Written Assembly Questions tabled on 6 October 2014 for answer on 13 October 2014
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
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to the letter sent by the British Medical Association to all Assembly Members dated 1st October, will the First Minister confirm what "precondition" has been set out by the Welsh Government prior to any meeting taking place between the two organisations? (WAQ67821)
Answer received on 13 October 2014
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): The BMA Cymru Wales were invited to discuss the Welsh consultants contract and distribution of the 2014-15 pay award as part of a single discussion. The Welsh Government made clear the need to achieve £12m savings from the medical and dental paybill through those discussions.
The BMA have chosen to interpret the context for the discussions as being a pre-condition.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the decision to prohibit the use of Recycled Manure Solids (RMS) in Wales? (WAQ67817)
Answer received 10 October 2014.
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): Guidance on the use of RMS is on the Welsh Government website under Animal By-Products at:
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/animal-by-products
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to the use of RMS in Wales, will the Minister confirm whether the Welsh Government is monitoring the two year 'derogation period' with a view to considering its reintroduction in Wales? (WAQ67818)
Answer received on 10 October 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): A derogation is not in place. Therefore, the Welsh Government is not monitoring the use of RMS.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to the use of RMS in Wales, what assessment has the Welsh Government undertaken of the impact that its prohibition will have on Welsh farmers? (WAQ67819)Answer received on 10 October 2014
Carl Sargeant: The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014; Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 do not directly permit the use of this material as bedding which we understand would be its main use. Consequently, no risk assessment has been conducted.
However, we understand that tenders are being invited for a scientific study to take place in England on the ‘Risks, benefits and optimal management of recycled manure solids as bedding for cattle’ as there are concerns around the safety of the use of this material. Due to insufficient data the Welsh Ministers are currently of the view that RMS poses an unacceptable risk to public and animal health.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to the use of RMS in Wales, does the Welsh Government record the number of Welsh farmers previously using this technique? (WAQ67820)
Answer received on10 October 2014
Carl Sargeant: This information is not held.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Does the Welsh Government feel that dedicating 0.6% of the total Superfast Cymru project budget to marketing and demand stimulation is sufficient to encourage widespread take-up? (WAQ67811)
Answer received on 8 October 2014
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): In monetary terms, 0.6% of the overall programme budget is a significant investment which the Welsh Government is making on demand stimulation activities. The marketing activity is aligned with the deployment programme. However, this is not solely the job of Government - the internet service providers have a significant role to play and they are already spending considerable amounts in doing so. Wales’ public sector network, the PSBA, will help drive take up across the public sector. In addition to the Superfast Cymru marketing activity, businesses will be specifically targeted through our superfast business exploitation project. This ambitious project will be separately funded. More details of the superfast business exploitation project will be made available in due course.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Does the Welsh Government have an overall take-up target included in the Superfast Cymru contract and what contractual penalties will be imposed if this target is not met? (WAQ67812)
Answer received 8 October 2014
Julie James: There is not an overall take-up target for Superfast Cymru premises, however a key element of our plans for business exploitation of superfast broadband is establishing take-up targets for business premises. More information will be provided on this once the project scoping exercise has concluded. Internet service providers and the industry as whole as have a commercial incentive to drive take-up. The Superfast Cymru contract does not cover operational costs. Therefore the supplier, BT, is incentivised to maximise revenue through increased take-up to offset these significant operational costs. Welsh Government will share in any profits made once breakeven is achieved.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Welsh Government publish a list of postcode areas which fall outside the scope of the Superfast Cymru project? (WAQ67813)
Answer received 8 October 2014
Julie James: The list is due to be published shortly on the Welsh Government website. A list of those postcodes is attached. Each postcode area listed includes at least one premises outside of the scope of the Superfast Cymru project and the footprint of the commercial providers. In total around 45,000 premises sit outside the Superfast Cymru intervention area and the footprint of commercial superfast broadband providers.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What specific contractual arrangements does the Welsh Government have in place to ensure that BT meets its Superfast Cymru obligations on time and on budget? (WAQ67814)
Answer received 8 October 2014
Julie James: There are a number of contractual commitments to support the delivery of the programme. We have a published a redacted version of the Superfast Cymru grant agreement with associated Schedules, this can be viewed on the Welsh Government website: http://wales.gov.uk/about/foi/responses/dl2013/aprjun/business1/dlbus363/?lang=en
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What specific measures is the Welsh Government taking alongside the UK Government's Mobile Infrastructure Project team to expedite the implementation of the Mobile Infrastructure Project in Wales? (WAQ67815)
Answer received 8 October 2014
Julie James: Officials are working with the MIP team to secure as many new mobile mast sites as possible to increase the coverage of mobile services in Wales. Officials are supporting the MIP team to explore and resolve problem sites, as well as working with the local planning authorities to support applications for new sites.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide details of how many railway stations are being considered as part of the new National Transport Plan and will the Minister state the locations of the proposed stations across Wales? (WAQ67816)
Answer received on 8 October 2014
The Minister for Ecomony, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Responsibility for rail infrastructure sits with the UK Government.