:00:21. > :00:25.Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and our weekly coverage
:00:25. > :00:28.of questions to the First Minister. From a quick look at the order
:00:28. > :00:30.paper there are lots timely questions today, one about Police
:00:30. > :00:34.Commissioners ahead of the election on Thursday, another on borrowing
:00:34. > :00:36.powers ahead of the Silk Commission report and there's also a focus on
:00:36. > :00:44.health services as reconfiguration plans in North Wales have again
:00:45. > :00:48.come under the spotlight. We'll hear the answers in a moment. But
:00:48. > :00:51.first let me give you the opportunity to get in touch with us.
:00:51. > :00:54.If you want to comment on anything on the programme or any other
:00:54. > :01:01.political news for that matter you can reach us via Twitter - we're
:01:01. > :01:04.@walespolitics. Or send us an email to am.pm.co.uk. Well, business in
:01:04. > :01:12.the chamber is already underway, but let's take a look now at
:01:12. > :01:17.today's questions to the First Minister. The National Assembly for
:01:17. > :01:22.Wales is now in session. Before we start the business, I would like to
:01:22. > :01:26.I am sure you are all aware, I'm pleased to announce on 12th
:01:26. > :01:33.November royal asent was given to the National Assembly official
:01:33. > :01:38.language act 2012. It places a duty on the National Assembly and the
:01:38. > :01:43.commission to treat Wesh and English on the basis of equality.
:01:43. > :01:47.This is an historic occasion, it is the first act of the Assembly to
:01:47. > :01:52.receive royal assent. The letters patent and the act are in display
:01:52. > :02:02.for the members and public to see until the end of term. Now we move
:02:02. > :02:03.
:02:04. > :02:06.to the agenda and questions to the First Minister. What are the Wesh
:02:06. > :02:16.Government's priorities. They are set out in the programme for
:02:16. > :02:22.Government. Yesterday we ladies and gentlemened part two of the plan in
:02:22. > :02:28.my constituency, that will develop 3 hundred homes. A key regeneration
:02:28. > :02:31.scheme to create 1,000 homes, do you agree that projects such as
:02:31. > :02:36.this will help the construction industry lead the economy out of
:02:36. > :02:43.recession and what actions the Wesh government have taken to encourage
:02:43. > :02:48.more such projects? It is a good pleased and the now mortgage
:02:48. > :02:53.guarantee scheme to help people take the first step to get on or
:02:53. > :02:58.move up the property ladder. Of course that is a scheme that will
:02:58. > :03:03.help to see young people and first time buyers to get on to the
:03:03. > :03:09.property market for the first time and support the purchase of the
:03:09. > :03:17.3,000 new build homes up to the value of �250,000. Good afternoon.
:03:17. > :03:24.People in Aberavon will be as concerned about the possible done
:03:24. > :03:30.grading of A&E and in the princess of Wales in Bridgend. Would the
:03:30. > :03:34.people be right in being concerned if ambulance services are not
:03:34. > :03:41.considered a central part of the consultation, then the consultation
:03:41. > :03:44.is meaningless. That is the view of your party but not the public.
:03:44. > :03:49.the First Minister make a statement on the provision of health services
:03:49. > :03:54.in north Wales? Yes our plans and priority are found in our programme
:03:54. > :03:58.for Government. First Minister, it is a damning indictment of your
:03:58. > :04:03.Government's approach to health services that what heart -- hot on
:04:03. > :04:07.the foot on the controversy over the Marcus Longly report we see
:04:07. > :04:11.another questionable redrafting of a supposedly independent report. Is
:04:11. > :04:17.it not the case that your Wesh Labour Government is more
:04:17. > :04:21.interested in policy based evidence than evidence-based policy. Why is
:04:21. > :04:27.your Government opposed to independent thinking, or indeed
:04:27. > :04:30.controlling over criticism? She has contradicted the press release her
:04:30. > :04:36.party has sent out. The press release they sent out criticised
:04:36. > :04:41.the minister for not intervening, another member says she has
:04:41. > :04:46.intervened. The reality is this is a matter between the LHB and the
:04:46. > :04:50.National Clinical Forum. There has been no interference from Wesh
:04:50. > :04:55.Government. That ising in ee-- Welsh Government. That is something
:04:55. > :05:00.that is right and proper. Thank you. First Minister, the events of the
:05:00. > :05:04.last few days concerning the BBC are of course of concern, more
:05:04. > :05:08.importantly it risks diverting attention from the issue of
:05:08. > :05:11.protecting vulnerable and young people in the care system. Given
:05:11. > :05:16.the proud record of the National Assembly and the Welsh Government
:05:16. > :05:19.has in child safeguarding, will you reaffirm your commitment to making
:05:19. > :05:26.sure despite all the noise and frenzy around the BBC that we get
:05:26. > :05:30.to the truth of what happened in north Wales and wery step to
:05:30. > :05:36.protect vulnerable young people in care. Yes, I'm aware wof what the
:05:36. > :05:39.UK Government has announced in regards to inquiring into these
:05:39. > :05:44.matters. I met with the Children's Commissioner and asked him to exam
:05:44. > :05:53.minute the situation as it developed and then to advise me as
:05:53. > :05:57.to what further steps may need to be taken. TRANSLATION: There was a
:05:57. > :06:02.discussion yesterday at the Public Accounts Committee on the
:06:02. > :06:09.negotiations taking place between national networks and the local
:06:09. > :06:14.health boards. Including in the case of north Wales the neo-natal
:06:14. > :06:18.network. Is it possible to ensure within the health service that the
:06:18. > :06:24.minutes of these networks should be made available to the public so,
:06:24. > :06:28.that the public and ourselves as Assembly members can scrutinise any
:06:28. > :06:32.recommendations brought forward from the local health boards?
