4:24:08 > 4:24:10Hello, welcome to the programme
4:24:10 > 4:24:13and our weekly coverage of questions to the First Minister.
4:24:13 > 4:24:16Assembly members gathered earlier than usual today to hear
4:24:16 > 4:24:19a statement on the attack in Manchester last night
4:24:19 > 4:24:20and to pay tribute to
4:24:20 > 4:24:23the former First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who died last week.
4:24:23 > 4:24:26The Assembly then returned to its normal business with questions
4:24:26 > 4:24:30on health, the economy and rail services amongst other topics.
4:24:30 > 4:24:33Don't forget, we are @walespolitics on Twitter.
4:24:33 > 4:24:37You can find out all you need to know about Welsh politics there,
4:24:37 > 4:24:40but for now, let's cross to the Siambr for today's questions
4:24:40 > 4:24:43to the First Minister.
4:24:43 > 4:24:47Questions now to the First Minister, and the first question is
4:24:47 > 4:24:49from Paul Davies.
4:24:49 > 4:24:51- TRANSLATION FROM WELSH:- Thank you.
4:24:51 > 4:24:54What is the Welsh government doing to improve health services
4:24:54 > 4:24:57in Pembrokeshire over the next 12 months?
4:24:57 > 4:25:00- TRANSLATION:- Well, our priority is to provide the people
4:25:00 > 4:25:02of Pembrokeshire with health services
4:25:02 > 4:25:06that deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.
4:25:06 > 4:25:08First Minister, it's important that we do improve
4:25:08 > 4:25:11health services in Pembrokeshire over the next 12 months to start
4:25:11 > 4:25:16to tackle obesity because, unfortunately, obesity rates
4:25:16 > 4:25:19in the Hywel Dda University Health Board
4:25:19 > 4:25:22have increased as compared to other health boards.
4:25:22 > 4:25:25Now, I accept that the Assembly passed
4:25:25 > 4:25:27a Public Health Wales Bill recently
4:25:27 > 4:25:29which will assist in tackling
4:25:29 > 4:25:32the problems of obesity, but can you tell us what specific steps
4:25:32 > 4:25:36the Welsh government intends to introduce in the next 12 months
4:25:36 > 4:25:40in order to start to tackle obesity problems?
4:25:40 > 4:25:44Well, of course, we have considered this previously and it's fair
4:25:44 > 4:25:47to say that there is more yet to be done,
4:25:47 > 4:25:50we want to build on that basis in order to ensure that
4:25:50 > 4:25:53strategies are put in place to deal with this problem.
4:25:53 > 4:25:58It's not just the problem in Wales but in
4:25:58 > 4:26:00every wealthy country in Western Europe,
4:26:00 > 4:26:03and of course, it's arising too in countries
4:26:03 > 4:26:05where it hasn't been seen previously.
4:26:05 > 4:26:07Thank you.
4:26:07 > 4:26:09First Minister, you know that the people of Pembrokeshire are
4:26:09 > 4:26:13very eager to return to a situation where paediatric services are
4:26:13 > 4:26:17available in Withybush during the night-time hours and that
4:26:17 > 4:26:19they are available 24/7.
4:26:19 > 4:26:23There's a petition to be presented to the Assembly to that end.
4:26:23 > 4:26:25Just for clarity,
4:26:25 > 4:26:29do you agree that that is the ideal position we should aim towards
4:26:29 > 4:26:33and do you, as a government, have a timetable for achieving that?
4:26:33 > 4:26:37Well, what's important, of course, is that services are secure.
4:26:37 > 4:26:41Where services have been amended, and the Royal colleges have said
4:26:41 > 4:26:45that that is something that should have been done
4:26:45 > 4:26:48then we support that as a government, but, having said that,
4:26:48 > 4:26:52we must ensure that every service that can be delivered at Withybush
4:26:52 > 4:26:57is available in the hospital, but it doesn't mean to say that
4:26:57 > 4:27:00everything that people would wish to see
4:27:00 > 4:27:05has to be there, but we must ensure that the whole services are secure.
4:27:07 > 4:27:10What support is the Welsh government giving to the North Wales economy?
4:27:10 > 4:27:13We continue to support economic development across
4:27:13 > 4:27:15the whole of Wales by helping businesses to grow
4:27:15 > 4:27:19and investing in high-quality infrastructure and improving
4:27:19 > 4:27:21- economic development conditions. - Thank you.
4:27:21 > 4:27:25At the CBI North Wales dinner a week ago last Thursday,
4:27:25 > 4:27:29of course your colleague Ken Skates attended alongside some
4:27:29 > 4:27:32other members, we heard that the North Wales growth deal bid was
4:27:32 > 4:27:37nearing completion and then ready to go to UK government
4:27:37 > 4:27:39and obviously Welsh government.
4:27:39 > 4:27:42When the UK government first made the growth bid offer,
4:27:42 > 4:27:45it said it would be looking to work with the Welsh government to
4:27:45 > 4:27:50devolve powers down, and in his stakeholders' update in April,
4:27:50 > 4:27:54the Chief Executive of Flintshire Council, who's leading the team
4:27:54 > 4:27:57putting together the bid for the six North Wales councils,
4:27:57 > 4:27:59said ambitions for devolved powers to be granted to
4:27:59 > 4:28:02the region include transport function,
4:28:02 > 4:28:04strategic land-use planning,
4:28:04 > 4:28:06business innovation, advisory functions,
4:28:06 > 4:28:08careers advice and taxation,
4:28:08 > 4:28:11by which he means devolve taxation of powers,
4:28:11 > 4:28:13all powers which were within the gift
4:28:13 > 4:28:15or otherwise of Welsh government.
4:28:15 > 4:28:19How will your government be responding to this call?
4:28:19 > 4:28:22Well, "carefully," I think is the word that I would use.
4:28:22 > 4:28:24Firstly, if we look at business rates, if they were to be devolved
4:28:24 > 4:28:28to local authorities then 17 of the 22 local authorities would lose out.
4:28:28 > 4:28:31So we must be careful that we don't see that situation arise.
4:28:31 > 4:28:34We will look to devolve powers to appropriate bodies where we can,
4:28:34 > 4:28:37it's fair to say that not all local authorities are able to
4:28:37 > 4:28:39exercise those powers effectively.
4:28:39 > 4:28:42We want local authorities to work in regional bodies, but we are
4:28:42 > 4:28:45fully committed to the growth bid and of course we will work
4:28:45 > 4:28:48with the UK government in order to take that bid forward.
4:28:48 > 4:28:49Hannah Blythyn.
4:28:50 > 4:28:53Since being elected a year ago, I've not only wanted to serve
4:28:53 > 4:28:56my own constituency but also to be a strong voice for the whole of
4:28:56 > 4:28:59north-east Wales, and I'm pleased that in the past 12 months
4:28:59 > 4:29:01we've witnessed much Welsh government investment in
4:29:01 > 4:29:04my own constituency alone from Flint Castle to Theatr Clwyd,
4:29:04 > 4:29:07to support for local businesses, but alongside major proposals to improve
4:29:07 > 4:29:10our infrastructure across the whole of North Wales.
4:29:10 > 4:29:12Does the First Minister agree with me that what the people
4:29:12 > 4:29:14and communities of North Wales need is action
4:29:14 > 4:29:16and not just words,
4:29:16 > 4:29:19and further reassure us in North Wales that the Welsh government
4:29:19 > 4:29:22remains committed to investing and supporting our region?
4:29:22 > 4:29:25Very much so. I mean, work is already underway of course to help
4:29:25 > 4:29:26to deliver the project,
4:29:26 > 4:29:29we announced the £20 million fund to establish an advanced
4:29:29 > 4:29:33manufacturing and research institutes, supporting key employers
4:29:33 > 4:29:36like Airbus, we've announced plans of course to
4:29:36 > 4:29:40invest more than £200 million in the A55/A494 corridor,
4:29:40 > 4:29:43we've committed £50 million to take forward the first phase of
4:29:43 > 4:29:46the North East Wales Metro, and of course backing
4:29:46 > 4:29:50a little further west for the third crossing of the Menai.
