Now the next item is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the leader of the house, Julie James.

Diolch, Llywydd. The only change to this week's business is to reduce the time allocated to questions to the Counsel General tomorrow. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out in the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Leader of the house, could I revisit the M4 discussion that was just had in FMQs? During an environment and sustainability committee meeting last week, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport was before us. He clearly outlined that the planning decision is a decision for the First Minister and him alone. It's not a collective responsibility decision of the Government as a whole, which you indicated in your response to us. But, he also told the committee members that there was the belief within Government that a debate would be taken on 4 December and that the report would be made available to Members of this institution this week. It's a 580-page report, as I understand it. You are leader of the house, responsible for Government business. If that debate is to be taken next Tuesday, you would have to be tabling that debate today. Can you confirm whether that debate will be tabled today, and that the report will be released for Members to look over in the coming days? Or, is it really the case that this debate will not see the light of day now under this current First Minister, and that we are looking at going into the spring term before that debate is held here? As I said, there are so many conflicting notes and responses to questions out there that we do need clarity. This is the largest infrastructure project that the Welsh Government has undertaken, or will potentially undertake, since 1999. From the Cabinet Secretary, to your good self, to the First Minister himself, there are so many different scenarios working out there that we, as Members, do require the courtesy that we do have clarity from the Government over the course of action.

I'd also ask, in light of the continuing poor experience that people are having on the railways, that the Cabinet Secretary himself brings forward a statement that outlines entirely what happened in the handover process from Arriva Trains to the new franchise operator. There is evidence, given by the Cabinet Secretary himself and by Transport for Wales, that it wasn't the most ideal handover that could have been undertaken. Yet, this date was well-known to many people; it was known to everyone, in fact. The statement that we received from Transport for Wales last week even alludes to the fact that the stores for spare parts were certainly not what they should be, and there was an inadequacy there. We do need to understand, because we are all getting e-mails, telephone correspondence, face-to-face experiences with the travelling public over the horrendous situation that many have been left in. It is not fair on the travelling public, leave alone Members in this institution, that we cannot furnish them with the answers that they do deserve.

I am grateful for the statement that came from Transport for Wales last week. But, if this were a positive news story, I'm sure the Cabinet Secretary would be making a statement about the initial handover and the six weeks in the intervening period. So, please can we have a Government statement outlining exactly the responsibilities the Government has taken on itself to fix this problem?

On the M4, I'll try to be as crystal clear as I possibly can be. We are in a legal process. We had a local inquiry. That report has been received by the Government. It is subject to official advice and legal advice. When the official and legal advice and clearances are through, it will be submitted to the First Minister for his executive decision. It is not a collective decision of the Cabinet; it is an executive decision of the First Minister.

Once that has been done, to be clear, I have made it very clear that, because of the scale of the project and the interest across Wales, unlike any other highway project, we will bring forward a debate in Government time. There is still some possibility that we could do that next Monday. We would have to have the Llywydd's indulgence to do that. It was discussed at Business Committee this morning that there is still that possibility. However, as I said before, if that's not possible—if that's not possible because we haven't got to that point in the process—then we'll see what else can be done.

If it does go out past the end of this Assembly term, then I will be recommending to the incoming First Minister, whoever she or he would be, that the commitment by this Government is honoured, that that debate comes forward, and I don't see any reason why that couldn't happen. But it must be in the correct sequence. We can't have a debate in Assembly time before the making of the Orders, because that is not a relevant consideration in terms of the way that that decision must be made. So, there's a very clear set of processes, and the Assembly debate must come at the right point in that process. So, it's still not inconceivable that we could do it next Tuesday, but, if we can do it, we will. If we can't, then we'll have to see what else can be done.

We are very committed to the debate, but it has to be at the right point in the process. The process is immensely complex. The amount of things that have to be done in order for the First Minister to be able to take that decision lawfully, taking into account all the relevant considerations, is hugely complicated. So, we need to get the process right, and then we need to move on to the debate. So, I hope that that is clear. I don't know how to make it any clearer than that.

