----------------- ----------------- |  | | Last Updated: Thursday, 18 March, 2004, 21:35 GMT |
Wales: First Minister's Questions (16/03/04)
|  Morgan : Chancellor doesn't believe in strong regional fund |
The Chancellor has clashed with Wales' First Minister Rhodri Morgan over the future of European funding. At First Minister's Questions on Tuesday, Mr Morgan revealed that Gordon Brown disagreed with him over the need for a strong regional fund. The Treasury isn't happy that it receives �1 for every �1.60 it donates to European funds. Rhodri Morgan said he was continuing to press the Treasury for a better guarantee that Wales would not be worse off after enlargement. It is one more issue which Rhodri Morgan would describe as "clear red water" between the Cardiff and Westminster's Labour Government. The direction of Wales' health service under the First Minister is a long-standing row, particularly between Welsh MPs and the Assembly Government. | Rhodri's Put-Down Of The Week To Ieuan Wyn Jones:
"When my father adjudicated the short story competition in the Eisteddfod, he described one story as not so much a short story as a thin story. That would be my description of your question, Ieuan.'' |
And last week, Environment Minister Carwyn Jones signalled he was digging his heels in over DEFRA's go-ahead for GM crops. All these issues got a fresh airing at a rowdy question time session. Questions Helen Mary Jones asked whether the UK Government will compel Wales to agree to their plans over GM crops, following claims in the press over the weekend.
The First Minister said the description of the press reports do not tally with the negotiations the Assembly Government has had with the UK Government. But he said his stance was that coexistence measures had to be in place before any further steps are taken. Glyn Davies (Conservative, North Wales) asked whether Wales had a right to veto any Westminster plans.
The First Minister said they will follow any legal advice as regards their intention to press for co-existence measures being a pre-requiste for listing. Mick Bates (LibDem, Montgomeryshire) asked whether ministers would be instructed to use their veto over this issue.
The First Minister said the co-existence measures would need to be in place before they will consider listing the seed. Ieuan Wyn Jones (Leader, Plaid Cymru Group) asked if the First Minister would apologise to Gerard Elias for misprepresenting his views on freemasons and hunting. He asked whether it was right for Mr Bishop to be advising the Labour Party and whether the "stench of cronyism" will remain.
The First Minister said that he would always seek the best legal advice. Mr Morgan added that he had never spoken to this person, nor met this person and suggests that Ieuan Wyn Jones' use of the word "cronyism" was an abuse of the English language. Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru) asked whether the First Minister would make a statement on the implications of the cohestion report by the EC.
The First Minister said a huge forum in Brussels will take place on the 10 and 11 May to discuss policy revision and structural funds. He admitted there was disagreement with the Chancellor over favouring a strong regional fund. He said he will continue to press the Treasury to improve the guarantee that Wales will not be worse off as a result of the EC's proposal. David Melding (Conservative, North Wales) asked about the Future of the Royal Infirmary site in Cardiff.
The First Minister said no discussions had taken place but the hospital on the current site is in the top 10 hospitals in Wales. David Davies (Conservative, Monmouth) asked whether it would have been better spending �250,000 saving schools from closure rather than opening Wales' International Centre in New York.
The First Minister said it was an obscure question. He said other Conservative Welsh Secretary of States agreed for the need to develop Wales' presence overseas. Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Plaid Cymru) asked why there was no international centre opening in Germany.
The First Minister said the case for opening a one in Germany was not strong enough, but Germany is an important economic link for Wales. Leanne Wood (Plaid Cymru) asked what steps the Government was taking to prevent BNP councillors being elected in June.
The First Minister said that there is no sign of the BNP being elected in Wales, but that all democrats must encourage turnout and ensure the BNP message never gets off the ground in Wales. John Griffiths (Labour) accused David Davies of creating racial tension towards ethnic minorities because of his recent comments.
David Davies raised a point of order to see if John Griffith's comments were within the rules of courtesy.
The First Minister said Ann Winterton had the whip removed at Westminster, but it was a matter for Nick Bourne to decide on what happens to David Davies. He said it was cheap for politicians to play the "shock jock, angry white male role". Christine Chapman (Labour, Cynon Valley) asked whether the Assembly Government would continue to make a priority of improving the self-esteem of young people in Wales which is connected to early teenage pregnancy.
The First Minister said teenage pregnancies are falling. He said there was a lot of investment of money, resources and skills in the three to seven ages group but that this will not pay-off until 15 - 20 years time. He said it was perhaps the best investment a society can make. Mike German (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) asked why the estimates for all the measures affecting young people had changed.
The First Minister said that the Finance Minister would write to him on the detail of the matter. Gwenda Thomas (Labour, Neath) asked how the Assembly Government will support the NHS in working towards meeting recommendations of the Audit Committee report into cleaning services in hospitals.
The First Minister said colleagues were looking into the possibility of giving an award for infection-control development in hospitals. He said there was no evidence to demonstrater a connection between outsourcing cleaning contracts with raised levels of infection. John Griffiths asked how devolution can raise the impact of Wales' international profile.
The First Minister said devolution has given Wales a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to aim for the same international profile as Scotland and Ireland. Nick Bourne (Leader of the Welsh Conservatives) asked what the Government was doing to get to grips with the dreadful state of the Welsh health service.
The First Minister said Wales has a better record with attendances in accident and emergency departments than England.You can see First Minister's Questions in full on BBC Parliament from 1500 GMT on Saturday.
| | WATCH AND LISTEN BBC Parliament broadcasts Welsh FMQs
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