29/06/2011 am.pm

Welcome to am.pm. It's a morning and early afternoon full of

questions today. Shortly we'll be going off to Westminster for Welsh

questions and questions to the Prime Minister. But you might get

some answers as well. I'm sure MPs will be raising tomorrow's public

sector strikes over pensions. The First Minister Carwyn Jones was

asked about it at Questions yesterday.

I can say that ministers will not be crossing picket lines. They will

be working on Thursday of course, subject that condition. We have

great concerns about what is being done, particularly to pension

schemes for public sector workers. We'll be meeting a delegation of

officials from three of the unions and of course it is important that

a strong message is sent, this is not a dispute that the Welsh

government and of course it shows that the Conservative Party and the

Lib Dems in government in London are less concerned about the public

sector workers and there should be. My two studio guests today are the

Labour AM, David Rees and conservative, Mark Isherwood.

Carwyn Jones saying they are that ministers want to be crossing

picket lines tomorrow, what about the rest of you? I won't be

crossing picket lines tomorrow, I'll be doing constituency work.

How important is it that you don't cross picket lines, that you

support the strike? I am supporting the workers on strike. They don't

believe it is appropriate that we should cross picket lines. Being a

teacher, I understand the issues they are facing a and it is

deplorable that they are forced into the situation by the

government. Nobody in education it wants to take this action but they

now feel this is a situation where they have to do something. You have

one of these pensions that people are striking to defend? Yes. How do

you feel about it on that score? would probably have been on strike

over the issue because the current government is imposing the current

situation and Danny Alexander has the ciggie said that no matter what

negotiations are going on, he can override them. Your party has said

that he will be turning up for work tomorrow, does that mean crossing

picket lines? We are not choosing to cross the picket line but if

there is a picket line in the way, we need to do our jobs and get into

our offices and we may be forced to do that. We're here to represent

all the people in our constituencies. I have a huge

amount of work and need to get through tomorrow and I also have

meetings judge ruled that people who have taken the time and effort

to come into the Senate and made me so I have to represent everybody

and not just one or other interests. We heard Carwyn Jones earlier and

David Rhys saying the government is as far as well for this. How do you

respond to that? I think the UK government is taking the action

which the previous government should have taken and didn't, they

kicked it into the long grass and left it to others to sort out. Not

only is there a general situation of deficit-reduction required, as

we are told internationally by the IMF, amongst others. The only

question for politicians is to discuss how they would do it

differently. The other issue with this is that than fully, people are

living longer, the schemes are not self-funding, the Office for Budget

Responsibility says by 2014 the tax payer will have to pay �9 billion

into these funds and at the same time, the last figures said that

94% of people in public sector pension schemes but only 11% of

people in private sector schemes. It is a question of fairness and

justice - should those people be for going those benefits but having

to pay extra so that others can have the benefits. I am sure we

will hear much more about this. Let's cross now to Westminster and

I have discussed the issue with the First Minister and will continue to

have discussions with relevant colleagues and of course the First

Minister. The secretary of state will know that the Northern Ireland

Executive can borrow money, the Scottish government will soon be

able to borrow money but the Welsh government cannot. With the cutback

in capital spending on schools and in hospitals, isn't it now time for

the secretary of state to enter into immediate negotiations with

the Welsh government and First Minister so that there was

government can also borrow money? thank the Right Honourable

Gentleman for that question and he has effectively asked why it is

Wales the only home nation without borrowing powers. I think it is

fair to say to him that the new borrowing powers for Scottish

ministers which were set out in the Scotland Bill will not take effect

until 2015 which is in line with our commitment not to change the

system until civilisation of the public finances. Can I make it

clear that we are not willing borrowing powers for the loss

government in or out at this stage. The recent Labour government have

already well demonstrated their enthusiasm for taxing and borrowing,

does she think it would be wise to allow the Welsh government to

follow this example in Wales? grateful to my Honourable Friend

for that question. Despite the last... At No, I am grateful for

that question. However, I cannot be drawn on this, I have to say that I

answered straightforwardly that we are not ruling it in or out at this

stage and I do wonder have this discussion of with the First

Minister and with other colleagues for the simple reason that I think

there are many commentators, including the first ministers, that

is unsure of exactly what the Welsh government would like to have. I

think it is right that we try to reach consensus on this and move

forward. This is far too important a matter to either be rushed or

dealt with in a cavalier fashion. Very important as borrowing powers

are, with the Right Honourable Lady assure the House that the remit of

this commission will be far broader than matters financial, given the

excellent work already carried out by the Commission? I am committed

to establishing a process for the Assembly which are similar to

commission and I made it clear that we intend to review the financing

arrangements for Welsh devolution. But again, I think this matter is

far too important to Wales and far too important a subject matter to

either be rushed or not to be discussed fully. We're hoping to

make an announcement on this but I am seeing the First Minister on

Monday for example and I will be taking forward our discussions

jointly together at that stage I don't want to pre-empt those by

setting any parameters. No doubt the Right Honourable Lady would not

wish to pre-empt any decision but can I suggest to her there for that

in a co-operative manner, that matters administrative and

constitution should be considered and I am thinking for example of

evolving police and justice powers to Wales. There is a huge amount of

support for it right whales and vitally, on the issue of

broadcasting in Wales, it is high time that Wales had control of its

own broadcasting. S4C would not be in this position if it had. I think

the Honourable Gentleman, the Right Honourable Gentleman is trying to

lay out his own party's position but that is not the way in which we

wish to take matters order at the moment. I know how important S4C is

to the Welsh-language and to the Welsh culture. S4C, we have reached

an agreement on S4C and can I give him this assurance that I will

always look to the interests of S4C because I know how important a part

it is of Wales's culture. My Right Honourable Friend had discussions

about a range of issues. She has received no formal request on the

specific issue of devolving planning decisions for electricity

projects with the generating capacity greater than 15 megawatts.

May be on those discussions on Monday, this is something that

could be discussed. With the minister acknowledged the concern

expressed by the First Minister and people from all parties and

especially campaigners against large-scale wind turbine

developments who feel it would be completely in line with the

devolution settlement to transfer this power so that decisions about

large energy projects in Wales by a Welsh ministers. There is

considerable concern in the North and Mid Wales about large-scale

energy developments but I have to be clear and tell the Honourable

Gentleman that there are no plans to devolve such confidence to the

Welsh Assembly government. That's also be clear, the big problem in

mid-Wales is not about competence for energy can sense the size with

Westminster but that the Assembly government's own policy in the form

of tan it has a strong consumption in certain areas. That is the

difficulty and it lies with the Welsh Assembly government to amend.

For successful airship projects to go ahead in Wales, we need proper

infrastructure. The First Minister and local government wanted the

same deal for or ports development as England has. This is a reserve

matter, will they stand up for Wales? As the Honourable Gentleman

knows full well, the Welsh government decided not to implement

and I would suggest it has a strong word with his friend, the First

Minister, and played with him to divert money to that cause.

I had initial discussions on the day of the budget about enterprise

zones in England. I have made it clear to work with establishing

zones. I am delighted that they will benefit from enterprise zones

and they will provide much needed this to business and make wills

more attractive to inward investments. Carrive by the

Secretary of State for her answer which is more welcome. We have

identified a junction in my constituency that is an area, an

enterprise zone which has potential for growth. All we need to see his

corporation between Westminster and the Assembly to make sure that

happens. I agree entirely with by Honourable friend who is a great

champion and has mentioned this to me before. I would welcome meetings

with any Welsh Members of Parliament who believe in their

constituency would be an ideal location for an enterprise zone and

I have already met with some who wished to make those presentations

but I would encourage him to make contact with the business Welsh

minister in the Welsh Assembly. I think we were all surprised and

disappointed, Mr Speaker, that she is not yet able to agree to appear

before the Welsh Affairs Select Committee. I would encourage her to

rethink that but also in the spirit of co-operation, work together with

the Welsh Office because it is in the interest of and was with us.

am surprised at the slow progress today, we must speed up. In the

discussions with the First Minister, does she accept that whatever we do

on the ground in Wales and what ever stimulus the Welsh Assembly

can provide, we still need a proper stimulus from her colleagues in the

Cabinet here and what discussions has she had with her colleagues in

the Treasury about making sure that growth does happen for?

Honourable Lady makes a very good point and that is exactly why, Mr

Speaker, following the Budget, there was an increased provision

for the Welsh Assembly government of �65 million and just to correct

any figures that have been bandied around, I have checked that the

Treasury, �10 million of that amount was Barnett consequential as

for Enterprise Zone expenditure and � 20 million was for small

businesses. I am sure with �30 million, the Welsh Assembly

government will be able to do something. Since the sad demise of

the development for Wales, there has been no support for

manufacturing in Wales. Will the Secretary of State declare that

rural Wales will not be ruled out when consideration for enterprise

zones is made? The Honourable Gentleman is asking me to set

outside my brief, Mr Speaker, because I don't have responsibility

for the enterprise zones within wheels but I am sure that the Welsh

government minister responsible for business it will have heard what he

said and I would encourage them to engage with her to discuss what

A potential problem with enterprise zones. What steps to you think can

be taken to avoid this unwelcome outcome? I would be concerned about

the position of enterprise zones. Not least because we have announced

they will be enterprise zones in Merseyside and Bristol. I am

concerned about those enterprise zones on the English side of the

border affecting enterprise in Wales. And we have to work together

and it is important that we establish mechanisms that do not

allowed those enterprise zones are to take business out of Wales.

Question number four. The bill legislates for the biggest change

to the welfare system in 60 years. We are creating a new system that

will make work pay. This week, the Royal National this edition for the

Blind claimed the welfare cuts were not fair. When is the Government

going to stop and start taking responsibility for their own

decisions. The government's welfare reforms are aimed at ensuring the

welfare system will continue to support those in greatest need and

that is particularly important in areas of high unemployment. What

this government is doing is ensuring that never again can it be

said that being out of work pays and being in work does not pay.

That is what we are trying to achieve. What discussions as the

Minister had with colleagues in the Welsh Assembly to ensure that after

devolution, a residence in Wales were still have access to the

support and assistance they need? The honourable lady raises an

important question. We are having a full consultation with the Welsh

Assembly Government. The government told parliament the costs of

disability and living allowance will be cut by a 5th or 20%. Can he

tell the House what loss of income this may mean to the average

claimant in Wales could work --? is absolutely essential that the

interests of those in receipt of T L a part protected. This is what

the government is doing. The truth is he does not have a clue to the

answer of that question. The average reduction would be �14 per

week for 125,000 claimants in Wales. A total of �90 million a year pour

over �700 each. Does the any -- does he have any idea how it

suffering this will cause? The bankers are coining it while the

more vulnerable people are being punished. Will the Secretary of

State stand up for the people of Wales? Could I remind the right

honourable gentleman that the action we are taking was caused

because the right honourable gentleman's government destroyed

the economy. Hour reforms will ensure those in receipt of D L A

will be properly taken care of but we will also make certain that

those who can work will work and that work will pay. My right

honourable friend continues to have discussions with the Secretary of

State for Transport about this matter. The announcement of

electrification made on the 1st March is excellent news for all

South and south-west Wales. Minister will know of the lack of

electric geisha to Swansea. Can it costs be reduced by the convergence

of transnational funding. Could services be increased? I commend

the effort the right honourable gentleman is making on behalf of

his constituents. As he knows and the Secretary of State made clear,

the issue of electrification to Swansea is not closed. It is about

local government, this government and the need to consider what

options can be pursued to ensure we have a litigation of the line to

Swansea. We have had a great deal about a electrification, but have

you thought about further on. Freight is important on this line.

I am very concerned that all the calculations are based on passenger

figures. The honourable lady makes an important point. The issue of

freight will be something that is taken into account in making the

business case for a lecture vocation. -- electrification.

Minister will be aware the Secretary of State has offered to

resign over high-speed rail going through her constituency. The

people of Wales are grateful for the offer but when will the precise

date the to trigger it? Order. The question must relate to the subject

matter on the order paper not to a question which we have not reached.

You may want to refer to the electrification of the Great

Western line. Would she be happy to resign over the failure of our

electrification of the line to Swansea as she is prepared to

resign over the issue of electrification of the line through

her constituency? Not one centimetre of electrified line was

created in to Wales until this government. My constituents in

Bristol will benefit from electrification of the line but

they could be real problems to two under capacity. Will you look at

those issues? I would mention to the honourable lady that as a

consequence of a litigation, the journey times will be reduced by 22

minutes. I hope she will welcome The forecast was based on a UK-wide

Tata. No regional breakdown is available. We will look at the

impact cut ting will have on Welsh workers and their families.

Wales, the private sector is dependent on the public sector.

the honourable gentleman knows, the set what for Wales was more

generous than for many other parts of the United Kingdom. Some cuts of

2% in money going down to the Welsh Assembly Government. I would urge

him to talk to his friends in the Assembly Government. Dyfed Powys

Police have announced this week that there creating 39 police

officers for the front line. Will you join in with me in

congratulating them for having the correct priorities? In some

instances, recruitment is available in the public sector. I meet

regularly with the for chief constables in Wales and they are

all very positive about their forces. Does she share my concern

in relation to the leaked report last week it said seven offices

will be close, leaving one in Cardiff. The honourable gentleman

should say I met with at HC to discuss the reports in the press.

There are no new new announcements about office closures. They assured

me when I met them last week that no office closures will lead to job

I never took my earlier answer to a question from the Member for

Newport West. A higher percentage. My constituents want to know

whether -- why the government intends on labouring them

scroungers and second-class citizens. That is not a description

are a recognised. Endemic unemployment is a problem in the

South Wales Valleys. People are unable to work until they get the

necessary support. Question number 10. I note the First Minister's

statement last week on the priorities for financial reform and

accountability but I have had no formal representation on these

proposals as yet. Has she had any discussions with the Chief

Secretary to the Treasury? As she raised this -- she raised this as

an issue before the Welsh Assembly elections. Are people in this

government not talking to each other? I am not sure with the

honourable debt will get the impression that people in our

government do not talk to each other. We talk to each other all

the time and I have many meetings with the Chief Secretary to the

Treasury and the Chancellor. Number 11. I must welcome the honourable

lady's interest in Wales and its economy. The economy is starting to

return to growth and I believe we are seeing signs for improvement in

employment levels. We have had to make decisions to reduce the

massive deficit. Our policies at the right one to restore business

confidence and get people into the jobs they need. A order. Too many

private conversations taking place in the Chamber. I apologise, I

could not here. People are chasing every job vacancy in Wales. Does

the Secretary of State believe job creation is a priority? I am afraid

I did not catch the whole of the question. I do have to say that the

Government recognises it will be the private sector who will lead

the improvement in the economy. The latest unemployment statistics

reveal there were more people in work and they were less people on

the unemployment register in Wales. If the Secretary of State cannot

hear the questions, or the noise is too loud. -- the noise is too loud.

The private sector is the alleyway to create jobs that are sustainable.

Does she agree with any that there would be a great enterprise zone in

the Vale of Glamorgan? Once again, I have to say they could have no

crater champion. Can I refer him to the Welsh business minister in the

The government is currently consulting on a new national high-

speed rail network as part of a wider programme of modernisation of

the rail network including an education of the Great Western main

line to Cardiff. I have heard of trains cancelled because of snow on

the line and leaves on the line and never before because of the

Secretary of State on the line! The high-speed rail lank would bring

great benefits but if the secretary of state won't stand up for Wales,

why won't she resign? Can I think the Honourable Lady for her close

concern in my career. Can I just say to her that the government is

having an open consultation on HS two and now that she has expressed

such a great interest in this, I am sure we will expect her

representation to the consultation on this very subject. Questions to

the Prime Minister. This morning I had meetings with ministerial

colleagues and others and in addition to these duties, I shall

have further meetings later today. What does my right Hon of a friend

say to teachers who are putting the education of children first and the

welfare of parents by not striking tomorrow? I would congratulate them

for doing the right thing and keeping the school open. I don't

believe there is any case for industrial action tomorrow, not

least because it talks are still ongoing and it is only a minority

of unions who have taken the decision to go ahead and strike but

I want to see as many mums and dads as possible people to take their

children to school. What I would say is this, what we are proposing

is fair, it is fair to taxpayers but it is also fair to the public

sector because we want to continue strong public section pensions.

Speaker, there are currently 163 statutory organisations within the

National Health Service, can the Prime Minister tell us how many

there will be after his reorganisation? All I can tell the

Honourable just common is that the health reforms that now have the

support of the health minister will see a reduction in bureaucracy

because we're getting rid of Strategic Health of authorities and

getting rid of primate care trusts. Let me give him the answer to the

question. The number is going to go up from one London 63-521. Health

and well-being boards, shadow commissioning groups, authorised

commissioning groups and national commissioning boards, S H A

clusters, clinical networks and clinical senates - Mr Speaker, is

this what he meant by a bonfire of the quangos? If he looks at the

figures and savings, he will see where saving �5 billion through the

reduction of bureaucracy. That is what is happening. What we

inherited was a situation where the number of managers was going up

four times as fast as the number of nurses. What has happened since we

took over is the number of doctors has gone up, the number of

bureaucrats has gone down. I will tell him about our records on the

NHS - more doctors and nurses than ever before, the shortest waiting

lists ever and the highest patient satisfaction ever. He says he is

going to save money but he has refused to publish the figures

accompanying the new amendment to the health bill of how much he is

going to spend but maybe he can tell me this, how much is he going

to be spending on making NHS staff redundant? Let me give him the

figures on the costs and the benefits of reducing the

bureaucracy. This is the question he asked. This is the answer he

will get. Changes will have a one- off cost of �1.4 billion over the

next two years but over �5 billion will be saved in total during this

Parliament and over a ten-year period, they will be net savings of

�12.3 bn. Add to that the fact that we are putting �11.5 million extra

into the NHS and he fought the last election, pledging to cut it.

didn't answer the question I asked which was how much is he spending

on making NHS staff redundant. The answer is, �852 million. Spent on

making NHS staff redundant. Can he guarantee this house that none of

those staff will be re hired to do that old jobs by his new quangos?

What we are doing is implementing the �20 billion cost savings that

were set out by the party opposite when they were in government but

the difference is, we are going on with putting more money into the

NHS, money that the party obviously doesn't support so they will be

more doctors, nurses, operations and a better NHS compared with cuts

from the party opposite. Let me just ask the question again because

he didn't answer it. People are concerned he is creating a whole

new set of quangos, will he tell us this simple question, can he

guarantee that none of the people being made redundant will be re

hired to do their old jobs at his new quangos? Is a simple question,

yes or no? I know he has this extraordinary vision of how the NHS

is run but it's not the Prime Minister who has every person in

every organisation in the NHS. The difference between this coalition

government and the party opposite is, we are investing in the NHS,

putting resources into the NHS, reforming the NHS in a way that is

supported by the Royal College of Surgeons, the Royal College of

Physicians, Tony Blair, most people working in the NHS, but not by the

party opposite. Order, the decibel level is far too high. The Prime

Minister should not have to shout to make himself heard. The whole

country would have heard that he has admitted they are spending �852

million on making people redundant at he cannot promise they will not

be rehired into their old jobs. He promised no top-down reorganisation,

he is doing it. He promised a better deal for patients and things

are getting worse. What people are asking abandon this country is what

is he doing to our NHS? What the whole country will have noticed is

that at a time when people are worried about strikes, he can't ask

about strikes because he is in the pocket of the unions. What the

whole country would have noticed is that at a time when Greece is

spending huge problems over its deficit, he cannot talk about greys

because his plan is to make Britain like Greece. What the whole country

would have noticed is that at a time when the economy is the key

issue, he cannot talk about the economy because of his ludicrous

plan for tax cuts. That is what we see week after week. He has to talk

about the micro because he cannot talk about the macro. Order, order.

Order. I appeal to the house to calm down and reflect on what the

public thinks of this sort of behaviour. Would the Prime Minister

agree with me that increased spending... By Honourable Friend

has a good point and I hope is in order, Mr Speaker, to talk about

Labour's record in Wales, because what we're seeing, if anybody wants

to know what would happen to the NHS under Labour, they can look at

Wales where they are slashing the NHS budget and they are actually

seeing more people waiting for longer. That is what happens when

you get the Labour Party running the NHS. The leader of the

opposition's help to create 300 more jobs in Wrexham earlier this

year. But today, because of his government's reversal of policy,

the renewable Energy Association say that Solar generation and the

jobs and growth linked to it are in turmoil. Who knows better, him or

British business? I think anyone looking at what this government is

doing in terms of renewable energy can see a massive investment in

renewable energy. The �3 billion going into the Green Investment

Bank, the massive investment going under the renewable heat initiative,

but we had to do was stop the abuse of solar power where clearly the

regime it was not set in the right way that anyone at the King of this

industry can see a huge boost from this government. Despite the

gravity of the financial situation against which the Bank of England

is preparing contingency plans, has the government also got at team

working on that the details of a new treaty if, as seems probable,

the European Union is to be considerably changed? Can I first

of all say, on behalf of the whole house, to the father of the house,

what great pleasure it gives me to refer to him as the Right

Honourable Gentleman. What I would say to him is, we have quite

rightly used the opportunity of the new treaty change being put forward

to protect Britain's interest and get us out of the bail out

mechanism for the future. If new proposals come a long, we could use

that opportunity again but I think right now the priority must be to

work for stability in the euro-zone, not least because 40% of our

exports coat euro-zone countries and Britain is playing a

constructive role in making sure that happens. Does the Prime

Minister agree that the Deputy Prime Minister that the idea of

introducing a marriage tax allowance is patronising?

Deputy Prime Minister and I agree about many, many things but it is

actually set down in the coalition agreement that this is one area

where we do not agree. And a strong supporter of the institution of

marriage and I think it would be a good idea to recognise that in the

tax system. Last week, six illegal migrant workers were arrested in my

constituency, all of whom had National Insurance numbers and were

paying National Insurance. Why can't we prevent illegal workers

from being issued with national insurance numbers in the first

place or at the very least, like those national insurance numbers so

order agencies know these people are not allowed to work?

Honourable Friend makes a good point and I have discussed this

with him. The application process for National Insurance numbers does

include an identity check and the precondition that the individual is

entitled to work but none the less as his case demonstrates, national

insurance numbers should not be issued for those with no

entitlement to work but this is happening but we are looking very

closely at the idea of marking National Insurance numbers in the

way he suggests. At a time when the NHS is in the financial pressure

and people in that world are being hit by steep rises in prices,

please will the Prime Minister tell me if he agrees with his friends on

that side of the House who think costly tax breaks for those who can

choose private health care should be a priority? The short answer to

that is, no, I don't agree. Prime Minister will be aware that

inflation for small businesses is at its highest level for three

years. When the Prime Minister recognise that problem but

especially tell us what more he can do to increase demand which remains

at best very sluggish. I tell the Honourable Gentleman what we have

done to help the economy. This year, a key problem for small business is

the cost of fuel and be cut fuel duty, abolished the escalator and

put of the increase until next year, making the difference of around six

pence per gallon, that makes a difference. We also had the Merlin

agreement for extra lending for small businesses, we have cut

corporation task -- tax for small businesses, this is a very small

business friendly environment. years ago, the Prime Minister said

that an organisation should be banned immediately. He promised to

do that on countless occasions even in his election manifesto. Why has

he not done what he has promised to do so on many times? We have taken

action against the Taliban, we are looking very carefully at this

group, in my view what they have said is way beyond what we believe

an illegal organisation should said. Given that Lord Hutton, the former

Labour pensions minister has described the current position on

public sector pensions as completely untenable, would my

Right Honourable Friend agree that it is unacceptable for a small

minority of trade unions to be disrupting the position tomorrow

for thousands of people across this My honourable friend is absolutely

right. It is a small minority of unions which have gone ahead with

action. I think it is irresponsible and they do not believe it is fair.

