Written Assembly Questions tabled on 10 August 2016 for answer on 17 August 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 First Minister
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Could the First Minister please provide an updated list of Welsh Government Sponsored Public Bodies? (WAQ70836)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): There are currently 31 Welsh Government Sponsored Bodies, which are listed below:
Executive Bodies
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
National Library of Wales
Sports Council for Wales
Arts Council of Wales
Natural Resources Wales
Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
Care Council for Wales
Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Qualifications Wales
Advisory Bodies
Advisory Panel on Substance Misuse
All Wales Medicines Strategy Group
Independent Appeals Panel for Farmers
Welsh Dental Committee
Welsh Medical Committee
Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee
Welsh Optometric Committee
Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee
Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee
Welsh Therapies Advisory Committee
Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board
Public Services Staff Commission
Tribunals
Agricultural Land Tribunal (Wales)
Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales
Registered Inspectors of Schools Appeal Tribunal Wales
Valuation Tribunal for Wales
Adjudication Panel Wales
Special Educational Needs Tribunal Wales
Registered Nursery Education Inspectors Appeals Tribunal Wales
Residential Tribunal for Wales
Welsh Language Tribunal
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Since the new UK Government announced its Cabinet appointments, how many times has the First Minister, and his cabinet colleagues, met with the following: Liam Fox MP, Boris Johnson MP, David Davis MP? Meetings can either have been done in person or via phone conference. (WAQ70839)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Carwyn Jones: I have had one telephone conversation with David Davis MP.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister provide an update on what action the Welsh Government is taking to prevent complications caused by Group B Strep in newborn babies? (WAQ70823)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): Group Strep B is a rare but serious infection in newborn babies. The National Screening Committee (NSC) has recommended not to screen for this infection in pregnancy. Welsh Government officials are involved in UK discussions on determining appropriate care as at present there is no universally accepted recommended care pathway. The Department of Health (England) has organised events in September and October to consider this matter. All health boards are required to apply universal infection prevention within maternity and neonatal services.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister detail how many Welsh domiciled patients have travelled to other countries for Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) for each of the last three financial years? (WAQ70837)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Vaughan Gething: This information is not held centrally.
Nathan Gill (North Wales): What sporting events has the Minister attended since he assumed office? (WAQ70838)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Vaughan Gething: Since taking up the post of Cabinet Secretary of Health, Well-being and Sport I have attended the following sport events:
Saturday, 11 June:
Attended the Wales v Slovakia European Football Championship match held in Bordeaux, France, as a guest of the FAW Trust.
Thursday, 16 June:
Attended the Wales v England European Football Championship match screening at the Park House Club, Cardiff, as a guest of the FAW Trust.
Friday, 1 July:
Attended and spoke at the Gemau Cymru launch which was organised by the Urdd Gobaith Cymru. This was held at the Cardiff International White Water Centre, Cardiff Bay.
Saturday, 2 July:
Attended the Royal London one-day international cricket match involving England v Sri Lanka as a guest of Glamorgan Cricket Club. The event took place at SSE Swalec Stadium, Cardiff.
Friday, 8 July:
I attended the Wales Football Team homecoming event as a guest of the FAW Trust. The event was held at the Cardiff City Stadium.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to tackle 'fake' farm branding by retailers on some food products, as highlighted in the NFU YouGov commissioned survey? (WAQ70818)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): This is an ongoing enforcement matter and is the remit of trading standards.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline what outcomes she has realised from her discussions at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show? (WAQ70819)
Answer received on 16 August 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): I undertook over 60 engagements at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.
I met many people from across Wales including farmers, food and drink producers and representatives of environmental groups. (I am determined their views and concerns are communicated and taken into consideration during negotiations over the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU).)
I met with George Eustice MP, UK Minister of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment, to seek assurances over future funding for agriculture in Wales and reiterated the vital importance of continued access to the single market for Welsh rural businesses and food and drink producers.
I also met with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agricultural counsellor, Stan Phillips, to discuss proposals on the lifting of import restrictions on lamb from Britain and a consultation is now underway which aims to bring USA legislation in line with the world animal health organisation’s position that transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) do not pose any risk to human health. The consultation paves the way for the potential lifting of the ban on the export of Welsh lamb to the USA.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the number of female farmers in Wales over the past five years? (WAQ70820)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Lesley Griffiths: Information collected about principle farmers on Welsh farms annually through the Welsh Agricultural Survey does not split between females and males.
Alternative sources, such as the information collected to make agricultural subsidy payments, similarly do not give a split between female and male farmers.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What plans does the Welsh Government have to encourage long-term tenancies in the agriculture sector? (WAQ70821)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government recognises the importance of longer term tenancies, particularly as a means of creating opportunities for young and new entrants. Long-term tenancies are possible within current legislation however, the decision to award one is a matter for a landlord. Any development work in this area will be considered as part of wider tenancy reform programme.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What steps is the Minister's department taking to ensure that dairy farmers receive a greater proportion of the profits of their produce compared to other elements of the supply chain? (WAQ70822)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Lesley Griffiths: I realise that many dairy farmers have received a low milk price for over a year. Poor market prices have resulted from an imbalance between supply and demand, in Wales, across Europe and globally. Like farmers, many milk processors have been making low margins as they compete to retain their market share.
The Welsh Government continues to support farmers to increase their profits by improving both technical and business efficiencies whilst taking full advantage of their milk contract. The advice and support available through Farming Connect along with the work of AHDB Dairy helps farmers develop their business and be more resilient to market volatility.
We are in a competitive position compared to many other milk producing areas, with a favourable climate for grass growth and a concentrated milk field. I recognise from the dairy processing capacity study the last Welsh Government funded in South West Wales, that there is also an opportunity to extend our processing capacity here in Wales. This has the potential to increase employment in the wider dairy food chain and potentially the price paid for milk to Welsh producers. I was pleased the study found that processors see opportunities for expansion within Wales and Welsh Government stands ready to support proposals for further investment in Wales through our Food Business Investment Scheme.
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister be attending the informal meeting to discuss the implications of 'Brexit' on European farming and the shape of the Common Agricultural Policy post-2020 organised by French Minister Stephane le Foll on 1 and 2 September? (WAQ70829)
Answer received on 16 August 2016
Lesley Griffiths: This is not an official European Union meeting. It is an informal meeting of an invited group of Member States and neither the UK Government nor Welsh Government Ministers have been invited to attend.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Are you committed to establishing a dedicated veterinary school in Aberystwyth? (WAQ70830)
Answer received on 16 August 2016
Lesley Griffiths: Since my announcement on 13 June of plans for a dedicated training programme, I have remained keenly interested in the joint venture between Aberystwyth University and the Royal Veterinary College to explore options for the development of a veterinary medicines programme tailored to the needs of animal health and welfare in Wales. I will continue to be involved by monitoring the progress of the project and the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales is in close contact with senior members of the University.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Can you provide an update on the collaboration between Aberystwyth University and the Royal Veterinary College? (WAQ70831)
Answer received on 16 August 2016
Lesley Griffiths: The joint venture between Aberystwyth University and the Royal Veterinary College is a matter for them as the Welsh Government has no direct involvement in the project, although I am taking a keen interest in developments.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): How many community energy schemes are in place in Wales? (WAQ70832)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Lesley Griffiths: Figures November 2015 indicate there are 104 community energy schemes in Wales.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): How much energy is currently generated through community energy schemes in Wales? (WAQ70833)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Can the Welsh Government guarantee that the Business Rates revaluation will take place in 2017? (WAQ70824)
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): When will the Business Rates revaluation in Wales be taking place and over what timescale? (WAQ70825)
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): When will the outcome of the next Business Rates revaluation be implemented? (WAQ70827)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is currently revaluing all non-domestic properties. The draft rating list will be published on 30 September 2016 and the new list will come into force on 1 April 2017.
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): What Welsh Government policy or guidance applies to the next Business Rates revaluation in Wales? (WAQ70826)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Mark Drakeford: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is an independent organisation with statutory responsibility for compiling and maintaining rating lists in England and Wales.
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Further to his answer to WAQ 70752 will the Minister advise what plans he has to vary or amend the Small Business Rate Relief thresholds in Wales? (WAQ70828)
Answer received on 22 August 2016
Mark Drakeford: I will be considering the options over the summer for providing relief from non‑domestic rates to support small businesses in the future. This will be informed by the outcome of the 2017 revaluation exercise currently being finalised by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that Student Finance Wales responds quickly to complaints and challenges to its decisions? (WAQ70834)
Answer received on 16 August 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Kirsty Williams): The Student Loans Company (SLC) has an internal complaints process in place to respond quickly to complaints from Student Finance Wales customers. My officials work closely with the SLC to ensure that performance targets are met and I am pleased that the average response time currently far exceeds the agreed target.
If customers remain unhappy with the outcome of their complaint they can ask for their case to be reviewed by an Independent Assessor. The Assessors are independent of the SLC and will conduct impartial investigations on behalf of the customer.
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that Student Finance Wales processes applications for funding quickly? (WAQ70835)
Answer received on 16 August 2016
Kirsty Williams: Student Finance Wales (SFW) is required to meet operational performance targets for the processing of applications.
As with any financial product the processing of applications for student finance involves a number of checks, to ensure that appropriate funding is available for every eligible student in Wales. The online application process is reviewed on an annual basis to consider improvements and to minimise delays, particularly in relation to evidence requirements to support applications.
For the majority of customers applications are processed without delay. The performance of SFW currently far exceeds the established target with an average turnaround of just 3 days for the core processing of applications.