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Cynulliad
Cenedlaethol Cymru
The National Assembly for Wales
Cofnod y
Trafodion
The Record of Proceedings
2......... Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau
Cymdeithasol
Questions to the Minister for Health and
Social Services
25....... Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a
Chymunedau
Questions to the Minister for Local Government and Communities
46....... Cwestiynau i Gomisiwn y Cynulliad
Questions to the
Assembly Commission
51....... Dadl y
Ceidwadwyr Cymreig
Welsh Conservatives Debate
83....... Dadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig
Welsh Conservatives Debate
112..... Dadl
Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru Debate
138..... Cyfnod Pleidleisio
Voting Time
149..... Dadl
Fer
Short Debate
Yn y golofn chwith, cofnodwyd y trafodion yn yr iaith y llefarwyd hwy ynddi yn y Siambr. Yn ogystal, cynhwysir cyfieithiad Saesneg o gyfraniadau yn y Gymraeg.
In the left-hand column, the proceedings are recorded in the language in which they were spoken in the Chamber. In addition, an English translation of Welsh speeches is included.
Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 1.30 p.m. gyda’r
Llywydd (Rosemary Butler) yn y Gadair.
The Assembly met
at 1.30 p.m. with the
Presiding Officer (Rosemary
Butler) in the Chair.
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Y Llywydd: Prynhawn da. Galwaf y Cynulliad i drefn.
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The Presiding Officer: Good afternoon. I call the Assembly to order.
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Cwestiynau i’r
Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau
Cymdeithasol
Questions to the Minister for Health
and Social Services
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Nyrsys Arbenigol
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Specialist Nurses
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1. Aled Roberts: A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am ddyfodol nyrsys arbenigol yn y GIG. OAQ(4)0048(HSS)
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1. Aled Roberts: Will the Minister make a statement on the future of specialist nurses in the NHS. OAQ(4)0048(HSS)
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2. Mark Isherwood: A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei chynlluniau ar gyfer dyfodol nyrsys arbenigol yn y GIG yng Nghymru. OAQ(4)0038(HSS)
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2. Mark Isherwood: Will the Minister outline her plans for the future of specialist nurses in the Welsh NHS. OAQ(4)0038(HSS)
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3. Alun Ffred Jones: A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ynglŷn â dyfodol nyrsys arbenigol yn y GIG. OAQ(4)0049(HSS)
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3. Alun Ffred Jones: Will the Minister make a statement regarding the future of specialist nurses in the NHS. OAQ(4)0049(HSS)
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The Minister for Health and Social Services (Lesley Griffiths): Specialist nurses form an integral and important part of health services. Health boards and trusts are responsible for ensuring they have the right skill mix and level of expertise to deal with the patients that they care for. The number and type of staff is not mandated by the Welsh Government.
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Y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (Lesley Griffiths): Mae nyrsys arbenigol yn rhan annatod a phwysig o wasanaethau iechyd. Ymddiriedolaethau a byrddau iechyd sy’n gyfrifol am sicrhau bod ganddynt y cymysgedd sgiliau a’r lefel arbenigedd cywir i ymdrin â’r cleifion y maent yn gofalu amdanynt. Nid yw’r nifer a’r math o staff yn cael eu gorfodi gan Lywodraeth Cymru.
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Aled Roberts: Multiple Sclerosis Society Cymru held a reception at lunch time, looking at the roll-out of MS specialist nurses throughout the NHS. Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board only has one specialist MS nurse in north Wales, whereas the suggestion is that there should be two or three, according to the level of population. Are you involved in any discussions regarding the roll-out of specialist nurses at the health board level, given that the use of specialist nurses could avoid hospital admissions at more expensive facilities?
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Aled Roberts: Cynhaliodd Multiple Sclerosis Society Cymru dderbyniad amser cinio yn edrych ar y broses o gyflwyno nyrsys arbenigol MS ar draws y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol. Mae gan Fwrdd Iechyd Lleol Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr ond un nyrs arbenigol MS yng ngogledd Cymru, ond yr awgrym yw y dylid cael dau neu dri, yn ôl lefel y boblogaeth. A ydych yn cymryd rhan mewn unrhyw drafodaethau ynghylch y broses o gyflwyno nyrsys arbenigol ar lefel y bwrdd iechyd, o ystyried y gallai defnyddio nyrsys arbenigol osgoi derbyniadau i’r ysbyty mewn cyfleusterau drutach?
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Lesley Griffiths: Local health boards are responsible for providing the highest standard of care possible for people with long-term complex conditions, such as MS. I agree that specialist nurses are essential as part of the package of treatment for people with neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, but it is up to the LHBs to decide how many nurses they want.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae byrddau iechyd lleol yn gyfrifol am ddarparu gofal o’r safon uchaf posibl i bobl â chyflyrau cymhleth hirdymor, fel MS. Cytunaf fod nyrsys arbenigol yn hanfodol fel rhan o’r pecyn o driniaeth ar gyfer pobl â chyflyrau niwrolegol, fel sglerosis ymledol, ond mater i’r byrddau iechyd lleol yw penderfynu faint o nyrsys y maent yn dymuno eu cael.
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Mark Isherwood: As chair of the cross-party group on neurological conditions, I was invited to sponsor and speak at the MS society event today. In our last cross-party group meeting, we heard a presentation by an epilepsy specialist nurse, as well as MS and Parkinson’s specialist nurses, all of whom were worried about their jobs and futures, and particularly about the people who they care for. Given the concern of so many groups, will you make a commitment to attend a future meeting of the cross-party group in the new year to listen to those concerns and consider them, or alternatively agree to meet representatives of the Wales Neurological Alliance and me, as chair of the group, to discuss the future of specialist nurses in Wales?
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Mark Isherwood: Fel cadeirydd y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar gyflyrau niwrolegol, cefais wahoddiad i noddi ac i siarad yn nigwyddiad y gymdeithas MS heddiw. Yn ein cyfarfod grŵp trawsbleidiol diwethaf, clywsom gyflwyniad gan nyrs arbenigol epilepsi, yn ogystal â nyrsys arbenigol MS a Parkinson. Yr oedd pob un ohonynt yn pryderu ynghylch eu swyddi a’u dyfodol, ac yn arbennig am y bobl y maent yn gofalu amdanynt. O ystyried pryder cymaint o grwpiau, a wnewch chi ymrwymiad i fynychu un o gyfarfodydd y grŵp trawsbleidiol yn y flwyddyn newydd i wrando ar y pryderon hynny a’u hystyried nhw neu, fel arall, i gytuno i gyfarfod â chynrychiolwyr Cynghrair Niwrolegol Cymru a fi, fel cadeirydd y grŵp, i drafod dyfodol nyrsys arbenigol yng Nghymru?
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Lesley Griffiths: If you write to me with a date, I will see whether I can attend, diary permitting.
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Lesley Griffiths: Os ysgrifennwch ataf gyda dyddiad, gallaf weld a fedraf ddod, os yw’r dyddiadur yn caniatáu.
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Cynlluniau Strategol
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Strategic Plans
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4. Keith Davies: A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am amserlen y Byrddau Iechyd Lleol i gyhoeddi eu cynlluniau strategol ar gyfer y dyfodol. OAQ(4)0044(HSS)
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4. Keith Davies: Will the Minister make a statement on the timetable for Local Health Boards to publish their strategic plans for the future. OAQ(4)0044(HSS)
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Lesley Griffiths: Local health boards are in the process of finalising their plans for reorganising services. I have made it clear that the plans need to be shared with local communities and stakeholders as soon as possible.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae byrddau iechyd lleol yn y broses o gwblhau eu cynlluniau ar gyfer ad-drefnu gwasanaethau. Yr wyf wedi gwneud yn glir bod angen rhannu’r cynlluniau â chymunedau a rhanddeiliaid lleol cyn gynted ag y bo modd.
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Keith Davies: Yr wyf yn siŵr eich bod yn cytuno bod yr ymgynghoriad yn eithriadol o bwysig a bod angen sicrhau ei effeithlonrwydd. Fy mhryder yw y bydd yr ymgynghoriad yn digwydd dros gyfnod y Nadolig. A wnewch chi sicrhau dau beth i mi: yn gyntaf, ei fod yn ddigon hir i bobl gael ymateb; ac, yn ail, bod y byrddau iechyd lleol yn trafod gyda’r cyhoedd, ac nid yn unig gyda’r grwpiau ffocws y maent wedi’u penodi?
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Keith Davies: I am sure that you will agree that the consultation is extremely important and that we need to ensure its efficiency. My concern is that the consultation will take place over the Christmas period. Will you ensure two things for me: first, that it is sufficiently long to allow people to respond; and, secondly, that the local health boards discuss with the public, and not just with the focus groups that they have appointed?
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Lesley Griffiths: I expect all health boards to fully engage with local communities and stakeholders before any proposals are published and that there is formal consultation to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to become involved. I am mindful that Christmas is coming and that the LHBs will have to take into account the impact of any holiday periods to allow sufficient opportunity for everyone to take part.
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Lesley Griffiths: Yr wyf yn disgwyl i bob bwrdd iechyd ymgysylltu’n llawn â chymunedau a rhanddeiliaid lleol cyn i unrhyw gynigion gael eu cyhoeddi a bod ymgynghori ffurfiol er mwyn sicrhau bod pawb yn cael y cyfle i gymryd rhan. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol bod y Nadolig ar ddod ac y bydd yn rhaid i’r byrddau iechyd lleol ystyried effaith unrhyw gyfnodau gwyliau i ganiatáu digon o gyfle i bawb gymryd rhan.
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Paul Davies: Minister, you made it clear last week that no district general hospitals would close under the local health boards’ strategic plans for the future. With that in mind, could you confirm exactly what services will be available from our district general hospitals going forward? For example, will all district general hospitals offer consultant-led maternity services and general emergency services?
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Paul Davies: Weinidog, gwnaethoch yn glir yr wythnos diwethaf na fyddai unrhyw ysbytai cyffredinol dosbarth yn cau dan gynlluniau strategol y byrddau iechyd lleol ar gyfer y dyfodol. O gofio hynny, a allech gadarnhau pa wasanaethau yn union a fydd ar gael yn ein hysbytai cyffredinol dosbarth yn y dyfodol? Er enghraifft, a fydd pob ysbyty cyffredinol dosbarth yn cynnig gwasanaethau mamolaeth dan arweiniad meddyg ymgynghorol a gwasanaethau brys cyffredinol?
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Lesley Griffiths: I do not understand the obsession of the opposition parties with district general hospitals. Services are about people; they are not about buildings. No two district general hospitals in Wales provide the same services now. I do not know why everyone feels that the services must be uniformly provided across the country.
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Lesley Griffiths: Nid wyf yn deall obsesiwn y gwrthbleidiau gydag ysbytai cyffredinol dosbarth. Mae gwasanaethau yn ymwneud â phobl; nid adeiladau. Nid oes unrhyw ddau ysbyty cyffredinol dosbarth yng Nghymru yn darparu’r un gwasanaethau yn awr. Ni wn pam fod pawb yn teimlo bod yn rhaid darparu gwasanaethau unffurf ar draws y wlad.
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Paul Davies: The people of Wales will be very concerned with that answer, because it was very unclear. However, I am sure that you agree that people need to access health services closer to their homes, which is why, for example, a temporary renal unit has now been operating at Withybush General Hospital in my constituency for some time. That has proved to be an excellent facility, meaning that patients in my area have to travel less. You continuously claim that you do not want to see any private involvement in the NHS. However, this temporary renal unit is delivered by a private company. Does the Minister therefore agree that, given the success of that facility, which offers an excellent service and value for money, she should not rule out involving the independent sector in the NHS when appropriate?
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Paul Davies: Bydd yr ateb hwnnw yn pryderu pobl Cymru yn fawr, oherwydd yr oedd yn aneglur iawn. Fodd bynnag, mae’n siŵr gennyf eich bod yn cytuno bod angen i bobl gael mynediad i wasanaethau iechyd yn nes at eu cartrefi, a dyna pam, er enghraifft, y mae uned arennol dros dro wedi cael ei gweithredu yn Ysbyty Cyffredinol Llwynhelyg yn fy etholaeth ers tro. Mae honno wedi ennill ei phlwyf fel cyfleuster ardderchog, sy’n golygu bod yn rhaid i gleifion yn fy ardal i deithio llai. Honnwch yn barhaus nad ydych eisiau gweld unrhyw gysylltiad preifat yn y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol. Fodd bynnag, mae’r uned arennol dros dro yn cael ei darparu gan gwmni preifat. A ydyw’r Gweinidog yn cytuno felly, o ystyried llwyddiant y cyfleuster hwnnw, sy’n cynnig gwasanaeth gwych a gwerth am arian, na ddylai hi ddiystyru cynnwys y sector annibynnol yn y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol pan fo hynny’n briodol?
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Lesley Griffiths: There is obviously a small part of the NHS that uses the private sector. However, I do not want to see any competition, marketisation or privatisation of the NHS like we are seeing over the border in England.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae’n amlwg bod rhan fach o’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol yn defnyddio’r sector preifat. Fodd bynnag, nid wyf am weld unrhyw gystadleuaeth, marchnadeiddio neu breifateiddio’r GIG fel y gwelwn dros y ffin yn Lloegr.
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Elin Jones: In the list of capital projects released by your Government on Friday, there are three health projects for which you are awaiting a business case from Hywel Dda Local Health Board in my constituency. These relate to the replacements for Cardigan, Tregaron and Aberaeron hospitals. From what I am being told locally, there has been no progress on any of these three projects over the past few months, either because they are on hold by the local health board while it awaits the publication of its clinical services review, or it has been told that there is no likelihood of budget provision for the projects from the Welsh Government. Therefore, I am hearing two different stories from the Welsh Government and from the organisations leading on the projects locally. Is your message to those organisations and to the three projects locally that they should get on with it, put in their business cases and, when they do, there will be capital available to them for the projects to start before next April?
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Elin Jones: Yn y rhestr o brosiectau cyfalaf a ryddhawyd gan eich Llywodraeth ddydd Gwener, mae tri phrosiect iechyd yr ydych yn aros am achos busnes yn eu cylch gan Fwrdd Iechyd Lleol Hywel Dda yn fy etholaeth. Mae’r rhain yn ymwneud â’r amnewidiadau ar gyfer ysbytai Aberteifi, Tregaron ac Aberaeron. O’r hyn a glywaf yn lleol, ni fu unrhyw gynnydd ar unrhyw un o’r tri phrosiect yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf, unai am eu bod yn cael eu gohirio gan y bwrdd iechyd lleol wrth iddo aros i’w adolygiad gwasanaethau clinigol gael ei gyhoeddiad, neu y mae wedi cael gwybod nad oes unrhyw debygolrwydd o ddarpariaeth yn y gyllideb ar gyfer y prosiectau gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Felly, yr wyf yn clywed dwy stori wahanol gan Lywodraeth Cymru a gan y sefydliadau sy’n arwain y prosiectau yn lleol. Ai eich neges i’r sefydliadau hynny a’r tri phrosiect lleol yw y dylent fwrw ati, cyflwyno eu hachosion busnes a phan wnânt hynny, y bydd cyfalaf ar gael iddynt fel y gall y prosiectau ddechrau cyn mis Ebrill nesaf?
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Lesley Griffiths: I will have to write to you about Cardigan and Aberaeron. There are several business plans with officials, which will then come to me. There are no schemes being delayed. All work contractually committed and approved projects are continuing as planned. However, I will write to you about Aberaeron and Cardigan hospitals.
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Lesley Griffiths: Bydd yn rhaid imi ysgrifennu atoch ynglŷn ag Aberteifi ac Aberaeron. Mae yna nifer o gynlluniau busnes gyda swyddogion, a fydd wedyn yn dod ataf i. Nid oes unrhyw gynllun wedi cael ei oedi. Mae’r holl waith a ymroddwyd iddo ac a gymeradwywyd drwy gontract yn parhau fel y cynlluniwyd. Fodd bynnag, byddaf yn ysgrifennu atoch am ysbytai Aberaeron ac Aberteifi.
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Elin Jones: The three projects that I have just mentioned are only part of the 28 health and social services projects throughout Wales listed in your Government announcement last Friday for which you are awaiting business cases this year. If they are not on hold, as you have said, how many of those 28 projects do you expect to see being approved, with contracts let and building work started, during this financial year? Is that 50 per cent, 75 per cent or 100 per cent of the 28?
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Elin Jones: Mae’r tri phrosiect yr wyf newydd eu crybwyll ddim ond yn rhan o’r 28 prosiect iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol ledled Cymru a restrwyd yn eich cyhoeddiad fel Llywodraeth ddydd Gwener diwethaf fel rhai yr ydych yn aros am eu hachosion busnes eleni. Os nad ydynt wedi eu hoedi, fel yr ydych wedi ei ddweud, faint o’r 28 o brosiectau hynny yr ydych yn disgwyl iddynt gael eu cymeradwyo, gyda chontractau wedi eu gosod a gwaith adeiladu wedi ei gychwyn, yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol hon? Ai 50 y cant, 75 y cant neu 100 y cant o’r 28 ydyw?
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1.45 p.m.
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Lesley Griffiths: It would depend on the business cases. They have to be robust and have to be looked at carefully, and they will have to be looked at in light of the service change plans coming through. It would be totally irresponsible to agree to every capital programme. I am sure that you would call me irresponsible if I did so.
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Lesley Griffiths: Byddai’n dibynnu ar yr achosion busnes. Mae’n rhaid iddynt fod yn gadarn ac mae’n rhaid edrych yn ofalus arnynt, a bydd yn rhaid edrych arnynt yng ngoleuni’r cynlluniau newid gwasanaethau sy’n dod drwodd. Byddai’n gwbl anghyfrifol i gytuno ar bob rhaglen gyfalaf. Yr wyf yn siŵr y byddech yn fy ngalw i’n anghyfrifol os gwneuthum hynny.
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The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats (Kirsty Williams): You will be aware that the service plans that you now say have to be looked at before you can go ahead with some of these capital projects, were commissioned by the previous Minister, many months ago. Yet, before the election, the public in Wales were promised, by your predecessor, that certain strategic hospital projects, as outlined by the Member for Ceredigion, would go ahead. Why has that position now changed? You knew in March that the service change plans were going to be developed, yet you were still able to make a commitment prior to the election that those hospitals would be built. Now, you are telling us that you cannot guarantee that those hospitals will be built until the service plan reviews are submitted to you. There is widespread concern, not only in places like Ceredigion, but also in my constituency and in Gwent, where the critical care centre is included in those projects. When will we have a commitment from your Government that these projects, which were promised before the election, will definitely be built?
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Arweinydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru (Kirsty Williams): Byddwch yn ymwybodol bod y cynlluniau gwasanaeth yr ydych yn dweud yn awr bod rhaid edrych arnynt cyn y gallwch fynd ymlaen â rhai o’r prosiectau cyfalaf hyn, wedi’u comisiynu gan y Gweinidog blaenorol, fisoedd lawer yn ôl. Eto, cyn yr etholiad, addawyd i’r cyhoedd yng Nghymru, gan eich rhagflaenydd, y byddai rhai prosiectau ysbyty strategol, fel yr amlinellwyd gan yr Aelod dros Geredigion, yn mynd ymlaen. Pam y mae’r sefyllfa honno wedi newid bellach? Yr oeddech yn gwybod ym mis Mawrth bod y cynlluniau newid gwasanaethau yn mynd i gael eu datblygu, ac eto yr oeddech yn dal i allu gwneud ymrwymiad cyn yr etholiad y byddai’r ysbytai hynny’n cael eu hadeiladu. Yn awr, rydych yn dweud wrthym na allwch warantu y bydd yr ysbytai hynny’n cael eu hadeiladu hyd nes y cyflwynir yr adolygiadau cynllun gwasanaeth i chi. Ceir pryder eang, nid yn unig mewn lleoedd fel Ceredigion, ond hefyd yn fy etholaeth ac yng Ngwent, lle y cynhwysir y ganolfan gofal critigol yn y prosiectau hynny. Pryd y cawn ymrwymiad gan eich Llywodraeth y caiff y prosiectau hyn, a addawyd cyn yr etholiad, eu hadeiladu’n bendant?
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Lesley Griffiths: I can only reiterate: no schemes are being delayed. We are awaiting business cases on several of the proposals. As soon as they come before me, I will look at them. However, they have to be looked at in light of service change plans.
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Lesley Griffiths: Ni allaf ond ailadrodd: nid oes oedi ar unrhyw gynllun. Rydym yn aros am achosion busnes ar sawl un o’r cynigion. Cyn gynted ag y deuant ger fy mron, byddaf yn edrych arnynt. Fodd bynnag, rhaid edrych arnynt yng ngoleuni’r cynlluniau newid gwasanaeth.
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Kirsty Williams: Those service change plans are going to be advised by the national clinical forum, the setting up of which you announced in September. There was widespread concern about what the clinical forum’s role would be in this challenging process that you are undertaking. You have said that the clinical plans will come forward shortly. Are you now in a position to be able to confirm that the national clinical forum has met, who its independent chair will be, its full terms of reference and its full membership?
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Kirsty Williams: Caiff y cynlluniau newid gwasanaeth hynny eu cynghori gan y fforwm clinigol cenedlaethol, y cyhoeddasoch ei sefydliad ym mis Medi. Roedd pryder cyffredinol ynghylch beth fyddai rôl y fforwm clinigol yn y broses heriol hon yr ydych yn ymgymryd â hi. Yr ydych wedi dweud y bydd y cynlluniau clinigol yn dod gerbron cyn bo hir. A ydych bellach mewn sefyllfa i allu cadarnhau bod y fforwm clinigol cenedlaethol wedi cwrdd, pwy fydd ei gadeirydd annibynnol, ei gylch gorchwyl llawn a’i aelodaeth lawn?
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Lesley Griffiths: Not at the moment—it is this week, but I cannot confirm the membership here. I will write to you and to all Assembly Members with the full membership, when I have that information to hand.
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Lesley Griffiths: Nid ar hyn o bryd—y mae yr wythnos hon, ond ni allaf gadarnhau’r aelodaeth yma. Byddaf yn ysgrifennu atoch chi a holl Aelodau’r Cynulliad â’r aelodaeth lawn, pan fydd gennyf y wybodaeth honno wrth law. |
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Pobl Hŷn sydd â Phroblemau Iechyd Meddwl |
Older People with Mental Health Problems
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5. Janet Finch-Saunders: Beth mae’r Gweinidog yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod asesiadau ar gyfer pobl hŷn sydd â phroblemau iechyd meddwl yn foddhaol. OAQ(4)0051(HSS)
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5. Janet Finch-Saunders: What is the Minister doing to ensure that assessments for older people with mental health problems are satisfactory. OAQ(4)0051(HSS) |
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The Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services (Gwenda Thomas): All NHS organisations and relevant health professionals are responsible for ensuring that all assessments for people with mental health problems are satisfactory, regardless of their age.
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Y Dirprwy Weinidog Plant a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (Gwenda Thomas): Mae pob sefydliad GIG a gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol perthnasol yn gyfrifol am sicrhau bod yr holl asesiadau ar gyfer pobl â phroblemau iechyd meddwl yn foddhaol, waeth beth fo’u hoedran. |
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Janet Finch-Saunders: In a letter to Age Cymru in 2008, your predecessor agreed that it was unacceptable for mental health patients to be treated differently because of their age. However, there is still a discriminatory division between adults of working age and older people. This division has allowed unfair systems to develop, and some people now see mental health services entirely withdrawn when they reach the age of 65. That is according to Age Cymru.
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Mewn llythyr at Age Cymru yn 2008, gwnaeth eich rhagflaenydd gytuno ei fod yn annerbyniol i gleifion iechyd meddwl cael eu trin yn wahanol oherwydd eu hoedran. Fodd bynnag, mae’r rhaniad gwahaniaethol rhwng oedolion o oedran gweithio a phobl hŷn yn parhau. Mae’r rhaniad hwn wedi caniatáu systemau annheg i ddatblygu, a bellach mae rhai pobl yn gweld gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn cael eu tynnu’n ôl yn gyfan gwbl pan fyddant yn cyrraedd 65 oed. Mae hyn yn ôl Age Cymru.
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The Presiding Officer: Order. Are you coming to the question?
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Y Llywydd: Trefn. A ydych yn dod at y cwestiwn? |
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Janet Finch-Saunders: What steps are being taken to place a specific duty on local health boards to age-proof their policies and services to protect older people suffering from mental health issues?
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Pa gamau a gymerir i roi dyletswydd benodol ar fyrddau iechyd lleol i wneud eu polisïau a’u gwasanaethau’n addas ar gyfer pobl oedrannus i ddiogelu pobl hŷn sy’n dioddef o broblemau iechyd meddwl?
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Gwenda Thomas: My original answer answers that supplementary question. All NHS organisations and relevant health professionals are responsible for ensuring that all assessments for people with mental health problems are satisfactory, regardless of their age.
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Gwenda Thomas: Mae fy ateb gwreiddiol yn ateb y cwestiwn atodol hwnnw. Mae pob sefydliad GIG a gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol perthnasol yn gyfrifol am sicrhau bod yr holl asesiadau ar gyfer pobl â phroblemau iechyd meddwl yn foddhaol, waeth beth fo’u hoedran. |
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Lindsay Whittle: I better get this right. An Audit Commission report in 2004, ‘Developing Mental Health Services for Older People in Wales’, raised this issue along with the variability of support for GPs throughout Wales. It stated that training for GPs on older people’s mental health remained patchy. Are you satisfied that general practitioners across Wales have the necessary assessment tools and training to provide accurate early diagnosis of mental health problems experienced by older people?
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Lindsay Whittle: Well imi gael hwn yn iawn. Fe wnaeth adroddiad y Comisiwn Archwilio yn 2004, ‘Datblygu Gwasanaethau Iechyd Meddwl ar gyfer Pobl Hŷn yng Nghymru’, godi’r mater hwn ynghyd ag amrywiaeth y gefnogaeth sydd ar gael i feddygon teulu ledled Cymru. Dywedodd fod hyfforddiant ar gyfer meddygon teulu ar iechyd meddwl pobl hŷn yn parhau i fod yn anghyson. A ydych yn fodlon bod gan feddygon teulu ledled Cymru’r offer asesu a hyfforddi angenrheidiol i ddarparu diagnosis cynnar cywir o broblemau iechyd meddwl a brofir gan bobl hŷn?
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Gwenda Thomas: We have issued intelligent targets to the NHS to ensure that older people are assessed for dementia and depression, if indicated, when they are admitted to general hospitals. I am sure that the same goes for general practitioners as well. The depression and dementia targets have been piloted and are now included in the work programme for 2010-11.
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Gwenda Thomas: Yr ydym wedi rhoi targedau deallus i’r GIG er mwyn sicrhau bod pobl hŷn yn cael eu hasesu ar gyfer dementia ac iselder, os nodwyd, pan gânt eu derbyn i mewn i ysbytai cyffredinol. Yr wyf yn siŵr bod yr un peth yn wir ar gyfer meddygon teulu hefyd. Mae’r targedau iselder a dementia wedi cael eu treialu ac maent bellach wedi’u cynnwys yn y rhaglen waith ar gyfer 2010-11.
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The Presiding Officer: I remind Members that this time is for questions to the Minister. It would be helpful if Members could keep their preambles as short as possible. That is no reflection on the forthcoming speakers.
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Y Llywydd: Atgoffaf Aelodau fod yr amser hwn ar gyfer cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog. Byddai’n ddefnyddiol pe gallai’r Aelodau gadw eu rhagymadroddion mor fyr â phosibl. Nid yw hynny’n adlewyrchiad ar y siaradwyr sydd i ddod.
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Ysgogi Trydanol Gweithredol |
Functional Electrical Stimulation
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6. Andrew R.T. Davies: A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am wasanaethau Ysgogi Trydanol Gweithredol yng Nghaerdydd a Bro Morgannwg. OAQ(4)0052(HSS)
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6. Andrew R.T. Davies: Will the Minister make a statement about Functional Electrical Stimulation services in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. OAQ(4)0052(HSS) |
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Lesley Griffiths: The planning and delivery of functional electrical stimulation in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan is the responsibility of Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae gan Fwrdd Iechyd Lleol Prifysgol Caerdydd a’r Fro gyfrifoldeb dros gynllunio a darparu triniaeth ysgogiadau trydanol gweithredol yng Nghaerdydd a Bro Morgannwg.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. Functional electrical stimulation has been proven by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and other bodies to be an effective aid in alleviating the side effects of multiple sclerosis and other types of ailment. Do you believe that it should be widely available across Wales? I am led to believe that all other health boards other than Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board make this treatment available. Do you see any scope for you, as Minister, or your officials, to work with the Cardiff and Vale board to make this treatment available to patients in Cardiff and Vale area?
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Diolch ichi, Weinidog, am yr ateb hwnnw. Profwyd bod triniaeth ysgogiadau trydanol gweithredol gan y Sefydliad Cenedlaethol dros Iechyd a Rhagoriaeth Glinigol a chyrff eraill yn gymorth effeithiol i liniaru sgil effeithiau sglerosis ymledol a mathau eraill o anhwylderau. A ydych yn credu y dylai fod ar gael ledled Cymru? Fe’m harweiniwyd i gredu bod pob bwrdd iechyd arall heblaw am Fwrdd Iechyd Lleol Prifysgol Caerdydd a’r Fro yn gwneud y driniaeth hon ar gael. A ydych chi’n gweld unrhyw gyfle i chi, fel Gweinidog, neu eich swyddogion, i weithio gyda bwrdd Caerdydd a’r Fro i sicrhau bod y driniaeth hon ar gael i gleifion yn ardal Caerdydd a’r Fro?
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Lesley Griffiths: I understand that the Cardiff and Vale board is in correspondence with the Multiple Sclerosis Society on this issue. Like other local health boards, it is continuing to look at the implementation of the neuroscience review, which will lead to improvement in neurological services. However, I will ask my officials to speak to the local health board on this issue.
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Lesley Griffiths: Deallaf fod bwrdd Caerdydd a’r Fro mewn gohebiaeth gyda’r Gymdeithas Sglerosis Ymledol ar y mater hwn. Fel y byrddau iechyd lleol eraill, mae’n parhau i edrych ar weithrediad yr adolygiad niwrowyddorau, a fydd yn arwain at welliant mewn gwasanaethau niwrolegol. Fodd bynnag, gofynnaf i fy swyddogion i siarad â’r bwrdd iechyd lleol ar y mater hwn. |
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Leanne Wood: Minister, I too have concerns that this proven treatment is being discontinued. The decision of Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board to ignore NICE guidelines perhaps reflects the confusing picture for reviewing medicines and issuing clinical guidance in Wales. Will you agree to explore the possibility of the all-Wales medicines strategy group taking on more responsibility from NICE, so that the final decision to fund new specialist drugs or to authorise conditions-specific guidance tests rests with you, as the Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services?
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Leanne Wood: Weinidog, mae gennyf i bryderon hefyd fod y driniaeth hon a brofwyd yn cael ei diddymu. Mae penderfyniad Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Prifysgol Caerdydd a’r Fro i anwybyddu canllawiau NICE efallai’n adlewyrchu darlun dryslyd ar gyfer adolygu meddyginiaethau a chyhoeddi canllawiau clinigol yng Nghymru. A gytunwch i ystyried posibilrwydd y grŵp strategaeth feddyginiaethau Cymru gyfan yn cymryd mwy o gyfrifoldeb gan NICE, fel bod y penderfyniad terfynol i gyllido cyffuriau arbenigol newydd neu i awdurdodi profion canllawiau ar gyfer cyflyrau penodol gennych chi, fel Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Cymru?
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Lesley Griffiths: Both NICE and the all-Wales medicines strategy group have a role to play. I need the level of advice that both bodies currently give me. I would not look to increase the responsibilities of the latter group in that way.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae gan NICE a’r grŵp strategaeth feddyginiaethau Cymru gyfan rôl i’w chwarae. Mae angen arnaf lefel y cyngor y mae’r ddau gorff yn ei roi imi ar hyn o bryd. Ni fyddwn yn ystyried cynyddu cyfrifoldebau’r grŵp olaf yn y ffordd honno. |
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Cleifion sy’n Cael Triniaeth |
Patients Receiving Treatment
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7. Nick Ramsay: A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am y ffigurau diweddaraf ar gyfer cleifion o Gymru sy’n cael triniaeth o dan y GIG yn ysbytai Lloegr. OAQ(4)0045(HSS)
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7. Nick Ramsay: Will the Minister make a statement on the latest figures for Welsh patients receiving treatment under the NHS in English hospitals. OAQ(4)0045(HSS) |
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Lesley Griffiths: The figures show that 50,287 Welsh patients were admitted to hospitals in England in 2010-11, compared with 54,306 patients in 2008-09, a reduction of 7.4 per cent. This suggests that more patients are able to access the high-quality health services that they need in Wales.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae’r ffigurau yn dangos bod 50,287 o gleifion Cymru wedi cael eu derbyn i ysbytai yn Lloegr yn 2010-11, o gymharu â 54,306 o gleifion yn 2008-09, gostyngiad o 7.4 y cant. Mae hyn yn awgrymu bod mwy o gleifion yn gallu cael mynediad at y gwasanaethau iechyd safon uchel sydd eu hangen arnynt yng Nghymru.
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Nick Ramsay: That is one way of looking at it. On the guidelines that you are giving to local health boards on where patients are being treated, I have been dealing with one constituent who has been visiting a hospital in England for 20 years to receive treatment and physiotherapy following a stroke. After 20 years of successful treatment, she has now been told that she will be treated at home and will receive less physiotherapy in a Welsh hospital. I am concerned about the way that she has been treated by the local health board. What advice are you giving to local health boards to deal with situations like this? Surely, if something is not broken, you do not need to fix it.
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Nick Ramsay: Mae hynny’n un ffordd o edrych ar bethau. Ar y canllawiau yr ydych yn eu rhoi i fyrddau iechyd lleol ar le mae cleifion yn cael eu trin, rwyf wedi bod yn delio ag un etholwr sydd wedi bod yn ymweld ag ysbyty yn Lloegr am 20 mlynedd i dderbyn triniaeth a ffisiotherapi yn dilyn strôc. Ar ôl 20 mlynedd o driniaeth lwyddiannus, mae bellach wedi cael gwybod y bydd yn cael ei thrin yn ei chartref ac yn derbyn llai o ffisiotherapi mewn ysbyty yng Nghymru. Yr wyf yn bryderus ynghylch y ffordd y mae hi wedi cael ei thrin gan y bwrdd iechyd lleol. Pa gyngor ydych chi’n ei roi i fyrddau iechyd lleol ar ymdrin â sefyllfaoedd fel hyn? Siawns, os nad yw rhywbeth wedi torri, nid oes angen ichi ei drwsio.
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Lesley Griffiths: I have issued no directives that discourage patients from Wales from being treated in England. However, I expect all patients in Wales to be seen in the most appropriate place, as safely and locally as possible, and where the services that their clinicians require are available to them.
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Lesley Griffiths: Nid wyf wedi rhoi unrhyw gyfarwyddebau sy’n troi cleifion o Gymru yn erbyn cael eu trin yn Lloegr. Fodd bynnag, disgwyliaf i bob claf yng Nghymru cael eu gweld yn y lle fwyaf priodol, mor ddiogel a lleol â phosibl, a lle mae’r gwasanaethau sydd angen ar glinigwyr ar gael iddynt. |
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Llyr Huws Gruffydd: A yw’r Gweinidog yn cefnogi bwriad Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr i sicrhau bod cannoedd o famau sydd ar hyn o bryd yn teithio o’r gogledd i Gaer i roi genedigaeth ar gost o £2 filiwn i’r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru, yn cael eu denu’n ôl i Gymru? Sut y byddai hyn yn effeithio ar yr adolygiad i wasanaethau mamolaeth yn y gogledd?
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Llyr Huws Gruffydd: Does the Minister support the Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board proposals to ensure that hundreds of mothers who currently travel from north Wales to Chester to give birth, at a cost of £2 million to the Welsh NHS, are attracted back to Wales? How would this affect the maternity services review in north Wales? |
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Lesley Griffiths: I am not aware that hundreds of mothers travel to Chester to have their babies. However, again, it is about ensuring that the most appropriate services are available in Wales for our patients.
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Lesley Griffiths: Nid wyf yn ymwybodol bod cannoedd o famau yn teithio i Gaer i gael eu babanod. Fodd bynnag, unwaith eto, mae’n ymwneud â sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau mwyaf priodol ar gael yng Nghymru ar gyfer ein cleifion.
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Iechyd Plant |
Children’s Health
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8. Julie Morgan: Pa gynlluniau sydd gan y Gweinidog i wella iechyd plant yng Nghymru. OAQ(4)0040(HSS) |
8. Julie Morgan: What plans does the Minister have to improve the health of children in Wales. OAQ(4)0040(HSS)
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Gwenda Thomas: Our clear commitment is to improve outcomes for children. Our programme for government has a range of commitments that build on, enhance and embed work that is already under way. Local health boards, along with their public health, education and other partners, will deliver against clear targets.
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Gwenda Thomas: Ein hymrwymiad clir yw gwella canlyniadau i blant. Mae gan ein rhaglen lywodraethu amrywiaeth o ymrwymiadau sy’n adeiladu ar, gwella ac yn ymgorffori gwaith sydd eisoes ar y gweill. Bydd byrddau iechyd lleol, ynghyd â’u partneriaid iechyd y cyhoedd, addysg ac eraill, yn cyflawni yn erbyn targedau clir. |
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Julie Morgan: I thank the Deputy Minister for that reply. Will the Deputy Minister tell us about the progress of the second stage of the Children’s Hospital for Wales in the Heath hospital in my consistency of Cardiff North, which has been a tremendous development for children? Do you know when it is likely to be completed and what benefits it will bring to children in Wales?
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Julie Morgan: Diolch i’r Dirprwy Weinidog am yr ateb hwnnw. A wnaiff y Dirprwy Weinidog ddweud wrthym am gynnydd ail gam yr Ysbyty Plant i Gymru yn ysbyty’r Mynydd Bychan yn fy etholaeth i, Gogledd Caerdydd, sydd wedi bod yn ddatblygiad aruthrol ar gyfer plant? A ydych yn gwybod pryd y mae’n debygol o gael ei gwblhau a pha fanteision a ddaw i blant yng Nghymru? |
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Gwenda Thomas: Thank you for that supplementary question. The outline business case for the children’s hospital was approved in June 2010. The final business case for the £60 million scheme has been submitted to the Welsh Government, and it is currently undergoing scrutiny by officials. The scheme, when completed, will provide services in facilities that are able to meet the needs and preferences of children and their families and allow all children to be cared for in an age-appropriate environment. It will also consolidate Welsh paediatric services and lead to further improvements in the profile of services in Wales, thereby encouraging high-quality staff to train in Wales, contributing to the improved sustainability of secondary and tertiary services.
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Gwenda Thomas: Diolch ichi am y cwestiwn atodol hwnnw. Cymeradwywyd yr achos busnes amlinellol ar gyfer yr ysbyty plant ym mis Mehefin 2010. Cyflwynwyd yr achos busnes terfynol ar gyfer y cynllun £60 miliwn i Lywodraeth Cymru, ac mae swyddogion, ar hyn o bryd, wrthi’n ei graffu. Bydd y cynllun, pan fydd wedi’i gwblhau, yn darparu gwasanaethau mewn cyfleusterau sy’n gallu diwallu anghenion a dewisiadau plant a’u teuluoedd a chaniatáu i bob plentyn derbyn gofal mewn amgylchedd sy’n briodol i’w hoedran. Bydd hefyd yn atgyfnerthu gwasanaethau pediatrig Cymru ac yn arwain at welliannau pellach i broffil gwasanaethau yng Nghymru, a thrwy hynny, yn annog staff o ansawdd uchel i hyfforddi yng Nghymru, sy’n cyfrannu at gynaliadwyedd gwell gwasanaethau eilaidd a thrydyddol.
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Bethan Jenkins: Deputy Minister, I attempted to ask an urgent question yesterday about the new-born screening service for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is due to be withdrawn in Wales at the end of December this year. The reasons given for the withdrawal of services are the withdrawal of the blood-spot external quality assurance scheme and quality control material by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA and problems with the supply of commercially available regions needed to undertake the test. Campaigners are concerned that the money for the programme is lost—if it is, it may not come back when a new test is produced. I hope that the Minister will urgently meet with campaigners, to discuss the feasibility of a pilot programme to improve the accuracy of the screening test in Wales, because they have not been part of this consultation process.
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Bethan Jenkins: Ddirprwy Weinidog, ceisiais ofyn cwestiwn brys ddoe am y gwasanaeth sgrinio newydd-anedig ar gyfer dystroffi’r cyhyrau Duchenne, a disgwylir i’w dynnu’n ôl yng Nghymru ar ddiwedd mis Rhagfyr eleni. Y rhesymau a roddwyd dros dynnu gwasanaethau yn ôl yw tynnu’n ôl y cynllun sicrwydd ansawdd allanol gwaed-fan a deunydd rheoli ansawdd gan y canolfannau ar gyfer rheoli ac atal clefydau yn UDA a phroblemau gyda’r cyflenwad o ranbarthau sydd ar gael yn fasnachol sydd eu hangen i gynnal y prawf. Mae ymgyrchwyr yn bryderus bod yr arian ar gyfer y rhaglen ar goll—os ydyw, efallai na ddaw yn ôl pan gynhyrchir prawf newydd. Gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn cwrdd ag ymgyrchwyr ar frys, i drafod dichonoldeb o raglen beilot i wella cywirdeb y prawf sgrinio yng Nghymru, oherwydd nid ydynt wedi bod yn rhan o’r broses ymgynghori. |
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Gwenda Thomas: I will ask the Minister to respond fully to the points that you raise.
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Gwenda Thomas: Gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog i ymateb yn llawn i’r pwyntiau a godwch. |
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Kenneth Skates: Deputy Minister, most of us will have suffered from the flu at some point in our life and know just how debilitating it can be. Therefore, I welcome the Welsh Government’s work in promoting the annual flu jab for groups considered to be most at risk. Will you join me in encouraging every at-risk constituent in Clwyd South and across Wales to visit their GP for a free flu jab?
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Kenneth Skates: Ddirprwy Weinidog, bydd y rhan fwyaf ohonom wedi dioddef o’r ffliw ar ryw bwynt yn ein bywydau ac yn gwybod yn gwmws pa mor wanychol y gellir ei fod. Felly, yr wyf yn croesawu gwaith Llywodraeth Cymru o ran hyrwyddo’r pigiad ffliw blynyddol ar gyfer grwpiau a ystyrir eu bod fwyaf mewn perygl. A ymunwch â mi i annog pob etholwr sydd mewn perygl yn Ne Clwyd a ledled Cymru i ymweld â’u meddyg teulu i gael pigiad ffliw am ddim?
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Gwenda Thomas: I will indeed, and I urge everyone who is over 65, or under 65 and in one of the at-risk groups, to have their flu vaccination. For people in these groups who suffer from medical problems that put them at greater risk, seasonal flu can be life threatening. Many believe that flu is no more than a serious common cold. Those in at-risk groups need to have the flu jab every year, even if they feel well, and that includes children and young people.
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Gwenda Thomas: Gwnaf yn wir, ac anogaf bawb sydd dros 65 oed, neu o dan 65 oed ac yn un o’r grwpiau sydd mewn perygl, i gael eu brechu rhag y ffliw. I’r bobl yn y grwpiau hyn sy’n dioddef o broblemau meddygol sy’n eu rhoi mewn mwy o berygl, gall ffliw tymhorol fod yn bygwth bywyd. Mae nifer yn credu bod y ffliw yn ddim mwy nag annwyd cyffredin difrifol. Mae angen ar y rhai sydd yn y grwpiau mewn perygl i gael brechiad rhag y ffliw bob blwyddyn, hyd yn oed os ydynt yn teimlo’n dda, ac mae hynny’n cynnwys plant a phobl ifanc.
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Eluned Parrott: Deputy Minister, as I have previously mentioned in the Chamber, I was disturbed to find that, throughout the school holidays this year when children and parents need it most, the minor injuries unit at Barry Hospital was reduced to operating between 8.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays only. I know that many parents rely on services in minor injuries units across my region and, of course, they help to manage the flow of patients and avoid them going to the busier and more expensive accident and emergency units. Do you think that Wales’s minor injuries units, for which the Minister for Health and Social Services is ultimately responsible, are fit for purpose when, in many cases, they are not open at the times when they are needed? If not, what action can you take within the ministerial remit to ameliorate the situation? |
Eluned Parrott: Ddirprwy Weinidog, fel y dywedais o’r blaen yn y Siambr, yr oeddwn yn aflonydd i ddarganfod, drwy gydol y gwyliau ysgol eleni pan mae plant a rhieni ei angen fwyaf, gostyngwyd yr uned mân anafiadau Ysbyty’r Barri ei horiau gweithredu i rhwng 8.30 y.b. a 2 y.p. ar ddyddiau’r wythnos yn unig. Gwn fod nifer o rieni yn dibynnu ar wasanaethau unedau mân anafiadau ar draws fy rhanbarth, ac, wrth gwrs, maent yn helpu i reoli llif y cleifion ac yn osgoi’r angen iddynt fynd i unedau damweiniau ac achosion brys prysurach a mwy costus. A ydych chi’n meddwl bod unedau mân anafiadau Cymru, y mae’r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn gyfrifol amdanynt yn y pen draw, yn addas at y diben pan, mewn nifer o achosion, nad ydynt ar agor ar yr adegau pan fydd eu hangen? Os nad ydych, pa gamau gallwch eu cymryd o fewn y cylch gwaith gweinidogol i wella’r sefyllfa?
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2.00 p.m.
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Gwenda Thomas: The Minister will also want to respond to that question, I believe. |
Gwenda Thomas: Bydd y Gweinidog hefyd am ymateb i’r cwestiwn hwnnw, yr wyf yn credu.
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Recriwtio Staff Meddygol
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Recruitment of Medical Staff
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9. Mick Antoniw: Pa sylwadau y mae’r Gweinidog wedi’u gwneud ynghylch recriwtio staff meddygol ym Mwrdd Iechyd Cwm Taf. OAQ(4)0043(HSS)
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9. Mick Antoniw: What representations has the Minister made regarding the recruitment of medical staff at Cwm Taf Health Board. OAQ(4)0043(HSS) |
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Lesley Griffiths: My officials regularly meet Cwm Taf Local Health Board, and a range of issues relating to health service provision are discussed.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae fy swyddogion yn cyfarfod â Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Cwm Taf yn rheolaidd, ac mae ystod o faterion yn ymwneud â darparu gwasanaethau iechyd yn cael eu trafod.
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Mick Antoniw: Minister, there is an issue with regard to nurse recruitment. The other week, you announced changes to the funding system for the nursing degree, effectively removing the £6,100 per year training funding and introducing a means-tested bursary, more or less. There are real concerns about the impact that that might have and about the equality issues that might arise, bearing in mind the profile of those applying for the degree. Are there any ongoing discussions about this issue with regard to the bursary system? Is further consideration being given to the potential impact on the recruitment of nurses?
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Mick Antoniw: Weinidog, mae problem o ran recriwtio nyrsys. Yr wythnos o’r blaen, cyhoeddasoch newidiadau i’r system gyllido ar gyfer y radd nyrsio, gan gael gwared, i bob pwrpas, ar y cyllid hyfforddiant o £6,100 y flwyddyn a chyflwyno bwrsari prawf modd, fwy neu lai. Mae pryderon gwirioneddol ynghylch yr effaith y gallai hynny gael ac am y materion cydraddoldeb a allai godi, gan gadw mewn cof proffil y rhai sy’n ymgeisio ar gyfer y radd. A oes unrhyw drafodaethau parhaus am y mater hwn o ran y system bwrsari? A oes ystyriaeth bellach yn cael ei rhoi i’r effaith bosibl ar recriwtio nyrsys?
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Lesley Griffiths: The provision of equitable and affordable support to students to undertake health training for NHS Wales is critical. Under the new arrangements that we have announced, nurses with the lowest incomes can access up to £7,719—£1,018 more than they could access under the current scheme. Complaints have been received that, currently, nursing and midwifery students cannot access student loans. Under the new scheme, they will be able to do that. When the new arrangements for bursaries and student support were discussed, all stakeholders were committed to equality for all healthcare professionals. There are recruitment difficulties right across Wales, not just in Cwm Taf LHB, but there is currently no shortage of applicants for nurse training. For those reasons, I do not consider there to be a need to review this at the moment.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae darparu cymorth teg a fforddiadwy i fyfyrwyr i ymgymryd â hyfforddiant iechyd ar gyfer y GIG yng Nghymru yn hanfodol. O dan y trefniadau newydd yr ydym wedi’u cyhoeddi, gall nyrsys sydd â’r incwm isaf gael hyd at £7,719, sydd yn £1,018 yn fwy nag y gallent gael mynediad ato o dan y cynllun presennol. Derbyniwyd cwynion na all, ar hyn o bryd, fyfyrwyr nyrsio a bydwreigiaeth gael benthyciadau myfyrwyr. O dan y cynllun newydd, byddant yn gallu gwneud hynny. Pan drafodwyd trefniadau newydd ar gyfer bwrsarïau a chymorth i fyfyrwyr, yr oedd pob rhanddeiliad wedi ymrwymo i gydraddoldeb i bob gweithiwr gofal iechyd proffesiynol. Mae yna anawsterau recriwtio ledled Cymru, nid dim ond ym mwrdd iechyd Cwm Taf, ond nid oes prinder ymgeiswyr am hyfforddiant nyrsys ar hyn o bryd. Am y rhesymau hynny, nid wyf yn ystyried bod angen adolygu hyn ar hyn o bryd.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: One thing that would aid recruitment, Minister, would be a positive work environment. Given that the Royal College of Nursing’s recent staff survey highlighted that nearly half of all nurses are thinking of leaving the profession, what are you and colleagues in your department doing to address this dissatisfaction among a key part of the health workforce to ensure that health boards offer a positive environment in order to recruit and retain staff?
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Un peth a fyddai’n cynorthwyo recriwtio, Weinidog, byddai amgylchedd gweithio cadarnhaol. Gydag arolwg staff diweddar Coleg Brenhinol y Nyrsys yn amlygu bod bron hanner yr holl nyrsys yn ystyried gadael y proffesiwn, beth ydych chi a’ch cydweithwyr yn eich adran yn ei wneud i fynd i’r afael â’r anfodlonrwydd hwn ymhlith rhan allweddol o’r gweithlu iechyd i sicrhau bod byrddau iechyd yn cynnig amgylchedd cadarnhaol er mwyn recriwtio a chadw staff?
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Lesley Griffiths: The opposition party is very selective in the surveys it looks at. You did not look at the British Medical Association survey that told us that doctors are happier working in Wales than in England. It is an issue that I will discuss with the RCN.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae’r wrthblaid yn ddethol iawn yn yr arolygon mae’n edrych arnynt. Ni edrychoch chi ar arolwg Cymdeithas Feddygol Prydain a ddywedodd wrthym fod meddygon yn hapusach yn eu gwaith yng Nghymru nag yn Lloegr. Mae’n fater y byddaf yn ei drafod gyda Choleg Brenhinol y Nyrsys.
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Leanne Wood: Minister, as you know, there is also a problem with the recruitment of doctors in the Cwm Taf LHB area. The minor injuries unit in the flagship Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda has been closed temporarily, just a year after the First Minister officially opened it. Overseas doctors have been recruited, but are not able to start for several months, and I have been advised that doctor shortages are an issue throughout Wales. Filling vacancies by using locums is swallowing up a substantial part of the NHS budget. Minister, will you acknowledge that this situation is unsatisfactory? Can you tell us what plans the Welsh Government has to combat this burgeoning recruitment crisis in the NHS?
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Leanne Wood: Weinidog, fel y gwyddoch, ceir trafferth recriwtio meddygon yn ardal bwrdd iechyd Cwm Taf hefyd. Mae’r uned mân anafiadau yn Ysbyty blaenllaw Cwm Rhondda wedi cael ei chau dros dro, dim ond blwyddyn ar ôl i’r Prif Weinidog ei hagor yn swyddogol. Mae meddygon o dramor wedi cael eu recriwtio, ond nid ydynt yn gallu dechrau am sawl mis, ac yr wyf wedi cael gwybod bod prinder meddygon yn broblem ledled Cymru. Mae llenwi swyddi gwag drwy ddefnyddio staff locwm yn traflyncu rhan sylweddol o gyllideb y GIG. Weinidog, a wnewch chi gydnabod bod y sefyllfa hon yn anfoddhaol? A allwch ddweud wrthym ba gynlluniau sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru i fynd i’r afael â’r argyfwng recriwtio cynyddol hwn yn y GIG?
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Lesley Griffiths: As Leanne Wood says, in response to acute staffing constraints at the accident and emergency department in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, the Cwm Taf LHB had to take the decision to have an urgent temporary closure of the minor injuries unit at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda. It has assured me that it is making every effort to resolve the staffing challenges, and I know that Cwm Taf LHB participated in a recruitment project in Dubai, for instance, where it focused on the recruitment of specialty doctors. It is an issue right across Wales, and it is one reason why we need ‘Together for Health’ and the service reconfiguration. You will be aware that the First Minister commented last week in the Chamber that we are looking to have a recruitment campaign. I hope to make an announcement about that within the next few days.
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Lesley Griffiths: Fel y dywed Leanne Wood, mewn ymateb i gyfyngiadau staffio acíwt yn yr adran damweiniau ac achosion brys yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Morgannwg, bu’n rhaid i Fwrdd Iechyd Lleol Cwm Taf gymryd y penderfyniad i gau’r uned mân anafiadau yn Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda dros dro ac ar frys. Mae wedi fy sicrhau ei fod yn gwneud pob ymdrech i ddatrys yr heriau staffio, a gwn fod Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Cwm Taf yn cymryd rhan mewn prosiect recriwtio yn Dubai, er enghraifft, lle’r oedd yn canolbwyntio ar recriwtio meddygon arbenigol. Mae’n broblem ledled Cymru, ac mae’n un rheswm pam mae angen ‘Law yn Llaw at Iechyd’ a’r ad-drefnu gwasanaethau. Byddwch yn ymwybodol bod y Prif Weinidog wedi dweud yr wythnos diwethaf yn y Siambr ein bod yn disgwyl cael ymgyrch recriwtio. Gobeithiaf wneud cyhoeddiad ynghylch hynny o fewn y dyddiau nesaf.
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Annog Pobl i Roi’r Gorau i Ysmygu |
Encouraging People to Stop Smoking
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10. Ann Jones: Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i annog pobl i roi’r gorau i ysmygu. OAQ(4)0050(HSS) |
10. Ann Jones: What is the Welsh Government doing to encourage people in Wales to stop smoking. OAQ(4)0050(HSS)
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Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government funds a number of programmes to encourage people to stop smoking. We have also consulted on a draft tobacco control action plan to inform the future direction of tobacco control in Wales. We will launch the revised plan later this year.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ariannu nifer o raglenni i annog pobl i roi’r gorau i ysmygu. Yr ydym hefyd wedi ymgynghori ar gynllun gweithredu rheoli tybaco drafft i lywio cyfeiriad rheoli tybaco yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol. Byddwn yn lansio’r cynllun diwygiedig yn ddiweddarach eleni.
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Ann Jones: Thank you very much for that, Minister. I know that the Government has a major focus on helping people to stop smoking, but there is a constant task to ensure that fewer young people start smoking in the first place. The eye-catching Stop Smoking Wales campaign this year demonstrated the massive health boost that people can get almost immediately when they stop smoking. That brings home just how much a young person risks when they take that first cigarette. Will you outline what success the Welsh Government has had in encouraging young people not to smoke?
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Ann Jones: Diolch yn fawr iawn am hynny, Weinidog. Gwn fod y Llywodraeth yn canolbwyntio’n fawr ar helpu pobl i roi’r gorau i ysmygu, ond mae yna dasg gyson i sicrhau bod llai o bobl ifanc yn dechrau ysmygu yn y lle cyntaf. Dangosodd ymgyrch drawiadol Dim Smygu Cymru eleni’r hwb iechyd enfawr y gall pobl gael bron ar unwaith pan fyddant yn rhoi’r gorau i ysmygu. Mae hynny’n gwneud ichi sylweddoli yn union faint y mae person ifanc yn ei beryglu pan gymerant y sigarét gyntaf honno. A wnewch chi amlinellu pa lwyddiant y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ei gael yn annog pobl ifanc i beidio ag ysmygu?
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Lesley Griffiths: We have been successful in reducing the percentage of young people aged 15 to 16 smoking to 11 per cent of boys and 16 per cent of girls. That is down from 21 per cent and 29 per cent respectively in 1998. However, I agree that we need to do more to reduce those figures even further. We are rolling out the school-based ASSIST—Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test—project to 40 to 50 schools a year in Wales. That is important, because we have seen that a percentage of pupils report that the level of smoking is much lower in schools that have the ASSIST programme than in comparable schools that do not. I mentioned the draft tobacco control action plan and you will be aware that we are looking to introduce regulations in Wales to ban the display of tobacco products at the point of sale. Earlier this month, I introduced legislation banning the sale of tobacco from vending machines in Wales, because we know that young people were often getting their cigarettes from those machines.
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Lesley Griffiths: Yr ydym wedi bod yn llwyddiannus o ran lleihau canran y bobl ifanc rhwng 15 a 16 oedd sy’n ysmygu i 11 y cant o fechgyn a 16 y cant o ferched. Mae hynny i lawr o 21 y cant a 29 y cant yn y drefn honno yn 1998. Fodd bynnag, cytunaf fod angen inni wneud mwy i leihau’r ffigurau hynny hyd yn oed ymhellach. Yr ydym yn cyflwyno’r prosiect Treial Rhoi’r Gorau i Ysmygu mewn Ysgolion—prawf sgrinio yn ymwneud ag alcohol, ysmygu a sylweddau wedi ei seilio mewn 40 i 50 o ysgolion y flwyddyn yng Nghymru. Mae hynny’n bwysig, oherwydd yr ydym wedi gweld bod canran o ddisgyblion yn adrodd bod y lefel o ysmygu yn llawer is mewn ysgolion sydd â’r rhaglen TRGYY nag mewn ysgolion tebyg nad ydynt. Soniais am y cynllun gweithredu rheoli tybaco drafft a byddwch yn ymwybodol ein bod yn disgwyl cyflwyno rheoliadau yng Nghymru i wahardd arddangos cynnyrch tybaco yn y man gwerthu. Yn gynharach y mis hwn, cyflwynais ddeddfwriaeth yn gwahardd gwerthu tybaco o beiriannau gwerthu yng Nghymru, oherwydd y gwyddom yr oedd pobl ifanc yn aml yn cael eu sigaréts o’r peiriannau hynny.
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William Graham: Minister, I note the welcome news that Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board will designate all its hospital sites as smoke free by 14 March 2012, which is National No Smoking Day. Would you agree that that sets an encouraging precedent for other health premises across Wales and will the Welsh Government do something to work towards spreading such good ideas across Wales?
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William Graham: Weinidog, nodaf y newyddion da y bydd Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Aneurin Bevan yn dynodi ei holl safleoedd ysbyty yn ddi-fwg erbyn 14 Mawrth 2012, sef Diwrnod Cenedlaethol Dim Ysmygu. A fyddech yn cytuno bod hynny’n gosod cynsail calonogol ar gyfer adeiladau iechyd eraill ledled Cymru ac a wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru rywbeth i weithio tuag at ledaenu syniadau da o’r fath ledled Cymru?
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Lesley Griffiths: I think that it is an excellent idea and it is good that NHS staff are leading the way on this. I would like to see it happen right across Wales.
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Lesley Griffiths: Yr wyf yn meddwl ei fod yn syniad gwych ac mae’n dda bod staff y GIG yn arwain y ffordd ar hyn. Hoffwn ei weld yn digwydd ledled Cymru. |
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Jocelyn Davies: It is good to hear that you want to prioritise protecting the health of children. When do you intend to ban the smoking of cigarettes in cars when babies and children are present?
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Jocelyn Davies: Mae’n dda clywed eich bod am flaenoriaethu diogelu iechyd plant. Pryd ydych chi’n bwriadu gwahardd ysmygu sigaréts mewn ceir pan fo babanod a phlant yn bresennol? |
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Lesley Griffiths: You will be aware that, on 13 July, the First Minister announced that the Welsh Government will mount a renewed campaign to tackle smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke in cars. We will have a media campaign and I am drawing up plans now with officials to ensure that that campaign is monitored effectively over the next three years. I am hopeful that the number of children who are exposed to second-hand smoke can be reduced. Alongside that, officials are looking to prepare legislation in case we do not see the reduction that we need to see in the next three years.
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Lesley Griffiths: Byddwch yn ymwybodol, ar 13 Gorffennaf, y cyhoeddodd y Prif Weinidog y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn cynnal ymgyrch o’r newydd i fynd i’r afael ag ysmygu a dod i gysylltiad â mwg ail-law mewn ceir. Bydd gennym ymgyrch yn y cyfryngau ac yr wyf yn llunio cynlluniau yn awr gyda swyddogion i sicrhau y caiff yr ymgyrch ei fonitro’n effeithiol dros y tair blynedd nesaf. Yr wyf yn obeithiol y gall nifer y plant sy’n cael eu hamlygu i fwg ail-law gael ei leihau. Ochr yn ochr â hynny, mae swyddogion yn disgwyl paratoi deddfwriaeth rhag ofn na welwn y gostyngiad sydd angen inni ei weld yn y tair blynedd nesaf.
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The Presiding Officer: Question 11, OAQ(4)0041(HSS), has been withdrawn.
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Y Llywydd: Tynnwyd cwestiwn 11, OAQ(4)0041(HSS), yn ôl. |
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Cyfleusterau Iechyd Cymunedol |
Community Health Facilities
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12. Joyce Watson: A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu cynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru i gefnogi cyfleusterau iechyd cymunedol yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru. OAQ(4)0054(HSS)
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12. Joyce Watson: Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government’s plans to support community health facilities in Mid and West Wales. OAQ(4)0054(HSS) |
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Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government is committed to providing in Mid and West Wales safe, integrated and sustainable community health services, supported by the rural health plan, which meet the needs of local people as close to their homes as possible.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i ddarparu gwasanaethau iechyd cymunedol diogel, integredig a chynaliadwy yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru, wedi eu cefnogi gan y cynllun iechyd gwledig, sy’n cwrdd ag anghenion pobl leol mor agos at eu cartrefi â phosibl.
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Joyce Watson: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I welcome the Government’s £2.8 million investment in, and long-term commitment to, establishing a permanent dialysis unit at Welshpool Hospital. Since its opening, the temporary unit has measurably improved the lives of people requiring regular treatment. Before it opened, dialysis patients would have to make lengthy journeys for treatment, disrupting their day-to-day lives. Will you give an update on progress on this unit and when the permanent unit is likely to be completed?
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Joyce Watson: Diolch ichi am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Croesawaf fuddsoddiad y Llywodraeth o £2.8 miliwn i mewn, a’i hymrwymiad hirdymor, i sefydlu uned dialysis barhaol yn Ysbyty y Trallwng. Ers ei hagor, mae’r uned dros dro wedi gwella bywydau pobl sydd angen triniaeth reolaidd yn fesuradwy. Cyn iddi agor, byddai’n rhaid i gleifion dialysis wneud teithiau hir ar gyfer driniaeth, gan amharu ar eu bywydau o ddydd i ddydd. A wnewch chi roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynnydd ar yr uned hon a phryd y bydd yr uned barhaol yn debygol o gael ei chwblhau?
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Lesley Griffiths: I visited the temporary dialysis unit in July and the Welshpool dialysis unit is expected to be operational by the end of December 2012. It will be a satellite unit to the regional renal centre, which is based at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and will provide local access to dialysis for patients in north Powys. It will include 12 stations and it is expected to provide sufficient capacity for at least the next 10 years.
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Lesley Griffiths: Ymwelais â’r uned dialysis dros dro ym mis Gorffennaf a disgwylir i uned dialysis y Trallwng fod yn weithredol erbyn diwedd mis Rhagfyr 2012. Bydd yn uned loeren i’r ganolfan arennol ranbarthol, sydd wedi’i lleoli yn Ysbyty Maelor Wrecsam, a bydd yn darparu mynediad lleol at ddialysis i gleifion yng ngogledd Powys. Bydd yn cynnwys 12 o gorlannau a disgwylir iddi ddarparu digon o gapasiti ar gyfer o leiaf y 10 mlynedd nesaf.
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Russell George: The dispensing of medication and its implications for rural practices is an area of increasing concern for GP practices in my constituency. The Minister will probably be aware that Powys has the highest number of dispensing doctors in Wales. However, they are struggling to maintain these services because of the implementation of category M drugs and a reduction in the dispensing budget. I accept that, for many urban dispensing doctors, the income from dispensing supplements their general medical services income. However, for practices such as that in Llanfyllin, it makes up about 50 per cent of their income and is how they fund their branch surgeries. In England, the Government has initiated a pharmaceutical needs assessment for rural areas. Will you look at this assessment and consider bringing in a similar assessment in Wales?
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Russell George: Mae rhoi meddyginiaeth ar bresgripsiwn a’i oblygiadau ar gyfer meddygfeydd gwledig yn peri pryder cynyddol i feddygfeydd meddygon teulu yn fy etholaeth. Mae’n debyg y bydd y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol bod gan Bowys y nifer uchaf o feddygon fferyllol yng Nghymru. Fodd bynnag, maent yn ei chael yn anodd cynnal y gwasanaethau hyn oherwydd gweithredu’r categori cyffuriau M a gostyngiad yn y gyllideb ar gyfer rhoi cyffuriau ar bresgripsiwn. Derbyniaf, ar gyfer llawer o feddygon fferyllol trefol, fod yr incwm o roi cyffuriau ar bresgripsiwn yn ychwanegu at eu hincwm oddi wrth wasanaethau meddygol cyffredinol. Fodd bynnag, mewn meddygfeydd fel yr un yn Llanfyllin, mae’n cyfannu tua 50 y cant o’u hincwm a dyna sut maent yn ariannu eu meddygfeydd cangen. Yn Lloegr, mae’r Llywodraeth wedi cychwyn asesiad anghenion fferyllol ar gyfer ardaloedd gwledig. A wnewch edrych ar yr asesiad hwn ac ystyried cyflwyno asesiad tebyg yng Nghymru?
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Lesley Griffiths: I will look at that assessment and I will write to the Member.
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Lesley Griffiths: Byddaf yn edrych ar yr asesiad hwnnw ac ysgrifennaf at yr Aelod.
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Kirsty Williams: Minister, while the people of north Powys are enjoying the temporary facilities at the renal dialysis unit at Welshpool, patients in mid Powys are still waiting for the development of a renal dialysis unit at Llandrindod, even though they have been promised for well over 18 months that work was about to start on that unit. Can you give an update on when patients in the Llandrindod Wells area will finally have access to renal dialysis locally, so that they no longer have to travel very long distances to district general hospitals as far away as Hereford, Merthyr, Carmarthen and Swansea?
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Kirsty Williams: Weinidog, tra bod pobl gogledd Powys yn mwynhau’r cyfleusterau dros dro yn yr uned dialysis arennol yn y Trallwng, mae cleifion yng nghanolbarth Powys yn dal i aros ar gyfer uned dialysis arennol yn Llandrindod, er yr addawyd iddynt ers ymhell dros 18 mis bod gwaith ar fin dechrau ar yr uned honno. A allwch roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am ba bryd y bydd cleifion yn ardal Llandrindod o’r diwedd yn cael mynediad at ddialysis arennol yn lleol, fel nad oes rhaid iddynt deithio pellterau maith i ysbytai cyffredinol dosbarth mor bell i ffwrdd ag yr Henffordd, Merthyr, Caerfyrddin ac Abertawe mwyach?
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Lesley Griffiths: I have written to the Member on this point previously. There is an issue, which is not with the local health board, but with the facility that is being proposed, which is something to do with the Birmingham end of things. However, I will write to you again with a further update.
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Lesley Griffiths: Yr wyf wedi ysgrifennu at yr Aelod ar y pwynt hwn o’r blaen. Mae problem, ac nid yw gyda’r bwrdd iechyd lleol, ond gyda’r cyfleuster sy’n cael ei gynnig, sy’n rhywbeth i’w wneud gydag ochr Birmingham o’r trefniadau. Fodd bynnag, ysgrifennaf atoch eto gyda diweddariad pellach.
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Gwasanaethau Orthopedig
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Orthopaedic Services |
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13. William Graham: A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am wasanaethau orthopedig yng Nghymru. OAQ(4)0053(HSS) |
13. William Graham: Will the Minister make a statement on orthopaedic services in Wales. OAQ(4)0053(HSS)
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Lesley Griffiths: Significant work has been undertaken to address the backlog of patients waiting for over 36 weeks for orthopaedic treatment. Additional clinical sessions, both for outpatient and in-patient activity, are being run throughout the week and at the weekends across many sites in Wales.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae gwaith sylweddol wedi cael ei wneud i fynd i’r afael â’r ôl-groniad o gleifion sy’n aros am dros 36 wythnos am driniaeth orthopedig. Cynhelir sesiynau clinigol ychwanegol ar gyfer gweithgarwch gyda chleifion allanol a chleifion mewnol drwy gydol yr wythnos ac ar y penwythnos ar draws sawl safle yng Nghymru.
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William Graham: Thank you for your answer, Minister. You will recall that, last October, your predecessor had to place the orthopaedic service of the Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board in special measures. Are you confident that the same situation will not arise this year?
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William Graham: Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Fe gofiwch, fis Hydref diwethaf, y bu’n rhaid i’ch rhagflaenydd osod gwasanaeth orthopedig Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Aneurin Bevan mewn mesurau arbennig. A ydych yn hyderus na fydd yr un sefyllfa yn codi eleni?
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Lesley Griffiths: Huge progress has been made in orthopaedics due to the extra money that was announced by my predecessor, and significant work has been undertaken in the health board that you referred to in order to address the backlog of patients. As I said, we have seen a huge amount of progress.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae cynnydd enfawr wedi cael ei wneud yng ngwasanaethau orthopedig o ganlyniad i’r arian ychwanegol a gyhoeddwyd gan fy rhagflaenydd, ac mae gwaith sylweddol wedi cael ei wneud yn y bwrdd iechyd y cyfeiriasoch ato er mwyn mynd i’r afael â’r ôl-groniad o gleifion. Fel y dywedais, yr ydym wedi gweld llawer iawn o gynnydd.
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The Presiding Officer: I call on Angela Burns to ask question 14.
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Y Llywydd: Galwaf ar Angela Burns i ofyn cwestiwn 14. |
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Angela Burns: Sorry, Presiding Officer, I thought that question 14 had been grouped with earlier questions.
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Angela Burns: Mae’n ddrwg gennyf, Lywydd, yr oeddwn yn meddwl bod cwestiwn 14 wedi cael ei grwpio gyda chwestiynau cynharach.
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The Presiding Officer: Okay, we will move on to question 15.
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Y Llywydd: Iawn, symudwn ymlaen at gwestiwn 15. |
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Ni ofynnwyd cwestiwn 14,
OAQ(4)0037(HSS).
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Trafodaethau gyda’r Byrddau Iechyd Lleol
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Discussions with Local Health Boards
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15. Elin Jones: Pa drafodaethau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi’u cael yn ddiweddar gyda byrddau iechyd ynghylch y Gwasanaeth Iechyd Gwladol. OAQ(4)0047(HSS)
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15. Elin Jones: What recent discussions has the Welsh Government had with health boards regarding the NHS. OAQ(4)0047(HSS)
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Lesley Griffiths: My officials regularly meet local health boards and discuss a range of issues relating to health services. I last met the chairs of the health boards on 31 October.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae fy swyddogion yn cwrdd â byrddau iechyd lleol yn rheolaidd ac yn trafod ystod o faterion yn ymwneud â gwasanaethau iechyd. Y tro diwethaf imi gyfarfod â chadeiryddion y byrddau iechyd oedd 31 Hydref.
