16/05/2012 am.pm

Good morning and welcome to am.pm, our twice weekly look at what's

going on in politics in Wales, the UK and beyond. On today's

programme: We'll be at Prime Minister's Questions as the latest

unemployment figures are published. We'll hear from Owen Smith, the new

Shadow Welsh Secretary. And with the Olympic football kicking off in

the Millennium Stadium in just two months time, are AMs united in

Joining me throughout today's programme are two AMs, the

Conservative, Mark Isherwood, and for Labour, Jenny Rathbone.

Unemployment figures have been published this morning. On the face

of it seems like good news. Unemployment is down 1,000 in Wales.

It is cautiously welcome. It is good to see the figures moving in

the right direction. That has followed a trend that has been

established since made 2010. What you put that down to? A number of

factors perhaps including the change of the UK Government. The

Welsh Government came into office last year. Our jobs is to

scrutinise and criticise where appropriate. The figures on the

face of them are going down but if we look at the percentages of

people unemployed, it is 9% in Wales. Wales had a similar rate to

the north of England, that is now at 11%. It is bad news for the

north-east. We need to be very cautious about one set of figures.

It is good news for the 1,000 less people having to sign on. Looking

at the long-term trends, the long- term unemployment rate is Op. That

is what concerns me most. Huge numbers of people are finding it

difficult to get work and the longer they are unemployed the more

difficult it is for them to get work. Would you make of the fact

there seems to beat the trend since the Conservatives and Liberal

Democrats came into government of a downward spiral at the time with

the UK has gone back into recession? The Welsh Government as

a clear focus on the need to create more jobs and to save jobs. I would

like to hope that is because we have a focus on jobs, jobs, jobs.

We are able to save jobs and also bring in new investment. You could

say that the world's governments's different approach is having a

benefit. -- Welsh Government's. You're nodding your head. You don't

think there was government is having an impact. -- the Welsh

Government is having an impact. made 2010, 627,000 people of

working age in words were not in work. It had fallen before today's

figures bear that wearing the stubborn high figure is historic.

It predates the credit crunch. We need to be turning down to the re-

-- to the causes of that. We have had devolution for 13 years and I

have heard the same rhetoric over and over again. We still don't seem

to be tackling that stubborn resistance block. They is an

argument that Wales doesn't have the levers to be able to do that.

It doesn't have fiscal or monetary power. It doesn't control pensions

and benefits. But there are things it can do. It had invested billions.

It was supposed to be closing that prosperity gap which included

employment at the GVHD. The gap persistently widened. It is good

news that unemployment as a whole appears to be in a trend of

production. There is a massive -- there is much more to do. Many

thanks. We will come back to you shortly. Let's find out what is

happening outside the Senedd. It is sunny year. It is remarkable.

a day that the farm will -- Farmers' Union of Wales I using to

highlight the great benefits of life and work in the countryside.

You might be able to see them behind me. They have brought the

weather with them. This afternoon, we start the afternoon with

questions to ministers. Today it is the environment minister and the

housing minister. There is a motion on a report that the standards

committee of published last week into an incident, an altercation

involving the Assembly Member, Keith Davies. It has been

recommended he be censured for being a part of that. There will be

a debate this afternoon to see if the Assembly agrees to endorse that

recommendation. Following on from that, a packed afternoon. We have a

motion to agree the general principles of the official

languages bail. That is to make sure the responsibilities of the

Assembly and the separate commission at clearly defined in

relation to a bilingual services. Following that, something that has

brought about an awful lot of public attention, it is leading the

news bulletins today, an initiative by the Labour Assembly Member for

Pontypridd to look again at the way the law deals with issues around

asbestos. If people suffer from terrible diseases as a result of

being in contact with asbestos, they can take the companies to

court. But Mick Antoniw wants the NHS to be able to recoup the cost

of looking after patients with asbestos related diseases. Others

are thinking about the impact on the insurance into as -- industry.

I caught up with Mick Antoniw and you will see that interview a bit

later on. After that, we have got a debate on the Conservatives on

agriculture. They don't think the government is doing enough to

support that sector. We have a short debate on the British

football team at the Olympics. Very contentious in Wales. Many people

are worried if we have Welsh players in that team we might

undermine the separate nurse, the independence of the Football

Association of Wales, the Olympic Committee has said that is not the

case. People are worrying about it. Are our Assembly Members behind the

British football team? I will be talking to a couple of them later

on to examine that point. It is the issue in the short debate which has

been raised by the Conservative leader. You can find out even more

on what's happening in the National Assembly on BBC Wales's Democracy

Live online coverage. Just go to bc.co.uk/walespolitics. That is the

view from Cardiff Bay. We will head off to Westminster now to our

correspondent. We have already discussed the economy and

unemployment here but the economy at home and abroad is in the news

again. Good news on unemployment but the bad news is the future of

the you wrote is still in jeopardy. A lot of economic data out this

morning. Unemployment in Wales has down slightly but it still stands

at 9%. There is also some more gloomy news from the Bank of

England. It expects the UK economy to grow at 0.8% this year. It had

been expected growth to be 1.2%. It says the economy will not return to

the levels of growth we saw before the banking and economic crisis

until 2014. Quite a long way away. He does not take a political genius

to work out that figure takes you closer to the general-election we

are expecting in 2015. A headache for David Cameron. Some questions

as to whether the UK Government's economic approach, VAT you cut back

on the benefits -- deficits and that will allow the economy to grow

is actually working. I think Ed Miliband will raise that today. He

might point out voters in Europe at turning their backs on the idea

that austerity is the way to put economy back on track. It seems to

be happening in France. All eyes are on Greece. There are fresh

elections coming up there. It is a referendum on whether the country

will sustain the Euros. All those economic figures I gave you now are

dependent on no change in Greece. If Greece pulls out, we are into

the unknown. No -- now closer to home. Steve

Hilton has left. He was a close adviser to David Cameron. He is

taking a sabbatical. He has been the prime minister's blue-sky

thinkers. He walked around Number 10 in his socks and shorts. He has

been involved in a long running battle with civil servants about

why they have not been there quicker in implementing his

policies, his ideas. It is a battle most prime ministers have whether

it is Margaret Thatcher or Tony Blair. They become frustrated with

the civil servant machine. Steve Hilton's parting shot is policy

developments should be taken out a civil service hands and outsourced,

given to think tanks. They should come up with policy ideas and see

if they will work. He also said the welfare budget should be cut even

further. George Osborne said they needed to find another �10 billion

worth of savings from the welfare bill. Steve Hilton said he should

go further, why not 25 pack -- the �25 billion? Iain Duncan-Smith was

concerned about that. Steve Hill turned, an influential figure, but

not everyone would be sad to see him go. -- Steve Hilton. One Welsh

Conservative peer wants Britain to go metric. If you go to the pan and

by her beer, it is served in a pint. But if you buy a cola drink, that

is served in a litre bottle. Geoffrey Howe, Foreign Secretary

and Chancellor, said it was all confusing. It might confuse

visitors who come here for the Olympics. It is time we transferred

to the metric system. Not everybody is convinced. Public opinion is not

ready for this. But Lord Howe is saying Britain is hanging on to its

Imperial past. After a few pints, people will not mind if they are

having a pint or half a litre! We would like to hear from you. You

can contact us on this address. Or you can send us an e-mail. We are

on Twitter. Employers who expose workers to dirtiest vessels could

be forced to reimburse the NHS for the cost of treating victims if new

registration goes ahead. The Pontypridd Assembly Member, Mick

Antoniw, is asking Assembly Members to back the change in the law this

afternoon and early today he spoke to Mark Hannaby.

If you are bringing forward this at a station this afternoon. What you

hope to achieve? I hope it recognises the large numbers of

deaths that occur in Wales as a result of asbestos exposure. I hope

it will give you Welsh Government the ability to recover the costs of

medical treatment from employers who are to blame for that exposure.

That money should be put back into the health budget to specifically

help asbestos victims and their families. Can we take the apostle -

- a few possible issues with this. Is the timing right for this? Mower

does, we would hope employers are unaware of the dangers of asbestos

and those that weren't in the past are less to blame. The employers

had their insurance policies and they have a liability for things

that happen many years later. The asbestos exposure may occur in the

60s or seventies but it may be decades later that the disease

occurs. If there is that my ability and if the insurance companies has

reserves to cover things like compensation, should it not be

reasonable for the Welsh Government to say on top of that, as you are

to blame for this exposure and his illness which occur as, if we can

recover the cost of that medical treatment we can use it to make the

lives of people who suffer from asbestos perhaps even during their

palliative period of care, before death, and also for the families

who suffer, to make life a bit better for them in terms of the

assistance, the counselling and the support we can give them. That is

If something happened in the '60s, that is recognised in out that

people can take these companies to court. Should we extend that

principle of culpability, to do something that could do quite

severe damage to the insurance industry? It will not do any damage

to the insurance industry. Secondly, it is nothing to do with

culpability. This Bill will not create new entitlement to

compensation or bring claims. It will only trigger an entitlement to

cover medical costs, once an employer has admitted they are to

blame. So, there is no new probability or liability. This Bill

has nothing to do with the issue of negligence or liability.

Still to come on am.pm: We'll be going live to the House of Commons

for Prime Minister's Questions - that's at midday.

Now, what captures the essence of democracy in Wales for you? The

National Assembly wants your ideas and more than that - your pictures!

An inaugural photography competition was launched by the

Presiding Officer at the University of Wales, Newport, earlier this

week. Mark Hannaby went along to get the picture.

The photographic competition aims to show off more than Welsh

slappers skills. The hope is that by showing what was democracy is

about, contestants will get more involved. -- Welsh snappers.

could be the local Wales and Bloom committee. It could be anything.

Absolutely any idea. It is not just about us in Cardiff. It is about

how you run your local communities and how you can make a difference.

We are hoping some very good ideas will come forward, which we can

take forward to the Assembly and change people's lives. One of the

competition's judges is David Hearn. He says people should not be put

off by a fair bet camera is not so great at all that they lacked

technical expertise. What is more important is the idea behind the

photo, the vision the photographer wants to realise. Photography is

difficult. It is the end product of a thought process. What I will be

looking for is not whether it is technically proficient. That can be

easily done. I AM looking for that thought process, somebody who has

thought to have some good -- something intelligent. I do not

want be bored. At the launch, was Newport photography student. She is

looking forward to entering the contest. It is more accessible for

young people to express visually. You describe how you are feeling,

but through a picture, it is easier to understand an expression of

views and opinions. The Presiding Officer says it is more than just a

photographic competition. It is a chance to have a historical record.

What is happening in Wales will be documented. 20 shortlisted photos

will be displayed in the Senedd, before the winner is announced a

month later. You tell me you are a dab hand at

the camera. Or you'd be submitting any photos? A picture tells 1,000

words. It is a great idea. Everybody has the ability to take a

shot these days, so I think it is a very good way of enabling people to

express their views about the world around them. You tell me you have

even submitted a few pictures of your own. Members have exhibited

photographs. This is fantastic - it is reaching out to the population

and trying to bear to engage them. Hopefully, it will help improve

their understanding of what their understanding of the Assembly as. -

- better engaged. It is fun, serious, engaging people, among

have a positive, political affect us well. What have you taken

pictures of? One was a head chugger my garden. What has that got to do

with democracy?! The theme is communities. -- a hedgehog. We have

now moved on to a public engagement. What was the other picture? I AM

trying to think... One in the past, I've had to graft my feet! I called

it political feet. -- photographed my feet. I was told I had broken

the rules because you're not allowed to take a photograph of

yourself. I have got a picture of "closed" outside a petrol station.

