Written Assembly Questions tabled on 16 January 2017 for answer on 23 January 2017
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
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): Does the Welsh Government intend to agree a common agricultural policy within the UK after we leave the EU? (WAQ71874)
Answer received on 24 January 2017
First Minister (Carwyn Jones): The Common Agricultural Policy will need to be replaced whatever the scenario once the UK leaves the EU. Agriculture is devolved to Wales and we have already been actively working with stakeholders to ensure that we develop a policy that will be both tailored to Welsh needs and responsive to key opportunities. As a Government we acknowledge that UK frameworks will be needed, but these should be collectively developed and agreed, not imposed.
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): Does the Welsh Government intend to comply with the EU Bathing Water directives once we leave the EU? (WAQ71875)
Answer received on 24 January 2017
First Minister: Our intention is to ensure we maintain Wales' bathing water quality following the UK's exit from the European Union.
Through the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, we have put in place a clear foundation, which reflects our commitment to managing our natural resources sustainably. This will be unaffected by the UK's exit from the EU.
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): What pressure is the Welsh Government putting on the UK Government to introduce a new regional policy which will make up for the loss of EU structural funds? (WAQ71876)
Answer received on 24 January 2017
First Minister: The Welsh Government has repeatedly called for the UK Government to replace, in full, the £370 million a year needs-based funding that Wales receives for EU regional policy, including the structural funds. We continue to press this message both formally and informally at Ministerial and official levels, including at the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) which the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government attends.
Today we have published an EU White Paper, which sets out our position on a range of key issues related to the UK's exit from the EU. This repeats our call for EU funding in Wales to be replaced in full, but also makes clear there should be no rolling back of devolution as we leave the EU. We expect to continue to be responsible for regional economic development policy, along with associated funding, in line with existing devolved competences for economic development.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the proportion of newly built homes in each of the last five years in Wales that have a timber-frame construction? (WAQ71872)
Answer received on 24 January 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): The Welsh Government does not hold this information.
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with representatives of the Wales timber and wood panel industries on the role that Welsh wood products could play in housebuilding? (WAQ71873)
Answer received on 24 January 2017
Carl Sargeant: The Welsh Government actively promotes the use of Welsh timber as a sustainable construction material. Working with the industry and Wood Knowledge Wales we hosted the Wood Build Wales event last year to showcase the benefit of using timber to the sector. We have also supported a number of companies to develop new and innovative house building methods, and the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affair recently opened the 'Pentre Solar Village' in Pembrokeshire which showcases how Welsh timber can be used successfully to create sustainable, energy efficient homes.