​Written Assembly Questions tabled on 13 October 2016 for answer on 20 October 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 Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure

Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central):
Will the Minister explain for what purpose was expenditure for the supply of aviation fuel at St Athans approved by the Welsh Government? (WAQ71220)

Answer received on 21 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): The supply of aviation fuel at St Athan is a continuation of a process which began in 2014 via the Defence Fuels Group, MOD. The Welsh Government is obligated under the Airfield Management Agreement to procure aviation fuel from the MOD, and they in turn have a regulatory responsibility to supply aviation fuel.
Aviation fuel purchased from the MOD enables clients based at St Athan to purchase quality checked aviation fuel, from an airfield fuel store, at an agreed price, with a mark applied up to cover the Welsh Government’s handling and administration cost.
The aviation fuel is supplied to operators such as Bristow Search and Rescue facility, the National Police Air Service and the Bristow Agusta Westland 189 aircraft training unit. Aviation fuel is also supplied to other clients on site such as Cardiff Aviation, Horizon and the continuing operation of MOD aircraft on site.

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): How many volunteers attended the three-day course held at the Allt yr Afon hotel, Wolfscastle in February 2016 to train German-speaking ambassadors for cruise ships? (WAQ71221)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): 14 volunteers attended.

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What was the total cost of the three-day course held at the Allt yr Afon hotel, Wolfscastle in February 2016 to train German-speaking ambassadors for cruise ships? (WAQ71222)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Ken Skates: The course was organised by Coleg Llandrillo with the Welsh Government's contribution limited to the room hire, refreshments and accommodation for the speakers, totalling £545.

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): How many volunteers who attended the three-day course at the Allt yr Afon hotel, Wolfscastle in February 2016 were used as German-speaking ambassadors for visitors from cruise ships to Pembrokeshire during summer 2016? (WAQ71223)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Ken Skates: Intercruise led on the placement of the German-speaking ambassadors but due to internal issues only 3 ambassadors were used for cruise calls in 2016, 2 for Swansea and 1 for Milford Haven. Work is being undertaken to address this issue and my officials will be arranging a meeting with all the ambassadors to ascertain what has happened this season and pre-plan cruise calls for 2017.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the Welsh Government's interpretation of the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee's policy on the issue of funding stem cell treatment for cancer patients in Wales? (WAQ71192)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): The Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT) specialised services policy, managed by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC), aims to deliver high quality care and improve outcomes in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance and European Society for BMT standards. BMT is a term encompassing a variety of procedures and its essence is the replacement of the bone marrow with cells from the patient or from a donor. The policy sets out which patients are eligible, how they are to be referred, where they are to be managed, the quality standards required and the need for an aftercare programme. WHSSC funds all referrals which meet the criteria set out in the policy. The specialised services policy sets out what clinical indications are covered by the policy:
http://www.whssc.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/1119/CP03%20BMT%20v8.03.pdf

In accordance with the All Wales Policy on Making Decisions on Individual Patient Funding Requests (IPFR) an IPFR can be considered, if a patient requires a treatment but is not eligible in accordance with the clinical policy criteria for the treatment, where there is evidence of exceptionality.

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline what steps the Government is taking to ensure the vigorous implementation of NICE guideline NG42, on motor neurone disease, by the Health Boards and NHS Trusts? (WAQ71224)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government’s Neurological Conditions Delivery Plan acknowledges national guidelines, such as those from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); which together set out the Welsh Government’s expectations of effective care for people with a neurological condition. The NICE guideline NG42 covers assessing and managing motor neurone disease (MND). I expect Services to be developed and delivered in line with the relevant guidance for each condition.
The Welsh Government’s Health and Care Standards for Wales also require organisations to have effective governance arrangements in place to ensure and monitor the provision of safe and effective care (standard 3.1). This includes taking into account all relevant evidence and guidance, including NICE guidance.
A key remit of the NICE Liaison Group, a sub group of, and accountable to, the Welsh Government’s National Quality and Safety Forum, is to encourage a systematic approach to NICE guidance in Wales as part of a wider national commitment to continue to improve quality.

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): How many GPs have retired from post or ceased to practice in Wales each year, for the last four years? (WAQ71225)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Vaughan Gething: The published 2015 'GP leavers' statistics can be viewed by accessing the following link.  The relevant tables can be found on pages 23 and 36.

http://gov.wales/docs/statistics/2016/160330-general-medical-practitioners-2015.pdf
 

A leaver is a GP reported in the General Medical Services (GMS) census as working in Wales in one year but not the next.  The figures are snapshots from two specific points in time and represent the national position only at these times

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): How many of Wales' hospitals provide specialist Mother and Baby Units offering perinatal mental health support? (WAQ71226)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Vaughan Gething: There are no perinatal mental health mother and baby inpatient units in Wales.
We believe services to support mothers with mental health problems should be provided as close to home as is practical, while being safe for both mother and baby. Care will usually be provided by a patient’s GP and her midwife and health visitor team, with support as required from adult mental health services or third sector partners.
To assist this, £1.5m of additional Welsh Government funding was provided to health boards from 2015 onwards to support the further development of local community-based perinatal services across Wales.
It is rare for a mother to need to be admitted to hospital with her baby; however, in those circumstances the Welsh Health Specialist Services Committee work with local services to find a bed as close to home as practical and the new community services can now support the mother’s return home more quickly to their families.
Perinatal mental health services are a priority within the Together for Mental Health delivery plan 2016-19 which was launched on the 10 October.
You may find it helpful to be aware that WHSCC inform us that for the years 14/15 15/16 and until end May 2016, 9 mothers and their babies were admitted to units outside Wales.

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Is the Welsh Government confident that neonatal intensive care units are staffed with enough nurses to meet the nurse to baby ratios set out in the All Wales Neonatal Standards? (WAQ71227)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Vaughan Gething: The latest capacity report as at March 2016 demonstrates that 479.39 whole time equivalent (WTE) direct care nurses are needed across the Network to meet the standards. The latest report outlined that there were 459.71 WTE direct care nurses in established neonatal unit posts across Wales. 

These figures outline that work remains to be done to achieve full compliance with the standards. I expect health boards, supported by the Neonatal Network, to review progress against their plans in light of the latest capacity review report and address any shortcomings. The Neonatal Network works with health boards to provide flexible, responsive staffing to meet fluctuating needs for specialised neonatal services, and to address any shortcomings in staffing levels.

Results of the September capacity review will be available in the next month. 

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): In the last five years, how many health boards have closed, relocated or centralised special baby care units? (WAQ71228)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

Vaughan Gething: Hywel Dda University Health Board is the only health board to close, relocate or centralise its special care baby units, following advice from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. This was the closure in 2014 of the unit at Withybush Hospital, which enabled services to be concentrated at Glangwili General Hospital.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the use of Recycled Manure Solids as bedding for cattle within Wales? (WAQ71193)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths):  Current users and those considering using recycled manure solids as bedding can do so provided certain conditions are met.

The conditions can be found at:
http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/animal-by-products/animal-byproducts-guidance/10816181/?lang=en

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the work of the Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group? (WAQ71194)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group submitted their report “the Challenge of Eradicating Sheep Scab” to Welsh Government in 2014. Due to the costs associated with implementing these recommendations, the Wales AHWF Group was asked by Welsh Government to review them. To support this work, the Wales AHWF Group commissioned research to improve the baseline information on the prevalence of sheep scab in Wales. The results of this survey are now being considered by the Wales AHWF Group who will inform members of the Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group of their findings and proposed next steps in due course.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister make a statement on franchise-farming in Wales? (WAQ71195)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: Franchise farming is one of a number of routes into the industry for young and other new entrants. The Welsh Government is keen to work alongside the agriculture industry to encourage new blood and fresh ideas, important features of every successful industry.
The Farming Connect programme provides an effective knowledge transfer approach to motivate and help change behaviour and maximise uptake of new ideas such as contract farming. “Venture”, administered by Farming Connect on behalf of the industry, identifies and matches established landowners seeking to enter into a contract or share farming arrangement with those new entrants seeking a route into the industry.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline what steps the Welsh Government has taken to set up a web-based information hub covering animal health and welfare issues? (WAQ71196)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: Scoping out the potential for a web based information hub covering animal health and welfare issues is an action being considered by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare (Wales AHWF) Group. This is set out in the Wales AHWF Implementation Plan 2016/17 and forms part of the Group’s work to encourage increased collaboration and partnership working. The Wales AHWF Group will provide advice on next steps following completion of their scoping work.
I will publish a formal Mid Year Review of progress for all priorities in the Wales AHWF Plan 2016/17 in the New Year.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What action is the Welsh Government taking to protect the bee population in Wales? (WAQ71197)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths:  We work with the National Bee Unit on the Bee Health Programme in Wales to support the objectives of the Healthy Bees Plan.  The overall aim is to achieve a sustainable and healthy population of honey bees for pollination and honey production in the UK.  In addition to fulltime employees, seasonal bee inspectors are employed to carry out surveillance for notifiable pests, diseases of bees, statutory bee health inspections and diagnostic work.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm whether there will be a public consultation on the revisions to the companion animal and equine welfare codes of practice before the end of the year? (WAQ71198)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: A public consultation on the revisions will not take place before the end of this calendar year.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the implementation of quarantine units in Wales? (WAQ71199)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The project to introduce QUs is progressing well in terms of the development of guidance, procedures and draft legislation. Officials have received the costs and schedule for changes to the Animal Movement Licensing System (AMLS) required to facilitate the introduction of QUs. I now anticipate the introduction of QUs to be late Spring 2017.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's Trade Development Programme? (WAQ71200)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The overall objective of the Trade Development Programme is to enable Welsh producers to grow via more listings with retailers and food service providers. My officials engage with these trade partners on a regular basis to develop an ongoing relationship with buyers and senior managers to open up opportunities for Welsh producers to supply major customers.
A key objective of the meetings with Trade Partners is to secure support to enable Meet the Buyer events or equivalent where new or existing Welsh companies can be considered for new supplier opportunities. This is against a background of price reductions and rationalisation by the trade as the major retailers and discounters fight for position.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): When does the Minister intend to launch a publicity campaign to encourage poultry keepers to register their poultry on the GB Poultry Register? (WAQ71201)