:06:32. > :06:40.TransI will consider the boards of member and write back as regards
:06:40. > :06:43.what can be done to ensure clarity. TRANSLATION: You will be aware of
:06:43. > :06:47.the concern of local authorities in north Wales that there will be
:06:47. > :06:51.greater pressure on their services in light of the proposed changes to
:06:51. > :06:55.health services in north Wales. Can you give us an assurance your
:06:55. > :06:59.Government will not allow any changes that put too much pressure
:06:59. > :07:07.on the services of those local authorities and as a result would
:07:07. > :07:12.cost them more? We want to ensure the authorities collaborate and we
:07:12. > :07:16.understand naturally that there will be a need to change the way in
:07:16. > :07:21.which Social Services also work in order to ensure that the people
:07:21. > :07:25.receive the optimum service available. Now questions from the
:07:25. > :07:30.party leader. First the leader of the opposition. Thank you. First
:07:30. > :07:33.Minister, is it right that so- called independent forum, the
:07:33. > :07:37.National Clinical Forum, drafts a report, presents that report to the
:07:37. > :07:41.local health board and its chairman redrafts it so that its more in
:07:41. > :07:47.tune with the thinking of the health board. How is that
:07:47. > :07:51.independent? This is not a matter for the Welsh Government. Of course
:07:51. > :07:54.your minister set up that forum, does it not endorse the perception
:07:54. > :07:59.and the reality that many people feel that you have got the Langley
:07:59. > :08:04.report, this report and you have failure to achieve ambulance
:08:04. > :08:10.response times and to reach cancer treatment times and to deliver a
:08:10. > :08:14.budget to safeguard NHS services, �500 million out of NHS in Wales.
:08:14. > :08:18.Is it showing a lack of leadership in the Welsh NHS, shouldn't you get
:08:18. > :08:22.a grip of what is going on, so people can have confidence that
:08:22. > :08:28.their NHS will deliver on their needs? I know the people of Wales
:08:28. > :08:33.are more than delighted to see his party have nothing to do with if
:08:33. > :08:38.NHS. We saw his party making millionaires of GPs. That is the
:08:38. > :08:46.future of the health service under his party. We will ensure the
:08:46. > :08:53.service is a public health service and doesn't seek to enrich those
:08:53. > :08:58.within it. Sniet it is amazing a party -- It is amazing a member of
:08:58. > :09:02.the party ta created those millionaires in the NHS. I asked
:09:02. > :09:08.you a specific question on the ability of people to have
:09:08. > :09:13.confidence in so-called independent reports. It is no wonder that with
:09:13. > :09:17.such what mamentable defence over the weekend there was reports you
:09:17. > :09:21.were thinking of reorganising your cabinet and most of that was
:09:21. > :09:27.focused on the two Ministers either side of you and you felt you had to
:09:27. > :09:30.come out and defend that reshuffle. But you only brought the reshuffle
:09:31. > :09:34.up to Christmas time. Is it right in January many of your colleagues
:09:34. > :09:39.will be stuffed and you should consider the health minister's
:09:39. > :09:44.future, given the direction of the Welsh NHS. I was asked yesterday
:09:44. > :09:50.whether a reshusm was imnepbts. But it is not. -- reshuffle was
:09:50. > :09:56.imminent. But it is not. I'm sure the rumours were started by the
:09:56. > :10:00.party opposite. Look at what is happening in England. More than 6
:10:00. > :10:05.thousand nursing posts have been lost since May 2010. We know there
:10:05. > :10:10.are trusts in England that are going bankrupt and this idea that
:10:10. > :10:13.the nature is -- NHS in England is fully fund is wrong. Yes, it has
:10:13. > :10:18.been difficult. It has been difficult, because his party have
:10:18. > :10:24.cut the amount of money available to Wales. But we have done what we
:10:24. > :10:27.can to protect NHS spend and ministers don't interfere on the
:10:27. > :10:33.National Clinical Forum and the health board are in discussions.
:10:33. > :10:35.This is an example of the confusion we see from the Tories. They
:10:35. > :10:42.criticise ministers for travelling around Wales and then for not
:10:42. > :10:50.travelling. What we see is confusion and chaos in the party
:10:50. > :10:55.opposite. Now we move to the leader.... Wre move to leader of
:10:55. > :10:59.Plaid Cymru. This time last week we were discussing how survivors of
:10:59. > :11:03.abuse could come forward and have their store yus heard and believed.
:11:03. > :11:07.We know that survivors can be damaged by their experiences and
:11:07. > :11:11.they need help and support. The Children's Commissioner has said
:11:12. > :11:16.that his office has received more than 50 calls in relation to abuse.
:11:16. > :11:19.However, since then we have seen public criticism of someone who
:11:19. > :11:24.should never have been paraded through TV studios in the first
:11:24. > :11:28.place. First Minister, this is not about the press, but it is about
:11:28. > :11:33.making sure that people who are abused get justice. Will you join
:11:33. > :11:40.me in condemning the media reporting, which sensationalises
:11:40. > :11:47.and simplifys complex story, rather than treating vulnerable people
:11:47. > :11:51.with the dignity they deserve. has it right. What we saw last week
:11:51. > :11:56.bordered on hysteria and we saw a situation where a part of evidence
:11:56. > :12:00.that was submitted by one potential witness was found to be flawed. But
:12:00. > :12:06.that doesn't mean that all the evidence that is new is flawed. The
:12:06. > :12:08.worry that I have is that the events of last week will discourage
:12:08. > :12:12.people from coming forward with credible new evidence, not just
:12:12. > :12:16.with with regard to what happened in Bryn Estyn and other homes, that
:12:16. > :12:22.will mean it may with that it would be more difficult to get to the
:12:22. > :12:26.truth of what actually happened then and since. That is my concern
:12:26. > :12:30.too. There are now nine separate inquiries into child abuse, leaving
:12:30. > :12:34.the potential for confusion and possibly allowing tracks to be
:12:34. > :12:37.covered if those inquiries are not working together closely. The Prime
:12:37. > :12:42.Minister has said the terms of reference for two of the inquiries
:12:42. > :12:48.about care homes launched last week were going to be drawn up on a
:12:48. > :12:51.cross party basis. We need a quick resolution, but we also need a
:12:51. > :12:55.thorough investigation. Can I ask what discussions you have had with
:12:55. > :13:02.the Home Office about the terms of reference for the inquiry and also
:13:02. > :13:05.the time scales for the inquiries? There have been no discussions with
:13:05. > :13:11.the Home Office. I have discussed this with the Secretary of State
:13:11. > :13:15.and I discussed with the children's commissioner, whether there was a
:13:15. > :13:20.need to nfr further in Wales. We took the view that was not the case
:13:20. > :13:25.at the moment. But the situation will be reviewed. The terms of
:13:25. > :13:31.reference of the reviews ordered by the UK Government are reasonably
:13:31. > :13:35.clear. But in terms of how such ink -- inquiries will proceed, those
:13:35. > :13:39.are matters that I will be discussing with the UK Government.
:13:39. > :13:47.At the heart of these concerns are in traditional institution which
:13:47. > :13:52.have been discredited. This Senedd is at the heart of new politics of
:13:52. > :13:57.co-operation and transparency. We have our ob new institutions like
:13:57. > :14:01.the office of the Children's Commissioner. Will you ensure that
:14:01. > :14:06.the Children's Commissioner's office is sufficiently resourced to
:14:06. > :14:11.carry oith out whatever informations they - carry out
:14:11. > :14:17.whatever investigations they believe they need to co-and to safe
:14:17. > :14:20.carding - -- and that safeguarding children's boards will not allow
:14:20. > :14:24.vulnerable children to fall through the gaps. I have asked the
:14:24. > :14:28.commission tore keep an eye on the situation and I encourage the
:14:28. > :14:31.people to contact the commissioner if they have issues they wish to
:14:31. > :14:34.discuss, or evidence they wish to presents. The children's
:14:34. > :14:37.commissioner can channel people towards counselling as well where
:14:37. > :14:43.that is important. We have a children's commissioner for a
:14:43. > :14:47.reason. One of the reasons is to ensure when a situation arises
:14:47. > :14:57.there is something independent of Government who can take forward
:14:57. > :14:57.
:14:57. > :15:00.such investigations as the commissioner feels is necessary.
:15:00. > :15:07.First Minister, we have already heard today that an independent
:15:07. > :15:12.report by the National Clinical Forum was rewritten after will be -
:15:12. > :15:22.- lobbying by a health board. What is the purpose of the National
:15:22. > :15:24.
:15:24. > :15:27.It is there to provide advice. are in the middle of one of the
:15:27. > :15:35.most controversial reorganisation of NHS services since these
:15:35. > :15:39.Assembly was created. There is a huge amount of public concern. Your
:15:39. > :15:45.government needs to handle this reorganisation with care and
:15:45. > :15:49.openness to ensure that to get the right result at the end. Given that
:15:49. > :15:53.your Health Minister centre this forum, given that government
:15:53. > :15:59.officials sit on it, was your Health Minister aware of what was
:15:59. > :16:04.going on? Officials do not sit on the forum, they are observers. The
:16:04. > :16:08.minister was made aware of the situation after the chain of events.
:16:08. > :16:12.It would not be appropriate for the minister to become aware. It would
:16:12. > :16:21.have been wrong if the minister had tried to interfere with the
:16:21. > :16:25.dialogue that has taking place between the board and the Forum.
:16:25. > :16:30.People in the BBC lost their jobs this week because they did not know
:16:30. > :16:36.what was going on on their watch. They hadn't got a grip of the
:16:36. > :16:41.situation. When will you and your Health Minister get a grip of this
:16:41. > :16:46.most controversial and serious reorganisation?
:16:46. > :16:51.I have to say this is an example of some double-standards. There is no
:16:51. > :16:54.doubt in my mind had their Health Minister interfere it then the
:16:54. > :16:59.leader of the Liberal Democrats would have called for her head for
:16:59. > :17:03.that reason. She has taken the proper stare of not intervening in
:17:03. > :17:08.what is an independence process. Advice given to buy independent
:17:08. > :17:13.body to a health board is the proper way of managing things. From
:17:13. > :17:19.the point of view of confidence in the forum, it is there. She uses
:17:19. > :17:24.the words that the report was rewritten, that is not correct. She
:17:24. > :17:32.has acted perfectly properly in not intervening. Otherwise, she would
:17:32. > :17:39.have been the subject of criticism on the floor of this Chamber.
:17:39. > :17:47.We move it to question three. is the Welsh Government doing to
:17:47. > :17:52.create the conditions for economic growth in Wales? It is in the
:17:52. > :17:59.minutes. Concerns have been raised that no assurance has been given by
:17:59. > :18:05.the Welsh Government as to the future of business rate relief
:18:06. > :18:10.schemes in Wales. This uncertainty is having a significant impact on
:18:10. > :18:16.the ability of small businesses to plan effectively for investment
:18:16. > :18:20.beyond this point. Has the Welsh Government made provision in its
:18:20. > :18:29.budget to further fund the rates relief in the event that this is
:18:29. > :18:33.not a corresponding consequential from the UK Government after they -
:18:33. > :18:43.- after 20th March 13 we expect to see some certainty from the UK
:18:43. > :18:45.
:18:46. > :18:49.Government. Thank you. Procurement is important
:18:49. > :18:54.to the welfare of businesses and companies in Wales and the finance
:18:54. > :19:00.minister said there was great concern about the framework
:19:00. > :19:03.contracts in existence particularly in relation to the schools are the
:19:03. > :19:09.21st century programme. A number of schools from North Wales have
:19:09. > :19:17.contacted me and are concerned about the contracts that are in
:19:17. > :19:21.place for this programme. The turned itself is worth �4.5 million
:19:21. > :19:27.to create the framework. The question I would like to a scheme
:19:27. > :19:31.is what can you do to ensure that North Wales businesses will profit
:19:31. > :19:34.from this major investment in the face of real concerns that have
:19:34. > :19:41.been expressed by the business owners?
:19:41. > :19:51.We want to ensure that most of the Fens have retained the local
:19:51. > :19:52.
:19:52. > :19:55.communities. We would encourage them to contact the government
:19:55. > :20:05.departments to make sure they know exactly what they should do in
:20:05. > :20:08.order to be successful. The success of the Cardiff enterprise zone in
:20:08. > :20:16.bringing private sector funding is critical for plans of growth.
:20:16. > :20:20.Cardiff council approved plans for an office development. This week it
:20:20. > :20:30.has been announced that the council is to buy the land to build a new
:20:30. > :20:31.
:20:31. > :20:35.county hall. Doesn't the Russell Goodway gazumping this undermine
:20:35. > :20:45.the whole principle of an enterprise zone? I can't answer for
:20:45. > :20:50.
:20:50. > :20:52.Cardiff council. Kirsten number four. When does the
:20:52. > :20:57.First Minister expect the Welsh Government to acquire new borrowing
:20:57. > :21:02.powers?. Discussions have commenced and we
:21:02. > :21:07.would like to have the powers are soon as possible. We would all like
:21:07. > :21:10.to know what you mean by soon as we would like to know what the
:21:10. > :21:14.relationship is between the new borrowing powers and the government
:21:14. > :21:20.budget. Was proportional or percentage of the budget you have
:21:20. > :21:25.the right to borrow in future and what will be the link between that
:21:25. > :21:30.percentage and the tax-raising powers? We have to await the
:21:30. > :21:36.conclusions of the Silk Commission part one. That isn't linked with
:21:36. > :21:40.the commission -- issue of borrowing. It is relevant and it is
:21:40. > :21:44.something that Treasury will make sure Wales can borrow as soon as
:21:44. > :21:48.possible. We are discussing some projects with the Treasury that
:21:48. > :21:53.could be funded prior to the conversion of the power to
:21:53. > :21:58.government. In the context of borrowing powers
:21:58. > :22:02.the debate has been around borrowing related to income streams
:22:02. > :22:06.from tax-raising powers. Is the government considering the
:22:06. > :22:11.possibility of using borrowing powers in other areas where there
:22:11. > :22:16.might be projects which produce income revenues such as investment
:22:16. > :22:20.in housing should produce a rental income stream. The issue of
:22:20. > :22:25.borrowing isn't wrapped up in the announcement was made with the
:22:25. > :22:29.Treasury. We don't accept there is a need for an income stream before
:22:29. > :22:34.you can borrow. Northern Ireland does not have that but we see there
:22:34. > :22:44.is an argument for it. We want to see borrowing powers survivors
:22:44. > :22:49.quickly as possible and we hope that once -- silk has announced
:22:49. > :22:53.next week it will be put in place. If they're so Commission reports
:22:53. > :22:58.positively and I hope that will be the case, come the First Minister
:22:58. > :23:04.tell us what discussions the Welsh Government officials have had with
:23:04. > :23:08.the minister to date to ensure that any new borrowing powers will be
:23:08. > :23:13.established on a firm legislative basis. -- silk Commission. For have
:23:13. > :23:17.been a number of discussions on what kind of legislation could be
:23:17. > :23:21.used and also we have informed the UK Government is important the
:23:21. > :23:28.conclusion of the commission and the issue of borrowing powers has
:23:28. > :23:30.put in place way before the next general election. Will the First
:23:30. > :23:34.Minister outline the Welsh Government's plans to improve the
:23:34. > :23:38.competitiveness of the North Wales economy. Our plans are to be found
:23:38. > :23:43.in the programme for government. Food manufacturing is of course a
:23:43. > :23:47.major future growth industry in North Wales and has demonstrated
:23:47. > :23:52.recently by the success of events such as the land: Food festival
:23:52. > :24:00.where the Deputy Minister was guest speaker. -- Llangollen Food
:24:00. > :24:10.Festival. We import �1.2 billion worth of their products than it
:24:10. > :24:16.
:24:16. > :24:19.exports. There is growth potential here and abroad. What affairs is a
:24:19. > :24:23.government of making to forge a new trading links between the she food
:24:23. > :24:30.manufacturers in Wales and those emerging markets? Those links up
:24:30. > :24:37.been built for many, many years. We are supporting six companies to
:24:37. > :24:44.exhibit in China. We are recruiting food and drink companies to exhibit
:24:44. > :24:48.in the West Pavilion at the Gulf Food Show in Dubai next February.
:24:48. > :24:51.When I meet with owners of businesses in North Wales the
:24:51. > :24:58.volume of red tape and bureaucracy they have to deal with is a
:24:58. > :25:03.recurring complaint. They describe measures coming out of this place
:25:03. > :25:12.as platinum plated. And necessary red tape has taking time from
:25:12. > :25:16.growing businesses. -- unnecessary. It prevents the job growth. It also
:25:16. > :25:25.increases the risks of job flight across the border. What support
:25:25. > :25:30.which you give to commissioning a third or a region review on theirs.
:25:30. > :25:35.Well as businesses have to be given the freedom to deliver jobs and
:25:35. > :25:38.prosperity of a stab a member provides no evidence a tour to back
:25:38. > :25:42.up her claims. I have heard nothing from businesses to suggest that is
:25:42. > :25:46.a level of red tape in Wales that is different or worse than in
:25:46. > :25:54.England. If the member will give me concrete evidence to back up what
:25:54. > :26:02.she is saying a were considerate. I am sure that the First Minister
:26:02. > :26:07.will remember that in the economic recovery plan it was said that land
:26:07. > :26:13.use planning, specifically, can contribute to economic benefit
:26:13. > :26:20.either in North or in anywhere else in Wales by being simpler and more
:26:20. > :26:23.business-friendly. Do you still agree with a statement and if you
:26:23. > :26:28.do worthy Planning Bill introduced by the government deal with those
:26:28. > :26:35.issues? I agree entirely. It is important that the planning system
:26:35. > :26:42.should respond swiftly but we must retain the as part of the planning
:26:42. > :26:46.system that provide democratic input. One of the things that is a
:26:46. > :26:52.complaint from business is it takes so long to get the initial
:26:52. > :26:59.decisions so it is important that the Bill itself look at ways of
:26:59. > :27:02.making sure decisions are taken quickly. Will the First Minister
:27:02. > :27:06.make a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to improve
:27:06. > :27:09.mental health services in Wales. launched a bill for mental health
:27:09. > :27:13.which is a strategy for improving mental health and well-being of the
:27:13. > :27:17.people of files. First Minister, for far too long people suffering
:27:17. > :27:25.from mental health problems have suffered from discrimination. This
:27:25. > :27:29.is coupled with a concerted effort of thousands of people who were
:27:29. > :27:36.using the welfare system. What steps can you take to ensure that
:27:36. > :27:41.we get all the support they need? We seek to address that to make
:27:41. > :27:46.sure any stigma is removed and also to ensure that people understand
:27:46. > :27:52.what services are available to deal with mental health issues in Wales.
:27:52. > :28:02.One area that is our priority is to prioritise save, dignified and
:28:02. > :28:03.
:28:03. > :28:08.evidence based interventions. leading academic leader has raised
:28:08. > :28:12.questions about morale. He has highlighted that the services is
:28:12. > :28:18.run by a locum doctors that the senior nurses, psychologists and
:28:18. > :28:23.paramedical staff and leaving a vacuum. The disintegrating
:28:23. > :28:27.situation in North West has become the antithesis of a personalised
:28:27. > :28:33.service. I can send you further information was what would you do
:28:33. > :28:36.to him to address these concerns? The delivery plan for this was
:28:36. > :28:46.published in October and it is intended to improve services for
:28:46. > :28:53.mental health in Wales. Since the close of reward over the summer
:28:53. > :28:58.there are no more emergency beds available for mental health
:28:58. > :29:03.patients at that hospital. Mental health of patients and often the
:29:03. > :29:08.least willing to raise their voice in favour of their own services. We
:29:08. > :29:15.Nubian at the cards for them and ask the Hywel Dda Health Board want
:29:15. > :29:19.their timetable is to reopen those mental health beds in Aberystwyth.
:29:19. > :29:25.-- will you be an advocate for them. I will ask the Health Minister to
:29:25. > :29:29.write to members so the certainty of the future of this service they
:29:29. > :29:34.ever stop there is a strong link between diabetes and mental illness.
:29:34. > :29:38.At diabetes charity shone a spotlight on a mental health come
:29:38. > :29:44.if -- condition where young women start taking their insulin in order
:29:44. > :29:52.to lose weight sometimes a terrible health consequences. With you make
:29:52. > :29:55.sure you plan has specific references to mental health.
:29:55. > :30:00.diabetes national framework highlights the need to take into
:30:00. > :30:07.account of mental health issues for stem we do expect local health boss
:30:07. > :30:10.to deliver by 2013 on the plan. In looking at delivery the plan will
:30:10. > :30:20.emphasise the need to include people suffering from mental health
:30:20. > :30:24.First Minister, what measure will the Welsh Government be taking to
:30:24. > :30:29.tackle the reduction in the number of Welsh apprenticeships?
:30:29. > :30:33.announced a further �5 million investment in apprenticeship places
:30:33. > :30:39.for young people and the member will be aware of conclusion of
:30:39. > :30:45.discussions between the Government and his party. Music to my ears,
:30:45. > :30:50.First Minister! I'm delighted you mentioned Plaid Cymru's generation
:30:50. > :30:56.deal on the budget and the potential to give hope to 10,000
:30:56. > :31:01.young people. What is the time frame for the skpriens park that is
:31:01. > :31:05.the result of further pressure from Plaid Cymru and hope for further
:31:05. > :31:09.apprenticeships. -- science park. These matters are being looked at
:31:10. > :31:15.now. What we wish to do is ensure the science park is established and
:31:15. > :31:20.to ensure as much external funding as possible is brought into such a
:31:20. > :31:26.scheme. That is something that, as was agreed, will be taken forward
:31:26. > :31:31.as soon as possible. Will the First Minister outline what steps are
:31:31. > :31:36.being taken to ensure passenger safety on bus services in Wales.
:31:36. > :31:43.Safety is not devolved. These are matters for the UK Government. But
:31:43. > :31:47.there are regulations in place. First Minister, buses that
:31:47. > :31:53.transport Powis children to and from school are required to have
:31:53. > :31:58.the operators to have seat belts and for the drivers to have a CRB
:31:58. > :32:01.check. The current retendering process for school transport in
:32:02. > :32:06.Powis will mean a significant number of children will now not be
:32:06. > :32:12.transported on school buses, but will travel to school on public
:32:12. > :32:17.services buses, who do not have the same requirements for seat belt and
:32:17. > :32:22.do not require the drive to have a CRB check. Is it right for parents
:32:22. > :32:27.of those children to be concerned at the changes and the risks
:32:27. > :32:33.associated with moving from buses that do have c RB check drivers and
:32:33. > :32:37.seat belts on to transport that does not. I wouldn't want the give
:32:37. > :32:41.the impression that public transport is unsafe. But this is
:32:41. > :32:45.clearly a matter for Powis, but I'm sure the local authority will need
:32:45. > :32:52.to bear in mind the need tone sure the safety of children when they
:32:52. > :32:57.trfl -- need to ensure the safety of children hen they go to school.
