it is a good

:40:13.:40:16.

sign when a government has the confidence to say it is not quite

:40:16.:40:21.

sure, it knows it is important, but wants to examine some of the

:40:21.:40:26.

possibilities by a Green paper's first. We have made a commitment to

:40:26.:40:30.

consult prior to legislation, whether it is at the policy, why

:40:30.:40:36.

people or draft paper stage. Will be First Minister explain why out

:40:36.:40:39.

of the 20 proposed Bills to be introduced during the life of this

:40:39.:40:44.

Assembly, 13 have no specified date for a White Paper, 13 have no

:40:44.:40:48.

specified date for consultation and seven had no indication of the

:40:48.:40:52.

timescale in which the Bill will be introduced? Is this another example

:40:52.:40:57.

of the government's indecision to match intention with action?

:40:57.:41:00.

clearly has no understanding of how Westminster works because that is

:41:00.:41:05.

what happens there. We have prioritised a number of bills and

:41:05.:41:09.

given timetables. They are not yet timetabled in detail. That will be

:41:09.:41:14.

taken forward during the course of this Assembly. That is the normal

:41:14.:41:18.

practice in almost every legislator in the world.

:41:18.:41:22.

Don't forget that you can see more action from the National Assembly

:41:22.:41:31.

on BBC Wales democracy live online coverage. Just go to the website.

:41:31.:41:38.

Out of Welsh Affairs Editor is the here with us. Let's deal firstly

:41:38.:41:42.

with readers' questions. Every week, the three opposition party leaders

:41:43.:41:52.
:41:53.:41:53.

put their questions to Carwyn Jones. I first bought Carwyn Jones and

:41:53.:41:58.

Kirsty Williams landed a few blows. They were talking about coming --

:41:58.:42:01.

the same thing but from different directions. That was the decision

:42:01.:42:07.

of the Health Department. It is to postpone a number of capital

:42:07.:42:13.

projects that had been Green light just before the election just

:42:13.:42:17.

because of the health service and policies being reviewed. Carwyn

:42:17.:42:20.

Jones attack that from the point of view of economic development,

:42:20.:42:25.

saying you are the man saying that UK government should bring forward

:42:25.:42:31.

cattle prod is. Here is your own health secretary puts burning

:42:31.:42:35.

capital projects that had been announced. Colin Jones's body-

:42:35.:42:38.

language looked as if he was disconcerted by that question.

:42:38.:42:42.

Kirsty Williams came from another angle, asking which of those

:42:42.:42:48.

projects which Labour had announced before the election, were in danger

:42:48.:42:53.

of being ditched. Carwyn Jones looked a bit unsteady on his feet

:42:53.:42:59.

in responding. I felt that when he answered Kirsty Williams, he did

:42:59.:43:03.

what he could, but then he turned it back on her by suggesting that

:43:03.:43:07.

these products might be difficult to deliver because of a cut in the

:43:07.:43:13.

capital budget. This is a consistent tactic by Carwyn Jones.

:43:13.:43:18.

He is consistently, whenever the Lib Dems speak, turning the flak

:43:18.:43:21.

back on to them and the UK government. You have to look at

:43:21.:43:25.

that in the contents of the local elections approaching. The Lib Dems

:43:26.:43:29.

have a number of seats in Wales and Labour are eyeing a lot of them. To

:43:29.:43:32.

try to box them in with the Conservatives is a consistently

:43:32.:43:37.

good... On the health theme, I mentioned earlier that the health

:43:37.:43:41.

minister is going to make a statement on how the government

:43:41.:43:44.

aims to tackle the challenge has made by the NHS in Wales later.

:43:44.:43:48.

What can you tell us about that? don't know what she will say, but I

:43:48.:43:52.

don't think it will be anything revolutionary. We know that money

:43:53.:43:57.

is tight and been cut, so some things have to change. We know that

:43:57.:44:00.

the existing government policy, including doing less in the

:44:00.:44:05.

hospital, doing more at home and in district health centres, it is most

:44:05.:44:10.

likely to be a continuation of that policy. Once again, but emphasis

:44:10.:44:14.

will be on preventive health. was a suggestion from the chair of

:44:14.:44:18.

the NHS Confederation that may be we look at treating people

:44:18.:44:23.

differently, which means closing down bedsit hospitals. The number

:44:23.:44:28.

of bedsit hospitals has dropped, and that is because not as many are

:44:28.:44:32.

needed. I don't think people worry about losing beds in hospitals,

:44:32.:44:36.

they worry about losing services from their particular district

:44:36.:44:40.

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