Apolitical point made there. It's been a very busy 24 hours for

Owen Smith - the Labour MP for Pontypridd was appointed Shadow

Welsh Secretary by Ed Miliband yesterday, and today, he's been in

the Senedd with the First Minister, Carwyn Jones. Our political editor,

Betsan Powys, had a word with them both.

Congratulations. What do you see as the main parties ahead of you?

fault - one is speaking for Wales in Westminster, and making sure the

Government in Westminster understands the specific needs of

Wales, and understands what Carwyn Jones needs to be delivered. Such

that we can deliver economic growth and jobs in Wales. That is the key

task that faces all politicians, and also speaking to a wider UK

audience with all the great things happening in Wales under Carwyn

Jones's leadership. How about chemistry? What is it like so far?

Good. We have known each other quite a long time. We have known

each other a long time. We have got a lot in common in terms of our

passions for all sorts of things - angling, we have just discovered.

Rugby. But we have similar political views as well. That will

hold us in good stead and a buzz forge a powerful partnership.

Shadow Welsh Secretary has said his first job will be to say, what I do

to help? Is that how they all work? I think it is mutual help. It is

important the UK government is held to account for what it does in

Wales, and we want to make sure we provide all the information about

what is happening to Wales in Owen Smith. It is important for people

in Westminster and across the UK what is happening in Wales, so yes,

it is a true partnership and one based on helping each other. What

you see as its priorities? Delivering for Wales. We can

deliver on the ground. It is exceptionally important to have a

strong voice in Westminster, holding the UK government to

account. How do you think this relationship might develop? In the

past, there have been suggestions that two heads are better than one.

Sometimes, it makes the difficulties. How do you two see

this working out? I AM not sure there have been difficulties. What

I saw on the inside, people were working together seamlessly for the

benefit of Wales. That is a tradition I hope we will keep up, a

man confident we will. I think we have very similar perspectives on

Welsh politics, and politics more broadly. And anticipate there being

no difficulties. The Assembly is extremely well established and

mature. Westminster is far more comfortable. Welsh politicians are

more comfortable with the nature of devolution. I do not see those

issues, frankly, a rise in. Is it because a better view pointing a

finger at the UK government? There are many occasions when it is

important to show what is being done at the UK level - such as

welfare reform. That is fair for the Labour Party to point out

whether in Wales or the rest of Britain. We know, here, we have to

deliver as well to show people we are delivering in terms of the

economy, health and education. We will focus on making sure that

people know what is going on in Wells as well. The two days are not

contradictory. -- in Wales. there times your finger will be

pointed this way? I do not think so. The Ministers here are getting on

with important reforms across a range of public services, and we

are seeing improvements. I cannot imagine there will be incidents

whether or happen. The Westminster government is getting it wrong. The

Bank of England is having to downgrade its growth forecast. That

is the result of there being a Downing Street-made recession, at

the same period where we are learning that Europe is managing to

avoid recession. I would continue to point out the failings of George

Osborne and David Cameron, and point out where Carwyn Jones is

getting it right. Time for a quick chat with my

guests before we head off to Westminster.

Clearly, with the UK government in its sides there. Of course, we are

used to hearing more rhetoric from Labour about the UK government. But

I want to congratulate Owen Smith on his appointment. I welcome his

initial statement that he wants to improve relationships between Wales

and Westminster. I hope that means not just between Labour, but

between the two governments of Wales. So much depends upon

efficient working between the two, whatever political make cups there

are. In terms of UK, we have heard it all before. It is the same order

lines being trotted out, with no reference to the what -- the

situation for which the Welsh Government is responsible. --

called lines. After 13 years, it is easy to deflect attention on a

government, at least -- dealing with the largest deficit. Before

you address those points, your reaction to the fact that Owen

Smith has been appointed. I think it is great. I think he will be a

great advocate for Wales. It is important we have a clear voice in

Westminster and in the Labour Party. He needs to be on top of the

important initiatives we are taking in Wales. We can demonstrate to the

UK population that there is an alternative to the economic policy

is being pursued by the Coalition. I think it is very important that

Owen Smith is giving his first interview here outside the Senedd.

That is symbolic of the close relationship I AM sure I macro end

he will have. Let us look ahead to Prime Minister's Questions. It is

difficult to see beyond the economy. We face the very difficult times at

the moment. The situation in Europe is very significant for the future

of the UK economy, and because that is where most of allow exports are

sold. I AM sure that Ed Miliband will lead on the economy. I think

that there is no doubt there is a shift in Europe in the type of

approach that people want, and people realise that just dealing

with the economic circumstances is not working. That is what is

happening in Germany. If you look at what the voters of the sort of

big - this send a message to Angela Merkel saying they want a growth

It has set up a game of political ping-pong between the two leaders.

David Cameron promised to bring an end to it. It seems to be the

growing theme. It is about taking responsibility of reality. It is

lenders not borrow was to decide if they are going to lend and on what

rates and terms. If we lost control of this it means more expensive

mortgages, less consumer spending, higher borrowing costs for

businesses. They will be bigger extern cuts. They will be imposed

on the UK because we failed to tackle the problem. We are going

over to Westminster now. The Prime Minister is in his place.

They are just finishing on Northern Ireland questions. Questions to the

Prime Minister. Number one. Thank you. I'm sure the whole House would

wish to join in paying tribute to the two servicemen who were killed

in Afghanistan on Saturday. Our deepest condolences go to their

families and loved ones. They were courageous and respected men who

were engaged in the important work of training and mentoring the

Afghan police. Their service must never be forgotten. I had meetings

with ministerial colleagues and others and I shall have further

such meetings later today. May end associate myself with the

Prime Minister's correct tribute to our fallen servicemen. It is the

right thing to do. Can I welcomed the fall in unemployment we have

seen today. There is also a rise in employment. Can you assure me he

will continue to invest in apprenticeships and the other

schemes they get my constituents back to work. I thank my honourable

friend for what he says about the schemes that we are putting forward.

