:00:29. > :00:33.Welcome to the programme. During you break from the snooker, we will
:00:33. > :00:38.be going it to the Senedd imminently. Her lines of
:00:38. > :00:48.communication are open. There are plenty of them for you to get in
:00:48. > :01:00.
:01:00. > :01:06.They have already started at Senedd, so let's go over there now. This
:01:06. > :01:12.morning I was delighted to welcome the one millionth visitor to the
:01:12. > :01:16.Senedd. Since it was opened by her Majesty the Queen, the Senedd has
:01:16. > :01:22.become an iconic building which attracts visitors and admirers from
:01:22. > :01:25.all over the world. That is not the members, that is the building! I am
:01:25. > :01:33.sure members will join me in extending a welcome to all our
:01:33. > :01:38.visitors. First item on the agenda, questions to the First Minister.
:01:38. > :01:45.Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh government's
:01:45. > :01:49.priorities on environmental policy in the next six months. At the
:01:49. > :01:54.start of bigger energy week and on the back of figures published by
:01:54. > :01:58.Citizens Advice yesterday, improving household efficiency,
:01:58. > :02:02.energy-efficiency particularly in rural Wales, is vital over the
:02:02. > :02:07.coming months. The Environment Minister has said tackling fuel
:02:07. > :02:13.poverty is a complex problem and one in which no single organisation
:02:13. > :02:17.or government can resolve in isolation. First Minister, what are
:02:17. > :02:22.you government's plans to support the introduction of the UK
:02:22. > :02:29.government's Green dealer in Wales. We are already ahead of the game.
:02:29. > :02:35.Our strategy looks to eradicate fuel poverty by 2015. Our
:02:35. > :02:41.programmes improve the energy performance of homes in Wales. Many
:02:41. > :02:47.people have benefited over the years, particularly through lower
:02:47. > :02:50.fuel costs. I welcome the important measures we have taken to improve
:02:50. > :02:56.the Welsh environment since the establishment of the Assembly. I
:02:56. > :03:01.would like to focus on the greening of former industrial sites. I am
:03:01. > :03:04.concerned about the furnace side land in my constituency. I am
:03:05. > :03:09.pleased about work that has already taken place but I think there is
:03:09. > :03:13.still much more to be done. Can you give me the assurance today you
:03:13. > :03:16.will continue to work with the local-authority to finish this
:03:16. > :03:21.important environmental project which will be critical to the
:03:22. > :03:26.future regeneration of the area? Yes, I can. I know the proposals
:03:26. > :03:30.for the furnace at the site have been adopted in at the local
:03:30. > :03:35.development plan. It is a mix to use development, open recreation
:03:35. > :03:44.space, River Park, and the remnants of the former industrial process
:03:45. > :03:49.will be removed to create those usages of space. Thank you,
:03:49. > :03:53.Presiding Officer, following on from the response given earlier,
:03:53. > :03:58.First Minister, would you accept that trying to take action against
:03:58. > :04:03.fuel poverty is a necessary priority which meets social needs
:04:03. > :04:07.as well as environmental needs? Bearing in mind the debate we had
:04:07. > :04:12.last year at the end of the term, can the Welsh Government to
:04:12. > :04:18.announce they will progress further to train and provide the necessary
:04:18. > :04:22.workforce which is accredited to deal with this matter? Of course we
:04:22. > :04:28.are going to insure that the issue of fuel poverty is something which
:04:28. > :04:36.is a priority for the Government. Of course we have insured that
:04:36. > :04:46.schemes are available to people. We are putting in place in a skinted
:04:46. > :04:46.
:04:46. > :04:50.ticket to the next phase. First Minister, many canals and
:04:50. > :04:55.reservoirs provide recreational areas for a sport such as sailing
:04:55. > :04:59.and fishing. Would you agree to make it an environment of priority
:04:59. > :05:03.for the next term to protect valuable water escapes alongside
:05:03. > :05:09.valuable landscapes and valuable buildings for the communities they
:05:09. > :05:16.serve? Absolutely we want to insure we protect the environment in all
:05:16. > :05:20.its forms. Scraping the eyes of the car this morning, my thoughts
:05:20. > :05:24.turned to the many people who will be thinking about keeping their
:05:24. > :05:29.homes warm and wondering how they are going to pay for it. Will you
:05:29. > :05:31.confirm that the Welsh government will not follow the disastrous
:05:31. > :05:35.example of the Westminster Government who, rather than help
:05:35. > :05:40.those struggling to keep their homes warm, are going to cut the
:05:40. > :05:45.number of people getting help to insulate their homes by 90%. Do you
:05:45. > :05:50.agree that decision blows out of the water their claim to be the
:05:50. > :05:56.greenest government ever? Will you confirm we will continue to invest
:05:56. > :05:59.in schemes to reduce energy bills and tackle fuel poverty? Yes, fuel
:05:59. > :06:09.poverty is an important issue and one which will continue to have
:06:09. > :06:10.
