Written Assembly Questions tabled on 17 January 2014 for answer on 24 January 2014
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
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government ahead of marking the centenary of the First World War? (WAQ66290)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): I appointed Professor Sir Deian Hopkin as my Expert Adviser on the First World War on 3 March 2012. Sir Deian has held regular discussions with the UK Government and acts as my representative on the UK Government’s First World War Centenary Commemoration Advisory Group. I meet Sir Deian on a regular basis to discuss progress regarding the programme Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918. This also includes a discussion on UK and international issues.
My officials continue to engage in regular dialogue with the devolved administrations, along with the UK Government and they sit on a DCMS UK-wide Communications Group.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What was the total cost of the acquisition by the Welsh Government of the former Hotpoint factory in Bodelwyddan, including land, equipment, relevant legal fees, taxes and other associated press? (WAQ66280)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What plans does the Welsh Government have for the former Hotpoint factory in Bodelwyddan? (WAQ66281)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): How much does the Welsh Government expect to spend maintaining and securing the former Hotpoint factory in Bodelwyddan? (WAQ66282)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What consideration did the Welsh Government give to the impact on nearby industrial and business parks of its acquisition of the former Hotpoint factory in Bodelwyddan? (WAQ66283)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister publish the Welsh Government’s business case for the acquisition of the former Hotpoint factory in Bodelwyddan? (WAQ66284)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014 (WAQ66280-284)
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): These are issues that are commercial in confidence.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What financial governance arrangements are in place for the annual budgets of Community Transport Schemes funded by the Welsh Government? (WAQ66291)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
Edwina Hart: These arrangements are clearly set out in the terms and conditions accompanying grant funding.
To ask the Minister for Finance
Paul Davies (Preseli Pemrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm how much each of the three local authorities involved in Project Bank Accounts are making available to the construction projects in their area? (WAQ6629)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
The Minister for Finance (Jane Hutt): The overall value of the Project Bank Account pilots is £38,750,000. Each authority will develop bespoke implementation plans based on the value, duration and supply chain involved in the projects identified.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on the availability of Nabiximols for Welsh patients and the circumstances under which it may be prescribed? (WAQ66289)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
The Minister for Health and Social (Mark Drakeford): Nabiximols (Sativex) has not yet been assessed by NICE. It is included in the review of Clinical Guideline 8, Multiple sclerosis: management of multiple sclerosis in primary and secondary care. A decision is expected in 2014.
Until then, funding decisions are made locally by the relevant NHS authorities according to local priorities and budgets.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Government Business
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the establishment of a single telephone contact number and web portal for those wishing to report concerns or suspicions regarding human trafficking/modern day slavery? (WAQ66285)
Answer received for publication on 28 January 2014
The Minister for Local Government and Government Business (Lesley Griffiths): We do not propose establishing a single telephone contact number as current routes are well established and work effectively. If there were to be a single telephone point, it would be for the UK Government to run and fund at what would be a significant cost.
It is important, however, the public know how to contact the right agency in the right circumstances. I am, therefore, launching our TV campaign in February which advises 999 should be called in an emergency; 101 to report a routine case to the police; Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if the caller wishes to remain anonymous; and Bawso, for further information on support for the survivors of slavery in Wales, on 0800 731 8147.
The Welsh Government’s internet pages on Slavery www.wales.gov.uk/anti-slavery provide a single reference point of information for professionals, practitioners and the public.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the potential of the Wales for Africa programme to support action to tackle human trafficking/modern day slavery? (WAQ66286)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
Lesley Griffiths: The lead in dealing with countries of origin of people subjected to slavery lies with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development within the UK Government.
Our role is raising awareness and working with our partners to support survivors of slavery, and to identify and tackle the criminals who are profiting from slavery here in Wales.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources and Food
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister provide an update on the action being taken by the Welsh Government to tackle chewing gum litter in Wales? (WAQ66287)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources and Food (Alun Davies): The Welsh Government continues to work with local authorities, third sector organisations and the chewing gum industry to oversee a package of interventions to tackle chewing gum littering in Wales.
These interventions include a schools radio advert competition and a ‘Bin it!’ campaign designed and implemented by The Wrigley Company Ltd. The Bin it! campaign visits schools to raise awareness of the issues and the impact of littering and encourages students to reflect on their own behaviour.
In addition, The Wrigley Company Ltd, Keep Wales Tidy, Cardiff Council and Gumpdrop Ltd have joined together to tackle gum litter in Cardiff. A six month trial where 100 Gumdrop bins were installed across Cardiff city and its outer districts was launched on 6 August 2013. The trial is due to end in February 2014.
The Welsh Government Tidy Towns initiative is also funding a project to remove chewing gum litter in Swansea. £30,000 has been awarded to Swansea Council to fund 3 chewing gum removal machines, with a proviso that these machines are made available to other local authorities on loan. Furthermore, the Tidy Towns initiative has also provided funding for a Gumdrop bins pilot that is due to be implemented within Swansea city centre and surrounding areas.
The Welsh Government is continuing to work with the Chewing Gum Action Group, which brings together representatives from government, environmental charities and the gum industry to ensure that Welsh local authorities and Keep Wales Tidy benefit from awareness, education and research work.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What was the total increase/reduction in chewing gum litter in Wales in each of the past three years? (WAQ66288)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
Alun Davies: The Welsh Government does not currently hold information on the total increase or reduction in chewing gum litter in Wales.
Since 2006 the Welsh Government has provided funding for Keep Wales Tidy to conduct Local Environmental Audit and Management System (LEAMS)
surveys in all 22 local authorities in Wales. These surveys measure the cleanliness of our streets and as part of the LEAMS 2013-14 survey Keep Wales Tidy are collecting data on loose chewing gum litter. This data will be presented as a separate category within the report.