23/05/2017 First Minister's Questions


23/05/2017

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Hello, welcome to the programme

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and our weekly coverage of questions to the First Minister.

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Assembly members gathered earlier than usual today to hear

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a statement on the attack in Manchester last night

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and to pay tribute to

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the former First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who died last week.

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The Assembly then returned to its normal business with questions

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on health, the economy and rail services amongst other topics.

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Don't forget, we are @walespolitics on Twitter.

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You can find out all you need to know about Welsh politics there,

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but for now, let's cross to the Siambr for today's questions

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to the First Minister.

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Questions now to the First Minister, and the first question is

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from Paul Davies.

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-TRANSLATION FROM WELSH:

-Thank you.

4:24:494:24:51

What is the Welsh government doing to improve health services

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in Pembrokeshire over the next 12 months?

4:24:544:24:57

-TRANSLATION:

-Well, our priority is to provide the people

4:24:574:25:00

of Pembrokeshire with health services

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that deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

4:25:024:25:06

First Minister, it's important that we do improve

4:25:064:25:08

health services in Pembrokeshire over the next 12 months to start

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to tackle obesity because, unfortunately, obesity rates

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in the Hywel Dda University Health Board

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have increased as compared to other health boards.

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Now, I accept that the Assembly passed

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a Public Health Wales Bill recently

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which will assist in tackling

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the problems of obesity, but can you tell us what specific steps

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the Welsh government intends to introduce in the next 12 months

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in order to start to tackle obesity problems?

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Well, of course, we have considered this previously and it's fair

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to say that there is more yet to be done,

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we want to build on that basis in order to ensure that

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strategies are put in place to deal with this problem.

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It's not just the problem in Wales but in

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every wealthy country in Western Europe,

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and of course, it's arising too in countries

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where it hasn't been seen previously.

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Thank you.

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First Minister, you know that the people of Pembrokeshire are

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very eager to return to a situation where paediatric services are

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available in Withybush during the night-time hours and that

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they are available 24/7.

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There's a petition to be presented to the Assembly to that end.

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Just for clarity,

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do you agree that that is the ideal position we should aim towards

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and do you, as a government, have a timetable for achieving that?

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Well, what's important, of course, is that services are secure.

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Where services have been amended, and the Royal colleges have said

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that that is something that should have been done

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then we support that as a government, but, having said that,

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we must ensure that every service that can be delivered at Withybush

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is available in the hospital, but it doesn't mean to say that

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everything that people would wish to see

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has to be there, but we must ensure that the whole services are secure.

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What support is the Welsh government giving to the North Wales economy?

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We continue to support economic development across

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the whole of Wales by helping businesses to grow

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and investing in high-quality infrastructure and improving

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-economic development conditions.

-Thank you.

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At the CBI North Wales dinner a week ago last Thursday,

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of course your colleague Ken Skates attended alongside some

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other members, we heard that the North Wales growth deal bid was

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nearing completion and then ready to go to UK government

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and obviously Welsh government.

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When the UK government first made the growth bid offer,

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it said it would be looking to work with the Welsh government to

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devolve powers down, and in his stakeholders' update in April,

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the Chief Executive of Flintshire Council, who's leading the team

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putting together the bid for the six North Wales councils,

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said ambitions for devolved powers to be granted to

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the region include transport function,

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strategic land-use planning,

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business innovation, advisory functions,

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careers advice and taxation,

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by which he means devolve taxation of powers,

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all powers which were within the gift

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or otherwise of Welsh government.

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How will your government be responding to this call?

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Well, "carefully," I think is the word that I would use.

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Firstly, if we look at business rates, if they were to be devolved

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to local authorities then 17 of the 22 local authorities would lose out.

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So we must be careful that we don't see that situation arise.

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We will look to devolve powers to appropriate bodies where we can,

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it's fair to say that not all local authorities are able to

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exercise those powers effectively.

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We want local authorities to work in regional bodies, but we are

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fully committed to the growth bid and of course we will work

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with the UK government in order to take that bid forward.

4:28:454:28:48

Hannah Blythyn.

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Since being elected a year ago, I've not only wanted to serve

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my own constituency but also to be a strong voice for the whole of

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north-east Wales, and I'm pleased that in the past 12 months

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we've witnessed much Welsh government investment in

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my own constituency alone from Flint Castle to Theatr Clwyd,

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to support for local businesses, but alongside major proposals to improve

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our infrastructure across the whole of North Wales.

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Does the First Minister agree with me that what the people

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and communities of North Wales need is action

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and not just words,

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and further reassure us in North Wales that the Welsh government

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remains committed to investing and supporting our region?

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Very much so. I mean, work is already underway of course to help

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to deliver the project,

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we announced the £20 million fund to establish an advanced

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manufacturing and research institutes, supporting key employers

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like Airbus, we've announced plans of course to

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invest more than £200 million in the A55/A494 corridor,

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we've committed £50 million to take forward the first phase of

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the North East Wales Metro, and of course backing

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a little further west for the third crossing of the Menai.

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That's in addition to a million of the funding to develop

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a new business hub in Wrexham supporting 100 new businesses.

4:29:534:29:57

-TRANSLATION:

-I now call questions from the party leaders,

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first of all Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood.

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First Minister, people across Wales

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are grieving for those in Manchester

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and further afield following the horrific events last night.

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I would like to pass on my condolences and solidarity

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with everyone affected.

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The senseless violence and the fact that there are children

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and young people among the victims

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has left the whole of the UK devastated.

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I know you made a statement earlier on, but can you place on record

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all of our appreciation for the men and the women of

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the emergency services and all of those people

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who have worked overnight and today

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to treat the wounded and to help those get to safety.

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It's worth reiterating in my view how much our public service workers

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-are valued at a difficult time like this.

-Very much so.

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I'm sure that the entire chamber was supportive of what I said

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earlier on and indeed what the leader of Plaid Cymru has said.

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There are always exercises to deal with...

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To look at how attacks like this can be dealt with, but when it

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actually happens then of course the system is tested

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very rigorously, and certainly,

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what we have seen from the emergency services, what we have seen

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from the hospitals, what we have seen from the community,

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shows the level of resilience even in the face of tragedy.

4:31:204:31:23

Thank you for that answer, First Minister.

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And while the facts as to who is responsible are still being

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established, we know that attacks like this can put

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enormous strain upon community relations in Welsh cities

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as well as in other parts of the UK.

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One of the objectives of extremists,

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aside from harming innocent people, is to divide communities.

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They want to make people fearful and suspicious of each other

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so that they can profit from alienation and division.

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The real story is of people of all backgrounds and faiths -

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emergency workers, taxi drivers -

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coming together to face down those extremists.

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Will you reiterate today, First Minister,

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that none of us here will let terrorists divide our communities?

4:32:054:32:10

Absolutely not. Extremists only represent themselves.

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A very small number of people with a worldview that is intolerant

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and is driven to violence.

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They are happy to murder people of all religions or none, they are

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happy to murder young people who are doing nothing more than going out

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for a night out. It's too early to say of course the extent

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of what surrounded the events of last night, the police are

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still investigating, and it is important

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that there is no speculation in order

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for those investigations to be carried forward.

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But, make no mistake,

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whoever carried out the attacks of last night represented

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only themselves and a very small group of people around them.

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They can never represent an entire community.

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Diolch yn fawr, First Minister, I'm sure that message will be

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appreciated by many communities throughout Wales and beyond.

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It's important, First Minister,

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that everyone remains calm and that we don't change the way we live

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our lives in the face of this senseless and tragic violence.

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People are planning to visit our capital city in the coming weeks

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and need further reassurance.

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Can you update the Assembly on the security preparations for

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major events such as the Champions League final in Cardiff on June 3rd?

4:33:324:33:38

Yes, I touched on this in the conversation I had

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with the deputy national security adviser.

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The security arrangements for the Champions League final are robust.

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I met with a number of the organisations involved last week

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for the final time, including Gold Command,

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all the preparations are in place in terms of communications,

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in terms of security. Members, and indeed,

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members of the public will see over the course of the next

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few days the arrangements being put in place in order

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that people can come to our capital city to enjoy themselves

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and be left with a favourable impression.

4:34:094:34:11

We know there are some people who would not wish that to be so,

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and anything that can be learned from the events of the last 24 hours

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will be factored in to the security arrangements for

4:34:194:34:23

the Champions League final, but we are... This is the world we live in.

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We are aware of what needs to be done in order to provide for

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the security of the public when they come to our capital city,

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and working with the police and other authorities,

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that's exactly what we intend to do.

4:34:354:34:37

-TRANSLATION:

-Leader of the Opposition, Andrew RT Davies.

4:34:374:34:41

If I may, presiding officer, I will not take my three questions

4:34:414:34:44

today, given I think

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we need to stand shoulder to shoulder and face down

4:34:464:34:49

this act of evil, this atrocity that happened in Manchester last night.

4:34:494:34:53

As a father, I cannot think of anything more horrific than

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being separated from your children, separated from your loved ones

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in the uncertain knowledge of what might have happened to them.

4:35:014:35:05

I, like many parents,

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would have dropped my children off at events to meet at

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a designated spot and they come back safely, and I can only offer

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my love, my support, my condolence to each and every member

4:35:164:35:20

who has gone through a bereavement,

4:35:204:35:23

the injured in hospital, and tribute to the dedication of

4:35:234:35:27

the public services who responded so quickly and so professionally

4:35:274:35:31

to that atrocity, that act of evil that visited Manchester last night.

4:35:314:35:38

But I would like to put three points to you if I may, First Minister.

4:35:384:35:41

The First is what became evident today was

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the amount of people that did go from North Wales to Manchester,

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as on an everyday basis, attend events in Manchester.

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On the radio this morning, many parents, many youngsters

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who had attended that event.

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There will be a requirement for help and support.

4:35:564:35:59

I don't know the destination of some of the bereaved,

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or obviously the injured parties in the hospitals,

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where they have come from, but I'm sure some of those individuals

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will have come from North Wales, and I know it's early hours

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and early days yet,

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but what calibration, what work is the Welsh government doing

4:36:154:36:18

with the public services in North Wales to make sure

4:36:184:36:22

that help and support is there for the families in the education field,

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but also in the health field

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as well to make sure that no stone is left unturned when families

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look for that support and look for that help from those services

4:36:324:36:36

in North Wales, and if extra resources are required,

4:36:364:36:39

I'm sure you would confirm this,

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those extra resources will be made available to local authorities

4:36:414:36:44

and also to the health boards.

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Secondly, as the leader of Plaid Cymru quite clearly identified,

4:36:464:36:50

we do have a major sporting event,

4:36:504:36:52

in the Champions League happening here,

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the final in a little over ten days' time, but there are events

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across the whole of Wales that happen on a day-to-day,

4:36:584:37:01

week-by-week basis

4:37:014:37:03

and it forced all of us to play our part to work

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with the security services,

4:37:064:37:08

whether it be police or MI5 or any of the security services,

4:37:084:37:11

to make sure we can be the eyes and ears on the streets

4:37:114:37:15

and reporting what we see. But how can the Welsh government

4:37:154:37:19

distil down any information it has so that the public

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can have confidence that they can

4:37:224:37:24

attend these events in the full knowledge

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that every measure possible has been put in place to protect

4:37:264:37:29

the public and to allow democracy and our free society

4:37:294:37:33

to continue to function?

4:37:334:37:35

Because we must not be cowered by these acts of violence.

4:37:354:37:39

That is one thing that is quite critical and, thirdly,

4:37:394:37:42

what I'd like to just seek off the First Minister as we do

4:37:424:37:46

go forward is that any information that is available, and the

4:37:464:37:51

First Minister has indicated that he has received

4:37:514:37:53

a security briefing this morning,

4:37:534:37:55

and I presume that some of that information,

4:37:554:37:57

if not all of that information, might be confidential.

4:37:574:37:59

But, where information can be made available it is made available

4:37:594:38:02

in a timely manner to the public in Wales, to organisers

4:38:024:38:07

of events, so that again people can go about

4:38:074:38:11

their everyday lives and play the important role that we all

4:38:114:38:14

have to play in our great democracy of standing up against

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these acts of evil that visited Manchester last night.

4:38:184:38:22

We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Manchester

4:38:224:38:26

and whatever happens, we will not be beaten by such atrocities.

4:38:264:38:30

I thank the leader of the Welsh Conservatives for his comments.

4:38:314:38:34

It is difficult for us in this chamber,

4:38:344:38:36

and the vast majority of people across the world to conceive

4:38:364:38:39

of a philosophy that holds that murdering young people

4:38:394:38:45

advances the cause of humanity.

4:38:454:38:49

How can we understand those thought processes?

4:38:494:38:52

But we know there are some, unfortunately, who hold

4:38:524:38:54

those views and there is, of course, a duty in all authorities to provide

4:38:544:38:58

as much protection as possible to the public against these people.

4:38:584:39:02

After the events in Tunisia, we did set up a helpline that looked

4:39:024:39:06

to provide signposting to counselling for people.

4:39:064:39:10

We will look to do the same thing

4:39:104:39:12

again in the aftermath of this event.

4:39:124:39:14

We are not aware of anybody who has been injured or killed

4:39:144:39:18

who comes from Wales as yet, nothing to indicate that,

4:39:184:39:22

but of course we will monitor the situation very, very closely.

4:39:224:39:26

One thing I think we do need to be careful of is not to

4:39:264:39:29

put people off coming to events.

4:39:294:39:31

He is right when he says that the last thing we should do is to modify

4:39:314:39:36

our behaviour and our beliefs for that matter

4:39:364:39:39

in the face of terrorism.

4:39:394:39:41

That's exactly what they want.

4:39:414:39:42

They want us to become more intolerant

4:39:424:39:45

so that we share their intolerance.

4:39:454:39:47

They want us to alter the way in which we exercise our freedom

4:39:474:39:52

and go to events, they see that as a victory.

4:39:524:39:54

What I can say to people is, of course we will be taking

4:39:544:39:58

further advice with regards to the Champions League.

4:39:584:40:00

But a lot of work's already been done

4:40:004:40:02

regarding security around the Champions League

4:40:024:40:05

and that work has been in train for many, many months,

4:40:054:40:08

as members would expect, given that it is an event of significant size.

4:40:084:40:13

In terms of information,

4:40:134:40:15

he has identified the issues.

4:40:154:40:19

Firstly, some information is shared

4:40:194:40:21

on what is essentially Privy Council basis - it's confidential.

4:40:214:40:24

Members will understand that

4:40:244:40:25

there is information that needs to be kept confidential

4:40:254:40:29

so as not to interfere with any police investigation,

4:40:294:40:32

but of course, where information is no longer sensitive

4:40:324:40:35

and where that information needs to be shared with the public

4:40:354:40:39

then that will happen at the appropriate time.

4:40:394:40:42

TRANSLATION: Leader of the Ukip group Neil Hamilton.

4:40:444:40:46

Can I congratulate the First Minister

4:40:464:40:49

on speaking so finely for us all in this Assembly

4:40:494:40:52

in his statement at the start of today's proceedings,

4:40:524:40:55

and to add my condolences and the condolences of my party,

4:40:554:40:58

all my members here

4:40:584:41:01

and members of the party in the country,

4:41:014:41:03

to those who have lost their lives

4:41:034:41:06

and been maimed in the horrible outrage in Manchester.

4:41:064:41:12

Er, I agree with the First Minister

4:41:124:41:15

that it is impossible for us to understand the mind-set of those

4:41:154:41:19

who are prepared to indiscriminately slaughter children

4:41:194:41:22

in the way that happened last night.

4:41:224:41:24

Not the first time in the Arndale Centre, of course,

4:41:244:41:26

in Manchester, where an event of this kind has occurred.

4:41:264:41:30

I was a Member of Parliament just a few miles away from

4:41:304:41:33

the centre of Manchester back in the 1990s -

4:41:334:41:36

we had a similar kind of outrage from, in those days, the IRA.

4:41:364:41:41

But, er, I'm sure the First Minister will agree with me

4:41:414:41:44

that the best way that a democratic society

4:41:444:41:47

can fight against such tendencies

4:41:474:41:49

is to carry on as normal so far as we can,

4:41:494:41:53

and for a democratic assembly like the National Assembly for Wales,,

4:41:534:41:57

whilst it is right that we should suspend

4:41:574:41:59

the party-political dogfight for today,

4:41:594:42:02

we're in the middle of an election campaign nationally as well

4:42:024:42:04

and the best act of defiance for us

4:42:044:42:07

is to continue to do what democratic societies do

4:42:074:42:10

and which totalitarian societies do not,

4:42:104:42:12

and that is to solve our differences by means of debate

4:42:124:42:15

rather than by the bomb and the bullet.

4:42:154:42:18

And so I have no further questions for the First Minister today,

4:42:184:42:22

but I'd like to express my solidarity with everyone else

4:42:224:42:26

who has spoken on what was going to be a sombre day for us in any event

4:42:264:42:29

because of tributes to Rhodri, but which has been

4:42:294:42:32

made immeasurably worse by the events of last night.

4:42:324:42:35

Can I thank the leader of Ukip for his comments?

4:42:354:42:37

One of the main purposes of acts such as this

4:42:404:42:44

is to make us more angry and more intolerant

4:42:444:42:49

in order to provoke an even greater reaction.

4:42:494:42:53

We do not need to do that. We are bigger than they are.

4:42:534:42:56

Today, the mood of the chamber is sombre, that's true,

4:42:584:43:02

and with good reason.

4:43:024:43:04

In the next few days, we'll get back to debate,

4:43:044:43:07

we'll get back to robust electioneering -

4:43:074:43:10

that's the nature of what we do.

4:43:104:43:12

But that is the essence of our democracy.

4:43:124:43:15

Robust debate and exchange of ideas

4:43:154:43:18

is what gives us the ability to see ourselves as a free society,

4:43:184:43:25

and the actions of last night were designed to close down

4:43:254:43:29

that which makes us a free society.

4:43:294:43:32

It is absolutely right to say that we should carry on.

4:43:334:43:37

Of course we have to be cautious when it comes to security,

4:43:374:43:42

and for people who visit not just Wales, but any other country,

4:43:424:43:46

they need to be assured that their security is paramount to us,

4:43:464:43:50

and I can say that is absolutely true as far as the Welsh government

4:43:504:43:54

and indeed the UK government is concerned.

4:43:544:43:56

But...

4:43:574:43:59

I have children in the age range

4:43:594:44:02

of the majority of those who'd have been at that concert last night.

4:44:024:44:05

What exactly did they do to deserve to be injured or killed?

4:44:054:44:11

We can't answer that question.

4:44:114:44:13

The answer to that question

4:44:134:44:16

lies in a tormented, intolerant and dangerous mind,

4:44:164:44:21

and that was the mind, I believe,

4:44:214:44:24

of the perpetrator who carried out the attack last night.

4:44:244:44:28

But as I said, we can get above that.

4:44:284:44:33

The strongest message that we can send

4:44:334:44:36

to those who wish to terrorise our society

4:44:364:44:39

is that they cannot win.

4:44:394:44:41

And they cannot win because we will carry on enjoying our freedoms,

4:44:414:44:45

we will carry on enjoying

4:44:454:44:47

what we have built over many decades and centuries,

4:44:474:44:51

and we will never give way to their intolerance and their violence.

