Written Assembly Questions tabled on 27 June 2016 for answer on 4 July 2016
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
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 First Minister
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister outline the "nine education priorities" to which he has committed, in his talks with the Cabinet Secretary for Education? (WAQ70565)
Answer received on 30 June 2016
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): I have set out the details of the agreement reached with Kirsty Williams upon her joining the government as Cabinet Secretary for Education in a letter dated 15 June 2016. A copy of the letter is available from the following link:
http://gov.wales/docs/newsroom/2016/160623-letter-to-kw.pdf
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many Welsh business leaders did the First Minister meet with between 20 February 2016 and 23 June 2016, specifying who the First Minister met with and which businesses they represent? (WAQ70566)
Answer received on 5 July 2016
Carwyn Jones: I have met or visited the following businesses between 20 February 2016 and 23 June 2016 – General Dynamics; Dow Corning; Peter’s Food; Dell; Liberty; Tata Steel; SME Chamber of India; Cardiff Airport; Airbus; and Firstsource Solutions.
I have also hosted or attended a number of events and meetings where I met business leaders who were in attendance, including - the Welsh Business Awards; a St David’s Day Reception; Green Growth Summit Reception; a Creative Industries Business Breakfast, and Cardiff Business Club Debate.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How many people are involved in the establishment of Transport for Wales and
(a) how many, if any are staff from Welsh Government departments; and
(b) how many have been employed from elsewhere? (WAQ70567)
Answer received on 7 July 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): Transport for Wales currently employs 22 people. One person is a direct employee, eight are on secondment from the Welsh Government, and thirteen are employed from elsewhere.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How much has the Welsh Government spent to date on the Transport for Wales initiative? (WAQ70568)
Answer received on 5 July 2016
Ken Skates: To date the Welsh Government has spent £3,788,414 through Transport for Wales on advice and services in preparation for the procurement of the Wales and Borders franchise and South Wales Metro.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to increase the number of bus passengers in Wales? (WAQ70570)
Answer received on 5 July 2016
Ken Skates: We are continuing to work with our partners in the bus industry, local authorities, and Bus Users Cymru to make buses a more attractive travel option for more journeys. For example, we published our Welsh Bus Quality Standard in March 2016. This will help ensure a high and improving standard of local bus services throughout Wales, by linking Welsh Government funding to specific quality standards. The Welsh Government funded TrawsCymru longer-distance bus network shows what can be achieved, it carried a record two million passengers in 2015-16 following the introduction of improved services across the network over the last two years.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the timescale of delivery for Transport for Wales? (WAQ70571)
Answer received on 5 July 2016
Ken Skates: I will be making a statement to the Chamber on 12 July.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What will be the overarching aim of Transport for Wales and what modes of transport will come under its remit? (WAQ70572)
Answer received on 5 July 2016
Ken Skates: Transport for Wales is currently focused on providing advice and support on the procurement of the next Wales & Borders franchise and South Wales Metro infrastructure.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of costings for the Welsh Government's "nine Education priorities", following her recent discussions with the First Minister? (WAQ70564)
Answer received on 5 July 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Kirsty Williams): The plans for the delivery of the commitments in the most cost effective way are being progressed and will form part of the development of the 2017-18 budget plans where appropriate.