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Written Assembly Questions tabled on 5 February 2015 for answer on 12 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 Communities and Tackling Poverty

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many meetings has the Minister held with groups representing the Hindu community in Wales since taking post? (WAQ68327)

Answer received on 12 February 2015

The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths):  As the Deputy Chair of the Faith Communities Forum, I met a representative from the Hindu Council of Wales at the meeting held on 13 October 2014. The meetings are held bi-annually, the next meeting will be held on 20 April.   I also attended the Diwali Reception at the SWALEC Stadium on 22 October 2014. 

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many meetings has the Minister held with groups representing the Sikh community in Wales since taking post? (WAQ68328)

Answer received on 12 February 2015

The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths):  As the Deputy Chair of the Faith Communities Forum, I attended the Forum meeting held on 13 October 2014 however a  representative from the Sikh community who is a member of the Forum,  was not present on that occasion.   

To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister outline any correspondence her department has had with Stena Line to safeguard fast ferry services from Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire? (WAQ68325)

Answer received on 12 February 2015

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): We continue to have a number of ongoing discussions with Stenna about their operations in Wales. Those discussions are necessarily commercial and confidential in nature.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Minister's department taking to increase the number of hotels in Wales catering for the visually impaired, such as the Belmont Hotel in Llandudno? (WAQ68326)

Answer received on 12 February 2015

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): All Visit Wales graded hotels are required to prepare an Access Statement as part of their participation in the grading.  (The access statement is a clear, accurate and honest written statement of the services and facilities an establishment offers)

Visit Wales grading criteria booklets also contain suggestions on how businesses can improve their services and facilities for disabled guests without compromising the quality of the experience. 

Support is available to upgrade hotels, and particularly where there are accessibility strengths or potential to grow niche markets. 

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister detail whether any further due diligence investigation has been undertaken into the Circuit of Wales project since the initial investigation, and, if so, can the date of when this took place be provided? (WAQ68329)

Answer received on 10 February 2015

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Welsh Government support is conditional on the company receiving all of the necessary private investment. In reaching our decision, extensive due diligence has been undertaken, including a review of all relevant commercial contracts.