:06:10. > :06:14.importance for many years to come. First Minister, what plans to the
:06:14. > :06:19.Welsh government have for improving standards of education in our most
:06:19. > :06:23.deprived communities? The programme for government sets out how we
:06:23. > :06:31.intend to deliver our objective in the Child poverty strategy for
:06:31. > :06:41.Wales. We will reduce the current inequalities and educational
:06:41. > :06:43.
:06:43. > :06:47.outcomes for children living in poverty. Today I received figures
:06:47. > :06:53.from there surgery which says that there is a relationship between the
:06:53. > :06:58.most deprived areas in Wales and the those failing schools. As you,
:06:58. > :07:03.First Minister, a year ago accepted that community first was not
:07:03. > :07:08.delivering entirely, isn't it now time to look again at the funding
:07:08. > :07:13.allocated to these most deprived communities to see if we can use
:07:13. > :07:16.the expenditure in a more relevant way to improve the outcome for are
:07:16. > :07:24.most disadvantaged children? I do not see there is a link between
:07:24. > :07:31.school bans and the areas where they are as regards, for example,
:07:31. > :07:35.some schools are in band one. There are some banned five schools in
:07:35. > :07:42.Bridgend that have quite a wealthy catchment area compared to other
:07:42. > :07:48.parts of Wales. As regards to communities first, we regarded as a
:07:48. > :07:53.successful schemes. With the First Minister agree that parents
:07:53. > :07:57.literacy is an important factor in enabling young children to read?
:07:57. > :08:01.And that many people have deplorably low standards of
:08:01. > :08:09.literacy. I wondered if you could say what the world government is
:08:09. > :08:16.doing to improve adult literacy in these deprived areas. We recognise
:08:16. > :08:21.poor literacy and numeracy is often passed down through the family,
:08:22. > :08:25.especially in disadvantaged communities. We're looking to see
:08:26. > :08:32.what can be done in order to help adults as they look to teach their
:08:32. > :08:36.children. I am sure you're looking forward to the Welsh Conservative
:08:36. > :08:42.debate tomorrow on early years of which does of course include flying
:08:42. > :08:47.start. Whilst my party welcomes the programme, we remain concerned
:08:47. > :08:50.about some difficulties in it reaching socio-economic plea
:08:50. > :08:54.disadvantaged families. Given the extra funding that has been made
:08:54. > :08:58.available, we you undertake to discuss with the Deputy Minister
:08:59. > :09:05.for children and Social Services had the Welsh government plans to
:09:05. > :09:09.insure the programme is best suited to support those groups which are
:09:09. > :09:13.socio-economic Clee disadvantaged? The scheme has been in place for
:09:13. > :09:18.some time and we are looking to increase the numbers of families
:09:18. > :09:23.who will benefit from it. The scheme has been successful over a
:09:23. > :09:31.number of years in assisting many families to improve their life and
:09:31. > :09:35.to raise them out of poverty. Minister, the Government's
:09:35. > :09:41.Foundation phase policy is having a huge impact in helping young
:09:41. > :09:45.children to develop and to fulfil their potential. It has cost cuts -
:09:45. > :09:49.- cross party support. Many order schools, particularly those in
:09:49. > :09:55.deprived communities, are not fit for purpose to deliver that
:09:56. > :09:59.foundation phase curriculum in full. How will the 21st century schools
:10:00. > :10:07.policy be designed so as to accommodate the needs of the
:10:07. > :10:10.foundation phase? Clearly were a new school is to be built it will
:10:11. > :10:16.need to include provisions for the foundation phase. Some older
:10:16. > :10:20.schools in Wales have been very innovative in providing an outdoor
:10:20. > :10:25.area, for example. In schools which are quite urban and in schools
:10:25. > :10:29.which are quite old. We would expect any new school to cater
:10:29. > :10:38.fully for the foundation phase if children of that age group are to
:10:38. > :10:44.attend at school. We moved to questions from the party leader.
