26/02/2013 am.pm

Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and our weekly coverage

of questions to the First Minister. Lots of different issues on the

order paper this afternoon. AMs are keen to ask Carwyn Jones about

plans to devolve power over policing and the planned changes to

the organ donation system amongst other things.

And I'm sure there'll be plenty of discussion, too, about the

Conservatives' announcement yesterday that they'd like to see a

cut in the 40p rate of income tax. If you want to comment on anything

on the programme or any other political news, get in touch with

Well, business in the Chamber is already underway. Let's take a look

now at today's questions to the Her will the First Minister make a

statement on policing in that statement on policing in that

Wales? Devolving the police service will deliver significant benefits.

Will he agree that it would bring it Wales into line with Scotland

and 11 I learnt? -- and at Northern Ireland? It is important that the

emergency services is co-ordinated emergency services is co-ordinated

under one roof, and the National Assembly for Wales. I am grateful

for your positive response to the concept of the devolution of police

services. Would you accept that two things - there is a difference

between police services and the between police services and the

police as they regime, and we could move very quickly towards a

devolved police services to wards full devolution? Would you also

accept that the devolution of that criminal justice system would go

hand-in-hand with the devolution of police services? Regarding the

police, the Government's stand point is there should be devolution

of the police forces in its entirety. Some things would be

retained, such as the work pertaining to terrorism, and we

would have to secure full collaboration between the police

forces of the United Kingdom and Europe. Regarding the criminal

justice system, that is more long term because that is a significant

piece of work. We would have to build up a department from scratch

in the Government here to do with criminal justice, and we would have

to consider the number of prisons in Wales. We would have to plan for

that. And that would have to be holistic. Will he make a statement

on the progress of the strategy? issued a statement to members on

the science strategy. The science strategy identifies three areas,

and they are part of the economic sectors. As the Government

identified how the Government will focus on a priority sectors?

Science of Wales focuses on three areas - research and business

sectors. Two items I would refer to - but the proposed innovation

strategy, to enhance innovation in its broadest sense. I can confirm

that we will World Cup three new projects, directly relating to the

new challenges. The First Minister will remember that when the science

strategy was introduced, it was following on from concerns that

there was an almost Cinderella like status attached to science in Wales.

Can you tell us, a year on from the strategy, how have things been

moved on? Pique �50 million project is underway. We have started co-

operative work with universities to improve research effectiveness. We

have agreed financial assistance from the National Science Academy,

enabling more than 20 projects across Wales to encourage young

people and children to engage with signs. The chakras science.

chief scientist has given support to the garden up to stabilise its

position. Do you agree that the garden it is to co-ordinate its

work with institutions, the Countryside Council and other

bodies to develop for the future and to be an institution that all

be self-sufficient in the future? It is very important that the

Botanic Garden ensures that the use every opportunity available in

order to develop the garden and the knowledge that is created because

of their work. We must remember it is not solely a scientific

institution but it is right to say that everybody can appreciate the

fact they should be working closely with educational institutions.

21% of the eco-port of students entering A-level physics, and

increasing the number of goals is one of the aims contained in the

sign strategy. This gender inequality is bad as we limit our

talent pool. Welcome the Welsh Government do to encourage more

girls to study stem subject, and physics in particular? The project

is supported by a wide range of groups. It aims to wide and deep

engagement of course in stem education. The aims are to increase

the number of goals pursuing careers in science and address the

negative perceptions Qatar some times around the site is not for

girls. What action it will the Welsh Government take to support

veteran spinner or Wales? We are reviewing it. Paying report called

for public bodies in Wales to do know to support Armed Forces

veterans in Wales, particularly in housing and health. The committee

found that veterans can struggle to obtain information about the

services available to them. Will the First Minister commit his

government to encouraging the establishment of a network of one-

stop-shop support veterans as they have in Scotland, to ensure they

are aware of advice and support available? Just some achievements -

�485,000 for veterans, the Shared Equity Scheme covers widows and

widowers, automatic entitlement for blue badges for seriously injured

service personnel, and a total disregard of of the war pension.

Ex-service personnel are more likely than other people to become

homeless. The LED assessment have you made to of how the homeless

plan for Wales is delivered for people in the Armed Forces? Were

are funding a research in this area. Her to ensure they get the full

range of assistance they need. In August, 2012, we published guidance

for all local authorities. We have promoted connections between the

MoD veterans service and housing organisations to ensure support is

available. On 30th November, 2011, this Chamber was informed your

officials will be working with the Ministry of Defence to ensure a

joined-up approach to services for those veterans suffering from

mental health issues. Can you tell us a particular plot progresses

been made, and how much money has the Ministry of Defence given to

ensure this is provided? Interns at health, we would expect to provide

health services for those who live in Wales and any event. It does

compare favourably. Facts so he here we look to ensure there is

sufficient capacity to meet demand, and the latest report shows waiting

times have improved, and that works with the charity sector itself.

will be aware of the large number of veterans groups campaigning for

better services for veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder, and

Wales remains the only part of the UK with no residential facility.

Will walk 2013 be the year when we will start building such a centre

for a Armed Forces veterans? There are a large number of organisations

to offer different types of treatment. We should be careful of

ensuring that the right support it and treatment is made available for

people across Wales. People need to access a services close to them as

possible. That need not mean a national centre in Wales. But we do

remain committed to ensuring the service is available. We now move

to questions for party leaders. proposed changes have no medical

consensus. Up to two years, the Welsh Government have to take a

political decision, and I know from experience that you will not give

up your opinions on these proposals. I wonder if you can tell me where

to wait were you look and the Health Minister give to local

opinion before reaching a conclusion? The matter is in the

hands of the Ministers, and I can give no view on this, legally. But

all relevant factors will be taken into account, bearing in mind that

we want to see a safe and sustainable hopes service. The

British Medical Association have all opposed the removal of Level 3

neonatal services from a North Wales up to England. That move is

also opposed by the public and politicians from all four political

parties. That will remove this service from Wales, and it will be

Welsh taxpayers' money that will be invested in the English NHS, under

Conservative control, been privatised and which you have

previously condemned. This cannot be a decision for the local health

board alone. Yes, or no, we now Once the deadline is reached,

ministers will consider further action. I was looking for yes or no

answer, Minister. Once again, do have not answer that question. It

is about removing a service to outsider Wales. The continued

changes in the English excess -- NHS means we can't know what the

facility will look like in five years. First Minister, your

government is decommissioning a Welsh service and spending the

money on the English NHS instead. How can you justify that?

NASA 11 -- nationalism, isn't it, really? Light is simple for the

leader of Plaid Cymru. She has not been in government. It is not

possible to give a few are less all matters are properly considered.

Simon Thomas knows this full well. He has been a special adviser in

government. She does make a point that I think is one that needs to

be considered. That is, should we be over reliant in the future, and

this is a general point, on the health service in England? That is

a fair point, and one that will need to be considered in its

entirety when we consider the future direction of the health

service in Wales as a whole. Leader of the Opposition.

The First Minister in October, 2012, said we want to see a health

service allowing people access to services that are local and as safe

as possible. He then reinforced that in January of this year, by

saying, I want to see a safe and sustainable health service. Do you

stand by those comments? This document that was produced

last week, by three of the most respected bodies in the profession,

clearly outlined their major concerns over the reconfiguration

of health services in North Wales. They felt so strongly as to use the

words, what is on the table at the moment is a second-class ticket to

mediocrity. We believe that the people of North Wales deserve

better than that. Do you believe the professionals, First Minister,

when they say such strong language about what is proposed by the

bureaucrats? As the Leader of the Opposition

knows, these are proposals. It is a matter for the C H C to see what

they will do. The document that the professionals

in our have sold us a -- health service brought forward by

highlighting the major concerns over the relocation of maternity

services, in particular around distance and the ability to keep

capacity within what is proposed by the health board. It is a fact that

you have the ability to reinforce the statements that you have made

previously on health reorganisation by about creating sustainable

services. We intervene to support the professionals in their judgment

as to what needs to be retained in North Wales? -- will you intervene.

All really stand by and allow a deterioration in the provision that

could risk the loss of life? -- or are you really standing by.

