10/01/2012 am.pm

Welcome to the first am.pm of 2012. It is Tuesday and that means First

Minister's Questions. We are with you a bit later, which means the

First Minister Carwyn Jones has finished answering questions from

his colleagues. Make a new year's resolution to get in touch with us

if you have any views about anything we are talking about. You

can tweet, write to us, or you can can tweet, write to us, or you can

can tweet, write to us, or you can Let us take a look at questions to

the First Minister from earlier this afternoon.

TRANSLATION: I call the National Assembly for Wales to order.

Question 1. Will the First Minister outlined

his priorities for the New Year? continue to create the right

environment to create jobs, and also to continue with the plans we

have in place to assist the economy, including the statement made this

morning in Bridgend to ensure that the legislation that we have

committed to taking forward his past, and of course to create a

strong Wales, a strong Britain, and strong Europe. First Minister, you

will be aware that concerns have been raised and serious allegations

made about the management of the All Wales ethnic minorities

Association. I trust you had had an opportunity to read the report,

which has resulted from the inquiry into the management of that

organisation. Normally I would not as good to comment, on

organisations or individuals within them, but in this case, this

particular association does manage �8.4 million of European projects.

Can you tell us this afternoon, First Minister, do you still have

confidence in the ability of the association to manage those

projects, and specifically its chief executive?

The allegations are serious. A full investigation is taking place, and

we will comment when it has taken place. First Minister, like many

people around Wales, I was sickened by reports appearing in the local

and national papers have a recent weeks describing horrific attacks

on domestic animals. This is something we should take seriously.

There is a growing body of evidence and national -- academic research

suggesting that violence towards animals and child abuse, bearing in

mind the seriousness of this, could you give us your reassurances that

we can make tackling this a priority for 2012? Absolutely, the

legislation is there, and I would urge any member of the public aware

of abuse of animals to make their concerns known to the RSPCA.

TRANSLATION: First Mac, one of your priorities in your programme for

Government, is to improve the health service. I'm sure you will

agree that it is vital that any changes on any new proposals within

the health service in Wales are transparent and accountable to the

people that... So it is essential that we are part of any changes and

consultations, so in the wake of any changes that will be introduced

in the near future by there health ministers, does the First Minister

agree that there should be for conference saw tension between the

health bodies and the community, and what is the head -- what is the

Government doing to ensure that occurs? TRANSLATION: I agree

wholeheartedly. It is very important that the health boards

consult in detail with local communities in their own areas, and

there will be a scrutiny process carried out by the National

Clinical Forum, and by Welsh ministers.

First Minister, I was very pleased to see you saying that the economy

would be a top priority in the new year. As I am sure you are aware,

we welcomed the launch of the Wales economic Growth Forum in December.

However I understand that the Federation of Small Business has

major concerns about the practicalities of delivering the

scheme, specifically about the ratio of match funding to funding

available, and if timing of the deadline, which is six weeks to

develop cross proposals, raise money from a minimum of �100,000,

and then right and submit an application. Are you entirely

satisfied with the level of applications? Yes, I am. It is

inevitable that money has to be spent within a certain time period,

but we are encouraged by the healthy number of applications to

date. Details of those applications are obviously commercially

confidential. I have to remind people that this

is question-time. Please keep your preamble short, and the questions a

little longer. First Minister, has the Welsh

Government made any assessment of the impact the Prime Minister's

recent Beatle of changes to the EU treaty will have here in Wales?

will be possible to change the -- gauge the impact -- it will not be

possible to gauge the impact yet. But it is important to that the UK

is not marginalised in Europe. Will's' links in Europe are

essential for our Mac economic prosperity. Hundreds of thousands

of Welsh jobs are dependent on the links. Is it not the case that we

in Wales need to continue to strengthen our links with Europe

and be at the centre of decision- making, rather than engaging in the

posturing displayed by David Cameron, which will on the result

in isolation and a weakening of our economic interests? First of all,

we in Wales have benefited handsomely from European funding.

And of course there are a number of employers who are in Wales because

they can access the single European market. Nothing should interfere

with that access. First Minister, being in Brussels

three weeks ago, it was definite that all officials were pleased to

engage in all aspects of European Union. The Prime Minister's veto

may not be very popular, but anything that does for the

prosperity of Wales must be good. The difficulty with the Prime

Minister's position is that the reality is that every other country

in the European Union is going off to do its own thing and Britain is

isolated. What troubles me is that the Prime Minister is somebody his

in favour of the European Union, I accept him at his word for that.

