Answers issued to Members on 23 August 2007
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh. Contents
Questions to the First Minister
Questions to the Minister for Education, Children and Young People
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Questions to the Counsel General and Leader of the House
Questions to the First Minister
Mike German (South Wales East): Under what circumstances is a Member of the Assembly, other than those who are Welsh Ministers, entitled to civil service support staff, such as private secretaries?(WAQ50298)
The First Minister (Rhodri Morgan): Any member of the Welsh Assembly Government is entitled to civil service support staff, including Private Secretaries. This would include Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General.Questions to the Minister for Education, Children and Young People
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Would the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Assembly Government's progress in implementing the recommendations of the Education Committee's Report (March 2007) into helping children with autism cope with the transition from leaving school?(WAQ50301)
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): What is the Welsh Assembly Government doing to help children with autism cope with the transition from leaving school?(WAQ50302)
The Minister for Education, Children and Young People (Jane Hutt): The report on the final stage of the ELLS committee review of SEN focusing on transition and the Assembly Government’s initial response were published in March 2007. Thirty of the 47 recommendations were accepted and 27 accepted in principle or in part.
An action plan is being prepared to take forward the recommendations. This will draw on the experience of the Transitions in Action Group which works with young disabled people, including those with ASD, to highlight the issue of transition to adulthood as to what works and what does not; as well as a study by the Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities "Transition from School - What Works?” We intend to provide an interim progress report to the Assembly by the end of the year.
Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on what programmes the Welsh Assembly Government has in place, using the national curriculum, to educate school children and young adults about the problems of drugs in Mid and West Wales?(WAQ50307)
Jane Hutt: The Welsh Assembly Government supports the All-Wales Schools Programme which is operating in 97% of primary and secondary schools in Wales. This programme is aimed at providing children and young people with the tools they need to deal with many difficult issues they may face in life, including the dangers posed by drugs and alcohol. It forms part of the Personal Social Education strand of the National Curriculum.
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on what the Welsh Assembly Government is doing to address the longer waiting times for Welsh patients as compared to English patients for treatment in English Hospitals?(WAQ50299)
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the longer waiting times for Welsh patients as compared to English patients when seeking treatment in English Hospitals?(WAQ50300)
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): Waiting times for those Welsh patients who are referred to hospitals in England can only be compared with their fellow Welsh patients who are referred to hospitals in Wales.
Welsh patients should be seen and treated within maximum Welsh waiting times at whichever hospital they attend, in Wales or in England, and for most this will usually be in Wales. These maximum times for the end of March 2008 are 22 weeks for outpatients, 22 weeks for inpatient/daycase treatment, 14 weeks for specified diagnostics and 24 weeks for specified therapies. By December 2009, the target for a total wait from GP referral to treatment, including waiting for the specified diagnostic tests and therapies, will be 26 weeks.
Questions to the Counsel General and Leader of the House
Peter Black (South Wales West): In what capacity did you visit the Gower Heritage Centre on Monday 13 August?(WAQ50309)
The Counsel General and Leader of the House (Carwyn Jones): As a member of the Welsh Assembly Government.
Peter Black (South Wales West): Will the Counsel General make a statement on any discussions he had during his visit to the Gower Heritage Centre on Monday 13 August?(WAQ50310)
Carwyn Jones: The purpose of the visit was to highlight the range of tourism attractions that Wales has to offer and to encourage people to get out and about this summer.
Peter Black (South Wales West): What Welsh Assembly Government support did the Counsel General utilise to visit the Gower Heritage Centre on Monday 13 August?(WAQ50311)
Carwyn Jones: Welsh Assembly Government officials drafted a press notice and arranged a photographer to publicise the visit.
Peter Black (South Wales West): How does the visit to the Gower Heritage Centre fit in with your role as Counsel General?(WAQ50312)
Carwyn Jones: As a member of the Welsh Assembly Government I can make appropriate representations about any matter affecting Wales: in this instance, encouraging people to enjoy the natural heritage of Wales.