Written Assembly Questions tabled on 22 June 2017 for answer on 29 June 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 First Minister
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the First Minister explain whether it remains the Welsh Government's policy to develop a special relationship with Qatar, as stated in his press statement of 29 April? (WAQ73702)
Answer received on 29 June 2017
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): The Welsh Government will continue to support Cardiff Airport’s relationship with Qatar Airways and remains open to further investment from Qatar of economic benefit to Wales.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm whether any subsidy has been offered to Qatar Airways? (WAQ73701)
Answer received on 29 June 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): I confirm that no subsidy has been offered to Qatar Airways.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Is the Welsh Government currently discussing specific projects with the Qatar Government and its agencies? (WAQ73703)
Answer received on 29 June 2017
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): The Welsh Government is supporting Cardiff Airport in its developing commercial relationship with Qatar Airways and other investors and remains open to wider investments from Qatar in Wales.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Welsh Government list any meetings it has had with Qatar Holding LLC, the Qatar Investment authority or any other Qatar Government-owned companies? (WAQ73704)
Answer received on 29 June 2017
Carwyn Jones: There have been a number of meetings including with Qatar Airways, Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar National Bank.
Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Have Ministers raised their concerns about LGBT rights in Qatar directly with the Qatar Government? (WAQ73705)
Answer received on 29 June 2017
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Government’s interests in Qatar are connected to trade and investment; competence for foreign policy rests with the FCO of the UK Government. The Welsh Government takes LGBT rights very seriously and believes that no one should be denied opportunities because of their sexual orientation; we are committed to ensuring equal treatment for LGBT people in Wales.
Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Following your letter of 6 June outlining the Stage 1 Assessment of New Rail Stations Prioritisation, will you release further details of the actual assessment scores for each station at Stage 1 - including projected costs, passenger numbers and weighting used in the overall cost-benefit analysis? (WAQ73706)
Answer received on 29 June 2017
Ken Skates: I note your request for additional information beyond that detailed in my letter of the 6th June to all Assembly Members. As I have received similar requests from other AMs I will provide further details to all Members in due course
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's Employability Plan for Wales, and in particular the steps it is taking to replace the funding previously provided through the Re-Act scheme? (WAQ73707)
Answer received on 27 June 2017
The Minister for Skills and Science (Julie James): In order to shape a new employability agenda, we are taking a cross-Government approach to address the barriers preventing people from entering and remaining in employment in Wales. I will make a Statement on the Welsh Government's approach to Employability in July. The Statement will outline how we will take forward our manifesto commitment to re-shape employability support to help people find good quality jobs.
Support for redundant workers, or those under notice of redundancy who need help to find work, will be an important part of our new employability offer. There are no plans to end the ReAct III programme prior to replacement support being available.
We are pleased to have in Wales a well-established support infrastructure in place for individuals who have become unemployed as a result of redundancy, or are under notice of redundancy. This involves agencies working together to provide a joined up support service for affected workers. We are working closely with Tesco as a result of its recent announcement regarding the closure of its call centre in Cardiff and ReAct will be able to provide support to affected individuals where appropriate.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister confirm whether the recently announced consultation on zero-hour contracts in the social care sector is the same consultation referred to by the Minister on 13 July 2016, and if so, why is it only now at this stage? (WAQ73708)
Answer received on 4 July 2017
The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): The consultation in 2016 concerned a range of proposals to improve the recruitment and retention of domiciliary care workers. The results of that consultation and the research commissioned from Manchester Metropolitan University have been used to develop regulations under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 which are the subject of the current consultation.
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): If the consultation regarding transparency on pay in the social care sector referred to by the Minister on 13 July 2016 has already come to a conclusion, will the Minister provide an update on the findings and government action as a result? (WAQ73709)
Answer received on 4 July 2017
Rebecca Evans: The consultation ran from January to April 2016. Following analysis of the responses the consultation report was published in November 2016. The report and a written statement setting out the government’s response are available at:
http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2016-new/domiciliarycare/?lang=en
The results of that consultation laid the basis for the development of regulations under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, currently being consulted on. This consultation includes proposals on the transparency of pay. The consultation document is available at: