Written Assembly Questions tabled on 22 June 2015 for answer on 29 June 2015
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
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the First Minister make a statement on what consideration he has given to providing financial support to Welsh expatriate societies as a means to promoting awareness of the Welsh language and culture and to develop civic links overseas? (WAQ68818)
Answer received on 29 June 2015
First Minister (Carwyn Jones):
The Welsh Government regularly works with Welsh ex-pat societies to promote Wales around the world, particularly where we have offices on the ground but also by supporting British Embassies and Posts overseas to work with Welsh communities in their area. For the most part Welsh Government support is in kind - by way of promotional materials, advice, attendance at, and occasional sponsorship of, events.
In conjunction with the private sector the Welsh Government have also part funded a Diaspora feasibility study that includes three key focus areas; researching how other countries engage with their diasporas; identifying and engaging with Wales' 50 most influential Diaspora to determine their capacity and propensity to contribute to the shaping of a Welsh Diaspora initiative; and determining the potential benefits to Wales of establishing its own Diaspora organisation. The report is due to be submitted summer 2015.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister indicate how many grants on the Young Entrants Support Scheme have been awarded in Clwyd West over the past 12 months, and for what purpose and to whom the grants were awarded? (WAQ68819)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans):
In the last twelve months, the Welsh Government has supported fifteen applicants across Clwyd West to implement succession plans that will allow them to become head of holding for the first time and help them to build strong resilient businesses for the future.
Due to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, I am unable to release the names of the individual beneficiaries. However, the outcome the Welsh Government seeks in respect of the support it delivers through YESS is the creation of sought after opportunities for young people to head modern, professional and profitable farm businesses across Wales.
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): How will the proposed National Natural Resources Policy (NNRP) and local area statements under the Environment Bill be integrated with the Wales National Marine Plan and deliver the sustainable management of marine resources? (WAQ68817)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):
In delivering against our Programme for Government commitment to a more integrated approach to the management of Wales' natural resources, under the Environment (Wales) Bill, the National Natural Resources Policy will set out the national priorities in relation to the management of natural resources as a whole – our air, water, land and sea.
The National Natural Resources Policy will complement the existing framework for terrestrial and marine planning which look in more detail at the issues in relation to the management of natural resources on land and in relation to the sea. The Wales National Marine Plan will therefore focus on the framework for the sustainable management of Wales' marine resources.
Area Statements will draw together the evidence at a local level, looking in particular at the priorities identified in the National Natural Resource Policy and identifying the risks and opportunities within that area. Where relevant to the priorities in the national policy and to the area being considered, Area Statements will look at the interface between air, land and sea at the local level. NRW will also be under a duty to consider all relevant evidence, which would include the Wales National Marine Plan - sections 4 and 5 of the Environment Bill set out the principles of sustainable management of natural resources and require NRW to apply those principles in the execution of their functions. This means that Area Statements will support local delivery of the national policies set out in both the Wales National Marine Plan and the National Natural Resource Policy, thereby ensuring that the management of our land and sea is joined up in practice.
In addition, the Wales National Marine Plan will be consistent with the UK Marine Policy Statement, so that it is also integrated with other marine plans around the UK. As the overall purpose of marine planning is to contribute to sustainable development in the marine area and support the sustainable management of our natural marine resources, it is fully consistent with both the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015 and the principles in the Environment (Wales) Bill.
To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What discussions has the Minister had with local authorities in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan in relation to the recent issues with traveller sites in Llanishen and Dinas Powys? (WAQ68820)
Answer received on 29 June 2015
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths):
I have had no discussions with Cardiff or the Vale of Glamorgan Local Authorities in relation to these recent encampments as this is a local planning matter.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What discussions has the Minister had with the FAW and UEFA regarding the potential hosting of the UEFA Champions League Final? (WAQ68821)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates):
I have had a number of discussions with the FAW and UEFA regarding the potential of Wales hosting the Champions League Final. This would be a major coup for Wales and Welsh football. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What guidance has the Minister given to Cardiff Airport in the relation of using taxpayers money to attract and/or maintain airlines and routes? (WAQ68822)
Answer received on 29 June 2015
Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Cardiff International Airport Limited (CIAL) is operated and managed at arms length from Welsh Government by its own Board which is responsible for all commercial matters. These include the Airport's commercial approach to attracting and maintaining airlines and routes.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What discussions will the Minister be having with officials of Velothon Wales in the run-up to next year's event to ensure communications are improved with local residents and businesses and disruption minimised? (WAQ68825)
Andrew RT Davie (South Wales Central): What discussions did the Minister have with officials of Velothon Wales in the run-up to the event on Sunday 14 June? (WAQ68816)
Answer received on 29 June 2015
The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): I was able to attend this year's Velothon Wales on 14 June and witness the delivery of a safe and successful event across five counties, which was enjoyed by thousands of riders, many of whom were from outside Wales and raised significant sums for charity.
However, I do recognise that staging this new and challenging event did cause some disruption at certain stages along the route and, in line with normal practice, the arrangements around the 2015 event will be reviewed and lessons learnt in light of arrangements for future years.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline what progress is being made on a fully electronic patient record, accessible by all parts of the NHS? (WAQ68823)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
The Individual Health Record (IHR), a summary of a patient's GP record, is already available to all out-of-hours services and access is being extended to all unscheduled care admissions and outpatient appointments.
New systems supporting pathology testing, x-rays and scans make patient diagnostic information available electronically on a national basis. From hospitals, health professionals can view and generate a wide range of electronic patient information, including ordering tests and creating and viewing referrals and discharge summaries.
This will be expanded through the introduction of the Welsh Care Records Service from summer 2016.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many complaints have the Welsh Government received from frontline NHS staff regarding bullying from colleagues? (WAQ68824)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What measures is the Minister going to implement to ensure that doctors and other frontline NHS staff are not bullied for raising safety concerns? (WAQ68827)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
The Welsh Government does not hold any statistics on the numbers of complaints from frontline NHS staff regarding bullying from colleagues. NHS organisations are responsible for handling complaints raised by their staff in line with the all-Wales Dignity at Work policy.
All staff who raise complaints should be treated with dignity and respect. Bullying, harassment and other inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. NHS organisations should take all practical steps to avoid and eliminate such behaviour.
The all-Wales Raising Concerns procedure, agreed in partnership with the Welsh Partnership Forum, aims to ensure staff feel supported when raising genuine concerns and can do so without fear of reprisals, even if they are mistaken.
A culture of conversation and improvement needs to be embedded in NHS Wales, underpinned by common principles, including those of openness and transparency. A common principles project group, which includes representation from NHS Employers, trade unions and the BMA, is developing such a set of principles, which will be implemented across NHS Wales.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister please provide a statement on the Government's position regarding the ACWY vaccination, which prevents 17 to 18 year-olds from contracting meningitis W? (WAQ68826)
Answer received on 29 June 2015
The Minsiter for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended the MenACWY vaccine is offered to all teenagers aged 14 to 18. Plans are being finalised to introduce a programme in Wales in line with JCVI advice.