Written Assembly Questions tabled on 15 August 2012 for answer on 22 August 2012
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)
To ask the First Minister
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the South Wales Police; Cardiff County Council; and Rail organisations, regarding dealing with the large crowds of passengers following the Olympic football matches at the Millennium Stadium. (WAQ61060)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Since the elections in May 2011, how many times has each Welsh Government Minister or Deputy Minister met with his/her counterpart in:
a) UK Government; and
b) Scottish Government (WAQ61080)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How many Welsh Government employees work in each of the Welsh Government office sites (e.g. Llandudno Junction, Cathays Park) and how many have flexible working hours at each of these sites. (WAQ61081)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How many times in the last three years, has the First Minister met with representatives of the National Grid to discuss its proposals for the Mid Wales Connection Project. (WAQ61085)
To ask the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline what progress has been made regarding the implementation of recommendation 14 of the Enterprise and Business Committee’s report into the Regeneration of Town Centres (January 2012). (WAQ61070) Transferred for written answer for the Minister for Heritage, Regeneration and Housing
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on what action she has taken to explore how best to support local leadership in town centres across Wales, as set out in the Minister’s response to recommendation 14 of the Enterprise and Business Committee’s report into the Regeneration of Town Centres. (WAQ61071) Transferred for written answer for the Minister for Heritage, Regeneration and Housing
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What assessment has there been regarding surveys assessing demand for Welsh medium education, particularly asking parents to choose between Welsh medium or English medium schooling. (WAQ61072)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What recent discussions has the Minister or his officials had with local authorities regarding surveys assessing the demand for Welsh language education. (WAQ61074)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What recent discussions have taken place regarding the provision of Welsh medium education in Torfaen. (WAQ61075)
To ask the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development
Llyr Huws Gruffydd (North Wales): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with industry bodies on identifying site waste management plans and providing clear policy direction for the construction industry in Wales. (WAQ61076)
Llyr Huws Gruffydd (North Wales): What action is the Welsh Government taking to make progress in identifying site waste management plans and providing clear policy direction for the construction industry in Wales. (WAQ61077)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): In relation to planning policy, will the Minister outline how his department takes account of planned housing developments in the advice it issues to local authorities in delivering their local development plans. (WAQ61083)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Now that the public consultation on the Marine Conservations Zones has finished, will the Minister detail how many responses did the Government receive. (WAQ61086)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Has it been necessary to recruit extra members of staff to deal with processing the responses to the Marine Conservations Zones consultation and if so; (a) how many additional members of staff have been recruited; (b) how many of the additional members of staff were existing Welsh Government staff and what departments have they been recruited from; (c) if they have been externally recruited, how long are their contracts for; and (d) what will the financial cost to the Welsh Government be. (WAQ61087)
To ask the Minister for Finance and Leader of the House
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What are the day-to-day running costs (per annum) for each Welsh Government office site. (WAQ61082)
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Rebecca Evans (Mid and West Wales): What consideration has been given to further developments in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, including (i) the extension of the programme to 50-59 year olds; (ii) the incorporation of flexible sigmoidoscopy; and (iii) the replacement of the current fecal occult blood test with the Fecal Immunochemical Test. (WAQ60163)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to the Minister’s letter in response to WAQ60934, of the 180 patients from Cardiff centre waiting longer than the 18 month guideline, how many of those patients were waiting to receive IVF treatment for a second cycle. (WAQ61069)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister provide spending forecasts for the next 2 years for ambulance services in Wales. (WAQ61079)
To ask the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What actions is the Welsh Government taking to improve safety standards in outdoor pursuit activity. (WAQ61061)
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with regard to the future of licencing of outdoor activity providers. (WAQ61062)
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Communities
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government’s commitment to establish a direct rail link between Newport and Ebbw Vale. (WAQ61064)
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): When does the Welsh Government propose to begin the tender process for the re-letting of the Wales and Border Rail Franchise and what priorities does the Minister expect to be delivered under the new contract. (WAQ61065)
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Following the announcement of the electrification of the Valley Lines by the UK Government, has the Minister had any discussions regarding the reopening of the line from Aberdare to Hirwaun to passenger transport at the same time as the electrification work is being undertaken. (WAQ61066)
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Has the Minister had any discussions with Arriva Trains Wales regarding a study into the benefits of introducing express services from key Valley Line stations to Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street or Cardiff Bay, that omit quieter stations thus reducing the journey time. (WAQ61067)
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline the number and class of train units bought/leased by the Welsh Government and/or Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) since 2003 and the total number of units leased from ATW to other operators, including relevant dates. (WAQ61068)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): In 2012 to date, how many rulings/recommendations in relation to Local Authorities in Wales have been made by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. (WAQ61078)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister confirm what standard assessment has been used by the Welsh Government for assessing all new rail development proposals during the last 5 years. (WAQ61084)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister detail what method was used by the Mid Wales Transport Consortium (TRACC) when assessing rail development proposals for Carno Station. (WAQ61088)
To ask the Assembly Commission
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Commission outline how much has been spent on the maintenance and upgrade of the 5th floor in Ty Hywel at the National Assembly for Wales since May 2011, broken down into Ministerial offices. (WAQ61073)