The second item on the agenda is the business statement and announcement, and I call on Jane Hutt.

Diolch, Lywydd. I’ve made two changes to this week’s business: today’s business now also includes oral statements on the public local inquiry on the M4 at Newport, and broadcasting in Wales. And business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement and announcement, found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Mike Hedges.

No.

Jeremy Miles.

I thank the leader of the house for her statement. The Welsh Government’s success in rolling out superfast broadband through Superfast Cymru is to be welcomed as a key investment in critical modern infrastructure. However, despite the very high coverage levels, the advantages of superfast broadband are binary, if you like—you either have it or you don’t. So, will the Minister for Skills and Science bring forward a statement indicating how the Government is helping those who won’t benefit from Superfast Cymru and what the Government is doing to ensure that all properties in Wales will have access to fast, reliable broadband?

Well, I thank the Member for that question, because it provides me with the opportunity to confirm that work’s under way to determine how fast and how best we can get superfast broadband to as many of the final few per cent of homes and businesses as possible. Of course, the eventual solutions will be very much dependent on the location and circumstances of the premises involved. I think all of us in this Chamber know of those circumstances, as we monitor progress. But, until the location of the final few per cent of premises is known, it’s not possible to say what specific solutions will be, but of course the intention is to make sure that we deliver on this.

Business Minister, thank you for your statement. Of course it has been a sad week for all of us as elected politicians to see one of our number gunned down on the street whilst going about her daily work of helping people. Now, Assembly Members have all been notified of how we can improve and consider our own personal security, and I’m sure many will consult with their local police. But I wondered if the Government was considering also how we deal with the well of hatred and poison that ferments on so much social media. The threat of violence, sexual assault and harm on Twitter and Facebook is becoming a daily occurrence for those in the public eye, and women in particular face a nasty social media misogyny. Surely these threats should be treated exactly the same as if they were made face to face. So, when the Government next meets—as I know it does regularly—with the four police and crime commissioners and the four police chief constables, will this issue please be discussed? And can we, therefore, have a statement as soon as practicable from the Government outlining how the police forces in Wales will work together to root out hatred from our midst?

On a related matter, I see that we have three upcoming statements from the Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language, who seems to want to keep himself busy, but we’ve yet to have one from the education Secretary. When, therefore, can we expect an update from her on progress on the new curriculum development in the pioneer schools, and, particularly, in this context, information as to how the new religion, ethics and philosophy element is being developed? This is where we tackle such hatred and prejudice—right in the classroom itself.

Finally, on a happier note, I’m sure we were all shouting ‘Olé’ as Wales weaved their magical way through the European championships last night. Can the Minister confirm any intention by the Government to use the Senedd to give an appropriate ‘thank you’ to Chris Coleman and his team after doing our nation proud, with much more to come, I’m sure? I also want to put on record our thanks for the admirable behaviour of the fans in entertaining the public in France. The Senedd over the last two weeks has been a place of sadness, remembrance, and solidarity; we know it can also be a place and a forum for national celebration and joy. I hope that opportunity does come our way.

Thank you very much, Simon Thomas. I think we also, I’m sure, would want to thank the speedy response from the police, who I’m sure have contacted all of us, but also from the Llywydd and her officials in terms of the opportunities with the police to have sessions for all Assembly Members and to make sure that we are safe and can continue to represent our constituents in the way that we feel is most appropriate. Indeed, many of us have had surgeries over the weekend, and experienced not only support and surveillance from the police, but also very strong backing from our constituents that we are ready and accessible and available to meet, but having to learn those tragic lessons in terms of what happened so dramatically and drastically and brutally last Thursday to Jo Cox.

So, I think, your points about the well of hatred and poison, we actually responded to those last week, didn’t we, in terms of our minute’s silence and response to the Orlando shootings as well. I did respond on that occasion as well as to how our policies in terms of tackling hate crime need of course to be monitored, reflected and strengthened in many ways.

You point the focus on social media, and I think some of us across this Chamber have already experienced some of that backlash over the last week, and I think we need to look at this very carefully as an Assembly, and also in Government. I know that’s where the Minister for communities and children will be taking this forward in terms of meeting police and crime commissioners. And he’s making a statement on progress today on a very important piece of legislation on how we’re tackling violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. This is a whole dimension that we need to focus on, particularly in the ways in which it could negatively affect women.

Your points about making sure that we’re all accountable and accessible as Ministers to this Assembly are very important. Of course, you will have seen the written statement on curriculum reform from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, and of course she was very happy to deliver that written statement as quickly and promptly as possible in her new role. I think it’s very important that we see, and I know the Llywydd will be looking for, opportunities to celebrate the great wins so far, and the final victory, which we all look forward to, for Wales, as we wish our team well for Saturday in Paris. I think also, just to say, in terms of football, all Cadw venues are open for free this Sunday; it’s a celebration Sunday as a result of our success so far. Of course, as well as sadness and vigils, we’ve been able to celebrate our sportsmen and women on many occasions here in the Senedd, and I’m sure we will continue to do so with a very specific football focus.

Minister, you will be aware that there’s a recent BBC report that found that, last year, 3,000 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children arrived in the UK, and they were often fleeing war and persecution. The report found that at least 891 of those unaccompanied asylum-seeking children have disappeared after arriving in the UK over the last three years—421 of those are still missing, and many of those missing are feared to have been trafficked by criminals to work in brothels, to assist in cannabis factories, and to work in private homes. Refugee campaigners say trafficked children, or those at risk, are often being failed after reaching the UK, with local authorities not equipped to adequately protect and safeguard them. The appointment here in Wales of the anti-slavery co-ordinator was a key appointment and did demonstrate our commitment to deliver for these children. What I’m now looking for is an assurance that Welsh local authorities and other agencies who clearly have responsibility for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children here in Wales are taking necessary steps to meet those obligations and to protect these extremely vulnerable children from falling into the hands of criminals and gangs.

Joyce Watson has raised a very important question, and a question that of course does affect us in Wales. I know that local authorities are very mindful, and, of course, there is co-ordination and support from the anti-slavery co-ordinator, and, indeed, from the Welsh Government as well, in terms of ministerial responsibility. But it is something where we know that, in Wales, the support and welcome to those unaccompanied children, and the ways in which we’re combatting trafficking, is important and is being responded to.

Could I identify with the sentiments raised by the regional Member for Mid and West Wales? It is almost inconceivable, when you think of these numbers, that in excess of 400 of the children identified in this report just have gone missing and cannot be found. It really is incumbent on all the authorities to look at the protocols they have in place and to make sure that there is that safety net and there is that accountability so that when young children, and, indeed, anyone, are placed into care they’re just not lost in the system. Some of the horrendous stories that this report covers—and that was identified by the Member—clearly do require answers, not just from this Government, but from Governments anywhere in the United Kingdom who have an obligation and responsibility. I would implore the Minister to ask the Minister responsible to bring a statement forward to give assurances that we can have the safeguards in place here in Wales, and that he or she has confidence that those safeguards are as robust as they need to be.

I would also like to ask for a statement—there’s a story today, obviously, around the travel of the First Minister out to the European championships. I agree entirely—I agree entirely—that it is right that Government Ministers travel to events to represent the Government and also the country, whether they’re sporting or international events of any significance. But I do think that there is a question as to how those services are procured, the value for money for those services, and the protocol that the Welsh Government uses to actually purchase those travel services. And I’d be grateful if a statement could be made available from the Welsh Government to outline whether there is a protocol in place around purchasing services for travel for any function that Government Ministers undertake, the value for money exercise that is undertaken, and, above all, that, where possible, those services are accessed through operators here in Wales, or airports or ports are used here in Wales. As I understand it, in this instance, the aeroplane was from Wales, from an operator in Haverfordwest, but that’s not the question I’m asking: I’m asking how can we be sure that there is best value for money and there is a protocol in place, because we’re not talking insignificant sums of money—in this instance, I think we’re talking nearly £10,000.

I think your first response to Joyce Watson’s very important question to me on this business statement is very welcome, a very humane response. And, of course, we will look to ways in which we can, as a Government, consider a response to that BBC report and look at ways in which we can monitor the support that we can give to those unaccompanied children in Wales. So, so very disappointing to have your second question, I would say, on this business statement—I mean, the people of Wales want the First Minister to be there, don’t they? They want him to be there. They wanted him, and would expect him, to attend the match. And, of course, in order to enable him to do that, and to travel to Glasgow later that day—we have heard today about the importance of the British-Irish Council in answers to questions to the First Minister. You know, you have to trust your Government—and the people of Wales certainly do—that we are using the appropriate services to enable our First Minister and Wales to be represented, whether it’s in Lille on Thursday and Glasgow later on that day at a British-Irish Council.

