Written Assembly Questions tabled on 8 March 2016 for answer on 15 March 2016
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): Will the Minister share an amended copy of the agreement for the grants to fund Rhondda Life Limited's development of the Glynrhedyn Centre? (WAQ69980)
Answer received on 18 March 2016
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths): The letter I sent you on 16th March 2016 included an amended copy of the original grant agreement.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister explain the rationale for excluding a requirement for Careers Wales to make provision for the Health and Safety vetting of work experience placements with effect from September 2015? (WAQ69982)
Answer received on 15 March 2016
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): As directed by the Welsh Government in the 2015-16 Remit Letter issued to Career Wales in December 2014, the company ceased providing a National Work Experience Database service, and related health and safety checks, to all Local Authorities in September 2015.
Two factors drove this decision. First, it is fully the responsibility of schools to secure delivery of the Careers and the World of Work curriculum framework, including any related experiences of the world of work. In light of the budget pressures faced by Careers Wales it was decided that it was no longer appropriate to expect the company to carry these costs on behalf of schools. The employer/business has the primary duty for Health and Safety on its premises and for its staff and customers (which includes the pupil on placement) and the HSE guidance says that school should carry out reasonable checks.
Second, given that it is a schools responsibility to secure delivery of the Careers and the World of Work curriculum, it is reasonable to expect schools to undertake the appropriate checks on work experience placements.
The remit letter can be found at: http://gov.wales/topics/educationandskills/pathways/careers/?lang=en
Following this change to the remit Julie James AM, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, wrote to all secondary Head Teachers in Wales in February 2015 setting out the changes and the duties on schools going forward.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm whether AirLinks will be refunding customers who paid for tickets in advance for the north-south Wales air service? (WAQ69978)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm the status of AirLinks as a company and the likely impact that this will have on customers trying to obtain a refund for tickets booked in advance on the north-south Wales air service? (WAQ69979)
Answer received on 11 March 2016
The Minsiter for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): My officials are actively working with the Civil Aviation Authority and Links Air to seek a resolution for passengers experiencing difficulties receiving refunds
I am also considering what additional measures the Welsh Government may take should the current situation continue, as I would not wish to see passengers impacted by this situation.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many houses has the Welsh Government identified to be built as outlined in answer to WAQ69943, including the dates for when these are likely to start? (WAQ69983)
Answer received on 15 March 2016
Edwina Hart: The Vale of Glamorgan has identified the land adjacent to the road in their LDP for provision of housing. Officials are progressing discussions with the Council about the numbers of houses and the timetable for when they will be released.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much money has the Welsh Government allocated for the road improvements outlined in answer to WAQ69943, including the dates for when these are likely to start and finish? (WAQ69984)
Answer received on 15 March 2016
Edwina Hart: Officials are at the early stage of discussions with the Vale of Glamorgan Planning Authority. It is our intention to commence delivery of the road at the earliest opportunity. The construction start date has yet to be determined as the planning process will be subject to all the statutory time periods applicable to a scheme of this nature. The provisional forecasts indicate an 18 month construction period and an initial construction cost estimate of approiximitely £15m.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): In light of the Aston Martin announcement for St Athan, will the Minister confirm who will own the facility, whether it will be transferred to Aston Martin or retained by the Welsh Government? (WAQ69985)
Answer received on 15 March 2016
Edwina Hart: Aston Martin will be purchasing the facility from Welsh Government.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Minister had regarding business rates in Narberth? (WAQ69986)
Answer to follow.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Minister had regarding business rates in Pembroke town? (WAQ69987)
Answer to follow.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the effect of Npower job losses on Wales, especially in Pembrokeshire? (WAQ69988)
Answer received on 15 March 2016
Edwina Hart: The announcement by N-Power is disappointing, but it is still unclear if any of the 2500 jobs will be lost in Wales or whether there will be impact on the wider supply chain. I have asked my Officials to monitor the situation closely and we stand ready to do all we can to support any workers or businesses impacted by the announcement and to try to mitigate any negative impacts on the Welsh economy.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister provide the amount spent on general practice patient care as a percentage of the total budget in each of the last 10 years? (WAQ69989)
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister provide the amount spent on general practice patient care in cash terms in each of the last 10 years? (WAQ69990)
Answer received on 22 March 2016
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): These two questions are answered together. The information requested is as follows:
The spend on General Medical Services figures are consistent with the Wales figures in the Investment in General Practice report, published by the Health & Social Care Information Centre.
To ask the Minister for Public Services
Mike Hedges (Swansea East): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of fires caused by electrical sources of ignition in the last five years in Wales? (WAQ69981)
Answer received on 15 March 2016
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews) :
As with fires more generally, the number of electrical fires has fallen in the last five years. The data are as follows:
2010-11 – 2,365
2011-12 – 2,123
2012-13 – 2,130
2013-14 – 2,073
2014-15 – 2,019.
These include fires at all locations (dwellings, other buildings, road vehicles and outdoors), where any form of electrical circuit or electrically powered equipment or appliance was known to be the source of ignition.
The 2014-15 data are currently provisional.