:00:21. > :00:26.Good afternoon, welcome to AM:PM and the return of our weekly
:00:26. > :00:30.coverage of questions to the First Minister, the first FMQs of 2013.
:00:30. > :00:33.Carwyn Jones is on his feet, we're expecting questions to him on how
:00:33. > :00:37.his government intends to increase the number of Welsh speakers and on
:00:37. > :00:42.the management of flood risks. We'll be going over to hear what
:00:42. > :00:46.the AMs have to say in a minute but first we want to hear what you have
:00:46. > :00:51.to say. If you want to comment on anything on the programme or any
:00:51. > :00:58.other political news get in touch with us. You can reach us via
:00:58. > :01:01.Twitter or send us an email. As I mentioned, business is already
:01:01. > :01:11.underway in the chamber, so let's go over now for First Minister's
:01:11. > :01:14.
:01:14. > :01:24.Questions. Good afternoon and Happy New Year to you all. I called the
:01:24. > :01:32.Assembly to order. Questions to the First Minister. Will the First
:01:32. > :01:42.Minister provide an update on the committee transport consisted to --
:01:42. > :01:43.
:01:43. > :01:53.concessionary fares? The First Minister will announce his decision
:01:53. > :01:53.
:01:53. > :01:59.in due course. Thank you very much. I raised this issue with the
:01:59. > :02:07.minister for transport in the first place in November of 2011 because
:02:07. > :02:12.of the one Wales government had carried out an assessment and they
:02:12. > :02:15.decided to renew the concessionary fares because they saw it as vital.
:02:15. > :02:21.We see now a number of bus services will be lost because the subsidy
:02:21. > :02:27.for those people running those services are to be cut back. Now we
:02:27. > :02:31.see their is no guarantee of this subsidy. Are you willing to accept
:02:31. > :02:34.a situation where substantial parts of Wales bulls seized transport
:02:34. > :02:39.disappearing in their committee? Unsure the minister will write to
:02:39. > :02:46.the member to insure the to date is provided when Annan -- when a
:02:46. > :02:56.decision is to be taken. At given the cuts that the government is
:02:56. > :02:58.
:02:58. > :03:01.making a, any card will really hurt some people -- any cut. The
:03:01. > :03:08.original 15 projects whenever expanded. Will you ensure that the
:03:08. > :03:18.future of the scheme is seen within the context of cuts to other public
:03:18. > :03:19.
:03:19. > :03:27.transport? First of all, he is on difficult ground in suggesting
:03:27. > :03:30.there should be no cuts in terms of vulnerable people. There are hard-
:03:30. > :03:35.working people who are losing their benefits because of the proposals
:03:35. > :03:42.being put forward. We are doing all we can to ensure that there are
:03:42. > :03:45.sufficient bus services in Wales. It is true that we cannot afford to
:03:45. > :03:50.support everything we have done in the past, given the financial
:03:50. > :03:56.settlement we have received we will continue to be sure we support
:03:56. > :04:04.services as best we can to help vulnerable people. Committee
:04:04. > :04:08.transport operators Art Inc -- a providing an important service for
:04:09. > :04:13.the health service. Are you in a position to be able to tell those
:04:13. > :04:19.operators whether or not that funding is protected in the 2013
:04:19. > :04:22.line? I will ensure that a date is provided to members by which a
:04:22. > :04:29.decision will be taken and there will make sure that members are
:04:30. > :04:33.aware of that date as soon as possible. Grill the first for us to
:04:33. > :04:43.make a statement on flood risk management in Wales? -- will the
:04:43. > :04:45.
:04:46. > :04:48.First Minister's yes. -- will the First Minister? Yes. There was
:04:48. > :04:52.significant flooding in my constituency and a was great for
:04:52. > :04:56.you took the time to visit in the immediate aftermath. An environment
:04:56. > :05:06.agency investigation has concluded that the cull birds in the area had
:05:06. > :05:07.
:05:07. > :05:12.been blocked and then that resulted in the flood -- be Culberts. Their
:05:12. > :05:20.deeds to be a public inquiry into what happened on that estate --
:05:20. > :05:30.then needs to be. We knew it concede to those requests -- when
:05:30. > :05:33.
:05:33. > :05:40.you concede? It was clear that the flood defences held under the cover
:05:40. > :05:44.its were blocked at. We have requested them to work together to
:05:44. > :05:51.ensure that risk of flooding is a reduced in the future. We know what
:05:51. > :05:57.the problem was. Money to ensure it doesn't happen again. Can I thank
:05:57. > :06:01.you for visiting my constituency when they were recently flooded.
