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

Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. I have one change to report to this week’s business. I’ve reduced the time allocated to the Counsel General’s oral Assembly questions tomorrow, 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.

I’d like to thank the business Secretary for her statement, and also ask her whether she has time in Government business for a debate, first of all, on the project of the tidal lagoon in Swansea bay. We know that the Hendry review has come out in favour of this project as a pathfinder for this technology, which has huge potential in Wales. I think that a debate rather than a statement, by which we can unite as an Assembly around the principles of this project, and which the Government can set out how we can support the project going forward, would be extremely beneficial. I’d particularly like that debate to focus on what we can do as a Welsh Government, and as a Welsh Assembly, to take the project forward. I know that the Government has expressed an interest in the idea that we’d be promoting as Plaid Cymru—an energy company for Wales, Ynni Cymru—and I would really like to see the Welsh Government take an early stake in the tidal lagoon, in the project and the holding company that’s driving that forward, so that, over the next successive generations, we benefit from this technology as it rolls out across Wales, because I think this is the future and I’m convinced that we can get a direct benefit for the Welsh nation out of tidal lagoons and tidal power more widely. It may not be lagoons in other parts of Wales; it may be other tidal technologies in Anglesey, for example, as well. I think this is a huge potential, so I'd very much appreciate a debate in Government time on the principle of tidal lagoons, so that we can follow up on the Hendry review and really give the support, I think, of the whole Assembly to that principle.

The second item I'd like to raise with the Welsh Government is whether we can have a statement clarifying what the Government has done as regards the pollution incident on the River Teifi just before Christmas. There was a major pollution incident, which some people might recall—it tended to get lost in the Christmas news, but about 6 miles of the river was affected. I understand it was a significant release of some form of effluent from the dairy industry. We need to understand how that happened, but also what steps are being taken now to reinstate the river, which is an important fishing river and an important tourist attraction as well in that part of Wales. I've had a lot of correspondence from local fishermen and people who take an interest in the environment about what might be happening there and how the Government might follow up on that. We had an unfortunate incident in Nantgaredig, outside Carmarthen, with oil, but this, on the face of it, actually looks more serious and looks like it could affect the Teifi for a long period of time. So, I'd very much appreciate some more information from the Welsh Government by means of a written statement or otherwise that I can share with my constituents and which shows that the Government is taking this issue seriously.

Diolch yn fawr, Simon Thomas. Those are two very important questions. Of course, we very much welcome, and the Welsh Government welcomed, the fact that the Charles Hendry review last week supported the case for developing a tidal lagoon energy industry in the UK. And, of course, this has been very much supported by our new programme for government, ‘Taking Wales Forward’, and also acknowledged in statements by Government Ministers. So, I think this development of a sustainable tidal lagoon industry in Wales is clearly a subject that would be appropriate for a debate, and we'll look to that in terms of timing and arrangements.

Your second point, on pollution in the River Teifi, I very much recognise that this is about tackling agricultural pollution in terms of origins. It’s essential to improve overall water quality in Wales, and, of course, mention has been made, I think, already today about the consultation on nitrate vulnerable zones in Wales, which has closed. But the Cabinet Secretary would be prepared to do a specific written statement on this incident, but, obviously, she is also looking at the results of this consultation.

Leader of the house, could we have two statements, if possible, please, with the first building on the question that my colleague, Nick Ramsay, ask the First Minister around business rates. I heard the response, as everyone did, from the First Minister that the guidance, the rules, the regulations would be coming forward shortly around the business rates proposals, and we do welcome the additional money that has been put into the budget for the business rate scheme post 1 April of this year. But, 1 April is coming very, very quickly down the tracks at us, and are you in a position, as leader of the house, to indicate to us what the term ‘shortly’ means, where we might have some understanding of how this money will be distributed, what will be the criteria, and, importantly, what businesses will do if they do find themselves on the wrong side of the line when it comes to accessing that help and support over the business rates revaluation? As I said, there is a very short period of time, and businesses, not unreasonably, with cash-flow projections and planning for the future, do need this information as quickly as possible. I appreciate the Government might be working behind the scenes on this, but the word ‘shortly’ needs defining, and if you, in your role as leader of the house, are in a position to let us know when that statement might be coming forward, that would be hugely helpful. If not, could you report back and let us know what is happening around these rules and regulations?