4:44:514:44:56

Cwestiwn tri, Steffan Lewis.

4:44:574:44:59

Question three, Steffan Lewis.

4:44:594:45:01

INAUDIBLE

4:45:014:45:03

..rail network in the last financial year.

4:45:034:45:06

Every year the Welsh government provides £180 million

4:45:064:45:08

in franchise subsidy payments

4:45:084:45:10

and funding for additional services and rolling stock.

4:45:104:45:14

I thank the First Minister for his answer

4:45:144:45:16

and I declare an interest

4:45:164:45:17

that my sister's an employee of Network Rail.

4:45:174:45:19

I wonder if the First Minister can provide updated figures

4:45:194:45:22

on the amount of profit made by the current operator of that franchise.

4:45:224:45:26

I have figures for 2012

4:45:264:45:27

that show that that company made a profit of £13.6 million,

4:45:274:45:31

and of course as a company

4:45:314:45:32

that is entirely owned by the German government,

4:45:324:45:35

and bidding is under way for the next franchise,

4:45:354:45:38

I wonder if the First Minister can tell us

4:45:384:45:40

whether he remains committed to returning the rail network

4:45:404:45:43

to public ownership,

4:45:434:45:45

and if so, does he believe that an opportunity has been missed

4:45:454:45:48

in not using the "operator of last resort" provision

4:45:484:45:51

in order to bring it back into Welsh public ownership

4:45:514:45:53

as quickly as possible?

4:45:534:45:55

I do remain committed to that.

4:45:554:45:57

Unfortunately, of course, due to the provision in the Wales Act,

4:45:574:46:00

it's not an option open to us.

4:46:004:46:01

We have not been permitted to look at an arm's-length public body

4:46:014:46:05

being used to run the franchise.

4:46:054:46:07

Unlike in Scotland, you will know

4:46:074:46:09

that this is an issue where we share the same view

4:46:094:46:11

and something where we are in dispute with the UK government over.

4:46:114:46:15

As part of the franchising process next year

4:46:154:46:18

we expect to see the best value for money

4:46:184:46:20

delivered for Welsh customers,

4:46:204:46:22

and of course significant investment in rolling stock.

4:46:224:46:25

There are many people who use the Valleys lines

4:46:254:46:27

who are on rolling stock many, many decades old.

4:46:274:46:29

They deserve better than that, and we want to see that delivered

4:46:294:46:32

over the course of the next franchise period.

4:46:324:46:34

Jenny Rathbone.

4:46:344:46:36

Diolch, Llywydd.

4:46:364:46:38

Er...it is a strange irony, is it not,

4:46:384:46:41

that Arriva Trains receives one of the highest subsidies

4:46:414:46:46

of any public train provider

4:46:464:46:48

and yet has just declared record profits.

4:46:484:46:51

I'm sure you, like me, would like to see a government

4:46:514:46:55

with a more rational approach

4:46:554:46:57

to the way we run our railways after June 8th,

4:46:574:47:00

but for now we have a UK government

4:47:004:47:02

that is unfortunately committed to insisting that the £125 million

4:47:024:47:06

that has been set aside to improve our rail services

4:47:064:47:11

must be spent on electrifying the Valleys lines

4:47:114:47:15

when all the experts are clear that light rail

4:47:154:47:18

is both more cost-effective

4:47:184:47:19

and will improve the journey times

4:47:194:47:21

in a way that electrification will not.

4:47:214:47:24

What do you think your government can do

4:47:244:47:27

to ensure that there is a much more rational approach

4:47:274:47:30

to the way we invest public money

4:47:304:47:32

to ensure that we get the gains that are needed

4:47:324:47:35

in the Metro system that we hope to deliver across south-east Wales?

4:47:354:47:40

Well, we have a curious system where a public subsidy of £180 million

4:47:404:47:46

is provided to a private company

4:47:464:47:48

who then make a profit of £40 million on top.

4:47:484:47:50

I mean, it's very difficult to justify that sort of level.

4:47:504:47:53

We weren't in charge of the franchise

4:47:534:47:55

when it was awarded last time around,

4:47:554:47:57

but it's very difficult to justify that to the public.

4:47:574:48:00

Of course, light rail is electrified.

4:48:004:48:02

There are different ways of doing it -

4:48:024:48:04

you don't have to have overhead cabling,

4:48:044:48:06

there are other means of doing that - but for me,

4:48:064:48:08

the core principle of the Metro

4:48:084:48:11

is that it should be extendable.

4:48:114:48:13

Yes, of course we have the core network in place at the moment,

4:48:134:48:16

but in time, the plan is to look at new routes

4:48:164:48:19

that are not currently served by heavy rail.

4:48:194:48:22

If we are serious about developing

4:48:224:48:25

the region around Cardiff and beyond,

4:48:254:48:28

then we have to make sure that people can travel

4:48:284:48:31

without having to get in their cars, thus causing greater congestion.

4:48:314:48:35

So that extendability, and also the mix of provision

4:48:354:48:38

that will be part, no doubt, of the Metro,

4:48:384:48:41

will provide that flexibility for the future as well.

4:48:414:48:44

Nick Ramsay.

4:48:444:48:46

First Minister, 60 years ago I would have been able to travel

4:48:464:48:49

from my village of Raglan in Monmouthshire

4:48:494:48:52

by rail to Cardiff.

4:48:524:48:54

That can't be done now because obviously we lost a lot of

4:48:544:48:57

the branch line rail network back in the '50s and '60s.

4:48:574:49:01

You've mentioned the need to make sure that the Metro is expandable

4:49:014:49:05

and that it reaches areas of South Wales

4:49:054:49:08

and the South Wales city region that it hasn't to date,

4:49:084:49:11

and wouldn't be able to at the moment.

4:49:114:49:14

Have you looked any more at the issue of a potential Metro hub

4:49:144:49:18

at the Celtic Manor, or in that area?

4:49:184:49:21

I have raised this in the past

4:49:214:49:22

with the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure.

4:49:224:49:24

I think if you looked at developing a hub at that point,

4:49:244:49:27

you could then have a very good core to build out from

4:49:274:49:30

into the rural areas around Newport and up in my neck of the woods

4:49:304:49:34

to make sure that everyone can benefit from the Metro.

4:49:344:49:36

Yes, I'm tempted to pull his leg and say, "Well, a Tory government

4:49:364:49:39

"closed down the railway line," but I'm not sure whether it was or not.

4:49:394:49:42

-But it was a long time ago.

-Not that one!

4:49:424:49:44

-What we do know...

-I think we share that.

-..is in the early '60s,

4:49:444:49:47

late '50s, early '60s, many lines were closed

4:49:474:49:50

by governments of either persuasion.

4:49:504:49:54

We also saw, of course, the closure of the Carmarthen/ Aberystwyth line

4:49:544:49:59

to passengers in '64 and to milk in 1973,

4:49:594:50:03

with the track being taken up very soon after.

4:50:034:50:05

A great tragedy, and something we could have...

4:50:054:50:08

profited from, in terms of being able to run a service

4:50:084:50:11

on that line at least as far as Strata Florida, er, now.

4:50:114:50:17

But, yes, I take his point. It is usually important

4:50:174:50:19

that areas of Wales that are not being served by any form of railway

4:50:194:50:24

should be served by...in the future, by a form of transport

4:50:244:50:31

that may include probably light rail rather than heavy rail.

4:50:314:50:34

We know of course in his constituency

4:50:344:50:36

that much of the former rail track going up to Monmouth

4:50:364:50:38

has been built over by the dual carriageway,

4:50:384:50:40

and the Celtic Manor is an important part of our plans

4:50:404:50:45

for the Metro. As I said, at the core of the Metro,

4:50:454:50:49

of thinking for the Metro,

4:50:494:50:50

is that the system should be flexible and extendable,

4:50:504:50:53

and that means looking at parts of Wales

4:50:534:50:55

that have not had a rail service for many, many years,

4:50:554:50:58

as much of his constituency has not had.

4:50:584:51:00

Cwestiwn pedwar, John Griffiths.

4:51:004:51:01

Question four, John Griffiths.

4:51:014:51:03

Er, excuse me, I'm temporarily embarrassed, I'm afraid.

4:51:084:51:11

I'll have to get that question up.

4:51:114:51:13

Yes. Er, will the First Minister provide an update on progress

4:51:154:51:18

with integrated transport in south-east Wales? Diolch yn fawr.

4:51:184:51:21

-Yes, transport...

-I think you should thank Huw Irranca-Davies for that.

4:51:214:51:25

LAUGHTER

4:51:254:51:26

The National Transport Finance Plan is a live document

4:51:264:51:29

and it contains an ambitious programme of interventions

4:51:294:51:32

that are in varying stages of development.

4:51:324:51:34

We will update the plan periodically to reflect developments over time

4:51:344:51:37

and of course the changing profile of need across Wales.

4:51:374:51:40

Would you agree with me, First Minister,

4:51:404:51:43

that active travel must be an important part of

4:51:434:51:46

integrated transport in south-east Wales?

4:51:464:51:49

And now that local authorities are working out their integrated plans

4:51:494:51:52

for the future, the Welsh government

4:51:524:51:54

must continue to take a keen interest in those plans,

4:51:544:51:57

and make sure they fit with that wider integrated transport agenda?

4:51:574:52:01

Absolutely so.

4:52:014:52:02

The change that is happening - it's not yet happened

4:52:024:52:06

across every local authority -

4:52:064:52:07

the change that is happening at the moment

4:52:074:52:09

is that cycling and walking are seen as modes of transport

4:52:094:52:12

rather than means of recreation alone.

4:52:124:52:16

And we know that many of our cities are well-placed to deliver

4:52:164:52:20

cycle paths and cycle routes,

4:52:204:52:22

we know that the issue for many people who might cycle

4:52:224:52:26

is they don't want to be on the road with cars.

4:52:264:52:28

For the brave, yes, they do, I know that, and quite rightly so,

4:52:284:52:33

because they have every right to be on the road.

4:52:334:52:35

But the more we can develop cycle routes

4:52:354:52:38

that are physically separated from cars,

4:52:384:52:40

the more people we will attract, I believe, onto those routes

4:52:404:52:43

because they don't feel they have to compete with cars and lorries

4:52:434:52:46

on the road, and that's very much part, of course,

4:52:464:52:48

as he will know, of the Active Travel Act.

4:52:484:52:50

Mark Reckless.

4:52:504:52:52

Following the very welcome abolition of the southern tolls

4:52:544:52:57

and we hope the construction of an M4 relief road,

4:52:574:53:00

does the First Minister agree with me

4:53:004:53:03

that the importance of rail as an alternative

4:53:034:53:05

to integrate with the road system only increases,

4:53:054:53:08

and does he welcome the decision of his Cabinet Secretary

4:53:084:53:12

that the Magor-Undy proposal for a new train station

4:53:124:53:15

should be taken forward as well as Llanwern and St Mellons

4:53:154:53:20

that are identified within the first 12,

4:53:204:53:23

as putting three new rail stations

4:53:234:53:25

on that route between Cardiff and the Severn

4:53:254:53:29

would transform the nature of the service.

4:53:294:53:31

I'm not sure the toll's actually been abolished yet,

4:53:314:53:34

but certainly that's something that we would welcome.

4:53:344:53:36

I always welcome statements made by my cabinet ministers,

4:53:364:53:40

and it's right to say that...

4:53:404:53:43

in different stages, we are looking at reopening lines

4:53:434:53:47

to the east of Cardiff and Newport area

4:53:474:53:49

that's not being well served by the rail network.

4:53:494:53:52

We know for example that the eastern part of the city of Cardiff

4:53:524:53:54

has been historically very poorly served.

4:53:544:53:57

There is a need to improve public transport links

4:53:574:53:59

to the eastern part of the city,

4:53:594:54:01

and the same applies, of course,

4:54:014:54:03

to settlements between Newport and the Severn Bridge.

4:54:034:54:07

We can't simply build roads.

4:54:074:54:09

We must make sure that as roads are improved and built,

4:54:094:54:13

that we also provide better public transport connections as well.

4:54:134:54:16

Gareth Bennett.

4:54:184:54:20

Diolch, Llywydd.

4:54:204:54:21

One of the harder things to achieve with public transport

4:54:214:54:25

is the travelcard that enables passengers to travel

4:54:254:54:28

on different types of transport.

4:54:284:54:30

Now, I know that your government is going to be involved with

4:54:304:54:34

negotiating the new rail franchises.

4:54:344:54:37

How much of a priority will be providing that kind of travelcard

4:54:374:54:42

form in your talks with the rail companies?

4:54:424:54:45

Well, there are two issues.

4:54:454:54:46

Firstly, it's trickier dealing with travelcard negotiations

4:54:464:54:50

at railway stations because there's more than one operator.

4:54:504:54:53

In terms of the Metro, it's essential that there is

4:54:534:54:56

an integrated Oyster-style travelcard available,

4:54:564:54:59

although even in London now, of course,

4:54:594:55:01

it's possible to travel simply by using a contactless debit card.

4:55:014:55:04

So actually, Oyster cards are now even less essential

4:55:044:55:09

than once they were for some people. Of course, they're important to

4:55:094:55:12

those who don't have access to contactless cards,

4:55:124:55:14

yes, they need them to travel,

4:55:144:55:16

but it is absolutely crucial

4:55:164:55:18

that the network of the south-east Wales Metro

4:55:184:55:21

has one card that covers all journeys within the Metro area,

4:55:214:55:24

otherwise, of course, it's not an integrated system.

4:55:244:55:27

Michelle Brown...

4:55:294:55:30

TRANSLATION: Michelle Brown is not in the chamber to ask question five.

4:55:304:55:34

Question six, Hannah Blythyn.

4:55:344:55:36

Can the First Minister provide an update on how the Year of Legends

4:55:364:55:38

will benefit north-east Wales?

4:55:384:55:40

Yes. Our tourism strategy sets out our priorities

4:55:404:55:42

in supporting the tourism industry,

4:55:424:55:44

including capital development funding,

4:55:444:55:46

along with marketing and promotional opportunities.

4:55:464:55:49

We know that, er, the Year of Legends provides an opportunity

4:55:494:55:52

for us to build on that foundation.

4:55:524:55:55

Thank you, First Minister. As part of the Year of Legends

4:55:554:55:58

we are awaiting with great anticipation the winning design

4:55:584:56:01

for a new Welsh government-supported installation at Flint Castle.

4:56:014:56:04

I'm sure everybody in the community is looking forward to

4:56:044:56:07

this latest legend descending on the shores of the castle.

4:56:074:56:09

But there was another local legend of old

4:56:094:56:11

that the constituency, in particular the community of Mold,

4:56:114:56:14

are rightly proud of.

4:56:144:56:16

The Mold Gold Cape was found in 1833

4:56:164:56:18

by workmen quarrying for stone in a burial mound

4:56:184:56:21

and is currently part of the British Museum collection in London.

4:56:214:56:25

It previously left the British Museum

4:56:254:56:27

to be temporarily exhibited in Wrexham,

4:56:274:56:29

but it has never actually made it back to Mold

4:56:294:56:31

to be temporarily exhibited in the town

4:56:314:56:34

where it was found.

4:56:344:56:35

As we commemorate and celebrate the Year of Legends,

4:56:354:56:38

do you share with many of my constituents

4:56:384:56:41

that it would be great to see the gold cape returned

4:56:414:56:43

to be exhibited in the town where it was discovered?

4:56:434:56:46

Yes. The gold cape is famous.

4:56:464:56:48

I'm sure the people of Mold

4:56:484:56:50

would like to see the actual gold cape there,

4:56:504:56:53

rather than it being commemorated in the name of a pub.

4:56:534:56:55

LAUGHTER

4:56:554:56:57

It was in Wrexham.

4:56:574:56:59

The difficulty at the moment, of course,

4:56:594:57:01

is that there's nowhere in Mold for the cape to be exhibited.

4:57:014:57:04

And that is what needs to be resolved first.

4:57:044:57:06

In order for that to happen...

4:57:064:57:09

The local authority in Flintshire could look at taking leads

4:57:094:57:13

talking with us, as the Welsh Government,

4:57:134:57:15

to see what could be done

4:57:154:57:16

in order to provide a facility with the right atmosphere,

4:57:164:57:19

and in terms of the right security,

4:57:194:57:21

in order to provide a home for the gold cape,

4:57:214:57:24

even if temporary, in the years to come.

4:57:244:57:27

We're more than happy, of course, to work with the local authority

4:57:274:57:30

and with local people to see how we can move this forward

4:57:304:57:32

to bring the cape home, and for the people of Mold

4:57:324:57:36

to be able to see the cape in its hometown.

4:57:364:57:39

Janet Finch-Saunders.

4:57:394:57:41

And a good question from the Member there

4:57:414:57:44

for us in North Wales.

4:57:444:57:45

First Minister, Visit Britain has launched

4:57:454:57:47

Where Stories Become Legends,

4:57:474:57:49

an international film tourism campaign

4:57:494:57:52

with Warner Bros to coincide with the release

4:57:524:57:54

of the King Arthur film,

4:57:544:57:56

parts of which were filmed in Snowdonia.

4:57:564:57:58

How is Visit Wales using the Year of Legends campaign

4:57:584:58:02

to collaborate on this,

4:58:024:58:03

and what future plans do you have to promote the region of North Wales,

4:58:034:58:07

home to some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes

4:58:074:58:10

in the world, that are available to the film industry

4:58:104:58:14

and its fans?

4:58:144:58:15

Well, King Arthur was a film, if I remember rightly,

4:58:154:58:18

we supported as a government.

4:58:184:58:20

A film that we took a stake in.

4:58:204:58:23

It's a film that, yes, it's been located in Wales

4:58:234:58:27

and also a film that, of course, has benefitted from, I believe,

4:58:274:58:30

post-production in Wales as well.

4:58:304:58:32

The Member has asked what we have done particularly for

4:58:324:58:35

the north of Wales.

4:58:354:58:37

I can say that just over £0.5 million has been made available

4:58:374:58:39

in this financial year for projects in the north.

4:58:394:58:41

So five projects via the Regional Tourism Engagement Fund,

4:58:414:58:44

totalling £0.25 million,

4:58:444:58:46

and a further £265,000 via the Tourism Product Innovation Fund

4:58:464:58:51

to support six projects across the north as well.

4:58:514:58:53

I can say, since April 2013,

4:58:534:58:55

the Tourism Investment Support Scheme

4:58:554:58:57

has made offers of funding to 48 businesses in the north,

4:58:574:59:01

totally nearly £8 million.

4:59:014:59:04

That's brought in additional investment of £12.5 million,

4:59:044:59:08

and assisted 551 jobs,

4:59:084:59:11

in terms of them being secured,

4:59:114:59:13

with another 433 jobs being created.

4:59:134:59:16

Llyr Gruffydd.

4:59:164:59:17

-TRANSLATION:

-Thank you. Whilst it's quite appropriate that we attract

4:59:174:59:23

people to celebrate and become aware of our legends and our story

4:59:234:59:28

in north-east Wales, to refer back to the question,

4:59:284:59:32

there is a significant market also

4:59:324:59:36

in the north-east of Wales,

4:59:364:59:38

and very often the local people don't appreciate

4:59:384:59:41

the history and the assets that we have in those areas.

4:59:414:59:44

May I ask, while this project encourages the whole of Wales,

4:59:444:59:51

shouldn't we do far more to work at a local level?

4:59:514:59:55

That worked with the National Trust,

4:59:554:59:57

in my days, the number of visitors increased significantly

4:59:575:00:00

and the number of people who were volunteering and taking

5:00:005:00:02

ownership of those assets which

5:00:025:00:04

strengthened the wider offer within north-east Wales.

5:00:045:00:07

-TRANSLATION:

-Well, it's true to say

5:00:075:00:09

that we never appreciate what's on our doorstep.

5:00:095:00:12

As regards the projects I've already alluded to,

5:00:125:00:15

many of those projects are working in order

5:00:155:00:18

to raise awareness of local history

5:00:185:00:23

by local residents, and a lot of work, of course, is being done by

5:00:235:00:28

voluntary organisations also, but, of course, it is vital that we

5:00:285:00:35

ensure that people know what's available

5:00:355:00:38

and have an interest in their own history,

5:00:385:00:40

so that they can act as ambassadors for their own areas and regions

5:00:405:00:45

and ensure that more people come and stay and spend money.

5:00:455:00:49

-TRANSLATION:

-Question seven, Russell George.

5:00:495:00:52

Will the First Minister make a statement

5:00:525:00:53

on access to GP legal services in Montgomeryshire?

5:00:535:00:56

We continue to work with the health board and other partners

5:00:565:00:58

in Wales to take a range of actions

5:00:585:01:00

to improve access to health care services

5:01:005:01:02

that are safe and sustainable and as close to people's homes as possible.

5:01:025:01:06

Thank you, First Minister. I've been contacted

5:01:065:01:08

by a parent who has been trying to arrange

5:01:085:01:12

for a simple medical examination

5:01:125:01:14

for her daughter at her local surgery in Newtown.

5:01:145:01:19

And this is a requirement in advance of her going abroad to study.

5:01:195:01:23

Now, the surgery has made the decision not to undertake any

5:01:235:01:27

further medicals of this nature due to the GP shortage.

5:01:275:01:32

Now, no other practices in the area are able to also offer this...

5:01:325:01:38

..appointment. The parent has even offered to pay.

5:01:415:01:44

My office has been in contact with

5:01:445:01:46

the local health board, who are also not able to offer any support.

5:01:465:01:50

So, as it stands, from my understanding, the only option

5:01:505:01:53

available now for this young lady to get the medical

5:01:535:01:57

that she needs to go and study abroad

5:01:575:02:00

is to pay for it privately and she would need to go...

5:02:005:02:03

The nearest area to do this would be somewhere in England.

5:02:035:02:07

So, one, I'd be grateful if you

5:02:075:02:09

could offer any advice to my constituent

5:02:095:02:11

and, two, if you could offer any update

5:02:115:02:14

on the shortage of GPs that we see, particularly in mid Wales

5:02:145:02:18

that is becoming, I'm sure you would agree,

5:02:185:02:21

also, more of a crisis that we have to deal with.

5:02:215:02:24

I don't understand the view taken by the GP practice.

5:02:245:02:28

What I don't know, of course...

5:02:285:02:30

I would invite to write to me, as well, of course, with more details.

5:02:305:02:34

But GPs don't provide every service for free.

5:02:345:02:36

Some services have always been paid for.

5:02:365:02:39

GPs are paid sometimes through the NHS.

5:02:395:02:41

For example, if they carry out blood tests.

5:02:415:02:44

Sometimes, of course, they charge the individual directly -

5:02:445:02:47

signing for things quite often.

5:02:475:02:50

So, I don't know whether this is a service that would routinely

5:02:505:02:53

be provided on the NHS or not, but he has raised the issue with me.

5:02:535:02:57

If he provides me with the details, I will of course respond.

5:02:575:03:00

-TRANSLATION:

-Question eight, Angela Burns.

5:03:005:03:03

Good afternoon, First Minister.

5:03:035:03:05

What is the Welsh government doing to promote

5:03:055:03:07

staff wellbeing within the Welsh public sector?

5:03:075:03:10

We do work closely with public sector employers

5:03:105:03:12

and trade unions to promote staff wellbeing

5:03:125:03:15

as an essential part of the delivery of good Welsh public services.

5:03:155:03:18

You will be aware that almost 8,000 staff members of the NHS in Wales

5:03:185:03:24

were affected by anxiety, stress, depression and a number of other

5:03:245:03:29

psychiatric illnesses in the year 2015/16,

5:03:295:03:32

and the trend appears to be the same going forward.

5:03:325:03:35

Aneurin Bevan health board created and filled

5:03:355:03:37

the post of Head of Employee Wellbeing,

5:03:375:03:40

and Adrian Neal and his colleagues are making great strides

5:03:405:03:43

forward in reducing staff absence and improving employee morale.

5:03:435:03:47

But, First Minister, this wellbeing position

5:03:475:03:50

is not filled in all the Welsh health boards.

5:03:505:03:53

Some created the post and then

5:03:535:03:55

decided to remove it for budgetary reasons.

5:03:555:03:58

Others have got the post, but they are vacant -

5:03:585:04:01

again, for budgetary reasons.

5:04:015:04:03

Given the scale of the challenge that we face

5:04:035:04:05

and how difficult it is to recruit people into the Welsh NHS,

5:04:055:04:09

I wondered if you might be able to

5:04:095:04:10

outline what plans you could have to rectify this issue.

5:04:105:04:13

Well, a health and wellbeing programme board

5:04:135:04:15

has been established, which oversees the programme

5:04:155:04:17

and the collaborative agenda of NHS Wales in respect of

5:04:175:04:21

improving staff health and wellbeing

5:04:215:04:23

and reducing levels of sickness and absence.

5:04:235:04:26

All NHS organisations have achieved

5:04:265:04:28

or are working towards the corporate health standard.

5:04:285:04:31

So we would expect all NHS boards to achieve that standard

5:04:315:04:35

and provide the right level of support to staff,

5:04:355:04:38

particularly with regards to their own mental health.

5:04:385:04:40

Question nine, Nathan Craig.

5:04:405:04:43

Thank you. First Minister,

5:04:435:04:45

would you make a statement please on the North Wales growth deal?

5:04:455:04:48

Yes, we'll continue to press the case for

5:04:485:04:50

a North Wales growth bid with the UK government,

5:04:505:04:53

the reference by the Chancellor to the North Wales growth bid

5:04:535:04:56

in his recent budget, which seems some time ago now,

5:04:565:04:58

is a positive step forward and we trust

5:04:585:05:01

the UK government will maintain that commitment.

5:05:015:05:04

Thank you, First Minister.

5:05:045:05:06

A key part of the North Wales growth deal is Wylfa Newydd,

5:05:065:05:09

the nuclear power plant which will be built on Anglesey,

5:05:095:05:14

which will create many well-paid jobs, highly skilled,

5:05:145:05:18

not just on Anglesey but throughout the whole of North Wales.

5:05:185:05:21

Now, having read through the Labour Party manifesto,

5:05:215:05:24

there is clear support for our nuclear energy sector.

5:05:245:05:29

But just days before the general election was called,

5:05:295:05:33

the Labour Shadow Chancellor vowed to end nuclear power as part

5:05:335:05:38

of a Labour government's first 100 days in office.

5:05:385:05:43

Now it is well known, of course,

5:05:435:05:44

about the fact that Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of

5:05:445:05:47

the Labour Party, has for many years opposed nuclear power.

5:05:475:05:52

Could you take this opportunity to not only clarify yourself

5:05:535:05:58

and your government's opinion and goals for nuclear power, but also

5:05:585:06:04

the Labour Party's aspirations for the nuclear industry?

5:06:045:06:09

We are 100% committed to Wylfa Newydd.

5:06:095:06:11

We have already been working with with Wylfa itself

5:06:115:06:16

and the skill suppliers to make sure that there will be as many

5:06:165:06:18

local people as possible will have the skills required there.

5:06:185:06:22

It will provide many temporary construction jobs,

5:06:235:06:26

and importantly, around 600 jobs in the community.

5:06:265:06:29

There is no wavering in our support for the project.

5:06:315:06:33

Darren Millar.

5:06:335:06:35

Firstly, can I thank you, First Minister, for the remarks

5:06:365:06:39

you made this afternoon in relation to the attack in Manchester?

5:06:395:06:44

I'm sure they will be words of comfort at this

5:06:445:06:46

very difficult time for many families.

5:06:465:06:48

As a Mancunian myself, I'm very familiar with that part of

5:06:485:06:53

the world, and I know that many of my constituents,

5:06:535:06:55

some of my constituents, were present at the event,

5:06:555:06:58

because they have been in touch with me.

5:06:585:07:00

There's no doubt that events like this have an impact,

5:07:005:07:04

not just on the night for those who have been

5:07:045:07:07

injured or lost their lives, but indeed,

5:07:075:07:11

for many years to come, including the psychological impact

5:07:115:07:15

potentially, for those who were present.

5:07:155:07:17

Many of them, as you have already indicated, were teenagers.

5:07:175:07:22

Now, as a father, I know of teenagers,

5:07:225:07:26

I know how important it is that young people receive support

5:07:265:07:31

in a timely manner when they need it. And I was very pleased to hear

5:07:315:07:35

that the you are considering the establishment of a helpline for

5:07:355:07:40

any individuals from Wales who may need access

5:07:405:07:43

to support in the future.

5:07:435:07:44

Can I just ask you to confirm that there will be that

5:07:445:07:48

psychological support also, not just in terms of

5:07:485:07:51

the physical support which might be available,

5:07:515:07:53

but the psychological support

5:07:535:07:55

should it be needed by any of those young people,

5:07:555:07:57

or indeed any of the adults that were attending last night as well?

5:07:575:08:01

That's the intention. The intention is that people can be signposted

5:08:015:08:04

to organisations that can provide that support in the longer term.

5:08:045:08:10

It tends to be the case with PTSD, for example,

5:08:105:08:12

that people don't see it at the beginning -

5:08:125:08:15

it develops over time as people begin to understand the consequences

5:08:155:08:19

of what might have happened, or understand the consequences

5:08:195:08:23

of what they've seen.

5:08:235:08:24

So it is hugely important to make sure that

5:08:245:08:26

that support is available, not just for a week or two

5:08:265:08:29

but over the course of time that the individual needs it

5:08:295:08:31

in order to come to terms with what they've witnessed

5:08:315:08:34

or they've experienced.

5:08:345:08:35

Llyr Gruffydd.

5:08:355:08:37

-TRANSLATION:

-Thank you. We know that significant sums

5:08:375:08:43

will be invested in light of this growth bid

5:08:435:08:46

in North Wales, but the local authorities have come together

5:08:465:08:49

to create a joint committee which will oversee that process.

5:08:495:08:53

But may I ask how you as a government

5:08:535:08:55

will ensure that these investments do reflect your strategic priorities

5:08:555:08:59

in North Wales and aren't led to run in parallel

5:08:595:09:03

so that everything works together

5:09:035:09:05

as one effort for economic regeneration in North Wales?

5:09:055:09:08

Because I'm not really sure where the government voice is heard

5:09:085:09:12

within the context of this new joint committee or other sectors

5:09:125:09:16

such as the business sector, HE and FE in the region,

5:09:165:09:20

which were a prominent part of the economic ambition board,

5:09:205:09:25

but will now have a non-voting role in these new structures.

5:09:255:09:29

-TRANSLATION:

-Well, as regards the bid itself of the city deal

5:09:325:09:37

that's taking place now, it's the local authorities

5:09:375:09:39

that are in the lead, and not Welsh government.

5:09:395:09:42

We are part of the process, but they ensure

5:09:425:09:44

that the governance structure

5:09:445:09:46

is in place and that they consider regional projects,

5:09:465:09:50

not just projects that benefit only one county.

5:09:505:09:55

And so we, of course, want to ensure that the structures are in place,

5:09:555:09:58

and we're confident that that is the case.

5:09:585:10:01

We've seen the local governments working together,

5:10:015:10:04

whoever may run those local authorities,

5:10:045:10:07

and we are confident that the funding will be used

5:10:075:10:10

in the way in which we would wish to see.

5:10:105:10:12

And we of course will collaborate with local authorities

5:10:125:10:16

to ensure that our priorities as a government are secured

5:10:165:10:20

and there isn't very much difference

5:10:205:10:21

between our priorities and the counties' priorities

5:10:215:10:24

to ensure that they are of mutual benefit.

5:10:245:10:28

Thank you, First Minister.

5:10:285:10:31

There we are. That was First Minister's questions.

5:10:315:10:33

If you want more coverage of the National Assembly,

5:10:335:10:36

go online to BBC Wales' newspage...

5:10:365:10:38

That's it from us on the programme. Thanks for watching.

5:10:415:10:44

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