:06:01. > :06:06.They were appreciative of the action you took to visit them to
:06:06. > :06:12.hear the problems first hand. We do agree with me that that co-
:06:12. > :06:21.ordinated approach and all the volunteers that helped those people
:06:21. > :06:27.to rehouse themselves, do you agree that that is the Wales we want to
:06:27. > :06:32.foster on these benches? Indeed so. I visited people in your
:06:32. > :06:42.constituency. How would like to pay tribute to all those involved in
:06:42. > :06:46.
:06:46. > :06:51.the rescue efforts. Also to those who volunteered. When I visited,
:06:51. > :06:57.what was most get-up as well -- noticeable was that there was a
:06:57. > :07:02.flood defence there and the water went down exceptionally quickly. It
:07:02. > :07:05.shows that it is important to ensure we are fully aware of what
:07:05. > :07:15.areas might be at risk of flooding in a way that was not the case
:07:15. > :07:20.
:07:20. > :07:30.before. First Minister, in the period it is important to keep the
:07:30. > :07:38.national trunk roads open. Bullying looking to why the road between
:07:38. > :07:43.Aberystwyth the -- we look into why it a road was closed between North
:07:43. > :07:47.and South? How can we made it the risk of this link being closed in
:07:48. > :07:52.the future because of floods? have to ensure the work is
:07:52. > :07:58.undertaken in order to ensure that the road is safe. It is true to say
:07:58. > :08:05.that some parts of Wales suffered floods and some haven't seen
:08:05. > :08:11.flooding for a long time. That is the highest levels of water we have
:08:11. > :08:14.had since 1960, so it is obvious we have to consider the position now
:08:14. > :08:19.in considering what we saw just before Christmas and insure that
:08:19. > :08:24.the work is done as soon as possible to reopen the roads. Of
:08:24. > :08:34.course, you need time to ensure that the road is safe before you
:08:34. > :08:41.
:08:41. > :08:45.can reopen. Go the Westminster government will support a bill
:08:45. > :08:51.which introduces unfair real-terms cuts to people who require social
:08:51. > :08:57.security, whether they are in work or out of work. The proposals are
:08:57. > :09:01.bound to impact on child poverty. Can you tell us how many people in
:09:01. > :09:06.Wales will be affected by these proposals? We know that many
:09:06. > :09:12.thousands of people will be affected. It is difficult to give
:09:12. > :09:20.an exact figure at this stage. What we do know is that to many
:09:20. > :09:27.thousands of people will be affected who are in work. They will
:09:27. > :09:35.be hammered as a result of these benefit changes. Bruno they will be
:09:35. > :09:38.great difficulties that -- we know there will be. I joined her in
:09:38. > :09:48.saying the benefit changes will have an enormous leap detrimental
:09:48. > :09:51.
:09:51. > :09:56.effect on so many people in England -- enormous effect. I hope you will
:09:56. > :10:01.work with me when do it -- with your answer. Your party's toads in
:10:01. > :10:11.London will not be enough to block these unfair cuts will -- your
:10:11. > :10:16.
:10:16. > :10:25.party's votes. He didn't tell the people of Wales that you had no
:10:25. > :10:35.power to stop their cut tos. How will you stand up for the people of
:10:35. > :10:44.
:10:44. > :10:51.Wales against these cut ups? have put in place it drops growth
:10:51. > :10:53.Wales, which is exceptionally successful. When we said we would
:10:53. > :11:02.stand up for Wales, we said we would deliver for the people of
:11:02. > :11:05.Wales. There are many people in Wales who are unable to get a job.
:11:05. > :11:10.Again, you have come here this afternoon and evaded the questions
:11:10. > :11:14.that have been put before you. You have had one chance to live up your
:11:14. > :11:19.promise of shielding the people of Wales against these cuts and you
:11:19. > :11:24.have simply failed to do that. You failed to protect a quarter of a
:11:24. > :11:28.million households in Wales over council tax benefits. Actions speak
:11:28. > :11:32.louder the words and that action is allowed his action to date. With
:11:32. > :11:37.London already committed to further austerity, what evidence to now
:11:37. > :11:44.intend to give to the commission to make sure that the next worse
:11:44. > :11:51.government can stand up for people in Wales? -- the next Welsh
:11:51. > :11:58.government. I would take the criticism in a greater spirit if
:11:58. > :12:04.she had any ideas of her own. It was the thinnest manifesto any
:12:04. > :12:13.party has produced. We have put in place five pledges which we are
:12:13. > :12:18.delivering on. We have protected school spending, at 93 % of GP
:12:18. > :12:26.practices are now open at least two evenings a week. We are delivering
:12:26. > :12:29.on our commitment with regard to CSOs. And we have secured the
:12:29. > :12:32.future of Cardiff airport, even though they were later the game by
:12:32. > :12:42.saying we should be doing this after we had long started
:12:42. > :12:45.