In terms of Transport for Wales, the Cabinet Secretary has indicated to me that he's very happy to ensure that Transport for Wales give a weekly update to all Members on where we are with the transition arrangements and the handover. So, I'll make sure that that happens.

Leader of the house, can I ask for a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services concerning GP premises, please? As you'll be aware, GPs who are independent contractors in the traditional mould also own their own premises, and I well remember as young GPs, you are expected to take out what is effectively a second mortgage on a GP surgery at the same time as you are taking out a first mortgage on a family home.

Now, recently, I've received representations to the effect that, when you fast-forward 20 to 30 years, and GPs retire, or retire early, or move on, leaving the remaining GPs with a building that is often difficult to sell, with negative equity and early redemption penalties, huge financial losses can be incurred at this difficult time. And people wonder why GPs do not want to become independent contractors owning their own surgeries any more.

Now, the NHS in England has a compensation system for GPs in similar circumstances. GPs who have provided a lifetime of service to their communities face huge financial losses if they are the last ones standing in GP premises after the other partners have left. We don't expect hospital consultants to have an obligatory financial stake in your average district general hospital or tertiary specialist care centre, and I would value a statement from the Cabinet Secretary to clarify matters. Thank you very much.

Yes, the Member highlights a particular issue with the current system in which GPs are independent contractors. We are seeing a shift towards fewer, larger sized GP practices with a wider skill mix of health professionals providing a greater range of healthcare locally, and that's partly because of what the Member is pointing out there about the financial commitments and so on.

We do take over practices in some circumstances of a managed practice approach, particularly as the tendency to use locums attracting higher costs and so on plays out. So, he's right to highlight that. We're working closely with the British Medical Association and NHS Wales colleagues on a programme of contract reform to address how the contract operates, making it more sustainable for GPs whilst delivering against the actions. The number of GP practices is gradually reducing, and it is a trend. As part of those negotiations, we are looking to see what can be done to alleviate the circumstances that the Member highlights.

I wanted to raise the issue about folic acid. The UK Government, as the leader of the house will know, recently announced its plans to fortify flour with folic acid to reduce spina bifida and other preventable birth defects linked to low folic acid. I think we know that, at the moment, two children a week in the UK are born with preventable birth defects. It's very good news that the UK Government has announced this, and I know this is something that Scottish and Welsh Ministers have lobbied for, and I assume it will apply to all UK flour producers. But I did wonder whether it would be possible to have a statement in Wales to clarify that this will apply in Wales and how it will link with our duties to regulate food and our responsibilities for food standards, because I think, obviously, this is something that mothers in particular need to know.

Yes, the Member highlights an incredibly important area. We very much welcome the positive announcement from the UK Government to fortify flour with folic acid. We have for a very long time called for this to be taken forward, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services has written a joint letter with the Scottish Government yesterday to endorse our support and to drive forward rapid action in this regard. We note that the expected timing is early 2019 for the consultation, and officials have begun a positive dialogue to drive forward the consultation on a UK-wide level. We also know that the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment are yet to make an official report on the maximum level of folic acid, but we're of the view that that shouldn't delay the consultation process with a view to agreeing a uniform approach to the introduction of legislation across the UK as soon as possible.

Leader of the house, may I ask for a statement from the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport on the results of the latest school sport survey? According to the survey, the gap between children from the most and the least deprived areas taking part in sport has widened in the last three years. The number of children taking part in sport outside school three or more times a week has remained unchanged since 2015, and the gender disparity between boys and girls remains the same. Enjoyment of sports, both in and out of school, has fallen, and as the chief executive of Sport Wales said, in her words,

'Without it, there is no hope of them having a positive lifelong relationship with sport.'

Please can we have a statement from the Minister on what can be done to encourage more pupils to take part in sports in Wales, please?

The Member highlights a very important part of the curriculum, and the Member will be aware that, as part of the Donaldson reforms to the curriculum, we're rolling out the new curriculum and part of that is very much to be a healthy, active citizen of Wales. We hope very much that that will mean that sport is far more integrated into the curriculum. The Member will be aware that we've been experimenting with the mile a day programme for primary schools, and so on. So he highlights a very important part of the roll-out of the new curriculum. It's very much part of our planning for the future for schools with a view to getting our children as they come out of our schools to be the healthy, active participants in Welsh society that we want them to be.

