:00:24. > :00:28.Good afternoon and welcome to the programme. Carwyn Jones has been
:00:28. > :00:32.flexing his muscles in Brussels, but he is back in Cardiff Bay and
:00:32. > :00:36.on his feet, answering questions from his fellow Assembly members.
:00:36. > :00:41.We will go to the Senedd in a moment. You can get in touch with
:00:41. > :00:46.us throughout the programme today on Twitter, we are @walespolitics,
:00:46. > :00:51.or send us an e-mail to am.pm@bbc.co.uk.
:00:51. > :00:56.Business in the chamber is already underway, so let's go over to the
:00:56. > :01:03.Senedd for First Minister's question, to Wales' very own Jean-
:01:03. > :01:11.Claude Van Damme, Carwyn Jones. The Assembly is now in session.
:01:11. > :01:21.Questions to the First Minister. What are the Welsh Government's
:01:21. > :01:23.
:01:23. > :01:29.priorities for their kin and I was delighted to raise the attend
:01:29. > :01:33.the official opening of the �3 million extension block at a
:01:33. > :01:36.primary school in my constituency. This is a welcome investment in the
:01:36. > :01:42.education for children in an area that is marked by high levels of
:01:42. > :01:45.deprivation and I was struck by how enthusiastic the pupils were in
:01:45. > :01:50.their new, inspirational school building. The new building is a
:01:50. > :01:54.visible commitment of the way in which the Welsh Government is
:01:54. > :02:00.working to improve the educational opportunities for children. Will
:02:00. > :02:05.you confirm that this will remain a priority for your Government?
:02:05. > :02:09.Absolutely, it is a firm commitment, as evidenced by the manifesto on
:02:09. > :02:13.which we stood in May to make sure there is at least extra funding
:02:13. > :02:18.available for education. We know education is so important in terms
:02:18. > :02:26.of improving people's skills and making people in Wales -- making
:02:26. > :02:30.Wales are more attractive place to invest. Of the lunchtime I attended
:02:30. > :02:37.a meeting and one recommendation they were calling for was the
:02:37. > :02:42.implementation of a neuroscience review. Many sufferers in South
:02:42. > :02:45.Wales would benefit from the implementation. When will the
:02:45. > :02:51.Government be implementing those recommendations to benefit patients
:02:51. > :02:54.who suffer from motor neurone disease? Of recommendations will be
:02:54. > :03:03.considered and we will look to examine them carefully in due
:03:03. > :03:08.course. First Minister, last October I based my concerns about
:03:08. > :03:11.investment in our cities, failing to trickle up to the valleys,
:03:11. > :03:17.particularly the northernmost point. At that time I asked you to read my
:03:17. > :03:23.policy document and you replied at that time, there is no doubt that I
:03:23. > :03:29.will now read it. Have you read the document, as promised? And if so,
:03:29. > :03:36.can you tell us which ideas in it you could roll out now to create
:03:36. > :03:40.sustainable jobs? I read some of it with interest, but I cannot say
:03:40. > :03:45.that I have read it all! Nevertheless, it remains the case
:03:45. > :03:51.that we will consider any innovative ideas that would help to
:03:51. > :03:59.stimulate the Welsh economy. Can I remind members that they have a
:03:59. > :04:07.number of closed questions about specific geographic areas. Julie
:04:07. > :04:16.Morgan. Last week I visited the haemophilia unit in a new hospital
:04:16. > :04:19.in my constituency. Can you ask your main question? What plans as
:04:19. > :04:23.the First Minister have to improve services for patients and Wales
:04:23. > :04:26.suffering from haemophilia? Last November, the Minister for health
:04:26. > :04:31.and social services published a report containing recommendations
:04:31. > :04:36.on improving services for people with inherited gene disorders and
:04:36. > :04:41.additional funding -- additional funding has been provided to
:04:41. > :04:47.support counselling services for those with inherited gene disorders.
