Carwyn Jones: Well, I expect those numbers to grow over the course of the next five years, and I expect every neonatal unit to be properly staffed in that time. It is true to say that recruitment has been a challenge; it will continue to be a challenge in the light of the vote of a fortnight ago. But we will continue to say to those who want to come to work in Wales that they are welcome, as well as, of...
Carwyn Jones: Well, the neonatal network works with health boards to provide flexible, responsive staffing to meet the fluctuating needs for specialised neonatal services and to address any shortcomings in staffing levels. To support the development of our workforce, we have announced an £85 million-package of investment in the education and training of healthcare professionals in Wales, including...
Carwyn Jones: Well, these are matters that were looked at by the standards committee in 2013—not a committee that’s run by Government—and it came to the conclusions that it did. Just to re-emphasise, Ministers do not meet with commercial lobbyists; Ministers, of course, do meet with organisations, such as charities and so forth, in order to listen to their views. But it’s certainly not the case...
Carwyn Jones: I entirely agree with that, and being able to engage with organisations is hugely important. It’s right to say that open-mike sessions haven’t taken place for some years. However, I did travel around Wales offering myself up as part of a masochism strategy, taking questions from members of the public, and, like all Members—well, I trust all Members—I hold surgeries in my constituency...
Carwyn Jones: Nothing. Commercial lobbyists don’t have access to Welsh Ministers.
Carwyn Jones: I know that the health board is looking at the situation, and I know that filling that gap is important to them. For example, if we look at the minor injuries unit at Newtown, the health board will be starting a process to develop a long-term health and care strategy for Powys during 2016, and the health board will be reviewing MIU services across Powys as part of its work on unscheduled care...
Carwyn Jones: Ministers are accessible in a variety of ways.
Carwyn Jones: I’m aware, of course, of the proposals. We expect, as a Government, that the relevant stakeholders on our side of the border are involved in any potential changes. I know Powys Teaching Local Health Board has been very involved in representing the concerns of residents, and I understand there will be further work taking place for final options to be subject to formal consultation later this...
Carwyn Jones: We continue to work with the health board and other partners in Wales to take a range of actions to improve access to healthcare services that are safe and sustainable and as close to people’s homes as possible.
Carwyn Jones: He knows my view. It’s unavoidable that there will come a time when there is a distinct jurisdiction—possibly a separate jurisdiction. That is the view of the Welsh Government. Policing, similarly, is something that makes no sense, in terms of it not being devolved. Otherwise, we end up in a situation where, for example, public order legislation will be largely devolved and the police...
Carwyn Jones: Thank you very much, Llywydd. May I welcome the Secretary of State back to the Assembly and to this Chamber? The relationship between us goes back many years, due to the fact that we’ve stood against each other twice in elections, and so our relationship goes back 17 years, to the time when we first met here. A gaf fi groesawu, fel y dywedais, yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn ôl i’r Siambr?...
Carwyn Jones: I was, basically, going to say very little, but after that, I feel I should respond. On the timing issue, I’ve spent, now, 17 years in this place and people always say it’s never the right time for something. The reality is that the Welsh Assembly Government was established as a name and concept before it existed in law. When the legislature and the Executive were formally separated, so...
Carwyn Jones: Thank you, Llywydd. There’s nothing that I can add to that, of course, I must say.
Carwyn Jones: Therefore, may I say that I agree entirely with what you had to say? So, I would just like to add, therefore, that the Government’s view on the amendments is that we don’t oppose them in principle, but, at the moment, of course, we must ensure that the question of what this institution should be called should be an open question. Although the amendments don’t create a situation where we...
Carwyn Jones: My comment last week was quite simply this: all countries have their idiots and Wales has its share, unfortunately. I was too generous to these people in the way I described them I believe now, but there we are; I have to be diplomatic in my job as best I can. The reality is that I heard people who were very afraid last week—people who’d lived in the UK for generations, actually, but,...
Carwyn Jones: I saw that event and once again I can confirm that that’s extremely important, because I’ve heard people talk about this. I was in Llanelli—as were you, of course—last week, listening to people’s concerns there, and I heard the same thing in Swansea. It’s exceptionally important that there is confirmation and affirmation from the United Kingdom Government that people here already...
Carwyn Jones: Well, in order to repeat the words I said earlier, I’ve written to the Home Secretary to ensure that she will confirm that the United Kingdom will allow European Union citizens to remain within the United Kingdom on a permanent basis, those that are here already. And, of course, it’s quite wrong to see these people as people that should be discussed and debated. It’s important that that...
Carwyn Jones: Well, the Marshall plan funding came from the United States, but I understand the point you’re making, and I’ve said it a number of times, namely that every penny lost should be made up by those who promised that that would be the case, that that would happen. We’ve heard from those who argued that we should leave the European Union: they said that there would be tons of money...
Carwyn Jones: The difficulty is that those who’ve advocated some of these pledges have run away from them: throw a brick through the window and let other people pick up the pieces. I expect those people who made those pledges, and who may well be in Government in London in the next few months, to keep to those pledges. That was a vow that was made to the people of Wales and, indeed, in other countries...
Carwyn Jones: It would mean that £650 million per annum would be lost in terms of Government spending, including £260 million in farming subsidies.
