Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I would like to thank Jeremy Miles for raising this important topic. I think this is probably the most critical time since devolution in terms of Wales’s international agenda. It’s also good to use the opportunity tonight to welcome the extensive experience that you are bringing to this debate, and indeed, into this Assembly, and to draw...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Suzy Davies, for that. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary to update us, as she promised to do, in terms of officials looking at this. I know the adverse impact of woodchip fires is something that has been experienced across Wales, and not just in your region.
Jane Hutt: We note the point that you made regarding the Circuit of Wales, Nick Ramsay.
Jane Hutt: And, on your second point, well I’m sure that was a very important meeting this morning of the Agricultural Law Association. I think it’s very important that we also take the opportunity to reflect on your point that it is going to be very difficult—it is currently very difficult for the farming community—and, of course, the Welsh Government and the Cabinet Secretary are working very...
Jane Hutt: Well, I’m not quite sure where we’re going with your questions, Mohammad Asghar, except to say I can absolutely assure you we will not be changing our policy on free prescriptions, which not only has mitigated against the austerity measures of your Conservative Government over the last seven years, but also enables us to treat those who suffer the most health inequalities in Wales.
Jane Hutt: I’m glad that Mark Isherwood again has followed on from Vikki Howell’s question about new ways of raising awareness about the importance of cervical screening. Just to add that I made the point about the way in which local primary care clusters are working with public health teams to consider uptakes, screening uptake, particularly in the areas where there is the lowest uptake. And...
Jane Hutt: I would like to take the opportunity to fully respond in terms of an update on the Circuit of Wales and the questions and issues that Adam Price has raised. We have of course been working with the Heads of the Valleys Development Company over many years to find a way to make the Circuit of Wales project work. Now that the Heads of the Valleys Development Company has submitted its final...
Jane Hutt: Darren Millar does raise an important point, which I’m sure he will be raising with Betsi Cadwaladr health board. Of course, this is something that we take very seriously in terms of security on sites, particularly in relation to patient confidentiality and, indeed, staff and patient safety.
Jane Hutt: It will be on the record, Llywydd.
Jane Hutt: Well, I’m sorry that I don’t think Ann Jones is in the Chamber at the moment to hear me add my congratulations to those of Hannah Blythyn to Ann Jones for her recent award from the National Fire Protection Association. This is important, as we recognise, and I think this is shared across the Chamber, this recognition of Ann’s achievements. It’s an international organisation, and for...
Jane Hutt: This is a very inappropriate question, I would say, Llywydd, but I would also say there is a role for the Public Accounts Committee, which of course, under the chairmanship of Nick Ramsay, has examined this issue, particularly in relation to the contract that NRW was responsible for.
Jane Hutt: Can I thank Vikki Howells for raising awareness again in this Chamber of those two all-important awareness weeks—first of all, the work that’s been done by the charity Unique to raise awareness and understanding of chromosome disorders? Obviously, in terms of the experience of your constituent, it is very important to recognise this is the fourth awareness week, and the Welsh Government...
Jane Hutt: Well, as Andrew R.T. Davies is well aware, of course, roles and responsibilities, as far as the roads in the Vale of Glamorgan—yes, there are some responsibilities in relation to Welsh Government, but, of course, now the Conservative-controlled Vale of Glamorgan Council is the key highway authority, and that’s also not just in terms of the A48 and roads off, but including Five Mile Lane....
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Llywydd. There’s only one change to business for this week. I’ve reduced the time allocated to tomorrow’s questions to the Counsel General. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement and announcement found among meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Jane Hutt: I think, as I’ve said in answer to the questions this afternoon, this is about commercial relationships—commercial investment relationships—with Qatar. And the Member, of course, is fully aware—and we’ve spoken of it this afternoon—of those substantial investments, including, here in Wales, the LNG terminal at Milford Haven, as well as in other parts of the UK. So, it is those...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Mohammad Asghar. I can perhaps give the FCO position, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office position, which is, and I quote: We hope that a resolution can be found soon and that the Gulf Cooperation Council unity will be restored, and encourage those travelling to Doha from affected countries to check FCO travel advice. As I said earlier in response to questions, flights are...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Simon Thomas, for very constructive questions. I would like to first draw attention to—and Members will recall—the statement made by the First Minister on 3 May of this year, following his visit to Qatar during that bank holiday weekend to promote stronger commercial ties. I would refer Members back to that statement and also note that, in fact, there had been a visit...
Jane Hutt: As I’ve already said, foreign affairs are not devolved. We do take our advice, as Neil Hamilton would recognise, from the FCO. We work within UK guidelines for international trade and investment, and the introduction of the new air link between Doha and Cardiff is a commercial deal between Cardiff Airport and Qatar Airways. This is progressing as planned.
Jane Hutt: Well, foreign affairs, of course, as Jenny Rathbone is well aware, isn’t devolved, but we clearly have an interest in what’s happening in the region. We’re in touch with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to monitor developments. It is clearly important and, indeed, today’s question is about our relationships—they are commercial investment relationships with Qatar—but also these...
Jane Hutt: Of course, as Steffan Lewis knows, and has said, Qatar has substantial investments in the UK, including in Wales, notably the LNG terminal at Milford Haven. I think that, in terms of your second point—the development of the service and the direct link between the airports and airlines—it’s a huge boost to Wales and it does provide that direct route into one of the world’s fastest...
