Atebion i Gwestiynau Ysgrifenedig y Cynulliad i’w hateb ar 18 Gorffennaf 2011
Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 18 July 2011

Cyhoeddir atebion yn yr iaith y’u darparwyd, gyda chyfieithiad Saesneg o atebion yn y Gymraeg.

Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.

[R] yn nodi bod yr Aelod wedi datgan buddiant/signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] yn nodi bod y cwestiwn wedi’i gyflwyno yn Gymraeg/signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Cynnwys
Contents

Cwestiynau i’r Prif Weinidog
Questions to the First Minister

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Busnes, Menter, Technoleg a Gwyddoniaeth
Questions to the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science

Cwestiynau i Weinidog yr Amgylchedd a Datblygu Cynaliadwy  
Questions to the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau  
Questions to the Minister for Local Government and Communities

Gofyn i Brif Weinidog Cymru
To ask the First Minister

Mark Isherwood (Gogledd Cymru): A fydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn anfon cynrychiolydd i gynrychioli Cymru yn angladd Otto von Habsburg yn Fienna.  (WAQ57715)

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Will the Welsh Government be sending a representative to represent the Welsh nation at the funeral in Vienna of Otto von Habsburg. (WAQ57715)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 12 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 12 July 2011

The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): No.

Gofyn i’r Gweinidog Busnes, Menter, Technoleg a Gwyddoniaeth
To ask the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei blaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Datblygu, rheoli a gorfodi Pysgodfeydd a dyframaeth Cymru’ yn y gyllideb cyfalaf. (WAQ57719)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline her spending priorities and detail programmes within the capital budget action 'Developing, managing and enforcing Welsh fisheries and aquaculture.’ (WAQ57719)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes (Alun Davies): My priorities are to develop and manage viable and sustainable fisheries within Wales, which includes the development of a robust enforcement regime for managing fisheries and aquaculture, and the promotion of the European Fisheries Fund in Wales.  The development of the enforcement regime includes a stocktake of enforcement responsibilities, assessment of current operational activity, resources and assets, and identification of future enforcement requirements.  

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei blaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Cyflawni’r rhaglenni o fewn y Cynllun Datblygu Gwledig’ yn y gyllideb cyfalaf. (WAQ57720)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline her spending priorities and detail programmes within the capital budget action 'Delivering the programmes within the Rural Development Plan.’ (WAQ57720)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

Alun Davies: My priorities are set out in the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013.  Programmes covered are under Axes 1, 2, 3 of the Plan and include agri-food support, capital elements of agri-environment schemes and a range of activities targeting the quality of life in rural areas and diversification.

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei blaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Rhannu Costau a Chyfrifoldeb’, yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57721)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline her spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Cost Sharing and Responsibility.’ (WAQ57721)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

Alun Davies: My priority is to ensure that the Welsh Government implements a regulatory regime for the agricultural industry that optimises the balance between allowing farmers to get on with their business activities whilst ensuring that the Welsh Government meets its legal responsibilities. A formal programme is being established that will deliver improvements in three areas: better regulation and business processes; livestock identification and movement; and animal health management. As part of this work, a formal consultation will be undertaken examining how the Welsh Government might charge for some services provided to farmers.

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei blaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Datblygu ar sail Tystiolaeth ym maes Materion Gwledig’, yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57722)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline her spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Evidence based development for Rural Affairs.’ (WAQ57722)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

Alun Davies: My priorities are to support the development of a robust, Welsh specific, evidence base to inform the development of rural and cross-cutting policy initiatives.  For example, building the Welsh evidence base around the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, and the Farm Business Survey and Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, which provide supporting financial evidence about the agricultural business sector.  

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei blaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Datblygu, rheoli a gorfodi pysgodfeydd a dyframaeth Cymru’ yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57723)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline her spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Developing, managing and enforcing Welsh fisheries and aquaculture.’ (WAQ57723)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

Alun Davies: My priorities are to develop and manage viable and sustainable fisheries within Wales, which includes the development of a robust enforcement regime for managing fisheries and aquaculture, and the promotion of the European Fisheries Fund in Wales.  The development of the enforcement regime includes a stocktake of enforcement responsibilities, assessment of current operational activity, resources and assets, and identification of future enforcement requirements.  

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei blaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Datblygu a marchnata sector bwyd a diod Cymru’ yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57724)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline her spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Developing and marketing Welsh food and drink sector.’ (WAQ57724)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

Alun Davies: My priorities for supporting the marketing and development of the Welsh food and drink sector from the budget are aligned to our approved activities which have been notified with the European Commission. These activities cover the promotion of Welsh food and drink and direct support for trade development in the sector.