:12:45. > :12:54.negotiations on it. The reality is, of all Plaid Cymru do it is a step
:12:54. > :13:03.of the UN now band wagon. -- on our. A how many overseas trade missions
:13:03. > :13:08.are planned for 2013? I will be going to Turkey and Dublin in this
:13:08. > :13:12.month, New York in March. There is a visit to it Japan in June and
:13:12. > :13:16.another one in October. He talked at length of the delivery of a
:13:16. > :13:21.government the previous question of. It is a fact that in the last
:13:21. > :13:26.reported figures, exports have fallen from Wales by five %. Some
:13:26. > :13:32.of the biggest falls have been no way you it as First Minister have
:13:32. > :13:36.gone, China, India and America, a leading trade missions which were
:13:36. > :13:39.supposed to create more economic activity. Many economists have
:13:39. > :13:44.talked about how lamentable these figures are. Your government has
:13:44. > :13:49.not delivered on export-led recovery for the Welsh economy.
:13:49. > :13:54.What, considering your new year's address about delivering a message
:13:54. > :13:57.that Wales is open for business, can we expect in 2013 that is
:13:57. > :14:01.different from the first three years of leadership that has
:14:01. > :14:11.delivered such lamentable figures and decline in our export and
:14:11. > :14:12.
:14:12. > :14:17.Our figures are improving on a good basis. We will continue to bring
:14:17. > :14:21.good news back to the people of Wales. It is important we have a
:14:21. > :14:25.high profile abroad. We will continue to utilise officers abroad
:14:26. > :14:31.to attract investment. He has conveniently forgotten the fact
:14:31. > :14:36.because it does not fit in with his script. A I am not quite sure what
:14:36. > :14:39.point you were trying to deliver. It is a fact that the Office of
:14:39. > :14:47.National Statistics and age MRC have identified that our export
:14:47. > :14:51.earnings have dropped by 5% -- age MRC. At this rate, Swansea City's
:14:51. > :14:55.promotion to the Premiership will earn more for the Welsh economy
:14:55. > :15:04.than any action in your government undertakes. What will you do
:15:04. > :15:09.differently in 2013, 2014, that will reverse the decline in the
:15:09. > :15:12.Welsh economy? We support efforts to promote Wales abroad. I have a
:15:12. > :15:16.good many discussions with you about how we believe it should be
:15:16. > :15:19.done. From what you have undertaken in the first three years of your
:15:19. > :15:23.leadership, the figures are independent, verified, we are
:15:23. > :15:28.seeing a decline upon decline. You have offered not one answer as to
:15:28. > :15:33.how you are going to address this decline. I offer you a second
:15:33. > :15:37.opportunity to indicate where we will be at the end of 2013 or 2014.
:15:37. > :15:40.Unemployment rates in Wales are coming down. It may have passed his
:15:40. > :15:45.attention that we have more people a economically active before than
:15:45. > :15:50.ever before. Those are examples of the effect the government is having.
:15:50. > :15:55.The improvement is Wales -- in Wales is better than the rest of
:15:55. > :16:00.the UK. Another example, we are securing the future of our airports,
:16:00. > :16:04.something he has opposed. So out of touch with public opinion, out of
:16:05. > :16:10.touch with business, out of touch with people, out of touch with
:16:10. > :16:14.reality, in my view, as well. I have never had an issue with more
:16:14. > :16:17.public support than the purchase of an airport. We know a country needs
:16:17. > :16:25.to have a functioning and successful airport. His party would
:16:25. > :16:32.be happy to see it close down. It is important if you are going to
:16:32. > :16:35.attract investments that you have a functioning airport. We are proud
:16:35. > :16:40.of the fact we have secured the future of Cardiff airport. It will
:16:40. > :16:47.be run as a commercial concern. We are not prepared to see it close
:16:47. > :16:53.down as his party years. It shows how anti-business the Tories have
:16:53. > :16:57.become. The most anti-business party in the Assembly. We will
:16:57. > :17:07.stand up for Wales, stand-up for business in Wales, and stand up for
:17:07. > :17:10.