Leader of the house, I'd like to ask for two statements today. I continue to deal with a large volume of casework relating to problems caused by unadopted housing estates. In fact, I would say it's the largest single element in my postbag, and I know that other Assembly Members see similar issues. Some time ago, during a debate on unadopted roads, the economy and transport Secretary announced that he would be setting up a taskforce to look into this issue. Please can we have a statement updating Members on this work?

Secondly, I recently met with a representative of the WAVE 70/30 campaign. That campaign focuses on eliminating child maltreatment through primary prevention. Their solution, offering support to parents and expectant parents before damage occurs, accords well with Welsh Government priorities, so could we have an update from Ministers on work to promote positive parenting?

Yes, indeed. Taking them in reverse order, officials have met with George Hosking, the founder and CEO of the WAVE Trust, on a number of occasions to discuss the work, including the 70/30 campaign that the Member highlights, and the adverse childhood experiences work. The meetings have provided opportunities for officials to share with the WAVE Trust information on the Welsh Government's policies and key family support programmes. We anticipate that that will have a mutual interest with the WAVE Trust and that discussions will continue.

The approach of the campaign is completely compatible with the aims and objectives of our Flying Start and Families First programmes, as well as the Welsh Government's positive parenting campaign, 'Parenting. Give it Time'. We're very supportive of the campaign and believe the services provided have the potential to complement the work already undertaken by the Government, and we're very happy to work alongside the project.

In terms of unadopted roads, the Cabinet Secretary has been looking for some time at some of the issues, in conjunction with the Minister for housing, the Minister for planning and a number of other people across the Government. I'll check with them where that work is and how it's progressing and write to the Member accordingly.

Could I call for a single statement on rail services in north Wales? On Saturday I attended the Wrexham-Bidston Rail Users Association's annual general meeting, where the chair referred us to Transport for Wales's live travel updates on Saturday, which showed that, with the exception of minor delays at Cardiff-Shrewsbury and Cardiff-Swansea, all the other south Wales services had good service, whereas Llandudno-Blaenau Ffestiniog and Chester-Crewe had severe delays, and Wrexham-Bidston had an amended timetable—i.e. cancelled.

Yesterday, the executive member for transport at Wrexham wrote to the Cabinet Secretary here. You will be aware that following the decision by Transport for Wales that no train services operated on Wrexham-Bidston last weekend, due to rail services in south Wales being supplemented due to a sporting fixture, no stakeholders here were consulted in advance or informed directly of that, or then the decision to rescind and reduce the reduced timetable over the weekend with no discussion with stakeholders. We know that the chair of Neston transport working group, the other end of this line, on Friday e-mailed—it's been their position in Neston for three years that the whole of the line should be operated by Merseytravel, because at least the section from Bidston to Shotton, they say, could then experience high-quality services provided by them. 

And, finally, on Friday, my office received a phone call from a rail insider, a whistleblower, who wished to remain anonymous, who told me that the majority of trains had been cancelled because no spares were available when the Welsh Government took over, and that the tooling and spares had been taken by Arriva. So, we need to know why these missing spares were not picked up and provided for by the operator, and why the wheel lathes access was not put into place. Again, we heard on Saturday that there was no access, belatedly, to Crewe, Bristol and Taunton. But we also know that the excuse for so many trains being off the line is because of shortage of wheel lathes. Is there a sustainable solution in place, or is this a one-off, and will this address the problem?

I don't want a short response. I'm calling for a ministerial statement to this Assembly so that we can get to the bottom of these many questions being raised by very worried stakeholders. 

As I said, the situation with the stock being off the rails—as I said in answer to an FMQ, we've got 10 per cent of that stock back in action. And in response to Andrew R.T. Davies, we did say that we'll arrange for Transport for Wales to have a weekly update for Members on the situation across Wales, and I'll make sure the Member is included in that, obviously. 

