17/01/2012 am.pm

Welcome to the programme. During you break from the snooker, we will

be going it to the Senedd imminently. Her lines of

communication are open. There are plenty of them for you to get in

They have already started at Senedd, so let's go over there now. This

morning I was delighted to welcome the one millionth visitor to the

Senedd. Since it was opened by her Majesty the Queen, the Senedd has

become an iconic building which attracts visitors and admirers from

all over the world. That is not the members, that is the building! I am

sure members will join me in extending a welcome to all our

visitors. First item on the agenda, questions to the First Minister.

Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh government's

priorities on environmental policy in the next six months. At the

start of bigger energy week and on the back of figures published by

Citizens Advice yesterday, improving household efficiency,

energy-efficiency particularly in rural Wales, is vital over the

coming months. The Environment Minister has said tackling fuel

poverty is a complex problem and one in which no single organisation

or government can resolve in isolation. First Minister, what are

you government's plans to support the introduction of the UK

government's Green dealer in Wales. We are already ahead of the game.

Our strategy looks to eradicate fuel poverty by 2015. Our

programmes improve the energy performance of homes in Wales. Many

people have benefited over the years, particularly through lower

fuel costs. I welcome the important measures we have taken to improve

the Welsh environment since the establishment of the Assembly. I

would like to focus on the greening of former industrial sites. I am

concerned about the furnace side land in my constituency. I am

pleased about work that has already taken place but I think there is

still much more to be done. Can you give me the assurance today you

will continue to work with the local-authority to finish this

important environmental project which will be critical to the

future regeneration of the area? Yes, I can. I know the proposals

for the furnace at the site have been adopted in at the local

development plan. It is a mix to use development, open recreation

space, River Park, and the remnants of the former industrial process

will be removed to create those usages of space. Thank you,

Presiding Officer, following on from the response given earlier,

First Minister, would you accept that trying to take action against

fuel poverty is a necessary priority which meets social needs

as well as environmental needs? Bearing in mind the debate we had

last year at the end of the term, can the Welsh Government to

announce they will progress further to train and provide the necessary

workforce which is accredited to deal with this matter? Of course we

are going to insure that the issue of fuel poverty is something which

is a priority for the Government. Of course we have insured that

schemes are available to people. We are putting in place in a skinted

ticket to the next phase. First Minister, many canals and

reservoirs provide recreational areas for a sport such as sailing

and fishing. Would you agree to make it an environment of priority

for the next term to protect valuable water escapes alongside

valuable landscapes and valuable buildings for the communities they

serve? Absolutely we want to insure we protect the environment in all

its forms. Scraping the eyes of the car this morning, my thoughts

turned to the many people who will be thinking about keeping their

homes warm and wondering how they are going to pay for it. Will you

confirm that the Welsh government will not follow the disastrous

example of the Westminster Government who, rather than help

those struggling to keep their homes warm, are going to cut the

number of people getting help to insulate their homes by 90%. Do you

agree that decision blows out of the water their claim to be the

greenest government ever? Will you confirm we will continue to invest

in schemes to reduce energy bills and tackle fuel poverty? Yes, fuel

poverty is an important issue and one which will continue to have

importance for many years to come. First Minister, what plans to the

Welsh government have for improving standards of education in our most

deprived communities? The programme for government sets out how we

intend to deliver our objective in the Child poverty strategy for

Wales. We will reduce the current inequalities and educational

outcomes for children living in poverty. Today I received figures

from there surgery which says that there is a relationship between the

most deprived areas in Wales and the those failing schools. As you,

First Minister, a year ago accepted that community first was not

delivering entirely, isn't it now time to look again at the funding

allocated to these most deprived communities to see if we can use

the expenditure in a more relevant way to improve the outcome for are

most disadvantaged children? I do not see there is a link between

school bans and the areas where they are as regards, for example,

some schools are in band one. There are some banned five schools in

Bridgend that have quite a wealthy catchment area compared to other

parts of Wales. As regards to communities first, we regarded as a

successful schemes. With the First Minister agree that parents

literacy is an important factor in enabling young children to read?

