05/11/2013 am.pm

Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and our weekly coverage of

questions to the First Minister. We have had a look at the order paper,

and as well as the usual questions on health and the economy, I am sure

AMs will want to know what Carwyn Jones thinks of new borrowing powers

announced last week. What do you want to talk about? If you want to

comment on anything on the programme or other political news, get in

touch with us. Business in the chamber is already

underway. Let's look at today's questions to the First Minister. We

now moved to questions to the First Minister.

Question one, Julie Morgan. What actions does the First Minister

plan to take to improve the economy of south-east Wales? Our priorities

for proving the economy -- improving economy are to provide growth and

encourage development of businesses. Is the First Minister able to tell

us what will be the timescale for the electrification of the Valley

lines, which is obviously very important to revitalise the South

Wales valleys, especially in view of the fact that the Office of Rail

Regulation is has recently stated that plans by Network Rail are not

costed insufficiently close detailed?

Network Rail are required to provide the electrification of the Valley

lines, with full introduction of services by December 2019.

I do understand it -- understand that the Office of Rail Regulation

will be looking at this as an output for period five, and I welcome the

announcement by the Prime Minister last week of the UK Government's

intention to repay the full cost West of Cardiff.

First minute, will you commend the announcement by the Prime Minister

of the NATO summit to be held in south-east Wales? This is a

remarkable achievement, as you will know. It will contribute over ?130

million to the economy and possibly lead to the creation of over 2000

jobs, possible -- coupled also with the M4 release road. It will

certainly help the economy in south-east Wales. Indeed so.

This has been high on the list of the Welsh government's priorities

for some time and the announcement last week will enable us to get on

and do it if that is the final decision.

Otherwise, it could not have been considered in the first place.

Regarding the NATO conference, that is something I was in discussion

with the UK Government about for some weeks and I very much welcome

the fact the UK Government have kept me informed of their intention to

hold it in Wales. First Minister, we received news

yesterday that Sapper exclusions in Bedworth plant was under threat of

closure. Explicitly blamed by the company -- company was the market

conditions in the UK and further afield. There are 132 jobs at this

site, jobs I am sure you will agree we can ill afford to lose. Will you

commit to use every effort to engage with the company and the workforce

to try to avoid closure? I can, of course. It is worrying

news for those who work at the plant and we will be liaising with the

company to see what can be done to assist them. Thank you for those

comments, and I am sure our thoughts are all with the staff and their

families as they face uncertainty into Christmas.

I wonder what you can tell us what assessment you have made of the

potential impact on jobs for the supply and demand chain for Supper

aluminium? These are being examined by

officials, the first objective is to see what may be done to assist those

who work there. We would all wish to see a situation where potentially

those jobs would continue where they are. No one can guarantee that, but

we will work hard to make sure that those who work there are provided

with a more certain future. What action is the Wolves government

taking to prevent the mis-selling of hedging products to small

businesses? Regulation of banking products is

not a devolved matter, but we do recognise the grief these are

causing to Welsh businesses and the Minister for economy, science and

transport is meeting with an organisation tomorrow to discuss

this issue. According to the campaign group,

Billy Banks, this has cost an estimated 4000 jobs and an enormous

?1.7 billion in lost revenue to the Treasury.

The businesses effective -- affected have to pay an exit fee of the --

25% of the initial value. My colleague has worked tirelessly to

support the campaign and will be speaking at the meant -- meeting you

mentioned tomorrow night. First Minister, will you commend and join

this campaign to take a stand against such bad financial

practice? I don't think I can add to the answer I gave previously.

I understand that the member will also be at that meeting.

Clearly it is an important issue for our small and medium enterprises. I

note with pleasure that on the 24th of October the UK Government in a

House of Commons debate did commit to monitor the interest rate swap

agreement more closely. That has been the purview and I certainly

welcome their interest. One of my constituents is going to a

half to either mortgage their House or see their business quote of --

see their business go out of business. What is the FSA doing? Is

it that they don't have sufficient presence in Wales, or is it the

financial ombudsman who should be capturing these issues before they

become such a huge problem two the FSA did identify this issue back in

June last year. By the spring of this year the high

street banks did commit to undertake reviews with their own customers to

whom they sold these products to see if there is a case for compensation.

I understand that is now proceeding. Of course, the Minister will be in

the meeting with the organisation Bully Banks to see if there is

anything we can do as a devolved government to assist businesses that

have been affected. TRANSLATION: First minute, the impact of the

mis-selling of these kinds of loans is very serious indeed for those

businesses and the wider economy. There are tourism businesses,

agriculture businesses, business is running care homes who have been

directly affected by this in my constituency and others. I am

grateful that the Minister for the economy is to meet with

representatives tomorrow evening to discuss this further, but will you

and your government take this further and make every opportunity

with the Treasury and Westminster government to put pressure on them

to actually conclude these negotiations to ensure that these

businesses are compensated, because they have been so badly affected by

this mis-selling two TRANSLATION: Of course we will do that, and I'm sure

the Minister will do that after the meeting that she has tomorrow.

Compensation has been paid to some businesses until now but of course

some of them, the majority, I would think, are still waiting for

compensation in the future. The Minister will consider the situation

about what the Welsh government can say and do to ensure that businesses

receive compensation that they deserve, ultimately.

We moved to questions from the Party leaders, first we have the leader of

the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams.

First Minister, last week the UK Welsh government listened to Welsh

businesses and agreed the demolition of stamp duty to the Welsh

government. Given the importance of construction

to the Welsh economy, how many times in the last 12 months have you

personally met with the leaders of private sector firms building houses

in Wales? This is a matter for the Minister, primarily, but I have met

with people from persimmon homes and others.

We are looking for leadership from yourself.

The UK Government offers help by Alec -- and equity loans scheme in

England and mortgage guarantee scheme across the UK.

As of today there is still no scheme offered by the Welsh government to

help people secure a mortgage and give people the opportunity to warn

their own home and provide a much-needed boost to the

construction industry Wales. -- to own their own home. Why does your

covenant not have the drive our commitment to help the housing

sector? Scheme is being taken forward and it will be announced

shortly. You said a lack of leadership, I

have said many times I wanted to see stamp duty devolved. I said it

forcefully in London and ten days later we saw the demolition of stamp

duty. It is an important tool we can use. -- the devolution of stamp

duty. This government has shown clear leadership on this issue and

with regards to getting these recommendations in plummeted.

I wish the First Minister would help home buyers here in Wales.

After the collapse of your new by scheme earlier this year, you told

me you would be hopefully announcing the start date of Welsh government

scheme to help home-buyers as quickly as possible. That was over

six months ago. Despite a letter from your housing minister today, we

are still left with no firm date for that help and no specific details.

When will your government help first-time buyers in Wales?

There will be an announcement in the near future, certainly before

Christmas. One of the reasons why it has taken longer is because we need

to ensure financial institutions want to be part of asking. The UK

Government owned banks in a way that we do not. I believe the scheme will

be a great success in Wales, as I believe the devolution of stamp

duty, so resisted by some on the benches opposite, will make an

enormous difference. It took us an ice 11 months to get a response in

terms of the silk commission's recommendations. I welcome the fact

that we have had that response and I believe we have had that response

and I believe really -- be able to do even more to help first-time

buyers once the Help To Buy scheme is lodged and once we can get stamp

duty properly devolved in order to assist those who need it most.

First Minister, last week your government announced an inquiry into

practices in the health -- in a local Health Board. This is a

long-standing campaign about having a more general campaign across the

general inquiry across the whole of Wales, based on the Keogh angry held

in England. Why are you single note this Health Board instead of

bringing one forward for the whole of the Welsh NHS? -- why are you

singling out? The Conservatives are running a general campaign, and that

involves trying to run down the Welsh NHS. He has rather let the cat

out of the bag they are. We have no proposals for a Keogh style inquiry

and we will not assist and in general campaign about the NHS. I

have no problem in saying that the Welsh Conservatives are running a

campaign. I had the huge privilege and pleasure last eight of meeting

one member in the House of Commons and she congratulated me personally

on the actions we are taking. First Minister, the situation that people

are coming ourselves as elected members across this chamber shows

you in a very bad light indeed, and your government in particular, that

you are not addressing those concerns and taking them seriously

enough to bring forward an inquiry. She identified the issues for the

English NHS last week with her report. She also touched on the

point that 25% of the -- respondents she received came from Wales. We

have some very serious issues that, in fairness, Europe ministers

identified. Why can the whole NHS not benefit from such an inquiry

that would root out bad practice, celebrate good practice and improve

the Welsh NHS two it is a simple question and a simple formula.

There are no particular matters within the NHS that deserve an

inquiry generally. The health minister has held an inquiry in

relation to something very specific. I do not accept the

situation exists in Wales where the risen need for the general inquiry.

There is a need for it in England because the NHS in England is in

crisis because of your government. You only have to see the front page

of the Observer to see the disaster waiting people in inward because of

the actions of his Party. We will not impose the chaos in England on

the people in Wales. There are better outcomes and shorter waiting

times in England, first man. You are responsible for the NHS in

Wales. It is up to you to look to your conscience to see whether you

are doing the job that is expected of you. I will leave you with the

quote Ann Clwyd left in her report yesterday. You can bury your head in

the sand and pretend everything is well, but it isn't. I think Bevan

would be turning in his grave. Was she talking about England? I will

also remind the leader of the opposition that Bevan was create --

cremated. It is completely fair to point out to the Party opposite what

would happen if they were in charge of the health service in Wales, and

it is completely legitimate to use the evidence that we see from the

NHS in England to see the disaster that will be before the people of

Wales if ever they were in power. Waiting times are spiralling in

England. The figures are going in We don't do what that happen as the

party opposite ever got their hands on the levers of power on the NHS in

Wales, crisis and cuts. That is what the Tories stand for. First

Minister, a few weeks ago you said devolution needs to be an event. Do

you see the announcement last Friday on fiscal devolution as an

opportunity to be that event? It is an exceptionally important milestone

in history of Wales. The first time we have the ability to vary taxes

and be able to borrow. It represents a big step forward, but it could be

augmented greatly with a positive response from the UK Government with

regard to part two. Thank you for your answer. You have expressed

concerns in relation to further powers on income tax with regards to

Barnett reform. I have some sympathy about that. We have been outlining

the case for reform of it since the 1990s and I'm sure that many members

will remember the work of Phil Williams who pressed that point I'm

apply again. -- time and time again. We are glad that you agree with us

on that point of Barnet reform. Barnet reform will be in the cloud

Cymru 2015 election manifesto. Will you commit to Barnet reform being in

the Labour 2015 manifesto? I don't think that Barnett is tenable in the

long-term. I think we all understand that. But we have made it clear that

Wales is underfunded and that underfunding needs to be addressed.

It would be good to have that commitment from you, First Minister,

because you have had 13 years in government to ensure a new funding

formula for Wales and yet nothing was done, so if you're not commit to

reforming Barnett, you will not commit to reforming income tax

powers, and in the event that Barnett is reformed, will you commit

to campaigning for a yes vote in a referendum on Welsh income tax, in

that event? The leader of cloud Cymru makes it seem like I am

shouting from the rooftops about the Barnett four North. It certainly is

my intention in order to see that funding is included in the 2015

Labour manifesto. That will be an important part of the manifesto for

all parties. When it comes income tax, I have to say that, the funding

formula is important because three quarters of the money that would

receive would still come from the block grant. Unless that is

stabilised and this made fairer, then income tax devolution is of no

consequence. What would we do with it? The situation with the rise that

as we see the shifting of the block grant from the Tories in London we

would then be in the position of having to increase income tax. That

is not an attractive option for the people of Wales. I asked myself the

question, in a referendum, what would you say to the people of Wales

that would make income tax devolution attractive to them? At

the moment there are two arguments for it. The absolute priority is to

make sure that the funding formula is dealt with firstly. Deal with the

?300 million of underfunding before we say that to the people of Wales.

We have to get a fair share from Westminster first before we consider

income tax devolution. First Minister will you make a statement

on Internet safety lessons in schools? These are being made with

children in key stages two and three. In includes a programme of

study for ICT within the GCSE framework. You may be aware of the

campaign from the Internet watch campaign and ChildLine on raising

awareness of online dangers to young people, particular sex texting, and

the news a bit at that provides advice when children are crested to

send explicit images. Many parents are unaware of the risks or how to

handle the situation and are often less technology-savvy than their

children. What opportunities are there for parents to join in with

lessons or to have some form of education about the dangers or the

potential dangers of the Internet and what are you doing to promote

the new NSPCC and ChildLine Zipit app that can be added to young

people's telephones? We have awareness raising activities running

from January 2014 -March 2015. We want to build on existing expertise.

