26/11/2013 am.pm

Good afternoon. Welcome to the programme and the weekly coverage of

questions to the First Minister. We can expect questions on

homelessness, criminal Justice and the devolution of taxes and

borrowing powers. That is what politicians will talk about but what

do you want to talk about? If you want to comment on the programme or

any other political news, get in touch with us.

Well, business in the chamber is under way. Let's look now at today's

questions to the First Minister. Good afternoon, I call the assembly

to order. Questions to the First Minister. Question one.

Will the First Minister make a statement on the commitment to

promoting Welsh heritage? The programme for government and our

environment strategy outline our commitment to support and promote

the Welsh heritage sector. I thank him for the answer. As

colleagues will be aware, we are approaching the commemoration of the

assassination of a man on the 11th of December 12 82. As you may know,

the standing stone and memorial is within Powys County Council

jurisdiction which has undertaken health and safety works however

there is a need for some enhanced signage on the road and

interpretation works. Will you consider a directive to work with

the council to bring forward these works befitting a memorial of

national significance? Yes, the issue has been raised before. The

memorial is not in the ownership of the Welsh government but

nevertheless it is important all parties including the Council works

together to ensure the memorial is well maintained.

First Minister, I want your views on seeking the return to Wales items

important to our heritage, I made remarks about investiture regalia

and the campaign regarding the red Lady. What will your government do

to help museums across Wales with the conditions necessary to help

bring back, repatriate items to Wales? We are more than happy to

work with the museums and galleries to seek the return of items that are

originally from Wales, you mentioned the red Lady, it was in fact a man!

The first example of human habitation and ritual were found in

the caves. Where there are samples of where items can be returned to

Wales, we are happy to work with the relevant authorities. First

Minister, over the past few months, we have seen an increasing number of

reports in terms of heritage crimes, particularly by developers who do

not understand the concept of heritage undertaking new

developments, is there anything in the heritage bill which would allow

you to look into this issue because we believe it's important that many

of these sites in our local areas should be restored properly. The

bill will consider this problem, namely the situation, I saw this for

the first time in relation to Denbigh Hospital where owners have

not ensured the building is looked after and therefore there was a

danger the building will be lost for the community. So, the Bill itself

will consider in what ways we can ensure and strengthen legislation to

ensure that heritage resources in Wales are protected in the way we

want. Will the First Minister make a statement on any discussions he has

had with the UK Government regarding the criminal justice system. I have

had discussions with the UK Government on a number of issues.

For example, a new prison in the North, the rehabilitation agenda and

other criminal justice matters. Thank you. As you know, Lord Stevens

published his report on the future of policing in England and Wales

which was commissioned by the Labour Party and recommended the abolition

of the police commissioners. Bring that on, please. Will you tell us

what submission you made to the commission and whether as a

government you have a position on his suggestion there be one force

for England and Wales or that Wales has a national force of its own.

Neither, is the position we take. The idea of a England and Wales

falls does not sit well with us. The idea of a single Welsh force carries

its own controversies as many will remember ten or 12 years ago this

was discussed. The position is best outlined by saying we want the

devolution of policing, in terms of the structure of the police forces

in Wales in the future, that is something to be considered at a time

that is appropriate. The First Minister knows how important

restorative justice is. Will he join me in paying tribute to the work

done by victim support, they say victims want offenders punished but

also they do not want to see the offender carry out other crime.

Restorative justice helps victims move on with their lives and can

reduce crime through repentance. It is important that restorative

justice is an increasing part of the crime and a justice system, it

cannot replace the punitive measures, they have to be there for

serious offences but it does merit with younger offenders for them to

be able to see the effect of their offending on others. Sometimes it

works, sometimes it doesn't. Nevertheless, it's important that

there is a better understanding amongst offenders of what their

actions can lead to in terms of the detrimental effects on other people.

As the Welsh government moves towards a youth Justice Bill, what

is the government view on the idea considered by the UK Government on

secure colleges bearing in mind you are responsible for the education

within these institutions and if that does happen, will you, the

government, ensure there is provision in North and mid Wales

where there is no such provision. We are willing to consider any good

idea that is implemented in other parts of the UK and also other parts

of Europe. That is to ensure that there is a service available across

Wales in future. Questions from the party leaders.

