Written Assembly Questions tabled on 26 September 2017 for answer on 3 October 2017
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W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self-identifying question no. shown in brackets)
Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ74145, will the Cabinet Secretary confirm whether the subsidy includes funding to fulfil the Welsh Government's new pilot of free weekend fares and if not, how much has the T9 contributed to the cost of that scheme? (WAQ74263)
Answer recieved on 4 October 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): The subsidy of £264,726 does not include funding for the TrawsCymru free weekend travel initiative. To date £13,257.50 has been paid to the operator as reimbursement for the loss of fare income of the T9 during weekends covered by the free travel initiative.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Nathan Gill (North Wales): Further to OAQ51042, will the Cabinet Secretary provide details as to what actual discussions have taken place with the devolved administrations and the UK Government on developing a team-UK approach for agriculture post-Brexit? (WAQ74265)
Answer recieved on 4 October 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): I last met with my Ministerial counterparts from across the UK on 25 September. I expect these meetings to continue on a regular basis to ensure progress is made on key issues and the views of the Devolved Administrations are considered.
My officials continue to actively engage with Defra and the Devolved Administrations across a number of different work streams including legislation, trade, animal health and welfare and food and farming to ensure Welsh agriculture is considered in all aspects of the negotiations to transition from the EU. The Welsh Government position is in all cases, frameworks should be mutually agreed between the 4 administrations with appropriate supporting governance arrangements. These arrangements should not constrain legislative competence and in areas where there is no currently EU framework then there is no reason for a new UK framework.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Has the Welsh Government made an assessment of the cost of buying out of existing public private partnership contracts? (WAQ74262)
Answer received on 3 October 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): All authorities in Wales responsible for PFI contracts should keep those contracts under review, including considering the case for buying out contracts where that is affordable and would maximise value for money over the remaining life of the contract.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide a breakdown of the costs incurred by the Welsh Government for the administration of Business Rates Wales in 2016-17, the Non-Domestic Rates Pool in 2016-17, and the local government settlement for 2017-18? (WAQ74264)
Answer received on 2 October 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Government administrative functions relating to non-domestic rates, the non-domestic rates pool and the local government settlement form part of the core work of the team responsible for local government finance matters alongside a range of other functions. Costs for these functions are not identified separately within departmental running cost budgets.