Answer received on 21 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: Undertaking a publicity campaign to encourage poultry keepers to register their poultry on the GB Poultry Register is an action being considered by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare (Wales AHWF) Group. As part of this, the Group will provide advice on the timing of a publicity campaign early next year.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's priorities for the water industry? (WAQ71202)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: These are set out in the Water Strategy for Wales.
http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/150521-water-strategy-for-wales-en.pdf

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Further to WAQ71082, how much has the Welsh Government specifically promoted the consumption of game and what new action does the Minister intend to take to further promote this particular industry? (WAQ71203)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government provides broad support to a wide range of food and drink sectors, this includes Welsh game meat.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline her department's plans for the forestry sector in Wales? (WAQ71204)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government's forestry strategy, Woodlands for Wales outlines the plans for the forestry sector in Wales and in future this will be shaped by the National Natural Resource Policy.

Glastir grants are offered to support woodland creation in rural and urban areas together with a planning grant of £800 for each applicant.  I am providing funding of £2 million for a Timber Business Investment Scheme (TBIS) for woodland management and job creation. Under Round 1, 49 applications were received.  and there will be a further round in February 2017.

I am making £180,000 available to support a Co-operative Forest Planning Scheme (CFPS), the aim of which is to encourage and facilitate collaborative large scale woodland creation and management at a landscape scale and the Scheme details are currently under development. 

The Woodland Strategy Advisory Panel will continue to provide advice on the implementation of Woodlands for Wales and any other forestry matters as we move towards Brexit.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What are the Welsh Government's priorities for arable farming in Wales? (WAQ71205)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: Arable crops are a small but significant sector in Wales, they have an important role in the provision of crops for the livestock and renewable sectors. Following the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union in June of this year, Welsh Government is working with the industry through ‘Amaeth Cymru’, the Strategic Framework Partnership Group, to set a strategy and clear vision and to identify the priority measures to maximise the potential of all sectors, including the arable sector. This includes looking at opportunities to increase and diversify domestic sourced arable produce while also ensuring the highest standards of environmental protection.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide an assessment on the Welsh harvest 2016? (WAQ71206)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The annual June Agricultural and Horticultural Survey provides estimates for the areas of crops grown and livestock kept in Wales. Estimates for June 2016 will be published during November.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Further to WAQ71015, will the Minister confirm the list of organisations that form the membership of the Animal Welfare Network Wales? (WAQ71207)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: This is a matter for the Animal Welfare Network Wales (AWNW).

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): With regards to his comments about the Town Centre Loan Scheme on 5 October, will the Minister outline the priorities he has for the next round of loans? (WAQ71208)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): The priorities for the Town Centre Loan Scheme link into Welsh Government’s regeneration framework and our wider approach to regeneration. This initiative will target vacant and underutilised buildings and land for alternative uses to achieve sustainability and support prosperous and cohesive communities in our towns.
 
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the successful bids for the Town Centre Loan Schemes? (WAQ71209)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Carl Sargeant: To date, £10m has been allocated to Town Centre Loans across 11 Local Authorities, supporting 20 initiatives at a local level.
A further £10m will be allocated this financial year. The Town Centre Loan Assessment Panel met on the 11th of October and conducted a prioritisation exercise on the applications submitted by the Local Authorities. I am now awaiting advice on the options for allocating the funding available to ensure maximum impact and will be announcing this decision shortly after. 