The first step is the commission has a deadline to reach. Was that

has been reached, ministers will consider what happens next. He is

right to say that the opinion of the medical profession is

exceptionally important. We have always said that. It is a shame

that members of his party do not see it that way elsewhere in Wales,

frankly, where they have dismissed the views of medical practitioners.

As I have said, what we want to see is a safe and sustainable service

in Wales. We will examine very carefully any details of proposals

that will affect any part of Wales. The last thing we want to see is a

wrecked and demoralised health service along the lines of what his

party is doing been England. The leader of the Welsh Liberal

Democrats. Complaints to the public service

ombudsman about the Welsh NHS have tripled in the last six years. Yet,

when talking about the Welsh NHS, your health minister said that,

when I going to hospitals, I don't thing I had ever come across a

patient who was criticising it. Democrats are complaints in the

Welsh NHS. Why is your Health Minister are aware of them?

That is not what she said. In terms of any system, there will always be

complaints. No system can be perfect. We do know, however, from

our own surveys and opinion polls that people are happy with their

experience of the NHS. Our job, as a government, is to make sure that

remains the case. In relation to the Mid-

Staffordshire scandal, and a failure to listen to those who

received care through proper consideration of their complaints,

yes they are met with a group of my constituents to talk about their

recent experiences within the Welsh NHS. They described patients crying

out for water, being fed by visitors they had never met, left

without an adequate pain relief, and resorting to changing their own

bedsheets once they had been sick. If your Health Minister does not

think there are complaints in Wales, how will she make sure that we

avoid a Mid-Staffordshire in Wales? They is no suggestion that that

will happen in Wales. -- there. I'm my constituents constantly

write to the Health Minister about concerns. -- by and -- myself and

Gigawatts trying to raise their concerns. -- people are trying.

Mortality statistics in Mid- Staffordshire were higher than the

average. It was those figures that attracted attention and led to the

investigation in the first place. I have asked the Health Minister to

publish the equivalent mortality figures for Wales, and had written

answer indicated that these are monitored on a local level but they

are not available on and all Wales bases. How could your Minister ever

identify a problem if she does not identify and monitor these

statistics on and all Wales basis? It is not good enough to come here

and make allegations that are not backed up by evidence. If she has

it, we will be more than happy to consider the evidence. Rather than

trying to stand up and grandstand, which is what she is doing. In

terms of mortality rates, if she can find a doctor to explain

mortality rate, I will like to see it. Mortality rates are not a good

guide to hospital performance. Why? De doctors have to deal with the

underlying health of the population. Second, if you publish mortality

rates, you run the risk of operations not being carried out

because they are too risky. That is too nobody public benefit. Another

way of doing it is to look at complication rates. They arise

after operations. That is something that we are considering at the

moment. With mortality, there's a danger that if doctors feel they

are going to be judged on their mortality rates, they will always

play safe in terms of operations. That is not, I think what the

leader of the Lib Dems would want to see anyway, but if she has any

evidence to back up what she has said, we would be pleased to

consider that evidence. Back to questions on the paper.

What is the world government doing to encourage cross-border Dell at

the moment -- development in North The thank you for that response.

North East Wales and north-west England is the only shared urban

area or that is divided by a national boundary. -- thank you for

It is a growing concern in the north east of Wales that

development of an Enterprise Zone seems to be controlled more from

Cardiff and that the zone and bored still receives no feedback from the

Welsh government 70 months after the zone was first announced.

The honourable member is not aware that it was a founding member of

the Mersey alliance. We are well aware of the alliance between the

north-west of England and the north-east of Wales. The Enterprise

Zone, the idea came from here. The theme of the Enterprise Zone came

from here. We are committed to the Enterprise Zone on this side, and

we recognise that the economic zone it is part of his very much across

borders. I seems to have a different agenda

to everybody else! Question five. Will the First Minister provide an

update on the Welsh government's plans to increase organ donation in

Wales? Members will be aware of the bill.

Given the serious criticism from a professor that the government

misled the assembly at the evidence from Spain, and with legal doubts

over whether or not it is possible to obtain true, informed consent,

would you agree that if more lives would be saved through better

promotion and improvement of the current system and the need for

legislation, however symbolic, should be reconsidered.

Are we to understand the honourable member is against the organ

donation bill? That is something she has not said before. We can't

accept whether that is Conservative policy, because we don't know who

speaks for the Conservatives because of the tweets of the past

24 hours. The reality is, we were elected on the basis of taking

forward the bill. It enjoys support be on the party I lead. Indeed, it

is fair to say it had its genesis in an idea proposed by an assembly

member here. It is something we will take forward. We see no

difficulty in the committee expressing views as to the working

of the bill and suggesting improvements. That is how democracy

should work. We intend to take for the organ donation bill so we can

make sure that in future more lives are saved.

TRANSLATION: Thank you. One of my constituents has been fighting for

her life for many years while awaiting kidney transplant. How

long before your legislation comes into force and to give hope to

young people such as the one I'm alluding to, and that she will be

given an assurance that there might be a suitable key before her sooner

rather than later? The aim is that the new system

should be in place by 2015. We will have to insure that everything is

in place to ensure the system works, and that is something we are

working on present. Of course, it depends on the timetable within the

assembly itself. 2015 is the aim. TRANSLATION: Will the First

Minister confirm the Government's commitment to a Zero Waste

Strategy? The will to Government is committed to Zero Waste goals. --

the Welsh Government. 70% should be recycling and 30% less a residual

waste should be sent for recovery. We aim to have zero land filled by

2025. -- landfill. Country is like Sweden have reached

levels of 90% recycling. -- countries. I would hope that is a

more long-term goal for the Welsh We must remember that countries

such as Sweden started from a higher base than we did in 2000.

40% of their waste it was recycled then. It is true to say that the

rest would have to be dealt with in a way that is not recyclable, and

it depends what happens at the beginning of the production process,

rather than at its conclusion. It is important that we increase the

rate of recycling in Wales, but we must accept that for a decade or

more, there will be some ways that we have to be dealt with, such as

I am sure you would like to congratulate with meet those

councils that a meeting their targets. However, from figures

released by your government in November, for all local authority

us have seen their target rates below 50%. I am aware that Cardiff

City Council, in 2012, handed out �44,000 in fines to households who

left at their bins out on the run day. What steps is the Welsh

Government taking to incentive fires householders to encourage our

recycling rates? We know that different approaches have been

taken across Wales, and they have been successful in their different

ways. In my local authority area, it is normal for people to separate

waste before collection of. It means that it is a saving for the

local taxpayer because ultimately, funds are not being paid to dispose

rubbish in ways that are not environmentally friendly. I welcome

what has been done by Welsh local government. It varies every year.

But we have come a tremendous way over the last 13 years in terms of

recycling. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh

Government's commitment to renewable energy in it Wales?

committed to the transmission to a low carbon system. I would like to

thank the First Minister for his answer. There is increasing

interest in the hydra sector, particularly in smaller-scale

projects. One such example is the successful green valleys project.

This concern is about an Environment Agency consultation on

water abstraction, and there is concern that if implemented, the

proposals could make many hydro schemes unviable. Since the

creation of natural resources Wales takes place, or the day that

consultation ends, could be First Minister clarify whether natural

resources Wales or be bound by the outcome of that consultation, or

whether other specific arrangements may apply? It is relevant to other

areas. Consultations are meant to be as wide-ranging as possible.

What happens in a consultation is relevant in terms of any final

decisions that take place. It could not be binding. The final decision

would rest after a final consultation has taken place.

You're be aware that technical advice on renewable energy has been

very controversial in Wales over the past few years. One of the

consequences is that wind farms are developed in areas where they are

difficult to connect to the National Grid. There is a

consultation in my constituency, and many of my constituents are

proposed -- concerned about a proposed route. What consideration

would you give to reviewing the fact the great connections are

considered by a people making decisions? It could connections

have to be upgraded, it suggests it is above 50 megawatts, and that is

not a decision for the Welsh Government. Any issue regarding

infrastructure is an issue for his party in London. If you take your

government's commitment to strengthening the renewable energy

annual submission to the Silk Commission, and bring those two

things together, it is that it package that could create wealth in

Wales if it was properly managed and exploited, rather than the 40%

tax rates for people like you and me? Could you tell us how would you

could make that aim real wealth Fund For All Wales? One of the

problems at the moment is the Community initiative, which has not

been devolved. Because it has not been devolved, it is not possible

to intervene when with the section of the Planning Act either, and so,

we must ensure that is also devolved. The debate at the time

was that it was a tax and therefore could not be devolved, but that

could create the package for jobs and a benefit for local people and

the whole of Wales. Will the First Minister make a statement on the

devaluation of consenting performance on renewable energy?