It is welcome that we have had the largest rise in employment for a

year. It is up by 370,000. We are not remotely complacent about this.

There is good news about youth unemployment and the claimant count

coming down but there are too many people in part-time work for want

full-time work. We are not complacent, whereas the flexibility

-- flexible new deal took it four years to be put in place. Mr Ed

Miliband. Can I join the Prime Minister in paying tribute to the

servicemen. They both showed the utmost bravery and courage and our

thoughts are with their families and friends. We do need to make

sure that the welcome reduction in unemployment to a sustained by

economic growth. Can the Prime Minister tell us what discussions

he has had about a growth plan for Europe with a new president of

France? Can I welcome the fact that he has welcomed the fall in

unemployment. It is not just unemployment has come down, the

claimant count has come down and it is worth making the point the

number of people out of work benefits has fallen by 70,000 since

the election. There are challenges and we must go when investing in

apprenticeships and in the work programme. Had a brief discussion

with the President of France after his victory. I look forward to

having him longer bilateral with him before the G 8 starts this

weekend. I look forward to discussing what more we can do to

help in terms of European growth as the Right Honourable Gentleman will

know, together with the Italian Prime Minister and other prime

ministers. Met complete the energy single market. -- lets complete.

These things could add to growth in Europe. That is what we should be

focusing on. If I may say so it is a shame you

did not see the Prime Minister -- the French peasant three months ago

when he was in England then.S are Europe needs a growth plan.

Brittany is a growth plan which has failed. Business is pleading with

the government for regrowth plan. Does he really agree with the

foreign secretary that the problems of our economy is a British

business is not working hard enough? I have to admit that I have

been over using my mobile phone but at least I know how to use it ran

her and just throw it at people who They will be common ground between

the British point of view and the French view. I know the French

president when asked how he would stimulate growth, he said the me is

can't be extra public spending since we want terrain it in. It is

interesting the French President does not back the Labour view that

the way out of the debt crisis is to borrow more, spend more and add

to your bet. I do think what we need to have in Britain, absolutely

vital, is the low interest rates we have. When this government came to

Palmer we had the same interest rates as Spain, today hours are

below 2% whereas Spanish rates are over 6% this up to the Shadow

Chancellor's two were saying from a sedentary position that this was

delusional, let me remind him what he said. He said the simplest

measure of monetary and fiscal policy is a long-term low interest

rates. Those were his words. That is what we must not lose.

totally failed to answer the question about the foreign

secretary who said the problem in our economy is British business is

not working hard enough. He is trying to claim their President of

France as an ally. What is he on about? There is one group of people

who we know are losing their jobs and that is the police. 30,000 of

whom marched on the streets last week. And the Prime Minister tell

us how many frontline police officers have been lost since he

came to power? I am not surprised he wants to rush off the economy

after his first few questions. Many remind him what the government is

doing to boost the economy. We are investing in apprenticeships,

investing in housing, making sure we put their money into

infrastructure but because we have a plan to do with our deficit we

have the lowest interest rates. Turning to the police, her

Majesty's Inspectorate have found that the police forces are

increasing the number rough proportion of police officers and

staff working on the frontline. They are taking people out of the

back-office and putting them on the front line. Let me tell you this,

both parties are committed to making cuts in police budgets. He

is committed to a billion pounds of cuts. We are reforming allowances,

cutting paperwork, freezing pay, reforming pensions, he would not do

any of those things. His cuts would be the pet because he does not have

the courage to do the right thing. -- his cuts would be deeper. We are

in a double dip recession. A recession made in Downing Street.

That is the reality. On policing, everybody will have noticed his

answer. The proportion of frontline officers. He is sacking so many

officers from the back office. What is happening to the number of

frontline officers? 5,000 fewer his frontline officers. Fewer 999

responders, fewer traffic police. What was his sales pitch? Mr

Speaker, they were elected on the premise on more police officers. No

wonder they are losing the elections. This is what he said.

They don't want to hear what he said. Any Cabinet minister who

comes to me and says he and my plans and they involve frontline

for their actions will be sent back to their department to go away and

think again. Is it any wonder the police are furious with his broken

promise? He is having a bad day. Many try to explain. Whoever was

standing here right now would have to cut police budgets. They accept

that, we accept that. If you don't have the courage to deal with

allowances, people were, pay, it have to make deeper cuts. I am

extremely calm. This is what his own police spokesman said. He was

asked the question, aren't you accepting the need for a freeze on

police pay? This is what Yvette Cooper said, no. They don't accept

the pension reform, they would not do the paperwork cuts. Absolutely

no policy ideas at all. I know he's going to have extensive training

before he goes before the Leveson Inquiry. I have got a suggestion

for stunt I think he should include anger management. I don't think it

is policing where he has broken his promises. We remember his promises

to the nurses. He told the conference there would be no top-

down reorganisation. He did not go back to the Royal College of

Nursing conference this year. Can the Prime Minister tell us how many

fewer nurses their asses he came to power? The number of clinical staff

in the NHS has gone up. NM -- the reason it has gone up is because

this government has put more money into the NHS each year. What is his

commitment? His commitment is that spending on the NHS is

irresponsible. That is his commitment, to cut spending on the

NHS. What is happening in the NHS is the lowest number of people

waiting for 18 weeks in the NHS. That is because we have got more

doctors, more clinical staff and fewer people who are bureaucrats

working in the NHS. I am afraid that to the bunker with that answer.

There are 3,500 fewer nurses. They could not get the figure right.

They could not tell us how many nurses. Nurses in training who

can't find jobs. He has diverted billions of pounds from patient

care to a top down reorganisation and nobody voted for it. That means

he broke his promise. That is the problem with his government. They

cut taxes for millionaires and cut services for the rest. I know they

don't like hearing about it. What do the honourable member for

Cleethorpes say, we can't convince voters we are on their side when we

give top earners eight Turks -- a tax cut. That is the truth of this

government. They're out of touch and stand up for the wrong people.