:10:44. > :10:46.First Minister, before Christmas last year a couple of questions at
:10:46. > :10:50.first minister's Question Time in relation to it came the response
:10:50. > :10:54.times and this four-hour way to people have. You said you did not
:10:54. > :11:00.recognise those figures. I then went on to ask you about the
:11:00. > :11:03.bidding process and the cost of businesses that was involved. That
:11:03. > :11:07.was correlated back to the innovation efficiency Board of your
:11:07. > :11:12.government and you said you did not recognise that figure. In December
:11:12. > :11:19.you wrote to the Prime Minister and said 50% of Welsh exports go to the
:11:19. > :11:25.European Union when in fact it is 39%. Do you not think it is
:11:25. > :11:28.important that when the First Minister either respond to
:11:28. > :11:33.questions or addresses other institutions, Parliaments and a
:11:33. > :11:37.prime Minister, the figures that he uses are accurate and robust?
:11:37. > :11:41.think it is very important that leaders of the Conservative Party
:11:41. > :11:45.should accept that when previous leaders said they would cut
:11:45. > :11:51.education spending by 24%, that they acknowledge that was actually
:11:51. > :11:55.said. I am not sure how that answer response to the questions. If that
:11:55. > :11:59.is the best you can offer, there is not much hope for the Office of the
:11:59. > :12:04.First Minister in Wales. Last week you government held an hour-long
:12:04. > :12:07.debate on engagement with the European Union, and you actually
:12:07. > :12:12.said in that debate to their you thought the Prime Minister's
:12:12. > :12:17.decision was probably right. That was your words in summing up that
:12:17. > :12:21.debate. Do not think it is more important as First Minister that
:12:21. > :12:26.you stop political posturing and you engage with people who can make
:12:26. > :12:31.a difference to this country's outcomes? The view of his party was
:12:31. > :12:35.that the First Minister of Wales, whoever that is, had no right to
:12:36. > :12:40.put forward a view on Wales engagement with Europe or indeed on
:12:40. > :12:49.the international stage. I reject that view and I will continue to
:12:49. > :12:55.represent Wales on May the international stage. In my first
:12:55. > :12:59.question I highlighted how you get your facts and figures wrong. In my
:12:59. > :13:03.second question identified to you, in your own words last week in the
:13:03. > :13:07.debate that your government led, that you believe the Prime Minister
:13:07. > :13:12.was correct in the actions he undertook and you believed that you,
:13:12. > :13:16.in that situation, would have signed up to the veto as well. I
:13:16. > :13:21.think your words were, I probably would have followed what the Prime
:13:21. > :13:26.Minister did in that I would not have signed up to it. Isn't it time
:13:26. > :13:31.you engage with the real issues here in Wales is said of picking
:13:31. > :13:39.unnecessary fights and betraying the Wales in a very bad light?
:13:39. > :13:43.surprised that the Leader of the Opposition belittles the work --
:13:43. > :13:47.the workers at Airbus, all of these people were extremely worried about
:13:47. > :13:51.what happened at the European Council. They were worried about
:13:51. > :13:55.the impression that was given by the UK that some now we're on our
:13:55. > :14:00.way out of Europe. I agree with the actions taken by the Prime Minister,
:14:00. > :14:05.what I would not have done no is not prepare the ground with
:14:05. > :14:09.countries such as Denmark, Sweden, which was not done. And then not
:14:09. > :14:13.come back and spend my time with eurosceptics who want to see Wales
:14:13. > :14:22.and the UK lead Europe. That is the mistake the Prime Minister made and
:14:22. > :14:26.the mistake I had to rectify. Minister, last week they as to
:14:26. > :14:31.about what progress your government had made on implementing enterprise
:14:31. > :14:37.zones. He did not answer the questions last week, so if I may, I
:14:37. > :14:41.would like to ask them again today. Has the Business Minister now set
:14:41. > :14:44.to the boundaries for enterprise zones that she announced last year?