:04:47. > :04:53.Thank you for that response. I visited the haemophilia unit last
:04:53. > :05:00.week and consulted with patients. I learned how important it what that
:05:00. > :05:07.both -- for physiotherapy. What can the First Minister do to improve
:05:07. > :05:12.access to physiotherapy for haemophiliac patients? We want to
:05:12. > :05:19.ensure that there are adequate services available to those who
:05:19. > :05:23.suffer from haemophilia. I know that they are currently looking at
:05:23. > :05:28.redesigning services and that should help provide opportunities
:05:28. > :05:33.for some of these issues to be addressed. Some patients suffering
:05:33. > :05:37.from severe bleeding disorders like haemophilia live in rural parts of
:05:37. > :05:43.Wales, including North Wales, where due to the very rural landscape,
:05:43. > :05:47.travelling regularly to treatment centres can be prohibitive. The
:05:47. > :05:54.report on haemophilia services in 2011 found that many rural payments
:05:54. > :05:57.-- patients prefer to be managed locally where possible. Will you
:05:57. > :06:01.outline what you Government is doing to ensure there is local
:06:01. > :06:07.access to services, particularly against the backdrop of the a
:06:07. > :06:12.significant cuts to the health budget? Here we go, from the party
:06:12. > :06:16.opposite. They are immune to what is happening. In terms of where we
:06:16. > :06:22.are in Wales, we always seek to ensure service can be delivered as
:06:22. > :06:31.locally as possible, providing it is safe. Can you state what levels
:06:31. > :06:35.of payment will be issued for compensation to haemophiliacs and
:06:35. > :06:39.is there are waiting list of patients waiting for this? We look
:06:39. > :06:48.to provide compensation where appropriate and it is important to
:06:48. > :06:53.note that in terms of compensation, on October 14th, the UK Government
:06:53. > :07:00.announced there would be support available for individuals afflicted
:07:00. > :07:08.with hepatitis C. In March last year, the then health minister
:07:08. > :07:13.implemented recommendations that were made by the review. I recently
:07:13. > :07:17.met with a constituent, who is one of thousands of haemophiliacs
:07:17. > :07:22.affected by the contaminated blood scandal. This had a devastating
:07:22. > :07:25.impact on many families. Can I ask whether the Welsh Government would
:07:25. > :07:28.raise this matter with our counterparts in the devolved
:07:28. > :07:34.governments to review the current position with regard to treatment,
:07:34. > :07:39.especially in light of the Penrose inquiry? We will always see her
:07:39. > :07:49.treatment can be improved and how people can have the conditions
:07:49. > :07:52.
:07:53. > :08:01.properly managed Durham proved or cured in years to come. We now move
:08:02. > :08:05.to questions for the party leaders. The leader of Plaid Cymru. Does the
:08:05. > :08:09.First Minister accept it is very important that the Government
:08:09. > :08:19.should use capital funds to boost the economy when so many people are
:08:19. > :08:21.
:08:21. > :08:25.losing jobs? Yes, I took it you give a pub us his fears response. -
:08:25. > :08:30.- positive response. Why is there, so slow in bringing additional
:08:30. > :08:37.funds into their block in order to promote the construction and civil
:08:37. > :08:41.engineering sector? To date, not a single penny has been provided. Can
:08:41. > :08:45.he give assurance that there will be funding available in addition to
:08:46. > :08:53.the block in the current financial year? There are many construction
:08:53. > :08:56.projects underway. In the current financial year, workers on going
:08:56. > :09:02.now, may I remind the member of what is happening in Wales? He
:09:02. > :09:08.knows there is a package being put together to promote growth for
:09:08. > :09:18.business in Wales. The stimulus package for the economy of �38.9
:09:18. > :09:18.
:09:18. > :09:26.million. �90 million, of course, has been spent on capital funding
:09:26. > :09:33.regarding what was held back centrally and on top of that,,
:09:33. > :09:39.helping local authorities to borrow money. What the First Minister has
:09:39. > :09:46.done is to avoid the question, which was, will you be bringing in
:09:46. > :09:51.additional funds in addition to the block? A few years back, the
:09:51. > :09:54.Government's capital expenditure was �2 billion. This year it is
:09:54. > :10:03.�1.3 billion. So there is less capital funding available. You have
:10:03. > :10:07.said you want more capital funding out with the block. What we have
:10:07. > :10:17.seen this saying that the infrastructure investment programme
:10:17. > :10:18.
:10:18. > :10:23.would be in place by the end of the year,. You are very good did to
:10:23. > :10:28.laying and carrying out inquiries, but not so good at taking action.
:10:28. > :10:33.You say you are personally responsible for the delivery unit's
:10:33. > :10:43.actions, is it not time for that delivery to start delivering?
:10:43. > :10:44.
:10:44. > :10:49.unit is not... It shows that the Government's policies are working.
:10:49. > :10:56.The figures cannot change in the future, but it is true to say that
:10:56. > :11:02.figures in Wales are better regarding the history of
:11:02. > :11:06.unemployment in Scotland. So everything that has been stated has
:11:06. > :11:12.had an effect and we look forward to seeing similar statements that
:11:12. > :11:17.we saw last week regarding 600 jobs being announced in Cardiff. Leader
:11:18. > :11:21.of the Opposition. First Minister, due announced recently you would be
:11:21. > :11:28.going to the United States on a trade mission. Which airport will
:11:28. > :11:33.you be flying from? Heathrow, I expect. Thank you for that answer.
:11:33. > :11:37.Doesn't that been that the case for a direct link for Cardiff airport
:11:37. > :11:45.is made by your remarks? The First Minister is unable to actually
:11:45. > :11:49.leave Cardiff airport to go on a trade mission. Order, order!
:11:49. > :11:57.indeed, your own Government's report identified that this link
:11:57. > :12:02.could be established for a rather modest sum of money. Will the not
:12:02. > :12:09.now pursue that case and establish a North American Air link direct
:12:09. > :12:15.from Cardiff? He is right to point out I am not flying from Cardiff to
:12:15. > :12:19.New York direct, because there is no direct flight. The reality is,
:12:20. > :12:23.there are many routes we would like to see from Cardiff airport, but
:12:23. > :12:27.the airport must get its act together. Last week I went to the
:12:27. > :12:32.airport and the main entrance was shut. You had to go to the side
:12:32. > :12:35.entrance. It is important that the airport puts itself in a position
:12:35. > :12:40.where it is attractive to airlines and unfortunately that is not the
:12:40. > :12:45.case at the moment. You will know that a significant North American
:12:45. > :12:49.carrier would be ready to start that route tomorrow if the writ
:12:49. > :12:53.established was forthcoming from the bus govern. Looking at the
:12:53. > :13:02.British Chamber of Commerce, talking about investment, looking
:13:02. > :13:05.at business leaders from emerging markets,... Direct immense our key
:13:05. > :13:09.to considering investment in Wales and other parts of the United
:13:09. > :13:13.Kingdom. The chairman of the Scottish Government's council of
:13:13. > :13:15.economic advisers told Scottish ministers there is a need to
:13:15. > :13:19.increase direct routing of aeroplanes into the Scottish
:13:19. > :13:24.airports to increase their offering. If you look at the Cardiff Business
:13:24. > :13:28.School that has highlighted our inward Investment offering has
:13:28. > :13:31.become the second least attractive out of the nation's and region's of
:13:31. > :13:37.the United Kingdom, would you not agree with us that it is now a
:13:37. > :13:41.timely moment to consider establishing the North American Air
:13:41. > :13:45.Link, and would he put a time from that that killing will be
:13:45. > :13:48.established by the end of this assembly term, like your previous
:13:48. > :13:54.Government, indicated in its own report, saying this route was
:13:54. > :13:58.valid? We know the route is not viable at Bristol because it was
:13:58. > :14:01.tried and it did not work. In order for the route to begin it would
:14:01. > :14:06.cost several million pounds in order for the route to be
:14:06. > :14:10.indemnified in the first few years of its life. There is much more to
:14:10. > :14:16.do on the infrastructure of the airport. Rather than simply looking
:14:17. > :14:22.at bringing in new routes and paying for them. It does not create
:14:22. > :14:27.sustainable woods and the future. He talks about the fact that in his
:14:27. > :14:32.words, we are not doing well in investment. This, that there are
:14:32. > :14:35.reasons for optimism, there are signs of a growing resilience among
:14:35. > :14:44.small and medium enterprises in Wales. I hope he agrees that that,
:14:44. > :14:50.because he said it. Peter Black. you know, many people are concerned
:14:50. > :14:54.about the effects of the health board closing a minor injuries
:14:54. > :14:58.units in Cardiff Bay. During First Minister's Questions recently you
:14:58. > :15:04.said it is not all to do with finance, and that was not done as a
:15:04. > :15:09.result of a financial problem. Do you stand by that assessment?
:15:09. > :15:15.You will know that went they receive notification, of the
:15:15. > :15:20.closures on December 21st, there was no additional noticed, the
:15:20. > :15:24.letter said they expected rising demand over winter. Combine with
:15:24. > :15:29.issues of recruitment, staff sickness and the financial position,
:15:29. > :15:32.meaning this action must be taken. This letter it -- directly
:15:32. > :15:42.contradicts your statement that these closures are not driven by
:15:42. > :15:42.
:15:43. > :15:49.The reality is that there are severe problems in recruiting, not
:15:49. > :15:55.just AMD, but in A&E staff in Wales the stop I know in one vacancy it
:15:56. > :15:59.could be advertised five times. It has nothing to do with money, it is
:15:59. > :16:04.to do with the fact there are vacancies that remain unfilled.
:16:04. > :16:08.That is why we have launched a recruitment campaign to make Wales
:16:08. > :16:12.more attractive for senior practitioners, and particularly for
:16:12. > :16:16.A&E doctors, and there is a shortage across the whole of the UK.
:16:16. > :16:21.I understand the issue regarding recruitment, but the letter did
:16:21. > :16:27.specifically refer to the financial position. And you know they Iraq
:16:27. > :16:31.two further units, which have been closed in south-west Wales. --
:16:31. > :16:36.there are two for the units. Are we supposed to believe that these
:16:36. > :16:41.closures are not due to financial issues? The member has read out a
:16:41. > :16:45.letter where recruitment is identified as an issue that has
:16:45. > :16:50.caused the closure of these A&E department. So that his recruitment,
:16:50. > :16:55.as I said, not finance. The reality is we have many vacancies in the
:16:55. > :17:00.NHS that are fully financed, that don't have people to fill them.
:17:00. > :17:07.Which is why we have launched the campaign. Question three, William
:17:07. > :17:11.Powell. What assessment has the First Minister made of the economic
:17:11. > :17:15.vibrancy of Mid and West Wales? short to medium term, the
:17:15. > :17:19.performance is heavily influenced by what the economic conditions,
:17:19. > :17:24.but we do keep the economic performance of all parts of Wales
:17:24. > :17:29.and a review on an ongoing basis. Thank you for the answer. I'm sure
:17:29. > :17:35.you will agree that an up-to-date, fit for purpose energy generation
:17:35. > :17:40.policy is a vital ingredient to promoting economic growth. This
:17:40. > :17:46.morning in Carmarthen, we were presented with a copy of a letter
:17:46. > :17:51.from your successor as environment minister, Jane Davidson, two hour
:17:51. > :17:55.colleague, back in 2009, that promised a full review of Pam eight,
:17:55. > :18:01.with an extensive public consultation. When will that review
:18:01. > :18:05.take place? Well, that has little effect on, for example, the plans
:18:05. > :18:10.for larger windfarms in PoW West. The UK government have made it
:18:10. > :18:15.clear that they will use national policy statements which could put
:18:15. > :18:22.when bombs anywhere, even in the national parks. -- could put
:18:22. > :18:26.windfarms anywhere. Thirtysomething we do not support. -- that is
:18:26. > :18:32.something we do not support. I do not see why it Wales should be
:18:32. > :18:37.disadvantaged compared to the rest of the UK. Wildlife tourism can
:18:37. > :18:41.help promote economic vibrancy and provides a strong economic
:18:41. > :18:46.incentive to protect and invest in biodiversity. How is the Welsh
:18:46. > :18:50.government promoting wildlife tourism in Midwest Wales? It is
:18:50. > :18:55.fully integrated in marketing activities for Wales as a whole.
:18:55. > :19:03.The front page of the visit Wales website has a link to our national
:19:03. > :19:10.parks. Paul Davies. TRANSLATION: I am pleased your government has
:19:10. > :19:16.recognised the vibrancy of part of my constituency, by designating the
:19:16. > :19:21.heathen around Milford Haven as a possible enterprise it owned. -- a
:19:21. > :19:24.haven. In establishing an enterprise zone, it could be
:19:24. > :19:27.crucial to the local economy, can the First Minister confirm that he
:19:27. > :19:32.and his government would do everything in their power to ensure
:19:32. > :19:38.this does actually happen, and perhaps he could give us an update,
:19:38. > :19:43.or give the Tabor an update on the progress that has taken place -- of
:19:43. > :19:49.the chamber and update? TRANSLATION: Departments have taken
:19:49. > :19:59.place, they are moving on well. We know how important it is to have
:19:59. > :19:59.
:19:59. > :20:06.such an enterprise zone, in Milford Haven. In order to ensure the
:20:06. > :20:11.economy's future. TRANSLATION: One of the problems facing businesses
:20:11. > :20:15.in this region is borrowing money is from the banks, there are still
:20:15. > :20:19.problems, particularly with small firms, in borrowing money from
:20:19. > :20:23.high-street banks. What steps is the government taking to improve
:20:23. > :20:27.the situation, and are you looking at the possibility of establishing
:20:27. > :20:34.an alternative bank that will enable Welsh businesses to lend to
:20:34. > :20:38.each other? I have read this article, I think one thing that was
:20:38. > :20:46.interesting, I don't know if I were described as a sovereign Welfare
:20:46. > :20:50.Fund, but I think it is keyed did consider a fund to help energy
:20:50. > :20:54.projects in Wales in order to ensure community benefit for our
:20:54. > :21:00.communities. This is something we agree with the guiding ensuring
:21:00. > :21:05.that the people of Wales see money it went energy projects are made in
:21:05. > :21:12.Wales. Will the First Minister outline his priorities for North
:21:12. > :21:16.Wales for the next six months? had to implement the programme.
:21:16. > :21:18.sure one of your priorities will be to the effective working of local
:21:18. > :21:23.government with the local government elections so near to us.
:21:23. > :21:30.How do you respond to the public services ombudsman's decision at
:21:30. > :21:36.the end of last we did drop a case against Anglesey council, on the
:21:36. > :21:41.basis the evidence was contradictory and unco-operative. -
:21:41. > :21:45.- uncorroborated. They also produced a terms of engagement,
:21:45. > :21:50.obliging council group leaders to sign, which forced him to publicly
:21:50. > :21:56.and robustly condemn this councillor and other councillors,
:21:56. > :22:05.which led to the appointment of commissioners, the postponement of
:22:05. > :22:09.local elections and trusted local boundary changes. -- drastic.
:22:10. > :22:15.wouldn't comment on findings made by the ombudsman, that is for a
:22:15. > :22:20.local authority involved. A recent report by the day-care Trust has
:22:20. > :22:26.highlighted that nursery costs across the UK have risen by nearly
:22:26. > :22:29.6% in the last year, and the average cost of part-time care now
:22:29. > :22:36.exceeds �100 in some parts of Wales there. The study found that there
:22:36. > :22:41.is particular lack of childcare for parents to work outside normal
:22:41. > :22:46.hours, and more than half reported that parents had reported a lack of
:22:46. > :22:49.childcare. With the her family getting a help with childcare bills,
:22:49. > :22:53.what is the Welsh government doing to support a hard-working families
:22:53. > :23:02.in areas like north-east Wales, and the Welsh economy, with more
:23:02. > :23:05.affordable child care? statement made clear our aim to
:23:05. > :23:10.improve the affordability and take his ability, and we are investing
:23:10. > :23:20.�55 million of additional funding, as well as �6 million of capital
:23:20. > :23:23.
:23:23. > :23:29.funding. In North Wales? Across Wales, of which 0 wealth is apart.
:23:29. > :23:36.-- North Wales is a part. TRANSLATION: The issue of business
:23:36. > :23:40.rate has been raised, and has been prominent, specifically the be
:23:40. > :23:45.readable by lead to qualify for rate relief is too small, or too
:23:45. > :23:52.low. What consideration is the government giving to expanding the
:23:52. > :23:56.scheme to include businesses with a higher rate of more than you? --
:23:56. > :23:59.hier ratable value? They are unlikely to survive without support.
:23:59. > :24:04.We have given support to small businesses over the years, and
:24:04. > :24:10.there was a statement on that during the budget over Christmas.
:24:10. > :24:14.But of course, we have to consider now that there is less money
:24:14. > :24:20.available to expand the scheme in the way that the Bamber would wish.
:24:20. > :24:26.Paul Davies, question five. TRANSLATION: What is the government
:24:26. > :24:29.doing to help health services in Wales? TRANSLATION: Heartland and
:24:29. > :24:34.priorities for the health services for the whole of Wales can be found
:24:34. > :24:38.in our programme for government. had the privilege recently of
:24:38. > :24:43.sponsoring an event here in the Senedd on arthritis, and one of the
:24:43. > :24:50.issues that was raised in this event was Conservatives in rural
:24:50. > :24:53.areas depend to face long journeys to access a proper treatment. I
:24:53. > :24:56.accept there is a review of services on going and I'm sure he
:24:57. > :25:02.will agree with me that it is crucial that such services are
:25:02. > :25:06.available to people who suffer, but given the circumstances, can you
:25:06. > :25:11.tell us what he and his government are doing to ensure that patients
:25:11. > :25:16.living in rural areas such as temperature are not disadvantaged,
:25:16. > :25:20.because of their geographical locations -- such as Pembrokeshire?
:25:21. > :25:26.Of course, there are schemes on going, they haven't been made
:25:26. > :25:31.public yet, and there will be consideration of many schemes by
:25:31. > :25:37.doctors by Welsh ministers. Of course, we are looking at and
:25:37. > :25:44.ensuring that most local services continue as long as it is a good
:25:44. > :25:47.one. I welcome the Welsh government's action to address the
:25:47. > :25:52.serious medical staff and recruitment challenges we have in
:25:52. > :25:56.Wales, and the government's new for us on workforce planning. How do
:25:56. > :26:02.you envisage this will envisage -- alleviate the staffing issues in
:26:02. > :26:06.west Wales? There has been, for many years, the case, that it is
:26:07. > :26:09.difficult to attract staff further west. But has been the case for a
:26:09. > :26:14.number of years. That is not something this government wants to
:26:14. > :26:18.see remain the case, which is why we have, as I mentioned before,
:26:18. > :26:22.launched a recruitment campaign in order to attract particularly
:26:22. > :26:27.senior staff, in two hospitals west of Morriston, which has
:26:27. > :26:34.historically been difficult. In that way, we will be able to secure
:26:34. > :26:38.the services in the long term. Questions six. Will the First
:26:38. > :26:43.Minister make a statement on the support for hospices in North
:26:43. > :26:53.Wales? Yes, we support Independent has put it in Wales, including five
:26:53. > :26:57.
:26:57. > :27:01.in the north, -- independent hospices. First Minister, the
:27:01. > :27:05.Children's Hospice provides an invaluable service for families in
:27:05. > :27:08.North Wales. It gives care both at the hospice and in the community
:27:09. > :27:13.through their hospice to homes scheme. Yet despite regularly
:27:13. > :27:19.providing care which saves the Welsh NHS considerable sums each
:27:19. > :27:23.year, it has not received a penny from your government in the last
:27:23. > :27:28.two years. First Minister, would you agree to visit Clare House
:27:28. > :27:31.Hospice to thank them for the excellent work being done there,
:27:31. > :27:35.and will your government give consideration to providing
:27:35. > :27:40.paediatric palliative care funding through the health board that would
:27:40. > :27:45.follow the child, giving families the choice over where care is
:27:45. > :27:52.provided. We wouldn't find Clare House, because it is not in Wales.
:27:52. > :27:57.-- fund. So that puts a limit on what we could provide. He does
:27:57. > :28:03.provide a service to a very small number of children from the north,
:28:03. > :28:07.roundabout two per annum is the average. Referrals are made as at -
:28:07. > :28:13.- and when needs arise. The main provider to Childers palliative
:28:13. > :28:18.care is a Hope House, in Oswestry. So there is provision to enable
:28:18. > :28:23.children from the north of Wales to go to that, but fundic Ospreys
:28:23. > :28:30.outside Wales would not be within the realm of this government. -- of
:28:30. > :28:34.funding a hospital stop TRANSLATION: From personal
:28:34. > :28:41.experience, I have seen the value of palliative care provided by
:28:42. > :28:45.various hospices. Been at home care or respite care. What has become
:28:45. > :28:50.transparent is a lack of consistency, even for us North
:28:50. > :28:54.Wales, and this was highlighted this morning in a cross-party group
:28:54. > :28:58.meeting, where the same kind of appeal was made to stop if we are
:28:58. > :29:03.looking at a National Health Service, and a palliative care is a
:29:03. > :29:10.crucial part of that, when can we expect to see consistency across
:29:10. > :29:16.Wales and North Wales in that particular area? TRANSLATION: A
:29:16. > :29:23.report has been published, that has considered a significant amount of
:29:23. > :29:28.work that has taken place in order to help people in this situation.
:29:28. > :29:34.The focus now is to ensure that we look at people, helping people or
:29:34. > :29:40.children who have lost their parents, and maybe who have fallen
:29:40. > :29:43.through the net of help available. Regarding funding, significant
:29:43. > :29:53.amounts of funds are available for hospices and we want to ensure that
:29:53. > :29:54.
:29:54. > :29:59.we report that it is being implemented. Question seven.
:29:59. > :30:02.TRANSLATION: What are the first been as the's priorities for the
:30:02. > :30:11.National Health Service in Wales? TRANSLATION: How plants and
:30:11. > :30:15.products can be found in a 121212 TRANSLATION: You accused
:30:15. > :30:21.Plaid Cymru of scaremongering when we want about the possibility of
:30:21. > :30:30.downgrading general hospitals. At least eight bus loads of people
:30:30. > :30:39.will be travelling to the steps of the Senedd tomorrow. Their concerns
:30:39. > :30:42.are around plans to downgrade services. Will you accuse that
:30:42. > :30:47.eight busloads of people of scaremongering as well?
:30:47. > :30:52.TRANSLATION: You are still scaremongering as a party. What is
:30:52. > :30:55.the truth about the situation? Plans have been put before people
:30:55. > :31:01.that have been considered publicly, doctors themselves will be looking
:31:01. > :31:09.at any plans as well as ministers. Can I make one thing perfectly
:31:09. > :31:19.clear? As a Government, we would never confirm or support any
:31:19. > :31:20.
:31:20. > :31:26.service that is not safe. We were not support a service that would
:31:26. > :31:31.put patient safety at risk. We all understand the catchment area.
:31:31. > :31:36.Investment is being put into place now be guarding any emergency
:31:36. > :31:42.department and the new maternity do palm. Is she telling the people of
:31:42. > :31:45.Wales after the investment that Wales has put in that these
:31:45. > :31:52.departments will close? Are you really telling that to the people
:31:52. > :31:57.of Ceredigion? I know there is a campaign -- a competition for the
:31:57. > :32:07.leadership of Plaid Cymru at the moment. But please tell the truth
:32:07. > :32:10.to people. Jenny Rathbone. The four are waiting time target in Accident
:32:10. > :32:16.and Emergency is seen by some health boards as an incentive to
:32:16. > :32:18.keep people waiting in ambulances before being allocated a place in
:32:18. > :32:24.Accident and Emergency. There is a case about this been the local
:32:24. > :32:29.press in Cardiff. What can the Welsh Government do about this,
:32:29. > :32:32.given this very poor use of Ambulance time? It is important
:32:32. > :32:35.health boards work in partnership with the NHS trusts to reduce the
:32:35. > :32:39.number of delays. There will be occasions where there is a delay in
:32:39. > :32:47.handing over the patient to hospital staff, although we
:32:47. > :32:51.recognise an excessive delay is unacceptable. There are a number of
:32:51. > :32:58.buses coming from my own constituency tomorrow to the Senedd
:32:58. > :33:05.on the same issue. In relation to the health reforms, our health
:33:05. > :33:08.board is reluctant to engage properly with the public. There are
:33:08. > :33:12.no stake holders listening exercises taking place in North
:33:12. > :33:16.powers, which has disenfranchised thousands of people in my own
:33:16. > :33:23.constituency. In a public meeting, that I attended the other week,
:33:23. > :33:27.over 500 people voted to call upon the health minister to authorise
:33:27. > :33:32.preparation of a health service for mid-Wales, in mid-Wales. Would you
:33:32. > :33:40.agree with that? The problem with that is, you suggest people in
:33:40. > :33:48.Welsh pool would have to go to be wrong place. The catchment area is
:33:48. > :33:51.white. At least Northern Ceredigion. We all understand that. That is why
:33:51. > :33:58.its position as an important general hospital is not under
:33:58. > :34:00.threat. There will be no downgrading of that hospital. It is
:34:00. > :34:09.unimportant Hospital and the or understand there. But let us look
:34:09. > :34:13.at the figures. -- it is an important hospital. Including a new
:34:13. > :34:18.emergency unit, you day surgery units, I ask the question, does
:34:18. > :34:22.that suggest those services will disappear? All I ask is that people
:34:22. > :34:27.are told the truth. There are people writing to me, saying they
:34:27. > :34:32.have been told that the hospital will close. That is untrue. There
:34:32. > :34:38.are people who have been writing to me who have been saying that AMD
:34:38. > :34:42.will complete the close, that has never been suggested by anybody. --
:34:42. > :34:50.A&E. There are people writing to be suggesting that in terms of
:34:50. > :34:54.maternity care,, who on earth is saying this to people? A thing the
:34:54. > :35:01.party opposite has something to explain in that regard. -- I think.
:35:01. > :35:08.We just ask people examine the proposals. They are consulted at
:35:08. > :35:11.length. We will be guided as a Government by what doctors say. If
:35:11. > :35:16.the party opposite are not interested in that, that is a
:35:16. > :35:20.matter for them. We will be guided by what is safe for the people of
:35:20. > :35:26.Aberystwyth. There is no point shouting about it. We will be
:35:26. > :35:30.guided by what is safe for the people of Ceredigion and the wider
:35:30. > :35:33.area, recognising the importance of the hospital and recognising the
:35:33. > :35:39.peoples of Ceredigion deserve levels of service that are
:35:39. > :35:46.acceptable. Safe, excellent, acceptable services. That is what
:35:46. > :35:53.Wales needs. In Swansea, the local health board are using a private
:35:54. > :35:59.hospital for operations, they are using a private dental hospital for
:35:59. > :36:02.operations, they are using PFI funding for doctors' surgeries. Why
:36:02. > :36:07.is there this ideological problem for the IVF clinic, which is
:36:07. > :36:10.privately funded? Why use scarce resources to build your own version
:36:10. > :36:16.of that where there is -- when there is a perfectly good facility
:36:16. > :36:20.there? The new clinic will provide a better service for those who are
:36:20. > :36:24.in the position where they need services from the IVF clinic and it
:36:24. > :36:28.will deliver better value as well. It is important we are able to
:36:28. > :36:34.ensure we get the best value from the health service and also get the
:36:34. > :36:37.best service. That is why this new service is planned. The dangerous
:36:37. > :36:41.help reforms being pushed through by the Tory lead Government in
:36:41. > :36:47.Westminster could well have serious repercussions for the NHS in Wales,
:36:47. > :36:51.in terms of cross-border issues, funding as well as the proposed
:36:51. > :36:53.abolition of several England and Wales health bodies. Another
:36:53. > :36:58.constituents of mine have very worried about what the Tories are
:36:58. > :37:00.planning for England and I urge members from across this chamber to
:37:00. > :37:04.see the is the consider the statement of opinion I tabled on
:37:05. > :37:09.this earlier today. Would you agree with me, First Minister, that as
:37:09. > :37:14.well as condemning what the Tories are doing to the NHS, we in Wales
:37:14. > :37:19.me to be on our guard and do everything we can to mitigate any
:37:19. > :37:23.impact of this bill on patients in Wales? We reject any suggestion
:37:23. > :37:26.that GP commissioning is the way forward for Wales. The way forward
:37:26. > :37:30.is to ensure that people in all parts of Wales have access to a
:37:30. > :37:34.service that is as local and safe as possible and we do understand
:37:34. > :37:38.that whenever there are suggestions for service changes, people get
:37:38. > :37:42.worried, especially if they are told things that on the margins of
:37:42. > :37:46.truth. Nevertheless, people are worried. We will give his pledge to
:37:46. > :37:51.the people of Wales. The services they require will be available to
:37:51. > :37:54.them. Those services will be safe, we will not support any service is
:37:54. > :38:03.not safe. We must support any structure that provides the service
:38:03. > :38:07.that is not safe. -- we will not support any structure. Angela Burns.