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei blaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Talu’n unol â Rheolau’r UE a Llywodraeth y Cynulliad’ yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ5725)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline her spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Making Payments in Accordance with EU and WAG Rules.’ (WAQ5725)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

Alun Davies: My priorities are to make Single Payments Scheme (SPS) payments from 1 December 2011 and to make as many payments as possible early in the payment window.  These payments provide essential support for farmers and rural communities in Wales.  The SPS is 100% funded by European Commission under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).  The budget action also covers the compensation payments for farmers effected by the Chernobyl disaster and the operation and management of the information technology and control systems used to administer and control CAP payments in Wales.

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei blaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Cyflawni’r rhaglenni o fewn y Cynllun Datblygu Gwledig’ yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57726)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline her spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Delivering the programmes within the Rural Development Plan.’ (WAQ57726)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

Alun Davies: My priorities are set out in the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013.  Programmes covered are under Axes 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Plan and include advice services for the agriculture sector, agri-food support, agri-environment schemes and a range of activities targeting the quality of life in rural areas, diversification and the Leader approach.

Kirsty Williams (Brycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed): Ym mhob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru, faint o fusnesau sydd wedi cael rhyddhad caledi rhag ardrethi busnes bob blwyddyn er 2007. (WAQ57731)

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): For each local authority in Wales, how many businesses have been granted hardship relief from business rates each year since 2007. (WAQ57731)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

The Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science (Edwina Hart): The Welsh Government does not hold this information.  Hardship relief is given at the discretion of local authorities.

Gofyn i Weinidog yr Amgylchedd a Datblygu Cynaliadwy
To ask the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei flaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Datblygu sylfaen dystiolaeth briodol i gefnogi gwaith yr adran’, yn y gyllideb cyfalaf. (WAQ57717)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline his spending priorities and detail programmes within the capital budget action 'Developing an appropriate evidence base to support the work of the department.’ (WAQ57717)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 18 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 18 July 2011

The Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development (John Griffiths): The capital budget is for Pwllpeirian - an experimental research farm in west Wales, primarily owned by the Welsh Government and leased to ADAS.  Research undertaken at Pwllpeirian has focused on farming practices for agri-environment schemes and environmentally beneficial farming practices, animal health and improvement of livestock.

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei flaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Rhoi’r Strategaeth Coetiroedd newydd ar waith drwy gyfrwng Comisiwn Coedwigaeth Cymru’ yn y gyllideb cyfalaf. (WAQ57718)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline his spending priorities and detail programmes within the capital budget action 'Implementing the new Woodland Strategy through the Forestry Commission Wales.’ (WAQ57718)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 18 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 18 July 2011

John Griffiths: The Forestry Commission Wales Corporate Plan (Our Purpose and Direction) is updated each year and represents delivery of the Welsh Government’s Woodlands for Wales forestry strategy.  In addition to setting out ongoing work and the activities planned over the next three years the Corporate Plan also highlights what was achieved in 2010/11.  The Corporate Plan identifies proposed and actual spending across the 10 corporate programmes.  

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei flaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Gwarchod a gwella iechyd a lles anifeiliaid’ yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57727)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline his spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Protecting and improving animal health and welfare.’ (WAQ57727)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 21 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 21 July 2011

John Griffiths: Spending is distributed across a wide range of measures in order to address the key objectives of ensuring a state of preparedness to deal with an incursion of exotic disease, control endemic disease and improve welfare for animal in Wales.

Spending priorities include:

• To manage a programme of bovine TB eradication which also covers the statutory compensation made to farmers whose cattle become infected with TB.

•  The animal health and welfare budgets devolved from DEFRA on the 1st April include funding for the Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA). AHVLA act as the Welsh Government’s delivery agent on a wide range of animal health and welfare services.

• To cover relevant costs of implementing regulations associated with preventing, controlling, eradicating and managing animal diseases in Wales in compliance with EU and Welsh legislation.  

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei flaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Datblygu sylfaen dystiolaeth briodol i gefnogi gwaith yr adran’, yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57728)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline his spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Developing an appropriate evidence base to support the work of the department. (WAQ57728)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 18 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 18 July 2011

John Griffiths: The scientific research budget, held on an England and Wales basis, is managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).   These budgets support a range of programmes, the aim of which is to deliver research to support policy and delivery needs.  There are programmes to address climate change mitigation and adaptation, air quality and the marine environment.  My officials work with their counterparts in these Government departments to ensure that Welsh research needs are considered and addressed from this core budget.  

In addition I hold a Research and Evidence budget, which is used to support the development of a robust, Welsh specific, evidence base to inform the policy priorities of my department (Environment and Sustainable Development) and cross cutting initiatives.   

The type of projects undertaken by the fund include; commissioning specific research or policy evaluations to inform forthcoming policy changes; exploring cross-cutting evaluations and developing emerging research in identified priority areas.  

Current policy priority areas for research focus on understanding people’s behaviours and citizen engagement.  