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Elin Jones: Earlier this afternoon, you accused the opposition parties of having an obsession with district general hospitals, so let me indulge my obsession slightly. Why is your Government no longer calling Bronglais hospital a district general hospital? In the list of capital projects published in March, Bronglais was clearly listed as a district general hospital, but in the list published on Friday, it was listed as a rural general hospital. That is a change in name that may or may not be significant. Will you confirm this afternoon that, in your eyes, Bronglais is a district general hospital for the future?
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Elin Jones: Yn gynharach y prynhawn yma, cyhuddasoch y gwrthbleidiau o gael obsesiwn gydag ysbytai cyffredinol dosbarth, felly gadewch i mi borthi fy obsesiwn ychydig. Pam nad yw eich Llywodraeth mwyach yn galw ysbyty Bronglais yn ysbyty cyffredinol dosbarth? Yn y rhestr o brosiectau cyfalaf a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mawrth, rhestrwyd Bronglais yn glir fel ysbyty cyffredinol dosbarth, ond yn y rhestr a gyhoeddwyd ar ddydd Gwener, fe’i rhestrwyd fel ysbyty cyffredinol gwledig. Mae hwnnw’n newid enw a allai neu na allai fod yn arwyddocaol. A wnewch chi gadarnhau’r prynhawn yma, yn eich llygaid chi, fod Bronglais yn ysbyty cyffredinol dosbarth ar gyfer y dyfodol?
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Lesley Griffiths: Bronglais is certainly a district general hospital.
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Lesley Griffiths: Mae Bronglais yn sicr yn ysbyty cyffredinol dosbarth. |
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Angela Burns: In your answer earlier to Joyce Watson, you said that you are looking for safe, integrated, sustainable community services to be provided. That takes me back to my question about how you monitor what the LHB provides. Hywel Dda Local Health Board does not commission specialist community services for people with acquired brain injury. There is a large population of such people there who have absolutely no support for anger management or rehabilitation. There is a real risk that these people will develop complex and entrenched neurophysiological problems, and, unless they can access a voluntary service such as Headway, they have absolutely no opportunity of being able to join our society again in a meaningful way. How can you monitor what health boards will provide for all of us in our communities if the decisions are left to them and they decide not to commission a service?
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Angela Burns: Yn eich ateb cynharach wrth Joyce Watson, dywedasoch eich bod yn disgwyl y caiff gwasanaethau cymunedol diogel, integredig a chynaliadwy gael eu darparu. Mae hynny’n mynd â fi yn ôl at fy nghwestiwn am sut y byddwch yn monitro’r hyn y mae’r bwrdd iechyd lleol yn ei ddarparu. Nid yw Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Hywel Dda yn comisiynu gwasanaethau cymunedol arbenigol ar gyfer pobl a gafodd anaf i’r ymennydd. Mae poblogaeth fawr o bobl o’r fath sydd heb unrhyw gefnogaeth ar gyfer rheoli dicter neu adsefydlu. Mae perygl gwirioneddol y bydd y bobl hyn yn datblygu problemau niwroffisiolegol sy’n gymhleth ac wedi ymwreiddio, ac, oni bai eu bod yn gallu cael mynediad at wasanaeth gwirfoddol fel Headway, nid oes ganddynt unrhyw gyfle o gwbl i allu ymuno â’n cymdeithas eto mewn ffordd ystyrlon. Sut allwch chi fonitro beth fydd byrddau iechyd yn darparu i bob un ohonom yn ein cymunedau os bydd y penderfyniadau yn cael eu gadael iddynt a’u bod yn penderfynu peidio â chomisiynu gwasanaeth?
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Lesley Griffiths: As I said, it is up to local health boards to decide what services they provide. They know their local population and they know what services to provide. I cannot micromanage the health service. The service change plans that are coming forward present a good opportunity to ensure that the services provided are the services that are required by the population. The national clinical forum can look at the service change plans to ensure that the services are in place. |
Lesley Griffiths: Fel y dywedais, mater i fyrddau iechyd lleol yw penderfynu pa wasanaethau maent yn eu darparu. Maent yn adnabod eu poblogaeth leol a gwyddant pa wasanaethau i’w darparu. Ni allaf ficroreoli’r gwasanaeth iechyd. Mae’r cynlluniau newid gwasanaethau sy’n cael eu cyflwyno yn gyfle da i sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau a ddarperir yn wasanaethau mae’r boblogaeth eu hangen. Gall y fforwm clinigol cenedlaethol edrych ar y cynlluniau newid gwasanaeth i sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau mewn lle.
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Cwestiynau i’r
Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau
Questions to the Minister for Local Government and
Communities
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Ecsbloetio Defnyddwyr |
Consumer Exploitation
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1. Julie Morgan: Pa gynigion sydd gan y Gweinidog i sicrhau nad yw defnyddwyr yng Nghymru yn cael eu hecsbloetio. OAQ(4)0054(LGC)
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1. Julie Morgan: What proposals does the Minister have to ensure consumers in Wales are protected from exploitation. OAQ(4)0054(LGC) |
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The Minister for Local Government and Communities (Carl Sargeant): I thank the Member for Cardiff North for the question. Consumer policy is a non-devolved matter. I will continue to work closely with the UK Government to ensure that the people of Wales have a strong and independent voice to protect them from consumer exploitation. |
Y Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau (Carl Sargeant): Diolch i’r Aelod dros Ogledd Caerdydd am y cwestiwn. Mae polisi ar ddefnyddwyr yn fater sydd heb ei ddatganoli. Byddaf yn parhau i gydweithio’n agos â Llywodraeth y DU i sicrhau bod gan bobl Cymru lais cryf ac annibynnol er mwyn amddiffyn defnyddwyr Cymru rhag cael eu hecsbloetio.
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2.15 p.m.
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Julie Morgan: I thank the Minister for his response. How will the Government ensure that there is a strong, independent voice for consumers in view of the facts that the Westminster coalition Government plans to get rid of Consumer Focus and that consumer affairs are so important to the agenda of the Welsh Government for tackling poverty, for social justice and for financial inclusion?
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Julie Morgan: Diolch i’r Gweinidog am ei ymateb. Sut y bydd y Llywodraeth yn sicrhau bod llais cryf, annibynnol ar gyfer defnyddwyr o ystyried y ffaith bod y Llywodraeth glymblaid yn San Steffan yn bwriadu cael gwared ar Llais Defnyddwyr a bod materion defnyddwyr mor bwysig i agenda Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer mynd i’r afael â thlodi, cyfiawnder cymdeithasol a chynhwysiant ariannol?
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Carl Sargeant: The Member raises an important point. We made clear points in our manifesto about the function of Consumer Focus in taking a lead in Wales. I have had much dialogue with the UK Government about creating a body that will be fit for purpose. There are still some teething problems as to what that will look like, but I hope that Ed Davey, the Minister with responsibility at Westminster, will be responsive to some of the suggestions that we have put before him.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae’r Aelod yn codi pwynt pwysig. Gwnaethom bwyntiau clir yn ein maniffesto am swyddogaeth Llais Defnyddwyr wrth gymryd yr awenau yng Nghymru. Yr wyf wedi cael llawer o ddeialog â Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn â chreu corff a fydd yn addas at y diben. Mae rhai problemau cychwynnol ynghylch beth fydd ffurf y corff hwnnw, ond yr wyf yn gobeithio y bydd Ed Davey, y Gweinidog sy’n gyfrifol yn San Steffan, yn ymateb yn gadarnhaol i rai o’r awgrymiadau yr ydym wedi’u cyflwyno iddo.
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Antoinette Sandbach: One of the many consequences of Gordon Brown’s catastrophic boom-and-bust management of the economy is the massive growth in household debt in north Wales, both secured and unsecured. More households in north Wales have turned to payday loans and doorstep lenders with extremely high annual percentage rates—several thousand per cent in some instances—which can all too easily trap a borrower in debt. Can you provide an update on your work with Cabinet colleagues to improve financial education for vulnerable households in north Wales, so that basic skills such as budgeting are taught and consumers are not taken advantage of in this way?
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Antoinette Sandbach: Un canlyniad ymhlith nifer a ddaw o ganlyniad i reolaeth ffyniant-a-methiant trychinebus Gordon Brown o’r economi yw’r twf aruthrol mewn dyled aelwydydd yng ngogledd Cymru, ar gyfer benthyg diogel a diwarant. Mae mwy o gartrefi yng ngogledd Cymru wedi troi at fenthyciadau diwrnod cyflog a benthycwyr carreg drws gyda chyfraddau canrannol blynyddol eithriadol o uchel—canran o sawl mil y cant mewn rhai achosion—sydd yn rhy hawdd yn gweld benthyciwr yn syrthio i ddyled. A allwch roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am eich gwaith gyda chydweithwyr yn y Cabinet i wella addysg ariannol i deuluoedd sy’n agored i niwed yn y gogledd, fel bod sgiliau sylfaenol megis cyllidebu yn cael eu dysgu ac fel na chymerir mantais ar ddefnyddwyr yn y modd hwn?
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Carl Sargeant: The Member raises an interesting point, but I find her comments about the previous UK Government astonishing. Her colleagues in Westminster are attacking the state and the most vulnerable in our society—women, children and disabled people—and she has the cheek to ask me about what we are doing in Wales.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae’r Aelod yn codi pwynt diddorol, ond mae ei sylwadau am Lywodraeth flaenorol y DU yn syfrdanol. Mae ei chydweithwyr yn San Steffan yn ymosod ar y wladwriaeth a’r mwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymdeithas—menywod, plant a phobl anabl—ac mae ganddi’r haerllugrwydd i ofyn i mi am yr hyn yr ydym yn ei wneud yng Nghymru.
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Let me tell you exactly how we are supporting people in Wales. We are looking at the very difficult situation with council tax benefit being transferred to Wales to support our most vulnerable areas. In terms of loan sharks, we are supporting our communities through our programme that gives people the ability to borrow money from credit unions. We are also supportive of the programme to protect people who are vulnerable to loan sharks—it is based in Cardiff and I visited recently.
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Gadewch i mi ddweud wrthych yn union sut yr ydym yn cefnogi pobl yng Nghymru. Yr ydym yn edrych ar y sefyllfa anodd iawn gyda budd-dal treth y cyngor yn cael ei drosglwyddo i Gymru i gefnogi ein hardaloedd mwyaf agored i niwed. O ran benthycwyr arian didrwydded, rydym yn cefnogi ein cymunedau drwy ein rhaglen sy’n rhoi’r gallu i bobl fenthyg arian gan undebau credyd. Rydym hefyd yn gefnogol i’r rhaglen i amddiffyn pobl sy’n agored i fenthyg arian gan fenthycwyr didrwydded—lleolir y rhaglen yng Nghaerdydd ac ymwelais â hi yn ddiweddar.
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Bethan Jenkins: Moving on to the consultation paper ‘Empowering and Protecting Consumers’, issued by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills earlier this year, Consumer Focus Wales outlined six tests for successful consumer advocacy in Wales. Many of those tests focus on the transfer of powers over consumer matters with appropriate resourcing to Wales, including the sixth point, where it is stated:
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Bethan Jenkins: Gan symud ymlaen i’r papur ymgynghori ‘Grymuso a Diogelu Defnyddwyr’, a gyhoeddwyd gan yr Adran Busnes, Arloesedd a Sgiliau yn gynharach eleni, amlinellodd Llais Defnyddwyr Cymru chwe phrawf ar gyfer eiriolaeth defnyddwyr llwyddiannus yng Nghymru. Mae llawer o’r profion hynny yn canolbwyntio ar drosglwyddo pwerau dros faterion defnyddwyr gyda’r adnoddau priodol i Gymru, gan gynnwys y chweched pwynt, sy’n dweud:
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‘In future, those charged with representing the interests of consumers and citizens in Wales should be answerable to the National Assembly for Wales.’
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Yn y dyfodol, dylai’r rhai sy’n gyfrifol am gynrychioli buddiannau defnyddwyr a dinasyddion yng Nghymru fod yn atebol i Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru.
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Does the Welsh Government agree with Consumer Focus Wales’s recommendations? What are you doing about this particular point?
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A ydyw Llywodraeth Cymru yn cytuno ag argymhellion Llais Defnyddwyr Cymru? Beth ydych yn ei wneud am y pwynt penodol hwn?
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Carl Sargeant: I am very keen to ensure that members of the public have access to a Consumer Focus function. What that might look like is still under discussion with the UK Government. I want to have the powers and the funding to ensure that we have a fully functioning, committed service in Wales to provide good advocacy and support for consumers. What I do not want is for powers to come from Westminster without the staffing and funding resources to support them.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr wyf yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod aelodau o’r cyhoedd yn cael mynediad at swyddogaeth Llais Defnyddwyr. Mae sut y gallai hynny edrych yn dal i fod yn destun trafodaeth gyda Llywodraeth y DU. Rwyf am gael y pwerau a’r cyllid i sicrhau bod gennym wasanaeth cwbl weithredol, sydd wedi ymrwymo yng Nghymru i ddarparu eiriolaeth a chymorth da i ddefnyddwyr. Yr hyn nad wyf am ei weld yw bod pwerau yn dod o San Steffan heb yr adnoddau staffio a chyllid i’w cefnogi.
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Vaughan Gething: Minister, many people, myself included, find it difficult to understand their energy bills and to comprehend how any figure has been arrived at. Many do not know which tariff they are on and what that tariff means in terms of energy cost and energy use in their household. Do you agree that there needs to be a more genuinely transparent pricing structure? What discussions have you had with the UK Government, energy companies and/or Ofgem to push for a fair deal for Welsh householders?
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Vaughan Gething: Weinidog, mae llawer o bobl, gan gynnwys fi, yn ei chael yn anodd deall eu biliau ynni ac i ddeall sut y mae unrhyw ffigwr wedi ei gyrraedd. Nid yw llawer yn gwybod pa dariff sydd ganddynt a beth y mae’r tariff yn ei olygu o ran costau ynni a defnyddio ynni yn eu cartrefi. A ydych yn cytuno bod angen cael strwythur prisio sy’n wirioneddol dryloyw? Pa drafodaethau ydych wedi’u cael gyda Llywodraeth y DU, cwmnïau ynni ac/neu Ofgem i bwyso am fargen deg i berchnogion tai yng Nghymru?
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Carl Sargeant: This is one of the reasons why it is important that we have a collective view in terms of the responsibilities of Consumer Focus. Energy pricing is not devolved to Wales and I know that my colleague John Griffiths has had discussions with energy companies on this issue. However, to have a strong Consumer Focus body that can act on behalf of constituents, whether they are in Wales or England, is important to the way that we move this opportunity forward.
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Carl Sargeant: Dyma un o’r rhesymau pam ei bod yn bwysig inni gael barn gyfunol o ran cyfrifoldebau Llais Defnyddwyr. Nid yw prisiau ynni wedi cael eu datganoli i Gymru a gwn fod fy nghyd-Aelod John Griffiths wedi cael trafodaethau gyda chwmnïau ynni ar y mater hwn. Fodd bynnag, er mwyn cael corff Llais Defnyddwyr cryf a all weithredu ar ran etholwyr, boed yng Nghymru neu yn Lloegr, yn bwysig i’r ffordd yr ydym yn symud y cyfle hwn yn ei flaen.
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Panel Annibynnol Cymru ar Gydnabyddiaeth Ariannol
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Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales
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2. Leanne Wood: Pa asesiad y mae’r Gweinidog wedi’i wneud o argymhellion Panel Annibynnol Cymru ar Gydnabyddiaeth Ariannol. OAQ(4)0061(LGC)
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2. Leanne Wood: What assessment has the Minister made of the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales. OAQ(4)0061(LGC)
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Carl Sargeant: I thank Leanne Wood for her question. I have received a copy of the draft report and have met with the panel to discuss its proposals. I now await its final report.
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Carl Sargeant: Diolch i Leanne Wood am ei chwestiwn. Yr wyf wedi derbyn copi o’r adroddiad drafft ac wedi cyfarfod â’r panel i drafod ei gynigion. Yr wyf yn awr yn aros am ei adroddiad terfynol.
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Leanne Wood: Minister, the independent remuneration panel for Wales has been unequivocal in saying that the role of a council leader is a full-time job. Will you therefore tell me what action you intend to take about council leaders who ignore this advice and take on extra salaried roles, like your party colleague and Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader, Russell Roberts, who picks up nearly £100,000 a year from the public purse in his roles as chair of the South Wales Police authority and a member of the Cwm Taf Local Health Board, on top of his day job?
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Leanne Wood: Weinidog, mae’r panel taliadau annibynnol i Gymru wedi bod yn ddiamwys wrth ddweud bod rôl arweinydd cyngor yn swydd lawn-amser. A wnewch chi, felly, ddweud wrthyf ba gamau y bwriadwch eu cymryd ynghylch arweinwyr cynghorau sy’n anwybyddu’r cyngor hwn ac yn ymgymryd â rolau cyflogedig ychwanegol, fel eich cydweithiwr yn y blaid ac arweinydd cyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf, Russell Roberts, sy’n derbyn bron i £100,000 y flwyddyn o’r pwrs cyhoeddus yn ei rolau fel cadeirydd awdurdod Heddlu De Cymru ac aelod o Fwrdd Iechyd Lleol Cwm Taf, ar ben ei waith bob dydd?
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Carl Sargeant: The panel is an independent body that makes use of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 and I await the response to the remuneration panel’s report.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae’r panel yn gorff annibynnol sy’n gwneud defnydd o Fesur Llywodraeth Leol (Cymru) 2011 ac yr wyf yn aros am ymateb i adroddiad y panel taliadau.
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Minister, across Wales many councillors have the ability to reduce some or all of their allowances. Personally, Minister, I am in favour of councillors having that freedom of choice. However, the report states that,
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Weinidog, ar draws Cymru, mae gan lawer o gynghorwyr y gallu i leihau rhai neu bob un o’u lwfansau. Yn bersonol, Weinidog, yr wyf o blaid rhoi’r dewis hwnnw i gynghorwyr. Fodd bynnag, mae’r adroddiad yn nodi bod,
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‘the Panel is firmly of the view that permitting the current arrangements to continue, whereby councils individually agree a variety of reduced payments for their councillors, has the potential to impact negatively both on the electorate’s perception of the value and worth of the councillor’s role today and on future councillor recruitment and retention.’
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y Panel yn bendant o’r farn y gallai caniatáu i’r trefniadau presennol barhau, lle mae cynghorau yn cytuno yn unigol amrywiaeth o daliadau is ar gyfer eu cynghorwyr, gael effaith negyddol ar ganfyddiad yr etholwyr o ran gwerth rôl y cynghorydd heddiw yn ogystal â recriwtio a chadw cynghorwyr yn y dyfodol.
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Minister, do you support the stance of withdrawing the freedom of choice of elected councillors across Wales?
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Weinidog, a ydych yn cefnogi’r safiad o dynnu rhyddid dewis o gynghorwyr etholedig ar draws Cymru?
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Carl Sargeant: I do not believe that that is being compromised. It is a matter for the individual member of the elected body whether they wish to take the allocation of funding or not. It is entirely a matter for them.
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Carl Sargeant: Nid wyf yn credu bod hynny yn cael ei beryglu. Mae’n fater ar gyfer yr aelod unigol o’r corff etholedig a ydynt yn dymuno cymryd y cyllid sydd wedi ei ddyrannu ai peidio. Mater iddynt hwy yn unig ydyw.
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Prosiectau Trafnidiaeth
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Transport Projects
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3. Eluned Parrott: Pa brosiectau trafnidiaeth sydd ar waith, neu y mae eu contractau wedi’u dyfarnu, ac felly na fyddant yn cael eu hadolygu fel rhan o’r Cynllun Trafnidiaeth Cenedlaethol. OAQ(4)0055(LGC)
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3. Eluned Parrott: Which transport projects are underway, or have had contracts awarded, and therefore will not be reviewed as part of the National Transport Plan. OAQ(4)0055(LGC)
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Carl Sargeant: Apart from those projects already completed, the A470 Cwmbach to Newbridge scheme is the only one not included in the national transport plan prioritisation project.
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Carl Sargeant: Ar wahân i’r prosiectau hynny sydd eisoes wedi’u cwblhau, y cynllun Cwm-bach i Bontnewydd ar yr A470 yw’r unig un nad ydyw wedi’i gynnwys ym mhrosiect blaenoriaethu y cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol.
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Eluned Parrott: Thank you for that direct response. I realise that you are reviewing the national transport plan. I thank you for the clarity and the honesty of the answers you gave to the Enterprise and Business Committee on this subject. However, will you share with this Chamber what criteria you are using to decide which projects will be given priority and when you hope to publish your reviewed plan?
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Eluned Parrott: Diolch am yr ymateb uniongyrchol. Sylweddolaf eich bod yn adolygu’r cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol. Yr wyf yn diolch i chi am eglurder a gonestrwydd yr atebion a roesoch i’r Pwyllgor Menter a Busnes ar y pwnc hwn. Fodd bynnag, a wnewch chi rannu gyda’r Siambr hon pa feini prawf yr ydych yn eu defnyddio i benderfynu pa brosiectau a fydd yn cael blaenoriaeth a phryd yr ydych yn gobeithio cyhoeddi eich cynllun wedi ei adolygu?
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Carl Sargeant: I hope to announce the plan later next month. I believe the criteria are public. However, I will ensure that a copy goes to the Library as soon as possible and I will contact Members with the details. Primarily, we are looking at east-west trans-European routes, mobility and access to improve and stimulate the economy, and enterprise zones, which will also feature as part of the prioritised programme.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr wyf yn gobeithio cyhoeddi’r cynllun yn ddiweddarach y mis nesaf. Credaf fod y meini prawf ar goedd. Fodd bynnag, byddaf yn sicrhau bod copi yn mynd i’r Llyfrgell cyn gynted â phosibl a byddaf yn cysylltu ag Aelodau gyda’r manylion. Yn bennaf, rydym yn edrych ar lwybrau traws-Ewropeaidd o’r dwyrain i’r gorllewin, symudedd a mynediad i wella a hybu’r economi, ac ardaloedd menter, a fydd hefyd yn rhan o’r rhaglen flaenoriaethu.
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Byron Davies: Minister, you will remember the debate I led some months ago about the enormous waste of money in past schemes and contracts. We welcome the long-overdue review of our procedures at the time. However, will you outline what you and your department have done to guarantee the contracts you just mentioned and how they deliver value for money and ensure that there is no major slippage in delivery?
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Byron Davies: Weinidog, byddwch yn cofio’r ddadl y bu i mi ei harwain rai misoedd yn ôl am y gwastraff enfawr o arian mewn cynlluniau a chontractau yn y gorffennol. Yr ydym yn croesawu’r adolygiad hir-ddisgwyliedig o’n gweithdrefnau ar y pryd. Fodd bynnag, a wnewch amlinellu beth yr ydych chi a’ch adran wedi ei wneud i sicrhau’r contractau y crybwyllwyd gennych a sut maent yn darparu gwerth am arian a sicrhau nad oes llithriant sylweddol wrth gyflenwi?
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Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for the question. All the road schemes I have opened have been on time and on budget. Improving the risk management of the project is important. Early dialogue with the contractor and undertaking the gateway review of road schemes and traffic schemes is an important procedure, as I explained to the committee at a recent grilling.
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Carl Sargeant: Diolch i’r Aelod am y cwestiwn. Mae pob un o’r cynlluniau ffyrdd yr wyf wedi eu hagor wedi bod ar amser ac o fewn y gyllideb. Mae gwella rheoli risg y prosiect yn bwysig. Mae cynnal trafodaethau cynnar gyda’r contractwr a chynnal yr adolygiad porth ar gyfer cynlluniau ffyrdd a chynlluniau traffig yn weithdrefn bwysig, fel yr eglurais i’r pwyllgor yn ddiweddar.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Ar ôl chwe mis o bwyso gan Blaid Cymru, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru ddatganiad ar fuddsoddiad cyfalaf. Nid oedd unrhyw beth newydd yn y datganiad hwnnw—yn wir, yr oedd yr holl brosiectau hynny’n bodoli cyn yr etholiadau. Nid yw’n argoeli’n dda fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd chwe mis i gyhoeddi datganiad am brosiectau a oedd yn bodoli eisoes. O ran eich datganiad ar eich prosiectau trafnidiaeth, a allwn ddisgwyl unrhyw brosiectau newydd neu a fyddwch ond yn cyhoeddi eich bod yn gohirio ymhellach yr ymrwymiadau a wnaethpwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru’n Un?
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: After six months of pressure from Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Government published a statement on capital investment. There was nothing new in that statement—indeed, all those projects existed before the elections. It does not augur well that the Welsh Government has taken six months to issue a statement on projects that already existed. On your statement on your transport projects, can we expect any new projects or will you only be announcing that you are delaying further the commitments made by the One Wales Government?
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Carl Sargeant: That was a disappointing contribution from the Member. We are maintaining spend and we will invest £224 million in transport projects this year. We are realigning priorities, but maintaining spend while we do that, which is an important principle. We are not introducing any new schemes into the national transport plan, but as a Cabinet we must look at innovative ways in which we can use transport funding or any other funding to create clever schemes that will stimulate the economy so that we can move forward.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr oedd hynny’n gyfraniad siomedig gan yr Aelod. Rydym yn cynnal lefel y gwariant a byddwn yn buddsoddi £224 miliwn mewn prosiectau trafnidiaeth eleni. Yr ydym yn ad-drefnu blaenoriaethau, ond yn cynnal gwariant wrth i ni wneud hynny, sy’n egwyddor bwysig. Nid ydym yn cyflwyno unrhyw gynlluniau newydd i’r cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol, ond fel Cabinet rhaid inni edrych ar ffyrdd arloesol o ddefnyddio cyllid trafnidiaeth neu unrhyw gyllid arall i greu cynlluniau clyfar a fydd yn ysgogi’r economi fel y gallwn symud ymlaen.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: I am sorry that you are disappointed, Minister, but I am not here to help you. [Laughter.] I am not sure what is clever about delaying schemes that were already in the pipeline. You said that there were no new schemes in the national transport plan. Can you give me a guarantee that the Llandeilo bypass will not be delayed in your forthcoming statement?
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Mae’n ddrwg gennyf eich bod wedi eich siomi, Weinidog, ond nid wyf yma i’ch helpu chi. [Chwerthin.] Nid wyf yn siŵr beth sy’n glyfar am oedi’r cynlluniau a oedd eisoes ar y gweill. Dywedasoch nad oedd unrhyw gynlluniau newydd yn y cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol. A allwch roi gwarant i mi na fydd ffordd osgoi Llandeilo yn cael ei gohirio yn eich datganiad sydd i ddod?
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Carl Sargeant: I will give you no guarantees about any scheme. I will announce that in the national transport plan, as and when I make the statement in the Chamber.
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Carl Sargeant: Ni roddaf unrhyw warant i chi am unrhyw gynllun. Byddaf yn cyhoeddi hynny yn y cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol, a gwnaf ddatganiad yn y Siambr bryd hynny.
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Cydweithrediad Awdurdodau Lleol
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Local Authority Collaboration
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4. Kenneth Skates: A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei gynlluniau i wella cydweithrediad awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru. OAQ(4)0069(LGC)
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4. Kenneth Skates: Will the Minister outline his plans to improve local authority collaboration in Wales. OAQ(4)0069(LGC)
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Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for Clwyd South for his question. Accelerating progress towards collaborative service delivery is a key approach to public service reform. I hope to be signing a compact with local government at the next partnership council. That will set out the collaborative activity that I want to see delivered with it and when that will happen.
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Carl Sargeant: Diolch i’r Aelod dros Dde Clwyd am ei gwestiwn. Mae cyflymu cynnydd tuag at gyflwyno gwasanaethau ar y cyd yn ddull allweddol o ddiwygio gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Yr wyf yn gobeithio arwyddo compact gyda llywodraeth leol yn y cyngor partneriaeth nesaf. Bydd hynny’n gosod allan y gweithgaredd cydweithredol yr wyf am ei weld a phryd y bydd hynny’n digwydd.
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Kenneth Skates: Our higher education sector will have an important role to play in the knowledge economy of the future, and in supporting the world-class research base that we need in order to compete on a global stage. What efforts are you making to ensure that as part of the new regional group of local authorities in north Wales, councils can benefit from the research and development work being done by universities such as Glyndŵr University, and ensure that this work fits in with the Government’s strategic economic priorities?
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Kenneth Skates: Bydd gan ein sector addysg uwch ran bwysig i’w chwarae yn economi wybodaeth y dyfodol ac o ran cefnogi’r sylfaen ymchwil o’r radd flaenaf y mae arnom ei hangen er mwyn cystadlu ar lwyfan byd-eang. Pa ymdrechion ydych yn eu gwneud i sicrhau y gall cynghorau, fel rhan o’r grŵp rhanbarthol newydd o awdurdodau lleol yng ngogledd Cymru, elwa ar y gwaith ymchwil a datblygu sy’n cael ei wneud gan brifysgolion fel Prifysgol Glyndŵr, a sicrhau bod y gwaith hwn yn cyd-fynd â blaenoriaethau economaidd strategol y Llywodraeth?
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Carl Sargeant: The Member raises several interesting points. Our public service leadership group has key members from across the public sector, not just from local authorities, but also from the fire and rescue services, the police and health boards. I would welcome a contribution from the education sector. I met a chap from Cardiff who is an academic and who also works in the health service. He has introduced us to some great projects where there are huge cost-benefit savings, not just for local authorities, but for the health service as well. It is an area where we can learn from each other in terms of driving forward the public service improvement agenda.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae’r Aelod yn codi sawl pwynt diddorol. Mae gan ein grŵp arweinyddiaeth gwasanaethau cyhoeddus aelodau allweddol o bob rhan o’r sector cyhoeddus, nid yn unig o awdurdodau lleol, ond hefyd y gwasanaethau tân ac achub, yr heddlu a byrddau iechyd. Byddwn yn croesawu cyfraniad gan y sector addysg. Cyfarfûm â dyn o Gaerdydd sydd yn academydd ac sydd hefyd yn gweithio yn y gwasanaeth iechyd. Mae wedi ein cyflwyno i rai prosiectau mawr lle mae arbedion cost a budd enfawr, nid yn unig ar gyfer awdurdodau lleol, ond ar gyfer y gwasanaeth iechyd yn ogystal. Mae’n faes lle y gallwn ddysgu oddi wrth ein gilydd o ran gyrru’r agenda gwella gwasanaethau cyhoeddus.
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Minister, any forced collaboration between local authorities must be done with the maximum transparency. What work have you done with councils post collaboration to assess the benefits of collaboration and the efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of the democratic workings of the processes used?
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Weinidog, rhaid i unrhyw gydweithrediad gorfodol rhwng awdurdodau lleol fod mor dryloyw â phosibl. Pa waith yr ydych wedi’i wneud gyda chynghorau ar ôl y cydweithio i asesu’r manteision a ddaw o gydweithio, ac effeithlonrwydd, effeithiolrwydd a thryloywder y gweithredu democrataidd o ran y prosesau a ddefnyddiwyd?
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Carl Sargeant: You often start your contribution with the glass half-empty. The issue here is about changing people’s perception of public service delivery. We should have an opportunity in Wales to deliver an excellent service with less funding. There are great examples of this already in place, such as the Gwent frailty project, the north Wales adoption service and shared legal services across much of Wales, which are all examples of where this collaborative activity clearly indicates cost benefits and service improvement.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr ydych yn aml yn dechrau eich cyfraniad gyda gwydr hanner-gwag. Mae hwn yn ymwneud â newid canfyddiad pobl o ran darparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Dylem gael cyfle yng Nghymru i ddarparu gwasanaeth ardderchog gyda llai o arian. Mae enghreifftiau gwych o hyn eisoes yn eu lle, megis prosiect llesgedd Gwent, gwasanaeth mabwysiadu’r gogledd a gwasanaethau cyfreithiol a rennir ar draws llawer o Gymru, sydd oll yn enghreifftiau lle mae’r gweithgaredd cydweithredol hwn yn dangos yn glir fanteision cost a gwella gwasanaethau.
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2.30 p.m.
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Janet Finch-Saunders: From that response, I assume that you are saying that you do not have evidence of any efficiencies that have already come forth by means of collaborative working. You have also spoken about links with the partnership council for Wales, and I know that you place great emphasis on that as part of the deliberations on the collaboration process. Where is the strategic link between that council and local authorities, and what role does it play in the collaboration agenda?
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Janet Finch-Saunders: O’r ymateb hwnnw, tybiaf eich bod yn dweud nad oes gennych dystiolaeth o unrhyw arbedion effeithlonrwydd sydd eisoes wedi dod drwy weithio ar y cyd. Yr ydych hefyd wedi siarad am gysylltiadau gyda chyngor partneriaeth Cymru, a gwn eich bod yn rhoi pwyslais mawr ar hynny fel rhan o’r trafodaethau ar y broses gydweithio. Ble mae’r cyswllt strategol rhwng y cyngor hwnnw a’r awdurdodau lleol, a beth yw ei rôl yn yr agenda cydweithredu?
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Carl Sargeant: You made some assumptions in your contribution, and they were wrong. Local authorities seeking collaborative activity do not do so on a whim, but on the basis of evidence and to improve public service delivery and to save money. That is evidenced across many local authorities. You may wish to look at the authority of which you were a member, Conwy County Borough Council, which is working with Denbighshire County Council on highways infrastructure, of which you are fully aware. On ownership, the public service leadership group, the new reformed partnership council and the compact are a triangular solution, providing accountability and delivery, which are important in terms of public service improvement.
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Carl Sargeant: Gwnaethoch rai rhagdybiaethau yn eich cyfraniad, ac roeddent yn anghywir. Nid yw awdurdodau lleol sy’n ceisio cael gweithgaredd cydweithredol yn gwneud hynny ar fympwy, ond ar sail tystiolaeth ac i wella cyflenwi gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ac i arbed arian. Mae hyn yn amlwg ar draws nifer o awdurdodau lleol. Efallai yr hoffech edrych ar yr awdurdod yr oeddech chi’n aelod ohono, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy, sy’n gweithio gyda Chyngor Sir Ddinbych ar seilwaith priffyrdd, ac yr ydych yn gwbl ymwybodol ohono. Ar berchenogaeth, mae’r grŵp arwain gwasanaeth cyhoeddus, y cyngor partneriaeth diwygiedig newydd a’r compact yn ddatrysiad trionglog, sy’n darparu atebolrwydd a chyflenwi, sy’n bwysig o ran gwella gwasanaethau cyhoeddus.
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Lindsay Whittle: Will the Minister accept that many local authorities in Wales have already developed close collaborative working practices that have resulted in savings of £800 million and that the best people to deliver savings in local government come from local government, with their vast experience, compared with many Members here, who have little or no experience?
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Lindsay Whittle: A wnaiff y Gweinidog dderbyn bod nifer o awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru eisoes wedi datblygu arferion gweithio cydweithredol agos sydd wedi arwain at arbedion o £800 miliwn a bod y bobl orau i gyflawni arbedion mewn llywodraeth leol yn dod o lywodraeth leol, gyda’u profiad helaeth, o gymharu â nifer o Aelodau yma, sydd ag ychydig neu ddim profiad?
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Carl Sargeant: You started off your question well, and I was tempted to agree with you until the final part, from which I assume that you believe that I should leave local authorities alone to their own devices. It has been clear to me that, sometimes, authorities have needed support in improving their part in the collaboration agenda and moving that agenda forward. Rest assured, I will continue to pursue that.
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Carl Sargeant: Dechreuasoch eich cwestiwn yn dda, a ches i fy nhemtio i gytuno â chi tan y rhan olaf, a thybiaf o hynny eich bod yn credu y dylwn adael awdurdodau lleol i ddilyn eu trywydd eu hunain. Mae wedi bod yn amlwg i mi fod angen cymorth ar awdurdodau weithiau i wella eu rhan yn yr agenda cydweithredu a symud yr agenda hwnnw ymlaen. Gallwch fod yn dawel eich meddwl, byddaf yn parhau i fynd ar drywydd hynny.
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Peter Black: Minister, you acknowledged in your response to Janet Finch-Saunders that a large number of projects are already producing good collaboration and good outcomes, and you agreed with the first part of what Lindsay Whittle said, at least, in terms of the savings that are already being achieved by local government in the work that it is doing at the moment. Given that that work is already ongoing and that a lot of collaborative work between local authorities is evolving, what is the purpose of your regional approach and your top-down bullying, effectively, of local authorities to do even more?
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Peter Black: Weinidog, bu ichi gydnabod yn eich ymateb i Janet Finch-Saunders bod nifer fawr o brosiectau eisoes yn cynhyrchu cydweithio da a chanlyniadau da, a gwnaethoch gytuno â rhan gyntaf yr hyn a ddywedodd Lindsay Whittle, o leiaf, o ran yr arbedion a gyflawnir eisoes gan lywodraeth leol yn y gwaith y mae’n ei wneud ar hyn o bryd. O ystyried bod y gwaith hwnnw eisoes yn mynd rhagddo a bod llawer o waith ar y cyd rhwng awdurdodau lleol yn datblygu, beth yw diben eich dull rhanbarthol a’ch bwlio o’r brig i lawr, yn effeithiol, o awdurdodau lleol i wneud mwy byth? |
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Carl Sargeant: Again, the Member started well, but fell at the first hurdle, unfortunately. My view is that local authorities and the Welsh Government both have an agenda to improve public services. Some people also have a lot of self-interest involved in delivery, but that should not and will not stand in the way of good public service reform.
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Carl Sargeant: Unwaith eto, mae’r Aelod wedi dechrau’n dda, ond bron wedi methu cyn cychwyn, yn anffodus. Fy marn i yw bod gan awdurdodau lleol a Llywodraeth Cymru ill dau agenda i wella gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Mae gan rai pobl hefyd lawer o hunan-les sy’n ymwneud â chyflenwi, ond ni ddylai hynny a ni fyddai hynny’n rhwystro diwygio gwasanaethau cyhoeddus da.
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Peter Black: Thank you for that answer, Minister. As you are a glass-half-full type of guy, may I ask you how the Minister for health, the Minister for education and other Welsh Government Ministers are taking a proactive approach towards collaboration and going to local authorities and saying ‘We want to work with you and deliver joint projects that will produce cross-sectoral work and savings’ as opposed to just talking about local authorities all the time?
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Peter Black: Diolch ichi am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Gan eich bod yn berson gwydr hanner llawn, a allaf ofyn ichi sut y mae’r Gweinidog iechyd, y Gweinidog addysg a Gweinidogion Llywodraeth Cymru eraill yn cymryd ymagwedd ragweithiol tuag at gydweithio a mynd i awdurdodau lleol a dweud ‘Yr ydym am weithio gyda chi a chyflawni prosiectau ar y cyd a fydd yn cynhyrchu gwaith traws-sector ac arbedion’ yn hytrach na dim ond sôn am awdurdodau lleol bob amser?
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Carl Sargeant: In the public service leadership group, as I have just made reference to, all the senior leaders from local authorities, health boards, the fire service and the police sit around the table and work towards success in this. Unfortunately, some professional elements of organisations are resisting change, for whatever reason. It would be much easier if we had political support to drive forward a public service improvement agenda that delivered better services more cheaply for the public in Wales. I hope that you will be able to join us on that journey, Peter.
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Carl Sargeant: Yn y grŵp arweinyddiaeth gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, fel yr wyf newydd gyfeirio ato, mae pob uwch arweinydd o awdurdodau lleol, byrddau iechyd, y gwasanaeth tân a’r heddlu yn eistedd o amgylch y bwrdd ac yn gweithio tuag at lwyddiant yn hyn o beth. Yn anffodus, mae rhai elfennau proffesiynol o sefydliadau yn gwrthsefyll newid, am ba bynnag reswm. Byddai’n llawer haws pe bai gennym gymorth gwleidyddol i yrru ymlaen agenda gwella gwasanaeth cyhoeddus a oedd yn darparu gwasanaethau gwell yn rhatach ar gyfer y cyhoedd yng Nghymru. Gobeithiaf y byddwch yn gallu ymuno â ni ar y daith honno, Peter.
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The Presiding Officer: Question 5, OAQ(4)0063(LGC), has been transferred for written answer.
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Y Llywydd: Mae cwestiwn 5, OAQ(4)0063(LGC), wedi’i drosglwyddo i’w ateb yn ysgrifenedig. |
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Blaenoriaethau Portffolio |
Portfolio Priorities
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6. Andrew R.T. Davies: A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu ei flaenoriaethau portffolio ar gyfer Bro Morgannwg. OAQ(4)0068(LGC)
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6. Andrew R.T. Davies: Will the Minister outline his portfolio priorities for the Vale of Glamorgan. OAQ(4)0068(LGC) |
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Carl Sargeant: My priorities for the Vale of Glamorgan and all parts of Wales are to deliver on our programme for government commitments to reduce poverty among our poorest people and communities, to make our communities safer, and to support the delivery of effective and efficient public services that meet the needs of people in Wales.
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Carl Sargeant: Fy mlaenoriaethau ar gyfer Bro Morgannwg a phob rhan o Gymru yw cyflawni ymrwymiadau ein rhaglen lywodraethu i leihau tlodi ymysg ein pobl a’n cymunedau tlotaf, i wneud ein cymunedau yn fwy diogel, ac i helpu i ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus effeithiol ac effeithlon sy’n diwallu anghenion pobl yng Nghymru. |
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Andrew R.T. Davies: I invite you to congratulate the Vale of Glamorgan Council on the launch of its scheme Tell Us Once. This scheme is available to all authorities across Wales. Upon bereavement, which is a troubling time for many families, this scheme allows them to go to the local authority and ask it to deal with all the administrative tasks involved, such as notifying the benefits services and other relevant Government departments. That would alleviate a great deal of pressure on people at a time of great trouble. I understand that, in Wales, only 45 per cent of councils currently offer this scheme, whereas in England the figure is 96 per cent.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Fe’ch gwahoddaf i longyfarch Cyngor Bro Morgannwg ar lansio ei gynllun Dywedwch Wrthym Unwaith. Mae’r cynllun hwn ar gael i bob awdurdod ledled Cymru. Ar brofedigaeth, sy’n gyfnod sy’n peri gofid i lawer o deuluoedd, mae’r cynllun hwn yn caniatáu iddynt fynd at yr awdurdod lleol a gofyn iddo ddelio â’r holl dasgau gweinyddol dan sylw, megis hysbysu’r gwasanaethau budd-daliadau ac adrannau perthnasol eraill y Llywodraeth. Byddai hynny’n lleddfu llawer iawn o bwysau ar bobl ar adeg o helynt mawr. Deallaf, yng Nghymru, mai dim ond 45 y cant o gynghorau sy’n cynnig y cynllun hwn ar hyn o bryd, tra yn Lloegr, mae’r ffigur yn 96 y cant.
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Carl Sargeant: You highlight the issue very well. There is some great innovation across our local authorities in Wales, delivering services that are specific and can make a difference to people’s lives. You gave a great example, before saying that the scheme is not available in all local authorities. My duty is to ensure that, where there is best practice, we roll that out across Wales. Again, I would welcome your support in developing that holistic approach to delivery of good services for all of Wales, not just one part.
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Carl Sargeant: Rydych yn tynnu sylw at y mater yn dda iawn. Mae arloesi mawr ar draws awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru, yn darparu gwasanaethau penodol a all wneud gwahaniaeth i fywydau pobl. Rhoesoch enghraifft wych, cyn dweud nad yw’r cynllun ar gael ym mhob awdurdod lleol. Fy nyletswydd i yw sicrhau, lle y ceir arfer gorau, y cyflwynir hynny ledled Cymru. Unwaith eto, byddem yn croesawu eich cefnogaeth wrth ddatblygu’r dull cyfannol hwnnw i ddarparu gwasanaethau da ar gyfer Cymru gyfan, nid dim ond yn un rhan.
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Leanne Wood: There is much concern among residents in the Vale of Glamorgan about the local authority’s vision for day care service provision. The council has been accused of sanctioning the downgrading of elderly care by producing a review that suggests closing Penarth’s Gardenhurst day centre and merging it with Rondel House in Barry to provide one day centre at the Barry site. Do you have a view on this, Minister, and have you made any representations to the local authority?
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Leanne Wood: Mae llawer o bryder ymysg trigolion ym Mro Morgannwg am weledigaeth yr awdurdod lleol ar gyfer darparu gwasanaethau gofal dydd. Cyhuddwyd y cyngor o ganiatáu israddio gofal henoed drwy gynhyrchu adolygiad sy’n awgrymu cau canolfan ddydd Gardenhurst Penarth a’i uno gyda Rondel House yn y Barri i ddarparu canolfan gofal dydd ar y safle yn y Barri. A oes gennych chi farn ar hyn, Weinidog, ac a ydych wedi cyflwyno unrhyw sylwadau i’r awdurdod lleol? |
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Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for her contribution. I am unsighted as to the details of what the Member has raised today. Perhaps she would like to write to me about that case. I recognise that local authorities have some difficult decisions to make, but if they can work collectively across the region, rather than in isolation, they may sometimes see solutions that would otherwise not have arisen via the traditional methods of working.
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Carl Sargeant: Diolch i’r Aelod am ei chyfraniad. Nid wyf yn ymwybodol o fanylion yr hyn y mae’r Aelod wedi codi heddiw. Efallai yr hoffai ysgrifennu ataf ynglŷn â’r achos hwnnw. Cydnabyddaf fod gan awdurdodau lleol rai penderfyniadau anodd I’w gwneud, ond os allant weithio ar y cyd ar draws y rhanbarth, yn hytrach nag ar wahân, gallant weithiau weld atebion na fyddai fel arall wedi codi drwy’r dulliau traddodiadol o weithio.
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Trydaneiddio Rheilffyrdd |
Electrification of Rail Lines
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7. Mick Antoniw: Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Gweinidog wedi’u cael mewn perthynas â thrydaneiddio rheilffyrdd yng Nghymoedd De Cymru. OAQ(4)0058(LGC) |
7. Mick Antoniw: What discussions has the Minister had in relation to the electrification of rail lines in the South Wales Valleys. OAQ(4)0058(LGC)
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Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for Pontypridd for his question. The UK Government is responsible for funding this and my officials are working closely with the Department for Transport on a joint business case, which will be completed in December. My next contact will be on 1 December, when I will be speaking to Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for Transport.
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Carl Sargeant: Diolch i’r Aelod dros Bontypridd am ei gwestiwn. Mae Llywodraeth y DU yn gyfrifol am ariannu hwn ac mae fy swyddogion yn gweithio’n agos gyda’r Adran Drafnidiaeth ar achos busnes ar y cyd, a gaiff ei gwblhau ym mis Rhagfyr. Bydd fy nghyswllt nesaf ar 1 Rhagfyr, pan fyddaf yn siarad â Justine Greening, yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Drafnidiaeth.
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Mick Antoniw: I have previously asked questions about this issue and the advancement of this idea of a metro, and electrification, and so on. With particular regard to electrification, what discussions have you had with the Secretary of State for Wales? To what extent is she taking a lead in ensuring that Wales gets electrification and all the benefits that follow from that?
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Mick Antoniw: Rwyf wedi gofyn cwestiynau am y mater hwn o’r blaen a’r symudiad ymlaen o’r syniad hwn o fetro, a thrydaneiddio, ac ati. Wrth gyfeirio’n arbennig at drydaneiddio, pa drafodaethau a gawsoch gydag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru? I ba raddau y mae hi wedi cymryd arweiniad o ran sicrhau bod Cymru’n cael trydaneiddio a’r holl fanteision yn sgil hynny?
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Carl Sargeant: I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales. I and my team have had discussions with the Department for Transport Ministers in Westminster. The Member raises an important issue: it would be advantageous for the Secretary of State for Wales to make representation in order to ensure that we have a winning Wales in terms of electrification of the Valleys lines for the future.
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Carl Sargeant: Ni chefais unrhyw drafodaethau gydag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru. Yr wyf i a fy nhîm wedi cael trafodaethau gyda Gweinidogion yr Adran Drafnidiaeth yn San Steffan. Mae’r Aelod yn codi mater pwysig: byddai’n fanteisiol i Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru i gyflwyno sylwadau er mwyn sicrhau bod gennym Gymru sy’n ennill o ran trydaneiddio llinellau’r Cymoedd ar gyfer y dyfodol. |
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Byron Davies: Leading on from the Member for Pontypridd’s question, I very much welcome your commitment to support the development of the business case for Valleys line electrification. I can assure you that this side of the Chamber is also committed to this exciting proposal. Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to the UK Government for highlighting this significant investment opportunity, and will he assure me that he will work with all parties in this Assembly to ensure that we present the strongest case possible for an idea that is big, achievable and has the potential to rejuvenate the south Wales Valleys’ economy?
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Byron Davies: Yn arwain ymlaen o gwestiwn yr Aelod dros Bontypridd, croesawaf eich ymrwymiad i gefnogi datblygiad yr achos busnes dros drydaneiddio llinell y Cymoedd. Gallaf eich sicrhau bod yr ochr hon i’r Siambr hefyd wedi ymrwymo i’r cynnig cyffrous hwn. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ymuno â mi i dalu teyrnged i Lywodraeth y DU am dynnu sylw at y cyfle buddsoddiad sylweddol hwn, ac a wnaiff fy sicrhau y bydd yn gweithio gyda phob plaid yn y Cynulliad hwn i sicrhau ein bod yn cyflwyno’r achos cryfaf posibl ar gyfer syniad sy’n fawr, yn gyraeddadwy ac â’r potensial i adfywio economi Cymoedd y De? |
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Carl Sargeant: The Member can rest assured that I will congratulate the UK Government as and when we have the appropriate funding, when the electrification of the Valleys lines is complete, and when there is support for full electrification of the line through to Swansea.
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Carl Sargeant: Gall yr Aelod fod yn dawel ei feddwl y byddaf yn llongyfarch Llywodraeth y DU pan fydd gennym y cyllid priodol, pan fydd y trydaneiddio rheilffyrdd y Cymoedd wedi’i gwblhau, a phan fydd cefnogaeth i drydaneiddio llinell drwodd i Abertawe.
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Jocelyn Davies: Minister, I hope that you approve of my question. [Laughter.] Has there been any Cabinet discussion about the electrification of the Valleys lines? If there has been, what was the decision? Before we set about congratulating or not congratulating anyone, could you tell us what you are going to do to set about building the cross-party support that would be definitely needed for the delivery of this project?
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Jocelyn Davies: Weinidog, gobeithiaf eich bod yn cymeradwyo fy nghwestiwn. [Chwerthin.] A fu unrhyw drafodaeth Cabinet am drydaneiddio rheilffyrdd y Cymoedd? Os bu, beth oedd y penderfyniad? Cyn inni longyfarch neu beidio llongyfarch unrhyw un, a allwch ddweud wrthym beth yr ydych chi’n mynd i wneud i fynd ati i adeiladu cefnogaeth drawsbleidiol y byddai’n bendant ei angen ar gyfer cyflawni’r prosiect hwn? |
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Carl Sargeant: There are some key markers with regard to this process, as I outlined briefly to the Member for Pontypridd. The business case with the Department for Transport is set to be delivered in December, with further announcements on the high-level output specification programme in July. Following the discussions that I have been having with Westminster to see how strong or otherwise our business case is, it is important to build consensus in the Assembly in identifying the need for such a large project that will be essential to the two thirds or so of the population of Wales that will be affected by this. I would be delighted to work with you and other Members across the Chamber to secure electrification.
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Carl Sargeant: Ceir rhai nodau allweddol o ran y broses hon, fel yr amlinellais yn fyr at yr Aelod dros Bontypridd. Bwriedir i’r achos busnes gyda’r Adran Drafnidiaeth cael ei ddarparu ym mis Rhagfyr, gyda chyhoeddiadau pellach ar y rhaglen manyleb allbwn lefel uchel ym mis Gorffennaf. Yn dilyn y trafodaethau yr wyf wedi bod yn cael gyda San Steffan i weld pa mor gryf neu beidio yw’n hachos busnes, mae’n bwysig i adeiladu consensws yn y Cynulliad wrth nodi’r angen am brosiect mor fawr a fydd yn hanfodol i’r ddwy ran o dair o boblogaeth Cymru y caiff eu heffeithio gan hyn. Byddwn yn falch o weithio gyda chi ac Aelodau eraill ar draws y Siambr i sicrhau trydaneiddio. |
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The Presiding Officer: Question 8, OAQ(4)0056(LGC), and question 9, OAQ(4)0065(LGC), have been withdrawn.
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Y Llywydd: Mae cwestiwn 8, OAQ(4)0056(LGC), a chwestiwn 9, OAQ(4)0065(LGC), wedi’u tynnu’n ôl. |
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Trefniadau Etholiadol yn Ynys Môn |
Electoral Arrangements on Anglesey
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10. Ieuan Wyn Jones: Pryd y mae’r Gweinidog yn disgwyl i’r Comisiwn Ffiniau Llywodraeth Leol i Gymru gwblhau ei adolygiad o’r trefniadau etholiadol yn Ynys Môn. OAQ(4)0066(LGC) W |
10. Ieuan Wyn Jones: When does the Minister expect the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales to complete its review of the electoral arrangements on Anglesey. OAQ(4)0066(LGC) W
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Carl Sargeant: I will be meeting the chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales tomorrow to discuss this and other matters.
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Carl Sargeant: Byddaf yn cyfarfod cadeirydd Comisiwn Ffiniau Llywodraeth Leol i Gymru yfory i drafod hyn a materion eraill. |
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Ieuan Wyn Jones: Pe byddai’r comisiwn yn dod â chynllun gerbron i newid y ffiniau ac i gael rhai newydd, oherwydd y cyfnod ymgynghorol a fyddai’n gorfod dilyn, byddai’n amhosibl cynnal etholiadau ym mis Mai y flwyddyn nesaf. A all y Gweinidog sôn wrth y Cynulliad am unrhyw fwriad i gyhoeddi’n fuan ei fod yn ystyried gohirio’r etholiadau hynny? Mae’n bwysig i bobl Môn, yr etholwyr a’r darpar gynghorwyr, gael gwybod pa bryd y gallant ddechrau gweithio tuag at yr etholiadau. |
Ieuan Wyn Jones: If the commission were to bring forward a plan to change the boundaries and to create new ones, because of the consultation process that would have to follow, it would be impossible to hold elections in May of next year. Could the Minister tell the Assembly whether he intends to make an announcement any time soon on whether he is considering deferring those elections? It is important for the people of Anglesey, the electorate and prospective councillors, to know when they can start to work towards that election.
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Carl Sargeant: The Member is well rehearsed in the detail of the actions of the boundary commission and the Auditor General for Wales on the island. I thank him for his continued support in ensuring that the island of Anglesey can work effectively as a democratic organisation for the delivery of services. I do not want to pre-empt my discussion with the boundary commissioners tomorrow, but as soon as I come to a conclusion, either way, I will inform the Member and the Assembly of my decisions at the earliest opportunity.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae’r Aelod yn gwybod yn iawn manylion camau gweithredu’r comisiwn ffiniau ac Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru ar yr ynys. Diolch iddo am ei gefnogaeth barhaus i sicrhau y gall Ynys Môn weithio’n effeithiol fel sefydliad democrataidd ar gyfer darparu gwasanaethau. Nid wyf am achub y blaen ar fy nhrafodaeth â chomisiynwyr ffiniau yfory, ond cyn gynted ag yr wyf yn dod i gasgliad, naill ffordd neu’r llall, byddaf yn hysbysu’r Aelod a’r Cynulliad am fy mhenderfyniadau ar y cyfle cynharaf. |
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Mark Isherwood: When you made your announcement regarding the boundary commission in June, you said that you would be writing to the Isle of Anglesey County Council to inform it that the review had been temporarily suspended, but that necessary steps would be taken quickly so that the review could be restarted and completed as close as possible to the original target date. Given the concern raised—and I know that a petition circulated earlier this year on the island—that changes are being rushed through in Anglesey without proper consultation with local people and are out of sync with the 2016 change across the rest of Wales, are you minded to say, given your meeting tomorrow, whether it is possible to go ahead with the rest of Wales next May on the basis of current boundaries or whether you are still minded to put the changes in place first?
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Mark Isherwood: Pan wnaethoch eich cyhoeddiad ynghylch y comisiwn ffiniau ym mis Mehefin, dywedasoch y byddech yn ysgrifennu at Gyngor Sir Ynys Môn i’w hysbysu bod yr adolygiad wedi’i atal dros dro, ond y bydd y camau angenrheidiol yn cael eu cymryd yn gyflym fel y gellid ailgychwyn yr adolygiad a’i gwblhau mor agos â phosibl at y dyddiad targed gwreiddiol. O ystyried y pryder a godwyd—a gwn y cafodd deiseb ei dosbarthu’n gynharach eleni ar yr ynys—bod newidiadau’n cael eu rhuthro drwodd yn Ynys Môn heb ymgynghori’n briodol â phobl leol a’u bod ar ei hôl hi gyda’r newid 2016 ar draws gweddill Cymru, a ydych am ddweud, o ystyried eich cyfarfod yfory, a yw’n bosibl i fwrw ymlaen â gweddill Cymru fis Mai nesaf ar sail ffiniau presennol neu p’un a ydych yn dal i ystyried rhoi newidiadau ar waith yn gyntaf? |
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Carl Sargeant: I will have that discussion with the boundary commission tomorrow. As I would hope that you would agree, the issue on the island of Anglesey is unique to Wales, and the intervention that I took in support of the auditor general’s report was unique in the UK. I will not make decisions on issues that have not been evidenced by the boundary commission, which I am meeting tomorrow. As soon as I have detail of that, I will ensure that Assembly Members and the public of Anglesey are fully aware of my decision-making process.
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Carl Sargeant: Byddaf yn cael y drafodaeth honno gyda’r comisiwn ffiniau yfory. Fel y byddem yn gobeithio y byddech yn cytuno, mae’r mater ar Ynys Môn yn unigryw i Gymru, ac roedd yr ymyriad a gymerais i gefnogi adroddiad yr archwilydd cyffredinol yn unigryw yn y DU. Ni fyddaf yn gwneud penderfyniadau ar faterion sydd heb dystiolaeth gan y comisiwn ffiniau, yr wyf yn cyfarfod yfory. Cyn gynted ag y bydd gennyf y manylion hynny, byddaf yn sicrhau bod Aelodau’r Cynulliad a chyhoedd Ynys Môn yn llwyr ymwybodol o’m broses o wneud penderfyniadau.
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Aled Roberts: Apart from the boundary commissioners’ views, have you yet received advice from the commissioners regarding their opinion on the state of democratic renewal, which was referred to when they were appointed as commissioners on the island?
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Aled Roberts: Ar wahân i farn y comisiynwyr ffiniau, a ydych eto wedi derbyn cyngor gan y comisiynwyr ynghylch eu barn ar gyflwr adnewyddu democrataidd, y cyfeiriwyd ato pan gawsant eu penodi fel comisiynwyr ar yr ynys? |
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Carl Sargeant: I have received the stage 1 document from the commissioners, which is in the public domain, on where they are with regard to the change in democratic accountability and structures on the island. I believe that the second report is due in December. Again, that will be made public for Members to see the detail.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr wyf wedi derbyn y ddogfen gam 1 gan y comisiynwyr, sydd yn y parth cyhoeddus, ar ble y maent o ran y newid mewn atebolrwydd democrataidd a strwythurau ar yr ynys. Credaf fod yr ail adroddiad yn dod ym mis Rhagfyr. Unwaith eto, caiff hwnnw ei gyhoeddi er mwyn i Aelodau cael gweld y manylion. |
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2.45 p.m.
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Cynllun Trafnidiaeth Cenedlaethol
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National Transport Plan |
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11. Yr Arglwydd Elis-Thomas: Pa gynlluniau pellach sydd gan y Gweinidog i weithredu nodau’r Cynllun Trafnidiaeth Cenedlaethol i wella cysylltiadau rhwng y de a’r gogledd. OAQ(4)0067(LGC)
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11. Lord Elis-Thomas: What further plans does the Minister have to implement the National Transport Plan’s aims to improve north-south links. OAQ(4)0067(LGC)
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Carl Sargeant: I am currently prioritising the national transport plan and will make an announcement on the delivery plan in December. |
Carl Sargeant: Yr wyf yn blaenoriaethu’r cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol ar hyn o bryd a byddaf yn gwneud cyhoeddiad ar y cynllun cyflawni ym mis Rhagfyr.
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Yr Arglwydd Elis-Thomas: Diolch i’r Gweinidog am ei ateb. Yr wyf yn ei longyfarch ef, ei ragflaenydd, ei swyddogion a’r contractwyr ar gwblhau ffordd osgoi Porthmadog ar amser ac ar bris. Mynegaf lawenydd o weld contractwyr yn cwympo coed ar yr A470 i’r gogledd o Ddolgellau ac anogaf y Gweinidog i gynnwys y gwelliant hwnnw a’r llall i’r de o Ddolgellau yn ei ddatganiad ar y cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol, pan ddaw.
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Lord Elis-Thomas: I thank the Minister for his reply. I congratulate him, his predecessor, his officials and the contractors on completing the Porthmadog bypass on schedule and on price. I express my joy at seeing contractors felling trees on the A470 to the north of Dolgellau and urge the Minister to include that improvement and the other one to the south of Dolgellau in his statement on the national transport plan, when it is published. |
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Carl Sargeant: It was a great day and interesting to be at the opening of the road scheme to which the Member refers. It was not without its hiccups, and we have apologised for any confusion that was caused for the opening ceremony. It is important that we have infrastructure and roads that are fit for purpose, wherever they are in Wales. I was delighted to be with the Member at the opening of that road.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr oedd yn ddiwrnod gwych ac yn ddiddorol i fod yno ar gyfer agor y cynllun ffordd y mae’r Aelod yn cyfeirio ato. Nid oedd hynny heb ei broblemau, ac yr ydym yn ymddiheuro am unrhyw ddryswch o ran y seremoni agoriadol. Mae’n bwysig bod gennym seilwaith a ffyrdd sy’n addas i’r diben, ble bynnag y maent yng Nghymru. Yr oeddwn yn falch iawn o fod gyda’r Aelod ar gyfer agor y ffordd honno.
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Russell George: I know that you understand the huge issues that we have in Newtown with regard to traffic problems, and what an important north-south road link that is. In the national transport plan, the Newtown project is timetabled to start before 2014, yet in recent letters that my constituents have received from your department the date of 2015 has been mentioned. There appears to be slippage in the management of the project. Will you agree to meet me to discuss the bypass timetable in Newtown, and also to discuss other problems that could alleviate the problem in the short term?
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Russell George: Gwn eich bod yn deall y problemau enfawr sydd gennym yn y Drenewydd o ran problemau traffig, a pha mor bwysig y mae’r ffordd gysylltu honno rhwng y gogledd a’r de. Yn y cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol, mae’n nodi y bwriedir dechrau ar brosiect y Drenewydd cyn 2014, ond mewn llythyrau diweddar y mae fy etholwyr wedi’u cael gan eich adran, maent yn sôn am 2015. Ymddengys fod rheolaeth y prosiect yn llithro. A ydych yn fodlon cwrdd â mi i drafod amserlen y ffordd osgoi yn y Drenewydd, a hefyd i drafod y problemau eraill a allai leddfu’r broblem yn y tymor byr?
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Carl Sargeant: Yes.
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Carl Sargeant: Ydw.
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William Powell: I thank the Minister for clearing time in his busy schedule to meet me and regional and constituency colleagues earlier to discuss progress with regard to the Carno and Bow Street station projects. I also thank the Minister for his candour about the current situation. It would be helpful if he could give us some guidance as to what help he and his officials can provide groups in both communities in further honing their business cases so as to improve the prospects of the schemes being implemented.
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William Powell: Diolch i’r Gweinidog am glirio amser yn ei amserlen brysur i gwrdd â mi a chydweithwyr rhanbarthol ac etholaethol yn gynharach i drafod cynnydd y prosiectau gorsafoedd Carno a Bow Street. Diolch hefyd i’r Gweinidog am ei onestrwydd am y sefyllfa bresennol. Byddai’n ddefnyddiol pe gallai roi arweiniad inni ynghylch pa gymorth y gallai ef a’i swyddogion ei roi i grwpiau yn y ddwy gymuned i wella eu hachosion busnes ymhellach er mwyn gwella’r rhagolygon ar gyfer gweithredu’r cynlluniau.
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Carl Sargeant: The Member will be aware that the feasibility of the two projects that he raises is a matter for TraCC—Mid Wales Transportation. I await a strong business case from TraCC, so that I can make decisions as to whether the schemes are business worthy and whether they could gain support from Government. However, ultimately, it is for the groups, you and the regional transport consortia to articulate why we should have these schemes in this difficult financial climate. |
Carl Sargeant: Bydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol bod dichonoldeb y ddau brosiect y mae’n sôn amdanynt yn fater i TraCC-Trafnidiaeth Canolbarth Cymru. Rwy’n aros am achos busnes cryf gan Trac, fel y gellir gwneud penderfyniadau ynghylch a yw’r cynlluniau yn deilwng o ran busnes ac a fyddent yn gallu cael cymorth gan y Llywodraeth. Fodd bynnag, yn y pen draw, y grwpiau, y chi a’r consortia trafnidiaeth rhanbarthol ddylai fynegi pam y dylem weithredu’r cynlluniau hyn yn yr hinsawdd ariannol anodd sydd ohoni.
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Gwasanaethau Bws |
Bus Services
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12. Elin Jones: Sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau bod gwasanaethau bws yn hygyrch i bobl o bob oedran. OAQ(4)0060(LGC)
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12. Elin Jones: How will the Welsh Government ensure that bus services are accessible to people of all ages. OAQ(4)0060(LGC) |
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Carl Sargeant: We support the provision of accessible bus services through three funding streams. I have allocated a maximum of £213 million for free concessionary bus travel between 2011 and 2014. Additionally in 2011-12, I have allocated £11 million under local transport services grant and around £21 million to the bus service operators grant scheme.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr ydym yn cefnogi darparu gwasanaethau bws hygyrch drwy dri ffrwd cyllid. Yr wyf wedi dyrannu uchafswm o £213 miliwn ar gyfer teithio ar fysiau am ddim rhwng 2011 a 2014. Yn ogystal, yn 2011-12, yr wyf wedi dyrannu £11 miliwn o dan y grant gwasanaethau trafnidiaeth lleol a thua £21 miliwn i’r cynllun grant gweithredwyr gwasanaethau bysiau. |
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Elin Jones: Mae dau bentref yn fy etholaeth, Cribyn a Llanwnnen, wedi clywed y newyddion, heb ymgynghoriad, fod gwasanaeth bws X40, sy’n mynd drwy’r ddau bentref, yn dod i ben. Mae pobl, fel y gallwch ddychmygu, yn siomedig ac yn grac iawn am y penderfyniad. Mae bwriad i gyflwyno gwasanaethau ‘Bwcabus’ ar gyfer y ddau bentref, ond nid oes gwybodaeth fanwl i bobl ar hyn hyd yma. A wnewch chi sicrhau bod eich swyddogion yn gweithio gyda swyddogion cynghorau sir Ceredigion a Chaerfyrddin i sicrhau ymgynghoriad manylach gyda’r bobl leol cyn dod i benderfyniad terfynol ar y mater hwn?
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Elin Jones: Two villages in my constituency, Cribyn and Llanwnnen, have heard the news that, without any consultation, the X40 bus service, that goes through those villages, is to cease. As you can imagine, people are very disappointed and angry at the decision. There is an intention to introduce Bwcabus services for the two villages, but there is no detailed information available for people as yet. Will you ensure that your officials work with officials at Ceredigion and Carmarthen councils to secure a more detailed consultation with local people before a final decision is reached on this matter? |
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Carl Sargeant: I am aware of the local interest raised by these proposals. Carmarthenshire County Council is leading the consultation on these proposals and will take into account the views of local people. I understand that three public meetings have been arranged by the council to consult local people; I will take that consultation into consideration. Following the consultation, I hope that there will be awareness that the Bwcabus service is effective and that it will be acceptable to the constituents that you represent.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr wyf yn ymwybodol o’r diddordeb lleol yn y cynigion hyn. Mae Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin yn arwain yr ymgynghoriad ar y cynigion hyn a bydd yn ystyried barn y bobl leol. Deallaf fod tri cyfarfod cyhoeddus wedi’u trefnu gan y cyngor i ymgynghori â phobl leol; byddaf yn ystyried yr ymgynghoriad. Yn dilyn yr ymgynghoriad, yr wyf yn gobeithio y bydd ymwybyddiaeth fod y gwasanaeth Bwcabus yn effeithiol ac y bydd yn dderbyniol i’r etholwyr yr ydych yn eu cynrychioli. |
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Datganoli Cyfrifoldebau’r Gronfa Gymdeithasol
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Devolution of Social Fund Responsibilities
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13. Mark Drakeford: Pa baratoadau y mae’r Gweinidog wedi’u gwneud ar gyfer y posibilrwydd o ddatganoli cyfrifoldebau’r Gronfa Gymdeithasol i Gymru. OAQ(4)0057(LGC)
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13. Mark Drakeford: What preparation has the Minister made for the potential devolution of Social Fund responsibilities to Wales. OAQ(4)0057(LGC) |
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Carl Sargeant: A consultation on the options for replacement arrangements in Wales following the devolution of the social fund is currently being developed by my officials. I expect this consultation to be issued shortly.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae ymgynghoriad ar yr opsiynau ar gyfer y trefniadau newydd yng Nghymru yn dilyn datganoli’r gronfa gymdeithasol yn cael ei ddatblygu ar hyn o bryd gan fy swyddogion. Yr wyf yn disgwyl cyhoeddi’r ymgynghoriad hwn yn fuan.
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Mark Drakeford: Despite its deeply unsatisfactory history, the social fund remains a safety net of last resort for many of the poorest families and individuals in Wales. If the coalition Government in Westminster succeeds in its ambition to become the only post-war administration to divest itself of such a core responsibility, can you reassure us that, here in Wales, we will look for imaginative and creative ways in which we can try to preserve the services that the social fund already provides, and build on the fund further for some of the most vulnerable families in Wales?
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Mark Drakeford: Er gwaethaf ei hanes anfoddhaol iawn, mae’r gronfa gymdeithasol yn rhwyd diogelwch olaf i’r teuluoedd a’r unigolion tlotaf yng Nghymru. Os bydd y glymblaid yn San Steffan yn llwyddo yn ei huchelgais i fod yr unig weinyddiaeth wedi’r rhyfel i ddiosg y cyfrifoldeb craidd hwnnw, a allwch ein sicrhau, yma yng Nghymru, y byddwn yn edrych am ffyrdd dychmygus a chreadigol i geisio gwarchod y gwasanaethau y mae’r gronfa gymdeithasol yn ei hariannu eisoes, ac yn adeiladu ar y gronfa ymhellach ar gyfer rhai o’r teuluoedd mwyaf agored i niwed yng Nghymru?
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Carl Sargeant: You raise an important point, namely that the social fund is supporting the most vulnerable in our communities at a difficult time in their lives. I would like to see the social fund continuing in Wales. I note the Bevan Foundation’s suggestions and a pamphlet contributed by the Member. I will look at all options to ensure that the issues faced by the vulnerable in our communities are addressed during the difficult times caused by the actions of the UK Government.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr ydych yn codi pwynt pwysig, sef bod y gronfa gymdeithasol yn cefnogi’r bobl fwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymunedau ar adeg anodd yn eu bywydau. Hoffwn weld y gronfa gymdeithasol yn parhau yng Nghymru. Rwy’n nodi awgrymiadau Sefydliad Bevan a’r pamffled gan yr Aelod. Byddaf yn edrych ar yr holl ddewisiadau i sicrhau y rhoddir sylw i’r materion sy’n wynebu’r bobl sy’n agored i niwed yn ein cymunedau yn ystod y cyfnod anodd hwn, sy’n cael ei achosi gan weithredoedd Llywodraeth y DU.