There is room for improvement in terms of consenting. I am sure you

will be familiar with research undertaken on the Welsh

Government's behalf. He can imagine my reaction to a recommendation one,

which states that the Welsh Government should establish an

energy unit as the determined and - - as the determining authority, up

to 50 megawatts. You say you believe in local democracy. How

does this proposal fit in with your perspective on local determination?

They isn't local determination, but it is subject to appeal. -- there

is so. The vast majority of applications are controversial

because they are about 50 megawatts. He makes the point about local

responsibility, well, I would argue it is equally as well have an --

irrelevant that the people of Wales should gain sufficient control as

well. Wales should have executive responsibility on the same lines as

Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure there is a been -- easier

and better understood process and Wales. Will the First Minister make

a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to revitalise

the Welsh economy? As the Member knows, there are a number of

programmes in place. I recently met good local traders and

Pembrokeshire to discuss the decline of town centre as. In light

of the report into town centre regeneration, where we saw the

committee made up 21 recommendations, can he named one

of the recommendations that has been implemented? At present, we

are considering the regeneration of towns, and there will be a

statement. That will be from the Minister leading the way on this.

One of the problems is that businesses do not have a sufficient

number of customers. It is not an issue of raids. If people do not

have money in their pockets, they were not be spending. That is a

problem to him and his party in London. Even the Chancellor does

not seem to understand that the financial markets understand, and

in them the UK's credit status has been downgraded. What work is the

Welsh Government doing to support young women at re-entering the

Labour market? The purpose of the report was to identify where the

recession has had a different effect on women. Generally, the

plant contains actions the Government is taking. We offer

support to under-represented groups in Wales, looking, for example, to

support their own business. It supports the challenges young women,

in particular, are facing, especially those with children.

Will the First Minister provide an update on what the Welsh Government

is doing to manage the risks are flooding? We are investing one

London �50 million over the life of this Assembly. -- and �150 million.

Recommendations revolve around Welsh Government making

representations to the insurance industry as to how they would

charge homes Claughton flooded areas and have a consistent

flooding, because so many people are trapped and unable to sell on.

I just wondered if any progress has been made of this? We know that

access to flood issues is a matter of concern to anyone. The insurance

industry will remain in place until June. We are working with the UK

Government bond auctions to replace that agreement. The Minister for an

environment and sustainable development met representatives to

discuss the matter further, and with other Ministers in the UK.

Will the First Minister make a statement on IVF services? Here is,

the new system is complete. The new facility will open in April. That

is 18 months since she stopped funding patients to go to London.

In the meantime, those women are having to travel 60 miles to

Bristol as an additional cost to the NHS up �500,000. Is a good

value for money? It is, to have a state-of-the-art facility in Wales.

Patients cannot look forward to receiving treatment in new

facilities. Patients cannot receive NHS care in Bristol in the meantime.

There will be a bright new facility opening in April. Locating IVF

services was meant to give a new purpose to a hospital that was up

using services. But presumably, empty capacity would result. If the

Princess of Wales ends up losing services, do you understand why

your constituents have little faith that new services might be located

in their place? There are no plans been to locate an IVF clinic in the

Princess of Wales Hospital. people do not agree with IVF. Some

people do not opt to take it because of religious region's. All

this provision offer alternatives? I don't know what they would be a.

If people have religious objectors to IVF, I don't see what can be

offered as an alternative. -- objections. Will the First Minister

make a statement on the local authorities, indemnities for

members? He would do sets out the terms, and they are prohibited from

offering indemnities in certain circumstances. I am grateful for