But it is unfortunate that those celebrating the most were those

members of the Conservative Party who if they thought they would get

elected would be standing under a First Minister, D likely do you

agree that it is where -- do you think it is ironic that we have a

UK prime minister who refused membership to the EU, but thinks he

can tell Scotland when they can have a referendum on membership of

the United Kingdom? What are you doing to ensure that whatever

happens between the UK Government and Brussels, Wells' voice is

represented by your Government. will have seen my views on Wales,

there are a number of areas where there is pragmatic co-operation

between the UK Government and the Welsh Government. But there will be

some issues where there can be little scope for agreement. When it

comes to the Scottish referendum, I always think it is unwise for UK

Prime Minister to get involved in the politics of Scotland. We now

move to questions from the party leaders. The first question this

afternoon is from the leader of Plaid Cymru, Ieuan Wyn Jones.

TRANSLATION: I am sure you will be aware that the economy is creaking.

It is very possible that we will be entered recession before too long

if we are not there already. As you have argued, it -- important powers

on taxation lines lie in the heart of the UK Government. Isn't it

astonishing that you have not written a letter on the subject of

the economy to David Cameron since May? There have been a number of

occasions where we have had discussions on the economy. I have

communicated with Alex Salmond and Martin McGuinness on the state of

the economy, but the difference for us is that we deliver and not just

might. As I reminded you a little while

ago, you have not written a single letter on the economy to David

Cameron, but you have written a letter on electoral boundaries,

which obviously demonstrates you on priorities. On another issue, First

Minister, since May, the Scottish Government have published six

legislative bills. You have published just one, on the crucial

issue on local authority by-laws. So can I remind you, by the way,

that as far as the One Wales Government was concerned, in the

first two months, by 20th September 07, the Welsh Government had

published three orders and three measures. You said in a statement

in September 2007, caught we have taken major steps forward in

bringing legislation forward. Why the delay in your own bills this

time? Two white papers have also been published, as the Member knows.

There is a programme of legislation which has been announced by the

Government. There is no lack of ideas on this side, but as regards

the Minister's own party, there were no ideas in his manifesto.

are the First Minister, and it is your programme of legislation we

are scrutinising. The reality -- the reality is that you have made

no commence in letters to David Cameron on legislation, you

published just one built in almost 12 months. So on the issue of the

economy and legislation, there is a lack of action, a lack of

enthusiasm, and a lack of ambition for Wales. After eight months,

isn't that a very harsh criticism of your own Government?

impression that I get from Plaid Cymru is an old, which has broken

down at the side of the road without any fuel to go anywhere.

�55 million has been put in to assist businesses. �90 million has

been put in on capital. �38.9 million has been put directly into

the economy, and this morning a statement about �30 million in

order to facilities skills. That demonstrates that we as a

Government want to deliver, and as regards Plaid Cymru, all they do is

write letters. Four months ago, First Minister, your business and

Enterprise Minister announced the creation of enterprise zones.

Little or no more information has come out to facilitate how these

enterprise zones will work. Why is this the case? We are witty for

clarification on the capital allowances. We are looking to make

announcement towards the end of this month. First Minister, as I

understand it that information is available. Above all, some local

authorities will be working with local partners to deliver the

enterprise zones. Your own Minister said, what has been made clear to

me over the summer, is that enterprise zones are regarded as a

real focal point. Is it not time that Government officials and

you're Minister started to drive this programme forward, so that

people can have confidence that your Government is engaged in the

economic generation of this country? We have not received the

information on capital allowances. We look forward to receiving it.

you look also at what senior business leaders are talking about,

when you look at David Stevens for example, the chief executive, if

today they were thinking of locating to a part of the United

Kingdom, they would not think of Wales. The senior... One senior

executive has compared your Government to something between a

small Government and a local authority. When are you and your

Minister going to get a grip with the economic development here in

Wales, so that we can move off the bottom of the prosperity table in

wells and start moving to the top We look forward to seeing that the

money made available for development of the railway lines. I

can tell the Leader of the Opposition that both those schemes

would cost considerably less than one mile tunnel in Buckinghamshire.

Money that could be used for the Welsh rail network. Leader of the

Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams. During the elections in

May last year Labour promised you would require GPs to make surgeries

more accessible by opening on evenings and Saturday mornings. In

the run-up to Christmas we saw a number of Health Board having to

close facilities so that they could be direct their staff to a larger

centres because of an issue with recruitment or retention of staff.

