Written Assembly Questions tabled on 14 October 2016 for answer on 21 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

Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the Minister commit to establishing a joint task force to work with Swansea Council to help deliver a sustainable future for Swansea museum, which is of national significance? (WAQ71232)

Answer received on 21 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): The Expert Review of Local Museum Services recommended a strategic approach to the delivery of museum services. We will take this recommendation forward in partnership with local authorities across Wales.
 
Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on plans for a safe crossing for the multi user Lon Eifion trail at the Goat roundabout, as part of the Bontnewydd by-pass (Caernarfon), and whether these plans include traffic lights? (WAQ71235)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): At Goat roundabout, users will cross the existing A487 trunk road via a controlled crossing with 'Toucan' traffic signals suitable for pedestrians and cyclists.  They will not have to cross the new Bypass or the existing A499 road to Pwllheli.  As existing traffic flows will reduce significantly on the A487 to Bontnewydd when the Bypass is opened there is no need for a signalised crossing at this location.
 

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

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): What action is being taken to improve access to breast cancer screening for older women? (WAQ71233)

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): How many women aged 70 and over have attended breast cancer screenings in each of Wales' health boards this year? (WAQ71234)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): Women in Wales are automatically invited for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 70 years. This is in line with the latest available evidence and the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation on population screening for breast cancer. Screening is carried out at three regional centres and on a fleet of ten mobile mammography units, which visit over 100 locations in Wales on a three yearly cycle. All centres and mobile units are Disability Discrimination Act compliant to enable ease of access.
In order for a programme to be offered on a population basis there needs to be evidence that the good done outweighs the harm. An independent review into the benefits and harms of breast screening has been published and is available on the Cancer Research UK website: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/we-develop-policy/our-policy-on-early-diagnosis/our-policy-on-breast-cancer-screening

The figures you have requested are not held centrally by Welsh Government but would be available on request through Breast Test Wales: http://www.breasttestwales.wales.nhs.uk/contact-us

Answer received on 25 October 2016

Vaughan Gething: Where medicines such as Orkambi ® are not routinely available in NHS Wales, a clinician may apply for the medicine on behalf of their patient by making an Individual Patient Funding Request application.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many patients have applied to access the drug Orkambi in Wales via Individual Patient Funding Requests (IPFR), and will the Minister provide details on how many have been successful in accessing the drug and how many have had their requests denied? (WAQ71237)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

Vaughan Gething: The number of IPFR requests received for Orkambi is fewer than five. To protect patient confidentiality I am unable to provide any further information on the outcome of these requests.

Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement on claims of historic sex abuse against pupils at Llandrindod Wells Residential School for the Deaf that are made in the book 'From a war torn town to a country exile - A history of the Royal Cambrian and Llandrindod Wells Residential Schools for the Deaf 1846-1973' by Cedric J Moon MBE? (WAQ71245)

Answer received on 28 October 2016

Rebecca Evans: The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children will write to you and a copy of the letter will be placed on the internet.
 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister be undertaking a review of animal welfare, including the welfare of exotic pets? (WAQ71238)

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions have taken place between the Chief Veterinary Officer on behalf of the Minister and her counterparts in Scotland and England regarding the welfare of exotic pets? (WAQ71239)

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What proposals does the Minister have to regulate the sale of exotic animals? (WAQ71240)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Implementation Plan for 2016-17, gives a commitment to review the Welsh Government’s Codes of Practice as published under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This includes considering whether additional Codes of Practice are required for other species.
My officials have presented the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group with a paper on the trade of exotic pets. The Framework Group is due to meet with a reptile specialist in a forthcoming meeting. The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has historically added this topic to the agenda of a UK CVO meeting to commence a UK-wide discussion. 
 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What consideration has the Minister given to developing a 'Made in Wales' approach to community assets? (WAQ71243)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): ‘Taking Wales Forward’ sets out our intention to work with local communities to protect those facilities which bring people together and help to improve wellbeing.
My officials are considering the evidence from a pilot project, hosted by the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations, aimed at providing a dedicated resource to support community groups considering taking on assets. I will consider next steps based on their findings. 
 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of Welsh Government funding available to One Voice Wales for the finance training module in the years 2016-17? (WAQ71241)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): One Voice Wales did not request funding to support finance training in 2016-17. However, the organisation received £2850 from the Welsh Government during 2015-16 to produce a training module on advanced finance for community and town councils. This module is offered in conjunction with the local government basic finance module which was one of the initial One Voice Wales training modules to be funded by the Welsh Government.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What considerations has the Minister given to issuing guidance or enforceable standards for enforcement officers and bailiffs for non-payment of council tax? (WAQ71242)

Answer received on 21 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): UK legislation prescribes the procedure that must be followed by a bailiff or enforcement agent when enforcing council tax arrears.  A set of minimum standards, issued by the Ministry of Justice, supports this legislation and sets out the key responsibilities and behaviour expected of both creditors and bailiffs. 

I want to ensure local authorities are collecting council tax and managing council tax debt in a proportionate and responsible manner.  To this end, I am commissioning research into local authorities' policies in this area and will consider whether any further action needs to be taken by the Welsh Government.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister outline the further steps he is taking to promote the finance training module to Town and Community Councilors, as well as Clerks, given that only 51 have participated in this module since October 2015? (WAQ71244)

Answer received on 25 October 2016

Mark Drakeford: One Voice Wales delivers a basic level course in local government finance, as well as an advanced level course aimed at councillors who may have senior roles in the council such as members of the finance committee. Both training modules have been produced with funding from the Welsh Government. Figures supplied to us by One Voice Wales show that there were 117 participants (councillors and clerks) on both courses combined during 2015-16 and 54 participants to date during 2016-17. One Voice Wales is responsible for promoting these courses to the community and town council sector.