What this government has done is the lead a tax cut every single

working person in the country. We have frozen the council tax every

household in the country. We have taken 2 million people out of tax

in our country. What is the big decision that the Leader of the

Opposition has taken this requires much he took the person in charge

of his policy review, the Honourable Member for honcho, the

person who said they had to be serious about the deficit, they

have replaced him with a policy chief who things labour's problem

is they are not close enough to the trade unions. That is his big

decision. I wonder if his problem is whether he is weak or left wing.

Maybe it is both. The father of the House. MPs are

sceptical whether this will be a short question! Does my right

honourable friend supposed that the chance up -- that Angela Merkel

regrets that she did not take the advice which she -- which we gave

her last October about the big bazooka which, if she had fired it

but then, would have spared the European Union from its present

I can't give a direct answer to that. The eurozone has to make a

choice - if it wants to continue as it is, it has got to build up a

proper firewall, it has got to take steps to secure all the weaker

members of the eurozone or it will have to work out where to go. It

either has to make-up, or it is looking at the potential break-up.

Ed Andy Coulson was not vetted, why did he attend secret briefings? Is

this not a mess? I know she is desperate to find the smoking gun,

but this is absolutely not. We took the view that in the past,...

order expat -- or dock or der! Actually, when it came to it, Andy

Coulson was in the process of being vetted. So, there is no mystery

about this at all. I would go and look somewhere else. Britain has

just posted its first quarterly trade surplus in cars. Will the

Prime Minister welcomed the news that Britain has not only cut its

deficit by 25% over the last two years, but is once again a net car

exporter? He makes an extremely good point, and the party opposite

do not want a hear good news. What we have had to take difficult

decisions, the deficit has now been reduced by one quarter, so we are

on a hallway with balancing the budget. On the issue of motor car

manufacturing, it is encouraging. The first time since 1976 we have a

surplus in manufacturing. That is because of the hard work put in. It

is extremely good news that there has taken this long to get back to

a trade surplus in parts, and that Britain is once again in real hope

for manufacturing. Two years ago, during the general election, the

York press reported the Prime Minister promising that "we will

not bring in the 80 increase" - has the Prime Minister considered that

he would put money end people's pockets if that were the case?

reason we had to put up VAT is we were left at the biggest budget

deficit anywhere in Europe. It was bigger than Greece, Spain, Portugal.

The complete mess left by the party opposite, and we now know, from

reading the former Chancellor's memoirs, that he would also put up

VAT. You may be aware that this is adult learning week, and Gosport's

charity has just received lottery funds to support the innovative

work they are doing. Can I invite the Prime Minister and the

education team to visit Gosport, and see for themselves how this

work can be rolled out across the rest of the country to benefit

people? I think she is absolutely right to raise this issue. It is a

tragedy that there are too many adults who do not have proper

literacy and reading skills because of not being taught properly at

school. It is vital we put that right through initiatives like the

one she recommends. We have got to do better in our schools in the

first place to make sure no child is left behind. We now know you can

teach reading so no child gets left behind through the public scheme

beats Secretary of State is leading on, and we must make sure this is

available for every child in every school. The police service in

Northern Ireland has revealed that between 1960 and 2005 it kept body

parts and tissue samples of suspicious deaths, without

notifying the families of those concerned. Other police forces in

England have done the same. The Prime Minister and the House was

sympathise with the families concerned, and the shock felt

around Northern Ireland today as the families are being visited.

What the Prime Minister John with me in demanding a answers as to

what happened? -- will the Prime Minister joined. We need it

independent review to explain how this practice went on for so long

across the United Kingdom. I am sure as big they everyone in the

House, expressing sympathy for the families who found that this

terrible news about their loved ones. It must be a time of huge

anguish. I am extremely sorry this report has been leaked, because it

would be announced probably on Monday. I am short the Secretary of

State for Northern Ireland will listen carefully to the form of

inquiry that will be held, but letters publish the information on

Monday so everybody can see what went wrong. Growing up in a council

house, I remember well how proud people in my community were to be

the first to own their own homes. Well might right honourable friend

do everything he can to make a opportunity available to her this

generation? I think it is very sad that, under the last government,

discounts were allowed to go away. In some cases, years of Labour

neglect. In recent weeks, we have had... Britain has gone back into

recession, we have had a botched Budget, crazy advice from a Cabinet

Office. Which of these does he think has caused the calamitous

collapse in his reputation for competence? What you should be

recognising his third today, unemployment has fallen, the

claimant count has come down, more people are in work. We have a

difficult economic situation, but he should listen to the Governor of

the Bank of England. He is saying we are coming back with a textbook

response to what needs to be done to clear up the mess made by people

like him. Homeowners in my constituency are having a tough

time at the moment. It would be worse if it was not for

consistently low interest rates. Under Labour, long-term interest

rates. This week, our rates were at their record low, while Spain's are

at 6%. Well be Prime Minister as sure as he will do nothing to but

the situation in jeopardy? Are she makes a very important point -

their every increase in interest rates, it will add �1,000 to be

typical family mortgage. British interest rates are below 2% because

the world has confidence but in spite of our economic difficulties,

we have a plan to do with that debt and deficit. You can see from

looking around Europe, or what happened if you do not have a plan

- your interest rates go up. That is what we would get if we listen

to the party opposite. Many agencies let down those children

involved in the Rochdale sex abuse case. The House must agree that

children need to live in a safe and secure a place. In that context,

will the Prime Minister look at having an inquiry into whether they

are properly funded and have properly trained staff? When he

made sure monitoring begins to work effectively as well? I am glad deep

honourable gentleman raises this issue. It is a truly shocking case.

