13/11/2012 am.pm


13/11/2012

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Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and our weekly coverage

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of questions to the First Minister. From a quick look at the order

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paper there are lots timely questions today, one about Police

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Commissioners ahead of the election on Thursday, another on borrowing

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powers ahead of the Silk Commission report and there's also a focus on

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health services as reconfiguration plans in North Wales have again

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come under the spotlight. We'll hear the answers in a moment. But

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first let me give you the opportunity to get in touch with us.

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If you want to comment on anything on the programme or any other

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political news for that matter you can reach us via Twitter - we're

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@walespolitics. Or send us an email to am.pm.co.uk. Well, business in

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the chamber is already underway, but let's take a look now at

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today's questions to the First Minister. The National Assembly for

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Wales is now in session. Before we start the business, I would like to

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I am sure you are all aware, I'm pleased to announce on 12th

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November royal asent was given to the National Assembly official

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language act 2012. It places a duty on the National Assembly and the

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commission to treat Wesh and English on the basis of equality.

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This is an historic occasion, it is the first act of the Assembly to

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receive royal assent. The letters patent and the act are in display

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for the members and public to see until the end of term. Now we move

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to the agenda and questions to the First Minister. What are the Wesh

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Government's priorities. They are set out in the programme for

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Government. Yesterday we ladies and gentlemened part two of the plan in

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my constituency, that will develop 3 hundred homes. A key regeneration

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scheme to create 1,000 homes, do you agree that projects such as

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this will help the construction industry lead the economy out of

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recession and what actions the Wesh government have taken to encourage

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more such projects? It is a good pleased and the now mortgage

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guarantee scheme to help people take the first step to get on or

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move up the property ladder. Of course that is a scheme that will

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help to see young people and first time buyers to get on to the

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property market for the first time and support the purchase of the

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3,000 new build homes up to the value of �250,000. Good afternoon.

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People in Aberavon will be as concerned about the possible done

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grading of A&E and in the princess of Wales in Bridgend. Would the

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people be right in being concerned if ambulance services are not

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considered a central part of the consultation, then the consultation

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is meaningless. That is the view of your party but not the public.

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the First Minister make a statement on the provision of health services

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in north Wales? Yes our plans and priority are found in our programme

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for Government. First Minister, it is a damning indictment of your

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Government's approach to health services that what heart -- hot on

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the foot on the controversy over the Marcus Longly report we see

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another questionable redrafting of a supposedly independent report. Is

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it not the case that your Wesh Labour Government is more

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interested in policy based evidence than evidence-based policy. Why is

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your Government opposed to independent thinking, or indeed

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controlling over criticism? She has contradicted the press release her

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party has sent out. The press release they sent out criticised

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the minister for not intervening, another member says she has

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intervened. The reality is this is a matter between the LHB and the

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National Clinical Forum. There has been no interference from Wesh

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Government. That ising in ee-- Welsh Government. That is something

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that is right and proper. Thank you. First Minister, the events of the

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last few days concerning the BBC are of course of concern, more

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importantly it risks diverting attention from the issue of

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protecting vulnerable and young people in the care system. Given

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the proud record of the National Assembly and the Welsh Government

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has in child safeguarding, will you reaffirm your commitment to making

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sure despite all the noise and frenzy around the BBC that we get

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to the truth of what happened in north Wales and wery step to

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protect vulnerable young people in care. Yes, I'm aware wof what the

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UK Government has announced in regards to inquiring into these

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matters. I met with the Children's Commissioner and asked him to exam

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minute the situation as it developed and then to advise me as

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to what further steps may need to be taken. TRANSLATION: There was a

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discussion yesterday at the Public Accounts Committee on the

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negotiations taking place between national networks and the local

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health boards. Including in the case of north Wales the neo-natal

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network. Is it possible to ensure within the health service that the

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minutes of these networks should be made available to the public so,

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that the public and ourselves as Assembly members can scrutinise any

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recommendations brought forward from the local health boards?

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TransI will consider the boards of member and write back as regards

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what can be done to ensure clarity. TRANSLATION: You will be aware of

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the concern of local authorities in north Wales that there will be

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greater pressure on their services in light of the proposed changes to

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health services in north Wales. Can you give us an assurance your

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Government will not allow any changes that put too much pressure

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on the services of those local authorities and as a result would

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cost them more? We want to ensure the authorities collaborate and we

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understand naturally that there will be a need to change the way in

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which Social Services also work in order to ensure that the people

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receive the optimum service available. Now questions from the

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party leader. First the leader of the opposition. Thank you. First

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Minister, is it right that so- called independent forum, the

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National Clinical Forum, drafts a report, presents that report to the

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local health board and its chairman redrafts it so that its more in

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tune with the thinking of the health board. How is that

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independent? This is not a matter for the Welsh Government. Of course

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your minister set up that forum, does it not endorse the perception

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and the reality that many people feel that you have got the Langley

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report, this report and you have failure to achieve ambulance

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response times and to reach cancer treatment times and to deliver a

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budget to safeguard NHS services, �500 million out of NHS in Wales.

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Is it showing a lack of leadership in the Welsh NHS, shouldn't you get

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a grip of what is going on, so people can have confidence that

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their NHS will deliver on their needs? I know the people of Wales

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are more than delighted to see his party have nothing to do with if

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NHS. We saw his party making millionaires of GPs. That is the

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future of the health service under his party. We will ensure the

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service is a public health service and doesn't seek to enrich those

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within it. Sniet it is amazing a party -- It is amazing a member of

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the party ta created those millionaires in the NHS. I asked

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you a specific question on the ability of people to have

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confidence in so-called independent reports. It is no wonder that with

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such what mamentable defence over the weekend there was reports you

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were thinking of reorganising your cabinet and most of that was

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focused on the two Ministers either side of you and you felt you had to

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come out and defend that reshuffle. But you only brought the reshuffle

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up to Christmas time. Is it right in January many of your colleagues

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will be stuffed and you should consider the health minister's

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future, given the direction of the Welsh NHS. I was asked yesterday

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whether a reshusm was imnepbts. But it is not. -- reshuffle was

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imminent. But it is not. I'm sure the rumours were started by the

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party opposite. Look at what is happening in England. More than 6

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thousand nursing posts have been lost since May 2010. We know there

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are trusts in England that are going bankrupt and this idea that

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the nature is -- NHS in England is fully fund is wrong. Yes, it has

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been difficult. It has been difficult, because his party have

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cut the amount of money available to Wales. But we have done what we

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can to protect NHS spend and ministers don't interfere on the

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National Clinical Forum and the health board are in discussions.

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This is an example of the confusion we see from the Tories. They

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criticise ministers for travelling around Wales and then for not

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travelling. What we see is confusion and chaos in the party

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opposite. Now we move to the leader.... Wre move to leader of

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Plaid Cymru. This time last week we were discussing how survivors of

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abuse could come forward and have their store yus heard and believed.

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We know that survivors can be damaged by their experiences and

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they need help and support. The Children's Commissioner has said

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that his office has received more than 50 calls in relation to abuse.

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However, since then we have seen public criticism of someone who

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should never have been paraded through TV studios in the first

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place. First Minister, this is not about the press, but it is about

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making sure that people who are abused get justice. Will you join

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me in condemning the media reporting, which sensationalises

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and simplifys complex story, rather than treating vulnerable people

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with the dignity they deserve. has it right. What we saw last week

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bordered on hysteria and we saw a situation where a part of evidence

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that was submitted by one potential witness was found to be flawed. But

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that doesn't mean that all the evidence that is new is flawed. The

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worry that I have is that the events of last week will discourage

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people from coming forward with credible new evidence, not just

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with with regard to what happened in Bryn Estyn and other homes, that

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will mean it may with that it would be more difficult to get to the

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truth of what actually happened then and since. That is my concern

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too. There are now nine separate inquiries into child abuse, leaving

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the potential for confusion and possibly allowing tracks to be

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covered if those inquiries are not working together closely. The Prime

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Minister has said the terms of reference for two of the inquiries

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about care homes launched last week were going to be drawn up on a

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cross party basis. We need a quick resolution, but we also need a

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thorough investigation. Can I ask what discussions you have had with

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the Home Office about the terms of reference for the inquiry and also

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the time scales for the inquiries? There have been no discussions with

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the Home Office. I have discussed this with the Secretary of State

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and I discussed with the children's commissioner, whether there was a

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need to nfr further in Wales. We took the view that was not the case

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at the moment. But the situation will be reviewed. The terms of

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reference of the reviews ordered by the UK Government are reasonably

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clear. But in terms of how such ink -- inquiries will proceed, those

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are matters that I will be discussing with the UK Government.

