04/12/2012 am.pm

Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and our weekly coverage

of questions to the First Minister, the final one of 2012. There may be

an end of term feeling from our politicians, but this afternoon

they will also be voting on the budget for next year. The

Government have done a deal with Plaid Cymru which will ensure that

the budget is passed but AMs from all parties can have their say in a

debate later on. That's later, but now before we take in First

Minister's Questions, I'll remind you for the final time this year

that you can get in touch with us. You can contact us via Twitter or

send us an e-mail. Let's go over to the Senedd to the questions to the

First Minister. Good afternoon. It gives me great

pleasure to announce that the local government bye-laws Wales that was

given Royal Assent on 29th November 2012. Thank you very much. We now

move on to questions to the First Minister. The first question, Nick

Ramsey. Will the First Minister provide an update on his plans for

the NHS? As you will be away, an economist identified that up to

half the Welsh population live within 25 miles with the border

with England. So cross-border issues are important. A number of

constituents have come to me to express concern about the

difficulties they faced in receiving care from hospitals just

across the border in England where previously they had been accepted

for treatment. The health minister has been helpful in a number of

these cases. What is your government doing overall to insure

that the NHS in Wales is close to the English border and then used to

be a cross-pollination between the health service in England and in

Wales, what are you doing to make sure that that happens as easy as

possible? It is the responsibility it of the health board to ensure

high-quality care. The fact that treatment is being made available

in England is something that has been the case for many years. We

expect that situation to continue in many cases. First Minister,

during the committee this morning, we received evidence from two of

the health boards who stated that they were facing a deficit of �51

million this year, but what was of more concern to the committee was

that they said that some of the savings targets were unrealistic

and that there were no specific plans behind those savings targets.

Are you content that there is adequate monitoring in terms off

public health services at a national level and a Welsh level at

the moment? Yes, I am, and of course the order to's report will

bear this out more this year than last year. -- the Auditor's report.

The health boards are currently consulting to changes to Hirst --

hospital services and this could take months in some cases and years

in others. Can you confirm to me that your government can you

continued to approve capital projects in the health service?

course, we will carry on with a capital programme in those

hospitals not impacted by any other things. The programme has been

taken on in order to secure the hospital's future. Will the First

Minister please make a statement on the role of consultation procedures

in the reorganisation of the wealth Bennett -- Welsh NHS? A we like to

thank the First Minister very much -- I would like to thank. I have

just received a petition in support of the retention of stroke services

at a hospital in Powys. I learned that a recent consultation meeting,

the health board employee who was addressing those present stated

that the health board were actively monitoring staff responses by

cross-checking the addresses of those that were responding. Does

the First Minister share the disquiet of clinicians, nursing

staff and trade unionists at this approach, especially in the

contexts that in the event of the stroke unit moving to Brecon

hospital, some of their staff would have to apply for their own jobs?

Clearly consultation has to be open and without prejudice. I want to

see a situation where people feel able to give their views freely.

First Minister, the population of one, should are feeling

increasingly more marginalised by proposed changes in NHS. As we saw

last week, patients are being forced to wake up to 10 weeks

longer for elective surgery than anywhere else in Wales. My

constituents feel they are being penalised because they live in

Powys. Do you agree that in order to safeguard equality of access to

health services in mid-Wales, it is time the government looked at a

distinct mid-Wales health plan model to ensure that the people of

one, share have their health services they deserved -- the

people of my constituent? I know that officials have spoken to the

Powys Health Board and there is no intention to move away from this

policy and that any provide us with in England could have a received

this will be contacted to make this clear. Do you agree with me that

the consultation that has happened in the area on new services is

highly dependent on there being adequate community services in

place and that emergency services that should be available in all

areas? The population around here have said that they would be

willing to see some changes as they can be assured that these two

things are in place and a safe -- as long as they can be. That is

part of the plans that are in place at present and it is very important

that the services are secured, safe and sustainable and that the

community services are also safe and sustainable. We have the leader

of the opposition now. Thank you. First Minister, your government

last week tried to pull the plug on a soap opera because a fictional

character disagreed with your government's policy. If Gavin and

Stacey got stuck on the M4 because you hadn't built at an M4 relief

road, we do seek to pull the prop - - pull the plug on that programme,

as well? We shall wait to see what response we get from the BBC.