We are proposing something which is fair. Lord Hutton, a former Labour

minister, has made the simple point that as we live longer, we will

have to contribute more to public sector pensions and work for longer.

The reason we are doing this is not to undermine public sector pensions

but to safeguard good and defined benefit systems for the future.

There is a contract between taxpayers and public sector workers.

If you work in the public sector then we will support you in old age,

but it must be sustainable. arrangements for the repatriation

of the bodies of Our servicemen who have been killed on active service.

Can he tell the House what arrangements will be put in place

to allow the public it to express their condolences and respect?

well aware of this issue. A lot of thought has gone into how to do

this in the right way. A lot of care and thought has gone into how

to look after the families of those who have lost members.

constituency is proud to be home of an army barracks. Is it about time

that we gave service personnel a priority when it comes to housing?

We have put the military Covenant into law for the first time. That

makes sure military personnel and not discriminated against. It is

right that every council should look at what it can do positively

to help those who have served their country. In terms of government

policy, we have the new policy to help first-time buyers are to the

housing ladder. The Housing Minister is making sure this policy

is taken around the different army and military bases to be sure

military personnel can take advantage of it. This week is the

first anniversary of the backbench committee. Of the last year, does

the premises or think Parliament has become better at holding the

government to account? Can we offer our help to unlock some of the

legislation that is stuck in the pipeline? Let me congratulate the

backbench committee over the last year. It has made a difference in

Parliament. It is quite right that the House of Commons can choose to

debate the subject of its choosing and emotion of its choosing at a

time of its choosing. It has been a year of services. It has been a

good idea and I would like to take a little bit of credit that it was

this government that gave at the power and allowed this to happen.

People in Devon earn around �2,000 a year less on average but I will

water bills are the highest in the country. Does the Prime Minister

agree with me that the option of training quarter affordability and

suggest a government subsidy would go a long way to people in the

south-west? This issue of excessive water bills has been an issue for

many years. I am proud of the fact that within a year, it is this

government that has decided to grit this. We pledged to do something

about this in the Budget. crisis at Southern Cross has raised

fears about the viability of the residential care sector. Will the

Minister inject some urgency to the review of companies will provide

care services as work we need to stop the elderly worrying about the

place they call home. honourable gentleman makes an

extremely important point. Members have care homes in our

constituencies are we are very concerned about what has happened

to Southern Cross care homes. We are following this extremely

closely. We do have powers in the health bill to make sure we

regulate these providers properly. I believe we are planning for all

contingencies in the correct way. Given the high cost of petrol that

is crucifying motorists across the country, the fair Fuel campaign is

urging prices to be in line with market prices. I would like to see

every chance for lower prices to be passed on to the consumer. The

government has taken its necessary measures, the 1 p cut in fuel duty

this year and the putting off of the fuel increase. The abolition of

the fuel escalator which the party opposite put in place. We also took

part in the release of oil stocks together with the Americans which

has seen the oil price come down for that we need to make sure we

have a good competitive sector that passes on price cuts across the

country. As the review of a passenger fuel duty... Given the

APD is levied at �120 on a long- haul flight, companies in the Irish

Republic only have a levy of 3 euros. Something must be done.

know the. The honourable gentleman makes. They do understand, I went

to Northern Ireland and people explain the importance of

maintaining the direct link between Northern Ireland and the United

States. My right honourable friend the Chancellor has spoken to people

in Northern Ireland and we are reviewing the options. My right

honourable friend will be aware that Lord Bates is walking from

Olympia to London, some 4,000 buyers, to raise awareness of the

Olympic truce. With the Prime Mr ensure that when the United Kingdom

government tables its resolution for observance of the Olympic truce

to the General Assembly later this year, we will add specific

proposals to peace and reconciliation to maximise this

opportunity to strike I am sure the whole house would like to

congratulate the Lord on his great feat. We will put pressure on the

United Nations to continue with the great truce for the Olympic Games.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office at engaging with our embassies

worldwide. Will parents up and down the land be horrified to know about

the proposals are the Protection Bill. A person convicted of rating

a child will not automatically be put on the bad list from working

with children in the future? have removed a huge number of

people who are not a risk to children but we have to make sure

the system works well. Does the Prime Minister believe the drugs

policy has been failing for decades and does he agree the government

should initiate a discussion for alternative ways including the

possibility of legalisation and regulation to tackle the problem

was a work I do not believe we should be legalising any drugs that

are currently criminal. I do believe the drugs policy has been a

failure over recent years. There has been insufficient attention to

education, warning people about the dangers of drugs, and treatment. We

need a more effective treatment system and in this country, we have

spent too much time on heroin replacement and methadone rather

than trying to get people clean and clear up all the things in their

lives that brought them to take drugs in the first place. Has the

Prime Minister himself been involved in seeking resolutions to

the problems in Sudan? Given the United Nations concern about 60,000

people being displaced, where he used his influence to make shock

north and south are seen to work together? We are deeply involved in

trying to seek a successful outcome to the process. We find a lot of

the talk process that has been going. The Foreign Secretary has

visited the country as has the Africa Minister. We try to make

sure there is a peaceful settlement between the two countries. That is

a lot more to do. What is the premise there think about Labour's

smash-and-grab plan for pension funds? I think they're honourable

friends -- Friend makes a good point. Not a squeak from the party

opposite about strikes, pensions or the need for reforms. Because they

are paid for by the trade unions, they cannot talk about this issue.

But the Coalition government is doing is right. We want to have a

defined benefits system. We were to be sure the rights are kept. To put

it beyond doubt, for those people in a final salary scheme, when they

get the improved benefits, they will be based on their final salary

when they retire. There has been so much myth and misinformation put

around by those in the trade unions. It is important to put on the

records here in the House. Over a consigned period last year, crime

overall in London is up. There has been a rise in a robbery and

burglary. Is this the right time to be cutting police officers? Overall,

crime is falling. It is falling according to the British crime

Survey and the police reported crime statistics. We're helping

people across the country, including London, to deal with

crime. We have introduced crime maps police commissioners to make

sure we have the proper power. Let me bring him up to date with

Operation target which is running at the moment in the Metropolitan

Police. On average, 1,200 officers are deployed every day. They have

been 4,000 different activities and 2,000 arrests. There has been a

drop in offences from week to week. Serious violence is have seen a

drop. They do not like an answer when we can show the police are

doing their job. By 8th June 1944, a relative of mine was shot down

while taking supplies to the French Resistance. Will my right

honourable friend agree with me that it is right and proper that we

will remember those who gave their lives in the fight against Nazi

tyranny was what there is a lot of work going on to make sure people

are being remembered. It is a brilliant thing how well the

cemeteries in Normandy at kept. Relatives can visit and see their

fallen heroes. During the last Labour government, elderly people

saw their quality of life improve things to measures. What message

does the Prime Minister have for the women in this country who now

see their daughters having to work longer for less money? Some have

less money to put in their pensions This government is actually

reforming pensions so we will be paying a more generous state

retirement pension. Because of the triple lock, someone retiring today

will be �15,000 better off than they would have been under the

plans we inherited. Link into that, we have kept the free bus pass, the

free television licence, the other three pensioner benefits of I

believe we're doing fair by Britain's pensioners. He alluded to

the contracts between taxpayers and public servants. Does he agree with

me that we should be in the vanguard of reforming our own

pensions so we can look our public sector constituents in the face?

absolutely agree with the Honourable Lady in this house, we

are public sector workers as well and we should be subject to exactly

the same changes were asking others to take on. The increase in

contributions should apply to the MP system even though it is a

system where we already pay in quite a lot. We are saying right

across the board, the increase in pension contributions is right to

create a healthier long-term system. The speaker brings an end to

Question Time. David Cameron attacked over the government's NHS

reforms in England by Ed Miliband, responding with an attack on the

Welsh government's stewardship of the NHS in Wales.

We have spent a pleasant hour watching the television and did it

mentioned the row over the NHS. David, the strikes is what we were

talking about before that, David Cameron mentioned many times that

Ed Miliband didn't have much to say on it. I am disappointed David

Cameron tried to the little relationship between the trade

unions and the party representatives and that he

actually focused on the strike itself and not on the reasons for

the strike and on the issues of the fact that the unions were asking

for some form of proper negotiation and not being curtailed. David

Cameron said that talks are ongoing, you don't accept that? Talks are

ongoing but when you are constrained by comments from the

Treasury saying there is a decision to be made, there is no negotiation

there. Ed Miliband said he is opposed to the strikes. He didn't

say that, what he said was, he felt there was a mistake. You'll find

that the Labour Party members are supportive of the views and

positions of the unions in this respect and the members, because

the members voted, not the unions, and they had to decide as to

whether this action was necessary because there was no movement by

the government in those negotiations. Mark, what did she

make of David Cameron was a performance? A thought it was

robust and fair, obviously it was very noisy chamber so shutting was

required but on this particular issue, I think he highlighted the

key points. It is premature clamour, clearly, when the government are

negotiating, people mixed it was publicly but negotiations must

continue nonetheless. I had children in school and a

granddaughter in school and it will be a massive destruction. My own

daughter works full-time and for hundreds of thousands who earned a

similar position. I fear sometimes that not all the accurate

information is getting out there. Lord Hutton is and former Labour

minister and should be seen as being of non party-political in his

recommendations. Part of the remit he was giving was that accrued

rights would be protected for people who had been in the scheme

previously. We should also recognise that in most private

schemes, people don't get the pensions until they are 65 were as

in public schemes, people get their pensions at 60. Talking about the

degree of equality here, recognising that thankfully, people

are living longer but the consequence of that is that were

pension funds the longer fund the demands, changes have to be made,

it is something that any government would have had to do, including

Labour if they were in government today.

The row over the NHS was along the lines of the debate in the Assembly

election over what both of your party's we do in terms of spending

on the NHS. There was an attack on David Cameron saying that Labour

had slashed spending on the NHS and people waiting longer for

operations. In reality, I am more than happy for people to come to

Wales to look at the NHS because you just have to go back to the BMJ

and the GPs, 86% of GPs in Wales have suggested they would rather

work in Wales and England under the terms system. There is complete

turmoil in the NHS at the moment whereas in Wales, we're clearly

going forward in the right direction so I am more than happy

to say, come and look at us. you happy to say David Cameron

helping out your argument in attacking the Labour than NHS here

in what was? Yes, it wasn't Ed Miliband was no question about cuts

in jobs and as he said, had the Labour government stayed in power

at Westminster, they would have put the NHS significantly more in real

terms were as the present government is protecting the budget

in real terms. Because we have an ageing population of because of

improving technology and medicines, the cost is none the less going up

so savings still have to be found. In Wales, we had �430 million cut

out in the last year of the previous Assembly by the previous

Labour lead was government and �1 billion at being cut in the next

three years, that is bound to have significant impact on all the key

services. We're already seeing waiting lists going up and the fear

and worry is that we're going to see the Welsh NHS fall behind those

in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, all who have protected

their budget in real terms. Cheryl Gillan said Carwyn Jones had

confirmed there would be an enterprise zone in Wales, we

haven't got a lot of time but where would you like to see one in North

Wales? The centre of the West Wales and the valleys area. It is the

poorest area in terms of wealth creation and economic activity.