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At the heart of these concerns are in traditional institution which

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have been discredited. This Senedd is at the heart of new politics of

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co-operation and transparency. We have our ob new institutions like

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the office of the Children's Commissioner. Will you ensure that

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the Children's Commissioner's office is sufficiently resourced to

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carry oith out whatever informations they - carry out

:14:06.:14:11.

whatever investigations they believe they need to co-and to safe

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carding - -- and that safeguarding children's boards will not allow

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vulnerable children to fall through the gaps. I have asked the

:14:20.:14:24.

commission tore keep an eye on the situation and I encourage the

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people to contact the commissioner if they have issues they wish to

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discuss, or evidence they wish to presents. The children's

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commissioner can channel people towards counselling as well where

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that is important. We have a children's commissioner for a

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reason. One of the reasons is to ensure when a situation arises

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there is something independent of Government who can take forward

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:14:57.:14:57.

such investigations as the commissioner feels is necessary.

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First Minister, we have already heard today that an independent

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report by the National Clinical Forum was rewritten after will be -

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- lobbying by a health board. What is the purpose of the National

:15:12.:15:22.
:15:22.:15:24.

It is there to provide advice. are in the middle of one of the

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most controversial reorganisation of NHS services since these

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Assembly was created. There is a huge amount of public concern. Your

:15:35.:15:39.

government needs to handle this reorganisation with care and

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openness to ensure that to get the right result at the end. Given that

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your Health Minister centre this forum, given that government

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officials sit on it, was your Health Minister aware of what was

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going on? Officials do not sit on the forum, they are observers. The

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minister was made aware of the situation after the chain of events.

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It would not be appropriate for the minister to become aware. It would

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have been wrong if the minister had tried to interfere with the

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dialogue that has taking place between the board and the Forum.

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People in the BBC lost their jobs this week because they did not know

:16:25.:16:30.

what was going on on their watch. They hadn't got a grip of the

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situation. When will you and your Health Minister get a grip of this

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most controversial and serious reorganisation?

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I have to say this is an example of some double-standards. There is no

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doubt in my mind had their Health Minister interfere it then the

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leader of the Liberal Democrats would have called for her head for

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that reason. She has taken the proper stare of not intervening in

:16:59.:17:03.

what is an independence process. Advice given to buy independent

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body to a health board is the proper way of managing things. From

:17:08.:17:13.

the point of view of confidence in the forum, it is there. She uses

:17:13.:17:19.

the words that the report was rewritten, that is not correct. She

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has acted perfectly properly in not intervening. Otherwise, she would

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have been the subject of criticism on the floor of this Chamber.

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We move it to question three. is the Welsh Government doing to

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create the conditions for economic growth in Wales? It is in the

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minutes. Concerns have been raised that no assurance has been given by

:17:52.:17:59.

the Welsh Government as to the future of business rate relief

:17:59.:18:05.

schemes in Wales. This uncertainty is having a significant impact on

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the ability of small businesses to plan effectively for investment

:18:10.:18:16.

beyond this point. Has the Welsh Government made provision in its

:18:16.:18:20.

budget to further fund the rates relief in the event that this is

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not a corresponding consequential from the UK Government after they -

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- after 20th March 13 we expect to see some certainty from the UK

:18:33.:18:43.
:18:43.:18:45.

Government. Thank you. Procurement is important

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to the welfare of businesses and companies in Wales and the finance

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minister said there was great concern about the framework

:18:54.:19:00.

contracts in existence particularly in relation to the schools are the

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21st century programme. A number of schools from North Wales have

:19:03.:19:09.

contacted me and are concerned about the contracts that are in

:19:09.:19:17.

place for this programme. The turned itself is worth �4.5 million

:19:17.:19:21.

to create the framework. The question I would like to a scheme

:19:21.:19:27.

is what can you do to ensure that North Wales businesses will profit

:19:27.:19:31.

from this major investment in the face of real concerns that have

:19:31.:19:34.

been expressed by the business owners?