think that speaks volumes, that answer, not seeking to defend their

position. It is also important to look at the serious issue of the TB

eradication policy that your government has undertaken and look

at the Commons and the evidence that has been offered about a

programme that you have. The farmers' union for Wales have

called it a cowardly betrayal. The senior scientist resigned because

you jeopardise the real progress you could have made, and Glasgow

University brought forward evidence that highlighted the risk that if

you don't tackle TB, you will never get on top of this problem. Is it

not the case that your government, it should be dealing with the real

issue that is dominating the economy and Raul farming in Wales?

Differences though we are doing something and Wales. England

doddering nothing at all -- the difference is that we are doing

something in Wales. England are doing nothing at all. As usual, the

first Mr deflects progress to London when London is making real

progress. -- the First Minister. Given the actions that the First

Minister and his government undertook last week to try to

muzzle the press here in Wales, do not think it is right to look

important bad week for my concerns us here in Wales -- do you not

think it is very important that we open a consensus here in Wales? So

that it is not just a London agenda that is driven over at media

regulation and media reform? Do not agree that it is important in that

aspect that we have a united front? I do. I would love to know what the

Prime Minister is going to do. Nothing is happening in England on

TB. They have sat back and promised nothing. He makes criticisms about

the Welsh government, let me draw his attention to Iain Duncan-Smith,

who made an official complaint to the BBC about the broadcaster's

moaning. He said the BBC is locked to the reading of the economy that

has run out of Ed Miliband's and Ed Balls's office. He went on to say,

criticising a BBC correspondent, when she questioned his policy, he

accused her of peeing all over British industry. This is the party

that has done nothing but complain about the British Industry and yet

they complain about what this government is doing. The reality is

that the Conservative Party spent their entire time complaining about

the BBC and we take no lessons from them in terms of what they are

If you just speak, I'm sure someone will hear you. Oh, there is a man

down their! -- there. In February this here, a spokesperson for your

government said that it was your government's intention to improve

the NHS and that local health boards across Wales were setting

out to establish how services can be improved to make them safe,

sustainable and defective and as near to home as possible. In

October this year, the Health Minister said it would not be

appropriate for her or any of her Welsh government ministers to

comment on specific options brought forward by health boards. Since --

because if they did that, it would compromise any judicial function

that you have. Can you ensure that this remains the case? It is the

case we want to build a safe and sustainable health service.

Ministers in their capacity as ministers were not be commenting.

fat is the case, can you explain this letter written by your

education minister -- if that is the case? Your Minister says he and

his fellow Labour MP Chris Bryant are concerned about the proposals

put forward to buy the local health board in his area. -- put forward

by. He is an Assembly member. me remind you of some other

comments made by other Labour Assembly members on this matter.

Joyce Watson said in July last year about ambulance journeys. Sometimes,

an hour can be too long. In many cases, it could prove fatal. Ann

Jones, the removal of services from her constituency could create a

real risk from -- for mothers-to-be. We do agree that your government is

not compromised by the statements of the ministers and backbenchers

wet -- which are in fact misleading to the Welsh public? Are you, as

the government, backing the plans of the health board or are you not?

The legislature did get separated in 2007 and backbenchers are not

members of the government. I do expect them to boys used on behalf

of their constituencies. I expect ministers to do the same, I see no

difficulty with that. We are going through a process of consultation

over NHS reconfiguration, that is the process Welsh ministers are

overseen. I see no problem at all with Assembly members acting as

Assembly members, raising issues regarding their local area. That is

Labour -- leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. In your

Government's evidence to the Leveson inquiry, you say of your

meetings with the media that those meetings tend to focus on economic

development and public policy issues and not an editorial matters.

