Written Assembly Questions tabled on 4 February 2016 for answer on 11 February 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 First Minister
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government support for Welsh businesses to promote Welsh-language services? (WAQ69762)
Answer received on 10 February 2016
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): Business Wales, funded by Welsh Government, delivers a fully bilingual service to new and existing businesses across Wales through its on-line, Helpline and face to face provision.
Our on line support provides dedicated resources on "Using Welsh in your business", which is being further developed, and can be accessed via the following link:
https://businesswales.gov.wales/welsh-in-your-business
We are also currently running a pilot project in the Teifi Valley aimed at encouraging businesses to recognise how the Welsh language can be a valuable asset to add value to their business, which will be evaluated in due course.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the plans to use Welsh Government-owned forestry land at Garwnant to develop a holiday park? (WAQ69760)
Answer received on 10 February 2016
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):
A planning application has been submitted by Forest Holidays to Brecon Beacons National Park Authority to build 40 cabins. Due to the potential role of Welsh Ministers in relation to the planning application I cannot make a statement on the plans to develop a holiday park at this location."
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the process of appointing members to the Qualifications Wales board? (WAQ69758)
Answer received on 10 February 2016
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis):
In line with the Code of Practice on Public Appointments for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies, I approved the panel which managed the recruitment and selection process to the Qualifications Wales Board. The Public Appointments Commissioner sat on the panel which interviewed candidates for the Chair of the Board of Qualifications Wales vacancy.
Appointments to the Qualifications Wales Board were made in two stages with five successful candidates appointed in August 2015 and a further three candidates appointed in December 2015. All the appointments were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement about where the Qualifications Wales board vacancies were advertised? (WAQ69759)
Answer received on 10 February 2016
Huw Lewis:
The processes for advertising the vacancies for the Qualifications Wales Board were robust and in accordance with the Public Appointments' Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.
The vacancies for the Chair and the first five appointments to the Qualifications Wales Board were advertised on the Welsh Government website, 'Signpost Press' of the Western Mail, Daily Post, Y Cymro, Golwg, Guardian, Times Educational Supplement and the Sunday Times. They were also advertised on the Institute of Directors website.
The final three appointments were advertised in JobsWales and in the Welsh Government weekly DYSG newsletter.
Details of all the vacancies were circulated to the Welsh Government public appointments and equality organisations mailing list.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Government funding for independent museums? (WAQ69761)
Answer received on 10 February 2016
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Ken Skates):
The Welsh Government provides a grant scheme for museums, which is administered by The Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales. Independent museums are eligible to apply for other Welsh Government grants such as the Tourism Investment Support Scheme.
William Graham (South Wales East): Will the Minister detail the schedule for the bidding process for the Wales and Borders Rail Franchise? (WAQ69763)
Answer received on 10 February 2016
Edwina Hart: An announcement will be made in due course.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Further to WAQ69700 how many of those who have opted-out of the new organ donation system were previously registered as organ donors? (WAQ69764)
Answer received on 17 February 2016
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
The latest figures available from NHS Blood and Transplant show that as of 17 January 2016, 159,587 people in Wales have chosen to opt-out; 2,522 were previously registered as organ donors that represents one quarter of one percent of the number registered as organ donors. Latest figures of registered donors stands at 1087323 , a rise of 807 over the past month.