:17:10. > :17:14.investment in Wales. TRANSLATION:... In Questions last year, you can
:17:14. > :17:19.phone to me that your government has a target of 100% of people
:17:19. > :17:24.being able to access an NHS dentist in Wales. In August of last year,
:17:24. > :17:27.your Health Minister wrote to me to say that in fact this pledge was
:17:27. > :17:34.unrealistic. What is your government's target for dentistry?
:17:34. > :17:40.For those who wish access to an NHS dentist, they will get it. In the
:17:40. > :17:44.last year, only an additional 11% of dentists were able to offer NHS
:17:44. > :17:49.patients a place on their list. If that is your pleasure, Brummell you
:17:49. > :17:54.deliberate? Again, she is not suggesting... If that is your
:17:54. > :17:58.pledge, when will you deliver it. We have main substantial work in
:17:58. > :18:03.ensuring people can access NHS services. Unless she is saying
:18:03. > :18:07.there are people who cannot access NHS dentist, I cannot see what have
:18:07. > :18:11.point it is. I do not know which country you are living in but you
:18:11. > :18:13.programme for government says he would improve access to dentists
:18:13. > :18:20.where they are localised problems and this morning your government
:18:20. > :18:24.owned spokesperson acknowledged there was difficulty in areas. I
:18:24. > :18:29.suggest you speak to them. As of yesterday, figures from the West
:18:29. > :18:39.NHS show there were no dental practices accepting NHS patients in
:18:39. > :18:45.many places -- the Welsh NHS shows that. Even here in the capital,
:18:45. > :18:49.just 11% of practices are able to take on new NHS patients. That is a
:18:49. > :18:53.lot of localised problems. This is a national problem that requires
:18:53. > :18:58.national action from the a Health Minister. She has failed to supply
:18:58. > :19:04.any evidence that people cannot access for NHS dentists. All she
:19:04. > :19:14.has said is that... Unless she comes up with figures to suggest
:19:14. > :19:19.that people cannot access services then had points carry no weight.
:19:19. > :19:23.Back to questions on the Order Paper. Thank you. Will the First
:19:23. > :19:27.Minister outline his economic priorities for North Wales in 2013?
:19:27. > :19:31.It is in the programme for government. As you are aware, the
:19:31. > :19:36.cost of train fares has become a major issue for many individuals
:19:36. > :19:41.and businesses. Research by the TUC has demonstrated that train fares
:19:41. > :19:46.have risen almost three times faster than average earnings since
:19:46. > :19:49.the start of the recession in 2008. Will the Welsh Government work with
:19:49. > :19:54.the UK government to set out a fair and sustainable long-term policy on
:19:54. > :19:59.rail fares, to balance the big increases we are seeing at present?
:19:59. > :20:05.We will be consulting on the future of rail in Wales this year
:20:06. > :20:09.including consulting on the current pricing structure of rail fares.
:20:09. > :20:13.First Minister, during recess, official figures have been released
:20:13. > :20:16.showing that Wales remains the poorest part of the UK in terms of
:20:16. > :20:20.value of goods and services produced per head of population.
:20:20. > :20:26.North Wales economy has had a lower growth rate than the Welsh economy
:20:26. > :20:34.since devolution. Wrexham has seen the biggest decline of production
:20:34. > :20:38.in the whole of Wales. How do you respond to address concern that
:20:38. > :20:48.value of goods and services produced has decreased by one for
:20:48. > :20:51.
:20:51. > :20:56.7% across Wales since devolution. - - by 1.7. We have a substantial
:20:56. > :21:02.employer in Wrexham. There are many other companies based in the area
:21:02. > :21:05.which we have encouraged and they have grown. I draw him back to the
:21:05. > :21:09.figures are quoted in terms of unemployment and economic activity
:21:09. > :21:12.and the figures in relation to jobs growth Wales. It is clear the
:21:12. > :21:20.policies of this government are having a beneficial effect on the
:21:20. > :21:23.economy of Wales. We expect the trend to continue this year. In the
:21:23. > :21:28.discussions between Plaid Cymru the party of Wales and the government
:21:28. > :21:32.on the budget, it was agreed to invest �10 million in the
:21:32. > :21:35.establishment of a science park in the north-west under the auspices
:21:35. > :21:40.of the investor of Bangor. Have you a timetable regarding the
:21:40. > :21:47.establishment of the park and with regards to location will you ensure
:21:47. > :21:54.that the location of the business park on the outskirts of bank debt
:21:54. > :22:01.will be given full consideration? - - of Bangor. Discussions are taking
:22:01. > :22:08.place in order to decide how and where the park will be established.
:22:08. > :22:13.Question 4 has been withdrawn. you make a statement on levels of
:22:13. > :22:23.homelessness in Wales? The latest it is six for the year to September
:22:23. > :22:26.
:22:26. > :22:32.dreaded far show a fall of 18%. This was countered to increase --
:22:33. > :22:37.for the year to September showed a fall of 18%. We already know some
:22:37. > :22:43.of the human cost as people turn to pay-day loans to meet rent and
:22:43. > :22:48.mortgage repayments. Some London councils are looking to Wales to
:22:48. > :22:55.house their home this leaving Wales and our people facing paint a very
:22:55. > :22:59.high price for crazy policies. What assessment has been made of the
:22:59. > :23:05.spending, monetary as well last human cost that these policies will
:23:05. > :23:09.have? How can we deal with rising homelessness? We know that the
:23:10. > :23:18.effect will be substantial. We are funding a project to help local
:23:18. > :23:22.authorities work with credit unions. We are supporting a wide range of
:23:22. > :23:26.homelessness prevention services including �700,000 this financial
:23:26. > :23:35.year for local authorities to mitigate the impact of housing
:23:35. > :23:39.benefit cuts. Happy New Year to you and everybody. Increasing the
:23:39. > :23:47.supply of homes available in the private practice centre is vital if
:23:47. > :23:52.we are to tackle homelessness -- in the private rental sector. Does he
:23:52. > :23:56.agree that the need to increase the supply it is taken into account by
:23:56. > :24:06.his government and it is important that landlords registration schemes
:24:06. > :24:06.
:24:06. > :25:04.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:25:04. > :25:10.I would like to ask a question on what the Welsh government can do.
:25:10. > :25:14.We have a target in ensuring that 5,000 vacant homes are transferred
:25:14. > :25:20.for use in the housing stock in Wales. How successful have you been
:25:20. > :25:24.in achieving that target? Everything would appear in the
:25:24. > :25:33.report which will be presented in May. Members will then have the
:25:33. > :25:37.opportunity to consider that and ask questions on that report.
:25:37. > :25:42.services being a pittance -- operated by the Citizens Advice
:25:42. > :25:49.Bureau are being reorganised because of changes in the funding.
:25:49. > :25:55.I understand your carrying out a review -- you off. When will that
:25:55. > :26:00.review conclude? We know that homelessness will continue to be an
:26:00. > :26:05.issue in Wales despite the figures that I referred to earlier. Any
:26:05. > :26:14.review that takes place will be one that looks in detail at the issue
:26:14. > :26:20.and we will report back in due course. Around two-thirds of those
:26:20. > :26:24.affected by housing benefit cuts are likely to be disabled, the
:26:24. > :26:29.majority will be women and as a consequence, the level of
:26:29. > :26:32.homelessness is likely to increase. This is going to result in an
:26:32. > :26:36.increase in the number of predictions and this will leave
:26:36. > :26:40.local authorities in a position where they have liability for the
:26:40. > :26:43.homeless and we housing. What specific advice will be Welsh
:26:43. > :26:48.government be giving to local authorities and housing bodies in
:26:48. > :26:54.order to deal with the consequences of this disastrous change of the
:26:54. > :27:02.benefit system? Local authorities do have accommodation for those
:27:02. > :27:07.evicted up through no fault of their own or are in Parity needs. -
:27:07. > :27:14.- a priority. It is important that people are seen to it as quickly as
:27:14. > :27:19.possible. First Minister, we all know that one of the groups who
:27:19. > :27:23.will be especially affected by a welfare reform, including changes
:27:23. > :27:27.to housing benefits, are larger families, especially as there will
:27:27. > :27:32.be the removal of the current five- bedroom rate. As the Welsh
:27:32. > :27:36.government made an assessment of the number of larger families that
:27:36. > :27:42.are expected to be affected as a result of the cuts and the likely
:27:42. > :27:47.impact of the increase in homelessness? Yes, it was part of
:27:47. > :27:54.the able 2011 reforms and they resulted in some 48,000 people
:27:54. > :28:04.being worse off by �9 per week. They do continue to manage --
:28:04. > :28:11.
:28:11. > :28:16.monitor the matter very closely. What plans to the Welsh government
:28:16. > :28:24.have to commemorate the centenary of the start of the first world war
:28:24. > :28:28.in 2014? We are working to develop a commemorative programme beginning
:28:28. > :28:36.in 2014. The next stage is the consultation events which will be
:28:36. > :28:45.held on 22nd January in Cardiff and the 28 that January somewhere else.
:28:45. > :28:55.-- 28 the January. Trying to get a well Strachan statue -- Welsh
:28:55. > :29:05.dragon statute, we can -- continue to insure it that the tributes of
:29:05. > :29:08.
:29:08. > :29:16.the Welsh soldiers are not forgotten? Of wheel of establishing
:29:16. > :29:24.a memorial to world soldiers -- we are forced top we want to develop a
:29:24. > :29:28.fundraising strategy. You have visited the library in Aberystwyth
:29:28. > :29:38.and was impressed that they are preparing for this commemoration --
:29:38. > :29:42.
:29:42. > :29:45.I was visiting a. It showed what enormous community effort it was
:29:45. > :29:55.but I would ask you to ensure that this commemoration shares that it
:29:55. > :29:58.
:29:58. > :30:03.was a national effort, not just military glory. The intention is
:30:03. > :30:07.that the commemoration should be as great as possible. We will be
:30:07. > :30:11.looking at the impact will all cross sections of society. It is
:30:11. > :30:15.important that the commemoration is not purely in military
:30:16. > :30:24.commemoration but one that looks at the effects on society in has ball
:30:25. > :30:33.away as possible. -- in as a broad a its way. We know millions died in
:30:33. > :30:37.the First World War. Many returned home from battle with scars which
:30:37. > :30:41.will never heal. The wonder sometimes what sort of country we
:30:41. > :30:45.would living if those people have survived. We do agree that we can
:30:45. > :30:48.use the centenary of the start of the First World War to raise
:30:48. > :30:54.awareness not only of the enormous human costs of war but the
:30:54. > :31:00.awareness of others in current and future conflicts with emotional and
:31:00. > :31:03.physical scars so we can do more to help them and give those needing
:31:03. > :31:11.support for physical and emotional trauma absolutely every assistance
:31:11. > :31:21.they need? Those who suffer from what were we now know it is post-
:31:21. > :31:27.
:31:27. > :31:34.traumatic stress were not given any assistants at all. I think it is
:31:34. > :31:38.important to emphasise that the way in which some people were treated
:31:38. > :31:41.was very different to the way people are treated now. As part of
:31:41. > :31:45.the commemoration I want to see some emphasis placed on what
:31:45. > :31:54.individuals went through it and the way they were treated at that time
:31:54. > :31:57.in the way we would never dream of Further to the response you gave, I
:31:57. > :32:02.wonder what support the Welsh Government can provide to local
:32:02. > :32:05.groups to allow them to explore the effects of the First World War
:32:05. > :32:10.within their own communities and how can we ensure due consideration
:32:10. > :32:14.of all aspects of the war particularly of women's
:32:14. > :32:21.contributions within this period? The lottery fund has established a
:32:21. > :32:24.grant programme to which groups can embark on funding -- apply for
:32:25. > :32:28.funding. Officials have met with the Heritage Lottery Fund and they
:32:28. > :32:35.have arranged that a representative returns the planning events later
:32:35. > :32:41.this month in order to provide advice to organisations. Question
:32:41. > :32:47.seven has been withdrawn. Christian Aid. TRANSLATION: Has an assessment
:32:47. > :32:51.been made of the effects of ash dieback in Wales -- question eight.
