Written Assembly Questions tabled on 1 July 2016 for answer on 8 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 Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an explanation of why in a news update from the Contractors undertaking the works on the Newtown bypass, a completion date for the scheme is listed as March 2019 when the Welsh Government's date is detailed as 'towards the end of 2018'? (WAQ70585)
Answer received on 7 July 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): The construction of Newtown bypass is programmed to be complete towards the end of 2018 even though the contractual completion date is March 2019.
Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): Will the Minister provide a list of events that the Major Events Unit are investing in in 2016 and 2017, and what is the expenditure in each case? (WAQ70587)
Answer received on 5 July 2016
Ken Skates: The Major Events Unit are supporting 35 events in 2016/2017 across Wales, of which 19 are cultural and 16 sports events. The total budget is £3.918m.
To date, in 2017/18 13 pan-Wales events have been granted funding from an indicative budget of £3.918m.
I will write to you regarding the individual events in due course.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the introducation of CCTV in slaughterhouses in Wales? (WAQ70586)
Answer received on 7 July 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): Animal welfare is a priority of the Welsh Government, in line with the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework document which was launched in July 2014. The Wales Animal Health and Framework Group Implementation Plan for 2016/17 will be published later this summer.
My predecessor, Rebecca Evans AM, the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, instructed a Safeguarding Animal Welfare at Slaughter Task and Finish Group to investigate the welfare of animals in slaughterhouses and the potential role of CCTV. This Group comprises Welsh Food Business Operators, industry representative bodies, senior veterinary officers and senior policy officers and will be reporting their findings to me soon.
The Welsh Government fully supports the use of CCTV in slaughterhouses as part of a planned and implemented approach to safeguarding animal health and welfare.
Many slaughterhouses now choose to install CCTV systems as part of a welfare management system. All of the major slaughterhouses in Wales and all those supplying supermarkets have systems in place.
I will continue to work closely with industry on this matter and will await the report from the Task and Finish Group before considering whether I need to take further action.