Leader of the house, I call for a statement on two matters. The first one is: you'll be aware of the Musicians' Union report, which raises the issue of the lack of access to music now for whole sections of communities, and individuals, particularly from more deprived backgrounds. It would be very helpful to have a statement that actually analysed that report and identified whether those conclusions actually apply to Wales as well.

And the second one I'd like to ask for is a statement on the discussions that Welsh Government has had with the UK Government in respect of the provision of information to Members of Parliament and to Assembly Members from differing Parliaments. The reason being this: we are all parliamentary representatives; we raise matters on behalf of our constituents. I have matters I've had to raise with the Home Office. The Home Office refused to reply to Members of the National Assembly for Wales. If we were to adopt the tit-for-tat approach in respect of devolved responsibilities between the respective Parliaments, then business would break down, constituents would have a bad deal in terms of representation. And it seems to me that this is a major issue, that the Home Office has adopted the position of basically completely refusing to engage with Members of the Assembly for Wales. If we adopted that in other areas, we'd have very significant consequences. We obviously don't want to have that. It seems to me it's a matter that needs to be resolved at Government to Government level. 

Yes, actually, it's something I've already raised with the Llywydd. It's Commission to Commission level, I think. And we've had some discussion about reciprocal arrangements. Members will have seen in the recent Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs communication about Welsh tax rates, and the communication that's gone to all Assembly Members—about HMRC making arrangements to deal with Assembly Members in raising issues around the Welsh tax. We've had a similar conversation about the Home Office and other reciprocal arrangements about access to buildings and facilities and so on. And I think it's a matter the Llywydd will want to take up in the future; we've had some discussion about it. 

In terms of the music arrangements, the Member highlights a very serious part of Welsh culture and society. I know he himself is a keen ukulele and banjo player—I thought I'd mention that in his company. We absolutely recognise the current pressures facing music services and the need to take action as soon as possible. That's why the Cabinet Secretary has made additional funding of £3 million over the next two years available for music provision across Wales. Proposals are currently being considered on how to spend the funding, and an announcement on that is expected extremely shortly. 

I wondered if we could have a statement, a whole-system approach from the Government, on gambling. Last week, the Gambling Commission published its annual report on the issue of young people and gambling, and, worryingly, it is now the biggest harmful activity that young people up to 16 are engaging in. So, it's now a bigger problem than alcohol consumption by under 16-year-olds. Some of the concerns that were expressed at the cross-party group last Tuesday were that 90 per cent of pubs do not take action to prevent young people using their fruit machines. It takes them up to half an hour before they actually do anything, and meanwhile, of course, all the money's gone down the tube. So, I appreciate that the chief medical officer takes this matter very seriously, but it seems to me it's also a regulatory matter for local authorities to ensure that pubs, if they have these dreadful fruit machines, are actually supervising who's using them. Plus, I think there's a general issue around the way in which the gambling companies are penetrating—across social media, through sporting activities—young people's brains, that gambling is something that it's cool to do. And we've seen from research produced in Australia that this is a pretty terrifying way in which children's brains are being cooked. So, I wondered if we could have a statement so that we can see that the Government is taking this as seriously as we should have taken smoking some 30 years ago.

The Member highlights a matter of some concern, across the Chamber, to everybody. Earlier this year, I wrote jointly with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services to the Advertising Standards Authority about the proliferation of gambling advertising on television, and through social media and online—for those of us who are gamers, it's absolutely all over the gaming industry—particularly in the way they seek to influence vulnerable and especially children and young people in those adverts. Their response was placed in the Members' library, and I've subsequently met with the Advertising Standards Authority to discuss the issue of shared mobile devices, and how they know who's being targeted by them. They're taking it very seriously indeed, I'm pleased to say.

As a Government, we have been working across departments to identify actions we can take to reduce and tackle the gaming gambling-related issues. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services is planning to make a statement in due course, outlining the actions taken so far, and what else we can do. We are taking this very seriously indeed. The Member is absolutely right to highlight the difficulties, and the work on fixed-odds betting terminals that's being undertaken in the UK Parliament by Labour colleagues has gone some way to addressing this as well.

I thank the leader of the house.