Written Assembly Questions tabled on 18 September 2014 for answer on 25 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 First Minister
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister disclose the total number of staff employed with press or communications responsibilities within the following departments in each of the last 4 financial years (including the year to date) expressed as FTE, also providing the annual total salary cost for each year:
- Economy, Science and Transport;
- Health and Social Services;
- Public Services (formerly Local Government); and
- Finance? (WAQ67721)
Answer received on 25 September 2014
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): Staffing matters in the Welsh Government are delegated to the Permanent Secretary. I have asked Derek Jones to respond to you directly.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ67453, will the Minister provide a specific figure for Welsh Government spending on the Sêr Cymru programme since it was officially launched, as requested? (WAQ67720)
Answer received on 23 September 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Approximately £2M has been spent to date in the creation our three Sêr Cymru Networks and appointing our three Research Chair stars.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much salt is currently being held in stock by the Welsh Government for road gritting purposes and what arrangements, if any, have been made by the Welsh Government in terms of provisional orders should stock require replenishing this winter? (WAQ67722)
Answer received on 29 September 2014
Edwina Hart: Our stocks of road salt are currently full, with 50,820 tonnes available. We have arrangements in place that allow for these stocks to be replenished throughout the winter.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Government Business
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister disclose how much Welsh Government funding has been allocated to trade unions in Wales in each of the last 5 financial years? (WAQ67723)
Answer received on 29 September 2014
The Minister for Finance and Government Business (Jane Hutt): The total funding paid to trade unions in the last 5 financial years is £6,426,560. This includes £6,300,165 for the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF). The WULF seeks to maximise engagement on learning in the workplace recognising the important role of Trade Unions, working in partnership with employers, to help develop the skills of the Welsh workforce.
The funding paid by the Welsh Government in each of the last 5 financial years is as follows.
| £ | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1,022,330 | 1,188,877 | 1,349,533 | 1,103,822 | 1,761,999 |
| WULF | 988,761 | 1,098,881 | 1,347,863 | 1,103,347 | 1,761,310 |