Written Assembly Questions tabled on 27 June 2017 for answer on 4 July 2017
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
Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the First Minister outline details of land ownership by the Welsh Government within the electoral divisions of Glynneath and Blaengwrach (Neath Port Talbot CBC), and provide an update in terms of future plans for those sites? (WAQ73730)
Answer to follow.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary explain the reason for the delay in publishing the Statutory Draft Orders and Environmental Statement for the Dyfi Bridge from spring to summer as previously stated? (WAQ73720)
Answer received on 30 June 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): As a result of extended discussions with statutory bodies on the future use of the existing bridge it has taken longer than had originally been planned to find a solution that satisfies all parties - including local landowners. These differences have now been resolved. The project is now moving forward again and we intend to publish draft orders shortly.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary outline what steps were taken to make the public aware of the improving local bus services (WG30602) consultation? (WAQ73721)
Answer received on 6 July 2017
Ken Skates: I gave a Statement announcing the consultation on 28 February 2017. The consultation was published on the Welsh Government's website on 8 March 2017. Additionally, I wrote to Assembly Members on 8 March 2017 informing them of the publication of the consultation.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary outline how many responses to the improving local bus services (WG30602) consultation were received in total, how many responses were received from members of the public and how many of the responses were received from members of the public living in Ceredigion? (WAQ73722)
Answer received on 6 July 2017
Ken Skates: We received a total of 81 responses to the improving local bus services consultation. 32 of these responses were from members of the public which included 2 responses from those living in Ceredigion.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary outline when the Summary of Responses document for WG30602 will be published, what plans there are to make the public aware of its publication and what measures are in place to ensure the public can access it when released? (WAQ73723)
Answer received on 6 July 2017
Ken Skates: The consultation ended on 31 May and my officials are assessing the contributions we have received. This assessment will inform a report that summarises the contributions from respondents and I expect to be able to publish the summary report to members by the Autumn and by no later than the end of December 2017. The Summary will also be published on the Welsh Government website and circulated to stakeholders and respondents to the consultation.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Did the Cabinet Secretary receive any prior notice from Tesco regarding the closure of the Customer Engagement Centre in Cardiff? (WAQ73724)
Answer received on 30 June 2017
Ken Skates: No, prior notice was not received from Tesco regarding the closure of the Customer Engagement Centre in Cardiff.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): What efforts are now being made by the Welsh Government to reverse the plans to close the Customer Engagement Centre in Cardiff? (WAQ73725)
Answer received on 30 June 2017
Ken Skates: We have met with Tesco to discuss the reasoning behind the decision to move the Centre to Dundee and have explored any potential opportunity for jobs to remain in Wales.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): What assessment has been made by the Welsh Government of the impact the closure of the Customer Engagement Centre in Cardiff will have on the local economy? (WAQ73726)
Answer received on 30 June 2017
Ken Skates: We have not undertaken a formal assessment as we continue to work with Tesco, various agencies and alternative employers to explore employment options for the affected staff. We will be establishing a taskforce comprising of key stakeholders to assist the workforce with achieving the best possible outcome for their future.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to prevent cable theft across the railway network in Wales? (WAQ73729)
Answer received on 30 June 2017
Ken Skates: Rail Infrastructure is non-devolved and is the responsibility of the UK Government. That said we work closely with colleagues in Network Rail to understand how they will prevent future thefts that impact rail services within Wales.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary explain how the Access Broadband Cymru scheme is financially fair to those constituents who have to contribute toward the cost of basic broadband connectivity of at least 10Mbps, and state how many premises do not have a basic broadband speed of at least 10Mbps? (WAQ73732)
Answer received on 4 July 2017
The Minister for Skills and Science (Julie James): There are 2 levels of funding depending on the speed required, £400 for download speeds between 10 and 20 Mbps and £800 for download speeds of 30Mbps and above.
The voucher values were arrived at after extensive consultation with the industry and are based on research of what comparable products and services are available in the market.
We do not hold figures for the number of properties unable to secure a broadband connection speed of at least 10Mbps under the Superfast Cymru project.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ73711, to date how much rent has the Welsh Government received from Pinewood Studios Wales Limited, including any incentives and/or support that have been made available to Pinewood? (WAQ73734)
Answer received on 6 July 2017
Ken Skates: The lease contained a rent free period which is consistent with market practice. The rent commencement date was 12th January 2017 and the rent received to date is £251,288.92
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the availability of Orkambi in Wales? (WAQ73727)
Answer received on 4 July 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-Being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): We believe everyone should have access to cost-effective medicines to meet their clinical needs. To achieve this, we are guided by the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group.
NICE has not recommended lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi®) for routine use in the NHS in Wales or England; nor has the Scottish Medicines Consortium recommended its use in Scotland. Neither appraisal body recommended its use due to the very high cost charged by the manufacturer and the uncertainties of the longer term benefits of this treatment.
In December last year, NICE re-issued its Technology Appraisal guidance under its “Do Not Do” guidance, emphasising this treatment should not be made routinely available.
In terms of access to medicines, we must ensure our finite resources enable patients to access routinely those medicines that have proven clinical benefits in balance with their cost. Orkambi® is therefore not available for routine use in Wales.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the National Sheep Association's finding that 40 per cent of dog attacks on sheep were carried out by straying or unaccompanied dogs, and explain what action the Welsh Government is taking to help prevent livestock being attacked? (WAQ73731)
Answer received on 4 July 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The promotion of responsible ownership remains a key priority for the Welsh Government. We are reviewing a number of Codes of Practice for pets and farm animals, including dogs. The code for dogs reminds owners of their obligations relating to controlling their pets and the governing legislation.
The Welsh Government introduced a legislative requirement for all dogs to be microchipped from aged 8 weeks via the Microchipping of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2015 which should assist traceability of any straying or unaccompanied dogs. This is in addition to the requirement for a dog to have a collar and a tag with a contact telephone number. A straying dog should also be reported direct to the relevant local authority.
In addition, we are aware and supportive of the campaigns undertaken by the farming industry, the third sector and rural crime units within Wales. The emphasis is that the owner of the dog is responsible and is required to ensure they are in control of their animal at all times.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): As the current projects funded under the Children and Families Delivery Grant are due to run out in October 2017, will the Cabinet Secretary advise as to whether this or similar funding will be available again, and if so when will it be advertised? (WAQ73728)
Answer received on 6 July 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): The Children and Families Delivery Grant was scheduled to expire on 30 September 2017. Two of the 5 funded projects, namely CWLWM (Childcare Wales Learning and Working Mutually) and Children in Wales, have been extended for a further 6 months to 31 March 2018. There are no plans for a replacement programme beyond March 2018.
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that kinship carers receive the same financial support as that provided by local authorities to unrelated foster carers? (WAQ73733)
Answer received on 7 July 2017
Carl Sargeant: It is our intention that all foster carers, including kinship foster carers, are treated fairly and receive the support they need to care for the children and young people they look after. Kinship foster carers should receive the national minimum fostering allowances set by the Welsh Government, but additional fees and support are determined by local authorities.
We are working with local government and other agencies to set up a National Fostering Framework. As part of the Phase 2 work programme in 2016-17 the Association for Fostering and Adoption Cymru undertook a significant piece of work on kinship care, which will be developed into a best practice guide on kinship care issues including assessment, support and payments. Also in Phase 2, the Fostering Network undertook a review of the fees and allowances paid to foster carers across Wales, which will be developed into an action plan to harmonise fees and allowances across each region. This work will include both kinship and non-relative foster carers.
We are supporting the National Fostering Framework with £400k implementation funding in 2017-18. This includes funding for the best practice guide and action plan.