You are on record as saying in your view, editorial independence of S4C

is absolutely vital. Is it right for your government disbanded Stein

muttering the seemingly subversive outfought - -- output of a S4C? And

what can we expect next? reality is that soap operas are run

by producer guidelines but editorial independence. We await

the BBC and S4C and Ofcom's response to the concerns that week

raised. There is a public policy that has to be debated. It would be

farcical if the issues that the Government's actions raised were

not so serious. Your own manifesto says that a Welsh Labour believes

that a healthy, vibrant democracy and civil society needs a plurality

of news media and public broadcasting, and isn't that the

point? At the Welsh media is relatively weak and one of our

biggest struggles it is to ensure that people actually take notice of

what goes on in Cardiff Bay. Do you think your government actions have

encouraged the Bharati that you claim the support? This is a soap

opera, not a current affairs And I have to say to the leader of

the Liberal Democrats... Order, order. There are producing

guidelines here that have to be observed. There was an election on

Thursday, on the day that the broadcast at -- programme was

broadcast. I offered the opportunity to give me examples,

but I'm not aware of any soap opera where direct criticism of a

government has been included in the script ever in history in the UK.

Give me an example. Order, order. The First Minister is absolutely

right. It is a soap opera, but maybe you have a lot of experience

of that, First Minister, looking at the way you handle some of the

public services in Wales. On the day the Leveson report was

published, you were busy trying to protect your government by

censoring a public service broadcaster, when Welsh people

would have expected U2 joined with the likes of Nick Clegg and Ed

Miliband -- would have expected you to join with the likes of Nick

Clegg and Ed Miliband. That should have been it your priority. Will

you now add to your voice to those who are calling for the full

implementation of the Leveson inquiry? She fails to answer the

question that was put to her, but I agree, I think there should be full

implementation of a Leveson. I wait to see what the Prime Minister's

view is, if it is appalling that those people who have had their

lives wrecked by breast intrusion have no recourse. -- press

intrusion. It is absolutely appalling that we see newspapers,

and Wales has largely free of this, but newspapers in London publishing

allegations that are known to be untrue, they publish them anyway

Gabon they do not care whose lives they Iraq. They wrecked the lives

of Milly Dowler's parents, the lives of the McCanns, the lives of

people who died at Hillsborough, their families, and the people in

Bridgend, who had the coverage distorted to the point of the line.

Yes, I do agree with Leveson being implemented, I am saddened that the

Prime Minister and the Conservative Party here take the view that is

not important. Once again the leader of the opposition makes more

noise sitting down that he does on his feet. Let him declare his

position. I am with the Liberal Democrat peer, where are the

Tories? Questions on the paper up. Will you outline the engagement

strategies are currently undertaken by the Welsh government to inform

potential investors of the benefits of coming to Wales? Or will take a

wide range of activities to provide the energy sector in Wales. Thank

you for that expensive replied. I am sure that you will be sure --

aware that a river have signed up a deal to put up a new factories in

Europe, bringing with it 750 jobs. Only about eight months ago,

another company considered locating here, moved again to Scotland, with

green jobs that totalled 900. It seems to me something isn't working.

I wonder what you are going to do to try and get some of this big

potential in our so-called Green economy, that you wish to promote,

to come here and opened jobs in Wales. Those are the kind of jobs

that Wales could have got. can't on the one hand oppose wind

energy and then complain that the jobs are not coming to Wales

because of that, that is a situation that is impossible to

reconcile. In Scotland, these are controlled by the Scottish

government he can offer more subsidies. We can never compete

with it because we are tied to the level that exists in England. We

want to make sure we are able does of the subsidy level in Wales, as

Northern Ireland and the Scots can. The UK government is determined

that we shouldn't. I cannot understand the reasoning, but I

want to ensure Wales is any level playing field, which has been

denied to us by your government. Try Central Station does the First

Minister welcome that -- welcome the sale of Horizon two Hitachi,

which has now been completed? Or will he ensure, along with many of

us in this Changer, that appropriate jobs will come to the

north-west and West Wales in general following that investment -

- in this chamber. It happens mainly because there are effective

skills in engineering and particularly nuclear engineering

available in North Wales. Yes of course, it is in -- important that

those jobs come to Anglesey and the skills are available to support

those posts. Will the first minister provide an update on the

progress of capital transport schemes in the oven constituency?