4:29:50 > 4:29:53That's in addition to a million of the funding to develop
4:29:53 > 4:29:57a new business hub in Wrexham supporting 100 new businesses.
4:29:57 > 4:30:01- TRANSLATION:- I now call questions from the party leaders,
4:30:01 > 4:30:03first of all Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood.
4:30:03 > 4:30:06First Minister, people across Wales
4:30:06 > 4:30:09are grieving for those in Manchester
4:30:09 > 4:30:12and further afield following the horrific events last night.
4:30:12 > 4:30:16I would like to pass on my condolences and solidarity
4:30:16 > 4:30:17with everyone affected.
4:30:17 > 4:30:21The senseless violence and the fact that there are children
4:30:21 > 4:30:23and young people among the victims
4:30:23 > 4:30:26has left the whole of the UK devastated.
4:30:26 > 4:30:30I know you made a statement earlier on, but can you place on record
4:30:30 > 4:30:33all of our appreciation for the men and the women of
4:30:33 > 4:30:36the emergency services and all of those people
4:30:36 > 4:30:39who have worked overnight and today
4:30:39 > 4:30:42to treat the wounded and to help those get to safety.
4:30:42 > 4:30:47It's worth reiterating in my view how much our public service workers
4:30:47 > 4:30:51- are valued at a difficult time like this.- Very much so.
4:30:51 > 4:30:56I'm sure that the entire chamber was supportive of what I said
4:30:56 > 4:30:59earlier on and indeed what the leader of Plaid Cymru has said.
4:31:01 > 4:31:05There are always exercises to deal with...
4:31:05 > 4:31:08To look at how attacks like this can be dealt with, but when it
4:31:08 > 4:31:12actually happens then of course the system is tested
4:31:12 > 4:31:14very rigorously, and certainly,
4:31:14 > 4:31:17what we have seen from the emergency services, what we have seen
4:31:17 > 4:31:20from the hospitals, what we have seen from the community,
4:31:20 > 4:31:23shows the level of resilience even in the face of tragedy.
4:31:23 > 4:31:26Thank you for that answer, First Minister.
4:31:26 > 4:31:30And while the facts as to who is responsible are still being
4:31:30 > 4:31:34established, we know that attacks like this can put
4:31:34 > 4:31:37enormous strain upon community relations in Welsh cities
4:31:37 > 4:31:39as well as in other parts of the UK.
4:31:39 > 4:31:42One of the objectives of extremists,
4:31:42 > 4:31:47aside from harming innocent people, is to divide communities.
4:31:47 > 4:31:50They want to make people fearful and suspicious of each other
4:31:50 > 4:31:53so that they can profit from alienation and division.
4:31:53 > 4:31:57The real story is of people of all backgrounds and faiths -
4:31:57 > 4:31:59emergency workers, taxi drivers -
4:31:59 > 4:32:02coming together to face down those extremists.
4:32:02 > 4:32:05Will you reiterate today, First Minister,
4:32:05 > 4:32:10that none of us here will let terrorists divide our communities?
4:32:10 > 4:32:14Absolutely not. Extremists only represent themselves.
4:32:14 > 4:32:19A very small number of people with a worldview that is intolerant
4:32:19 > 4:32:21and is driven to violence.
4:32:21 > 4:32:28They are happy to murder people of all religions or none, they are
4:32:28 > 4:32:34happy to murder young people who are doing nothing more than going out
4:32:34 > 4:32:39for a night out. It's too early to say of course the extent
4:32:39 > 4:32:44of what surrounded the events of last night, the police are
4:32:44 > 4:32:46still investigating, and it is important
4:32:46 > 4:32:48that there is no speculation in order
4:32:48 > 4:32:51for those investigations to be carried forward.
4:32:51 > 4:32:53But, make no mistake,
4:32:53 > 4:32:58whoever carried out the attacks of last night represented
4:32:58 > 4:33:01only themselves and a very small group of people around them.
4:33:01 > 4:33:04They can never represent an entire community.
4:33:04 > 4:33:08Diolch yn fawr, First Minister, I'm sure that message will be
4:33:08 > 4:33:11appreciated by many communities throughout Wales and beyond.
4:33:11 > 4:33:13It's important, First Minister,
4:33:13 > 4:33:17that everyone remains calm and that we don't change the way we live
4:33:17 > 4:33:22our lives in the face of this senseless and tragic violence.
4:33:22 > 4:33:25People are planning to visit our capital city in the coming weeks
4:33:25 > 4:33:28and need further reassurance.
4:33:28 > 4:33:32Can you update the Assembly on the security preparations for
4:33:32 > 4:33:38major events such as the Champions League final in Cardiff on June 3rd?
4:33:38 > 4:33:41Yes, I touched on this in the conversation I had
4:33:41 > 4:33:44with the deputy national security adviser.
4:33:44 > 4:33:48The security arrangements for the Champions League final are robust.
4:33:48 > 4:33:52I met with a number of the organisations involved last week
4:33:52 > 4:33:55for the final time, including Gold Command,
4:33:55 > 4:33:58all the preparations are in place in terms of communications,
4:33:58 > 4:34:01in terms of security. Members, and indeed,
4:34:01 > 4:34:03members of the public will see over the course of the next
4:34:03 > 4:34:06few days the arrangements being put in place in order
4:34:06 > 4:34:09that people can come to our capital city to enjoy themselves
4:34:09 > 4:34:11and be left with a favourable impression.
4:34:11 > 4:34:14We know there are some people who would not wish that to be so,
4:34:14 > 4:34:19and anything that can be learned from the events of the last 24 hours
4:34:19 > 4:34:23will be factored in to the security arrangements for
4:34:23 > 4:34:26the Champions League final, but we are... This is the world we live in.
4:34:26 > 4:34:29We are aware of what needs to be done in order to provide for
4:34:29 > 4:34:33the security of the public when they come to our capital city,
4:34:33 > 4:34:35and working with the police and other authorities,
4:34:35 > 4:34:37that's exactly what we intend to do.
4:34:37 > 4:34:41- TRANSLATION:- Leader of the Opposition, Andrew RT Davies.
4:34:41 > 4:34:44If I may, presiding officer, I will not take my three questions
4:34:44 > 4:34:46today, given I think
4:34:46 > 4:34:49we need to stand shoulder to shoulder and face down
4:34:49 > 4:34:53this act of evil, this atrocity that happened in Manchester last night.
4:34:53 > 4:34:56As a father, I cannot think of anything more horrific than
4:34:56 > 4:35:01being separated from your children, separated from your loved ones
4:35:01 > 4:35:05in the uncertain knowledge of what might have happened to them.
4:35:05 > 4:35:07I, like many parents,
4:35:07 > 4:35:11would have dropped my children off at events to meet at
4:35:11 > 4:35:16a designated spot and they come back safely, and I can only offer
4:35:16 > 4:35:20my love, my support, my condolence to each and every member
4:35:20 > 4:35:23who has gone through a bereavement,
4:35:23 > 4:35:27the injured in hospital, and tribute to the dedication of
4:35:27 > 4:35:31the public services who responded so quickly and so professionally
4:35:31 > 4:35:38to that atrocity, that act of evil that visited Manchester last night.
4:35:38 > 4:35:41But I would like to put three points to you if I may, First Minister.
4:35:41 > 4:35:45The First is what became evident today was
4:35:45 > 4:35:48the amount of people that did go from North Wales to Manchester,
4:35:48 > 4:35:51as on an everyday basis, attend events in Manchester.
4:35:51 > 4:35:55On the radio this morning, many parents, many youngsters
4:35:55 > 4:35:56who had attended that event.
4:35:56 > 4:35:59There will be a requirement for help and support.
4:35:59 > 4:36:04I don't know the destination of some of the bereaved,
4:36:04 > 4:36:07or obviously the injured parties in the hospitals,
4:36:07 > 4:36:10where they have come from, but I'm sure some of those individuals
4:36:10 > 4:36:13will have come from North Wales, and I know it's early hours
4:36:13 > 4:36:15and early days yet,
4:36:15 > 4:36:18but what calibration, what work is the Welsh government doing
4:36:18 > 4:36:22with the public services in North Wales to make sure
4:36:22 > 4:36:26that help and support is there for the families in the education field,
4:36:26 > 4:36:28but also in the health field
4:36:28 > 4:36:32as well to make sure that no stone is left unturned when families
4:36:32 > 4:36:36look for that support and look for that help from those services
4:36:36 > 4:36:39in North Wales, and if extra resources are required,
4:36:39 > 4:36:41I'm sure you would confirm this,
4:36:41 > 4:36:44those extra resources will be made available to local authorities
4:36:44 > 4:36:46and also to the health boards.
4:36:46 > 4:36:50Secondly, as the leader of Plaid Cymru quite clearly identified,
4:36:50 > 4:36:52we do have a major sporting event,
4:36:52 > 4:36:54in the Champions League happening here,
4:36:54 > 4:36:58the final in a little over ten days' time, but there are events
4:36:58 > 4:37:01across the whole of Wales that happen on a day-to-day,
4:37:01 > 4:37:03week-by-week basis
4:37:03 > 4:37:06and it forced all of us to play our part to work
4:37:06 > 4:37:08with the security services,
4:37:08 > 4:37:11whether it be police or MI5 or any of the security services,
4:37:11 > 4:37:15to make sure we can be the eyes and ears on the streets
4:37:15 > 4:37:19and reporting what we see. But how can the Welsh government
4:37:19 > 4:37:22distil down any information it has so that the public
4:37:22 > 4:37:24can have confidence that they can
4:37:24 > 4:37:26attend these events in the full knowledge
4:37:26 > 4:37:29that every measure possible has been put in place to protect
4:37:29 > 4:37:33the public and to allow democracy and our free society
4:37:33 > 4:37:35to continue to function?
4:37:35 > 4:37:39Because we must not be cowered by these acts of violence.
4:37:39 > 4:37:42That is one thing that is quite critical and, thirdly,
4:37:42 > 4:37:46what I'd like to just seek off the First Minister as we do
4:37:46 > 4:37:51go forward is that any information that is available, and the
4:37:51 > 4:37:53First Minister has indicated that he has received
4:37:53 > 4:37:55a security briefing this morning,
4:37:55 > 4:37:57and I presume that some of that information,
4:37:57 > 4:37:59if not all of that information, might be confidential.
4:37:59 > 4:38:02But, where information can be made available it is made available
4:38:02 > 4:38:07in a timely manner to the public in Wales, to organisers
4:38:07 > 4:38:11of events, so that again people can go about
4:38:11 > 4:38:14their everyday lives and play the important role that we all
4:38:14 > 4:38:18have to play in our great democracy of standing up against
4:38:18 > 4:38:22these acts of evil that visited Manchester last night.
4:38:22 > 4:38:26We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Manchester
4:38:26 > 4:38:30and whatever happens, we will not be beaten by such atrocities.
4:38:31 > 4:38:34I thank the leader of the Welsh Conservatives for his comments.
4:38:34 > 4:38:36It is difficult for us in this chamber,
4:38:36 > 4:38:39and the vast majority of people across the world to conceive
4:38:39 > 4:38:45of a philosophy that holds that murdering young people
4:38:45 > 4:38:49advances the cause of humanity.
4:38:49 > 4:38:52How can we understand those thought processes?
4:38:52 > 4:38:54But we know there are some, unfortunately, who hold
4:38:54 > 4:38:58those views and there is, of course, a duty in all authorities to provide
4:38:58 > 4:39:02as much protection as possible to the public against these people.
4:39:02 > 4:39:06After the events in Tunisia, we did set up a helpline that looked
4:39:06 > 4:39:10to provide signposting to counselling for people.
4:39:10 > 4:39:12We will look to do the same thing
4:39:12 > 4:39:14again in the aftermath of this event.
4:39:14 > 4:39:18We are not aware of anybody who has been injured or killed
4:39:18 > 4:39:22who comes from Wales as yet, nothing to indicate that,
4:39:22 > 4:39:26but of course we will monitor the situation very, very closely.
4:39:26 > 4:39:29One thing I think we do need to be careful of is not to
4:39:29 > 4:39:31put people off coming to events.
4:39:31 > 4:39:36He is right when he says that the last thing we should do is to modify
4:39:36 > 4:39:39our behaviour and our beliefs for that matter
4:39:39 > 4:39:41in the face of terrorism.
4:39:41 > 4:39:42That's exactly what they want.
4:39:42 > 4:39:45They want us to become more intolerant
4:39:45 > 4:39:47so that we share their intolerance.
4:39:47 > 4:39:52They want us to alter the way in which we exercise our freedom
4:39:52 > 4:39:54and go to events, they see that as a victory.
4:39:54 > 4:39:58What I can say to people is, of course we will be taking
4:39:58 > 4:40:00further advice with regards to the Champions League.
4:40:00 > 4:40:02But a lot of work's already been done
4:40:02 > 4:40:05regarding security around the Champions League
4:40:05 > 4:40:08and that work has been in train for many, many months,
4:40:08 > 4:40:13as members would expect, given that it is an event of significant size.
4:40:13 > 4:40:15In terms of information,
4:40:15 > 4:40:19he has identified the issues.
4:40:19 > 4:40:21Firstly, some information is shared
4:40:21 > 4:40:24on what is essentially Privy Council basis - it's confidential.
4:40:24 > 4:40:25Members will understand that
4:40:25 > 4:40:29there is information that needs to be kept confidential
4:40:29 > 4:40:32so as not to interfere with any police investigation,
4:40:32 > 4:40:35but of course, where information is no longer sensitive
4:40:35 > 4:40:39and where that information needs to be shared with the public
4:40:39 > 4:40:42then that will happen at the appropriate time.
4:40:44 > 4:40:46TRANSLATION: Leader of the Ukip group Neil Hamilton.
4:40:46 > 4:40:49Can I congratulate the First Minister
4:40:49 > 4:40:52on speaking so finely for us all in this Assembly
4:40:52 > 4:40:55in his statement at the start of today's proceedings,
4:40:55 > 4:40:58and to add my condolences and the condolences of my party,
4:40:58 > 4:41:01all my members here
4:41:01 > 4:41:03and members of the party in the country,
4:41:03 > 4:41:06to those who have lost their lives
4:41:06 > 4:41:12and been maimed in the horrible outrage in Manchester.
4:41:12 > 4:41:15Er, I agree with the First Minister
4:41:15 > 4:41:19that it is impossible for us to understand the mind-set of those
4:41:19 > 4:41:22who are prepared to indiscriminately slaughter children
4:41:22 > 4:41:24in the way that happened last night.
4:41:24 > 4:41:26Not the first time in the Arndale Centre, of course,
4:41:26 > 4:41:30in Manchester, where an event of this kind has occurred.
4:41:30 > 4:41:33I was a Member of Parliament just a few miles away from
4:41:33 > 4:41:36the centre of Manchester back in the 1990s -
4:41:36 > 4:41:41we had a similar kind of outrage from, in those days, the IRA.
4:41:41 > 4:41:44But, er, I'm sure the First Minister will agree with me
4:41:44 > 4:41:47that the best way that a democratic society
4:41:47 > 4:41:49can fight against such tendencies
4:41:49 > 4:41:53is to carry on as normal so far as we can,
4:41:53 > 4:41:57and for a democratic assembly like the National Assembly for Wales,,
4:41:57 > 4:41:59whilst it is right that we should suspend
4:41:59 > 4:42:02the party-political dogfight for today,
4:42:02 > 4:42:04we're in the middle of an election campaign nationally as well
4:42:04 > 4:42:07and the best act of defiance for us
4:42:07 > 4:42:10is to continue to do what democratic societies do
4:42:10 > 4:42:12and which totalitarian societies do not,
4:42:12 > 4:42:15and that is to solve our differences by means of debate
4:42:15 > 4:42:18rather than by the bomb and the bullet.
4:42:18 > 4:42:22And so I have no further questions for the First Minister today,
4:42:22 > 4:42:26but I'd like to express my solidarity with everyone else
4:42:26 > 4:42:29who has spoken on what was going to be a sombre day for us in any event
4:42:29 > 4:42:32because of tributes to Rhodri, but which has been
4:42:32 > 4:42:35made immeasurably worse by the events of last night.
4:42:35 > 4:42:37Can I thank the leader of Ukip for his comments?
4:42:40 > 4:42:44One of the main purposes of acts such as this
4:42:44 > 4:42:49is to make us more angry and more intolerant
4:42:49 > 4:42:53in order to provoke an even greater reaction.
4:42:53 > 4:42:56We do not need to do that. We are bigger than they are.
4:42:58 > 4:43:02Today, the mood of the chamber is sombre, that's true,
4:43:02 > 4:43:04and with good reason.
4:43:04 > 4:43:07In the next few days, we'll get back to debate,
4:43:07 > 4:43:10we'll get back to robust electioneering -
4:43:10 > 4:43:12that's the nature of what we do.
4:43:12 > 4:43:15But that is the essence of our democracy.
4:43:15 > 4:43:18Robust debate and exchange of ideas
4:43:18 > 4:43:25is what gives us the ability to see ourselves as a free society,
4:43:25 > 4:43:29and the actions of last night were designed to close down
4:43:29 > 4:43:32that which makes us a free society.
4:43:33 > 4:43:37It is absolutely right to say that we should carry on.
4:43:37 > 4:43:42Of course we have to be cautious when it comes to security,
4:43:42 > 4:43:46and for people who visit not just Wales, but any other country,
4:43:46 > 4:43:50they need to be assured that their security is paramount to us,
4:43:50 > 4:43:54and I can say that is absolutely true as far as the Welsh government
4:43:54 > 4:43:56and indeed the UK government is concerned.
4:43:57 > 4:43:59But...
4:43:59 > 4:44:02I have children in the age range
4:44:02 > 4:44:05of the majority of those who'd have been at that concert last night.
4:44:05 > 4:44:11What exactly did they do to deserve to be injured or killed?
4:44:11 > 4:44:13We can't answer that question.
4:44:13 > 4:44:16The answer to that question
4:44:16 > 4:44:21lies in a tormented, intolerant and dangerous mind,
4:44:21 > 4:44:24and that was the mind, I believe,
4:44:24 > 4:44:28of the perpetrator who carried out the attack last night.
4:44:28 > 4:44:33But as I said, we can get above that.
4:44:33 > 4:44:36The strongest message that we can send
4:44:36 > 4:44:39to those who wish to terrorise our society
4:44:39 > 4:44:41is that they cannot win.
4:44:41 > 4:44:45And they cannot win because we will carry on enjoying our freedoms,
4:44:45 > 4:44:47we will carry on enjoying
4:44:47 > 4:44:51what we have built over many decades and centuries,
4:44:51 > 4:44:56and we will never give way to their intolerance and their violence.
4:44:57 > 4:44:59Cwestiwn tri, Steffan Lewis.
4:44:59 > 4:45:01Question three, Steffan Lewis.
4:45:01 > 4:45:03INAUDIBLE
4:45:03 > 4:45:06..rail network in the last financial year.
4:45:06 > 4:45:08Every year the Welsh government provides £180 million
4:45:08 > 4:45:10in franchise subsidy payments
4:45:10 > 4:45:14and funding for additional services and rolling stock.
4:45:14 > 4:45:16I thank the First Minister for his answer
4:45:16 > 4:45:17and I declare an interest
4:45:17 > 4:45:19that my sister's an employee of Network Rail.
4:45:19 > 4:45:22I wonder if the First Minister can provide updated figures
4:45:22 > 4:45:26on the amount of profit made by the current operator of that franchise.
4:45:26 > 4:45:27I have figures for 2012
4:45:27 > 4:45:31that show that that company made a profit of £13.6 million,
4:45:31 > 4:45:32and of course as a company
4:45:32 > 4:45:35that is entirely owned by the German government,
4:45:35 > 4:45:38and bidding is under way for the next franchise,
4:45:38 > 4:45:40I wonder if the First Minister can tell us
4:45:40 > 4:45:43whether he remains committed to returning the rail network
4:45:43 > 4:45:45to public ownership,
4:45:45 > 4:45:48and if so, does he believe that an opportunity has been missed
4:45:48 > 4:45:51in not using the "operator of last resort" provision
4:45:51 > 4:45:53in order to bring it back into Welsh public ownership
4:45:53 > 4:45:55as quickly as possible?
4:45:55 > 4:45:57I do remain committed to that.
4:45:57 > 4:46:00Unfortunately, of course, due to the provision in the Wales Act,
4:46:00 > 4:46:01it's not an option open to us.
4:46:01 > 4:46:05We have not been permitted to look at an arm's-length public body
4:46:05 > 4:46:07being used to run the franchise.
4:46:07 > 4:46:09Unlike in Scotland, you will know
4:46:09 > 4:46:11that this is an issue where we share the same view
4:46:11 > 4:46:15and something where we are in dispute with the UK government over.
4:46:15 > 4:46:18As part of the franchising process next year
4:46:18 > 4:46:20we expect to see the best value for money
4:46:20 > 4:46:22delivered for Welsh customers,
4:46:22 > 4:46:25and of course significant investment in rolling stock.
4:46:25 > 4:46:27There are many people who use the Valleys lines
4:46:27 > 4:46:29who are on rolling stock many, many decades old.
4:46:29 > 4:46:32They deserve better than that, and we want to see that delivered
4:46:32 > 4:46:34over the course of the next franchise period.
4:46:34 > 4:46:36Jenny Rathbone.
4:46:36 > 4:46:38Diolch, Llywydd.
4:46:38 > 4:46:41Er...it is a strange irony, is it not,
4:46:41 > 4:46:46that Arriva Trains receives one of the highest subsidies
4:46:46 > 4:46:48of any public train provider
4:46:48 > 4:46:51and yet has just declared record profits.
4:46:51 > 4:46:55I'm sure you, like me, would like to see a government
4:46:55 > 4:46:57with a more rational approach
4:46:57 > 4:47:00to the way we run our railways after June 8th,
4:47:00 > 4:47:02but for now we have a UK government
4:47:02 > 4:47:06that is unfortunately committed to insisting that the £125 million
4:47:06 > 4:47:11that has been set aside to improve our rail services
4:47:11 > 4:47:15must be spent on electrifying the Valleys lines
4:47:15 > 4:47:18when all the experts are clear that light rail
4:47:18 > 4:47:19is both more cost-effective
4:47:19 > 4:47:21and will improve the journey times
4:47:21 > 4:47:24in a way that electrification will not.
4:47:24 > 4:47:27What do you think your government can do
4:47:27 > 4:47:30to ensure that there is a much more rational approach
4:47:30 > 4:47:32to the way we invest public money
4:47:32 > 4:47:35to ensure that we get the gains that are needed
4:47:35 > 4:47:40in the Metro system that we hope to deliver across south-east Wales?
4:47:40 > 4:47:46Well, we have a curious system where a public subsidy of £180 million
4:47:46 > 4:47:48is provided to a private company
4:47:48 > 4:47:50who then make a profit of £40 million on top.
4:47:50 > 4:47:53I mean, it's very difficult to justify that sort of level.
4:47:53 > 4:47:55We weren't in charge of the franchise
4:47:55 > 4:47:57when it was awarded last time around,
4:47:57 > 4:48:00but it's very difficult to justify that to the public.
4:48:00 > 4:48:02Of course, light rail is electrified.
4:48:02 > 4:48:04There are different ways of doing it -
4:48:04 > 4:48:06you don't have to have overhead cabling,
4:48:06 > 4:48:08there are other means of doing that - but for me,
4:48:08 > 4:48:11the core principle of the Metro
4:48:11 > 4:48:13is that it should be extendable.
4:48:13 > 4:48:16Yes, of course we have the core network in place at the moment,
4:48:16 > 4:48:19but in time, the plan is to look at new routes
4:48:19 > 4:48:22that are not currently served by heavy rail.
4:48:22 > 4:48:25If we are serious about developing
4:48:25 > 4:48:28the region around Cardiff and beyond,
4:48:28 > 4:48:31then we have to make sure that people can travel
4:48:31 > 4:48:35without having to get in their cars, thus causing greater congestion.
4:48:35 > 4:48:38So that extendability, and also the mix of provision
4:48:38 > 4:48:41that will be part, no doubt, of the Metro,
4:48:41 > 4:48:44will provide that flexibility for the future as well.
4:48:44 > 4:48:46Nick Ramsay.
4:48:46 > 4:48:49First Minister, 60 years ago I would have been able to travel
4:48:49 > 4:48:52from my village of Raglan in Monmouthshire
4:48:52 > 4:48:54by rail to Cardiff.
4:48:54 > 4:48:57That can't be done now because obviously we lost a lot of
4:48:57 > 4:49:01the branch line rail network back in the '50s and '60s.
4:49:01 > 4:49:05You've mentioned the need to make sure that the Metro is expandable
4:49:05 > 4:49:08and that it reaches areas of South Wales
4:49:08 > 4:49:11and the South Wales city region that it hasn't to date,
4:49:11 > 4:49:14and wouldn't be able to at the moment.
4:49:14 > 4:49:18Have you looked any more at the issue of a potential Metro hub
4:49:18 > 4:49:21at the Celtic Manor, or in that area?
4:49:21 > 4:49:22I have raised this in the past
4:49:22 > 4:49:24with the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure.
4:49:24 > 4:49:27I think if you looked at developing a hub at that point,
4:49:27 > 4:49:30you could then have a very good core to build out from
4:49:30 > 4:49:34into the rural areas around Newport and up in my neck of the woods
4:49:34 > 4:49:36to make sure that everyone can benefit from the Metro.
4:49:36 > 4:49:39Yes, I'm tempted to pull his leg and say, "Well, a Tory government
4:49:39 > 4:49:42"closed down the railway line," but I'm not sure whether it was or not.
4:49:42 > 4:49:44- But it was a long time ago. - Not that one!
4:49:44 > 4:49:47- What we do know...- I think we share that.- ..is in the early '60s,
4:49:47 > 4:49:50late '50s, early '60s, many lines were closed
4:49:50 > 4:49:54by governments of either persuasion.
4:49:54 > 4:49:59We also saw, of course, the closure of the Carmarthen/ Aberystwyth line
4:49:59 > 4:50:03to passengers in '64 and to milk in 1973,
4:50:03 > 4:50:05with the track being taken up very soon after.
4:50:05 > 4:50:08A great tragedy, and something we could have...
4:50:08 > 4:50:11profited from, in terms of being able to run a service
4:50:11 > 4:50:17on that line at least as far as Strata Florida, er, now.
4:50:17 > 4:50:19But, yes, I take his point. It is usually important
4:50:19 > 4:50:24that areas of Wales that are not being served by any form of railway
4:50:24 > 4:50:31should be served by...in the future, by a form of transport
4:50:31 > 4:50:34that may include probably light rail rather than heavy rail.
4:50:34 > 4:50:36We know of course in his constituency
4:50:36 > 4:50:38that much of the former rail track going up to Monmouth
4:50:38 > 4:50:40has been built over by the dual carriageway,
4:50:40 > 4:50:45and the Celtic Manor is an important part of our plans
4:50:45 > 4:50:49for the Metro. As I said, at the core of the Metro,
4:50:49 > 4:50:50of thinking for the Metro,
4:50:50 > 4:50:53is that the system should be flexible and extendable,
4:50:53 > 4:50:55and that means looking at parts of Wales
4:50:55 > 4:50:58that have not had a rail service for many, many years,
4:50:58 > 4:51:00as much of his constituency has not had.
4:51:00 > 4:51:01Cwestiwn pedwar, John Griffiths.
4:51:01 > 4:51:03Question four, John Griffiths.
4:51:08 > 4:51:11Er, excuse me, I'm temporarily embarrassed, I'm afraid.
4:51:11 > 4:51:13I'll have to get that question up.
4:51:15 > 4:51:18Yes. Er, will the First Minister provide an update on progress
4:51:18 > 4:51:21with integrated transport in south-east Wales? Diolch yn fawr.
4:51:21 > 4:51:25- Yes, transport...- I think you should thank Huw Irranca-Davies for that.
4:51:25 > 4:51:26LAUGHTER
4:51:26 > 4:51:29The National Transport Finance Plan is a live document
4:51:29 > 4:51:32and it contains an ambitious programme of interventions
4:51:32 > 4:51:34that are in varying stages of development.
4:51:34 > 4:51:37We will update the plan periodically to reflect developments over time
4:51:37 > 4:51:40and of course the changing profile of need across Wales.
4:51:40 > 4:51:43Would you agree with me, First Minister,
4:51:43 > 4:51:46that active travel must be an important part of
4:51:46 > 4:51:49integrated transport in south-east Wales?
4:51:49 > 4:51:52And now that local authorities are working out their integrated plans
4:51:52 > 4:51:54for the future, the Welsh government
4:51:54 > 4:51:57must continue to take a keen interest in those plans,
4:51:57 > 4:52:01and make sure they fit with that wider integrated transport agenda?
4:52:01 > 4:52:02Absolutely so.
4:52:02 > 4:52:06The change that is happening - it's not yet happened
4:52:06 > 4:52:07across every local authority -
4:52:07 > 4:52:09the change that is happening at the moment
4:52:09 > 4:52:12is that cycling and walking are seen as modes of transport
4:52:12 > 4:52:16rather than means of recreation alone.
4:52:16 > 4:52:20And we know that many of our cities are well-placed to deliver
4:52:20 > 4:52:22cycle paths and cycle routes,
4:52:22 > 4:52:26we know that the issue for many people who might cycle
4:52:26 > 4:52:28is they don't want to be on the road with cars.
4:52:28 > 4:52:33For the brave, yes, they do, I know that, and quite rightly so,
4:52:33 > 4:52:35because they have every right to be on the road.
4:52:35 > 4:52:38But the more we can develop cycle routes
4:52:38 > 4:52:40that are physically separated from cars,
4:52:40 > 4:52:43the more people we will attract, I believe, onto those routes
4:52:43 > 4:52:46because they don't feel they have to compete with cars and lorries
4:52:46 > 4:52:48on the road, and that's very much part, of course,
4:52:48 > 4:52:50as he will know, of the Active Travel Act.
4:52:50 > 4:52:52Mark Reckless.
4:52:54 > 4:52:57Following the very welcome abolition of the southern tolls
4:52:57 > 4:53:00and we hope the construction of an M4 relief road,
4:53:00 > 4:53:03does the First Minister agree with me
4:53:03 > 4:53:05that the importance of rail as an alternative
4:53:05 > 4:53:08to integrate with the road system only increases,
4:53:08 > 4:53:12and does he welcome the decision of his Cabinet Secretary
4:53:12 > 4:53:15that the Magor-Undy proposal for a new train station
4:53:15 > 4:53:20should be taken forward as well as Llanwern and St Mellons
4:53:20 > 4:53:23that are identified within the first 12,
4:53:23 > 4:53:25as putting three new rail stations
4:53:25 > 4:53:29on that route between Cardiff and the Severn
4:53:29 > 4:53:31would transform the nature of the service.
4:53:31 > 4:53:34I'm not sure the toll's actually been abolished yet,
4:53:34 > 4:53:36but certainly that's something that we would welcome.
4:53:36 > 4:53:40I always welcome statements made by my cabinet ministers,
4:53:40 > 4:53:43and it's right to say that...
4:53:43 > 4:53:47in different stages, we are looking at reopening lines
4:53:47 > 4:53:49to the east of Cardiff and Newport area
4:53:49 > 4:53:52that's not being well served by the rail network.
4:53:52 > 4:53:54We know for example that the eastern part of the city of Cardiff
4:53:54 > 4:53:57has been historically very poorly served.
4:53:57 > 4:53:59There is a need to improve public transport links
4:53:59 > 4:54:01to the eastern part of the city,
4:54:01 > 4:54:03and the same applies, of course,
4:54:03 > 4:54:07to settlements between Newport and the Severn Bridge.
4:54:07 > 4:54:09We can't simply build roads.
4:54:09 > 4:54:13We must make sure that as roads are improved and built,
4:54:13 > 4:54:16that we also provide better public transport connections as well.
4:54:18 > 4:54:20Gareth Bennett.
4:54:20 > 4:54:21Diolch, Llywydd.
4:54:21 > 4:54:25One of the harder things to achieve with public transport
4:54:25 > 4:54:28is the travelcard that enables passengers to travel
4:54:28 > 4:54:30on different types of transport.
4:54:30 > 4:54:34Now, I know that your government is going to be involved with
4:54:34 > 4:54:37negotiating the new rail franchises.
4:54:37 > 4:54:42How much of a priority will be providing that kind of travelcard
4:54:42 > 4:54:45form in your talks with the rail companies?
4:54:45 > 4:54:46Well, there are two issues.
4:54:46 > 4:54:50Firstly, it's trickier dealing with travelcard negotiations
4:54:50 > 4:54:53at railway stations because there's more than one operator.
4:54:53 > 4:54:56In terms of the Metro, it's essential that there is
4:54:56 > 4:54:59an integrated Oyster-style travelcard available,
4:54:59 > 4:55:01although even in London now, of course,
4:55:01 > 4:55:04it's possible to travel simply by using a contactless debit card.
4:55:04 > 4:55:09So actually, Oyster cards are now even less essential
4:55:09 > 4:55:12than once they were for some people. Of course, they're important to
4:55:12 > 4:55:14those who don't have access to contactless cards,
4:55:14 > 4:55:16yes, they need them to travel,
4:55:16 > 4:55:18but it is absolutely crucial
4:55:18 > 4:55:21that the network of the south-east Wales Metro
4:55:21 > 4:55:24has one card that covers all journeys within the Metro area,
4:55:24 > 4:55:27otherwise, of course, it's not an integrated system.
4:55:29 > 4:55:30Michelle Brown...
4:55:30 > 4:55:34TRANSLATION: Michelle Brown is not in the chamber to ask question five.
4:55:34 > 4:55:36Question six, Hannah Blythyn.
4:55:36 > 4:55:38Can the First Minister provide an update on how the Year of Legends
4:55:38 > 4:55:40will benefit north-east Wales?
4:55:40 > 4:55:42Yes. Our tourism strategy sets out our priorities
4:55:42 > 4:55:44in supporting the tourism industry,
4:55:44 > 4:55:46including capital development funding,
4:55:46 > 4:55:49along with marketing and promotional opportunities.
4:55:49 > 4:55:52We know that, er, the Year of Legends provides an opportunity
4:55:52 > 4:55:55for us to build on that foundation.
4:55:55 > 4:55:58Thank you, First Minister. As part of the Year of Legends
4:55:58 > 4:56:01we are awaiting with great anticipation the winning design
4:56:01 > 4:56:04for a new Welsh government-supported installation at Flint Castle.
4:56:04 > 4:56:07I'm sure everybody in the community is looking forward to
4:56:07 > 4:56:09this latest legend descending on the shores of the castle.
4:56:09 > 4:56:11But there was another local legend of old
4:56:11 > 4:56:14that the constituency, in particular the community of Mold,
4:56:14 > 4:56:16are rightly proud of.
4:56:16 > 4:56:18The Mold Gold Cape was found in 1833
4:56:18 > 4:56:21by workmen quarrying for stone in a burial mound
4:56:21 > 4:56:25and is currently part of the British Museum collection in London.
4:56:25 > 4:56:27It previously left the British Museum
4:56:27 > 4:56:29to be temporarily exhibited in Wrexham,
4:56:29 > 4:56:31but it has never actually made it back to Mold
4:56:31 > 4:56:34to be temporarily exhibited in the town
4:56:34 > 4:56:35where it was found.
4:56:35 > 4:56:38As we commemorate and celebrate the Year of Legends,
4:56:38 > 4:56:41do you share with many of my constituents
4:56:41 > 4:56:43that it would be great to see the gold cape returned
4:56:43 > 4:56:46to be exhibited in the town where it was discovered?
4:56:46 > 4:56:48Yes. The gold cape is famous.
4:56:48 > 4:56:50I'm sure the people of Mold
4:56:50 > 4:56:53would like to see the actual gold cape there,
4:56:53 > 4:56:55rather than it being commemorated in the name of a pub.
4:56:55 > 4:56:57LAUGHTER
4:56:57 > 4:56:59It was in Wrexham.
4:56:59 > 4:57:01The difficulty at the moment, of course,
4:57:01 > 4:57:04is that there's nowhere in Mold for the cape to be exhibited.
4:57:04 > 4:57:06And that is what needs to be resolved first.
4:57:06 > 4:57:09In order for that to happen...
4:57:09 > 4:57:13The local authority in Flintshire could look at taking leads
4:57:13 > 4:57:15talking with us, as the Welsh Government,
4:57:15 > 4:57:16to see what could be done
4:57:16 > 4:57:19in order to provide a facility with the right atmosphere,
4:57:19 > 4:57:21and in terms of the right security,
4:57:21 > 4:57:24in order to provide a home for the gold cape,
4:57:24 > 4:57:27even if temporary, in the years to come.
4:57:27 > 4:57:30We're more than happy, of course, to work with the local authority
4:57:30 > 4:57:32and with local people to see how we can move this forward
4:57:32 > 4:57:36to bring the cape home, and for the people of Mold
4:57:36 > 4:57:39to be able to see the cape in its hometown.
4:57:39 > 4:57:41Janet Finch-Saunders.
4:57:41 > 4:57:44And a good question from the Member there
4:57:44 > 4:57:45for us in North Wales.
4:57:45 > 4:57:47First Minister, Visit Britain has launched
4:57:47 > 4:57:49Where Stories Become Legends,
4:57:49 > 4:57:52an international film tourism campaign
4:57:52 > 4:57:54with Warner Bros to coincide with the release
4:57:54 > 4:57:56of the King Arthur film,
4:57:56 > 4:57:58parts of which were filmed in Snowdonia.
4:57:58 > 4:58:02How is Visit Wales using the Year of Legends campaign
4:58:02 > 4:58:03to collaborate on this,
4:58:03 > 4:58:07and what future plans do you have to promote the region of North Wales,
4:58:07 > 4:58:10home to some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes
4:58:10 > 4:58:14in the world, that are available to the film industry
4:58:14 > 4:58:15and its fans?
4:58:15 > 4:58:18Well, King Arthur was a film, if I remember rightly,
4:58:18 > 4:58:20we supported as a government.
4:58:20 > 4:58:23A film that we took a stake in.
4:58:23 > 4:58:27It's a film that, yes, it's been located in Wales
4:58:27 > 4:58:30and also a film that, of course, has benefitted from, I believe,
4:58:30 > 4:58:32post-production in Wales as well.
4:58:32 > 4:58:35The Member has asked what we have done particularly for
4:58:35 > 4:58:37the north of Wales.
4:58:37 > 4:58:39I can say that just over £0.5 million has been made available
4:58:39 > 4:58:41in this financial year for projects in the north.
