Written Assembly Questions tabled on 30 March 2017 for answer on 6 April 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 Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Cabinet Secretary give a regional and constituency breakdown for each year since 2011 of payments over £25,000 made by the Welsh Government to external organisations? (WAQ73299)
Answer to follow.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the waiting lists produced by the process of upgrading broadband cabinets via the fiber to the cabinet method, and explain what is being done to address these so that the service is accessible to all? (WAQ73297)
Answer received on 18 April 2017
Minister for Science and Skills (Julie James): Insufficient cabinet capacity can become an issue where demand exceeds availability. Where over capacity cabinets are identified BT are immediately made aware and the issue is addressed in line with their normal business processes and timescales.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm whether the work currently being conducted by Grant Thornton in relation to the Circuit of Wales consists of a confirmatory due diligence process or a full audit of the company? (WAQ73298)
Answer received on 7 April 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): The work currently being conducted by Grant Thornton is a part of the wider due diligence exercise on the project which is now underway. Grant Thornton will focus on financial matters and their work will include rigorous viability, economic sustainability and value for money testing of the project and will also make a full assessment of the financial standing of Circuit of Wales Ltd and its parent company, Heads of the Valleys Development Company Ltd. In addition they will also support the Fit and Proper Person assessment of the directors and key individuals.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Cabinet Secretary list the total amount of direct financial assistance to businesses within Wales, in constant prices, for each year since 1982, broken down by the type of financial assistance provided, such as regional selective assistance; single investment fund; repayable finance? (WAQ73300)
Answer received on 18 April 2017
Ken Skates: We do not hold the information requested for the duration of time period in question as some of the information requested predates the creation of the National Assembly for Wales and there have been many organisational changes during this time. We also do not hold the information in the format that you have requested and to analyse and provide the data in the format you have requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost if at all.
However, during the last Welsh Government term, Sectors and Business achieved high levels of performance outputs that consistently exceeded expectations, delivering year on year improvements in key areas and culminating in the announcement of the Aston Martin project in February.
The table below shows the department has supported over 146,000 jobs in total over the last five years, as well as securing a record number of inward investment projects for Wales.
| 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | Total | |
| Jobs Supported | 14,370 | 17,173 | 37,070 | 38,006 | 40,044 | 146,663 |
| FDI Projects | 23 | 67 | 79 | 101 | 97 | 366 |
| FDI Jobs Created/Safeguarded | 2,854 | 7,042 | 10,805 | 9,605 | 6,977 | 36,387 |
| Capital Expenditure (Actual Outturn) £k | 92,651 | 101,486 | 128,664 | 117,089 | 145,598 | 585,488 |
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with Fire and Rescue Authorities to discuss the rescue of animals during flooding incidents? (WAQ73301)
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What guidance and support does the Welsh Government offer to pet owners during flooding incidents and does the Cabinet Secretary have any intention of revisiting this issue? (WAQ73303)
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to safeguard animal life during flooding incidents? (WAQ73306)
Answer received on 5 April 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): I have not held any meetings with Fire and Rescue Services. Severe weather advice for owners of livestock and pets is available on the Welsh Government website and is updated whenever new information becomes available. The Codes of Practice for companion animals and livestock also contain advice and guidance to owners and keepers. The Codes are currently being reviewed and are due to be consulted on later this year.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with local authorities about the enforcement of animal welfare legislation in Wales? (WAQ73302)
Answer received on 5 April 2017
Lesley Griffiths: As part of the Partnership Delivery Project, Local Authorities in Wales are currently undertaking a number of intelligence led surveys which will contribute to informing how animal welfare legislation is being enforced in Wales.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Further to WAQ73012, will the Cabinet Secretary confirm whether the intelligence led survey with local authorities has now been completed, and provide a timescale for the review of the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014? (WAQ73304)
Answer received on 5 Aprl 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The survey, which is part of the Partnership Delivery Project, ended on 31 March 2017. Officials are awaiting the results. An analysis of the results will inform next steps of the review.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to raise awareness of the health problems associated with brachycephalic pets, so that owners can be confident that they are doing all they can to best support their pets? (WAQ73305)
Answer received on 5 April 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs, published under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, contains advice and guidance to owners on how to meet their pet’s needs. The Code advises that prospective owners seek advice from their vet or a relevant organisation, with regards to obtaining a dog and its subsequent care.
This Code is currently being reviewed and is due to go out to public consultation this year.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide a list of representations she has made to the UK Government regarding the establishment of an animal abuse register? (WAQ73307)
Answer received on 5 April 2017
Lesley Griffiths: Not at this time. I am continuing to look at this issue and whilst initial enquiries indicate it will be difficult to achieve, in principle I believe it worthy of further investigations. At this juncture I cannot provide any timescales but I have tasked officials to further explore the options available.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): How many times has the Cabinet Secretary written to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity regarding animal welfare issues? (WAQ73308)
Answer received on 5 April 2017
Lesley Griffiths: I wrote to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity in December 2016 and met with him to discuss the situation regarding Wild Animals in Circuses and Mobile Animal Exhibits. At this meeting an agreement was obtained that Wales and England would, as far as possible, have a joined-up strategic approach in introducing any new scheme to ensure cross border issues are kept to a minimum.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): When does the Cabinet Secretary intend to update the Assembly on the Welsh Government's action to address the trade in domestic and exotic animals in Wales? (WAQ73309)
Answer received on 5 April 2017
Lesley Griffiths: Animals kept in captivity are subject to the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and particularly the duty of care set out in section 9 of the Act. It is the owner’s responsibility to exercise this duty of care and to be responsible. Where we have had evidence of the need for additional legislation to address poor animal welfare in the trade of animals, for example with dog breeding, we have done so. This Government will continue to work with key stakeholders and enforcement agencies to improve animal welfare in Wales.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to address the breeding of brachycephalic pets in Wales? (WAQ73310)
Answer received on 5 April 2017
Lesley Griffiths: It is a condition of all licences issued under the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) Regulations 2014 that the licence holder must take all reasonable steps to protect dogs from pain, suffering, injury and disease. This could include regard to any possible inherited disease or condition relevant to the particular breed or type of dog.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): How many occurrences of slurry spills have there been in the river Tywi since the beginning of this year? (WAQ73311)
Answer received on 5 April 2017
Lesley Griffiths: Natural Resources Wales have logged 18 slurry related incidents between 1 January and 3 April of this year within the Tywi catchment, which includes both the Tywi River and its tributaries.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): When in the spring does the Government intend on publishing its early years, childcare and workforce plan? (WAQ733112)
Answer received on 6 April 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): I refer the member to the answer to his supplementary question under OAQ (5) 0129 (CC) given on 5th April 2017.