There was a safer Internet Day being held on 11 February next year. We're

what thing with the National Digital learning Council on a series of

events to promote the day and we will providing a fun day to support

those activities across Wales. -- providing funding. There was plenty

of evidence that use of the Internet and social media can enhance a

child's ability to relate to the world and it should not be seen as a

threat as opposed to more traditional methods but if you ask

children what they are most concerned about by mobile phones or

online, and that is bullying. That is what concerns them most, so what

steps are government taking to make sure that bullying is dealt with,

particularly amongst girls, who complain particularly about online

bullying. We have a campaign to make sure that children are junk people

know what cyber bullying is and that they know where they can receive

support -- children and young people. The campaign is still

ongoing. We are asking children and young people to play a role to make

sure that their schools take part in activities and also, to raise

awareness of children and young people, of what they should do, to

ensure that, if they are in a situation where they are receiving

cyber bullying, that they know how this deal with it. -- who to speak

to, and where to go. That campaign proves unsuccessful then legislation

would be necessary. Some 47% of children have been the lead through

the Internet. Has any assessment in made of the statement made by the

children's Commissioner? It depends what kind of legislation we would

need and whether that legislation would come under the powers of the

Assembly. We have to consider any ideas about legislation to see what

we can do, here, and what would need to be done at UK level. Thank you

presiding officer. What are the Welsh government powers relating to

land registration? It is a non-devolved matter. 4000 homes in

my constituency have received letters from the land Registry

saying that a gentleman called Stephen Paul Hales, who bought

writes some years ago had registered those rights and it has led to

concerns amongst the most vulnerable people in my constituency, although

this is not a devolved issue, what pressure can the First Minister put

on the land Registry to ensure that any powers behind these ancient

powers in Wales are done away with in future, and also, to ensure that

people cannot eat right and in future, in receiving legal letters

of this sort without any word of warning or explanation? Legal

letters to scare people, we know that, particularly in situations

like this. This is not the first time this has happened. It happened

before, about 12 years ago. Somebody who had bought a title and then

wanted to exercise their rights to that title, even though this does

not come under the powers of the Welsh government, I will consider

this situation to see what I can do in terms of writing to the registry,

and in the meantime it is important that people take legal advice about

the situation that they face as individuals. But, no, this is not

something that is there for people -- fair for people. It is surprising

that this situation still exists. I will consider this issue. I will

write to the member to see exactly what we can do, as a government. 20%

of land in Wales and England still remains unregistered. Understanding

of course that this is not a devolved issue. How is the Welsh

government proactively working with the land Registry to encourage more

voluntary registrations in Wales? It is not something we have done as a

government. Certainly, it is far easier where people register land

otherwise you have a situation where cold cases rely on evidence going

back many years, and it is not easy to unravel the issues of ownership

that go back many years. There are still some properties in Wales that

are not registered. There are still some properties in Wales where some

of them did not even have title deeds. Trying to trace those back is

not easy. I would certainly encourage all of those who own land

to consider whether there land is registered and if they have not done

so, to do so at the earliest opportunity. Will you outline the

action the Welsh government is taking to reduce respiratory illness

in Wales? We have set out the actions we will be taking to help

patients with respiratory diseases. Respiratory disease causes one in

seven deaths in Wales and is the third largest cause of death for

both men and women, with the biggest contributing cause remaining

smoking, and that must be a priority. We have a fresh start

Wales programme, and a major plank of the campaign to reduce exposure

to smoke, for children particularly in cars. Can you see what progress

has been made on that campaign? The campaign has been moving forward

strongly. There has been evaluation that has taken place. We had the

2010 health behaviour in school age children report. In February this

year, we carried out a study of primary age children's exposure to

smoke in cars and elsewhere, and we have commissioned a report on the

effects of smoking in cars carrying children. When that evaluation

process is complete, we will then, as we have said before, consider

pursuing legislator options, if children's exposure to second-hand

smoke doesn't fall before March of next year, so there is lots of

evaluation taking place and that date next year is important also

after that, we will need to consider whether legislation is appropriate

or not. Thank you for your answer. There was a public health Wales Bill

on your legislative programme. We know that second-hand smoke is a

major problem for children in cars. It can lead to developing a smoking

habit later in life and can lead to respiratory problems. When will you

pull your finger out and get on with delivering a change in the law which

prevents the harm that second-hand smoke can cause the children in

small, enclosed places, in cars? This is a major issue which I think

could send a powerful message the people of Wales about smoking, and

the intention of this government and National Assembly to tackle it? He's

doing well at the beginning, but then you lost his way of little

towards the end. As we have said many times we want to take a

voluntary approach first and if that was not as successful as we would

want it to be, then we would look to legislate, as has been the case for

years. We have had the campaign and the evaluation and we have given a

set date as to when we would want to consider whether legislation is

needed or not. What we do not want of course is it partly challenging

competence in this field. We believe this is a health issue, not a road

traffic issue. First Minister, I am sure you will

congratulate the Welsh Rugby union for supporting the quit for Wales

campaign launched today. What efforts as the government taking to

support this campaign? We support campaigns run by other

arts organisations in order to quit smoking. We have another -- a number

of campaigns, this is just one of them. We know that anti-smoking

campaigns have been successful over the years. It is probably true to

say that reducing the figure further can be a difficult nut to crack. Of

course, that is all the more reason to look at using encouragement and

also using legislation where it is needed. We have the ban we have

imposed on smoking in public places and we are looking at legislation to

ban smoking in cars with children present. First minute, from your

time at rural affairs, you will recall that one sector where

respiratory disorders are particularly acute is in the

agriculture industry, we are things like Farmer's long arise from the

inhalation of spores from fodder and so on. -- farmer's lung. It is

difficult to get figures from farmers and growers, and this makes

it difficult to look at the problem. What's it -- solution has the

government given to look at ways the health of farmers can be monitored

to address these disorders two I will provide as much information as

we hold with regards to the incidents of respiratory diseases

amongst farmers and the nature of those diseases, as well.

As part of that correspondence, I will outline to the member of what

steps we are taking to raise awareness, and secondly treating

those illnesses as they become apparent.

Will the First Minister make a statement on his priorities for

sport in Wales for the next 12 months, please two they are in the

programme for government. Thank you for the short answer.

The Welsh government major event unit as one of its objectives as to

develop an effective relationship with UK and international media

event owners. Will the First Minister advise what progress has

been made by the major event unit in developing such relationships? And

attracting major sporting events to Wales?

We had the Rugby league World Cup, that was launched a week last

Saturday. We have some games in the Rugby

union World Cup in 2015. The Ashes are coming, we have supported

cricket in Wales. There are a number of events than -- the member will be

aware of we have attracted over the years by the major events unit and

we have a very good record. Where we can work with the UK Government, we

will do that. Quite course, we are in competition with other parts of

the UK and it is not always possible. But where cooperation is

possible we will look to do that, as we did with the Olympics last year,

for example. TRANSLATION: First Minister,

yesterday I received a letter back from David Sparkes, the Chief

Executive of British swimming, regarding the relocation of the

elite Paralympic training facilities from Swansea to Manchester. In that

letter he admits there was not adequate consultation with sport

Wales on the relocation of these facilities, and he also said that,

having the coaching there did not demonstrate value for money. That is

something that I, as a regional Assembly Member, and quite angry

about in terms of the very effective and valuable facilities available in

Swansea. What further discussions have you had as a government in

order to highlight the fact that we need facilities for the future in

the national Welsh swimming pool in Swansea?

TRANSLATION: Of course, it is the decision of the governing body to do

this, not a decision made by the government. I will write to the

member to ensure that she knows what our position is as a government, and

of course to consider what we can do to ensure that the swimming pool in

Swansea is being used in the way it should be in the future.

We will leave First Minister's Questions player, but don't forget

you can see more coverage of the National Assembly online from BBC

Wales's democracy live page. Our political editor, Nick Servini, has

been watching question Time, and joined us from the Assembly

newsroom. Plenty of questions on the tax and

borrowing announcement we had from David Cameron last week. Are we any

clearer where the First Minister stands on this. It was the first

opportunity for the Assembly members to discuss that announcement, which

the First Minister described as an exceptional milestone, to give the

Welsh government powers over taxes like stamp duty for the first time.

And an announcement by the UK Government it would set in train a

motion that would allow the Welsh government to hold a referendum on

income tax if possible, if they wanted in the future. We certainly

got an illustration of the way of thinking of the First Minister, in

that he is very reluctant to go down the income tax route at present. The

standard position is that he will not want to hold a referendum unless

the Barnett formula, the formula that decides how much the Welsh

government gets from Westminster from the block grant each year, is a

reformed. Under questioning -- a questioning -- aggression came from

the leader of Plaid Cymru, who asked if he left the Barnett formula is

reformed, with the First Minister campaign for a yes vote in the

referendum? -- a question came. He said, what would he say to the

people of Wales that would make it an attractive proposition to them?

He said that at this moment in time, he is struggling to think of those

arguments, although he did concede that that may change in the future.

I think really a continuation of something we have already seen, that

he is very reluctant and refusing to be drawn on where he stands, even if

the Barnett formula is reformed and, potentially, paves the way for

that referendum. Very briefly, Geraint Davies discussing health

today, he has been speaking with Ann Clwyd. That may cause a few

sleepless nights for the First Minister. Yes, he said he was in

Westminster last night and she had congratulated him on the work he was

doing, trying to pressure the Welsh government on trying to improve the

NHS in Wales. Thank you very much for that, Nick. That is it for

today, I will be back at the same time with more coverage of First

Minister's Questions, and if you want more on Welsh politics before

then we have the Wales Report, after the 10pm news tomorrow. If you want

more run Welsh politics you can catch up with Sunday Politics on BBC

One Wales at 11pm. -- at 11am. For all the latest news, don't forget

Wales Today later at 6:30pm. After a very lively session of First

Minister's Questions there, that is it from me, join me again next week

at the same time, thank you very much for watching.

Goodbye.