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Mark Isherwood: Speaking as chair of the cross-party group on funerals and bereavement, I ask the Minister what contact he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding the existing provision of funeral payments from the social fund for the Welsh population.
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Mark Isherwood: Yn siarad fel cadeirydd y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar angladdau a phrofedigaeth, gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog pa gysylltiad y mae wedi’i gael gyda’r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau ynghylch y ddarpariaeth bresennol ar gyfer taliadau angladd o’r gronfa gymdeithasol ar gyfer poblogaeth Cymru.
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Carl Sargeant: I have not had any discussions with the department on that specific category of payment. My department has had some discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions on the broader technical issues of the fund and on other benefit streams that are being transferred from the DWP to other agencies. We are still waiting to see a lot of the detail that compromises the scheme and prevents it from advancing quickly to settlement. If the Member wishes to write to me on this particular issue, I will take it up with the DWP.
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Carl Sargeant: Nid wyf wedi cael unrhyw drafodaethau gyda’r adran ar y categori penodol hwnnw o daliad. Mae fy adran wedi cael trafodaethau gyda’r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau ar faterion technegol ehangach y gronfa a ffrydiau budd-daliadau eraill sy’n cael eu trosglwyddo gan yr Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau i asiantaethau eraill. Yr ydym yn dal i aros i weld manylion y cynllun sy’n ei atal rhag symud yn gyflym at setliad. Os yw’r Aelod am ysgrifennu ataf ar y mater penodol hwn, byddaf yn sôn am y mater gyda’r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau. |
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Llais Defnyddwyr Cymru |
Consumer Focus Wales
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14. Leanne Wood: Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Gweinidog wedi’u cael ynghylch dyfodol Llais Defnyddwyr Cymru. OAQ(4)0062(LGC)
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14. Leanne Wood: What discussions has the Minister had regarding the future of Consumer Focus Wales. OAQ(4)0062(LGC)
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Carl Sargeant: I have had discussions with Ed Davey MP, the UK Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs, on Consumer Focus Wales, and with Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Cymru.
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Carl Sargeant: Yr wyf wedi cael trafodaethau gydag Ed Davey AS, Gweinidog y DU dros Gysylltiadau Cyflogaeth, Materion Defnyddwyr a’r Post, ar Llais Defnyddwyr Cymru, a gyda Cyngor ar Bopeth a Chyngor ar Bopeth Cymru.
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Leanne Wood: The latest proposals for Consumer Focus Wales suggest a potential partnership between Citizens Advice Cymru and Which?. You will be aware that Which? has no presence in Wales. Do you remain, as Ed Davey described you in the Welsh Affairs Committee, ‘satisfied’ that Welsh customers will not be losing out? If not, what are you doing about it?
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Leanne Wood: Mae’r cynigion diweddaraf ar gyfer Llais Defnyddwyr Cymru yn awgrymu partneriaeth posibl rhwng Cyngor ar Bopeth Cymru a Which?. Byddwch yn ymwybodol nad oes gan Which? bresenoldeb yng Nghymru. A ydych, fel y disgrifiodd Ed Davey chi yn y Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig, yn ‘fodlon’ na fydd cwsmeriaid Cymreig yn colli allani? Os nad ydych, beth ydych yn gwneud am y peth?
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Carl Sargeant: I have made the Welsh Government’s consultation process clear to the Welsh Affairs Committee. All of our submissions have been published and are available on the Welsh Government website; you can make your own judgment of whether or not I am satisfied. As I mentioned in response to the first question, there are many issues that remain to be resolved with Ed Davey. However, the picture that you paint does not reflect the discussion that I had with Ed Davey. I had a reasoned discussion with him on this issue. However, the issue on Which? has only just come to light and been brought to the attention of my officials. No decisions have yet been taken about the involvement by Which?, and I would want to fully appraise that, rather than make any snap decisions in the Chamber.
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Carl Sargeant: Rwyf wedi egluro proses ymgynghori Llywodraeth Cymru wrth y Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig. Mae ein cyflwyniadau i gyd wedi’u cyhoeddi ac ar gael ar wefan Llywodraeth Cymru; gallwch benderfynu eich hun os wyf yn fodlon ai peidio. Fel y soniais mewn ymateb i’r cwestiwn cyntaf, mae sawl mater dal heb eu datrys gyda Ed Davey. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’r darlun rydych yn ei gyfleu yn adlewyrchu’r drafodaeth a gefais gydag Ed Davey. Cefais drafodaeth resymegol gydag ef ar y mater hwn. Fodd bynnag, mae’r mater Which? ond newydd ddod i’r amlwg ac wedi’i ddwyn i sylw fy swyddogion. Nid oes penderfyniadau wedi’u cymryd eto am gyfranogiad Which?, ac fe hoffwn farnu hynny’n ofalus, nid gwneud penderfyniad ar hap yn y Siambr.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: One thing that is in place to protect consumers in Wales, via local government, is trading standards departments. In some departments, it could be safely said that the service is variable. In some departments, there is very little experience of certain aspects of consumer matters, because of their location—rural verses urban and so on. Minister, you are keen on collaboration. Do you agree that there is a greater scope for collaboration among trading standards departments across Wales? If you agree, how are your officials taking that work forward so that consumers can have confidence that, if they turn to trading standards departments in any part of Wales, they will receive a robust service?
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Un peth sydd ar waith i ddiogelu defnyddwyr yng Nghymru, drwy lywodraeth leol, yw adrannau safonau masnach. Mewn rhai adrannau, gellid dweud yn ddiogel bod y gwasanaeth yn amrywio. Mewn rhai adrannau, ychydig iawn o brofiad sydd ar rai agweddau ar faterion defnyddwyr, oherwydd eu lleoliad-gwledig yn hytrach na threfol ac ati. Weinidog, yr ydych yn awyddus i weld cydweithredu. A ydych yn cytuno bod mwy o gyfle ar gyfer cydweithio ymysg adrannau safonau masnach ledled Cymru? Os ydych yn cytuno, sut mae eich swyddogion yn datblygu’r gwaith hwnnw fel y gall defnyddwyr fod yn hyderus, os byddant yn troi at adrannau safonau masnach yn unrhyw ran o Gymru, y byddant yn derbyn gwasanaeth cadarn?
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Carl Sargeant: The Member raises an important issue. You will be aware, from the Simpson agenda, that we seek to implement the national trading standard service in Wales. You are quite right that there are fewer skills in some areas than others. It is costly to go out to consultants to seek further advice. Therefore, we believe that, across the 22 authorities, there is a collective knowledge and that they would be able to support each other in principle for moving this forward. This features in the compact that I will hopefully sign with local authorities shortly to ensure that the national trading standards service can be developed. I would hope that, despite many objections that you and I might have politically, we have some common ground regarding regionalisation and the issue on national trading standards. I would hope that we could work together to ensure that we have improved public services and better value for money for our constituents across Wales.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae’r Aelod yn codi mater pwysig. Byddwch yn ymwybodol, o’r agenda Simpson, ein bod yn ceisio gweithredu’r gwasanaeth safonau masnachu cenedlaethol yng Nghymru. Rydych yn hollol iawn fod llai o sgiliau mewn rhai meysydd nag eraill. Mae’n gostus i fynd at gynghorwyr i geisio cyngor pellach. Felly, credwn, ar draws y 22 awdurdod, bod gwybodaeth ar y cyd ac y byddent yn gallu cefnogi ei gilydd mewn egwyddor i symud hyn ymlaen. Mae hyn yn nodwedd o’r compact yr wyf yn gobeithio ei llofnodi gyda’r awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau y gellir datblygu gwasanaeth safonau masnach cenedlaethol yn fuan. Byddwn yn gobeithio, er gwaethaf y sawl gwrthwynebiad gwleidyddol sydd gennych chi a minnau, bod rhywfaint o dir cyffredin gennym ynghylch rhanbartholdeb a’r mater o safonau masnach cenedlaethol. Byddwn yn gobeithio y gallem weithio gyda’n gilydd i sicrhau bod gennym well gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a gwell gwerth am arian ar gyfer ein hetholwyr ledled Cymru.
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Jocelyn Davies: Minister, you gave us your view earlier on the outrageous interest rates charged by some legal doorstep lenders, mentioned by Antoinette Sandbach, and the harm that that is doing to her constituents. This is a non-devolved matter, but to protect the most vulnerable from these unscrupulous traders, will you undertake to write to the UK Government to ask it to set down a maximum interest rate charge for these companies?
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Jocelyn Davies: Weinidog, rhoesoch eich barn yn gynharach ar y cyfraddau llog gwarthus a godir gan rai benthycwyr stepen drws cyfreithiol, a grybwyllwyd gan Antoinette Sandbach, a’r niwed y mae hynny’n gwneud i’w hetholwyr. Nid yw hwn yn fater sydd wedi’i ddatganoli, ond er mwyn amddiffyn y bobl mwyaf agored i niwed rhag y masnachwyr diegwyddor hyn, a wnewch chi ymrwymo i ysgrifennu at Lywodraeth y DU i ofyn iddi osod uchafswm tâl cyfradd llog i’r cwmnïau hyn?
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Carl Sargeant: That is something that my department has discussed, with regard to what we can and cannot do and the devolved nature of this proposal. I will consider the Member’s question and, if I am able to do so, I will send her a copy of my letter noting my actions. |
Carl Sargeant: Mae hynny’n rhywbeth y mae fy adran wedi trafod, o ran yr hyn y gallwn ac na allwn ei wneud a natur ddatganoledig y cynnig hwn. Byddaf yn ystyried cwestiwn yr Aelod ac, os gallaf wneud hynny, byddaf yn anfon copi o’m llythyr ati yn nodi fy nghamau gweithredu.
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Tanau Bwriadol |
Arson
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15. William Graham: A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu polisïau Llywodraeth Cymru i fynd i’r afael â thanau bwriadol. OAQ(4)0064(LGC)
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15. William Graham: Will the Minister outline Welsh Government policies to tackle arson. OAQ(4)0064(LGC)
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Carl Sargeant: Our all-Wales arson reduction strategy sets out our multi-agency approach to tackling arson and improving the lives of people in Wales. The strategy reflects a complex landscape and specific actions are included in the programme of government for 2011-16.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae ein strategaeth lleihau tanau bwriadol Cymru gyfan yn nodi ein dull gweithredu aml-asiantaeth i fynd i’r afael â llosgi bwriadol a gwella bywydau pobl yng Nghymru. Mae’r strategaeth yn adlewyrchu’r dirwedd gymhleth ac mae camau gweithredu penodol yn y rhaglen llywodraethu ar gyfer 2011-16.
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William Graham: Thank you for your answer, Minister. You will have seen recent statistics that the number of arson incidents in 2010-11 increased by 11 per cent from the previous year, to nearly 1,500 incidents. In the region that I represent, there were a number of alarming grass fires on mountain sides in the Gwent Valleys. How is your Government working with the many agencies involved in responding to the call-outs to tackle the increasing trend of deliberate fires in Wales?
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William Graham: Diolch ichi am eich ateb, Weinidog. Byddwch wedi gweld ystadegau diweddar bod nifer yr achosion o losgi bwriadol yn 2010-11 wedi cynyddu 11 y cant o’r flwyddyn flaenorol, i bron 1,500 o achosion. Yn y rhanbarth a gynrychiolaf, roedd nifer frawychus o danau gwair ar ochr mynyddoedd yng Nghymoedd Gwent. Sut mae eich Llywodraeth yn gweithio â’r asiantaethau niferus eraill i ymateb i alwadau i fynd i’r afael â’r tuedd cynyddol o danau bwriadol yng Nghymru?
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Carl Sargeant: The Member quite rightly raises this important issue. The setting of fires is a criminal activity, and I would urge any Members with information to contact Crimestoppers or their local police service.
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Carl Sargeant: Mae’r Aelod yn codi mater pwysig. Mae cynnau tanau yn weithred droseddol, a byddwn yn annog unrhyw Aelodau sydd â gwybodaeth i gysylltu â Crimestoppers neu eu gwasanaeth heddlu lleol.
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The Welsh Government has taken forward anti-arson activity seriously. It has invested £8.4 million since 2004. You are right in highlighting that there has been an increase this year but, overall, we have seen a reduction in arson activity over a number of years. Nevertheless, it is still not acceptable. |
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd gweithgarwch atal llosgi bwriadol o ddifrif. Mae wedi buddsoddi £8.4 miliwn ers 2004. Yr ydych yn iawn i dynnu sylw at y ffaith y bu cynnydd eleni ond, yn gyffredinol, rydym wedi gweld gostyngiad mewn gweithgarwch tanau bwriadol dros nifer o flynyddoedd. Serch hynny, nid yw hynny’n dderbyniol. |
Cwestiynau i Gomisiwn
y Cynulliad
Questions to the Assembly
Commission
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Dinasyddion
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Citizen Involvement
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1. Julie Morgan: Pa gynlluniau sydd gan y Comisiwn i gynnwys mwy o ddinasyddion o bob cwr o Gymru yng ngwaith Pwyllgorau’r Cynulliad. OAQ(4)0026(AC)
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1. Julie Morgan: What plans does the Commission have to increase citizen involvement across Wales in the work of Assembly Committees. OAQ(4)0026(AC)
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3.00 p.m.
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Assembly Commissioner (Rhodri Glyn Thomas): Enabling committees to involve the people of Wales in their work is a priority for the Commission, which will provide committees with the resources to work outside Cardiff and boost their engagement with people affected by the issues being considered by committees.
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Comisiynydd y Cynulliad (Rhodri Glyn Thomas): Mae galluogi pwyllgorau i gynnwys pobl Cymru yn eu gwaith yn flaenoriaeth i’r Comisiwn, a fydd yn darparu’r adnoddau i bwyllgorau weithio y tu allan i Gaerdydd ac i hybu eu hymgysylltiad â phobl yr effeithir arnynt gan y materion y mae’r pwyllgorau yn eu trafod.
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Julie Morgan: I thank Rhodri Glyn Thomas for that response. How can we ensure that the work of committees and the inquiries they undertake reach the widest possible audience, beyond professionals and special interest groups? What different methods could we use to advertise them and to reach out?
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Julie Morgan: Diolchaf i Rhodri Glyn Thomas am yr ymateb hwnnw. Sut allwn ni sicrhau bod gwaith y pwyllgorau a’r ymchwiliadau y maent yn eu cynnal yn cyrraedd y gynulleidfa ehangaf bosibl, tu hwnt i weithwyr proffesiynol a grwpiau diddordeb arbennig? Pa ddulliau gwahanol allem eu defnyddio i hysbysebu’r gwaith hwn ac ymgysylltu?
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Assembly Commissioner (Rhodri Glyn Thomas): Elements of the Commission’s budget proposals are specifically intended to make it possible for committees to be more active in involving citizens and engaging them in their work. For example, in the last Assembly, I took part in a committee inquiry looking at problems related to flooding. We engaged with the public, held a number of public meetings and ensured that there was publicity about those meetings. By and large, they were well attended. We also used the Assembly bus to enable people to give evidence to the inquiry by video link. We continue to use the Assembly’s outreach and education teams to inform communities across Wales of committees’ activities. To enhance the service, we will hold more workshops, seminars and conferences to promote and encourage involvement with the work of committees and their inquiries. We will be attempting to identify new and hard-to-reach groups to participate in the Assembly committees’ work. If you or other Assembly Members have any suggestions for engaging the people of Wales with the work of the committees, we are more than happy to listen.
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Comisiynydd y Cynulliad (Rhodri Glyn Thomas): Bwriad penodol elfennau o gynigion cyllidebol y Comisiwn yw galluogi pwyllgorau i fod yn fwy egnïol wrth gynnwys dinasyddion yn eu gwaith ac ymgysylltu â nhw. Er enghraifft, yn y Cynulliad diwethaf, cymerais ran mewn ymchwiliad pwyllgor yn edrych ar broblemau ynghylch llifogydd. Gwnaethom ymgysylltu â’r cyhoedd, gan gynnal nifer o gyfarfodydd cyhoeddus a sicrhau bod y cyfarfodydd hynny yn cael eu hysbysebu. Ar y cyfan, daeth llawer o bobl i’r cyfarfodydd hyn. Gwnaethom hefyd ddefnyddio bws y Cynulliad i alluogi pobl i roi tystiolaeth i’r ymchwiliad drwy gyswllt fideo. Rydym yn parhau i ddefnyddio timau addysg ac allgymorth y Cynulliad i roi gwybod i gymunedau ledled Cymru am weithgareddau pwyllgorau. I wella’r gwasanaeth, byddwn yn cynnal mwy o weithdai, seminarau a chynadleddau i hyrwyddo ymgysylltiad â gwaith y pwyllgorau a’u hymchwiliadau. Byddwn yn ceisio nodi grwpiau anodd eu cyrraedd a grwpiau newydd i gymryd rhan yng ngwaith pwyllgorau’r Cynulliad. Os oes gennych chi neu unrhyw Aelodau Cynulliad eraill awgrymiadau ar gyfer ymgysylltu â phobl Cymru ynghylch gwaith y pwyllgorau, rydym yn fwy na pharod i wrando.
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At the moment, the Petitions Committee is planning to visit a renal unit, the subject of a petition. The Finance Committee has agreed to visit some projects around Wales funded by European structural funds. The Enterprise and Business Committee is visiting Narberth as part of its inquiry into town-centre regeneration—tomorrow morning, I think. Therefore, there are a number of ongoing activities. However, obviously, if we can extend them, we are more than happy to do so.
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Ar hyn o bryd, mae’r Pwyllgor Deisebau yn bwriadu ymweld ag uned arennol, sef pwnc deiseb. Mae’r Pwyllgor Cyllid wedi cytuno i ymweld â rhai prosiectau o gwmpas Cymru a ariennir gan gronfeydd strwythurol Ewropeaidd. Bydd y Pwyllgor Menter a Busnes yn ymweld ag Arberth fel rhan o’i ymchwiliad i adfywio canol trefi—bore yfory, yr wyf yn credu. Felly, mae yna nifer o weithgareddau yn mynd rhagddynt. Fodd bynnag, wrth gwrs, os gallwn ymestyn cwmpas y gweithgareddau hyn, yr ydym yn fwy na pharod i wneud hynny.
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Mynediad i Adeilad y Senedd
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Access to the Senedd Building
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2. Bethan Jenkins: A wnaiff y Comisiynydd ddatganiad am fynediad i adeilad y Senedd ar gyfer pobl ag anableddau. OAQ(4)0023(AC)
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2. Bethan Jenkins: Will the Commissioner make a statement on access to the Senedd building for those with disabilities. OAQ(4)0023(AC)
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Assembly Commissioner (Sandy Mewies): Thank you for that question, Bethan Jenkins. We are committed to ensuring access for all to the Assembly. The Senedd was designed to provide good access for disabled people and an access advisor was employed during the design stages. We regularly undertake work to improve the physical accessibility of the building and a programme of enhancements is taking place across the estate. We are currently consulting on the accessibility of the Assembly’s facilities and I encourage all Members to take part in that consultation.
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Comisiynydd y Cynulliad (Sandy Mewies): Diolch ichi am y cwestiwn hwnnw, Bethan Jenkins. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau mynediad i’r Cynulliad i bawb. Dyluniwyd y Senedd i gynnig mynediad da i bobl anabl, a chafodd ymgynghorydd mynediad ei gyflogi yn ystod y cyfnod dylunio. Rydym yn gwneud gwaith yn rheolaidd i wella hygyrchedd ffisegol yr adeilad ac mae rhaglen o welliannau ar y gweill ar draws yr ystâd. Ar hyn o bryd, yr ydym yn ymgynghori ar hygyrchedd cyfleusterau’r Cynulliad, ac anogaf bob Aelod i gymryd rhan yn yr ymgynghoriad hwnnw.
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Bethan Jenkins: Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw. Cymerais ran yn rali’r ymgyrch Hardest Hit yng Nghaerdydd yn erbyn toriadau San Steffan mewn budd-daliadau i bobl ag anabledd. Yr oedd pobl yno yn dweud wrthyf ei bod hi’n anodd iawn i bobl sydd â phroblemau o ran eu golwg weld y grisiau tu allan i’r Senedd. Nid oes paent na llinellau arnynt i ddangos y grisiau unigol ac nid oes dim byd i ddangos bod rhai grisiau yn fwy dwfn nag eraill. Mae hynny’n gallu bod yn anodd i bobl sydd yn gallu gweld, heb sôn am bobl â phroblemau o ran eu golwg. A oes strategaeth felly i roi newidiadau ar waith er mwyn sicrhau bod y bobl hyn yn ddiogel pan maent yn ymweld â’r Senedd?
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Bethan Jenkins: Thank you for that response. I participated in the Hardest Hit campaign’s rally in Cardiff against Westminster’s cuts to benefits for people with disabilities. People there told me that it is very difficult for people with sight problems to see the steps outside the Senedd building. There is no paint or lines to highlight the individual steps and there is nothing to show that some steps are deeper than others. That can be difficult for people who can see, never mind people who have problems with their sight. Is there a strategy therefore to implement changes to ensure that these people are safe when they visit the Senedd?
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Assembly Commissioner (Sandy Mewies): The Senedd was designed and built in accordance with building regulations, which had to be adhered to. The regulations say that steps have to be distinguishable through contrasting brightness. Therefore, the step treads are all fitted with grey reflective circular discs, which are cleaned regularly to try to ensure that they remain visible. However, as I said, we are looking at the possibility of undertaking a further access audit to review the latest practice, and those views will be taken into consideration. I am sure that they will be answered.
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Comisiynydd y Cynulliad (Sandy Mewies): Dyluniwyd ac adeiladwyd y Senedd yn unol â rheoliadau adeiladu, yr oedd yn rhaid cadw atynt. Dywed y rheoliadau bod yn rhaid sicrhau disgleirdeb cyferbyniol rhwng grisiau er mwyn eu hadnabod. Felly, mae’r grisiau oll wedi’u ffitio â disgiau llwyd adlewyrchol, sydd yn cael eu glanhau’n rheolaidd i geisio sicrhau eu bod yn weladwy. Fodd bynnag, fel y dywedais, yr ydym yn edrych ar y posibilrwydd o gynnal archwiliad mynediad pellach i adolygu arferion diweddaraf, a bydd y safbwyntiau hynny yn cael eu hystyried. Mae’n siŵr gennyf y cânt eu hateb.
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Datblygu Gwefan ‘They Work for
You’ yng Nghymru |
Developing a ‘They Work for You’ Website in Wales
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3. Aled Roberts: Pa ystyriaeth y mae’r Comisiwn wedi’i rhoi i gefnogi datblygu gwefan yng Nghymru sy’n debyg i’r wefan ‘They Work for You’. OAQ(4)0028(AC)
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3. Aled Roberts: What consideration has the Commission given to supporting the development of a website in Wales similar to the ‘They Work for You’ website. OAQ(4)0028(AC)
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Assembly Commissioner (Peter Black): Thank you for that question. They Work for You and other similar websites are run by volunteers and are not funded publicly. Assembly officials and I have met groups that run similar websites, and most recently the volunteer who runs Ireland’s version of They Work for You, to develop our understanding of how the Assembly could assist a Welsh version. We have offered to work with volunteers to make our data available in a form that they can use.
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Comisiynydd y Cynulliad (Peter Black): Diolch ichi am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Mae ‘They Work for You’ a gwefannau tebyg eraill yn cael eu rhedeg gan wirfoddolwyr ac nid ydynt wedi’u hariannu’n gyhoeddus. Mae swyddogion y Cynulliad a minnau wedi cwrdd â grwpiau sy’n rhedeg gwefannau tebyg, ac yn fwyaf diweddar gwnaethom gyfarfod â’r gwirfoddolwr sy’n rhedeg fersiwn Iwerddon o ‘They Work for You’ i ddatblygu ein dealltwriaeth o sut y gallai’r Cynulliad hybu fersiwn Gymreig. Yr ydym wedi cynnig i weithio gyda gwirfoddolwyr i sicrhau bod ein data ar gael ar ffurf y gallant ei defnyddio.
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Aled Roberts: In view of that response, are you able to give us any indication of how long it will be before we are able to search the Record of Proceedings?
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Aled Roberts: O ystyried yr ymateb hwnnw, a ydych yn gallu rhoi unrhyw arwydd o ba mor hir fydd hi cyn y byddwn yn gallu chwilio drwy Gofnod y Trafodion?
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Peter Black: It is quite a technical issue. As I understand it, the Assembly’s Record of Proceedings is not as searchable as the records of other bodies, as it is produced in a Word format as opposed to XML. The Translation and Reporting Service is currently conducting a project to procure software that will deliver a searchable audio-visual Record of Proceedings. It is anticipated that the project will take around 18 months to complete, due to the complex nature of the procurement route required. However, I am working closely with officials to try to reach some sort of compromise solution in the meantime.
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Peter Black: Mae’n fater eithaf technegol. Fel y deallaf, nid yw Cofnod Trafodion y Cynulliad mor chwiliadwy â chofnodion cyrff eraill, oherwydd y caiff ei gynhyrchu ar ffurf Word yn hytrach nag XML. Mae’r Gwasanaeth Cyfieithu a Chofnodi ar hyn o bryd yn cynnal prosiect i gaffael meddalwedd a fydd yn darparu Cofnod y Trafodion clyweledol sy’n chwiliadwy. Rhagwelir y bydd y prosiect yn cymryd tua 18 mis i’w gwblhau, oherwydd natur gymhleth y llwybr caffael y mae’n rhaid ei ddilyn. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn gweithio’n agos gyda swyddogion i geisio cyrraedd rhyw fath o gyfaddawd yn y cyfamser.
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The Presiding Officer: Question 4, OAQ(4)0024(AC), has been withdrawn.
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Y Llywydd: Tynnwyd cwestiwn 4, OAQ(4)0024(AC), yn ôl.
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Rhent Blynyddol ar gyfer Tŷ Hywel |
Annual Rent for Tŷ Hywel
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5. Janet Finch-Saunders: A wnaiff y Comisiynydd egluro’r rhesymau dros y cynnydd sylweddol yn y rhent blynyddol ar gyfer Tŷ Hywel. OAQ(4)0027(AC)
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5. Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Commissioner explain the reasons for the substantial increase in the annual rent for Tŷ Hywel. OAQ(4)0027(AC)
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Peter Black: In 2007, a 25-year lease was negotiated for Tŷ Hywel, and this included a five-year rent reduction, ending this financial year, which delivered a saving of £1.1 million. For the five years from 2012 to 2017, the agreed rental value is £2.3 million. Specialist advisers confirmed that this represented value for money.
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Peter Black: Yn 2007, negodwyd les 25 mlynedd o hyd ar gyfer Tŷ Hywel, ac roedd hyn yn cynnwys gostyngiad rhent dros bum mlynedd, sy’n dod i ben y flwyddyn ariannol hon, a arweiniodd at arbediad o £1.1 miliwn. Ar gyfer y pum mlynedd o 2012 i 2017, gwerth y rhent y cytunwyd arno yw £2.3 miliwn. Cadarnhaodd cynghorwyr arbenigol fod hyn yn cynrychioli gwerth am arian.
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Commissioner, there are 21 years remaining on the lease for Tŷ Hywel, which is being paid for out of the public purse and is a huge expense. What initial considerations were made, and by whom, when negotiating the original lease, of best value for the use of public money? What steps are being taken to review the future rent paid on Tŷ Hywel?
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Gomisiynydd, mae 21 mlynedd yn weddill ar y les ar gyfer Tŷ Hywel, sy’n cael ei thalu o bwrs y wlad ac sy’n gost aruthrol. Pa drafodaethau cychwynnol a gafwyd, a gan bwy, wrth negodi’r les wreiddiol, ynghylch sicrhau’r gwerth gorau wrth ddefnyddio arian cyhoeddus? Pa gamau sy’n cael eu cymryd i adolygu taliadau rhent ar gyfer Tŷ Hywel yn y dyfodol?
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Peter Black: The current lease is a 25-year lease, which was renegotiated in 2007. It included a five-year rent reduction, which is a £1.1 million saving in cash terms or £1.9 million in real terms. It also included the formalising of the use of 49 car parking spaces at the rear of the surface car park that were not included in the original lease, and granted the Assembly control of Pierhead Street from Tŷ Hywel around to Harbour Drive at the front of the Senedd so that the road could be closed to vehicular traffic as needed. We engaged specialist advisers in that, and they confirmed that it provided value for money. In relation to the original lease, I am afraid that that predates the Commission.
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Peter Black: Mae’r les bresennol yn les 25 mlynedd o hyd, a gafodd ei hailnegodi yn 2007. Roedd yn cynnwys gostyngiad rhent dros bum mlynedd, sy’n arbediad o £1.1 miliwn yn nhermau arian parod neu £1.9 miliwn yn nhermau real. Roedd hefyd yn cynnwys ffurfioli’r defnydd o 49 o leoedd parcio y tu ôl i’r maes parcio ar yr arwyneb nad oeddent wedi’u cynnwys yn y les wreiddiol, a rhoddodd reolaeth i’r Cynulliad dros Stryd y Pierhead o Dŷ Hywel o amgylch i Harbour Drive yn nhu blaen y Senedd, fel bod y ffordd hon yn gallu cael ei chau i gerbydau yn ôl yr angen. Gwnaethom ddefnyddio cynghorwyr arbenigol yn y broses honno, ac roeddent yn cadarnhau ei bod yn cynnig gwerth am arian. O ran y les wreiddiol, mae arnaf ofn bod hynny cyn sefydlu’r Comisiwn presennol.
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Pobl sydd â Nam ar eu Clyw
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People with Hearing Impairments
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6. William Powell: A wnaiff y Comisiynydd ddatganiad am y cynlluniau i sicrhau bod y Cynulliad yn darparu’n llawn ar gyfer pobl sydd â nam ar eu clyw. OAQ(4)0025(AC)
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6. William Powell: Will the Commissioner make a statement regarding plans to assure that the Assembly fully caters for people with hearing impairments. OAQ(4)0025(AC)
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Sandy Mewies: I thank the Member for Mid and West Wales for the question. He will already have heard me say that the Assembly is committed to ensuring that our work and buildings are accessible to all of the people of Wales. We have specialist equipment and procedures in place to ensure that we are accessible to people with hearing impairments, including Assembly Members, Assembly staff and visitors.
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Sandy Mewies: Diolch i’r Aelod dros Ganolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru am y cwestiwn. Bydd eisoes wedi fy nghlywed yn dweud bod y Cynulliad wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau bod ein gwaith a’n hadeiladau yn hygyrch i holl bobl Cymru. Mae gennym offer arbenigol a gweithdrefnau ar waith i sicrhau ein bod yn hygyrch i bobl sydd â nam ar eu clyw, gan gynnwys Aelodau’r Cynulliad, staff y Cynulliad ac ymwelwyr.
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William Powell: I am grateful to the Commissioner for that answer. However, during a recent reception that was sponsored by your colleague Ann Jones for Action on Hearing Loss Cymru in the Oriel, I was disturbed to be told by one of the activists in the group that there was limited hearing loop coverage in the Oriel. That is what provoked my question today. Will you give an indication as to when that important area of our estate could be provided with the necessary equipment to aid those with hearing loss?
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William Powell: Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i’r Comisiynydd am yr ateb hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, yn ystod derbyniad yn yr Oriel yn ddiweddar a noddwyd gan Ann Jones, eich cyd-Aelod, ar ran Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, roeddwn yn gresynu at glywed gan un o’r ymgyrchwyr yn y grŵp mai cyfyngedig oedd gwasanaeth y ddolen sain yn yr Oriel. Dyna beth arweiniodd at fy nghwestiwn heddiw. A allwch nodi pryd bydd y rhan bwysig honno o’r ystâd yn gallu cael y cyfarpar angenrheidiol i gynorthwyo’r rhai sydd wedi colli eu clyw?
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Sandy Mewies: For visitors who are deaf or have hearing loss, induction loops are installed in each of the Senedd viewing galleries, as well as in Committee Room 4 in Tŷ Hywel, which give live access to Plenary and committee proceedings. Fixed induction loop systems are situated in the reception areas of the Senedd, the Pierhead building and Tŷ Hywel and two portable induction loops for the public areas and meeting rooms are available upon request. There is induction loop signage in all our public galleries. As you have indicated, there is no permanent induction loop in the Oriel in the Senedd, but, whenever events are held in the Senedd, organisers are asked whether they have access requirements as a matter of course. At this event, Action on Hearing Loss Cymru requested that the portable loop system was put in place. It was tested prior to the event and it has worked previously. However, the field of the portable induction loop is limited within an area the size of the Oriel. On the same day as the event, Action on Hearing Loss met the equality team to discuss undertaking an audit of facilities to ensure that they are accessible for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. Staff are currently investigating the possibility of undertaking such an audit, the outcomes of which could result in action being taken.
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Sandy Mewies: Mae dolenni sain ar gyfer ymwelwyr sy’n fyddar neu’n drwm eu clyw wedi’u gosod ym mhob un o orielau cyhoeddus y Senedd, yn ogystal ag yn Ystafell Bwyllgora 4 yn Nhŷ Hywel, sy’n rhoi mynediad byw i drafodion y Cyfarfod Llawn a’r pwyllgorau. Mae systemau dolen sain sefydlog wedi’u lleoli yn nerbynfeydd y Senedd, adeilad y Pierhead a Thŷ Hywel, ac mae dwy ddolen sain gludadwy ar gael ar gyfer ardaloedd cyhoeddus ac ystafelloedd cyfarfod yn ôl y galw. Mae arwyddion ynghylch dolenni sain wedi’u harddangos yn ein horielau cyhoeddus. Fel yr ydych wedi ei nodi, nid oes dolen sain barhaol yn yr Oriel yn y Senedd, ond, pryd bynnag y cynhelir digwyddiadau yn y Senedd, gofynnir i’r trefnwyr a oes ganddynt ofynion o ran mynediad. Yn y digwyddiad hwn, gofynnodd Action on Hearing Loss Cymru bod y system dolen sain yn cael ei defnyddio. Cafodd yr offer eu profi cyn y digwyddiad ac mae’r offer wedi gweithio yn y gorffennol. Fodd bynnag, mae cyrhaeddiad y ddolen sain gludadwy yn gyfyngedig o fewn gofod mor fawr â’r Oriel. Ar yr un diwrnod â’r digwyddiad, cyfarfu Action on Hearing Loss Cymru â’r tîm cydraddoldeb i drafod cynnal archwiliad o gyfleusterau i sicrhau eu bod yn hygyrch i bobl sy’n fyddar neu’n drwm eu clyw. Mae staff ar hyn o bryd yn ymchwilio i’r posibilrwydd o gynnal archwiliad o’r fath, a gallai canlyniadau unrhyw archwiliad arwain at gamau yn cael eu cymryd.
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Mark Isherwood: I recall that, in the second Assembly, those of us who are hard of hearing were asked, as people who rely on those services, to advise on service delivery. However, I am conscious that that has not happened since and has not happened in relation to the Senedd building or this Chamber. Would you agree to look at engaging those of us who have some degree of hearing loss in that audit?
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Mark Isherwood: Yr wyf yn cofio, yn yr ail Gynulliad, y gofynnwyd i’r rhai ohonom sy’n drwm ein clyw, fel pobl sy’n dibynnu ar y gwasanaethau hyn, roi cyngor ar gyflenwi gwasanaethau. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn ymwybodol nad yw hyn wedi digwydd ers hynny ac nid yw wedi digwydd mewn perthynas ag adeilad y Senedd na’r Siambr hon. A gytunech i ystyried cynnwys y rhai ohonom sydd â rhywfaint o nam ar ein clyw yn yr archwiliad hwnnw?
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Sandy Mewies: I certainly will, Mark Isherwood. I will also ensure that information regarding any audit will be circulated to all Members. If any Members here have specific points to raise, please send them to me and I will take them up.
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Sandy Mewies: Gwnaf, yn sicr, Mark Isherwood. Byddaf hefyd yn sicrhau y bydd gwybodaeth am unrhyw archwiliad yn cael ei rhannu â’r holl Aelodau. Os oes gan unrhyw Aelodau yma bwyntiau penodol i’w codi, anfonwch nhw ataf i ac af i’r afael â nhw.
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Dadl y Ceidwadwyr
Cymreig
Welsh Conservatives Debate
Y Lluoedd Arfog
Cymreig
The Welsh Armed Forces
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The Presiding Officer: I have selected amendment 1 in the name of Jocelyn Davies, amendment 2 in the name of Jane Hutt and amendment 3 in the name of Peter Black. If amendment 2 is agreed, amendment 3 will be deselected.
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Y Llywydd: Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliant 1 yn enw Jocelyn Davies, gwelliant 2 yn enw Jane Hutt a gwelliant 3 yn enw Peter Black. Os derbynnir gwelliant 2, caiff gwelliant 3 ei ddad-ddethol.
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Cynnig NDM4844 William Graham
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Motion NDM4844 William Graham
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Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru:
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To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
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1. Yn cydnabod cyfraniad ac ymrwymiad anferth holl aelodau’r Lluoedd Arfog Cymreig; a
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1. Recognises the massive contribution and commitment made by all Welsh Armed Forces personnel; and
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2. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i:
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2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
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a) cydnabod yn ffurfiol ganmlwyddiant y Rhyfel Mawr yn 2014;
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a) formally recognise the 100-year anniversary of the Great War in 2014;
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b) gwneud popeth posibl i roi sylw i anghenion ein lluoedd arfog a chyn-filwyr gydag Anhwylder Straen Wedi Trawma, gan gydnabod y bydd hyn yn golygu ymgysylltu’n uniongyrchol â hwy; ac
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b) do everything it can to address the needs of our armed forces and ex-forces personnel with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, recognising that this will require direct engagement with them; and
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c) datblygu a gweithredu Cerdyn penodol ar gyfer y Lluoedd Arfog.
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c) develop and implement a dedicated Armed Forces Card.
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Mark Isherwood: I move the motion.
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Mark Isherwood: Cynigiaf y cynnig.
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At 11 a.m. on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 2011, Commonwealth nations will pause to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty since the first world war. The motion before you recognises the massive contribution and commitment made by all Welsh armed forces personnel and calls on the Welsh Government to formally recognise the 100-year anniversary of the great war in 2014, to do everything that it can to address the needs of our armed forces and ex-forces personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder, recognising that this will require direct engagement with them, and to develop and implement a dedicated armed forces card.
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Am 11 y bore ar yr unfed dydd ar ddeg o’r unfed mis ar ddeg o 2011, bydd gwledydd y Gymanwlad yn oedi i gofio’r aelodau o’u lluoedd arfog sydd wedi marw ers y rhyfel byd cyntaf. Mae’r cynnig hwn yn cydnabod cyfraniad ac ymrwymiad enfawr holl bersonél lluoedd arfog Cymru ac yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gydnabod canmlwyddiant y rhyfel mawr yn ffurfiol yn 2014, i wneud popeth yn ei gallu i fynd i’r afael ag anghenion ein lluoedd arfog a chyn-bersonél sydd ag anhwylder straen wedi trawma, gan gydnabod y bydd angen ymgysylltu’n uniongyrchol â hwy, ac i ddatblygu cerdyn pwrpasol i’r lluoedd arfog a’i roi ar waith.
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It is perhaps more important than ever to remember to honour those lives lost and commitments made to our country during the great war now that there are no longer any living great war veterans, and we call on the Welsh Government to recognise formally the 100-year anniversary of the great war in 2014 and to co-ordinate with the Governments of the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We know that the centenary plans of the UK Government will be announced shortly.
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Efallai ei bod hi’n bwysicach nag erioed i goffau’r bywydau hynny a gollwyd a’r ymrwymiadau a wnaed i’n gwlad yn ystod y rhyfel mawr o ystyried nad oes bellach unrhyw gyn-filwyr y rhyfel mawr yn dal i fod yn fyw, ac rydym yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gydnabod yn ffurfiol canmlwyddiant y rhyfel mawr yn 2014 ac i gydlynu â Llywodraethau’r Deyrnas Unedig, yr Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon. Gwyddom y bydd cynlluniau Llywodraeth y DU ar gyfer y canmlwyddiant yn cael eu cyhoeddi cyn bo hir.
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In our manifesto for the 2011 election, the Welsh Conservatives proposed an armed forces card, which would help serving and former armed forces personnel to access health, travel, heritage and leisure facilities. The card would include bus travel. Wales has nearly a quarter of a million armed service veterans. At present, nearly 60,000 do not receive free bus travel, which is available only to Welsh veterans seriously injured in combat. The card would emphasise and advertise priority NHS care, including support for independent home living and treatment for service-related conditions or injuries.
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Yn ein maniffesto ar gyfer etholiad 2011, roedd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn cynnig cerdyn i’r lluoedd arfog, a fyddai’n helpu personél presennol a chyn-bersonél y lluoedd arfog i fanteisio ar gyfleusterau iechyd, teithio, hamdden a threftadaeth. Byddai’r cerdyn hwn yn cynnwys teithio ar fysiau. Mae gan Gymru bron i chwarter miliwn o gyn-bersonél y lluoedd arfog. Ar hyn o bryd, nid yw bron i 60,000 yn cael teithio ar fysiau am ddim, sydd ond ar gael i’r cyn-bersonél hynny o Gymru a gafodd eu hanafu’n ddifrifol ar faes y gad. Byddai cerdyn yn pwysleisio ac yn hysbysebu blaenoriaeth gofal gan y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, gan gynnwys cymorth i fyw gartref yn annibynnol a thriniaeth ar gyfer cyflyrau neu anafiadau sy’n gysylltiedig â gwasanaeth.
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The Royal British Legion, which celebrated its ninetieth anniversary this year, has called on the Welsh Government to make the NHS priority treatment system work for veterans with injuries caused by service in the armed forces. In the last Assembly, the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee recommended that service in the armed forces be flagged up in veterans’ medical records, with an opt-out for those who request it. The Welsh Government accepted this recommendation. We now need a progress report. Veterans and armed forces personnel already have priority access to NHS treatment for service-related conditions, but few GPs are aware of this entitlement. In June 2010, the then Minister for Social Justice and Local Government referred to prioritising NHS treatment for health conditions that are attributable to military service. I responded by referring to statements made to me by veterans and senior British Legion representatives at the north-east Wales 2010 Armed Forces Day. They said that the message is not getting through. In fact, a Royal British Legion survey found that 81 per cent of GPs know nothing or little about veterans’ right to priority care.
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Mae’r Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol, sy’n dathlu ei phen-blwydd yn naw deg oed eleni, wedi galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau bod system y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol ar gyfer blaenoriaethu triniaeth yn gweithio dros gyn-bersonél sydd ag anafiadau a achoswyd gan eu gwasanaeth yn y lluoedd arfog. Yn ystod y Cynulliad diwethaf, argymhellodd y Pwyllgor Iechyd, Lles a Llywodraeth Leol fod gwasanaeth yn y lluoedd arfog yn cael ei nodi yng nghofnodion meddygol cyn-bersonél, gan alluogi i’r rhai a oedd yn dymuno gwneud hynny optio allan. Derbyniodd Llywodraeth Cymru yr argymhelliad hwn. Bellach mae arnom angen y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynnydd a wnaed. Mae cyn-bersonél a phersonél presennol eisoes i fod i gael eu blaenoriaethu ar gyfer cael mynediad at driniaeth y GIG ar gyfer cyflyrau sy’n gysylltiedig â’u gwasanaeth, ond dim ond ychydig feddygon teulu sy’n ymwybodol o’r hawl hwn. Ym Mehefin 2010, cyfeiriodd y Gweinidog dros Gyfiawnder Cymdeithasol a Llywodraeth Leol ar y pryd at flaenoriaethu triniaeth y GIG ar gyfer cyflyrau iechyd y gellir eu priodoli i wasanaeth milwrol. Ymatebais drwy gyfeirio at ddatganiadau a wnaed i mi gan gyn-bersonél ac uwch gynrychiolwyr y Lleng Brydeinig yn ystod digwyddiad Diwrnod y Lluoedd Arfog 2010 yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru. Dywedodd y cynrychiolwyr hyn nad yw’r neges yn cael ei chlywed. Yn wir, canfu arolwg gan y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol bod 81 y cant o feddygon teulu yn gwybod dim neu fawr ddim am hawl cyn-bersonél i gael eu blaenoriaethu.
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An armed forces card would help to raise awareness among both armed forces veterans and health professionals, and would include free entry into local authority leisure centres and Cadw sites. The Welsh Conservatives are pleased that the Welsh Government has taken on board elements of our armed forces card policy. We welcome that support. However, the measures promised are insufficient because the existence of NHS priority treatment is not enough. Despite the Welsh Government claiming that funding is already in place with regard to PTSD services, post-traumatic stress provision is still not satisfactory. Making information available on access to services is vital. An armed forces card would increase awareness of the needs of armed forces personnel and the services available.
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Byddai cerdyn y lluoedd arfog yn helpu i godi ymwybyddiaeth ymhlith cyn-bersonél y lluoedd arfog a gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol, a byddai’n cynnwys mynediad am ddim i ganolfannau hamdden awdurdodau lleol a safleoedd Cadw. Mae Ceidwadwyr Cymru yn falch bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ystyried elfennau o’n polisi ynghylch cerdyn y lluoedd arfog. Rydym yn croesawu’r cymorth hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, mae’r mesurau a addawyd yn annigonol oherwydd nid yw blaenoriaethu triniaeth y GIG yn ddigon. Er gwaethaf y ffaith bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn honni bod cyllid eisoes ar gael o ran gwasanaethau ar gyfer anhwylder straen wedi trawma, mae’r ddarpariaeth yn dal i fod yn anfoddhaol. Mae sicrhau bod gwybodaeth ar gael am fynediad at wasanaethau yn hanfodol. Byddai cerdyn y lluoedd arfog yn cynyddu ymwybyddiaeth o anghenion y lluoedd arfog a’r gwasanaethau sydd ar gael.
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3.15 p.m.
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Too many ex-forces personnel drop out of the welfare support system and become homeless and socially isolated—cut off from mainstream services. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a debilitating condition that affects people who have been exposed to a major traumatic event, or events, and is characterised by upsetting memories or thoughts of the ordeal, the blunting of emotions, increased anxiety and sometimes severe personality changes. Among combat veterans, there is a common pattern of complex PTSD, with attempted symptom suppression by alcohol and/or drug abuse, a downward spiral of employment difficulties, relationship problems, confrontation with the law, and even suicide. A 2010 report by the Howard League for Penal Reform, entitled ‘Leave No Veteran Behind’, asked why so many veterans find themselves caught in the criminal justice system, stating that it is vital that the complex needs of armed forces personnel are adequately addressed and that we should do everything we can to help those who serve their country to adjust to civilian life. It found that the US routinely screens for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, problem drinking and military sexual trauma, but that no equivalent screening is done in the UK. In the UK, discussion of substance misuse as a problem for the armed forces focuses almost entirely on alcohol, whereas in the US, it is recognised that drugs and alcohol are a problem for veterans that contribute to offending behaviour.
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Mae gormod o gyn-aelodau’r lluoedd arfog yn diflannu o’r system cymorth lles ac yn dod yn ddigartref ac yn ynysig yn gymdeithasol—heb gysylltiad â gwasanaethau prif ffrwd. Mae anhwylder straen wedi trawma yn gyflwr gwanychol sy’n effeithio ar bobl sydd wedi wynebu digwyddiad neu ddigwyddiadau trawmatig iawn, a’r nodweddion yw atgofion neu feddyliau annifyr o’r dioddefaint, emosiynau diflas, mwy o boen meddwl, a weithiau, newidiadau difrifol o ran personoliaeth. Ymhlith cyn-filwyr sydd wedi bod ar faes y gad, mae yna batrwm cyffredin o PTSD cymhleth, lle gwneir ymgais i atal symptomau drwy alcohol a/neu gamddefnyddio cyffuriau, a cheir disgynfa droellog o anawsterau o ran cyflogaeth, problemau o ran perthynas, gwrthdaro â’r gyfraith, a hyd yn oed hunanladdiad. Gofynnodd adroddiad yn 2010 gan yr Howard League for Penal Reform, o’r enw ‘Leave No Veteran Behind’, pam fod cymaint o gyn-filwyr yn cael eu hunain wedi’u dal yn y system cyfiawnder troseddol, gan ddweud ei bod yn hanfodol bod anghenion cymhleth aelodau’r lluoedd arfog yn cael sylw digonol, ac y dylem wneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i helpu’r rhai sy’n gwasanaethu eu gwlad i addasu i fywyd sifil. Canfu fod yr Unol Daleithiau yn sgrinio ar gyfer anhwylder straen wedi trawma fel arfer, yn ogystal ag iselder, problemau yfed a thrawma rhywiol milwrol, ond nad oes unrhyw sgrinio cyfatebol yn cael ei wneud yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Yn y Deyrnas Unedig, mae’r drafodaeth ar gamddefnyddio sylweddau fel problem ar gyfer y lluoedd arfog yn canolbwyntio bron yn llwyr ar alcohol, tra eu bod, yn yr Unol Daleithiau, yn cydnabod bod cyffuriau ac alcohol yn broblem i gyn-filwyr sy’n cyfrannu at ymddygiad troseddol.
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I campaigned with CAIS, the voluntary sector provider of drug and alcohol services in north Wales, on behalf of the traumatised ex-forces personnel who had come to rely on the Tŷ Gwyn treatment unit for ex-service personnel in Llandudno. These were the people whose complex needs had not been met by the NHS or Combat Stress. When I visited Tŷ Gwyn, I met a group of veterans aged from their 80s to their early 20s, who had served in engagements spanning rearguard action at Dunkirk through to the second gulf war. Initial bravado was followed by tears as they told me their stories. It was one of the most moving moments of my life.
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Ymgyrchais gyda CAIS, darparwr gwasanaethau cyffuriau ac alcohol y sector gwirfoddol yng ngogledd Cymru, ar ran cyn-aelodau’r lluoedd arfog a oedd yn dioddef trawma ac wedi dod i ddibynnu ar uned driniaeth Tŷ Gwyn yn Llandudno ar gyfer cyn-aelodau’r lluoedd arfog. Dyma’r bobl â’r anghenion cymhleth a oedd heb eu diwallu gan y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol neu Combat Stress. Pan ymwelais â Thŷ Gwyn, cyfarfûm â grŵp o gyn-filwyr a oedd rhwng eu 80au a’u 20au cynnar, a oedd wedi gwasanaethu mewn brwydrau yn amrywio o’r ymladd i gadw’r ôl yn Dunkirk hyd at ail ryfel y Gwlff. Dilynwyd yr ymffrost dechreuol gan ddagrau wrth iddynt adrodd eu straeon wrthyf. Yr oedd gydag un o’r adegau mwyaf emosiynol yn fy mywyd.
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Despite our campaign, Tŷ Gwyn was closed in late 2005. Pleas to Governments in London and Cardiff had fallen on deaf ears. CAIS undertook a feasibility study of the possibility of it delivering a replacement service, but it found that no funding was available—something that the Pathways centre, which treated ex-service personnel for PTSD, also found when it subsequently came and went in Bangor. Whenever I challenged the Welsh Government over this, it insisted that the services required can be provided by the NHS.
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Er gwaethaf ein hymgyrch, caewyd Tŷ Gwyn ar ddiwedd 2005. Disgynnodd yr erfyniadau i Lywodraethau yn Llundain a Chaerdydd ar glustiau byddar. Cynhaliodd CAIS astudiaeth dichonoldeb i’r posibilrwydd o gyflwyno gwasanaeth newydd yn ei le, ond canfu nad oedd arian ar gael—rhywbeth a ddarganfuwyd hefyd gan ganolfan Pathways, a oedd yn trin cyn-aelodau’r lluoedd arfog am PTSD, pan ddaeth i Fangor yn hwyrach ac yna gadael drachefn. Pryd bynnag y byddwn yn herio Llywodraeth Cymru ar hyn, byddai’n mynnu y gellir darparu’r gwasanaethau y mae eu hangen gan y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol.
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I have quoted this next piece before and I will quote it again. Steven Hughes, regimental medical officer of the second battalion of the parachute regiment, veteran of the battles of Goose Green and Wireless Ridge in the Falkland islands in 1982 and director of front-line resuscitation at the Bluff Cove disaster, has said:
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Yr wyf wedi dyfynnu’r darn nesaf o’r blaen, a gwnaf hynny eto. Mae Steven Hughes, swyddog meddygol catrodol ail fataliwn catrawd y parasiwtwyr, a fu ar faes y gad ym mrwydrau Goose Green a Wireless Ridge ar ynysoedd Falkland ym 1982 ac yn gyfarwyddwr dadebru rheng flaen yn nhrychineb Bluff Cove, wedi dweud:
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‘With no disrespect to NHS Mental Health professionals, it is likely that the first time they encounter an ex-serviceman with CR-PTSD will be their first appreciation of a complex psychological condition that correlates poorly with the usual spectrum of “civilian” mental health disorders. If conventional Mental Health Services were so comprehensive there would not be such a high veteran rate of suicide, high prison population, and large number of veterans sleeping rough.’
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Heb unrhyw amarch i weithwyr proffesiynol iechyd meddwl y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, mae’n debygol mai’r tro cyntaf iddynt ddod ar draws cyn-aelod o’r lluoedd arfog â CR-PTSD fydd y tro cyntaf iddynt orfod deall anhwylder seicolegol cymhleth nad oes ganddo fawr o gysylltiad â sbectrwm arferol anhwylderau iechyd meddwl sifiliaid. Pe bai gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl confensiynol yn gynhwysfawr, ni fyddai cynifer o gyn-filwyr yn cyflawni hunanladdiad, ni fyddai cynifer o bobl mewn carchardai ac ni fyddai nifer fawr o gyn-filwyr yn ddigartref.
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Complex military PTSD is by definition not within the routine practice of NHS mental health services, other than the specialist trauma unit in Cardiff. Clinicians have told me that a significant practical problem in implementing the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for PTSD is the lack of available NHS resources for individual and non-pharmaceutical treatments. They have also said that insensitive health and social care services with lack of appropriate expertise and resources in the NHS are further traumatising those suffering from PTSD.
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Nid yw PTSD milwrol cymhleth, drwy ddiffiniad, o fewn arferion rheolaidd gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, ac eithrio’r uned trawma arbenigol yng Nghaerdydd. Mae clinigwyr wedi dweud wrthyf mai’r broblem ymarferol arwyddocaol wrth weithredu canllawiau’r Sefydliad Cenedlaethol dros Iechyd a Rhagoriaeth Glinigol ar gyfer PTSD yw’r diffyg adnoddau GIG sydd ar gael ar gyfer triniaethau unigol ac anfferyllol. Maent hefyd wedi dweud bod gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol ansensitif, gyda diffyg arbenigedd ac adnoddau priodol yn y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, yn gwneud pethau’n waeth i’r rheiny sy’n dioddef o anhwylder straen wedi trawma.
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In March last year, the Welsh Government announced that it was investing £485,000 to fund veteran-specific community mental health specialists across Wales, but I understand that north Wales had still not filled its position 18 months later. Also, it does not address the need for short-term residential treatment for those with complex needs. Having directly engaged with the ex-forces personnel who have been affected, a number of projects are seeking to deliver this despite, rather than because of, Welsh Government action. We, therefore, call on the Welsh Government to engage. We have been calling for this on behalf of the service personnel affected at least since 2005. Please listen. Surely there is no need to complicate the referral pathway for veterans in Wales. A simple, grass-roots third-sector approach is all that it would take, backed by proven results and delivered in partnership with the local health boards.
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Ym mis Mawrth y llynedd, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru ei bod yn buddsoddi £485,000 i ariannu arbenigwyr iechyd meddwl cymunedol yn benodol ar gyfer cyn-aelodau’r lluoedd arfog ar draws Cymru, ond caf ar ddeall bod gogledd Cymru dal heb lenwi ei swydd 18 mis yn ddiweddarach. Nid yw, ychwaith, yn mynd i’r afael â’r angen am driniaeth breswyl tymor byr ar gyfer y rhai sydd ag anghenion cymhleth. Wedi ymgysylltu yn uniongyrchol â chyn-aelodau’r lluoedd arfog yr heffeithiwyd arnynt, mae nifer o brosiectau yn ceisio cyflawni hyn er gwaethaf, yn hytrach nag oherwydd, gweithrediad Llywodraeth Cymru. Yr ydym, felly, yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gymryd rhan. Yr ydym wedi bod yn galw am hyn ar ran yr aelodau hynny o’r lluoedd arfog yr effeithiwyd arnynt, ers 2005 o leiaf. Erfynnir arnoch i wrando. Mae’n siŵr nad oes angen cymhlethu’r llwybr atgyfeirio ar gyfer cyn-filwyr yng Nghymru. Dim ond dull syml drwy’r trydydd sector, ar lawr gwlad, sydd ei angen, gyda chanlyniadau cadarn yn gefn i hynny, a’i weithredu mewn partneriaeth â byrddau iechyd lleol.
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Housing is also key and the UK Government is putting armed forces personnel and their families in a priority position for social housing. Further, having held a returning forces summit, the UK Minister for Housing and Local Government said
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Mae tai hefyd yn allweddol ac mae Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig yn rhoi aelodau’r lluoedd arfog a’u teuluoedd mewn sefyllfa flaenoriaethol ar gyfer tai cymdeithasol. Yn ogystal, wedi iddo gynnal uwchgynhadledd ar gyfer lluoedd sy’n dychwelyd, dywedodd Gweinidog y Deyrnas Unedig dros Dai a Llywodraeth Leol
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‘It is the absolute priority of our Department to ensure that returning personnel get every advantage when it comes to new homes.’
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Blaenoriaeth ddiamod ein hadran yw sicrhau bod personél sy’n dychwelyd yn cael pob mantais o safbwynt cartrefi newydd.
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However, the Welsh Government’s only pledge is to give service personnel and veterans priority status in its almost non-existent homebuy scheme. We therefore call on the Welsh Government to make a comparable pledge.
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Fodd bynnag, unig addewid Llywodraeth Cymru yw rhoi statws blaenoriaethol i aelodau’r lluoedd arfog a chyn-filwyr yn ei gynllun cymorth prynu, sydd prin yn bodoli. Galwn felly ar Lywodraeth Cymru i wneud addewid tebyg.
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Peter Black: Mark, are you aware that the Homeless Persons (Priority Need) (Wales) Order 2001 gave ex-servicemen priority rehousing status?
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Peter Black: Mark, a ydych yn ymwybodol bod y Gorchymyn Pobl Ddigartref (Blaenoriaeth Angen) (Cymru) 2001 wedi rhoi statws ailgartrefu blaenoriaeth i gyn-filwyr?
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Mark Isherwood: Yes. Welsh military personnel have made an enormous contribution to the defence of Wales and the United Kingdom. They make multiple sacrifices and their role has knock-on effects on the everyday lives of their families and their own when they leave service. These men and women deserve our highest level of support. Let us give it.
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Mark Isherwood: Ydw. Mae personél milwrol Cymru wedi gwneud cyfraniad enfawr i amddiffyn Cymru a’r Deyrnas Unedig. Maent yn gwneud aberthau lu ac mae eu rôl yn cael sgil-effeithiau ar fywydau beunyddiol eu teuluoedd—a’u bywydau eu hunain pan fyddant yn gadael y gwasanaeth. Mae’r dynion a’r menywod hyn yn haeddu lefel uchaf ein cefnogaeth. Gadewch inni roi hynny iddynt.
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Gwelliant 1 Jocelyn Davies
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Amendment 1 Jocelyn Davies
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Ychwanegu ar ddiwedd is-bwynt 2a):
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Add at end of sub point 2a):
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drwy, ymysg pethau eraill, archwilio’r posibilrwydd o sefydlu Sefydliad Heddwch yng Nghymru.
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by, among other things, exploring the possibility of setting up a Peace Institute in Wales.
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Lindsay Whittle: I move amendment 1 in the name of Jocelyn Davies.
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Lindsay Whittle: Cynigiaf welliant 1 yn enw Jocelyn Davies.
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I could not disagree with a single word that Mark Isherwood has said. It is appropriate that this debate is held this week when towns, villages and cities across Wales will be honouring those who have fallen in the name of freedom. I am not fully qualified to speak personally, because I have never served in any of the armed forces. However, unlike many here, I was privileged to be part of a local government delegation representing Wales, two years ago, on a five-day visit to Afghanistan where I saw for myself the conditions our troops endure.
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Ni allwn anghytuno ag un gair y mae Mark Isherwood wedi ei ddweud. Mae’n briodol bod y ddadl hon yn cael ei chynnal yr wythnos hon pan fydd trefi, pentrefi a dinasoedd ledled Cymru yn anrhydeddu’r rhai sydd wedi syrthio yn enw rhyddid. Nid wyf yn gymwys yn llawn i siarad yn bersonol, oherwydd nid wyf erioed wedi gwasanaethu yn unrhyw un o’r lluoedd arfog. Fodd bynnag, yn wahanol i lawer yma, cefais y fraint o fod yn rhan o ddirprwyaeth llywodraeth leol yn cynrychioli Cymru, ddwy flynedd yn ôl, ar ymweliad pum niwrnod i Afghanistan, lle y gwelais drosof fy hun yr amodau a oddefir gan ein milwyr.
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During that visit, I spent a long time talking to large numbers of full-time troops and, of course, the reservists, because the visit was sponsored by SaBRE. The reservists make up a significant proportion of the force in the theatre of war in Afghanistan. I can tell you that flying at night from city to city and driving through Kabul and Kandahar is quite an eye opener. I can assure you that nothing was put on for us, but the conditions were extremely difficult in camp Bastion in Helmand province and at Souter, the camp for the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, which I called ‘isaf’ when I was there and they were quite impressed. It did not take a genius to identify that PTSD was an issue because, during that five-day period, while heavily protected, I am not ashamed to tell you that I was afraid. On the way home, along with hundreds of troops in a large warehouse, I was shown a 10-minute video telling us how to cope with PTSD. That is not enough I am afraid.
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Yn ystod yr ymweliad hwnnw, treuliais amser hir yn siarad â nifer fawr o filwyr llawn amser ac, wrth gwrs, y milwyr wrth gefn, gan fod yr ymweliad wedi’i noddi gan SaBRE. Mae’r milwyr wrth gefn yn ffurfio cyfran sylweddol o’r llu ym maes y gad yn Afghanistan. Gallaf ddweud wrthych fod hedfan yn y nos o ddinas i ddinas a gyrru drwy Kabul a Kandahar yn dipyn o agoriad llygad. Gallaf eich sicrhau na chafodd unrhyw beth ei ffugio inni, ond yr oedd yr amodau yn anodd iawn yng ngwersyll Bastion yn nhalaith Helmand ac yn Souter, y gwersyll ar gyfer y Fyddin Cymorth Diogelwch Rhyngwladol, ISAF, y gelwais yn ‘isaf’ pan oeddwn yno—roedd hynny wedi creu argraff arnynt. Nid oedd angen athrylith i nodi bod PTSD yn broblem oherwydd, yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw o bum niwrnod, er fy mod dan warchod trwm, nid yw’n gywilydd gennyf ddweud wrthych fy mod ag ofn. Ar y ffordd adref, ynghyd â channoedd o filwyr mewn warws mawr, cefais weld fideo 10 munud yn dweud wrthym sut i ymdopi â PTSD. Nid yw hynny’n ddigon, yn anffodus.
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It is not all about Afghanistan of course. There are the conflicts in Iraq, the Falklands and Northern Ireland, and my apologies for the many other conflicts that I have forgotten. Way too many young men and women from our forces are languishing in jail, sleeping on our streets and suffering from alcohol dependency or nervous breakdowns. Too many families are suffering. It is no good us relying on the third sector. The Welsh Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, the Royal British Legion and veterans groups do an excellent job, many of which get financial support from the Welsh Government.
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Nid dim ond Afghanistan sy’n berthnasol, wrth gwrs. Mae hefyd y gwrthdrawiadau yn Irac, ynysoedd Falkland a Gogledd Iwerddon; ymddiheuriadau am y llu o wrthdrawiadau eraill yr wyf wedi eu hanghofio. Mae llawer gormod o ddynion a menywod ifanc o’n lluoedd yn dihoeni yn y carchar, yn cysgu ar ein strydoedd ac yn dioddef o ddibyniaeth ar alcohol neu chwalfa nerfol. Mae gormod o deuluoedd yn dioddef. Nid oes diben inni ddibynnu ar y trydydd sector. Mae’r Welsh Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol a grwpiau cyn-filwyr yn gwneud gwaith ardderchog, ac y mae llawer ohonynt yn cael cymorth ariannol gan Lywodraeth Cymru.
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The NHS has to take this issue more on board, but it has to take the issue on with the Ministry of Defence, because the treatment for PTSD in Wales is patchy at best. The Ministry of Defence has not really adopted proper discharge procedures and is neglecting its responsibility to ensure that veterans adjust to a civilian life. The Ministry of Defence regards veterans’ mental health as the responsibility of the NHS here in Wales. It is the Ministry of Defence that needs to take its duty of care seriously. The armed forces should also play a more responsible role. I think that the whole of Wales sighed with a heavy heart when the Gelli Aur project, which was sponsored by Help for Heroes, fell through. I am proud to wear a Help for Heroes tie today, although I would seriously question spending too much money on buildings when people are far more important. I pay tribute to the work of the Wales-based charity, Healing the Wounds, which is a charity for veterans, run by veterans, and which is involved in the treatment of armed forces veterans with PTSD co-morbid conditions and other related mental health illnesses.
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Mae’n rhaid i’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol gymryd y mater hwn o ddifrif, ond mae’n rhaid iddo godi’r mater gyda’r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn, gan fod y driniaeth ar gyfer anhwylder straen wedi trawma yng Nghymru yn anghyson ar y gorau. Nid yw’r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn wir wedi mabwysiadu gweithdrefnau rhyddhau priodol ac mae’n esgeuluso ei chyfrifoldeb i sicrhau bod cyn-filwyr yn addasu i fywyd sifil. Mae’r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn yn ystyried mai cyfrifoldeb y gwasanaeth iechyd yma yng Nghymru yw iechyd meddwl cyn-filwyr. Y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn sydd angen cymryd ei dyletswydd gofal o ddifrif. Dylai’r lluoedd arfog hefyd chwarae rôl fwy cyfrifol. Credaf fod Cymru gyfan wedi ochneidio gyda chalon drom pan fethodd prosiect Gelli Aur, a noddwyd gan Help for Heroes. Yr wyf yn falch i wisgo tei Help for Heroes heddiw, er y byddwn o ddifrif yn cwestiynu gwario gormod o arian ar adeiladau pan fo pobl yn llawer pwysicach. Talaf deyrnged i waith yr elusen o Gymru, Healing the Wounds, sef elusen i gyn-filwyr, sy’n cael ei redeg gan gyn-filwyr, ac sydd yn ymwneud â thrin cyn-filwyr y lluoedd arfog â chyflyrau cyd-forbid PTSD ac afiechydon eraill sy’n gysylltiedig â salwch meddwl.
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Only last week, I had a meeting in Pontypool with representatives of the Wales Gurkha Association. There are 75 families in my region of South Wales East. While we all rejoiced at their victory last year, ably led by Joanna Lumley, these brave, gutsy fighters are continuing to fight for equal pension rights. While they won a partial victory last year, there are still 25,000 Gurkhas who retired before 1 July 1997 who have been denied the opportunity to transfer into the UK armed forces pension fund. We need to work on that. It was a travesty of justice when the High Court in January 2010 ruled in favour of the Ministry of Defence against the Gurkhas.
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Dim ond yr wythnos ddiwethaf, cefais gyfarfod ym Mhont-y-pŵl gyda chynrychiolwyr Cymdeithas Gurkha Cymru. Mae 75 o deuluoedd yn fy rhanbarth, Dwyrain De Cymru. Er ein bod i gyd wedi llawenhau yn eu buddugoliaeth y llynedd, dan arweiniad medrus Joanna Lumley, mae’r ymladdwyr dewr hyn yn parhau i frwydro dros hawliau pensiwn cyfartal. Er eu bod wedi cael buddugoliaeth rannol y llynedd, mae yna 25,000 o Gurkhas a wnaeth ymddeol cyn 1 Gorffennaf 1997 nad ydynt wedi cael y cyfle i drosglwyddo i mewn i gronfa bensiwn lluoedd arfog y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae angen inni weithio ar hynny. Roedd yn barodi o gyfiawnder pan ddyfarnodd yr Uchel Lys ym mis Ionawr 2010 o blaid y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn yn erbyn y Gurkhas.
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Whether you support war or not—and I do not—let us never forget that these people belong to us in Wales, and that PTSD must be tackled with a degree of seriousness. If the National Assembly for Wales can champion this cause, we can hold our heads high. If we can embarrass and challenge the national Government in London to stand up for the rights of Gurkhas and the rights of those suffering from PTSD, this parliament in Wales will earn the respect of the people of Wales and Britain. I am proud to speak in this debate.
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P’un ai a ydych yn cefnogi rhyfel ai peidio—ac nid wyf yn ei gefnogi—gadewch inni fyth anghofio bod y bobl hyn yn perthyn inni yng Nghymru, ac mae’n rhaid mynd i’r afael â PTSD gyda rhywfaint o ddifrifoldeb. Os gall Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru hyrwyddo’r achos hwn, gallwn ddal ein pennau’n uchel. Os gallwn godi cywilydd a herio’r Llywodraeth genedlaethol yn Llundain i sefyll dros hawliau’r Gurkhas a hawliau’r rhai sy’n dioddef o PTSD, bydd y senedd hon yng Nghymru yn ennill parch pobl Cymru a Phrydain. Yr wyf yn falch o lefaru yn y ddadl hon.
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Gwelliant 2 Jane Hutt
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Amendment 2 Jane Hutt
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Ym mhwynt c, dileu ‘datblygu a gweithredu’ ac yn ei le rhoi ‘ystyried gweithredu’.
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In point c, delete ‘develop and implement’ and replace with ‘consider the implementation of’.
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The Minister for Local Government and Communities (Carl Sargeant): I move amendment 2 in the name of Jane Hutt.
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Y Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau (Carl Sargeant): Cynigiaf welliant 2 yn enw Jane Hutt.
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Gwelliant 3 Peter Black
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Amendment 3 Peter Black
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Ym mhwynt 2 c), dileu ‘datblygu a gweithredu’ a’i ddisodli ag ‘ystyried dewisiadau ar gyfer ymgynghori ynghylch’.
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In point 2 c), delete ‘develop and implement’ and replace with ‘consider options for consultation on’.
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Peter Black: I move amendment 3 in my name.
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Peter Black: Cynigiaf welliant 3 yn fy enw i.
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I note that the amendment is almost identical to the Government’s amendment. The reason for that is not because there has been any collusion between us, but because the commitment in the motion to develop and implement a dedicated armed forces card, although commendable, is open-ended and not clearly defined. It is right that we should look at how that will be implemented and undertake a consultation on what exactly it will apply to before making that commitment. It does not mean to say that we are not supportive of it, just that much more work needs to be done on it so that we are clear about what the armed forces card will deliver. I am sure that the Conservative group will make some points to clarify that for us, but we believe that there should be some form of consultation and greater consideration as to how it will be implemented before we commit to it.