Business Minister, can I first of all agree with Simon Thomas and support his call for looking at social media misuse? It seems to me that some people have the mistaken belief that the anonymity that they can get from social media, or the fact that they sit in the house by themselves, gives them permission to actually harass, threaten and terrorise individuals on the backs of social media, and we need to address that matter very clearly as a Government.

My main point is the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure this afternoon is giving a statement on the M4 around Newport. We have problems on the M4 further west and we have had a situation where his predecessor did a trial part-time closure on junction 41, and then listened to the strong voices in Port Talbot and cancelled that part-time closure. But we haven’t had a definitive situation on that and there’s still uncertainty. Port Talbot is a town where uncertainty is unwanted. We have already uncertainty over the future of the steelworks; we need clarity on that section of the M4 in Port Talbot. Can we have a statement on the position of the M4 in Port Talbot, and particularly that junction?

Thank you, David Rees, for strengthening the comments on social media and the abuse and harassment, and, indeed, the ways in which that can so much undermine and threaten so many people, including, particularly, women, as was said earlier on by Simon Thomas.

Your second point on junction 41, which we have visited regularly in this Chamber as those changes and those developments—and the options, of course, have been considered, and I know the Cabinet Secretary will want to update Members on the progress and the decisions that have been made.

Can I ask for a statement or a debate in Government time on post-education provision for people aged 19 to 25 specifically with autism? I don’t particularly want to be going into constituents’ casework here but I feel I have to briefly because it’s come to the position where the grandmother was at my office on Friday, crying her eyes out because she’s trying to keep her grandson at Maes-y-Coed special school for another year, one year, until an agreement comes with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg university health board and the education department as to the long-term future of her grandson.

Her grandson is very, very, very ill—severely—with autism, and the fact is that the council are not at this moment putting through exceptional circumstances to allow for her grandchild to stay in that school: a place where her grandchild is safe. So, I would like a statement on that post-education provision, 19-25 provision, but also to understand what guidance you give as a Government on those exceptional circumstances. Quite frankly, we’ve had a very, very difficult week, with the death of an MP, who did actually quite a lot on autism, so I read, and I don’t want to have people coming into my office crying their eyes out because their grandson is going to be thrown out onto the streets with no provision whatsoever. So, although I’m sure you’ll say that I’ll have a statement from the Minister in due course, this is quite urgent. So, I would like to have an urgent statement on this, if you would, business Secretary, or business Minister.

Also I’d like to echo David Rees’s concerns on junction 41. I think there was a question last week and we didn’t get to that particular question, but we do need to know, in terms of the mitigating measures—. At the moment, the council are saying they won’t remove those mitigating measures around Port Talbot until there’s a final decision on junction 41. So, I would urge the new Secretary for the economy to write to or meet with Assembly Members in that area so that we can come to a final decision.

Thank you, Bethan Jenkins. You’ve raised an important case in your constituency, and I’m sure that you are also taking that forward, raising it with the local authority. It is, of course, post-19, the next stage, the transition that is so important in terms of the range of services that we need to provide to young people with autism. So, this is very relevant to the discussions that are taking place and the consultations, indeed, as well. And it will be addressed.

Thank you also for adding your voice to raising questions about junction 41. The Cabinet Secretary is very happy to come out and meet Members to discuss the options.

The commitment of this and the previous Labour Government in Wales to the south Wales metro is commendable, and it shows a real boldness of vision for economic development and for real connectivity. But, can I ask the business manager for a statement or a debate on the importance of the south Wales metro proposals to the whole of south Wales, including the more western, mid-Glamorgan valleys, like the Garw and the Llynfi and the Ogmore, but also the wider Bridgend and Ogmore area? This would allow us to explore how the exciting proposals can reach deep into these communities to realise the economic and the travel-to-work potential of these communities as well as the central and eastern valleys, and to ensure that, over time and over successive phases of this proposal, we can ensure that fast buses and light rail, universal affordable ticketing and synchronised timetables reach deep into every capillary of south Wales, not just into the main arteries. And finally, would the business manager agree with me that the roll-out of this and other major transport proposals for Wales could be seriously damaged if we leave the EU?