:32:57. > :33:01.In the last few days I have been contacted by constituents regarding
:33:01. > :33:07.getting on to bus. I have had one who is in a wheelchair who was
:33:07. > :33:14.unable to access a bus. I have have a constitute -- constituent who
:33:14. > :33:18.suffers from sight loss and the bus driver doesn't say what stop
:33:18. > :33:23.they're at and hope they have not missed it. Is there anything the
:33:23. > :33:29.Government can do to ensure that people with disabilitys have equal
:33:29. > :33:35.access to bus travel. As I mentioned, these are matters that
:33:35. > :33:40.are not dedevolved. It is for the operator. But it is good practice
:33:40. > :33:45.and when somebody is using a service, particularly when they
:33:45. > :33:55.have problems with their sight, that the driver should tell them
:33:55. > :33:58.where their stop is. That is common humanity. If there have been
:33:58. > :34:02.occasions when people have not received that service, I'm sure
:34:02. > :34:07.drivers would want to provide it. I'm delighted your local government
:34:07. > :34:11.minister has agreed to look at what constituents a safe walking or
:34:11. > :34:16.cycling route to school. It is possible as a result of that that
:34:16. > :34:21.more children may end up taking safer bus routes to school. And
:34:21. > :34:25.there will be a financial consequence. Can you give us your
:34:25. > :34:30.reassurance that your Government will not use cost to outweigh child
:34:30. > :34:33.protection when it comes to providing such 16s -- services.
:34:33. > :34:37.Local authority take different views in terms of the appropriate
:34:37. > :34:41.distance. There is a statutory distance of course. But it is for
:34:41. > :34:51.local authorities to ensure they're providing the correct level of
:34:51. > :34:54.
:34:54. > :34:57.transport. TRANSLATION: It appear that most of these questions are
:34:57. > :35:03.either non-devolved issues, or matters involving local authorities.
:35:03. > :35:08.May I refer to a matter that is directly apertaining to the Welsh
:35:08. > :35:12.Government as regards the safety of people on bus. It is essential that
:35:12. > :35:19.they can access the buses in the first place. Do 0 accept the way
:35:19. > :35:23.your government and your minister has dealt with the programme of
:35:23. > :35:28.concessionary fares for bus has led to a situation where fewer buses
:35:28. > :35:33.are available and the prices have been... Have increased. No, I think
:35:33. > :35:39.the deal provided to those running bus services is fair. We must bear
:35:39. > :35:43.in mind that we in Wales have a system of free bus passes for those
:35:43. > :35:47.over 60 and are disabled. Something that isn't available in other parts
:35:47. > :35:56.of the UK. That demonstrates what the Welsh Government thinks about
:35:56. > :36:00.ensuring that people can continue to use the bus. Will the First
:36:00. > :36:05.Minister make a statement on the provision of cancer services in
:36:05. > :36:13.Wales? The Welsh Government's cancer delivery plan, launched in
:36:13. > :36:18.June, sets out our expectations on this issue. Thank you, but the
:36:19. > :36:24.clinical, the NICE clinical guidelines on breast cancer, which
:36:24. > :36:31.were published in October 2006 recommend annual MRI screening for
:36:31. > :36:36.young women who have a high risk of developing cancer. Not withstanding
:36:36. > :36:40.that, six years hence we are still waiting. When is the Government
:36:40. > :36:45.going to provide MRI screening for high Rix women in Wales. We want to
:36:45. > :36:50.ensure that those at risk are screened as often as possible. In
:36:50. > :36:57.terms of the point raised by the member, I will write to him to
:36:57. > :37:02.explain where the Government is in terms of this issue. One of
:37:02. > :37:06.commitments of the Welsh Government is for every patient with cancer to
:37:06. > :37:10.have a key worker. Who progress has been made in fulfilling this
:37:10. > :37:16.commitment, bearing in mind one of the most important issues for
:37:16. > :37:22.patients is to have a single point of contact when needed. They are
:37:22. > :37:29.expected to assign a named key work tore assess and record a care plan
:37:29. > :37:34.the needs of everyone with cancer. All LHBs have been writ Tonga ther
:37:34. > :37:40.evidence in the application of the policy and work is under way to
:37:40. > :37:44.develop a performance measure for key workers. First Minister, I'm
:37:44. > :37:47.aware of press reports that your Government is considering the
:37:47. > :37:51.establishment of a modern treatments fund, which is something
:37:51. > :37:54.which my party would welcome, given our stance on need for access to
:37:54. > :37:58.modern treatments for thing like cancer. Can you clarify the
:37:58. > :38:03.position of the Welsh Government in terms of this, for the next year's
:38:03. > :38:07.budget. We're looking at a fund and it a suggestion that came from the
:38:07. > :38:11.Liberal Democrat, which I acknowledge, that will help secure
:38:11. > :38:16.treatments, particularly technology that delivers treatment in the next
:38:16. > :38:21.few years. What it isn't is a drugs fund or a way of try 20 get around
:38:21. > :38:26.NICE guidelines. That is something I Wasp want to emphasise. But it is
:38:26. > :38:31.something we wish to take forward to make sure we have the best
:38:31. > :38:35.technology available to treat people in Wales. Will the First
:38:35. > :38:41.Minister give details of the Welsh Government's plans to tackle the
:38:41. > :38:48.problem of asbestos in schools. have requested authority that the
:38:48. > :38:52.schools are performing their duty in relation to this. There is
:38:52. > :38:57.concern that many schools do contain some degree of asbestos. It
:38:57. > :39:03.was once thought it was safe to leave it in place, but that is not
:39:03. > :39:09.current line in thinking. Co-you -- do you agree that parents have the
:39:09. > :39:13.right to know the level of asbestos in schools and a day Tay base with
:39:13. > :39:18.a partnership between the Welsh Government and local authorities in
:39:18. > :39:21.Wales would help. Each local authority has an asbestos
:39:21. > :39:25.management plan. I have no doubt that local authorities will be
:39:25. > :39:32.looking to manage asbestos containing materials in line with
:39:32. > :39:37.current legislation and thinking in terms of the health issues.
:39:37. > :39:42.TRANSLATION: Thank you. I want to understand whether you have an
:39:42. > :39:46.objection to people being told if asbestos is in school or not.
:39:46. > :39:52.up to local authoritys if they wish to notify people. What is important
:39:52. > :39:58.of course is that people shouldn't think that the fact that there is
:39:58. > :40:02.asbestos present is a risk to children. Thank you will the First
:40:02. > :40:07.Minister make a statement on funding for first sector
:40:07. > :40:13.organisations provide bdty Welsh Government. Direct funding is over
:40:13. > :40:18.� 340 million supporting 900 organisationings. In light of what
:40:18. > :40:24.has ped with regards to this, could you outline the way you
:40:24. > :40:28.organisation funding and a monitor funding has changed in relation to
:40:28. > :40:32.service level agreements. Grant management project was established
:40:32. > :40:37.in 2010 and a centre of excellence has been created to develop the
:40:37. > :40:42.right procedures in terms of dealing with funding, where funding
:40:42. > :40:52.is provided to third sector organisations. All grants across
:40:52. > :40:54.
:40:54. > :41:03.the Welsh Government have been reviewed. Don't forget you can see
:41:03. > :41:13.more coverage of the National Assembly online. Watching for us
:41:13. > :41:13.
:41:13. > :41:17.today was our reporter Brian Meechan. A lot of talk on health
:41:17. > :41:23.services and the questionable redrafts of an independent report
:41:23. > :41:29.as one member said. Yes, this is the report by the National Clinical
:41:29. > :41:33.Forum, looking at proposals for changes in north Wales. The
:41:33. > :41:37.suggestion has been that that has been rewritten. We believe at first
:41:38. > :41:42.it was critical of the idea of the changes that are being proposed in
:41:42. > :41:46.north Wales, saying that they're not sustainable. The Conservatives
:41:46. > :41:50.are asking why that has been rewritten. They say it follows
:41:50. > :41:53.discussions between the National Clinical Forum that was set up to
:41:53. > :41:57.give independent advice and discussions between them and the
:41:57. > :42:01.local authority health board leaders. The Welsh Government have
:42:01. > :42:05.said it is not a matter for them. The health minister did not
:42:05. > :42:08.intervene. They say she is now being criticised for not
:42:08. > :42:12.intervening, when she would have been criticised if she had
:42:12. > :42:18.intervened. Because this a matter between the local authority health
:42:18. > :42:23.board and the forum. One other story today were the historical
:42:23. > :42:30.claim of child abuse in north Wales care homes. Some members saying
:42:30. > :42:35.that the story has now sadly moved from these claims and shifted to
:42:35. > :42:40.focus on the BBC. That is rightment. Some strong comments. One from
:42:40. > :42:46.saying that no matter what happens in terms of BBC's reporting of this,
:42:46. > :42:51.it is important not to lose the sight of the fact that it is about
:42:51. > :42:56.finding the truth. We heard from Leanne Wood. She said she was
:42:56. > :43:01.critical of the previous coverage and twhauz followed by Carwyn Jones
:43:01. > :43:04.who called the reporting a frenzy and said it was unlikely or make it
:43:04. > :43:09.less likely that some people would come forward with information if
:43:10. > :43:14.nay felt this was how they were going to be treated. Thank you. And
:43:15. > :43:18.that is it from us today. We are back at the same time next week