:32:51. > :32:54.Government officials and a number of Environment agencies are
:32:54. > :33:01.currently assessing the effect of ash dieback in Wales. The result
:33:01. > :33:07.will be available in the next few weeks. Thank you. The Minister in
:33:07. > :33:12.his statement on 12th November stated the problem had to be kept
:33:12. > :33:17.under consideration. Are you aware of a report from the University of
:33:17. > :33:26.Aberdeen and also another professor from Oxford stating that the Welsh
:33:26. > :33:30.Government should take steps to prohibit the importation of wood
:33:30. > :33:35.and timber into Wales? Be does not make much sense because this is a
:33:35. > :33:39.cross-border problem and the way of resolving it is also a cross-border
:33:39. > :33:43.approach. That is why we have been working closely with organisations,
:33:43. > :33:49.particularly in England. There is no point in banning the import of
:33:49. > :33:54.trees into Wales if they go into England. We must consider best on a
:33:54. > :33:59.UK-wide basis in order to ensure that a means of dealing with it is
:34:00. > :34:03.as effective as possible. The First Minister will be aware that the
:34:03. > :34:07.wintertime provides the best possible opportunity to get on top
:34:07. > :34:11.of this disease before we get into the spring and summer where we may
:34:11. > :34:17.see a spike in confirmed cases in Wales. How was the worst government
:34:17. > :34:20.ensuring that the UK government's interim control plan is effectively
:34:20. > :34:24.communicated through Wells landowners, voluntary organisations
:34:24. > :34:33.and the general public, all of whom have a crucial role to play in
:34:33. > :34:42.identified and managing the spread of this disease? Updates on this
:34:42. > :34:47.position is available on the website. Questor nine. Will my
:34:47. > :34:51.First Minister make a statement on ambulance services in Brecon and
:34:51. > :34:57.Radnorshire? A it is the responsibility of the Welsh
:34:57. > :35:02.Ambulance Service NHS Trust in partnership with the local health
:35:02. > :35:07.board. Paramedic crews have long offered assistance to areas outside
:35:07. > :35:13.of their patch when required to do so. Now in an attempt to reach
:35:13. > :35:18.government targets, crews in some areas are wittingly cent at the
:35:18. > :35:23.start of their shift to Crewe and illustrations in other areas. -- at
:35:23. > :35:28.the start of their shifts. It is the patients in some populations
:35:28. > :35:33.with dangerous levels of lack of coverage. Will you investigate this
:35:33. > :35:37.matter and we to agree that it is simply not an acceptable way for
:35:37. > :35:44.the Welsh Ambulance Service to treat the people of Brecon and
:35:44. > :35:48.Radnorshire? I will investigate the issues. In general, the ambulance
:35:48. > :35:54.trust... The member will be aware that there is a plan for a review.
:35:54. > :36:04.That was announced in November of last year. We have made a million
:36:04. > :36:09.
:36:09. > :36:13.pounds available for the De -- the delivery... First Minister, the
:36:13. > :36:18.ambulance service in Brecon and Radnorshire it is no different to
:36:18. > :36:21.another parts of Wales. It is under pressure and needs additional
:36:21. > :36:24.support. Do you recognise that when the police are having to take
:36:24. > :36:28.people to hospital because ambulances are not turning up that
:36:28. > :36:38.there is a fundamental problem with the way we cope with unscheduled
:36:38. > :36:45.
:36:45. > :36:53.care in Wales and what are you I would refer other member back to
:36:53. > :36:57.what was said before. The previous Chief Constable told me of his
:36:57. > :37:01.concerns of the police being called to emergency situations because the
:37:01. > :37:07.ambulance service was not available. May I ask you a few would want to
:37:07. > :37:12.be treated and take treatment by an ambulance or police car? It depends
:37:12. > :37:15.on the nature of the condition that I had and where I was. If there was
:37:15. > :37:19.a police car next to me that could take me to hospital, I would want
:37:19. > :37:24.the police car to take me rather than wait for an ambulance. It is
:37:24. > :37:31.difficult to give a definitive answer. But clearly if people
:37:31. > :37:35.needed help of paramedics it should be provided as soon as possible.
:37:35. > :37:45.What action as the Welsh government taking to protect the Welsh
:37:45. > :37:47.
:37:47. > :37:52.language from further decline? the Welsh language strategy and the
:37:52. > :37:57.framework for Health Services, that is clear evidence of that
:37:57. > :38:02.commitment. The census data shows a disturbing trend in the
:38:02. > :38:06.traditionally Welsh-speaking areas of Wales at. To tackle the problem
:38:06. > :38:10.I believe we need facts about why then it is this disturbing trend.
:38:10. > :38:14.Will government initiate a review to discover whether this is perhaps
:38:15. > :38:18.due to the younger Welsh because it speaking only English so that the
:38:18. > :38:25.Welsh language is no longer in living language or because of an
:38:25. > :38:27.influx of new speakers into the area, or is it that were speaking
:38:27. > :38:36.jobseekers are having to leave their homes to seek employment
:38:36. > :38:38.elsewhere? I can tell the member I have already met with the Welsh
:38:38. > :38:44.language commissioner with a view to taking forward a review process
:38:44. > :38:49.we can understand. I have seen it often enough and a member is right
:38:49. > :38:53.to say that one of the issues is that young current Welsh speakers
:38:53. > :39:02.are not speaking to each other in Welsh. They can't tell you why. It
:39:02. > :39:12.makes it difficult to tap -- to address the problem. There places
:39:12. > :39:16.
:39:16. > :39:20.where social spaces have been used for the Welsh language. My concern
:39:20. > :39:29.is the lack of Welsh spoken by teenage fluent Welsh speakers in
:39:29. > :39:34.urban Southwell. Watch of the Guard -- the government do to support
:39:34. > :39:38.initiatives for teenagers? We are supporting initiatives by
:39:38. > :39:48.delivering grants to organisations that promote the use of Welsh in
:39:48. > :39:51.committees. Unless we crack the issue of the use of the language
:39:52. > :39:59.are amongst young people, we will not be able to redress the
:39:59. > :40:02.difficulties the language faces. One way it of possibly promoting
:40:02. > :40:06.the use of the Welsh language and safeguarding the language from
:40:06. > :40:14.further decline in business is by establishing Welsh-language charts
:40:14. > :40:17.which would benefit businesses and customers. I expect the minister
:40:17. > :40:21.has considered at the link between the Welsh language and economic
:40:21. > :40:24.development, but in the circumstances, do you agree that
:40:24. > :40:30.such a charter would be a benefit and can you confirm that this is
:40:30. > :40:34.one of the things that the group will consider? I believe it would
:40:34. > :40:38.be of benefit and I'm certain from the points of view of customers
:40:38. > :40:43.that a number of businesses would benefit from the fact that they
:40:43. > :40:47.have a definite policies on the use of the Welsh language. For example,
:40:47. > :40:52.using Welsh language signs in businesses. This doesn't happen
:40:52. > :40:57.often, even in areas where the Welsh language is the majority
:40:57. > :41:03.language. Anything that actually confirms and strengthens the use of
:41:03. > :41:09.Welsh in business is to be supported. We will leave that there.
:41:09. > :41:17.You can see more coverage of the National Assembly online from our
:41:17. > :41:21.website. Our correspondent has been watching First Minister's Questions
:41:22. > :41:28.and he joins us from our Assembly news from. A mixed bag of topics
:41:28. > :41:32.fair, what did you pick out? Yes, a well-rehearsed line of attack by at
:41:32. > :41:35.least two of the opposition parties trying to paint a picture that this
:41:35. > :41:41.Welsh Labour government is a government which has run out of
:41:41. > :41:46.ideas. How was Carwyn Jones able to say that he was standing up for the
:41:46. > :41:53.people of Wales in base of the welfare cuts imposed by the UK
:41:53. > :41:58.government? She said he had run out of ideas. And another one, how
:41:58. > :42:01.could Carwyn Jones turnaround very disappointing export figures.
:42:01. > :42:06.Carwyn Jones' answer was, far from being a government which has run
:42:06. > :42:16.out of ideas, they were now proposing things which Plaid Cymru
:42:16. > :42:17.
:42:17. > :42:21.are were endorsing themselves. On the issue of export figures, Carwyn
:42:21. > :42:25.Jones said the way to turn round trade and investment figures was to
:42:25. > :42:27.invest and by Cardiff airport, something which he said the
:42:27. > :42:32.Conservatives were against. But this idea that the Labour
:42:32. > :42:42.government might need a sprinkling of fresh blood is one which is
:42:42. > :42:43.
:42:43. > :42:47.still alive idea -- a life idea. With the new Assembly term having
:42:47. > :42:51.just started, it seems a distant prospect at the moment. Stepping
:42:51. > :42:55.outside of the chamber, there is also news from Plaid Cymru in terms
:42:55. > :43:01.of that Assembly member bet than Jenkins who was convicted of drink-
:43:01. > :43:05.driving during the Christmas period. Yes, she is now back in the fold.
:43:05. > :43:10.She was banned from driving for 20 months after a drink-drive
:43:10. > :43:14.conviction when she was found to be twice over the legal limit. She was
:43:14. > :43:18.arrested on Sunday 14th October in the early hours of Sunday morning
:43:18. > :43:23.when she was driving in Cardiff. She was said to be barefoot and
:43:23. > :43:26.wearing pyjama bottoms at the time. She said she was deeply sorry for
:43:26. > :43:31.her actions and was coming to terms with depression. She returned to
:43:31. > :43:36.work yesterday after a period of sickness leave. Today she pressed
:43:36. > :43:42.her fellow Assembly members and after apologising once again, she
:43:42. > :43:45.has been reinstated -- today she faced. That is it for today. I will