 Rhodri Morgan rejects the idea of war with the English |
The Welsh Conservatives have a "ventriloquist's dummy" in the Assembly, according to the First Minister.
Tory Leader Nick Bourne was told he should think up his own questions rather than keep quoting Labour MPs.
But Mr Bourne finds the comments of Welsh Labour MPs useful material as there seems to be a continuous supply of criticism for the Assembly Government's policies.
While last week the fissure was over the Richard Commission, this week it was the policy on higher education.
Labour MP, Jon Owen Jones described the Assembly Government policy as in "chaos and confusion".
But Rhodri Morgan hit back with his usual candour.
Questions
Janice Gregory (Labour) asked the First Minister what action he is taking to address the shortage of foster carers in Wales.
The First Minister said local authorities can use the Assembly Government's funding under the Children First programme to support fostering. Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Plaid Cymru) asked the First Minster to address the shortcomings of social services which, in some cases, has led to foster parents caring for up to nine children.
The First Minister said everyone must encourage more people to contribute to society and become foster parents as well as ensuring higher standards of care. Mike German (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) asked whether it was possible to introduce a separate homebuy scheme grant so rural Wales do not fall behind affordable housing targets.
The First Minister accepted there were problems with the scheme in some areas. He said a review has taken place in Gwynedd and a wider review will take place shortly, which the Assembly Government will consider. Leighton Andrews (Labour) asked why the Plaid Cymru-controlled Rhondda Cynon Taf council is levying a council tax increase more than twice the amount levied by Labour-controlled Cardiff County Council.
The First Minister said the levying of council tax is the preserve of local authorities and the levy is determined by what is deemed politically necessary in an election year. There can be no criticism of the amount the Assembly grant Rhondda Cynon Taf, or any other local authorities. Owen John Thomas (Plaid Cymru) asked the First Minister to congratulate Plaid Cymru for turning around Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's financial situation after Labour left a debt of �5 million.
The First Minister said harking back to 1999 may indicate that Owen John is having difficulty finding things to say. Jenny Randerson (Liberal Democrat) asked the First Minister to clarify the "contradictory" statements between the Health Minister and the staff at the Universities of Glamorgan and Bangor concerning cutbacks with the intake of student nurses.
The First Minister said there is no cutback in the nurse training budget, but there may be a plateauing-out of the numbers in a particularly training centre. He said this would be possible after the massive increases. Nick Bourne (leader of the Welsh Conservatives) asked the First Minister to clarify the Assembly Government's position on top-up fees post-2007.
The First Minister said no Welsh student will pay top-up fees in 2006-07, and no more commitments will be given until the Rees Commission has reconvened and recommended what action to take. Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid Cymru Group Leader) asked the First Minister to condemn Margaret Hodge for her comments about the Children's Commissioner for Wales.
The First Minister said Margaret Hodge was clearly not aware that Peter Clarke carries out the kind of inspection of children's services that she accused him of not having done. Ieuan Wyn Jones went on to ask how he will ensure Wales' Children's Commissioner would have power to act in non-devolved matters. The First Minister said Wales needed a one-stop shop for children. He said the negotiations were still on-going. William Graham (Conservative) asked the First Minister to have a second look at the anti-social behaviour policy as two thirds of orders are breached in the first instance.
The First Minister said that police chiefs have told him they were working well in reclaiming the streets for the respectable citizenry of Wales. Brian Gibbons (Labour) asked whether we can learn the lessons of the past and consider the strengths of a diverse workforce from all parts of the world to work in Wales.
The First Minister said the first recourse must be to get people off benefits, and providing better transport and childcare to give people the confidence to go into work. Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru) asked whether the First Minister had any intention of targeting the 22 per cent of Welsh people who live outside Wales to return to the country.
The First Minister said that to a great extent it will naturally happen as people realise they no longer have to go to London to get a better job and salary. Jocelyn Davies (Plaid Cymru) asked the First Minister to explain how receiving primary legislative powers would work without increasing the number of assembly members.
The First Minister said it is different to see how it would work without carrying out a time and motion study. Mike German asked whether the Richard Commission should have recommended the Assembly be given the power to borrow money.
The First Minister said it would depend on what you would do with the "accumulative total being borrowed by the UK and its public authorities."You can see First Minister's Questions in full on BBC Parliament from 1500 GMT on Saturday.
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