The programme for improving transport infrastructure in a while

to set out in the national transport plans. May I refer

specifically to the largest scheme in the area, namely the proposed

bypass which is extremely important to the residents of that area, but

more important perhaps to those that travel back and forth to their

work, and can I ensure that the government is continuing with this

important scheme, I also ask whether the First Minister will

continue to consider options in relation to this route if evidence

comes to light. This is to be progressed, in the early part of

next year. A technical consultants will be appointed and following

that, an agreement will be signed in order to proceed with the scheme

itself, bearing in mind how important this bypass is. Not only

did his constituency but anyone travelling that route. Referring to

that bypass, the Welsh government has said it in the press this week

that the proposed Pope Paul Read, the favoured route of the Welsh

government, has the least impact on biodiversity and heritage --

proposed a purple route. Despite the submissions being made at an

early stage and then it is up to dimmest -- decision-makers. These

matters should be investigated further at a later stage. How do

you respond to the concerns that in a consultation, only a small number

of respondents's views have been considered despite a Welsh

government official recommending that further submissions should be

made, signed by 1500 people, calling for the black option to be

considered, despite a 700 petition from a foreign signed by 200

residents, and had you respond to the statement on August night, a

meeting between the consultants, Welsh government officials that a

full economic impact appraisal had not been carried out. I think you

have asked the question. All I can say is he is opposed to the bypass.

There Sean Lock public consultations. It is inevitable

when there is a scheme such as this that there will be some discontent

and opposition. But the scheme does need to be taken forward for the

good of the people in the area and those who travel along this section

of road which is very congested at the moment. Will the First Minister

make a statement on tackling youth unemployment in Wales? We see this

as a key priority which is why we have established a key programmes

such as jobs growth Wales. Cardiff West constituency has been

badly affected, with the rates doubling in some of the most

disadvantaged parts of the constituency. It is all the more

welcome to see that 614 new job opportunities have already been

created in Cardiff a loan through the jobs growth Wales scheme. Is

there any an early evidence emergent of the rate at which

chances taken up under the scheme are converted into permanent

employment opportunities for your people, and how does that

information compare with the record of similar schemes elsewhere?

not often in government be get the opportunity to say something is

exceeding your wildest expectations, but jobs growth Wales is such a

programme. We know we have initial suggestions that some defy per cent

of those who are part of the programme get taken on -- 75%. That

is an extraordinary figure when the UK scheme has a rate of 2%. We know

that the scheme has already been fulfilled, there are 2300 and

rising young people who are now receiving training, that is why we

are proud to say we have fulfilled what is an important commitment of

our manifesto. First Minister, the West as the Government is tackling

youth unemployment through a youth contract scheme which provides new

opportunities for 18 did ready for years old, including

apprenticeships and placements -- 18-24 year-olds. Will he welcomed

this appointment in this scheme are being set up in other areas to

provide additional help for young, unemployed people in these and a

point it hot spots? We know the UK government schemes have been a

shambles so far, we know that from their own figures. Whenever jobs

growth Wales has been highly effective. I do hope the UK

government gets its act together. TRANSLATION: Does he agree that a

small and medium-sized enterprise have a large part to play it,

particularly in Wales, to give training and apprenticeships to

young people? If the First Minister does agree, does he agree we should

encourage some of these small and medium-sized enterprises to promote

them, to take on the young people on apprenticeships. TRANSLATION:

That something -- this is something we are always considering, it is

also true to say that small and medium-sized enterprises do have an

important role to play in dealing with youth unemployment. Will the

First Minister make a statement on the discussions he has held with

local authorities regarding the development of the Severn barrage?

A I have had discussions, but not with local authorities it yet.

regard to the English local authorities, does the first

minister consider that because of some of the potential issues raised

with regard to road and rail that it would be appropriate to be

having discussions with the south- west authorities and the Welsh

government, because of matters of When it is appropriate, as the

project progresses, we will speak to the relevant a authorities.

project needs to get a green light for the next three years or is

likely to was -- to risk stalling. Is now not the time to set up a

full project to look at the evidence of both sides support -- a

full picture can emerge? Yes, it is important this is taken forward as

quickly as possible. There are issues that need to be resolved.

They also need to be certainty in terms of the electricity it all the

energy market in the UK. That has been partly resolved by the actions

of the UK government in the past few weeks, but I would like to see

this progress as quickly as possible. The opportunities are

great in terms of jobs in Wales. Will the Minister please give an

undertaking that any scheme will include the protection of the

marine and wildlife and in particular the wetlands that

attract over 100,000 visitors each year and do further recognise that

conservationists will fight to protect this unique corner of our

country? Yes, it is crucial that the environmental impact is

understood. It is crucial that any scheme has the smallest impact

possible on the environment. What plans does the First Minister have

for the newly elected police and crime commissioners in Wales?

Quarterly meetings have been Scheduled. In view of the fact that

there are no women police commissioners in Wales and that in

the hall of the UK There are only six women commissioners out of 41,

how can you help to ensure that issues that are important to us all,

specifically to women, are a major part of their gender? Such as

domestic abuse, the new stalking law and the low conviction rate for

sexual assault? At the meeting on 20th November, the Minister

highlighted key areas which they should be prioritising. Dealing

with domestic abuse, victims of crime, sexual assault referral

centres, and that. Will continue to be made the commissioners over the

course of the next year. -- that matter will continue to be made.

I'm sure you will join me in welcoming the new police and crime

commissioners to their new roles. Given the willingness of your

government to meet with them, do you have specific plans to work

with them and how will you a aligned their roles? As far as we

are concerned, we will continue to suggest priorities to the PCCs over

the next year. It is up to them to inform the chief constables of what

their roles will be. First Minister, you say that the commissioners do

not have a role in the intervening in police services, but they do

manage the budgets of the police and triggering that they can

influence the way that the police operate -- and through doing that.

Considering the kind of statements we have heard from the

commissioners that had been appointed, are you concerned that

we are going to have police laboratories throughout Wales

operating in different ways? May I draw your attention to the clear

difference between the statements from the commissioner in North

Wales compared to the new commissioner in South Wales? That

is bound to happen. Of course, if you have four commissioners, it is

entirely reasonable to expect that things will be different in

different parts of Wales. We will see if that is positive or

otherwise. There's an important point about the role of women PCCs.

I wonder if the government could be pressed to raise the issue of how

much is spent on these hidden problems, and elder abuse is rising

up the agenda in terms of a matter of extreme concern. The BCCs are

accountable to the community, including older people -- the IPCCs.

It is something that all police and crime commissioners must take very

seriously. Will have First Minister make a statement on improving

health in the Callum Ballee? -- Cynon Valley. Uptake of the food

Jabez low. Figures for November showed that only 26.9 % of pregnant

women have so far been immunised against blue. What steps is the

world government taking to address this and would you agree that in

light of the recent whooping cough epidemic which has sadly killed a

number of babies in England, immunisation is more important than

ever? Absolutely. We are concerned about below it uptake of seasonal

flu vaccination. It seems to be a UK wider trend but nevertheless the

Chief Medical Officer has been embedded -- regular contact with

their health boards to identify any barriers that much exist. -- that

might exist. Could the First Minister please indicate, has any

assessment been taken about the NHS redress measure that has been

brought in by the previous Assembly government and its effectiveness? A

lot of people have very successful procedures and the health service,

but when things do go wrong, it is important that the issues are

corrected promptly so we don't see a lot of court cases and distress

caused to the people who have had his case against them. Yes, these

are the evidence is that the measures are working very well. --

this is the evidence. People didn't have to fill their had to go to

court in order to get a redress, but there with a faster and cheaper

way of achieving that. -- there was a faster. We have achieved that.

