04/04/2017 First Minister's Questions

Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and our final

programme before Easter covering of questions to the First Minister.

Carwyn Jones is expecting to be asked about issues

including child health, investment in roads and the work

Don't forget we're @walespolitics on Twitter, where you can see

Business in the Siambr has started, so let's cross to today's questions

That brings us to the first item on the agenda, questions to the First

Minister. Will the First Minister outline

what steps the Welsh Government is taking to improve child

health in Wales? We are committed to improving child

health in Wales. Taking this forward included in commitment for a

programme which was launched last October and that programme includes

the range of preventative measures to help parents and children make

healthy lifestyle choices. Recent report by the Chief Medical

Officer for Wales and the Royal College of paediatrics and Child

health had a very hard-hitting messages about the impact of poverty

and inequality on child health. With the First Minister outline what

steps the Welsh Government is taking to improve outcomes for children

from poorer backgrounds in Wales. What assurances can you give that

tackling the impact of poverty on child health will be a top priority

for this government? It is a priority for others. In

terms of closing the attainment gap, that gap has been closing. We've

seen the grants under way that has worked the of so many young people.

We see the foundation phase and the benefits that gives to children in

terms of developing skills early that'll stand them in good stead for

the future. We always look to see how we can improve outcomes for

children in the future and that has been considered across government at

the moment as part of our prosperity for all.

May I also referred to the local is of paediatrics report. There were 39

notes. Can you consider the recommendations as an agenda to

tackle the issue of child and asked the less and health in Wales. Among

the recommendations is the additional risk to which I's health

when someone is smoked during pregnancy. They know the impact that

has on a number of ways in the development and growth of a child.

The risk of stillbirth and the risk of being premature and so on. That

is based on the numbers that are smoked during pregnancy in England

and Scotland but for Wales that data isn't as robust as it should be

because we rely on self reporting from pregnant mothers to gather that

data. Can I ask you what intention of the government has to look at the

need to gather more robust data in that ADF because how can we know

what these to be done unless we can be sure of the scale of the problem?

We are developing a new child health plan at the moment and that's a look

at the priorities that we should pursue and that the health service

should follow. As part of that we must ensure that the data we have is

robust and this will be considered during the development of that plan.

One of the ways to improving child health is to ensure proper access to

school nurses across Wales. When you congratulate the school nurse

workforce we have in us, they do an excellent jobs in terms of

immunisation and public health messages in schools. The unique

Judith Jo Wood in your constituency, where they have a unique model of

nursing. You will be aware that the school nursing service there is one

which is employed by the school itself and one which gives advice on

all range of subjects not just the pupils but to the staff and the

families. It is a good example of good

practice. I can almost see the school from where I live. We know

the school nurses do an excellent job. We now our childhood

immunisation rates are top of the benchmarks. In 2016-17 the flu

immunisation programme was extended to include every child from aged two

to seven. First Minister, the Royal College of

paediatrics and Child health 2017 state of child health highlighted

the need for safe places for children to play in order to tackle

the quarter of entire population in Wales who start primary school

obese. What is your government are doing to ensure that young people

have access to open spaces and play areas and what actions are you

taking to ensure that every new development provides safe areas for

children to play? In new housing developments we would

expect local authorities to provide those open areas. I have seen them

across Wales. Where new houses are filled there is space for children

to play, there are facilities for children to play on as well. Cycle

paths are increasingly included as part of developments as they should

be. Cycling has to be seen as something normal in terms of

provision of cycling facilities in new developments in the future. That

is certainly much in advance of the situation that previously existed

where housing developers were built a no provision was made at all for

open spaces or four children to play.

Will the First Minister make a statement on cross-border health

arrangements between England and Wales?

The cross border protocol is in place to make sure patients have

access to relevant services. First Minister, he will be aware of

the ongoing future fits process on the future of emergency health care

services for patients in Shropshire and mid Wales. It is important for

my constituents that emergency services are based in Shrewsbury.

The Welsh Government hasn't taken a public position in this regard. Can

I ask what prevents you from taking a view on this matter and making

strong representations to the NHS future programme board on behalf of

mid Wales residents, we knew take a position?

Geographically, Shrewsbury is closer so we prefer services to be based in

shrews believe. But it is important to ensure services are safe and

sustainable. I know with ophthalmology and urology be health

board, Powys, has secured alternative provision through an

organisation called practice that includes community outreach clinics.

From our perspective we would like to see services that are accessed by

worst people in England to be as close to those Welsh patients as

possible. First Minister got today we learn

that has been a 16% increase in the number of junior doctors choosing to

come to or stay in Wales to train to become GPs. Across the Wells NHS

waiting times are going down, average response time is now less

than five minutes. The British Heart Foundation described as a world

leader in cardiac rehabilitation, improvements in cancer performance

is now 40% higher than five years ago. For the fourth successive month

we're getting people home from hospital faster. In England, the

proportion of patients being treated or discharged in time fell below 78%

with nearly half of hospitals... You do need to come to a question. What

message do you have for the people working in the NHS who have had to

endure the Tories attempt to denigrate the Wells NHS over the

last few years? We saw what the Tories did in 2015.

Today, we see more GP training places are being filled and it shows

that the Welsh NHS is seen as a good place to work and that good progress

will continue in future. Thank you. At the same time as

fulfilling a genuine need, cross-border health care corporation

can serve two masters the shortage of staff in Wales that has been

caused by the failure of government to train the Miss that clinicians.

-- clinicians. If we look at the rural authority

like poets it is inevitable that an authority like that will access

specialist services from England. It makes sense for people who live in

large areas of poets, there are specialist services in England that

rely on poets poets patients. -- Powys patients. From my perspective,

the last thing I want to see is any kind of walk down between England

and Wales. 25,000 people across the border the other way to get A

services in Wales. Questions from the party leaders.

Andrew RT Davies. First Minister. Why did the Welsh Government decided

last week to sack the chair of Sport Wales given upon his appointment

they then incoming was told he was entering a toxic environment, that

he was tasked with tackling a dysfunctional and insular

organisation? Disorder government agree that sacking this chairman was

the right thing to do? Sport Wales was facing great

difficulties, that much is true. That is an independent review of

Sport Wales which is continuing at this moment in time. It was quite

clear that the relationship between the chair and the board and

vice-chair had broken down and action had to be taken in order for

the organisation be rebuilt. I am told the review has been

concluded. On February the 13th of Welsh Government's Deputy permanent

secretary dismissed all the allegations made against the then

chair and offered him three options to move the situation forward. All

of which saw him continue his involvement in some shape or form

within Sport Wales. What happened in the very short intervening period

which altered the situation and resulted in the sacking of Paul

Thomas? As is known on the 14th of February

Minister made a statement to AMs on the headline findings of the review.

One of those findings was a clash of culture had developed between the

chair and other board members. It is clear action needed to be taken in

order for the board to become fully functional in the future.

I have the letter here that is in the public domain so you can't

comment on it but it was sent to James Price that itemises the

allegations that are made against the chair and how those allegations

were rebuked. There are some serious allegations levelled against the

previous chair and also the current chief executive of Sport Wales.

Sport Wales handles a considerable amount of public money and has a

dream and to improve elite sports and participation sports around

Wales. I would be interested to hear how the Welsh Government will take

forward the allegations and investigate the allegations against

the previous chair and also the current Chief Executive as the

allegations warrant answers and above all to make sure that Sport

Wales is able to get on with his day-to-day function. I do reiterate,

the Welsh Government told the new chair, Paul Thomas come on taking up

office that he was entering a toxic environment and he was tasked with

tackling a dysfunctional and insular organisation. I do ask once again,

this is the entire government agree with the dismissal of Paul Thomas?

The answer to the question is, yes. The government has taken a view on

this. The organisation remained dysfunctional and the relationship

had broken down. In those circumstances no organisation could

be expected to deliver what it should do in the future. We know all

organisations need to adapt to changing circumstances and the

independent review of Sport Wales operations is continuing. It was

quite clear that Sport Wales could not continue with the dysfunction

that remained in the organisation and the minister took the decision

the best way forward is to take the action that was taken in order to

make sure Sport Wales is effective in future.

Clear the proposed job cuts at the University of Wales is of a concern.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is also looking to

downsize its workforce. I would like to place on record my support for

the roles both of those institutions play in our society. I am concerned

about the situation that those institutions are facing. And about

the prospect of losing what are well-paid jobs. What discussions has

your government held since the two sets of redundancies were proposed?

Were the University strategies shared with you and I used at the

side with the explanations they have given for these changes?

I haven't seen any explanations for these changes. I am aware of the

situation at those institutions. We expect a period of consultation and

staff and unions are kept informed. One of the issues that concerns me

is we are seeing a drop in applications particularly from

students from abroad. We know applications through UCAS from EU

countries decreased by 8% between 2016 and 2017. The fewer students

there are, the less many delays, the less money that is pay staff. There

are demographic challenges that you have alluded to but I don't think

that should mean we should lose the positive economic amp -- impact that

the institution generates. We recognise it plays a vital role in

the West as well. The proposals for 4.6% reduction in staff at USW and

the figure for Trinity Saint David is yet to become permanent. I have

had contradictory information and stop many of the roles at risk would

be managers, but from the trade union, I have been told that the

roles could be cut and could include IT, library staff and student

services. Do you think these job losses are normal housekeeping or

are they a sign that these universities are facing a difficult

future? I haven't seen anything on this scale since the 80s. It is not

quite clear what sort of jobs would be lost. There is greater clarity

for both institutions on what they are proposing. I am concerned as to

whether the drop-off of applications is having an effect on the

University's income. Both institutions are feeling the pinch

from the decision taken to lift the University's admission cap in

England. We know the situation around European and international

student recruitment remains volatile. The responsibility to

navigate through these difficult waters forced to us in Wales and it

is you who has overall responsibility for protecting our

higher education sector. What will the Welsh Government do to support

our universities? How will you protect these jobs and make sure

there is no impact in the longer term on courses? Do you intend to

carry on as business as usual or will you stop -- step in and provide

guidance so they can continue to do the good job that they do? We have

provided more money but it is more than that. It is about making sure

Wales is seen as a place that students want to come to. I feel

strongly about this. We have finance schemes that bring in the top

academics into Wales and they attract the best students as well.

Some universities have invested heavily in capital programmes to

improve and build new campuses which are hugely important in terms of

attracting students. What we don't know at this moment in time is what

effect Brexit will have on EU students applying to our

universities and students from other countries such as India where there

has been a significant drop-off of numbers and what effect that will

have on sustainability of our universities. That is yet to be

fully seen in terms of the impact. A certain amount of posturing takes

place. The First Minister wants to play a direct role in these

negotiations and there is a useful role he can play. He can write to

Chancellor Merkel to say it is a mistake to disconnect the trade

talks from other issues that have to be decided such as EU citizens,

writes in this country and vice versa and also the question of the

dowry that the EU wants the British taxpayer to stump up which may be as

much as ?60 billion. We have paid them 500 billion in the last 40

years. Secondly, there is the other development in relation to Spain and

Gibraltar where it seems the EU is trying to use Gibraltar as a

bargaining chip to get a better deal from us. Given that the question of

sovereignty in Gibraltar has been decisively settled by a referendum

when nearly every single resident of Gibraltar voted to retain its links

with Britain, will he write to the Prime Minister of Spain and to the

Chief Minister of Gibraltar supporting the Gibraltarians right

to determination? Bevvies a lot of posturing. There are are issues that

need to be worked through. They have to discuss it as soon as possible

and the future of EU citizens in the UK and EU is resolved as quickly as

possible. I do think there has been a significant amount of hysterical

reporting on some of these issues. It was said the UK was using defence

as a bargaining chip. It is also said that Spain is trying to use

Gibraltar. Spain has been very quiet on the issue of Gibraltar. It has

more to do with sovereignty but with Gibraltar's status as a tax haven

and how will affect Spain in the future. I see nothing benevolent in

this. There are tax havens that need to be resolved. It is clear the

people of Gibraltar wished to remain British and that is what should

happen. That was the decision of a referendum. They also voted to

remain in the EU. When I met with the Minister of Gibraltar, he was

clear the last thing they wanted was a closure of the border. It would be

disastrous. It is in the interests of sprain -- Spain and Gibraltar

that the border stays open. It is true in the interests of both

countries for that border to remain open because 40% of the jobs and

Gibraltar are filled by people who live in Spain. Given the rate of

unemployment in Andalusia is 13% and in Gibraltar, 1%, it is in Spain's

interest to respect the existing status of Gibraltar and its status

as a tax haven also. I will repeat my question. Will he write to the

Chief Minister of Gibraltar and the Prime Minister of Spain supporting

the Gibraltarians's case in relation to sovereignty and to their freedom

to set what tax rates they want in respect of the trade which is

conducted within the territory of Gibraltar? The Prime Minister of

Spain has laid claim to Gibraltar. The issue has come from the

commission and not from Spain itself. It is a matter for the

people of Gibraltar how they choose what relationships they choose to

have. Nowhere should be forced to transfer to another country against

the wishes of its population. It is true of any country. I have met with

the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and will be meeting with him in the next

few weeks. It is Gibraltar's concern about what Brexit might mean for

their own trade situation and their border. That is what Gibraltar has

been concerned about as we look forward to the next two years. The

border is of critical importance to Gibraltar but it is not as though we

have no bargaining chips in our hand in this respect. If it is the case

that Spain has put its claim to Gibraltar's sovereignty on ice and

is prepared to live with Gibraltar, that is well and good. The idea is

fundamentally absurd. This is something which has been decided in

the Council of ministers and in between the commission and the Prime

Minister of Spain. It is vitally important for southern Spain as well

as for Gibraltar that there should be no interference from Spain in the

economic life of Gibraltar at all. I think given the First Minister was a

strong supporter of Remain and Gibraltar and the people of

Gibraltar were in favour of Remain, this is where he can play a

significant role in trying to persuade the EU authorities of the

good sense of coming to sensible agreements with Britain in the

interest of us all. I am not responsible in terms of my devolved

powers but we have a relationship with Gibraltar and have had meetings

with the Chief Minister and continue to have meetings with the Chief

Minister. Gibraltar is in a similar situation to Northern Ireland. It

has its own arrangements in terms of tax but what is clear is there is no

destabilisation of the area around the border on the Spanish side or

Gibraltar is self. I expect that to be examined as part of

renegotiations. Will the First Minister make

a statement on investment in We have a projected spend of ?700

million. That is in addition to funding reserves for the M4

projects. The public inquiry into the M4and the root decided on by the

Welsh Government is underway. The Welsh Government's original

proposals for the M4 route included the motorway in the existing stretch

with the possible creation of cycle and bus lanes and speed

restrictions. Is this still the Welsh Government's intention and is

it being considered considering it could happen negative impact on

journey times from any of my constituents, many of whom would

rely on the existing piece of road regardless all -- of whether or not

the black fruit is chosen? The Welsh Government's evidence is public and

open to examination. It is importantly inquiry considers

evidence before making a recommendation. Anyone who regularly

travels between North and south knows that it's not a pleasant

experience to see the lease and fortunately the most practical way

of travelling across Wales is by car. There have been no significant

improvements to the main road linking the north and south of our

country since the days of the Deputy First Minister. Work -- what work

has been done to analyse which improvements are needed to the A470

to improve this key transport route which links our nation? If the

answer is none or not much, will you commit to carrying out this study

and to cast any improvements required in fall? I would be willing

to bet that we are talking about a relatively small sum compared with

the investment intended with the M4? I would say it is not just the car

that is available because the train service has improved and it has been

improved for many years. When it started, you couldn't get from north

to south and vice versa without changing at Shrewsbury. There is a

serviced twice a day and as regards to the road, we have improvements in

many areas. We have seen significant

improvements on the road for many years now. But we do have a Pinch

Point scheme in order to deal with some of the problems that still

exist. Also for somebody like myself who comes down from the North Down

to Bridgend, it was a great pleasure to see the all-important

improvements at Glendower V. Part of the road was dangerous for many

years but it has been improved now greatly.

Many -- many people have a declining active travel over many years. When

future roads are considered, will he make sure that interventions to

encourage public transport and to build design into the road

infrastructure are at the heart of considerations? I cannot stand here

and preach. What I can say is the vision that was shown on what was

the M4 and what is now the A48 in terms of the cycle route that

exists, was visionary at the time. We have seen it rolled out. The

Church Village bypass had the cycle path running along side it. We

expect when you read screens are in place, there should be an

improvement in the cycle routes also. -- road schemes. The driver --

traveller should not feel they have to travel by car.

Will the First Minister make a statement on

We're committed to ensuring paediatric care delivered on the

basis the best available advice. The First Minister will be aware of

the limitations as Withybush hospital. Have a particular

distressing constituency case which has arisen where a child was taken

out of hours and 2016 in pain. That is diagnosed wrongly as a you're in

infection and treatable by antibiotics, the next morning the

child was taken in with suspected appendicitis bass appendicitis. The

same child in January of this year was taken to the out of hours GP in

Withybush with a fever and that was misdiagnosed as a virus. The title

is driven the following morning by the parents took hungrily where the

symptoms of Scarlets fever were diagnosed which was correct. I know

that an individual case isn't necessarily representative of

everything but given the out of hours limitations on paediatric care

committee had been a paediatrics specialist in Withybush at the time

of the child was taken to the hospital for the diagnosis, it is

possible and likely that those areas that errors may not have been made.

What needs to be bent to restore 24 hour paediatric services at

Withybush. The situation the member this grade

is a diagnosis is GP should be made. GP should be looking at that. You

don't need a consultant to that. There are changes that have taken

place at Withybush, that is true. They are temporary, they are not

designed to be long-term. The health board is working hard to resolve the

issue and to reinstate the 12 hour service as as soon as possible.

First Minister, when children leave hospital particularly if they have a

life limiting condition, they will need medical and social care at

home. That'll affect their carers and other children in the household.

In July last year the Minister said the government was refreshing the

carers strategy at the end of last year and it is still being currently

refreshed in both January and March. If your priorities are young carers

and carers of respite, when can be seen what you mean by that?

We want to make sure the strategy is right, that needs to take into

account as many views as possible in order for the strategy to be robust.

The strategy will be published as soon as possible once it is felt the

strategy is one that can be presented to the people of Wales.

Will the First Minister provide an update on the work

It meant on four occasions and the delivery plan will be published in

July addressing sleep and realities. Jobs and skills, improve public

services and community and personal well-being. The plan is being shaped

by feedback from the initial public engagement events.

Depressed wages and high unemployment have been blighting the

values for at least three decades. The obvious question is, what has

taken you so long? Places like Treherbert are desperate for

investment and the commute to Treforest or further afield from the

Heads of the Valleys is a joke. There are two trains cancelled this

morning. If the city region and the Valleys task force proved to be yet

more false dawns for these communities, that is a risk real

damage will be done to this institution and to devolution not

just to your government and the Labour Party. How do you intend, as

head of this government, to ensure actions match the rhetoric and real

benefits are delivered to the Valleys? What will you do if another

two or five or ten years go by with no noticeable improvements in these

communities? Transport is key, that is why the

Metro is important. It takes in an acceptably long time to travel from

Treherbert down to Cardiff. The service isn't seen as reliable. From

next year we will specify the franchise, we haven't had an

opportunity to do that before. We'll be able to move forward with the

Metro to have more convenient, comfortable and frequent services.

And also to connect Rhondda Fach to make sure people's services I

connected more frequently. That is one way of getting people to jobs in

Cardiff but it isn't just about that, 11 me when people go through

Cardiff Central every year. It is about making sure it is easy to go

from Cardiff into the Valleys as well so investors don't see the

Valleys as being physically distant from Cardiff. That is how they have

been deceived. We want to make sure we have a chance to network that

shows our Valley communities are able to attract more investment in

the future. First Minister, the Valleys in the

West don't get involved. Tourism is important in the Almond Valley. --

Almond Valley. Will you ensure the task force will accept those skills

are making sure there are local jobs for local people.

It is something we intend to develop in future. It is important we don't

forget that transport links are important wherever the particular

valley might be and that means when they get control of the buses next

year we will be able to look at how we can improve services in the Amman

Valley. It is an opportunity for us to creating integrated transport

system across Wales, not just in some parts of Wales to benefit

people who live in the Valleys. I am told that there have been nine

engagement events, five targeted events and for further formal

engagement events planned and a cabinet secretary has intended each

and every one of these engagement events. Can you confirm that is the

case? How are these views being fed back in? If Cabinet secretaries and

intending -- attending these events, I commend that as good practice.

It is important that people see these events as worth coming to. If

they have government ministers at those events I trust they will feel

that is the case. It is right to say that in the initial events there was

frustration people wanted to get off their chest and that is inevitable.

Now what we're finding is people want to move on and see what can be

done to improve their quality of life, whether it is skills, we know

skills are important. Skills are the way to raise GDP. Unemployment is,

on paper, less of an issue than it was. That is something we will focus

on very sharply over the next five to ten years.

What are the Welsh Government's priorities for improving public

The national transport finance plan published in July of 2015 set out in

investment for transport and infrastructure and services for 2015

across all parts of Wales. The South Wales Metro gives us an

opportunity to have a real improvement in public transport

services in the Valleys and I welcome your answer last week about

the importance of Inter Valley transport links. At the moment a

return bus journey between Aberdare and Merthyr is ?7. A train journey

between Aberdare and Cardiff is ?8. More than in the hourly national

living wage. How will the worst governments make sure that there is

for the Metro are set at an affordable level?

Affordable fares are being considered as part of the

procurements over the next rail services. We have the Metro

contract. We want to make sure we see increased patronage especially

off-peak times and we want to see discount to the cost of travel for

people working irregular work patterns is that it is important the

system is integrated and has a ticketing system that has smart

ticketing. That is something that is crucial to the development of the

Metro. In an announcement, one of the most

significant improvements to any commuter in a day cases the opening

of Ebbw Vale line, Graham David trains Wales revealed they are to

double the capacity of commuter trains. -- Arriva trains Wales. The

contracts mean it is trying to deal with rising passenger numbers with

the same number of trains as they had in 2003. What discussion has the

Welsh Government had with Arriva trains to find ways of increasing

the number of trains to provide services between Cardiff -- Cardiff

and the Valleys with Mac it is part of the franchise discussions that

will take place next year. We want to make sure there are more

comfortable trains on the network. The Welsh Government will have

control over these issues and we intend to make sure the network is

improved and developed. I just want to speak up for the

Northern Valleys of the Ogmore constituency. We have four Valleys,

many of which will benefit from better public transport in terms of

faster buses, cheaper ticketing and joined up ticketing. What is the

view of the First Minister on the importance of the Maesteg to

Cheltenham, is it now is, main line or community line, in terms of the

South Wales Metro? For many people in that Valley and adjoining

Valleys, that is as integral to the Cardiff travel to work area as is

Ebbw Vale or Merthyr or anywhere else. They believe they are part and

parcel of the South West travel area. What role do they play?

Hugely important. It was a great act of the Vale of Glamorgan to open

that line. It is an hourly service with no Sunday service. That isn't

something we should be satisfied with. It is important we look to

increasing services on the line. And to see what can be done to rent a

Sunday service. I know full well those trains are very, very well

used. Finau Brent later in the evening than they used to I don't

spend all my time looking at train timetables! I know the service is

hugely important. What action is the Welsh Government

taking to support access to high street banking services

in town centres? These are matters for banks. It is a

non-devolve as we have welcomed the announcement post offices will be

able to provide services. If that is done properly it may well enhance

the service to bank uses rather than reduce the service.

NatWest has announced the closure across South Wales, we have heard

closes on the constituents of Alun Davies, Lynne Neagle, Vikki Howells

and in my constituency. NatWest did it without any consultation. I

condemn that and I think it should have been better. I am concerned

about the impact on elderly and vulnerable people, people who don't

have access to Internet banking and the message that shows two High St

where banks are closing branches closing and we are trying to

regenerate the Northern Valleys. I think it is the wrong thing to do.

You mentioned the post Office, to what extent can we ensure that

people like the post office ensure those services are properly

available? I have seen branch closures in my

own constituency as well over the years. I know branches in Bridgend

town centre itself patronage has dropped because the reasons for

people going into the bank are fewer. Internet banking isn't a

solution. There are people who can't or don't feel comfortable using

electronic services and provision must be made for them. To my mind,

if this is done properly people can access the same services through the

post office that'll give them access to a wide range of branches. It will

help with the sustainability of post offices because they know they

receive commission. The post offices do provide a way of ensuring

services continue for those people who use them. I have been told by

banks they will be more closures but it is the trend they have seen. HSBC

were the last to resist that trend. They kept those branches longer but

it is absolutely crucial that services are not lost people and

they are provided the alternative means of the post office.

Thank you. A statement by Lloyds Bank this week said they intend to

shrink the number of bank branches is concerning. Particularly in terms

of job cuts. That is bound to lead to that. And also the illusion of

face-to-face counter service available. We could also take a

positive view of the announcement partially because what we seem to be

seeing is the bank adapting in response to changes in customer

habits rather than taking the step that has appeared far too easy for

them in the past, to close branches of. Do you agree with me we should

urge the banks to adapt rather than close and that is best for our high

streets in Wales and we should seek to use all legislative and

regulatory tools possible in order to urge them to do that?

I don't believe it is possible to use legislation to change the

situation but I do agree with him that banks should think of every

alternative apart from closure. That should be the final option rather

than the first option. Of course, if it isn't possible to lose the house

to service then it is crucial that the banks deal with the post office

and services can continue in the post office. But we would not wish

to the closure of branches as a priority for the banks. The NatWest

bank in the last 12 days has announced the closure of the

Welshpool and Machynlleth branches. They have done so without any public

consultation whatsoever. It public meeting was held last night in

Welshpool to this regard in the post office was also discussed as a

potential. Along the issues there, there are some about privacy and the

capacity of post offices in some particular rural locations. I

understand absolutely this is an issue ultimately for the bank, it is

a commercial decision. I have raised and had a positive response from

ministers when calling for the government to facilitate a

discussion with the banks and the Financial Conduct Authority and

other partners to explore a community bank model which would see

banks shares services. I wonder whether this would be something he

would be willing to explore? I would consider that. I will ask

the Minister to write to the member with regard to the proposals he has

made. What we don't want to see is a loss of banking services completely

in communities. There is a danger that where banks particularly when

branches are closed, decisions are made in the post office, they don't

leave a cash machine. In Crickhowell, one of the branches

closed but the ATM has remained. I will ask the Minister to write to

the member in that regard particularly with regard to the

suggestion he makes and community banking.

Does the First Minister have any plans to make official visits

to European countries in the near future?

My most recent visits were to Brussels and Norway and a plan to

visit Gibraltar. Does he have any plans to visit the

European Investment Bank in Luxembourg to state Wales's case for

future investments by the banking projects in Wales like Berlin to

Hospital in my constituency and about their case for the UK to

continue as the subscribing partner after we leave the EU?

I can see a senior official level delegation visited the bank in

October to maintain direct dial-up. The vice presidents of the EIB

visited Cardiff. We strongly advocate the UK should remain a

sponsoring partner of EIB, it doesn't cost anything. The UK

contributions loan money. There is no reason why, in leaving the EU, we

cannot remain part of the EIB structure. Thank you First Minister.

The next item on the agenda is the business statement. I call on the

leader of the house. There we are - that was

First Minister's Questions. If you want more more coverage

of the National Assembly you can go online to BBC Wales's Senedd Live

page at bbc.co.uk/walespolitics. The Assembly is in

recess from next week. We'll be back with the next

First Minister's Questions in May. Don't forget for all the latest

political news, watch Wales Today later today at 6.30pm on BBC1 Wales

and Newyddion at 9.00pm on S4C. As for First Minister's Questions

though, from all of us