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Nodaf fod y gwelliant bron yn union fel gwelliant y Llywodraeth. Nid am fod unrhyw gydgynllwynio wedi bod rhyngom yw’r rheswm, ond oherwydd bod yr ymrwymiad yn y cynnig i ddatblygu a gweithredu cerdyn pwrpasol i’r lluoedd arfog, er mor glodwiw ydyw, yn benagored a heb ei ddiffinio’n glir. Mae’n iawn y dylem edrych ar sut y bydd hynny’n cael ei weithredu a chynnal ymgynghoriad ar beth yn union y bydd yn berthnasol iddo cyn inni wneud yr ymrwymiad hwnnw. Nid yw hynny’n golygu nad ydym yn gefnogol ohono, dim ond bod angen llawer mwy o waith arno fel ein bod yn glir ynghylch yr hyn y bydd cerdyn y lluoedd arfog yn ei gyflawni. Mae’n siŵr gennyf y gwnaiff y grŵp Ceidwadol rai pwyntiau i egluro hynny inni, ond credwn y dylai fod rhyw fath o ymgynghori a mwy o ystyriaeth ynghylch sut y bydd yn cael ei weithredu cyn inni ymrwymo iddo.
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It is highly appropriate that this motion is being discussed today, just a few days before Remembrance Day, and, as the motion says, with the 100-year anniversary of the great war in a few years’ time, although, of course, many other wars have taken place since then. A minister at a church service yesterday asked me whether I was going to the annual Remembrance Day service in Swansea, which I hope to do so on Sunday. He told me that he had noticed that the soldiers attending the service were getting younger because so many wars are now being fought, and so many soldiers are suffering. Although I have no direct experience of war, I have seen for myself a number of people in my community suffering the effects of PTSD and I have seen the impact of that on their lives. One person whom I knew who was a veteran of the Falklands war unfortunately died as a result of his dependence on alcohol as a result of that experience. The impact of that illness on the lives of many individuals as a result of experiences in the theatre of war was a great tragedy.
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Mae’n hynod o briodol fod y cynnig hwn yn cael ei drafod heddiw, ychydig ddyddiau cyn Dydd y Cofio, ac, fel mae’r cynnig yn ei ddweud, gyda chanmlwyddiant y rhyfel mawr ymhen ychydig flynyddoedd, er, wrth gwrs, mae llawer o ryfeloedd eraill wedi digwydd ers hynny. Gofynnodd gweinidog mewn gwasanaeth eglwys y bûm ynddo ddoe a oeddwn yn mynd i wasanaeth blynyddol Dydd y Cofio yn Abertawe. Yr wyf yn gobeithio gwneud hynny ddydd Sul. Dywedodd wrthyf ei fod wedi sylwi bod y milwyr sy’n mynychu’r gwasanaeth yn mynd yn iau oherwydd bod cymaint o ryfeloedd yn awr yn cael eu brwydro, ac felly llawer o filwyr yn dioddef. Er nad oes gennyf brofiad uniongyrchol o ryfel, yr wyf wedi gweld drosof fy hun nifer o bobl yn fy nghymuned yn dioddef effeithiau PTSD, ac yr wyf wedi gweld effaith hynny ar eu bywydau. Yn anffodus, bu farw un person yr adwaenwn, a oedd yn gyn-filwr yn rhyfel y Falklands, o ganlyniad i’w ddibyniaeth ar alcohol o ganlyniad i’r profiad hwnnw. Roedd effaith y salwch hwnnw ar fywydau llawer o unigolion o ganlyniad i brofiadau ym maes y gad yn drychineb mawr.
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Eighteen thousand people leave the armed forces each year, some of whom have significant physical or mental health problems. Up to 30 per cent of people exposed to a stressful event or situation of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature will go on to develop PTSD. We need to bear in mind that that does not just apply to the armed forces; it also applies to members of the emergency services who often work in stressful situations and who often see some horrific things as part of their work. We need to bear that in mind as well.
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Mae 18,000 o bobl yn gadael y lluoedd arfog bob blwyddyn, rhai ohonynt â phroblemau iechyd meddwl neu gorfforol sylweddol. Bydd hyd at 30 y cant o bobl sydd wedi wynebu digwyddiad sy’n peri straen neu sefyllfa o natur eithriadol o fygythiol neu drychinebus yn mynd ymlaen i ddatblygu PTSD. Mae angen inni gofio nad yw hynny yn berthnasol i’r lluoedd arfog yn unig; mae hefyd yn berthnasol i aelodau’r gwasanaethau brys sydd yn aml yn gweithio mewn sefyllfaoedd llawn straen ac sydd yn aml yn gweld rhai pethau erchyll fel rhan o’u gwaith. Mae angen inni gofio hynny hefyd.
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3.30 p.m.
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The Ministry of Defence is obliged to support service personnel for a year after they leave the forces, and I think that Lindsay Whittle made an absolutely correct point that not enough work is done to assess the likelihood of someone developing PTSD, although it sometimes develops many years afterwards. However, it is the case that priority care in the NHS is already available for forces veterans, but that is not widely known by GPs or, often, by veterans themselves. According to an Ipsos MORI poll, 81 per cent of GPs across England and Wales did not know that this existed. Therefore, we clearly need to do much more to promote the existing scheme before extending it. We know that the Assembly has debated the council tax benefits that are available to members of the armed forces.
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Mae gan y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn rwymedigaeth i gefnogi aelodau’r lluoedd arfog am flwyddyn ar ôl iddynt adael y lluoedd, a chredaf y gwnaeth Lindsay Whittle bwynt hollol gywir pan ddywedodd nad oes digon o waith yn cael ei wneud i asesu pa mor debygol ydyw y bydd rhywun yn datblygu anhwylder straen wedi trawma, er ei fod weithiau yn datblygu nifer o flynyddoedd yn ddiweddarach. Fodd bynnag, mae’n wir bod gofal blaenoriaeth yn y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol eisoes ar gael i gyn-filwyr y lluoedd, ond nid yw’r wybodaeth hon yn hysbys ymhlith meddygon teulu nac, yn aml, ymhlith cyn-filwyr eu hunain. Yn ôl arolwg barn gan Ipsos MORI, nid oedd 81 y cant o feddygon teulu ledled Cymru a Lloegr yn gwybod bod y gwasanaeth hwn yn bodoli. Mae’n amlwg, felly, bod angen inni wneud llawer mwy i hyrwyddo’r cynllun presennol cyn ei ymestyn. Gwyddom fod y Cynulliad wedi trafod budd-dal y dreth gyngor sydd ar gael i aelodau’r lluoedd arfog.
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I am particularly concerned about the issue of tackling PTSD in Wales, which should be a priority. Lindsay referred to the excellent charity Healing the Wounds, with which I have also had contact in the past. Most armed forces personnel would probably rather see improved availability of PTSD services than have free entry to leisure centres and Cadw sites. Currently, the provision for treating people with PTSD in Wales is inadequate to meet the levels of demand. Wales has no specialist residential treatment centre for PTSD. Similar establishments in England are heavily oversubscribed and waiting lists are long.
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Rwyf yn arbennig o bryderus ynghylch y broses o fynd i’r afael ag anhwylder straen wedi trawma yng Nghymru—mater a ddylai fod yn flaenoriaeth. Cyfeiriodd Lindsay at yr elusen ardderchog, Healing the Wounds, ac rwyf innau hefyd wedi cysylltu â’r elusen honno yn y gorffennol. Mae’n debyg y byddai’n well gan y rhan fwyaf o staff y lluoedd arfog weld mwy o wasanaethau anhwylder straen wedi trawma ar gael na chael mynediad am ddim i ganolfannau hamdden a safleoedd Cadw. Ar hyn o bryd, mae’r ddarpariaeth ar gyfer trin pobl sydd ag anhwylder straen wedi trawma yng Nghymru yn annigonol i fodloni lefel y galw. Nid oes gan Gymru unrhyw ganolfan breswyl sy’n cynnig triniaeth arbennig ar gyfer anhwylder straen wedi trawma. Mae sefydliadau tebyg yn Lloegr yn orlawn, ac mae eu rhestrau aros yn hir.
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PTSD could affect anyone exposed to a stressful situation. I would have liked to have tabled an amendment to this motion to include people working in emergency services as well as the armed forces, but the scope of the motion did not allow for that. However, we must tackle this issue, and although the Minister for health will not be replying to this debate, I am sure that she will take on board the concerns that have been expressed around the Chamber about the availability of treatment for people who have PTSD and perhaps look again at the services that are available to see how we can possibly strengthen that treatment for people.
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Gall anhwylder straen wedi trawma effeithio ar unrhyw un sydd wedi bod mewn sefyllfa llawn straen. Byddwn wedi hoffi cyflwyno gwelliant i’r cynnig hwn i gynnwys pobl sy’n gweithio yn y gwasanaethau brys yn ogystal â’r lluoedd arfog, ond nid oedd cwmpas y cynnig yn caniatáu imi wneud hynny. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni fynd i’r afael â’r mater hwn. Er na fydd y Gweinidog iechyd yn ymateb i’r ddadl hon, mae’n siŵr gennyf y bydd yn ystyried y pryderon a fynegwyd yn y Siambr ynghylch y driniaeth sydd ar gael i bobl sydd ag anhwylder straen wedi trawma ac yn edrych eto, efallai, ar y gwasanaethau sydd ar gael i weld sut y gallwn gryfhau’r driniaeth honno i bobl.
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I hope that Members will support our amendment 3 or the Government’s amendment 2, because we need to take the armed forces card forward, but in a considered way and after proper consultation.
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Gobeithiaf y bydd Aelodau’n cefnogi ein gwelliant 3 ni neu welliant 2 y Llywodraeth, gan fod angen inni roi cerdyn y Lluoedd Arfog ar waith, a hynny mewn ffordd ystyriol ar ôl cyfnod ymgynghori priodol.
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Paul Davies: It gives me great pleasure to take part in today’s debate on the Welsh armed forces. It is a timely debate, given that the cross-party Westminster Welsh Affairs Committee will investigate whether the Ministry of Defence, the Wales Office and the Welsh Government are working together to give veterans the best help that can be provided. I sincerely hope that the Welsh Government will feed into that consultation process and work with the Welsh Affairs Committee throughout the duration of that inquiry. We know that there are almost 0.25 million armed forces veterans in Wales, and I am sure that we all acknowledge and respect the incredible contribution that our armed forces make, even as we speak, on active duty all over the world. It is essential, therefore, that proper care and support are available to our armed forces personnel when they return home.
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Paul Davies: Mae’n bleser mawr cael y cyfle i gymryd rhan yn y ddadl hon heddiw ar Luoedd Arfog Cymru. Mae’n ddadl amserol, o gofio y bydd y Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig trawsbleidiol yn San Steffan yn cynnal ymchwiliad ynghylch a ydyw’r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn, Swyddfa Cymru a Llywodraeth Cymru yn cydweithio er mwyn darparu’r cymorth gorau y gellir ei ddarparu i gyn-filwyr. Rwy’n mawr obeithio y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwydo i mewn i’r broses ymgynghori honno ac yn gweithio gyda’r Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig drwy gydol yr ymchwiliad hwnnw. Gwyddom fod bron 0.25 miliwn o gyn-filwyr y lluoedd arfog yng Nghymru, ac mae’n siŵr gennyf ein bod i gyd yn cydnabod ac yn parchu’r cyfraniad aruthrol y mae ein lluoedd arfog yn ei wneud ar faes y gad ledled y byd, hyd yn oed wrth inni drafod y mater hwn. Mae’n hanfodol, felly, bod gofal a chymorth priodol ar gael i aelodau’r lluoedd arfog pan fyddant yn dychwelyd adref.
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The second part of our motion refers to post-traumatic stress disorder and the need for the Welsh Government to do everything that it can to address the needs of our armed forces and ex-forces personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder. That includes recognising that this will require direct engagement with them. As we are all aware, during the last Assembly, the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee conducted an inquiry into post-traumatic stress disorder. One of the committee’s recommendations urged the then Welsh Assembly Government to address the need for increased capacity in the NHS to provide specialist therapeutic treatments for veterans suffering from PTSD, including the use of talking therapies, such as those provided by Talking2Minds. In the Welsh Government’s package of support document, it clearly states that:
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Mae ail ran ein cynnig yn cyfeirio at anhwylder straen wedi trawma a’r angen i Lywodraeth Cymru wneud popeth yn ei gallu i fynd i’r afael ag anghenion aelodau ein lluoedd arfog a’n cyn-filwyr sydd ag anhwylder straen wedi trawma. Mae hynny’n cynnwys cydnabod y bydd angen ymgysylltu’n uniongyrchol â hwy. Fel yr ydym oll yn ymwybodol, yn ystod y Cynulliad diwethaf, cynhaliodd y Pwyllgor Iechyd, Lles a Llywodraeth Leol ymchwiliad i anhwylder straen wedi trawma. Roedd un o argymhellion y Pwyllgor yn annog Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, fel yr oedd bryd hynny, i fynd i’r afael â’r angen i gynyddu capasiti’r GIG i ddarparu triniaethau therapiwtig i gyn-filwyr sy’n dioddef o anhwylder straen wedi trawma, gan gynnwys y defnydd o therapïau siarad, fel y rhai arbenigol a ddarperir gan Talking2Minds. Mae dogfen Llywodraeth Cymru ynghylch ei phecyn cymorth yn datgan yn glir:
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‘The Welsh Government is also currently taking forward the recommendations contained within the Health Well-Being and Local Government Committee Inquiry into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Services for Veterans’.
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‘Mae Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd wrthi’n dilyn argymhellion Ymchwiliad y Pwyllgor Iechyd, Lles a Llywodraeth Leol i Wasanaethau Anhwylder Straen Wedi Trawma i Gyn-filwyr.’
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Perhaps the Minister, in his response, will give us an update on the work that the Welsh Government has done on taking forward the recommendations since the publication of the committee’s report earlier this year.
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Yn ei ymateb, efallai y bydd y Gweinidog yn rhoi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf inni ar y gwaith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi’i wneud ynghylch gweithredu’r argymhellion ers y cafodd adroddiad y Pwyllgor ei gyhoeddi yn gynharach eleni.
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It is also important to note that, during the inquiry, evidence from the Royal British Legion suggested that 81 per cent of GPs and other clinicians in the health service were not aware that veterans were entitled to priority treatment for conditions that were related to their time in the forces. This is something that must change. I hope that the Minister for Health and Social Services will address this issue and do everything that she can to ensure that general practitioners and other clinicians are fully aware of the entitlement of veterans to NHS treatment for service-related conditions. The Royal British Legion, in its manifesto for the Assembly elections, called on the Welsh Government to make the NHS priority treatment system work for veterans with injuries caused by service in the armed forces, to ensure that local authorities meet their statutory obligations to provide disabled facilities grants to veterans who need adaptations to their homes, and that all local authorities publish consistent and transparent data on waiting times. As the Welsh Labour manifesto states that they will ‘continue to provide priority NHS treatment’, perhaps the Minister will be kind enough to outline the progress that has been made by the Welsh Government in supporting armed forces veterans with aftercare since the elections in May.
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Mae hefyd yn bwysig nodi bod tystiolaeth a roddwyd gan y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol yn ystod yr ymchwiliad yn awgrymu nad oedd 81 y cant o feddygon teulu a chlinigwyr eraill yn y gwasanaeth iechyd yn ymwybodol bod gan gyn-filwyr yr hawl i gael triniaeth flaenoriaethol ar gyfer cyflyrau sy’n ymwneud â’u hamser yn y lluoedd. Mae hon yn sefyllfa y mae’n rhaid ei newid. Rwy’n gobeithio y bydd y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn rhoi sylw i’r mater hwn ac yn gwneud popeth yn ei gallu i sicrhau bod meddygon teulu a chlinigwyr eraill yn llwyr ymwybodol o hawliau cyn-filwyr i gael triniaeth gan y GIG ar gyfer cyflyrau sy’n gysylltiedig â’u gwasanaeth. Yn ei maniffesto ar gyfer etholiad y Cynulliad, galwodd y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol ar Lywodraeth Cymru i wneud system driniaeth flaenoriaethol y GIG weithio i gyn-filwyr sydd ag anafiadau a achoswyd wrth iddynt wasanaethu yn y lluoedd arfog, a hynny er mwyn sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn cyflawni eu rhwymedigaethau statudol i ddarparu grantiau cyfleusterau i’r anabl i gyn-filwyr sydd angen addasiadau i’w cartrefi, a bod pob awdurdod lleol yn cyhoeddi data tryloyw a chyson ar amseroedd aros. Gan fod maniffesto Llafur Cymru yn datgan y byddant yn parhau i ddarparu triniaeth flaenoriaethol y GIG, efallai y bydd y Gweinidog gystal ag amlinellu’r cynnydd a wnaed gan Lywodraeth Cymru o ran darparu ôl-ofal i gyn-filwyr y lluoedd arfog ers yr etholiad ym mis Mai.
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As has already been said, it is our view on this side of the Chamber that there should be a veterans card that would recognise the loyalty and courage of our armed forces by improving their access to NHS treatment. Clearly, the purpose of this card would be to formalise the benefits available to our veterans, which would entitle all service personnel resident in Wales to priority treatment for service-related conditions or injuries on the NHS, as well as the priority delivery of disabled facilities grants for home adaptation. It would also give them free bus travel, and free entry to council-run leisure facilities and to Cadw heritage sites. We also believe that we should increase the amount of support for veterans to access leisure facilities to help them integrate into society and meet new people. While we do not wish to be dismissive of what the Welsh Government or any public bodies have done to support veterans and their families so far, we simply believe that more can be done to support our ex-army personnel. We are currently living in difficult financial times, but this is a matter of priorities, and we on this side of the Chamber believe that this is an issue of priority for the Welsh Government. I urge Members to support our motion.
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Fel y dywedwyd eisoes, ein barn ni ar ochr hon y Siambr yw y dylid cael cerdyn i gyn-filwyr a fyddai’n cydnabod ffyddlondeb a dewrder ein lluoedd arfog drwy wella eu mynediad at driniaeth y GIG. Wrth gwrs, pwrpas y cerdyn hwn fyddai ffurfioli’r manteision sydd ar gael i’n cyn-filwyr. Byddai’r cam hwn yn rhoi’r hawl i holl aelodau’r lluoedd sy’n byw yng Nghymru gael triniaeth flaenoriaethol yn y GIG ar gyfer cyflyrau neu anafiadau sy’n gysylltiedig â’u gwasanaeth, yn ogystal â sicrhau darpariaeth flaenoriaethol iddynt o grantiau cyfleusterau i’r anabl ar gyfer addasu eu cartrefi. Byddai hefyd yn caniatáu iddynt deithio ar y bws am ddim, a chael mynediad am ddim i gyfleusterau hamdden y cyngor a safleoedd treftadaeth Cadw. Credwn hefyd y dylem ehangu’r cymorth sydd ar gael i gyn-filwyr o ran cael mynediad at gyfleusterau hamdden i’w helpu i integreiddio i gymdeithas ac i gwrdd â phobl newydd. Er nad ydym yn dymuno diystyru’r hyn y mae Llywodraeth Cymru neu unrhyw gyrff cyhoeddus wedi’i wneud i gefnogi cyn-filwyr a’u teuluoedd hyd yn hyn, credwn y gellir gwneud mwy i gefnogi ein cyn-filwyr. Ar hyn o bryd, rydym yn byw mewn cyfnod ariannol anodd, ond mater o flaenoriaethau yw hwn, ac rydym ni ar ochr hon y Siambr yn credu bod hwn yn fater o flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth Cymru. Anogaf Aelodau i gefnogi ein cynnig.
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Mick Antoniw: I very much welcome this debate, and I also welcome the statement from the Welsh Government giving support for members of the armed services. I want to speak specifically on the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder and the impact it has on the lives of servicemen and their families. Over the years, in my previous profession, I have represented many people who have suffered specifically from all forms of this psychological illness. I know that this is a matter that has been considered by the Government periodically, and the recent announcement of a package of support is of course to be welcomed. However, I must emphasise how essential it is that we are able to deliver support in an effective way. Post-traumatic stress disorder is nothing new to our health service. As well as the armed service personnel, as various Members have mentioned, there are many workers who have suffered injury or trauma in the workplace and who develop these psychological problems. We can particularly look at the police, the emergency services and—which many people do not realise—train drivers, who have to cope with railway line suicides.
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Mick Antoniw: Croesawaf yn fawr iawn y ddadl hon, a chroesawaf hefyd y datganiad a wnaed gan Lywodraeth Cymru ynghylch darparu cymorth i aelodau o’r lluoedd arfog. Hoffwn siarad yn benodol ar y mater o anhwylder straen wedi trawma, a’r effaith y mae’n ei gael ar fywydau aelodau o’r lluoedd arfog a’u teuluoedd. Yn rhinwedd fy mhroffesiwn blaenorol, dros y blynyddoedd, rwyf wedi cynrychioli llawer o bobl sydd wedi dioddef pob gwedd ar y salwch seicolegol hwn. Gwn fod y Llywodraeth wedi ystyried y mater hwn yn achlysurol, ac wrth gwrs, mae’r cyhoeddiad a wnaed yn ddiweddar am y pecyn cymorth i’w groesawu. Fodd bynnag, rhaid imi bwysleisio pa mor hanfodol ydyw ein bod yn gallu darparu cymorth mewn ffordd effeithiol. Nid yw anhwylder straen wedi trawma yn fater newydd i’n gwasanaeth iechyd. Yn ogystal ag aelodau’r lluoedd arfog, fel y mae sawl Aelod wedi sôn, mae llawer o weithwyr sydd wedi dioddef anaf neu drawma yn y gweithle yn datblygu’r problemau seicolegol hyn. Gallwn edrych yn benodol ar yr heddlu, y gwasanaethau brys a gyrwyr trên—ac nid yw llawer o bobl yn sylweddoli hyn—sy’n gorfod ymdopi ag achosion o hunanladdiad ar y rheilffyrdd.
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Combat Stress, the UK’s leading military charity specialising in veterans’ mental health, confirmed much of what we already know, which is that the first signs of post-traumatic stress disorder often occur many years after the trauma and can manifest in various ways. Diagnosis is difficult, which makes the whole idea of screening a very complex and unreliable process. Individuals themselves have difficulty recognising their illness, or do not wish to seek help because of the stigma that still attaches to psychological illness. Symptoms vary from tears, depression, mood swings, flashbacks, inability to sleep to aggression and violence. All these are factors that make a major contribution to marriage and family breakdown, and they can lead to other significant social problems. In extreme cases—and I have dealt with some in the past—problems can lead to individuals becoming suicidal. Army veterans suffer a double whammy because not only have they had some horrific experiences, but there is a massive impact in terms of the sometimes difficult transition into civilian life at the end of armed service or as a result of injury. War veterans are particularly vulnerable when they move into civilian life, and that vulnerability often remains with them for the remainder of their lives. The consequence is that many war veterans are discharged fully fit, with no recognition of this vulnerability, and some 4 to 5 per cent of war veterans are considered to be in this category. Having been discharged, if psychological problems occur, sometimes many years later, the support available is often limited and not available. I have major concerns about the fitness of our mental health services to deal with these problems without additional resources, but also without additional training and other support services.
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Cadarnhaodd Combat Stress—elusen filwrol mwyaf blaenllaw y DU, sy’n arbenigo mewn iechyd meddwl cyn-filwyr—llawer o’r hyn a wyddom eisoes, sef bod yr arwyddion cyntaf o anhwylder straen wedi trawma yn aml yn digwydd nifer o flynyddoedd ar ôl y trawma ac yn gallu dod i’r amlwg mewn amryw o ffyrdd. Mae diagnosis yn anodd, sy’n gwneud yr holl syniad o sgrinio yn broses gymhleth ac annibynadwy iawn. Mae unigolion yn ei chael hi’n anodd cydnabod eu salwch neu, fel arall, nid ydynt yn dymuno ceisio cymorth yn sgil y stigma sy’n parhau i fod ynghlwm wrth salwch seicolegol. Mae’r symptomau yn amrywio o ddagrau, iselder, hwyliau oriog, ôl-fflachiau a’r anallu i gysgu, i ymddwyn yn mewn modd ymosodol a threisgar. Mae’r rhain yn ffactorau sy’n gallu chwarae rhan fawr o ran chwalu priodasau a theuluoedd, ac maent yn gallu arwain at broblemau cymdeithasol sylweddol eraill. Mewn achosion eithafol—ac rwyf wedi ymdrin â rhai o’r rhain yn y gorffennol—gall problemau arwain at sefyllfaoedd lle mae unigolion yn cael meddyliau am hunanladdiad. Mae cyn-filwyr y fyddin yn dioddef ergyd ddwbl: nid yn unig y ffaith eu bod wedi cael profiadau erchyll, ond hefyd eu bod weithiau’n dioddef effaith enfawr o’r cyfnod pontio anodd i fywyd sifil y maent yn mynd drwyddo ar ddiwedd eu cyfnod yn y lluoedd arfog neu o ganlyniad i anaf. Mae cyn-filwyr rhyfel yn arbennig o agored i niwed pan fyddant yn pontio i fywyd sifil, ac mae’r sefyllfa honno yn aml yn parhau am weddill eu bywydau. O ganlyniad, mae llawer o gyn-filwyr rhyfel yn cael eu rhyddhau fel petaent yn gwbl holliach, heb unrhyw gydnabyddiaeth eu bod yn agored i niwed. Ystyrir bod rhwng 4 y cant a 5 y cant o gyn-filwyr rhyfel yn y categori hwn. Wedi iddynt gael eu rhyddhau, pan fydd problemau seicolegol yn codi—weithiau, flynyddoedd yn ddiweddarach—mae’r cymorth sydd ar gael yn aml yn gyfyngedig, neu, fel arall, nid oes cymorth ar gael o gwbl. Rwyf yn pryderu’n fawr ynghylch pa mor addas yw ein gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl o ran ymdrin â’r problemau hyn heb adnoddau ychwanegol, ond hefyd heb hyfforddiant ychwanegol a gwasanaethau cymorth eraill.
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The diagnosis and understanding of this condition by GPs is not always as good as it should be and, at best, can be described as variable. All too often, easily prescribed medication is deemed the solution. All too often there is considerable delay in the referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist with the necessary expertise, and where counselling such as cognitive behavioural therapy is required, it is often either not available, subject to a waiting list, or not available for long enough or on an ongoing basis.
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Nid yw gallu meddygon teulu i wneud diagnosis o’r cyflwr hwn na’i ddeall gystal ag y dylai fod bob amser. Ar y gorau, gellir disgrifio’r sefyllfa hon fel un amrywiol. Yn rhy aml, ystyrir mai meddyginiaeth y gellir rhoi presgripsiwn amdani yn hawdd yw’r ateb. Yn rhy aml, ceir oedi sylweddol cyn y bydd person yn cael ei atgyfeirio at seiciatrydd neu seicolegydd sydd â’r arbenigedd angenrheidiol. Yn ogystal, pan fydd angen gwasanaeth cwnsela fel therapi gwybyddol ymddygiadol, yn aml, nid yw ar gael, neu bydd gofyn mynd ar restr aros, neu nid yw ar gael am gyfnod digon hir neu ar sail barhaus.
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Benefit and welfare support is also a major problem and recent Government measures in respect of incapacity benefit and moving people onto employment seeker’s allowance, fail to recognise the extent of the disability suffered by many war veterans and aggravate the pressures that they are under. We all want to do the best for our ex-servicemen, but unless we have a comprehensive package of support that is available when it is needed and for the length of time that it is needed, we will fail. We will also fail unless we increase the availability of specialist counselling and the understanding and awareness of our GPs. No matter how we dress up packages or what titles we give to them, we must address the issues of training, availability, specialism and support groups, and we must commit the resources that are necessary to ensure that war veterans—and this is the most important bit—get the specialist support that they need, when they need it and for the length of time that they need it. That is the least that we could do for those who have been prepared to lay down their lives for their country.
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Mae cymorth ar ffurf lles a budd-daliadau hefyd yn broblem fawr. Nid yw mesurau diweddar y Llywodraeth mewn perthynas â budd-daliadau analluogrwydd a symud pobl i’r drefn lwfans ceiswyr gwaith yn cydnabod graddau anabledd llawer o gyn-filwyr rhyfel, ac maent yn gwaethygu’r pwysau sydd arnynt. Yr ydym oll am wneud y gorau ar gyfer ein cyn-filwyr. Fodd bynnag, oni bai bod gennym becyn cynhwysfawr o gymorth sydd ar gael pan fydd ei angen, ac am gyfnod priodol o amser, byddwn yn methu. Byddwn hefyd yn methu oni bai ein bod yn ehangu argaeledd gwasanaethau cwnsela arbenigol, yn ogystal â dealltwriaeth ac ymwybyddiaeth ein meddygon teulu. Ni waeth sut yr ydym yn brandio pecynnau neu pa deitlau yr ydym yn eu rhoi iddynt, rhaid inni fynd i’r afael â materion sy’n ymwneud â hyfforddiant, argaeledd, arbenigedd a grwpiau cefnogi, a rhaid inni wneud ymrwymiad o ran yr adnoddau y mae eu hangen i sicrhau bod cyn-filwyr rhyfel—a dyma’r pwynt pwysicaf—yn cael y cymorth arbenigol y mae arnynt ei angen, pan fydd arnynt ei angen ac am gyfnod priodol o amser. Dyna’r lleiaf y gallwn ei wneud ar ran y rhai sydd wedi bod yn fodlon aberthu eu bywydau dros eu gwlad.
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Russell George: It is right and fitting that we debate this issue this week in support of our armed forces community in Wales. We should all agree as a nation that we have a duty to give the brave and capable men and women of our armed forces our full support throughout the year, in return for the selfless service and sacrifice that they are prepared to make in our names. I am very proud that, this year, the UK Government has fulfilled its commitment to enshrine in law the military covenant in the most recent Armed Forces Act 2011. The Royal British Legion stated:
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Russell George: Mae’n iawn ac yn briodol ein bod yn trafod y mater hwn yr wythnos hon, i gefnogi ein cymuned lluoedd arfog yng Nghymru. Dylem oll gytuno, fel cenedl, fod gennym ddyletswydd i roi ein cefnogaeth lawn i’r dynion a menywod dewr a galluog sydd yn ein lluoedd arfog, a hynny drwy gydol y flwyddyn, yn gyfnewid am eu gwasanaeth anhunanol a’r aberth y maent yn barod i’w gwneud ar ein rhan. Rwyf yn falch iawn bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi cyflawni eleni ei hymrwymiad i ymgorffori yn y gyfraith y cyfamod milwrol a oedd wedi’i nodi yn Neddf y Lluoedd Arfog 2011. Dywedodd y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol:
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‘This is an historic breakthrough—one that the Legion campaigned for vigorously. We applaud the Government’s enactment of this. For the first time, serving men and women and their families will see the principles of fair treatment on the statute book. And fairness for our brave Armed Forces can be put to Parliamentary scrutiny. This will benefit all those in Service and their families for generations to come.’
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Mae hwn yn ddatblygiad hanesyddol—un a ymgyrchodd y Lleng yn frwd drosto. Rydym yn cymeradwyo’r Llywodraeth am ddeddfu ar y mater hwn. Am y tro cyntaf, bydd y dynion a’r menywod sy’n gwasanaethu, a’u teuluoedd, yn gweld egwyddorion triniaeth deg ar y llyfr statud. Yn ogystal, bydd y broses o sicrhau tegwch ar gyfer ein lluoedd arfog dewr yn destun craffu Seneddol. Bydd hyn o fudd i bawb sy’n gwasanaethu a’u teuluoedd am genedlaethau i ddod.
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The legislation demonstrates that we have an obligation of care, and while it states that armed service personnel and their families should now expect fair treatment, the Government should strive beyond that and prioritise these groups in the delivery of public services, particularly in areas of health and housing. That is why, when we had our first Members’ legislative ballot a few weeks ago, I put forward the proposition of an armed forces Bill for Wales. The objectives of the Bill were simple. The first was that it would help forces personnel to play a role in society, and give them the opportunity that they need to socialise and make the most of travel, heritage and leisure facilities. The second was that it would recognise their service and bravery and would serve as a recognition from wider civil society in Wales for all that they do on our behalf.
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Dengys y ddeddfwriaeth fod gennym ddyletswydd gofal. Er ei bod yn datgan y dylai’r lluoedd arfog a’u teuluoedd bellach ddisgwyl triniaeth deg, dylai’r Llywodraeth ymdrechu y tu hwnt i hynny a blaenoriaethu’r grwpiau hyn wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, yn enwedig ym meysydd iechyd a thai. Dyna pam, pan gawsom falot deddfwriaethol cyntaf yr Aelodau ychydig wythnosau yn ôl, y cyflwynais gynnig ynghylch Bil ar gyfer y lluoedd arfog yng Nghymru. Roedd amcanion y Bil yn syml. Y cyntaf oedd y byddai’n helpu aelodau’r lluoedd i chwarae rôl mewn cymdeithas, ac yn rhoi’r cyfleoedd y mae arnynt eu hangen i gymdeithasu a gwneud y mwyaf o gyfleusterau teithio, treftadaeth a hamdden. Yr ail oedd y byddai’n cydnabod eu gwasanaeth a’u dewrder, ac yn dangos cydnabyddiaeth y gymdeithas sifil ehangach yng Nghymru o bopeth y maent yn eu gwneud ar ein rhan.
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At the heart of the Bill was the armed forces card, which would be awarded to all serving and former armed forces personnel, entitling them to a range of benefits, such as free bus travel, which is currently only available to veterans who have been seriously injured in combat, and free entry to council swimming pools and Cadw sites. The existence of such a card would raise awareness of the availability of NHS priority care for service-related conditions, and awareness campaigns covering post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems associated with serving in the armed forces would be tied into the introduction of a card.
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Wrth wraidd y Bil oedd cerdyn y lluoedd arfog, a fyddai’n cael ei roi i bawb sy’n gwasanaethu ac i gyn-aelodau’r lluoedd arfog, gan ganiatáu iddynt hawlio amrywiaeth o fuddion, fel teithio ar fysiau am ddim—budd sydd ond ar gael ar hyn o bryd i gyn-filwyr a anafwyd yn ddifrifol mewn brwydrau—a mynediad am ddim i byllau nofio’r cyngor a safleoedd Cadw. Byddai cerdyn o’r fath yn codi ymwybyddiaeth ynghylch argaeledd gofal blaenoriaeth y GIG ar gyfer cyflyrau sy’n gysylltiedig â gwasanaethu. Byddai ymgyrchoedd ymwybyddiaeth sy’n ymwneud ag anhwylder straen wedi trawma a phroblemau eraill sy’n gysylltiedig â gwasanaethu yn y lluoedd arfog yn gysylltiedig â chyflwyno’r cerdyn.
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3.45 p.m.
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However, this week, much to my welcome surprise, the Welsh Government has published its own package of support for the armed forces community in Wales. This is a positive step forward. Minister, I am pleased that you have taken this forward. This is something that we prioritised in our manifesto. You could have gone further with the package of support, because I believe that some of the commitments fall short of what we believe is necessary, particularly around health support, to provide the best for armed forces personnel. The diagnosis of and delivery of specialist treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder is important; despite the Government claiming that funding is already in place, provision is still not satisfactory. Statistics on PTSD are not very accurate, identification of the condition is patchy, awareness of symptoms is poor in many areas, PTSD treatment is also poor, and there is no short-term residential treatment centre provision in Wales. That is a vital service.
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Fodd bynnag, yr wythnos hon, er syndod mawr imi, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi pecyn cymorth ei hun ar gyfer cymuned y lluoedd arfog yng Nghymru. Mae hwn yn gam cadarnhaol ymlaen. Weinidog, yr wyf yn falch eich bod wedi mynd â hyn yn ei flaen. Dyma rywbeth yr ydym wedi ei flaenoriaethu yn ein maniffesto. Fe allech fod wedi mynd ymhellach gyda’r pecyn cymorth, gan fod rhai o'r ymrwymiadau’n brin o’r hyn y credwn sydd ei angen, yn enwedig o ran cymorth iechyd, i ddarparu'r gorau ar gyfer personél y lluoedd arfog. Mae’r diagnosis a’r ddarpariaeth driniaeth arbenigol ar gyfer anhwylder ôl-straen trawmatig yn bwysig; er bod y Llywodraeth yn honni bod cyllid eisoes ar gael, mae darpariaeth yn parhau i fod yn anfoddhaol. Nid yw ystadegau ar PTSD yn gywir iawn, mae adnabod y cyflwr yn anghyson, mae ymwybyddiaeth o symptomau yn wael mewn nifer o ardaloedd, mae triniaeth PTSD hefyd yn wael, ac nid oes unrhyw ganolfan triniaeth breswyl tymor byr yng Nghymru. Dyna wasanaeth hanfodol.
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People who have sacrificed so much for their country deserve recognition and support. You have made it clear that this is a living document that is flexible to change. Therefore, will you please take on board the points from this debate to enhance the new Government package, as it would be real recognition from wider civil society in Wales for all that these people do on our behalf.
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Mae pobl sydd wedi aberthu cymaint dros eu gwlad yn haeddu cydnabyddiaeth a chefnogaeth. Yr ydych wedi gwneud yn glir bod hon yn ddogfen fyw sy'n hyblyg i’w newid. Felly, a fyddech cystal ag ystyried pwyntiau’r ddadl hon i wella pecyn newydd y Llywodraeth, gan y byddai’n wir gydnabyddiaeth gan gymdeithas sifil ehangach yng Nghymru am yr hyn oll y mae’r bobl hyn yn ei wneud ar ein rhan.
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Leanne Wood: This debate is timely, given that there will be many families remembering past and present wars, and the loss of their loved ones at remembrance services throughout the country this coming Sunday. Those who have lost their lives in the conflicts of the twentieth century, and the more recent ones this century, will all be remembered. As they are remembered, I hope that there will also be time for reflection on the war that sparked remembrance Sunday. That war, which ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, started almost 100 years ago. Let us not forget that that was meant to be the war to end all wars.
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Leanne Wood: Mae'r ddadl hon yn amserol, o gofio y bydd nifer o deuluoedd yn cofio rhyfeloedd y gorffennol a’r presennol, a cholli eu hanwyliaid yng ngwasanaethau coffa ledled y wlad hon ddydd Sul. Cofiwyd y rhai sydd wedi colli eu bywydau yn rhyfeloedd yr ugeinfed ganrif, a rhai mwy diweddar y ganrif hon. Fel y cânt eu cofio, gobeithio y bydd amser i fyfyrio ar y rhyfel a ysgogodd Sul y cofio hefyd. Dechreuodd y rhyfel hwnnw, a ddaeth i ben ar yr unfed awr ar ddeg o'r unfed dydd ar ddeg o'r unfed mis ar ddeg yn 1918, bron 100 mlynedd yn ôl. Ni ddylem anghofio mai hwnnw oedd i fod y rhyfel i orffen pob rhyfel. |
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The last known survivor of that war was the late Harry Patch. I will take some time to remember Harry’s words; words that, in my view, powerfully sum up the dark reality of what war is all about. When he was 107, Harry Patch said
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Goroeswr hysbys diwethaf y rhyfel hwnnw oedd y diweddar Harry Patch. Cymeraf amser i gofio geiriau Harry; geiriau sydd, yn fy marn i, yn crynhoi’n rymus realiti tywyll beth yw rhyfel. Pan oedd yn 107, dywedodd Harry Patch |
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‘We’ve had 87 years to think what war is. To me, it is a licence to go out and murder. Why should the British government call me up and take me out to a battlefield to shoot a man I never knew, whose language I couldn’t speak. All those lives lost for a war finished over a table. Where’s the sense in that?’
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‘Rydym wedi cael 87 mlynedd i ystyried beth yw rhyfel. I mi, mae'n drwydded i fynd allan a llofruddio. Pam ddylai llywodraeth Prydain fy ngalw a mynd â fi allan i faes brwydr i saethu dyn na wyddwn erioed, yn siarad iaith na allwn siarad? Collwyd yr holl fywydau hynny i ryfel a orffennodd o gwmpas bwrdd. Ble mae'r synnwyr yn hynny?'
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Later, he said
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Yn ddiweddarach, dywedodd |
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‘Too many died, war isn’t worth one life’
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‘Bu farw gormod, nid yw rhyfel yn werth un bywyd'
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He said that war was ‘calculated and condoned slaughter of human beings’. I know from my involvement in the recently formed Justice Union all-party group, which I have helped to set up, that the wars ongoing today are creating big problems that are impacting on families and communities up and down our country. Physical injuries are visible, but mental problems and, in particular, post-traumatic stress disorder, is all too often not dealt with. In many cases, it is not even diagnosed. Work carried out by the corresponding Justice Union group in Westminster and research carried out by my Plaid Cymru colleauge Elfyn Llwyd has uncovered the vast numbers of ex-service personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder in the prison system or living on the streets. Elfyn Llwyd has led the way in campaigning for better services for mentally and physically injured service personnel. We are hoping that the Wales all-party group can do something similar at a Welsh level. For everyone who has contributed to this debate today, and who is interested in being involved in that all party group, please let me know.
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Dywedodd fod rhyfel yn ‘ffordd o ladd bodau dynol wedi ei gynllunio a’i ganiatáu’. Gwn o'm hymwneud yn y grŵp trawsbleidiol Undeb Cyfiawnder a ffurfiwyd yn ddiweddar, y gwneuthum helpu i’w sefydlu, bod y rhyfeloedd sy’n parhau heddiw yn creu problemau mawr sy'n effeithio ar deuluoedd a chymunedau ar hyd a lled ein gwlad. Mae anafiadau corfforol yn weladwy, ond yn rhy aml, ni ymdrinnir â phroblemau meddwl nac, yn benodol, anhwylder ôl-straen trawmatig. Mewn llawer o achosion, nid yw diagnosis yn cael ei wneud hyd yn oed. Datgelwyd gwaith a wnaed gan y grŵp Undeb Cyfiawnder cyfatebol yn San Steffan a gwaith ymchwil a wnaed gan fy nghydweithiwr Plaid Cymru, Elfyn Llwyd fod nifer fawr o gyn-filwyr sydd ag anhwylder ôl-straen trawmatig yn y system carchar neu'n byw ar y strydoedd. Mae Elfyn Llwyd wedi arwain y ffordd trwy ymgyrchu dros wasanaethau gwell i aelodau'r lluoedd arfog sydd wedi'u hanafu yn feddyliol ac yn gorfforol. Rydym yn gobeithio gall grŵp trawsbleidiol Cymru wneud rhywbeth tebyg ar lefel Cymru. I bawb sydd wedi cyfrannu at y ddadl hon heddiw, ac sy'n awyddus i gymryd rhan yn y grŵp trawsbleidiol, rhowch wybod i mi.
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In remebering the first world war, and all other wars, I hope that we can also remember all people affected: soldiers and civilians on both sides. We must learn the lessons from the past wars. Will we heed the words of Harry Patch?
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Wrth gofio’r rhyfel byd cyntaf, a phob rhyfel arall, gobeithio y gallwn hefyd gofio pawb yr effeithir arnynt: milwyr a sifiliaid ar y ddwy ochr. Rhaid inni ddysgu gwersi o ryfeloedd y gorffennol. A wnawn ni gofio am eiriau Harry Patch? |
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To conclude, I support the amendment put forward in the name of Jocelyn Davies, which calls for an exploration of the idea of setting up a peace institute. I ask people to look at what peace institutes do in other countries: in Norway, Finland, Catalunya, Ireland and Germany. We have the powers to do this here. A peace institute could be an important educational resource and a vehicle for bringing together peace-related research; for example, on conflict resolution and arms conversion. The majority of peace institutes elsewhere in the world are self-financing, so it need not be something that requires any major financial commitment. All of the existing peace institutes enjoy academic independence. The setting up of a Welsh peace institute, working with other peace institutes around the world, would be a good way for Wales to commemorate the first world war, by making a contribution to a project that aims, finally, to end all wars.
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I gloi, cefnogaf y gwelliant a gyflwynwyd yn enw Jocelyn Davies, sy'n galw am ymchwilio i'r syniad o sefydlu sefydliad heddwch. Gofynnaf i bobl edrych ar yr hyn y mae sefydliadau heddwch yn ei wneud mewn gwledydd eraill: yn Norwy, y Ffindir, Catalwnia, Iwerddon, a’r Almaen. Mae gennym y pwerau i wneud hyn yma. Gallai sefydliad heddwch fod yn adnodd addysgol pwysig a chyfrwng i ddwyn ynghyd ymchwil sy'n ymwneud â heddwch; er enghraifft, ar ddatrys gwrthdaro a newid arfau. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o sefydliadau heddwch mewn mannau eraill yn y byd yn hunan-gyllidol, felly nid oes angen iddo fod yn rhywbeth sy'n gofyn am unrhyw ymrwymiad ariannol mawr. Mae pob sefydliad heddwch presennol yn mwynhau annibyniaeth academaidd. Byddai sefydlu sefydliad heddwch Cymru yn gweithio gyda sefydliadau heddwch eraill o gwmpas y byd, yn ffordd dda i Gymru i goffáu’r rhyfel byd cyntaf, gan wneud cyfraniad at brosiect a’i nod yw gorffen pob rhyfel, o’r diwedd.
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Janet Finch-Saunders: I am honoured and humbled to take part in this important debate. I applaud my colleagues for the sensitive and respectful manner in which they have put this motion forward. I start by highlighting our call for the Welsh Government to commit formally to commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the great war. Before making the case for supporting our brave armed forces and military personnel, I note that it is more important than ever to honour and remember the lives lost and the commitment made to our country during the great war now that there are no longer any living veterans of that war. In October, the UK Government announced that it would soon be making an announcement regarding Britain’s plans for the centenary. I hope that the Welsh Government will commit to making plans for 2014, to recognise formally the 100-year anniversary of the great war, in which approximately 40,000 Welsh men and women died.
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Janet Finch-Saunders: Teimlaf yn freintiedig a wylaidd i gymryd rhan yn y ddadl bwysig hon. Canmolaf fy nghyd-Aelodau am y modd sensitif a pharchus y maent wedi cyflwyno’r cynnig hwn. Dechreuaf drwy dynnu sylw at ein galwad ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ymrwymo’n ffurfiol i goffáu canmlwyddiant y rhyfel mawr. Cyn cyflwyno dadl o blaid cefnogi ein lluoedd arfog a phersonél milwrol dewr, sylwaf ei bod yn bwysicach nag erioed i anrhydeddu a chofio’r bywydau a gollwyd a’r ymrwymiad a wnaed i'n gwlad yn ystod y rhyfel mawr nawr gan nad oes unrhyw gyn-filwyr o’r rhyfel hwnnw yn fyw bellach. Ym mis Hydref, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth y DU y byddai yn gwneud cyhoeddiad yn fuan am gynlluniau Prydain ar gyfer y canmlwyddiant. Gobeithio y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymrwymo i wneud cynlluniau ar gyfer 2014, i gydnabod yn ffurfiol ganmlwyddiant y rhyfel mawr, pan fu farw tua 40,000 o ddynion a merched Cymru. |
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An appropriate way to commemorate the great sacrifices made by our Welsh soldiers during the great war would be to establish a Welsh memorial at Passendale, Belgium, where hundreds of Welsh soldiers lost their lives. The dedication of Welsh military service personnel, and the commitment that they have made, is incredible. They have made an enormous contribution to the defence of the United Kingdom, while sacrificing their families, social lives, freedom, health and personal lives. Our armed forces deserve the best support, and the Welsh Conservatives have already outlined a number of policies in our manifesto to support this aim.
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Ffordd briodol i goffáu’r aberth mawr a wnaed gan ein milwyr o Gymru yn ystod y rhyfel mawr fyddai sefydlu cofeb Cymru yn Passendale, Gwlad Belg, lle collodd cannoedd o filwyr o Gymru eu bywydau. Mae ymroddiad personél y gwasanaeth milwrol yng Nghymru, a'r ymrwymiad y maent wedi'i wneud, yn anhygoel. Maent wedi gwneud cyfraniad enfawr i amddiffyn y Deyrnas Unedig, tra’n aberthu eu teuluoedd, bywydau cymdeithasol, rhyddid, iechyd a bywydau personol. Mae ein lluoedd arfog yn haeddu’r cymorth gorau, ac mae Ceidwadwyr Cymru eisoes wedi amlinellu nifer o bolisïau yn ein maniffesto i gefnogi'r nod hwn. |
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First, we must improve the identification and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans often do not know that they have PTSD, while GPs may not know about a patient’s background in combat or even recognise it in someone who is suffering from it. As a result, the number of veterans suffering from PTSD in Wales is unknown, but it is estimated to be anywhere between 10,000 and 90,000 veterans. The Royal British Legion has described this as a ‘ticking time bomb’; there is an urgent need to tackle the lack of support. In written evidence to the inquiry into support for army veterans in Wales, a representative of Healing the Wounds stated that there is a need for a short-stay residential service in Wales for veterans. The Welsh Government has claimed that funding is already in place for PTSD services. However, PTSD provision remains far from satisfactory. We must do everything that we can to support our armed forces and ex-forces personnel with PTSD, beginning with direct engagement with them, as has previously been said, and with improvements in the provision of residential facilities in Wales.
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Yn gyntaf, rhaid inni wella’r adnabyddiaeth a’r driniaeth o anhwylder ôl-straen trawmatig. Yn aml, nid yw cyn-filwyr yn gwybod bod ganddynt PTSD, tra nad yw meddygon teulu yn gwybod am gefndir y claf yn ymladd neu hyd yn oed yn ei adnabod yn rhywun sy'n dioddef ohono. O ganlyniad, mae nifer y cyn-filwyr sy'n dioddef PTSD yng Nghymru yn anhysbys, ond amcangyfrifir ei fod rywle rhwng 10,000 a 90,000 o gyn-filwyr. Mae'r Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol wedi disgrifio hyn fel ‘bom yn tician’; mae angen brys i fynd i'r afael â’r diffyg cymorth. Mewn tystiolaeth ysgrifenedig i ymchwiliad i gymorth i gyn-filwyr y fyddin yng Nghymru, dywedodd cynrychiolydd o Healing the Wounds bod angen gwasanaeth preswyl arhosiad byr yng Nghymru i gyn-filwyr. Mae'r Llywodraeth wedi honni bod cyllid eisoes ar gael i wasanaethau PTSD. Fodd bynnag, mae’r ddarpariaeth ar gyfer PTSD ymhell o fod yn foddhaol o hyd. Rhaid inni wneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i gefnogi ein lluoedd arfog a chyn-bersonél sydd â PTSD, gan ddechrau drwy ymgysylltu’n uniongyrchol â hwy, fel y dywedwyd, a thrwy wella cyfleusterau preswyl yng Nghymru.
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Secondly, we must look to introduce an armed forces card to help serving and former armed forces personnel to play a full role in society again. This card would increase awareness of the needs and rights of armed forces personnel, and of the services available to them. The card would include free bus travel, priority treatment by the NHS for service-related conditions and injuries and free entry to local authority leisure centres and Cadw heritage sites. Free bus travel is currently only available to those who have been seriously injured in combat, meaning that over 60,000 veterans in Wales are already missing out. Extending free bus travel to all veterans is one way of recognising and rewarding them for all that they do.
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Yn ail, rhaid inni ystyried cyflwyno cerdyn lluoedd arfog i helpu’r rhai sy’n gwasanaethu a chyn-aelodau'r lluoedd arfog i chwarae rôl lawn yn y gymdeithas eto. Byddai'r cerdyn hwn yn cynyddu ymwybyddiaeth o anghenion a hawliau personél y lluoedd arfog, ac o’r gwasanaethau sydd ar gael iddynt. Byddai’r cerdyn yn cynnwys teithio ar fysiau am ddim, triniaeth flaenoriaethol gan y GIG am gyflyrau ac anafiadau sy'n gysylltiedig â’u gwasanaeth milwrol a mynediad am ddim i ganolfannau hamdden awdurdodau lleol a safleoedd treftadaeth Cadw. Mae teithio am ddim ar fysiau ar hyn o bryd ond ar gael i'r rheini a gafodd eu hanafu'n ddifrifol wrth ymladd, sy’n golygu bod dros 60,000 o gyn-filwyr yng Nghymru eisoes yn colli allan. Mae ymestyn teithio ar fysiau am ddim i bob cyn-filwr yn un ffordd o’u cydnabod a’u gwobrwyo am bopeth a wnânt.
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The Welsh Government needs to address its handling of NHS priority treatment, because it simply is not working, and only 19 per cent of GPs are even aware of it. An armed forces card could help to raise awareness of this. Health provision for serving armed forces personnel in Wales needs to improve.
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Mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru fynd i'r afael â’r ffordd yr ymdrinnir â thriniaeth flaenoriaethol y GIG, oherwydd, yn syml, nid yw'n gweithio, a dim ond 19 y cant o feddygon teulu sydd hyd yn oed yn gwybod amdano. Gallai cerdyn lluoedd arfog helpu i godi ymwybyddiaeth o hyn. Mae angen gwella'r ddarpariaeth iechyd ar gyfer personél y lluoedd arfog sy’n gwasanaethu yng Nghymru.
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I have already outlined arguments for better provision for PTSD care. We must also ensure that there is suitable access to mental health services to help deal with conditions such as anxiety disorder, depression and alcoholism. I have seen, first hand, the effect that combat can have on mental health.
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Rwyf eisoes wedi amlinellu dadleuon dros well ddarpariaeth ar gyfer gofal PTSD. Rhaid inni hefyd sicrhau bod mynediad addas at wasanaethau iechyd meddwl i helpu i ddelio â chyflyrau megis anhwylder pryder, iselder ac alcoholiaeth. Yr wyf wedi gweld, drosof fy hun, yr effaith y gall ymladd ei gael ar iechyd meddwl.
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The closure of Tŷ Gwyn, which my colleague Mark mentioned earlier, is something that I am very much aware of, as it is not only in my constituency but was also in my ward when I was a councillor. We are aware of the support services, and we endorse the support services available in Cardiff and the Vale. However, they must be rolled out across Wales so that all veterans can receive an equitable service. Three months ago, St Dunstan’s opened in my constituency, at a cost of £12 million, for blind ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen. Yet, not a single penny has come forward from the Welsh Government, although I understand that £20 million has been handed over to environmental groups.
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Mae cau Tŷ Gwyn, y soniodd fy nghyd-Aelod Mark amdano’n gynharach, yn rhywbeth y gwn yn iawn amdano, gan ein fod yn fy etholaeth i ac hefyd yn fy ward pan oeddwn yn gynghorydd. Yr ydym yn ymwybodol o'r gwasanaethau cymorth, a chefnogwn y gwasanaethau cymorth sydd ar gael yng Nghaerdydd a'r Fro. Fodd bynnag, rhaid eu cyflwyno ledled Cymru fel y gall pob cyn-filwr gael gwasanaeth teg. Dri mis yn ôl, agorodd St Dunstan yn fy etholaeth am gost o £12 miliwn, ar gyfer cyn-filwyr dall. Eto, ni ddaeth yr un geiniog gan Lywodraeth Cymru, er y deallaf fod £20 miliwn wedi'i roi i grwpiau amgylcheddol. |
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I am pleased that the Welsh Government has taken on board some elements of our armed forces card, and we welcome this support. However, it continues to disappoint in its provision of services for our armed forces. We must see real action to show our armed forces just how much they are valued, in actions and not just empty words.
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Yr wyf yn falch bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ystyried rhai elfennau o'n cerdyn lluoedd arfog, ac yr ydym yn croesawu'r cymorth hwn. Fodd bynnag, mae’n parhau i siomi yn ei ddarpariaeth o wasanaethau i’n lluoedd arfog. Rhaid inni weld gweithredu go iawn er mwyn dangos i’n lluoedd arfog faint y gwerthfawrogir hwy trwy gamau gweithredu ac nid dim ond geiriau gwag.
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David Rees: I, too, am honoured to speak on this issue today. As many have suggested, it is made even more poignant by the remembrance services that will be held this Friday and Sunday. We must never forget those who have lost their lives, but this debate is about those who survived and their families.
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David Rees: Mae’n fraint imi, hefyd, siarad ar y mater hwn heddiw. Fel y mae sawl un wedi awgrymu, fe’i gwnaed hyd yn oed yn fwy ingol gan y gwasanaethau coffa a gaiff eu cynnal ddydd Gwener a dydd Sul. Ni ddylem byth anghofio’r rhai sydd wedi colli eu bywydau, ond mae’r ddadl hon am y rhai sydd wedi goroesi a'u teuluoedd. |
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We as politicians, and society generally, must recognise some of the difficulties that our armed forces personnel face when they leave the services. The recent ‘Health, welfare and social needs of the armed forces community: a qualitative study’ by the Royal British Legion found that many of the 9 million people that they support were experiencing a range of difficulties. One that was clearly discussed was PTSD, but there are other conditions, such as depression, stress, cognitive impairment, pain, financial hardship, a lack of employment and difficulties in accessing benefits. Common social problems included loneliness, complications in adjusting to civilian life, social isolation and difficulties with new or existing relationships. The most frequently cited concerns from military personnel were employment, childcare and schooling, healthcare and housing, which are issues that have already been tackled by the Welsh Government as part of its package of support.
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Mae’n rhaid inni, fel gwleidyddion, a chymdeithas yn gyffredinol, gydnabod rhai o'r anawsterau sy'n wynebu personél ein lluoedd arfog pan fyddant yn gadael y gwasanaethau. Canfu 'Iechyd, lles ac anghenion cymdeithasol cymuned y lluoedd arfog: astudiaeth ansoddol’ diweddar gan y Lleng Prydeinig Brenhinol fod nifer o’r 9 miliwn o bobl maent yn eu cefnogi yn profi ystod o anawsterau. Un a drafodwyd yn glir oedd PTSD, ond ceir cyflyrau eraill, megis iselder, straen, nam gwybyddol, poen, caledi ariannol, diffyg cyflogaeth ac anawsterau o ran cael gafael ar fudd-daliadau. Roedd problemau cymdeithasol cyffredin yn cynnwys unigrwydd, cymhlethdodau wrth addasu i fywyd sifil, ynysu cymdeithasol ac anawsterau gyda pherthnasoedd presennol neu newydd. Roedd y pryderon mwyaf cyffredin gan bersonél milwrol ynghylch cyflogaeth, gofal plant ac addysg, gofal iechyd a thai, sydd yn faterion y mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi mynd i’r afael â nhw fel rhan o’i phecyn cymorth.
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The Royal British Legion study concluded that support services must be proactive, make the initial contact, offer long-term support and provide a designated named personal contact to ensure continuity and approachability. In this light, I want to talk about a recent project in my constituency, which I feel epitomises the support that we should offer to our ex-forces personnel. The New Sandfields Aberavon Communities First partnership established a project called Extra, specifically designed to help ex-service men and women break down barriers that may prevent them from gaining employment, retraining or volunteering, which all lead to self-confidence. The project also works in partnership with the Healing the Wounds charity, which specialises in supporting individuals with PTSD. The New Sandfields project has employed a former serviceman to lead this project, and he is able to engage and understand the issues that ex-forces personnel face when they leave the armed forces and return to civilian life.
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Daeth astudiaeth y Lleng Prydeinig Brenhinol i’r casgliad bod yn rhaid i wasanaethau cymorth fod yn rhagweithiol, gwneud y cyswllt cyntaf, cynnig cymorth tymor hir a darparu cyswllt personol dynodedig wedi ei enwi i sicrhau parhad a hawddgarwch. Yng ngoleuni hyn, yr wyf am sôn am brosiect diweddar yn fy etholaeth, y teimlaf ei fod yn ymgorffori’r cymorth y dylid ei gynnig i’n lluoedd arfog. Sefydlwyd partneriaeth Cymunedau’n Gyntaf New Sandfields Aberafan brosiect o'r enw Extra, a gynlluniwyd yn benodol i helpu cyn-filwyr a chwalu rhwystrau a allai eu hatal rhag ennill cyflogaeth, ailhyfforddi neu wirfoddoli, sydd oll yn arwain at hunanhyder. Mae'r prosiect hefyd yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth â’r elusen Healing the Wounds, sy'n arbenigo mewn cefnogi unigolion sydd â PTSD. Mae’r prosiect New Sandfields wedi cyflogi cyn-filwr i arwain y prosiect hwn, ac mae'n gallu ymgysylltu a deall y materion y mae cyn-filwyr yn eu hwynebu pan fyddant yn gadael y lluoedd arfog ac yn dychwelyd i fywyd sifiliad.
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One constituent who has been helped by NSA Extra is an ex-infantry solider who, at the age of just 29, had been discharged from the army, was suffering with mental illness, had been unemployed for two years and, on top of that, had just received an eviction notice from his home. NSA Extra was able to help. It developed an action plan to overcome barriers to work and raise his confidence. It secured funding to pay his employer £1,500 toward his first year of employment, and contacted the Royal British Legion, which helped him put a deposit and a month’s rent together so that he could move into new accommodation. This project has helped him rebuild his life, as it has many others like him. Minister, I hope that you agree that this is a fantastic example of how projects can make a real difference.
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Mae un etholwr a gafodd cymorth gan NSA Extra yn gyn-droedfilwr a gafodd, pan oedd ond yn 29 oed, ei ryddhau o'r fyddin, yn dioddef o salwch meddwl, bu’n ddi-waith am ddwy flynedd ac, ar ben hynny, yr oedd newydd dderbyn hysbysiad i gael ei droi allan o'i gartref. Roedd NSA Extra yn gallu helpu. Datblygodd gynllun gweithredu i oresgyn rhwystrau i waith a chodi ei hyder. Sicrhawyd cyllid i dalu £1,500 i’w gyflogwr tuag at ei flwyddyn gyntaf o gyflogaeth, a chysylltodd â’r Lleng Prydeinig Brenhinol, a wnaeth ei helpu i roi blaendal a rhent mis at ei gilydd fel ei fod yn gallu symud i lety newydd. Mae'r prosiect hwn wedi’i helpu iddo ailadeiladu ei fywyd, fel y gwnaeth i nifer o bobl eraill tebyg iddo. Weinidog, gobeithio eich bod yn cytuno fod hon yn enghraifft wych o sut y gall prosiectau wneud gwahaniaeth go iawn. |
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This project started off in one small part of Neath Port Talbot, but it is now seeking to extend into west and east Wales. I ask you to look at this pilot scheme and I hope that you agree with the suggestion from the Royal British Legion that we should be investing our time and resources in developing similar schemes across all authorities, ensuring that collaboration occurs. |
Dechreuodd y prosiect hwn mewn un rhan fach o Gastell-nedd Port Talbot, ond mae bellach yn ceisio ymestyn i orllewin a dwyrain Cymru. Gofynnaf ichi edrych ar y cynllun peilot hwn a gobeithio eich bod yn cytuno ag awgrym y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol y dylem fuddsoddi ein hamser ac adnoddau mewn datblygu cynlluniau tebyg ar draws bob awdurdod, gan sicrhau bod cydweithio yn digwydd.
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The motion refers to marking the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the great war; I am much happier remembering the end of the great war than the start of it. That is a personal view. As has already been mentioned, too many lives were lost—more than 9 million servicemen and more than 20 million people in total—in that one war that should have ended all wars, but which, as we know, did not. |
Mae’r cynnig yn cyfeirio at nodi canmlwyddiant dechrau’r rhyfel mawr; yr wyf yn llawer hapusach yn cofio diwedd y rhyfel mawr na’i ddechrau. Dyna fy marn bersonol. Fel y soniwyd eisoes, collwyd gormod o fywydau—mwy na 9 miliwn o filwyr a mwy na 20 miliwn o bobl i gyd—yn yr un rhyfel hwnnw a ddylai fod wedi dod â phob rhyfel i ben, ond na wnaeth hynny, fel y gwyddom.
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I finish by praising the courage, professionalism and sacrifices of our armed forces, past, present and future. Some 3,000 military personnel and their families are stationed in Wales. They are an integral part of Welsh society, and there is no more fitting way to recognise them than to provide them with the services, support and respect that they need and deserve. |
Gorffennaf drwy ganmol dewrder, proffesiynoldeb ac aberth ein lluoedd arfog, yn y gorffennol, y presennol a’r dyfodol. Mae rhyw 3,000 o bersonél milwrol a’u teuluoedd wedi eu lleoli yng Nghymru. Maent yn rhan annatod o gymdeithas Cymru, ac nid oes ffordd fwy addas i’w cydnabod na darparu’r gwasanaethau, cefnogaeth a pharch y maent eu hangen a’u haeddu iddynt.
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The Minister for Local Government and Communities (Carl Sargeant): I thank the Members who have made contributions today. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to our armed forces and veterans. The importance of the role played by the armed forces cannot be quantified: they protect our security and defend our freedoms and way of life. In addition, the exceptional demands placed on the families of those serving should not be forgotten. That is why our programme for government reaffirms our continuing commitment to the welfare of the whole of the armed forces community in Wales. I want to ensure that serving personnel, veterans and forces families have access to services that meet their specific needs and that they are not disadvantaged as a result of service. I also want to ensure that armed forces communities understand their entitlements and are able to communicate to us when things need to change. That is why, yesterday, I published the Welsh Government’s package of support for the armed forces community in Wales. |
Y Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau (Carl Sargeant): Diolch i’r Aelodau sydd wedi cyfrannu heddiw. Mae arnom ddyled enfawr o ddiolchgarwch i’n lluoedd arfog a chyn-filwyr. Ni ellir mesur pwysigrwydd y rôl a chwaraeir gan y lluoedd arfog: nhw yw ceidwaid ein diogelwch ac maent yn amddiffyn ein rhyddid a’n ffordd o fyw. Yn ogystal, ni ddylai’r galwadau eithriadol sydd ar deuluoedd y rhai sy’n gwasanaethu fynd yn angof. Dyna pam mae ein rhaglen llywodraethu yn ailddatgan ein hymrwymiad parhaus i les pob aelod o gymuned y lluoedd arfog yng Nghymru. Yr wyf am sicrhau bod personél sy’n gwasanaethu, cyn-filwyr a theuluoedd lluoedd yn cael mynediad at wasanaethau sy’n diwallu eu hanghenion penodol ac nad ydynt o dan anfantais o ganlyniad i wasanaethu. Yr wyf hefyd am sicrhau bod cymunedau lluoedd arfog yn deall eu hawliau ac yn gallu cyfathrebu wrthym pan mae angen i bethau newid. Dyna pam, ddoe, y cyhoeddais becyn cefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru i gymuned y lluoedd arfog yng Nghymru.
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On Monday, I visited the Royal British Legion in Llanrumney and met some veterans and members of the Royal British Legion, who expressed their appreciation for the hard work of our dedicated health professionals. In fact, the Royal British Legion praised the veterans and armed forces champion service, which has been rolled out across Wales, despite a colleague suggesting that this service is not available in north Wales. I can assure the Member that it is. The Royal British Legion also intimated that, across the water—I do not mean in England, but in America—what we are doing in Wales is being considered, particularly with regard to such things as veterans champions and how that could be rolled out as good practice across the globe. |
Ddydd Llun, ymwelais â’r Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol yn Llanrhymni a chyfarfod rhai o gyn-filwyr ac aelodau o’r Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol, a fynegodd eu gwerthfawrogiad am waith caled ein gweithwyr proffesiynol iechyd ymroddedig. Yn wir, canmolodd y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol y gwasanaeth pencampwr cyn-filwyr a’r lluoedd arfog, a gyflwynwyd ar draws Cymru, er gwaethaf awgrym cyd-Aelod nad yw’r gwasanaeth hwn ar gael yn y gogledd. Gallaf sicrhau’r Aelod ei fod. Awgrymodd y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol hefyd, dros y dŵr—nid wyf yn golygu Lloegr, ond America—fod yr hyn yr ydym yn ei wneud yng Nghymru yn cael ei ystyried, yn enwedig o ran pethau fel pencampwyr cyn-filwyr a sut y gellid eu cyflwyno fel arfer da ar draws y byd.
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Our ‘Welsh Government Package of Support for the Armed Forces Community’ is a key priority of this Government, and it has been specifically designed to be read alongside the Ministry of Defence covenant, the ‘Armed Forces Covenant: Today and Tomorrow’, to provide a seamless guide for the armed forces community on devolved and non-devolved matters. I listened with interest to the contributions from some Members who raised issues around the armed forces specifically. I remind Members that there are still functions in this regard that are not devolved to Wales. However, it is important that we work together to improve services for all members of the armed forces. |
Mae ein ‘Pecyn Cymorth Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer Cymuned y Lluoedd Arfog’ yn flaenoriaeth allweddol i’r Llywodraeth hon, a chafodd ei gynllunio yn benodol i gael ei ddarllen ochr yn ochr â chyfamod y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn, ‘Cyfamod y Lluoedd Arfog: Heddiw ac Yfory’, er mwyn darparu canllaw di-dor i gymuned y lluoedd arfog ar faterion wedi eu datganoli a heb eu datganoli. Gwrandewais gyda diddordeb ar gyfraniadau gan rai Aelodau a gododd faterion yn ymwneud â’r lluoedd arfog yn benodol. Hoffwn atgoffa Aelodau fod swyddogaethau mewn perthynas â hyn yn dal heb gael eu datganoli i Gymru. Fodd bynnag, mae’n bwysig ein bod yn gweithio gyda’n gilydd i wella gwasanaethau ar gyfer pob aelod o’r lluoedd arfog.
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As Russell George mentioned, the package of support document is a living document, and I fully intend to revisit it and update it regularly. I will listen to and read with interest the contributions made by Members today. When the armed forces were discussed in Plenary in February, I talked about the expert group that I have set up to advise me on the public services needs of armed forces personnel, their families and veterans. I see this group as playing a key role in identifying future needs and gaps in future policy on support. The package of support document identifies key existing and new commitments, including developments on veterans’ mental health services and other healthcare issues—an issue referred to by many Members today—developments in education, including changes to the school administration policy to better support armed forces families posted to Wales; the issue of housing, which was raised in the Chamber today, with reference being made to the inclusion of the extension of the homebuy scheme to cover widows of personnel killed in action; the disability facilities grant means-testing process; and the prevention of homelessness for most veterans in the 10-year homelessness plan, supported by my colleague Huw Lewis. |
Fel y soniodd Russell George, dogfen fyw yw’r pecyn cymorth, ac yr wyf yn llwyr fwriadu edrych arni eto a’i diweddaru yn rheolaidd. Byddaf yn gwrando ar gyfraniadau a wnaeth Aelodau heddiw ac yn eu darllen gyda diddordeb. Pan drafodwyd y lluoedd arfog yn y Cyfarfod Llawn ym mis Chwefror, soniais am y grŵp arbenigol a sefydlais i roi cyngor i mi ar anghenion o wasanaethau cyhoeddus sydd gan bersonél y lluoedd arfog, eu teuluoedd a chyn-filwyr. Gwelaf y grŵp hwn yn chwarae rhan allweddol o ran nodi anghenion a bylchau yn y polisïau cymorth ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae’r pecyn cymorth yn nodi ymrwymiadau presennol a newydd allweddol, gan gynnwys datblygiadau ar wasanaethau iechyd meddwl cyn-filwyr a materion gofal iechyd eraill—mater y cyfeiriodd nifer o Aelodau ato heddiw—datblygiadau mewn addysg, gan gynnwys newidiadau i’r polisi ar weinyddu ysgolion i wella’r gefnogaeth i deuluoedd lluoedd arfog sydd wedi eu lleoli yng Nghymru; tai, a grybwyllwyd yn y Siambr heddiw, gyda chyfeiriad at ymestyn y cynllun cymorth prynu i gynnwys gweddwon personél a laddwyd ar faes y gad; y broses profi modd ar gyfer y grant cyfleusterau anabledd; ac atal digartrefedd i’r rhan fwyaf o gyn-filwyr yn y cynllun digartrefedd 10 mlynedd, a gefnogir gan fy nghyd-Aelod, Huw Lewis.
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On blue badges, we are delivering automatic entitlement for seriously injured personnel. We have eased access to concessionary travel for seriously injured service personnel and are exploring the provision of free swimming for veterans and armed forces personnel on leave. |
O ran bathodynnau glas, yr ydym yn darparu hawl awtomatig i bersonél a anafwyd yn ddifrifol. Yr ydym wedi gwneud mynediad at deithio rhatach yn haws i bersonél milwrol a anafwyd yn ddifrifol ac yr ydym yn edrych ar y posibilrwydd o ddarparu nofio am ddim i gyn-filwyr a phersonél y lluoedd arfog sydd ar wyliau.
