Written Assembly Questions tabled on 17 February 2016 for answer on 24 February 2016
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
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on plans to increase the use of publicly owned land, managed by Natural Resources Wales, for game bird shooting? (WAQ69820)
Answer received on 24 February 2016
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):
This is an operational matter for Natural Resources Wales.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): When did the Welsh Government last review safety of the A44 and what future plans are in place to protect motorists and pedestrians using the road? (WAQ69821)
Answer received on 24 February 2016
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): We continuously monitor the safety of all routes across the motorway and trunk road network. We have adopted a multi-agency approach to improving safety on the A44 with all partners having actions on road safety. We continue to fund motorcyclist training to help improve awareness and behaviours, and we implement road safety improvements for all road users where they are justified.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister confirm when the construction of the Newtown bypass will begin? (WAQ69822)
Answer received on 24 February 2016
Edwina Hart: Work on this scheme is due to start in early March.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on broadband services in:
a) Preseli Pembrokeshire
b) Ceredigion
c) Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
d) Brecon and Radnorshire
e) Dwyfor Meirionnydd
f) Maldwyn
g) Llanelli
h) Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire
(WAQ69823)
Answer received on 24 February 2016
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Thechnology (Julie James):
Information regarding superfast broadband provision under the Superfast Cymru project is recorded by local authority and postcode. With the areas highlighted crossing authority boundaries it is difficult to provide specific updates on the regions listed.
However, information on local authority roll-out is available with the Superfast Cymru project, to date, providing superfast broadband access to:
- Pembrokeshire – 43,293 premises with over £12m investment with average speeds of over 60Mbps
- Powys – 37,404 premises with over £10m invested with average speeds over 60Mbps
- Carmarthenshire – 39,296 premises with over £11million invested with average speeds over 60Mbps
- Ceredigion – 18,628 premises with over £5million invested with average speeds over 60Mbps.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on GP services in Tenby? (WAQ69824)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Minister had about resolving issues related to getting a routine appointments with GPs in Tenby? (WAQ69825)
Answer received on 24 February 2016
The Minister for Helath and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Tenby Surgery provides general medical services to 8,200 patients. Services are provided by a GP partner, a salaried GP, two GP locums, two prescribing nurse practitioners, two practice nurses and two healthcare assistants. The practice is supported by Hywel Dda University Health Board's primary care support team, which is recruiting further salaried GPs and an advanced nurse practitioner.
The surgery provides a full range of services, including antenatal and postnatal care in partnership with the integrated community midwifery team at Tenby Hospital. The health board plans to pilot an extended service at the practice, which will include minor injuries treatment, over Easter. It will be fully evaluated to inform the provision of a summer service.
The Tenby Surgery operates an on-the-day appointment system – people who need to see a GP contact the surgery on the day they would like to be seen and are offered an appointment for that day. The surgery does not offer pre-bookable advance appointments. Appointment systems are the responsibility of individual GP practices.