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Written Assembly Questions tabled on 15 October 2015 for answer on 22 October 2015

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

David Melding (South Wales Central): In what ways does the Welsh Government forge relationships with other small country governments to share best governance practices? (WAQ69289)

Answer received on 21 October 2015

The First Minister (Carwyn Jones):

Establishing strong relations and co-operation between countries is central to the wellbeing and future of Wales. That is why the sharing of best practice and peer learning has been highlighted as one of my key objectives in the Welsh Government's International Agenda. 

The Welsh Government has a number of contacts with small country governments in a number of forums across policy areas.  These relationships are developed in many ways and at different levels across government, which all work together to encourage co-operation, shape policy delivery and to raise the profile of Wales as a partner of choice. These include;

• our participation in European programmes, which enable shared learning and best practice between member states addressing economic, environmental and social issues;

• our membership on international Groups and Networks such as NRG4SD and Climate Group which has allowed Wales to extend its influence beyond best practice sharing and demonstrate its ability as a devolved government to develop regional policy within a global framework;

• an established programme of visits between countries at official and ministerial level which clearly demonstrate the interest and significance of both parties in building closer relations. Wales are now seeing the benefits from these visits.

Our proactive membership on the British-Irish Council presents an open opportunity for learning from our closest neighbours and is a good example of working across governments – both large and small.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide a copy of the offer letter provided to Mick Antoniw as the new Chair of the All-Wales European Programme Monitoring Committee 2014-2020? (WAQ69291)

Carwyn Jones:

The offer letter, issued to Mick Antoniw AM to serve as Chair of the Programme Monitoring Committees for the European Structural and Investment Funds 2014‑2020¹ and the European Structural Funds 2007-2013² is attached.

 http://www.assembly.wales/written%20questions%20documents/information%20further%20to%20written%20assembly%20question%2069291/151022%2069291-e.pdf

 http://www.assembly.wales/written%20questions%20documents/information%20further%20to%20written%20assembly%20question%2069291/151022%2069291-e-2.pdf

 Notes:

1. The Wales PMC 2014–2020 monitors the performance of the European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development programmes 2014–2020.
   
2. The All-Wales PMC 2007–2013 continues to monitor the performance of the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund programmes 2007–2013 in Wales.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister confirm whether Assembly representatives on the European Union Committee of the Regions are subject to the same codes of conduct as the Chair of the All-Wales European Programme Monitoring Committee? (WAQ69292)

Answer received on 23 October 2015

Carwyn Jones: No they're not.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide a copy of the offer letter sent to Welsh Government representatives, Mick Antoniw and Rhodri Glyn Thomas, on the European Union Committee of the Regions? (WAQ69293)

Answer received on 23 October 2015

Carwyn Jones:

Members of the European Union's Committee of the Regions represent the regional and local legislatures to which they are elected or to which they are accountable. They are independent in the performance of their duties. The letters of appointment  to join the Committee of the Regions are issued by the Foreign Secretary and are held by the UK Government.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister outline what remuneration and/or expenses has been paid to the Assembly representatives, Mick Antoniw and Rhodri Glyn Thomas, on the European Union Committee of the Regions, providing a breakdown per year since the start of the fourth Assembly?  (WAQ69294)

Answer received on 23 October 2015

Carwyn Jones: The travel and subsistence expenses incurred by Assembly Members Mick Antoniw and Rhodri Glyn Thomas to pursue Committee of the Regions business are reimbursed directly by the Committee of the Regions. The breakdown can be obtained from the Committee of the Regions or from the Members themselves.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister outline what remuneration and/or expenses has been paid to the chair of the All-Wales European Programme Monitoring Committee, indicating how much has been provided for this role, per year, since the establishment of the Fourth Assembly? (WAQ69295)

Answer received on 23 October 2015

Carwyn Jones:

Since the establishment of the Fourth Assembly on 11 May 2011, total payments¹ made, per year, to the Chair of the Wales Programme Monitoring Committee for the European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020² and the Programme Monitoring Committee for the European Structural Funds 2007‑2013³ are as follows:

Notes:

1. Payments include fees, Employer National Insurance contributions, travel and subsistence. 
    
2. The Wales PMC monitors the performance of the European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development programmes 2014–2020 worth nearly £2.5 billion in EU funds; the Committee meets on a quarterly basis.
   
3. The PMC 2007–2013 continues to monitor the performance of the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund programmes 2007–2013 in Wales worth around £1.8 billion in EU funds. The Committee will remain in operation until the programmes are formally closed in 2016.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister confirm it's the expectation that the chair of the All-Wales European Programme Monitoring Committee 2014-2020 must comply with the various codes outlined in his answer to my urgent question on Wednesday 14 November in the same manner as a Minister in the Welsh Government? (WAQ69296)

Answer received on 23 October 2015

Carwyn Jones:

The provisions of appointment relating to the Chair of the Programme Monitoring Committees for the European Structural and Investment Funds 2014–2020 and the European Structural Funds 2007–2013 are confirmed in the offer letters issued to Jenny Rathbone AM and Mick Antoniw AM. These have been made available as part of the Welsh Government's response to WAQ69291 and WAQ69298.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister make a statement on the role of Welsh Government Special Advisers in the dismissal and subsequent facilitating and handling of media enquiries for the chair of the All-Wales European Programme Monitoring Committee 2014-2020? (WAQ69297)

Answer received on 30 October 2015

Carwyn Jones:  Decisions relating to the appointment of chairs to the All-Wales European Programme Monitoring Committee are made by me.  I discuss a range of issues with Special Advisers.   

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide a copy of the offer letter made to Jenny Rathbone AM for her previous role as Chair of the All-Wales European Programme Monitoring Committee 2014-2020? (WAQ69298)

Answer received on 23 October 2015

Carwyn Jones:

The letter issued to Jenny Rathbone AM to serve as Chair of the Programme Monitoring Committees for the European Structural Funds 2007-2013¹ and the European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020² is attached. 

 http://www.assembly.wales/written%20questions%20documents/information%20further%20to%20written%20assembly%20question%2069298/151022%2069298-e.pdf

Notes:

1. The All-Wales PMC 2007–2013 continues to monitor the performance of the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund programmes 2007–2013 in Wales.
   
2. The Wales PMC 2014–2020 monitors the performance of the European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development programmes 2014–2020.

To ask the Minister for Natural Resources

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minster provide the figure for the number of occasions he has met with the Farmers' Union of Wales and the National Farmers Union, since his appointment as Natural Resources Minister? (WAQ69299)

Answer received on 21 October 2015

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): I have met both unions formally once since my appointment. Both unions have been present at other events and gatherings which I have attended.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister provide the figure for the number of occasions the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food has met with the Farmers' Union of Wales, and the National Farmers Union Cymru, since her appointment? (WAQ69300)

Answer received on 21 October 2015

The Deputy Minster for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): I have met the unions formally as follows:

• Farmers' Union of Wales: 12 times
• National Farmers Union Cymru: 20 times

In addition, I meet members of both unions informally at meetings and gatherings frequently throughout  the year.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

David Melding (South Wales Central): In what ways is the Welsh Government promoting greater exchange with Welsh universities to improve the development of public policy? (WAQ69290)

Answer received on 30 October 2015

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): The Welsh Government has a long history of working with academic institutions in Wales particularly in the field of Health. With the establishment of the Welsh Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data Methods (WISERD) and the Administrative Data Research Centre Wales, academic engagement covers a wide range of policy fields. Engagement involves a two-way exchange. Policy priorities of the Welsh Government are communicated to academics to help promote policy relevant research and new and ongoing research in academia is shared with relevant policy officials. Ministers have direct access to expert advice via the Public Policy Institute for Wales and in many cases this involves Welsh academics.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister list the investments made from the Health Technology Fund in the last two financial years? (WAQ69288)

Answer received on 30 October 2015

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):

The information requested is attached at Annex A.

Annex A

Health Technology Fund