Written Assembly Questions tabled on 17 September 2014 for answer on 24 September 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)

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

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's control over underground minerals in Wales? (WAQ67716W)

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): Welsh Government is responsible for the planning system in Wales, setting the legislative and policy framework for its operation. Planning permission would be required before any underground minerals could be worked.  The need for planning permission is supplemented by Health and Safety requirements as well as  control through the Environmental Permitting regime.

William Graham (South Wales East):  Does the Welsh Government still intend to introduce compulsory microchipping for all dogs in Wales on 1 March 2015, or has this timeline has now been revised? (WAQ67719)

Answer received on 29 September 2014

The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): The date of 1 March 2015 is unlikely to be achieved.  As mentioned in my written statement issued earlier this week, I hope to introduce the draft Identification of Dogs Regulations as soon as possible to maintain the momentum we have built up in relation to moving towards the goal of having all dogs in Wales microchipped. 

http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/dogs/?lang=en

To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Welsh Government had regarding broadband services in Llanarthne? (WAQ67717)

Answer received on 24 September 2014

The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): The Superfast Cymru programme has discussed the provision of superfast broadband in the Dryslwyn exchange area, which covers Llanarthne, as part of the detailed planning, surveying and future roll-out of the programme.  Details of future roll-out are regularly updated on the Superfast Cymru website (www.superfast-cymru.com).

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policy on allowing headteachers to authorise students to have up to ten days' absence during school terms on a discretionary basis? (WAQ67718W)

Answer received on 24 September 2014

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): I take all absence from school seriously. However, there may well be circumstances that warrant a pupil taking time off in term time and this is why head teachers are best placed to make the decision.  Head teachers have a discretionary power to authorise leave for a family holiday during term time where parents seek permission. Save in exceptional circumstances, no more than 10 days’ leave should be granted for this purpose.  A head teacher should consider the time of year of the proposed trip, length and purpose of the holiday, impact on continuity of learning, circumstances of the family and the wishes of parents as well as the overall attendance pattern of the child.