And the second statement I'd seek is from the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport. This morning, I had the pleasure of hosting the Cancer Patient Voices event in the Senedd here. Annie Mulholland, as many Members in this Chamber will recall, brought the first event to the Pierhead building, which had cross-party support, and numerous Members attended that event. Again, this year, the event was very, very well supported, and there were some very good contributions from the floor and from the platform, informing patients and informing clinicians and politicians of the state of play at the moment when it comes to cancer services. Dr Tom Crosby talked of the need for a cancer strategy for Wales. We do have a cancer plan, but he did talk about how putting provision of services in place when it comes to cancer services is not an issue just for a one-term Government on a two or three-year cycle. It does need long-term planning that lasts well into the future, and horizon scanning. In fairness to Dr Tom Crosby, he is a man of huge experience in this field, and I think it would be hugely appreciated if the Cabinet Secretary for health could come forward with his thoughts on such a strategy being put in place by the Welsh Government, and what his response is to that request.

Andrew R.T. Davies raises two important points, and, of course, I very much welcome the fact that you recognise that this is a significant uplift in terms of business rates. Its importance, I think, is over and above the £10 million transitional relief. The consultation, of course, had an impact and we know that constituents and businesses across Wales responded. Of course, the detail of how that is going to be delivered is being worked through now, and the Cabinet Secretary will be able to make the outcome of that available in due course.

On your second point, I also attended the Cancer Patient Voices event and it was good to see a cross-party event of that kind so well attended. I heard, indeed, from Julie Morgan and also Rhun ap Iorwerth, and then it went on to other party spokespeople. Dr Tom Crosby, of course, is taking the lead in terms of the Velindre health project, and we’re very fortunate that we have clinician specialists like Dr Crosby in Wales leading the way.

Can I return to the Hendry review into Swansea bay tidal lagoon, which was far more positive than many of us could have hoped for? I agree with the request made by Simon Thomas for a debate on tidal lagoons, but, before we reach that stage, can I ask the Government to provide an update on the marine licence for the Swansea bay tidal lagoon, because without the marine licence it cannot go ahead?

Of course, Mike Hedges has championed the tidal lagoons, alongside Simon Thomas and the Welsh Government. The determination of the marine licence application is undertaken by Natural Resources Wales. There is cross-party support, I would say, and clearly now we need to get on with this, but obviously this is for Natural Resources Wales. Let’s again look at the great potential that the marine energy sector does present for Wales. We look forward to the outcome and to the opportunity to debate this further.

I’m looking for three statements from the Cabinet Secretary. The first one is on the use of the ministerial car dispatched to Mayfair to collect and deposit the Labour millionaire David Goldstone. We’d like to know when, at what cost and why the limousine was dispatched. Secondly, we’re looking for a statement on the Heath hospital and what will be done to stop or to prevent staff having to pay so many parking fines, which is completely unacceptable. Thirdly, can we have a statement about when the First Minister will be publishing his diary, please?

I think the issue around hospital car parking is an issue that, of course, has caused some concern, not just to patients and staff, but I know this has been dealt with by the health board.

Can I call for two statements, please? The first is a statement request from the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs into the state of the sea defences in Old Colwyn in my constituency. The Minister will be aware that I’ve raised this issue on many an occasion in the Chamber, and I’m very concerned at the state of those defences. Just last week, there was a further storm that caused damage to the to the sea defences on that part of the coast, and the leader of the house will be aware that those defences actually do protect the A55 and the north Wales railway line. In fact, part of the wall that protects the embankment on which the north Wales railway line sits was damaged in last week’s storm, as were many of the railings along the promenade. These are now in urgent need of repair and attention. It needs not just a patchy, ad hoc repair job as we’ve seen over many years; it needs a fundamental restoration of those sea defences up to modern levels, because I am concerned that if we don’t do that, we’re going to end up with a catastrophic failure of the defences at some point and that could lead to not just disruption with transport, but potential loss of life.

