Written Assembly Questions tabled on 6 November 2014 for answer on 13 November 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 Minister for Natural Resources
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the steps taken to ensure marine mammal protection in Welsh waters? (WAQ67987)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): Marine mammals are a key component of the marine ecosystem. In addition to the protected areas we have for bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay and grey seals in Pembrokeshire we are legally required to protect all cetaceans that occur in Welsh waters. This includes managing activities to avoid disturbance of populations and damage to the habitats on which they depend.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Byron Davies (South Wales West): What recent discussions has the Minister had regarding a transatlantic flight from Cardiff Airport? (WAQ67983)
Byron Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister publish her strategy for securing a transatlantic flight from Cardiff Airport? (WAQ67984)
Answer received on 13 November 2014 (WAQ67983-84)
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Commercial discussions relating to current or potential routes at Cardiff Airport are a matter for the Airport and its Board. The Airport are continuing to have such discussions with a range of operators. On a strategic level, our approach to supporting the development of aviation in Wales, is set out in our Aviation Paper published last year.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the provisions to increase and improve the rolling stock of trains in Wales? (WAQ67985)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the overcrowding of passengers using Arriva Trains Wales services? (WAQ67986)
Answer received on 25 November 2014 (WAQ67985-6)
Edwina Hart: Arriva Trains Wales is responsible for managing rolling stock and ensuring sufficient capacity to meet passenger demand. Discussions are ongoing with the UK Government on the next franchise which includes rolling stock provision.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): In light of NUT Cymru's recent survey results, how does the Minister intend to address the stress levels caused by literacy and numeracy testing in children aged 7 to 14? (WAQ67988)
Answer received 25 November 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills: (Huw Lewis): I
do not accept that a rise in learners’ stress levels has been caused by the
National Reading and Numeracy Tests. Tests have traditionally been used by
schools to assess learners’ progress and the tests we have implemented are no
different. However, I am aware that some schools are over preparing for the
tests which may cause distress.
Whilst the importance of the tests should not be diminished, learners need to
be made aware that the results are not viewed in isolation and that the tests
are one source of information for teachers to use in their overall assessment
of learner performance.
Schools suspending timetables for the tests or spending inordinate amounts of
time practising for them are doing learners no favours. The primary role of the
tests is diagnostic; if learners are drilled to perform well the need for
support or intervention could well become masked. I have therefore asked my
officials to strengthen guidance for schools to ensure this practice does not
continue. Our guide to parents “Reading and Numeracy Tests in Wales -
information for parents/carers Years 2-9” stresses that parents should not
prepare their children for the tests other than by ensuring that they are not
worried or anxious.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister state how he plans to ensure that all healthcare assistants in Wales receive adequate training to prepare them for the variety of tasks they are expected to perform? (WAQ67989)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
Healthcare support workers play an important role in delivering services to patients. In 2014/15 the budget for training health care support workers increased to £1.250m, this was used to enable NHS organisations to support this group of staff to undertake education at Credit and Qualification for Wales (CQFW) level 4 or above.
Decisions about the level of investment for 2015/16 will be made early next year and will be informed by the requirements of the Health Boards and Trusts across Wales.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of district nurses in Aberconwy? (WAQ67990)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
Mark Drakeford: There are 21 District Nurses covering the Aberconwy area.