Thank you, Huw Irranca-Davies. I know questions were put to the Cabinet Secretary last week on the metro, ranging across south-east Wales and westwards and, of course, also very clearly involved in the city region developments and bids not only from south-east Wales but also Swansea and Swansea bay. I know that the Cabinet Secretary will be updating Members more clearly on this. Your second point was very clearly answered by the First Minister earlier on this afternoon. The metro could not go ahead without European funding that the Commission has said has to be for integrated transport, and that is what is relevant and that is what they want to spend the money on and what we want them to be able to spend the money on by remaining in the European Union.

Can I called for two statements, please, leader of the house—the first from the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport on the deactivation of pacemakers towards the end of life? This has been brought to my attention by the tragic case of Patricia Hastings from Rhos-on-Sea who passed away with vascular dementia earlier this year. Unfortunately, her family members had to see her face the indignity of a pacemaker that prolonged her suffering at the end of her life as a result of it kicking in when the natural process of death was taking place. The Cabinet Secretary for health will be aware that there has been a piece of guidance that has been published by the British Cardiovascular Society in conjunction with the National Council for Palliative Care. This was published in March 2015, yet it has not yet been fully considered by the Welsh Government for implementation here in Wales. This is 12 months on. This could have given Patricia Hastings some dignity at the end of her life and I’m sure that there are many other people who face similar situations to hers and the very tragic experience of her family. So, if I could ask for a statement on that, I would appreciate it.

Secondly, can I also call for a statement from the Minister for Communities and Children on the anniversary of the battle of the Somme, which of course takes place on 1 July this year? Tens of thousands of Welsh troops lost their lives in the awful horrors of the warfare that was experienced in that particular battle. Over 1 million people died in total, and I think we do need to know what the Welsh Government is doing—whether there are any activities that are being sponsored—and how we as AMs in our constituencies can help to promote those activities as a fitting tribute to the legacy of these heroes who passed away in those horrific events. Thank you.

Thank you, Darren Millar. You do raise a very sensitive ethical as well as clinical example of the case, which I’m sure you will have raised not only with the health board but with the Cabinet Secretary as well, but it is something that, of course, the Welsh Government will want to respond to in terms of the most updated guidance. On your second question, of course, there are a number of events taking place. There is a service at Llandaff cathedral, there are events taking place here in Wales to honour and remember—fitting tributes to those who lost their lives in the battle of the Somme.

I have two points I wanted to raise. Last week, I was pleased to host an event here in the Senedd about the work of the Welsh bone marrow registry and to mark the thousandth collection of a matched donor from the Welsh registry, which is based in the Velindre trust in my constituency. This is an absolutely tremendous achievement, and the matches are all over the world, and I wondered if there was any way that the Cabinet Secretary could make a statement highlighting the achievements of these donors, which really are not widely known. That was the first point I wanted to make.

Then, on the second point, we’ve had good wishes to the Welsh team here this afternoon, and I’d like to add my congratulations and to wish all members of the team the best. But can I draw particular attention to the achievements of the highest scorer in the championship so far? He was born and bred in Cardiff North, went to Whitchurch High School and his family still live in Whitchurch. Of course, it’s Gareth Bale. So, I would like to also ask what the Assembly can do to acknowledge the achievement of everybody in the team.

Thank you very much, Julie Morgan, the Member for Cardiff North. On you first point, it was very important that you did have the opportunity to highlight the work of the Welsh bone marrow registry. These events here in the Senedd do raise awareness and it was the thousandth collection, as you say, of a matched donor. I want to congratulate the Welsh Blood Service alongside Julie. But also it is about congratulating the volunteers—people who come forward volunteering bone marrow donation. It is about how we can recruit more. I think the Cabinet Secretary knows that this is something where we need to recruit on a more local level as well as at a national level. We need to reach out to communities, and I’m sure that that was the message that came through at your event. So, Assembly Members can also play their part in helping to get that message over far and wide.

We would hope and expect that Julie Morgan from Cardiff North would seize the opportunity to praise her constituent, Gareth Bale, and to acknowledge his huge achievements and, of course, the whole team. He’s the highest scorer and certainly the star of the match and the tournament. To see him again is such a thrill for you and for us all, as well as his family. He’s a former school student at Whitchurch High School, and what a role model. So, I’m sure we’ll be celebrating and congratulating him in person in due course.

I thank the Minister.