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Written Assembly Questions tabled on 3 November 2015 for answer on 10 November 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 Natural Resources

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister be attending Paris COP21 and, if so, what activities will the Minister be undertaking at the conference? (WAQ69367)

Answer received on 11 November 2015

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargent): I will be attending COP 21 in Paris to lend my support to the achievement of an ambitious global agreement and in doing so, I will be delivering on our Programme for Government commitment to contribute to the global deal on climate change. 

At the Summit, I will be taking part in a number of events where I will not only be showcasing Wales' achievements in specific areas like Waste and Energy Efficiency, but most significantly the internationally pioneering legislation we have brought forward through the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the Environment Bill.  As well as further increasing Wales' international profile, the legislation provides an important example internationally of how the commitment to key international agreements can be enshrined at a regional government level.

As Wales holds the Vice Presidency of the international Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4SD), I will also be representing the key role of the network and underlining the importance of State and Regional Governments in delivering the Paris agreement.  I will therefore be taking part in key meetings of nrg4SD and also The Climate Group as the two key international networks representing state and regional governments. 

In addition, I will be undertaking a series of key bilateral meetings, particularly given the interest our pioneering legislation has generated.  I will also of course be in close contact with the UK Government's delegation and lending the Welsh Government's support and commitment to tackling climate change and accelerating green growth to the drive for a successful and ambitious outcome to Paris.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What discussions has the Minister held with RWE Innogy, Conwy County Borough Council and Snowdonia National Park Authority regarding the development of the Conwy Falls hydroelectric scheme? (WAQ69369)

Answer received on 11 November 2015

Carl Sargeant: None. These are matters for discussion between the developer and the relevant bodies that manage the consenting process.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): With reference to the Conwy Falls hydroelectric scheme, what considerations has the Minister made with regards to the potential impact on downstream water flow from the proposed development? (WAQ69370)

Answer received on 11 November 2015

Carl Sargeant: None. These are matters for consideration by Natural Resources Wales as part of the consenting process.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister outline how conditions are determined for the granting of a NRW abstraction license, with particular reference to the amount of water that may be used for hydroelectric schemes? (WAQ69371)

Answer received on 11 November 2015

Carl Sargeant:

Natural Resources Wales must consider the impact that each scheme has on the achievement of Water Framework Directive objectives.  Their approach is evidence based and applies the latest scientific consensus in hydro-ecology.  It has been designed to be adaptive, so that if any further evidence is provided to support flow standards then guidance can be amended.

Natural Resources Wales consider the impact that the abstraction will have on the river's plant and animal life when determining how much water an organisation or development will be permitted to abstract. 

Some hydropower schemes create a length of river in which flow is depleted.  Water is taken out to pass through the turbine, and is returned to the same river at a downstream location.  The length of river between the point of abstraction and the point where the water is returned is known as the depleted reach.

Hydropower schemes are given a strict set of flow standards to adhere to, covering three key characteristics of the watercourse's natural flow regime: its low flow and high flow volumes, and its flow variability.  New flow standards for hydropower schemes in Wales were approved in 2013 and have been applied to all new abstraction applications since April 2014.

The scheme classifications used by NRW to set flow standards for schemes with a depleted reach are summarised in the following table.

The Natural Resources Wales approach avoids a 'one size fits all' approach.  It considers the level of risk associated with each of the three zones and brings consistency to the licensing decisions made within them.  It recognises Wales' designated sites and the need to prevent hydropower development impacting on them, whilst also permitting higher abstraction in areas of low sensitivity.  Abstraction is restricted where there is the potential to affect designated sites, where protected species are present and where ecology is sensitive to changes in flow.  More water is available for abstraction where the risk of environmental impact is considered to be low.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister disclose the progress of the Diamond review since the summer, and will he disclose when he will publish reponses to the consultation for this review? (WAQ69368)

Answer received on 11 November 2015

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): The Review Panel has made good progress since it commenced work in April last year.  It has gathered a range of data, research and other evidence, including the written responses that were received as part of its recent Call for Evidence.  The Panel has given careful consideration to all the responses that were received, and these will form part of the factual summary of evidence, which I expect to be published in December.  The Panel's final report and recommendations will be submitted by September 2016.

To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): What is the total amount of support declined to private businesses by the Welsh Government in each of the past four financial years? (WAQ69363)

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): How many offers of financial support to private businesses have been made by the Welsh Government in each of the past four financial years? (WAQ69364)

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): How many offers by the Welsh Government of financial support to private businesses have been declined in each of the past four financial years? (WAQ69365)

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): What is the total amount paid in support to private businesses in each of the past four financial years? (WAQ69366)

Answer received on 10 November 2015

The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): We do not keep records of the information in the format requested.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the current waiting times for ear syringing? (WAQ69373)

Answer received on 10 November 2015

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): Data on waiting times for ear syringing is not collected centrally.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of ear syringing on the NHS? (WAQ69374)

Answer received on 17 November 2015

Mark Drakeford:

Ear syringing is an NHS service provided by health boards in Wales as part of their wider responsibility for the delivery of local health services.

Arrangements for these services vary, and some GP practices may provide services while others do not. If a GP practice does not provide an ear syringing service, the practice refers the patient for treatment elsewhere through the NHS

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide details of any exit agreement reached between Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board and departing chief executive, Trevor Purt; including the cost and whether a non-disclosure agreement was part of the package? (WAQ69372)

Answer received on 11 November 2015

Mark Drakeford:  These matters are the responsibility of the employer, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.