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei flaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Amddiffyn iechyd planhigion a datblygu polisïau addasu genetig’, yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57729)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline his spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Protecting plant health and developing GM policies.’ (WAQ57729)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 18 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 18 July 2011

John Griffiths: In terms of protecting plant health, my main spending priority over this financial year will be the continuing fight against the disease Phytophthora ramorum in the woodlands and heathland of Wales, which will help support the ongoing England and Wales Phytophthora programme.  

Due to the unpredictable nature of plant pest and disease outbreaks it is possible that priorities may change should another major plant pest or disease outbreak occur in Wales.

On GM policies, we continue to take a precautionary approach to genetically modified (GM) crop cultivation and spending priorities will support that policy.

My spending priorities over the coming months will be to support the development of our GM coexistence arrangements, which will include a national GM register of those producers wishing to cultivate GM crops.

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei flaenoriaethau gwario a rhoi manylion rhaglenni o dan y cam gweithredu, 'Rhoi’r Strategaeth Coetiroedd newydd ar waith drwy gyfrwng Comisiwn Coedwigaeth Cymru,’ yn y gyllideb refeniw. (WAQ57730)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline his spending priorities and detail programmes within the revenue budget action 'Implementing the new Woodland Strategy through Forestry Commission Wales.’ (WAQ57730)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 18 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 18 July 2011

John Griffiths: The Forestry Commission Wales Corporate Plan (Our Purpose and Direction) is updated each year and represents delivery of the Welsh Government’s Woodlands for Wales forestry strategy.  In addition to setting out ongoing work and the activities planned over the next three years the Corporate Plan also highlights what was achieved in 2010/11.  The Corporate Plan identifies proposed and actual spending across the 10 corporate programmes.  

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): Pa ystyriaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i rhoi i sefydlu cronfa ddata ganolog ynghylch Tagiau Adnabod Electronig ar gyfer Defaid. (WAQ57732)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the establishment of a central database for Sheep EID. (WAQ57732)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 21 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 21 July 2011

John Griffiths: This is a matter for the Deputy Minister for Agriculture Food, Fisheries and European Programmes, I will ask him to write to you.

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 28 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 28 July 2011

Gweler Gwybodaeth Ychwanegol at WAQ57332 a WAQ57734
See Information Further to WAQ57732 and WAQ57734

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddarparu dadansoddiad o'r derbyniadau a ddisgwylir gan ffermydd gwynt ar ystâd y Comisiwn Coedwigaeth yn ystod pob blwyddyn o'u bywyd gweithredol.  (WAQ57733)

Antoinette Sandbach (North wales): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of projected receipts from windfarms on the Forestry Commission estate in each year of their operational life. (WAQ57733)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 18 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 18 July 2011

John Griffiths: Preferred developers are charged an annual fee for the leases, the gross totals of which are as follows:

NB:  Forecast income is subject to projects securing planning permission and can therefore change.  Fees are based on energy pricing indices and fluctuations may cause forecast figures to change.

Antoinette Sandbach (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am oblygiadau cynigion y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd i gyflwyno tagiau adnabod electronig ar gyfer gwartheg i Gymru. (WAQ57734)

Antoinette Sandbach (North wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the implications to Wales of the European Commission’s proposals for the introduction of bovine electronic identification. (WAQ57734)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 21 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 21 July 2011

John Griffiths: This is a matter for the Deputy Minister for Agriculture Food, Fisheries and European Programmes, I will ask him to write to you.

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 28 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 28 July 2011

Gweler Gwybodaeth Ychwanegol at WAQ57332 a WAQ57734
See Information Further to WAQ57732 and WAQ57734

Gofyn i’r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew RT Davies (Canol De Cymru): Yn dilyn ateb y Gweinidog i WAQ56111, a yw Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a'r Fro yn dal i fethu cydymffurfio â'r Gyfarwyddeb Oriau Gwaith Ewropeaidd, ac os yw, a wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r rhesymau dros y methiant parhaus hwnnw. (WAQ57716)

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to the Minister’s answer to WAQ56111, is Cardiff and Vale University Health Board still failing to comply with the European Working Time Directive, and if so will the Minister give the reasons for that continued failure. (WAQ57716)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Lesley Griffiths): I refer you to my answer to WAQ57692.

Gofyn i'r Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Communities

Paul Davies (Preseli Sir Benfro): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddarparu nifer y swyddfeydd post a gaewyd yng Nghymru yn ystod y deg mlynedd diwethaf. (WAQ57714)

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide the number of post office closures in Wales over the last ten years. (WAQ57714)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 19 Gorffennaf 2011
Answer received for publication on 19 July 2011

The Minister for Local Government and Communities (Carl Sargeant): Post Office Ltd advise that the total number of closures in Wales, including outreach services, since the year 2000/01 is 449.