29/05/2012 am.pm

order. The Item One is their questions to the First Minister.

Here is question one. Will you make a statement on the

future of the Welsh NHS? Thank you for that answer. There is

concern over emergency services. Last week they it Health Board made

a decision to move critically injured to patients in Liverpool to

Stoke. That was for tesserae provision of trauma care. This is

there decision which has caused concern in Wales because there is

an extra half hour of travel time to access the service in stole

rather than in Liverpool. What do the instructions from their Welsh

Government contain? There is concern about it. In terms of

public concern, what are the instructions that have been given

to in Show proper engagement to ensure that confident decisions are

made for the right reasons? We expect decisions to be taken

clinically. We expect appropriate clinical reasons to be given for

transfers. There will be occasions but people will be transferred in

order to get more specialised medical personnel. People should be

treated in the most appropriate setting.

Would you agree with me that one of the big challenges to the NHS is

the affordability of the Cancer wonder drugs. Would you

congratulate the campaign on negotiating lower prices with the

manufacturers' of these cancer drugs? Wales have proved that

before England dead for the treatment of prostate cancer.

It is a drug that is why group used in Wales and less likely in England.

It is important that when claims are made by pharmaceutical

companies on the efficacy of their trucks that they are tested through

our systems to show that the drugs can be effective. We to make sure

that they are available if they are affected. One of the weak points of

the NHS is the recruitment of numbers of staff. We have a short-

term programme to recruit medical staff from abroad. In the longer

term, in the next five to ten years, is it time to consider funding

medical students? Then asking them to contribute back to the NHS by

working for a specific period? is an interesting idea but it is

not sustainable because people can move whenever they choose. What we

want to ensure is that people are trained in Wales and then remain in

Wales. We also want to ensure that people come to Wales and bring

their experience with them. We have to ensure that the system is more

at sustainable and doesn't just get funds to people but then leave

Wales. The children's committee has received evidence from the past few

weeks demonstrating that services in North Wales in terms of neonatal

services, on the employee to consultants rather than eight. That

they have not met national standards at UK levels since 2008.

Will you ensure that the aim towards reaching those standards in

the future? It is important that standards are high. It is

impossible to take Consultants of pop some magical tree. We know

there is at short of -- shortage of expertise. It is important that

services are sustainable peering that fact in mind. Well the First

Minister out line the steps being taken towards transparency within

the Welsh Government? We are trying to maximise openness and

accountability. We are publishing Cabinet papers and ministerial

reports. Also details of payments made by the Welsh Government.

Freedom of Information Act is used bike over 50 % of our residents

wishing to access information with then that the Welsh Government.

Having signed the commitment and marched to be more responsive to

these requests what actions are being taken? To continue with

ensuring that we at open and and transparent as a Government. Your

Government has commissioned Professor Steve Smith of

Aberystwyth to give advice on universities in this it east of

this country. Will you publish his advice when you receive it as a

Government? We do consider all advice provided to us as a

Government bearing in mind that their aim is to provide a

sustainable sector in education in Wales. We now move to party leaders

questions. A report published this week concludes that older people in

the UK at loneliest and poorest and most concerned about age

discrimination. What indicators will Welsh Government adopt to

measure these issues? We well consider the findings of any report

in order to see whether we can learn from any such report. We will

then look for measures to put in place. Thank you for that answer.

The older people's well-being monitor was last carried out in

2009, will you make it an annual report? In consultation with the

older people's commissioner we will look at what the more successful

outcomes can be. Thank you for advising us on that. Currently

local councils decide on care. You are planning and National Care

standard. Well you guarantee that no other and the person in Wales

will have their care package withdrawn? -- older person. We need

to provide a more level playing field so that everybody regardless

of where the need -- lead at the same access to care. How many new

cancer treatments are available in England as opposed to Wales? There

is no cancer treatment that is available across the whole of

England as prepared to Wales. well known that there are 24

different cancer treatments available in England that are not

available here in Wales. Last Thursday your health minister

issued a statement outlining the objection to cancer drugs in Wales.

Be said that they believe to bike creating a fund for them it would

create inequalities within the budget and drain money away from

other key areas. You choose to find millionaire's access to it minor it

drops. But you refuse best fund which would be three-and a-half

million pounds? What is Equitable about such an approach? The basic

flaw in the arguments from the Tories about prescriptions. People

should not get paracetamol if they're millionaires but the well

of they are millionaires and over 60. We spend more on cancer drugs

in Wales than the day in England. England needs to catch up with

Wales. Why should we introduce such a fund? Secondly, the money from

England was taken away and the budget from money for other drugs.

Are you willing in the opposition to cut the budget for the men's

here drugs? Or for multiple sclerosis? I think that the people

of Wales want answer to that. will get an answer for that. We

would not subsidised millionaire's access to Paris set them all. We

believe that cancer patients deserve... We believe that cancer

patients deserve access to cutting edge technology that is available

in other parts of the United Kingdom. Is that not the case First

Minister, that you want to give these minor drugs to millionaires

but you're the animate of cancer patients in Wales? There are many

people in Wales have benefited from free prescriptions. Buy your own

definition all those people that would have to pay that tablet packs

to say that we had a friend of millionaires. Who is plugging their

pharmaceutical drugs find the most if not the pharmaceutical

companies? The problem with the opposition is best, you bombast for

eloquence. There are some in your party that want to see the back of

you as the leader of the opposition. You can stay there for will at Nat

-- next 20 years as far as I'm concerned. Leanne Wood. Thank you

Presiding Officer. When we end Plaid Cymru unveiled in March the

2011 Arab plans for an on dividend the call to finance infrastructure

projects the Labour Party rubbished them as completely unworkable. We

were surprised therefore it when it last week the idea popped up in the

Government's infrastructure strategy. Can you tell us, First

Minister, when you changed your mind? There are important

differences between what we're proposing and what he proposed.

would be grateful if you could out link those differences. Yes. We're

looking at ways of raising money in a way that we can work with local

authorities in a way that Wales will not be left heavily in debt.

Let us turn to another Plaid Cymru policy that was adopted by

yourselves. That is borrowing powers. Does the First Minister it

think that it is coincidental or bad luck that soon the only elected

body and a United Kingdom without their power to borrow money it

would be the one in which his party has an unbroken record of power?

The only powers that we did have word those of the WDA which were

thrown away because Labour did not do what they were supposed to. Why

is it that the Scottish nationalists or the Ulster

nationalists or even at Tory and London as the mayor it there, do a

better job in their corner and the Labour First Minister of Wales?

seems to it have escaped the attention of yourself that we're

not blocking borrowing powers. It is the UK Government that are doing

it. It is more convenient to attack us about it but I agree I think it

is appalling -- appalling that we do not have the same things that

Scotland and Ireland it in terms of borrowing. What has happened to

Plaid Cymru? A once vibrant party has hardly any idea at all. There

were no legislative ideas at all in its manifesto. A new driver, but

the tank is empty. This is the problem with Plaid Cymru, a party

with no ideas, no competence and no ambition for Wales. Question 3.

Well the First Minister to make a statement on the Welsh Government

position on the plans to build a barrage. There is an important

source of renewable energy that could provide substantial

differences. Thank you for that response. Before a conclusion is

reached on these issues, much consideration will be needing --

needed to taking -- be taken into account. You said that this is a

cross-border issue which is correct and that therefore it is a maxim

for the UK Government alone. Could you reconsider that position? You

have a role in this matter as well in the Welsh Government and Unita

outline the steps that he would take to ensure that this decision

is at joint decision between you and the UK Government. The role of

the Welsh Government is to ensure it that jobs are created.

environment needs to be protected. At least on this side of the border.

We also have a role as regards to looking at which schemes will

appear in the future at to see whether we can support those are

not. I welcome their positive support the Welsh Government has

for at their it scheme but can you confirm that any support given to a

scheme well-balanced the potential to break significant amounts of low

carbon energy with the intent to create lots of jobs but also the

impact in the environment? Will it create this amount of power in an

alternative manner? There are significant environmental issues

that need to be addressed. I would support moves to harness tidal

energy. However I would agree that there are environmental concerns.

In that regard what discussions have you had with Peter he in? Have

you discussed their proposals? have had an eating and a phone call

with their representatives. But I Will the First Minister outlined

the Welsh Government's priorities? Your programme for Government

states that you will protect healthy ecosystems. There is not as

zone protecting a harbour coast. How do you propose to protect

breeding porpoise is with the wind farm? We are concerned about

wildlife. Particularly in that part of Wales. There will be a full

consultation regarding conservation zones. Widening participation in

sport can play at all in eradicating child poverty as

children from more deprived communities are less likely to

participate. Free swimming helps children get involved in my

constituency. With the Olympics being in the spotlight at the

moment, will you maximise the opportunities for children and

young people from disadvantaged communities to participate in

sport? To make it a priority for the coming year? Yes, London 2012

means we are investing �32 million in communities potter over the next

three years. That will improve sporting opportunities available to

people of all ages and sporting backgrounds. Your infrastructure

and investment plan is a caveat for the construction of the Critical

Care Unit. Does that mean this is not a priority and will you outline

the investment projects for this year in that same area?

Investment Plan also concerns whether business cases have been

made. We have to see as well from 2014 and 2015 onwards what will be

made available from the UK Government. Then we will see what

we can take forward. Your programme for Government contains the

aspiration to widen access to doctors. What is the target date

for when that will be achieved? 2016. Unite alongside the TUC

launched a campaign to protect 20,000 a railway jobs across the UK

because of UK Government plans to cut the real budget and closed

ticket offices, 23 alone in Wales. Will you do all you can to opposed

this cutback and closure programme and improve access to our rail

network in Wales? Yes I will. If you remove rail services there will

be some sectors of the population who feel less secure. There is an

impact on the environment if you do this. TRANSLATION: Will the First

Minister make that statement on the marine conservation zones? There

will be up to 24 of these zones in 2014 subject to a consultation

exercise. The first consultation phase commenced last month setting

up 10 potential sites for further consideration. Thank you. This has

created a great deal of controversy in Wales. Among the fishermen and

also yacht clubs and the tourism sector. It also undermines the

collaboration which as taking place between the Countryside Council and

the fishing sector. On which scientific basis was it decided to

create these zones where no activity will be allowed? It is

important that people realise that a consultation is to take place. A

number of sites have been designated but the purpose of the

consultation will be to ensure everybody has an opportunity to

express their opinions on where these zones should be and how they

should be established. Your Government's plans for the marine

conservation zones have been a source of considerable worry for

the local business owners in my coastal region. Given that tourism

and the fishing industry are dead life blood of coastal communities

will you give your assurances that your Government will listen to

local concerns during this consultation process and will not

impose restrictions so draconian that local businesses are wiped

out? Absolutely. We will welcome input from all concerned.

current proposals will have an impact on the main sailing centres.

This would directly impact on the main recreational sailing area

where boats go. Will you assure us that these proposals will give a

full account of the potential impact on tourism, leisure and

watersports in the affected area is? The key thing for local

communities is to tell us how they use the proposed sites and how they

will be affected if there are activities were to be managed.

TRANSLATION: What is the Welsh Government doing to support people

with disabilities in Wales? support their right to take part

fully in society and support their independent living. Thank you. I

have been received worries from people with blue badges who have

difficulty in walking after serious surgery. Can the First Minister

outline what the Welsh Government is doing to support people with

short term or temporary disabilities and would be Welsh

Government considered giving temporary badges to those people?

There are people in that situation and it is important that provision

is given to people so that they can recover from surgery. Many

hospitals are already make that provision. In terms of providing

them with a Blue badge, what needs to be considered is for what length

of time will be be disabled? It is important that blue badges are not

available to those people who do not need them but I will write to

the member to see it there is any way of ensuring that people who are

temporarily disabled can access a Blue badge without them being able

to retain that once they have recovered. We are all aware of be

aim of the disabled children matter campaign. What assurances can he

give that he will meet young disabled children the priority over

the next three years? We will provide short breaks for disabled

children, their families and carers. We have a programme with a distinct

focus on disabled children. First Minister, the Multiple Sclerosis

Society are holding a reception here tomorrow night on the subject

of N S and employment. Getting access to the right nurses and

treatment is crucial to helping people stay in employment for

longer and enjoyed a better quality of life for longer. There is a

question over access to these services for people living in the

early years. What are you doing about that? Those living in rural

areas should have a similar level of support and access as those

living in our been the areas. We will do all we can to ensure that

is the case. Will the First Minister make a statement on the

Welsh Government's priorities? deliver sustainable growth and jobs.

Capital investment is an important factor, will you outline all the

new options you were currently considering? The investment fund

was launched in March. A business loan fund will become operational

later this year. We have another fund topping �150 million. A

digital development fund. Life Sciences fund. Hypertension start

project. Business start-up service and many other projects as well.

That was a long list of issues that you raised, First Minister, but you

did not mention specifically business rates. We know there will

be a discussion on business rates in this chamber in the coming weeks,

but are you able to tell us whether there will be any additional

support for small businesses which at the very backbone of the economy

in Wales. If any of them were to have additional rate relief that

could be the difference between taking a job and not. As you know

we are having a review. The outcome of that review will be considered.

What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of

the continued financial downturn and what effect it is happening on

families? We have looked at the negative impact of welfare reforms.

We continue to do research on official statistics. Our survey

concluded recently that almost 20% of UK citizens are finding it

difficult to afford essentials such as food and energy. We have a sharp

increase in the number of families coming forward for Home-Start

charity's services. It is clear that Welsh families are suffering

disproportionately, can I ask you to ensure that the Welsh Government

continues to monitor this situation and do what we can to help and

support these people? I can give that assurance. It is essential we

continue to monitor the effect of the downturn in order to shape our

response to it. You refer to the impact on health services. In

planning for future changes in demand on health services, what

direction has the Welsh Government provided to health boards for their

strategies to deal with population growth forecasts in the areas where

there is concern of doctors' surgeries. We must fight to descend

to ensure that future supply meets demand. We will keep a close eye on

this to ensure that the right level of service is available. Will the

First Minister make a statement on support services for it serving

hour armed forces personnel and their families? Our package of

support shows our continuing commitment to their welfare. Last

week I had the honour of attending a memorial game at Cardigan Rugby

club. The tremendous support from those in the local region and the

services families was truly humbling. They had been raising

funds for services for or personnel suffering post traumatic stress

disorder. Will be First Minister join me in paying tribute to all

those involved for their hard work, dedication and commitment in

ensuring that the armed forces personnel and their families are

provided with the bulk of support they need. Absolutely. I think it

is important that the Government does its bit while people are doing

that. I have seen some of the excellent work being carried out at

the moment. Describing the reason for the MoD, the armed services

members forgoes some of the rights enjoyed outside of the armed

services. They must be treated fairly and reward them and their

families. Would the Welsh Government commit to rewarding

servicemen and veteran families by awarding free local bus travel,

three swimming and free access to certain sites? We continue to

provide annual funding. We have extended the home service to widows

of those killed in action. We have included veterans in the 10 hair

homelessness plan. We have insured help through education and

delivered automatic entitlement to blue badges or injured personnel.

