Written Assembly Questions tabled on 2 February 2015 for answer on 9 February 2015
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 Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): On what date will construction commence on the M4 black route? (WAQ68300)
Answer received on 4 February 2015
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): We plan to publish the scheme’s draft Orders in spring 2016. Pending the outcome of statutory processes and a Public Local Inquiry, construction could start in 2018.
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Which construction companies has the Welsh Government held talks with regarding the construction of the M4 black route? (WAQ68301)
Answer received on 4 February 2015
Edwina Hart: We are currently undertaking a procurement process so this information is commercial in confidence.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What consideration has the Minister given to exempting public toilets from business rates? (WAQ68302)
Answer received on 9 February 2015
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Local authorities are able to use their discretionary powers to issue business rates relief for public toilet facilities. I will be considering the strategic approach to business rates as we move forward in light of the recommendations made by the Business Rates Panel
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister provide an update on proposals to ensure an adequate provision of public toilets via legislation? (WAQ68303)
Answer received on 9 February 2015
Mark Drakeford: The importance of adequate provision of local toilets within communities was recognised in last year's Public Health White Paper. The White Paper included a proposal to place a duty on each local authority in Wales to develop a strategy on the provision of and access to toilets for public use in their area. These strategies would be based on an assessment of local need for these facilities, would be consulted upon and reviewed on a regular basis.
I was pleased to note a positive response from the majority of stakeholders and members of the public, many of whom recognised the potential health impacts associated with inadequate toilet provision, although the local government sector had understandable reservations about taking on new responsibilities at a time of resource restraint. The consultation summary report and the responses received can be found on the Welsh Government website: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/white-paper/?lang=en
My officials are continuing to reflect on the responses received to the consultation and I intend to bring forward a Public Health Bill before the summer recess.
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister make a statement detailing progress in improving post-adoption support in Wales? (WAQ68304)
Answer received on 9 February 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): Improving post-adoption support is part of the remit of the National Adoption Service (NAS), which was launched in November last year. The Adoption and Children Act 2002 (Joint Adoption Arrangements) (Wales) Directions 2015 will make the co-ordination of adoption support services an explicit part of the work programme for the NAS. The NAS has set up a standing working group to take this forward. The performance of the NAS in all areas, including adoption support, will be monitored against a new National Performance Management Framework.
In 2013 we commissioned research from Cardiff and Bristol Universities into post-adoption support and adoption placement disruption, to provide the NAS with an evidence base to support the co-ordination and delivery of support. The research has been published on the Welsh Government website:
'The provision and experience of adoption support services in Wales: Perspectives from adoption agencies and adoptive parents' (Dr Heather Ottaway, Dr Sally Holland
and Dr Nina Maxwell, Cardiff, 2014):
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/socialcare/reports/adoption-support/?lang=en
'Beyond the Adoption Order: An Investigation of Adoption Disruption in Wales' (Dinithi Wijedasa and Julie Selwyn, Bristol, 2014):
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/socialcare/reports/adoption/?lang=en
The second part of the research on adoption disruption has very recently been completed and will be published shortly.
The research undertaken by Cardiff University identified that additional focus was required to support adopted children in education. The Department for Education & Skills is working with Adoption UK (Cymru) to better identify the challenges faced by adopted children in education and to provide support to education professionals in meeting these challenges.
Changes to the way the looked after children element of the Pupil Deprivation Grant is managed from April 2015 will also benefit adopted children, as regional education consortia will be able to use this funding in a more strategic way to support interventions for children who are looked after. To ensure continuity of support regardless of placement and school moves, we are building flexibility into the terms and conditions of the grant to enable consortia to support interventions aimed at children who have been adopted from care.
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister provide details of the number of individual patient funding request applications for Axitinib approved in Wales, broken down by local health board? (WAQ68305)
Answer received on 5 February 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): Data on the number of Individual Patient Funding Requests (IPFR) for specific medicines and non medicine technologies are held by Local Health Boards. The annual IPFR report is compiled by Public Health Wales from data submitted by health boards and the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee. The 2013 – 2014 annual IPFR report was published on 19 May 2014 and can be accessed at:
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister provide details of the percentage and number of category A calls in Wales that were categorised as red 1 for the last 12 months, together with the percentage and number of red 1 calls that met the eight-minute target? (WAQ68306)
Answer received on 12 February 2015
The Deputy Minister for Health (Vaughan Gething): Welsh Government does not hold this information centrally. I have written to Mick Giannasi, Chair of the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust (WAST) and requested this information. I will write to update you shortly.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the progress of Velindre NHS Trust's strategic outline programme to provide additional linear accelerator capacity? (WAQ68307)
Answer received on 10 February 2015
Mark Drakeford: I recently approved the Strategic Outline Programme submitted by Velindre NHS Trust to transform cancer services in South East Wales. The Trust is now working on developing the next stage of the business case process. This will include refining and testing the service model as well as considering the infrastructure, including linear accelerator capacity, and other resources needed to deliver safe and sustainable services.