Written Assembly Questions tabled on 20 January 2017 for answer on 27 January 2017
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 Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the recent high increases in Arriva cross-border train fares? (WAQ71913)
Answer received on 27 January 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): For 2017, we have again only permitted an increase at the rate of inflation for regulated rail fares. This provides continuity to existing rail users and ensures that travelling by train remains attractive and affordable.
This means that from January 2017 the maximum permitted increase that Arriva Trains Wales could apply to regulated rail fares was 1.9%. What it also means is that any increases in regulated rail fares from January 2018 until the end of the franchise in October 2018 will be capped at the Retail Price Index rate and not a penny more.
The Welsh Government does not have responsibility for unregulated fares which are a commercial product offered by the train operating companies.I understand that Arriva Trains Wales have recently made changes to some of their unregulated rail fares. Although this is a commercial matter for the company, I would expect them and all rail operators in Wales to consider the needs of passengers ensuring that rail travel is affordable when they set prices for unregulated fares.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the availability of MRI scanning to diagnose prostate cancer in Wales? (WAQ71912)
Answer received on 31 January 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething):
In December 2016, the Royal College of Surgeons in England published the National Prostate Cancer Audit Report for England and Wales. It confirmed TRUS biopsy remains the principal diagnostic technique with 92% of Welsh patients in the audit having this performed. It also reported that 65% of Welsh patients in the audit received multi parametric MRI (mpMRI) as part of staging the cancer.
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What action is the Welsh Government taking to warn people about the dangers of taking steroids to improve their image or performance? (WAQ71916)
Answer received on 27 January 2017
Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): We are undertaking a number of actions to warn people about the dangers of taking steroids and these are highlighted in our Substance Misuse Delivery Plan (2016-18).
On the 19th January we held a national symposium, in partnership with Sport Wales, Public Health Wales and other partners, which focused on Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs). The symposium highlighted the effects IPEDs can have on individuals, families and communities and looked at how agencies can work together to tackle this issue.
In conjunction with Public Health Wales, a website (www.ipedinfo.co.uk) has been developed which provides evidence based information and harm reduction advice for those using or considering use of IPEDs. We have also developed a ‘Steroids and Image Enhancing Drug Toolkit’ for use with young people aged 11-16 in educational and youth service settings.
We will continue to design harm reduction information and advice surrounding IPEDs and these will be distributed via targeted outlets to ensure individuals both using and those at risk of using IPEDs are fully aware of the risks and harms. We will also be producing a guide for parents and young people on alcohol, volatile substances and drugs which will include information on IPEDs.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide details of discussions which the Welsh Government has had with Powys Teaching Health Board regarding the NHS Future Fit process relating to the future hospital services in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and mid Wales? (WAQ71919) Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide details of the discussions which the Welsh Government has had with the NHS Future Fit Programme Board relating to the future hospital services in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and mid Wales? (WAQ71920) Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide details of the discussions which the Welsh Government has had with both the Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire clinical commissioning groups regarding the NHS Future Fit process? (WAQ71921) Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Has the Welsh Government expressed a public position in support of the preferred option put forward by the NHS Future Fit Programme Board, which recommends that the new emergency care centre should be located at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital? (WAQ71922)
Answer received on 27 January 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-Being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): The Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Groups Joint Committee were unable to agree a preferred option for the NHS Future Fit programme at its meeting on 12 December 2016. They therefore agreed not to go to public consultation whilst further work is undertaken. I understand that the NHS England Future Fit Programme Board is looking at carrying out an independent review.
This is an NHS England initiative and, as such, the Welsh Government has not had direct contact with the NHS Future Fit Programme Board or the respective clinical commissioning groups. Powys Teaching Health Board is involved fully in the process but does not have a vote on the Future Fit proposals. My officials are in regular communication with the health board to discuss the situation and the implications for Powys patients. I was also able to discuss this matter with health board colleagues when I visited Montgomeryshire on 12 January.
I understand that representatives from the health board and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust met with the Montgomeryshire Local Committee of Powys Community Health Council on 24 January to update them on the current position.
It is disappointing the process has been delayed further and that uncertainty remains about the future of services. This will cause anxiety for patients and staff alike and means Powys Teaching Health Board and the NHS Future Fit Programme Board is unable to begin a formal consultation dialogue with communities across mid Wales.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the PINS decision on Sychnant Pass, with particular regard to the large numbers of public objections received, and initial refusal by the Planning Committee of Conwy County Borough Council? (WAQ71914)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): Once a decision has been issued on an appeal against the refusal of planning permission, the Welsh Ministers have no further jurisdiction in the matter. In practice this means the Welsh Ministers cannot review the decision or comment on it in any way. The only way a decision can be challenged is through the courts. The challenge period in this case expired on 27 January.
A copy of the Inspectors decision and her reasoning behind the decision to allow the appeal can be found on the Planning Inspectorate's Wales casework web-site https://acp.planningportal.gov.uk/CaseSearch.aspx
The Planning Inspectorate's reference number for the appeal is 3148027.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary outline what he considers a reasonable trigger point for local authorities to implement their cold weather policies with regards to providing shelter for those sleeping rough? (WAQ71915)
Answer recieved on 27 January 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Children and Communities (Carl Sargeant): Our guidance states each Authority should have a written cold weather plan to mitigate the worst effects of rough sleeping. In view of the uncertainty of the weather in Wales, each local authority is expected to use good judgement to put its plan into action during periods of adverse weather.
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with interested parties about the period of time after which landlords may be charged a further fee for continued registration under the Rent Smart Wales scheme? (WAQ71918)
Answer recieved on 27 January 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Children and Communities (Carl Sargeant): I have not personally held any discussions about the period of time after which landlords may be charged a further registration fee. Under section 15(4) of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, the earliest point at which the licensing authority may charge a further fee for continued registration is five years after the registration fee was charged. The licensing authority has developed its fees policy based on this.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What action is the Welsh Government taking to promote life-saving skills training in schools? (WAQ71917)
Answer recieved on 27 January 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Education (Kirsty Williams): The Welsh Government understands the importance of life saving. Schools are best placed to make decisions about how to teach these skills to their children, including working with specialist providers such the British Heart foundation and St John’s ambulance, who can offer the type of expert support, including teaching CPR and life saving skills, most relevant to their learners. The Personal and social education framework for 7 to 19-year-olds in Wales is designed to support and provide scope for schools to deliver important lessons such as life saving skills.
In addition, the new Welsh Baccalaureate qualification being taught in schools also provides opportunities for learners to study Community, Global Citizenship and Enterprise/Employability Challenge Briefs which may include elements of first aid and CPR.
Over the coming weeks my officials are scheduled to meet with the British Heart Foundation to discuss further ways of supporting the teaching profession to ensure they have the confidence and resources to deliver effective lessons in this area.
Looking ahead the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience will consider evidence for all topics including developing practical skills for life such as administering first aid. Discussions have already been held with organisations such as the British Red Cross about the new curriculum and as the development work progresses there will be opportunities for these and other organisations to feed in to the process