Written Assembly Questions tabled on 6 February 2013 for answer on 13 February 2013
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)
To ask the First Minister
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): What steps have been taken by the Welsh Government during the Fourth Assembly to enhance links between Wales and Patagonia. (WAQ62197)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Since the First Minister’s announcement of Welsh Government promotion of air links to China from Cardiff, will he provide details of any meetings of written correspondence that he or his government have taken in relation to establishing this air-link. (WAQ62228)
To ask the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): How is the Welsh Government utilising the cultural links between Wales and Patagonia to promote tourist opportunities from Argentina and Chile to Wales. (WAQ62198)
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): What work is the Welsh Government undertaking to develop the tourism potential of film and television locations in Wales. (WAQ62199)
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister provide details of all tourism conferences and exhibitions in 2013 where Visit Wales will have official representation. (WAQ62200)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to WAQ62070, will the Minister provide a detailed list of meetings she has held with the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills since the start of the Fourth Assembly, providing the date, location and attendees of each meeting. (WAQ62218)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide a date for the publication of the business rates relief for charities review. (WAQ62226)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to your response to NDM5147 in Plenary on 30 January 2013, where you stated regarding Finance Wales that “70% of investment staff are focused on investing in SMEs in Wales”, can you clarify the number of staff this figure represents and detail the responsibilities of the remaining 30%. (WAQ62230)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to your response to NDM5147 in Plenary on 30 January 2013, where you stated that “it is also important that we look at the merit of all the proposals that are placed before us, from all parties, about how we can help SMEs in Wales”, can you now detail your response to the Welsh Conservative proposals outlined in ‘Invest Wales’, including what particular areas of merit would you look to discuss further. (WAQ62229)
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): From which budget line has the £20,000 grant funding to maintain Cardiff's Tafwyl Welsh language festival come from, which was announced on 6 February 2013, a week after Cardiff Council announced it was cutting the grant it provides. (WAQ62187)
Christine Chapman (Cynon Valley): What percentage of the cohort of 16-18 year olds entered for A and AS levels during each of the previous ten years in a) biology b) chemistry c) mathematics and d) physics were girls. (WAQ62193)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Further to the evidence given to the Children and Young People Committee by the WJEC today, what discussions has the Minister had with Ofqual regarding the awarding of GCSE English for 2013. (WAQ62195)W
Suzy Davies (South Wales Central): What funding has been allocated by the Welsh Government to undertake ‘Y Gynhadledd Fawr’ – ‘A Big Conversation’ and which funding streams will be affected by that decision. (WAQ62201)
Suzy Davies (South Wales Central): Which current activities will be modified or cut by the diversion of funding for ‘Y Gynhadledd Fawr’ – ‘A Big Conversation’. (WAQ62202)
Suzy Davies (South Wales Central): What meetings has the Minister had during the Fourth Assembly concerning the establishment of ‘Y Gynhadledd Fawr’ – ‘A Big Conversation’. (WAQ62203)
Suzy Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline the outcomes he hopes will be achieved for the Welsh language as a consequence of undertaking ‘Y Gunhadledd Fawr’ – ‘A Big Conversation’. (WAQ62204)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement on the importance of attracting international students to Welsh Universities. (WAQ62210)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state what provisions he intends to put in place to encourage international students to attend Welsh universities. (WAQ62211)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state what provisions he intends to put in place to better support international students attending Welsh universities. (WAQ62212)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state what provisions are in place to monitor the experiences of international students attending Welsh universities. (WAQ62213)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement on the importance of a positive reputation for Welsh universities amongst international communities. (WAQ62214)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state how he is working with universities to eliminate racism towards international students attending Welsh universities. (WAQ62216)
To ask the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister outline what communications he has had with the UK Government regarding their plans to introduce legislation to ban animals in circuses. (WAQ62192)
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Further to the answer to WAQ61362, will the Minister provide an updated breakdown of all payments made, to date, to businesses and organisations associated with the creation of Natural Resources Wales. (WAQ62194)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement regarding recent actions from the Tackling Poverty External Advisory Group which have specific goals regarding fuel poverty. (WAQ62219)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to WAQ61952, what was the target for Arbed Phase One to connect properties to the gas main and install full central heating systems. (WAQ62220)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to WAQ61952, what was the target for Nest to bring rural homes onto the gas network. (WAQ62221)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to WAQ61952, what is the 2013 target for Nest to bring rural homes onto the gas network. (WAQ62222)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm the number of homes that received energy efficiency measures at the end of December 2012 as referenced in WAQ 61645. (WAQ62223)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s animal health policy in relation to a farmer’s ability to re-stock after a bovine TB breakdown; with particular reference to new animal health regulations from January 1st 2012 in relation to re-stocking. (WAQ62227)
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): When does the Minister intend to update the Assembly on developments with regard to the use of Pegvisomant in Wales. (WAQ62188)
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Will the Minister confirm what the All Wales Sleep Apnoea Working Group’s recommendations for minimum clinical standards for sleep apnoea in Wales were and what progress has been made in planning for improved sleep services. (WAQ62196)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What discussions has the Minister held regarding ‘EVAR-stent’ or endovascular aortic repair, and will she confirm whether there are plans to make this treatment available on the Welsh NHS. (WAQ62224)
To ask the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): What representations has the Minister received regarding plans for the Dyfi Bridge, Machynlleth. (WAQ62191)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state what work he has done with Sport Wales and local councils to create a sporting legacy in Wales after the success of the Olympic and Paralympic games. (WAQ62205)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state how many meetings he has had with Sport Wales to establish a plan to help local councils to create a sporting legacy in Wales after the success of the Olympic and Paralympic games. (WAQ62206)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state how he plans to increase participation rates in sport and physical activity and establish true collaboration with local councils so that investment in sport brings quality, sustainable opportunities to participate in sport. (WAQ62207)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state how much money will be invested in sport to help local councils increase participation rates in sport. (WAQ62208)
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister state how the money he invests in sport will help local councils increase participation rates in sport. (WAQ62209)
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Communities
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): In response to the answer given to WAQ62003, will the Minster provide a detailed timetable on when the advice from officials will be received and how he intends to move forward. (WAQ62189)
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage regarding Dyfi Bridge, Machynlleth in the last 24 months, and what meetings are planned to discuss the same issue over the next 12 months. (WAQ62190)
Mike Hedges (Swansea East): What advice has the Minister given to local authorities on promoting and encouraging resident participation in Communities First cluster areas. (WAQ62217)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm whether the introduction of remote attendance at local council meetings would also enable members to vote and make recorded contributions, and will he also confirm whether the introduction of remote attendance would require any legislative change at National Assembly level. (WAQ62225)
To ask the Counsel General
Byron Davies (South Wales West): Does the Welsh Government intend to respond to the UK Ministry of Justice consultation on ‘Reducing the number and costs of whiplash claims’. (WAQ62215)