:19:34.:19:41.

We want to ensure that most of the Fens have retained the local

:19:41.:19:51.
:19:51.:19:52.

communities. We would encourage them to contact the government

:19:52.:19:55.

departments to make sure they know exactly what they should do in

:19:55.:20:05.

order to be successful. The success of the Cardiff enterprise zone in

:20:05.:20:08.

bringing private sector funding is critical for plans of growth.

:20:08.:20:16.

Cardiff council approved plans for an office development. This week it

:20:16.:20:20.

has been announced that the council is to buy the land to build a new

:20:20.:20:30.
:20:30.:20:31.

county hall. Doesn't the Russell Goodway gazumping this undermine

:20:31.:20:35.

the whole principle of an enterprise zone? I can't answer for

:20:35.:20:45.
:20:45.:20:50.

Cardiff council. Kirsten number four. When does the

:20:50.:20:52.

First Minister expect the Welsh Government to acquire new borrowing

:20:52.:20:57.

powers?. Discussions have commenced and we

:20:57.:21:02.

would like to have the powers are soon as possible. We would all like

:21:02.:21:07.

to know what you mean by soon as we would like to know what the

:21:07.:21:10.

relationship is between the new borrowing powers and the government

:21:10.:21:14.

budget. Was proportional or percentage of the budget you have

:21:14.:21:20.

the right to borrow in future and what will be the link between that

:21:20.:21:25.

percentage and the tax-raising powers? We have to await the

:21:25.:21:30.

conclusions of the Silk Commission part one. That isn't linked with

:21:30.:21:36.

the commission -- issue of borrowing. It is relevant and it is

:21:36.:21:40.

something that Treasury will make sure Wales can borrow as soon as

:21:40.:21:44.

possible. We are discussing some projects with the Treasury that

:21:44.:21:48.

could be funded prior to the conversion of the power to

:21:48.:21:53.

government. In the context of borrowing powers

:21:53.:21:58.

the debate has been around borrowing related to income streams

:21:58.:22:02.

from tax-raising powers. Is the government considering the

:22:02.:22:06.

possibility of using borrowing powers in other areas where there

:22:06.:22:11.

might be projects which produce income revenues such as investment

:22:11.:22:16.

in housing should produce a rental income stream. The issue of

:22:16.:22:20.

borrowing isn't wrapped up in the announcement was made with the

:22:20.:22:25.

Treasury. We don't accept there is a need for an income stream before

:22:25.:22:29.

you can borrow. Northern Ireland does not have that but we see there

:22:29.:22:34.

is an argument for it. We want to see borrowing powers survivors

:22:34.:22:44.

quickly as possible and we hope that once -- silk has announced

:22:44.:22:49.

next week it will be put in place. If they're so Commission reports

:22:49.:22:53.

positively and I hope that will be the case, come the First Minister

:22:53.:22:58.

tell us what discussions the Welsh Government officials have had with

:22:58.:23:04.

the minister to date to ensure that any new borrowing powers will be

:23:04.:23:08.

established on a firm legislative basis. -- silk Commission. For have

:23:08.:23:13.

been a number of discussions on what kind of legislation could be

:23:13.:23:17.

used and also we have informed the UK Government is important the

:23:17.:23:21.

conclusion of the commission and the issue of borrowing powers has

:23:21.:23:28.

put in place way before the next general election. Will the First

:23:28.:23:30.

Minister outline the Welsh Government's plans to improve the

:23:30.:23:34.

competitiveness of the North Wales economy. Our plans are to be found

:23:34.:23:38.

in the programme for government. Food manufacturing is of course a

:23:38.:23:43.

major future growth industry in North Wales and has demonstrated

:23:43.:23:47.

recently by the success of events such as the land: Food festival

:23:47.:23:52.

where the Deputy Minister was guest speaker. -- Llangollen Food

:23:52.:24:00.