Can I also call for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for health and social services, to provide an update to Members on the situation with follow-up work, following the Tawel Fan scandal in north Wales? Some 18 months have now passed since the publication of the Tawel Fan report into the institutional abuse at that ward in the Ablett unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, yet not one person has been held to account. Not one person has lost their job as a result of the horrific care and experiences of those patients on that ward.

We were told, as Assembly Members, that the work, which was being undertaken by Donna Ockenden and HASCAS, the two organisations that are following up on this issue, would be completed by March. Yet, in the board papers for the Betsi Cadwaladr university health board, which are published and available online, which are going to be discussed tomorrow, we’re told that that will now be extended to the summer. I think that’s unacceptable, frankly, and I would appreciate very much—. We were told that we would get regular updates from the Cabinet Secretary for health—we’ve not had any, unless I’ve been requesting them, which I think is unacceptable. I would request an update urgently on that particular issue. I don’t want people dragging their feet in terms of bringing people to justice.

I’m very much aware, Darren Millar, of your concern about the first question, which really is concerned with coastal defences. In your constituency, in Old Colwyn in particular, we are preparing for £150 million investment with local authorities, as you’re aware, in coastal risk management projects and also supporting local authorities to develop business cases for potential projects. There is clearly a requirement for a partnership approach to Old Colwyn and, in fact, the Cabinet Secretary’s officials are in contact with Conwy council concerning this particular project. Of course, that also relates to transport infrastructure, which is the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for health for an update, in terms of Betsi Cadwaladr, on your second point.

Leader of the house, could I please request a statement from the Welsh Government on the policy for providing free swimming for children? It is now 10 years since the policy of free swimming for children was rolled out in Wales, which is perhaps a good time for us to reflect upon the policy. Free swimming has been important in providing access to leisure opportunities, to tackle obesity or poor activity rates—themes I have often covered—but also in terms of social justice. However, 10 years on, there are questions now relating to take-up, with data from Free Swimming Wales showing a 19 per cent decrease in the number of free public swims during August and September 2016, compared to the previous year. A statement from Welsh Government would give us the chance to consider this but also to expand and think about ways to reinvigorate the policy, for example, perhaps by linking in with the free swimming for veterans and military personnel, to create family leisure opportunities.

Vikki Howells raises a very important issue in terms of our very successful policy for free swimming, not just for children but for older people as well, over-60s, which is very well used for that age group. But it is worth reflecting on, and, in fact, the Minister for Social Services and Public Health has asked her officials to look at the fact that there has been a decline in the use of free swims amongst the under 16s. I think it’s important to recognise that there have been changes to the free swimming policy over the years. There are more, for example, pool-side activities that are being encouraged, as well as ways in which this can be linked to swimming lessons et cetera. So, as part of her portfolio, the Minister will be looking at these issues, which are very important to raise today.

Leader of the house, you will be aware that properties in the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, in my constituency, had to be evacuated on Friday after being flooded by water from a burst main that carries water from Lake Vyrnwy to Liverpool. The flooding even damaged the new village hall, which, I remember well, the First Minister opened only in 2012. While the cause is not yet known, the local county councillor, Councillor Aled Davies, has informed me that the pipes fracture on a regular basis, often over farmland, which is serious but not as serious, and we are aware, of course, as well, that sections of the pipes date from the Victorian era. Whilst much of this responsibility, I accept, lies with the United Utilities, I would request a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for the environment on the Welsh Government’s flood risk management policy in this regard. I would also be grateful if the Cabinet Secretary could outline what pressure the Welsh Government or Natural Resources Wales can put on United Utilities to ensure that its infrastructure is indeed fit for purpose, so the community can be reassured that such incidents don’t happen again or, at the very least, are reduced as much as possible.

Well, obviously, that incident raises great concern not only for the people who are affected, but in terms of the long-term viability of that infrastructure. I certainly will share this with the Cabinet Secretary to look at. I’ve already mentioned coastal defences, but in terms of our investment—our record investment—in high quality flood defence programmes across Wales, just to say that across the whole of Wales we’ve spent £4.5 million in response to the winter storms and that is, of course, just one part of flood defence investment. But you raise a very specific issue and incident, Russell George.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary.