Written Assembly Questions tabled on 9 November 2015 for answer on 16 November 2015
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 the Economy, Science and Transport
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What is being done to tackle the issue of speeding traffic in the village of Howey in the A483? (WAQ69400)
Answer received on 17 November 2015
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The Police are currently collecting speed data at this location to establish an appropriate course of action.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What plans does the Minister have in place to deal with traffic congestion problems for people travelling from the Cynon Valley to Cardiff on the A470 following the introduction of the new traffic light system at Coryton? (WAQ69402)
Answer received on 11 November 2015
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): We have invested in a number of schemes along the A470 to help improve north and southbound traffic flows. The Coryton improvements completed in August 2014 are proving to have a positive effect on queues on the M4 slip roads. We are still gathering data on its overall performance.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister provide a list of all pedestrian crossing assessments made on trunk roads in Aberconwy, and any successive dates on which these were validated, updated or reviewed? (WAQ69405)
Answer received on 11 November 2015
Edwina Hart: We do not hold this information in the format requested.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on how regularly the Welsh Government aims to validate or update pedestrian crossing assessments on trunk roads in Wales? (WAQ69406)
Answer received on 11 November 2015
Edwina Hart: Updates need to be justified by a change to the surroundings which could lead to increased pedestrian numbers, for example, the construction or relocation of a school or Post Office.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Government Business
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much does the Minister expect to save as a result of the Welsh Government's decision to cease publishing decision reports recently as part of a streamlining process? (WAQ69401)
Answer received on 17 November 2015
The Minister for Finance and Government Business (Jane Hutt): As announced by the First Minister the publication of decision reports resumed on 10 November.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How is the Minister working to reduce waiting times for treatment for patients in Wales with gender identity disorder? (WAQ69403)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What consideration has the Minister given to referrals to gender identity disorder being made to more specialist centres in England? (WAQ69404)
Answer received on 17 November 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
Many services for people with gender dysphoria, such as endocrinology and speech and language therapy, are provided within Wales. However, more highly-specialised services, including surgery, are commissioned from the Charing Cross Gender Identity Clinic, which is part of the West London Mental Health NHS Trust.
The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) is currently examining the possibility of using other centres in England which provide these services to reduce waiting times.
To ask the Minister for Public Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What was the budget for the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales for 2014/15? (WAQ69397)
Answer received on 11 November 2015
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews): The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission's budget for 2014/15 was £520,000.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What was the total remuneration paid to members of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales in 2014/15? (WAQ69398)
Answer received on 11 November 2015
Leighton Andrews: The total remuneration paid to the three members of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales in 2014/15 was £16568. This information was set out in the Commission's Annual Report. A link to the report is attached.
http://www.assembly.wales/laid%20documents/gen-ld10383/gen-ld10383-e.pdf
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister outline the work programme undertaken by the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales in 2014/15? (WAQ69399)
Answer received on 11 November 2015
Leighton Andrews: The work undertaken by Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales during 2014/15 is set out in their annual report. A link to the published report is attached.
http://www.assembly.wales/laid%20documents/gen-ld10383/gen-ld10383-e.pdf