There is also automatic eligibility for free travel and swimming for

The charity healing the wins has been asking for it fit to be

allocated to them up for the families. Would you consider

intervening in order to pit a stop to the housing proposal and allowed

this much needed service to be set It would not be appropriate for me

to comment on any individual. Melding. Can the First Minister

tell me what he is doing it to promote e-democracy? We fully

support e-democracy in order for the citizens of Wales to engage

with us. You're Government was commended for being ahead of the

game in the UK and established in some best practice but on

consultations their offerings are not particularly compelling. I

commend your Government's decision to issue more green paper is that I

have looked at them and the way that you try to attract comments on

them is the dull old method. There are 15 questions listed and people

are just invited to reply to them. Would it not be better if he did it

like the media presents itself? If he had a blog article which pits

one or two questions and invites comments? We see this everywhere

now it but you seem to be restricted in a way of

consultation... Are you coming to the question? That would have been

used in the 50s. He raises an important point. How do we engage

with the public using social media? We need to do it in an inclusive

way and a weight that is comprehensive. Whilst I it

certainly agree with the methods of consultation papers this way, we

will always consider what scope there is to allow people to

electronically offer comments. I am sceptical of blocks and comments on

blocks because experience says that you get a lot of anonymous people

polled in. Am not sure that that would necessarily be a step in the

right direction. Well the First Minister outline measures that the

Welsh Government is taking to ensure economic growth in south-

west essential. Yes. Recently the council had decided to go back to

the drawing board at for the plants but the central business district

in Cardiff. The Government has a large stake in that as they have

put money towards that. Idea in a position to say how the delay or

the back to the drawing board concept could jeopardise that money

that the Welsh Government made available to the council? What

damage might that do to the project? Central Cardiff remains an

enterprise zone. I have no doubt that Cardiff council want to take

forward the well-being of the city economically. We need to attract

more commercial firms into the centre also. We will be aware that

transport is essential to our economic growth prospects. I

probably welcome at their warm tone of comments from the Secretary of

State and the letter from the deputy. There is still continuing

doubt about the extent to which the Secretary of State supports the

flow values. In particular, avoiding the need for a double

procurement exercise with diesel and electric trains. Can you

confirm the Government's's continued possession on the valleys

expectation? And what her colleagues in Parliament at doing

to take on victories to make everything electrified? It has been

submitted despite impressions given last week in this Chamber. The

Government's view is that we want to see the electrification of

Swansea and the Valley lines. Otherwise we will end up in a

situation that through services cannot be run. The attraction would

not exist to take them past Cardiff Central. That would have a

detrimental effect on the network. A unique at statement on the Rural

Development Plan? Yes. It is well under way. The cult plan for 2013

refers to renewable energy exploiting opportunities for at the

installation of renewable energy technologies. It also talks about

sustainability. How would you respond to unforeseen consequences

such as the proliferation of applications for its single

industrial turbines on Anglesey. Collectively they are causing

concern on the island. Also on the unique situation of the wind farm

which will be a text case for the whole of Wales? It will be the only

occasion in Wales where the application will be decided at UK

level. I cannot comment on individual planning applications. I

can say that I regret very much that application will be decided it

at UK level. It means that it is determined by English plan in

poverty -- planning. It is important that farmers are able to

develop renewable energy to supplement their income as. There

is nothing wrong for that. It helps farmers and the environment.

minister responsible for agriculture of and fisheries has

warned that there will be a likely reduction in expenditure on a green

environmental scheme, he has also given warning that they could be a

reduction on expenditure from the European funds. That is on

programmes that would benefit the natural environment and

conservation. I wonder if the Government would look again at the

Inter relationship between these two programmes particularly as the

European Union is emphasising the need to study the impact of

programmes are jointly and that this could have a serious impact on

expenditure. We also tried to secure the best deal for Wales.

There are many regulations to govern the way in which various

projects are addressed. Of course we do not yet know whether are not

the general impact on the union and their it European commission will

be larger not. We're looking to benefit from the scheme that has

been created. Well you provide an update on the Welsh Government's

negotiations in regard to Cardiff airport? Yes. I should have got a

statement on that this morning. I have issued it now. I welcome the

statement. The establishment of the task force is a good thing and it

is a positive move. The priority commitment given by the Government

by the fact that you're cheering it is also good. But UB keeping us

informed as to the important developments falling over the

coming months? Absolutely. I take heart from the fact that the issue

is now being taken seriously. I look forward to working with them

in order to develop it in the future.

The that is it for First Minister's Questions this week. That is it for

First Minister's Questions this week. You can see more of that and

more coverage of the National Assembly online from BBC Wales's

Democracy Live page at bbc.co.uk/walespolitics.

That was quite a tetchy Carwyn Jones today. His writ -- his face

was very red over free prescriptions. Yes. There was an

element of that there. I think that Carwyn Jones generally gets annoyed

by it that Tory minister. I think that in the case of Westminster it

there is often a deliberate ploy to get under the Prime Minister's skin.

He seemed to be doing it with Carwyn Jones and he was very close

to losing his temper. It was an equally strong pit down given to

Leanne Wood but with more of a smile on his face in a more

friendly manner. I think that the almost losing of the temperature --

10 per was not done very well. -- temper. Carwyn Jones is going to

present his annual report into his programme of Government. A progress

report, I suppose. The opposition is going to see if they can tell if

the Government has made any progress or not. What are we

expecting? 666 pages of it and lots of statistics. The opposition have

been saying that this is not going to be very useful because they are

no targets set. They will not be able to measure what the Government

is doing in terms of reaching any targets. Any statistics are a

useful though and so is any information. It might be that this

baseline and your report is less useful than it could been in coming

years. -- P. Most of us learnt in maths but you do not read graphs.

That is presumably because they might want to add further data

points in the future. That is what I think is the idea. If they do do

that I suppose there will be indicators into which direction the

Government is going. We will have a better idea in the next few years.

But it will be frustrating for the opposition in terms of kneeling the

Government. You will have indicators which are selected by

the Government. Any information is useful. What the opposition party

will say and what journalists might say as that a lot of this

information might be in the public domain anyway it all that is

happening is that it has been gripped together.