4:58:41 > 4:58:44So five projects via the Regional Tourism Engagement Fund,
4:58:44 > 4:58:46totalling £0.25 million,
4:58:46 > 4:58:51and a further £265,000 via the Tourism Product Innovation Fund
4:58:51 > 4:58:53to support six projects across the north as well.
4:58:53 > 4:58:55I can say, since April 2013,
4:58:55 > 4:58:57the Tourism Investment Support Scheme
4:58:57 > 4:59:01has made offers of funding to 48 businesses in the north,
4:59:01 > 4:59:04totally nearly £8 million.
4:59:04 > 4:59:08That's brought in additional investment of £12.5 million,
4:59:08 > 4:59:11and assisted 551 jobs,
4:59:11 > 4:59:13in terms of them being secured,
4:59:13 > 4:59:16with another 433 jobs being created.
4:59:16 > 4:59:17Llyr Gruffydd.
4:59:17 > 4:59:23- TRANSLATION:- Thank you. Whilst it's quite appropriate that we attract
4:59:23 > 4:59:28people to celebrate and become aware of our legends and our story
4:59:28 > 4:59:32in north-east Wales, to refer back to the question,
4:59:32 > 4:59:36there is a significant market also
4:59:36 > 4:59:38in the north-east of Wales,
4:59:38 > 4:59:41and very often the local people don't appreciate
4:59:41 > 4:59:44the history and the assets that we have in those areas.
4:59:44 > 4:59:51May I ask, while this project encourages the whole of Wales,
4:59:51 > 4:59:55shouldn't we do far more to work at a local level?
4:59:55 > 4:59:57That worked with the National Trust,
4:59:57 > 5:00:00in my days, the number of visitors increased significantly
5:00:00 > 5:00:02and the number of people who were volunteering and taking
5:00:02 > 5:00:04ownership of those assets which
5:00:04 > 5:00:07strengthened the wider offer within north-east Wales.
5:00:07 > 5:00:09- TRANSLATION:- Well, it's true to say
5:00:09 > 5:00:12that we never appreciate what's on our doorstep.
5:00:12 > 5:00:15As regards the projects I've already alluded to,
5:00:15 > 5:00:18many of those projects are working in order
5:00:18 > 5:00:23to raise awareness of local history
5:00:23 > 5:00:28by local residents, and a lot of work, of course, is being done by
5:00:28 > 5:00:35voluntary organisations also, but, of course, it is vital that we
5:00:35 > 5:00:38ensure that people know what's available
5:00:38 > 5:00:40and have an interest in their own history,
5:00:40 > 5:00:45so that they can act as ambassadors for their own areas and regions
5:00:45 > 5:00:49and ensure that more people come and stay and spend money.
5:00:49 > 5:00:52- TRANSLATION: - Question seven, Russell George.
5:00:52 > 5:00:53Will the First Minister make a statement
5:00:53 > 5:00:56on access to GP legal services in Montgomeryshire?
5:00:56 > 5:00:58We continue to work with the health board and other partners
5:00:58 > 5:01:00in Wales to take a range of actions
5:01:00 > 5:01:02to improve access to health care services
5:01:02 > 5:01:06that are safe and sustainable and as close to people's homes as possible.
5:01:06 > 5:01:08Thank you, First Minister. I've been contacted
5:01:08 > 5:01:12by a parent who has been trying to arrange
5:01:12 > 5:01:14for a simple medical examination
5:01:14 > 5:01:19for her daughter at her local surgery in Newtown.
5:01:19 > 5:01:23And this is a requirement in advance of her going abroad to study.
5:01:23 > 5:01:27Now, the surgery has made the decision not to undertake any
5:01:27 > 5:01:32further medicals of this nature due to the GP shortage.
5:01:32 > 5:01:38Now, no other practices in the area are able to also offer this...
5:01:41 > 5:01:44..appointment. The parent has even offered to pay.
5:01:44 > 5:01:46My office has been in contact with
5:01:46 > 5:01:50the local health board, who are also not able to offer any support.
5:01:50 > 5:01:53So, as it stands, from my understanding, the only option
5:01:53 > 5:01:57available now for this young lady to get the medical
5:01:57 > 5:02:00that she needs to go and study abroad
5:02:00 > 5:02:03is to pay for it privately and she would need to go...
5:02:03 > 5:02:07The nearest area to do this would be somewhere in England.
5:02:07 > 5:02:09So, one, I'd be grateful if you
5:02:09 > 5:02:11could offer any advice to my constituent
5:02:11 > 5:02:14and, two, if you could offer any update
5:02:14 > 5:02:18on the shortage of GPs that we see, particularly in mid Wales
5:02:18 > 5:02:21that is becoming, I'm sure you would agree,
5:02:21 > 5:02:24also, more of a crisis that we have to deal with.
5:02:24 > 5:02:28I don't understand the view taken by the GP practice.
5:02:28 > 5:02:30What I don't know, of course...
5:02:30 > 5:02:34I would invite to write to me, as well, of course, with more details.
5:02:34 > 5:02:36But GPs don't provide every service for free.
5:02:36 > 5:02:39Some services have always been paid for.
5:02:39 > 5:02:41GPs are paid sometimes through the NHS.
5:02:41 > 5:02:44For example, if they carry out blood tests.
5:02:44 > 5:02:47Sometimes, of course, they charge the individual directly -
5:02:47 > 5:02:50signing for things quite often.
5:02:50 > 5:02:53So, I don't know whether this is a service that would routinely
5:02:53 > 5:02:57be provided on the NHS or not, but he has raised the issue with me.
5:02:57 > 5:03:00If he provides me with the details, I will of course respond.
5:03:00 > 5:03:03- TRANSLATION:- Question eight, Angela Burns.
5:03:03 > 5:03:05Good afternoon, First Minister.
5:03:05 > 5:03:07What is the Welsh government doing to promote
5:03:07 > 5:03:10staff wellbeing within the Welsh public sector?
5:03:10 > 5:03:12We do work closely with public sector employers
5:03:12 > 5:03:15and trade unions to promote staff wellbeing
5:03:15 > 5:03:18as an essential part of the delivery of good Welsh public services.
5:03:18 > 5:03:24You will be aware that almost 8,000 staff members of the NHS in Wales
5:03:24 > 5:03:29were affected by anxiety, stress, depression and a number of other
5:03:29 > 5:03:32psychiatric illnesses in the year 2015/16,
5:03:32 > 5:03:35and the trend appears to be the same going forward.
5:03:35 > 5:03:37Aneurin Bevan health board created and filled
5:03:37 > 5:03:40the post of Head of Employee Wellbeing,
5:03:40 > 5:03:43and Adrian Neal and his colleagues are making great strides
5:03:43 > 5:03:47forward in reducing staff absence and improving employee morale.
5:03:47 > 5:03:50But, First Minister, this wellbeing position
5:03:50 > 5:03:53is not filled in all the Welsh health boards.
5:03:53 > 5:03:55Some created the post and then
5:03:55 > 5:03:58decided to remove it for budgetary reasons.
5:03:58 > 5:04:01Others have got the post, but they are vacant -
5:04:01 > 5:04:03again, for budgetary reasons.
5:04:03 > 5:04:05Given the scale of the challenge that we face
5:04:05 > 5:04:09and how difficult it is to recruit people into the Welsh NHS,
5:04:09 > 5:04:10I wondered if you might be able to
5:04:10 > 5:04:13outline what plans you could have to rectify this issue.
5:04:13 > 5:04:15Well, a health and wellbeing programme board
5:04:15 > 5:04:17has been established, which oversees the programme
5:04:17 > 5:04:21and the collaborative agenda of NHS Wales in respect of
5:04:21 > 5:04:23improving staff health and wellbeing
5:04:23 > 5:04:26and reducing levels of sickness and absence.
5:04:26 > 5:04:28All NHS organisations have achieved
5:04:28 > 5:04:31or are working towards the corporate health standard.
5:04:31 > 5:04:35So we would expect all NHS boards to achieve that standard
5:04:35 > 5:04:38and provide the right level of support to staff,
5:04:38 > 5:04:40particularly with regards to their own mental health.
5:04:40 > 5:04:43Question nine, Nathan Craig.
5:04:43 > 5:04:45Thank you. First Minister,
5:04:45 > 5:04:48would you make a statement please on the North Wales growth deal?
5:04:48 > 5:04:50Yes, we'll continue to press the case for
5:04:50 > 5:04:53a North Wales growth bid with the UK government,
5:04:53 > 5:04:56the reference by the Chancellor to the North Wales growth bid
5:04:56 > 5:04:58in his recent budget, which seems some time ago now,
5:04:58 > 5:05:01is a positive step forward and we trust
5:05:01 > 5:05:04the UK government will maintain that commitment.
5:05:04 > 5:05:06Thank you, First Minister.
5:05:06 > 5:05:09A key part of the North Wales growth deal is Wylfa Newydd,
5:05:09 > 5:05:14the nuclear power plant which will be built on Anglesey,
5:05:14 > 5:05:18which will create many well-paid jobs, highly skilled,
5:05:18 > 5:05:21not just on Anglesey but throughout the whole of North Wales.
5:05:21 > 5:05:24Now, having read through the Labour Party manifesto,
5:05:24 > 5:05:29there is clear support for our nuclear energy sector.
5:05:29 > 5:05:33But just days before the general election was called,
5:05:33 > 5:05:38the Labour Shadow Chancellor vowed to end nuclear power as part
5:05:38 > 5:05:43of a Labour government's first 100 days in office.
5:05:43 > 5:05:44Now it is well known, of course,
5:05:44 > 5:05:47about the fact that Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of
5:05:47 > 5:05:52the Labour Party, has for many years opposed nuclear power.
5:05:53 > 5:05:58Could you take this opportunity to not only clarify yourself
5:05:58 > 5:06:04and your government's opinion and goals for nuclear power, but also
5:06:04 > 5:06:09the Labour Party's aspirations for the nuclear industry?
5:06:09 > 5:06:11We are 100% committed to Wylfa Newydd.
5:06:11 > 5:06:16We have already been working with with Wylfa itself
5:06:16 > 5:06:18and the skill suppliers to make sure that there will be as many
5:06:18 > 5:06:22local people as possible will have the skills required there.
5:06:23 > 5:06:26It will provide many temporary construction jobs,
5:06:26 > 5:06:29and importantly, around 600 jobs in the community.
5:06:31 > 5:06:33There is no wavering in our support for the project.
5:06:33 > 5:06:35Darren Millar.
5:06:36 > 5:06:39Firstly, can I thank you, First Minister, for the remarks
5:06:39 > 5:06:44you made this afternoon in relation to the attack in Manchester?
5:06:44 > 5:06:46I'm sure they will be words of comfort at this
5:06:46 > 5:06:48very difficult time for many families.
5:06:48 > 5:06:53As a Mancunian myself, I'm very familiar with that part of
5:06:53 > 5:06:55the world, and I know that many of my constituents,
5:06:55 > 5:06:58some of my constituents, were present at the event,
5:06:58 > 5:07:00because they have been in touch with me.
5:07:00 > 5:07:04There's no doubt that events like this have an impact,
5:07:04 > 5:07:07not just on the night for those who have been
5:07:07 > 5:07:11injured or lost their lives, but indeed,
5:07:11 > 5:07:15for many years to come, including the psychological impact
5:07:15 > 5:07:17potentially, for those who were present.
5:07:17 > 5:07:22Many of them, as you have already indicated, were teenagers.
5:07:22 > 5:07:26Now, as a father, I know of teenagers,
5:07:26 > 5:07:31I know how important it is that young people receive support
5:07:31 > 5:07:35in a timely manner when they need it. And I was very pleased to hear
5:07:35 > 5:07:40that the you are considering the establishment of a helpline for
5:07:40 > 5:07:43any individuals from Wales who may need access
5:07:43 > 5:07:44to support in the future.
5:07:44 > 5:07:48Can I just ask you to confirm that there will be that
5:07:48 > 5:07:51psychological support also, not just in terms of
5:07:51 > 5:07:53the physical support which might be available,
5:07:53 > 5:07:55but the psychological support
5:07:55 > 5:07:57should it be needed by any of those young people,
5:07:57 > 5:08:01or indeed any of the adults that were attending last night as well?
5:08:01 > 5:08:04That's the intention. The intention is that people can be signposted
5:08:04 > 5:08:10to organisations that can provide that support in the longer term.
5:08:10 > 5:08:12It tends to be the case with PTSD, for example,
5:08:12 > 5:08:15that people don't see it at the beginning -
5:08:15 > 5:08:19it develops over time as people begin to understand the consequences
5:08:19 > 5:08:23of what might have happened, or understand the consequences
5:08:23 > 5:08:24of what they've seen.
5:08:24 > 5:08:26So it is hugely important to make sure that
5:08:26 > 5:08:29that support is available, not just for a week or two
5:08:29 > 5:08:31but over the course of time that the individual needs it
5:08:31 > 5:08:34in order to come to terms with what they've witnessed
5:08:34 > 5:08:35or they've experienced.
5:08:35 > 5:08:37Llyr Gruffydd.
5:08:37 > 5:08:43- TRANSLATION:- Thank you. We know that significant sums
5:08:43 > 5:08:46will be invested in light of this growth bid
5:08:46 > 5:08:49in North Wales, but the local authorities have come together
5:08:49 > 5:08:53to create a joint committee which will oversee that process.
5:08:53 > 5:08:55But may I ask how you as a government
5:08:55 > 5:08:59will ensure that these investments do reflect your strategic priorities
5:08:59 > 5:09:03in North Wales and aren't led to run in parallel
5:09:03 > 5:09:05so that everything works together
5:09:05 > 5:09:08as one effort for economic regeneration in North Wales?
5:09:08 > 5:09:12Because I'm not really sure where the government voice is heard
5:09:12 > 5:09:16within the context of this new joint committee or other sectors
5:09:16 > 5:09:20such as the business sector, HE and FE in the region,
5:09:20 > 5:09:25which were a prominent part of the economic ambition board,
5:09:25 > 5:09:29but will now have a non-voting role in these new structures.
5:09:32 > 5:09:37- TRANSLATION:- Well, as regards the bid itself of the city deal
5:09:37 > 5:09:39that's taking place now, it's the local authorities
5:09:39 > 5:09:42that are in the lead, and not Welsh government.
5:09:42 > 5:09:44We are part of the process, but they ensure
5:09:44 > 5:09:46that the governance structure
5:09:46 > 5:09:50is in place and that they consider regional projects,
5:09:50 > 5:09:55not just projects that benefit only one county.
5:09:55 > 5:09:58And so we, of course, want to ensure that the structures are in place,
5:09:58 > 5:10:01and we're confident that that is the case.
5:10:01 > 5:10:04We've seen the local governments working together,
5:10:04 > 5:10:07whoever may run those local authorities,
5:10:07 > 5:10:10and we are confident that the funding will be used
5:10:10 > 5:10:12in the way in which we would wish to see.
5:10:12 > 5:10:16And we of course will collaborate with local authorities
5:10:16 > 5:10:20to ensure that our priorities as a government are secured
5:10:20 > 5:10:21and there isn't very much difference
5:10:21 > 5:10:24between our priorities and the counties' priorities
5:10:24 > 5:10:28to ensure that they are of mutual benefit.
5:10:28 > 5:10:31Thank you, First Minister.
5:10:31 > 5:10:33There we are. That was First Minister's questions.
5:10:33 > 5:10:36If you want more coverage of the National Assembly,
5:10:36 > 5:10:38go online to BBC Wales' newspage...
5:10:41 > 5:10:44That's it from us on the programme. Thanks for watching.