:38:07. > :38:10.First Minister, Willy provide an update on what steps the most
:38:10. > :38:18.common is ticking to support individuals with autism? Much has
:38:18. > :38:22.been achieved since we published our action plan, we established an
:38:23. > :38:26.infrastructure within statutory authorities. Where these in the
:38:26. > :38:34.Professional and regional bodies to identify future developments. -- we
:38:34. > :38:37.are liaising. If last year, you pointed to the allocation of over 2
:38:37. > :38:45.million this year to take forward our strategic action plan. You have
:38:45. > :38:50.just outlined some... Would you be asking you delivery unit to review
:38:50. > :38:56.the spend of this �2 million and will you provide us full details of
:38:56. > :38:59.how and where that money was spent? What we see on the streets is not
:38:59. > :39:07.necessarily what is reflected by the comments you have just made.
:39:07. > :39:10.Members are entitled to see how money is spent. The EAS t strategic
:39:10. > :39:14.action plan for Wales has succeeded in putting some local authorities
:39:14. > :39:18.to mainstream autism awareness training for teachers, head
:39:18. > :39:24.teachers and other school employees. This simple action delivers huge
:39:24. > :39:27.and prudence, both for pupils and for the wider school committee.
:39:27. > :39:31.Will he join me in commending existing good practice and urged
:39:31. > :39:35.all local parties to pro actively support mainstream schools and
:39:35. > :39:38.employees to better meet the needs of pupils with autism? Absolutely,
:39:38. > :39:48.that good practice has to be rolled out across the whole of Wales to
:39:48. > :39:49.
:39:49. > :39:53.make sure proper supporters in place. In Port Talbot, local taxi
:39:53. > :39:58.drivers were not given notice of tenders to take those with autism
:39:58. > :40:03.to schools in the local area. When they did take out that new contract,
:40:03. > :40:06.many of the taxi firms who were currently taking children to school
:40:06. > :40:10.lost out because of competition. Subsequently the new taxi firms
:40:10. > :40:15.realised it was unaffordable t to petrol prices for them to take
:40:15. > :40:20.those children to school. So many parents are angry because of the
:40:20. > :40:25.fact that many taxi-drivers who nurtured a good relationship with
:40:25. > :40:28.the children who were having difficulty in accessing taxis in a
:40:28. > :40:31.cohesive way, they are not been sustained any more work tutor these
:40:31. > :40:35.very sensitive difficulties. Are there any pressure as you can put
:40:35. > :40:40.on councils to take the guard of the situation where there are young
:40:40. > :40:44.people with autism who are trying to put trust in people only for
:40:44. > :40:48.that to be taken away? The fire asked a member to brighten the with
:40:48. > :40:51.further details on this matter, I will investigate further. -- to
:40:51. > :41:01.write to me. You can see more proceedings from
:41:01. > :41:02.
:41:02. > :41:07.the Assembly on Democracy Live on line. Well, as usual, Vaughan
:41:07. > :41:12.Roderick joins us on the so far. I don't know what do you think, it
:41:12. > :41:17.seems to be the main debate there centred around the provision of
:41:17. > :41:23.health services. The First Minister defending the status of the
:41:23. > :41:29.hospital. It was very tetchy. This happens often when they come close
:41:29. > :41:34.to elections and Wales, Labour's you as a party is to bring up scare
:41:35. > :41:39.stories and scaremonger about possible hospital closures. They
:41:39. > :41:43.say, no, these are justified concerns and the point to the fact
:41:43. > :41:50.that Labour politicians have been very much to the fore in defending
:41:50. > :41:55.the status of another hospital in that Health Board area. It
:41:55. > :42:00.obviously does get under the skin of Carmen Jones. He accused Elin
:42:00. > :42:06.Jones of trying to use that hospital issue as a weapon in her
:42:06. > :42:10.campaign for a party leadership. It doesn't really wash, given the fact
:42:10. > :42:15.that senior staff at the hospital had expressed serious concerns
:42:15. > :42:21.about what was happening there. made a real effort to put the
:42:21. > :42:26.record straight, as he sees it, in saying there will not be cuts. How
:42:26. > :42:32.do you think that will wash with the likes of Elin Jones, who is
:42:32. > :42:36.clearly playing to a gallery of her own?? I think his exact words were,
:42:36. > :42:41.the hospital is not been downgraded, it will not be downgraded. There is
:42:41. > :42:46.a question about what the words downgrade means. If services that
:42:46. > :42:52.used to be provided at the hospital cease to be provided, most people
:42:52. > :42:57.would say that is a downgrade. Carwyn Jones may come to reject --
:42:57. > :43:05.regret those words. Andrew Davies asked the First Minister whether he
:43:05. > :43:15.would be flying -- where he would be five from. What was he tried to
:43:15. > :43:15.
:43:16. > :43:19.say? Both parties are deeply unhappy about the lack of services
:43:19. > :43:23.from Cardiff airport. The opposition wants the Government to
:43:23. > :43:28.do something about it, use its powers to help draw on you services
:43:28. > :43:32.into Cardiff airport. The Government's point of view is that
:43:32. > :43:36.Cardiff airport's owners, they just are not doing anything to develop
:43:36. > :43:39.the airport. He takes the view of why should we pay for new services
:43:39. > :43:43.they cannot run the airport properly?