And that many people have deplorably low standards of

literacy. I wondered if you could say what the world government is

doing to improve adult literacy in these deprived areas. We recognise

poor literacy and numeracy is often passed down through the family,

especially in disadvantaged communities. We're looking to see

what can be done in order to help adults as they look to teach their

children. I am sure you're looking forward to the Welsh Conservative

debate tomorrow on early years of which does of course include flying

start. Whilst my party welcomes the programme, we remain concerned

about some difficulties in it reaching socio-economic plea

disadvantaged families. Given the extra funding that has been made

available, we you undertake to discuss with the Deputy Minister

for children and Social Services had the Welsh government plans to

insure the programme is best suited to support those groups which are

socio-economic Clee disadvantaged? The scheme has been in place for

some time and we are looking to increase the numbers of families

who will benefit from it. The scheme has been successful over a

number of years in assisting many families to improve their life and

to raise them out of poverty. Minister, the Government's

Foundation phase policy is having a huge impact in helping young

children to develop and to fulfil their potential. It has cost cuts -

- cross party support. Many order schools, particularly those in

deprived communities, are not fit for purpose to deliver that

foundation phase curriculum in full. How will the 21st century schools

policy be designed so as to accommodate the needs of the

foundation phase? Clearly were a new school is to be built it will

need to include provisions for the foundation phase. Some older

schools in Wales have been very innovative in providing an outdoor

area, for example. In schools which are quite urban and in schools

which are quite old. We would expect any new school to cater

fully for the foundation phase if children of that age group are to

attend at school. We moved to questions from the party leader.

First Minister, before Christmas last year a couple of questions at

first minister's Question Time in relation to it came the response

times and this four-hour way to people have. You said you did not

recognise those figures. I then went on to ask you about the

bidding process and the cost of businesses that was involved. That

was correlated back to the innovation efficiency Board of your

government and you said you did not recognise that figure. In December

you wrote to the Prime Minister and said 50% of Welsh exports go to the

European Union when in fact it is 39%. Do you not think it is

important that when the First Minister either respond to

questions or addresses other institutions, Parliaments and a

prime Minister, the figures that he uses are accurate and robust?

think it is very important that leaders of the Conservative Party

should accept that when previous leaders said they would cut

education spending by 24%, that they acknowledge that was actually

said. I am not sure how that answer response to the questions. If that

is the best you can offer, there is not much hope for the Office of the

First Minister in Wales. Last week you government held an hour-long

debate on engagement with the European Union, and you actually

said in that debate to their you thought the Prime Minister's

decision was probably right. That was your words in summing up that

debate. Do not think it is more important as First Minister that

you stop political posturing and you engage with people who can make

a difference to this country's outcomes? The view of his party was

that the First Minister of Wales, whoever that is, had no right to

put forward a view on Wales engagement with Europe or indeed on

the international stage. I reject that view and I will continue to

represent Wales on May the international stage. In my first

question I highlighted how you get your facts and figures wrong. In my

second question identified to you, in your own words last week in the

debate that your government led, that you believe the Prime Minister

was correct in the actions he undertook and you believed that you,

in that situation, would have signed up to the veto as well. I

think your words were, I probably would have followed what the Prime

Minister did in that I would not have signed up to it. Isn't it time

you engage with the real issues here in Wales is said of picking

unnecessary fights and betraying the Wales in a very bad light?

surprised that the Leader of the Opposition belittles the work --

the workers at Airbus, all of these people were extremely worried about

what happened at the European Council. They were worried about

the impression that was given by the UK that some now we're on our

way out of Europe. I agree with the actions taken by the Prime Minister,

what I would not have done no is not prepare the ground with

countries such as Denmark, Sweden, which was not done. And then not

come back and spend my time with eurosceptics who want to see Wales

and the UK lead Europe. That is the mistake the Prime Minister made and

the mistake I had to rectify. Minister, last week they as to

about what progress your government had made on implementing enterprise

zones. He did not answer the questions last week, so if I may, I

would like to ask them again today. Has the Business Minister now set

to the boundaries for enterprise zones that she announced last year?

Has the Business Minister established policy interventions in

each of them? There was a meeting between the Leader of the House and

the Chief Secretary of the Treasury on Thursday were it was

acknowledged by the Chief Secretary of the Treasury that it has not

been resolved yet. Suggestions were made as to how that might be done

but we still await agreement on capital allowances. I am grateful

that both your Business Minister under Enterprise Minister have been

able to brief you on what I would have thought would have been a

crucial element of a government's intervention in the economy.