 
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the 40 initiatives to be covered by the Town Centre Loan Scheme, as mentioned in the 2016-17 Budget? (WAQ71210)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Carl Sargeant: The Town Centre Loan Scheme has already committed £10m to initiatives across Wales and has a further £10m to commit this financial year.
To date we have supported 20 investments at a local level through the Town Centre Loan Scheme with several others being considered by the Local Authorities and subject to due diligence. As this is a 15 year programme, we are well ahead of the projected 40 initiatives at this point. 
 
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What mechanisms will the Minister use to measure the success of the Town Centre Loans Scheme during the Fifth Assembly term? (WAQ71211)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Carl Sargeant: All Local Authorities in receipt of a Town Centre Loan are required to complete a baseline statement outlining the indicators that will be measured for the period of the loan funding. My officials monitor the delivery of the schemes on a quarterly reporting cycle and are in close contact with the Local Authorities delivering the schemes. 
 
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the £100million set aside for the Vibrant and Viable Places Scheme announced in 2014? (WAQ71212)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Carl Sargeant: To date, a total of £111.8m has been awarded to the eleven local authorities who were successful in securing funding as part of the original Vibrant and Viable Places regeneration scheme bid process.

A full breakdown of award allocations by local authority is as follows:

 
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister outline his priorities for the Vibrant and Viable Places Scheme over the next Assembly term? (WAQ71213)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Carl Sargeant: We are looking to build on the Vibrant and Viable Places programme that continues to make a significant impact in many communities by creating jobs, supporting people in to work and through building new homes. I will be providing Members with further information in due course.
 
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): With regard to his comments about the Communities First Programme, what discussions has the Minister had with local authorities and Public Service Boards to ensure benchmarks for delivery? (WAQ71214)

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Will the Minister outline a timetable for the phasing out of the Communities First programme? (WAQ71215)

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Will the Minister outline his next steps to phase out the Communities First programme? (WAQ71216)

Answer received on 21 October 2016

Carl Sargeant: I refer the member to my oral statement on 11th October 2016.   
 
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure appropriate support for young people leaving care? (WAQ71217)
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure consistent provision of the leaving care grant by local authorities in Wales? (WAQ71218)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Carl Sargeant: The Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 sets out the level of care and support care leavers should receive. A key outcome for all young people leaving care is that they are provided with the support they need to make a successful transition to adulthood and move towards more independent living. Preparation for the time when a young person is no longer looked after should be integral to the care and support planning process throughout their time in care.

The Part 6 Code of Practice under the Act sets out the support local authorities must provide for care leavers and the requirement for a pathway plan to be developed for every young person who leaves care.  The pathway plan should cover all the individual's needs to enable them to make a successful transition into adulthood.

The Children Act 1989 (Higher Education Bursary) (Wales) Regulations 2011 sets out the support local authorities must provide to care leavers who engage on a course of higher education. The allocation of the grant is a matter for local authorities.
 
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister make a statement on how the Welsh Government will consult with communities over his announcement that he plans to phase out the Communities First programme in Wales and how he will ensure that the voices of the communities affected are fully listened to in the process? (WAQ71219)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Carl Sargeant:  We will ensure that communities affected by any changes can continue to engage with us in a variety of ways on a future approach. I would expect Communities First Lead Delivery Bodies and Cluster teams to support this process, which will form part of wider community engagement across Wales and will use multiple approaches.  This will include use of digital media and an online survey will be launched next week.  
 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister elaborate on the circumstances of the Welsh Government procurement process which led to the 'fruitless payment' of £1.25 million referred to in the Consolidated Accounts Annual Reports for 2015-16, and the resultant legal challenge? (WAQ71229)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): Following a procurement process, which was subject to the EU Public Procurement Directive, the Welsh Government issued a notice of its intention to award a contract. Legal proceedings were issued by an unsuccessful bidder challenging the award decision. Following mediation, a settlement was reached.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline the grounds on which the procurement decision, which led to the 'fruitless payment' of £1.25 million referred to in the Consolidated Accounts Annual Reports for 2015-16, was challenged? (WAQ71230)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Mark Drakeford: Further to the response to WAQ71229, the bidder alleged procedural breaches in relation to the procurement exercise. 
 
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many legal challenges involving cases of procurement have been brought against the Welsh Government in the past five years and how much money has the government paid out by way of compensation and damages in cases lost? (WAQ71231)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

Mark Drakeford: Other than the case referred to in questions WAQ71229 and WAQ71230, there have been no other legal challenges to WG procurements which have resulted in the payment of either damages or compensation.