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The proposals put forward by the Welsh Conservatives cover some specific areas of development, to which I will now respond. The first world war had a profound effect on communities in Wales and the Welsh Government recognises the importance of recognising appropriately the service personnel who fell in that conflict. Earlier this year, we started to consider how best we could have a specific Welsh dimension to the first world war commemorations and that work is under way. I welcome last week’s appointment by the UK Government of Andrew Murrison MP as the Prime Minister’s special representative on the commemorations to mark the centenary of the first world war. I will be writing to Andrew this coming week, seeking assurances that Wales will be represented properly at a national level and in national events as appropriate and I will keep this Chamber informed. |
Mae’r cynigion a gyflwynwyd gan y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn cwmpasu rhai meysydd datblygu penodol, y byddaf yn ymateb iddynt yn awr. Cafodd y rhyfel byd cyntaf effaith fawr ar gymunedau yng Nghymru ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn sylweddoli pa mor bwysig yw cydnabod y lluoedd arfog a fu farw yn y rhyfel hwnnw yn briodol. Yn gynharach eleni, dechreuasom ystyried y ffordd orau inni gael dimensiwn Cymreig penodol i goffadwriaethau’r rhyfel byd cyntaf ac mae’r gwaith hwnnw yn mynd rhagddo. Croesawaf benodiad Andrew Murrison AS yr wythnos diwethaf gan Lywodraeth y DU fel cynrychiolydd arbennig y Prif Weinidog ar y coffadwriaethau i nodi canmlwyddiant y rhyfel byd cyntaf. Byddaf yn ysgrifennu at Andrew yr wythnos hon, yn ceisio sicrwydd y caiff Cymru ei chynrychioli yn briodol yn genedlaethol ac mewn digwyddiadau cenedlaethol fel y bo’n briodol, a byddaf yn rhoi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i’r Siambr hon.
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I turn to the Plaid Cymru amendment, amendment 1. I am aware of the discussions in the Petitions Committee surrounding the establishment of a peace institute and I fully support all measures aimed at securing peace, which our veterans fought so hard to secure. However, proposing this amendment to a motion that is concerned with veterans and the anniversary of the great war implies that such an institute would cover international peace. We have no powers in this area and the Welsh Government could not legitimately establish a body for that purpose. In another context, there might be a different outcome, but, on this occasion, I will, reluctantly, have to ask Members to oppose this amendment. However, I acknowledge and recognise the spirit of the amendment. |
Trof at welliant Plaid Cymru, gwelliant 1. Gwn am y trafodaethau yn y Pwyllgor Deisebau am sefydlu sefydliad heddwch ac yr wyf yn llwyr gefnogi pob mesur sy’n anelu at sicrhau heddwch, yr ymladdodd ein cyn-filwyr mor galed i’w sicrhau. Fodd bynnag, mae cynnig y gwelliant hwn i gynnig sy’n ymwneud â chyn-filwyr a phen-blwydd y rhyfel mawr yn awgrymu y byddai sefydliad o’r fath yn cwmpasu heddwch rhyngwladol. Nid oes gennym unrhyw bwerau yn y maes hwn ac ni allai Llywodraeth Cymru sefydlu corff at y diben hwnnw yn gyfreithlon. Mewn cyd-destun arall, efallai y byddai canlyniad gwahanol, ond, ar yr achlysur hwn, bydd yn rhaid imi ofyn, yn anfoddog, i Aelodau wrthwynebu’r gwelliant hwn. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn cydnabod ysbryd y gwelliant.
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In October, the Welsh Government formally launched the mental health and wellbeing service for veterans in each local authority, supported with annual funding of over £450,000. We should be proud of that in Wales. Members have made reference to England-and-Wales statistics—I would ask Members to tease out the figures for what is happening in Wales, because it is significantly different from what is happening in England. The armed forces group that I have set up alludes to this at every meeting; we should not generalise across the UK. In Wales, we are doing some very innovative and effective things. |
Ym mis Hydref, lansiodd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ffurfiol y gwasanaeth iechyd a lles meddwl i gyn-filwyr ym mhob awdurdod lleol, a gefnogir gan gyllid blynyddol o dros £450,000. Dylem fod yn falch o hynny yng Nghymru. Mae Aelodau wedi cyfeirio at ystadegau Lloegr a Chymru—gofynnaf i Aelodau ddod o hyd i’r ffigurau ar gyfer yr hyn sy’n digwydd yng Nghymru, gan ei fod yn sylweddol wahanol i’r hyn sy’n digwydd yn Lloegr. Mae’r grŵp lluoedd arfog a sefydlais yn cyfeirio at hyn ym mhob cyfarfod; ni ddylem gyffredinoli ar draws y DU. Yng Nghymru, yr ydym yn gwneud rhai pethau arloesol ac effeithiol iawn.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: You touched on mental health and health services in general. When the former Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee looked into the issue of service personnel and the ability of the military to transfer their records to the health service, it found that there were big gaps in the discussions that were undertaken and the release of that information. Are you in a position, in the time that you have left, to indicate to the Chamber whether any progress has been made by the Welsh Government on facilitating the greater sharing of information?
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Soniasoch am iechyd a gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn gyffredinol. Pan edrychodd y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol, Iechyd a Lles blaenorol ar bersonél milwrol a gallu’r lluoedd arfog i drosglwyddo eu cofnodion i’r gwasanaeth iechyd, canfu fod bylchau mawr yn y trafodaethau a gafwyd â hwy ac o ran rhyddhau’r wybodaeth honno. A allwch chi, yn yr amser sydd yn weddill i chi, ddangos i’r Siambr a wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru unrhyw gynnydd ar hwyluso mwy o rannu gwybodaeth?
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Carl Sargeant: Certainly. There have been discussions in the group that I chair about how we can facilitate that better. The Minister for health has written to health boards advising them on their obligations and treatment proposals. That is outlined in a Welsh health circular. I will ask the Minister to seek some discussions to see whether we need to update advice on GP access and support and the accessing of records. I have taken up this issue with the department in Westminster, a representative of which sits on my group. I would be happy to write to the Member, and Members, outlining the progress made on that specific issue. |
Carl Sargeant: Yn sicr. Bu trafodaethau yn y grŵp yr wyf yn ei gadeirio am sut y gallwn hwyluso hynny yn well. Mae’r Gweinidog iechyd wedi ysgrifennu at fyrddau iechyd yn dweud wrthynt am eu rhwymedigaethau a’u cynigion triniaeth. Amlinellir hynny mewn cylchlythyr iechyd Cymru. Gwnaf ofyn i’r Gweinidog geisio cael trafodaethau i weld a oes angen inni ddiweddaru’r cyngor ar fynediad at a chefnogaeth gan feddygon teulu a mynediad at gofnodion. Yr wyf wedi codi’r mater hwn gyda’r adran yn San Steffan, y mae cynrychiolydd iddo yn eistedd ar fy ngrŵp. Byddwn yn fodlon ysgrifennu at yr Aelod, ac Aelodau, yn amlinellu’r cynnydd a wnaed ar y mater penodol hwnnw.
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I will address the issue of the veterans ID card, which was proposed by the Conservatives in a debate in February, and I will repeat some of the key issues that I raised in that debate. Implementing a card specifically for Welsh veterans would be costly and would provide little additional benefit. Many of the benefits proposed through the introduction of such a card are already available to veterans in Wales and are set out in the package of support document. The Ministry of Defence is currently seeking to introduce a veterans card from spring 2012. This will confirm veterans’ status as former members of the armed forces and will help them to gain access to benefits and services, such as the services of some commercial companies. I will take note of that card and see whether there would be any advantages to us pursuing that in Wales. So, I am not closing the door on that discussion, but I would like to have some further information. I would be happy to have further discussions with the party opposite on that and how we can build that together. |
Ymdriniaf â mater y cerdyn adnabod cyn-filwyr a gynigiwyd gan y Ceidwadwyr mewn dadl ym mis Chwefror, ac ailadroddaf rai o’r materion allweddol a godais yn y ddadl honno. Byddai cyflwyno cerdyn yn benodol i gyn-filwyr Cymreig yn gostus ac ni fyddai yn darparu fawr o fudd ychwanegol. Mae llawer o’r manteision a gynigir trwy gyflwyno cerdyn o’r fath eisoes ar gael i gyn-filwyr yng Nghymru ac yn cael eu nodi yn y pecyn cymorth. Mae’r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn ar hyn o bryd yn ceisio cyflwyno cerdyn cyn-filwyr o wanwyn 2012 ymlaen. Bydd hyn yn cadarnhau statws cyn-filwyr fel cyn-aelodau o’r lluoedd arfog a bydd yn eu helpu i gael mynediad at fudd-daliadau a gwasanaethau, fel gwasanaethau rhai cwmnïau masnachol. Byddaf yn cymryd sylw o’r cerdyn hwnnw a gweld a fyddai unrhyw fanteision i ni fynd ar drywydd hynny yng Nghymru. Felly, nid wyf yn cau’r drws ar y drafodaeth honno, ond hoffwn gael rhagor o wybodaeth. Byddwn yn hapus i gael trafodaethau pellach gyda’r blaid gyferbyn ar hynny a sut y gallwn adeiladu hynny gyda’n gilydd.
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Finally, we must ensure that we support our armed forces, veterans, communities and families across Wales. I hope that the Welsh Government will continue to do that, certainly with me as the responsible Minister. I can do that with cross-party support and agreement. I thank Members for bringing forward this debate. |
Yn olaf, mae’n rhaid i ni sicrhau ein bod yn cefnogi ein lluoedd arfog, cyn-filwyr, cymunedau a theuluoedd ledled Cymru. Gobeithio y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn dal ati i wneud hynny, yn sicr gyda mi fel y Gweinidog cyfrifol. Gallaf wneud hynny gyda chefnogaeth a chytundeb trawsbleidiol. Diolch i’r Aelodau am gyflwyno’r ddadl hon.
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Byron Davies: It gives me great pleasure, in the limited time available to me, to close this important debate and recognise the massive contribution and commitment made by all Welsh armed forces personnel and their families. Indeed, I have first-hand experience as my son is a serving army officer who, last year, was in Afghanistan. It is a time of great risk and fear for parents. |
Byron Davies: Mae’n bleser mawr i mi, yn yr amser prin sydd gennyf, gloi’r ddadl bwysig hon a chydnabod y cyfraniad a’r ymrwymiad enfawr a wnaed gan holl bersonél y lluoedd arfog yng Nghymru a’u teuluoedd. Yn wir, mae gennyf brofiad uniongyrchol gan fod fy mab yn swyddog yn y fyddin a oedd yn Affganistan y llynedd. Mae’n adeg o berygl mawr ac ofn i rieni.
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I thank everyone who contributed positively to this debate. I will touch on the remarks made by some Members in a moment. First, I would like to return to discuss the motion and consider what we will be voting on and why. There are three main aims in the motion, which have already been outlined. The motion calls on the Government to recognise formally the 100-year anniversary of the great war in 2014, to do everything it can to address the needs of our armed forces and ex-forces personnel with PTSD, and to develop and implement a dedicated armed forces card. |
Diolch i bawb a gyfrannodd yn gadarnhaol i’r ddadl hon. Byddaf yn sôn am y sylwadau a wnaeth rhai Aelodau mewn munud. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn fynd yn ôl i drafod y cynnig ac ystyried yr hyn y byddwn yn pleidleisio arno a pham. Mae tri phrif nod yn y cynnig, sydd eisoes wedi eu hamlinellu. Mae’r cynnig yn galw ar y Llywodraeth i gydnabod yn ffurfiol canmlwyddiant y rhyfel mawr yn 2014, i wneud popeth o fewn ei gallu i fynd i’r afael ag anghenion ein lluoedd arfog a chyn-bersonél milwrol â PTSD, ac i ddatblygu a chyflwyno cerdyn lluoedd arfog pwrpasol.
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I will turn to what has been said by Members today. Lindsay Whittle, in agreeing with Mark Isherwood—who gave a very eloquent introduction to the debate—gave an interesting account of his visit to Afghanistan and the PTSD presentation that he experienced. We, on this side of the Chamber, agree with the sentiments he expressed concerning the involvement of the Ministry of Defence and the NHS, which was later highlighted and endorsed by Peter Black, who went on to pinpoint the inadequacies of PTSD treatment. |
Trof at yr hyn a ddywedodd Aelodau heddiw. Wrth gytuno â Mark Isherwood—a roddodd gyflwyniad huawdl iawn i’r ddadl—soniodd Lindsay Whittle yn ddifyr am ei ymweliad i Affganistan a’r cyflwyniad am PTSD a gafodd. Yr ydym ni, ar yr ochr hon i’r Siambr, yn cytuno â’r teimladau a fynegodd am rôl y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn a’r GIG, a amlygwyd ac a gymeradwywyd yn ddiweddarach gan Peter Black, a aeth ymlaen i fanylu ar ba mor annigonol yw’r driniaeth o PTSD.
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Paul Davies talked about the investigation of the Welsh Affairs Committee. Quite interestingly, he mentioned local authorities and the need for them to meet their statutory obligations and spoke about the reintegration of veterans. |
Soniodd Paul Davies am ymchwiliad y Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig. Yn eithaf diddorol, soniodd am awdurdodau lleol a’r angen iddynt fodloni eu rhwymedigaethau statudol a soniodd am ailintegreiddio cyn-filwyr.
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Mick Antoniw talked about the issues relating to PTSD, for which we are very grateful. I saw the effects during my police service. He talked about the experiences of police officers, fire officers and train drivers. PTSD is quite horrific. He rightly pointed out the training issues attached to treating PTSD, particularly specialist counselling. |
Soniodd Mick Antoniw am y materion sy’n ymwneud â PTSD, ac yr ydym yn ddiolchgar iawn am hynny. Gwelais yr effeithiau yn ystod fy ngwasanaeth yn yr heddlu. Soniodd am brofiadau swyddogion yr heddlu, swyddogion tân a gyrwyr trên. Mae PTSD yn erchyll. Roedd yn iawn i dynnu sylw at y materion hyfforddi sydd ynghlwm â thrin PTSD, yn enwedig cwnsela arbenigol.
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Russell George made reference to the Royal British Legion and the excellent work that it does. He went on to welcome the document announced yesterday as a step in the right direction. The timing obviously means that the Government has listened to our group and to this motion, which is most welcome. However, as Russell George has said, many of its commitments fall short of what we believe is necessary to provide the best for our armed forces personnel. The existence of NHS priority treatment is not enough. Action should be taken to raise awareness of it, and an armed forces card would do that. Making available information on accessing services is vital. An armed forces card would increase awareness of the needs of armed forces personnel and provide information about all of the services that are available. |
Cyfeiriodd Russell George at y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol a’r gwaith rhagorol mae’n ei wneud. Aeth ymlaen i groesawu’r ddogfen a gyhoeddwyd ddoe fel cam yn y cyfeiriad cywir. Mae’r amseriad yn amlwg yn golygu bod y Llywodraeth wedi gwrando ar ein grŵp ac ar y cynnig hwn, sydd i’w groesawu’n fawr. Fodd bynnag, fel dywedodd Russell George, mae llawer o’i hymrwymiadau yn brin o’r hyn a gredwn sydd ei angen i ddarparu’r gorau i’n personél lluoedd arfog. Nid yw bodolaeth triniaeth flaenoriaethol gan y GIG yn ddigon. Dylid cymryd camau i godi ymwybyddiaeth ohoni, a byddai cerdyn lluoedd arfog yn gwneud hynny. Mae sicrhau argaeledd gwybodaeth ar gael mynediad at wasanaethau yn hanfodol. Byddai cerdyn lluoedd arfog yn cynyddu ymwybyddiaeth o anghenion personél y lluoedd arfog ac yn darparu gwybodaeth am yr holl wasanaethau sydd ar gael.
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While it has been highlighted that all of those serving in the Royal Welsh regiment will receive free admission to Caernarfon castle, which contains the regimental museum, we ask for a commitment to allow free entry to Cadw heritage sites for all armed forces personnel. |
Er ei bod wedi cael ei amlygu y bydd pawb sy’n gwasanaethu yng nghatrawd Frenhinol Cymru yn cael mynediad am ddim i gastell Caernarfon, sy’n cynnwys yr amgueddfa gatrodol, gofynnwn am ymrwymiad i ganiatáu mynediad am ddim i safleoedd treftadaeth Cadw i holl bersonél y lluoedd arfog.
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Leanne Wood spoke very well about remembering the losses of the twentieth and twenty-first century and referred to Harry Patch’s touching words. She also spoke of the work of the cross-party group and learning lessons. |
Siaradodd Leanne Wood yn dda iawn am gofio colledion yr ugeinfed a’r unfed ganrif ar hugain a chyfeiriodd at eiriau teimladwy Harry Patch. Siaradodd hefyd am waith y grŵp trawsbleidiol a dysgu gwersi.
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Janet Finch-Saunders made the case for supporting our armed forces and suggested a Welsh memorial at Passendale. She also reinforced the Welsh Conservatives’ call for additional provisions for veterans. |
Gwnaeth Janet Finch-Saunders yr achos dros gefnogi ein lluoedd arfog ac awgrymodd gofeb Gymreig yn Passendale. Atgyfnerthodd hefyd alwad y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig am ddarpariaethau ychwanegol i gyn-filwyr.
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David Rees, while remembering those who have died, also reminded us about those who have survived and the need to care for them. |
Wrth iddo gofio’r rhai fu farw, atgoffodd David Rees ni hefyd am y rhai sydd wedi goroesi a’r angen i ofalu amdanynt.
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The Minister talked about the need for veterans to have access to services in Wales, and referred to the document recently launched by his Government. He made an interesting point about the USA looking at the Welsh packages available to veterans. He spoke of it being a living document and we, on this side of the Chamber, look forward to witnessing those further introductions. We look forward to improvements and advancements regarding housing, widows, homelessness, the blue badge scheme, and free swimming. |
Soniodd y Gweinidog am yr angen i gyn-filwyr gael mynediad at wasanaethau yng Nghymru, a chyfeiriodd at y ddogfen a lansiwyd yn ddiweddar gan ei Lywodraeth. Gwnaeth bwynt diddorol am ddiddordeb yr UDA yn y pecynnau sydd ar gael i gyn-filwyr Cymru. Siaradodd am sut mae’n ddogfen fyw ac yr ydym ni, ar yr ochr hon i’r Siambr, yn edrych ymlaen at weld y pethau hynny yn cael eu cyflwyno. Edrychwn ymlaen at welliannau a datblygiadau o ran tai, gweddwon, digartrefedd, y cynllun bathodyn glas, a nofio am ddim.
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I am sure that all Members in the Chamber were pleased to hear the response regarding the first world war celebrations, and we look forward to further updates on that.
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Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd pob Aelod yn y Siambr yn falch o glywed yr ymateb ynghylch dathlu’r rhyfel byd cyntaf, ac yr ydym yn edrych ymlaen at ddiweddariadau pellach ar hynny. |
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4.15 p.m.
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In conclusion, on the back of the contributions that I have highlighted, and given the apparent inadequacies of yesterday’s Government report on the necessity to support members of our armed forces and their families, it is important to remember the great sacrifices that previous generations have made. Without their sacrifice, courage and sense of duty, we would not be sitting here today debating these issues openly and freely. I commend the motion to you.
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I gloi, ar gefn y cyfraniadau yr wyf wedi tynnu sylw atynt, ac o gofio’r diffygion ymddangosiadol ddoe yn adroddiad y Llywodraeth ar yr angen i gefnogi aelodau ein lluoedd arfog a’u teuluoedd, mae’n bwysig cofio aberth mawr cenedlaethau blaenorol. Heb eu haberth, eu dewrder a’u hymdeimlad o ddyletswydd, ni fyddem yn eistedd yma heddiw yn trafod y materion hyn yn agored ac yn rhydd. Cymeradwyaf y cynnig i chi. |
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The Presiding Officer: The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? I see that there are objections. I therefore defer all voting on this item until voting time.
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Y Llywydd: Y cynnig yw cytuno ar y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio. A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Gwelaf fod gwrthwynebiad. Felly, gohiriaf yr holl bleidleisio ar yr eitem hon tan y cyfnod pleidleisio. |
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod
pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair am 4.15
p.m.
The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair at
4.15 p.m.
Dadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig
Welsh Conservatives Debate
Yr Economi
Wledig
The Rural Economy
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Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliant 1 yn enw Jocelyn Davies a gwelliannau 2 a 3 yn enw Peter Black. |
The Deputy Presiding Officer: I have selected amendment 1 in the name of Jocelyn Davies and amendments 2 and 3 in the name of Peter Black.
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Cynnig NDM4845 William Graham
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Motion NDM4845 William Graham
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Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru: |
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
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1. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i:
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1. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
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a) gwneud economi wledig Cymru yn fwy cystadleuol drwy wneud gwelliannau mewn seilwaith;
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a) increase the competitiveness of the Welsh rural economy through improvements in infrastructure;
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b) diogelu dyfodol Cymru wledig drwy helpu busnesau gwledig i gynyddu nifer y swyddi a chynorthwyo pobl ifanc i aros mewn ardaloedd gwledig; ac
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b) safeguard the future of rural Wales by helping rural businesses deliver job growth and assisting young people to remain in rural areas; and
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c) ymrwymo i adolygu’r holl reoliadau a’r fiwrocratiaeth sy’n effeithio ar yr economi wledig. |
c) commit to reviewing all regulations and red tape affecting the rural economy.
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Antoinette Sandbach: I move the motion. |
Antoinette Sandbach: Cynigiaf y cynnig. |
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The importance of the rural economy to Wales cannot be overstated. However, behind the picture postcard view of Wales that visitors see is the reality of working life in rural Wales. It is the farmer who gets up before dawn to go to work in the wind and the rain and who then comes home to a mountain of paperwork. It is the owner of a small business waiting week after week for the most trivial of broadband problems to be resolved. It is the working families spending more on transport than on food because jobs are scarce and public transport is non-existent. The Welsh Conservatives want the Welsh Government to help our rural economy to live up to its potential and to punch its weight. This debate is an opportunity to shine a light on some of the structural shortcomings that make the rural economy uncompetitive and to suggest a way forward.
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Ni ellir gorbwysleisio pwysigrwydd yr economi wledig i Gymru. Fodd bynnag, y tu ôl i’r olygfa ddelfrydol o Gymru y mae ymwelwyr yn ei gweld y mae’r realiti o weithio yng nghefn gwlad Cymru. Dyma’r ffermwr sy’n codi cyn y wawr i fynd i weithio yn y gwynt a’r glaw ac yna ddod adref i domen o waith papur. Dyma berchennog busnes bach sy’n aros am wythnosau cyfain i’r problemau mwyaf dibwys gyda’r band eang cael eu datrys. Dyma’r teuluoedd sy’n gweithio sy’n gwario mwy ar drafnidiaeth nag ar fwyd yn wyneb prinder swyddi ac absenoldeb trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Mae’r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig am i Lywodraeth Cymru helpu ein heconomi wledig i gyrraedd ei photensial a gwneud yn well na’r disgwyl. Mae’r ddadl hon yn gyfle i daflu goleuni ar rai o’r diffygion strwythurol sy’n gwneud yr economi wledig yn anghystadleuol ac awgrymu ffordd ymlaen. |
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The Welsh Conservatives are happy to support amendments 2 and 3, tabled by the Liberal Democrats. The Welsh Government’s decision to remove the less favoured area uplift from Glastir is regrettable, as that will cause additional hardship to farm businesses, particularly in the light of the evidence that the Common Agricultural Policy Task and Finish Group took today indicating that LFA will continue in the rest of Europe. It is also right to welcome the investment being made by the UK Government in broadband infrastructure and the benefits that that will bring.
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Mae’r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn falch o gefnogi gwelliannau 2 a 3, a gyflwynwyd gan y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Mae penderfyniad Llywodraeth Cymru i gael gwared ar y taliad chwyddo ar gyfer ardaloedd llai ffafriol o Glastir yn anffodus, gan y bydd yn achosi caledi ychwanegol i fusnesau ffermio, yn enwedig yng ngoleuni’r dystiolaeth i’r Grŵp Gorchwyl a Gorffen ar y Polisi Amaethyddol Cyffredin heddiw yn nodi y bydd ardaloedd llai ffafriol yn parhau yng ngweddill Ewrop. Iawn, hefyd, yw croesawu buddsoddiad Llywodraeth y DU yn y seilwaith band eang a’r manteision a ddaw yn sgil hynny. |
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We are unable at this stage to support Plaid Cymru’s amendment 1. The reality is that information already shows that CAP reform will inevitably create winners and losers in different areas and in different sectors. We appreciate the sentiment behind the amendment, as the Welsh Conservatives want to see the best outcomes for rural Wales, but it is not possible to support such a broadly drafted amendment.
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Ni allwn gefnogi gwelliant 1 Plaid Cymru ar hyn o bryd. Y realiti yw bod gwybodaeth eisoes yn dangos ei bod yn anochel y bydd diwygio’r PAC yn creu enillwyr a chollwyr mewn gwahanol ardaloedd a sectorau. Rydym yn gwerthfawrogi’r teimlad y tu ôl i’r gwelliant, oherwydd mae’r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig am weld y canlyniadau gorau i’r Gymru wledig, ond mae’n amhosibl cefnogi gwelliant mor eang o ran ei ddrafftio. |
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The Welsh Conservatives have no interest whatsoever in talking rural Wales down. The rural workforce has great entrepreneurial strengths: it is more motivated; economic inactivity is low; it is more self-reliant; and there are a greater proportion of those who are in self-employment. The evidence suggests that those in the rural workforce are better educated and have more degrees and that there are fewer who have no qualifications. On that foundation, rural Wales helps to contribute £9 billion to the Welsh economy. However, as the food and drink sector council said today, it could do so much better. Many of these businesses are microbusinesses and we need to make it easy for them to access support and to grow.
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Nid oes gan y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig y diddordeb lleiaf mewn dilorni’r Gymru wledig. Mae gan y gweithlu gwledig gryfderau entrepreneuraidd mawr: mae’n fwy brwdfrydig; mae anweithgarwch economaidd yn isel; mae’n fwy hunan-ddibynnol; ac mae canran fwy o bobl hunangyflogedig. Mae’r dystiolaeth yn awgrymu bod gan bobl yn y gweithlu gwledig fwy o addysg a mwy o raddau, a bod llai ohonynt heb gymwysterau. Ar y sylfaen honno, mae’r Gymru wledig yn helpu i gyfrannu £9 biliwn i economi Cymru. Er hynny, fel y dywedodd cyngor y sector bwyd a diod heddiw, gallai wneud cymaint yn well. Mae llawer o’r busnesau hyn yn ficrofusnesau ac mae angen i ni ei gwneud yn hawdd iddynt gael gafael ar gymorth a thyfu. |
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Professor Robert Huggins from Cardiff Metropolitan University and Rob Hindle, director of a company called Rural Innovation, found that Welsh rural economies are becoming less competitive and less sustainable. They are being damaged by centralised service delivery, and the application of planning policy is prejudiced against them.
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Canfu’r Athro Robert Huggins o Brifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd a Rob Hindle, cyfarwyddwr cwmni o’r enw Rural Innovation, fod economïau gwledig Cymru yn mynd yn llai cystadleuol a llai cynaliadwy. Mae cyflawni gwasanaethau’n ganolog yn niweidiol iddynt, ac mae rhagfarn yn eu herbyn yn y ffordd y cymhwysir polisi cynllunio. |
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Moving on to the food and drink sector, I welcome the fact that the Welsh Government has made food and farming a priority sector. That whole sector, from production to retail and hospitality, contributes £6.5 billion to the Welsh economy. That has been a welcome step forward by the Minister for business. Having said that, we are still behind Scotland and England in adding value to our produce.
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Gan droi at y sector bwyd a diod, croesawaf y ffaith bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud bwyd a ffermio yn sector blaenoriaeth. Mae’r sector gyfan, o gynhyrchu i fanwerthu a lletygarwch, yn cyfrannu £6.5 biliwn i economi Cymru. Croesewir y cam ymlaen hwnnw gan y Gweinidog dros fusnes. Wedi dweud hynny, yr ydym yn dal i fod y tu ôl i’r Alban a Lloegr wrth ychwanegu gwerth at ein cynnyrch. |
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In relation to our farms, more than a third of Welsh farms have a turnover of less than £25,000 a year. Agricultural gross value added in Wales has plummeted, down 70 per cent in the 10 years to 2007. If that change had not taken place, we would be generating an extra £80 million a year for the Welsh economy. We welcome the fact that almost half of the primary producers in Wales are expecting to increase their turnover in 2011. However, the sector still has a long road to recovery. Changes in relation to LFA will mean there is a redistribution of income from the uplands to the lowlands. We need to ensure that our farming and forestry sectors have access to the marketing and sales skills that are needed to add value to their products.
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Mewn perthynas â ffermydd Cymru, mae trosiant dros draean ohonynt yn llai na £25,000 y flwyddyn. Mae gwerth crynswth amaethyddol ychwanegol yng Nghymru wedi plymio, i lawr 70 y cant yn y 10 mlynedd i 2007. Oni bai am y newid hwnnw, byddem yn cynhyrchu £80 miliwn ychwanegol y flwyddyn i economi Cymru. Croesawn y ffaith bod bron hanner y cynhyrchwyr cynradd yng Nghymru yn disgwyl i’w trosiant gynyddu yn 2011. Fodd bynnag, mae gan y sector ffordd hir i fynd tuag at adferiad. Bydd newidiadau o ran ardaloedd llai ffafriol yn golygu y caiff incwm ei ailddosbarthu o’r ucheldiroedd i’r iseldiroedd. Mae angen i ni sicrhau bod ein sector ffermio a’n sector coedwigaeth yn cael mynediad at y sgiliau marchnata a gwerthu sydd eu hangen i ychwanegu gwerth at eu cynnyrch. |
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We also have to tackle red tape in the industry. I am aware that the Minister announced a review on red tape in the last Assembly term. That review has not yet reported and we need action on that now.
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Rhaid inni hefyd fynd i’r afael â biwrocratiaeth yn y diwydiant. Gwn i’r Gweinidog gyhoeddi adolygiad o fiwrocratiaeth yn nhymor diwethaf y Cynulliad. Mae’r adolygiad heb adrodd eto ac mae angen gweithredu ar hynny yn awr. |
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Edwina Hart: Six months— |
Edwina Hart: Chwe mis—
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Antoinette Sandbach: Six months, yes, I hear the Minister. However, there was a previous review carried out under the prior Minister. There was also a review in the Macdonald report that indicated many of the areas where action could be taken effectively, straight away. That inquiry was carried out through the DEFRA consultation on the Macdonald report. |
Antoinette Sandbach: Chwe mis, ie, fe glywaf y Gweinidog. Fodd bynnag, cafwyd adolygiad blaenorol o dan y Gweinidog blaenorol. Hefyd, roedd adolygiad yn adroddiad Macdonald a nododd nifer o’r meysydd lle y gellid gweithredu yn effeithiol, yn ddiymdroi. Cynhaliwyd yr ymchwiliad hwnnw o dan ymgynghoriad DEFRA ar adroddiad Macdonald.
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The second sector that contributes hugely to the rural Welsh economy is tourism, which is worth £3.6 billion. That sector has stagnated after the Wales Tourist Board was absorbed into the Government. We have no doubt that tourism is important in terms of the Welsh Government’s approach, but there have been roughly 11 or 12 strategies already in relation to tourism, yet little collaboration. The result is confusion. There is a lack of effective marketing. Wales has been losing market share to other regions in Britain. The Welsh Government is failing to protect the landscape that is so loved by visitors to Wales, as well as those living here. In particular, I am thinking of the electricity pylons. I have said on numerous occasions that 48 per cent of visitors to Wales say that pylons detract from their visitor experience. We need to get our house in order on tourism, identify the right markets for Wales and pursue them in collaboration with business and local authorities.
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Yr ail sector sy’n cyfrannu’n aruthrol at economi wledig Cymru yw twristiaeth, sy’n werth £3.6 biliwn. Mae’r sector hwnnw wedi marweiddio ers i Fwrdd Croeso Cymru gael ei ymgorffori yn y Llywodraeth. Nid oes gennym unrhyw amheuaeth bod twristiaeth yn bwysig i ddull gweithredu Llywodraeth Cymru, ond cafwyd tua 11 neu 12 o strategaethau eisoes mewn perthynas â thwristiaeth, ond ychydig o gydweithio. Y canlyniad yw dryswch. Mae diffyg marchnata effeithiol. Mae Cymru wedi bod yn colli cyfran o’r farchnad i ranbarthau eraill ym Mhrydain. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn methu â diogelu’r tirlun a gerir cymaint gan ymwelwyr â Chymru, a chan bobl sy’n byw yma. Peilonau trydan sydd gennyf mewn golwg yn benodol. Yr wyf wedi dweud sawl gwaith bod 48 y cant o ymwelwyr â Chymru yn dweud bod peilonau yn lleihau ar eu profiad fel ymwelwyr. Mae angen inni roi trefn ar bethau o ran twristiaeth, nodi’r marchnadoedd iawn i Gymru ac yna mynd ar eu trywydd mewn cydweithrediad ag awdurdodau lleol a busnes. |
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In relation to infrastructure, on broadband we need look no further than last week’s reports from Ofcom. Rural Wales has the worst coverage, the slowest speed and the poorest access to super-fast broadband. Broadband is not an optional extra for the rural businesses that generate jobs and support self-employment in the rural economy. I appreciate that there are a number of Government initiatives to improve access to broadband. However, those initiatives have relatively low take-up. Only last week, I was speaking to a representative from a company that had mailshotted 30,000 people who qualified for support under those schemes. He had only received just 300 responses from relevant businesses and farms. I would urge the Welsh Government to ensure that it does more to encourage take-up of the broadband initiative. Poor telecommunications infrastructure is having a crippling effect on small rural businesses. It holds back growth, expansion and innovation.
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Mewn perthynas â seilwaith, o ran band eang, ni raid inni edrych ymhellach nag adroddiadau Ofcom yr wythnos diwethaf. Mae gan Gymru wledig y gwasanaeth gwaethaf, y cyflymder arafaf a’r fynedfa waethaf at fand eang cyflym iawn. Nid rhywbeth ychwanegol a dewisol yw band eang i’r busnesau gwledig sy’n creu swyddi ac yn cefnogi hunangyflogaeth yn yr economi wledig. Yr wyf yn gwerthfawrogi bod gan y Llywodraeth nifer o fentrau i wella mynediad at fand eang, ond ychydig iawn sy’n manteisio ar y mentrau hynny. Mor ddiweddar â’r wythnos diwethaf, yr oeddwn yn siarad â chynrychiolydd cwmni a oedd wedi cysylltu trwy’r post â 30,000 o bobl a oedd yn gymwys am gymorth o dan y cynlluniau hynny. Cafodd 300 o ymatebion yn unig oddi wrth fusnesau a ffermydd perthnasol. Byddwn yn annog Llywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau ei bod yn gwneud mwy i annog pobl i fanteisio ar y fenter band eang. Mae seilwaith telathrebu wael yn effeithio’n andwyol ar fusnesau bach cefn gwlad. Mae’n rhwystr ar dwf, ehangu ac arloesi. |
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The next area is transport. Rural Wales is reliant on cars and public transport is simply not an option. I was contacted yesterday by a constituent who faces a two-hour bus journey from Mold to Wrexham. Services are infrequent and connections are not co-ordinated. We invite the Welsh Government to follow Sustrans’s lead in recognising transport poverty. There also need to be improved transport links to London and from north Wales to south Wales. If someone has a meeting in south Wales and is coming from north Wales, it will take them four and a half hours on the train to get there and four and a half hours to get back, which is a day lost in travel time.
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Y maes nesaf yw trafnidiaeth. Mae’r Gymru wledig yn dibynnu ar geir; nid yw trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn opsiwn. Cysylltwyd â mi ddoe gan etholwr sy’n wynebu taith bws o ddwy awr o’r Wyddgrug i Wrecsam. Mae gwasanaethau yn anfynych ac nid oes trefn ar gysylltiadau. Rydym yn gwahodd Llywodraeth Cymru i ddilyn esiampl Sustrans yn cydnabod tlodi trafnidiaeth. Hefyd, mae angen gwella cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth i Lundain a rhwng gogledd Cymru a de Cymru. Os oes gan rywun yn y gogledd gyfarfod yn ne Cymru, bydd yn cymryd pedair awr a hanner ar y trên iddynt gyrraedd a phedair awr a hanner i fynd yn ôl, sef diwrnod a gollwyd i amser teithio. |
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Finally, on access to services, rural Wales has the worst access to public services, a fact that has been confirmed in the Welsh index of multiple deprivation. The local authorities with the most wards that are deprived of access to services are Powys, with 53 per cent of wards in the most deprived section, Ceredigion with 45 per cent, Pembrokeshire with 38 per cent, and Carmarthenshire and Gwynedd. Without access to those services, it is difficult for those in the community to grow their businesses.
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Yn olaf, ar fynediad i wasanaethau, yn y Gymru wledig y mae mynediad i wasanaethau cyhoeddus ar eu gwaethaf, sef ffaith a gadarnhawyd ym mynegai amddifadedd lluosog Cymru. Yr awdurdodau lleol sydd â’r nifer fwyaf o wardiau sy’n amddifad o ran mynediad at wasanaethau yw Powys, gyda 53 y cant o’i wardiau yn adran y mwyaf difreintiedig, Ceredigion gyda 45 y cant, sir Benfro gyda 38 y cant, a sir Gaerfyrddin a Gwynedd. Heb fynediad at y gwasanaethau hynny, mae’n anodd i bobl yn y gymuned dyfu eu busnesau. |
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We have fantastic opportunities in Wales. We have resourceful, intelligent people who have fantastic transferrable skills. In the rural economy, those are the skills that are used to create and sustain jobs, often within families and on a small scale. Those producers who have those skills need to be encouraged and supported to grow their businesses. Their businesses already contribute hugely to the Welsh economy and we would like to see changes that encourage them to do more and to grow to their full potential. |
Mae gennym gyfleoedd gwych yng Nghymru. Mae gennym bobl ddyfeisgar a deallus sydd â sgiliau trosglwyddadwy gwych. Yn yr economi wledig, dyna’r sgiliau sy’n cael eu defnyddio i greu a chynnal swyddi, yn aml mewn teuluoedd ac ar raddfa fach. Mae angen annog a chefnogi cynhyrchwyr sydd â’r sgiliau hynny i dyfu eu busnesau. Mae eu busnesau’n cyfrannu’n aruthrol i economi Cymru eisoes, a hoffem weld newidiadau sy’n eu hannog i wneud mwy a chyrraedd eu llawn botensial. |
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Gwelliant 1 Jocelyn Davies |
Amendment 1 Jocelyn Davies
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Ychwanegu ar ddiwedd is-bwynt 1b):
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Add at end of sub point 1b):
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, ymwrthod ag ymdrechion i ddiwygio’r PAC mewn unrhyw ffordd a fydd yn tanseilio’r economi wledig.
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, resisting attempts to any reform of CAP which will undermine the rural economy.
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Llyr Huws Gruffydd: Cynigiaf welliant 1 yn enw Jocelyn Davies.
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Llyr Huws Gruffydd: I move amendment 1 in the name of Jocelyn Davies.
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Yr ydym yn cefnogi egwyddor greiddiol y cynnig o weithredu i wneud economi wledig Cymru yn fwy hyfyw. Mae angen sylfeini economaidd cryf ar unrhyw gymuned gynaliadwy i roi platfform sefydlog ar gyfer creu cymdeithas hyfyw, ac i sicrhau bod ein trigolion yn medru gwireddu eu potensial yn llawn. Dylent allu gwneud hynny heb orfod symud i ffwrdd, fel sy’n digwydd yn rhy aml o lawer ar hyn o bryd.
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We support the core principle of the motion of taking action to make the rural economy of Wales more viable. Any sustainable community needs a firm economic foundation to provide a stable platform to create a viable community and to ensure that our people can achieve their full potential. They should be able to do so without having to move away, as happens far too often at the moment. |
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Mae cymal cyntaf y cynnig yn sôn am wella seilwaith, ac mae hynny’n amlwg yn rhywbeth y mae Plaid Cymru yn ei gefnogi’n gryf; yr oedd ein maniffesto etholiadol yn adlewyrchu hynny, nid yn unig o safbwynt ystyriaethau trafnidiaeth a gwella derbyniad ffonau symudol, ond hefyd o ran gwella cysylltiadau band eang, fel y soniodd Antoinette Sandbach. Yr ydym yn gwybod sut y gall helpu i ddenu buddsoddiad a chreu swyddi, yn enwedig mewn ardaloedd gwledig, drwy leihau anfantais gwledigrwydd. Mae goblygiadau eraill hefyd y tu hwnt i rai economaidd pan ydym yn sôn am gymunedau cynaliadwy, gan ei fod yn caniatáu i bobl weithio ac i redeg eu busnesau o’u cartrefi. Mewn ardaloedd gwledig, mae hynny’n lleihau’r angen i deithio, sy’n golygu ei fod yn lleihau costau byw drwy daclo tlodi teithio, ac, wrth gwrs, mae buddiannau amgylcheddol yn sgîl hynny hefyd. Mae’n ddiddorol nodi bod Llywodraeth Ffindir wedi datgan bod mynediad i fand eang yn hawl ddynol sylfaenol i bob dinesydd, ac mae hynny’n rhywbeth y dylem ymgyrraedd tuag ato, gan nad yw’n bosibl gorbrisio pwysigrwydd hynny i’r economi wledig.
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The first clause of the motion talks about improving the infrastructure, which is obviously something that Plaid Cymru supports strongly; our electoral manifesto reflected that, not only in terms of transport considerations and improving mobile phone reception, but in terms of improving broadband connections, which Antoinette Sandbach mentioned. We know how that can help to attract investment and create jobs, especially in rural areas, by reducing the disadvantage of rurality. There are also other implications beyond the economic ones when we are talking about sustainable communities, because it allows people to work from home and to run their businesses from home. In rural areas, that reduces the need to travel, which means that it reduces living costs by tackling transport poverty, and, of course, there are environmental benefits as a consequence as well. It is interesting to note that the Finnish Government has declared that access to broadband is a basic human right for every citizen, and that is something that we should aim for, because it is not possible to overstate its importance to the rural economy. |
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Mae ail gymal y cynnig yn sôn am helpu busnesau gwledig. Dau o brif gostau unrhyw fusnes bach yw cyflogau ac ardrethi busnes, ac yr wyf yn ategu unwaith eto ein galwad i’r Llywodraeth estyn cyfnod y cynllun rhyddhad ardrethi busnes sy’n cael ei gynnig ar hyn o bryd, ac sy’n dod i ben y flwyddyn nesaf, er mwyn cynorthwyo’r busnesau hynny i osgoi diswyddiadau, ac, yn bwysicach fyth, i helpu’r busnesau sydd gennym i oroesi.
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The second clause of the motion talks about assisting rural businesses. Two of the main costs for any small business are wages and business rates, and I repeat once again our call for the Government to extend the business rate relief scheme that is being offered at the moment, and that is due to come to an end next year, in order to help those businesses to avoid job losses, and, more importantly, to help the businesses that we already have to survive. |
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4.30 p.m. |
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Mae hefyd angen parhau i weithio tuag at greu busnesau newydd. Yn ganolog i hynny mae’r angen i gryfhau mentergarwch a meithrin diwylliant o fentro ymhlith ein pobl yng Nghymru, yn enwedig ymhlith y genhedlaeth iau. Mae cymal yn y cynnig yn sôn am gadw pobl ifanc yn eu cymunedau. Pa well ffordd nag arfogi’r genhedlaeth nesaf â’r sgiliau entrepreneuriaeth angenrheidiol? Byddai hynny’n ategu sgiliau allweddol ehangach bywyd o safbwynt agwedd, creadigedd, sgiliau trefnu a sgiliau cyfathrebu sydd, yn eu tro, yn cyfrannu at godi hyder unigolion a’u galluogi, a helpu i greu arweinyddion cymunedol. Unwaith eto, byddai hynny’n dod â budd ehangach i’n cymunedau.
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We also need to work towards the creation of new businesses. Central to that is the need to strengthen entrepreneurship and to foster a culture of enterprise among our people in Wales, particularly among the younger generation. There is a clause in the motion about retaining young people in our communities. What better way is there than to arm the next generation with the necessary entrepreneurial skills? That would support broader key life skills in terms of attitude, creativity, organisational skills and communication skills that, in turn, contribute to raising the confidence of individuals and empowering them, helping to create community leaders. Once again, that would bring broader benefits to our communities. |
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Yr oeddwn yn siomedig â’r awgrym bod gwelliant Plaid Cymru, gwelliant 1, wedi ei lunio braidd yn eang, oherwydd byddwn i’n dweud bod y cynnig ei hun yn eang. Pa mor ymarferol yw
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I was disappointed with the suggestion that Plaid Cymru’s amendment 1 was a little broad-ranging in its wording because I would say that the motion itself is broad. How practical is it to review |
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‘adolygu’r holl reoliadau a’r fiwrocratiaeth sy’n effeithio ar yr economi wledig’?
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‘all regulations and red tape affecting the rural economy’? |
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Nid wyf yn siŵr. Fodd bynnag, yn sicr, yr ydym yn croesawu’r gwaith sydd yn mynd rhagddo, a gomisiynwyd gan y Dirprwy Weinidog i edrych ar fiwrocratiaeth a rheoliadau yn y diwydiant amaeth sydd yn llesteirio gwaith nid yn unig y rhai sy’n gweithio yn y diwydiant, ond llawer o adnoddau’r Llywodraeth. Mae angen gochel rhag creu mwy o fiwrocratiaeth yn sgîl diwygio’r polisi amaethyddol cyffredin.
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I am not sure. However, we certainly welcome the work that is ongoing, which was commissioned by the Deputy Minister to look at bureaucracy and regulations in the agriculture industry that inhibits the work of not only those who work in the industry, but many Government resources. We need to be wary of creating more bureaucracy in the wake of the CAP reform. |
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Daw hyn â fi at welliant 1 Plaid Cymru, i
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That brings me to Plaid Cymru’s amendment 1, on
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‘ymwrthod ag ymdrechion i ddiwygio’r PAC mewn unrhyw ffordd a fydd yn tanseilio’r economi wledig.’
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‘resisting attempts to any reform of CAP which will undermine the rural economy.’
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Yr eirioni yw y daw’r cynnig i greu cymunedau gwledig hyfyw o gyfeiriad y Ceidwadwyr tra, ar yr un pryd, bod Gweinidogion Ceidwadol yn San Steffan yn dadlau dros doriad sylweddol yng nghyllideb y polisi amaethyddol cyffredin a newid y cydbwysedd rhwng piler 1 a philer 2, gyda goblygiadau i daliadau uniongyrchol ffermwyr Cymru—[Torri ar draws.] Yr ydych yn dweud ‘Rybish’, ond darllenaf o’r memorandwm esboniadol gan Lywodraeth San Steffan, sy’n ymateb i’r cynigion drwy ddweud, |
The irony here is that the motion to create vibrant rural communities comes from the Conservatives while, at the same time, Conservative Ministers in Westminster are arguing for a significant cut in the common agricultural policy budget and to change the balance between pillar 1 and pillar 2, which would bring implications for the direct payments to Welsh farmers—[Interruption.] You may say ‘Rubbish’, but I will read to you from the explanatory memorandum produced by the Westminster Government, which responds to the proposals by saying, |
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‘The Government is seeking a very substantial cut in the CAP budget focused on pillar 1. We will be seeking a further reduction in the total available for member state direct payment.’ |
‘Mae’r Llywodraeth yn ceisio gostyngiad sylweddol iawn mewn cyllideb y PAC syn canolbwyntio ar golofn 1. Byddwn yn ceisio cael gostyngiad pellach yn y cyfanswm sydd ar gael ar gyfer taliad uniongyrchol aelod wladwriaeth.’
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Y taliad uniongyrchol hwnnw sydd yn sicrhau bod hyd at 90 y cant o ffermydd Cymru yn parhau i fod yn hyfyw.
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It is that direct payment that ensures that up to 90 per cent of Welsh farms remain viable. |
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Mae bygythiadau eraill yn dod o gyfeiriad y polisi amaethyddol cyffredin, ond mae cyfleoedd hefyd, ac yr wyf yn awyddus i bwysleisio’r elfen gadarnhaol. Mae cyfle i ddenu mwy o ffermwyr ifanc i’r diwydiant. Mae’r pecyn llaeth yn cynnig cyfleoedd i gryfhau’r sector hwnnw ac mae’r posibilrwydd o ddod ag arian cyfalaf i fuddsoddi mewn seilwaith i greu diwydiant mwy effeithlon a datblygu cadwyni cyflenwi.
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There are other threats as a result of the review of the common agricultural policy, but we also see opportunities, and I am eager to emphasise the positives. There is an opportunity to attract young entrants to the industry. The milk package provides opportunities to strengthen that sector, and there is also the possibility of bringing capital moneys to invest in infrastructure in order to create a more efficient industry and develop supply chains.
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Gwelliant 2 Peter Black |
Amendment 2 Peter Black
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Ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:
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Add as new point at end of motion:
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Yn gresynu bod cymorth penodol yn cael ei dynnu oddi wrth ffermwyr mewn Ardaloedd Llai Ffafriol dan y cynllun Glastir, a fydd yn cael effaith andwyol ar yr economi wledig.
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Regrets the removal of specific support for farmers in Less Favoured Areas under the Glastir scheme, which will have an adverse effect on the rural economy.
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Gwelliant 3 Peter Black |
Amendment 3 Peter Black
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Ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:
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Add as new point at end of motion:
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Yn croesawu’r £56.9 miliwn y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi’i ddyrannu i gyflwyno band eang y genhedlaeth nesaf yng Nghymru, a fydd yn help mawr i’r economi wledig. |
Welcomes the £56.9m that the UK government has allocated to the rollout of next generation broadband in Wales, which will substantially help the rural economy. |
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William Powell: I move amendments 2 and 3 in the name of Peter Black.
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William Powell: Cynigiaf welliannau 2 a 3 yn enw Peter Black. |
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First of all, I want to say how pleased I am to be taking part in this important debate today, and I am grateful to the party opposite for having brought it forward. There is little doubt that the Welsh rural economy has not received the attention that it should have had by previous Assemblies. Indeed, many aspects of rural industry and of our communities are in real danger of collapse unless we act soon to help to reform and sustain them. That is why we support the debate and it is also the reason why we are bringing forward amendments 2 and 3 in the name of Peter Black. I want to indicate at this point that we shall also support Plaid Cymru’s amendment 1, which we feel corresponds to the breadth of the overall debate and is worthy of support. |
Yn gyntaf oll, hoffwn ddweud pa mor falch ydwyf i gymryd rhan yn y ddadl bwysig hon heddiw, ac yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i’r blaid gyferbyn am ei ddwyn ymlaen. Nid oes amheuaeth nad yw economi wledig Cymru wedi cael y sylw y dylai fod wedi’i gael gan Gynulliadau blaenorol. Yn wir, mae nifer o agweddau ar y diwydiant gwledig a’n cymunedau mewn perygl gwirioneddol o fethu oni weithredwn yn fuan i helpu i’w diwygio a’u cynnal. Dyna pam y cefnogwn y ddadl a hynny hefyd yw’r rheswm pam rydym yn cyflwyno gwelliannau 2 a 3 yn enw Peter Black. Yr wyf am ddweud ar y pwynt hwn y byddwn hefyd yn cefnogi gwelliant 1 Plaid Cymru, yr ydym yn teimlo sy’n cyfateb i hyd a lled y ddadl gyffredinol ac yn haeddu cefnogaeth. |
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Anyone who is familiar with rural Wales will know that infrastructure or the lack of it plays a critical role in all aspects of rural life, from the daily commute to the export of goods and services. That is why we should be united in welcoming the progress that has been achieved in recent years, with road and rail links across our nation, and that should be acknowledged. However, we should also be united in calling on the Welsh Government to go further and to enact schemes across rural Wales with the same readiness that it has shown in the urban south and, to some extent, also in the urban north, schemes such as the Newtown bypass and the establishment of new railway infrastructure, as I raised earlier with the Minister for communities and transport. I refer to the Bow Street and Carno examples, which have real potential benefits for the vital green tourism sector. It is also these kind of improvements that Wales needs to increase its competitiveness and resilience and to allow industries of all types to thrive in a way that matches the rest of the Welsh economy.
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Bydd unrhyw un sydd yn gyfarwydd â Chymru wledig yn gwybod bod seilwaith neu ddiffyg seilwaith yn chwarae rôl hanfodol ym mhob agwedd ar fywyd gwledig, o’r gymudo dyddiol i allforio nwyddau a gwasanaethau. Dyna pam y dylem fod yn unedig wrth groesawu’r cynnydd y cyflawnwyd yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf, gyda chysylltiadau ffordd a rheilffordd ar draws ein cenedl, a dylid cydnabod hynny. Fodd bynnag, dylem hefyd fod yn unedig wrth alw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i fynd ymhellach ac i weithredu’r cynlluniau ar draws Cymru wledig gyda’r un parodrwydd y mae wedi’i ddangos yn y de trefol ac, i ryw raddau, hefyd yn y gogledd trefol, cynlluniau megis ffordd osgoi’r Drenewydd a sefydlu seilwaith rheilffordd newydd, fel y codais yn gynharach gyda’r Gweinidog cymunedau a thrafnidiaeth. Cyfeiriaf at yr enghreifftiau Bow Street a Charno, sydd â manteision gwirioneddol bosibl ar gyfer y sector twristiaeth werdd hanfodol. Y math hyn o welliannau sydd angen ar Gymru er mwyn cynyddu ei chystadleurwydd a’i hydwythdedd ac i ganiatáu diwydiannau o bob math i ffynnu mewn modd sy’n cyfateb i weddill economi Cymru.
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Beyond transport, this Assembly needs to deliver long overdue upgrades to rural communications in Wales—broadband and, indeed, national grid infrastructure. It must not only do this to benefit the present economy, but to enable those economies to expand and to attract fresh investment. That is why we are introducing amendment 3, which welcomes the £59.9 million that has been allocated to us by the UK coalition Government to roll out next generation broadband across Wales. This builds on earlier investment by the Welsh Government.
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Tu hwnt i drafnidiaeth, mae angen i’r Cynulliad hwn ddarparu diweddariadau hir-ddisgwyliedig i gyfathrebu yn ardaloedd gwledig yng Nghymru—band eang ac, yn wir, seilwaith y grid cenedlaethol. Nid yn unig oes rhaid iddo wneud hyn er budd yr economi presennol, ond i alluogi’r economïau hynny i ehangu ac i ddenu buddsoddiad newydd. Dyna pam rydym yn cyflwyno gwelliant 3, sy’n croesawu’r £59.9 miliwn a ddyrannwyd inni gan glymblaid Llywodraeth y DU i gyflwyno band eang y genhedlaeth nesaf ledled Cymru. Mae hyn yn adeiladu ar fuddsoddiad cynharach gan Lywodraeth Cymru.
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Infrastructure is essential in all its configurations, and is something that we cannot risk overlooking. The national grid falls far short of meeting our future energy requirements, and the Government must go further before it puts off renewable energy investment through mixed messaging. This point is very important, and was entirely foreseeable earlier in the last decade when key decisions were made. However, while we must address this shortfall, we must not do so at the expense of desecrating our countryside with the impact on tourism that my opposite number has referred to. The removal of the differential financial support offered to farmers under the Glastir scheme has been greeted by consternation on the part of the Welsh farming unions, and indeed this is something that has the potential to adversely affect the rural economy. This is especially true under the spectre of CAP reform, which again has the capacity to cause anxiety, particularly to the intensive livestock and dairy sectors, although it has to be acknowledged that there is also very real potential for benefits here, and we must not talk things down, particularly around the young entrants scheme, which we heard more of this morning in committee.
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Mae seilwaith yn hanfodol mewn pob un o’i ffurfweddau, ac yn rhywbeth na allwn fentro tremio dros. Mae’r grid cenedlaethol ymhell iawn o fodloni ein gofynion ynni ar gyfer y dyfodol, a rhaid i’r Llywodraeth fynd ymhellach cyn iddi droi i ffwrdd o fuddsoddi mewn ynni adnewyddadwy oherwydd negeseuon cymysg. Mae’r pwynt hwn yn bwysig iawn, ac yn gwbl ragweladwy’n gynharach yn ystod y degawd diwethaf pan wnaed penderfyniadau allweddol. Fodd bynnag, tra bod yn rhaid inni fynd i’r afael â’r diffyg hwn, ni ddylem wneud hynny ar draul halogi’n cefn gwlad gyda’r effaith ar dwristiaeth y cyfeiriodd yr Aelod sy’n cyfateb imi gyferbyn ato. Roedd undebau ffermio Cymru wedi’u dychryn gan y newyddion am gael gwared ar y cymorth ariannol gwahaniaethol a gynigir i ffermwyr o dan y cynllun Glastir, ac yn wir mae hyn yn rhywbeth a allai gael effaith andwyol ar yr economi wledig. Mae hyn yn arbennig o wir wrth ystyried diwygio’r PAC, sydd, unwaith eto, â’r gallu i achosi pryder, yn enwedig i’r sectorau llaeth a da byw dwys, er bod yn rhaid cydnabod bod potensial gwirioneddol ar gyfer budd-daliadau yma hefyd, ac ni ddylem fychanu pethau, yn enwedig o ran y cynllun newydd-ddyfodiaid ifanc, y clywsom fwy amdano’r bore yma yn y pwyllgor.
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The Welsh Government must work closely with the European Commission and with our partner Governments across Europe and be bold enough to ensure that those farmers and supply chains get a fair deal. Something has been lacking for far too long, and this has cost far too many jobs across the rural economy. We need to invest in the future of our people by intelligently investing in the future of rural Wales. We should do so to create the climate where the rural economy can succeed, and can do so through the basic steps that we have outlined earlier. In this connection, I have to acknowledge the contribution already made by the EU and Welsh Government-funded rural development plan in its first phase.
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Rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru gweithio’n agos gyda’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd ac â’n Llywodraethau sy’n bartneriaid inni ledled Ewrop a bod yn ddigon dewr i sicrhau bod y ffermwyr hynny a chadwyni cyflenwi yn cael bargen deg. Mae rhywbeth wedi bod ar goll ers llawer rhy hir, ac mae hyn wedi costio llawer gormod o swyddi ar draws yr economi wledig. Mae angen inni fuddsoddi yn nyfodol ein pobl drwy fuddsoddi yn ddeallus yn nyfodol y Gymru wledig. Dylem wneud hynny i greu hinsawdd lle gall yr economi wledig lwyddo, a gall wneud hynny drwy’r camau sylfaenol a amlinellwyd gennym yn gynharach. Yn y cyswllt hwn, rhaid imi gydnabod y cyfraniad a wnaed eisoes gan yr UE a chynllun datblygu gwledig a ariennir gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn ei gam cyntaf.
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We must enact a transport plan that prioritises rural Wales to the same degree as our cousins in urban Wales. We must enable people to commute to work in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner through the easing of congestion and the enhancement of public transport links. We must also ensure that farmers and their related supply chains are fairly treated, and we must prepare the ground for industrial developments such as renewable energy and by providing coherent leadership in that area. It is only with these steps that we will improve the effectiveness of the industry, and I urge you to support the motion and our two amendments.
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Rhaid inni weithredu cynllun trafnidiaeth sy’n rhoi blaenoriaeth i Gymru wledig i’r un graddau â’n cefndryd yn y Gymru drefol. Rhaid inni alluogi pobl i deithio i’r gwaith mewn modd cynaliadwy ac amgylcheddol gyfrifol drwy leddfu tagfeydd a gwella cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Rhaid inni hefyd sicrhau bod ffermwyr a’u cadwyni cyflenwi cysylltiedig yn cael eu trin yn deg, a rhaid inni fraenaru’r tir ar gyfer datblygiadau diwydiannol megis ynni adnewyddadwy, a thrwy ddarparu arweinyddiaeth gydlynol yn y maes hwnnw. Dim ond â’r camau hyn y byddwn yn gwella effeithiolrwydd y diwydiant, ac fe’ch anogaf i gefnogi’r cynnig a’n dau welliant. |
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Russell George: As a businessman with a venture in a rural economy, I know how tough the conditions can be, and how difficult it is for small businesses. However, I have always thought that location should never be a barrier to success, and I know that, with hard work, and most importantly, the right business environment, establishing a thriving business in a rural setting is achievable. More than that, I am convinced that Wales and Britain’s economic recovery will come from an army of entrepreneurs setting up businesses in some of the most remote parts of the country. We are already seeing the green shoots of economic growth, and these individuals are not afraid to launch companies in the face of the worst economic climate in decades. However, the key to their business development and future competitiveness is very much in the hands of Government. I am not talking about streams of grant funding or subsidy, but rather enabling the right environment and providing support, mentoring and advice in those difficult stages of business development. The critical factor to business enablement is very much based on excellent infrastructure, fast, stable broadband, good mobile phone networks and good transport systems. Those are the basics and this is where Government has the biggest part to play.
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Russell George: Fel dyn busnes â menter yn economi wledig, gwn pa mor anodd y gall yr amodau fod, a pha mor anodd ydyw i fusnesau bach. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf wastad wedi meddwl na ddylai leoliad fyth fod yn rhwystr i lwyddiant, a gwn, gyda gwaith caled, ac yn bwysicaf oll, yr amgylchedd busnes cywir, bod sefydlu busnes llewyrchus mewn lleoliad gwledig yn gyraeddadwy. Yn fwy na hynny, yr wyf yn argyhoeddedig y bydd adferiad economaidd Cymru a Phrydain yn dod o fyddin o entrepreneuriaid yn sefydlu busnesau yn rhai o’r rhannau mwyaf anghysbell o’r wlad. Yr ydym eisoes wedi gweld yr egin gwyrdd ar gyfer twf economaidd, ac nid yw’r unigolion hyn yn ofni lansio cwmnïau yn wyneb yr hinsawdd economaidd waethaf ers degawdau. Fodd bynnag, mae’r allwedd i ddatblygiad a chystadleurwydd eu busnesau yn y dyfodol yn nwylo’r Llywodraeth. Nid wyf yn sôn am ffrydiau o arian grant neu gymhorthdal, ond yn hytrach am alluogi’r amgylchedd cywir a darparu cymorth, mentora a chyngor yn ystod y cyfnodau anodd hynny o ddatblygu busnes. Mae’r ffactor allweddol i alluogi busnes yn seiliedig yn fawr iawn ar seilwaith ardderchog, band eang cyflym a sefydlog, rhwydweithiau ffonau symudol da a systemau trafnidiaeth dda. Y rheiny yw’r pethau sylfaenol, a dyma le mae gan y Llywodraeth y rhan fwyaf i chwarae.
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Broadband connection is probably the most significant barrier to business growth in my constituency. The Welsh Government is closely working with the UK Government on this issue in a bid to meet the specific 2015 commitment that all residential and business premises in Wales will have access to next-generation broadband. However, there are businesses in Montgomeryshire’s main towns like Newtown and Welshpool that feel that that target is too far away to allow them to be economically competitive with comparable businesses across the border. You have welcomed the additional £57 million recently committed to Wales by the UK Government to improve broadband infrastructure, and I have noted your public commitment to lever in additional funding to help achieve the 2015 objective, which must be commended. However, what would be hugely beneficial to my constituents is that you were not to commit that £57 million to improving broadband capacity in areas already served well, but to focus the money on rural areas and to help improve the key rural towns of Wales, which need to be upgraded most urgently. My real plea, Minister, is for areas of no broadband or poor broadband to be prioritised first.
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Cysylltiad band eang, yn fwy na thebyg, yw’r rhwystr mwyaf arwyddocaol i dwf busnes yn fy etholaeth. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio’n agos gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar y mater hwn mewn ymgais i fodloni ymrwymiad 2015 penodol y caiff pob eiddo preswyl a busnes yng Nghymru fynediad at fand eang y genhedlaeth nesaf. Fodd bynnag, mae yna fusnesau ym mhrif drefi Sir Drefaldwyn fel Drenewydd a’r Trallwng sy’n teimlo bod y targed hwnnw’n rhy bell i ffwrdd i’w galluogi i fod yn gystadleuol yn economaidd gyda busnesau tebyg ar draws y ffin. Yr ydych wedi croesawu’r £57 miliwn ychwanegol sydd wedi’i ymrwymo i Gymru’n ddiweddar gan Lywodraeth y DU i wella seilwaith band eang, ac yr wyf wedi nodi eich ymrwymiad cyhoeddus er mwyn liferi arian ychwanegol i mewn i helpu i gyflawni amcan 2015, sy’n rhaid ei ganmol. Fodd bynnag, yr hyn a fyddai o fudd mawr i’m hetholwyr yw ichi beidio ag ymrwymo’r £57 miliwn hynny i wella capasiti band eang i’r ardaloedd a wasanaethir yn dda eisoes, ond i ganolbwyntio’r arian ar ardaloedd gwledig ac i helpu i wella’r trefi gwledig allweddol yng Nghymru, y mae angen eu huwchraddio ar frys. Fy apêl go iawn, Weinidog, yw blaenoriaethu ardaloedd lle nad oes band eang neu le mae band eang gwael yn gyntaf.
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Finally, I want to make the point about the need for a rural enterprise zone. I am pleased that the Government is examining areas beyond the main industrialised towns and cities, and I hope that rural mid Wales will feature in the Minister’s second phase announcement. The Minister is aware of my feelings, as I have recently written to her to put my sales pitch in for Powys, in particular the Severn valley. Newtown, in particular, is in desperate need of economic stimulus and needs to be targeted by the Welsh Government, in the same way that Aberystwyth has been targeted for regeneration. Therefore, that is my second big plea, and I am thinking of a package to include the Newtown bypass, which would support the economy across mid Wales. Mid Wales would benefit significantly from an enterprise zone, and the region has many elements to offer in driving forward the Government’s economic renewal programme for Wales, particularly to Welsh tourism and the food and farming sectors, which have recently been identified as priority sectors for development.
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Yn olaf, hoffwn wneud pwynt am yr angen am barth menter wledig. Yr wyf yn falch bod y Llywodraeth yn edrych ar ardaloedd y tu hwnt i’r prif drefi a dinasoedd diwydiannol, a gobeithiaf y bydd canolbarth gwledig Cymru yn ymddangos yng nghyhoeddiad ail gam y Gweinidog. Mae’r Gweinidog yn ymwybodol o’m teimladau, gan fy mod wedi ysgrifennu iddi’n ddiweddar i osod fy sail werthu ar gyfer Powys, yn arbennig y dyffryn Hafren. Mae’r Drenewydd, yn arbennig, yn daer angen ysgogiad economaidd ac angen cael ei dargedu gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn yr un modd y mae Aberystwyth wedi’i dargedu ar gyfer adfywio. Felly, dyna fy ail ble, ac yr wyf yn meddwl am becyn i gynnwys ffordd osgoi’r Drenewydd, a fyddai’n cefnogi’r economi ledled canolbarth Cymru. Byddai canolbarth Cymru’n elwa’n sylweddol o ardal fenter, ac mae gan y rhanbarth lawer o elfennau i gynnig er mwyn gyrru rhaglen adnewyddu economaidd y Llywodraeth ar gyfer Cymru, yn enwedig ar gyfer twristiaeth Cymru a’r sectorau bwyd a ffermio, a nodwyd yn ddiweddar fel sectorau blaenoriaethol ar gyfer datblygu. |
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Given that this is the delivery decade for Government, the Minister knows that there is a lot at stake in relation to what she and her department do in the next few years. I wish her well and I hope that she can help deliver to help rejuvenate the private sector in Wales, because this nation and the country as a whole desperately need that.
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O ystyried mai hon yw’r degawd darparu ar gyfer Llywodraeth, mae’r Gweinidog yn gwybod nad oes llawer yn y fantol mewn perthynas â’r hyn y mae hi a’i hadran yn ei wneud yn yr ychydig flynyddoedd nesaf. Dymunaf yn dda iddi, a gobeithiaf y gall hi helpu i gyflawni er mwyn helpu adfer y sector preifat yng Nghymru, oherwydd mae’r genedl hon a’r wlad gyfan yn daer ei angen.
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Joyce Watson: There was terrible poverty in rural Wales in the 1930s and the small family farm was put on its feet by the Attlee Government of 1945. The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries between 1945 and October 1951 was Tom Williams, Labour MP for the West Riding of Yorkshire. He was revered by many farmers at the time and Labour was seen as the farmer’s friend, particularly among those who scraped a living on the family farm. It therefore makes me laugh to hear the Conservatives talk about rural infrastructure, because, from 1933 to 1994, we had the Milk Marketing Board, and milk producers were guaranteed a minimum payment for their milk. That was socialism in action and the farming community loved it. In 1994, the Major Government decided that our salvation lay in competition, therefore the Milk Marketing Board was abolished. It all ended in tears, to which the dairy farmers remaining in Wales can testify.
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Joyce Watson: Roedd tlodi ofnadwy yng Nghymru wledig yn y 1930au a rhoddwyd y fferm fach deuluol ar ei draed gan Lywodraeth 1945 Attlee. Tom Williams, AS Llafur dros West Riding yn Swydd Efrog oedd y Gweinidog Amaethyddiaeth a Physgodfeydd rhwng 1945 a Hydref 1951. Cafodd ef ei barchu gan nifer o ffermwyr ar yr adeg, a gwelwyd Llafur fel cyfaill y ffermwr, yn enwedig ymhlith y rheiny a oedd yn byw ar fferm y teulu ar y nesaf peth i ddim. Felly, mae’n gwneud imi chwerthin o glywed y Ceidwadwyr yn sôn am y seilwaith gwledig, oherwydd, o 1933 i 1994, cawsom y Bwrdd Marchnata Llaeth, gwarantwyd cynhyrchwyr llaeth tâl lleiafswm am eu llaeth. Hynny oedd sosialaeth ar waith ac roedd y gymuned ffermio wrth eu bodd. Yn 1994, penderfynodd Lywodraeth Major mai cystadleuaeth fyddai ein hachubiaeth, felly diddymwyd y Bwrdd Marchnata Llaeth. Dagrau fu diwedd hynny, a gall y ffermwyr llaeth sy’n weddill yng Nghymru dystio i hynny.
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Nick Ramsay: Are you calling for the restoration of the Milk Marketing Board?
