0:00:20 > 0:00:25Good afternoon, welcome to the programme. The First Minister is
0:00:25 > 0:00:30going to the USA tomorrow to let them know about Wales is open Andre
0:00:30 > 0:00:35for business. Before he goes to Heathrow Airport, he has got to
0:00:35 > 0:00:42some business to attend to here at Cardiff Bay first. You can contact
0:00:42 > 0:00:52a threat the programme to date. -- you can Cont of dust throughout the
0:00:52 > 0:01:00
0:01:00 > 0:01:06Let's get down to business, the Good afternoon, I call the National
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Assembly for Wales to order, question one of for the Prime
0:01:10 > 0:01:16Minister -- First Minister. Would he make a statement on banding in
0:01:16 > 0:01:22primary schools? Yes, banding for primary schools will be introduced
0:01:22 > 0:01:28in 2014. Thank you. What reassurance can you give too
0:01:28 > 0:01:31concerned parents and pupils across Wales still waiting to drive up
0:01:31 > 0:01:35standards that the recent U-turn on the timescale of this banding is
0:01:35 > 0:01:42not actually be previewed to the ditching of this manifesto
0:01:42 > 0:01:52altogether? We will get it on in 2014 as we promised, and we will
0:01:52 > 0:01:53
0:01:53 > 0:01:57not cut education funding by 20 %. Why don't you ditch the primary
0:01:57 > 0:02:05school banding altogether, and instead of waiting until 2014 to
0:02:05 > 0:02:09improve standards, why not a concentrate on improving the core
0:02:09 > 0:02:12skills of reading and writing in primary school children and
0:02:12 > 0:02:16introduce the national reading test and get the support in the primary
0:02:16 > 0:02:22schools and forget about banding, it will not have you in this
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Parliament. We are introducing this test, we are doing both, we need to
0:02:26 > 0:02:35be able to assess primary schools to provide parents with the
0:02:35 > 0:02:39information that they need. Howell is the Welsh government supporting
0:02:39 > 0:02:46the network of hospitals in Wales? -- house is the buzz Government?
0:02:46 > 0:02:53have established a framework to ensure the long-term future for the
0:02:53 > 0:02:59services. Last week, you accuse me of scaremongering and misleading
0:02:59 > 0:03:04constituents, today, two of your constituents have accused me of the
0:03:04 > 0:03:11scaremongering in a Labour press release. 850 people do not travel
0:03:11 > 0:03:16three Harrods from Aberystwyth Town to the steps of this assembly
0:03:16 > 0:03:26because of scaremongering. This document currently in pre-
0:03:26 > 0:03:30consultation has no option for coal rectal surgery or rescued surgery.
0:03:30 > 0:03:36There is only one of three options with a full accident and emergency
0:03:36 > 0:03:43retained in the area. Do you agree that this is not scaremongering,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46this is a proposal of downgrading hospitals. Nothing has changed, the
0:03:46 > 0:03:50press release said these were Labour's plans politicising the
0:03:50 > 0:03:54issue in an unnecessary way. At least we get some of the truth from
0:03:54 > 0:03:58what she says, they are local health board plans and they are to
0:03:58 > 0:04:03be consulted on. But as we have said many times, we will not accept
0:04:03 > 0:04:07any plans they do not provide safe and sustainable services for all of
0:04:07 > 0:04:10the communities in Wales. There is no questions of accident and
0:04:10 > 0:04:15emergency closing or maternity closing. There are people saying
0:04:15 > 0:04:19that some of these are closing, there are people, there were
0:04:19 > 0:04:23banners outside year saying that the hospital will close. Who on
0:04:23 > 0:04:27earth told them back? We want to make sure that a hospital continues
0:04:27 > 0:04:35to serve the wider area Ian he says, sustainable way and there is no
0:04:35 > 0:04:39other ambition that we have. First Minister, which will join with me
0:04:39 > 0:04:45in reassuring the people yet again, all of those things you have just
0:04:45 > 0:04:52said, that there are no plans of this government to downgrade any
0:04:52 > 0:04:56services or close and the hospitals, and that the �32 million we have
0:04:56 > 0:05:02invested, there is a real commitment to that hospital,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06because time and time again, I'm sure you'll agree, it is a little
0:05:06 > 0:05:12bit disappointing to hear people saying that this investment does
0:05:12 > 0:05:15not equally commitments. I do find it surprising that the capital
0:05:15 > 0:05:21spending that is going in is treated as if it was not happening
0:05:21 > 0:05:25by some people. It is a significant commitment by this government for
0:05:25 > 0:05:30the future of the hospital and it is an important hospital and an
0:05:30 > 0:05:37important district general hospital which serves a wide area and will
0:05:37 > 0:05:46continue to serve that area for many, many years to come. One of
0:05:46 > 0:05:51the first things that is worrying people across North Wales is the
0:05:51 > 0:05:55fact that neonatal units are not even approaching compliance with
0:05:55 > 0:06:00the standards on medical staffing. We're told that this is because of
0:06:00 > 0:06:05a shortage of specialist members of staff and the or CN has said that
0:06:05 > 0:06:15staff were not getting adequate time to train professionally to
0:06:15 > 0:06:19
0:06:19 > 0:06:24provide this care. -- RCN. With record-breaking cuts, how do you
0:06:24 > 0:06:28expect a hospitals to have adequate to neonatal care? There are
0:06:28 > 0:06:32vacancies in the NHS in Wales that are funded, but the problem is
0:06:32 > 0:06:36attracting people in. We accept there would be more practitioners
0:06:36 > 0:06:45that want to come to Wales when they look at the chaos occurring in
0:06:45 > 0:06:50England. Earlier you acknowledge the vital importance of hospitals
0:06:51 > 0:06:58within carried Aegean and also in southern Quebec, do you accept that
0:06:58 > 0:07:02in cases such as this, the hospital catchment area, rather than the
0:07:02 > 0:07:09Authority boundary should be the statistics of which the future
0:07:09 > 0:07:16service provision is based. Yes, we need to acknowledge this. Many
0:07:16 > 0:07:22people in some areas go to a close a hospital, that may be one example.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24But nevertheless, there is a wide catchment area which we fully
0:07:24 > 0:07:32acknowledged and you cannot plan services on the basis of containing
0:07:32 > 0:07:41services within an area. Questions now from the party leaders. First,
0:07:41 > 0:07:49the Leader of the Opposition. you. Last week, was Welsh tourism
0:07:49 > 0:07:53week, what did you do to support this? I would be promoting Welsh
0:07:53 > 0:07:56tourism in America this week to remind the people of United States
0:07:56 > 0:08:01that Wales is a wonderful destination, building on the
0:08:01 > 0:08:06success of the Ryder Cup. Thank you. I appreciate you're going to
0:08:06 > 0:08:11America tomorrow. I understand relieving from Heathrow rather than
0:08:11 > 0:08:18Cardiff, despite the fact you can go from Cardiff to Amsterdam and
0:08:18 > 0:08:23fly over. If you look at the facts of tourism, there are less UK
0:08:23 > 0:08:27visitors than there were two Wales ten years ago. If you look out to
0:08:27 > 0:08:33overseas visitors, there were 113,000 fewer visitors coming to
0:08:33 > 0:08:38Wales than the wires in 2004. If you look at expenditure for tourism
0:08:38 > 0:08:41here in Wales, that is less than what it was ten years ago. Those
0:08:41 > 0:08:47figures indicate that the policies that your government have been
0:08:47 > 0:08:53exercising in promoting Wales as an attractive tourist destination are
0:08:53 > 0:09:02failing. Why is that? As the not notice there has been an economic
0:09:02 > 0:09:06downturn since 2008. -- has he not noticed? The reality is, we are
0:09:06 > 0:09:09working hard to attract tourism to Wales, the Ryder Cup was a
0:09:09 > 0:09:16fantastic success last year, even though the weather, as not doing
0:09:16 > 0:09:20well. -- the world economy was not doing well. Wales is a wonderful
0:09:20 > 0:09:26place to come, the fact that we had the Ryder Cup was indicative of
0:09:26 > 0:09:30that. You could not give me one example of any action you took up
0:09:30 > 0:09:34interest week last week, and to say there is a downturn in expenditure,
0:09:34 > 0:09:40but these government figures do not captured the most recent
0:09:40 > 0:09:44information, they capture up to 2010. I offered a ten-year stock
0:09:44 > 0:09:50shot. Scotland have a very aggressive campaign for what they
0:09:50 > 0:09:54have available. Today, Westminster are launching a promotional
0:09:54 > 0:09:59campaign for visitors to stay in the UK and spend their money here
0:09:59 > 0:10:03in the UK. From your previous two answers, you clearly indicate that
0:10:03 > 0:10:08you have no strategy and no understanding of how to support the
0:10:08 > 0:10:13very positive offering that we have here in Wales and that the tourist
0:10:13 > 0:10:20operators want to get behind. I ask you again, what will you be
0:10:20 > 0:10:23proactive lead to win over the next 12-18 months to turn these
0:10:23 > 0:10:29disappointing figures around and engage with tour operators across
0:10:29 > 0:10:35Wales to promote Wales and a positive light? The problem is, he
0:10:35 > 0:10:39cannot deviate from a script when he gets unexpected answers! I would
0:10:39 > 0:10:44be in the United States meeting with tourism operators there to
0:10:44 > 0:10:49promote Wales he in the United States and I will continue to do so.
0:10:49 > 0:10:55Unlike income I take the view that it is important for somebody in my
0:10:55 > 0:11:00job to promote Wales abroad, even if he wants to stay at home!
0:11:00 > 0:11:05Questions from the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales. One in
0:11:05 > 0:11:09200 pregnancies ends in the tragedy of a stillbirth, a figure that has
0:11:09 > 0:11:16not improved for more than 20 years. Figures released last week show the
0:11:16 > 0:11:22rate of stillbirth is rising in Wales. In 2010, there were 190
0:11:22 > 0:11:26known and recorded stillbirths compared to 155 in 1999. From being
0:11:26 > 0:11:30one of the best countries, Wales and the UK have become one of the
0:11:30 > 0:11:36worst. Watch proposals does the Government have to address this
0:11:36 > 0:11:39issue? As she will know, we're looking at the best way to
0:11:40 > 0:11:47configure services in Wales so we can ensure the safest and most
0:11:47 > 0:11:52sustainable service. One of the ways in which early signs can be
0:11:52 > 0:11:56identified is by a baby being underweight through poor growth. In
0:11:56 > 0:12:03Wales, as in the rest of the UK, the way that remastered the size of
0:12:03 > 0:12:08an unborn baby is very rudimentary. -- the way that we measure the size.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13In other countries, pregnant women are offered more scans which are
0:12:13 > 0:12:17accurate in predicting the birth weight of a baby. We consider
0:12:18 > 0:12:21undertaking such approaches in Wales so expectant mothers can have
0:12:21 > 0:12:26more regular scans so we can be aware if a baby is struggling to
0:12:26 > 0:12:31thrive? If there are ways of improving the outcome of a birth,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34then we will, of course, examine and the way in which it would
0:12:34 > 0:12:42improve that outcome. If the member is aware of other countries where
0:12:42 > 0:12:46she feels that there are better ways of monitoring a child like
0:12:46 > 0:12:52this, then clearly, we would like to examine this to see if it can be
0:12:52 > 0:12:56done in Wales. I can do the way further example, another sign of
0:12:56 > 0:13:01distress in the foetus is reduced movement towards the end of
0:13:01 > 0:13:06pregnancy. Timely access to the foetal heart monitoring and
0:13:06 > 0:13:10scanning can make a real difference to the outcome of this pregnancy.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14We you insurer, has to undertake reviews of your services here in
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Wales, that women will be guaranteed timely access to foetal
0:13:18 > 0:13:25heart monitoring and subsequent scans if there a doctor feels it is
0:13:25 > 0:13:29necessary. -- Willie you insure? this is crucial that we give this
0:13:29 > 0:13:39helped to expectant mothers, and that means the right level of
0:13:39 > 0:13:41
0:13:41 > 0:13:50specialised services are available Speaking of the local health board,
0:13:50 > 0:13:55the Labour MP said, and I quote, taking little notice of pace --
0:13:55 > 0:13:59taking little notice of their patients and staff. Ambulances are
0:13:59 > 0:14:06bypassing of Prince Philip's, and taking patients to Carmarthen and
0:14:06 > 0:14:11Swansea. Patients demand accident and emergency services that Prince
0:14:11 > 0:14:18Philip. Are they scaremongering? had no plans to change accident and
0:14:18 > 0:14:27emergency there. Ambulances have always gone to our hospitals. That
0:14:27 > 0:14:32is a specialist cardiac centre. see it is only members from other
0:14:33 > 0:14:42parties who are scaremongering. Can I say this to you first minister,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46
0:14:46 > 0:14:53the Labour peer, Lord Morgan, said last week, when they are the health
0:14:53 > 0:14:56board came to being, that process was accelerated with gusto. A big
0:14:56 > 0:15:06majority of medical staff there have no confidence in the health
0:15:06 > 0:15:06
0:15:06 > 0:15:12board. Are they scaremongering? were in government for four years.
0:15:13 > 0:15:19You must take responsibility as well. The reality is that it has
0:15:19 > 0:15:27been hard to attract consultants there for many years. That is the
0:15:27 > 0:15:31way the medical profession has organised itself. I have said this
0:15:31 > 0:15:35many times. I come back to this, we have made sure that we have
0:15:35 > 0:15:40launched a recruitment campaign in order to attract more senior staff
0:15:40 > 0:15:48west of Swansea. Can I say first minister, it is not just Plaid
0:15:48 > 0:15:57Cymru who is worried. Can you give this assembly an assurance that at
0:15:57 > 0:16:02the end of this assembly term, Prince Philip's will have a full
0:16:02 > 0:16:10accident and emergency department? There is no doubt that both the
0:16:10 > 0:16:13best hospitals will have that. to be written agenda. This is an
0:16:13 > 0:16:22opportunity to question of the first minister, not to give a long
0:16:22 > 0:16:27speeches. -- not to give a long speeches. What discussions with the
0:16:27 > 0:16:35first minister had with the UK government talking that the future
0:16:35 > 0:16:41of the UK? -- talking about the future of the UK? That have been no
0:16:41 > 0:16:51discussions. I have written a to the Prime Minister to say that this
0:16:51 > 0:16:52
0:16:52 > 0:16:55would be a good idea in order to guarantee the future of the UK.
0:16:55 > 0:17:04support the first minister. It is important that Wales his boys
0:17:04 > 0:17:08should be heard. -- about Wales's voice should be heard. We were part
0:17:08 > 0:17:12of the United Kingdom before Scotland. We should have a say on
0:17:12 > 0:17:19the future of the Union. Were the first minister explain to the Prime
0:17:19 > 0:17:29Minister that the United Kingdom has never been a year Terry -- a
0:17:29 > 0:17:32
0:17:32 > 0:17:42unit very centralised system. constitution of the United Kingdom
0:17:42 > 0:17:47has to be constituted so that all parts have an assembly, it's not
0:17:47 > 0:17:51right, in my view, that the United Kingdom Parliament has the power to
0:17:51 > 0:17:58dissolve it this assembly next week without any kind of boat from the
0:17:58 > 0:18:06people of Wales. We must have a constitution which recognises the
0:18:06 > 0:18:11fact that this cannot happen, even if it is only theoretical. Does the
0:18:11 > 0:18:16first Minister agree that the referendum that we should all be
0:18:16 > 0:18:21seeking is one that is up around the UK, and a modern Britain
0:18:21 > 0:18:28constitution suitable for the 21st century? We can't carry on with a
0:18:29 > 0:18:38constitution that was designed by a 19th century. -- that was designed
0:18:38 > 0:18:41for the 19th century. Thank you presiding officer. As for the
0:18:41 > 0:18:46future of the United Kingdom, I would like to see parity across
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Britain in order to safeguard and protect the interests and future of
0:18:50 > 0:18:55the United Kingdom. One way to do that is to see a real federal
0:18:55 > 0:19:01system developed in the near future. Does the first Minister agree with
0:19:01 > 0:19:08this, and if so how is his cupboard going to develop that agenda? --
0:19:08 > 0:19:14how is his government go to develop that agenda? That is an option. We
0:19:14 > 0:19:24have to consider all issues as regards the constitution, and the
0:19:24 > 0:19:30
0:19:30 > 0:19:37West Lothian question is one part of that. What representations does
0:19:37 > 0:19:46the first minister did regard the health board plans? -- regarding
0:19:46 > 0:19:53the health board plans? People will give a petition asking that
0:19:53 > 0:20:03services in Prince Philippos but will be returned -- Prince Philip's
0:20:03 > 0:20:03
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Hospital be retained. There will be an urgent care centre available.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12Can you explain the difference between a major emergency
0:20:12 > 0:20:21department and an urgent care centre, which is the safest option
0:20:21 > 0:20:26for the people there? As regards the service, there is hardly any
0:20:26 > 0:20:34difference at all regarding the service is available. I hope they
0:20:34 > 0:20:42take comfort in that. First Minister, as you will appreciate,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46this is a unique situation, they don't have a district hospital,
0:20:46 > 0:20:54therefore isn't it time that we have a specific and comprehensive
0:20:54 > 0:21:02sustainable plan for mid-Wales, so that whenever you live you have
0:21:02 > 0:21:12access to the best health services? People in the east look to
0:21:12 > 0:21:15
0:21:15 > 0:21:19hospitals across the board. There is no plan to change that. What is
0:21:20 > 0:21:28the government doing to improve the transport ever structure in west
0:21:28 > 0:21:33Wales? The priorities are available in the national transport plan,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37published last year. Thank you very much first minister. I note from
0:21:37 > 0:21:42that plan that the government has prioritise Investment it in
0:21:42 > 0:21:49transport projects in order to secured economic and social
0:21:49 > 0:21:53interests in that area. There are no projects in West Wales in that
0:21:53 > 0:21:58list. Will there be any projects in West Wales that the Government will
0:21:58 > 0:22:06invest in in the near future in order to reassure that your
0:22:06 > 0:22:14transport plan is truly national? Of course new services have
0:22:14 > 0:22:24commenced in Fishguard, in that member's constituency, we are
0:22:24 > 0:22:28looking at redoubling the liner there. We've also commenced work on
0:22:28 > 0:22:37the A477, so there are three projects there that have commenced
0:22:37 > 0:22:47for the benefit of the people of west Wales. The completion of the
0:22:47 > 0:22:47
0:22:47 > 0:22:52new road travelling south past Royston, the right -- that are a
0:22:52 > 0:22:56number of plans there. Some companies in west Wales are be
0:22:56 > 0:23:05companies in west Wales are be forced to reduce the number of
0:23:05 > 0:23:11journeys because of cost. They face much more difficult journeys. The
0:23:11 > 0:23:18increase in fuel charges is a big problem for people using cars. The
0:23:18 > 0:23:28UK Cabinet representative for Transport is calling for a
0:23:28 > 0:23:29
0:23:29 > 0:23:33reduction in fuel prices at the pump. would this be a great help?
0:23:33 > 0:23:39recall people protesting about fuel taxes, and the Chancellor saying
0:23:39 > 0:23:49they are too high. The price of your has gone up again. -- the
0:23:49 > 0:23:49
0:23:50 > 0:23:54price of fuel has gone up again. The Chancellor has rejected that
0:23:54 > 0:24:01increase. It is clear that the UK government isn't going to cut fuel
0:24:01 > 0:24:07prices. That will not benefit the people of Wales. First Minister,
0:24:07 > 0:24:17may I refer you to two schemes that are under consideration in south-
0:24:17 > 0:24:24
0:24:24 > 0:24:33west Wales. Namely that the relief road third and congestion relief.
0:24:33 > 0:24:39There are big congestion problems there. Improving those roads would
0:24:39 > 0:24:43secured much better links from the north to the south for my
0:24:43 > 0:24:48constituents. I'm grateful to the minister for transport for allowing
0:24:48 > 0:24:54his officials to come and talk to me about these schemes. Is there
0:24:55 > 0:25:03any commitment that you can give on behalf of the Welsh government that
0:25:03 > 0:25:13both schemes will be given serious consideration and priority,
0:25:13 > 0:25:13
0:25:13 > 0:25:23accepting restrictions that are coming in the way of cuts.
0:25:23 > 0:25:33bypass is coming in 2014, that is the target. We don't know when the
0:25:33 > 0:25:33
0:25:33 > 0:25:41road will start because of the cut. Could you outline it changes to the
0:25:41 > 0:25:49disability equality duty? That was repealed in 2010, and those duties
0:25:49 > 0:25:56came into force on 6th April last year. We previously discussed Guide
0:25:56 > 0:26:02Dogs for the Blind, and certain streets becoming no-go areas for
0:26:02 > 0:26:11those who are blind or partially sighted. I joined a charity for a
0:26:11 > 0:26:16walk in Carmarthen, walking a mile to highlight these issues. What
0:26:16 > 0:26:26action is the Welsh government are now taking to reassure greater
0:26:26 > 0:26:28
0:26:28 > 0:26:35design consistency to help access groups? We need to ensure that
0:26:35 > 0:26:42those barriers are removed. Ministers are now required to
0:26:42 > 0:26:49publish a report on compliance every four years. An interim report
0:26:49 > 0:26:55will be published every two years as they progress update. The first
0:26:55 > 0:27:05to Welsh ministers report will be published no later than 31st
0:27:05 > 0:27:06
0:27:07 > 0:27:13December 1920 16. -- 2016. There has been a serious problem with
0:27:13 > 0:27:19disability a crime. What action will be be taking a to make schools
0:27:19 > 0:27:28and colleges foster a more proactive attitude towards those
0:27:28 > 0:27:32with disabilities? We want children to understand the effects of
0:27:32 > 0:27:42actions on those who are disabled, and of course to understand how
0:27:42 > 0:27:44
0:27:45 > 0:27:51appalled people are by crimes against disabled people. I expect
0:27:51 > 0:28:00schools to ensure that children are fully aware of the need to be aware
0:28:00 > 0:28:05of, and to report, disability crime. Well the first minister make a
0:28:05 > 0:28:13statement regarding support for the third sector? Of course we want to
0:28:13 > 0:28:19work in partnership with the third sector. It has an important role to
0:28:19 > 0:28:23play in terms of community development for the future,
0:28:23 > 0:28:33particularly in terms of the local economy. Thank you for that
0:28:33 > 0:28:40response. In Wales There is a tradition that of collaboration.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45Any number of cases, buildings have become vacant, would you agree that
0:28:45 > 0:28:50the local authorities should be given further responsibilities to
0:28:50 > 0:29:00support local organisations and agencies to increase the
0:29:00 > 0:29:02
0:29:02 > 0:29:09opportunity for a third set up It would be censored bow to
0:29:09 > 0:29:15consider how vacant school buildings are used. -- it would be
0:29:15 > 0:29:21important to consider. We need to look get the use of these
0:29:21 > 0:29:30facilities in the future. The UK government is expanding the
0:29:30 > 0:29:35citizen's service to offer a 30,000 places to people in 2012, 60,000 in
0:29:35 > 0:29:402013 and 90,020 14. The Scottish government is also showing
0:29:40 > 0:29:49enthusiasm for the idea. What is your reaction to establishing a
0:29:49 > 0:29:55citizen's service here in Wales? have received nothing to find
0:29:55 > 0:30:02anything from the Government of Westminster, but we have got a
0:30:02 > 0:30:06volunteering place that is giving opportunities in Wales.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10Volunteering is made accessible and did increases the quality of
0:30:10 > 0:30:15opportunities so we do not believe that the national citizenship
0:30:15 > 0:30:20service would add anything to the schemes already in place. I noted
0:30:20 > 0:30:25last week that the family of Gary Speed decided to give the proceeds
0:30:25 > 0:30:28of their memorial match to a charity that helps men better
0:30:28 > 0:30:31thinking of committing suicide. It does a lot of good work in
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Liverpool and London and I recognise there are organisations
0:30:35 > 0:30:40in Wales that two very good work, this organisation specifically
0:30:40 > 0:30:44targets men. Would you be interested in holding a pilot of
0:30:44 > 0:30:48this work in Wales so that we can bring his work into Wales and
0:30:48 > 0:30:52recognise the support that Gary Speed's family has given this
0:30:52 > 0:30:57charity? I would like to understand more of the work of this charity
0:30:57 > 0:31:02and I would like to receive more information about the charity and
0:31:02 > 0:31:05what it promotes. Following the publication of the latest UK Civic
0:31:05 > 0:31:10Society of map showing how the voluntary sector has been hit by
0:31:10 > 0:31:15the recession, does he have any plans for a further support for
0:31:15 > 0:31:19organisations like the hospice movement which we depend on so much
0:31:19 > 0:31:26in Wales and were 70 % of its funding depends on voluntary
0:31:27 > 0:31:33donations? Yes, we already provide funding for the hospice service and
0:31:33 > 0:31:36we recognise the important work they do in society and we hope that
0:31:36 > 0:31:43the work of hospitals will continue at the same level as has been the
0:31:43 > 0:31:50case before. -- hospitals. We will monitor the situation to make sure
0:31:50 > 0:31:55we have an appropriate hospice service in Wales. Does he have any
0:31:55 > 0:32:00plans to visit our constituency to look at the regeneration programme?
0:32:00 > 0:32:06I am aware of the regeneration programme and I will consider any
0:32:06 > 0:32:09invitation that comes my way. may be aware there is a �10.5
0:32:09 > 0:32:16million regeneration programme and also there is a new train station
0:32:16 > 0:32:21development and a new precincts to the value of �6 million so eight
0:32:21 > 0:32:26�50 million investment, it does he agree that this form of multi-party
0:32:26 > 0:32:30approach to improve at town centre provides a tremendous example to
0:32:30 > 0:32:34other local authorities and would he commit to visiting as in the
0:32:34 > 0:32:37near future to see the regeneration? I would very much
0:32:37 > 0:32:42enjoy coming to see the regeneration and I remember going
0:32:42 > 0:32:46their shopping as a young boy because it had a different closing
0:32:46 > 0:32:50time that everywhere else. It also had Marks & Spencer which if you
0:32:50 > 0:32:59lived in Bridgend was very exotic! And would be very happy to go there
0:32:59 > 0:33:09again to examine the good work that has been done there. Thank you. I
0:33:09 > 0:33:18remember also going their to the nightclub as well! We do not want
0:33:18 > 0:33:21to reminisce that too much! One of the key things about regeneration
0:33:21 > 0:33:26is Transport and the ability to have sustainable options for
0:33:26 > 0:33:30transport. The Government has had schemes in Cardiff and had the
0:33:30 > 0:33:37sustainable Towns initiative, has there any analysis been done that
0:33:37 > 0:33:41could be rolled out to there towns and villages across Wales so that
0:33:41 > 0:33:51sustainable transport options are available to help regenerate town
0:33:51 > 0:33:57centres in the country? I do not recall seeing him in the nightclub!
0:33:57 > 0:34:01Nevertheless, if he does not tell, I will not tell I there! Cardiff is
0:34:01 > 0:34:05in a slightly different position as a big city, and the travel needs
0:34:05 > 0:34:09would be different to a smaller towns, but we would expect to see
0:34:09 > 0:34:15good practice rolled out across Wales and good practice where they
0:34:15 > 0:34:22are appropriate in other towns across Wales. I do not remember
0:34:22 > 0:34:28seeing the Leader of the Opposition in the nightclub are there! -- e
0:34:28 > 0:34:32there! There are very many small independent businesses, you may
0:34:32 > 0:34:37recall calling them exotic, but they are long established on the
0:34:37 > 0:34:40High Street, and some of them are worried about the impact of the
0:34:40 > 0:34:45recession and the impact of the large supermarkets that was
0:34:45 > 0:34:50referred to earlier that has been built on the format Brownfield site,
0:34:50 > 0:34:55because people feel there would be a dip as has been seen by other
0:34:55 > 0:34:58small businesses when supermarkets have opened close by. Will you
0:34:58 > 0:35:03agree to monitor the situation to see if there is a detrimental
0:35:03 > 0:35:08impact on local traders from this supermarket? And if it is proven to
0:35:08 > 0:35:13be detrimental, which you consider supporting a supermarket tax as it
0:35:13 > 0:35:16is being proposed in Northern Ireland which would help to create
0:35:16 > 0:35:24more of a level playing field between supermarkets and local
0:35:24 > 0:35:30business. I do nothing that would work, I think the trouble and is
0:35:30 > 0:35:34more complex than that. -- the problem is more complex. If they do
0:35:34 > 0:35:43not have a shop on their doorstep, they would go somewhere else,
0:35:43 > 0:35:47rather than going to a town centre. The way for the High Street to
0:35:47 > 0:35:50prosper is for shops to look at stocking items that the
0:35:50 > 0:35:55supermarkets do not stock and offer services that supermarkets do not
0:35:55 > 0:36:00offer and to look at developing on- line provision. It has happened in
0:36:00 > 0:36:05some parts of Wales in town centres were shops are doing well based on
0:36:05 > 0:36:09this model, but the difficulty is, if people feel that they cannot
0:36:09 > 0:36:13shop in the supermarket locally, they were shopped elsewhere, and
0:36:13 > 0:36:18twice the supermarket is condemned, people do tend to shop there, which
0:36:18 > 0:36:21is part of the problem and something that causes difficulty
0:36:21 > 0:36:25for 10 centres. It is looking inventively had our town centres
0:36:25 > 0:36:29can be encouraged and how businesses can be encouraged rather
0:36:29 > 0:36:37than turning back the tide which has been well established for 10 or
0:36:37 > 0:36:4020 years. I would deny ever having been to the nightclub, but when I
0:36:40 > 0:36:44crossed into about the economic development strategy last year
0:36:44 > 0:36:47listing what was not mentioned by the document, you said that very
0:36:47 > 0:36:56little of the list that the member produced is anything to do with the
0:36:56 > 0:37:01council. Can you confirm that you really do believe that car parking,
0:37:01 > 0:37:06bus services at the University of Glamorgan have nothing to do with
0:37:06 > 0:37:10the economic success of the area? do not recall saying anything of
0:37:10 > 0:37:14this sort from last week. It is quite clear that from the
0:37:14 > 0:37:17regeneration, what we have seen there is a very good local
0:37:17 > 0:37:25authority leading the regeneration of one of its major towns, and that
0:37:25 > 0:37:30is something that I very much to applaud. What discussions are
0:37:30 > 0:37:36taking place with the UK government to allow the publication of figures
0:37:36 > 0:37:39that compare expenditure on education in England and Wales?
0:37:39 > 0:37:43Statisticians were in contact with the Department of Education and the
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Department of local committees and government to investigate if
0:37:47 > 0:37:52comparative information could be published and those discussions
0:37:52 > 0:37:54will continue in the next week and month, but at the moment, the
0:37:54 > 0:38:00decision on that she started soon is that it is not possible to
0:38:00 > 0:38:05published these figures. -- the decision of the chief statistician
0:38:05 > 0:38:11is it is not possible. The number of academies being created in
0:38:11 > 0:38:17England, we are guaranteed that it is important that we have an
0:38:17 > 0:38:23opportunity to have information on what impact the extra expenditure
0:38:23 > 0:38:30has on board side of the borders and without seen these figures, it
0:38:30 > 0:38:34is hard to know how to raise educational standards. This was not
0:38:34 > 0:38:38a decision taken by Ministers, but by a statistician, so at the moment,
0:38:38 > 0:38:46it is difficult to compare England and Wales because of the changes
0:38:46 > 0:38:50taking place in England and that was the decision taken. I would be
0:38:50 > 0:38:55more than confidence to compare Wales with England on education
0:38:55 > 0:39:00always, but at the moment it is impossible because of the financial
0:39:00 > 0:39:05structures that are very difficult between England and Wales. Wouldn't
0:39:05 > 0:39:09such a comparison be unfair, because as you know, and number of
0:39:09 > 0:39:14local authorities in England and Wales, and places like Swansea,
0:39:14 > 0:39:17they spent less than what they are allocated based on education
0:39:17 > 0:39:23assessment and taking out of education it would be bad for
0:39:23 > 0:39:28services? We expect the local authority to spend appropriate
0:39:28 > 0:39:34money on their education and not for it to be low, and slower than
0:39:34 > 0:39:37what they have received so? At a conference this morning for
0:39:37 > 0:39:43represent us in the primary and secondary schools sectors, the
0:39:43 > 0:39:46issue of the funding gap between England and Wales was raised by a
0:39:46 > 0:39:51number of delegates. I wonder if you could update the chamber on
0:39:51 > 0:39:55what steps the Government is taking to ensure that this funding gap is
0:39:55 > 0:39:59solved because one of the ways you could do it is by implementing some
0:39:59 > 0:40:07of the recommendations of the Price Waterhouse Cooper report on the
0:40:07 > 0:40:12cost of administrating the system in Wales which has one third of the
0:40:12 > 0:40:15budget being spent on red tape and bureaucracy. Coming from a party
0:40:15 > 0:40:20that wanted to change the Budget and it was changing all the time,
0:40:20 > 0:40:24the reality is, this was money better not go to the school and to
0:40:24 > 0:40:28education. We're happy to publish our statistics, but there is such a
0:40:28 > 0:40:36funding foggy in England, it is difficult to provide comparisons
0:40:36 > 0:40:43between Wales and England. That were the first Minister's
0:40:43 > 0:40:48questions from this week, you can see more on the website. To not go
0:40:48 > 0:40:54there yet, first, our Welsh Affairs Editor is here to look at what
0:40:54 > 0:40:57happened. I hesitate to use this word, you were excited at the
0:40:57 > 0:41:02quality of first Minister's questions today? Yes, I thought it
0:41:02 > 0:41:08was very good. Very strong exchanges over the hospital, no
0:41:08 > 0:41:13great surprise there. Similar exchanges last week, but really, a
0:41:14 > 0:41:20lot going on between car Lyn Jones and Plaid Cymru, and they are co-
0:41:20 > 0:41:24ordinating their attacks with the possible future leader, and then
0:41:24 > 0:41:32the Labour leader following, so we thought of the three opposition
0:41:32 > 0:41:36leaders, I thought it was really Labour's day today. Kirsty Williams,
0:41:36 > 0:41:42she was taking a step back, she was not bringing a bit confrontational
0:41:42 > 0:41:50issue, so we slightly different approach. What can be read into the
0:41:50 > 0:41:54fact that Elin Jones was going toe- to-toe and we also heard from
0:41:55 > 0:41:58another Assembly Member praising the First Minister. It was very
0:41:58 > 0:42:01interesting because it has been noticeable because there had not
0:42:02 > 0:42:06been many exchanges about the constitution and what is going on
0:42:06 > 0:42:10in Scotland in first Minister's questions, but when you are outside
0:42:10 > 0:42:14the chamber, it is what a lot of people are talking about, so what
0:42:14 > 0:42:17would happen to Wales and Scotland became independent? A lot of people
0:42:17 > 0:42:26think this is something that is talking about in speeches and not
0:42:26 > 0:42:30in the chain work -- in the chamber. Today, it reached the chamber and
0:42:30 > 0:42:32the First Minister was pushing the constitutional Convention and it is
0:42:32 > 0:42:36difficult to see how bad would happen before the Scottish
0:42:36 > 0:42:41referendum, because the Scottish government would not take part in a
0:42:41 > 0:42:47convention aimed at keeping the UK together, but ahead of what might
0:42:47 > 0:42:51be comment after the Scottish referendum whatever way it goes.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55The First Minister is going to America tomorrow, he is flying from
0:42:55 > 0:43:00Heathrow and this was mentioned this week, but can we begin to him
0:43:00 > 0:43:08making a big plate if he was in Brussels last week, the United
0:43:08 > 0:43:11States this week? He was to be seen waving the flag for Wales. Does
0:43:11 > 0:43:15that relate to the Scottish position perhaps? I am not sure it
0:43:15 > 0:43:20does, but the Government is aware that Scotland has a much higher
0:43:20 > 0:43:24profile because of what is going on politically so there might be an
0:43:24 > 0:43:29element of saying, do not forget about us? The airport thing, I
0:43:29 > 0:43:35thought that was quite. I do not understand why he brought that up