Written Assembly Questions tabled on 7 October 2014 for answer on 14 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
Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): How many Welsh Government jobs have been advertised without any mention of Welsh-language ability over the last five years? (WAQ67832W)
Answer received on 14 October 2014
The First Minster for Wales) (Carwyn Jones): Mae staffio o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru yn fater i'r Ysgrifennydd Parhaol. Yr wyf wedi gofyn iddo ysgrifennu atoch ar wahân gyda'r wybodaeth yr ydych wedi gofyn amdani.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government with regards to the UK Government's decision to combine the Bee Inspectorate, the Plant Variety and Seeds Group and the GM Inspectorate with the functions of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency? (WAQ67826)
Answer received on10 October 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): We were advised of their proposals earlier this year.
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Was the Welsh Government formally consulted on the UK Government's decision to combine the Bee Inspectorate, the Plant Variety and Seeds Group and the GM Inspectorate with the functions of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency? (WAQ67827)
Answer received on10 October 2014
Carl Sargeant: Yes
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): What response did the Welsh Government give to the UK Government's decision to combine the Bee Inspectorate, the Plant Variety and Seeds Group and the GM Inspectorate with the functions of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, and what was the rationale behind this response? (WAQ67828)
Answer received on 10 October 2014
Carl Sargeant: It was noted, but assurances were given that there would not be any change to existing arrangements for carrying out inspection processes.
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): What impact will the UK Government's decision to combine the Bee Inspectorate, the Plant Variety and Seeds Group and the GM Inspectorate with the functions of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency have on the sector in Wales? (WAQ67829)
Answer received on10 October 2014
Carl Sargeant: We do not expect adverse changes to occur.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Government had regarding the future of Garth Celyn? (WAQ67822W)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What assessment has the Minister made of the national historical and cultural value of Garth Celyn? (WAQ67823W)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the Garth Celyn site? (WAQ67824W)
Answer received on 26 February 2015 (WAQ67822/23)
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates):
My officials in Cadw have undertaken a number of assessments in and around the village of Abergwyngregyn, known to be the historic location of Garth Celyn, one of the llysoedd, or courts, of the Princes of Gwynedd.
As a result of these assessments, a number of historic assets have been given statutory protection. They include two of the alternative sites that have been proposed as locations of the historic royal court of Garth Celyn:
- The medieval motte known as y Mwd in the centre of the village and the remains of an adjacent building revealed through excavation. Much of this site has been scheduled as an ancient monument.
- The house formerly known as Pen-y-Bryn, and now renamed Garth Celyn by the current owner, located on the hillside to the east of the village. The house has been listed at grade II* and nearby medieval remains have been scheduled as an ancient monument.
Cadw officals have been made aware that the second of these two sites – Pen-y-bryn/Garth Celyn – is now on the market.
In 2008, the current owner made an approach to the then Minister for Heritage suggesting that the property might be taken into the guardianship of the Welsh Government. However, it was explained that guardianship cannot take place while a building is occupied.
No further approach has been made to Welsh Government regarding the future ownership of the house. If such an approach is made, it will be considered on the basis of the guidelines in Cadw's acquisitions policy and procedures. Taking a property into State care is regarded as an option of last resort. Of course, the listing and scheduling status afforded to the property provides an important safeguard in managing any future proposals that might affect its historic significance.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Government Business
Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): What were the costs associated with moving staff from Cardiff to work in Government offices in Aberystwyth and Llandudno Junction and how many of them have moved back to Cardiff? (WAQ67830W)
Answer received on 14 October 2014
The Minister for Finance and Government Business (Jane Hutt):
Mae staffio o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru yn fater i'r Ysgrifennydd Parhaol. Yr wyf wedi gofyn iddo ysgrifennu atoch ar wahân gyda'r wybodaeth yr ydych wedi gofyn amdani.
Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): How many jobs have been moved from the Welsh Government offices in Aberystwyth and Llandudno Junction to Cardiff since the establishment of those two offices and what is the status of those jobs? (WAQ67831W)
Answer received 14 October 2014
The Minister for Finance and Government Business (Jane Hutt):
Mae staffio o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru yn fater i'r Ysgrifennydd Parhaol. Yr wyf wedi gofyn iddo ysgrifennu atoch ar wahân gyda'r wybodaeth yr ydych wedi gofyn amdani.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister detail how he has reviewed the use of the exceptionality rule in determining a patient's application for treatment under the Individual Patient Funding Request process? (WAQ67825)
Answer received on 14 October 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
I commissioned an independent review of the Individual Patient Funding Request process which reported earlier this year. The report was published on the Welsh Government website on 30 April for consultation and can be accessed at: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/funding/?lang=en
I will be making an announcement on the next steps by the end of October.