Festival. We import �1.2 billion worth of their products than it

:24:00.:24:10.
:24:10.:24:16.

exports. There is growth potential here and abroad. What affairs is a

:24:16.:24:19.

government of making to forge a new trading links between the she food

:24:19.:24:23.

manufacturers in Wales and those emerging markets? Those links up

:24:23.:24:30.

been built for many, many years. We are supporting six companies to

:24:30.:24:37.

exhibit in China. We are recruiting food and drink companies to exhibit

:24:37.:24:44.

in the West Pavilion at the Gulf Food Show in Dubai next February.

:24:44.:24:48.

When I meet with owners of businesses in North Wales the

:24:48.:24:51.

volume of red tape and bureaucracy they have to deal with is a

:24:51.:24:58.

recurring complaint. They describe measures coming out of this place

:24:58.:25:03.

as platinum plated. And necessary red tape has taking time from

:25:03.:25:12.

growing businesses. -- unnecessary. It prevents the job growth. It also

:25:12.:25:16.

increases the risks of job flight across the border. What support

:25:16.:25:25.

which you give to commissioning a third or a region review on theirs.

:25:25.:25:30.

Well as businesses have to be given the freedom to deliver jobs and

:25:30.:25:35.

prosperity of a stab a member provides no evidence a tour to back

:25:35.:25:38.

up her claims. I have heard nothing from businesses to suggest that is

:25:38.:25:42.

a level of red tape in Wales that is different or worse than in

:25:42.:25:46.

England. If the member will give me concrete evidence to back up what

:25:46.:25:54.

she is saying a were considerate. I am sure that the First Minister

:25:54.:26:02.

will remember that in the economic recovery plan it was said that land

:26:02.:26:07.

use planning, specifically, can contribute to economic benefit

:26:07.:26:13.

either in North or in anywhere else in Wales by being simpler and more

:26:13.:26:20.

business-friendly. Do you still agree with a statement and if you

:26:20.:26:23.

do worthy Planning Bill introduced by the government deal with those

:26:23.:26:28.

issues? I agree entirely. It is important that the planning system

:26:28.:26:35.

should respond swiftly but we must retain the as part of the planning

:26:35.:26:42.

system that provide democratic input. One of the things that is a

:26:42.:26:46.

complaint from business is it takes so long to get the initial

:26:46.:26:52.

decisions so it is important that the Bill itself look at ways of

:26:52.:26:59.

making sure decisions are taken quickly. Will the First Minister

:26:59.:27:02.

make a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to improve

:27:02.:27:06.

mental health services in Wales. launched a bill for mental health

:27:06.:27:09.

which is a strategy for improving mental health and well-being of the

:27:09.:27:13.

people of files. First Minister, for far too long people suffering

:27:13.:27:17.

from mental health problems have suffered from discrimination. This

:27:17.:27:25.

is coupled with a concerted effort of thousands of people who were

:27:25.:27:29.

using the welfare system. What steps can you take to ensure that

:27:29.:27:36.

we get all the support they need? We seek to address that to make

:27:36.:27:41.

sure any stigma is removed and also to ensure that people understand

:27:41.:27:46.

what services are available to deal with mental health issues in Wales.

:27:46.:27:52.

One area that is our priority is to prioritise save, dignified and

:27:52.:28:02.
:28:02.:28:03.

evidence based interventions. leading academic leader has raised

:28:03.:28:08.

questions about morale. He has highlighted that the services is

:28:08.:28:12.

run by a locum doctors that the senior nurses, psychologists and

:28:12.:28:18.

paramedical staff and leaving a vacuum. The disintegrating

:28:18.:28:23.

situation in North West has become the antithesis of a personalised

:28:23.:28:27.

service. I can send you further information was what would you do

:28:27.:28:33.

to him to address these concerns? The delivery plan for this was

:28:33.:28:36.

published in October and it is intended to improve services for

:28:36.:28:46.

mental health in Wales. Since the close of reward over the summer

:28:46.:28:53.

there are no more emergency beds available for mental health

:28:53.:28:58.

patients at that hospital. Mental health of patients and often the

:28:58.:29:03.

least willing to raise their voice in favour of their own services. We

:29:03.:29:08.

Nubian at the cards for them and ask the Hywel Dda Health Board want

:29:08.:29:15.

their timetable is to reopen those mental health beds in Aberystwyth.

:29:15.:29:19.

-- will you be an advocate for them. I will ask the Health Minister to

:29:19.:29:25.

write to members so the certainty of the future of this service they

:29:25.:29:29.

ever stop there is a strong link between diabetes and mental illness.

:29:29.:29:34.

At diabetes charity shone a spotlight on a mental health come

:29:34.:29:38.

if -- condition where young women start taking their insulin in order

:29:38.:29:44.

to lose weight sometimes a terrible health consequences. With you make

:29:44.:29:52.

sure you plan has specific references to mental health.

:29:52.:29:55.

diabetes national framework highlights the need to take into

:29:55.:30:00.

account of mental health issues for stem we do expect local health boss

:30:00.:30:07.

to deliver by 2013 on the plan. In looking at delivery the plan will

:30:07.:30:10.

emphasise the need to include people suffering from mental health

:30:10.:30:20.

First Minister, what measure will the Welsh Government be taking to

:30:20.:30:24.

tackle the reduction in the number of Welsh apprenticeships?

:30:24.:30:29.

announced a further �5 million investment in apprenticeship places

:30:29.:30:33.

for young people and the member will be aware of conclusion of

:30:33.:30:39.

discussions between the Government and his party. Music to my ears,

:30:39.:30:45.

First Minister! I'm delighted you mentioned Plaid Cymru's generation

:30:45.:30:50.

deal on the budget and the potential to give hope to 10,000

:30:50.:30:56.

young people. What is the time frame for the skpriens park that is

:30:56.:31:01.

the result of further pressure from Plaid Cymru and hope for further

:31:01.:31:05.

apprenticeships. -- science park. These matters are being looked at

:31:05.:31:09.

now. What we wish to do is ensure the science park is established and

:31:10.:31:15.

to ensure as much external funding as possible is brought into such a

:31:15.:31:20.

scheme. That is something that, as was agreed, will be taken forward

:31:20.:31:26.

as soon as possible. Will the First Minister outline what steps are

:31:26.:31:31.

being taken to ensure passenger safety on bus services in Wales.

:31:31.:31:36.

Safety is not devolved. These are matters for the UK Government. But

:31:36.:31:43.

there are regulations in place. First Minister, buses that

:31:43.:31:47.

transport Powis children to and from school are required to have

:31:47.:31:53.

the operators to have seat belts and for the drivers to have a CRB

:31:53.:31:58.

check. The current retendering process for school transport in

:31:58.:32:01.

Powis will mean a significant number of children will now not be

:32:02.:32:06.

transported on school buses, but will travel to school on public

:32:06.:32:12.

services buses, who do not have the same requirements for seat belt and

:32:12.:32:17.

do not require the drive to have a CRB check. Is it right for parents

:32:17.:32:22.

of those children to be concerned at the changes and the risks

:32:22.:32:27.

associated with moving from buses that do have c RB check drivers and

:32:27.:32:33.

seat belts on to transport that does not. I wouldn't want the give

:32:33.:32:37.

the impression that public transport is unsafe. But this is

:32:37.:32:41.

clearly a matter for Powis, but I'm sure the local authority will need

:32:41.:32:45.

to bear in mind the need tone sure the safety of children when they

:32:45.:32:52.

trfl -- need to ensure the safety of children hen they go to school.

:32:52.:32:57.

In the last few days I have been contacted by constituents regarding

:32:57.:33:01.

getting on to bus. I have had one who is in a wheelchair who was

:33:01.:33:07.

unable to access a bus. I have have a constitute -- constituent who

:33:07.:33:14.

suffers from sight loss and the bus driver doesn't say what stop

:33:14.:33:18.

they're at and hope they have not missed it. Is there anything the

:33:18.:33:23.

Government can do to ensure that people with disabilitys have equal

:33:23.:33:29.

access to bus travel. As I mentioned, these are matters that

:33:29.:33:35.

are not dedevolved. It is for the operator. But it is good practice

:33:35.:33:40.

and when somebody is using a service, particularly when they

:33:40.:33:45.

have problems with their sight, that the driver should tell them

:33:45.:33:55.

where their stop is. That is common humanity. If there have been

:33:55.:33:58.

occasions when people have not received that service, I'm sure

:33:58.:34:02.

drivers would want to provide it. I'm delighted your local government

:34:02.:34:07.

minister has agreed to look at what constituents a safe walking or

:34:07.:34:11.

cycling route to school. It is possible as a result of that that

:34:11.:34:16.

more children may end up taking safer bus routes to school. And

:34:16.:34:21.

there will be a financial consequence. Can you give us your

:34:21.:34:25.

reassurance that your Government will not use cost to outweigh child

:34:25.:34:30.

protection when it comes to providing such 16s -- services.

:34:30.:34:33.

Local authority take different views in terms of the appropriate

:34:33.:34:37.

distance. There is a statutory distance of course. But it is for

:34:37.:34:41.

local authorities to ensure they're providing the correct level of

:34:41.:34:51.
:34:51.:34:54.

transport. TRANSLATION: It appear that most of these questions are

:34:54.:34:57.

either non-devolved issues, or matters involving local authorities.

:34:57.:35:03.

May I refer to a matter that is directly apertaining to the Welsh

:35:03.:35:08.

Government as regards the safety of people on bus. It is essential that

:35:08.:35:12.

they can access the buses in the first place. Do 0 accept the way

:35:12.:35:19.

your government and your minister has dealt with the programme of

:35:19.:35:23.

concessionary fares for bus has led to a situation where fewer buses

:35:23.:35:28.

are available and the prices have been... Have increased. No, I think

:35:28.:35:33.

the deal provided to those running bus services is fair. We must bear

:35:33.:35:39.

in mind that we in Wales have a system of free bus passes for those

:35:39.:35:43.

over 60 and are disabled. Something that isn't available in other parts

:35:43.:35:47.

of the UK. That demonstrates what the Welsh Government thinks about

:35:47.:35:56.

ensuring that people can continue to use the bus. Will the First

:35:56.:36:00.

Minister make a statement on the provision of cancer services in

:36:00.:36:05.

Wales? The Welsh Government's cancer delivery plan, launched in

:36:05.:36:13.

June, sets out our expectations on this issue. Thank you, but the

:36:13.:36:18.

clinical, the NICE clinical guidelines on breast cancer, which

:36:19.:36:24.

were published in October 2006 recommend annual MRI screening for

:36:24.:36:31.

young women who have a high risk of developing cancer. Not withstanding

:36:31.:36:36.

that, six years hence we are still waiting. When is the Government

:36:36.:36:40.

going to provide MRI screening for high Rix women in Wales. We want to

:36:40.:36:45.

ensure that those at risk are screened as often as possible. In

:36:45.:36:50.

terms of the point raised by the member, I will write to him to

:36:50.:36:57.

explain where the Government is in terms of this issue. One of

:36:57.:37:02.

commitments of the Welsh Government is for every patient with cancer to

:37:02.:37:06.

have a key worker. Who progress has been made in fulfilling this

:37:06.:37:10.

commitment, bearing in mind one of the most important issues for

:37:10.:37:16.

patients is to have a single point of contact when needed. They are

:37:16.:37:22.

expected to assign a named key work tore assess and record a care plan

:37:22.:37:29.

the needs of everyone with cancer. All LHBs have been writ Tonga ther

:37:29.:37:34.

evidence in the application of the policy and work is under way to

:37:34.:37:40.

develop a performance measure for key workers. First Minister, I'm

:37:40.:37:44.

aware of press reports that your Government is considering the

:37:44.:37:47.

establishment of a modern treatments fund, which is something

:37:47.:37:51.

which my party would welcome, given our stance on need for access to

:37:51.:37:54.

modern treatments for thing like cancer. Can you clarify the

:37:54.:37:58.

position of the Welsh Government in terms of this, for the next year's

:37:58.:38:03.

budget. We're looking at a fund and it a suggestion that came from the

:38:03.:38:07.

Liberal Democrat, which I acknowledge, that will help secure

:38:07.:38:11.

treatments, particularly technology that delivers treatment in the next

:38:11.:38:16.

few years. What it isn't is a drugs fund or a way of try 20 get around

:38:16.:38:21.

NICE guidelines. That is something I Wasp want to emphasise. But it is

:38:21.:38:26.

something we wish to take forward to make sure we have the best

:38:26.:38:31.

technology available to treat people in Wales. Will the First

:38:31.:38:35.

Minister give details of the Welsh Government's plans to tackle the

:38:35.:38:41.

problem of asbestos in schools. have requested authority that the

:38:41.:38:48.

schools are performing their duty in relation to this. There is

:38:48.:38:52.

concern that many schools do contain some degree of asbestos. It

:38:52.:38:57.

was once thought it was safe to leave it in place, but that is not

:38:57.:39:03.

current line in thinking. Co-you -- do you agree that parents have the

:39:03.:39:09.

right to know the level of asbestos in schools and a day Tay base with

:39:09.:39:13.

a partnership between the Welsh Government and local authorities in

:39:13.:39:18.

Wales would help. Each local authority has an asbestos

:39:18.:39:21.

management plan. I have no doubt that local authorities will be

:39:21.:39:25.

looking to manage asbestos containing materials in line with

:39:25.:39:32.

current legislation and thinking in terms of the health issues.

:39:32.:39:37.

TRANSLATION: Thank you. I want to understand whether you have an

:39:37.:39:42.

objection to people being told if asbestos is in school or not.

:39:42.:39:46.

up to local authoritys if they wish to notify people. What is important

:39:46.:39:52.

of course is that people shouldn't think that the fact that there is

:39:52.:39:58.

asbestos present is a risk to children. Thank you will the First

:39:58.:40:02.

Minister make a statement on funding for first sector

:40:02.:40:07.

organisations provide bdty Welsh Government. Direct funding is over

:40:07.:40:13.

� 340 million supporting 900 organisationings. In light of what

:40:13.:40:18.

has ped with regards to this, could you outline the way you

:40:18.:40:24.

organisation funding and a monitor funding has changed in relation to

:40:24.:40:28.

service level agreements. Grant management project was established

:40:28.:40:32.

in 2010 and a centre of excellence has been created to develop the

:40:32.:40:37.

right procedures in terms of dealing with funding, where funding

:40:37.:40:42.

is provided to third sector organisations. All grants across

:40:42.:40:52.
:40:52.:40:54.

the Welsh Government have been reviewed. Don't forget you can see

:40:54.:41:03.

more coverage of the National Assembly online. Watching for us

:41:03.:41:13.
:41:13.:41:13.

today was our reporter Brian Meechan. A lot of talk on health

:41:13.:41:17.

services and the questionable redrafts of an independent report

:41:17.:41:23.

as one member said. Yes, this is the report by the National Clinical

:41:23.:41:29.

Forum, looking at proposals for changes in north Wales. The

:41:29.:41:33.

suggestion has been that that has been rewritten. We believe at first

:41:33.:41:37.

it was critical of the idea of the changes that are being proposed in

:41:38.:41:42.

north Wales, saying that they're not sustainable. The Conservatives

:41:42.:41:46.

are asking why that has been rewritten. They say it follows

:41:46.:41:50.

discussions between the National Clinical Forum that was set up to

:41:50.:41:53.

give independent advice and discussions between them and the

:41:53.:41:57.

local authority health board leaders. The Welsh Government have

:41:57.:42:01.

said it is not a matter for them. The health minister did not

:42:01.:42:05.

intervene. They say she is now being criticised for not

:42:05.:42:08.

intervening, when she would have been criticised if she had

:42:08.:42:12.

intervened. Because this a matter between the local authority health

:42:12.:42:18.

board and the forum. One other story today were the historical

:42:18.:42:23.

claim of child abuse in north Wales care homes. Some members saying

:42:23.:42:30.

that the story has now sadly moved from these claims and shifted to

:42:30.:42:35.

focus on the BBC. That is rightment. Some strong comments. One from

:42:35.:42:40.

saying that no matter what happens in terms of BBC's reporting of this,

:42:40.:42:46.

it is important not to lose the sight of the fact that it is about

:42:46.:42:51.

finding the truth. We heard from Leanne Wood. She said she was

:42:51.:42:56.

critical of the previous coverage and twhauz followed by Carwyn Jones

:42:56.:43:01.

who called the reporting a frenzy and said it was unlikely or make it

:43:01.:43:04.

less likely that some people would come forward with information if

:43:04.:43:09.

nay felt this was how they were going to be treated. Thank you. And

:43:10.:43:14.

that is it from us today. We are back at the same time next week

:43:15.:43:18.

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