Capital allowances are indeed important. I would make a common

call for the First Minister to press the Treasury for a final

decision on them. Our case might be more robust and impressive if we

could demonstrate what else we zones. My understanding is there is

no decisions on capital allowance in the enterprise zone in Hurlford,

but that has not stop them setting boundaries, appointing a chairman

and the same is true for Liverpool and Bristol. All three enterprise

zones pose a potential risk for economic stability here in Wales. I

will ask you again, First Minister, William Enterprise Minister be true

to her word that she gave Assembly Ministers that the details of

boundaries and policy interventions, capital allowances will be made by

the end of this month. Yes. I am glad for that indeed. Isn't the

reality that it took many months after the announcement of the zones

for your Minister to catch up and make similar announcements here?

Steps are going ahead in Liverpool, Bristol and Hereford, on our

borders to establish such zones. We are behind the game here, we you

give a cast-iron guarantee to this chamber and the business community

in Wales that despite the late announcements on the strategic

details enterprise zones in Wales will be up and running by April?

Businesses are not worried about this. They want to know there is a

comprehensive package in place. It may well be another enterprise

zones in England they are looking to see how they will work. Unless

they get clarity and capital allowances they will never be able

There are so few companies with headquarters located here, can he

agree with me to insure Peacocks have a stable future. I share very

much his concern about the future of Peacocks. We will be having an

meeting with their officials very soon and we will make a statement

later this afternoon with regard to that company's future. There does

seem to be interest from buyers in terms of providing a future for the

company. What the shape of that future will be is still uncertain.

We will work very hard to ensure the future of that company. I am

grateful to the First Minister for giving that assurance. I am sure

you will use everything possible to protect the company but given that

talks about their finances are ongoing and we do not know what the

State of them are, wouldn't it be disgraceful if a company that has

been bailed out by the taxpayer were to be seen to be pulling the

plug on one of Wales's independent companies? Absolutely, after all

the money that was picked in to RBS we would not like to see them pull

the plug on a viable company. We do believe there is a viable future

for Peacocks but you are right it does not look good if RBS are not

supportive. We are providing �800,000 to support the development

of grassroots football in Wales. Thank you First Minister, football

is the most popular sport in the world and Wales continues to create

world-class talent. Past legend Ian Rush has described his bus journeys

to train in as his motivation to remove the financial barriers for

children in Wales. Do you agree with me that we should support this

sort of organisation? Absolutely. And I hope that our club Wrexham

will play at a higher level next year. In Newport there is a local

team who have won two consecutive District Leagues in their area. At

present they are top of the lead but what they have told me is that

they cannot find a club house or a pitch that meets their requirements.

What is the Minister doing to ensure that these grass root so

football players will have facilities? I know that many clubs

over the years have raised the funds to build a clubhouse. I know

it can be difficult for clubs who do not meet the correct criteria.

One club would have been promoted if their facilities had been the

right level for the Welsh Premiership. TRANSLATION: In London

there is something called the Street Football League where they

have been doing excellent work in trying to include disadvantaged

people in football. They were invited to Downing Street and the

people involved with street football in Wales are concerned

that they are not given the right kind of financial support a like

similar groups in England. It is important at grants -- grassroots

level that Wales get the right support in this regard.

TRANSLATION: There is a fund available to ensure that more young

people have the opportunity to play football. There are schemes in

place in order to assist people playing football. According to the

South Wales Evening Post there has been a huge increase in the number

of young people wanting to play football. The problem is the cost

of permits in Swansea and the surrounding area or which has

stopped the number of teams forming in the poorer the us. Is there any

advice on this regarding permit costs for a junior football? It is

right to say that grassroots football is run on the lowest

budgets so it is important that charges are kept to the minimum as

far as possible. What plans does the Welsh Government have for the

timing of the 2012 local Government elections? They will go ahead as

scheduled with the exception of Anglesey which will be delayed by

one year to make 2013. Thank you, that news is what of the press. --

Court of the press. -- hot off the press. -- May 2013. There are

questions on the island over investment in forthcoming years,

how do you respond to be genuine and growing concern that we need a

council on Anglesey with up for Macromedia electoral mandate? The

other 21 councils have more information on the future. Can you

move on to your final question? Problems on Anglesey all along have

been about corporate governance. In terms of democratic renewal.

you move on to your question please? The issues in Anglesey

where about scrutiny as well. It is important that the Local Government

Boundary Commission can complete its review of arrangements to allow

democratic renewal to take place. It makes sense that the elections

are delayed by one year. TRANSLATION: Cook the First

Minister remind members -- could be First Minister remind members that

the decision to review boundaries was based on a very critical report

by the Auditor which the Conservative Party at the time had

accepted as a basis for a Democratic regeneration on the

island. To delay the election is the only wise decision.

TRANSLATION: I agree completely. A fair election on the new boundaries

would ensure that on the island democratic systems continued to

strengthen. Will the First Minister make a statement on the importance

to Wales of the UK's membership of the European Union? For a during

this time of economic uncertainty the EU membership has been vital.

Do you a geek with Conservative economic commentators -- do you

agree that the biggest condemnation of Deek Cameron/was born regime is

that it exported such an austerity package of measures took the EU?

always know in this chamber that the more loudly the Conservative

benches grown the more uncomfortable an argument has been

put before them. You are right to say there must be concern in the

European Union that posterity has been taken so far and it will take

far longer for the EU to recover which cannot be good for the

citizens. I wonder sometimes how Conservatives can be held to

account for what has gone on in Greece, Spain, Ireland and Portugal.

Do you not think it is important that when the Welsh Government

engages in European projects they should meet the targets they set

out to achieve? We were supposed to reach a target of 90% by 2010 and

we are now on 75 % of GDP, isn't that a failure? We need help from

the UK Government. Lady Poole the economic levers. There is no doubt

that the economic policies which were put in place when the

Government was formed have failed. Inflation is on the way up. Every

economic indicator in the UK is going in the wrong direction. We

know best which is why we in Wales will try to mitigate the effects of

the misguided UK economic policy. Order. TRANSLATION: To return to

the question, last month you said you wanted to develop closer links

between Wales and the European Union. Isn't ensuring a direct

voice for Wales within D E U the best way forward? TRANSLATION: I do

not believe that independence would be a sensible path for Wales to

take. We do have a strong voice in the European Union. We have an

office in Brussels. We take part in meetings in Brussels itself. I am

disappointed at the negative European policies being pursued by

the UK Government. Close working with our European neighbours is

important, it builds research capacity by broadening the gene

pool with cross purpose University arrangements will stop. What can we

do to encourage closer links between Welsh and European

universities? We have an office to further who dashed further these

relationships. We have invested heavily in Welsh steelmaking, what

is the Welsh Government going to do to reassure global companies that

work here will focus on global and European markets to reassure them

I welcome the Investment, it helps to secure or the future of the

plant. It helps to make it clear we are part of the European Union. I

will be in India in April and I intend to meet with the senior

executives in order to emphasise the close connection that exists

between the Wales and the steel company and to assure them they

will -- we will continue to be strong partners. What progress has

the Welsh government made regarding its programmes for government since

it was published? Good progress. Are full progress report will be

published in May. This chamber is fond of passing comment on

Westminster policy. But what is your view on the Westminster

opposition policy that last night proposed the private sector had an

important role to play in the delivery of NHS care, and

specifically do you agree with the 23 Welsh Labour MPs who voted in

support of the private sector delivery of NHS? Do believe they

were speaking on behalf of Welsh Labour? Were they speaking about

the Welsh NHS? It is not the view of the world government that the

private sector should play a role. In a programme for government you

commit yourself to establishing diagrammatic -- diagnostic centres

in key areas of Wales in order to improve Optical Care. As our

constituents last week were the local health board had refused to

treat eyes that have cataracts because the other eye is completely

healthy. This is having a terrible impact on her sight and a quality

of life. Does the First Minister agree that refusing treatment of my

constituent is an acceptable? Can the First Minister of State us on

the progress made on commitment to the Programme for Government?

important people have the opportunity to have two operations

for cataracts. I do not see the point in having one and the other

not. It is important local health board unsure such services are

available. First Minister, what assessment have you made of the

implication for Wales of the UK government's current position

regarding the euro? It would not be possible to assess the implications

for Wales until we have a clearer picture of what the fiscal compact

involves. Bearing in mind the UK government's virtual opt out of

Europe, does he consider now might be a good opportunity for the

establishment of a cross national commission to review the

relationship between Europe, the United take -- and the United

Nations and Britain to protect Waleses position. It is surely a

failure in diplomacy that the UK is on their own. That situation must

change and it must change quickly and soon for the benefit of the

people of Wales and the rest of the UK. First Minister, I am sure

you'll agree that following the changes on the credit rating for

nine European countries last week, that the stability of such credit

rating will underpin economic growth of the world and the United

Kingdom's. The credit ratings are of interest and they are important,

but they are arcane to the public. The public want a reduction in

inflation, an increase in employment, they won their standard

of living improved so as not to feel continually squeezed. -- they

want to their standard of living. By downgrading the credit status of

a number of European nations last week the credit agencies said that

this austerity policy had failed. But over the weekend, Ed Balls the

Labour spokesperson on financial matters has made it clear that

Labour would not reverse all the cuts that the Westminster

government has made. In what way would Labour's policy assist Wales,

bearing in mind the consistent attacks you have made on the

Westminster Government, and the way they impact on Wales? We have

demonstrated by what we have done and Wales here in order to reduce

the impact of the cuts on Wales. Looking at things such as the

schemes that we have announced to put money into the Welsh economy to

deal with fuel poverty and to reassure the people of Wales have a

way of protecting themselves. the First Minister outline his key

priorities for the next six months? Yes, they are to be found in the

programme for government. Contributing to the security of our

energy supplies is a key priority, but not at any cost. Does the

Government propose to inquire into the safety of coal gas exploration,

onshore or offshore? Are you able to update us on any further

information you may have on the safety of a fracas in which has

already caused much concern in this chamber. The it is a matter for the

UK government, but we would encourage a diplomatic approach.

Disabled people in Wales are rightly fearful that the UK

Government's cuts in disability benefits will have a terrible

impact on their lives. Disability charity experts and disabled people

themselves have said the cuts are arbitrary. William make it a

priority to stand up for disabled people in Wales? -- will you make

it a priority? We continue to scrutinise the impact on proposals

for welfare reform. A statement will be made to members shortly

once that analysis is complete. The Minister for education and skills

has written to the UK Minister for disabled people to request a

meeting to discuss this. First Minister, I asked you last week

about the internal inquiry into the All Wales Association on ethnic

minorities. I asked specifically whether you had confidence in that

Association and its chief executive to be responsible for European

projects to the value of �8.4 million. You it knowledge that the

allegations made against the chief executive was serious, and you said

there was an inquiry, an ongoing inquiry. You did not tell us when

you would be in a position to make announcements in this chamber to

Assembly Members. Can you enlighten us this afternoon? I cannot give

you a date, but I can tell you a review is taking place at the

moment because the allegations are very serious. It is very important

that everything should be reviewed so that the public can have

confidence in his organisation. First Minister, a key priority for

all of us in the coming months should surely be to do what we can

to uphold the morale of our Welsh servicemen and their families

serving their country abroad. As such, are you willing to join me in

supporting the campaign laid by captain Williams of the Royal Welch

regimental Association to restyle the A 470, the Royal Welsh way as a

symbol of our understanding of their commitment to their country,

but also the potential that would have to enhance sense of place and

give a valuable shot in the arm tortures to industry? It is an

interesting idea and something we will look at. I am not sure whether

it would be an official or unofficial name. Certainly, if you

were to write to me with further details it is something I would

investigate. That is it from First Minister's questions this week. You

can see more alive Assembly action on lines.

Our political correspondent is on the sofa with us. Good afternoon.

Let's start with some statistics. They say that there are lies and

statistics and there was certainly an implication that the First

Minister has in the past been economic gulf with actuality when

it comes to statistics. He cited one example where the First

Minister had written to David Cameron quoting that 50% of world

exports were going to the European Union. The exact number is closer

to 39%. It was not really a debate which Carwyn Jones wanted to engage

with. He turned the tables on the Conservatives are saying they were

now taking back some comments they made about the percentage cut they

would have made in the education budget. That was fairly interesting,

more interesting was the change and the dynamic in the relationship we

saw between the First Minister and Kirsty Williams. Kirsty Williams a

lot more feisty today when it came to her exchange with the First

Minister, asking specifically about enterprise zones and asking why was

it chief-executive and boards had already been set up on the border,

places which have an economic impact on Wales. In Wales the

debate has not moved much further and the First Minister did promised

there would be further developments on enterprise zones within the next

month. Carwyn Jones, for the first time in a long time was beginning

to agree with his colleague. On the subject of Peacocks, they said when