Written Assembly Questions tabled on 16 January 2015 for answer on 23 January 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 Minister for Natural Resources
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): What assessment has the Welsh Government made as to whether culling grey squirrels is effective in protecting populations of red squirrels? (WAQ68236)
Answer received on 27 January 2015
The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): The Welsh Government relies on the expert advice of its Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation, Natural Resources Wales (NRW). A"Conservation Plan for Red Squirrels in Wales" is in place. This plan states that in areas containing red squirrels only shooting and live-capture cage trapping can be used to control grey squirrels.
The Welsh Government is also a signatory to the UK Squirrel Accord, which supports this approach.
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Where the sack method is utilised with regards to the culling of grey squirrels in Wales, what checks are in place to ensure this is administered by a competent authority? (WAQ68237)
Answer received on 22 January 2015
The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans):
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal "under the control of man. " This law requires that all animal caught in traps including grey squirrels must be treated humanely. Squirrels are also protected from ill-treatment by the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996. It is the role of the police to ensure compliance with the law.
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): What mechanisms are in place to ensure any culling of grey squirrels in Wales is carried out only by humane methods? (WAQ68238)
Answer received on 22 January 2015
Rebecca Evans: Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal "under the control of man." Squirrels are also protected from ill-treatment by the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996. It is the role of the police to ensue compliance with the law.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the possibility of an independent review of legislation on the use of radio training collars to differentiate between those activated by a dog owner via a remote device (dog-training collars) and those activated by the animal itself (boundary fencing collars)? (WAQ68239)
Answer received on 27 January 2015
Rebecca Evans: Officials are in discussion with the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group for their view on whether the legislation is meeting the policy intent and whether it is still appropriate from a veterinary and scientific aspect, taking into account recent research data. The Group's feedback will shape the next steps to be taken.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What assessments have been made regarding the consequences of Stage 1 of the Eastern Bay Link Road? (WAQ68235)
Answer received on 20 January 2015
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): A full Environmental Impact Assessment and Value for Money assessment has been undertaken for Stage 1 of the Eastern Bay Link Road.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Minister provide an update on how much funding has been provided for walking and cycling schemes in 2014/15 through a) the Local Transport Fund, b) Safe Routes in Communities and c) the Road Safety Grant? (WAQ68241)
Answer received on 27 January 2015
Edwina Hart: In 2014/15 I allocated £4.88 million and £4.99 million respectively for walking and cycling schemes funded through the Local Transport Fund and Safe Routes in Communities scheme. No specific funding was allocated through the Road Safety Grant but many of the successful schemes will improve conditions for walkers and cyclists by making communities safer.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Minister provide an update on how much funding has been provided by the Welsh Government to promote walking and cycling in 2014/15? (WAQ68242)
Answer received on 27 January 2015
Edwina Hart: In 2014/15 I am providing funding of £270,000 to the Bike It initiative which promotes cycling, walking & scooting amongst school children. In addition I am providing core funding of £130,000 to Sustrans Cymru and £165,000 to fund Travel Plan Co-ordinators – part of their remit is to promote walking and cycling across Wales. I also provided £363,000 to deliver Personalised Travel Planning, which encouraged walking and cycling as well as public transport use.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Can the Minister outline how much money her department has spent on walking and cycling in each of the last five years? (WAQ68243)
Answer received on 27 January 2015
Edwina Hart: The information you request is below:
2010/11 - £14.042 million
2011/12 - £9.99 million
2012/13 - £13.51 million
2013/14 - £13.13 million
2014/15 - £11.79 million
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on the future availability of Abraxane for the treatment of NHS pancreatic cancer patients in Wales? (WAQ68234)
Answer received on 27 January 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): In September 2014 the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) recommended the use of Abraxane® in combination with gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Abraxane® is therefore currently available for patients in Wales.
On 30 December the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued draft guidance not recommending the routine use of Abraxane® within the NHS in England and Wales. This guidance is now subject to a period of consultation. If the final NICE guidance does not recommend Abraxane® then this advice will normally supersede that of AWMSG.
To ask the Minister for Public Services
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Given that the UK Government has announced that 17 projects will receive a share of £270,000 to help end female genital mutilation by creating a network of community champions, does the Welsh Government have any plans to create a similar network of community champions in Wales? (WAQ68240)
Answer received on 22 January 2015
Leighton Andrews: The funding which the Department for Communities and Local Government provided for England is to fund work similar to that already being developed and delivered in Wales.
We are not seeking to create a formal network of community champions. Instead we are engaging the community and faith leaders and the wider community to raise awareness of matters relating to FGM.
An essential element of this work is community engagement. Welsh Government are working with the community to develop and deliver a community led conference in February for practicing communities to raise knowledge and awareness of:
- the social, legal, medical and mental consequences of practicing FGM.
- support services available to those at risk and survivors in Wales; and
- to empower people and communities to speak out and ensure they commit to not undertaking it.
Education, Health and Social Services all have their part to play in helping to tackle FGM and in Wales all Local Health Boards have established a designated FGM lead as part of their safeguarding portfolio. These are responsible for raising awareness and ensuring pathways are dealing effectively with victims of FGM.
The Safeguarding in Education Guidance, published January 2015 includes a full chapter on 'Safeguarding Responsibilities in specific circumstances' and highlights the issue of FGM, providing detailed information on the risk indicators and ensuring teachers and all working in education have the confidence and knowledge to tackle FGM. The Guidance sets out the role of the designated senior person (DSP) with lead responsibility for managing child protection issues and cases. The DSP acts as a point of contact and a source of support, advice and expertise within the educational establishment