We're talking about the for north- west Counties and there are two

regeneration areas there, one in the West and one in Rome on the

coastal strip. Where would you like to see one? I think the previous

approaches to enterprise zones didn't work so we are looking at

whether we should have enterprise zone cluster areas and I think the

way in which we need to look at this is, how to want to achieve

growth, not simply a place for someone to come in, get money and

they have won quickly. There is a debate to be discussed first as to

what they will actually be achieving. Do you welcome the idea

of them if they can be channelled properly? The idea of supporting

businesses to come in, used the opportunity to produce it

manufacturing or development, a feat of that to create growth is

always welcome but it's important that we get it right for

sustainability purposes. Back in the Eighties, people came in, took

the funding available and left and didn't grow the sustainability of

the were there to see. I'm sure you're aware of the ongoing contest

to become the next leader of the last Conservative group here in the

assembly and if you're not, pay attention.

There are two candidates to succeed Nick Bourne who lost his seat at

the Assembly election in May. They are Nick Ramsay, the Monmouth AM

and Andrew R T Davies who represents South Wales Central. I

have spent five minutes chatting to each of them.

Welcome, I will put five minutes on the clock. You want to be the

leader of the Welsh Conservative group here in the Assembly, what

makes a good leader? Someone who is prepared to listen, to work with

the team around them but above all, is prepared to project the values

of the party, the organisation that they want to lead. It is all those

attributes coming together, projection, listening, learning and

developing the compact policies that you need to make sure you are

projecting what you group wants. lot of people watching this may not

have heard of you, if you had to tell them one thing about yourself,

what would it be? I am open and honest. That was very direct. Your

background before politics, he worked on a family farm, in

business, what does that give like being the leader of the official

opposition? It is important that I have a grounding outside politics

because politics is about what you can give to public life. I had 22

years outside this building, I am still actively involved in family

business and believe we have drawn on those experiences when you come

into public life because public life should be about what you can

put into it, not what you did out of it and hopefully, I can draw on

that experience, the experience I have had in the Assembly here, in

education and health, and working with the dynamic and talented team

to make sure we go for. You live in the Vale of Glamorgan, have done on

your life? Yes and born there as well. In the last couple of weeks,

since you have been putting herself forward as leader, you have been

all over the country, how has that been? Not just the last couple of

weeks, I have taken my portfolio seriously and I have gone all over.

I went to every district hospital, I went to three hospices in every

region of wheels and also now a, this leadership battle has kicked

up a gear because yesterday the run up bills again, the big before we

were in mid-Wales and tonight we are in Penarth doing an event and

on Wednesday night, we're in Swansea so every part of Wales, we

have been two and spoken to members and members of the public. Having

learned anything about yourself? you always learn, you never shut

the book on the life skills. I would like to think that every day

I get up, I go to bed having picked up a new idea and hopefully

corrected some poorer traits. made a big play of your family in a

campaign, you have four children, so six are due at home, how do you

manage to keep control on everyone, are you the leader there? I just

informed people of to Andrew Davies is. With respect, you said, many

people might not know you. In this process, you just inform people

about your background, what your family circumstances are and where

you are going to be taking the ideas and values that the members

or general public hold deer and certainly that six of us at home,

all the children at various stages of education and my wife, a key

part of what we try to do as a family, because I think much of

what I achieve, I could not achieve without my family. Are you the boss

though at home? No, I don't think you could say that. We reach

decisions by agreement because ultimately, each one of us in my

family have a view, have an opinion and ultimately, you don't try to

dictate to people and certainly in the family atmosphere, especially

my eldest daughter, she would be due in your place! I like to dig we

have a happy mix. If you win the election had become leader of the

opposition, that means a lot of work. You would probably see less

of your family and now? I have never been frightened of work, I

think you have to get on to get on in life. You have to do one and 10%.

Hopefully I will gain the support of the party, I have support from

the Assembly group and above all, I've got the support of a family

because without that, it's a very challenging environment. Beyond

politics and the family, what else do you like doing? I am chairman of

the Assembly rugby club. I actually practise that and play in matches.

I love working on the farm, they don't look at that as work, is a

pastime. I just love spending time with a family because having six of

us in the family unit, we'll have different ideas and things we want

to do so no weekend is the same, were always doing something

different. The clock has beaten us, that was great!

Within the next 48 hours, the European Commission is expected to

set out how it wants to spend its multi-billion-pound budget until

the end of the decade. It's almost certain that the poorest parts

Wales will yet again qualify for the highest levels of support but

with the UK and other member states facing years of spending cuts, it

seems that both the European Commission and Parliament want more

spending power. We caught up with Professor Kevin Morgan in Brussels

to assess the mood ahead of the publication of the European

Commission's draft financial The most powerful sentiment here

this week is the sense of austerity. Everybody's Budget is under

pressure. They are looking to see where they can make cuts for the

next programme in period and changing priorities. We were no

soul with those priorities lie. It is already clear to me that some of

the traditional priorities we have known in the past, spending on

infrastructure for example, those verities have been devalued and new

priorities such as innovation and skills and the environment are

being prioritised. Even more that they have been in the past. If you

think back home, the traditional division between Cardiff and the

valleys, we need to overcome that. We need to create a shared destiny.

City regions there is one of the big priorities. When it comes to

West Wales and the valleys, does that create a problem for Wales if

the concentration will be on cities that would be simply do not have

the population base of the geography to match those

aspirations? The in deed. We have never really tapped the potential

of our cities in Wales. The role of Swansea, Newport and Cardiff and

Wrexham, these urban it is neat to be harnessed more. A lot of people

from rural areas work in the cities. They live in a rural location but

they work in an urban location. The Commission is keen to try to build

flowers between these two traditional territorial regions.

We're still not making the most of our European funds. One answer is

levels of GDP catching up. But we have been going in the other

direction. What is going on there? The overall impact seems to be not

a positive one necessarily? prosperity league table is not

changing for us in Wales. We are in receipt of all these European

programmes. The European regional policies are one small part of the

wider economic picture. Factories are closing. Despite funds coming

in, it will not show was going up the prosperity league table. We

need to handle these fans in a more agile way and where we get more

bang for our back. We're not doing that so far and we need to raise

our game. The commission officials are very worried about the lack of

involvement of the private sector across the European region. We have

to do better in was to harness the energy and the idea and the

creativity of the private sector. There is no one sector that until

this alone. Let us see what our guests make of what he had to say.

What do you make of the fact that this money will be available to

Wales again? Is it a double edged sword? We must get more bang for

our back. We have had to tranches of money already designed to close

the gap. Wales in the European context was one of the poorest

regions in Europe. We are talking about �6.5 billion in March funding.

We have stayed at the bottom and we have slipped further behind. What

do you think that says about what the Government has done with the

money? It says everything. We need to be innovative and unleash the

private sector. We need to create the jobs and create sustainable

investment. You have some experience with using these funds

to develop skills. If you listen to the, by Kevin Morgan, he stated

there were other factors add that we had projects that were widely

recognised as good project. Some of the projects we have been doing our

long term. Some aim to increase skills so that we can put into

place a workforce to take on more jobs. It is a wider and longer

picture than it can be seen in the figures. We have heard from Andrew

RT Davies, let us hear what Nick Ramsay had to say. What up to five

minutes with the clumsy. We have five minutes on the clock. We are

off. He went to the leader of the Welsh Conservative group, what

makes a good leader? An ability to listen and to learn from what you

have heard people telling you. We need to put a good team of people

together to carry out the vision which you and your team have. That

is essential. Listening is keen to this. I have been saying that to my

party members, alas we learnt to listen better we will not make the

progress we want to. A lot of people will be watching this would

do not know all you or Andrew RT Davies are. If you add the one

thing about yourself, what would it be? I hope people know who I am. I

am a Listener, somebody who has been an Assembly members first 2007.

I have been in politics for 10 years. I did not intend to be a

politician when I was in his university. I did a stint as a

driving instructor. Before that, I was in a university in Cardiff and

do run. I attended Union Society debate. I listen to a range of

political views from across the spectrum. I do not the UN thudded

to go for the leadership before the election because you did not expect

a vacancy. How has this changed your life? If I get this job, it

will change my life more than the it has changed. This has given me

an opportunity to reconnect with the people who put me here at to

reconnect with the public beyond. It is important that we are seen as

a party that makes policies in response to where we are in modern

Wales. Too many people say we do not know what politics is about and

why it is their. I see it as my mission at my job to explain to

people how politics can benefit them. If I could do my own little

bit, it will help with the political process. When you are not

charging around the country try to get people to vote for you, what do

you do? It seems I have been campaigning for months. We had the

Assembly referendum and the election and now the leadership

contest. I relax, I enjoy every day and the usual things. I like

switching off for that they live in the middle of the countryside. I

like walking. I'd like doing all those things people do. I do not

get much time for myself as I used to put up at the moment, it is keen

-- key for me to be out there. I like to chill and spent time with

my family. We know you like a pub quiz. I do get passionate about

quizzes. It is a way of engaging with people. I am a very visible

Assembly Member in my constituency. That is one of the reasons I have

managed to win the Monmouth seat twice. I have no apologies for

playing a full part in community life. Do you win often? Not as much

as I would like. It is about trivia, not about knowledge of what you do

in your day job. I like the fact that it enables you to get in touch

with people and to engage with people that is not the normal way

that happens here in the Assembly. Of I am always reading up in books

so I hope they are not caught out in future. It has cut back to your

previous career, you were a driving instructor. People will think he is

a real person. What does it an experience like that the view?

was certainly a valuable experience teaching people to drive. It gave

me the ability to engage with people in a very stressful

environment on their level. For you or there? Both. In a couple of

seconds you have to decide quickly how to deal with the situation. I

enjoyed meeting people from all backgrounds. It was an era in

Torfaen. I have managed to it sway many of my former friends into the

Conservative way of thinking. I come from a traditional Labour area.

Time is up. We are out of 10, 5 you very much. But was Nick Ramsay. It

is a busy day with questions to the environment and heritage ministers

in the Assembly today. They will be a debate on standards. You can find

it more on Democracy Live. Before we go, we will stay with education

for a final chat with my guests. Leighton Andrews will make a speech

this evening to say there is at an acceptable amount of

underperformance in primary and secondary schools and immediate and

specialist report -- support is required. David, Leighton Andrews

has been very vocal about what he needs to do to improve educational

standards. Do you think he's going the right way about it was work he

said that 20 points -- he said that 20 points in February and he is

going about it. I think it is a bit of a cheek for the Liberal

Democrats to make these comments were considering what is happening

in Westminster. We will get the information when he updates the

Assembly. What do you make of that it. But he is waiting -- making a

speech rather than talking this afternoon? They have been so many

damning reports. If you look at the agenda for this afternoon, there

are a number of debates on school, education. In terms of what he will

say tonight, he did the interview with BBC Wales this morning.

Immediate action jumps off the page, specialist support. Is that the

right way? It depends. We have had the rhetoric that 13 years. We are

where we are. It must be a working partnership with the education

sector and with schools and parents. It should that be civil servants in

Cardiff Bay imposing targets and putting curriculum remits upon

teachers. We have had the rhetoric for 13 years as Max said, is this

Labour's last opportunity to get a grip with this? It is an

opportunity to move forward with this. He will see they are not

civil servants but experts in the fields that are appointed. It is

going in the right direction. We are speaking to the right people