Answers issued to Members on 2 June 2008
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
Contents
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Questions to the Minister for Heritage
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What is the anticipated starting date for improvements to the road between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth, known locally as 'the Glandyfi Bends'? (WAQ51800)
The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): The Glandyfi Improvement scheme is one of a number of schemes in the Repair and Upgrade Programme that augment those improvement schemes in the Trunk Road Forward Programme. This scheme is being progressed as quickly as possible but sufficient time is needed for the detail design and tendering process including legal requirements of advertising in the EU journal. It is anticipated that the scheme can commence on site in spring 2009.
Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Assembly Government’s policy for the supply of playground equipment and access to outdoor play opportunities for children? (WAQ51792)
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Jane Hutt): We fully support the rights of children and young people to access play opportunities.
Although we do not provide direct grant aid to specific play areas within communities, local strategies to support play are developed through Children and Young People’s Partnerships. Local authorities have used our Play Policy Implementation Plan as a basis in forming their own play strategies.
Play, leisure and enrichment also remains an integral theme of the Cymorth grant. Children and Young People’s Partnerships should show investment across all themes when submitting their plans. Our Cymorth grant scheme guidance and funding has been used to promote the development of these local play strategies, and especially to fund staffed play schemes, but the core investment in play facilities will come from mainstream local government expenditure.
Questions to the Minister for Heritage
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement about the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh language policy? (WAQ51796)
The Minister for Heritage (Rhodri Glyn Thomas): The One Wales government is committed to promoting Welsh in all parts of Wales and ensuring that opportunities to use it in every day life are available to all Welsh speakers and learners.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister state whether he has sought additional resources from the Finance Minister with regard to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh language policy? (WAQ51797)
Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Cabinet has agreed a financial settlement covering the period 2008 to 2011. The details were published in January’s budget statement.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What is the Welsh Assembly Government’s policy regarding the establishment of an office of a Welsh Language Commissioner, and has he made any estimate of the cost of establishing such an Office? (WAQ51798)
Rhodri Glyn Thomas: We have made a clear commitment in One Wales to seeking enhanced legislative competence on the Welsh Language in order to establish a Welsh Language Commissioner. Any additional costs associated with establishing the Commissioner’s office will be dealt with at Measure stage.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the additional cost (if any) of bringing 57 additional bodies with the Welsh Language Act, as recently announced, and has he sought additional funding from the Finance Minister in this regard? (WAQ51799)
Rhodri Glyn Thomas: No additional expenditure is expected to be incurred by the Welsh Assembly Government or the Welsh Language Board as a result of this Order.
The Welsh Language Act 1993 was passed by Parliament on the basis that, where public bodies incurred extra costs as a result of the need to develop and administer a Welsh language scheme, these would be met from within the body’s mainstream budgets.