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

I have no changes to report to this week’s business 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.

Andrew R.T. Davies.

Hello—thank you, Presiding Officer, sorry. I was in a world of my own then, I was. [Laughter.] That’s what comes from messing around with your computer.

Leader of the house, can we have three statements please? The first is around the Government’s negotiations with Ford Motor Company in relation to the engine plant in Bridgend. When the Minister responded to the urgent question, he did allude to the fact that he would be going to Detroit to speak with the headquarters management of Ford in America, who made the decision about reducing production at the Bridgend engine plant. In a written response I had back from him last week, he’s indicated that he has no plans in the foreseeable future to attend any meetings in relation to Ford’s international management team. I think this is a worrying concern, given the assertion that was given in response to the urgent question, and now there are no meetings planned. So, could we have a statement from the Cabinet Secretary to outline exactly how he is taking forward his negotiations to secure assurances around the long-term viability of the engine plant at Bridgend?

Also, could I ask for a statement around business rates? This term, that has occupied many Members’ postbags and many Members’ contributions in this Chamber. We have one week left before the Christmas recess. The First Minister, in fairness, has alluded in responses to this Chamber that there might be some flexibility in the transitional moneys that have been made available from the Welsh Government—and when I talk about flexibilities, I mean increasing that amount of transitional relief that could be available to businesses. It would be very, very welcome news that if, before this institution broke up for the Christmas recess, the Government could bring forward a statement to either confirm that it is going to make progress on this matter, or to say, ‘No, you’ve just got to put up with what you’ve got and that’s what’s coming in April’. I think businesses are at a stage now where they want certainty, however bad that certainty might be, or hopefully, however good that certainty might be, if the Government were to move on the transitional relief.

The third statement, if possible, is from the Minister for health around ambulance response times. My colleague Darren Millar has highlighted on several occasions that heart and stroke 999 calls are not included in the emergency categories of the ambulance service. That is a very, very worrying situation when, if you think that, for every minute lost on a heart attack in responding to it, there’s a 10 per cent decrease in the survivability of that patient. So, I would be grateful—and I can see the Cabinet Secretary chuntering away there—I would be grateful if he could put pen to paper and actually gave us a written statement to confirm whether it is the case that heart and stroke calls are not in the categorisations of urgency. Can we have that certainty from the Cabinet Secretary via a written statement before we break for Christmas?

Thank you, Andrew R.T. Davies, for your questions. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure has met Ford’s senior manager in Europe, and is fully engaged in securing the engine plants in Bridgend.

On your second point, as you are well aware, there has been a consultation in terms of the business rates and the transitional relief. Of course, we note your comments. The First Minister has responded, as, indeed, has the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and will be taking note of the consultation responses.

On your third point, this is a matter of concern, what you have raised today. I just want to, again, make the point, in response to questions to the First Minister, that it is this new clinical response model that has resulted in the Welsh ambulance service leading the way, as was acknowledged nationally, outside of Wales, in terms of media and press and interest, of course, in the way in which we are showing our speed of response for acutely ill patients, which, of course, would include patients with suspected stroke and heart attacks—so, meeting the national target in every month in the first year of the pilot. It is about clinically driven changes, enabling patients to receive the right response, based on their clinical need, and it is encouraging. I hope you would join me in welcoming the fact that other parts of the UK are taking note of our progress, and that the Scottish Ambulance Service have announced they will shortly implement a very similar system.

Earlier this afternoon, in response to a question from my friend and colleague the Member of Parliament for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, the UK transport Secretary told the House of Commons that the UK Government had not agreed to devolve the Wales and borders franchise to this place. This is contrary, of course, to my understanding of the outcome of the St David’s Day process. Can we have a statement—either written or oral—as soon as possible, to clarify the situation on the future devolution of the Wales and borders franchise?

Yes, we need to be very clear about this point. Of course, the Cabinet Secretary has got his oral questions tomorrow, but he will also ensure that he will make it clear, in an answer to that question, Steffan Lewis, in writing, following today’s business statement.

May I ask the Cabinet Secretary for two statements, please? The first is on local authority policy on letting office spaces to elected representatives. I’ve decided to seek new office premises because my existing one proved unsuitable, due to security concerns. After much time and effort, my staff found premises at Beechwood House, which was currently empty. Initial negotiations to rent the property proved favourable. I am therefore very angry and upset that Newport City Council have blocked the move, as they say it is not their policy to rent council properties for political purposes. Cabinet Secretary, my office—at the moment, if I use it during election time, I reimburse the rent, rates, electricity, gas, and telephone back to the Assembly. For some percentage of the property space that is used, the money goes back to the Assembly. I find it totally absurd. I do not—

I do not think that this is a question for the Government, and you should wait until you have the opportunity for questions to the Commission to ask a question of that nature. Either ask a question to the Government that is appropriate for them, or refrain from asking the question and place it in its appropriate place.

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I do not understand why the council, at the time of budgetary constraint and pressure, would prefer to leave a building empty, rather than receive income from an unused asset. Thank you.

The second statement: Natural Resources Wales say they have had a very successful year last year, with more than 660,000 tonnes of timber leaving the public forestry estate. Forestry is going to be reduced. Concern has been expressed to me as to whether this figure is sustainable in Wales and what happened to the income generated through it. Please could we have a statement on this? Thank you.

That question does relate to Natural Resources Wales and their responsibilities. I’m sure you would want to raise this with the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs.

Leader of the house, can I ask for two statements? First of all, earlier, in First Minister’s questions, Gareth Bennet asked the First Minister for an update on the south Wales metro. Could I reiterate those calls for an update on that, particularly with regard to the next phase? As you know from my concerns during the last Assembly, the town of Monmouth has been on some metro maps and off others. There are now concerns about the effect of leaving the European Union on funding for the full network as proposed before. So, could we have an update on where we are with outlying areas being on that metro map, particularly with the proposals for a transport hub at the Celtic Manor, I believe? I think that would give a potential for outlying areas in my constituency and south-east Wales to be connected with a frequent service to the metro map.

Secondly, Andrew R.T. Davies mentioned business rates earlier. This continues to be an ongoing concern in my area. I attended a packed meeting last night in Usk where concerns were raised with me about the business rates situation. A representative from the Welsh Government civil service was there and provided some information, but I feel it would be very helpful if we did have a ministerial update on business rates and a statement that addresses the concerns of business rate relief. Many businesses do fear that, when it comes to next April, without additional relief—an equitable relief to that across the border—they are going to be forced out of business. So, I think an update or a statement on an equitable business rate relief scheme before the Christmas recess would be very, very helpful to my constituents and other Assembly Members.

Well, of course, Nick Ramsay is very vigilant in raising issues on behalf of his constituency and also, on a number of occasions, about the needs of your constituency in relation to infrastructure developments such as the south Wales metro. Of course, I know that the First Minister has responded in part this afternoon to questions and is, of course, looking at the issues relating to being able to continue to access European funding, which is so important for the metro. He is also recognising, as I think he certainly did in answer to previous questions, the importance of this being part of the city deal for the Cardiff capital region and the fact that the leader of Monmouthshire is very engaged in the city region and making sure that all local authorities are benefitting from that. So, you know, in terms of updates, I know that the Cabinet Secretary will want to update at an appropriate time on progress with the south Wales metro.

On your second point, I have already responded to Andrew R.T. Davies in terms of the outcomes of a consultation that’s taking place on business rates and, of course, the recognition that this is a key issue in parts of constituencies across Wales.

I thank the Minister.