In November you told us you were launching a campaign to attract

doctors to Wales to address the staff shortages but there is still

no sign of that campaign either. When will you make progress on

these two health promises? Progress is being made with GP appointments.

The issue is -- the other issue is to do with A&E departments, in

places where staff had to be diverted. We will begin the

campaign to attract new doctors into Wales this month.

Thank you for that clarity. But constituents continue to raise

questions about access to GPs and as far as your decision log is

clear, no decision has been taken by the Health Minister to sign off

on that recruitment campaign for doctors yet. If I can move on to

another area where there is concern about our lack of progress, in

October, your business ministers were -- this is minister scrapped a

parrot scheme within the business sector. -- your Business Minister

scrapped a power scheme. Could you clarify for us today that when a

decision will be made on a successive project for Paris and

could do now clarified that your minister has Indies set the

boundaries Paul Watters enterprise zones will be and what the policy

interventions will be in each of the enterprise zones because in her

letter last month she had not done either? In relation to Paris, the

plan is to look at putting forward a replacement scheme during the

course of this month. With regard to the Enterprise Zones, we still

await the information on capital allowances. We remain committed. We

have had a new number of new applications for Enterprise Zones

and there are being SS. That is not the question I asked you. In her

letter last month, the minister confirmed she had not agreed the

boundaries of the existing Enterprise Zones she had already

announced, nor agreed the exact policy interventions in each of

those Enterprise Zones which had been announced. Has the minister

now made a decision on those two crucial strategic questions which,

as of last month in December, the minister had not made a decision?

Is the reality not that decision after a decision is flanked,

delayed or fudged, or avoided altogether? The Housing Minister

tells us that there is a need for the Government to target building

of new homes. No target has been set. The Environment decision --

Environment Minister and Transport Minister are keeping us waiting.

Whether it is held, the economy, the Environment, Transport, your

Government is failing to make the decisions of the people of Wales

need. Should that not be your new year's resolution, to make these

decisions? We have a number of decisions that will be announced in

the very near future. There have been considered very carefully. It

cannot be right to accuse the Government on one hand of

prevarication and on the other hand to say that the Government should

consult widely. The two things do not go together in the sense of

ensuring people have the opportunity to have their say

before ministers take decisions. Resume -- saw what happened with

the Government of the UK with a decision about solar panels. They

decided to get rid with a subsidy with her -- they decided to get rid

of a subsidy before the consultation had ended. We are

shown time and time again that we are to be labouring for the people

of Wales and will continue to do so. -- we are delivering. Will he make

a statement on homelessness in a Wales? The latest figures show a

continued rise. We know it is to do with economic and housing market

pressures, which the policies of the UK Government will not help but

we will mitigate them. Homelessness is at a five-year high in Wales and

with the rise in living costs and the cuts in housing benefits, many

families face an uncertain future. I welcome your commitment to

getting the long-term empty properties back into use. How are

you supporting local authorities to make urgent strikes? In development

we announced �5 million of new investment for a co-ordinated

programme of action to tackle empty homes and it provides local

authorities would be working capital for a recyclable loan fund

to overcome one of the main barriers to empty homes being board.

One of the main contributory factors to homelessness is mortgage

repossession, either repossession of their home owned for of a

landlord, where the tenant may find themselves the vulnerable. The good

news is the Council of Mortgage Lenders has indicated that the

number of repossessions in 2011 was below the number forecast and in

Wales we know figures peaked at nearly 8,000 in 2008 but were down

to around few 1000 in 2011. -- around 3,000. But we face difficult

times with ongoing pressures remaining and no doubt difficult

times for homeowners and landlords and tenants ahead. Was action is

your Government taking in terms of future action to mitigate against

mortgage repossessions, both for home owners but also where tenants

are affected by a action against their landlords? We have committed

�1.4 million over two years to mitigate the impact of housing

benefit cuts, through advice to tenants and landlords. We have in

place a comprehensive review of the existing legislation on

homelessness, part of the work going towards the Housing Bill. And

the homeless this grant programme supports a range of services to

prevent homelessness and supports more than 100 projects across Wales.

The changes to housing benefits coupled with other attacks on the

welfare state will have and are already having a detrimental impact

on homelessness in Wales and to me these are ideological changes and

they are being carried out for to appease the Tory press, rather than

being based on every evidence. The logical conclusion to Westminster

taking decisions like this is that decisions should be made instead

here, where we can at least make those decisions in the interests of

people living in Wales, as opposed to the interests of tabloid

headlines. Does the First Minister agree with that analysis? I have

always been somebody who has been a strong supporter of devolution but

I also cancelled carefully against taking powers without the budget

following and one of the concerns I would have if housing benefit were

to be completely devolved would be that the UK Government would fail

to deliver the right level of financial support to enable the

Government to do what it wished to do in Wales. You will have seen

reports in the news last week about more people turning to payday loans

to cover mortgage and rent. As more people feel the squeeze, do you

agree that free bet -- 3 -- that free debt advice services help

those at risk of debt? What can you Government do to pressurise the UK

Government to force the banks to carry on funding free debt services

after this April, when that funding is due to come to an end? And what

can the Welsh Government do for two crackdown on rogue debt advice

firms that hop -- a charge hidden fees to vulnerable people? We work

with the Citizens Advice Cymru and other stakeholders. It is right

issue so that the Serb sector providers in particular are facing

pressures, -- the third sector providers. We are in close contact

with the independent adviser providers Boreham in terms of

supporting a not-for-profit organisations in Wales to ensure

that we can help to mitigate the changes that are recurring.

Question four. Will the First Minister make a statement on his

Government's policies concerning the retail sector in Wales? We are

currently reviewing the best way to support businesses in Wales, many

of whom are retailers. We are reviewing our business policy as

well. You will know that many retailers, particularly in town and

city centres, complain of the impacts of out-of-town retail

centres and large supermarkets. When you are putting together the

promised a Bill on planning, will you be looking at this particular

aspect, and what these views do you have on how we can counter that

influence? Yes, it is one issue that really does resonate with

members of the public. It is important that dance centres are

attractive places to people to come and shop. -- town centres are

attractive places for people to come and shop. We will look at how

they will look. To ensure that there is sufficient business in

town centres to attract people in and for retailers to be able to

make a living. You spoke earlier about the importance of delivery. I

am sure you will agree that there is a world of difference between

words and actions when it comes to delivery. In terms of the problems

affecting our supermarkets and can centres at the moment -- drowns

centres, in the run-up to the Assembly elections, my party

proposed a shopkeeper strategy of as one way of listening to those in

the retail centre -- sector and better fitting a policy being

connected to that. Would you consider a shopkeeper strategy or a

wider retail strategy that really will genuinely listen to the

problems that shopkeepers are having, so that we can address that

problem? We always listen to the problems of small retailers and I

am sure members do as part of their work as Assembly Members. It is

difficult for retailers at the present, not just smaller retailers.

It has been a particular challenge this year from online retailing and

that Haninge will increase in years to come but it is important that we

take steps and planning is one way of giving this to make sure that

our towns do have a vibrant centres. TRANSLATION: thank you. With the

important season of Christmas just having passed, you will be aware

that the number of factors have a detrimental impact on shops in city

centres and that is why we in Plaid Cymru believe there should be a

retail strategy in place up in reference to the review of business

rates being undertaken by Professor Brian Morgan, if his inquiry

recommends enhancing the business rate relief scheme, will you be in

a position to respond positively to such a recommendation? We can

respond, of course, but things will depend on how much money is

available. Question six. Diolch, Llywydd. Will he update us on the

recent correspondence with the European Union? Yes, following

December's European Council I wrote to the Prime Minister voicing my

concerns that the UK was in danger of marginalising itself and the

lack of consultation. He has responded and I welcome his words

that the UK will remain a committed an influential member of the EU.

Thank you for that answer. As has been said in the answer to an

earlier question, there is particular concern that the

nationalisation that might result from the exercise of the so-called

beta may actually make things very difficult intercoms of conducting

negotiations by capping the Common Fisheries Policy and other areas.

Have you specifically raised this with the Prime Minister or any

other representatives in Westminster or Brussels? I have

said this publicly, where one country is marginalised without any

friends or allies in Europe, that is a failure of diplomacy. It is

also important to understand that the rules will continue to be drawn

up by the European Commission and the European Council's but the UK's

influence on those rules will be diminished as a result. UK

producers will still have to follow them. It is crucial that the UK

plays a strong and central role in the European Union for the good of

our manufacturers and particular It is not unreasonable for us to

expect that in your position as First Minister, and given the

importance of improving the Welsh economy, for you to have a handle

on Welsh exports. Can you explain how you got the figures so wrong in

your letter to the Prime Minister, Andy except that we are the least

exposed nation in the UK to EU trade? Does the member really

believed... Does he believe that the Airbus would be on the side if

we were not members of the European Union? The UK market is too small.

The European market is very large, like so many other parts of the UK

150,000 jobs in Wales rely on our membership of the European Union

and access to the single European market. Without it we would lose

these jobs, and on top of that our farming industry would be decimated.

TRANSLATION: With Britain isolated to such an extent, are the

implications of that to the interests of Wales? Would you agree

that it is more important than ever that Wales has a direct voice in

the European Union? TRANSLATION: Exceptionally important for that

Wales has a strong voice. This is something we have built over the

years. There is a full-time staff representing Wales from day to day.

What discussions has the First Minister had with the Secretary of

State for Wales, and with net but will, a but the electrification of

the Valleys Lines? We have had a number of discussions, these

continue, we have worked closely with Network Rail and others in

preparing an outline business case which was submitted in December.

the electrification comes out well from the Treasury business place,

what will be the Next Steps? How well funding be achieved in view of

the fact that this is mainly non- double funding that will be

required, and what will be the timetable? Funding for railways is

not devolved, so it is reasonable but people of Wales will expect to

see at stunts will amount of money come into Wales. It is right to say

that the electrification of the network and the lifts clarification

of the line between Cardiff and Swansea would still feel -- would

still be much cheaper than their tunnel being built for HS2. A if

�500 million is going to Buckinghamshire, Wales deserves

electrification. The minister seems to be fixated with the Secretary of

State's constituency. You have your own budget, and you allocate that

money accordingly. There is a perfectly reasonable question, but

you'd talked more about the Secretary of State's constituency.

When we start facing up to represent the people of Wales and

working for the businesses of Wales? The electrification is of

the valley Lines us something we Hollis support, and it is time

instead of reverting back to your bunker, you engage with the

Westminster Government for the betterment of Wales? The railway

infrastructure is not devolve. The budget is held in Westminster, not

in Cardiff. The reality is that money for electrification is held

by the UK Government for the benefit of England and Wales. The

point I make is quite simply this. If �500 million can be found for

one mile tunnel in Buckinghamshire, then that money can be fined four

valleys electrification and indeed for Cardiff and the Cardiff and

Swansea electrification as well. It is a shame the Leader of the

Opposition keeps on cleaving to his mistress's line. First Minister, it

was in 1970 that Dr Phil Williams and I stood outside the train

station calling for the electrification of the Romney

Valley line. We may be getting there, but will you use your

influence, please, to show a net for vacation begins at the heads of

the valleys, and moves south? I fear that if electrification starts

at the cities and those North, it will take another 42 years to get

there? It has got to go all the way, there would be no point otherwise.

The point is this. Electrification is a serious issue. When I talk of

a electrification I hope in the medium to long term we see

electrification across our their networks as well. But valleys and

ratification would help the economy of all the committees on the

network going into Cardiff, and between Cardiff and Swansea it

would help those committees west of Cardiff to one Swansea as well. We

will work in good faith to ensure that electrification takes place,

but I think it is fair to say that if the money can be found for one

tunnel, which surely can be found in Wales. What discussions has the

First Minister had regarding UK Government proposals to change

employment laws? I have written to express my concerns, and sought to

ensure proper engagement to ensure that these proposals do not impact

on the rights of the workforce in Wales. As you will be aware, the UK

already has some of if not the most liberal employment legislation in

Europe. Does the Welsh Government's share my view that making it even

easier to sack employees will not create a single new job, when

creating jobs should be the overriding priority for the

Government? I felt to understand the logic of saying that at a time

we are trying to create jobs, the UK Government wants to make it

easier to destroy jobs. It is quite clear that by sacking one person,

you do not create a job, you ensure that person is without a job. It is

right that those rights that have been fought for by many working

people across the UK and elsewhere, should be preserved. You'll be

aware that the Government has very clearly said that they will make

sure that the package of measures remained to protect people. A whole

point about being able to dismiss somebody is if you are small

business and you have got somebody who is useless at their job,

despite the training you give them, you simply cannot improve them, and

it is almost impossible to get rid of them. I speak from past

experience of trying to get somebody to be terminated. You have

to pay a huge amount of money. Surely what you need to do is go

out and talk to small businesses in Wales about what they need in order

to not get rid of jobs left, right and centre, but make sure that you

have got the right person in the right job in order to make sure

that small business carries on prospering in difficult economic

times. It is still possible to dismiss people, as long as people

have protection from being dismissed. But people should expect

a minimum wage, and ultimately they should expect to be paid the same

for the same job in Bridgend as in Brighton. We see with regional pay,

but the objective of the UK Government is to reduce public

sector wages in Wales, and that we know will have an adverse effect on

the Welsh economy. TRANSLATION: The First Minister

will be aware that European agency workers directive is coming into

force later this month, and the right-wing press have already

claimed that it will cost tens of thousands of jobs, when in reality

been will be to provide more certainty for those people who are

on temporary contracts. Does the Government have any picture of how

this new legislation will impact upon businesses and workers

specifically here in Wales? TRANSLATION: The press love to say

that any new regulation will have an impact on health, safety, and

employment, and it will be a negative impact on the economy and

people's lives. But of course it is important that any new regulations

are studied in detail so that there is not an excessively negative

impact on the ability be having rails to secured an economic future

for ourselves. What other Welsh Government's priorities for the

Vale of Clwyd in 2012? As for other parts of Wales, they are out light

in the programme for Government. Thank you for the work you have put

into the Vale of Clwyd over the past years, and hope it will

continue. David Cameron promised his administration would be family-

friendly. That is a Tory promise, easily broken. A recent report by

Institute of Fiscal Studies has revealed that a couple with two

children will we �1,250 worse off by 2015. As a result of the Tory

tax and benefit reforms. Were you assure me that families in the Vale

of Clwyd can rely on a more modest financial approach from your

Government? Yes is the answer to that. An example of what I regard

as the wrong-headed approach is the fact that when it comes to child

benefit, from next year families through earned �48,000 a year would

lose child benefit, whereas families learnt �80,000 a year

would not. That clearly is not fair, but it is I'm afraid she will how

this Government has approached the issue. Give backing come back to

devolved matters. The services provided by Denbighshire County

Council, rather than by versions from another place. We join me in

congratulating Denbighshire on being the highest performing

Council in Wales based on the Welsh Government's local Government data

unit. 143 performance indicators, the highest number in the top

quarter in Wales. And on congratulating the leader of

Denbighshire County Council on being awarded the Order of the

British Empire in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Of course I will.

I recommend -- a welcome any improvement in local Government,

but I am saddened that it is felt that child benefit and benefits

genuinely -- generally are felt unworthy of being discussed here.

Don't forget you can see more proceedings from the National

Assembly on BBC Wales's Democracy Live coverage. Go to the website.

New Year, new addition to the am.pm so far, our political correspondent

John Stephenson. We might have you back again before we consign this

offer to the dustbin. It is your first goal watching First

Minister's Questions. What did you make of it? My experience of the

past was with Westminster. What was different was the very

confrontational sessions of the Prime Minister's Questions down in

Westminster. Maybe it is the nature of the Chamber itself, where they

are not sitting across each other up and shouting in the Alps. But

the other thing was the fact that the end this -- the Assembly has

its own defined areas of responsibility. What was striking

was the interchange between the responsibilities, a meshing of

responsibilities. For example, the argument about rail electrification.

Carwyn Jones pointed out that the money is in fact held by the

Westminster Government. Same with the referendum on Scottish

independence. Simon Thomas bringing in the element of a referendum on

membership of the European Union. So there is a joining together of

Scotland, Wales and the UK Parliament. A but dynamic has

changed since the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats took over

governing the UK. We did to get a sense, didn't we, it is described

as the respect their gender. We got a sense there is no respecter

agenda between the Welsh and UK Government. We have now got a

Labour Government, whereas previously it was a coalition

between Plaid Cymru, and it was clear by Ieuan Wyn Jones's

questioning that there is a lack of respect there. He went out of his

way to point to the achievements as he saw them in the first few months

of the coalition Government, and pointing out once again what he saw

as the perceived lack of action on behalf of Carwyn Jones. Certainly a

lack of respect between the Welsh minister -- Westminster, and Plaid

Cymru. We have got local Government

elections later in the year. Do you expect that the nearer they get,

the more tetchy the parties will get within the Chamber? Yes, that

is the additional dynamic. Not just local Government elections, but

whenever there is an election, whether for a parish council of

politicians, they are very keen to get their own party viewpoint into