For three after the last five years for which we have figures, male

suicides in Wales have been higher than any other region of England --

any region of England. The number of suicides in men is higher than

that of women. Can you tell us what to work your government is

undertaking to prevent suicides, particularly amongst young men from

working-class communities? Yes, we are lining efforts to it improve

mental health services. The general trend has been downwards over the

last decade, but the figures mean there is still more work to be done.

We need to see why there is this apparent spike in the number of

male suicides. We are working with local health boards to understand

what has caused it and then address the causes. Will the First Minister

provide an update on the plans to introduce next generation broadband

in Wales? The European Commission has now approved the UK

government's national broadband scheme. We now expect to receive

formal approval for the Wales scheme from the UK government

shortly. Next Generation Board ban will be important to allowing

broadcasting on line. -- broadband. The new Office minister responsible

for communication -- the new First Minister authorised a letter.

relation to broadband, this is something we want to see very soon

and we will be announcing further information about these schemes to

put the programme in place. In relation to the other question on

broadcasting, a letter was sent by press officials considering a

serious complaint made. We wait for a response. You have no doubt where

the Welsh Affairs Committee's recent report on broadband, which

recommended that the first priority must be to ensure that the needs of

approximately 90,000 homes in Wales which do not currently have access

to broadband are addressed as soon as possible. Given the fear in

rural communities that they will be left behind when next generation

broadband is rolled out elsewhere, don't you agree that these 90,000

homes deserve access to a basic services first? And do you accept

the criticism that the broad band support scheme is only scratching

the surface of the problem in rural spots? We have committed to ensure

that 96 % of premises do have access to super-fast ball bound by

2015. That is a promise and the government intends to carry it out.

Although it is important to get super-fast broadband ruled out come

a lot of businesses also depend on 4G, which is very important. Can I

ask what were you doing with the UK government to ensure we have a

thorough roll-out of 4G across Wales, as well? We know Cardiff its

in the pilot project of 4G. The concern I have is because the model

in the UK it is to auction frequencies for mobile phone

coverage, that the trains the coffers of mobile phone companies

in terms of their ability to invest in the 4G masts. It is something we

do need to address, but it is right to say that 4G needs to be rolled

out as quickly as possible from Cardiff to the rest of Wales.

There we are. You can see more coverage of the National Assembly

online from our democracy life page which is that bbc .co.uk.

Our Welsh affairs officer is in the Assembly newsroom. Good afternoon.

Let's concentrate on what we learned from that edition of first

Mr's questions. -- First Minister's questions. We learned about the

letter for a programme to be taken off air. Yes, that cropped up three

or four times, and Carwyn Jones made it clear that he had

authorised press officers to write the BBC and he claimed that no

other soap opera in the UK had ever criticised a government directly. I

suspect there will be people coming through records to see if that is

true -- combing. Leanne Wood took a different tack, and she attempted

to embarrass the First Minister by quitting some of the abuse from

some of his Labour backbenchers on the health reorganisation. Yes, a

Conservative debate, the government refused to take part. They said,

this is a protest in which we have a judicial role and therefore we

cannot state opinions. What Leanne Wood came in with was examples of

Labour ams including the education minister giving examples of

hospital decisions and choices in their areas. She did have the

example of Carwyn Jones giving his opinion. For some reason, she

didn't use that, but Carwyn Jones hat a theological view that you

could divide the Trinity that and am could do something without being

an am, or some such argument. Legally, Carwyn Jones is right, but

it does highlight this rather odd situation where the government is

saying that the am cannot say something in the chamber but he can

say something in a press release or a letter. Thank you very much. I