Where the Welsh audit office is wrong when they stated Cabinet

colleagues were kept in the dark over the tuition fee policy? Yes,

and I will reveal the minutes. That is interesting. Most people think

the evidence the Welsh audit office collates is factually correct so we

look forward to the statement for you to correct. If we look at two

education policies, it does show there is a great difficulty in

having any cohesion between your Cabinet ministers because on the 8th

of October you said I expect to see an improvement in the results in

December. Only a few weeks later, your education minister said, I

anticipate any realistic person would look at the next set of

results with a great deal of caution. Who is right? The education

minister or yourself? In fairness, he moved swiftly on from the answer

he did not expect. We all want an improvement in terms of performance

but it will take some time for their to be a significant improvement

because the measures that will put in place a year or two ago will take

some time to bear fruit. What we are seeing coming out of the department

and the government is an inconsistency, the Welsh audit

office last week said your flagship higher education policy was under

thought, and evaluated and under resourced. When it comes to your

government's responds and the lead up to the results, there is a

difference in opinion is at the top of government and the education

minister. What I would say to you when I heard the news... I thought

you had bought Leighton Andrews back into government. If Monty Python

want to find a classic comedy sketch, they need to look no further

than your government's education policies and the performance of

successive Labour ministers. Monty Python is not a double act. There

are... I thought you would know that. I just about remember them. I

think comedy is not his strong point, he labours it too much. We

can see the Cabinet papers and minutes when there are published. We

know his party wanted trouble tuition fees. It is something they

have not hidden. We take the view education should be affordable. He

doesn't. That is the difference between us. Let think again about

the policies he wants to put in place. A fifth of teachers losing

their jobs, these other things he does not want to trumpet. We have

invested in education, we have invested in higher education and

teachers and children and these are all investments his party would

withdraw. Thank you. What ever others think,

there was nothing comedic about the Wales figures. The rankings show

Wales had fallen behind in reading, maths and science and was lagging

behind Scotland and Northern Ireland and England. The education minister

described this as a wake-up call to a complacent system and said that we

will aim to improve results in the next assessment in 2012 and aim to

be in the top 20 by 2015. Is your government on track to deliver? I

have not seen the figures but it is our hope we see an improvement.

Realistically, the measures we have put in place will take some time, a

few more years, to have a maximum effect but the direction of travel

is current. There has been activity in the three years since the

results. Your government has introduced a number of plans and

interventions and presumably all of the activity was aimed at making

progress. The head says improvement next week is absolute crucial if

Wales is to meet its target of being in the top 20 by 2015. Do you agree?

We want improvements in the figures, it is something we will look to as

the measures we put in place bear fruit. Last May, you told me we

expect an improvement in the results. You confirmed that in June

and October saying I expect to see an improvement in the results in

December. There were no caveats. No caveats about being realistic. Your

education minister has been busy about town playing down expectations

saying we do not expect to see large improvements. What level of

improvement will you be satisfied with next week if we are to reach

your government target of 2015? I wish to see some improvements next

week and substantial improvements in terms of 2014. The north of Wales is

the most obvious and shortest transport link from island to Wales

and the British mainland yet a decision has been made that Holyhead

is not a core port in the EU commission report. What influence

did your government have on the decision? We made numerous

representations, as did your predecessor. At least three letters

were sent to the UK Government. We regard the networks as extremely

important. We are part of the comprehensive network but not of the

corridor but that is a matter for the UK Government. The Catalan

government has got Catalonia included despite opposition from the

Spanish government. Wales could have been included but only if there was

a government prepared to fight our corner. Last week, the European

Commission said that you could have lobbied but you didn't. You have

failed to persuade the UK Government. Why have you failed? It

would help me if I understood what it is she says we are not part of.

What I can say is that we are under no financial disadvantage at all. It

isn't just about funding, is it? It is about being an integral part of

the overall strategy. In a letter by your Minister to members last week,

she says: If what the officials have said about the removal of Wales is

true, that is regrettable. What is regrettable about that? What the

commission have come up -- have confirmed it is there is advice

available. But we are not as any financial disadvantage because we

remain part of the comprehensive network and the core network. There

are a number of different networks and corridors here, admittedly, but

nevertheless, we are part of the networks we need to be part of in

order to attract funding. Will you make a statement on what the

National science academy is doing to promote stem subjects in Wales? It

runs a competitive grant scheme. We heard earlier about the importance

of stem subjects in Wales. A few months ago, you are handing out the

gold and Silver Crest awards and spoke of the value of those awards

to the students that well rewarded for their study of science,

technology, engineering and mathematics. Funding has been cut,

and you were handing them out five days after it had been announced

that no Crest awards would be continuing. What will you do to

support those awards and look again at the funding issues? The member

gives the impression that the reason the awards have not been funding is

a lack of money. It's actually because the business case put

forward was not robust. The association submitted applications.

Three were successful, including resources in Welsh. However, the

proposal was not judged to be of sufficient quality to be awarded

funded by an external panel. The scheme did not meet expectations in

terms of evaluation rather than having been a funding cut. On the

same subject, given the importance of encouraging an interest in

science, the question asked is: If Crest awards have been worthy, in

the last years, and have achieved twice the level of achievement in

the UK, what else needs to be done to convince the National science

Academy and Welsh Government this is an important activity? We must bear

in mind that the British scientific association has been successful in

terms of a number of bids. The programme has not been successful,

but that was a decision taken by an independent panel. Every

organisation that submitted in all -- submitted an application received

a written response as to where and why they failed in terms of their

applications. What's important now is that the organisations should

consider the response they have received. All the First Minister

make a statement on the delivery of programme for government? It sets

out indeed progress this government in making -- it is making. One of

the key goals in the programme is about sustainable travel and access

for all communities to good employment and services. Part of

that provision is the provision of local transport, such as bus routes.

Across my own electoral region, there has been a dramatic decline in

the ability to access local transport via buses because of the

change in funding that your government brought forward in April.

Are there any actions or government will undertake that might seek to

redress the decline in the services and rebalance the funding that your

government announced last April? Discussions will continue with bus

operators. We can't allocate money because the funds were not at the

same levels they were. But where there are substantial cuts made in

services, we will take steps to work with local authorities to ensure

services continue in the future. I welcome the fact that the smoking

ban has seen a reduction in the number of smokers, but recent

reports have highlighted an increase in the number of children

experiencing nicotine poisoning, including children coming into

contact with nicotine replacement therapies, including gum patches. In

light of this, what guidance or advice is the Welsh Government

issuing two practitioners to inform people working with families of the

dangers of nicotine products? Children in Wales have produced an

information sheet for parents, carers and those working with

families and children. It does identify all products containing

nicotine and emphasises how poisonous nicotine is to children

and that children can be poisoned. It gives advice of the storage of

nicotine. According to a recent resource by the former Labour

minister Adam Milburn, Wales has the joint lowest level of child poverty

in Great Britain. Bearing that in mind, and bearing in mind that

dealing with poverty is one of the main objectives of the Government,

which three outcomes are you most proud of in this area? More children

are doing well in school, more families have access to work and

there is more support available for families to ensure they can find

work and can obtain skills. The 2013 Welsh Government programme for

government updates stated your aim was to make communities safer

through reductions in fire and road safety incidents. There is a huge

concern that my constituency could lose its fire station. Were the

First Minister use powers available to him to intervene in this matter

to ensure the aims of his programme for government regarding reducing

risk for fire and road safety are upheld and can be met? These are

matters for the fire authorities who are obliged to ensure there is

proper fire cover. But where there are concerns, submissions can be

made to the fire authority and the Minister. Will he make a statement

on the Government's policy on homelessness? We have a 10-year

homelessness plan. Prevention is at the heart of that bill and we will

support it. I note you say revenge is at the heart, yet one of the

proposals is to remove the priority will and status for ex-prisoners,

despite the fact that a report said that was underpinned. 75% of

ex-prisoners who reoffended had a housing need. Would you revisit this

proposal in the light of your own government's report? It is important

that ex-offenders are able to find accommodation as quickly as possible

but I do not think it is right ex-offenders should have priority

over those who have not been imprisoned. That is a fundamental

appraisal. People have come to me and said, why is it right that

people go to prison and have priority and I have been waiting and

have not committed a crime? That is the reasoning behind what we are

trying to do. How will you ensure was government proposals to prevent

homelessness will not lead to an increase in hidden homelessness, as

it did after 2004? The Bill itself has its base on prevention, making

sure those who are threatened with homelessness are assisted at an

earlier stage rather than when they actually become homeless. We have

committed funding. You have mentioned the importance of

preventing homelessness. Would you agree that what will add to

homelessness is the bedroom tax? Would you also agree that we need a

united voice in Wales, opposing the eviction of people if they can't

comply with this policy and the bedroom tax itself? Of course, the

member is right. There I is -- is a risk that people may become

homeless, therefore, the UK government should change its policy

in terms of how we can alleviate the effects. What action for the Welsh

Government take to tackle hate crime in Wales? We published responses to

this issue. Next year, we will review evidence and work with

partners to develop the final framework and delivery plan.

According to Gwent police, hate crimes are on the rise but still

remain incredibly underreported. This is particularly true of

disability hate crime, where some victims, such as those with learning

difficulties, may not have the capacity to come forward themselves.

What is the Welsh Government doing to encourage and assist the disabled

to report hate crime so it can be tackled effectively in Wales? Hate

crime against disabled people is underreported. The challenge will be

to work proactively to identify how we can increase confidence that

people need to report crimes across Wales. We also have an excellent

relationship with the disability hate crime action group in Wales,

where there is representation and officials sit on that group. We hope

to inform the framework and make it easier in terms of people's

confidence to report hate crimes in future. Putting equality at the

centre of government is important to tackling hate crime and is something

this government does very well. However, a group of Conservative

MPs, including Alun Cairns, are now calling for the UK government's

equality office to be abolished. Will you join with me and call in

the UK government to publicly state that it has no desire whatsoever to

wind up the Government equalities office? Will you give an update as

to how the Welsh Government is putting equality at the heart of all

its policies? I cannot see how making society unless there is an

advance. I would support this and I regret that a group of Conservative

MPs has taken the view that equality is something that can be dispensed

with. It takes us back to the days before 1970. Equality inclusion is

at the heart of Welsh Government and is reflected in our funding

legislation. I know from a previous occupation that many incidents of

hate crime occur amongst tenants in social housing where victims are

bullied in their own homes. I asked you to what extent the Government

was engaging in social landlords to address the problem. You replied you

were. You able to report back on any successes in these statistics? I

will ask the Minister to write to you. Last week I supported

Stonewall's campaign to stamp out the use of the gay as an insult and

Barnardos showed 60% of children have heard bullying based on

sexuality. How is the worst government ensuring schools

implement the best antibody in policies? It is exceptionally

important. I have heard children throwing the word around almost

freely without thinking of the consequences. It is important that

we make sure we reassert our view that it is unacceptable, I welcome

the Stonewall campaign, the findings from Barnardos show more than half

of children have witnessed bullying based on disability or sexuality, it

is shocking and unacceptable. We have asked for a thematic survey

looking at the effectiveness of actions taken by schools and

findings from the survey are expected to arrive in the summer.

Will the First Minister make a statement on the importance of

integrated transport system models? Yes, better conductivity can

transform businesses and communities across city regions. Boards will

consider connectivity in their priorities. For those with cars in

Swansea City, for those relying on public transport even short journeys

can be difficult. Will the integration of rail and bus be seen

as a priority? It has to be. Swansea is not as well served as Cardiff in

terms of railway because it had four or five different railway stations

at one time but now there is only one. This system was not integrated

like Cardiff. The member is right, we have a substantially populated

Swansea Valley without a railway line since 1958 was the last

passenger train. It is important buses are properly integrated with

trains coming into Swansea high street and Gowerton and other parts

of the valley. There is great support for the last answer in south

Wales for the Metro project but on behalf of Swansea, the current model

is the Swansea as a terminal rather than a hub. There are ambitious

plans afoot such as the Swansea nine lines project led by a rail group

with plans to open old lines and create new lines in Swansea and the

Swansea Valley. Will you commit to the same transport vision for

Swansea Bay and the Cardiff region? The suggestion Swansea is losing out

is untrue, the current passenger rail network is very much centred on

Cardiff, Swansea does not have the same advantage, I am aware of the

nine lines project. There is a minimal line bringing coal with

plans to reopen the extension that was once there to the old colliery.

They will need to put forward their business plan in terms of how the

railway which has a 20 mile an hour limit at the moment can be upgraded

for passengers but nevertheless any proposals will be fully considered

by the board in order to make sure that existing rail networks can be

integrated into the passenger network in future. In his recent

visit to Edinburgh to try to bring influence to bear on the referendum,

did the Minister have an opportunity to study the expensive tram system

in that city and county give the chamber and assurance that the

options considered and developed in Wales will be far more similar to

the light railway which is cheaper and popular across Europe. The

history of the tram system in Edinburgh has not been without

problems! At one time there was a tram from one side of Princes street

to the other and nothing else. When I went from the airport that there

were stations available where the tram system was developed, it is

true to say that we must consider in which way we integrate a heavy

system of transport and a light system in the way they have in

Manchester where it is possible to go into the Victoria Station in

Manchester and use the same vehicle from that station into the city

itself. Therefore, as part of the Metro plan itself, we will consider

how we can ensure that we can extend the rail network at the moment into

the centre. Would you make a statement on the devolution of taxes

and borrowing powers for Wales? I welcome the UK Government response,

it is a substantial package and I look forward to the publication of

the draft legislation to implement the reforms. The UK Government says

income tax devolution will give Wales the opportunity to establish

an economic advantage in the UK, the secretary of state for Bristol,

Wales! Says air passenger duty can be devolved because it would give

Wales an unfair advantage. Which approach is correct? Well, I must be

careful, the secretary of the accused us of being too nice in the

chamber. There are inconsistencies in the statements. He was rebuffed

at one time when he said he believed stamp duty varied in different rates

both sides of the border and it would distort competition which he

thought was an issue. He has said the devolution of air passenger duty

would be to the detriment of Bristol. I would not have expected

him to be evenhanded in that debate but that is what he said. He also

committed his party to reduce income tax in Wales in the future. That is

done, it is said, to improve Wales's competitiveness. I do not

know how it is distorted but apparently it is fine in terms

know how it is distorted but income taxed. There is

inconsistency. Fhrst income taxed. There is

inconsistency. First Minister, income taxed. There is

This is question Time, not repartee. In the review of the economy of

This is question Time, not repartee. Wales, it said were the Welsh

This is question Time, not repartee. assembly to be

This is question Time, not repartee. income tax rates in Wales the

This is question Time, not repartee. way to encourage the Welsh economy

way do enboerage t`e Wels` economy would

way do enboerage t`e Wels` economy woqld be

way do enboerage t`e Wels` economy would be to reduce the upper rate by

way do enboerage t`e Wels` economy 10p. The leader of applied country

has assisted me. The proposals being put forward by the UK Government

has assisted me. The proposals being would mean you cannot reduce the top

rate if you do not do the same with would mean you cannot reduce the top

the standard would mean you cannot reduce the top

the ctandard rate would mean you cannot reduce the top

the standard rate which would mean a would mean you cannot reduce the top

su`stantial reductaon would mean you cannot reduce the top

substantial reduction in funds. would mean you cannot reduce the top

it is your contention we should be able to vary the rates of income tax

it is your contention we should be independently of each other, but is

something you must make clear soiedhing you murt make clear to the

secretary of state. Thank soiedhing you murt make clear to the

returning to transport in terms repubning to tralsport hn termr of

borrowing, we agree that money repubning to tralsport hn termr of

should be spent on alleviating should be s`ent nn alleviating

traffic problems in the traffic ppoblems in the south-east

and transport issues in the South East but I'd sure your attention to

and transport issues in the South the comments that transport in North

Wahec the comments that transport in North

Wales was creaking and we need Wales was cbeakilg and ve need a

modern transport system. We believe Wales was cbeakilg and ve need a

borrowing powers should be Wales was cbeakilg and ve need a

across Wales in terms of the benefits, K of the railway across

Nort` benefits, K of the railway across

North Wales is one option but also would you give a pledge that

North Wales is one option but also will use borrowing powers to pay for

a third crossing across the Menai to alhefiate

a third crossing across the Menai to alleviate traffic problems at chief

dashed peak times and increase alleviate traffic problems at chief

capacity. The member is right to say capacity. T`e member is raght to say

borrowing powers should not be capacity. T`e member is raght to say

beneficial to one part of Wales, I capacity. T`e member is raght to say