:14:44. > :14:50.Has the Business Minister established policy interventions in
:14:50. > :14:54.each of them? There was a meeting between the Leader of the House and
:14:54. > :14:56.the Chief Secretary of the Treasury on Thursday were it was
:14:56. > :15:01.acknowledged by the Chief Secretary of the Treasury that it has not
:15:01. > :15:08.been resolved yet. Suggestions were made as to how that might be done
:15:08. > :15:11.but we still await agreement on capital allowances. I am grateful
:15:11. > :15:15.that both your Business Minister under Enterprise Minister have been
:15:15. > :15:20.able to brief you on what I would have thought would have been a
:15:20. > :15:25.crucial element of a government's intervention in the economy.
:15:25. > :15:28.Capital allowances are indeed important. I would make a common
:15:28. > :15:34.call for the First Minister to press the Treasury for a final
:15:34. > :15:42.decision on them. Our case might be more robust and impressive if we
:15:42. > :15:45.could demonstrate what else we zones. My understanding is there is
:15:45. > :15:52.no decisions on capital allowance in the enterprise zone in Hurlford,
:15:52. > :15:58.but that has not stop them setting boundaries, appointing a chairman
:15:58. > :16:03.and the same is true for Liverpool and Bristol. All three enterprise
:16:03. > :16:08.zones pose a potential risk for economic stability here in Wales. I
:16:08. > :16:13.will ask you again, First Minister, William Enterprise Minister be true
:16:13. > :16:19.to her word that she gave Assembly Ministers that the details of
:16:19. > :16:27.boundaries and policy interventions, capital allowances will be made by
:16:27. > :16:33.the end of this month. Yes. I am glad for that indeed. Isn't the
:16:33. > :16:38.reality that it took many months after the announcement of the zones
:16:38. > :16:43.for your Minister to catch up and make similar announcements here?
:16:43. > :16:49.Steps are going ahead in Liverpool, Bristol and Hereford, on our
:16:49. > :16:52.borders to establish such zones. We are behind the game here, we you
:16:52. > :16:56.give a cast-iron guarantee to this chamber and the business community
:16:56. > :17:03.in Wales that despite the late announcements on the strategic
:17:03. > :17:07.details enterprise zones in Wales will be up and running by April?
:17:07. > :17:11.Businesses are not worried about this. They want to know there is a
:17:11. > :17:15.comprehensive package in place. It may well be another enterprise
:17:15. > :17:17.zones in England they are looking to see how they will work. Unless
:17:17. > :17:27.they get clarity and capital allowances they will never be able
:17:27. > :17:35.
:17:35. > :17:45.There are so few companies with headquarters located here, can he
:17:45. > :17:47.
:17:47. > :17:53.agree with me to insure Peacocks have a stable future. I share very
:17:53. > :18:01.much his concern about the future of Peacocks. We will be having an
:18:01. > :18:08.meeting with their officials very soon and we will make a statement
:18:08. > :18:15.later this afternoon with regard to that company's future. There does
:18:15. > :18:22.seem to be interest from buyers in terms of providing a future for the
:18:22. > :18:31.company. What the shape of that future will be is still uncertain.
:18:31. > :18:41.We will work very hard to ensure the future of that company. I am
:18:41. > :18:44.
:18:44. > :18:54.grateful to the First Minister for giving that assurance. I am sure
:18:54. > :18:56.
:18:56. > :19:01.you will use everything possible to protect the company but given that
:19:01. > :19:06.talks about their finances are ongoing and we do not know what the
:19:07. > :19:13.State of them are, wouldn't it be disgraceful if a company that has
:19:13. > :19:23.been bailed out by the taxpayer were to be seen to be pulling the
:19:23. > :19:26.
:19:26. > :19:33.plug on one of Wales's independent companies? Absolutely, after all
:19:33. > :19:43.the money that was picked in to RBS we would not like to see them pull
:19:43. > :19:43.
:19:44. > :19:53.the plug on a viable company. We do believe there is a viable future
:19:54. > :19:54.
:19:54. > :20:02.for Peacocks but you are right it does not look good if RBS are not
:20:02. > :20:11.supportive. We are providing �800,000 to support the development
:20:11. > :20:18.of grassroots football in Wales. Thank you First Minister, football
:20:18. > :20:24.is the most popular sport in the world and Wales continues to create
:20:24. > :20:34.world-class talent. Past legend Ian Rush has described his bus journeys
:20:34. > :20:34.
:20:34. > :20:44.to train in as his motivation to remove the financial barriers for
:20:44. > :20:50.
:20:50. > :21:00.children in Wales. Do you agree with me that we should support this
:21:00. > :21:12.
:21:12. > :21:22.sort of organisation? Absolutely. And I hope that our club Wrexham
:21:22. > :21:26.
:21:26. > :21:36.will play at a higher level next year. In Newport there is a local
:21:36. > :21:37.
:21:37. > :21:40.team who have won two consecutive District Leagues in their area. At
:21:40. > :21:50.present they are top of the lead but what they have told me is that
:21:50. > :21:52.
:21:53. > :22:02.they cannot find a club house or a pitch that meets their requirements.
:22:02. > :22:08.What is the Minister doing to ensure that these grass root so
:22:08. > :22:13.football players will have facilities? I know that many clubs
:22:13. > :22:23.over the years have raised the funds to build a clubhouse. I know
:22:23. > :22:23.
:22:23. > :22:28.it can be difficult for clubs who do not meet the correct criteria.
:22:28. > :22:38.One club would have been promoted if their facilities had been the
:22:38. > :22:41.
:22:41. > :22:45.right level for the Welsh Premiership. TRANSLATION: In London
:22:45. > :22:50.there is something called the Street Football League where they
:22:50. > :22:57.have been doing excellent work in trying to include disadvantaged
:22:57. > :23:01.people in football. They were invited to Downing Street and the
:23:01. > :23:11.people involved with street football in Wales are concerned
:23:11. > :23:18.that they are not given the right kind of financial support a like
:23:18. > :23:23.similar groups in England. It is important at grants -- grassroots
:23:23. > :23:32.level that Wales get the right support in this regard.
:23:32. > :23:36.TRANSLATION: There is a fund available to ensure that more young
:23:36. > :23:44.people have the opportunity to play football. There are schemes in
:23:44. > :23:49.place in order to assist people playing football. According to the
:23:49. > :23:55.South Wales Evening Post there has been a huge increase in the number
:23:55. > :23:59.of young people wanting to play football. The problem is the cost
:23:59. > :24:08.of permits in Swansea and the surrounding area or which has
:24:08. > :24:17.stopped the number of teams forming in the poorer the us. Is there any
:24:17. > :24:21.advice on this regarding permit costs for a junior football? It is
:24:21. > :24:26.right to say that grassroots football is run on the lowest
:24:26. > :24:35.budgets so it is important that charges are kept to the minimum as
:24:35. > :24:40.far as possible. What plans does the Welsh Government have for the
:24:40. > :24:45.timing of the 2012 local Government elections? They will go ahead as
:24:45. > :24:55.scheduled with the exception of Anglesey which will be delayed by
:24:55. > :24:56.
:24:56. > :25:06.one year to make 2013. Thank you, that news is what of the press. --
:25:06. > :25:16.
:25:16. > :25:23.Court of the press. -- hot off the press. -- May 2013. There are
:25:23. > :25:28.questions on the island over investment in forthcoming years,
:25:28. > :25:33.how do you respond to be genuine and growing concern that we need a
:25:33. > :25:43.council on Anglesey with up for Macromedia electoral mandate? The
:25:43. > :25:44.
:25:44. > :25:50.other 21 councils have more information on the future. Can you
:25:50. > :25:57.move on to your final question? Problems on Anglesey all along have
:25:57. > :26:07.been about corporate governance. In terms of democratic renewal.
:26:07. > :26:09.
:26:09. > :26:14.you move on to your question please? The issues in Anglesey
:26:14. > :26:20.where about scrutiny as well. It is important that the Local Government
:26:20. > :26:26.Boundary Commission can complete its review of arrangements to allow
:26:26. > :26:34.democratic renewal to take place. It makes sense that the elections
:26:34. > :26:41.are delayed by one year. TRANSLATION: Cook the First
:26:41. > :26:47.Minister remind members -- could be First Minister remind members that
:26:47. > :26:52.the decision to review boundaries was based on a very critical report
:26:52. > :26:57.by the Auditor which the Conservative Party at the time had
:26:57. > :27:07.accepted as a basis for a Democratic regeneration on the
:27:07. > :27:07.
:27:07. > :27:15.island. To delay the election is the only wise decision.
:27:15. > :27:20.TRANSLATION: I agree completely. A fair election on the new boundaries
:27:20. > :27:27.would ensure that on the island democratic systems continued to
:27:27. > :27:37.strengthen. Will the First Minister make a statement on the importance
:27:37. > :27:38.
:27:38. > :27:48.to Wales of the UK's membership of the European Union? For a during
:27:48. > :27:58.this time of economic uncertainty the EU membership has been vital.
:27:58. > :28:06.Do you a geek with Conservative economic commentators -- do you
:28:06. > :28:16.agree that the biggest condemnation of Deek Cameron/was born regime is
:28:16. > :28:17.
:28:17. > :28:21.that it exported such an austerity package of measures took the EU?
:28:21. > :28:27.always know in this chamber that the more loudly the Conservative
:28:27. > :28:32.benches grown the more uncomfortable an argument has been
:28:32. > :28:36.put before them. You are right to say there must be concern in the
:28:36. > :28:40.European Union that posterity has been taken so far and it will take
:28:40. > :28:48.far longer for the EU to recover which cannot be good for the
:28:48. > :28:54.citizens. I wonder sometimes how Conservatives can be held to
:28:54. > :28:59.account for what has gone on in Greece, Spain, Ireland and Portugal.
:28:59. > :29:03.Do you not think it is important that when the Welsh Government
:29:03. > :29:13.engages in European projects they should meet the targets they set
:29:13. > :29:14.
:29:14. > :29:23.out to achieve? We were supposed to reach a target of 90% by 2010 and
:29:23. > :29:29.we are now on 75 % of GDP, isn't that a failure? We need help from
:29:29. > :29:34.the UK Government. Lady Poole the economic levers. There is no doubt
:29:34. > :29:40.that the economic policies which were put in place when the
:29:40. > :29:44.Government was formed have failed. Inflation is on the way up. Every
:29:44. > :29:52.economic indicator in the UK is going in the wrong direction. We
:29:52. > :30:02.know best which is why we in Wales will try to mitigate the effects of
:30:02. > :30:08.
:30:08. > :30:14.the misguided UK economic policy. Order. TRANSLATION: To return to
:30:14. > :30:21.the question, last month you said you wanted to develop closer links
:30:21. > :30:28.between Wales and the European Union. Isn't ensuring a direct
:30:28. > :30:32.voice for Wales within D E U the best way forward? TRANSLATION: I do
:30:32. > :30:39.not believe that independence would be a sensible path for Wales to
:30:39. > :30:49.take. We do have a strong voice in the European Union. We have an
:30:49. > :30:49.
:30:49. > :30:53.office in Brussels. We take part in meetings in Brussels itself. I am
:30:53. > :31:03.disappointed at the negative European policies being pursued by
:31:03. > :31:08.the UK Government. Close working with our European neighbours is
:31:08. > :31:18.important, it builds research capacity by broadening the gene
:31:18. > :31:22.
:31:22. > :31:31.pool with cross purpose University arrangements will stop. What can we
:31:31. > :31:41.do to encourage closer links between Welsh and European
:31:41. > :31:43.
:31:43. > :31:53.universities? We have an office to further who dashed further these
:31:53. > :31:59.
:31:59. > :32:05.relationships. We have invested heavily in Welsh steelmaking, what
:32:05. > :32:15.is the Welsh Government going to do to reassure global companies that
:32:15. > :32:25.work here will focus on global and European markets to reassure them
:32:25. > :32:25.
:32:25. > :32:34.I welcome the Investment, it helps to secure or the future of the
:32:34. > :32:39.plant. It helps to make it clear we are part of the European Union. I
:32:39. > :32:42.will be in India in April and I intend to meet with the senior
:32:42. > :32:47.executives in order to emphasise the close connection that exists
:32:47. > :32:57.between the Wales and the steel company and to assure them they
:32:57. > :33:00.will -- we will continue to be strong partners. What progress has
:33:00. > :33:06.the Welsh government made regarding its programmes for government since
:33:06. > :33:14.it was published? Good progress. Are full progress report will be
:33:14. > :33:17.published in May. This chamber is fond of passing comment on
:33:17. > :33:22.Westminster policy. But what is your view on the Westminster
:33:22. > :33:26.opposition policy that last night proposed the private sector had an
:33:26. > :33:30.important role to play in the delivery of NHS care, and
:33:30. > :33:34.specifically do you agree with the 23 Welsh Labour MPs who voted in
:33:34. > :33:39.support of the private sector delivery of NHS? Do believe they
:33:39. > :33:44.were speaking on behalf of Welsh Labour? Were they speaking about
:33:44. > :33:51.the Welsh NHS? It is not the view of the world government that the
:33:51. > :33:58.private sector should play a role. In a programme for government you
:33:58. > :34:03.commit yourself to establishing diagrammatic -- diagnostic centres
:34:03. > :34:06.in key areas of Wales in order to improve Optical Care. As our
:34:06. > :34:12.constituents last week were the local health board had refused to
:34:12. > :34:17.treat eyes that have cataracts because the other eye is completely
:34:17. > :34:23.healthy. This is having a terrible impact on her sight and a quality
:34:23. > :34:27.of life. Does the First Minister agree that refusing treatment of my
:34:27. > :34:36.constituent is an acceptable? Can the First Minister of State us on
:34:36. > :34:41.the progress made on commitment to the Programme for Government?
:34:41. > :34:46.important people have the opportunity to have two operations
:34:46. > :34:50.for cataracts. I do not see the point in having one and the other
:34:50. > :34:57.not. It is important local health board unsure such services are
:34:57. > :35:02.available. First Minister, what assessment have you made of the
:35:02. > :35:07.implication for Wales of the UK government's current position
:35:07. > :35:12.regarding the euro? It would not be possible to assess the implications
:35:12. > :35:17.for Wales until we have a clearer picture of what the fiscal compact
:35:17. > :35:22.involves. Bearing in mind the UK government's virtual opt out of
:35:22. > :35:25.Europe, does he consider now might be a good opportunity for the
:35:25. > :35:30.establishment of a cross national commission to review the
:35:30. > :35:39.relationship between Europe, the United take -- and the United
:35:39. > :35:44.Nations and Britain to protect Waleses position. It is surely a
:35:45. > :35:47.failure in diplomacy that the UK is on their own. That situation must
:35:47. > :35:53.change and it must change quickly and soon for the benefit of the
:35:53. > :35:57.people of Wales and the rest of the UK. First Minister, I am sure
:35:57. > :36:07.you'll agree that following the changes on the credit rating for
:36:07. > :36:08.
:36:08. > :36:11.nine European countries last week, that the stability of such credit
:36:11. > :36:18.rating will underpin economic growth of the world and the United
:36:18. > :36:22.Kingdom's. The credit ratings are of interest and they are important,
:36:22. > :36:27.but they are arcane to the public. The public want a reduction in
:36:27. > :36:33.inflation, an increase in employment, they won their standard
:36:33. > :36:42.of living improved so as not to feel continually squeezed. -- they
:36:42. > :36:51.want to their standard of living. By downgrading the credit status of
:36:51. > :37:00.a number of European nations last week the credit agencies said that
:37:00. > :37:06.this austerity policy had failed. But over the weekend, Ed Balls the
:37:07. > :37:10.Labour spokesperson on financial matters has made it clear that
:37:10. > :37:18.Labour would not reverse all the cuts that the Westminster
:37:18. > :37:21.government has made. In what way would Labour's policy assist Wales,
:37:21. > :37:26.bearing in mind the consistent attacks you have made on the
:37:26. > :37:29.Westminster Government, and the way they impact on Wales? We have
:37:29. > :37:34.demonstrated by what we have done and Wales here in order to reduce
:37:34. > :37:38.the impact of the cuts on Wales. Looking at things such as the
:37:38. > :37:43.schemes that we have announced to put money into the Welsh economy to
:37:43. > :37:53.deal with fuel poverty and to reassure the people of Wales have a
:37:53. > :37:55.
:37:56. > :38:00.way of protecting themselves. the First Minister outline his key
:38:00. > :38:04.priorities for the next six months? Yes, they are to be found in the
:38:04. > :38:09.programme for government. Contributing to the security of our
:38:09. > :38:13.energy supplies is a key priority, but not at any cost. Does the
:38:14. > :38:19.Government propose to inquire into the safety of coal gas exploration,
:38:19. > :38:23.onshore or offshore? Are you able to update us on any further
:38:23. > :38:29.information you may have on the safety of a fracas in which has
:38:29. > :38:38.already caused much concern in this chamber. The it is a matter for the
:38:38. > :38:41.UK government, but we would encourage a diplomatic approach.
:38:41. > :38:44.Disabled people in Wales are rightly fearful that the UK
:38:44. > :38:49.Government's cuts in disability benefits will have a terrible
:38:49. > :38:53.impact on their lives. Disability charity experts and disabled people
:38:53. > :38:59.themselves have said the cuts are arbitrary. William make it a
:38:59. > :39:08.priority to stand up for disabled people in Wales? -- will you make
:39:08. > :39:14.it a priority? We continue to scrutinise the impact on proposals
:39:15. > :39:19.for welfare reform. A statement will be made to members shortly
:39:19. > :39:23.once that analysis is complete. The Minister for education and skills
:39:23. > :39:31.has written to the UK Minister for disabled people to request a
:39:31. > :39:37.meeting to discuss this. First Minister, I asked you last week
:39:37. > :39:42.about the internal inquiry into the All Wales Association on ethnic
:39:42. > :39:46.minorities. I asked specifically whether you had confidence in that
:39:46. > :39:51.Association and its chief executive to be responsible for European
:39:51. > :39:58.projects to the value of �8.4 million. You it knowledge that the
:39:58. > :40:03.allegations made against the chief executive was serious, and you said
:40:03. > :40:08.there was an inquiry, an ongoing inquiry. You did not tell us when
:40:08. > :40:13.you would be in a position to make announcements in this chamber to
:40:13. > :40:18.Assembly Members. Can you enlighten us this afternoon? I cannot give
:40:18. > :40:23.you a date, but I can tell you a review is taking place at the
:40:23. > :40:26.moment because the allegations are very serious. It is very important
:40:26. > :40:33.that everything should be reviewed so that the public can have
:40:33. > :40:37.confidence in his organisation. First Minister, a key priority for
:40:37. > :40:42.all of us in the coming months should surely be to do what we can
:40:42. > :40:48.to uphold the morale of our Welsh servicemen and their families
:40:48. > :40:54.serving their country abroad. As such, are you willing to join me in
:40:54. > :41:00.supporting the campaign laid by captain Williams of the Royal Welch
:41:00. > :41:04.regimental Association to restyle the A 470, the Royal Welsh way as a
:41:04. > :41:09.symbol of our understanding of their commitment to their country,
:41:09. > :41:14.but also the potential that would have to enhance sense of place and
:41:14. > :41:19.give a valuable shot in the arm tortures to industry? It is an
:41:19. > :41:24.interesting idea and something we will look at. I am not sure whether
:41:24. > :41:28.it would be an official or unofficial name. Certainly, if you
:41:28. > :41:33.were to write to me with further details it is something I would
:41:33. > :41:42.investigate. That is it from First Minister's questions this week. You
:41:42. > :41:47.can see more alive Assembly action on lines.
:41:47. > :41:56.Our political correspondent is on the sofa with us. Good afternoon.
:41:56. > :42:00.Let's start with some statistics. They say that there are lies and
:42:00. > :42:04.statistics and there was certainly an implication that the First
:42:04. > :42:08.Minister has in the past been economic gulf with actuality when
:42:08. > :42:12.it comes to statistics. He cited one example where the First
:42:12. > :42:18.Minister had written to David Cameron quoting that 50% of world
:42:18. > :42:24.exports were going to the European Union. The exact number is closer
:42:24. > :42:28.to 39%. It was not really a debate which Carwyn Jones wanted to engage
:42:28. > :42:32.with. He turned the tables on the Conservatives are saying they were
:42:32. > :42:37.now taking back some comments they made about the percentage cut they
:42:37. > :42:41.would have made in the education budget. That was fairly interesting,
:42:41. > :42:48.more interesting was the change and the dynamic in the relationship we
:42:48. > :42:52.saw between the First Minister and Kirsty Williams. Kirsty Williams a
:42:52. > :42:56.lot more feisty today when it came to her exchange with the First
:42:56. > :43:04.Minister, asking specifically about enterprise zones and asking why was
:43:04. > :43:08.it chief-executive and boards had already been set up on the border,
:43:08. > :43:12.places which have an economic impact on Wales. In Wales the
:43:12. > :43:16.debate has not moved much further and the First Minister did promised
:43:17. > :43:24.there would be further developments on enterprise zones within the next
:43:24. > :43:32.month. Carwyn Jones, for the first time in a long time was beginning
:43:33. > :43:36.to agree with his colleague. On the subject of Peacocks, they said when