Carwyn Jones: Carwyn Jones. [Laughter.]
Carwyn Jones: Thank you, Presiding Officer. May I start with a word of congratulation to everyone elected to this Assembly, and by congratulating you on your election as Presiding Officer? It’s a new post for you, of course, and I think it’s right to say that you’ve been given a baptism of fire, but you have already demonstrated that you have the calmness and control required in that particular post....
Carwyn Jones: Thank you for the question. May I welcome the Member, and each and every Member who will make their first contributions today? As part of the compact agreed with Plaid Cymru to move Wales forward, we will focus on increasing the number of GPs and health workers in the primary care sector in Wales.
Carwyn Jones: That’s something that we need to consider, of course, and I look forward to working under the terms of the agreement to ensure that we do move forward in ensuring that there are more workers in the care sector and more health workers more generally here in Wales. It’s very important, of course, that we don’t concentrate only on doctors, important as they are, but that we also look at...
Carwyn Jones: Indeed so, and I know that the new Minister will be looking at this as a matter of urgency as part of his portfolio to build on the work that has already been done. We know that training more professionals of all types in the health sector is important, but also recruiting them, because training them doesn’t necessarily mean that they stay in Wales or indeed the UK. And, as the Member...
Carwyn Jones: Not having a junior doctors strike is a good start, I believe, and that’s something that we’re not proposing to do. But he will know, of course, that the mid Wales collaborative is looking very carefully at this—at the delivery of health service—not just in his area, but other areas across the middle of our country, and that work is progressing very well. And that is a model that I...
Carwyn Jones: Yes, that makes sense. Of course, when there is a change in the health service, people are sometimes concerned because, perhaps, they can’t travel easily, particularly in rural areas, and it is extremely important that health boards and, of course, individual practices ensure that they are able to make provision and operate a transport system that means that people can use their services.
Carwyn Jones: The national transport finance plan sets out our investment for transport infrastructure up to 2020.
Carwyn Jones: I’m familiar with the stretch of road, of course, and it is a busy stretch of road. It’s a matter for the Vale of Glamorgan Council to consider. It wouldn’t be a trunk road; it would be a road run by the local authority, but, of course, we’d be happy to examine any proposals that they might wish to bring forward.
Carwyn Jones: Well, the situation is this: the borrowing facility will be made available generally but early drawdown is possible for the M4. Of course, we wouldn’t agree to a situation where we would see a permanent situation where there’d be strings attached to any borrowing powers that would be exercised, but that is the current situation—the money can only be used for the M4.
Carwyn Jones: I think it’s hugely important that there is a public inquiry. Without prejudging the issue, that is certainly my view. I think that public inquiry needs to be as broad as possible. It needs to be a public local inquiry, and I believe that that inquiry would need to look at a wide range of issues including alternative proposals. I think that’s important so that the public can examine for...
Carwyn Jones: Absolutely, and that’s why, of course, we have the metro proposals. We know that roads cannot be the solution to everything; they must run in tandem with public transport improvements. That’s what the metro in the south-east of Wales is intended to deliver. It’s a model that we look to use in other parts of Wales, such as the north-east, in the future. Convenience of service, reliable...
Carwyn Jones: Can I first extend my sympathies to Annie’s family? It’s a very difficult time for them, I know. Yes, of course I can confirm that, under the terms of the compact that was reached between our parties, we will be looking, of course—. Well, we’ll be introducing a new treatments fund, but, on top of that, we’ll be looking at whether there is a better way to deal with individual patient...
Carwyn Jones: I have to say to the leader of the opposition that I have met Irfon and Rebecca Williams. I met them indeed in Llandudno Junction at the offices there. It was a very useful meeting. There were issues that they raised that I wasn’t aware of and they have helped me to look to determine how policy should be framed in the future. Also, before the election, I gave a commitment, and, indeed, I...
Carwyn Jones: Well, certainly, there is a need to examine the current system in terms of whether there should be a national panel or local panels for individual patient funding requests—we’re open to that—and, of course, the use of the word ‘exceptionality’. There has to be something, otherwise there would be difficulties in terms of determining how drugs would be allocated, but, without...
Carwyn Jones: Yes.
Carwyn Jones: Well, I’m confident that the inquiry will conclude by the latter part of next year. We can’t prejudge what the inquiry will say. I do take that there’s been much debate in this Chamber and outside about the black route versus the blue route, or perhaps an alternative route. You’ve heard me say that the blue route is hugely problematic in terms of the fact that it’s a dual...
Carwyn Jones: No, I think those elections will take place. I can’t envisage a scenario where they wouldn’t. So, in answer to his question, yes, they will take place next year. In terms of the local government reorganisation, it’s clear to me that the map would not attract support in this Chamber, but I do know that, in this Chamber, there’s support for local government reorganisation. So, it’s a...
Carwyn Jones: Yes, I would, and the Member, of course, will know that it was the UK Government, unfortunately, that opposed the raising of those tariffs. It wasn’t the EU opposing it; it was a position taken then by the UK Government. They’ve given an explanation for that, but, I think, in the light of what’s happened across the world, that we do need to see fairness for our own steel producers.
Carwyn Jones: The difficulty, of course, with the argument he puts forward is that, if the EU were to raise tariffs against steel and the UK were to leave the EU, those tariffs would apply against UK steel. So, we would then find ourselves facing an enormous tariff barrier if we wished to export into the EU, and 30 per cent of steel produced in Wales is exported.