am careful to say this in my capacity. T`e member is raght to say

response to the UK Government, one capacity. T`e member is raght to say

thing that could be considered in capacity. T`e member is raght to say

the future is in which way we can ensube

the future is in which way we can ensure traffic crossing the Menai is

easier than now, one way might be a third bridge but there could be

easier than now, one way might be a other options, maybe not the Menai

easier than now, one way might be a Bridge but Britannia Bridge but it's

trqe to Bridge but Britannia Bridge but it's

true to say it is something we can Bridge but Britannia Bridge but it's

consider in the future, we would not have been able to consider in the

consider in the future, we would not past. Will he update us on

consider in the future, we would not eradicating HIV, AIDS? We have an

acpion eradicating HIV, AIDS? We have an

action plan and Public Health eradicating HIV, AIDS? We have an

delivers eradicating HIV, AIDS? We have an

delifers the HIV prevention eradicating HIV, AIDS? We have an

programme and there are local initaativds

programme and there are local initiatives that are undertaken

programme and there are local the local health boards. This Sunday

markc the local health boards. This Sunday

marks world AIDS Day which is in oppobtunity

marks world AIDS Day which is in opportunity for

marks world AIDS Day which is in unite in the fight against HIV, show

thaib unite in the fight against HIV, show

their support for people living with theib suppobt fop people livinf with

HIV and to remember those who have theib suppobt fop people livinf with

died. In Wales in the first six mont`s

died. In Wales in the first six months of this year, 60 people

contbacted months of this year, 60 people

contracted HIV which has a health contbacted HI which har a health

consequence for them and families. It is the tip of the iceberg in

consequence for them and families. global terms with 25 million having

diad global terms with 25 million having

died from the virus over 25-year. diad from t`e vipus over 25-year.

What will your government do to fighd

What will your government do to fight against worldwide AIDS

fighd agahnct wopldwide AADS and what steps are in place to provide

fighd agahnct wopldwide AADS and accessible and safe sexual health

servaces accessible and safe sexual health

services vital for detecting HIV. In termc

services vital for detecting HIV. In terms of the Wales for Africa

services vital for detecting HIV. In network it helps to develop the

mihlenniul network it helps to develop the

millennium development goals network it helps to develop the

millenniul development goals by millennium development goals by

harnessinf millennium development goals by

harnessing the commitment in millennium development goals by

hapnessing dhe commitment in the millennium development goals by

harnessing the commitment in the NHS millennium development goals by

in Wales to support and improve worldwide public health with funding

in Wales to support and improve from the Wales for Africa

programme. from the Wales for Africa

available for three years. Many from the Wales for Africa

health links are working on HIV inpebvention,

health links are working on HIV intervention, one example is

inpebvention, ond example is C`rdiff University's links with Sierra Leone

University'c linjs with Saerra Leone developing community

University'c linjs with Saerra Leone for access to information

University'c linjs with Saerra Leone understanding of preventable public

health riskc. Thd understanding of preventable public

health risks. The prevalence of HIV healdh riskc. Thd prevalence of HIV

infection is higher in prison healdh riskc. Thd prevalence of HIV

populations than t`e general population and the NHS in Wales

populatiol and the N S hn Wales is responsible for health care in Welsh

populatiol and the N S hn Wales is prisons. What action

populatiol and the N S hn Wales is prisons. Vhat action is

populatiol and the N S hn Wales is prisons. What action is the

populatiol and the N S hn Wales is government taking to improve sexual

healdh government taking to improve sexual

health within the government taking to improve sexual

health withan the prison government taking to improve sexual

We are publishing, we have published government taking to improve sexual

the pathway, we are looking at government taking to improve sexual

prevention programme to help pravention `rogramme to help raise

awareness in terms of HIV and pravention `rogramme to help raise

sexual health well-being pravention `rogramme to help raise

which will be there to pravention `rogramme to help raise

whic` will be thdre to support pravention `rogramme to help raise

which will be there to support all in the population including

which will be there to support all in the populatiol ancluding thnse In

in the populatiol ancluding thnse in prison. There we are, we leave

in the populatiol ancluding thnse in ministers questions there and you

in the populatiol ancluding thnse in can see more coverage online from

in the populatiol ancluding thnse in BBC Wales's democracy live page. We

BBC Gales democracy live pagd. We are back at the same time next week

BBC Gales democracy live pagd. We with more coverage of first

ministers questions, until with more coverage of first

goodbye.