We need to look very carefully at what went wrong. I have asked the

Secretary of State for Education to do this. I think we need to look at

why it information was not passed more rapidly from children's home

to police, what action was not taken more rapidly. There are

issues about inspection, but also issues about what action was not

taken. Huddersfield Town fans are celebrating today, having won a

place in the League One play-off finals. Bird also winning in my

constituency - our local manufacturing businesses. Would the

Prime Minister agree with me that the record number of

apprenticeships in the UK is a clear sign this government is

committed to getting Britain working? I am grateful to my

honourable friend, and I would like to wish Huddersfield Town or the

best. Although that might be a prime ministerial curse! We

achieved 450,000 apprenticeship starts last year. The budget has

been increased over one by pride billion pounds. This should deliver

more apprenticeships across this Parliament. There is a lot more to

do, also to make sure these are high quality apprenticeships, and

we are targeting the young people who need how most. My honourable

friend made reference to the situation in Rochdale. I want to

talk about the girls in that case. I pay tribute to their bravery in

coming forward and standing up to their abusers. They did it to get

justice and to stop it happening to others. Vulnerable girls like this

do not usually get heard by politicians. They do not get easy

access to power or influence. How will the Government respond to

these terrible crimes, and will the Prime Minister support base serious

case review? Can I pay tribute to the honourable gentleman? He is

absolutely right to say these girls have been brave to come forward and

to tell their stories, and all the difficulties that involves. But

also to be right - he himself has talked about people who have pumped

in his constituency surgeries. This is a problem across communities.

But there are problems in particular communities, and he has

been brave to say that. In terms of what he asked, I will have a look

at that. The children commissioner will come up with recommendations.

I understand that Rochdale has conducted a review of child sex

exploitation, but the issue of his serious case review - I will go

back as well. Next year, Camborne all become the first school took

launched the International Science Fair. But the Prime Minister agreed

that if Britain is to prosper, we need to plead the world in science

and technology? -- lead the way. is right to highlight this issue.

If we want to compete in a very competitive global market, we need

more science teaching, science graduates and to encourage does

science graduates back into the classroom to train up the next

generation of scientists and genera -- Engineers. My right honourable

friend has put in place some generous bursaries schemes to

encourage some of our top maths and science graduates back into the

classrooms. It is now clear the Government does not have a

comprehensive, a long-term strategy for careful stop does the Prime

Minister agree the sharp increase in home care charges, released and

figures today, is a result of his cut of �1 billion from local

council budgets? I do not think the honourable gentleman's figures are

right. In the spending review, we put �2 billion extra into adult

social care, but we have inherited a situation where there is not a

clear strategy or part with the social care. We need to deliver one.

That is why there will be a white paper coming forward this here. He

says when! They had 13 years! They just that decision after decision.

Absolutely nothing was done. Within two years, we did far more than

they did it in 13! 2000 highly paid public servants have been exposed

for avoiding paying tax. Would the Prime Minister agree that whenever

someone is paid a salary, using taxpayers' money, the Government

should insist that they are on the pay roll, the papal income tax and

I agree with what she says. We have been shocked with the level of this

problem. We need to take forward the Severn

barrage project. It is the bigger source of renewable energy in

Europe. Does he accept that a flat economy in Britain and in Europe,

this investment in growth and jobs is a no-brainer. I heard the

honourable honourable gentleman on farming Today. It there's have

advantages for us to it is a huge amount of renewable energy for some

he knows there are lots of problems and the environmental groups have

been divided over it. I will be happy to listen to his views as he

takes on this important piece of work. There are opportunities in a

challenging European economy to look at energy connectors and

corporation particularly between England, France and other European

countries. The National Audit Office and the Public Accounts

Committee of praise the work programme for getting off the

ground in a year are in stark contrast to the four wasted years

it took Labour's project to get off the ground. What help can you give

my jobseekers where unemployment figures are falling to find the

work they want? The on the Hon Gentleman makes an important point.

-- the honourable honourable gentleman. It will help 3 million

people in total. We are paying providers more money for the more

difficult people who have been out of work for a long time. We have

serious challengers. I think we can use his programme not just to help

people who have fallen out of work recently but people who have lost

connection with the big market. Those are the people we want to

help the most. In April last year we announced the

successful bids in round one of the regional growth bond. It means

rescuing people from some of the poorest housing conditions in the

country. But not a penny of that money has materialised. Will the

Prime Minister tell me why. If he can't, will he find out to make

sure the money flows before the summer recess. I will look YOU read

-- you raised. Around half of the projects and under way. Serious

amounts of money are being dispersed. We are able to put a lot

more money into these projects that I will look at a specific project

and write to him shortly. We can now to... Those were the Prime

Minister's questions. Some warm words by the Prime Minister about

the Severn barrage project. The main topic of debate was the

economy. Let's have a quick chat with our

guests. We suggested that the economy would dominate and the dead.

The exchanges were quite tetchy. They were. Both leaders seem to

annoy each other. The Prime Minister and responded quite

angrily. I think he had every reason to be. A degree of

provocation, intentional. A degree of managed anger to express anxiety

and the comments being made and the lack of admission of responsibility

or partnership in dealing with the problems. It was a good example of

pension Judy politics. Ed Miliband made several good hits. One was to

remind everybody about the inappropriately close relationship

between the Prime Minister and Rebekah Wade. The Conservative bit

of the coalition is their lead on the ball in terms of their

relationship with the Murdoch empire. -- is concerned in terms of

their relationship with the Murdoch empire. The other thing was the

Prime Minister was unable to answer the question about the cuts in the

number of nurses in the NHS and the commitments that the Prime Minister

made prior to the general election that he was not going to indulge in

any top-down reorganisation of the NHS. That is one of the weakest

points for the Prime Minister because every single problem in the

NHS is going to be that. The Prime Minister quite rightly acknowledged

there had been increase in the number of cuts. He did not state

the figure. There is a reduction in registered nurses. From our context,

look at Wales, that does not affect Wales. The NHS in Wales is devolved.

The Prime Minister referred to the fact behind ring-fence the NHS

budget in real terms. We have got an ageing population and increasing

cost of medication, but it wasn't as bad as the cuts that have

happened in Wales. The cuts in community nursing has been far

greater than in England. There are very worrying figures about North

Wales where the shortage of doctors is the highest in the UK. A answer

some of those points, Ed Miliband had a standing ovation from the

Royal College of nothing -- Royal College of Nursing. The Labour

government here have cut the health government was up they have not cut

it. We would have to take it out of education and we were not prepared

to do that. We have a much better chance of rising to some of the

challenges that we face across Europe which is rising ageing

population and increased the cost of drugs. Because we have a unified

NHS in Wales, we have a better chance of the level of

reconfiguration we need to make in order to ensure our patients are

getting the world class service they should be able to expect. In

North Wales, the shortage of clinicians means they have overshot

their agency budget even more than any other tries put together.

leave the health service and me -- move on to Peter Hain. Whatever you

think of him, he is an effective campaigner. He is on his feet in

Prime Minister's Questions lobbying to bring about the establishment of

the Severn barrage. It is a hugely topical for everybody. I was

pleased by the Prime Minister's encouraging response. The potential

was outlined by Peter Hain and acknowledged by the Prime Minister.

There will be no opponents when this will be debated.

Environmentalists acknowledge when there is a game, there is a cost.

The potential is huge. Hopefully, Peter Hain will be working closely

with the UK and Welsh governments on a partnership basis to drive

this forward. It is important that we have got such a strong advocate

as Peter aim to drive forward the Severn barrage. This is the way

forward. It is interesting that the French president has said no more

nuclear. Renewables has to be the way forward. He has wasted no time

at all. He is a great politician and knows how to get his points

heard. Do you think he will be a mess to the Shadow Cabinet? Some

eyebrows may have been raised when he stepped down. That is fine. He

wants to dedicate this part of his political career to a specific

project. We have got an excellent replacement in Owen Smith.

believe that for now. Should Wales's agricultural heritage be

recognised by a statue of a sheep? The London tended 12 Olympics kick-

off in Cardiff in two months' time with the football at the Millennium

Stadium. There's been a big row over Welsh employment in the team.

More from Mark in Cardiff Bay. joined by the leader of the Welsh

Conservatives and the Plaid Cymru Assembly Member, Alun Ffred Jones.

Andrew RT Davies, you have got a short debates this afternoon. US

spelling out the cultural, sporting, economic benefits of eight Great

Britain team. -- US spelling out. This is a great opportunity to

promote the virtues of football across the United Kingdom. It is a

one-off occasion because it poses no risk to the status of the

Football Association of Wales. Should we all in Wales be

supporting a team cheap because man should our players be taking part

in it? They will enjoy all of the gains but you have to ask the

question whether the idea of a football team is in the long term

interest of Wales? If you have one team wide you have four

associations? This calls into question the privileges that have

been accrued to the association's since 1947. If they are real threat

and dangers you have to call into question whether this is a good

idea in the long term. You have met the head of UEFA. He is a very

powerful man within football. If this whole concept undermines the

FAW and the Welsh team in the future, I am not in favour of it.

That is not the case. How do you know that? I will outline this this

afternoon. This is a one-off events. This is typical Plaid Cymru a

nationalist MP scaremongering. on now! We're talking about a

celebration of football across the UK because we are hosting the

Olympics. Many famous players wanted this to happen. So there

won't be a future team? We all understand it is a one-off event.

It is a shame Plaid Cymru can celebrate that. Can I suggest they

are getting aside from this nationalist verses Unionist

argument, they will be many people in Wales who supports the Great

Britain team and are still worrying about the future of Welsh

participation. That is not the case. None of us can say what the future

is. We know the European Union is expanding all the time. Many would

like to take part in the competition. In this case this is

the Olympics, it has been hosted by the United Kingdom, there is a

sculptor have this one off team to play at the London Olympics. There

is a scope to have. Let's celebrate that fact. Less embrace it. I have

been celebrating Wales or longer then you have. I am a bit older and

a bit wiser. I will be enjoying the Olympics and the football. But they

have said this potentially undermines the existence of the

associations within the UK. The less anybody have evidence to the

contrary I will have my doubts about it. Should our Welsh players

boycotted? The question was addressed to me axeman if they want

to play they will play. -- addressed to me! Showed -- should

that happen, would you be concerned about that's would you be worried

about the disappearing of a Welsh team's I it would. I want them to

have a an independent association. We want to promote Cardiff and

Wales as one of the venues for the Olympic event. Instead of being

negative and downbeat about it we have the assurance are so let's get

behind the team as celebrate the Olympics. That is what I will be

doing as well as hundreds and thousands of others. A are you

downbeat? Of course not. I am supported of the Olympic movement

and Welsh football but I don't want anything to happen that undermines

that position of the FA of Wales and the potential existence of the

Welsh team. That is my concern about the your issue of this team.

If it is a one-off and you say it will go away, fine. But what if

next and the Olympic Association wants to put in a Great Britain

On this occasion, this is very much a one-off because we are hosting

the Olympic Games. This does not happen every day of the week. It

only happens once in a generation of. Let us embrace it, let us

celebrate it, let us show what Wales can do. We are hosting one of

those matches. Let us full that stadium. Final question - will you

be supporting the team? Of course. I have grave guides about the long-

term implications of Welsh football. We will be watching with interest.

Yes, you could have issued a couple of the yellow cards there!

I have got tickets for one of the Games, I think the bronze medal

play-off. That was quite a lively Raul there, it wasn't it? I think

it is fantastic the Olympics are kicking off with that women's

football, because women's football is not subject to the pressures of

money which has taken over the sporting event, to a large extent,

and the spirit of conviviality between nations. I strongly support

that, and do not have a particular view One Team GB. I think we should

just celebrate. What do you think? You are party leader there. It is

an individual few. But he made decays very forcibly, there, didn't

he? We should keep the devolution politics out of sport and celebrate

what is coming up. It is a fantastic opportunity for Wales

within the United Kingdom. The Olympics have come to London, but

London is sharing them with other parts of the UK. Let us celebrate

this. It is no more threat to football with them Wales earned the

many other Team GB sporting events which will be happening in the

Olympics with the four nations coming together. Let us celebrate

our differences, but within an integrated United Kingdom, and

knocked let petty nationalism get into what should be a sporting

celebration and party puts people in all four nations and regions of

the United Kingdom. Let us leave football a side. The benefits of

the Olympics - it is still the London Olympics. Why should Wales

have any benefits from Olympics in London? I think it is excellent

that there is this opportunity to offer our fantastic Millennium

Stadium for one of the main events, and to be honest, it is just as

accessible as some of the other events around London. So, it is

brilliant. Some event a coming to Wales and we should celebrate that.

The torch relay is coming in a couple of weeks' time. It is not

going up as far as Wrexham, though. That is right. You don't mind it

doesn't go to Wrexham? Are I am concerned, actually. There have

been recent surveys saying there is low interest in the Olympics, but

last week in the Chamber, I was pleased that Edwina Hart shared my

view and those of the Chambers of Commerce view that wants the torch

arrives, the interest will rise. -- at once.

We've already seen that the countryside has come to the Senedd

this morning - various countryside organisations say they are here to

educate people and to try and get their views on issues over to

politicians. Now the country folk may or may not be pleased to know

that the Assembly's Petitions Committee yesterday considered a

petition signed by 17 people for a statue of a sheep to be installed

outside the Senedd here in Cardiff Bay.

A petition submitted to, collecting 17 signatures, calling on the

National Assembly to make a statement of support of a permanent

statue of a sheep. We have had to supporting information, and it is

included in the papers that you have. I think the only way forward

for this is to ride to the Presiding Officer and ask his views

on the petition. But everybody agree?

When I was walking down to see Owen Smith and Carwyn Jones, I passed a

life-size plastic model of a cow. Now, there is talk of a sheep!

Sheep are an obviously important part of our economy. It is nice for

kids to have a statue of a sheep. I do not disagree with it. But if you

want action, you will probably have to collect more signatures. Moving

away from the sheep issue, a petition with 17 signatures take up

the time of the petition committee. There any need 10 signatures. Do

you think it is time to raise VAT threshold? The petitions committee

need to cope with the volume of signatures. -- raised the threshold.

We do not want to exclude people. If William became unmanageable,

perhaps we would be to consider it, but let us move on. -- if volume. I

can see the merits, why she does so important to Wales, but surely our

priority should be a dragon. Westminster has its Lyons. We have

a temporary dragon. But it is very there temporarily. Surely the

Parliament of Wales should have a permanent fighting Wales dragon.

think you need to get it petition together, don't you? Only takes 10

of you. Keith Davies is said to be censured

by it Assembly Members after he was involved in a drunken altercation

at the five-star Cardiff St David's Hotel last month. Can you fill us

in on the background to the story? Or I am standing on the steps of

the Senedd. And over my shoulder, the hotel, where Keith Davies was

staying, paid for by the taxpayers. On a work night, he went out, he

got drunk, he returned to the hotel in the early hours of the morning

with an unknown woman, and their behaviour was bad enough to cause

the hotel to contact the Presiding Officer to complain. That has led

to the Standards Commissioner looking into the events of that

Luke Knight. It was after him to decide whether there had been a

breach of Assembly standards. -- events of that night. They agreed

there had been a blot on the copybook, and it is they who are

putting forward that report to all Assembly Members this afternoon.

Mark here it is on the committee. Fell a cent on what we are

expecting to happen this afternoon. -- fill us in. At the Labour

Assembly Member whose stance that committee -- chairs that committee,

will be presenting it to the Assembly. He is a lawyer. We do

expect to hear Keith Davies themselves speaking. He has given

an apology to go the commissioner, added to his report, but we have

not hate him speak about this. -- not heard him. The Liberal

Democrats said they were not say anything on the issue. But we will

be hearing from Simon Thomas and Angela Burns, perhaps concentrating

more on what this has thrown up to the extent that the Assembly can

censure someone whose misbehaviour is not financial. They might

concentrate on that more than the misbehaviour itself. There is

another question - no matter what happens this afternoon, it his that

the Labour group is in a position to show their views and do

something. I understand that we would expect, after this, the

Labour group to take some further steps against Keith Davies. I do

not know what those are, but I gather it will not end here.

As you are a member of that group, can you enlighten us further?

only know about the position of the Presiding Officer. Her views are

very important. She said the public opprobrium that go with the

revelations are sufficient. He has apologised to the Labour group, and

no doubt he will be apologising to the Assembly this afternoon, but I

am not aware of any further action being taken. Mark, you sit on the

standards committee, which probably limits what you can say on this

issue. Let us pick up on the issue of the censure. Explain tour us

what it is? It is a public judgment of having breached the code of

conduct, a public telling off, which the member has an option of

responding verbally to. The member in this case has already publicly,

and in writing, acknowledged his actions and made a formal apology.

The censure motion and therefore is not much more than that. As we have

heard, the impact on the personal life of a member can be severe, so

there is a high price to pay. The committee, even before this

incident, is already considering what further measures the Assembly

should it all might need in the future if a member transgresses a

code of conduct. It might give the Assembly greater powers,

proportional to the breach, to use in the future. For example,

suspension or with the draw of privileges. But that is under

discussion. How would that be brought forward, then? There is

also a dialogue in Westminster. They are reviewing a register of

lobbyists. And there is a discussion on whether we should be

signing up to the Westminster register all approaching things

differently in Wales. That is a matter of discussion. There is

people are expressing different views. But this will be resolved

with the commissioner for standards. Very briefly, this kind of thing,

it way you are discussing the behaviour of an Assembly Member, is

not the kind of thing you would be talking about the Chamber, is it?

No, it clashes with the great decisions we are having to take

about the funding of public services, the way we are able to

create jobs or more people. This is a very unfortunate incident, but