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Nick Ramsay: A ydych yn galw am adfer y Bwrdd Marchnata Llaeth? |
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Joyce Watson: I am just giving you the facts. [Laughter.] While there is little that the Welsh Government is able to do to address that particular issue directly, there are aspects of the EU’s dairy package that can help in future. The Welsh Government is helping dairy farmers to run profitable businesses in other ways, for example by investing more than £3 million in funding ways to improve the supply chain, so that Welsh milk can be processed closer to home. Could the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes provide an update on the plans for a new processing plant in west Wales? Is he also able to update Members on how the 20 dairy projects that the Welsh Government is funding to help farmers who want to add value to their businesses by creating high-quality dairy products are getting along? However, it is highly ironic to hear the Conservatives talking about infrastructure. The Beatles may have said that ‘all you need is love’, but successive Conservative Governments have believed that ‘all you need is competition’. That means that you are supposed to get a slimmed down efficient, fit-for-purpose industry. In fact, what you get is dog eat dog, an appeal to greed, and a culture of the weakest goes to the war, while Plaid Cymru is like a pre-Thatcherite Tory party, wanting no change. [Laughter.] |
Joyce Watson: Dim ond rhoi’r ffeithiau ichi ydw i. [Chwerthin.] Er nad oes fawr y gall Lywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i fynd i’r afael â’r mater penodol hwnnw yn uniongyrchol, ceir agweddau ar becyn llaeth yr UE a all helpu yn y dyfodol. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn helpu ffermwyr llaeth i redeg busnesau proffidiol mewn ffyrdd eraill, er enghraifft drwy fuddsoddi mwy na £3 miliwn mewn ariannu ffyrdd o wella’r gadwyn gyflenwi, fel y gellir prosesu llaeth Cymru yn agosach i gartref. A allai’r Dirprwy Weinidog Amaethyddiaeth, Bwyd, Pysgodfeydd a Rhaglenni Ewropeaidd roi diweddariad ar y cynlluniau ar gyfer ffatri prosesu newydd yng ngorllewin Cymru? A yw hefyd yn gallu diweddaru Aelodau ar sut y mae’r 20 o brosiectau llaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ariannu i helpu ffermwyr sydd am ychwanegu gwerth at eu busnesau drwy greu cynnyrch llaeth o ansawdd uchel yn dod ymlaen? Fodd bynnag, mae’n eironig iawn clywed y Ceidwadwyr yn sôn am seilwaith. Efallai dywedodd The Beatles mai’r ‘cyfan sydd angen yw cariad’, ond cred Lywodraethau Ceidwadol olynol mai’r ‘cyfan sydd angen yw cystadleuaeth’. Mae hynny’n golygu y dylech chi gael diwydiant symlach, effeithlon ac addas at y diben. Mewn gwirionedd, yr hyn a gewch yw or-gystadleuaeth, apêl i drachwant, a diwylliant o’r gwannaf sy’n mynd i ryfel, tra bod Plaid Cymru fel plaid Dorïaid cyn-Thatcheraidd, sydd ddim am unrhyw newid. [Chwerthin.] |
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4.45 p.m. |
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We have said that we want change to be evolutionary and not revolutionary. History tells us that, if we set our minds and hearts against any change, when it comes it comes like a dam bursting. Labour has a vision for the future of our rural communities. We want rural communities to be vibrant places that offer people an excellent quality of life, with access to quality employment, affordable housing and public services. We want sustainable communities served by reliable infrastructure for broadband, public transport and utilities that are on a par with our towns and cities. That is why the Welsh Government rural-proofs all its domestic policies.
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Yr ydym wedi dweud ein bod eisiau newid i fod yn esblygiadol ac nid chwyldroadol. Mae hanes yn dweud wrthym, os ydym yn gosod ein meddyliau a’n calonnau yn erbyn unrhyw newid, pan ddaw, bydd fel pe bai argae’n byrstio. Mae gan Lafur weledigaeth ar gyfer dyfodol ein cymunedau gwledig. Rydym am i gymunedau gwledig fod yn lleoedd bywiog sy’n cynnig ansawdd bywyd rhagorol i bobl, gyda mynediad at gyflogaeth o ansawdd, tai fforddiadwy a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Rydym am weld cymunedau cynaliadwy, sy’n cael eu gwasanaethu gan isadeiledd dibynadwy ar gyfer band eang, trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus a chyfleustodau sydd ar yr un lefel â’n trefi a’n dinasoedd. Dyna pam y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn prawfesur ei pholisïau o safbwynt anghenion cefn gwlad.
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I welcome the £13.5 million investment that is about to create a strategic employment park in Crosshands. In light of the recent reports about road passenger numbers reaching levels not seen since the 1920s, now is a good time to make the most of opportunities to improve our public transport network. Yesterday, I spoke about the opportunity to pick up the proposals to reregulate bus services, and the Government has prioritised delivering a national transport plan to improve access to key settlements, particularly in rural areas, giving people more travel choices. That is what we should be driving forward. I warmly welcome that. |
Yr wyf yn croesawu’r buddsoddiad o £13.5 miliwn sydd ar fin creu parc cyflogaeth strategol yn Cross Hands. O ystyried adroddiadau diweddar am nifer y teithwyr ar y ffyrdd yn cyrraedd lefelau nas gwelwyd ers y 1920au, nawr yw’r amser i wneud y gorau o’r cyfleoedd i wella ein rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Ddoe, siaredais am y cyfle i weithredu ar gynigion i reoleiddio gwasanaethau bysiau, ac mae’r Llywodraeth wedi rhoi blaenoriaeth i gyflwyno cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol i wella mynediad at aneddiadau allweddol, yn enwedig mewn ardaloedd gwledig, gan ddewisiadau teithio ehangach i bobl. Dyna beth y dylem fod yn bwrw ymlaen â hi. Croesawaf hynny yn gynnes.
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Angela Burns: I am delighted to be taking part in today’s debate. If we are to have an economically active countryside, full of as many aged people as we can find, with many different backgrounds and many different occupations bringing different skills to a rural way of life, we must have all sections of Government working to achieve that end.
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Angela Burns: Yr wyf yn falch iawn o gael cymryd rhan yn y ddadl heddiw. Os ydym am gael cefn gwlad economaidd weithgar, yn llawn pobl o bob oedran, o gefndiroedd gwahanol, ac o gefndiroedd gwaith gwahanol yn dod â sgiliau gwahanol i fywyd cefn gwlad, rhaid i bob adran o’r Llywodraeth weithio i gyflawni hynny.
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I do not accept the previous speaker’s assertion that everything is being rural-proofed, because I do not see it in the activities that I see. I agree that it is your stated objective, but it is not happening. It is important that we put all the resources into place to ensure that not only do we have employment opportunities, but that we also have housing stock, education opportunities, health and social care services and an understanding that the fabric that holds a rural community together is different—of no more or less value—to urban and semi-urban communities.
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Nid wyf yn derbyn honiad y siaradwr blaenorol fod popeth yn cael ei brawfesur o safbwynt anghenion cefn gwlad, gan nad wyf yn ei weld yn y gweithgareddau a welaf. Yr wyf yn cytuno mai dyna yw eich amcan, ond nid yw’n digwydd. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn rhoi’r holl adnoddau yn eu lle i sicrhau nid yn unig bod gennym gyfleoedd cyflogaeth, ond bod gennym hefyd stoc tai, cyfleoedd addysg, gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol a dealltwriaeth bod y ffabrig sy’n dal cymuned wledig at ei gilydd yn wahanol—nid o fwy neu o lai o werth—i gymunedau trefol a lled-drefol.
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I will quickly touch upon the past, and then, Minister, I will give you some ideas, because, to be frank, I am exhausted by the inertia on how to build the economy of rural Wales. The previous speaker again spoke of—among other things, there was something in there—the need to create jobs in rural Wales. However, a Government policy of centralising all our services, putting them in one place so that people have to travel to them, destroys rural jobs. If you had your GP surgeries, social care and schools in different places, you could spread some jobs around. We talk all the time about the shortage of affordable housing in the countryside. If we got on with a proper delivery of affordable housing we would be able to create more jobs in building those houses, laying the tarmac, putting in the drains, and doing all those other jobs for plumbers, builders, window guys, roofers and all of the rest of it; but we do not do it. We need to address the important task of understanding what an affordable home truly is to someone who lives in a rural place with a rural standard of living. |
Yr wyf am sôn yn gyflym am y gorffennol, ac yna, Weinidog, byddaf yn rhoi rhai syniadau i chi, oherwydd, a bod yn onest, yr wyf wedi blino’n lân gan y diffyg gweithredu o ran sut mae adeiladu economi’r Gymru wledig. Siaradodd y siaradwr blaenorol hefyd—ymhlith pethau eraill, roedd rhywbeth i mewn yna—am yr angen i greu swyddi yng nghefn gwlad Cymru. Fodd bynnag, mae polisi’r Llywodraeth o ganoli ein holl wasanaethau, a’u rhoi mewn un lle fel bod yn rhaid i bobl deithio iddynt, yn dinistrio swyddi gwledig. Pe bai eich meddygfeydd meddygon teulu, gofal cymdeithasol ac ysgolion mewn gwahanol leoedd, gallech ledaenu rhai swyddi o gwmpas. Yr ydym yn siarad drwy’r amser am y prinder tai fforddiadwy yng nghefn gwlad. Petawn yn cyflwyno cyflenwad priodol o dai fforddiadwy, byddwn yn gallu creu mwy o swyddi wrth adeiladu’r tai hynny—gosod y tarmac, gosod draeniau, a gwneud yr holl swyddi eraill hynny ar gyfer plymwyr, adeiladwyr, pobl sy’n ffitio ffenestri, towyr ac yn y blaen; ond nid ydym yn gwneud hynny. Mae angen i ni fynd i’r afael â’r dasg bwysig o ddeall beth yw cartref fforddiadwy gwirioneddol i rywun sy’n byw mewn man gwledig gyda safon wledig o fyw.
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I will now give you some ideas, because this Government is pretty short on ideas about what we can do on a small level to drive up the rural economy. We always talk about the really big things. Minister, I suggest that you look at Kickstart in Norfolk as an example. The project won this year’s ‘regenerating rural communities’ award at the Regeneration and Renewal Awards in London. The concept is that people between the ages of 16 and 65 are helped with transportation so that they can travel to a job, because they cannot always get the job to come to their village or to the edge of the countryside. This excellent project funds and lends mopeds, and has won every award going. It has made an enormous difference in Norfolk, which is deeply rural, and has created some 2,500 job opportunities. At the end of the 50-week period during which a person uses the moped to get to work, they can keep it, and the project moves on the next person. A scheme like this is small bucks when you think about the rewards that it can bring. |
Rhoddaf rai syniadau i chi yn awr, gan nad oes gan y Llywodraeth hon lawer o syniadau am yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud ar lefel bach i wella’r economi wledig. Rydym bob amser yn siarad am y pethau mawr iawn. Weinidog, yr wyf yn awgrymu eich bod yn edrych ar Kickstart yn Norfolk fel enghraifft. Enillodd y prosiect y wobr ‘adfywio cymunedau gwledig’ eleni yng Ngwobrau Adfywio ac Adnewyddu yn Llundain. Y cysyniad yw bod pobl rhwng 16 a 65 oed yn cael cymorth gyda chludiant fel y gallant deithio i swydd, oherwydd na allant bob amser cael y swydd i ddod i’w pentref neu i gyrion cefn gwlad. Mae’r prosiect rhagorol yma yn ariannu ac yn benthyg mopedau, ac y mae wedi ennill pob gwobr sydd ar gael. Mae wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol yn Norfolk, sydd yn wledig iawn, ac y mae wedi creu tua 2,500 o gyfleoedd gwaith. Ar ddiwedd cyfnod o 50 wythnos lle mae person wedi bod yn defnyddio moped i fynd i’r gwaith, gallant ei gadw, ac mae’r prosiect yn symud ymlaen i’r person nesaf. Arian bach yw cynllun fel hwn pan ystyriwch y buddion a allai ddod yn ei sgil.
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Turning to specialist microfinance, I think that Llyr talked about how we could increase the number of entrepreneurs in the countryside. We need specialist microfinance specifically for those people. Let us be honest: this kind of concept works extremely well in countries that are very poor and do not offer much opportunity, and we could surely implement a version of it here. It does not need to cost the Government big bucks. The Government needs to stand behind it and act as a bond. I know of a couple of young people who wanted to put together a small food-processing plant producing pasties and pies, for example. They needed a bond from somebody for the rent of the necessary premises; everything else was in order, but they could not get the bond. |
Gan droi at microgyllid arbenigol, credaf fod Llyr wedi siarad am sut y gallem gynyddu nifer yr entrepreneuriaid yng nghefn gwlad. Mae arnom angen microgyllid arbenigol yn benodol ar gyfer y bobl hynny. Gadewch inni fod yn onest: mae’r math hwn o gysyniad yn gweithio’n eithriadol o dda mewn gwledydd sydd yn dlawd iawn nad ydynt yn cynnig llawer o gyfle, a gallem yn sicr weithredu fersiwn o hynny yma. Nid oes angen iddo gostio arian mawr i’r Llywodraeth. Mae angen i’r Llywodraeth ei gefnogi a gweithredu fel bond. Gwn am gwpwl o bobl ifanc a oedd eisiau sefydlu safle i brosesu bwyd, yn cynhyrchu pasteiod a pheis, er enghraifft. Roedd arnynt angen bond gan rywun ar gyfer y rhent am y safle angenrheidiol; yr oedd popeth arall mewn trefn, ond ni fedrent gael y bond.
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We need to strengthen governance in tendering and contract processes to ensure that more of the contracts that come out of Government go to the rural community. Finally, we could be far more creative with the credit union concept, and encourage credit unions to help people to minimise risks as they set out in pursuit of the enterprising ideas that Llyr talked about.
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Mae angen i ni gryfhau llywodraethiant mewn prosesau tendro a chontract i sicrhau bod mwy o’r contractau sy’n dod allan o’r Llywodraeth yn mynd i’r gymuned wledig. Yn olaf, gallem fod yn llawer mwy creadigol gyda chysyniad yr undeb credyd, ac annog undebau credyd i helpu pobl i leihau risgiau wrth iddynt gychwyn wrth fynd ar drywydd y syniadau mentrus y siaradodd Llyr amdanynt.
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Vaughan Gething: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this debate. I recognise that a number of challenges face rural communities in Wales. It is a little difficult to take seriously everything that has been said when comments are made about challenges to jobs in rural communities by Members of a party that has just slashed feed-in tariffs, which will definitely lead to increased unemployment as a direct result of UK Government action. A Kafka-esque consultation asked ‘do you want feed-in tariffs to change?’, when the consultation ended two weeks after the tariff rate was proposed to change, which is utterly bonkers.
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Vaughan Gething: Croesawaf y cyfle i gymryd rhan yn y ddadl hon. Yr wyf yn cydnabod bod nifer o heriau yn wynebu cymunedau gwledig yng Nghymru. Mae braidd yn anodd cymryd o ddifrif popeth sydd wedi cael ei ddweud pan wneir sylwadau am heriau i swyddi mewn cymunedau gwledig gan Aelodau plaid sydd newydd dorri tariffau bwydo-i-mewn, a fydd yn bendant yn arwain at fwy o ddiweithdra o ganlyniad uniongyrchol i weithredoedd Llywodraeth y DU. Gofynnodd ymgynghoriad a oedd yn debyg i rywbeth o waith Kafka, ‘A ydych chi am weld tariffau bwydo-i-mewn yn newid?’, pan ddaeth yr ymgynghoriad i ben bythefnos ar ôl dyddiad y newidiadau arfaethedig i’r tariff, sydd yn hollol hurt.
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I was interested in what Angela Burns had to say about semi-urban communities. You could ask when is a community semi-urban and when is it semi-rural? Perhaps the answer lies in how likely that community is to vote Labour. Last week, I spoke about the need to increase and improve integrated transport
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Yr oedd gennyf ddiddordeb yn yr hyn a oedd gan Angela Burns i’w ddweud am gymunedau lled-drefol. Gallech ofyn pryd y mae cymuned yn lled-drefol a phryd y mae’n lled-wledig? Efallai mai’r ateb yw pa mor debygol yw’r gymuned i bleidleisio dros Lafur. Yr wythnos ddiwethaf, siaredais am yr angen i gynyddu a gwella trafnidiaeth integredig.
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Angela Burns: Will you take an intervention?
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Angela Burns: A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad?
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Vaughan Gething: I do not think so, as I have a lot to get through. I spoke about the need for an integrated transport system, which matters just as much for rural communities as it does for urban communities. There is, however, a bigger transport gap in a number of our rural communities. I am pleased that the Welsh Government is committed to encouraging and supporting the development of community transport schemes.
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Vaughan Gething: Na, ni chymeraf ymyriad, gan fod gennyf lawer i fynd drwyddo. Siaredais am yr angen i gael system drafnidiaeth integredig, sydd yr un mor bwysig i gymunedau gwledig ag ydyw i gymunedau trefol. Mae yna, fodd bynnag, fwlch trafnidiaeth mwy mewn nifer o’n cymunedau gwledig. Yr wyf yn falch bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i annog a chefnogi datblygiad cynlluniau cludiant cymunedol.
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Investment in broadband would be a huge potential infrastructure project, and the Welsh Government has committed to improving and rolling out broadband provision across rural Wales. It is odd that, while apparently 99.99 per cent of households in Wales are connected to a broadband-enabled telephone exchange, it does not then lead to broadband being enabled for all of those households. We know that there are a number of not spots, some in urban areas but a large number in rural areas. There is a huge issue with the digital divide in Wales, not only in the number of users who are able to access digital services, but where communities simply do not have access to adequate broadband provision. I welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to introducing high-speed broadband across Wales by 2015.
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Byddai buddsoddi mewn band eang yn brosiect mawr, o bosib, o ran seilwaith, ac y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i wella a chyflwyno darpariaeth band eang ar draws cefn gwlad Cymru. Mae’n rhyfedd, er ei fod yn ymddangos bod 99.99 y cant o gartrefi yng Nghymru wedi’u cysylltu â chyfnewidfa ffôn band eang, nad yw wedyn yn arwain at fand eang yn cael ei ddarparu ar gyfer pob un o’r cartrefi hynny. Gwyddom fod yna nifer o ardaloedd digyswllt, rhai mewn ardaloedd trefol, ond mae nifer fawr mewn ardaloedd gwledig. Mae problem fawr gyda rhaniad digidol yng Nghymru, nid yn unig o ran nifer y defnyddwyr sy’n gallu cael mynediad at wasanaethau digidol, ond lle nad oes gan gymunedau fynediad at ddarpariaeth band eang ddigonol. Yr wyf yn croesawu ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno band eang cyflym ar draws Cymru erbyn 2015.
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I also want to talk about some non-devolved matters that are of significant importance to the rural economy. The post office network is a key factor in services across rural communities and the rural economy. Although the Welsh Government has undertaken a number of initiatives to try to support the post office network with a modernisation and development fund, post office closure is a non-devolved matter. The current UK Government has said that it has pledged to protect what it refers to as ‘profitable post office branches’. The problem is that that leaves a question mark over about 10,000 of the 14,000 current branches across the UK. Therefore, there are still significant questions about the post office network.
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Yr wyf hefyd am sôn am rai materion heb eu datganoli sydd o bwys sylweddol i’r economi wledig. Mae’r rhwydwaith swyddfeydd post yn ffactor allweddol mewn gwasanaethau ar draws cymunedau gwledig a’r economi wledig. Er bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymgymryd â nifer o fentrau i geisio cefnogi’r rhwydwaith swyddfeydd post gyda chronfa foderneiddio a datblygu, nid yw’r mater o gau swyddfeydd post wedi ei ddatganoli. Mae Llywodraeth bresennol y Deyrnas Unedig wedi dweud ei bod wedi addo i amddiffyn yr hyn y mae’n ei alw’n ‘canghennau proffidiol swyddfa’r post’. Y broblem yw bod hynny’n gadael marc cwestiwn dros ryw 10,000 o’r 14,000 o ganghennau presennol ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig. Felly, mae cwestiynau arwyddocaol yn parhau am y rhwydwaith swyddfeydd post.
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One of the most important things that we can do to support the post office network is to find new ways to drive business through those post offices. We should think about opportunities to have linkages between services that are provided, whether they are devolved or non-devolved, and post office branches. I know that a number of people in credit unions are already talking, at some level of detail, about possible times for post office branches and the post office network, which is the most significant and wide-ranging retail network across the UK, including in Wales, to provide additional service and additional traffic through those branches.
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Un o’r pethau pwysicaf y gallwn ei wneud i gefnogi’r rhwydwaith swyddfeydd post yw dod o hyd i ffyrdd newydd i yrru busnes drwy’r swyddfeydd post hynny. Dylem feddwl am gyfleoedd i gael cysylltiadau rhwng y gwasanaethau a ddarperir, boed wedi’u datganoli neu beidio, a changhennau swyddfeydd post. Gwn fod nifer o bobl mewn undebau credyd eisoes yn siarad, ar ryw lefel o fanylder, am amserau posibl ar gyfer canghennau swyddfa’r post a rhwydwaith swyddfa’r post, sef y rhwydwaith manwerthu mwyaf arwyddocaol ac eang ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig, gan gynnwys yng Nghymru, er mwyn darparu gwasanaeth ychwanegol a thraffig ychwanegol drwy’r canghennau hynny.
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Another point that we must talk about when looking at the importance of the postal service and its impact on rural economies and businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses, is the universal service obligation and the ability for rural businesses to access the Royal Mail six days a week. Currently, the universal service obligation is only guaranteed for a further four years. There is a feeling among the Public and Commercial Services union and some sub-postmasters that the budgetary squeeze on resourcing is part of a process that may lead to the downgrading of the universal service obligation. That would be disastrous for rural businesses. Many of those businesses rely on ‘e-fulfilment’—undertaking and receiving orders on the internet and then delivering them through the post office network and Royal Mail. The problem is that, if you remove the universal service obligation and went down to a system where you had five-day as opposed to six-day delivery in rural areas, you would have a huge impact on the businesses and their viability. You would also, by the by, have a significant impact on property prices in areas where you would only get post five days a week rather than six. There are significant challenges, but I am committed, as I believe is the Welsh Government, to support the rural economy and to see it progress into a safe and happy future.
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Pwynt arall y mae’n rhaid i ni ei drafod wrth edrych ar bwysigrwydd y gwasanaeth post a’i effaith ar economïau a busnesau gwledig, yn enwedig busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint, yw’r rhwymedigaeth gwasanaeth cyffredinol a’r gallu i fusnesau gwledig gael mynediad at y Post Brenhinol chwe diwrnod yr wythnos. Ar hyn o bryd, mae’r rhwymedigaeth gwasanaeth cyffredinol wedi ei warantu am ddim ond pedair blynedd arall. Mae teimlad ymhlith undeb y Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus a Masnachol a rhai is-bostfeistri bod y wasgfa gyllidebol ar adnoddau yn rhan o broses a all arwain at israddio’r rhwymedigaeth gwasanaeth cyffredinol. Byddai hynny’n drychinebus i fusnesau gwledig. Mae llawer o’r busnesau hynny yn dibynnu ar ddarpariaeth ar-lein—ceisio a derbyn archebion ar y rhyngrwyd ac yna eu dosbarthu drwy rwydwaith y swyddfeydd post a’r Post Brenhinol. Y broblem yw, os cewch wared ar y rhwymedigaeth gwasanaeth cyffredinol a dilyn trywydd lle byddech yn dosbarthu am bum niwrnod yn lle chwech mewn ardaloedd gwledig, byddech yn cael effaith mawr ar y busnesau a’u hyfywedd. Byddech hefyd yn cael effaith sylweddol ar brisiau eiddo mewn ardaloedd lle y byddech yn cael post ar bum niwrnod yr wythnos yn hytrach na chwech. Mae heriau sylweddol, ond yr wyf wedi ymrwymo, fel y mae Llywodraeth Cymru, i gefnogi’r economi wledig a sicrhau dyfodol diogel a hapus iddi.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I will start by addressing the first sentiment in the motion about infrastructure improvement and, in particular, the need for a radical reform of the planning system. I know that the Government, through its legislative framework, is looking to bring a planning Bill in the latter part of this Assembly. I would be grateful if the Deputy Minister could outline in his response how he is feeding into the preparatory work for this Bill. When we look at the shortage of housing in many rural locations and look at the opportunities for businesses, in particular, to be able to expand, the constraint on that expansion is, very often, the planning system. There is inequality across the planning system. With the 22 local authorities, you have different interpretations of various technical advice notes and the costs that are incurred for businesses and households, whether they wish to make a minor alteration to their property or have a significant expansion of their work premises.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Croesawaf y cyfle i gyfrannu at y ddadl hon. Dechreuaf drwy roi sylw i’r teimlad cyntaf yn y cynnig am wella seilwaith ac, yn arbennig, yr angen am ddiwygio radical o’r system gynllunio. Gwn fod y Llywodraeth, drwy ei fframwaith deddfwriaethol, yn ystyried dod â Mesur cynllunio yn rhan olaf y Cynulliad hwn. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallai’r Dirprwy Weinidog amlinellu yn ei ymateb sut y mae’n bwydo i mewn i’r gwaith paratoi ar gyfer y Bil hwn. Pan edrychwn ar y prinder tai mewn nifer o leoliadau gwledig ac edrych ar y cyfleoedd i fusnesau, yn arbennig, i allu ehangu, yr hyn sy’n cyfyngu ar y gallu hwnnw i ehangu, yn aml iawn, yw’r system gynllunio. Mae anghydraddoldeb ar draws y system gynllunio. Gyda 22 o awdurdodau lleol, mae gennych wahanol ddehongliadau o nodiadau cyngor technegol amrywiol a’r costau sy’n cael eu codi ar gyfer busnesau ac aelwydydd, p’un ai a ydynt yn dymuno gwneud newid bach i’w heiddo neu gael ehangiad sylweddol o’u safleoedd gwaith.
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There is an overarching conflict that arises in a rural location. We understand the beauty and the quality of our landscape, and if that is detracted from in any way by buildings, there is a real issue: once it is gone, it is gone. However, we must be realistic: if we want vibrant communities in the twenty-first century, we need a planning system that reflects the needs of the twenty-first century and, in particular, meets people’s aspirations to live and work in that community.
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Mae yna wrthdaro trosfwaol yn codi mewn lleoliadau gwledig. Rydym yn deall harddwch ac ansawdd ein tirwedd, ac os yw adeiladau yn effeithio ar hynny mewn unrhyw ffordd, mae yna broblem go iawn: unwaith y mae’n mynd, mae wedi mynd. Fodd bynnag, mae’n rhaid i ni fod yn realistig: os ydym am gael cymunedau bywiog yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain, mae angen system gynllunio sy’n adlewyrchu anghenion yr unfed ganrif ar hugain ac, yn arbennig, yn diwallu dyheadau pobl i fyw a gweithio yn y gymuned honno.
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The rural economy is bigger than just agriculture. Agriculture is one important part of the rural economy, but in order to have a successful community, you need diversity within that community. For communities to survive in business, they need clear guidance from Government and policy decisions that are taken based on evidence, rather than some sort of knee jerk reaction to a problem. I want to highlight the report on rural tourism that the former Rural Development Sub-committee produced in February. I believe that, at the time, the Deputy Minister was a member of that sub-committee. The report referred to a complete review of the effectiveness of all Welsh Government policy relating to rural tourism so that
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Mae’r economi wledig yn fwy na dim ond amaethyddiaeth. Mae amaethyddiaeth yn un rhan bwysig o’r economi wledig, ond er mwyn cael cymuned llwyddiannus, mae angen amrywiaeth o fewn y gymuned honno. Er mwyn i gymunedau oroesi mewn busnes, mae angen arweiniad clir gan y Llywodraeth a phenderfyniadau polisi sy’n cael eu cymryd ar sail tystiolaeth, yn hytrach na rhyw fath o adwaith difeddwl i broblem. Yr wyf am dynnu sylw at yr adroddiad ar dwristiaeth wledig a gynhyrchwyd gan y cyn Is-bwyllgor Datblygu Gwledig ym mis Chwefror. Credaf, ar y pryd, fod y Dirprwy Weinidog yn aelod o’r is-bwyllgor hwnnw. Cyfeiriodd yr adroddiad at adolygiad cyflawn o effeithiolrwydd pob polisi Llywodraeth Cymru sy’n ymwneud â thwristiaeth wledig fel bod
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‘coherence is brought to the policy framework’.
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cydlyniad yn cael ei ddwyn i’r fframwaith polisi.
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5.00 p.m.
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That is quite strong language. I appreciate that it is from a third Assembly sub-committee looking at a different Government. So, I hope that this debate will be an opportune moment for a former committee member, now with the levers of power, to indicate how he is driving that coherence across the policy development framework, particularly now that tourism sits within the wider department for which he is Deputy Minister.
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Mae hynny’n iaith eithaf cryf. Yr wyf yn sylweddoli ei bod yn deillio o un o is-bwyllgorau’r trydydd Cynulliad yn edrych ar Lywodraeth wahanol. Felly, gobeithiaf y bydd y ddadl hon yn gyfle amserol i gyn-aelod o’r pwyllgor, sydd bellach wedi cymryd yr awenau, ddangos sut y mae ef yn sicrhau bod fframwaith datblygu polisi wedi’i gydlynu, yn enwedig yn awr bod twristiaeth bellach o fewn yr adran ehangach y mae ef yn Ddirprwy Weinidog ynddi.
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One of the largest industries in the rural economy is tourism. It offers us great potential to expand economic activity in rural locations. However, if many tourism operators are to be able to access the opportunities of the market for long weekend breaks or short breaks, they need good quality broadband access. Time and again, successive committees in this institution have heard evidence that highlights poor broadband connectivity across Wales.
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Twristiaeth yw un o’r diwydiannau mwyaf yn yr economi wledig. Mae’n cynnig potensial mawr i ehangu gweithgarwch economaidd mewn lleoliadau gwledig. Fodd bynnag, os yw llawer o weithredwyr twristiaeth yn mynd i allu cael mynediad at gyfleoedd y farchnad o ran penwythnosau hir neu wyliau byr, mae angen mynediad at wasanaeth band eang o ansawdd da. Dro ar ôl tro, mae pwyllgorau yn y sefydliad hwn wedi clywed tystiolaeth sy’n nodi cysylltedd band eang gwael ledled Cymru.
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Significant money is being made available by the Westminster Government—£57 million. I hear what the Government is saying about the trajectory of its journey, and the aspiration for 2015—the golden gate, if you like—is that much of Wales will move to high-speed broadband. However, when you look at other parts of the United Kingdom, particularly Cornwall, for example, you really need to ask why we have come so late to the table. Whether it is the cornerstone of the rural economy, namely agriculture, or the many other businesses that survive in rural locations, if businesses are to grow or even just sustain themselves, they really need to be able to use the tool of the twenty-first century, which is high-speed broadband.
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Mae arian sylweddol yn cael ei ddyrannu gan Lywodraeth San Steffan—£57 miliwn. Yr wyf yn clywed yr hyn y mae’r Llywodraeth yn ei ddweud am hynt ei thaith, ac mae’r dyhead ar gyfer 2015—y porth aur, os mynnwch chi—yw bod llawer o Gymru yn symud at fand eang cyflym. Fodd bynnag, pan edrychwch ar rannau eraill o’r Deyrnas Unedig, yn enwedig Cernyw, er enghraifft, mae gwir angen ichi ofyn pam yr ydym mor hwyr yn gweithredu. P’un ai a ydyw’n sylfaen i’r economi wledig, fel amaethyddiaeth, neu’n un o nifer o fusnesau eraill sy’n goroesi mewn lleoliadau gwledig, os yw busnesau i dyfu neu hyd yn oed dim ond cynnal eu hunain, mae gwir angen y gallu i ddefnyddio offeryn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain, sef band eang cyflym.
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Red tape is another key area that the Government must sign up to tackling—whether in the field of agriculture or for any other type of business. However, there is a clear route-map that the Government can sign up to. There is the work that the former NFU president Peredur Hughes agreed to undertake under the former Minister and there is also the Macdonald review, which was undertaken for DEFRA by Richard Macdonald. They have created a clear route-map that, I hope, the Government can buy into in order to implement actions that will make the systems more efficient and responsive and that will take cost out of the system that is strangling business.
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Mae biwrocratiaeth yn faes allweddol arall y mae’n rhaid i’r Llywodraeth ymrwymo i fynd i’r afael ag ef—boed ym maes amaethyddiaeth neu ar gyfer unrhyw fath arall o fusnes. Fodd bynnag, mae llwybr clir y gall y Llywodraeth ei ddilyn. Mae’r gwaith y cytunodd Peredur Hughes, cyn-Lywydd Undeb Cenedlaethol yr Amaethwyr, i’w wneud o dan y cyn-Weinidog, ac mae adolygiad Macdonald hefyd, a wnaed ar ran DEFRA gan Richard Macdonald. Maent wedi nodi llwybr clir, gobeithio, y gall y Llywodraeth ei ddilyn i gymryd y camau a fydd yn gwneud y systemau’n fwy effeithlon ac ymatebol, ac yn cymryd costau o’r system sy’n tagu busnes.
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I have grave concerns when I consider the response of the Government to Glastir and the way it brought that forward without fully road testing the regulations around that—
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Mae gennyf bryderon difrifol wrth ystyried ymateb y Llywodraeth i Glastir a’r modd y cyflwynwyd y rhaglen honno ganddi heb brofi’r rheoliadau yn ei chylch yn llawn—
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The Deputy Presiding Officer: Order. Conclude, please.
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Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Trefn. Gorffennwch, os gwelwch yn dda.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: I look forward to the Minister commenting on some of my proposals. I urge Members to support the motion before them today. |
Andrew R.T. Davies: Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed sylwadau’r Gweinidog ar rai o’m cynigion. Anogaf Aelodau i gefnogi’r cynnig heddiw.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Yr wyf innau hefyd croesawu’r ddadl hon. Mae’n eithriadol o bwysig ein bod ni, fel Cynulliad, yn trafod yr economi wledig. Mae’n dda o beth gweld bod pob plaid, yn ei thro, wedi ceisio dadlau mai hi oedd yn gwneud y mwyaf dros yr economi wledig. Yr oeddwn yn meddwl bod Joyce Watson wedi ymgymryd â chryn dasg heriol wrth geisio dadlau bod y Blaid Lafur yn cael ei gweld fel cyfaill amaethwyr. Fodd bynnag, os yw Joyce yn credu ei bod hi’n gallu dadlau’r achos, byddwn yn hapus i drefnu cyfarfod yng Nghaerfyrddin iddi roi’r ddadl honno gerbron yr undebau amaethyddol. Yr wyf yn siŵr y gallaf werthu tocynnau ar gyfer cyfarfod o’r fath.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: I also welcome this debate. It is very important that we, as an Assembly, discuss the rural economy. It is pleasing to see that, in turn, every party has tried to argue that it is the party that has done the most for the rural economy. I thought that Joyce Watson took on quite a challenging task in trying to argue that the Labour Party is viewed as a friend of farmers. However, if Joyce believes that she can argue that case, I would be happy to arrange a meeting for her in Carmarthen to enable her to put her case before the agriculture unions. I am sure that I could sell tickets for such a meeting.
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Mae un peth yn sicr: mae’r Dirprwy Weinidog presennol wedi profi yn y Cynulliad diwethaf ei fod yn deall yr economi wledig ac anghenion cymunedau gwledig. Talaf deyrnged iddo am ei waith fel Cadeirydd yr Is-bwyllgor Datblygu Gwledig. Cyfeiriodd Andrew R.T. Davies at un o’r adroddiadau a gyflwynwyd gan yr is-bwyllgor. Nid oedd Alun Davies yn aelod o’r is-bwyllgor ar y pryd, ond yr oedd cyfres o adroddiadau ac argymhellion wedi eu cyflwyno gan yr is-bwyllgor a gefnogwyd gan y Dirprwy Weinidog presennol, a oedd yn dangos ei ddealltwriaeth o gymunedau gwledig a’r economi wledig.
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One thing is certain: the now Deputy Minister proved in the last Assembly that he understands the rural economy and the needs of rural communities. I pay tribute to his work as Chair of the Rural Development Sub-committee. Andrew R.T. Davies referred to one of the reports produced by the sub-committee. Alun Davies was not a member of the sub-committee at that time, but there was a series of reports and recommendations made by the sub-committee that were supported by the now Deputy Minister, who showed his understanding of rural communities and the rural economy.
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Credaf mai un o’r achlysuron hynny oedd pan wnaeth y Dirprwy Weinidog presennol fynegi ei gefnogaeth frwdfrydig i gynlluniau’r Gweinidog amaeth ar y pryd i waredu TB mewn anifeiliaid o gefn gwlad. Yr ydym yn cofio’r araith honno ac yr ydym yn falch o’r ddealltwriaeth yr oedd yn ei dangos ar y pryd o gymunedau gwledig a’u hanghenion.
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I think that one of those occasions was when the now Deputy Minister expressed his enthusiastic support for the plans of the then Minister for Rural Affairs to eradicate TB in animals from the countryside. We remember that speech and we are pleased by the understanding that he showed at the time of rural communities and their needs.
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Gwnaeth Andrew R.T. Davies bwynt pwysig. Nid wyf yn dweud hynny’n aml, rhaid imi gyfaddef. Fodd bynnag, gwnaeth hynny y tro hwn. Soniodd am gymhlethdodau’r economi wledig a dywedodd nad delio gyda phroblemau unigol sydd angen ei wneud, ond edrych ar yr economi wledig yn ei chyfanrwydd. Er enghraifft, mae rhai o’r pethau yr ydym wedi’u trafod yr wythnos hon yn eithriadol o bwysig i’r economi wledig—buddsoddiadau cyfalaf, er enghraifft. Mae’r math hwnnw o fuddsoddiad mewn prosiectau cyfalaf yn eithriadol o bwysig i gymunedau gwledig. Meddyliwch am gynlluniau’r Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau ar gyfer ysgolion yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Nid ydym eto wedi clywed faint yn union o arian y bydd y Llywodraeth yn ei fuddsoddi yn y cynllun hwnnw, ond mae adeiladu ysgolion yng nghefn gwlad yn eithriadol o bwysig oherwydd bod cwmnïau lleol yn cael eu defnyddio ac mae’r economi leol drwyddi draw yn cael ei chefnogi. Yn yr un modd, mae cynlluniau trafnidiaeth hefyd yn bwysig—buom yn holi’r Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb am drafnidiaeth am ei gynlluniau yr wythnos hon. Soniodd Russell George am ffordd osgoi’r Drenewydd, ac yr wyf wedi sôn am ffordd osgoi Llandeilo; mae prosiectau bach felly yn yr ardaloedd gwledig ledled Cymru yn eithriadol o bwysig i’r economi wledig. Er enghraifft, mae economi ardal Porthmadog wedi manteisio ar y ffordd osgoi yno ac mae cwmnïau lleol wedi elwa ohoni. Mae’r Dirprwy Weinidog yn deall y pethau hyn ac yr wyf yn mawr obeithio y bydd yn dangos arweiniad yn y mater hwn ac y gallwn i gyd yn y Cynulliad ei gefnogi.
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Andrew R.T. Davies made an important point. I do not often say that, I must confess. However, he did so this time. He spoke about the complexities of the rural economy and said that we need to not only deal with individual problems, but look at the rural economy as a whole. For example, some of the things that we have been discussing this week are exceptionally important to the rural economy—capital investment, for example. That kind of investment in capital projects is exceptionally important for rural communities. Think of the plans of the Minister for Education and Skills for twenty-first century schools. We have not yet heard how much money, exactly, the Government will invest in that scheme, but building schools in rural areas is very important, because local companies are used and the local economy across the board is supported. Similarly, transport schemes are also important—we questioned the Minister with responsibility for transport about his schemes this week. Russell George mentioned the Newtown bypass, and I have mentioned the Llandeilo bypass; small projects such as those in rural areas throughout Wales are exceptionally important for the rural economy. For example, the economy of the Porthmadog area has benefited from the bypass there and local companies have benefited from it. The Deputy Minister understands these things and I very much hope that he will show leadership on this issue and that all of us in the Assembly can support him. |
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Ar adegau, mae Christine Chapman a minnau yn cael y cyfle i fynd i Bwyllgor y Rhanbarthau. Yn y fan honno, mae dealltwriaeth ledled Ewrop o’r math o her y mae economïau a chymunedau gwledig yn ei hwynebu. Yn ddiweddar, pwysleisiodd Llywydd Pwyllgor y Rhanbarthau, mewn cyfarfod yn Warsaw yng Ngwlad Pwyl, yr angen i gymunedau gwledig ledled Ewrop ddod at ei gilydd i wynebu’r her hon. Yr oedd yn pwysleisio na ddylid gwneud cymariaethau rhy syml rhwng ardaloedd gwledig a rhai trefol oherwydd bod yr her sy’n wynebu’r ardaloedd gwledig yn llawer mwy cymhleth a heriol.
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At times, Christine Chapman and I have the opportunity to go to the Committee of the Regions. In that place, there is an understanding across Europe of the type of challenge that rural economies and communities face. Recently, the President of the Committee of the Regions, in a meeting in Warsaw in Poland, emphasised the need for rural communities throughout Europe to come together to face this challenge. He emphasised that comparisons between rural and urban areas that are too simplistic should not be made, because the challenge that faces rural areas is much more complicated and challenging. |
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Y Dirprwy Weinidog Amaethyddiaeth, Bwyd, Pysgodfeydd a Rhaglenni Ewropeaidd (Alun Davies): Diolch iti, Rhodri, am dy eiriau caredig.
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The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes (Alun Davies): Thank you, Rhodri, for your kind words. |
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Unrhyw bryd. |
Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Any time. |
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Alun Davies: I might regret that. I thank all the speakers who took part in the debate. It is an important debate, particularly at a time when we are looking at how we want to shape the rural economy through the contribution of the CAP over the coming years and how that will impact upon economic growth in rural Wales over the next period. Given that background, it was particularly disappointing that the opening speaker in this debate spent 10 minutes listing all the problems facing rural Wales and not one minute describing some solutions. In over 10 minutes—it felt like an hour—we had to listen to all the difficulties facing people, but we did not have a single positive proposal, idea or initiative on how we can address the issues facing the rural economy. I think that we are all pleased that other speakers at least contributed positively to what we are trying to do at the moment. Any debate that starts discussing the rural economy without mentioning the RDP is difficult to take too seriously.
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Alun Davies: Mae’n bosibl y byddaf yn edifarhau dweud hynny. Diolchaf i’r holl siaradwyr a gymerodd ran yn y ddadl. Mae’n ddadl bwysig, yn enwedig ar adeg pan yr ydym yn edrych ar sut yr ydym am lunio’r economi wledig drwy gyfraniad y PAC dros y blynyddoedd i ddod a sut y bydd hynny’n effeithio ar dwf economaidd yng Nghymru wledig yn ystod y cyfnod nesaf. O gofio’r cefndir hwnnw, roedd yn arbennig o siomedig bod y siaradwr agoriadol yn y ddadl hon wedi treulio 10 munud yn rhestru’r holl broblemau sy’n wynebu Cymru wledig heb dreulio unrhyw amser yn disgrifio rhai o’r atebion. Dros gyfnod o 10 munud—roedd yn teimlo fel awr—roedd yn rhaid inni wrando ar yr holl anawsterau sy’n wynebu pobl, ond ni chlywsom un cynnig, syniad neu fenter gadarnhaol o ran sut y gallwn fynd i’r afael â’r materion sy’n wynebu’r economi wledig. Credaf ein bod ni oll yn falch bod siaradwyr eraill o leiaf wedi cyfrannu’n gadarnhaol at yr hyn yr ydym yn ceisio ei wneud ar hyn o bryd. Mae unrhyw ddadl sy’n dechrau trafod yr economi wledig heb sôn am y cynllun datblygu gwledig yn anodd ei chymryd o ddifrif.
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Let us look at the amendments before I speak to my main argument on the substantive motion. We will support amendment 1 in the name of Jocelyn Davies. We will be debating the CAP at the end of this month and the wording of the motion that I have put forward for that debate is very similar to that of your amendment, but you should not read too much into that. It is clearly important that the CAP is reformed in a way that ensures that the significant investment on the part of taxpayers provides not simply income support, but the means to shape the economy in years to come. The CAP will provide agricultural businesses in Wales with over £350 million every year. That will not only keep businesses afloat, but will provide work for many thousands of people and contribute to the wider economy and community.
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Gadewch inni edrych ar y gwelliannau cyn i mi gyflwyno fy mhrif ddadl ar y cynnig gwreiddiol. Byddwn yn cefnogi gwelliant 1 yn enw Jocelyn Davies. Byddwn yn trafod y PAC ar ddiwedd y mis hwn ac mae geiriad y cynnig yr wyf wedi ei gyflwyno ar gyfer y ddadl honno yn debyg iawn i eiriad eich gwelliant chi, ond ni ddylech roi gormod o bwyslais ar hynny. Mae’n amlwg yn bwysig bod y PAC yn cael ei ddiwygio mewn ffordd sy’n sicrhau bod y buddsoddiad sylweddol ar ran trethdalwyr yn darparu nid yn unig cymorth incwm, ond y modd i lywio’r economi mewn blynyddoedd i ddod. Bydd y PAC yn darparu dros £350 miliwn i fusnesau amaethyddol yng Nghymru bob blwyddyn. Bydd hynny nid yn unig yn cadw busnesau i fynd, ond bydd yn rhoi gwaith i filoedd lawer o bobl ac yn cyfrannu at yr economi a’r gymuned ehangach.
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We are, of course, at the beginning of the debate on CAP. For the Conservatives to oppose amendment 1 is frankly bizarre.
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Yr ydym, wrth gwrs, ar ddechrau’r ddadl ar y PAC. Mae gwrthwynebiad y Ceidwadwyr i welliant 1 yn rhyfedd, a dweud y gwir.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Will you give way?
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Andrew R.T. Davies: A ydych yn fodlon ildio?
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Alun Davies: I was opening myself up to an intervention, so I will, of course, give way.
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Alun Davies: Yr oeddwn yn gwahodd ymyriad, felly gwnaf, wrth gwrs, ildio.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Thank you, Deputy Minister. We will abstain on the amendment on the basis that it is too broad. Do you not accept that, after 40 years of the common agricultural policy, something somewhere has gone wrong when 90 per cent of the income of some businesses is made up of subsidy? We need to look at all of the problems that the agricultural industry is facing.
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Andrew R.T. Davies: Diolch ichi, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Byddwn yn ymatal ar y gwelliant ar y sail ei fod yn rhy eang. A ydych yn derbyn, ar ôl 40 mlynedd o’r polisi amaethyddol cyffredin, fod rhywbeth yn rhywle wedi mynd o chwith pan fo 90 y cant o incwm rhai busnesau yn dod o gymorthdaliadau? Mae angen inni edrych ar bob un o’r problemau sy’n wynebu’r diwydiant amaethyddol.
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Alun Davies: I would not necessarily disagree with that. That is exactly the debate that we must have over the coming weeks, months and years—well, hopefully not years—and that is the debate that we will have. I hope that I will not simply be leading and stimulating that debate, but providing solutions.
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Alun Davies: Ni fyddwn o reidrwydd yn anghytuno â hynny. Dyna’r union drafodaeth y mae’n rhaid inni ei chael dros yr wythnosau, y misoedd a’r blynyddoedd nesaf—wel, gobeithio nid blynyddoedd—a dyna’r ddadl y byddwn yn ei chael. Gobeithiaf y byddwn nid yn unig yn arwain ac ysgogi’r ddadl honno, ond yn cynnig atebion.
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We will oppose amendment 2 in the name of Peter Black. It is inconceivable that anyone could believe that money is being taken away from farmers in any part of Wales when the payment rate for Glastir is now higher than it was at the time of the Assembly election. I remind the Liberal Democrats and their friends across the Chamber that the single greatest threat to the CAP and payments coming through to the CAP is not Glastir or anything like that, but a UK Government that will continue to argue for a very substantial reduction in the size of the CAP budget focused on pillar 1. That is the current policy of the United Kingdom Government and my advice to both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives is that, rather than bringing forward motions here bleating about these issues, they should go back to their parties and argue the case for substantial funding for the CAP and for the structural funds that we need from the European Commission to invest in economic growth in rural and urban Wales. At the moment, the greatest threat to the economy of rural Wales is the attack on the CAP by the United Kingdom Government. My advice to you is that you should not simply vote in favour of a motion here on a Wednesday afternoon, but argue the case in London, because those are the people who are driving a policy that will see a reduction in the incomes of farmers if they get their way.
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Byddwn yn gwrthwynebu gwelliant 2 yn enw Peter Black. Mae’n annirnadwy y gallai unrhyw un gredu bod arian yn cael ei gymryd oddi ar ffermwyr mewn unrhyw ran o Gymru pan fo cyfradd y taliad ar gyfer Glastir erbyn hyn yn uwch nag yr oedd ar adeg etholiad y Cynulliad. Hoffwn atgoffa’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a’u cyfeillion ar draws y Siambr nad Glastir yw’r bygythiad mwyaf i’r PAC a’r taliadau sy’n dod drwy’r PAC, ond Llywodraeth y DU, a fydd yn parhau i ddadlau am ostyngiad sylweddol iawn ym maint cyllideb y PAC sy’n canolbwyntio ar golofn 1. Dyna bolisi cyfredol Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, a’m cyngor i i’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a’r Ceidwadwyr yw: yn hytrach na dwyn ymlaen gynigion sy’n cwyno am y materion hyn byth a hefyd, dylent fynd yn ôl at eu pleidiau a dadlau o blaid cyllid sylweddol ar gyfer y PAC, ac ar gyfer y cronfeydd strwythurol y mae arnom eu hangen gan y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd i fuddsoddi mewn twf economaidd yng Nghymru wledig a threfol. Ar hyn o bryd, y bygythiad mwyaf i economi Cymru wledig yw’r ymosodiad ar y PAC gan Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig. Fy nghyngor i chi yw na ddylech bleidleisio o blaid cynnig yma ar brynhawn Mercher yn unig, ond y dylech ddadlau’r achos yn Llundain, oherwydd nhw yw’r bobl sy’n gyrru’r polisi a fydd yn gostwng incwm ffermwyr os ydynt yn cael eu ffordd.
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We will support the final amendment, amendment 3 in the name of Peter Black. We have previously welcomed this investment from the UK Government, and it will support the next generation broadband for Wales project and benefit rural areas. Therefore, we will support that.
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Byddwn yn cefnogi’r gwelliant olaf, sef gwelliant 3 yn enw Peter Black. Yr ydym eisoes wedi croesawu’r buddsoddiad hwn gan Lywodraeth y DU, a fydd yn cefnogi prosiect band eang y genhedlaeth nesaf i Gymru ac o fudd i ardaloedd gwledig. Felly, byddwn yn cefnogi hynny.
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In terms of the overall motion before us this afternoon, I agree with the final point that was made by the Conservative leader in that we have to look at the totality of the rural economy and at the totality of economic activity in rural Wales. However, the key aspect of this debate is that there is a single economy in Wales. You cannot separate the rural economy from the wider economy in Wales. The investment that is being made by this Government in infrastructure and business support, and the work that we are doing on better regulation, will have a significant impact on the ability of businesses in rural Wales to prosper.
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O ran y cynnig cyffredinol sydd o’n blaenau y prynhawn yma, yr wyf yn cytuno gyda’r pwynt terfynol a wnaethpwyd gan arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr fod yn rhaid inni edrych ar yr economi wledig yn ei chyfanrwydd a gweithgarwch economaidd yng Nghymru wledig yn ei gyfanrwydd. Fodd bynnag, yr agwedd allweddol ar y ddadl hon yw bod un economi yng Nghymru. Ni allwch wahaniaethu rhwng yr economi wledig a’r economi ehangach yng Nghymru. Bydd y buddsoddiad a wneir gan y Llywodraeth hon mewn seilwaith a chymorth busnes, a’r gwaith yr ydym yn ei wneud ar reoleiddio gwell, yn cael effaith sylweddol ar allu busnesau yng Nghymru wledig i ffynnu.
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The Conservative leader also raised planning as an issue in relation to economic development. He will be aware that planning advice on economic development is currently being reviewed by the Welsh Government. He will also be aware that an independent group is looking at the legislation on planning and will report next May. My very good friend John Griffiths and I talk regularly about these issues; he can have a direct input into the development of planning legislation, both through the independent planning group and by writing to the Government with his views on planning for economic development.
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Hefyd, soniodd Arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr am gynllunio fel mater mewn perthynas â datblygu economaidd. Mi fydd yn ymwybodol bod y cyngor cynllunio ar ddatblygu economaidd yn cael ei adolygu gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar hyn o bryd. Mi fydd hefyd yn ymwybodol bod grŵp annibynnol yn edrych ar y ddeddfwriaeth ar gynllunio, gan adrodd yn ôl fis Mai nesaf. Mae John Griffiths, fy nghyfaill agos, a minnau yn trafod y materion hyn yn rheolaidd; gall ef gael mewnbwn uniongyrchol i ddatblygu deddfwriaeth ar gynllunio drwy’r grŵp cynllunio annibynnol a thrwy ysgrifennu at y Llywodraeth yn nodi ei farn ar gynllunio ar gyfer datblygu economaidd.
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We have made very clear commitments in the programme for government, which was published earlier in the year by the Welsh Government. We will ensure that all residential business premises have access to next generation broadband by 2015. We will ensure that the broadband support scheme that is already in place will help to tackle broadband not spots in Wales.
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Rydym wedi gwneud ymrwymiadau clir iawn yn y rhaglen lywodraethu, a gyhoeddwyd yn gynharach yn y flwyddyn gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Byddwn yn sicrhau bod gan bob adeilad preswyl busnes fynediad at fand eang y genhedlaeth nesaf erbyn 2015. Byddwn yn sicrhau y bydd y cynllun cymorth band eang sydd eisoes ar waith yn helpu i fynd i’r afael â mannau yng Nghymru sydd â band eang gwan.
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5.15 p.m.
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I note that Angela Burns and I are the only survivors of the previous Assembly’s broadband group—let me assure Members on all sides of the Chamber that broadband is something that I take a great personal interest in. As a Government, we will seek to ensure that our objectives to deliver broadband will be met. We are also aware of the issue of mobile coverage, which has been mentioned by several speakers in this debate. Those of us who have lived in rural Wales will know exactly how difficult it can be to conduct any sort of business activity with the current levels of coverage. Members will also be aware that £150 million has been put aside by the United Kingdom Government for a process that is being led by DCMS to improve mobile coverage. The Welsh Government will be supporting this and ensuring that Wales gets its fair share of that funding.
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Nodaf mai Angela Burns a minnau yw’r unig oroeswyr o grŵp band eang y Cynulliad blaenorol; gadewch imi sicrhau Aelodau ar bob ochr i’r Siambr bod band eang yn rhywbeth y mae gennyf ddiddordeb personol mawr ynddo. Fel Llywodraeth, byddwn yn ceisio sicrhau bod ein hamcanion i ddarparu band eang yn cael eu bodloni. Rydym hefyd yn ymwybodol o’r mater ynghylch signal ffonau symudol, sydd wedi cael ei grybwyll gan nifer o siaradwyr yn y ddadl hon. Bydd y rheiny ohonom sydd wedi byw yng Nghymru wledig yn gwybod yn union pa mor anodd y gall fod i gynnal unrhyw fath o weithgarwch busnes gyda’r signal ar ei lefel bresennol. Bydd Aelodau hefyd yn ymwybodol bod Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig wedi neilltuo £150 miliwn ar gyfer proses a gaiff ei harwain gan yr Adran dros Ddiwylliant, y Cyfryngau a Chwaraeon i wella signal ffonau symudol. Bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi’r broses hon ac yn sicrhau bod Cymru’n cael cyfran deg o’r cyllid hwnnw.
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As for where we are now, agriculture and food will be at the centre of economic decision making in this Government. I want to emphasise for Members the importance of pillar 2, the importance of the rural development plan, and the importance of shaping agriculture, food and the rural economy for the future. We have an opportunity, through what is happening in the CAP discussions currently, to shape that economy. We can invest in supply chains; we can invest to support processors and producers; and we can invest in the future of the economy. However, that is a debate that we must have here over the coming weeks and months. We will have the opportunity to look at pillar 2 again at the end of this month. We will have the opportunity to discuss the rural development plan again at the end of this month. I hope that Members will take the opportunity to do something, and I hope that when they do, they will have learned the lesson that Llyr learnt last week, which is to approach this debate in a positive way to look for ideas for the future, and not simply to describe the problems.
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O ran lle’r ydym yn awr, bydd amaethyddiaeth a bwyd wrth wraidd y broses o wneud penderfyniadau economaidd yn y Llywodraeth hon. Rwyf am bwysleisio i Aelodau bwysigrwydd colofn 2, pwysigrwydd y cynllun datblygu gwledig, a phwysigrwydd paratoi ar gyfer y dyfodol o ran amaeth, bwyd a’r economi wledig. Mae gennym gyfle, drwy’r hyn sy’n digwydd yn y trafodaethau ynghylch y polisi amaethyddol cyffredin ar hyn o bryd, i lunio’r economi honno. Gallwn fuddsoddi mewn cadwyni cyflenwi; gallwn fuddsoddi er mwyn cefnogi proseswyr a chynhyrchwyr; a gallwn fuddsoddi yn nyfodol yr economi. Fodd bynnag, dyna’r drafodaeth y bydd yn rhaid inni ei chael yma dros yr wythnosau a’r misoedd nesaf. Bydd gennym gyfle i edrych ar golofn 2 eto ar ddiwedd y mis hwn. Bydd gennym gyfle i drafod y cynllun datblygu gwledig eto ar ddiwedd y mis hwn. Gobeithiaf y bydd Aelodau yn manteisio ar y cyfle i wneud rhywbeth ac, os ydynt yn gwneud hynny, gobeithiaf y byddant yn dysgu’r wers a ddysgodd Llyr yr wythnos diwethaf, sef y dylid cynnal y drafodaeth honno mewn ffordd gadarnhaol er mwyn canfod syniadau ar gyfer y dyfodol, ac nid at ddibenion disgrifio’r problemau yn unig.
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Suzy Davies: I will take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken part in this very important debate. It is strange for me as a representative of South Wales West—an area with high levels of urban deprivation—to sum up at the end this debate, but I think that it is important that I do, because I represent an area that receives a lot of public money and a considerable amount of European money, and it is important to recognise that there are areas of rural poverty and rural deprivation that remain hidden in many of the conversations and debates that we have in this Chamber. It seems obvious to me that people in some rural areas are deprived of a better future because they are deprived of job opportunities and the infrastructure that so many have talked about. They are also deprived of some of the very good ideas, Deputy Minister, that have come forward during the course of today’s debate.
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Suzy Davies: Cymeraf y cyfle hwn i ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn y ddadl bwysig iawn hon. Mae’n rhyfedd i mi, fel un o gynrychiolwyr Gorllewin De Cymru—ardal sydd â lefelau uchel o amddifadedd trefol—grynhoi’r drafodaeth ar ddiwedd y ddadl hon. Fodd bynnag, credaf ei bod yn bwysig imi wneud hynny gan fy mod yn cynrychioli ardal sydd yn cael llawer o arian cyhoeddus a swm sylweddol o arian Ewropeaidd, ac mae’n bwysig cydnabod bod yna ardaloedd o dlodi ac amddifadedd gwledig sy’n aros yn gudd wrth inni drin a thrafod materion yn y Siambr hon. Mae’n amlwg imi bod pobl mewn rhai ardaloedd gwledig yn cael eu hamddifadu o’r cyfle i gael dyfodol gwell yn sgil cael eu hamddifadu o’r cyfleoedd cyflogaeth a’r seilwaith y mae nifer o bobl wedi siarad amdanynt. Maent hefyd yn cael eu hamddifadu o rai o’r syniadau da iawn, Ddirprwy Weinidog, sydd wedi cael eu cynnig yn ystod y ddadl heddiw.
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Due to the fact that I am short of time, I will have to concentrate on a few points. One of the most important of them is the issue of transport. I know from personal experience of jobseekers in one town in mid Wales who cannot get to their job centre in the next nearest town to sign on and to look for job opportunities because the transport issues mean that they cannot get there and back within school hours. That is just one example of the sorts of problems we have been talking about today. Rhodri Glyn, Vaughan Gething, Russell George, William Powell and others have alluded to this—apologies if I have missed anyone—but William said that one of the things that this Government could consider is a greater emphasis on a transport plan for rural areas.
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Gan fy mod yn brin o amser, bydd yn rhaid imi ganolbwyntio ar rai pwyntiau penodol. Un o’r rhai pwysicaf yw trafnidiaeth. Gwn o brofiad personol na all ceiswyr gwaith mewn un dref yng nghanolbarth Cymru gyrraedd eu canolfan gwaith yn y dref agosaf i lofnodi ac i edrych am gyfleoedd gwaith oherwydd bod materion trafnidiaeth yn golygu nad yw’n bosibl iddynt deithio yno ac yn ôl o fewn oriau ysgol. Dyna un enghraifft yn unig o’r mathau o broblemau yr ydym wedi bod yn sôn amdanynt heddiw. Mae Rhodri Glyn, Vaughan Gething, Russell George, William Powell ac eraill wedi cyfeirio at y mater hwn—ymddiheuriadau os ydwyf wedi hepgor rhywun—ond dywedodd William fod rhoi mwy o bwyslais ar gynllun trafnidiaeth ar gyfer ardaloedd gwledig yn un peth y gallai’r Llywodraeth hon ei ystyried.
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The risk with rural poverty is that other areas will be affected. It happens around the world, as people will move from rural areas to urban areas if they cannot find work. That in itself creates pressure on the urban areas such as those that I primarily represent, which may already be struggling with increased demands on services. The issue of affordable housing that was mentioned in the debate will increasingly affect urban areas as well as rural areas.
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Y risg sydd ynghlwm wrth dlodi gwledig yw y bydd yn effeithio ar ardaloedd eraill. Mae’n digwydd o amgylch y byd, wrth i bobl symud o ardaloedd gwledig i ardaloedd trefol pan nad ydynt yn gallu dod o hyd i waith. Mae’r sefyllfa honno, ynddi ei hun, yn rhoi pwysau ar ardaloedd trefol fel y rhai yr wyf, yn bennaf, yn eu cynrychioli—ardaloedd sydd eisoes efallai yn cael trafferth o ran galw cynyddol am wasanaethau. Crybwyllwyd y mater o dai fforddiadwy yn ystod y ddadl, a bydd y mater hwn yn cael effaith gynyddol ar ardaloedd trefol yn ogystal ag ardaloedd gwledig.
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Russell George spoke briefly about entrepreneurialism. I will just raise the point that Llyr Huws Griffiths made about business rates. I am very pleased that you raised it. We may actually disagree on the detail of it, but it is important that the review of business rates comes forward as soon as possible, Deputy Minister.
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Siaradodd Russell George yn fyr am entrepreneuriaeth. Hoffwn godi’r pwynt a wnaeth Llyr Huws Gruffydd am ardrethi busnes. Rwyf yn falch iawn eich bod wedi’i godi. Efallai ein bod yn anghytuno ar fanylion y mater hwn, ond mae’n bwysig bod yr adolygiad o ardrethi busnes yn cael ei gynnal cyn gynted â phosibl, Ddirprwy Weinidog.
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On broadband, too, there was a huge number of contributions. We welcome what is being brought forward by the Welsh Government, and we acknowledge the improvements suggested by the DCMS that the Deputy Minister referred to.
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Roedd nifer fawr o gyfraniadau ar fand eang, hefyd. Rydym yn croesawu’r hyn sy’n cael ei gyflwyno gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ac rydym yn cydnabod y gwelliannau a awgrymwyd gan y DCMS, y cyfeiriodd y Dirprwy Weinidog atynt.
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I thank Joyce Watson for her history lesson. She mentioned Margaret Thatcher; I wonder whether the Deputy Minister looks forward to being as popular in those places where the money for less favoured areas has been removed as the former Prime Minister was in certain mining communities.
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Diolch i Joyce Watson am ei gwers hanes. Soniodd am Margaret Thatcher; tybed a ydyw’r Dirprwy Weinidog yn edrych ymlaen at fod mor boblogaidd yn y mannau hynny lle mae’r arian ar gyfer ardaloedd llai ffafriol wedi cael ei dynnu yn ôl ag yr oedd y cyn-Brif Weinidog mewn rhai cymunedau glofaol?
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On a matter of ideas, as I see that I am running out of time, we acknowledge and thank you for confirming that food and farming will be at the heart of Government policy now. To finish on that food theme, Deputy Minister, the proof will be in the pudding.
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Ar y mater o syniadau, gwelaf fy mod yn brin o amser. Rydym yn cydnabod y bydd bwyd a ffermio wrth wraidd polisi’r Llywodraeth yn awr, ac rydym yn diolch i chi am gadarnhau hynny. Hoffwn gloi ar y thema fwyd honno, Ddirprwy Weinidog, drwy ddweud mai wrth ei flas y mae profi pwdin.
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The Deputy Presiding Officer: The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Are there any objections? I see that there are. Therefore, I defer all voting on this item until voting time.
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Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Y cynnig yw cytuno ar y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio. A oes unrhyw wrthwynebiad? Gwelaf nad oes. Felly, gohiriaf yr holl bleidleisio ar yr eitem hon tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
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Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod
pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Dadl Plaid
Cymru
Plaid Cymru Debate
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Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliannau 1, 3, 4 a 5 yn enw Peter Black a gwelliant 2 yn enw William Graham. |
The Deputy Presiding Officer: I have selected amendments 1, 3, 4 and 5 in the name of Peter Black and amendment 2 in the name of William Graham.
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Cynnig NDM4846 Jocelyn Davies
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Motion NDM4846 Jocelyn Davies
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Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru: |
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
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1. Yn gresynu wrth fethiant Llywodraeth Cymru i:
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1. Regrets the Welsh Government’s failure to:
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a) ymateb yn weithredol i’r argyfwng economaidd presennol;
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a) actively respond to the current economic crisis;
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b) ymdrin â’r problemau a wynebir gan y sector gweithgynhyrchu; ac
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b) deal with the problems faced by the manufacturing sector; and
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c) mynd i’r afael â diweithdra ymysg pobl ifanc; a
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c) tackle youth unemployment; and
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2. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno pecyn cynhwysfawr o fesurau i fynd i’r afael â’r argyfwng economaidd presennol, yn cynnwys cyflwyno prosiectau cyfalaf er mwyn rhoi hwb i’r sector adeiladu a chreu swyddi.
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2. Calls on the Welsh Government to introduce a comprehensive package of measures to address the current economic crisis, including bringing forward capital projects to boost the construction sector and create jobs.
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Alun Ffred Jones: Cynigiaf y cynnig. |
Alun Ffred Jones: I move the motion. |
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We do not apologise for bringing another motion on the economy to the floor of the Assembly. We will continue to do so until the Welsh Government brings forth a detailed and cohesive programme to address the problems of a stagnant economy and worsening employment opportunities. There are 131,000 economically active people in Wales who are unemployed. A quarter of young people aged between 16 and 24 are out of work, a total of about 50,000, and those are December 2010 figures, of course. One would have thought that the deepening crisis, with public bodies shedding staff as well, would have galvanised the Government into action. However, what we seem to have is inaction and prevarication.
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Nid ydym yn ymddiheuro am gyflwyno cynnig arall ar yr economi ar lawr y Cynulliad. Byddwn yn parhau i wneud hynny hyd nes y bydd y Llywodraeth yn cyflwyno rhaglen fanwl a chydlynus i ymdrin â phroblemau economi sy’n ddisymud a sefyllfa sy’n gwaethygu o ran cyfleoedd cyflogaeth. Mae tua 131,000 o bobl yng Nghymru sy’n economaidd weithgar ond sy’n ddi-waith. Mae chwarter y bobl ifanc rhwng 16 a 24 oed allan o waith, sef cyfanswm o ryw 50,000; mae’r ffigurau hynny ar gyfer mis Rhagfyr 2010, wrth gwrs. Byddai rhywun wedi meddwl y byddai’r argyfwng cynyddol hwn, gyda chyrff cyhoeddus yn colli staff hefyd, wedi symbylu’r Llywodraeth i weithredu. Fodd bynnag, mae’n ymddangos bod gennym sefyllfa o ddiffyg ac osgoi gweithredu.
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Let us get back to the real world where people and companies have to face the daily challenge of finding work and contracts. Strategies for tackling poverty and promoting social justice will not amount to a hill of beans if there are no jobs out there. This was brought home to me last Sunday, when a local man in his 40s came to see me. He has served an apprenticeship, many years ago, and has a trade. Since then he has gained a business degree and worked in management in manufacturing companies in Wales and England. He has been out of a job since January and has applied for literally hundreds of posts without success. That is the grim reality facing too many talented people in our communities. |
Gadewch inni ddychwelyd i’r byd go iawn, lle mae pobl a chwmnïau yn wynebu’r her ddyddiol o sicrhau gwaith a chontractau. Bydd strategaethau ar gyfer mynd i’r afael â thlodi a hyrwyddo cyfiawnder cymdeithasol yn werth dim os nad oes swyddi ar gael. Cefais fy ngwneud yn ymwybodol iawn o hyn ddydd Sul diwethaf, pan ddaeth dyn lleol yn ei bedwardegau i’m gweld. Gwnaeth brentisiaeth flynyddoedd lawer yn ôl, ac mae ganddo grefft. Ers hynny, mae wedi ennill gradd busnes ac wedi gweithio fel rheolwr mewn cwmnïau gweithgynhyrchu yng Nghymru a Lloegr. Mae wedi bod yn ddi-waith ers mis Ionawr ac wedi gwneud cais am gannoedd o swyddi heb lwyddiant. Dyna’r realiti difrifol y mae gormod o bobl dalentog yn ein cymunedau yn ei wynebu.
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In my own constituency, consider the plight of four companies: two of them operating in a fiercely competitive marketplace, hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the face of the general downturn and cheaper imports; and two other companies are in the construction industry. They are finding work harder to get because of the framework agreements locking them out of many public sector tenders and the year-on-year contraction in the construction industry in general. These are well-run companies still providing skilled work for local people, but for how long? That is why we in Plaid Cymru have been pressing for a comprehensive Build for Wales programme. I will not dwell on the precarious international scene as the fiscal house of cards threatens to tumble down around the ears of well-heeled financiers, dragging the rest of us down with them.
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Dylid ystyried helynt pedwar cwmni yn fy etholaeth fy hun: dau ohonynt sy’n gweithredu mewn marchnad hynod gystadleuol, yn goroesi o drwch blewyn yn wyneb y dirywiad cyffredinol a mewnforion rhatach; a dau gwmni arall yn y diwydiant adeiladu. Maent yn gweld gwaith yn fwy anodd i’w gael oherwydd bod y cytundebau fframwaith yn eu cau allan o nifer o dendrau yn y sector cyhoeddus, ac yn wyneb crebachu cyffredinol yn y diwydiant adeiladu o flwyddyn i flwyddyn. Mae’r rhain yn gwmnïau sy’n cael eu rhedeg yn dda ac sy’n parhau i ddarparu gwaith sy’n gofyn am sgiliau uchel i bobl leol, ond am ba hyd? Dyna pam yr ydym ni ym Mhlaid Cymru wedi bod yn hyrwyddo ein rhaglen gynhwysfawr, Adeiladu dros Gymru. Nid wyf am ymhelaethu ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol ansicr sydd ohoni, wrth i’r tŷ cardiau cyllidol fygwth syrthio’n deilchion o amgylch yr arianwyr cefnog, gan lusgo’r gweddill ohonom i lawr gyda hwy.
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Certainly, we need a fiscal injection from the UK Government. A sum of £5 billion was referred to and mooted in the Liberal Democrat conference, as I recall. However, since then, there has been an ominous silence. If the London Government is to sanction a bout of quantitative easing, let that be challenged through a vehicle that will provide a real stimulus to the economy and not be swallowed up to fill the black holes in our banking system.
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Yn sicr, mae arnom angen chwistrelliad ariannol gan Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig. Crybwyllwyd a hyrwyddwyd swm o £5 biliwn yng nghynhadledd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, os cofiaf yn iawn. Fodd bynnag, ers hynny, bu distawrwydd anffodus. Os yw’r Llywodraeth yn Llundain am gymeradwyo cylch o leddfu meintiol, dylid ei weithredu drwy gyfrwng a fydd yn rhoi hwb gwirioneddol i’r economi yn hytrach na bod yr arian yn cael ei lyncu gan y system fancio er mwyn llenwi’r tyllau duon sydd ynddi.
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However, back home, the Government of Wales has the responsibility to act proactively. It must do something and do it cohesively. Let us get the money out of the door and see some initiative and imagination in order to get construction companies moving and to attract private finance and investment into a not-for-profit company that can deliver much-needed capital projects. No more dithering.
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Fodd bynnag, yn ôl gartref, mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru gyfrifoldeb i weithredu’n rhagweithiol. Rhaid iddi wneud rhywbeth, a hynny mewn modd cydlynol. Gadewch inni wario’r arian a gweld menter a dychymyg er mwyn sicrhau gweithgarwch i gwmnïau adeiladu ac er mwyn denu cyllid a buddsoddi preifat i gwmni dielw a all gyflawni’r prosiectau cyfalaf mawr y mae arnom eu hangen. Nid oes angen rhagor o betruso.
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I have spoken to representatives of the construction industry in Wales and they are incredulous that there is no pan-Wales capital programme in place already. Another piece of advice that they passed on was that a good mix of projects, both in size and nature, was what was needed rather than a few massive schemes, as the contracts for those would inevitably go to international companies that would cream off the profits, rather than those profits staying in Wales and enabling companies to move on and to invest here.
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Rwyf wedi siarad â chynrychiolwyr o’r diwydiant adeiladu yng Nghymru ac maent yn anghrediniol ynghylch y ffaith nad oes rhaglen gyfalaf Cymru gyfan eisoes ar waith. Gair arall o gyngor a gafwyd ganddynt oedd bod angen cymysgedd da o brosiectau, o ran maint a natur, yn hytrach nag ychydig o gynlluniau enfawr, gan y byddai’r contractau hynny yn anochel yn mynd i gwmnïau rhyngwladol a fyddai’n dwyn yr elw i ffwrdd, yn hytrach na bod yr elw hwnnw’n aros yng Nghymru ac yn galluogi cwmnïau i symud ymlaen a buddsoddi yma.
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The second part of our motion refers to our much-maligned manufacturing sector. This has been a sad story of decline over the years. The Thatcher Government—I am sorry to mention her again—saw political advantages in this decline, and, incomprehensibly, the Blair and Brown Labour Governments decided with disastrous consequences that the future lay with the financial and service sectors. They basically gave the city its head, let house prices spiral and let people shop until they dropped. Germany, of course, kept on making things, and it is now one of the world’s biggest exporters and the banker of last resort. We need to back and promote our manufacturers, and get some cutting-edge research and development that will give us international credibility. Otherwise, we will be sunk. |
Mae ail ran ein cynnig yn cyfeirio at ein sector gweithgynhyrchu, sydd yn aml yn cael ei ddifrïo. Mae hon yn stori drist o ddirywiad sydd wedi digwydd dros nifer o flynyddoedd. Gwelodd Llywodraeth Thatcher—mae’n ddrwg gennyf sôn amdani eto—fanteision gwleidyddol yn y dirywiad hwn. Yna, gwnaeth Llywodraethau Llafur Blair a Brown benderfyniad annealladwy mai’r sectorau ariannol a gwasanaethau oedd piau’r dyfodol—penderfyniad a arweiniodd at ganlyniadau trychinebus. Yn y bôn, rhoddasant rwydd hynt i’r ddinas, gan adael i brisiau tai gynyddu a gan adael i bobl wario i’r eithaf. Wrth gwrs, parhaodd yr Almaen i gynhyrchu pethau; bellach, mae’r wlad honno yn un o brif allforwyr y byd a’r banciwr o ddewis pan fetha popeth arall. Mae angen inni gefnogi a hyrwyddo ein gweithgynhyrchwyr, a chael rhywfaint o ymchwil a datblygu arloesol a fydd yn rhoi hygrededd rhyngwladol inni. Fel arall, byddwn yn suddo.
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For example, the renewable energy sector should be a bonus for us in Wales. There has been a great deal of talk about it, but a muddled policy approach has meant that backers and promoters are in despair at the timidity of the Government, and we have reaped no benefits at all from the manufacture of parts for the renewable energy sector. |
Er enghraifft, dylai’r sector ynni adnewyddadwy fod yn fonws inni yng Nghymru. Bu llawer o sôn amdano, ond mae’r dull dryslyd o weithredu polisi wedi arwain at sefyllfa lle mae cefnogwyr a hyrwyddwyr yn teimlo’n anobeithiol ynghylch agwedd betrusgar y Llywodraeth, ac nid ydym wedi cael unrhyw fanteision o gwbl o’r gweithgarwch gweithgynhyrchu sydd ynghlwm wrth rannau o’r sector ynni adnewyddadwy.
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I droi at ein pobl ifanc, gwneir cyfeiriadau mynych yn y Siambr at yr hyn a wnaeth Llywodraeth Thatcher i genhedlaeth o bobl ifanc mewn llawer o ardaloedd yng Nghymru. Mae pawb yn gytûn na allwn ganiatáu i hynny ddigwydd eto. Yr wyf yn cefnogi cynlluniau’r Llywodraeth i hyfforddi mwy o bobl ifanc, ond yr oeddwn yn eithaf pryderus yng nghynhadledd Spotlight yn Llandudno yr wythnos diwethaf wrth siarad â nifer o bobl a oedd yn gweithio yn y maes hyfforddi. Yr oeddent yn dweud yn dawel bach fod llawer o’r cynlluniau hyfforddi yr oeddent yn ymwneud â hwy yn rhai lefel isel na fyddent yn debygol o gyfrannu dim at ychwanegu at gynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth Cymru. Yr wyf yn cydnabod bod gwaith canmoladwy’n digwydd yn y maes hwn yn ein colegau addysg bellach ac mewn sefydliadau eraill, ond mae’n rhaid codi safonau os ydym am wneud gwahaniaeth a pharatoi ein pobl ar gyfer swyddi da. Nid fi sy’n dweud hynny, ond prifathrawon y colegau sy’n cydnabod nad ydym yn cynhyrchu pobl i safon ddigonol ar gyfer y swyddi gorau yn ein diwydiannau.
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In turning to our young people, there are regular references in the Chamber to what the Thatcher Government did to a generation of young people in many areas of Wales. Everyone is agreed that we cannot allow that to happen again. I support the Government’s initiatives to train more young people, but I was slightly concerned in the Spotlight conference in Llandudno last week when speaking to a number of people who worked in training. They told me on the quiet that many of the training schemes that they were involved with were low-level ones that were unlikely to contribute anything to add to Wales’s gross domestic product. I acknowledge that some laudable work is happening in this area in our further education colleges and in other institutions, but we must raise standards if we are to make a difference and prepare our people for good jobs. It is not me who is saying that, but the heads of the colleges who recognise that we are not producing people to a satisfactory standard for the finest jobs in our industries. |
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Beth bynnag am yr hyfforddi a faint bynnag o fyfyrwyr graddedig sydd yn dod allan o’n prifysgolion, y cwestiwn yw: a fydd swyddi ar eu cyfer yn y dyfodol agos? Dyna’r her sy’n wynebu pob un ohonom yn y Siambr, a’r Llywodraeth yn arbennig. Mae pawb yn deall na all y Llywodraeth yng Nghaerdydd, oherwydd y setliad a gafodd, ddylanwadu ar bob agwedd ar yr economi, gan fod llawer o’r agweddau hynny y tu hwnt i’w phwerau. Fodd bynnag, dylem fod yn gwneud popeth a allwn gyda’r pwerau a’r arian sydd gennym, gan dderbyn bod swm yr arian hwnnw’n llawer llai oherwydd penderfyniadau’r Llywodraeth yn Llundain. Dylem hefyd fod yn chwilio am bob ffordd bosibl i ddenu arian preifat a gwneud iddo weithio er budd cyhoeddus ac i wella’r isadeiledd yng Nghymru. Nid wyf yn credu bod dadlau nac anghytuno ynglŷn â hyn, ond mae diffyg symud y Llywodraeth yn peri gofid bellach ymysg pobl yn gyffredinol, ac yn sicr i ni ar y meinciau hyn. |
Whatever we say about training and however many students graduate from our universities, the question is: will there be jobs available for them in the near future? That is the challenge that is facing each and every one of us in the Chamber, and the Government in particular. Everyone understands that the Government in Cardiff, because of the settlement that it received, cannot influence every aspect of the economy, because many of those aspects are outside its powers. However, we should be doing everything that we can with the powers and the funding that we have, while accepting that that funding is much reduced because of decisions by the Government in London. We should also be seeking every possible way of bringing in private money and making it work for the benefit of the public and to improve the infrastructure in Wales. I do not think that there is any disagreement on this, but the Government’s inaction is now a cause for concern among people in general, and it certainly causes us concern on these benches.
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O ran y gwelliannau, yr wyf yn gwrthod cefnogi pob un ohonynt heblaw am welliant 5, gan eu bod, at ei gilydd, yn ceisio esgusodi polisi cwbl aneffeithiol y Llywodraeth glymblaid yn Llundain.
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On the amendments, I reject all of them apart from amendment 5 because, for the most part, they are an attempt to excuse the completely ineffective policy of the coalition Government in London. |
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Gwelliant 1 Peter Black |
Amendment 1 Peter Black
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Ym mhwynt 1, ar ôl ‘fethiant’, rhoi ‘presennol, a blaenorol,’
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In point 1, after ‘regrets the’, insert ‘current, and previous,’
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Gwelliant 3 Peter Black |
Amendment 3 Peter Black
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Ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:
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Add as new point at end of motion:
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Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyhoeddi’r mathau o gyllid preifat y mae wedi bod yn eu hystyried, a sut mae modd defnyddio’r rhain i ymateb i wella economi Cymru. |
Calls on the Welsh Government to announce the forms of private financing which it has been considering, and how these can be used to respond to improve the economy of Wales.
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Gwelliant 4 Peter Black |
Amendment 4 Peter Black
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Ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:
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Add as new point at end of motion:
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Yn croesawu’r ffaith efallai y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystyried galluogi ariannu drwy gynyddrannau treth i helpu adfywio economaidd, ac yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno cynigion pendant cyn gynted ag sy’n ymarferol. |
Welcomes the fact that the Welsh Government might consider enabling tax increment financing to help economic regeneration, and calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward firm proposals as soon as is practicable.
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Gwelliant 5 Peter Black |
Amendment 5 Peter Black
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Ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:
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Add as new point at end of motion:
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Yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd Ardaloedd Menter i economi Cymru ac yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyhoeddi amserlen ar gyfer eu cyflwyno. |
Recognises the importance of Enterprise Zones to the Welsh economy and calls on the Welsh Government to publish a timetable for their introduction. |
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Eluned Parrott: I move amendments 1, 3, 4 and 5 in the name of Peter Black.
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Eluned Parrott: Cynigiaf welliannau 1, 3, 4 a 5 yn enw Peter Black.
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5.30 p.m.
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I note Alun Ffred’s reasons for introducing this debate today, but I cannot help feeling a sense of frustration that, while words on the subject are apparently available by the yard, actions seem to be in short supply. One example that springs readily to my mind is the creation of the economic renewal programme by the previous administration. While I recognise Plaid’s pride in this—there is a lot in that document that we would all agree with and support—the fact remains that it took three and half years to develop. Those are three and a half years out of a four-year term, leaving just six months to implement the programme. Therefore, when it comes to talking about the balance between actions and words, we need to recognise that. That is why I have moved amendment 1. This motion describes a failure to actively respond to an economic crisis, but the view of many in industry that I have been talking to is that the previous administration was at least as guilty of putting words before actions as the current one is.
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Rwy’n nodi rhesymau Alun Ffred dros gyflwyno’r ddadl hon heddiw, ond ni allaf ond teimlo’n rhwystredig am y ffaith ei bod yn edrych fel bod digon o siarad am y pwnc, ond fawr ddim gweithredu. Un enghraifft a ddaw i’r meddwl yn syth yw cread rhaglen adnewyddu’r economi gan y weinyddiaeth flaenorol. Er fy mod yn cydnabod balchder y Blaid yn hyn—mae llawer yn y ddogfen honno y byddem yn cytuno arnynt a’u cefnogi—y gwir amdani yw ei bod wedi cymryd tair blynedd a hanner i’w datblygu. Dyna dair blynedd a hanner o dymor pedair blynedd, gan adael dim ond chwe mis i weithredu’r rhaglen. Felly, pan rydym yn sôn am y cydbwysedd rhwng gweithredu a geiriau, rhaid i ni gydnabod hynny. Dyna pam yr wyf wedi cynnig gwelliant 1. Mae’r cynnig hwn yn disgrifio methiant i ymateb yn weithredol i argyfwng economaidd, ond barn llawer yn y diwydiant y bûm yn siarad â hwy yw bod y weinyddiaeth flaenorol yr un mor euog o roi geiriau cyn gweithredu ag y mae’r un bresennol.
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I moved amendment 3 in order to request that the Welsh Government moves ahead with announcements that will clarify how it intends to lever private finance into projects that will improve the Welsh economy. We completely take on board the Government’s objections to private finance initiative schemes as mechanisms for investment, and completely understand the reasons why. However, there have been tantalising hints from that side of the Chamber of alternatives that are under consideration at the moment, and I would welcome the Chamber discussing and debating some of those ideas at the earliest opportunity, so that we bring some life into the debate and have some content that the outside world can see and, hopefully, lead to trust that we are acting rather than speaking about the economy.
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Cynigiaf welliant 3 er mwyn gofyn i Lywodraeth Cymru fwrw ymlaen â chyhoeddiadau a fydd yn egluro sut y mae’n bwriadu ysgogi cyllid preifat i brojectau a fydd yn gwella economi Cymru. Rydym yn derbyn yn llwyr wrthwynebiad y Llywodraeth i gynlluniau cyllid menter preifat fel cyfrwng i fuddsoddi, ac yn deall yn llwyr y rhesymau pam. Fodd bynnag, cafwyd awgrymiadau cynnil o’r ochr honno i’r Siambr am y dewisiadau amgen sy’n cael eu hystyried ar hyn o bryd, a byddwn yn croesawu pe bai’r Siambr yn cael cyfle cyn bo hir i drafod a chynnal dadl ar rai o’r syniadau hynny, fel ein bod yn gallu dod â rhywfaint o fywyd i’r ddadl a chael rhywbeth o sylwedd y gall y byd y tu allan ei weld, a fydd, gobeithio, yn arwain at ymddiriedaeth ein bod yn gweithredu ar yr economi, yn hytrach na siarad amdani.
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The other point to note is that this is a matter of some urgency. Our construction industry is suffering every single day. Every single day, people are losing their jobs. Therefore, while I recognise that we must ensure that we get things right when we make announcements, we must also be mindful that there is a real sense of urgency among members of the public.
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Y pwynt arall i’w nodi yw bod rhywfaint o frys ynghylch y mater hwn. Mae ein diwydiant adeiladu yn dioddef bob dydd. Mae pobl yn colli eu swyddi bob dydd. Felly, er fy mod yn cydnabod bod angen i ni daro’r nodau cywir pan wnawn gyhoeddiadau, rhaid i ni gofio hefyd bod ymdeimlad o frys go iawn ymhlith y cyhoedd.
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I would also welcome the Welsh Government’s undertaking, as in previous debates, to give serious consideration to mechanisms such as tax increment financing, as I have expressed in amendment 4. I am sure that you will remember that I have extolled the virtues of tax increment financing on many occasions in the Chamber, and you will be pleased to hear that I will not rehearse them again today. However, I would welcome an early response from the Government on the issue, and I offer again the support of this side of the Chamber in contributing to the development of the proposals, because it is important that we have a consensus approach on these kinds of issues.
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Byddwn hefyd yn croesawu addewid gan Lywodraeth Cymru, fel ag y gwnaed mewn dadleuon blaenorol, i roi ystyriaeth ddwys i ddulliau fel ariannu cynyddrannol treth, fel y mynegais yng ngwelliant 4. Mae’n siŵr y byddwch yn cofio fy mod wedi canu clodydd ariannu cynyddrannol treth sawl gwaith yn y Siambr, a byddwch yn falch o glywed na wnaf ailadrodd hynny heddiw. Fodd bynnag, byddwn yn croesawu ymateb cynnar gan y Llywodraeth ar y mater, a chynigiaf gymorth yr ochr hon o’r Siambr eto o ran cyfrannu at ddatblygu cynigion, gan ei bod yn bwysig bod gennym gonsensws ar y mathau hyn o faterion.
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Finally, on amendment 5, the announcement of enterprise zones was broadly welcomed across the Chamber, and that is absolutely right, because we all welcome the kind of direct action that we believe will boost our economy, in a practical way. I am sure that the Minister will forgive our impatience in asking that these be brought forward. We feel like a child at Christmas—we cannot wait to peel the corner off the package that we are about to be offered. Welsh businesses feel like that as well. They are putting decisions on hold right now while they wait for answers and clarity, and there is a danger that that could be damaging. So, we would welcome early announcements, particularly a timetable, if the details are difficult to offer at this point in time. We recognise that you hope to offer us a nuanced and complex approach to the enterprise zones, Minister, and we recognise that getting that right will take time, but we hope and request that a timetable might be available before Christmas so that businesses can use it to plan for the future and to be really ready to take advantage of the great opportunities that we believe that this approach will offer. |
Yn olaf, o ran gwelliant 5, cafodd y cyhoeddiad am barthau menter ei groesawu’n helaeth ar draws y Siambr, ac mae hynny’n hollol iawn, achos rydym i gyd yn croesawu y math hwnnw o weithredu uniongyrchol y credwn fydd yn hybu ein economi, mewn ffordd ymarferol. Mae’n siŵr y bydd y Gweinidog yn maddau ein diffyg amynedd yn gofyn i’r rhain gael eu cyflwyno. Rydym yn teimlo fel plentyn adeg y Nadolig—ni allwn aros i agor yr anrhegion sydd ar fin cael eu rhoi i ni. Mae busnesau yng Nghymru yn teimlo fel hynny hefyd. Maent yn oedi cyn gwneud penderfyniadau ar hyn o bryd tra eu bod yn aros am atebion ac eglurder, ac mae perygl y gallai hynny fod yn niweidiol. Felly, byddem yn croesawu cyhoeddiadau cynnar, yn enwedig amserlen, os yw’n anodd cynnig y manylion ar hyn o bryd. Rydym yn cydnabod mai eich gobaith yw cynnig ymagwedd amlweddog a chymhleth tuag at barthau menter, Weinidog, ac rydym yn cydnabod y bydd yn cymryd amser i’r darnau ddisgyn i’w lle, ond rydym yn gobeithio ac yn gofyn am gyhoeddi amserlen cyn y Nadolig fel y gall busnesau ei defnyddio i gynllunio at y dyfodol a bod yn hollol barod i fanteisio ar y cyfleodd gwych a ddaw yn sgil yr ymagwedd hon, fe gredwn.
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Gwelliant 2 William Graham |
Amendment 2 William Graham
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Ym mhwynt 2, dileu popeth ar ôl ‘presennol,’ a rhoi yn ei le:
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In point 2, delete all after ‘crisis,’ and replace with: |
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chwilio am fwy o gyllid arloesol i roi hwb i’r sector adeiladu a chreu swyddi yn y sector preifat. |
seek more innovative funding to boost the construction sector and create jobs in the private sector. |
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Nick Ramsay: I move amendment 2 in the name of William Graham.
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Nick Ramsay: Cynigiaf welliant 2 yn enw William Graham.
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I agree fully with the last few comments that were made by Eluned Parrott that businesses are currently waiting for clarity, stability and direction, because, as we know, businesses need all those factors if they are to have the confidence to invest in the future. I am pleased to move the amendment tabled in the name of William Graham, amendment 2, and also to say that we will support the Liberal Democrat amendments 1, 3 and 5.
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Cytunaf yn llwyr â’r sylwadau diwethaf a wnaed gan Eluned Parrott bod busnesau ar hyn o bryd yn aros i gael eglurder, sefydlogrwydd a chyfeiriad, achos, fel y gwyddom, mae angen y ffactorau hynny i gyd ar fusnesau er mwyn iddynt fod â hyder i fuddsoddi yn y dyfodol. Rwy’n falch o gynnig y gwelliant a gyflwynwyd yn enw William Graham, gwelliant 2, ac hefyd i ddweud y byddwn yn cefnogi gwelliannau 1, 3 a 5 y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol.
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I should also say that I am quite pleased by the debate so far. There has been a degree of unanimity among the speakers, aside from some of the somewhat customary half-hearted jibes at some of the policies of the UK Government. When it comes to focusing on what we need to do here, I agree with some of the comments made by the Member for Arfon. He mentioned a constituent, and I also met with a businessman in my constituency recently who backed up the point that he made about research and development. He said that not only do we need much greater integration between new firms and knowledge centres and research and development centres, but it would be helpful if we had greater interface. I am still thinking through what that might be, but perhaps there is a case for some kind of interface for going into universities and reporting back to companies on what they have to offer. While some established companies might already have that, more often than not, newer companies do not. Perhaps that is something that the Minister could look at, as could we all.
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Dylwn ddweud hefyd fy mod yn eithaf balch gyda’r ddadl hyd yma. Bu mesur o unfrydedd ymysg y siaradwyr, ar wahân i rywfaint o’r gwawdio gwangalon arferol o rai o bolisïau Llywodraeth y DU. Pan ddaw yn fater o ganolbwyntio ar beth y mae angen i ni ei wneud yma, cytunaf â rhai o sylwadau yr Aelod dros Arfon. Soniodd am etholwr. Cyfarfûm innau â dyn busnes yn fy etholaeth yn ddiweddar a atgyfnerthodd y pwynt a wnaeth am ymchwil a datblygu. Dywedodd ein bod angen llawer mwy o integreiddio rhwng busnesau newydd a chanolfannau gwybodaeth a chanolfannau ymchwil a datblygu, ond y byddai’n ddefnyddiol hefyd cael mwy o ryngwynebu. Rwyf dal yn ystyried beth allai hynny fod, ond efallai bod achos dros ryw fath o ryngwyneb i fynd i mewn i brifysgolion ac adrodd yn ôl i gwmnïau ar beth sydd ganddynt i’w gynnig. Er bod rhai cwmnïau hirsefydlog yn gwneud hynny’n barod o bosibl, yn amlach na pheidio nid yw cwmnïau mwy newydd yn gwneud hynny. Efallai ei fod yn rhywbeth y gallai’r Gweinidog edrych arno, fel y gallem i gyd.
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The opening speech by the Member for Arfon touched on the economic situation. Clearly, resources are limited, and we are globally in a very difficult climate. That is why we agree on this side of the Chamber that we need to be looking at more innovative funding to boost the construction industry, in particular, and to create jobs in the private sector. I was very pleased to hear the opening remarks about a full commitment to leveraging private sector investment into the construction industry; at the moment, it would be foolish to turn your back on any funding streams that could be utilised. There is also the European investment bank—admittedly, there are problems on the continent at the moment, but that avenue is open, and I hope that the Government will take it. We often hear calls for borrowing powers, and it is anomalous in some ways that this institution does not have them, but having said that, we should, first and foremost, be looking at more conventional forms of funding, including those that involve the private sector.
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Soniodd yr Aelod dros Arfon am y sefyllfa economaidd yn ei araith agoriadol. Mae’n amlwg bod adnoddau yn brin, ac rydym mewn hinsawdd fyd-eang anodd iawn. Dyna pam yr ydym ni ar yr ochr hon i’r Siambr yn cytuno bod angen inni edrych ar ariannu mwy arloesol i hybu’r diwydiant adeiladu, yn benodol, i greu swyddi yn y sector preifat. Roeddwn yn falch iawn o glywed y sylwadau agoriadol am ymrwymiad llawn i ysgogi buddsoddiad sector preifat i’r diwydiant adeiladu; ar hyn o bryd, byddai’n ffôl troi eich cefn ar unrhyw ffynhonnell arian y gellid ei defnyddio. Ceir hefyd fanc buddsoddi Ewropeaidd—rwy’n cyfaddef bod trafferthion ar y cyfandir ar hyn o bryd, ond mae’r llwybr hwnnw ar agor, ac rwy’n gobeithio y bydd y Llywodraeth yn ei ddilyn. Rydym yn aml yn clywed galwadau am bwerau benthyg, ac mae’n anghyson mewn rhai ffyrdd nad oes gan y sefydliad hwn mohonynt, ond wedi dweud hynny fe ddylem, yn gyntaf ac yn flaenaf, edrych ar ffyrdd mwy confensiynol o ariannu, gan gynnwys rhai lle mae’r sector preifat yn chwarae rhan.
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Our amendment ties in with one of the Liberal Democrat amendments, calling for clarity on the types of private finance that the Government has been considering. I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say on that. We cannot rule out any forms of financing. The Welsh Government is very keen to talk up the merits of different forms of financing without always implementing them.
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Mae ein gwelliant yn cyd-fynd ag un o welliannau y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, yn galw am eglurder ar y mathau o gyllid preifat y mae’r Llywodraeth wedi bod yn eu hystyried. Rwy’n edrych ymlaen at yr hyn sydd gan y Gweinidog i’w ddweud am hynny. Ni allwn ddiystyru unrhyw ffurf o gyllido. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn awyddus iawn i sôn am fathau gwahanol o gyllido heb eu gweithredu bob amser.
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I will touch on two more issues: investment and procurement. Investment needs to be implemented quickly and efficiently, because it is not just a case of making investment available, but of businesses knowing that it is there, and that they can access it before they find that it is easier for them to go elsewhere. Delay costs money, and, in these difficult times, we simply cannot afford that.
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Soniaf am ddau fater arall: buddsoddiad a chaffael. Mae angen gweithredu buddsoddiad yn gyflym ac yn effeithiol, achos nid mater o sicrhau bod buddsoddiad ar gael yn unig ydyw ond bod busnesau yn gwybod ei fod yno, ac y gallant gael mynediad iddo cyn eu bod yn canfod ei bod yn haws iddynt fynd i rywle arall. Mae oedi yn costio arian, ac yn yr oes anodd sydd ohoni, ni allwn fforddio gwneud hynny.
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The issue of procurement is ongoing, and I know that the Enterprise and Business Committee will be looking at that, as will the Minister. Many Welsh companies are prevented from winning contracts where they might have a chance; Welsh companies currently win about half of the annual £4.3 billion of public procurement in Wales. That is to be lamented. There probably are some mitigating factors around that, so you should not read too much into it, but it nevertheless needs to be addressed. We hope that the Minister will acknowledge that in her closing remarks.
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Mae’r mater ynglŷn â chaffael yn dal i fynd yn ei flaen, a gwn y bydd y Pwyllgor Menter a Busnes yn edrych ar hynny, fel ag y bydd y Gweinidog. Caiff nifer o gwmnïau o Gymru eu hatal rhag ennill contractau lle mae ganddynt gyfle o bosibl; mae cwmnïau o Gymru ar hyn o bryd yn ennill tua hanner y £4.3 biliwn blynyddol o gaffael cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Mae hynny i’w resynu ato. Mae’n debyg bod rhai ffactorau lliniarol o amgylch hynny, felly efallai na ddylech ddarllen gormod i mewn iddo, ond mae angen ymdrin ag ef serch hynny. Gobeithio y bydd y Gweinidog yn cydnabod hynny yn ei sylwadau cloi.
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Finally, I am pleased that the construction industry has been recognised as a priority sector in the economic renewal programme. We are pleased that the enterprise zones are coming online, but we would like clarity at the earliest opportunity about those enterprise zones, and when they will be set up. As other parties have mentioned in previous debates, we would also like to know exactly how you hope to include the Welsh manufacturing industry in future.
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Yn olaf, rwy’n falch bod y diwydiant adeiladu wedi cael ei gydnabod fel sector blaenoriaeth yn rhaglen adnewyddu’r economi. Rydym yn falch bod parthau menter ar eu ffordd, ond hoffem gael eglurder cyn gynted ag y bo modd am y parthau menter hynny, a pha bryd y cânt eu sefydlu. Fel y dywedodd pleidiau eraill mewn dadleuon blaenorol, hoffem wybod sut yn union yr ydych yn gobeithio cynnwys y diwydiant gweithgynhyrchu yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol.
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Leanne Wood: I am sure that everyone listening to this debate is familiar with the effects of the economic crisis and, as Assembly Members, I am sure that we are all well-versed, not just with the fast-moving news events, but also with the way in which the crisis is impacting upon people’s lives, by the very nature of the cases that are coming to our attention.
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Leanne Wood: Mae’n siŵr y bydd pawb sy’n gwrando ar y ddadl hon yn gyfarwydd ag effeithiau yr argyfwng economaidd, ac, fel Aelodau Cynulliad, mae’n siŵr gennyf ein bod yn gwybod yn dda, nid yn unig am y digwyddiadau ar y newyddion sy’n symud yn gyflym, ond hefyd am y ffordd y mae’r argyfwng yn effeithio ar fywydau pobl, oherwydd union natur yr achosion sy’n dod i’n sylw.
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In Plaid Cymru, we are deeply disappointed with the lack of ambition and visible action from this Government on the economy. Our economy needs urgent, vast and long-term intervention. No longer can we sit back and cross our fingers, hoping that circumstances are going to change, because all indications are that things are not going to change, and that, if anything, things are going to get a lot worse.
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Ym Mhlaid Cymru, rydym wedi ein siomi’n ofnadwy gyda’r diffyg o ran uchelgais a gweithredu gweledol gan y Llywodraeth hon ar yr economi. Mae ein heconomi angen ymyrraeth brys, helaeth a thymor hir. Ni allwn eistedd yn ôl a chroesi ein bysedd bellach, yn gobeithio y bydd amgylchiadau yn newid, gan fod pob arwydd yn dweud nad yw pethau am newid, a’u bod, os rhywbeth, am fynd yn llawer gwaeth.
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The First Minister tells us that his door is open and that he is willing to listen to ideas. I have some ideas that I hope that the Government will now start to take seriously. We have no need whatsoever to reinvent the wheel. In a paper that went to the former Enterprise and Learning Committee on 15 July 2010 from the Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales, two international examples were given, which, if we could do the same in Wales, could transform our economy, particularly the worst performing areas of our economy. Clearly, all businesses need finance and we all know that, despite two rounds of quantitative easing, businesses are struggling to access finance.
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Dywed y Prif Weinidog wrthym fod ei ddrws ar agor a’i fod yn fodlon gwrando ar syniadau. Mae gennyf ambell i syniad y gobeithiaf y bydd y Llywodraeth yn dechrau eu cymryd o ddifri yn awr. Nid oes angen o gwbl i ni ail-wneud yr un peth. Mewn papur a aeth i’r Pwyllgor Menter a Dysgu blaenorol ar 15 Gorffennaf 2010 gan Gwmnïau Cydweithredol a Chydfuddiannol Cymru, rhoddwyd dwy enghraifft ryngwladol, a allai, pe baem yn gallu gwneud yr un peth yng Nghymru, drawsnewid ein heconomi, yn enwedig y meysydd o’n heconomi sy’n perfformio waethaf. Wrth gwrs, mae angen cyllid ar bob busnes a gwyddom, er gwaethaf dwy rownd o leddfu meintiol, bod busnesau yn cael trafferth i gael gafael ar gyllid.
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The Enterprise and Learning Committee paper refers to the Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins in Quebec, which is an investment fund that was started in 2001. This fund raises development capital for co-operatives to invest in the ‘resource’, or the less-developed regions of Quebec. In the first five years, the fund grew from $79 million to $587 million. By 2010, $905 million, raised from individuals and the private sector, was supporting, through loans, 225 co-operative enterprises. What is stopping us from setting up a dedicated fund, along the Quebec lines, to support the expansion of co-operatives and social enterprises in Wales?
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Mae papur y Pwyllgor Menter a Dysgu yn cyfeirio at y Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins yn Québec, sef cronfa fuddsoddiad a ddechreuwyd yn 2001. Mae’r gronfa yn codi cyfalaf ddatblygu i fentrau cydweithredol i fuddsoddi yn yr ‘adnodd’, neu ranbarthau Québec na chafodd eu datblygu gymaint. Yn y bum mlynedd gyntaf, tyfodd y gronfa o $79 miliwn i $587 miliwn. Erbyn 2010, roedd $905 miliwn, a godwyd drwy unigolion a’r sector preifat, yn cefnogi, drwy fenthyciadau, 225 o fentrau cydweithredol. Beth sy’n ein hatal rhag sefydlu cronfa ymroddedig, tebyg i Québec, i gefnogi twf mentrau cydweithredol a mentrau cymdeithasol yng Nghymru?
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The second international example cited in that paper, which could be considered in Wales, is the vast network of manufacturing co-operatives in the Basque Country. The Mondragon Corporation was formed with a technical training college in 1956 by a Catholic priest. It now employs over 90,000 people in 256 co-operatives. Within its structure, there are now two banks and a university, and its supermarket chain is the third largest in the Spanish state. It operates a maximum-wage policy, with a ratio of 5:1, so that the highest earner cannot earn more than five times the lowest-paid worker, which then assists with equality.
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Yr ail enghraifft ryngwladol a roddir yn y papur hwnnw, y gellid ei hystyried yng Nghymru, yw’r rhwydwaith helaeth o fentrau cydweithredol gweithgynhyrchu yng Ngwlad y Basg. Sefydlwyd Corfforaeth Mondragon gyda choleg hyfforddiant technegol ym 1956 gan offeiriad Pabyddol. Bellach, mae’n cyflogi dros 90,000 o bobl mewn 256 o fentrau cydweithredol. Bellach yn ei strwythur mae dau fanc a phrifysgol, a’i chadwyn archfarchnad yw’r drydedd fwyaf yng ngwladwriaeth Sbaen. Mae’n gweithredu polisi cyflog mwyafsawm, gyda chyfradd o 5:1, fel nad yw’r sawl sy’n ennill y mwyaf yn gallu ennill mwy na phum gwaith y gweithiwr sy’n ennill y lleiaf, sydd wedyn o gymorth i gydraddoldeb.
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If our current precarious economic situation does not warrant bold and ambitious action on this scale, then what will it take? The Government has financially supported co-operatives, but where do they sit in the overall economic strategy? What outcomes does the Government hope to see as a result of that support? Why do we not make the growth of co-operatives a strategic economic objective? Why not pull together all the various interested parties to set up a co-operative growth fund, along the lines of the Quebec model, and why not pay a visit to the Basque Country to meet the people there and to discuss how we could set up something similar to their manufacturing co-operative network in Wales?
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Os nad yw ein sefyllfa economaidd fregus bresennol yn creu angen am weithredu eofn ac uchelgeisiol ar y raddfa hon, yna beth fydd yn creu’r angen hwnnw? Mae’r Llywodraeth wedi rhoi cymorth ariannol i fentrau cydweithredol, ond lle y maent yn eistedd yn y strategaeth economaidd ar y cyfan? Pa ganlyniadau y mae’r Llywodraeth yn gobeithio eu gweld o ganlyniad i’r cymorth hwnnw? Pam na wnawn ni dwf mentrau cydweithredol yn amcan economaidd strategol? Pam na ddown ni â’r amryw o bartïon sydd â diddordeb ynghyd, fel ag y gwneir yn model Québec, a pham ddim ymweld â Gwlad y Basg i gwrdd â’r bobl yno i drafod sut y gallwn sefydlu rhywbeth tebyg i’w rhwydwaith mentrau cydweithredol gweithgynhyrchu yng Nghymru?
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The First Minister has asked for ideas. It is a real shame that he is not here to listen to them this afternoon, but they are on the record and, hopefully, we will see some action on the co-operative front in Wales soon.
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Gofynnodd y Prif Weinidog am syniadau. Mae’n biti garw nad yw yma i wrando arnynt y prynhawn yma, ond maent ar goedd a gobeithio y gwelwn rywfaint o weithredu o ran mentrau cydweithredol yng Nghymru cyn bo hir.
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Jenny Rathbone: Many of the points made by Leanne Wood are extremely interesting and reflect the fact that it is perfectly possible to do quite a lot by collaborating. You only have to see what is being done with the modest 5p levy on carrier bags, which is encouraging people to think more collectively and to be more community-focused in the sorts of things that they can do together. I therefore endorse much of what Leanne has just said.
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Jenny Rathbone: Mae nifer o’r pwyntiau a wnaeth Leanne Wood yn ddiddorol iawn ac yn adlewyrchu’r ffaith ei bod yn hollol bosibl gwneud cryn dipyn drwy gydweithio. Edrychwch ar beth sy’n cael ei wneud gyda’r ardoll 5c gweddol fach ar fagiau siopa, sy’n annog pobl i feddwl yn fwy ar y cyd ac i ganolbwyntio yn fwy fel cymuned ar y mathau o bethau y gallant eu gwneud gyda’i gilydd. Rwyf felly yn cefnogi llawer o’r hyn y mae Leanne newydd ei ddweud.
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5.45 p.m.
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However, it is disappointing that the Plaid Cymru leader is so intent on making a dispute when none should exist. It is particularly disappointing that Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones has not bothered to contact some of his colleagues in Cardiff Council about bringing forward some of the capital projects that residents in my constituency are desperate to see started, for example, the development of the new St Teilo’s school on the Llanedeyrn site, which has been hugely delayed. Goodness knows why: no-one seems capable of giving parents and pupils a clear idea as to why that has been handled so badly. That is the sort of multi-million pound project that will instantly provide jobs to people in the constituency and across Cardiff. So, I would urge him to get in touch with his colleagues in Cardiff Council and urge them to get on with some of the projects that they have been holding back on. Another project that would benefit all of us, and all of the people in this city region, is the redevelopment of Cardiff bus station. We have been waiting several years for that to happen. Again, that would make a major contribution to the economy of this area. So, there are plenty of possibilities for simulating jobs that are open to councils. The leader of Plaid would do well to put his energy into that, rather than into grandstanding. That is my contribution. |
Fodd bynnag, mae’n siomedig bod arweinydd Plaid Cymru mor awyddus i ddechrau ffrae lle na ddylai ffrae fodoli. Mae’n arbennig o siomedig nad yw Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones wedi trafferth cysylltu â rhai o’i gydweithwyr yng Nghyngor Caerdydd am gyflwyno rhai o’r projectau cyfalaf y mae preswylwyr yn fy etholaeth mor awyddus i’w gweld yn dechrau, er enghraifft, datblygu ysgol newydd Teilo Sant ar safle Llanedeyrn, a gafodd ei hoedi yn ddifrifol. Duw a ŵyr pam: nid oes unrhyw un fel pe baent yn medru rhoi syniad clir i rieni a disgyblion pam y cafodd hynny ymdriniaeth mor wael. Dyna’r math o broject miliynau o bunnoedd a fydd yn creu swyddi ar unwaith i bobl yn yr etholaeth ac ar draws Caerdydd. Felly, byddwn yn erfyn arno i gysylltu â’i gydweithwyr yng Nghyngor Caerdydd ac erfyn arnynt i fwrw ymlaen â rhai o’r projectau y maent wedi dal yn ôl arnynt. Project arall a fyddai o fudd inni gyd, a’r holl bobl yn y ddinas-ranbarth hon, yw ailddatblygu gorsaf fysys Caerdydd. Buom yn aros sawl blwyddyn i hynny ddigwydd. Eto, byddai hynny yn gwneud cyfraniad mawr i economi’r ardal hon. Felly, mae digonedd o bosibiliadau ar gael i gynghorau i ysgogi swyddi. Byddai’n syniad da i arweinydd y Blaid roi ei egni i mewn i hynny, yn hytrach na chwarae i’r dorf. Dyna fy nghyfraniad i.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Rhaid i mi ymateb i’r hyn y mae Jenny Rathbone newydd ei ddweud. Mae’n ymddangos ei bod hi’n credu mai’r ateb i’r dirwasgiad economaidd sy’n taro Cymru gyfan yw prosiectau cyfalaf yng Nghaerdydd. Os yw hi’n dadlau bod cyfrifoldeb ar Gyngor Caerdydd i ddod â phrosiectau cyfalaf ymlaen yng Nghaerdydd, ac yn annog arweinydd Plaid Cymru i siarad â chynghorwyr Plaid Cymru yng Nghaerdydd am wneud hynny, pam nad yw hi’n credu bod angen iddi drafod â’r Prif Weinidog ddod â phrosiectau cyfalaf ledled Cymru ymlaen? Dyna’r hyn yr ydym wedi bod yn aros amdano am y chwe mis diwethaf. |
Rhodri Glyn Thomas: I have to respond to what Jenny Rathbone has just said. It appears that she believes that the answer to the economic recession that is hitting all of Wales is capital projects in Cardiff. If she is arguing that Cardiff Council has a responsibility to bring capital projects forward in Cardiff, and is encouraging the leader of Plaid Cymru to talk to Plaid Cymru councillors in Cardiff about doing that, why does she not believe that she needs to discuss with the First Minister bringing capital projects forward throughout Wales? That is what we have been waiting for for the last six months. |
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Jenny Rathbone: I am not suggesting that what goes on in Cardiff will resolve the economic situation in north Wales, but that there are clear solutions that are available, and among them are the ones that are available in Cardiff. You will be aware that the Government has just announced £1.3 billion in extra capital projects for this year so we are, indeed, bringing forward such projects. However, we ought to be chasing our local authorities about getting on with the capital projects that have already been approved. The money is sitting there, but it is not being spent.
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Jenny Rathbone: Nid wyf yn awgrymu y bydd yr hyn sy’n digwydd yng Nghaerdydd yn datrys y sefyllfa economaidd yn y gogledd, ond mae atebion clir ar gael, ac mae’r rhai sydd ar gael yng Nghaerdydd yn eu plith. Fe wyddoch fod y Llywodraeth newydd gyhoeddi £1.3 biliwn mewn projectau cyfalaf ychwanegol ar gyfer y flwyddyn hon ac felly yr ydym, yn wir, yn cyflwyno projectau o’r fath. Fodd bynnag, dylem fod yn mynd ar drywydd ein hawdurdodau lleol iddynt fwrw ymlaen gyda’r projectau cyfalaf sydd wedi cael eu cymeradwyo’n barod. Mae’r arian yn eistedd yno, ond nid yw’n cael ei wario.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: I think that you will find, Jenny, that the money you referred to, in terms of capital projects, is for capital projects that were agreed by the One Wales Government before the last election. We are still waiting for this Government to come forward with its capital projects. We are waiting for the Government to do that, for the Minister responsible for transport to come forward with his capital projects for transport and for the Minister for Education and Skills to tell us how much money, exactly, there is for capital projects in the twenty-first century schools fund. We are waiting for all these things. I totally agree with you: you have made an excellent argument as to why the First Minister should get his act together and do something, because when you are facing an economic crisis the worst thing that any Government can do is to sit on its hands and do nothing. |
Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Credaf y byddwch yn canfod, Jenny, bod yr arian yr ydych yn cyfeirio ato, o ran projectau cyfalaf, ar gyfer y projectau cyfalaf y cytunwyd arnynt gan Lywodraeth Cymru’n Un cyn yr etholiad diwethaf. Rydym yn dal i aros i’r Llywodraeth hon gyflwyno ei phrojectau cyfalaf. Rydym yn aros i’r Llywodraeth wneud hynny, i’r Gweinidog sy’n gyfrifol am drafnidiaeth gyflwyno’i brojectau cyfalaf ar gyfer trafnidiaeth ac i’r Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau ddweud wrthym faint yn union o arian sydd ar gael ar gyfer projectau cyfalaf yng nghronfa ysgolion yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Rydym yn aros am y pethau hyn i gyd. Rwy’n cytuno’n llwyr â chi: rydych wedi cyflwyno dadl ragorol dros pam y dylai’r Prif Weinidog ddeffro a gwneud rhywbeth, achos pan rydych yn wynebu argyfwng economaidd y peth gwaethaf y gall unrhyw Lywodraeth ei wneud yw eistedd yn ôl a gwneud dim.
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Jenny Rathbone: The First Minister does not run Cardiff Council; it is run by the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru. So, it is up to Cardiff Council to get on with the capital projects for which it has already been awarded money.
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Jenny Rathbone: Nid y Prif Weinidog sy’n rhedeg Cyngor Caerdydd; caiff ei redeg gan y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a Phlaid Cymru. Felly, mater i Gyngor Caerdydd yw bwrw ymlaen â’r projectau cyfalaf y cafodd arian ar eu cyfer eisoes.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: I seem to be having difficulties. I will try for the third time to explain it to you, Jenny. If you argue that this would be good for Cardiff, you cannot argue at the same time that it is good for the rest of Wales that your Government, your First Minister and your Ministers are doing absolutely nothing. We have been calling on them for the last six months to do something. You have put the argument to them. You have done our job for us. You have scrutinised them, you have made the argument and we totally agree with you on this matter: these projects are essential for the economy of Wales. We rehearsed this argument earlier in the debate about the rural economy, and I am not going to back over those arguments. However, these capital projects, especially for the construction industry, are essential if we are to see our economy develop. There are possibilities, and several suggestions have been made during the debate. It has also been said, and, in opening the debate, Alun Ffred referred to this, that there is an opportunity for the Government of Wales to borrow money. In the last election, we proposed the Build for Wales scheme, and we are still waiting for a response from the Welsh Government on that. If the Government does not want to take up our suggestion that is all well and good, as long as it can come up with one that offers the same opportunity in terms of the sum of money that could be drawn down and the number of jobs that could be created in Wales.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Ymddengys fy mod yn cael dipyn o drafferth. Fe geisiaf ei egluro i chi am y trydydd gwaith, Jenny. Os ydych yn dadlau y byddai hyn yn beth da i Gaerdydd, ni allwch ddadlau ar yr un pryd y byddai’n beth da i weddill Cymru bod eich Llywodraeth chi, eich Prif Weinidog chi a’ch Gweinidogion chi yn gwneud dim byd o gwbl. Buom yn galw arnynt am y chwe mis diwethaf i wneud rhywbeth. Rydych wedi cyflwyno’r ddadl iddynt. Rydych wedi gwneud eich gwaith drosom ni. Rydym wedi craffu arnynt, rydych wedi cyflwyno’r ddadl ac rydym yn cytuno’n llwyr â chi ar y mater hwn: mae’r projectau hyn yn hanfodol i economi Cymru. Gwnaethom gyflwyno’r ddadl hon yn gynharach yn y ddadl ar yr economi wledig, ac nid wyf am ailadrodd y dadleuon hynny. Fodd bynnag, mae’r projectau cyfalaf hyn, yn enwedig i’r diwydiant adeiladu, yn hanfodol os ydym am weld yr economi yn datblygu. Mae posibiliadau, a gwnaed sawl awgrym yn ystod y ddadl hon. Dywedwyd hefyd, ac wrth agor y ddadl, cyfeiriodd Alun Ffred at hyn, fod cyfle i Lywodraeth Cymru gael benthyg arian. Yn yr etholiad diwethaf gwnaethom gynnig y cynllun Adeiladu dros Gymru, ac rydym yn dal i aros am ymateb gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar hynny. Os nad yw’r Llywodraeth eisiau derbyn ein hawgrym, yna popeth yn iawn, gyhyd â’i bod yn meddwl am un sydd o leiaf yn cynnig yr un cyfle o ran y swm o arian y gellid ei dynnu i lawr a’r nifer o swyddi y gellid eu creu yng Nghymru.
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Several other suggestions have been made during the debate. We have the opportunity of the Barnett consequential of £38.9 million that is coming to Wales as a result of the UK Government’s decision to freeze council tax in England. That money could be used to stimulate the economy, but we are still waiting for the Welsh Government to tell us what it intends to do with it.
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Gwnaed nifer o awgrymiadau eraill yn ystod y ddadl. Mae gennyf gyfle yn sgil cyllid canlyniadol Barnett o £38.9 miliwn sy’n dod i Gymru o ganlyniad i benderfyniad Llywodraeth y DU i rewi treth cyngor yn Lloegr. Gellid defnyddio’r arian hwnnw i ysgogi’r economi, ond rydym yn dal i aros i Lywodraeth Cymru ddweud wrthym beth y mae’n bwriadu ei wneud ag ef.
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Nick Ramsay: I hear what you say about a request for borrowing powers. However, do you accept that, even if we had access to borrowing in one form or another, that money ultimately has to be paid back?
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Nick Ramsay: Rwyf yn clywed yr hyn a ddywedwch am gais am bwerau benthyca. Fodd bynnag, a ydych yn derbyn, hyd yn oed pe baem yn gallu benthyca mewn rhyw ffordd neu’i gilydd, bod yn rhaid talu’r arian yn ôl yn y pen draw?
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: We understand that, Nick. [Laughter.] We do not think that there is a magic wand that we can wave to produce money and that somebody will kindly tell us, ‘You do not have to pay it back—carry on and spend it’. The point that we are making is that that money can be used to stimulate the economy and create jobs. We are waiting for the Government to come forward with its proposals. On behalf of the Plaid Cymru group—I am sure that Ieuan Wyn Jones will say the same in closing the debate—I will say to the Government that if you come up with proposals that make sense, will make a difference and will stimulate the economy and create jobs in Wales, we will support you.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Rydym yn deall hynny, Nick. [Chwerthin.] Nid ydym yn meddwl bod yna ffon hud y gallwn ei chwifio i gynhyrchu arian ac y bydd rhywun yn dweud wrthym yn garedig ‘Nid oes yn rhaid i chi ei dalu’n ôl—bwriwch ymlaen a’i wario’. Y pwynt a wnawn yw y gellid defnyddio’r arian hwnnw i ysgogi’r economi a chreu swyddi. Rydym yn aros i’r Llywodraeth gyflwyno ei chynlluniau. Ar ran grŵp Plaid Cymru—mae’n siŵr y bydd Ieuan Wyn Jones yn dweud yr un peth wrth gloi’r ddadl—dywedaf wrth y Llywodraeth os byddwch yn awgrymu cynigion sy’n gwneud synnwyr, sy’n gwneud gwahaniaeth ac a fydd yn ysgogi’r economi a chreu swyddi yng Nghymru, fe wnawn ni eich cefnogi.
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Antoinette Sandbach: I will pick up on what Alun Ffred Jones said about the Spotlight North Wales conference, which brought together a number of trainers. The benefits to business were clear: tailor-made training was going to be available to allow small businesses to offer employment to people on apprenticeships or to people who had previous experience in supported employment, while backup for business was to be provided through the welfare-to-work scheme. We know that if every small business in the UK were to employ one additional person, unemployment would disappear.
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Antoinette Sandbach: Fe soniaf am yr hyn a ddywedodd Alun Ffred Jones am gynhadledd Spotlight Gogledd Cymru, a ddaeth â nifer o hyfforddwyr ynghyd. Roedd y manteision i fusnes yn glir: roedd hyfforddiant wedi ei deilwra yn mynd i fod ar gael i ganiatáu busnesau bach i gynnig cyflogaeth i bobl ar brentisiaethau neu i bobl a oedd â phrofiad blaenorol mewn cyflogaeth dan gymorth, tra byddai cefnogaeth i fusnes yn cael ei roi drwy’r cynllun o fudd-dâl i waith. Gwyddom petai pob busnes bach yn y Deyrnas Unedig yn cyflogi un person ychwanegol, byddai diweithdra yn diflannu.
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In relation to the history lessons that we always seem to get in the Chamber, I find it extraordinary that we always go back to the time before 1991 and forget about the period between 1999 and 2011. We have had 12 years of devolution, and Wales has slipped in its position relative to the rest of the UK in terms of its productiveness and manufacturing jobs. Some 17,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost, and you cannot blame that on Thatcher, sorry, as those figures relate to later times. There is a continuing failure by successive Welsh Governments to deal with the economy of Wales. What is worse is that, on a big international trip by the First Minister to China, he took only 12 businessmen with him.
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O ran y gwersi hanes a gawn o hyd yn y Siambr, fe ymddengys, mae’n rhyfeddol ein bod bob amser yn mynd yn ôl i’r cyfnod cyn 1991 ac yn anghofio am y cyfnod rhwng 1999 a 2011. Rydym wedi cael 12 mlynedd o ddatganoli, ac mae safle Cymru wedi llithro o gymharu â gweddill y Deyrnas Unedig o ran ei chynhyrchiant a swyddi gweithgynhyrchu. Collwyd 17,000 o swyddi gweithgynhyrchu, ac ni allwch feio hynny ar Thatcher, mae’n ddrwg gennyf, gan fod y ffigurau hynny yn ymwneud â chyfnodau diweddarach. Mae methiant parhaus ar ran rhes o Lywodraethau Cymru i ymdrin ag economi Cymru. Yr hyn sy’n waeth yw bod y Prif Weinidog, ar drip rhyngwladol i Tsieina, ddim ond wedi mynd â 12 o ddynion busnes yn gwmni iddo.
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Alun Ffred Jones: I presume that you would admit that the drop in the number of manufacturing jobs in Wales was the same as that in England during the last Labour Government, and that it was much worse under the previous Tory regime.
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Alun Ffred Jones: Rwy’n cymryd y byddech yn cyfaddef bod y cwymp yn y nifer o swyddi gweithgynhyrchu yr un fath ag yr oedd yn Lloegr yn ystod cyfnod y Llywodraeth Lafur ddiwethaf, a’i bod yn llawer gwaeth o dan y drefn Dorïaidd flaenorol.
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Antoinette Sandbach: There certainly was a drop in the number of manufacturing jobs in England under the previous Labour Government, but the drop in Wales was worse.
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Antoinette Sandbach: Yn bendant, fe roedd cwymp yn nifer y swyddi gweithgynhyrchu yn Lloegr o dan y Llywodraeth Lafur flaenorol, ond roedd y gwymp yng Nghymru yn waeth.
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To return to the trip to China, why did only 12 Welsh businessmen accompany the First Minister on the trip to China? The Irish Government took 300 businessmen on its trip to China. It should have been about saying that Wales is open for business and that there are good skills and opportunities here. I see the Minister for education laughing over there as usual, looking smug. It is certainly true that when the vice-chancellor of Bangor University was out in China trying to increase the number of Chinese students who come to Wales, and trying to sell Wales to China, he was quoted comments made by the Minister for education that had been reported in the Chinese newspapers. He was repeatedly questioned about them. This is about the perception of Wales in the international community and in the rest of the UK. We need to sell and promote Wales, there are huge opportunities, and it is so depressing to hear so many negative comments.
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I ddychwelyd at y trip i Tsieina, pam mai dim ond 12 gŵr busnes o Gymru a aeth yn gwmni i’r Prif Weinidog ar y trip i Tsieina? Aeth Llywodraeth Iwerddon â 300 o wŷr busnes ar ei thrip i Tsieina. Y neges y dylid wedi ei chyfleu oedd bod Cymru ar agor i fusnes a bod sgiliau da a chyflogaeth yma. Gwelaf y Gweinidog addysg yn chwerthin draw fan yna fel arfer, yn edrych yn hunan-fodlon. Mae’n bendant yn wir fod is-ganghellor Prifysgol Bangor allan yn Tsieina yn ceisio cynyddu nifer y myfyrwyr o Tsieina i ddod i Gymru, ac yn ceisio gwerthu Cymru i Tsieina, a dyfynnwyd sylwadau iddo a wnaed gan y Gweinidog addysg a gafodd eu hadrodd ym mhapurau newydd Tsieina. Cafodd ei holi dro ar ôl tro amdanynt. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â’r canfyddiad o Gymru yn y gymuned ryngwladol yn ogystal ag yng ngweddill y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae angen i ni werthu a hyrwyddo Cymru, mae cyfleoedd anferth, ac mae mor drist clywed cymaint o sylwadau negyddol.
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The Minister for Education and Skills (Leighton Andrews): I think that it is a shame that the Member is talking down higher education in Wales and its successes. The universities of Bangor and Cardiff and many others in Wales have had great success in attracting students from China. Indeed, I had Chinese students when I was a lecturer at Cardiff University before coming to the Assembly, and I suspect that others have had the same experience. The reality is that we need a high-quality higher education system in Wales. That has been the message from higher-education institutions in Wales. I am delighted at the success that the higher education institutions that went to China had on the recent visit.
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Y Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau (Leighton Andrews): Mae’n drueni bod yr Aelod yn bychanu addysg uwch yng Nghymru a’i llwyddiannau. Mae prifysgolion Bangor a Chaerdydd a nifer o rai eraill wedi cael cryn lwyddiant yn denu myfyrwyr o Tsieina. Yn wir, roedd gen i fyfyrwyr Tsieineaidd pan oeddwn yn ddarlithydd ym mhrifysgol Caerdydd cyn dod i’r Cynulliad, ac rwy’n tybio bod pobl eraill wedi cael yr un profiad. Y gwir amdani yw ein bod angen system addysg uwch o safon uchel yng Nghymru. Dyna fu’r neges gan sefydliadau addysg uwch yng Nghymru. Rwyf wrth fy modd gyda llwyddiant y sefydliadau addysg uwch a aeth i Tsieina ar yr ymweliad diweddar.
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Antoinette Sandbach: Minister, the comments that caused concern in China were negative comments made by you about the state of Welsh higher education.
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Antoinette Sandbach: Weinidog, y sylwadau a achosodd bryder yn Tsieina oedd sylwadau negyddol y gwnaethoch chi am gyflwr addysg uwch yng Nghymru.
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Will you give way?
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Rhodri Glyn Thomas: A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad?
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Antoinette Sandbach: Not on this occasion.
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Antoinette Sandbach: Nid y tro hwn.
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That was the concern, and I know that you were spoken to about it. The fact is that Bangor University was trying to promote itself as a centre of excellence.
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Dyna oedd y pryder, a gwn eich bod wedi cael cerydd amdano. Y gwir amdani oedd bod Prifysgol Bangor yn ceisio hyrwyddo ei hun fel canolfan ragoriaeth.
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Lord Elis-Thomas: I declare an interest here, but if you wish to quote my vice-chancellor, you must quote him properly. The vice-chancellor, John Hughes, was referring to the whole experience that we have had in recent months of international press coverage of the University of Wales, which the Minister, John Hughes and I have tried to deal with.
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Yr Arglwydd Elis-Thomas: Rwyf yn datgan buddiant yn y fan hon, ond os ydych am ddyfynnu fy is-ganghellor, rhaid i chi ei ddyfynnu’n gywir. Roedd yr is-ganghellor, John Hughes, yn cyfeirio at yr holl brofiad a gawsom yn y misoedd diwethaf o’r sylw rhyngwladol a roed yn y wasg i Brifysgol Cymru, y mae’r Gweinidog, John Hughes a minnau wedi ceisio ymdrin ag ef.
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Antoinette Sandbach: Indeed, and it was negative comments in the press made by this Minister about that very situation that were causing the damage. [Interruption.]
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Antoinette Sandbach: Yn wir, a’r sylwadau negyddol yn y wasg a wnaed gan y Gweinidog hwn am yr union sefyllfa honno a greodd y niwed. [Torri ar draws.]
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The Deputy Presiding Officer: Order. Have you finished, Antoinette?
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Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Trefn. A ydych chi wedi gorffen, Antoinette?
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Antoinette Sandbach: The point that I would like to make is that we have huge opportunities, we have great skills, we have an excellent university sector, and we need to promote Wales instead of talking it down.
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Antoinette Sandbach: Y pwynt yr hoffwn ei wneud yw bod gennym lu o gyfleoedd, mae gennym sgiliau gwych, mae gennym sector prifysgol rhagorol, ac mae angen i ni hybu Cymru yn hytrach na’i bychanu.
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Mike Hedges: It is an interesting debate, if nothing else. What happened yesterday, when people seemed to be very supportive of each other, seems to have disappeared. I am not going to disappoint people by continuing in the same vein.
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Mike Hedges: Mae’n ddadl ddiddorol, os nad unrhyw beth arall. Mae’n edrych fel pe bai’r hyn a ddigwyddodd ddoe, lle’r oedd pobl yn ymddangos fel pe baent yn gefnogol iawn o’i gilydd, wedi diflannu. Nid wyf am siomi pobl drwy barhau yn yr un gwynt.
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The Plaid Cymru group, clearly, had a very short memory, or possibly collective amnesia, when it came to tabling this motion. Let us remind ourselves that the current Labour Welsh Government has only been in existence for six months. Prior to that, we had a Labour-Plaid coalition. Perhaps one of the first rules of politics is that, in the first 12 months that you are in power, you blame those who were there before you. [Interruption.] In the position that we are talking about, if that is any help. [Interruption.] I did not think that it would be.
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Mae’n amlwg bod cof byr iawn gan grŵp Plaid Cymru, neu amnesia ar y cyd o bosibl, wrth gyflwyno’r cynnig hwn. Gadewch i ni atgoffa ein hunain mai dim ond ers chwe mis y bu Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru mewn bodolaeth. Cyn hynny, roedd gennym glymblaid Llafur-Plaid. Efallai mai un o reolau cyntaf gwleidyddiaeth yw eich bod, yn y 12 mis cyntaf yr ydych mewn pŵer, yn beio’r sawl a oedd yno o’ch blaen. [Torri ar draws.] Yn y sefyllfa yr ydym yn siarad amdani, os yw hynny o unrhyw help. [Torri ar draws.] Nid oeddwn yn meddwl y byddai.
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Only last week, I gave way to the Member for Arfon, who wanted to intervene in order to associate Plaid Cymru with the success of the previous Government. We are looking at the situation of the economy, and let us not forget that had Plaid Cymru or the Liberals been in power, we would have joined the euro. I would be interested to know what Plaid’s current policy is on currency and independence—is it in favour of joining the euro, of a separate currency or of continuing with the pound?
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Dim ond wythnos diwethaf derbyniais ymyriad gan yr Aelod dros Arfon, a oedd eisiau ymyrryd er mwyn cysylltu Plaid Cymru gyda llwyddiant y Llywodraeth flaenorol. Rydym yn edrych ar sefyllfa’r economi, ac ni ddylem anghofio y byddem wedi ymuno â’r ewro pe bai Plaid Cymru neu’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol wedi bod mewn pŵer. Byddai’n dda gennyf wybod beth yw polisi cyfredol y Blaid ar arian ac annibyniaeth—a ydyw o blaid ymuno â’r ewro, arian ar wahân neu ddal ati gyda’r bunt?
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Since taking up Government in May, we have seen a continuous and relentless effort by the Minister for business and the Welsh Government to promote jobs and growth in Wales, as well as to build upon our achievements in order to secure a strong and vibrant economy. We have just seen capital investment announced—I know that people keep saying that they are not happy with it or that it should have been announced sooner—but there is £1.3 billion in capital funding to improve Wales. Why? What has happened? We have had a 40 per cent cut in our capital. Perhaps we ought to turn to those who are cutting our money and our capital funding. We have seen the introduction of Jobs Growth Wales, designed to help and support young people to enter the workplace, introduced as a result of the UK Government scrapping the Future Jobs fund. It seems that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are determined to see another lost generation of young people.
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Ers dod i Lywodraeth ym mis Mai, gwelsom ymdrech barhaus a di-baid gan y Gweinidog busnes a Llywodraeth Cymru i hybu swyddi a thwf yng Nghymru, yn ogystal ag adeiladu ar ein llwyddiannau er mwyn sicrhau economi gref a hyfyw. Rydym newydd glywed cyhoeddiad am fuddsoddiad cyfalaf—gwn fod pobl yn dal i ddweud nad ydynt yn hapus ag ef neu y dylai fod wedi cael ei gyhoeddi ynghynt—ond mae £1.3 biliwn o arian cyfalaf ar gael i wella Cymru. Pam? Beth ddigwyddodd? Cawsom 40 y cant o doriad yn ein cyfalaf. Efallai y dylem droi at y sawl sydd yn torri ein harian a’n harian cyfalaf. Gwelsom gyflwyno Twf Swyddi Cymru, a gynlluniwyd i helpu a chynorthwyo pobl ifanc i fynd i mewn i waith, a gyflwynwyd oherwydd bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi dileu cronfa Swyddi’r Dyfodol. Ymddengys bod y Ceidwadwyr a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn benderfynol o weld cenhedlaeth goll arall o bobl ifanc.
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6.00 p.m.
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We have seen support from the Welsh Government in a whole range of areas. Although unemployment levels in Wales are very high, as they are throughout Britain, a great deal of unemployment is caused by the macro-economic policy being pursued at Westminster. The Labour Government has had a huge number of successes—ReAct, ProAct, Adapt— |
Rydym wedi gweld cefnogaeth gan Lywodraeth Cymru mewn ystod eang o feysydd. Er bod lefelau diweithdra yng Nghymru yn uchel iawn, fel y maent ledled Prydain, achosir llawer o ddiweithdra gan y polisi macro-economaidd a ddilynir yn San Steffan. Cafodd y Llywodraeth Lafur nifer enfawr o lwyddiannau—ReAct, ProAct, Adapt— |
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Bethan Jenkins: All led by Plaid Cymru.
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Bethan Jenkins: Pob un wedi ei arwain gan Blaid Cymru.
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Mike Hedges: I knew that Plaid Cymru would want to take some credit for that. [Interruption.] If we are talking about manufacturing, one of the big problems for manufacturing is energy. When energy prices went up, as they did in the 1980s, we lost the whole aluminium industry in south-west Wales. Energy plays such a major part in the manufacturing of metals. We have got a situation where—
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Mike Hedges: Gwyddwn y byddai Plaid Cymru am gymryd rhywfaint o glod am hynny. [Torri ar draws.] Os ydym yn sôn am weithgynhyrchu, un o broblemau mawr gweithgynhyrchu yw ynni. Pan aeth prisiau ynni i fyny, fel y gwnaethant yn y 1980au, collasom y diwydiant alwminiwm cyfan yn ne-orllewin Cymru. Mae ynni’n chwarae rhan fawr mewn gweithgynhyrchu metelau. Mae gennym sefyllfa lle— |
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David Rees: Clearly, you agree with me that it is the failure of the UK Government to deal with energy prices that is hindering manufacturing in Wales. |
David Rees: Yn amlwg, rydych yn cytuno â mi mai methiant Llywodraeth y DU i ddelio gyda phrisiau ynni sydd yn llesteirio gweithgynhyrchu yng Nghymru. |
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Mike Hedges: Yes. A great deal of manufacturing, particularly metal manufacturing, is totally dependent on energy costs being affordable. That is why we have lost many manufacturing plants to other parts of the world. To take you back to the 1980s and the situation with the aluminium industry in south-west Wales—the old West Glamorgan area—we had a Baco factory in Neath and the Aalco and Alcoa factories in Swansea. We had a major aluminium industry. It disappeared on the basis of energy costs. Any further increase in energy costs will have an effect on other industries in the same way as it affected the aluminium industry. I think that this Government is doing an exceptionally good job in trying to deal with the problems, many of which are being caused by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat-led Government in Westminster.
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Mike Hedges: Ydw. Mae llawer iawn o weithgynhyrchu, yn enwedig gweithgynhyrchu metel, yn gwbl ddibynnol ar gostau ynni sy’n fforddiadwy. Dyna pam rydym wedi colli llawer o ffatrïoedd gweithgynhyrchu i rannau eraill o'r byd. I fynd â chi yn ôl i'r 1980au a'r sefyllfa gyda’r diwydiant alwminiwm yn ne-orllewin Cymru—hen ardal Gorllewin Morgannwg— cawsom ffatri Baco yng Nghastell-nedd a ffatrïoedd Aalco ac Alcoa yn Abertawe. Yr oedd gennym ddiwydiant alwminiwm mawr. Diflannodd ar sail costau ynni. Bydd unrhyw gynnydd pellach mewn costau ynni yn cael effaith ar ddiwydiannau eraill yn yr un ffordd ag y gwnaeth effeithio ar y diwydiant alwminiwm. Credaf fod y Llywodraeth hon yn gwneud gwaith eithriadol o dda wrth geisio delio â phroblemau, llawer ohonynt yn cael eu hachosi gan y Llywodraeth a arweinir gan y Ceidwadwyr a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn San Steffan.
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The only good news we have is that the Labour Government previously did not enter the euro and so we are able to devalue the pound—I give the Conservatives credit for allowing the pound to devalue—in order that we do not reach the stage that other countries have. If only Greece and Italy were not in the euro and could devalue their currencies, they would be in a much better situation today.
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Yr unig newyddion da sydd gennym yw na wnaeth y Llywodraeth Lafur flaenorol ymuno â’r ewro ac felly rydym yn gallu dibrisio’r bunt—rhoddaf glod i'r Ceidwadwyr am ganiatáu’r bunt i ddibrisio—fel nad ydym yn cyrraedd y sefyllfa y mae gwledydd eraill wedi ei chyrraedd. Pe na bai Groeg a'r Eidal yn yr ewro ac yn gallu dibrisio'u harian cyfred, byddent mewn llawer gwell sefyllfa heddiw.
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So, I think that we ought to pay credit to this Government for the actions it has taken rather than criticise it.
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Felly, credaf y dylem roi clod i'r Llywodraeth hon am y camau a gymerodd yn hytrach na’i beirniadu. |
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The Minister for Enterprise, Business, Technology and Science (Edwina Hart): I will try to concentrate on the content of the motion and various amendments before us today. I was disappointed when I read the motion, but in view of the fact that it used the word ‘regret’ perhaps I should say that I regret the motion. In life, we all regret many things. I regret the capitalist system. If we want to have history lessons, perhaps I need to go back to Karl Marx and Engels and we could have a discussion about some of those issues.
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Y Gweinidog Menter, Busnes, Technoleg a Gwyddoniaeth (Edwina Hart): Ceisiaf ganolbwyntio ar gynnwys y cynnig a’r amryw o welliannau ger ein bron heddiw. Yr oeddwn yn siomedig pan ddarllenais y cynnig, ond yn wyneb y ffaith ei fod yn defnyddio’r gair ‘gresynu’ efallai y dylwn ddweud fy mod yn gresynu’r cynnig. Mewn bywyd, yr ydym oll yn gresynu llawer o bethau. Gresynaf y system gyfalafol. Os hoffwn gael gwersi hanes, efallai fod angen imi fynd yn ôl at Karl Marx ac Engels a gallwn gael trafodaeth am rai o'r materion hynny.
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However, to go back to the reality of the world that we live in today, this morning, the First Minister and I, together with other Ministers, met representatives of business and the trade unions in the council for economic renewal. I have to say to Antoinette Sandbach that they were very pleased with the First Minister’s report of his visit to China, the fact that higher education was heavily involved and that businesses were there. We want to open markets, we want to increase our links, and they were very positive about the fact that, as a Government, we are looking to engage abroad to move into other markets and they want us to consider where we would have offices and how we could develop our programme.
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Fodd bynnag, i fynd yn ôl at realiti’r byd rydym yn byw ynddo heddiw, y bore yma, cyfarfu y Prif Weinidog a minnau, ynghyd â Gweinidogion eraill, â chynrychiolwyr busnesau ac undebau llafur yn y cyngor ar gyfer adnewyddu economaidd. Rhaid imi ddweud wrth Antoinette Sandbach eu bod yn fodlon iawn gydag adroddiad y Prif Weinidog ar ei ymweliad â Tsieina, y ffaith bod addysg uwch wedi chwarae rhan fawr a bod busnesau yno. Yr ydym am agor marchnadoedd, rydym eisiau cynyddu ein cysylltiadau, ac roeddent yn gadarnhaol iawn am y ffaith ein bod, fel Llywodraeth, yn edrych i ymgysylltu dramor i symud i mewn i farchnadoedd eraill, ac maent am inni ystyried lle byddai gennym swyddfeydd a sut gallem ddatblygu ein rhaglen.
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However, they also expressed a very strong view this morning that we need to work together to help the Welsh economy through these very difficult times and to create a positive image of Wales to increase the confidence of Welsh business. That is the message I have received in most of my recent discussions with business. The talking down of Welsh business is not helping confidence. One of the biggest issues currently is that of confidence. There are companies with money in the bank that they could invest, but they are not very confident. If you switch on your television or read the newspapers, you will see that, in many ways, this talking down does not help, when there are parts of the Welsh economy that are doing quite well in a number of key areas, and we should be supporting those.
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Fodd bynnag, mynegwyd hefyd farn gref iawn y bore yma bod angen inni weithio gyda'n gilydd i helpu economi Cymru drwy'r amseroedd anodd iawn hyn ac i greu delwedd gadarnhaol o Gymru i gynyddu hyder busnes Cymru. Dyna'r neges yr wyf wedi’i chael yn y rhan fwyaf o'm trafodaethau diweddar gyda busnes. Nid yw bychanu busnes Cymru yn helpu hyder. Un o'r materion mwyaf ar hyn o bryd yw hyder. Mae yna gwmnïau gydag arian yn y banc y gallent ei fuddsoddi, ond nid ydynt yn hyderus iawn. Os ydych yn troi’ch teledu ymlaen neu'n darllen y papurau newydd, byddwch yn gweld, mewn llawer o ffyrdd, nad yw’r bychanu hwn yn helpu, pan fo rhannau o economi Cymru yn gwneud yn eithaf da mewn nifer o feysydd allweddol, a dylem fod yn cefnogi’r rheini. |
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It is very important that we look at the wording of the motions and amendments tabled here to see what we can do. I have always been absolutely clear in this Chamber and with the business community that we must be realistic about what a Government such as the Welsh Government can do as a regional Government. The main influences on the Welsh economy in the short-to-medium term are the state of the global economy and the monetary and fiscal policy set by the UK Government. We cannot tackle the issues that the motion identifies—the current economic crisis, the challenges facing the manufacturing sector and the level of youth unemployment—in isolation from what happens as a whole.
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Mae'n bwysig iawn inni edrych ar eiriad y cynigion a'r gwelliannau a gyflwynwyd yma i weld beth y gallwn ei wneud. Yr wyf bob amser wedi bod yn gwbl glir yn y Siambr hon a gyda’r gymuned fusnes bod yn rhaid inni fod yn realistig am yr hyn y gall Llywodraeth megis Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud fel Llywodraeth ranbarthol. Prif ddylanwadau ar economi Cymru yn y tymor byr i ganolig yw cyflwr yr economi fyd-eang a’r polisi ariannol a chyllidol a bennwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU. Ni allwn fynd i'r afael â’r materion y mae'r cynnig yn ei nodi—yr argyfwng economaidd presennol, yr heriau sy'n wynebu'r sector gweithgynhyrchu a lefel diweithdra ymhlith pobl ifanc—ar wahân i beth sy'n digwydd ar y cyfan.
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I now turn to some of the amendments that are before us today. Amendment 1, tabled in the name of Peter Black, uses an amendment tactic learnt from the trade union movement about changing words. We will be opposing that amendment.
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Trof yn awr at rai o'r gwelliannau sydd ger ein bron heddiw. Mae gwelliant 1, yn enw Peter Black, yn defnyddio tacteg gwelliant a ddysgwyd gan y mudiad undebau llafur ynghylch newid geiriau. Byddwn yn gwrthwynebu'r gwelliant hwnnw.
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We will be supporting amendment 2 in the name of William Graham. I took on board some of Nick Ramsay’s comments on this agenda, particularly on investment and access to funds—how people access funds and how they get investment—and what more the banks and the Government could do in this regard. I also take on board the points on procurement. We had a very good discussion this morning with Jane Hutt at the economic renewal council about the procurement issues, how we need to help Welsh companies to access the procurement system and how Welsh companies not only look at the home market in Wales, but the market across the border and how they can get on the various lists to do business across the border. We will return to that subject again at the next meeting, as there are a lot of ideas out there. Also, Nick made a good point about what universities have to offer and the links to industry. There is a considerable amount of work going on across Government on this particular agenda around what more they can do in terms of preparing people for the world of work and that cutting edge that graduates will be involved in. I think that you will also welcome the fact that the construction sector is quite good because we reacted quite swiftly to some of the issues by establishing a construction sector panel.
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Byddwn yn cefnogi gwelliant 2 yn enw William Graham. Ystyriais rai o sylwadau Nick Ramsay ar yr agenda hwn, yn enwedig ar fuddsoddiad a mynediad i gronfeydd—sut mae pobl yn cael mynediad i gronfeydd a sut maen nhw'n cael buddsoddiad—a beth yn fwy y gall banciau a'r Llywodraeth ei wneud yn hyn o beth. Yr wyf hefyd yn ystyried y pwyntiau ar gaffael. Cawsom drafodaeth dda iawn y bore yma gyda Jane Hutt yn y cyngor adnewyddu'r economi am y materion caffael, sut mae angen inni helpu cwmnïau o Gymru i gael mynediad at y system gaffael a sut mae cwmnïau o Gymru nid yn unig yn edrych ar y farchnad gartref yng Nghymru, ond y farchnad ar draws y ffin a sut y gallant fynd ar y rhestrau amrywiol i wneud busnes ar draws y ffin. Byddwn yn dychwelyd at y pwnc hwnnw eto yn y cyfarfod nesaf, gan fod nifer o syniadau am hynny. Hefyd, gwnaeth Nick bwynt da am yr hyn sydd gan brifysgolion i’w cynnig a’r cysylltiadau i ddiwydiant. Mae gwaith sylweddol yn digwydd ar draws y Llywodraeth ar yr agenda penodol hwn o ran beth mwy y gallant ei wneud i baratoi graddedigion ar gyfer byd gwaith a bod ar flaen y gad. Credaf y byddwch hefyd yn croesawu'r ffaith bod y sector adeiladu yn eithaf da oherwydd i ni ymateb yn weddol gyflym i rai o'r materion drwy sefydlu panel sector adeiladu.
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On amendment 3 in the name of Peter Black, which we will be supporting, we are committed to exploring all possible means for bringing more capital into public sector infrastructure investment over the next few years. The Minister for Finance will make an announcement once we have fully considered the options. We are committed to exploring all possible means for levering more capital into public sector infrastructure investment over the next few years. However, we have a clear policy on the use of certain things and we are certainly not going down the discredited PFI route as long as we are in power in Wales. It has been proved repeatedly that PFI is discredited as a mechanism for drawing in funds.
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O ran gwelliant 3 yn enw Peter Black, y byddwn yn ei gefnogi, yr ydym wedi ymrwymo i ymchwilio i bob dull a modd i ddod â mwy o gyfalaf i mewn i fuddsoddiad mewn seilwaith sector cyhoeddus dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd nesaf. Bydd y Gweinidog Cyllid yn gwneud cyhoeddiad pan fyddwn wedi ystyried yr opsiynau’n llawn. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i ymchwilio i bob dull a modd i ddenu mwy o gyfalaf i fuddsoddi mewn seilwaith sector cyhoeddus dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd nesaf. Fodd bynnag, mae gennym bolisi clir ar y defnydd o rai pethau, ac yn sicr nid ydym yn mynd i lawr y llwybr PFI bondigrybwyll cyhyd ag yr ydym mewn grym yng Nghymru. Profwyd dro ar ôl tro nad oes gwerth mewn PFI fel mecanwaith ar gyfer denu arian.
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We will be opposing amendment 4 in the name of Peter Black, because we are unable to commit to bringing forward proposals until we have had the opportunity to fully consider tax incremental financing. We are satisfied that it could deliver strategic infrastructure outcomes, at least as efficiently as other innovative financial instruments, but it is quite complicated. This is not just about putting this decision off until tomorrow; it is because we want to have further discussions. I know that the Minister for Finance is keen to explore all avenues around this. So, our opposition is on the basis of timing and when we will be reporting back on it.
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Byddwn yn gwrthwynebu gwelliant 4 yn enw Peter Black, oherwydd nid ydym yn gallu ymrwymo i gyflwyno cynigion nes y byddwn wedi cael cyfle i ystyried ariannu drwy dreth gynyddol yn llawn. Rydym yn fodlon y gallai arwain at ganlyniadau seilwaith strategol, o leiaf yr un mor effeithlon ag offerynnau ariannol arloesol eraill, ond mae'n eithaf cymhleth. Nid yw hyn ond am ohirio'r penderfyniad hwn tan yfory; mae oherwydd ein bod am gael trafodaethau pellach. Gwn fod y Gweinidog Cyllid yn awyddus i archwilio pob trywydd o gwmpas hyn. Felly, mae ein gwrthwynebiad ar sail amseru a phryd y byddwn yn adrodd yn ôl arno.
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It is also important to recognise that you have asked about enterprise zones. I know that you are all eager to hear about enterprise zones, as are businesses, but I do not want to publish a timetable until I have every box firmly ticked regarding what I can offer within these enterprise zones. I very much hope that, when we have finished discussions with the Treasury on a number of key issues, I will be able to publish a timetable before we go into recess, because it is important that the companies that are interested in those enterprise zones know where they are, in terms of infrastructure development, broadband, roads and training and education, which are a key part of what you might want to deliver within those zones. I want to give Members a truly full picture.
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Mae hefyd yn bwysig cydnabod eich bod wedi gofyn am barthau menter. Gwn eich bod oll yn awyddus i glywed am barthau menter, fel ag y mae busnesau, ond nid wyf am gyhoeddi amserlen nes y bydd bob blwch wedi’i dicio’n gadarn gennyf am yr hyn y gallaf ei gynnig o fewn y parthau menter hyn. Gobeithio’n wir, pan rydym wedi gorffen trafodaethau gyda'r Trysorlys ar nifer o faterion allweddol, y gallaf gyhoeddi amserlen cyn y toriad, oherwydd mae'n bwysig bod y cwmnïau sydd â diddordeb yn y parthau menter hynny’n gwybod ble y maent o ran datblygu isadeiledd, band eang, ffyrdd a hyfforddiant ac addysg, sydd yn rhan allweddol o'r hyn yr hoffech ei ddarparu o fewn y parthau hynny. Yr wyf am roi darlun gwirioneddol lawn i Aelodau.
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I will now turn to some of the other contributions. Leanne Wood alluded to the issues around Quebec, which I think Dr Mark Drakeford, the Member for Cardiff West, has raised previously in the Chamber. She also mentioned Mondragon; I remember when the trade unions visited that 25 or 30 years ago and, as a result, established the Wales Co-operative Centre to take forward some of those innovative ideas. As far as I am concerned, what Leanne was talking about is mainstream for me in terms of business. We are discussing with the sector the development of social enterprises and what we can do in terms of co-operatives and trying to engage with them.
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Trof yn awr at rai o'r cyfraniadau eraill. Cyfeiriodd Leanne Wood at y materion sy'n ymwneud â Quebec, y credaf fod Dr Mark Drakeford, yr Aelod dros Orllewin Caerdydd, wedi eu codi o'r blaen yn y Siambr. Soniodd hefyd am Mondragon; cofiaf pan wnaeth yr undebau llafur ymweld â hynny 25 neu 30 mlynedd yn ôl ac, o ganlyniad, sefydlwyd Canolfan Cydweithredol Cymru i ddatblygu rhai o'r syniadau arloesol hynny. Yn fy marn i, mae’r hyn yr oedd Leanne yn sôn amdano yn y prif ffrwd i mi o ran busnes. Rydym yn trafod gyda'r sector datblygu mentrau cymdeithasol a’r hyn y gallwn ei wneud o ran mudiadau cydweithredol ac yn ceisio ymgysylltu â hwy. |
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I am not sure that I want to comment on the discussion between Rhodri Glyn Thomas and Jenny Rathbone about capital projects. However, I think that we all agree that capital projects are important. That is why we are seeking to maximise what we are doing in terms of capital. We have to realise what levers we have at our disposal and you have to understand that some of the work that we have done already has been broadly welcomed, including our work on enterprise zones, sector panels and task and finish groups, and our work on supporting entrepreneurship and tackling the issues around business rates and next generation broadband.
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Nid wyf yn siŵr a wyf am sôn am y drafodaeth rhwng Rhodri Glyn Thomas a Jenny Rathbone am brosiectau cyfalaf. Fodd bynnag, credaf fod pob un ohonom yn cytuno bod prosiectau cyfalaf yn bwysig. Dyna pam rydym yn ceisio manteisio i'r eithaf ar yr hyn yr ydym yn ei wneud o ran cyfalaf. Rhaid inni sylweddoli pa ysgogiadau sydd ar gael inni a rhaid ichi ddeall bod rhywfaint o'r gwaith a wnaethom eisoes wedi cael croeso cyffredinol, gan gynnwys ein gwaith ar barthau menter, paneli sector a grwpiau gorchwyl a gorffen, a’n gwaith ar gefnogi entrepreneuriaeth a mynd i'r afael â materion ynghylch ardrethi busnes a band eang y genhedlaeth nesaf.
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The business community looks to the whole of the Welsh Government. It is important that the Minister for Education and Skills has made an announcement on Jobs Growth Wales. Today, in the economic summit, which Jeff Cuthbert attended, people welcomed our policies and the work that we are doing on training. This was a genuine welcome by businesses as they see this as the way to move forward. It is also important to recognise that some of our previous schemes were well-received and have protected jobs.
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Mae'r gymuned fusnes yn edrych ar y cyfan o Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae'n bwysig bod y Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau wedi gwneud cyhoeddiad ar Dwf Swyddi Cymru. Heddiw, yn yr uwchgynhadledd economaidd, a fynychwyd gan Jeff Cuthbert, croesawodd pobl ein polisïau a'r gwaith rydym yn ei wneud ar hyfforddiant. Roedd hyn yn groeso gwirioneddol gan fusnesau gan eu bod yn gweld hyn fel y ffordd i symud ymlaen. Mae hefyd yn bwysig cydnabod y cafodd rhai o'n cynlluniau blaenorol groeso da a’u bod wedi diogelu swyddi.
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There are real-term cuts to our capital budgets and we are hard-pressed. We can go on and on about when things were announced and whose projects they are, but at the end of the day this is a significant investment across the piece. We will now look at the extra money that we have been allocated. The First Minister has indicated that his door is open, and he led a discussion on those issues in today’s economic council, and he provided reassurance that the Government is taking strategic decisions in this area. Therefore, we have a strong message to impart on this subject. I do not regret anything that I have done while holding this portfolio. I have tried to do my best to take action that promotes sustainability, protects jobs and that I hope will increase jobs and investment. However, I welcome the opportunity to put on record the Government’s position today. |
Ceir toriadau mewn termau real i'n cyllidebau cyfalaf, ac yr ydym dan bwysau. Gallwn barablu ymlaen am pa bryd y cyhoeddwyd pethau a phrosiectau pwy ydynt, ond yn y pen draw mae hyn yn fuddsoddiad sylweddol yn gyffredinol. Byddwn yn awr yn edrych ar yr arian ychwanegol a ddyrannwyd inni. Mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi dweud bod ei ddrws ar agor, ac fe wnaeth arwain trafodaeth ar y materion hynny yn y cyngor economaidd heddiw, gan roi sicrwydd bod y Llywodraeth yn gwneud penderfyniadau strategol yn y maes hwn. Felly, mae gennym neges gref i'w chyfleu ar y pwnc hwn. Nid wyf yn gresynu unrhyw beth a wneuthum tra bûm yn y portffolio hwn. Ceisiais fy ngorau i gymryd camau sy’n hyrwyddo cynaliadwyedd, diogelu swyddi a, gobeithio, cynyddu swyddi a buddsoddiad. Fodd bynnag, croesawaf y cyfle i ddweud ar goedd beth yw safbwynt y Llywodraeth heddiw.
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Ieuan Wyn Jones: Hoffwn ddiolch i bawb am gymryd rhan yn y drafodaeth heddiw. Efallai y dylwn ein hatgoffa o ba mor ddrwg yw’r sefyllfa economaidd ar hyn o bryd. Gwn fod Alun Ffred Jones wedi cyfeirio at hynny ar ddechrau ei gyfraniad, ond mae’n bwysig ein bod yn atgoffa ein hunain o’r sefyllfa ddifrifol yr ydym yn ei hwynebu. Mae gan bob un ohonom gyfrifoldeb i sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud popeth a allwn i leddfu’r problemau sydd yn wynebu pobl ifanc yn arbennig, pobl sy’n colli eu swyddi a chwmnïau sy’n fregus. Mae’n rhaid i bob un ohonom dderbyn y cyfrifoldeb i wneud hynny.
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Ieuan Wyn Jones: I would like to thank all Members who took part in today’s debate. Perhaps I should remind us all of how bad the economic climate currently is. I know that Alun Ffred Jones referred to that at the beginning of his contribution, but it is important that we remind ourselves of the serious situation that we face. Every one of us has a responsibility to ensure that we do all that we can to ease the problems facing young people especially, those losing their jobs and companies that are vulnerable. Every one of us has to accept that responsibility. |
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Yr ydym i gyd yn ymwybodol o’r hyn sydd wedi digwydd yng Ngwlad Groeg a’r Eidal o safbwynt yr ewro. Mae’r hyn sy’n digwydd gyda dyled sofran i’r ewro yn dangos pa mor fregus yw pethau. Nid yw’r economi yn tyfu i’r graddau y byddai pobl wedi gobeithio. Nid oes gennym ffigurau ar gyfer Cymru ar wahân, ond yr ydym yn gwybod nad oes disgwyl i economi’r Deyrnas Gyfunol dyfu mwy nag 1 y cant eleni ac 1.6 y cant y flwyddyn nesaf. Felly, gan fod sylfaen ar gyfer twf yn yr economi yn dibynnu i raddau helaeth ar allforio i wledydd yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, nid yw pethau’n argoeli’n dda.
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We are all aware of what has happened in Greece and Italy with regard to the euro. What is happening with euro sovereign debt demonstrates the fragility of the situation. The economy is not growing to the extent that people would have hoped. We do not have separate figures for Wales, but we know that the United Kingdom economy is not expected to grow more than 1 per cent this year and 1.6 per cent next year. Therefore, given that economic growth is based to a large degree on exports to European Union countries, things do not bode well. |
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Dylem atgoffa ein hunain fod diweithdra heddiw yn debyg i’r lefel a welwyd yn ystod cyfnod gwaethaf y dirwasgiad. Yr oeddwn yn meddwl ein bod wedi cyrraedd pwynt gwaethaf diweithdra ym mis Chwefror 2010, pan oedd yn 9.3 y cant. Mae diweithdra wedi codi yn ôl i 9 y cant. Mae’n rhaid inni ymateb pan fo rhywbeth fel hynny’n digwydd. Mae’r ffigurau diweithdra ymhlith yr ifanc wedi codi’n sylweddol iawn. Mae’n gywilydd ac yn drychineb bod un o bob pedwar o bobl ifanc Cymru rhwng 16 a 24 oed allan o waith, sef 50,000 o bobl ifanc— cynnydd o 5,000 mewn blwyddyn. Ffigurau 2010 yw’r rhain. Pe baem yn edrych ar ffigurau 2011, yr wyf yn siŵr y byddem yn gweld eu bod yn sylweddol uwch na hynny.
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We should remind ourselves that unemployment today is at a level similar to that seen during the darkest days of the recession. I thought that unemployment had reached its worst point in February 2010, when it stood at 9.3 per cent. Unemployment has now gone up again to 9 per cent. We must respond when something like that happens. Unemployment levels among young people have increased significantly. It is shameful and tragic that one in four young people in Wales between the ages of 16 and 24 are unemployed, standing at 50,000 young people—an increase of 5,000 in one year. These are the 2010 figures. If we were to look at the 2011 figures, I am sure that they would be significantly higher again. |
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Yng nghyd-destun y newidiadau enfawr sydd wedi digwydd i’r economi, onid oes cyfrifoldeb ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ymateb? Yr hyn yr ydym wedi ei glywed—ac mae angen dweud hyn unwaith eto—yw beirniadaeth am ddiffygion y Llywodraeth yn Llundain. Mae hynny’n iawn; gall pob un ohonom feirniadu Llundain, ond nid yw hynny’n gwneud yn iawn am y ffaith bod gan Lywodraeth Cymru gyfrifoldeb i wneud pethau. |
In the context of the huge changes that have been seen in the economy, is it not incumbent upon the Welsh Government to respond? What we have heard—and this needs to be repeated—is criticism of the failings of the Government in London. That is right; every one of us could criticise London, but that does not make up for the fact that the Welsh Government has a responsibility to act. |
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Of course, what we have heard about is the £1.3 billion capital project that was announced in March 2011 by the First Minister, the Minister for Finance and me. The problem is that that is not a substitute for this Government being able to tell us that a single capital project has started since May—there has not been one. It has not been able to tell us of a single capital project. Therefore, no matter how hard it tries, it cannot tell us about anything that it has done, other than blaming Westminster. We therefore need urgent measures from this Government to assist our young people, businesses and companies so that they do not have to face a situation that is even worse.
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Wrth gwrs, yr hyn yr ydym wedi glywed amdano yw’r prosiect cyfalaf £1.3 biliwn, a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mawrth 2011 gan y Prif Weinidog, y Gweinidog Cyllid a minnau. Y broblem yw nad yw hynny’n golygu fod y Llywodraeth hon yn gallu dweud wrthym fod un prosiect cyfalaf wedi dechrau ers mis Mai—ni fu’r un. Nid yw wedi gallu dweud wrthym am un prosiect cyfalaf. Felly, waeth faint o ymdrech a wna, ni all ddweud wrthym am unrhyw beth y mae wedi'i wneud, heblaw beio San Steffan. Felly, mae arnom angen mesurau brys gan y Llywodraeth hon i helpu ein pobl ifanc, busnesau a chwmnïau fel nad ydynt yn gorfod wynebu sefyllfa sydd hyd yn oed yn waeth. |
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6.15 p.m.
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I did not understand the Minister’s point when she said that we were talking businesses down. Of course we are not talking businesses down; we want to talk businesses up. We want this Government to talk businesses up. We want this Government to take action, so that businesses can improve their performance. What are we getting? We have the Minister for health saying that all health projects are now on hold. The Minister for transport told us today that he will not be able to tell us until December which projects will be happening. We do not know which schools are going to be built in the near future. We have heard today that the Minister for business does not want to tell us what is going to happen to enterprise zones. What is this Government doing? There is nothing happening. |
Nid oeddwn yn deall pwynt y Gweinidog pan ddywedodd ein bod yn bychanu busnesau. Wrth gwrs nad ydym yn bychanu busnesau; rydym eisiau hybu busnesau. Rydym am i’r Llywodraeth hon hybu busnesau. Rydym am i’r Llywodraeth hon weithredu, fel y gall busnesau wella eu perfformiad. Beth ydym yn ei gael? Mae gennym y Gweinidog iechyd yn dweud na fydd yr holl brosiectau iechyd yn mynd yn eu blaen am y tro. Dywedodd y Gweinidog trafnidiaeth heddiw na fydd yn gallu dweud wrthym tan fis Rhagfyr pa brosiectau fydd yn digwydd. Ni wyddom pa ysgolion fydd yn cael eu hadeiladu yn y dyfodol agos. Clywsom heddiw nad oedd y Gweinidog busnes yn awyddus i ddweud wrthym beth sy’n mynd i ddigwydd i barthau menter. Beth y mae’r Llywodraeth hon yn ei wneud? Nid oes unrhyw beth yn digwydd. |
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Edwina Hart: I very rarely intervene in these matters, but I did not say that I was not going to tell you about enterprise zones. I said that I wanted to ensure that you had all the facts about everything that we will be doing on enterprise zones. It would be very wrong of me to make a general statement if I cannot outline to those in industry who might be interested in those enterprises what we might do in terms of education, training, infrastructure and a whole range of other issues so that they know exactly what would be happening with capital allowances. I refute what you have just said about me. |
Edwina Hart: Anaml iawn yr wyf yn ymyrryd yn y materion hyn, ond ni ddywedais nad oeddwn yn mynd i ddweud wrthych am barthau menter. Dywedais fy mod yn awyddus i sicrhau bod gennych yr holl ffeithiau am bopeth y byddwn yn ei wneud ar barthau menter. Ni fyddai’n iawn i mi wneud datganiad cyffredinol heb allu amlinellu i’r sawl yn y diwydiant a allai fod â diddordeb yn y parthau hynny beth y byddwn efallai yn ei wneud o ran addysg, hyfforddiant, isadeiledd ac amryw o faterion eraill fel eu bod yn gwybod yn union beth fyddai’n digwydd gyda lwfansau cyfalaf. Yr wyf yn gwrthod yr hyn yr ydych newydd ei ddweud amdanaf. |
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Ieuan Wyn Jones: I am very pleased that the Minister has intervened, because it is a rare thing for her to do, and I accept that. I also accept that she is genuine in wanting to do something for enterprise zones. However the problem that she faces is unanswerable. If she looks at her own budget, she will see that, next year, the only money allocated for those enterprise zones is £750,000—and that is for five enterprise zones. What can you do with £750,000 if you are announcing five enterprise zones? I would support her in asking for extra resources so that we can have a decent budget for those enterprise zones when they start next year. I accept that she needs to do the background work, but let us remember that we have been waiting and waiting for this Government to make announcements. It seems to us that we still have to wait.
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Ieuan Wyn Jones: Yr wyf yn falch iawn bod y Gweinidog wedi ymyrryd, oherwydd mae’n beth prin iddi wneud, ac yr wyf yn derbyn hynny. Derbyniaf hefyd ei bod yn ddidwyll am wneud rhywbeth ar gyfer parthau menter. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n bosibl ateb y broblem mae’n ei hwynebu. Pe bai’n edrych ar ei chyllideb, byddai’n gweld, y flwyddyn nesaf, mai’r unig arian a ddyrannwyd ar gyfer y parthau menter hynny yw £750,000—ac mae hynny ar gyfer pum parth menter. Beth allwch chi ei wneud gyda £750,000 os ydych yn cyhoeddi pum parth menter? Byddwn yn ei chefnogi wrth ofyn am adnoddau ychwanegol fel y gallwn gael cyllideb addas ar gyfer y parthau menter hynny pan fyddant yn dechrau'r flwyddyn nesaf. Derbyniaf bod angen iddi wneud y gwaith cefndirol, ond gadewch inni gofio y buom yn aros ac yn aros i’r Llywodraeth hon wneud cyhoeddiadau. Ymddengys bod yn rhaid i ni ddal ati i aros. |
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There were a number of interesting cameo debates, if I may say so, between Antoinette Sandbach and the Minister for education. They were quite entertaining, but I am not sure that they took us any further. I am very pleased indeed that Rhodri Glyn Thomas was able to explain to Jenny Rathbone that if you are asking local authorities to bring forward capital projects, equally, you should be asking your own Government to bring forward its capital projects. I am asking people today to understand that our economy is in a serious position. We need urgent action from this Government. That is why we have proposed this motion. The best way of taking action today would be to support the motion and get behind our businesses, and, for goodness’s sake, let us get some money out of the door.
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Roedd nifer o ddadleuon cameo diddorol, os caf ddweud hynny, rhwng Antoinette Sandbach a’r Gweinidog addysg. Yr oeddent yn eithaf difyr, ond nid wyf yn siŵr eu bod wedi mynd â ni ymhellach. Yr wyf yn falch bod Rhodri Glyn Thomas wedi gallu egluro wrth Jenny Rathbone y dylech, os ydych yn gofyn i awdurdodau lleol ddod â phrosiectau cyfalaf ymlaen, yn yr un modd, fod yn gofyn i’ch Llywodraeth eich hun ddwyn ymlaen ei phrosiectau cyfalaf. Gofynnaf i bobl heddiw ddeall bod ein heconomi mewn sefyllfa ddifrifol. Mae angen gweithredu ar frys gan y Llywodraeth hon. Dyna pam yr ydym wedi cynnig y cynnig hwn. Y ffordd orau o weithredu heddiw fydd cefnogi’r cynnig a chefnogi’n busnesau, ac, er mwyn dyn, gadewch i ni gael rhywfaint o arian allan o’r drws. |
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The Deputy Presiding Officer: The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? I see that there is an objection and I therefore defer voting on this item until voting time, which will now follow. Do three Members wish for the bell to be rung? I see that no-one does, so we will move straight to voting time. |
Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Y cynnig yw cytuno ar y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio. A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Gwelaf fod gwrthwynebiad, ac felly gohiriaf bleidleisio ar yr eitem hon tan y cyfnod pleidleisio, a fydd yn dilyn yn awr. A oes tri Aelod yn dymuno i’r gloch gael ei chanu? Gwelaf nad oes, felly symudwn yn syth at y cyfnod pleidleisio. |
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Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Cyfnod Pleidleisio
Voting Time
Cynnig NDM4844: O blaid
15, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn 37.
Motion NDM4844: For 15, Abstain 0, Against 37.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol yn
erbyn:
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Black, Peter |
Andrews, Leighton |
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Gwrthodwyd y cynnig.
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Gwelliant 1 i NDM4844: O blaid 10, Ymatal 15, Yn erbyn
28.
Amendment 1 to NDM4844: For 10, Abstain 15, Against 28.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau
canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau
canlynol yn erbyn: |
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Davies, Jocelyn |
Andrews, Leighton |
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Ymataliodd yr Aelodau canlynol:
Black, Peter Burns, Angela |
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Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
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Gwelliant 2 i NDM4844: O
blaid 42, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn 11.
Amendment 2 to NDM4844: For 42, Abstain 0, Against 11.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol yn
erbyn:
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Andrews, Leighton |
Burns, Angela |
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Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.
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Cafodd gwelliant 3 ei ddad-ddethol. Amendment 3 deselected.
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Cynnig NDM4844 fel y’i diwygiwyd:
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Motion NDM4844 as amended:
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Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru: |
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
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1. Yn cydnabod cyfraniad ac ymrwymiad anferth holl aelodau’r Lluoedd Arfog Cymreig; a
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1. Recognises the massive contribution and commitment made by all Welsh Armed Forces personnel; and
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2. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i:
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2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
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a) cydnabod yn ffurfiol ganmlwyddiant y Rhyfel Mawr yn 2014;
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a) formally recognise the 100-year anniversary of the Great War in 2014;
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b) gwneud popeth posibl i roi sylw i anghenion ein lluoedd arfog a chyn-filwyr gydag Anhwylder Straen Wedi Trawma, gan gydnabod y bydd hyn yn golygu ymgysylltu’n uniongyrchol â hwy; ac
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b) do everything it can to address the needs of our armed forces and ex-forces personnel with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, recognising that this will require direct engagement with them; and
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c) ystyried gweithredu Cerdyn penodol ar gyfer y Lluoedd Arfog. |
c) consider the implementation of a dedicated Armed Forces Card. |
Cynnig NDM4844 fel y’i diwygiwyd: O blaid 52, Ymatal 0,
Yn erbyn 0.
Motion NDM4844 as amended: For 52, Abstain
0, Against 0.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau
canlynol o blaid:
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Andrews, Leighton Jones, Ieuan Wyn
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Derbyniwyd cynnig NDM4844 fel y’i
diwygiwyd.
Motion NDM4844 as amended agreed.
Cynnig NDM4845: O blaid
39, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn 14.
Motion NDM4845: For 39, Abstain 0, Against 14.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol yn
erbyn:
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Andrews, Leighton |
Black, Peter |
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Derbyniwyd y cynnig. |
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Cynnig NDM4846: O blaid
18, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn 35.
Motion NDM4846: For 18, Abstain 0, Against 35.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol yn
erbyn:
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Burns, Angela |
Andrews, Leighton |
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Gwrthodwyd y cynnig. |
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Gwelliant 1 i NDM4846: O
blaid 15, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn 38.
Amendment 1 to NDM4846: For 15, Abstain 0, Against 38.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol yn
erbyn:
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Black, Peter |
Andrews, Leighton |
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Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant. |
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Gwelliant 2 i NDM4846: O
blaid 43, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn 10.
Amendment 2 to NDM4846: For 43, Abstain 0, Against 10.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol yn
erbyn:
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Andrews, Leighton |
Davies, Jocelyn |
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Derbyniwyd y gwelliant. |
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Gwelliant 3 i NDM4846: O blaid 53, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn
0.
Amendment 3 to NDM4846: For 53, Abstain 0, Against
0.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau
canlynol o blaid:
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Andrews, Leighton |
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Derbyniwyd y gwelliant. |
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Gwelliant 4 i NDM4846: O blaid 4, Ymatal 11, Yn erbyn
38.
Amendment 4 to NDM4846: For 4, Abstain 11, Against 38.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau
canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau
canlynol yn erbyn: |
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Black, Peter |
Andrews, Leighton |
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Ymataliodd yr Aelodau canlynol:
Burns, Angela |
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Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant. |
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Gwelliant 5 i NDM4846: O
blaid 25, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn 28.
Amendment 5 to NDM4846: For 25, Abstain 0, Against 28.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol yn
erbyn:
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Black, Peter |
Andrews, Leighton |
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Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
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Cynnig NDM4846 fel y’i diwygiwyd:
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Motion NDM4846 as amended:
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Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru: |
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
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1. Yn gresynu wrth fethiant Llywodraeth Cymru i:
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1. Regrets the Welsh Government’s failure to:
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a) ymateb yn weithredol i’r argyfwng economaidd presennol;
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a) actively respond to the current economic crisis;
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b) ymdrin â’r problemau a wynebir gan y sector gweithgynhyrchu; ac
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b) deal with the problems faced by the manufacturing sector; and
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c) mynd i’r afael â diweithdra ymysg pobl ifanc; a
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c) tackle youth unemployment; and
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2. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno pecyn cynhwysfawr o fesurau i fynd i’r afael â’r argyfwng economaidd presennol, chwilio am fwy o gyllid arloesol i roi hwb i’r sector adeiladu a chreu swyddi yn y sector preifat. |
2. Calls on the Welsh Government to introduce a comprehensive package of measures to address the current economic crisis, seek more innovative funding to boost the construction sector and create jobs in the private sector.
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3. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyhoeddi’r mathau o gyllid preifat y mae wedi bod yn eu hystyried, a sut mae modd defnyddio’r rhain i ymateb i wella economi Cymru. |
3. Calls on the Welsh Government to announce the forms of private financing which it has been considering, and how these can be used to respond to improve the economy of Wales. |
Cynnig NDM4846 fel y’i diwygiwyd: O blaid 25, Ymatal 0, Yn erbyn 28.
Motion NDM4846 as amended: For 25, Abstain 0, Against 28.
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Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol o blaid: |
Pleidleisiodd yr Aelodau canlynol yn
erbyn: |
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Black, Peter |
Andrews, Leighton
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Gwrthodwyd cynnig NDM4846 fel y’i diwygiwyd.
Motion NDM4846 as amended not agreed.
Banciau
Bwyd—Ceginau Cawl yr Oes
Fodern?
Foodbanks—a Modern Day Soup
Kitchen?
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Leanne Wood: I have agreed, if there is time, that Joyce Watson and Suzy Davies can make a contribution to this debate. |
Leanne Wood: Yr wyf wedi cytuno, os oes amser, y gall Joyce Watson a Suzy Davies wneud cyfraniad at y ddadl hon. |
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A financial collapse followed by high unemployment and hunger for thousands of people in Wales; I could be talking about the 1930s, but this is the situation in which we find ourselves in the twenty-first century. Whereas we once had soup kitchens for those who could no longer feed themselves, today we have foodbanks. Foodbanks are expanding fast to meet the growing demand. Hunger is a problem that will not go away anytime soon. The report published this week by Sheffield Hallam University about the impact that changes to the benefit system will have on Wales shows that this is not scaremongering. |
Cwymp ariannol yna diweithdra uchel a newyn i filoedd o bobl yng Nghymru; gallwn fod yn siarad am y 1930au, ond dyma’r sefyllfa yr ydym yn canfod ein hunain ynddi yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Lle ynghynt yr oedd gennym geginau cawl i’r rhai nad oedd yn gallu bwydo eu hunain mwyach, bellach mae gennym fanciau bwyd. Mae banciau bwyd yn ehangu’n gyflym i gwrdd â’r galw cynyddol. Mae newyn yn broblem na fydd yn diflannu yn y dyfodol agos. Mae’r adroddiad a gyhoeddwyd yr wythnos hon gan Brifysgol Sheffield Hallam am effaith y newidiadau i’r system fudd-daliadau ar Gymru yn dangos nad codi bwganod yw hyn. |
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However, how the foodbank network will be able to cope with the 45,000 people that are predicted to be ejected from the welfare system at a time when the jobs situation is so dire, I do not know. Over the last 18 months or so, I have worked with the foodbank network in Wales to raise awareness of its work and the need for what is essentially an emergency service, which is largely run on a voluntary basis. I remember first hearing of the existence of this service and finding it difficult to believe that there were people living among us who could not even afford the most basic essentials of life in twenty-first century Wales.
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Fodd bynnag, nid wyf yn gwybod sut y bydd y rhwydwaith banciau bwyd yn gallu ymdopi â’r 45,000 o bobl y rhagwelir a fydd yn cael eu taflu allan o’r system les ar adeg pan fo’r sefyllfa swyddi mor enbyd. Dros y 18 mis diwethaf, yr wyf wedi gweithio gyda’r rhwydwaith banciau bwyd yng Nghymru i godi ymwybyddiaeth o’i gwaith a’r angen am rywbeth sydd, yn ei hanfod, yn wasanaeth brys, a gaiff ei redeg yn bennaf ar sail wirfoddol. Cofiaf glywed am y tro cyntaf am fodolaeth y gwasanaeth hwn a’i chael yn anodd credu fod yna bobl yn byw yn ein plith nad oedd hyd yn oed yn gallu fforddio hanfodion mwyaf sylfaenol bywyd yng Nghymru yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. |
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I must admit to having mixed feelings about the foodbanks. On the one hand, I am appalled that there is a need for them, a need which is demonstrated by the network’s significant expansion just to meet demand. When I first made contact last year with the foodbank co-ordinator for Wales, Adrian Curtis, there were 10 foodbanks in Wales. There are now 16, and there are plans to establish many more over the coming months and years. Demand for the Cardiff foodbank has risen by 100 per cent since last year, and the Ebbw Vale foodbank has experienced a 50 per cent increase in demand. Despite attempts at awareness raising, there are still far too many people out there who do not know about this service. How can the Welsh Government hope to eradicate child poverty in Wales by 2020 while so many people cannot afford to buy food?
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Rhaid cyfaddef fod gen i deimladau cymysg am y banciau bwyd. Ar y naill law, mae’n codi brawf arnaf bod eu hangen, angen sy’n cael ei ddangos gan ehangiad sylweddol yn y rhwydwaith dim ond i ateb y galw. Pan gysylltais am y tro cyntaf y llynedd â’r cydlynydd banciau bwyd ar gyfer Cymru, Adrian Curtis, yr oedd 10 banc bwyd yng Nghymru. Erbyn hyn, mae 16, a’r bwriad yw sefydlu llawer mwy dros y misoedd a’r blynyddoedd nesaf. Mae’r galw am y banc bwyd yng Nghaerdydd wedi codi 100 y cant ers y llynedd, ac mae banc bwyd Glyn Ebwy wedi gweld cynnydd o 50 y cant yn y galw. Er ymdrechion i godi ymwybyddiaeth, mae llawer gormod o bobl nad ydynt yn gwybod am y gwasanaeth hwn. Sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru obeithio dileu tlodi plant yng Nghymru erbyn 2020 tra bod cynifer o bobl yn methu fforddio prynu bwyd? |
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Foodbanks distribute three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food to people referred to them by a variety of agencies. The service is meant for those who are in a short-term crisis, and, as a result, three vouchers covering a nine-day period are meant to be the maximum continuous period of support. However, after speaking to the people who work for the foodbank on the ground, it is clear that there is often leeway in the system since it is difficult to turn down a request for food from someone who is hungry and has no other means of support. |
Mae banciau bwyd yn dosbarthu gwerth tri diwrnod o fwyd cytbwys ei faeth, di-ddarfodus i bobl a gyfeirir atynt gan amryw o asiantaethau. Mae’r gwasanaeth i fod ar gyfer pobl sydd mewn argyfwng tymor byr, ac, o ganlyniad, tair taleb yn cwmpasu cyfnod o naw diwrnod yw’r cyfnod di-dor hiraf o gefnogaeth y dylai rhywun ei dderbyn. Fodd bynnag, ar ôl siarad â’r bobl sy’n gweithio i’r banc bwyd ar lawr gwlad, mae’n amlwg bod hyblygrwydd yn y system yn aml, gan ei bod yn anodd gwrthod cais i gael bwyd gan rywun sy’n newynog ac nad ydynt yn derbyn cymorth o unrhyw ffynhonnell arall. |
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The stories that the foodbank staff hear on a daily basis can be harrowing. I heard about a mother only having enough money to feed her children, so she would eat paper towels to stave off the pains of an empty stomach. One man walked 10 miles from Blaina to Ebbw Vale to collect his food parcel because he did not have enough money to get the bus. I have also seen first-hand the difference a food parcel can make. A constituent of mine, who I put in touch with her local foodbank, was only able to cook one meal a day for her partner and daughter. After getting her food parcel, she was able to prepare a meal with her daughter without worrying about skimping on ingredients. She was not able to express her gratitude strongly enough. |
Mae’r straeon mae staff y banciau bwyd yn eu clywed yn ddyddiol yn gallu bod yn ddirdynnol. Clywais am fam a oedd ond â digon o arian i fwydo ei phlant, felly byddai’n bwyta tywelion papur i osgoi poenau stumog wag. Cerddodd un dyn 10 milltir o Flaina i Lynebwy i gasglu ei barsel bwyd am nad oedd ganddo ddigon o arian i deithio ar y bws. Yr wyf hefyd wedi gweld o lygad y ffynnon y gwahaniaeth y gall parsel bwyd ei wneud. Yr oedd un o fy etholwyr, a roddais mewn cysylltiad â banc bwyd lleol, ond yn gallu coginio un pryd y dydd i’w phartner a’i merch. Ar ôl cael ei pharsel bwyd, roedd yn gallu paratoi pryd o fwyd gyda’i merch heb boeni am fod yn gynnil gyda chynhwysion. Nid oedd yn gallu mynegi ei gwerthfawrogiad yn ddigon cryf. |
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Debts and cuts to benefits are making the problem worse and will further increase the demand on the foodbank network. The foodbank network in Wales has to date been unable to attract any substantial funding from the Government. Individual foodbanks have received small grants through the Communities First trust fund. So, apart from the support that it receives from the public, it relies on grant applications to charities for financial assistance. I am pleased to say that the foodbank network was successful earlier this year with an application to the Big Lottery Fund for £160,000 over the next three years. This will allow for a significant expansion over the coming years, with 24 more foodbanks planned, thereby making their coverage much more substantial.
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Mae dyledion a thoriadau i fudd-daliadau yn gwaethygu’r broblem ac yn creu galw pellach ar y rhwydwaith banciau bwyd. Nid yw’r rhwydwaith banciau bwyd yng Nghymru hyd yma wedi gallu denu unrhyw gyllid sylweddol gan y Llywodraeth. Mae banciau bwyd unigol wedi derbyn grantiau bach drwy gronfa ymddiriedolaeth Cymunedau yn Gyntaf. Felly, ar wahân i’r gefnogaeth mae’n ei gael oddi wrth y cyhoedd, mae’n dibynnu ar geisiadau grantiau i elusennau am gymorth ariannol. Yr wyf yn falch o ddweud y bu’r rhwydwaith banciau bwyd yn llwyddiannus yn gynharach eleni gyda chais i’r Gronfa Loteri Fawr am £160,000 dros y tair blynedd nesaf. Bydd hyn yn galluogi ehangu sylweddol dros y blynyddoedd nesaf, gyda chynlluniau am 24 arall o fanciau bwyd, gan felly ehangu eu cwmpas yn sylweddol. |
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During the summer, my office staff decided to organise a food collection at Tŷ Hywel. Work-placed collections are important to the network, even though the overwhelming majority of their produce comes from collections outside supermarkets. The collection in the Assembly received cross-party support with generous donations from across the political spectrum. The food collected would have been able to make up many food packages, so I am pleased to have the opportunity to place on record my gratitude to everyone who donated to that.
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Yn ystod yr haf, penderfynodd staff yn fy swyddfa drefnu casgliad bwyd yn Nhŷ Hywel. Mae casgliadau yn y gwaith yn bwysig i’r rhwydwaith, er bod y rhan fwyaf o’u cynnyrch yn dod o gasgliadau tu allan i archfarchnadoedd. Derbyniodd y casgliad yn y Cynulliad gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol gyda rhoddion hael gan bobl ar draws y sbectrwm gwleidyddol. Byddai’r bwyd a gasglwyd wedi gallu llenwi llawer o becynnau bwyd, felly yr wyf yn falch o gael y cyfle i ddiolch i bawb a gyfrannodd at hynny. |
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6.30 p.m.
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Fuel poverty is also far too prevalent in Wales, and more and more people now have to choose between heating and eating. The most recent fuel poverty statistics estimate that, in 2008, 26 per cent of households in Wales were in fuel poverty. We pay around 10 per cent more for our energy in Wales. Combined with the poor quality of our housing stock, the number of homes that are off network, and the higher proportion of elderly and disabled people in our population, that means that fuel poverty is a great problem for Wales. I have yet to hear from the Government how it intends to prevent growing numbers of people from falling into fuel poverty as the economy worsens. People must stay warm and people must eat. These are two of life’s basics, and the Government should ensure that everyone has these basic commodities and that food and fuel are affordable for everyone.
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Mae gormod o lawer o dlodi tanwydd hefyd yng Nghymru, ac mae mwy a mwy o bobl bellach yn gorfod dewis rhwng gwresogi a bwyta. Mae ystadegau diweddaraf tlodi tanwydd yn amcangyfrif bod 26 y cant o aelwydydd yng Nghymru mewn tlodi tanwydd yn 2008. Rydym yn talu 10 y cant yn fwy am ein hynni yng Nghymru. Ynghyd â safon wael ein stoc tai, nifer y cartrefi nad ydynt yn rhan o’r rhwydwaith, a’r gyfran uwch o bobl hŷn ac anabl yn ein poblogaeth, mae hynny’n golygu bod tlodi tanwydd yn broblem fawr i Gymru. Ni chlywais eto gan y Llywodraeth sut mae’n bwriadu atal nifer cynyddol o bobl rhag mynd i dlodi tanwydd wrth i’r economi waethygu. Mae’n rhaid i bobl aros yn gynnes ac mae’n rhaid i bobl fwyta. Dyna ddau o hanfodion bywyd, a dylai’r Llywodraeth sicrhau bod gan bawb y nwyddau sylfaenol hyn a bod bwyd a thanwydd yn fforddiadwy i bawb.
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While the causes of this serious economic situation may be disputed across the Chamber, I hope that we can find some consensus about the short-term solutions that will help the foodbank network to alleviate hunger in Wales. What can this Government practically do to help the foodbank network in Wales? As mentioned earlier, it is wholly unsatisfactory that such an important emergency service is run on a voluntary basis and relies financially on the benevolence of grant distributors. Foodbanks are here to stay, for at least the time being, so consideration should be given to what can be done to help them become more self-sufficient. Could the Welsh Government, for example, support the foodbanks’ transition from a charity to a social enterprise?
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Er bod anghytundeb ar draws y Siambr am y rhesymau dros y sefyllfa economaidd ddifrifol hon, gobeithio y gallwn ddod i rywfaint o gonsensws am yr atebion tymor byr a fydd yn helpu’r rhwydwaith banciau bwyd i liniaru newyn yng Nghymru. Beth all y Llywodraeth hon ei wneud yn ymarferol i helpu’r rhwydwaith banciau bwyd yng Nghymru? Fel y soniwyd yn gynharach, mae’n hollol anfoddhaol bod gwasanaeth brys mor bwysig yn cael ei redeg ar sail wirfoddol ac yn dibynnu’n ariannol ar garedigrwydd dosbarthwyr grantiau. Mae banciau bwyd yma i aros, felly dylid ystyried beth y gellid ei wneud i’w helpu i ddod yn fwy hunan-gynhaliol. A all Llywodraeth Cymru, er enghraifft, gefnogi banciau bwyd i newid o fod yn elusen i fod yn fenter gymdeithasol?
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There is also a problem in establishing foodbanks in rural areas. Poverty can be felt more acutely in the more isolated parts of Wales, because of the distance from urban areas where there tend to be more comprehensive services. The logistics of a rural foodbank mean covering larger geographical distances than in urban areas. If the Government could agree to match fund transport equipment, for example, it would go a long way to ensuring that those struggling to afford food in rural areas have some sort of safety net.
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Mae problem hefyd o ran sefydlu banciau bwyd mewn ardaloedd gwledig. Mae modd teimlo tlodi yn waeth yn y rhannau mwy anghysbell o Gymru, oherwydd y pellter o ardaloedd trefol lle mae gwasanaethau mwy cynhwysfawr yn tueddu i fod. Mae logisteg banc bwyd gwledig yn golygu cwmpasu pellteroedd daearyddol mwy na mewn ardaloedd dinesig. Pe bai’r Llywodraeth yn cytuno i roi arian cyfatebol ar gyfer offer cludo, er enghraifft, byddai’n mynd ffordd bell tuag at sicrhau bod gan y sawl sy’n cael trafferth fforddio bwyd mewn ardaloedd gwledig fesur o ddiogelwch.
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More and more people are growing their own food. Can we find ways for surplus produce to be offered for sale at low prices, as is advocated in ‘A Greenprint for the Valleys’, a document that I produced earlier this year? One feature of the 1930s depression that we should not forget is that homegrown food took the edge off the crisis for many families. It was not uncommon for miners to come off a shift at the coalface and go straight to their allotment to work the land so that they could ensure that their families did not go hungry. Too many people in Wales today are going hungry, and the problem will not go away. Therefore, I call upon the Welsh Government to do all that it can to tackle the causes of hunger and poverty while supporting those who are doing their best to prevent people from sinking.
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Mae mwy a mwy o bobl yn tyfu bwyd eu hunain. A ydym ni yn gallu canfod ffyrdd i gynnyrch dros ben gael ei gynnig am brisiau isel, fel sy’n cael ei argymell yn ‘Cynllun Gwyrdd i’r Cymoedd’, sef dogfen a gynhyrchais yn gynharach eleni? Un nodwedd o’r dirwasgiad yn y 1930au na ddylem ei anghofio oedd bod bwyd a dyfwyd gartref wedi lliniaru effaith yr argyfwng i sawl teulu. Nid oedd yn anghyffredin i lowyr ddod o shifft yn y pwll a mynd yn syth i’w rhandir i weithio’r tir er mwyn iddynt sicrhau nad oedd eu teuluoedd yn llwgu. Mae gormod o bobl yng Nghymru heddiw yn llwgu, ac ni fydd y broblem yn diflannu. Rwyf felly yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i wneud popeth o fewn ei gallu i fynd i’r afael â’r rhesymau dros lwgu a thlodi tra’n cefnogi’r sawl sy’n gwneud eu gorau i atal pobl rhag suddo.
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Joyce Watson: Thank you, Leanne, for bringing this debate here today and for giving me some time. The title suggests that we do not use the term ‘soup kitchen’ because of the memories of the 1930s, but that ‘foodbank’, on the other hand, is acceptable despite the negative publicity that the banks have recently attracted. A foodbank in the twenty-first century is a shocking indictment of our society. The collective memory that we have inherited of the 1930s is of soup kitchens giving badly needed sustenance to downtrodden men who could not get jobs. In 2011, as many women are receiving help from foodbanks as men. The women are not always out of a job; in a number of cases, they have more than one job, but they still cannot afford the staple items of life such as food. We are not talking about the extras that make life tolerable, but about the essentials that are the basics of life.
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Joyce Watson: Diolch, Leanne, am ddod â’r ddadl hon ger bron heddiw ac am roi rhywfaint o amser i mi. Awgryma’r teitl nad ydym yn defnyddio’r term ‘cegin gawl’ oherwydd yr atgof am y 1930au, ond bod ‘banc bwyd’, ar y llaw arall, yn dderbyniol er gwaethaf y cyhoeddusrwydd negyddol a gafodd y banciau yn ddiweddar. Mae banc bwyd yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain yn adlewyrchiad arswydus o’n cymdeithas. Y cof sydd gennym ar y cyd o’r 1930au yw ceginau cawl yn rhoi cynhaliaeth dirfawr ei hangen i ddynion ar eu cythlwng a oedd yn methu â chael gwaith. Yn 2011, mae cymaint o ferched ag o ddynion yn cael help gan fanciau bwyd. Nid yw’r merched bob amser yn ddi-waith; mewn sawl achos, mae ganddynt fwy nag un swydd, ond ni allant fforddio hanfodion bywyd fel bwyd. Nid ydym yn sôn am y pethau ychwanegol sy’n gwneud bywyd yn fwy goddefadwy, ond am yr hanfodion sydd yn sylfaen i fywyd.
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Some of you may have read the article in The Observer last Sunday about the Fawcett Society’s report called ‘A Life Raft for Women’s Equality’. The report was published last week and lists the carnage caused by what the report describes as a war on women. The number of out-of-work women has reached a 23-year high. Those who have jobs are often in work at what the editorial described as ‘untypical hours’, which is a phrase used by economists. The people who are doing these jobs use different words to describe what they do: ‘the dawn shift’, ‘the graveyard shift’ and ‘the weekend shift’. Their hours are not the only part of the work that is untypical—so are the wages. The wages are much lower than the average rates of pay of low-paid workers in general, which is why many of the women have more than one job. The cuts in welfare budgets by the coalition have hit women in particular. Poverty is no respecter of person or place. It is a reality of rural Wales as it is of urban Wales. It can be better hidden in rural Wales, but it is there and it is getting worse. Foodbanks are the latest sad manifestation of this shameful reflection of the priorities of our society.
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Efallai bod rhai ohonoch wedi darllen erthygl yn The Observer ddydd Sul diwethaf am adroddiad Cymdeithas Fawcett o’r enw ‘A Life Raft for Women’s Equality’. Cyhoeddwyd yr adroddiad wythnos diwethaf ac mae’n rhestru’r difrod a achoswyd gan yr hyn y mae’r adroddiad yn ei ddisgrifio fel rhyfel yn erbyn merched. Mae nifer y merched heb waith wedi cyrraedd ei ffigur uchaf ers 23 mlynedd. Mae’r rhai sydd â gwaith yn aml yn gweithio ‘oriau anarferol’ fel y mae’r erthygl olygyddol yn ei ddisgrifio, sy’n ymadrodd a ddefnyddir gan economegwyr. Mae’r bobl sy’n gwneud y swyddi hyn yn defnyddio geiriau gwahanol i ddisgrifio’r hyn y maent yn ei wneud: ‘y shifft fachlud’, ‘y shifft fynwent’ a’r ‘shifft benwythnos’. Nid eu horiau yw’r unig ran o’r gwaith sy’n anarferol—mae’r cyflog hefyd. Mae’r cyflog yn llawer is na chyflog gweithwyr sydd ar gyflogau is yn gyffredinol, a dyna pam y mae mwy nag un swydd gan lawer o’r merched. Mae’r toriadau i gyllidebau lles gan y glymblaid wedi bod yn ergyd i ferched yn arbennig. Nid yw tlodi yn parchu’r person na’r lle. Mae yr un mor wir am Gymru wledig ag y mae am Gymru drefol. Gall fod fwy dan orchudd yng Nghymru wledig, ond y mae yno ac mae’n gwaethygu. Banciau bwyd yw’r arwydd trist diweddaraf o’r adlewyrchiad cywilyddus hwn o flaenoriaethau ein cymdeithas.
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Suzy Davies: I thank Leanne Wood for giving me some time in this debate, particularly at such short notice. I add my congratulations to her for the hard work that she has done on this issue, and for the well-deserved high profile that she has had for her work with foodbanks. I share her paradoxical feelings about the existence of foodbanks in the first place, but the opportunity to visit a foodbank in the Bridgend area has given me some of the detail as to why it is there and the work that it is doing.
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Suzy Davies: Diolch i Leanne Wood am roi rhywfaint o amser i mi yn y ddadl hon, yn enwedig ar gymaint o fyr rybudd. Rwyf innau yn ei llongyfarch hefyd am y gwaith caled a wnaeth ar y mater hwn, ac am y proffil uchel haeddiannol a gafodd am ei gwaith gyda banciau bwyd. Rwy’n rhannu ei theimladau paradocsaidd am fodolaeth banciau bwyd yn y lle cyntaf, ond mae’r cyfle i ymweld â banc bwyd yn ardal Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr wedi rhoi rhywfaint o fanylion i mi o ran pam ei fod yno a’r gwaith y mae’n ei wneud.
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While I do not have, in the minute given to me, the opportunity to speak to you about your views on how the UK Government might be contributing to this, I was told in Bridgend that the main reasons for people visiting the foodbank are to do with repossessions, desertion by breadwinners, burglaries or house fires depriving people of their property, sudden job losses, gaps in the benefit system and the time that it takes for benefits to come through. One of the interesting things that I was told is that just over a third of those visiting the foodbank did so because of the gap in benefits coming through. Even with the doubling of people visiting the foodbank in Bridgend, the proportion doing so because of gaps in benefit money coming through is more or less consistent, which is worrying.
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Er nad oes gennyf gyfle, yn y munud a roddwyd i mi, i sôn wrthych am eich safbwyntiau ynglŷn â sut y gallai Llywodraeth y DU fod yn cyfrannu at hyn, dywedwyd wrthyf ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr mai’r prif resymau y mae pobl yn ymweld â banciau bwyd yw ailfeddiannu, prif enillydd cyflog yn gadael, byrgleriaeth neu dân tŷ yn mynd ag eiddo oddi ar bobl, colli swydd yn sydyn, bylchau yn y system budd-dal a’r amser y mae’n ei gymryd i fudd-dal gyrraedd. Un o’r pethau diddorol a ddywedwyd wrthyf yw mai dim ond ychydig dros draean o’r sawl sy’n ymweld â’r banc bwyd oedd yn gwneud hynny achos eu bod yn aros i fudd-dal gyrraedd. Hyd yn oed gyda dwywaith gymaint o bobl yn ymweld â’r banc bwyd ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr, mae’r gyfran sy’n gwneud hynny oherwydd eu bod yn aros i arian budd-dal gyrraedd fwy neu lai yn gyson, sy’n destun pryder.
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If it is of any comfort at all, I brought this issue to the attention of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when I met him in October, and I am waiting for a written response. A possible reason suggested by the Secretary of State for the rise in visits is that the previous Government did not allow foodbanks to be advertised in job centres. That has now been redressed and foodbanks are able to advertise in job centres, which may be one of the reasons why more people are coming forward to use this incredibly necessary service.
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Os ydyw’n unrhyw gysur o gwbl, deuthum â’r mater hwn i sylw’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Waith a Phensiynau pan gyfarfûm ag ef ym mis Hydref, ac rwy’n aros am ateb ysgrifenedig. Awgrymodd yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol mai un rheswm posibl pam fod cynnydd mewn ymweliadau yw nad oedd y Llywodraeth flaenorol yn caniatáu i fanciau bwyd gael eu hysbysebu mewn canolfannau gwaith. Mae hynny wedi newid bellach ac mae banciau bwyd yn gallu hysbysebu mewn canolfannau gwaith, ac efallai mai dyna yw un o’r rhesymau pam y mae pobl yn dod ymlaen i ddefnyddio’r gwasanaeth anhygoel o angenrheidiol hwn.
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The Minister for Local Government and Communities (Carl Sargeant): I thank the Member for bringing this important debate to the Chamber today. I will preface my remarks by expressing my profound sadness that, in the new millennium, we are discussing the rise in what has always been one of the key indicators of poverty. I pay tribute to the work that goes on in the foodbank movement, because it is working against the tide of Westminster-led cuts in benefits, public services and hope, which is causing immense damage to our communities. However, it is important that we recognise that the work of organisations like foodbanks is invaluable in providing for the people of Wales who are in crisis and in need of short-term emergency support.
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Y Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau (Carl Sargeant): Diolch i’r Aelod am ddod â’r ddadl bwysig hon i’r Siambr heddiw. Fel gair o ragymadrodd, rwyf eisiau dweud pa mor drist ydyw, yn y mileniwm newydd, ein bod yn trafod twf mewn rhywbeth a fu bob amser yn un o ddangosyddion allweddol tlodi. Talaf deyrnged i’r gwaith sy’n mynd rhagddo yn y mudiad banciau bwyd, gan ei fod yn brwydro yn erbyn llif y toriadau o du San Steffan mewn budd-daliadau, gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a gobaith, sy’n creu niwed difrifol i’n cymunedau. Fodd bynnag, mae’n bwysig ein bod yn cydnabod bod gwaith sefydliadau fel banciau bwyd yn werthfawr iawn yn darparu ar gyfer pobl Cymru sydd mewn argyfwng ac sydd angen cymorth brys yn y tymor byr.
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A crisis is often caused by a sudden change in a person’s circumstances. I was interested to listen to Suzy Davies’s contribution about some of the reasons why foodbanks are becoming more prevalent in society. The changes in the welfare system will certainly create much more pressure in the need for foodbanks across the economy. Any personal intervention that you could make with the Secretary of State would be welcomed by all colleagues in this Chamber.
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Caiff argyfwng ei achosi yn aml gan newid sydyn mewn amgylchiadau rhywun. Roedd yn ddiddorol clywed cyfraniad Suzy Davies ynglŷn â rhai o’r rhesymau pam fod banciau bwyd yn dod yn fwy amlwg mewn cymdeithas. Bydd y newidiadau yn y system lles yn bendant yn creu llawer mwy o bwysau ar yr angen am fanciau bwyd ar draws yr economi. Byddai pob Aelod yn y Siambr yn croesawu unrhyw ymyriad personol y gallech ei wneud gyda’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol.
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The UK national foodbank network, as the Member said, currently has 16 foodbanks in Wales. People are referred by GPs, Citizens Advice and social services and are provided with vouchers that can be exchanged, as the Member stated, for three-days-worth of food. However, people do not live in three-day cycles; if you do not have food, you do not have food—whether that is for three, five or more days. Personal circumstances do not change overnight.
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Ar hyn o bryd, fel y dywedodd yr Aelod, mae gan rwydwaith banc bwyd y Deyrnas Unedig 16 o fanciau bwyd yng Nghymru. Caiff pobl eu cyfeirio gan feddygon teulu, Cyngor ar Bopeth a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol ac maent yn cael talebau y gellir eu cyfnewid, fel y dywedodd yr Aelod, am werth tridiau o fwyd. Fodd bynnag, nid yw pobl yn byw mewn cylch o dridiau; os nad oes gennych fwyd, nid oes gennych fwyd—pa un a ydyw hynny am dri, pump neu fwy o ddyddiau. Nid yw amgylchiadau personol yn newid dros nos.
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In essence, the foodbank provides immediate help for those people who need it, for a range of different reasons, as outlined by many Members. However, as I have always said, with regard to some of the actions or interventions that are taking place and have an effect on individuals, particularly the most vulnerable in our communities, such as disabled groups, the elderly, women and children, there are some things that we can do in the Welsh Government, and some things on which we can only try to mitigate the adverse effects. If I may give you some examples of the Welsh Government’s programme, we have been involved in foodbanks. For example, I am aware of the Communities First partnership in Blaenau Gwent referring people to the services available, and advertising services in its newsletters. I also understand the Member’s concern about direct funding for foodbanks, and her contribution will, of course, be noted and I will consider that in the broader context following this debate.
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Yn ei hanfod, mae’r banc bwyd yn darparu cymorth ar unwaith i’r bobl sydd ei angen, am amryw resymau gwahanol, fel y dywedodd nifer o Aelodau. Fodd bynnag, fel yr wyf wedi ei ddweud bob amser, o ran rhai o’r camau neu ymyriadau sy’n digwydd ac sy’n cael effaith ar unigolion, yn enwedig y mwyaf agored i newid yn ein cymunedau, fel grwpiau anabl, yr henoed, merched a phlant, mae ambell i beth y gallwn ei wneud yn Llywodraeth Cymru, ac ambell beth y gallwn ond ceisio lliniaru yr effeithiau andwyol. I roi rhai enghreifftiau ichi o raglen Llywodraeth Cymru, rydym wedi ymwneud â banciau bwyd. Er enghraifft, gwn am bartneriaeth Cymunedau yn Gyntaf ym Mlaenau Gwent yn cyfeirio pobl i’r gwasanaethau sydd ar gael, a hysbysebu gwasanaethau yn ei newyddlenni. Rwyf hefyd yn deall pryder yr Aelod am ariannu banciau bwyd yn uniongyrchol, a bydd ei chyfraniad, wrth gwrs, yn cael ei nodi a byddaf yn ystyried hynny yn y cyd-destun ehangach yn dilyn y ddadl hon. |
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Another special interest for the Member is allotments. I visited the Bettws allotments in Newport on Monday to look at the broader benefits of allotments. They are not just about growing food, but also have economic benefits and educational value. This is something that was in the Labour manifesto—the development of an allotment programme for Wales. I know that the Member, leaving the politics aside, would support the development of that programme.
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Diddordeb arbennig arall i’r Aelod yw rhandiroedd. Ymwelais â rhandiroedd Bettws yng Nghasnewydd ddydd Llun i edrych ar fanteision ehangach rhandiroedd. Mae mwy iddynt na dim ond tyfu bwyd, gan fod ganddynt hefyd fanteision economaidd a gwerth addysgiadol. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth a oedd ym maniffesto Llafur—datblygu rhaglen rhandiroedd i Gymru. Gwn y byddai’r Aelod, gan roi gwleidyddiaeth o’r neilltu, yn cefnogi datblygiad y rhaglen honno.
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We are fully committed to supporting the most vulnerable groups in society. I refer the Member to the Nest programme for fuel poverty—a well-received programme targeted at the more vulnerable and fuel-poor constituents. It is something that the Minister for Environment and Sustainability is keen to progress, working across Government in pursuing that. I am leading on the anti-poverty strategy, and all Ministers are involved in interventions on that, improving skills and educational outcomes for children, young people and families living in poverty. It is a key driver for change, and we have some devolved policy levers that help us, and which have a huge impact. However, I was talking with Dave Adamson from the Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales, who said that, although the Welsh Government clearly has good intentions in shaping the anti-poverty agenda, there are Westminster-led policies that are having a huge impact and, despite our best intentions, we have no chance at all of defending our most vulnerable. Nevertheless, the fact that we cannot have a huge impact does not mean that we should do nothing. Families First, Flying Start, integrated family support services and Communities First are all interventions that are being taken forward by this Government.
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Rydym wedi ymroi’n llwyr i gefnogi’r grwpiau mwyaf diamddiffyn mewn cymdeithas. Cyfeiriaf yr Aelod at raglen Nest ar gyfer tlodi tanwydd—rhaglen a gafodd groeso brwd sydd wedi ei thargedu at yr etholwyr mwy diamddiffyn a thlawd o ran tanwydd. Mae’n rhywbeth y mae’r Gweinidog Amgylchedd a Chynaliadwyedd yn awyddus i wneud cynnydd arno, gan weithio ar draws y Llywodraeth i fynd ar drywydd hynny. Rwyf yn arwain ar y strategaeth gwrth-dlodi, ac mae pob Gweinidog yn ymwneud â’r ymyriadau o ran hynny, gan wella sgiliau a chanlyniadau addysgiadol i blant, pobl ifanc a theuluoedd sy’n byw mewn tlodi. Mae’n un o’r ysgogiadau allweddol ar gyfer newid, ac mae gennym rai ysgogiadau polisi wedi eu datganoli sy’n ein helpu, ac sy’n cael effaith sylweddol. Fodd bynnag, roeddwn yn sgwrsio â Dave Adamson o Ganolfan Rhagoriaeth Adfywio Cymru a ddywedodd, er bod bwriadau da, yn amlwg, gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn siapio’r agenda gwrthdlodi, ac er gwaethaf ein bwriadau gorau, nid oes gennym unrhyw obaith diogelu ein pobl mwyaf diamddiffyn. Er hynny, nid yw’r ffaith nad ydym yn gallu cael effaith sylweddol yn golygu na ddylem wneud dim. Mae Teuluoedd yn Gyntaf, Dechrau’n Deg, gwasanaethau timau integredig cymorth i deuluoedd a Cymunedau yn Gyntaf i gyd yn ymyriadau sy’n cael eu datblygu gan y Llywodraeth hon.
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The Member has been raising the issue of foodbanks with me in questions for many months now. I congratulate her for bringing this short debate to the floor of the Assembly. As I said, I will consider her proposals and her contribution over the next few days and write to her with more detail on how we may be able to pursue this. We recognise that if people cannot turn to Government or to other organisations for support, where do they turn? I share her concerns about that.
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Mae’r Aelod wedi bod yn codi pwnc y banciau bwyd gyda mi mewn cwestiynau ers sawl mis bellach. Rwy’n ei llongyfarch am ddod â’r ddadl fer hon i lawr y Cynulliad. Fel y dywedais, byddaf yn ystyried ei chynigion a’i chyfraniad dros y dyddiau nesaf ac yn ysgrifennu ati gyda rhagor o fanylion am sut y gallwn fynd ar drywydd hyn. Rydym yn cydnabod os nad yw pobl yn gallu troi at y Llywodraeth neu at unrhyw sefydliad arall am gymorth, at bwy y maent yn troi? Rwy’n rhannu ei phryderon am hynny.
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In conclusion, foodbanks play an important role in providing immediate help for families and individuals at critical times in their lives. It is something that we cannot turn our back on as Government, or, in a moral context, as human beings. When people are in need, we should support them. I will do all that I can in raising awareness and taking this forward, and I thank Members for their contributions today. |
I gloi, mae banciau bwyd yn chwarae rhan bwysig yn darparu cymorth ar unwaith i deuluoedd ac unigolion ar adegau argyfyngus yn eu bywydau. Nid yw’n rhywbeth y gallwn droi ein cefn arno fel Llywodraeth, nac fel bodau dynol mewn cyd-destun moesol. Pan fo pobl mewn angen, dylem eu cefnogi. Fe wnaf bopeth o fewn fy ngallu i godi ymwybyddiaeth a bwrw ymlaen â hyn, a diolch i Aelodau am eu cyfraniadau heddiw.
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Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Dyna ddiwedd ein trafodion am heddiw. |
The Deputy Presiding Officer: That brings today’s proceedings to a close. |
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 6.44 p.m.
The meeting
ended at 6.44 p.m.
Aelodau a’u Pleidiau
Members and their Parties
Andrews, Leighton (Llafur – Labour)
Antoniw, Mick (Llafur – Labour)
Asghar, Mohammad (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Black, Peter (Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru – Welsh Liberal
Democrats)
Burns, Angela (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Butler, Rosemary (Llafur – Labour)
Chapman, Christine (Llafur – Labour)
Cuthbert, Jeff (Llafur – Labour)
Davies, Alun (Llafur – Labour)
Davies, Andrew R.T. (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Davies, Byron (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Davies, Jocelyn (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Davies, Keith (Llafur – Labour)
Davies, Paul (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh Conservatives)
Davies, Suzy (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh Conservatives)
Drakeford, Mark (Llafur – Labour)
Elis-Thomas, Yr Arglwydd/Lord (Plaid Cymru – The Party of
Wales)
Evans, Rebecca (Llafur – Labour)
Finch-Saunders, Janet (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
George, Russell (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Gething, Vaughan (Llafur – Labour)
Graham, William (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Gregory, Janice (Llafur – Labour)
Griffiths, John (Llafur – Labour)
Griffiths, Lesley (Llafur – Labour)
Gruffydd, Llyr Huws (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Hart, Edwina (Llafur – Labour)
Hedges, Mike (Llafur – Labour)
Hutt, Jane (Llafur – Labour)
Isherwood, Mark (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
James, Julie (Llafur – Labour)
Jenkins, Bethan (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Jones, Alun Ffred (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Jones, Ann (Llafur – Labour)
Jones, Carwyn (Llafur – Labour)
Jones, Elin (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Jones, Ieuan Wyn (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Lewis, Huw (Llafur – Labour)
Melding, David (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Mewies, Sandy (Llafur – Labour)
Millar, Darren (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Morgan, Julie (Llafur – Labour)
Neagle, Lynne (Llafur – Labour)
Parrott, Eluned (Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru – Welsh
Liberal Democrats)
Powell, William (Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru
– Welsh Liberal Democrats)
Price, Gwyn R. (Llafur – Labour)
Ramsay, Nick (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh Conservatives)
Rathbone, Jenny (Llafur – Labour)
Rees, David (Llafur – Labour)
Roberts, Aled (Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru
– Welsh Liberal Democrats)
Sandbach, Antoinette (Ceidwadwyr Cymreig – Welsh
Conservatives)
Sargeant, Carl (Llafur – Labour)
Skates, Kenneth (Llafur – Labour)
Thomas, Gwenda (Llafur – Labour)
Thomas, Rhodri Glyn (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Thomas, Simon (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Watson, Joyce (Llafur – Labour)
Whittle, Lindsay (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)
Williams, Kirsty (Democratiaid
Rhyddfrydol Cymru – Welsh Liberal Democrats)
Wood, Leanne (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales)