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help -- heavily with AMs asking about economic development in North

Wales, enterprise zones in North at Haven and what the government is

doing to promote tourism. We will also be watching out to see if

there's any reaction to the UK government's call for Wales to go

its own way on school exams and the education ministers response that

GCSEs and A-levels are to stay. What you want to talk about? If you want

to comment on anything on the programme, get in touch with us. You

can reach us by a Twitter or send us an e-mail. The First Minister is

already on his feet so let's go over now to the chamber. What actions as

the First Minister taken to support care? We supported very highly. The

reconfiguration proposals say there should be greater care in the

community. The Welsh community has always seen a need for the community

to be involved. There is a need to put more resources into such teams.

What discussions has the wealth -- was government had with the health

boards to ensure these resources are available for greater

community-based healthcare services? It is an important issue

and the Minister for health services isn't looking at the actions

necessary -- is looking at the actions. So there have been some

positive examples of joint working across Wales, for example the

frailty programmes. You will be well aware the number of people who are

receiving direct payments have increased by 20%. Can you ballot

policies to maintain this increase allowing people to access services

they need? We're working hard to insure that the health boards and

social services are working together in order to provide the best

possible outcome for our citizens. It is important that is provided for

them because we know that primary and community services run together,

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they are not separate services that McMillan has long highlighted the

huge costs that for one cancer patients during their treatment and

recovery. Their 2011 report says that the increased burden is �5,000,

on top of the average �16,000 loss in earnings, can you tell us which

aspect of your cancer plan addresses this? Years, cancer can cost up to

�1500 in travel, clothes, and other costs on top of earnings. That is

why we want to see a person centred approach to dealing with cancer,

which is why key workers are so important to provide that holistic

support, including being able to know where they can obtain financial

Assembly research service show that over the fast track past five years,

the number of people attending major accident and emergency units has

risen by almost 70,000. To around 800,000 visitors per year. We have

an ageing population and the numbers of people with chronic conditions is

on the increase. Can you explain, then, to the people of the South

Wales area, why you are reducing the number of accident and emergency

departments? I am not aware of any published plans. We are expecting

plans to be published tomorrow. We all know that the number of service

users is rising, capacity is an issue. Plaid Cymru has opposed to

your reorganisation plans in the past. We believe services should be

provided safely, as close to people's homes as is possible. Now,

in February, a poll found that 74% of people in Wales disagreed with

your hospital policy. You've often said that these changes are

clinically led and a report looked at 10,000 patients in

life-threatening situations and found that for every additional ten,

does travel, it increases the mortality rate by 1%. Do you agree

or dispute that finding? I agree with the leader of Plaid Cymru.

want services to be as safe and is close to people 's homes as

possible. We want to do this. didn't answer the question. I asked

you whether or not you agreed with or you disputed the Sheffield

finding? The Sheffield study is robust, it is clinical evidence and

yet to be challenged. Clinicians say that it is a lack of staff and

failure to recruit that is causing the problems in our hospitals,

something you've blamed on Westminster in the past. Plaid Cymru

has said we should look at financial incentives and support to attract

new doctors. Are you prepared to be honest with the people of Wales now,

First Minister, and agree that these changes are being driven by a

shortage of qualified medical staff? I would be very grateful for a

straight answer on that, First Minister, so that people can be in

the position to decide whether there is increased risks from travelling

extra distance to AMD, and whether it can be blamed on the previous

government 's immigration policy, or that government here controls the

NHS? I do not accept this sudden increased risk the leader of Clyde

Comrie puts forward. If she can find me any consultant that supports her

position, I would love to speak to them. Consultants themselves say

then eats to be reconfiguration. Her party ignores what doctors say and

we want to make sure that people have access to a service that is

safe and sustainable but her party wants to make sure that the NHS is

not in that position. The safety of the service is not important, the

sustainable and the of the service isn't important, but what is

important from her point of view is political gain. First Minister,

according to visit Britain, Cardiff is the any Welsh town or city in the

top 50 most visited places in Britain, given the importance of

tourism to the Welsh economy and jobs, what is your government 's

target for increasing the number of visits to Wales? The tourism

strategy will be published on 17th of June. According to official visit

figures, in the last six years, visitor numbers were falling in

Wales by almost a quarter, whereas across the cake, they went down by

just 3%. -- across the UK. Your government spent an extra �850,000

on tourism promotion, what exactly did Welsh taxpayers get for that

investment? Selling Wales around the world. The weather has not been kind

to us. That has not helped. We have committed many millions of pounds to

market Wales around the world. One of the things we are doing now, of

course, is developing the tourism market as new routes are served from

Cardiff airport, to make sure the flow of passengers is not all one

way. It is right to say, for example, we need to make sure we

have indoor attractions, we have Cardiff city in the Premier League

next year, and that is a lot of money. More than anything else on

top of the marketing support, we need to make sure we have better

weather than we have had over the last few years. That in itself is

not a reason to be complacent. We understand that. It doesn't make it

any less of an issue. First Minister, I've spent a lot of time

criticising you for things you don't do, but even I would have to

acknowledge that you can't control the weather, despite... Despite your

well-known resemblance to a certain weatherman. The reality is, First

Minister, your government has spent an additional �850,000 in tourism

marketing last year, and I asked what Wales and Welsh taxpayers have

got for it. You say you are increasing the number of

international visitors but the reality is that in six years, total

overseas visits to Wales are down by 22%. European visitors are down by

27%, and there's been a massive drop of 40% from the North American

market. Visit Britain has clearly stated that it aims to bring an

extra 9 million tourists a year to Britain by 2020. I am asking you

when you finally mean get round to publishing your tourism strategy,

how many visitors will be expected in Wales as a result of your

government's action? Without wishing to prejudge the strategy, we do put

substantial amount of money into tourism, 4.1 million pounds for

marketing, and more money for other things. The question for us is how

can we increase the numbers of visitors, which is widely tourism

strategy is being published on 17th of June. First Minister, can you

tell me what you know about the Welsh government's business partner

called part cabbie? I am aware of what it is, and I am aware of what

plans they will be fired. That business Park has had 21 million

pounds spent on it in recent years by Joel government. It has no

businesses whatsoever located on that side. It has had �7 million

spent on infrastructure, 5 million putting in electricity substation.

Doesn't this show a lack of ability to actually correlate the spending

of money on enterprise and business projects with the pity of creating

jobs, especially when you look back on the record of previous Labour

governments around tech theorems which have been shelved after an

expensive �100 million, the Dragon project in the Vale of Glamorgan,

littered across the whole of Wales, we have white elephants that have

had huge expenditure on behalf of the Welsh government and yet, as I

have said, �21,221,000 spent and not one single business occupies that

side. He will be aware there are archaeological issues surrounding

that area. And he mentions the red Dragon project, that was his party

who did that and you can pull the wool over other people's eyes but

not over hours. I have heard some answers in my time but

archaeological problems... I stood on the business Park last Friday,

there are huge roadways that many communities would love to have.

There is a beautiful cycle track their that many communities would

love to have. What isn't there is one single business. We have, from

your Government, a policy that we support, the creation of enterprise

zones. We have had outlines of what the Welsh Government is doing in

those business zones but what we cannot tell is how many jobs have

been created, how much money has gone into those enterprise zones and

how many new business start-ups have actually been started on those

zones. I have listed the red Dragon project, and others. Are we to see

more white elephants around Wales or what confidence can you give that

you have got your economic policy right and that we will start seeing

jobs being created by your Government and new business

start-ups and above all in about four years time, we will not look

back on your Government and say they were exactly the same as their

predecessors? Who can only see what is happening in the Haven waterway

is zoned, this is just the start. Enhanced capital loans in sum, new

business rates schemes announced recently, we are proactive in terms

of jobs and the jobs growth for Wales. Something they have

criticised and they have got their figures wrong. They say a third of

people who start on this are unemployed and that is nonsense. I

challenge them to produce those figures to produce and back up what

they are saying but they are being casual and lazy to figures, we are

used to that on this side of the House. I want to show some sympathy

for the Leader of the Opposition. It is important because he is the

leader of the Welsh Conservative Party, of several Conservative

parties that seem to exist now. We have seen what is happening in

London as the Conservative Party there falls apart and it was

unfortunate that a Conservative advisor close to the Prime Minister

described his own activists as mad, swivel eyed loons. We may think that

was a blunt and direct message but I can tell you that that quote is an

anagram and that is what is the Conservative Party is doing to their

only there. We do not need lessons on how to control the party, their

party is falling apart before our statement on any discussions the

Welsh Government has had with the UK Government on the proposed sale of

Royal Mail? We have had no specific discussions about this issue but

needless to say we oppose the sale. He will be aware that Vince cable is

leading the privatisation of the Royal mail for the UK Government. It

looks to me like a fire sale that has nothing to do with quality of

service for customers or providing value for money. The Royal Mail

announced profits for one year of over �400 million. Does the First

Minister agree with me that it represents poor value for money and

a particular threat for the future of the universal sales obligation

and the six-day service especially within rural Wales? We know one

major operator is already refusing to deliver to every address in

Ceredigion. I believe it is the future, any company that will charge

more to delivering to more rural areas, and it is all down to trying

to make money and nothing to do with trying to provide a service for the

public. I regret that you seem to have swallowed the Mets on which the

question was based. How will you address the scaremongering and help

people understand that regardless of whether Royal Mail is in public or

private ownership, the universal service is protected by law.

Further, the law protects the VAT exemption for universal service

providers, Royal Mail is obliged to deliver to every address whether

urban or rural and the services are protected by law. Only of common --

of common -- Ofcom... The fact that it is protected by law is no

protection because the law can be changed by end of the Government.

The reality is that once Royal Mail is privatised, it is brave to break

up to the destruction of the universal service, to massively

increase costs, particularly for rural areas and once that takes

place, then the Royal Mail is exposed. I have no doubt there will

be those in the party opposite who would like nothing better than to

see the full market have full rein when it comes to postal services and

rural communities lose the services on which they depend.

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preparation for the sale, they are closing post offices throughout

Wales including the last one in Swansea and this but the

Westminster's promise of no boss office closures, do you share my

concern that the closure of these post offices -- no post office

closures? Yes, I do, I want to see them return to Cuba services in the

present format and locations. -- them return to keep services. What

they said to the Minister is they want to keep the Crown office is

accessible to customers and would only move to locations with equal

access for its customers. Much better in my view, that they keep

the Crown post offices as they are. We'll be First Minister make a

statement to the health technologies fund? Yes, it will ensure the

availability of leading edge equipment and applications for

funding are currently being invited for the second round. We need to use

this money to invested innovative and truly effective treatment for

Welsh patients. Prostate cancer treatments but would benefit from

accruing screens and articulated arms, there are 30 in England but

none in Wales. I was informed that the Welsh health boards together

plan to bid for a particular robot. Do you think we should be increasing

looking at technology and how will this fund reflect this priority?

This is exactly the kind of equipment that the fund will provide

funding for in general. I know that the Cardiff and Vale University

health board is considering the use review and the Scottish vision

strategy, the Scottish covenant unlock funding for high-tech digital

cameras for high-street opticians allowing photos to be taken off the

back of people's eyes. And allowing closer integration of primary and

secondary care. What consideration have you given for such funding so

that high-street technologies can be adopted here in Wales? It is

available to all potential bidders. When it comes to the process you are

describing, if I remember correctly, ophthalmologists are able to

register in this with existing equipment. What the digital machine

does is provide an image on a screen that they are then able to access.

It is not the case that... It is not possible to carry out this procedure

but if the new technology would be of assistance, then these are being

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invited at this moment. announced that some of the funding

from this fund will be used for new radiotherapy techniques. Could you

confirm that the area will be able to purchase certain technology

rather than fixed gantry systems which are older technology, less

effective and can treat less patients? I think I am right in

saying that the radiotherapy that the member refers to has not been

paid for out of this fund. That is being paid for I understand why

exist in funds. But nevertheless it is open to the area to bid for

capital to make sure that they have access to the best technology that

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is available using this fund as a conference on the 1st of May, you

went on to highlight your expectations of how the wind

industry must work with each other, local communities and also other

stakeholders to ensure that wind developments deliver benefits for

communities hosting them. Just last week, a number of my constituents

experienced bullying tactics from agents of the National Grid as they

issued a number of legal notices for forced access. When challenged by

186-year-old woman to show their identification, she was met with

foul and abusive language. -- challenged by one 86-year-old. Will

you join me in condemning this disgraceful behaviour from National

Grid agents? Those are exceptionally serious allegations. I will not

comment on them for now, I have no way of knowing the extent of their

voracity but I will, of course, investigate the matter with National

Grid and write to the member with the conclusion of that

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seminars to pass on advice to woodland owners and managers about

how to spot ashtray back and what they can do to stop this -- stop it

spreading. Of course, it is spread by fungal spores. These seminars

were available in South Wales and in Mid Wales but not in North Wales,

and presumably West Wales. Given the fungus has now spread to the wider

environment, would you -- agreed is important that businesses and

individuals from all areas of Wales can get access to the latest advice?

I will take the matter up with natural resources Wales and asked

them what plans they have two publicise the incidents of the

disease in parts of Wales where previously it was not recorded. It

is important there is awareness across the whole nation. With the

importance that Ash has within the wider world forestry sector, what

books have theirs so far been between Welsh government and the

relevant sector, particularly the important tree nursery sector of the

industry, to ensure there isn't a long-term gap in our future

sustainability and self-sufficiency in timber? The Welsh plan that has

been produced on 25th of March of this year, it advocates the actions

that need to be taken by landowners in terms of mitigating the spread of

the disease. I know that natural resources Wales have been using this

with landowners to minimise the risk and to stop the disease from

spreading. For the First Minister make the state and on his last

meeting with the secretary for Wales? The content of the meeting is

private but we discussed a number of political matters. Thank you. Over

the past few weeks, since he has been put in the post of Secretary of

State, you've been making unhelpful comment, talking down the

instruction -- construction industry, and most of all what for

me is the most disgusting of his unhelpful comments is he has now

done a grading a law passed in this chamber with the full support of all

parties across this chamber. Despite requests from me to meet with him,

he seems to have gone very silent. So, will you continue to remind the

Secretary of State for Wales to stop interfering in devolved matters and

urge him to start standing up for Wales and Westminster because he has

spectacularly failed to do so since his appointment? It is right to say

that the legislation was fully supported on all sides of the house.

That much is true, including the Secretary of State's own party. He

has publicly called for the legislation to be ignored, I think

is the word I would use, and I explain to him this is legislation

part -- past with full party support. In terms of construction, I

have the figures, the ONS figures which clearly show the situation in

Wales is far better than in the whole of UK in 2012. Construction in

the UK has gone down to ten times than construction in Wales which

shows the effect the Welsh government is having in terms of

encouraging construction in Wales. First Minister, in contrast to this

pessimism, will you join me in talking up the enormous contribution

they Secretary of State for Wales and the UK coalition government are

making in terms of the Welsh economy? Electrification of the

great Western mainline, substantial broadband improvements, and

enterprise zones. Will you tell us First Minister what discussions you

had with the Secretary of State for Wales to ensure that both your

government and the UK coalition government continued to work for

waters for the best interest of Wales, and you can only do that by

working together. We will always seek to work with the Secretary of

State as well as possible with Wales best interest. The parties in the UK

cannot work together, though, and the major party is falling apart

completely. It is not a question of corporation between Cardiff and

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London, but cooperation within First Minister, HMRC announced on

May 14 they plan to close all of their enquiry Centres across the UK

by March 2014. In addition to the potential job losses, the closure of

the centre in Merthyr would disenfranchise those of my

constituents who rely on that enquiry Centre for any issues they

may have with their tax. I've spoken to the PCS you who were concerned

that these plans. Will you raise First Minister the effects of this

on my constituency and others with the Secretary of State when you next

meet him? I will seek to do that either through the next meeting,

which I'm not clear when that is scheduled at the moment, but I will

talk to him and make clear your concerns on behalf of your

constituents. First Minister, will you make a statement over the future

of the Welsh tourism sector? These two questions have been grouped, the

strategy will be published on 17th June. What assessment has your

government made about the impact of energy development on the

surrounding tourism industry? commission and enquiry into the

impact of the Swansea tourist industry if wind farms are given the

go-ahead alongside the proposed coal gratification? There's no suggestion

there would be an effect on tourism. As long as wind element is made as

sympathetically. A bit of it is made in Welsh Waters but the vast

majority as an English waters. As for the effect on tourism, with wind

turbines, there are some people who hate them with a passion, there are

some people who are very much in favour of them, some who are

indifferent. It is very difficult to quantify what the effect on tourism

is when there are so many different views in terms of wind turbine

technology. We will leave First Minister's Questions there but don't

forget you can see more coverage of the Assembly online including an

emergency question later to the education minister about the exams

dispute with Westminster. That's via the life page. -- that is via the

live page. It is that time of the week when we get the reflections of

the Welsh affairs editor who's been watching proceedings. All the

leaders going on something different this week. It was interesting,

wasn't it? We thought maybe health would dominate again because we had

the announcements that reconfiguration plans for the south

eastern corner or quarter of Wales are coming tomorrow. It seems most

of the politicians were keeping comparatively dry on that. Leanne

Wood chose to follow up on the AMD plans -- on the accident and

emergency plans. Kirsty Williams went on different fields entirely.

Tourism as well. Tourism was a bit of a theme in First Minister's

Questions today. And we also heard from Simon Thomas this dispute

between Michael Gove about the future of exams. A fight partly

being fought out over Twitter, surprisingly enough. Once -- Michael

Gove wrote to the Welsh government to say we are not going to agree

what these qualifications should be so let's have different systems in

the different parts of the UK. Scotland is different already. The

question that has arisen is what those exams will be called. Leighton

Andrews insisted that the names, GCSE and A-level, are owned by all

the UK. An unexpected knockabout over Royal Mail as well. Yes. That

was interesting. Labour are trying to capitalise on worries about what

might happen with Royal Mail being privatised, particularly about the

service obligation which means even the most remote farm in Wales

receives its post for the same cost. Plaid Cymru immediately said who

started this process? It was the last Labour government in

Westminster. There was a bit of blame going on and the First

Minister said, what would you do to stop it? You can't form UK

government, you don't stand in most of the seats in the House of Commons

and it is the House of Commons that will decide this. The other thing is

thirsty Williams doesn't blame the weather on Carwyn Jones! She was

saying we need to ensure better weather and Kirsty Williams saying

that we cannot do that. David Jones, the Welsh Secretary, he was

mentioned there, about sprinklers. He is coming to the SMB tomorrow to

talk about the Queen's Speech, so that could be interesting to watch.

It is fair to say that David Jones is regarded as something of a

prickly customer by some in the Assembly. I think we could see quite

a frosty reception from at least some of the benches for the Welsh

Secretary. OK, thank you for that. That's it for today. There is no

programme next week as the Assembly breaks for half term but I'll be

back with First Minister's Questions in a fortnight. For all the latest

news, don't forget to watch Wales Today later at 6:30pm, and there is