Written Assembly Questions tabled on 10 June 2014 for answer on 17 June 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 Economy, Science and Transport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a commitment to facilitate and lead discussions between Arriva Trains Wales and the North Wales Rugby Council to discuss train arrangements to enable rugby fans from North Wales to reach Cardiff for future Welsh international rugby matches? (WAQ67218)
Answer received on 20 June 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart: I expect Arriva Trains Wales to provide sufficient services in line with their contractual responsibilities to enable passengers to travel to Cardiff for events such as Welsh international rugby matches. I will write to Arriva Trains Wales to ask them to liaise with the North Wales Rugby Council in this regard.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm whether Welsh Government policy relating to the commissioning of health procedures via the independent sector has changed, and will he provide current commissioning guidelines issued to local health boards? (WAQ67205)
Answer received on 17 June 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The healthcare system in Wales has always been founded on the principles of Aneurin Bevan that health care is comprehensive, universal and free at the point of access. It is a planned system based on meeting population need rather than one based on market approaches or complicated commissioning processes.
There are occasions where it will be necessary to treat patients in the independent sector, for example, when requiring specialist services in the field of mental health.
When a need arises, Health Boards have been advised they should look initially at utilising any available capacity in the NHS in Wales, then England, and thereafter the private / independent sector.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What action is the Minister taking to develop Dementia Supportive Communities beyond funding for the Alzheimers Society? (WAQ67216)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
Mark Drakeford: We are committed to encouraging the development of dementia supportive communities in order to build understanding, compassion and tolerance about dementia at the community level. The ongoing delivery of the National Dementia Vision for Wales
(now addressed in, and by, Together for Mental Health) also places emphasis on the need to promote dementia supportive communities.
The Ageing Well in Wales Programme, which is supported by the Welsh Government and chaired by Sarah Rochira, has a thematic network that focuses entirely on Dementia Supportive Communities. The network is led Dr Bernadette Fuge, former Principal Medical Officer of the Welsh Government and Chair of Age Cymru, and guided by an Expert Advisory Group.
To ask the Minister for Housing and Regeneration
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on whether there are plans to introduce parallel tracking or a system of co-permission when determining planning application that also require environmental permits? (WAQ67213)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
The Minister for Housing and Regeneration (Carl Sargeant): The consultation paper Positive Planning included proposals to introduce a new category of planning application covering developments of national significance (DNS) that would be decided by Welsh Ministers. The consultation also sought views on whether there should be the option of submitting certain connected applications to be considered by the Welsh Ministers at the same time and following the same process as the main DNS application.
The outcome of the consultation is currently being considered and will inform the Planning (Wales) Bill to be introduced to the National Assembly later this year.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the weight to be given to indicate capacity targets/limits as set out in TAN 8 and clarified in the Ministerial Letter by John Griffiths in 2011? (WAQ67217)
Answer received on 29 July 2014
Carl Sargeant: The guidance issued by John Griffiths in his Ministerial Letter of July 2011 remains in place.
The Welsh Government’s position is that the SSA capacities, as assessed by independent consultants Garrad Hassan, should be considered as maximum levels of output and will inform decisions on applications determined by Welsh Ministers. Whether the UK respects the Welsh Government’s capacity limits remains to be seen.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Government Business
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the current Job Evaluation process within Local Authorities in Wales, to include: a) how many authorities have fulfilled this process in its entirety; and b) how many Employee Appeals have been lodged by those earning an annual salary up to 30K per Local Authority in Wales? (WAQ67219)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
The Minister for Local Government and Govenment Busnes (Lesley Griffiths): How Authorities have taken forward the process of job evaluation is a matter for each Authority. We do not hold information on the number of appeals lodged.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources and Food
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of cattle slaughtered in Welsh abattoirs, including a breakdown of numbers for each of the last 5 years? (WAQ67206)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources and Food (Alun Davies): Figures obtained from Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales show that the number of cattle slaughtered in Welsh abattoirs over the last 5 years has increased by 5%.
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
| 141,300 | 148,300 | 157,600 | 155,200 | 147,700 |
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of sheep slaughtered in Welsh abattoirs, including a breakdown of numbers for each of the last 5 years? (WAQ67207)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
Alun Davies:Figures obtained from Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales show that the Welsh national flock has increased between 2010 and 2013 by around13%.
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
| 3,929,200 | 3,700,000 | 3,816,000 | 3,462,800 | 3,356,400 |
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of pigs slaughtered in Welsh abattoirs, including a breakdown of numbers for each of the last 5 years? (WAQ67208)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
Alun Davies: Figures provided by Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales show that there are 14 abattoirs in Wales that slaughter pigs, none of which are dedicated pig abattoirs.
The numbers of pigs slaughtered in Welsh abattoirs in the last 5 years are:
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
| 29,300 | 33,500 | 36,500 | 35,800 | 32,400 |
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the amount of milk produced in Welsh dairies for human consumption (either in liquid or ‘manufactured’ form), giving the total figure in litres for each of the last five years? (WAQ67209)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
Alun Davies AM: The Welsh Government does not hold data on the amount of milk processed in Welsh dairies for human consumption.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm the number of red meat abattoirs in Wales as of the 30th April 2014 and, of these, the number which are currently fully operational and processing livestock? (WAQ67210)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
Alun Davies: Figures obtained from Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales show that the there were 21 red meat abattoirs within Wales, as of 30 April 2014. All of which were fully operational and processing livestock.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm the number of fully functioning dairies in Wales as of the 30th April 2014? (WAQ67211)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
Alun Davies: The Welsh Government does not hold data on the number of dairies in Wales.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide a figure for the number of Welsh dairies producing a) liquid and b) ‘manufactured’ dairy products for human consumption in each of the last 5 financial years? (WAQ67212)
Answer received on 20 June 2014
Alun Davies: The Welsh Government does not hold statistics on the number and type of dairies operating in Wales.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What advice has the Minister sought and received with regards to the ability to introduce a domestic scheme to support farming in the moorlands? (WAQ67214)
Answer received on 18 June 2014
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister list the 93 farms and their location that he is considering to assist via a domestic scheme to support farming in the moorland? (WAQ67215)
Answer received on 18 June 2014 (WAQ67214-5)
Alun Davies: I will be issuing a written statement on support to moorland farmers before recess and will publish data on the farms affected at that time.