English

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting

Dydd Iau 26 Hydref 2000

Thursday 26 October 2000

DechreuoddMet 09:05 · Daeth i benRose 12:34

Gweld y Cofnod (PDF)View the Record (PDF)

Heb ei wirio â llaw etoNot yet checked by hand

CynnwysContents

  1. 3Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu EconomaiddQuestions to the Minister for Economic Development
    1. 3Trafodaethau gyda Changhellor y TrysorlysDiscussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer
    2. 5Amcan 1 (Cymhellion Cyllidol)Objective 1 (Fiscal Incentives)
    3. 6Datblygu Economaidd yng Nghanol De CymruEconomic Development in South Wales Central
    4. 8Grant ar gyfer Ffatri Brychdyn (Ffynhonnell)Grant for Broughton Factory (Source)
  2. 10Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a ChymunedauQuestions to the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities
    1. 10Cwrs Tystysgrif Braille CymraegWelsh Braille Certificate Course
    2. 11Dyraniad yn y Gyllideb ar gyfer y Celfyddydau a DiwylliantBudget Allocation for Culture and Arts
    3. 13Codiadau’r Dreth GyngorCouncil Tax Increases
    4. 15Arian a Ddyranwyd i RailtrackFinance Allocated to Railtrack
    5. 16Adolygu’r Defnydd o Fenter Cyllid PreifatReviewing the Use of Private Finance Initiative
    6. 18Blaenoriaethau’r Gyllideb yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’The Budget Priorities in ‘Betterwales.com’
    7. 19Gweithredu’r Fenter Cyllid PreifatOperating the Private Finance Initiative
  3. 19Datganiad ar Golli Swyddi yn Panasonic, CaerdyddStatement on Job Losses at Panasonic, Cardiff
  4. 33Datganiad ar Adroddiad Phillips ar BSEStatement on the Phillips Report on BSE
  5. 34Pwynt o DrefnPoint of Order
  6. 42Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Addysg (Cyfyngu Cyflogaeth) (Cymru) 2000Approval of the Education (Restriction of Employment) (Wales) Regulations 2000 1 bleidlais1 vote
  7. 43Adroddiad Blynyddol Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth CymruThe Annual Report of the Welsh Administration Ombudsman 1 bleidlais1 vote
  8. 50Dadl ynglŷn â’r Gyllideb DdrafftDebate on the Draft Budget 6 o bleidleisiau6 votes
  9. 95Dadl FerShort Debate
    1. 95Cynnal Ffyniant Cefn Gwlad Cymru
    2. 96Maintaining a Vibrant Welsh Countryside

PleidleisiauVotes

PleidlaisVoteO blaidForYmatalAbstainYn erbynAgainstCanlyniadResult
Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Addysg (Cyfyngu Cyflogaeth) (Cymru) 2000Approval of the Education (Restriction of Employment) (Wales) Regulations 2000
CynnigMotion5200DerbyniwydAdopted
Adroddiad Blynyddol Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth CymruThe Annual Report of the Welsh Administration Ombudsman
CynnigMotion3000DerbyniwydAdopted
Dadl ynglŷn â’r Gyllideb DdrafftDebate on the Draft Budget
Gwelliant 1Amendment 122030GwrthodwydRejected
Gwelliant 2Amendment 222031GwrthodwydRejected
Gwelliant 3Amendment 35200DerbyniwydAdopted
Gwelliant 4Amendment 421031DerbyniwydAdopted
Gwelliant 5Amendment 523031GwrthodwydRejected
Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygioAmended motion31167DerbyniwydAdopted

TrafodionProceedings

Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 9.05 a.m. gyda’r Llywydd yn y Gadair.

The Assembly met at 9.05 a.m. with the Presiding Officer in the Chair.

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd

Questions to the Minister for Economic Development

Trafodaethau gyda Changhellor y Trysorlys

Discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer

C1 Ieuan Wyn Jones Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 3

Q1 Ieuan Wyn Jones Leader of the Opposition spoken in Welsh p. 3

Pa drafodaethau a gafodd y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd gyda Changhellor y Trysorlys yn ystod ei gyfarfodydd ymgynghori cyn y gyllideb yng Nghymru’n ddiweddar mewn perthynas â materion megis cynigion i helpu busnesau i dyfu mewn ardaloedd lle mae diweithdra’n uchel? (OAQ7343)

What discussions did the Minister for Economic Development have with the Chancellor of the Exchequer during his pre-budget consultation meetings in Wales recently in relation to issues such as proposals for assisting businesses to grow in areas of high unemployment? (OAQ7343)

Michael German The Minister for Economic Development spoken in English p. 3

Michael German Y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

The former Minister for Economic Development and First Minister met recently with Gordon Brown. Details of his discussions with the Chancellor on budget issues must be confidential. In general terms, however, the First Minister lost no opportunity to impress on him the needs of Wales, in particular those of the Objective 1 region.

Cyfarfu’r cyn-Weinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd a Phrif Weinidog Cymru â Gordon Brown yn ddiweddar. Rhaid i fanylion ei drafodaethau gyda’r Canghellor ynglŷn â materion y gyllideb fod yn gyfrinachol. Yn gyffredinol, fodd bynnag, manteisiodd y Prif Weinidog ar bob cyfle i dynnu ei sylw at anghenion Cymru, yn enwedig anghenion y rhanbarth Amcan 1.

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 3

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 3

Llongyfarchaf y Diprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd ar ei swydd newydd. Wedi dweud hynny, bu nifer o golledion mewn swyddi yn y diwydiant gweithgynhyrchu yng Nghymru yn ystod y dyddiau diwethaf—yn Corus, Sony a Panasonic. Er ei fod yn dweud bod y trafodaethau gyda’r Canghellor yn gyfrinachol, a all gadarnhau bod y Canghellor yn ymwybodol o’r niwed sylweddol i’r diwydiant yng Nghymru o ganlyniad i’w bolisïau? A wnaiff addo y bydd ef yn ei swydd newydd yn barod i ddweud hynny’n blaen wrth Gordon Brown?

I congratulate the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economic Development on his new post. Having said that, there have been several job losses in the manufacturing industry in Wales during the past days—at Corus, Sony and Panasonic. Although he says that the discussions with the Chancellor are confidential, can he confirm that the Chancellor is aware of the substantial harm to the industry in Wales as a result of his policies? Will he promise that in his new post he will be willing to say that frankly to Gordon Brown?

Michael German spoken in English p. 3

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

Thank you for your best wishes, Ieuan. I have not met Gordon Brown beyond a handshake at a table when Pauline Jarman was also present. I will pass on those views and the Assembly’s views to the Chancellor when I see him. What affects us most is how we can deal with the job losses and the issues that have risen during the past week. I will make a statement on Panasonic later today.

Diolch yn fawr am eich dymuniadau gorau, Ieuan. Nid wyf wedi cyfarfod â Gordon Brown heblaw am ysgwyd ei law wrth fwrdd pan oedd Pauline Jarman hefyd yn bresennol. Fe gyfleaf y farn honno a barn y Cynulliad i’r Canghellor pan fyddaf yn ei weld. Yr hyn sydd o’r pwys mwyaf inni yw sut y gallwn ddelio â’r colledion mewn swyddi a’r materion a godwyd yn ystod yr wythnos diwethaf. Gwnaf ddatganiad ar Panasonic yn ddiweddarach heddiw.

William Graham spoken in English p. 4

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

Our congratulations to you also on achieving your ambition. Could you give details of the measures covered in these discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, especially to assist small and indigenous companies in Wales?

Llongyfarchiadau ichi hefyd ar wireddu eich huchelgais. A allwch chi roi manylion y mesurau a drafodwyd yn y trafodaethau hyn gyda Changhellor y Trysorlys, yn enwedig y mesurau i gynorthwyo cwmnïau bach a chyhenid yng Nghymru?

Michael German spoken in English p. 4

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

As I have already said, I wonder what the Conservatives’ ambitions are in life? I was not present at the meetings, therefore I am not in a position to comment. I had no discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer prior to the formation of the partnership government. However, there are issues relating to support for small and medium sized enterprises in Wales. That is why it is so important that we put in the budget statement for economic development that we have allocated an extra £12 million to support new business starts, including a new tier 3 scheme of small grants to small companies. It is also important that we ensure that we build on company starts, which is why there is a statement in the partnership government agreement on a business start-up strategy, which will be put into train during the course of the coming months.

Fel y dywedais eisoes, tybed beth yw uchelgeisiau’r Ceidwadwyr mewn bywyd? Nid oeddwn yn bresennol yn y cyfarfodydd, felly nid wyf mewn sefyllfa i gynnig sylwadau. Ni chefais drafodaethau gyda Changhellor y Trysorlys cyn sefydlu’r llywodraeth bartneriaeth. Fodd bynnag, mae materion sydd yn ymwneud â chynorthwyo mentrau bach a chanolig eu maint yng Nghymru. Dyna pam ei bod mor bwysig inni nodi yn y datganiad cyllideb ar gyfer datblygu economaidd ein bod wedi dyrannu £12 miliwn ychwanegol i gynorthwyo busnesau newydd, gan gynnwys cynllun haen 3 newydd o grantiau bach i gwmnïau bach. Mae’n bwysig hefyd inni sicrhau ein bod yn adeiladu ar y cwmnïau newydd, a dyna pam y mae datganiad ar strategaeth cychwyn busnesau yng nghytundeb y llywodraeth bartneriaeth, a gaiff ei rhoi ar waith yn ystod y misoedd nesaf.

John Griffiths spoken in English p. 4

John Griffiths siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

Can you assure me that you recognise the importance of the steel industry to areas such as Newport East, and that there is a need to be proactive rather than reactive on the future of steel in Wales?

A allwch fy sicrhau eich bod yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd yw’r diwydiant dur i ardaloedd fel Dwyrain Casnewydd, a bod angen bod yn rhagweithiol yn hytrach nag ymatebol o ran dyfodol y diwydiant dur yng Nghymru?

Michael German spoken in English p. 4

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

I absolutely agree with you. The news that Corus received was not helpful to it, nor was the way the situation was dealt with helpful to Corus workers, particularly in Llanwern and Port Talbot. The steel taskforce for Wales is working with Corus to see how best the Assembly can help it in the coming months and to ensure that there is an opportunity for us to play a full part and to give it our full backing.

Cytunaf yn llwyr â chi. Nid oedd y newyddion a gafodd Corus o fudd iddo, ac nid oedd y ffordd yr ymdriniwyd â’r sefyllfa o fudd i weithwyr Corus, yn enwedig yn Llanwern a Phort Talbot. Mae tasglu dur Cymru yn gweithio gyda Corus i ganfod y ffordd orau i’r Cynulliad ei helpu yn y misoedd nesaf gan sicrhau y bydd cyfle inni chwarae rhan lawn a rhoi ein cefnogaeth lwyr iddo.

Amcan 1 (Cymhellion Cyllidol)

Objective 1 (Fiscal Incentives)

Q2 Janet Davies spoken in English p. 5

C2 Janet Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

Will Michael German report on what action he has taken to further pursue the possibility of using fiscal incentives to fully exploit the benefits of Objective 1 funding? (OAQ7339)

A wnaiff Michael German ddweud pa gamau y mae wedi’u cymryd i archwilio ymhellach y posibilrwydd o ddefnyddio cymhellion cyllidol er mwyn manteisio i’r eithaf ar arian Amcan 1? (OAQ7339)

Michael German spoken in English p. 5

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

You know that I am keen on this, which is why we have included it in the partnership agreement. The First Minister has already written to Stephen Timms of Her Majesty’s Treasury, and I have asked officials to prepare an options paper that will enable me to pursue the objectives laid out in the partnership document, ‘Putting Wales First’. My first meeting on this matter was held yesterday.

Gwyddoch fy mod yn gefnogol i hyn, a dyna pam yr ydym wedi ei gynnwys yn y cytundeb partneriaeth. Mae’r Prif Weinidog eisoes wedi ysgrifennu at Stephen Timms yn Nhrysorlys ei Mawrhydi, ac yr wyf wedi gofyn i swyddogion baratoi papur opsiynau a fydd yn fy ngalluogi i ddilyn yr amcanion a nodwyd yn y ddogfen bartneriaeth, ‘Rhoi Cymru’n Gyntaf’. Cynhaliwyd fy nghyfarfod cyntaf ar y mater hwn ddoe.

Janet Davies spoken in English p. 5

Janet Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

How do you propose to convince the Treasury of Wales’s case, given that the previous Secretary for Economic Development failed to do so?

Sut y bwriedwch ddarbwyllo’r Trysorlys o achos Cymru, o gofio bod yr Ysgrifennydd Ddatblygu Economaidd blaenorol wedi methu â gwneud hynny?

Michael German spoken in English p. 5

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

The important issue is how we need to convince the European Commission and the Treasury of the rightness of our case. There is no doubt that the Assembly will want geographical variation in the fiscal measures that are available to it so that it can assist companies and developments in the Objective 1 areas of west Wales and the Valleys. It is clear that other countries were able to develop by using those incentives to their advantage. I will make every possible effort to ensure that Wales has that advantage and I will press for its case at every opportunity.

Y mater pwysig yw sut y mae angen inni ddarbwyllo’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd a’r Trysorlys bod ein hachos yn un cywir. Nid oes amheuaeth y bydd y Cynulliad am gael amrywiaeth ddaearyddol o ran y mesurau cyllidebol sydd ar gael iddo fel y gall gynorthwyo cwmnïau a datblygiadau yn yr ardaloedd Amcan 1, sef gorllewin Cymru a’r Cymoedd. Mae’n amlwg bod gwledydd eraill wedi gallu datblygu drwy fanteisio ar y cymhellion hynny. Gwnaf bob ymdrech i sicrhau bod Cymru yn cael y fantais honno ac fe ddadleuaf dros ei hachos ar bob cyfle posibl.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 5

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

I congratulate and welcome the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economic Development to the Chamber—[Interruption.]

Llongyfarchaf a chroesawaf y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd i’r Siambr—[Torri ar draws.]

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 5

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

Order. Could Members please get themselves in order and ask questions properly so that we can get proper answers?

Trefn. A wnaiff yr Aelodau ddilyn y drefn a gofyn cwestiynau mewn modd priodol fel y gallwn gael atebion priodol?

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 6

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

You will be aware that operating aids are one of the highest priorities of the Economic Development Committee. You were also present at a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer two weeks ago, when I asked him about operating aids and what type of approval he expected to give the National Assembly for Wales. Were you astounded at the response of the Chancellor, who seemed to be totally in the dark on this issue? What commitment can you give us, in your new position, that you will take the matter to the Chancellor and try to succeed where the last Secretary for Economic Development failed?

Gwyddoch fod cymhorthion gweithredu yn un o flaenoriaethau uchaf y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd. Yr oeddech hefyd yn bresennol mewn cyfarfod gyda Changhellor y Trysorlys bythefnos yn ôl, pan ofynnais iddo ynglŷn â chymhorthion gweithredu a pha fath o gymeradwyaeth yr oedd yn disgwyl ei rhoi i Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. A oeddech yn syfrdanu at ymateb y Canghellor, a ymddangosai fel petai’n gwybod dim byd am y mater hwn? Pa ymrwymiad y gallwch ei roi inni, yn eich swydd newydd, y byddwch yn codi’r mater hwn gyda’r Canghellor ac yn ceisio llwyddo lle y methodd yr Ysgrifennydd Datblygu Economaidd blaenorol?

Michael German spoken in English p. 6

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

You will know that I raised the issue some time ago in the Economic Development Committee as a matter of great concern to us in Wales. I recognise that you now play a part in the progress towards ensuring that we achieve that in Wales. The Chancellor’s answer was not wholly negative, but not wholly positive. He was batting a straight bat at us. It would have been strange had he announced, in the public domain, the sort of measure that you wanted without previous consultation. I assure you that I will make every effort to ensure that Wales benefits from these policies and that we will fight the fight hard.

Gwyddoch imi godi’r mater ychydig amser yn ôl yn y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd fel mater o bryder mawr inni yng Nghymru. Cydnabyddaf eich bod bellach yn chwarae rhan yn y datblygiad hwn tuag at sicrhau ein bod yn cyflawni hynny yng Nghymru. Nid oedd ateb y Canghellor yn gwbl negyddol, nac yn gwbl gadarnhaol chwaith. Yr oedd yn hollol ddiffuant. Byddai wedi bod yn rhyfedd pe bai wedi datgan, yn gyhoeddus, y math o fesur yr oeddech am ei gael heb ymgynghori ymlaen llaw. Gallaf eich sicrhau y gwnaf bob ymdrech i wneud yn siŵr bod Cymru yn elwa o’r polisïau hyn ac y gwnawn ymdrech lew.

Datblygu Economaidd yng Nghanol De Cymru

Economic Development in South Wales Central

Q3 David Melding spoken in English p. 6

C3 David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

What policies is Michael German implementing to facilitate economic development in South Wales Central? (OAQ7352)

Pa bolisïau y mae Michael German yn eu rhoi ar waith i hwyluso datblygu economaidd yng Nghanol De Cymru? (OAQ7352)

Michael German spoken in English p. 6

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

The aim of this partnership Government is to ensure that the whole of Wales benefits from Assembly policies to provide support to areas of social and economic need. A range of programmes is available, including regional selective assistance, small firms loans and equity capital from Finance Wales, as well as business support programmes from Business Connect partners including local authorities and the Welsh Development Agency. The national economic development strategy is currently being drafted and the final document is due to be published in March 2001. That will consider the current economic problems of Wales and concentrate on specific areas, such as the knowledge economy, better government, sustainable development, an employment skills strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship, communities regeneration and sectoral initiatives. The Economic Development Committee is currently reviewing business support schemes, and I will give its report serious consideration.

Nod y Llywodraeth bartneriaeth hon yw sicrhau bod Cymru gyfan yn elwa ar bolisïau’r Cynulliad i gynorthwyo ardaloedd sydd ag angen cymdeithasol ac economaidd. Mae ystod o raglenni ar gael, gan gynnwys cymorth dethol rhanbarthol, benthyciadau i gwmnïau bach a chyfalaf ecwiti gan Gyllid Cymru, yn ogystal â rhaglenni cymorth busnes gan bartneriaid Cyswllt Busnes gan gynnwys awdurdodau lleol ac Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru. Mae’r strategaeth datblygu economaidd cenedlaethol yn cael ei drafftio ar hyn o bryd a disgwylir i’r ddogfen derfynol gael ei chyhoeddi ym Mawrth 2001. Bydd honno’n ystyried problemau economaidd presennol Cymru gan ganolbwyntio ar feysydd penodol, megis yr economi wybodaeth, gwell llywodraeth, datblygu cynaliadwy, strategaeth gyflogaeth sgiliau, mentergarwch ac entrepreneuriaeth, adfywio cymunedau a mentrau sectoraidd. Mae’r Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd yn adolygu cynlluniau cymorth busnes ar hyn o bryd, a byddaf yn ystyried ei adroddiad o ddifrif.

David Melding spoken in English p. 7

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

Does the Deputy First Minister agree with the Confederation of British Industry UK that the Cardiff airport access road is of major strategic importance to the UK economy? If he does agree, why did he not negotiate this for inclusion in the coalition partnership agreement?

A yw’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog yn cytuno â Chydffederasiwn Diwydiant Prydain yn y DU bod ffordd fynedfa maes awyr Caerdydd o bwys strategol mawr i economi’r DU? Os yw’n cytuno, pam na fu negodi er mwyn cynnwys hyn yng nghytundeb y bartneriaeth glymblaid?

Michael German spoken in English p. 7

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

The agreement on the road strategy is a matter of detail that must be compiled by the Government over the coming years. The issue causes concern. Some would prefer to have a rail link rather than a road link. The economic advantage of connecting Wales’s airport to its main railway station is important, and I will be pressing that case and others during the coming years.

Dim ond manylion y bydd yn rhaid i’r Llywodraeth eu casglu yn ystod y blynyddoedd nesaf yw’r cytundeb ar y strategaeth ffyrdd. Mae’r mater yn achos pryder. Byddai’n well gan rai pobl gyswllt rheilffordd yn hytrach na chyswllt ffordd. Mae’r fantais economaidd o gysylltu maes awyr Cymru â’i phrif orsaf reilffordd yn bwysig, a byddaf yn dadlau’r achos dros hynny ac achosion eraill yn ystod y blynyddoedd nesaf.

Geraint Davies spoken in English p. 7

Geraint Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

Does the Minister for Economic Development agree that the Westminster Government’s fiscal policy is undermining any strategy to tackle deprivation in Wales? When will he meet the Chancellor to stress the crisis in Welsh manufacturing industry and demand a change of policy on the high value of the pound, which may be good for the south-east of England but is disastrous for us in Wales?

A yw’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd yn cytuno bod polisi cyllidol Llywodraeth San Steffan yn tanseilio unrhyw strategaeth i fynd i’r afael ag amddifadedd yng Nghymru? Pa bryd y bydd yn cyfarfod â’r Canghellor i bwysleisio’r argyfwng yn niwydiant gweithgynhyrchu Cymru a mynnu polisi newydd ar werth uchel y bunt, sydd efallai o fudd i dde-ddwyrain Lloegr ond sydd yn drychinebus inni yng Nghymru?

Michael German spoken in English p. 7

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

I cannot comment on the policies of another party of another Government in another place.

Ni allaf roi sylwadau ar bolisïau plaid arall mewn Llywodraeth arall mewn lle arall.

Dafydd Wigley spoken in English p. 7

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

Are you gagged?

A ydych wedi’ch ffrwyno?

Michael German spoken in English p. 8

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

I cannot comment. However, the issue that you raise is slightly misplaced. It is not just a matter of the strength of the pound, it is also the weakness of the pound, to which I will return later in my statement on Panasonic. The pound is weak against the dollar and the yen and is strong against the euro. For many manufacturing companies in Wales that is a double-edged sword. It cuts them both ways. We cannot affect that issue except by world markets and world trend.

Ni allaf gynnig sylw. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’r mater a godwch yn un cwbl gywir. Nid mater cryfder y bunt yn unig ydyw, ond hefyd wendid y bunt, y dychwelaf ato yn nes ymlaen yn fy natganiad ar Panasonic. Mae’r bunt yn wan yn erbyn y ddoler a’r ien ac mae’n gryf o’i chymharu â’r ewro. I lawer o gwmnïau gweithgynhyrchu yng Nghymru mae hynny’n gleddyf deufin. Mae’n eu torri y naill ffordd a’r llall. Ni allwn ddylanwadu ar y mater hwnnw heblaw drwy farchnadoedd y byd a thueddiadau’r byd.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 8

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

Question 4 has been withdrawn.

Tynnwyd cwestiwn 4 yn ôl.

Grant ar gyfer Ffatri Brychdyn (Ffynhonnell)

Grant for Broughton Factory (Source)

C5 Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 8

Q5 Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 8

A wnaiff Michael German ddweud o ba ffynhonnell y daw’r grant o £19.5 miliwn a gytunwyd rhwng ei swyddogion a BAE Systems ar gyfer ffatri Brychdyn? (OAQ7348)

Will Michael German indicate from which source the £19.5 million grant agreed between his officials and BAE Systems for the Broughton factory will come? (OAQ7348)

Michael German spoken in English p. 8

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

Rhodri Morgan announced on 24 September that a package of financial support totalling up to £19.5 million has been agreed in principle by the Assembly and BAE Systems to secure the A3XX airbus wing project for Broughton. The package comprises Welsh Development Agency support towards the fitting out of a new building and a Celtec training grant to support training and skills development. It is likely that the support will be provided over a four year period and the special funding involved will be allocated to the agencies in response to the progress of the project. Budget lines have not yet been decided and the Assembly will be informed in due course of progress.

Cyhoeddodd Rhodri Morgan ar 24 Medi bod y Cynulliad a BAE Systems wedi cytuno mewn egwyddor ar becyn o gymorth ariannol o hyd at £19.5 miliwn i sicrhau prosiect adenydd y bws awyr A3XX ar gyfer Brychdyn. Mae’r pecyn yn cynnwys cymorth gan Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru tuag at baratoi adeilad newydd a grant hyfforddiant gan Celtec i gynnal hyfforddiant a datblygu sgiliau. Mae’n debyg y caiff y cymorth ei roi dros gyfnod o bedair blynedd ac y caiff yr arian arbennig dan sylw ei ddyrannu i’r asiantaethau mewn ymateb i’r cynnydd ar y prosiect. Ni phenderfynwyd ar linellau cyllidebol eto a hysbysir y Cynulliad o’r cynnydd maes o law.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 8

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 8

A gytunwch fod y dryswch ynghylch pa ffynhonnell o gyllideb oedd ar gael i’r cwmni wedi achosi oedi a phryder afresymol? Soniwyd am Fwrdd Ymgynghorol Datblygu Diwydiannol Cymru, ac am gymorth dethol rhanbarthol, Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru a Celtec. A fyddech chi’n cytuno bod yr holl ddryswch yn adlewyrchu’n wael ar y modd yr ymatebodd y Prif Weinidog i fater o bwys i’r cwmni a’r gweithlu yn y rhan hon o ogledd Cymru?

Do you agree that the confusion about which budget source was available to the company has caused unreasonable delay and concern? Reference has been made to the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board, and to regional selective assistance, the Welsh Development Agency and Celtec. Would you agree that all this confusion reflects badly on how the First Minister responded to a matter of concern to the company and the workforce in this part of north Wales?

Michael German spoken in English p. 9

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

The first part of this partnership government is starting on the right foot. The grant is in place: £14.6 million provided by the WDA towards the fitting out of the building and £4.9 million from Celtec to support training and skills development. The package was agreed in principle by the company and announced by Rhodri Morgan on 24 September. This coalition Government starts with BAE Systems on a strong footing. I am pleased that that has happened and that this company can move forward with strength towards the new project.

Mae’r rhan gyntaf o’r llywodraeth bartneriaeth hon yn dechrau ar delerau da. Mae’r grant yn ei le: sef £14.6 miliwn a ddarperir gan y WDA tuag at baratoi’r adeilad a £4.9 miliwn gan Celtec i gynnal hyfforddiant a datblygu sgiliau. Cytunwyd ar y pecyn mewn egwyddor gan y cwmni ac fe’i cyhoeddwyd gan Rhodri Morgan ar 24 Medi. Mae’r Llywodraeth glymblaid hon yn dechrau ar delerau da gyda BAE Systems. Yr wyf yn falch bod hynny wedi digwydd ac y gall y cwmni hwn symud ymlaen yn nerthol tuag at y prosiect newydd.

Tom Middlehurst spoken in English p. 9

Tom Middlehurst siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

Do you agree that the conclusion of the long, difficult and detailed negotiation on the grant aid package for Broughton is the best possible outcome in the circumstances for the company and the workforce with its emphasis on people development skills and training, which was not part of the company’s original bid? Do you also agree that that is largely down to the tenacity and determination of Rhodri Morgan to bring about a successful outcome and to find a legitimate means of supporting the company and the workforce, and that that has been achieved?

A gytunwch mai canlyniad y broses negodi hir, anodd a manwl ar y pecyn cymorth grant ar gyfer Brychdyn yw’r un gorau posibl o dan yr amgylchiadau i’r cwmni ac i’r gweithlu gyda’i bwyslais ar ddatblygu sgiliau pobl a hyfforddiant, nad oedd yn rhan o gais gwreiddiol y cwmni? A gytunwch hefyd mai dycnwch a phenderfyniad Rhodri Morgan i gael canlyniad llwyddiannus a chanfod ffordd gyfreithlon o gynorthwyo’r cwmni a’r gweithlu sydd yn bennaf gyfrifol am hynny, a bod hynny wedi ei gyflawni?

Michael German spoken in English p. 9

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

It is my understanding that the company’s application for regional selective assistance did not satisfy the criteria for the RSA scheme and, because of the strategic importance of the project at an early stage, the Assembly was asked to explore alternative ways of delivering the support needed to secure the project. Therefore, I am delighted that the company agreed to adopt the approach that was put forward by Rhodri Morgan on 24 September.

Deallaf nad oedd cais y cwmni am gymorth dethol rhanbarthol yn bodloni’r meini prawf ar gyfer cynllun cymorth dethol rhanbarthol ac, oherwydd pwysigrwydd strategol y prosiect yn ei ddyddiau cynnar, gofynnwyd i’r Cynulliad ymchwilio i wahanol ffyrdd o roi’r cymorth yr oedd ei angen er mwyn sicrhau’r prosiect. Felly, yr wyf yn hynod o falch i’r cwmni gytuno i fabwysiadu’r ymagwedd a gynigiwyd gan Rhodri Morgan ar 24 Medi.

Nick Bourne The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives spoken in English p. 9

Nick Bourne Arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

I remind you, Deputy First Minister, that, in an earlier metamorphosis, when you were an opposition Member, you demanded urgent and immediate action for assistance in Broughton. We admire your soft-shoe shuffle and tight-rope act in trying to square the circle now that you are in the Government. However, is it not true that what happened in Broughton was that the Government reacted to events and were not proactive? It was the same with Panasonic when it was obvious that you, and a key member of the Cabinet, thought that 130 jobs had been lost rather than 1,300?

Hoffwn eich atgoffa, Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog, ichi, ar wedd gynharach, pan oeddech yn Aelod o un o’r gwrthbleidiau, ofyn i gamau brys gael eu cymryd ar unwaith i roi cymorth i Frychdyn. Edmygwn y ffordd ichi newid eich cân wrth geisio bod mewn cytgord am eich bod bellach yn aelod o’r Llywodraeth. Fodd bynnag, onid yw’n wir mai’r hyn a ddigwyddodd ym Mrychdyn oedd i’r Llywodraeth ymateb i ddigwyddiadau yn hytrach na bod yn rhagweithiol? Digwyddodd yr un peth yn achos Panasonic pan oedd yn amlwg ichi, ac aelod allweddol o’r Cabinet, dybio mai 130 yn hytrach na 1,300 o swyddi a gollwyd?

Michael German spoken in English p. 10

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

I will shortly make a statement on Panasonic and your question will be answered. It is clear that you have failed to understand what a partnership Government is about. The partnership Government started last week and started delivering for Wales this week. The package that was offered to BAE Systems secures 300 more jobs and £30 million more investment than was originally proposed under the company’s RSA application.

Gwnaf ddatganiad ar Panasonic cyn bo hir a chewch ateb i’ch cwestiwn. Mae’n amlwg ichi fethu â deall beth yw diben Llywodraeth bartneriaeth. Dechreuodd y Llywodraeth bartneriaeth yr wythnos diwethaf gan ddechrau cyflawni dros Gymru yr wythnos hon. Mae’r pecyn a gynigiwyd i BAE Systems yn sicrhau 300 yn fwy o swyddi a £30 miliwn yn fwy o fuddsoddiad na’r hyn a gynigiwyd yn wreiddiol o dan gais y cwmni am gymorth dethol rhanbarthol.

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau

Questions to the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities

Cwrs Tystysgrif Braille Cymraeg

Welsh Braille Certificate Course

Q1 Christine Chapman spoken in English p. 10

C1 Christine Chapman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

Will the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities look at ways of making finance available for further development and delivery of a Welsh braille certificate course? (OAQ7315)

A wnaiff y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau edrych ar ffyrdd o ddarparu arian i ddatblygu ymhellach a chyflwyno cwrs tystysgrif braille Cymraeg? (OAQ7315)

Edwina Hart The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities spoken in English p. 10

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

The current certificate in standard English braille is administered by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. It is designed to enable people to use braille in working with clients and to produce braille materials. Braille users in Wales have a right to communication and the production of materials using the Welsh braille code. The Assembly will be happy to consider bids for the funding of the development of a Welsh braille certificate course.

Gweinyddir y dystysgrif braille Saesneg safonol bresennol gan Sefydliad Brenhinol Cenedlaethol y Deillion. Ei nod yw galluogi pobl i ddefnyddio braille wrth weithio gyda chleientiaid a chynhyrchu deunyddiau mewn braille. Mae gan ddefnyddwyr braille yng Nghymru yr hawl i gyfathrebu a chynhyrchu deunyddiau gan ddefnyddio’r côd braille Cymraeg. Bydd y Cynulliad yn falch o ystyried ceisiadau i ariannu’r gwaith o ddatblygu cwrs tystysgrif braille Cymraeg.

Christine Chapman spoken in English p. 10

Christine Chapman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

Does Edwina agree that it is not acceptable that visually impaired people educated through the medium of Welsh braille, on completion of their curriculum, do not have access to any materials in this format? As you know, it is no mean feat to acquire the skills required to become a competent Welsh braillist. Adequate support must be given through this course to individuals learning Welsh braille. Does Edwina also agree that it is essential that this course is given serious consideration and the adequate finance required to allow this project to move forward and make a significant difference to making information accessible to everybody in Wales?

A yw Edwina’n cytuno nad yw’n dderbyniol nad oes unrhyw ddeunyddiau yn y fformat hwn ar gael i bobl â nam ar eu golwg sydd yn cael addysg drwy gyfrwng braille Cymraeg, wedi iddynt gwblhau eu cwricwlwm? Fel y gwyddoch, mae’n dipyn o gamp meistroli’r sgiliau sydd eu hangen i ddod yn ddefnyddiwr braille cymwys yn y Gymraeg. Rhaid rhoi digon o gymorth drwy’r cwrs hwn i unigolion sydd yn dysgu braille Cymraeg. A yw Edwina hefyd yn cytuno ei bod yn hanfodol i’r cwrs hwn gael ystyriaeth ddifrifol a’r arian sydd ei angen er mwyn caniatáu i’r prosiect hwn symud ymlaen a gwneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol wrth sicrhau bod yr wybodaeth ar gael i bawb yng Nghymru?

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 11

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

I made a plea earlier today for sharp questions so that we can get sharp answers. That was about four questions; it was almost a speech. I am not picking on you in particular, Christine. However, it is an opportune time for me to warn other Members that we must get through question time properly. In addition, when Members are making speeches rather than asking questions, we are taking time out of the three minutes.

Apeliais yn gynharach heddiw am gwestiynau cryno er mwyn inni gael atebion cryno. Gofynasoch tua phedwar cwestiwn; yr oedd yn araith bron. Nid wyf yn eich beio chi yn benodol, Christine. Fodd bynnag, mae’n gyfle da imi rybuddio’r Aelodau eraill bod yn rhaid inni gwblhau’r sesiwn holi yn briodol. Yn ogystal, pan fo’r Aelodau yn gwneud areithiau yn hytrach na gofyn cwestiynau, yr ydym colli amser o’r dair munud.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 11

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

I concur with Christine’s comments and will obviously look at the funding arrangements for such a course.

Yr wyf yn cyd-fynd â sylwadau Christine ac wrth gwrs fe ymchwiliaf i’r trefniadau ariannu ar gyfer cwrs o’r fath.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 11

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

With a view to taking the beam out of our own eye as an Assembly before we take the splinter out of others on visual impairment issues, will the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities consider investigating what practical assistance, for example forms in braille and adjustments to personal computers and software, is made available to visually impaired people who wish to apply for posts in the Assembly civil service or for public appointments made by this Assembly?

Gyda’r bwriad o fynd â’r trawst o’n llygad ni fel Cynulliad cyn inni dynnu’r brycheuyn o lygaid pobl eraill o ran materion sydd ymwneud â nam ar y golwg, a wnaiff y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau ystyried ymchwilio i ba gymorth ymarferol, er enghraifft, ffurflenni mewn braille ac addasiadau i gyfrifiaduron personol a meddalwedd, sydd ar gael i bobl â nam ar eu golwg sydd am wneud cais am swyddi yng ngwasanaeth sifil y Cynulliad neu ar gyfer penodiadau cyhoeddus a wneir gan y Cynulliad hwn?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 11

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Yes, I will.

Gwnaf hynny.

Dyraniad yn y Gyllideb ar gyfer y Celfyddydau a Diwylliant

Budget Allocation for Culture and Arts

C2 Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 12

Q2 Owen John Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 12

A fyddai Edwina Hart yn ystyried gwneud dyraniad ychwanegol ac ar wahân yn y gyllideb i’w ddefnyddio yn sector y celfyddydau a diwylliant yng Nghymru? (OAQ7379)

Will Edwina Hart consider making an additional and separate budget allocation for use in the culture and arts sectors in Wales? (OAQ7379)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 12

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

I published my draft budget on 19 October. We will debate it later today and I have made provision in respect of arts in that budget.

Cyhoeddais fy nghyllideb ddrafft ar 19 Hydref. Fe’i trafodwn yn ddiweddarach heddiw a gwnethum ddarpariaeth ar gyfer y celfyddydau yn y gyllideb honno?

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 12

Owen John Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 12

Yn ôl Chris Smith, mae cyllideb y celfyddydau yn y Deyrnas Unedig yn derbyn cynnydd o 60 y cant. Er bod angen dybryd am gefnogaeth ar yr un lefel yng Nghymru, byddwn yn derbyn cynnydd tila o 1.7 y cant cyn chwyddiant am y flwyddyn nesaf, sef cwymp o 0.5 y cant. Pam yr ydych mor gyndyn i roi chwarae teg i’r celfyddydau yng Nghymru?

According to Chris Smith, the arts budget in the United Kingdom is to receive an increase of 60 per cent. Although there is a dire need for support on the same level in Wales, we will receive an insignificant increase of 1.7 per cent before inflation for the ensuing year, which is a fall of 0.5 per cent. Why are you so reluctant to deal equitably with the arts in Wales?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 12

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

I am not led by England or its decisions in terms of expenditure. I am minded to the priorities of the people of Wales, and my budget was constructed to ensure that the main priorities of this Assembly were identified. Obviously, if I had additional money, I would consider the arts case, but the funding of the Arts Council of Wales will increase by £4 million a year by 2003-4. There is additional funding for the Welsh language and I have provided sufficient funds to the National Museums and Galleries of Wales to reduce their standard admission charge to £1 per head from April 2001.

Ni chaf fy arwain gan Loegr na’i phenderfyniadau o ran gwariant. Yr wyf yn ystyried blaenoriaethau pobl Cymru, a lluniwyd fy nghyllideb er mwyn sicrhau bod prif flaenoriaethau’r Cynulliad hwn yn cael eu nodi. Yn amlwg, pe bai arian ychwanegol gennyf, byddwn yn ystyried dadl y celfyddydau, ond bydd arian Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn cynyddu £4 miliwn y flwyddyn erbyn 2003-4. Bydd arian ychwanegol i’r iaith Gymraeg ac yr wyf wedi darparu digon o arian i Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau Cenedlaethol Cymru er mwyn iddynt ostwng eu tâl mynediad safonol i £1 y pen o Ebrill 2001.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 12

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

The extra money in the budget needs to be spent on artists and not on bureaucrats. Will the Minister prevail upon the Minister for Culture and Sport to oppose any shake-up in the structure of the Arts Council that will increase and not decrease the total amount spent on administration?

Mae angen i’r arian ychwanegol yn y gyllideb gael ei wario ar artistiaid yn hytrach na gweinyddwyr. A fydd y Gweinidog yn pwyso ar y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon i wrthsefyll unrhyw ad-drefnu o ran strwythur Cyngor y Celfyddydau a fydd yn cynyddu yn hytrach na gostwng y cyfanswm a werir ar weinyddu?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 12

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

I generally concur with the point you make, that the budget should be allocated for artists in Wales. I am sure that my colleague, the Minister for Culture and Sport has taken full cognisance of your comments this morning.

Cytunaf â’ch pwynt yn gyffredinol, y dylid dyrannu’r gyllideb i artistiaid yng Nghymru. Yr wyf yn siŵr bod fy nghyd-Weinidog, y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon wedi rhoi ystyriaeth lawn i’ch sylwadau y bore yma.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 13

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I note with interest the list of improvements that you have given to the Chamber. Given that the portfolio also has responsibility for sport, what guarantees can you give that sufficient funding will also be made available for this area?

Nodaf gyda diddordeb y rhestr o welliannau a roddwyd gennych i’r Siambr. O gofio bod y portffolio hefyd yn cwmpasu chwaraeon, pa sicrwydd y gallwch ei roi y bydd digon o arian ar gael yn y maes hwn hefyd?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 13

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

The Sports Council for Wales looks closely at its budget, and I have received the necessary representations from them. In terms of sport, I look forward to receiving any detailed report that I may get from the Minster on any requests in that area.

Mae Cyngor Chwaraeon Cymru yn edrych yn fanwl ar ei gyllideb, a derbyniais y cynrychioliadau angenrheidiol ganddynt. O ran chwaraeon, edrychaf ymlaen at dderbyn unrhyw adroddiad manwl y bydd y Gweinidog yn ei gyflwyno imi o bosibl ar unrhyw geisiadau yn y maes hwnnw.

Codiadau’r Dreth Gyngor

Council Tax Increases

Q3 David Davies spoken in English p. 13

C3 David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

What is Edwina Hart doing to ensure there are sufficient funds in the Assembly’s budget’s local government main expenditure group, so the partnership pledge of containing council tax increases to within an average increase of 3 per cent can be kept? (OAQ7359)

Beth mae Edwina Hart yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod digon o arian yng ngrŵp prif wariant llywodraeth leol cyllideb y Cynulliad fel y gellir cyflawni addewid y bartneriaeth i gadw codiadau treth gyngor o fewn 3 y cant ar gyfartaledd? (OAQ7359)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 13

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I have done that. It is in my budget.

Gwneuthum hynny. Mae yn fy nghyllideb.

David Davies spoken in English p. 13

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

In that case, did the Minister find extra money over and above the block grant to ensure that? Was the money moved from other areas within the budget, or was there no extra money to keep this commitment?

Os felly, a glustnododd y Gweinidog arian yn ychwanegol at y grant bloc er mwyn sicrhau hynny? A symudwyd yr arian o feysydd eraill yn y gyllideb, neu a oedd dim arian ychwanegol i gadw at yr ymrwymiad hwn?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 13

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I took full cognisance of the representations made to me by the then Secretary for Local Government and Housing and the Local Government and Housing Committee, to ensure that I could keep any promises I made regarding local government expenditure. We are looking at 8 per cent of Assembly support for local government this year. We are looking at an average council tax rise of 3 per cent across Wales. That is due to us as an administration and our partnership with the Liberal Democrats.

Bûm yn ystyried yn llawn y cynrychioliadau a wnaethpwyd imi gan yr Ysgrifennydd Llywodraeth Leol a Thai ar y pryd a’r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai, er mwyn sicrhau y gallwn gadw unrhyw addewidion a wneuthum mewn perthynas â gwariant llywodraeth leol. Rhagwelwn 8 y cant o gymorth ar gyfer llywodraeth leol gan y Cynulliad eleni. Rhagwelwn godiadau treth gyngor o 3 y cant ar gyfartaledd ledled Cymru. Ni fel gweinyddiaeth ynghyd â’n partneriaeth gyda’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol sydd yn gyfrifol am hynny.

David Davies spoken in English p. 14

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

That is not the question I asked.

Nid dyna’r cwestiwn a ofynnais.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 14

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

Order. I made it clear that Members, in asking supplementary questions, should ask brief ones, and ask them properly, not mutter when they have asked their question and had an answer.

Trefn. Nodais yn glir fod yn rhaid i’r Aelodau, wrth ofyn cwestiynau atodol, ofyn cwestiynau cryno, a hynny mewn modd priodol, ac nid mwmian pan fyddant wedi gofyn eu cwestiwn a chael ateb.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 14

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

Do you agree that one of the difficulties in finding these funds is the severe financial problems inherited by this administration due to the reorganisation of local government by the Conservatives and their years of under funding of local government in the last decade before 1997?

A gytunwch mai un o’r anawsterau wrth ddod o hyd i’r arian yma yw’r problemau ariannol difrifol a etifeddodd y weinyddiaeth hon yn sgîl ad-drefnu llywodraeth leol gan y Ceidwadwyr a’r blynyddoedd pan danariannwyd llywodraeth leol yn y degawd cyn 1997?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 14

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

Yes, I concur. The reorganisation of local government has caused enormous problems. It is fair to say that I had a torrid time in recent years. I hope that this excellent settlement this year will enable them to turn a corner and deliver the vital services that people want.

Cytunaf. Achosodd ad-drefnu llywodraeth leol broblemau dybryd. Mae’n deg dweud i mi gael amser caled yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Gobeithiaf y bydd y setliad ardderchog eleni yn eu galluogi i droi’r gornel a chyflwyno’r gwasanaethau hanfodol y mae pobl am eu cael.

Janet Davies spoken in English p. 14

Janet Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

What steps will the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities take to ensure that local government areas of comparative prosperity do not raise council tax unnecessarily to cover their own inefficencies and party political posturing?

Pa gamau y bydd y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau yn eu cymryd i sicrhau na fydd ardaloedd llywodraeth leol sydd yn gymharol ffyniannus yn codi’r dreth gyngor a hynny heb angen er mwyn cuddio eu haneffeithlonrwydd eu hunain a’u gwleidydda pleidiol?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 14

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

I do not know anything about party political posturing. Council tax is ultimately a matter for the individual authority. I can make the settlement and say that I have provided sufficient funds to ensure that council tax does not go above 9 per cent and that the average should be 3 per cent, but that is a matter for local democracy. They will pay the price at the ballot box if they do not consider their voters’ views.

Ni wn ddim am wleidydda pleidiol. Yr awdurdod unigol sydd yn gyfrifol am y dreth gyngor yn y pen draw. Gallaf wneud y setliad a dweud fy mod wedi darparu digon o arian i sicrhau na fydd y dreth gyngor yn codi’n uwch na 9 y cant ac mai codiad o 3 y cant ar gyfartaledd a ddylai fod, ond mater i ddemocratiaeth leol yw hynny. Byddant yn talu’n hallt yn y blychau pleidleisio os na wnânt ystyried barn eu hetholwyr.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 14

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

Question 4 has been withdrawn.

Tynnwyd cwestiwn 4 yn ôl.

Arian a Ddyranwyd i Railtrack

Finance Allocated to Railtrack

Q5 Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 15

C5 Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Will Edwina Hart make a statement on the finance allocated by the National Assembly for Wales to Railtrack for upgrading in Wales? (OAQ7373)

A wnaiff Edwina Hart ddatganiad ar yr arian y mae Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru wedi’i ddyrannu i Railtrack ar gyfer uwchraddio yng Nghymru? (OAQ7373)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 15

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

I know that this is a matter of concern for many Members in the Chamber. The National Assembly has not entered any direct contractual arrangements with Railtrack. Funds are provided to local authorities through the transport grant allocations, and in 2000-1, £500,000 was allocated to Conwy County Borough Council as the lead authority for the North Wales Economic Forum to meet the local authorities’ share of the cost of a line speed upgrade of the north Wales coast line. The sum of £4 million was allocated to members of the authorities in south Wales for the integrated fast transit consortium, for projects that included an element of investment in rail or station infrastructure.

Gwn fod hwn yn fater sydd yn achos pryder i lawer o’r Aelodau yn y Siambr. Ni luniodd y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol unrhyw drefniadau cytundebol uniongyrchol gyda Railtrack. Darperir arian i’r awdurdodau lleol drwy ddyrannu grantiau trafnidiaeth, ac yn 2000-1 dyrannwyd £500,000 i Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy fel awdurdod arweiniol Fforwm Economaidd Gogledd Cymru er mwyn talu am gyfran yr awdurdodau lleol o ran cost y gwaith o uwchraddio lein arfordir gogledd Cymru. Dyrannwyd £4 miliwn i aelodau o’r awdurdodau yn ne Gymru ar gyfer consortiwm teithio cyflym integredig, ar gyfer prosiectau a oedd yn cynnwys elfen o fuddsoddiad yn isadeiledd rheilffyrdd neu orsafoedd.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 15

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Given the importance of a good, reliable rail service for the whole of Wales and its communities, do you agree that it is time that we look at whether it is right that delivering that service should lie in the hands of a full profit company? Should we not look at another way of running that vital service?

O gofio pwysigrwydd gwasanaeth rheilffordd da, dibynadwy ar gyfer Cymru gyfan a’i chymunedau, a gytunwch ei bod yn bryd inni ystyried a yw’n iawn mai yn nwylo cwmni proffid llawn y mae’r cyfrifoldeb dros gyflwyno’r gwasanaeth hwnnw? Oni ddylem ystyried ffordd amgen o redeg y gwasanaeth hanfodol hwnnw?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 15

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

It is important that we look at the options concerning what is happening in the rail industry. There is public concern about the operation of Railtrack and other private companies, which perhaps reflects the need for the voice of the ordinary commuter to be more represented on their boards. This is a matter that I will pursue with my colleague, the Minister for Environment.

Mae’n bwysig inni ystyried yr opsiynau mewn perthynas â’r hyn sydd yn digwydd yn y diwydiant rheilffyrdd. Mae pryder cyhoeddus ynglŷn â gweithredu Railtrack a chwmnïau preifat eraill, sydd efallai yn adlewyrchu’r angen i lais y teithiwr cyffredin gael ei gynrychioli’n well ar eu byrddau. Mae hwn yn fater y gwnaf ei godi gyda’m cyd-Weinidog, y Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 15

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

I am sure that the Minister would agree that the condition of much of the country’s rail track is yet another legacy of the previous Tory Government.

Yr wyf yn siŵr y byddai’r Gweinidog yn cytuno mai un o’r pethau a etifeddasom gan y Llywodraeth Dorïaidd flaenorol yw cyflwr llawer o drac rheilffordd y wlad.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 16

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

Help them out, Mick.

Rhowch gymorth iddynt, Mick.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 16

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

I certainly will, do not worry.

Gwnaf yn siŵr, peidiwch â phoeni.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 16

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

Order. I have made it quite clear a number of times this morning that I want questions to be asked briefly and to the point, without adding words to the original question, trying to ask extra supplementary questions or muttering—as some Members still seem to be doing, and I do not mean Mick. I would plea with you for an orderly question time. I do not know why there is such excitement in the Chamber.

Trefn. Yr wyf wedi nodi’n glir sawl gwaith y bore yma fy mod am i’r Aelodau ofyn cwestiynau byr a chryno, heb ychwanegu geiriau at y cwestiwn gwreiddiol na cheisio gofyn cwestiynau atodol eraill neu fwmian—fel yr ymddengys fod rhai o’r Aelodau yn ei wneud o hyd, ac nid wyf yn cyfeirio at Mick. Yr wyf yn ymbil arnoch am sesiwn holi drefnus. Ni wn pam bod cymaint o gyffro yn y Siambr.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 16

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

I am sure that we do not know either.

Mae’n siŵr na wyddom ninnau chwaith.

What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government to ensure sufficient finance for a single rail franchise in Wales?

Pa drafodaethau a gafodd y Gweinidog gyda Llywodraeth y DU er mwyn sicrhau bod digon o arian ar gyfer masnachfraint reilffyrdd sengl?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 16

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

I have not had any direct discussions with the UK Government. Rail and transport are matters that are dealt with by my colleague, the Minister for Environment.

Nid wyf wedi cael trafodaethau uniongyrchol gyda Llywodraeth y DU. Mae’r rheilffyrdd a thrafnidiaeth yn faterion y mae fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd yn ymdrin â hwy.

Adolygu’r Defnydd o Fenter Cyllid Preifat

Reviewing the Use of Private Finance Initiative

Q6 Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 16

C6 Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

In view of the observations on private finance initiative in the report ‘Access and Excellence’ are there any plans to review its use in public capital projects? (OAQ7366)

O ystyried y sylwadau ar fenter cyllid preifat yn yr adroddiad ‘Access and Excellence’, a oes unrhyw gynlluniau i adolygu’r ffordd y caiff ei defnyddio mewn prosiectau cyfalaf cyhoeddus? (OAQ7366)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 16

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

The report you referred to is a consultation document from the NHS Wales Acute Services Development Group, which was chaired by the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Ruth Hall. Comments and responses to this document were invited by 30 November. There is an ongoing review of procurement across the Assembly, which is looking at all methods of procurement, including public-private partnership and public finance initiative. The emerging findings of the review suggest that there is support in Wales for an overall strategic framework. I expect to put proposals before the Assembly in due course, taking into account the responses to the other document, which are expected by 30 November.

Mae’r adroddiad y cyfeiriasoch ato yn ddogfen ymgynghori gan Grŵp Datblygu Gwasanaethau Aciwt NHS Cymru, a gadeiriwyd gan Brif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru, Dr Ruth Hall. Gwahoddwyd sylwadau ac ymatebion i’r ddogfen hon erbyn 30 Tachwedd. Mae adolygiad parhaus o’r broses gaffael ar draws y Cynulliad, sydd yn ystyried pob dull o gaffael, gan gynnwys partneriaeth breifat-gyhoeddus a menter cyllid cyhoeddus. Awgryma’r canfyddiadau sydd yn dod i’r golwg o’r adroddiad fod cefnogaeth yng Nghymru i fframwaith strategol cyffredinol. Disgwyliaf osod cynigion gerbron y Cynulliad maes o law, ar ôl ystyried yr ymatebion i’r ddogfen arall, a ddisgwylir erbyn 30 Tachwedd.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 17

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

Most of us are aware that, while we recognise the need for PFI projects, there are circumstances in which, particularly for the staff involved in PFI contracts, the future terms of work can be placed in jeopardy. It is important that that workforce receives some kind of reassurances about future security of employment.

Mae’r rhan fwyaf ohonom yn ymwybodol, er ein bod yn cydnabod bod angen prosiectau PFI, bod amgylchiadau lle y gall telerau gwaith, yn enwedig i’r staff sydd yn ymwneud â chontractau PFI, fod mewn perygl. Mae’n bwysig bod y gweithlu hwnnw yn cael rhyw fath o sicrwydd ynglŷn â sicrwydd cyflogaeth yn y dyfodol.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 17

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

I have borne that in mind. I have received strong representations during my consultation on those issues. I will report to the Assembly in due course with the outline of any proposal.

Yr wyf wedi ystyried hynny. Derbyniais sylwadau pendant wrth ymgynghori ar y materion hynny. Cyflwynaf adroddiad i’r Cynulliad maes o law ynghyd â’r braslun ar gyfer unrhyw gynnig.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 17

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

When do you expect to return to the level of capital investment averaged under the last Conservative Government, which was £100 million per year on capital building programmes in Wales?

Pryd y disgwyliwch ddychwelyd at lefel gyfartalog buddsoddi cyfalaf o dan y Llywodraeth Geidwadol ddiwethaf, sef £100 miliwn y flwyddyn ar raglenni adeiladu cyfalaf yng Nghymru?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 17

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

I am trying to ensure, through the health budget, that a good capital building programme emerges. That is clear from my budget. I hope that we can build on everything that we do this year, in future years, and in the second term of the National Assembly, to turn around the problems in health with regard to capital building.

Yr wyf yn ceisio sicrhau, drwy’r gyllideb iechyd, fod rhaglen adeiladu cyfalaf dda yn datblygu. Mae hynny’n glir o’m cyllideb. Gobeithiaf y gallwn adeiladu ar yr hyn a wnawn eleni, yn y dyfodol, ac yn ail dymor y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, er mwyn unioni’r problemau ym maes iechyd o ran adeiladu cyfalaf.

David Lloyd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 17

David Lloyd spoken in Welsh p. 17

Mae’r adroddiad hwn yn dweud bod angen ailystyried y fenter cyllid preifat. A fyddwch chi’n gwneud hynny?

This report states that PFI needs to be reconsidered. Will you do that?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 17

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

I have made it clear that I am open-minded about PFI. I want to see value for money high on the agenda in terms of the expenditure of public money. I do not have any hang-ups about this. We must use what is suitable at the time, and my review of the PFI and procurement issues is very open.

Nodais yn glir bod gennyf feddwl agored ynglŷn â PFI. Yr wyf am weld gwerth am arian yn uchel ar yr agenda o ran gwariant arian cyhoeddus. Nid oes unrhyw broblem gennyf yn hyn o beth. Rhaid inni ddefnyddio’r ffordd fwyaf priodol ar y pryd, ac mae fy adolygiad o faterion sydd ymwneud â chaffael a PFI yn agored iawn.

Blaenoriaethau’r Gyllideb yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’

The Budget Priorities in ‘Betterwales.com’

Q7 David Davies spoken in English p. 18

C7 David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

How has the partnership agreement changed the budget priorities as set out in ‘Betterwales.com’? (OAQ7360)

Sut y mae’r cytundeb partneriaeth wedi newid blaenoriaethau’r gyllideb fel y’u nodir yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’? (OAQ7360)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 18

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

‘Betterwales.com’ stands, and has been enhanced by our partnership agreement.

Saif ‘Gwellcymu.com’, ac fe’i gwellir gan ein cytundeb partneriaeth.

David Davies spoken in English p. 18

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

Is it not the case that there has been no extra money for the promises set out in the partnership agreement? Will you answer the question I put to you previously—

Onid yw’n wir nad oes unrhyw arian ychwanegol ar gyfer yr addewidion a nodir yn y cytundeb partneriaeth? A wnewch ateb y cwestiwn a ofynnais ichi yn gynharach—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 18

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

Order. You cannot ask previous questions. You are asking a supplementary question to this question.

Trefn. Ni allwch ofyn cwestiynau blaenorol. Yr ydych yn gofyn cwestiwn atodol i’r cwestiwn hwn.

David Davies spoken in English p. 18

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

I will clarify, therefore. Will you confirm that there is no extra money for the promises in the partnership agreement?

Egluraf, felly. A wnewch gadarnhau nad oes unrhyw arian ychwanegol ar gyfer yr addewidion yn y cytundeb partneriaeth?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 18

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

I am astounded, considering the extra money I received from the comprehensive spending review. There is extra money, and I have discussed with my Liberal Democrat colleagues the priorities for its expenditure. That was an extraordinary statement.

Yr wyf yn syfrdanu, o ystyried yr arian ychwanegol a gefais o’r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant. Mae arian ychwanegol, ac yr wyf wedi trafod y blaenoriaethau ar gyfer ei wario â’m cyd-Aelodau yng ngrŵp y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Yr oedd hwnnw’n osodiad rhyfeddol.

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 18

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

Will Edwina confirm that the draft partnership agreement, of which we have all gratefully received a copy, contained a large section on finance? Will she confirm that there was a commitment in that section by the new coalition team to review the Barnett formula? Why was that not in the final document?

A wnaiff Edwina gadarnhau bod y cytundeb partneriaeth drafft yr ydym oll yn ddiolchgar o dderbyn copi ohono, yn cynnwys adran helaeth ar gyllid? A wnaiff gadarnhau bod ymrwymiad yn yr adran honno gan y tîm clymblaid newydd i adolygu fformwla Barnett? Pam na chafodd ei gynnwys yn y ddogfen derfynol?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 18

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

I only comment on the final partnership document. That is the document to which I adhere as part of this coalition administration.

Ni roddaf sylwadau ond ar y ddogfen bartneriaeth derfynol. Dyna’r ddogfen y cadwaf ati fel rhan o’r weinyddiaeth glymblaid hon.

Gweithredu’r Fenter Cyllid Preifat

Operating the Private Finance Initiative

Q8 David Melding spoken in English p. 19

C8 David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

Will Edwina Hart make a statement on the operation of the private finance initiative? (OAQ7368)

A wnaiff Edwina Hart ddatganiad ar y modd y gweithredir y fenter cyllid preifat? (OAQ7368)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 19

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

I will make a statement to the Assembly at the conclusion of my review.

Gwnaf ddatganiad i’r Cynulliad ar ôl gorffen fy adolygiad.

David Melding spoken in English p. 19

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

Does the Minister agree that, for large capital projects, the use of private finance is often appropriate? As regards the national health service, we need a large capital programme that does not necessarily all have to come from public funds.

A yw’r Gweinidog yn cytuno bod y defnydd o gyllid preifat yn briodol yn aml ar gyfer prosiectau cyfalaf mawr? O ran y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, mae angen rhaglen gyfalaf sylweddol arnom nad oes angen iddi gael ei hariannu yn gyfan gwbl gan arian cyhoeddus o reidrwydd.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 19

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

We must be open-minded about how we deal with capital issues. It would be nice to have large expenditure in terms of a public capital programme. However, I must consider the fact that Chepstow community hospital, Baglan Hospital, a school in Ceredigion, the dualling of the A55 in north Wales and the Bute Avenue project in Cardiff all come under the private finance initiative. It is important that we assess what is required in Wales and secure a policy that is appropriate for us.

Mae’n rhaid inni gael meddwl agored ynghylch sut yr ydym yn ymdrin â materion cyfalaf. Byddai’n braf cael gwariant sylweddol o ran rhaglen gyfalaf gyhoeddus. Fodd bynnag, rhaid imi ystyried y ffaith bod ysbyty cymuned Cas-gwent, Ysbyty Baglan, ysgol yng Ngheredigion, gwaith ymestyn yr A55 yng ngogledd Cymru yn ffordd ddeuol a phrosiect Rhodfa Bute yng Nghaerdydd oll yn dod o dan y fenter cyllid preifat. Mae’n bwysig inni asesu’r hyn sydd ei angen yng Nghymru a sicrhau polisi sydd yn briodol ar ein cyfer.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 19

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 19

Pwynt o drefn.

Point of order.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 19

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 19

Byddaf yn cymryd pwyntiau o drefn ar ôl y datganiad hwn.

I will take points of order after this statement.

Datganiad ar Golli Swyddi yn Panasonic, Caerdydd

Statement on Job Losses at Panasonic, Cardiff

Michael German The Minister for Economic Development spoken in English p. 19

Michael German Y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

The First Minister and I voiced our sadness at Tuesday’s announcement of 1,400 redundancies at Panasonic in Pentwyn, Cardiff. I have been in direct contact with the company’s senior management to offer the Assembly’s full support. Although the job losses are serious, the headline statement of 1,400 redundancies includes 700 seasonal staff who are to leave by Christmas, as has been the case with the company for some years.

Datganodd y Prif Weinidog a minnau ein tristwch o glywed y cyhoeddiad ddydd Mawrth y byddai 1,400 o ddiswyddiadau yn Panasonic ym Mhentwyn, Caerdydd. Bûm mewn cysylltiad uniongyrchol ag uwch reolwyr y cwmni i gynnig cefnogaeth lawn y Cynulliad. Er bod y golled o ran swyddi yn ddifrifol, mae’r datganiad pennawd o 1,400 o ddiswyddiadau yn cynnwys 700 o staff tymhorol a fydd yn gadael erbyn y Nadolig, fel sydd wedi digwydd o fewn y cwmni ers rhai blynyddoedd.

This is the second major redundancy announced by an electronics firm in Wales. Last week, Sony announced about 400 redundancies, but some jobs will remain. Similarly, at Panasonic’s Pentwyn plant 1,100 jobs will remain, concentrating on the higher added value products such as digital, projection and plasma televisions, set top boxes and microwave ovens, which the Assembly is already supporting through grant aid.

Dyma’r ail achos diswyddo o bwys a gyhoeddwyd gan gwmni electroneg yng Nghymru. Yr wythnos diwethaf, cyhoeddodd Sony tua 400 o ddiswyddiadau, ond bydd rhai swyddi yn parhau. Yn yr un modd, bydd 1,100 o swyddi yn parhau yn ffatri Panasonic ym Mhentwyn, gan ganolbwyntio ar gynnyrch gwerth ychwanegol uwch fel setiau teledu digidol, taflunio a phlasma, blychau pen set a ffyrnau microdon, y mae’r Cynulliad eisoes yn eu cefnogi drwy gymorth grant.

As the National Assembly has provided assistance to Panasonic in the past, I know that Members will expect me to say something about the position regarding regional selective assistance. At present, officials do not anticipate any need to consider recovering any RSA support that has been given to the company, as the redundancies appear to relate to projects that have not been grant assisted. However, officials are seeking urgent confirmation of that with the company.

Gan fod y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol wedi darparu cymorth i Panasonic yn y gorffennol, gwn y bydd yr Aelodau yn disgwyl imi sôn am y sefyllfa o ran cymorth dethol rhanbarthol. Ar hyn o bryd, ni ragwela’r swyddogion angen i ystyried adennill unrhyw gymorth dethol rhanbarthol a roddwyd i’r cwmni, gan yr ymddengys fod y diswyddiadau yn ymwneud â phrosiectau na roddwyd cymorth grant iddynt. Fodd bynnag, mae’r swyddogion wrthi’n ceisio cadarnhad brys ynglŷn â hynny gan y cwmni.

It will be said that these redundancies show the folly of the inward investment policy. That is not true. The 1,100 jobs that Panasonic will continue to provide are valuable and important to the Welsh economy. We must foster our indigenous firms as well as support good quality inward investment. This is not an either or. We must do both and do them well.

Bydd rhai yn dweud bod y diswyddiadau hyn yn dangos ffolineb y polisi mewnfuddsoddi. Nid yw hynny’n wir. Mae’r 1,100 o swyddi y bydd Panasonic yn parhau i’w darparu yn werthfawr ac yn bwysig i economi Cymru. Rhaid inni feithrin ein cwmnïau cynhenid yn ogystal â chynnal mewnfuddsoddiad o ansawdd da. Nid yw hyn yn fater o naill ai neu. Rhaid inni wneud y ddau a’u gwneud yn dda.

The exchange rate is one reason for the redundancies. There is no doubt that the weakness of the euro and the strength of the dollar are producing interesting times for many manufacturers. As a result, multinational companies can make clear short-term gains by relocating certain operations to eastern Europe. However, that can only be done with operations that can be run adequately by a workforce with limited skills—in short, the operations that use old technology practices to produce old technology goods.

Mae’r gyfradd gyfnewid yn un rheswm dros y diswyddiadau. Nid oes amheuaeth bod sefyllfa wan yr ewro a chryfder y ddoler yn golygu ei bod yn amser diddorol i lawer o weithgynhyrchwyr. O ganlyniad, gall cwmnïau rhyngwladol wneud elw tymor byr clir drwy adleoli rhai gweithrediadau yn nwyrain Ewrop. Fodd bynnag, dim ond gyda gweithrediadau y gellir eu rhedeg yn ddigonol gan weithlu â sgiliau cyfyngedig y gellir gwneud hynny—mewn geiriau eraill, y gweithrediadau sydd yn defnyddio hen arferion technoleg i gynhyrchu hen nwyddau technoleg.

Although these redundancies are a blow, particularly to the individuals affected, the future of this industry, which Panasonic and Sony help to lead, lies with the development and manufacture of the new generation of digital equipment. The electronic sector is evolving at such a pace that, to succeed and prosper, companies must keep one step ahead of their nearest competitors. In Pentwyn, in addition to its high-tech manufacturing capability, Panasonic has an impressive research and development facility, which will be retained. The future of the cutting edge of television developments for both of those important companies is thus secured in Wales.

Er bod y diswyddiadau hyn yn ergyd, yn arbennig i’r unigolion yr effeithir arnynt, dyfodol y diwydiant hwn, y mae Panasonic a Sony yn helpu i’w arwain, fydd datblygu a gweithgynhyrchu’r genhedlaeth newydd o offer digidol. Mae’r sector electronig yn esblygu mor gyflym fel bod yn rhaid i gwmnïau fod un cam ar y blaen i’w cystadleuwyr agosaf er mwyn llwyddo a ffynnu. Ym Mhentwyn, yn ogystal â’i allu gweithgynhyrchu technoleg uchel, mae gan Panasonic gyfleuster ymchwil a datblygu arbennig a fydd yn aros yno. Felly mae dyfodol datblygiadau teledu arloesol i’r ddau gwmni pwysig hynny yn ddiogel yng Nghymru.

This is an important point, which I want us all to understand clearly. If Wales is to take its rightful place at the cutting edge of industry, we must expect our firms to concentrate on the leading edge. They may consider that the trailing edge of industry can be moved off to where it can most easily and profitably be handled with a cheaper and more limited labour force. I do not want Wales to be thought of as a source of cheap labour. I want Wales to be thought of as a source of highly skilled labour that is appropriate and profitable for firms to use in their attempts to lead the world. I want to use the occasion this statement to ensure the electronics industry in Wales that I am as committed to this renewal agenda as it is. Officials are already working closely with Panasonic to ensure that they are well placed to take advantage of any future investment opportunities. In addition, I will be embarking shortly upon a series of visits to electronics firms in Wales to ensure them that they have the Assembly’s full backing for their re-investment strategies. I want to hear from them what they are seeking to achieve, how they think they can manage it, and what help they need from the National Assembly. If our existing programmes do not cover their needs, we will design new programmes with their help. The future starts now.

Mae hwn yn bwynt pwysig yr wyf am i bob un ohonom ei ddeall yn glir. Os yw Cymru am gymryd ei lle haeddiannol, ar flaen y gad ym myd diwydiant, rhaid inni ddisgwyl i’n cwmnïau ganolbwyntio ar arloesedd. Gallent ystyried y gellir symud rhan ymlusgol diwydiant i’r lle y gellir ei thrin gyda’r rhwyddineb a’r elw mwyaf gyda gweithlu rhatach a mwy cyfyngedig. Nid wyf am i Gymru gael ei hystyried fel ffynhonnell o lafur rhad. Yr wyf am i Gymru gael ei hystyried fel ffynhonnell o lafur hynod fedrus sydd yn briodol ac a all gynhyrchu elw i gwmnïau i’w ddefnyddio yn eu hymdrechion i fod yn flaenllaw yn fyd-eang. Yr wyf am ddefnyddio’r datganiad hwn i sicrhau’r diwydiant electroneg yng Nghymru fy mod mor ymrwymedig i’r agenda adnewyddu hon ag y mae ef. Mae swyddogion eisoes yn gweithio’n agos â Panasonic i sicrhau eu bod mewn sefyllfa dda i fanteisio ar unrhyw gyfleoedd buddsoddi yn y dyfodol. Yn ogystal, byddaf yn dechrau cyn bo hir ar gyfres o ymweliadau â chwmnïau electroneg yng Nghymru i’w sicrhau bod ganddynt gefnogaeth lawn y Cynulliad i’w strategaethau ailfuddsoddi. Yr wyf am glywed beth maent yn ceisio ei gyflawni, sut y credant y gallant ei reoli, a pha gymorth sydd ei angen arnynt gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Os nad yw ein rhaglenni presennol yn diwallu eu hanghenion, byddwn yn cynllunio rhaglenni newydd gyda’u cymorth. Mae’r dyfodol yn dechrau yn awr.

As regards the immediate situation, the local training and enterprise council, TEC South East Wales, will shortly be submitting an application for the redundancies to be treated as significant, which is likely to be immediately approved by the Assembly. TEC South East Wales is also considering, in conjunction with the Employment Service, implementing additional rapid response measures to assist the affected staff. That decision is dependent on the precise detail of the redundancies being clarified. For example, how many of the redundancies are compulsory and how many are voluntary. I understand that the company has proposed voluntary redundancy compensation terms, which has resulted in over 1,000 making applications of interest. That is more than the number of permanent staff to be made redundant. As soon as the redundancies have been formally identified as significant, any of the affected staff who want to, will be able to gain immediate access to work-based learning for adults. They will therefore be able to receive immediate access to a wide range of assistance that they would normally have to be unemployed for six months or more to receive. This programme is funded in Wales by the National Assembly and delivered through the training and enterprise councils. It is designed to help people aged 25 and over who are unemployed and at risk of exclusion from the job market to secure and sustain employment through a range of training and other assistance to enhance skills.

O ran y sefyllfa sydd ohoni, bydd y cyngor hyfforddiant a menter lleol, TEC De Ddwyrain Cymru, cyn bo hir yn cyflwyno cais i’r diswyddiadau gael eu trin fel rhai arwyddocaol, sydd yn debygol o gael ei gymeradwyo ar unwaith gan y Cynulliad. Mae TEC De Ddwyrain Cymru hefyd yn ystyried, mewn cydweithrediad â’r Gwasanaeth Cyflogi, gweithredu mesurau ymateb cyflym ychwanegol i gynorthwyo’r staff yr effeithir arnynt. Mae’r penderfyniad hwnnw’n dibynnu ar union fanylion y diswyddiadau yn cael eu hegluro. Er enghraifft, faint o’r diswyddiadau sydd yn orfodol a faint ohonynt sydd yn wirfoddol. Deallaf fod y cwmni wedi cynnig termau iawndal diswyddo gwirfoddol, sydd wedi golygu bod dros 1,000 o staff wedi cofrestru diddordeb. Mae hynny’n fwy na nifer y staff parhaol a fydd yn cael eu diswyddo. Cyn gynted ag y bydd y diswyddiadau wedi’u nodi’n ffurfiol fel rhai arwyddocaol, bydd unrhyw aelod o’r staff yr effeithir arno ac sydd yn dymuno gwneud hynny, yn gallu cael mynediad ar unwaith i ddysgu yn seiliedig ar waith i oedolion. Felly gallant gael mynediad ar unwaith i amrywiaeth eang o gymorth y byddai’n rhaid iddynt fod wedi bod yn ddi-waith ers chwe mis neu fwy i’w gael fel arfer. Ariennir y rhaglen hon yng Nghymru gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ac fe’i cyflwynir drwy’r cynghorau hyfforddiant a menter. Ei nod yw helpu pobl ifanc 25 oed neu’n hŷn sydd yn ddi-waith ac mewn perygl o gael eu heithrio o’r farchnad swyddi i sicrhau a chynnal cyflogaeth drwy amrywiaeth o hyfforddiant a chymorth arall i wella eu sgiliau.

The many job losses in Wales, particularly in manufacturing, have been more than replaced by new jobs, mainly in services but also in highly skilled manufacturing operations. That is why the requirement to enhance people’s skills is such an important element of our response to these redundancies and of our general strategy for the Welsh economy.

Mae mwy na digon o swyddi newydd, yn bennaf ym maes gwasanaethau ond hefyd mewn gweithrediadau gweithgynhyrchu sydd yn mynnu lefel uchel o sgiliau, wedi cymryd lle y swyddi niferus a gollwyd yng Nghymru. Dyna pam mae’r gofyniad i wella sgiliau pobl yn elfen mor bwysig o’n hymateb i’r diswyddiadau hyn ac o’n strategaeth gyffredinol ar gyfer economi Cymru.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 22

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

The news from Panasonic following so closely the news from Corus, Hitachi and Sony is a further body blow to our manufacturing sector. Although the scale of redundancies appears to have taken the Government and the unions by surprise, there can be no excuse for not anticipating this bad news. Almost exactly a year ago, in response to a statement on the Bairdwear closures by Rhodri Morgan, I predicted that unless the Government took urgent action to bring the pound down to a realistic value and end the uncertainty over the euro, there would be serious job losses in steel and consumer electronics. You will remember that last week I asked you how often you would have to repeat statements similar to the one you made on Sony.

Mae’r newyddion gan Panasonic mor fuan ar ôl y newyddion gan Corus, Hitachi a Sony yn ergyd gorfforol bellach i’n sector gweithgynhyrchu. Er yr ymddengys fod graddfa’r diswyddiadau wedi synnu’r Llywodraeth a’r undebau, nid oes esgus dros beidio â rhagweld y newyddion drwg hwn. Ymron i flwyddyn union yn ôl, mewn ymateb i ddatganiad ar gau ffatrïoedd Bairdwear gan Rhodri Morgan, rhagwelais oni fyddai’r Llywodraeth yn cymryd camau brys i ostwng y bunt i werth realistig gan ddod â’r ansicrwydd ynglŷn â’r ewro i ben, y byddai colledion difrifol o ran swyddi yn y diwydiant dur ac electroneg defnyddwyr. Fe gofiwch imi ofyn ichi yr wythnos diwethaf pa mor aml y byddai’n rhaid ichi ailadrodd datganiadau tebyg i’r un a wnaethpwyd gennych ar Sony.

It is the responsibility of a Government to predict the future of employment in any sector. It is disturbing to hear how many people said that these losses were planned well in advance. There is another aspect of predicting the future of a sector that is the crucial responsibility of a Government, especially in the case of the television sector. There is one predictable change that will happen over the next few years, that is the switch from cathode-ray tubes to flat screen. We have plasma screens available but also there is the promise of the much cheaper light emitting polymer technology. Do you share my concern that it appears that flat screen technology seems to be growing most rapidly in the Netherlands and that there has been, as far as I know, despite several inquiries, no attempt by the Government to encourage and stimulate research in the light emitting polymer technology? I agree that the good news is that there is a research facility. However, the other side of that is that, in every sector of research, Wales gets only around 40 per cent of the share that it should compared with the rest of the UK. As Minister for Economic Development, do you realise that, to prevent such announcements in the future, action must be taken to increase the base of research and development in Wales so that we can face a future that includes firmly based industries and that prevents such tragedies from hitting whole sectors of our economy?

Cyfrifoldeb Llywodraeth yw rhagweld dyfodol cyflogaeth unrhyw sector. Mae’n frawychus clywed faint o bobl a nododd i’r colledion hyn gael eu cynllunio ymhell ymlaen llaw. Mae agwedd arall ar ragweld dyfodol sector sydd yn un o gyfrifoldebau hanfodol Llywodraeth, yn arbennig yn achos y sector setiau teledu. Mae un newid amlwg a fydd yn digwydd dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd nesaf, sef y newid o diwbiau pelydrau cathod i sgrîn wastad. Mae sgriniau plasma gennym ond hefyd mae’r addewid o dechnoleg polymer sydd yn lledaenu golau sydd yn llawer rhatach. A rannwch fy nghofid yr ymddengys bod technoleg sgrîn wastad yn cynyddu gyflymaf yn yr Iseldiroedd a, hyd y gwn, er gwaethaf sawl ymchwiliad, na fu unrhyw ymdrech gan y Llywodraeth i annog ac ysgogi ymchwil i’r dechnoleg polymer sydd yn lledaenu golau? Cytunaf mai’r newyddion da yw bod cyfleuster ymchwil. Fodd bynnag, ochr arall hynny yw mai dim ond tua 40 y cant o’r gyfran y dylai ei chael o bob sector ymchwil y mae Cymru’n ei chael o’i chymharu â gweddill y DU. Fel y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd, a ydych yn sylweddoli, er mwyn atal cyhoeddiadau o’r fath yn y dyfodol, bod yn rhaid cymryd camau i gynyddu sylfaen ymchwil a datblygu yng Nghymru fel y gallwn wynebu dyfodol sydd yn cynnwys diwydiannau wedi’u gwreiddio’n gadarn ac sydd yn atal trasiedïau o’r fath rhag taro sectorau cyfan o’n heconomi?

Michael German spoken in English p. 24

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

I made it perfectly plain in my statement that I seek to help the companies and to support their reinvestment strategies. We must do that. We require a new wave of investment from those companies in new technologies. There is no doubt that we must work hard to achieve that. Some measures can be introduced immediately. I am considering support for reducing energy costs and training for re-skilling, particularly in the digital engineering technologies, which is short of skills. The key issue that these companies will face in Wales is any potential slippage of the Government’s intention to switch off the analogue signal. At the moment the switch-off date is 2005. If that slips, the purchase of digital boxes, televisions and plasma screens and so on may slip with it. That is one challenge that remains and we must ensure that we help the industry on that.

Fe’i gwneuthum yn gwbl amlwg yn fy natganiad fy mod yn bwriadu helpu’r cwmnïau a chefnogi eu strategaethau ailfuddsoddi. Rhaid inni wneud hynny. Mae angen ton newydd o fuddsoddiad gan y cwmnïau mewn technolegau newydd. Nid oes amheuaeth bod yn rhaid inni weithio’n galed i gyflawni hynny. Gellir cyflwyno rhai mesurau ar unwaith. Ystyriaf gymorth i leihau costau ynni a hyfforddiant ar gyfer dysgu sgiliau newydd, yn arbennig yn y technolegau peirianneg digidol, lle ceir prinder sgiliau. Y mater allweddol y bydd y cwmnïau hyn yn ei wynebu yng Nghymru yw unrhyw newid posibl ym mwriad y Llywodraeth i ddiffodd y signal analog. Ar hyn o bryd 2005 yw’r dyddiad diffodd, os caiff hwnnw ei ohirio, gellid gohirio prynu blychau digidol, setiau teledu a sgriniau plasma ac ati hefyd. Dyna un her sydd yn ein hwynebu o hyd a rhaid inni sicrhau ein bod yn helpu’r diwydiant yn hynny o beth.

Val Feld spoken in English p. 24

Val Feld siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

These job losses are a huge blow to us, and it is easy for companies these days to blame the euro or the level of the pound, when there are more complex issues at play. I have believed for many years, since we started to try to get to grips with the balance of foreign direct investment and the development of indigenous businesses in Wales, that the nature of the global market, in which these big companies operate, and the speed of technological change is such that we must plan for the prospect that many of our foreign direct investors may leave at different times for different reasons. Consideration of that must play a part in our economic planning.

Mae’r colledion hyn o ran swyddi yn ergyd enfawr inni, ac mae’n hawdd i gwmnïau heddiw feio’r ewro neu lefel y bunt, pan fo materion mwy cymhleth i’w hystyried. Yr wyf wedi credu ers blynyddoedd, ers inni ddechrau ceisio mynd i’r afael â chydbwysedd buddsoddiad uniongyrchol o dramor a datblygu busnesau cynhenid yng Nghymru, bod natur y farchnad fyd-eang, y mae’r cwmnïau mawr hyn yn gweithredu o’i mewn, a chyflymder newidiadau technolegol yn golygu bod yn rhaid inni gynllunio ar gyfer y posibilrwydd y gallai llawer o’n buddsoddwyr uniongyrchol o dramor adael ar wahanol adegau am wahanol resymau. Rhaid inni ystyried hynny wrth wneud cynlluniau economaidd.

The key issue is why did we not get better intelligence of these job losses? Rhodri Morgan was in Japan earlier this year. He met with representatives from the company and there was no indication of this. Panasonic has been part of our electronics forum for some time, but neither the Assembly, nor the trade union received intelligence of this. The same happened with Corus. It was part of our new taskforce, and yet we were not informed of the third group of redundancies that it was planning. We must address these concerns as we develop our national economic development strategy.

Y mater allweddol yw pam na chawsom well amcan o’r colledion hyn o ran swyddi? Yr oedd Rhodri Morgan yn Siapan yn gynharach eleni. Cyfarfu â chynrychiolwyr o’r cwmni ac ni chafwyd unrhyw arwydd o hyn. Bu Panasonic yn rhan o’n fforwm electroneg ers peth amser, ond ni chafodd y Cynulliad, na’r undeb llafur, amcan o hyn. Digwyddodd yr un peth â Corus. Yr oedd yn rhan o’n tasglu newydd, ac eto ni chawsom wybod am y trydydd grŵp o ddiswyddiadau arfaethedig. Rhaid inni roi sylw i’r pryderon hynny wrth inni ddatblygu ein strategaeth datblygu economaidd genedlaethol.

Mike knows that as part of our business support review, we spent a couple of days in Dublin. In discussions with people there, we focused, in particular, on foreign direct investment and how it can work in an economy. I learnt that what made the difference was the planning to try to keep investors and to ensure that the impact of investors on the local economy was what was needed. The answer to success lay in terms of the kind of relationship that is developed with investors while they are in your country and the extent to which you can build supply chains. We know that that is difficult with the Japanese companies because they source outside of the UK—

Gŵyr Mike inni dreulio ychydig ddyddiau yn Nulyn, fel rhan o’n adolygiad cymorth busnes. Wrth drafod â phobl yno, canolbwyntiasom, yn benodol, ar fuddsoddiad uniongyrchol o dramor a’r ffordd y gall weithio o fewn economi. Dysgais mai’r hyn oedd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth oedd y cynllunio i geisio cadw buddsoddwyr a sicrhau bod effaith buddsoddwyr ar yr economi leol yn cyfateb â’r hynny oedd ei angen. Yr oedd yr allwedd i lwyddiant yn y math o gydberthynas a ddatblygir gyda buddsoddwyr tra byddant yn eich gwlad ac i ba raddau y gallwch adeiladu cadwyni cyflenwi. Gwyddom fod hynny’n anodd gyda’r cwmnïau o Siapan gan eu bod yn cael eu hadnoddau o’r tu allan i’r DU—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 25

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

Order. This is a statement not a debate. Please, ask a question.

Trefn. Datganiad yw hwn nid dadl. A fyddech cystal â gofyn cwestiwn.

Val Feld spoken in English p. 25

Val Feld siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

What is important is the extent to which we can provide an infrastructure and build a relationship with investors so that we can be in touch with them constantly and looking out for changes in the technology and products that they produce. What measures can we put in place for that as we develop our national economic development strategy? How far can we go to provide that kind of relationship in Wales so that we can plan further ahead and are not thrown by these kind of job losses as happens so often at the moment?

Yr hyn sydd yn bwysig yw i ba raddau y gallwn ddarparu isadeiledd ac adeiladu cydberthynas gyda buddsoddwyr fel y gallwn fod mewn cysylltiad cyson â hwy gan gadw golwg am newidiadau yn y dechnoleg a’r cynnyrch a gynhyrchant. Pa fesurau y gallwn eu sefydlu yn hynny o beth wrth inni ddatblygu ein strategaeth datblygu economaidd genedlaethol? I ba raddau y gallwn ddarparu’r math hwnnw o gydberthynas yng Nghymru fel y gallwn gynllunio ymhellach i’r dyfodol a pheidio â chael ein synnu gan achosion fel hyn o golli swyddi, fel sydd yn digwydd mor aml ar hyn o bryd?

Michael German spoken in English p. 25

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

We would like to have a better early warning system. However, I understand that the company in Cardiff was only informed of this by telephone call from Tokyo on Monday. It is, therefore, unlikely that any of the senior managers in Cardiff would have known about that position before then. We should have better and earlier warning of these matters and I have asked officials to consider how we can achieve that. Our relationship with such companies is crucial. That is why the underpinning message that I will take to them is that they must talk to the National Assembly, tell us their problems and keep in touch regularly.

Byddem yn hoffi cael system rhybuddio cynnar well. Fodd bynnag, deallaf mai dim ond drwy alwad ffôn o Tokyo ddydd Llun y rhoddwyd gwybod i’r cwmni yng Nghaerdydd. Felly, mae’n annhebygol y byddai unrhyw un o’r uwch reolwyr yng Nghaerdydd wedi bod yn ymwybodol o’r sefyllfa cyn hynny. Dylem gael rhybudd gwell a chynharach o’r materion hyn ac yr wyf wedi gofyn i swyddogion ystyried sut y gallwn gyflawni hynny. Mae ein cydberthynas â chwmnïau o’r fath yn holl bwysig. Dyna pam mai’r neges sylfaenol y byddaf yn ei rhoi iddynt yw bod yn rhaid iddynt siarad â’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, ein hysbysu o’u problemau a chadw mewn cysylltiad rheolaidd.

Source Wales is trying to ensure that these companies are anchored here by good, high-quality indigenous companies. I will ensure that its work is carried out as a matter of urgency. We do not want these companies to leave. The key to them remaining is research and development and investment in new products. We must assist them in that.

Mae Ffynhonnell Cymru yn ceisio sicrhau bod y cwmnïau hyn wedi’u hangori yma gan gwmnïau cynhenid da, o ansawdd uchel. Byddaf yn sicrhau y gwneir ei waith ar fyrder. Nid ydym am i’r cwmnïau hyn adael. Yr allwedd i sicrhau eu bod yn aros yw ymchwil a datblygu a buddsoddi mewn cynnyrch newydd. Rhaid inni eu cynorthwyo i wneud hynny.

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 26

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

Mike, you will recall that when you announced the Sony redundancies last week, I asked what knock-on effect they would have on Panasonic. I was aware that redundancies would be announced shortly, albeit that I did not know the scale of them. You replied that you could not answer the question, but that you would make inquiries with the company. When did you make those inquiries and why, despite your commitment, did you fail to let me know their outcome? Do you have any idea of how the job losses at Hitachi, Sony and Panasonic will affect gross domestic product per capita? GDP per capita in Rhondda Cynon Taff is 64 per cent of the average. I declare an interest as leader of that local authority. How will the losses affect our efforts to achieve sustained economic regeneration through Objective 1? Would not your time last week have been better spent in discussions with Panasonic than in holding seminars for the press to discuss your previous employment?

Mike, fe gofiwch, wrth ichi gyhoeddi diswyddiadau Sony yr wythnos diwethaf, imi ofyn pa sgîl-effeithiau y byddent yn eu cael ar Panasonic. Yr oeddwn yn ymwybodol y byddai diswyddiadau yn cael eu cyhoeddi’n fuan, er nad oeddwn yn ymwybodol o’u maint. Atebasoch na allech ateb y cwestiwn, ond y byddech yn gwneud ymholiadau gyda’r cwmni. Pryd y gwnaethoch chi’r ymholiadau hynny a pham, er gwaethaf eich ymrwymiad, na lwyddasoch i roi gwybod imi am eu canlyniad? A oes gennych unrhyw syniad o’r effaith a gaiff y swyddi a gollir yn Hitachi, Sony a Panasonic ar gynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth y pen? Dim ond 64 y cant o’r cyfartaledd yw’r CMC y pen yn Rhondda Cynon Taf. Datganaf fuddiant fel arweinydd yr awdurdod lleol hwnnw. Sut bydd y colledion yn effeithio ar ein hymdrechion i gyflawni adfywiad economaidd cynaliadwy drwy Amcan 1? Oni fyddai wedi bod yn well ichi dreulio eich amser yr wythnos diwethaf yn trafod â Panasonic yn hytrach na chynnal seminarau i’r wasg i drafod eich cyflogaeth flaenorol?

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 26

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

Order. These questions are supposed to be about Panasonic.

Trefn. Dylai’r cwestiynau hyn ymwneud â Panasonic.

Michael German spoken in English p. 26

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

I will only answer those on Panasonic. I made inquiries immediately after our debate on 17 October. I then contacted the officials and received a response. That response was published on the intranet on 19 October. I am sorry if you did not see it. On GDP, it is interesting that, even if you take into account these job losses, there is a net increase in employment in Wales and the average salary has not decreased. Therefore, the likelihood is that these losses will not affect GDP per capita in Wales as a whole. They will have an impact in certain localities, particularly at the top end of the Valleys, and I agree that that will be difficult.

Dim ond y rhai ar Panasonic yr atebaf. Gwnes ymholiadau yn union ar ôl ein dadl ar 17 Hydref. Yna cysylltais â’r swyddogion a derbyniais ymateb. Cyhoeddwyd yr ymateb hwnnw ar y fewnrwyd ar 19 Hydref. Mae’n flin gennyf os na welsoch hwnnw. O ran CMC, mae’n ddiddorol, hyd yn oed o ystyried y colledion hyn o ran swyddi, bod cynnydd net mewn cyflogaeth yng Nghymru ac nad yw’r cyflog cyfartalog wedi gostwng. Felly y tebygrwydd yw na fydd y colledion hyn yn effeithio ar gynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth y pen yng Nghymru yn gyffredinol. Cânt effaith mewn rhai cymdogaethau, yn arbennig ym mhen uchaf y Cymoedd, a chytunaf y bydd hynny’n anodd.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 27

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

Thank you for your statement, Mike. Panasonic is a major employer in my constituency and my preliminary information, which your statement confirms, was that at least our end of the Panasonic operation in Wales is reasonably stable. However, it concerned me, when driving to the Assembly yesterday morning and listening to BBC Wales, that these announcements seem to create hysteria about foreign inward investment in Wales. It was almost suggested that it is entirely the wrong strategy, with people calling for the resignation of the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and so on. That kind of hysteria sends out the wrong messages, particularly when we consider that foreign direct investment companies in Wales provide their workers with the highest pay and probably the best working conditions. Those companies are also involved in leading export drives from Wales. It is important that we acknowledge the key role of foreign direct investment.

Diolch am eich datganiad, Mike. Mae Panasonic yn un o’r prif gyflogwyr yn fy etholaeth ac yr oedd fy ngwybodaeth ragarweiniol, a gadarnheir gan eich datganiad, yn nodi bod ein pen ni, o leiaf, o’r gweithrediad Panasonic yng Nghymru yn gymharol sefydlog. Fodd bynnag, yr oedd yn destun pryder imi, wrth yrru i’r Cynulliad fore ddoe a gwrando ar BBC Wales, yr ymddengys fod y cyhoeddiadau hyn yn creu hysteria am fewnfuddsoddi o dramor yng Nghymru. Bron yr awgrymwyd ei bod yn strategaeth gwbl anghywir, gyda phobl yn galw ar gadeirydd Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru i ymddiswyddo ac ati. Mae’r math hwnnw o hysteria yn trosglwyddo’r negeseuon anghywir, yn arbennig wrth ystyried bod cwmnïau buddsoddiad uniongyrchol o dramor yng Nghymru yn darparu’r cyflog uchaf a’r amodau gwaith gorau, fwy na thebyg, i’w gweithwyr. Mae’r cwmnïau hynny hefyd yn ymwneud ag arwain ymgyrchoedd allforio o Gymru. Mae’n bwysig cydnabod rôl allweddol buddsoddiad uniongyrchol o dramor.

We need a balanced approach to industrial development in Wales. There are many parts of Wales where any job, particularly a high paying job, is essential and welcome and plays a key role as a catalyst in more peripheral economies here. If we want to attract jobs to Wales, we must look to foreign direct investment as a key element in the overall strategy, particularly when indigenous industry probably has a 40 to 50 per cent failure rate within three years. If we rely exclusively on that arm of a strategy, we will not see the regeneration of the Welsh economy. Therefore, we need to have a positive attitude towards companies like Panasonic and encourage them to develop and expand, particularly in the value-added sector.

Mae angen ymagwedd gytbwys arnom tuag at ddatblygu diwydiannol yng Nghymru. Mae sawl rhan o Gymru lle mae unrhyw swydd, yn arbennig swydd â chyflog uchel, yn hanfodol a bod croeso iddi a’i bod yn chwarae rhan allweddol fel catalydd mewn economïau mwy ymylol yma. Os ydym am ddenu swyddi i Gymru, rhaid inni ystyried buddsoddiad uniongyrchol o dramor fel elfen allweddol o’r strategaeth gyffredinol, yn arbennig pan fo gan ddiwydiant cynhenid, fwy na thebyg, gyfradd fethiant o 40 i 50 y cant o fewn tair blynedd. Os dibynnwn ar y rhan honno o’r strategaeth yn unig, ni welwn adfywio economi Cymru. Felly, mae angen inni sicrhau agwedd gadarnhaol tuag at gwmnïau fel Panasonic a’u hannog i ddatblygu ac ehangu, yn arbennig yn y sector gwerth ychwanegol.

Michael German spoken in English p. 28

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

That is absolutely right. We must have a balanced economy in Wales. Those who put their eggs in one basket of indigenous development will be serving Wales badly. You must remember that, since 1983, over £13 billion has been invested in Wales by inward investors, of which £4.9 billion was reinvested in new products. As for jobs, 195,000 jobs have been created or safeguarded and over 450 overseas companies are located in Wales of which 150 come from the United States, 170 come from other parts of Europe and 58 from Japan. They are significant players in the Welsh economy and we cannot underplay them. I urge the Assembly to ensure that those companies remain here, reinvest here and provide high value, high quality jobs.

Yr ydych yn llygad eich lle. Rhaid inni gael economi gytbwys yng Nghymru. Bydd y rheini sydd yn rhoi eu hwyau i gyd mewn un fasged o ddatblygiad cynhenid yn gwasanaethu Cymru yn wael. Rhaid ichi gofio, ers 1983, y buddsoddwyd dros £13 biliwn yng Nghymru gan fewnfuddsoddwyr, a buddsoddwyd £4.9 miliwn o hwnnw ar gynnyrch newydd. O ran swyddi, crëwyd neu diogelwyd 195,000 o swyddi ac mae dros 450 o gwmnïau o dramor wedi’u lleoli yng Nghymru gyda 150 ohonynt o’r Unol Daleithiau, 170 o rannau eraill o Ewrop a 58 o Siapan. Maent yn gyfranogwyr arwyddocaol yn economi Cymru ac ni ddylem eu diystyru. Erfyniaf ar y Cynulliad i sicrhau bod y cwmnïau hynny yn aros yma, yn ailfuddsoddi yma ac yn darparu swyddi safonol o werth uchel.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 28

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

I thank the Minister for his statement that has given clarity after one of his Cabinet Minister colleagues—the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language—said that there had been only 130 job losses in her constituency. In the opening paragraph of your statement you said that you were in direct communication with Panasonic. When were you in communication with Panasonic and when was the Assembly in communication before you were elevated to the Cabinet? I also note that your statement talks about flexibility. Do you agree that we cannot continue to introduce rules and regulations that do not have a direct impact on jobs on employers, be it from Westminster, Brussels or the Assembly? It is bound to drive up costs further and to drive employers out of the United Kingdom and out of Wales in particular.

Diolchaf i’r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad sydd wedi egluro’r sefyllfa ar ôl i un o’i gyd-Weinidogion yn y Cabinet—y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Iaith Gymraeg—ddatgan mai dim ond 130 o bobl a oedd wedi colli eu swyddi yn ei hetholaeth hi. Ym mharagraff agoriadol eich datganiad nodasoch eich bod yn cyfathrebu’n uniongyrchol â Panasonic. Pryd y buoch yn cyfathrebu gyda Panasonic a phryd y bu’r Cynulliad yn cyfathrebu cyn i chi gael eich dyrchafu i’r Cabinet? Nodaf hefyd fod eich datganiad yn sôn am hyblygrwydd. A gytunwch na allwn barhau i gyflwyno rheolau a rheoliadau na chânt effaith uniongyrchol ar swyddi, ar gyflogwyr, boed o San Steffan, Brwsel neu’r Cynulliad? Mae’n anochel y bydd yn cynyddu costau ymhellach ac yn erlid cyflogwyr o’r Deyrnas Unedig ac o Gymru yn benodol.

You also made a comment on the euro. Do you, and does the new pact, agree with the Prime Minister’s latest view that it is not a good decision to join the euro and will you clarify your position on that? I cannot believe that the Assembly has not been in direct communication long before now with such a major employer across south Wales.

Gwnaethoch sylw hefyd ar yr ewro. A ydych chi, ac a yw’r cytundeb newydd, yn cytuno â safbwynt diweddaraf Prif Weinidog y DU nad yw’n benderfyniad da ymuno â’r ewro ac a allech egluro eich safbwynt ar hynny? Ni allaf gredu na fu’r Cynulliad yn cyfathrebu’n uniongyrchol ymhell cyn hyn gyda chyflogwr mor bwysig ar draws de Cymru.

Michael German spoken in English p. 29

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

I will start by informing Alun of what happens in these matters. The Welsh Development Agency as you know, or as you should know, has an account manager who works with Panasonic on a daily basis. I have already said in my statement that it was during a phone call from Tokyo that was received on Monday that the decision was given. I am convinced that no manager had any idea of the scale of the proposed redundancies. In the statement that I made over the weekend, it was clear that there wwould be redundancies, which were to be sought by voluntary redundancy but no one had an idea of its scale. The impact of that scale is important.

Ddechreuaf drwy hysbysu Alun o beth sydd yn digwydd yn y materion hyn. Fel y gwyddoch, neu fel y dylech wybod, mae gan Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru reolwr cyfrif sydd yn gweithio gyda Panasonic yn ddyddiol. Yr wyf eisoes wedi nodi yn fy natganiad mai yn ystod galwad ffôn o Tokyo a dderbyniwyd ddydd Llun y rhoddwyd y penderfyniad. Yr wyf yn argyhoeddedig nad oedd gan unrhyw un o’r rheolwyr unrhyw syniad o raddfa’r diswyddiadau arfaethedig. Yn y datganiad a gyhoeddais dros y penwythnos, yr oedd yn amlwg y byddai diswyddiadau, ac y byddent yn ceisio cael eu gwneud drwy ddiswyddiadau gwirfoddol, ond nid oedd gan unrhyw un syniad o’r raddfa. Mae effaith y raddfa honno yn bwysig.

I agree that flexibility for companies is crucial. I will be looking to ensure that these companies have the National Assembly’s support to replace obsolete products. It is important that we assist them in negotiations with government elsewhere when regulations are affecting their profitability. Finally, I believe it is important that we resell to their head offices, wherever they may be around the world, the advantages of Wales as a location given that we have had such good service from our inward investors.

Cytunaf fod hyblygrwydd i gwmnïau yn hanfodol. Byddaf yn ceisio sicrhau y caiff y cwmnïau hyn gefnogaeth y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i ddisodli cynnyrch darfodedig. Mae’n bwysig inni eu cynorthwyo wrth negodi gyda llywodraethau mewn mannau eraill pan fydd rheoliadau yn effeithio ar eu proffidioldeb. I gloi, credaf ei bod yn bwysig inni ailwerthu manteision Cymru fel lleoliad i’w pencadlysoedd, waeth ble y maent wedi’u lleoli ledled y byd, o gofio ein bod wedi cael gwasanaeth cystal gan ein mewnfuddsoddwyr.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 29

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

I welcome the announcement that you are to visit electronic firms in Wales and that you will underline the importance of early warnings in terms of these announcements. It is important also that the WDA starts to be more proactive in following up any indications that it might have of job losses. I understand that there were problems in obtaining information from Panasonic in this regard. What measures do you propose to take in the future to try to attract the sort of high value jobs, particularly in research and development, which Wales needs and which you acknowledge are remaining at Panasonic, to try to ensure that Wales continues to remain at the leading edge in terms of that form of employment?

Croesawaf y cyhoeddiad eich bod yn bwriadu ymweld â chwmnïau electroneg yng Nghymru ac y byddwch yn tanlinellu pwysigrwydd rhybuddion cynnar yn nhermau’r cyhoeddiadau hyn. Mae’n bwysig hefyd i’r WDA ddechrau bod yn fwy proactif wrth fynd ar drywydd unrhyw arwyddion y gallai swyddi gael eu colli. Deallaf y bu problemau wrth gael gwybodaeth gan Panasonic yn hyn o beth. Pa gamau y bwriadwch eu cymryd yn y dyfodol i geisio denu’r math o swyddi gwerth uchel, yn arbennig ym maes ymchwil a datblygu, sydd eu hangen ar Gymru ac yr ydych yn cydnabod sydd yn parhauyn Panasonic, er mwyn ceisio sicrhau y bydd Cymru yn parhau yn flaenllaw yn nhermau’r math hwnnw o gyflogaeth?

Michael German spoken in English p. 30

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

As you know, the role of attracting companies to Wales falls to the Welsh Development Agency. Over the last 10 years, the Welsh share of foreign direct investment in Wales has been around 14 per cent of the UK total. That is almost three times as much as our population share. That progress must continue and the Welsh Development Agency is being encouraged to do that. The partnership agreement provides additional money to support the WDA in that work. It is crucial that we continue to reinvest in Wales. If we have high value jobs in research and development, we can build a strong indigenous base around that. I hope that Assembly will send out a clear message today that we support our inward investors, we want to see them here and we want to see them flourish.

Fel y gwyddoch, cyfrifoldeb Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru yw denu cwmnïau i Gymru. Dros y 10 mlynedd diwethaf, bu cyfran Cymru o fuddsoddiad uniongyrchol o dramor tua 14 y cant o gyfanswm y DU. Mae hynny ymron i deirgwaith cymaint â’n cyfran o’r boblogaeth. Rhaid i’r cynnydd hwnnw barhau a chaiff Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru ei annog i wneud hynny. Darpara’r cytundeb partneriaeth arian ychwanegol i gynnal y WDA yn y gwaith hwnnw. Mae’n hanfodol inni barhau i ailfuddsoddi yng Nghymru. Os oes gennym swyddi gwerth uchel ym maes ymchwil a datblygu, gallwn adeiladu sail gynhenid gryf o’u hamgylch. Gobeithiaf y bydd y Cynulliad yn anfon neges glir heddiw ein bod yn cefnogi ein mewnfuddsoddwyr, ein bod am eu gweld yma a’n bod am eu gweld yn ffynnu.

William Graham spoken in English p. 30

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

I welcome the remarks made by my esteemed colleague, Brian Gibbons. There is no need for hysteria in this matter. During the summer constituency weeks, I visited six of the eight largest employers in my constituency, all of which are engaged in some form of activity linked to what we are discussing today. Those firms, such as ESM, AB Electronics, Mitel and Alcatel, have made significant investment in South Wales East. They employ many people and we must not give out the message that they are unwelcome or unviable. I hope that you will make that point today, Mike. Those firms are welcome. The history of our nation, as a trading nation, is that we have a good relationship with people who come into our areas to provide employment and added value for the whole community.

Croesawaf y sylwadau a wnaethpwyd gan fy nghyd-Aelod teilwng, Brian Gibbons. Nid oes angen hysteria ynghylch y mater hwn. Yn ystod wythnosau etholaeth yr haf, ymwelais â chwech o’r wyth cyflogwr mwyaf yn fy etholaeth, y mae pob un ohonynt yn ymwneud â rhyw ffurf ar weithgaredd sydd yn gysylltiedig â’r hyn a drafodwn heddiw. Mae’r cwmnïau hynny, fel ESM, AB Electronics, Mitel ac Alcatel, wedi buddsoddi’n sylweddol yn Nwyrain De Cymru. Cyflogant lawer o bobl ac ni ddylem gyfleu’r neges nad oes croeso iddynt neu nad ydynt yn ymarferol. Gobeithiaf y byddwch yn gwneud y pwynt hwnnw heddiw, Mike. Mae croeso i’r cwmnïau hynny. Hanes ein gwlad, fel gwlad sydd yn masnachu, yw bod gennym gydberthynas dda gyda phobl a ddaw i’n hardaloedd i ddarparu cyflogaeth a gwerth ychwanegol i’r gymuned gyfan.

In Newport, we have had the hiatus of LG Semicon. Nobody could have predicted the financial collapse in the Far East. Nevertheless, there remains a splendid opportunity for somebody to invest in that major plant, much of which was funded by public money. I would welcome a statement that you are insistent that the sunrise industries are here to stay.

Yng Nghasnewydd, mae LG Semicon wedi gadael bwlch. Ni allai unrhyw un fod wedi rhagweld y dirywiad ariannol yn y Dwyrain Pell. Serch hynny, erys cyfle ardderchog i rywun fuddsoddi yn y ffatri fawr honno, yr ariannwyd llawer ohoni gydag arian cyhoeddus. Byddwn yn croesawu datganiad eich bod yn mynnu bod y diwydiannau dwyreiniol yma i aros.

Michael German spoken in English p. 31

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 31

I have made that clear. I am grateful for that support, William. I will give you some idea of the impact of those companies on indigenous development. Seventy-five per cent of Wales’s indigenous businesses have foreign investor company customers, which depend on their work. Twelve per cent of the supplies of inward investors in Wales are sourced locally. Even for the overseas electronics operations, 9 per cent of supplies are sourced locally in Wales. They are a crucial part of our economy and we would do ourselves much damage if we did not support them.

Yr wyf wedi gwneud hynny’n amlwg. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am y gefnogaeth honno, William. Hoffwn roi rhywfaint o syniad ichi o ddylanwad y cwmnïau hynny ar ddatblygiad cynhenid. Mae gan 75 y cant o fusnesau cynhenid Cymru gwsmeriaid sydd yn gwmnïau buddsoddwyr o dramor, sydd yn dibynnu ar eu gwaith. Caiff 12 y cant o gyflenwadau mewnfuddsoddwyr yng Nghymru eu darparu’n lleol. Hyd yn oed ar gyfer y gweithrediadau electroneg tramor, caiff 9 y cant o’u cyflenwadau eu darparu’n lleol yng Nghymru. Maent yn rhan hanfodol o’n heconomi a byddwn yn gwneud niwed mawr i ni ein hunain pe na byddem yn eu cefnogi.

Alun Pugh spoken in English p. 31

Alun Pugh siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 31

I agree that Wales can never compete on the basis of cheap labour. We must compete on smart labour in the global market. Do you, therefore, share my concerns that vocational qualifications are seen as second rate? There is a perception that people who can do maths and physics are clever but that applying maths and physics concepts to engineering solutions is second rate. Will you work to promote parity of esteem for different sorts of educational qualifications?

Cytunaf na all Cymru byth gystadlu ar sail llafur rhad. Rhaid inni gystadlu ar lafur deallus yn y farchnad fyd-eang. Felly, a rannwch fy mhryderon y caiff cymwysterau galwedigaethol eu hystyried yn rhai eilradd? Mae amgyffrediad bod pobl sydd yn gallu gwneud mathemateg a ffiseg yn ddeallus ond mai mater eilradd yw cymhwyso cysyniadau mathemateg a ffiseg i ddatrysiadau peirianneg. A fyddwch yn gweithio i hyrwyddo cydraddoldeb parch ar gyfer gwahanol fathau o gymwysterau addysgol?

Michael German spoken in English p. 31

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 31

I welcome the pilot schemes for the Welsh baccalaureate in the partnership agreement. One intention of that will be to ensure that there is parity of esteem. The idea that people who are skilled in the application of knowledge are less valuable to our society will damage us considerably. We need highly skilled technologists and engineers. We support having increasing numbers of technicians in our workforce. To do that, we must encourage our young people that those occupations are worth pursuing and that they are valuable to our community. Therefore, we must ensure that the qualifications that they achieve have parity of esteem. This is a difficult issue to deal with and it is a long road, but we will be starting work on that matter.

Croesawaf y cynlluniau peilot ar gyfer y fagloriaeth Gymreig yn y cytundeb partneriaeth. Un o’i bwriadau fydd sicrhau cysondeb parch. Bydd y syniad bod pobl sydd yn fedrus wrth gymhwyso gwybodaeth yn llai gwerthfawr i’n cymdeithas yn creu difrod sylweddol. Mae angen technolegwyr a pheirianwyr medrus arnom. Yr ydym o blaid cael niferoedd cynyddol o dechnegwyr yn ein gweithlu. Er mwyn gwneud hynny, rhaid inni ddarbwyllo ein pobl ifanc bod y galwedigaethau hynny yn werth eu dilyn a’u bod yn werthfawr i’n cymuned. Felly, rhaid inni sicrhau bod cydraddoldeb parch i’r cymwysterau a enillant. Mae hwn yn fater anodd i ymdrin ag ef ac mae’n llwybr hir, ond byddwn yn dechrau gwaith ar y mater hwnnw.

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 32

Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh p. 32

Ategaf yr hyn a ddywedodd William Graham a Brian Gibbons ynglŷn â phwysigrwydd cynnal hyder yn y diwydiannau sydd wedi buddsoddi yng Nghymru o dramor, ochr yn ochr â’r buddsoddiadau o’r tu mewn i Gymru. Yng ngoleuni eich cyfeiriad at fuddsoddiad mewn cynnal swyddi, a roddwyd arian i Panasonic, drwy raglenni cymorth rhanbarthol dewisol, yn ystod y pum mlynedd diwethaf i gynnal swyddi? Os felly, a oes unrhyw rai o’r swyddi sydd yn cael eu colli yn awr ymhlith y rhai y talwyd arian i’w cynnal dros y cyfnod hwnnw?

I endorse what William Graham and Brian Gibbons said about the importance of sustaining confidence in the industries that have invested in Wales from abroad, side by side with the investments from within Wales. In light of your reference to investment in sustaining jobs, has any money been given to Panasonic, through regional selective assistance programmes, during the last five years to retain jobs? If so, are any of the jobs that are being lost now among those for which money was paid to retain them over that period?

Michael German spoken in English p. 32

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

It is not yet clear where the redundancies will occur. However, officials have the impression that jobs will not be affected in areas that received the RSA grant. A sum of £1.2 million was given to Panasonic towards the manufacture of digital video boxes and digital televisions and to expand its microwave oven manufacture. I believe that the jobs that will be retained are in those areas. Regional selective assistance would only be affected if jobs were lost in that area. However, the assurance that I received from the company and that which officials have received is that the retention of jobs will be in those areas. As long as those projects continue, there will no be need to recall the grant.

Nid yw’n amlwg eto ble bydd y diswyddiadau. Fodd bynnag, mae swyddogion o dan yr argraff na chaiff swyddi yn y meysydd a dderbyniodd y grant cymorth dethol rhanbarthol eu heffeithio. Rhoddwyd swm o £1.2 miliwn i Panasonic tuag at weithgynhyrchu blychau fideo digidol a setiau teledu digidol ac i ehangu ei waith wrth weithgynhyrchu ffyrnau microdon. Credaf mai yn y meysydd hynny y bydd y swyddi a gedwir. Dim ond pe byddai swyddi’n cael eu colli yn y maes hwnnw y byddai effaith ar gymorth dethol rhanbarthol. Fodd bynnag, mae’r sicrwydd a dderbyniais i gan y cwmni ac a gafodd y swyddogion yn nodi y bydd y swyddi a gedwir yn y meysydd hynny. Cyhyd â bod y prosiectau hynny yn parhau, ni fydd angen i’r grant gael ei ad-dalu.

Richard Edwards spoken in English p. 32

Richard Edwards siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

In response to Alun Cairns’s earlier comments about over-regulation, do you agree that this is not an opportune time to talk about deregulation, as the Phillips report into the BSE scandal is published today?

Mewn ymateb i sylwadau cynharach Alun Cairns am or-reoleiddio, a gytunwch nad yn awr yw’r amser gorau i drafod dadreoleiddio, gan y cyhoeddir adroddiad Phillips i’r sgandal BSE heddiw?

Michael German spoken in English p. 32

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

We must draw a balance in society between protecting individuals’ needs, ensuring that their workplace is safe and that they live in a safe environment, and the need to create an economic environment to ensure that it is worth doing business here and that people will want to invest here. That balance will always be with us and, therefore, we must balance it well. It would be unwise and unacceptable to fall off the edge in one direction or another.

Rhaid inni gael cydbwysedd yn y gymdeithas rhwng diogelu anghenion unigolion, sicrhau bod eu gweithle yn ddiogel a’u bod yn byw mewn amgylchedd diogel, a’r angen i greu amgylchedd economaidd i sicrhau ei fod yn werth cynnal busnes yma ac y bydd pobl am fuddsoddi yma. Bydd y cydbwysedd hwnnw yn aros gyda ni ac, felly, rhaid iddo fod yn gydbwysedd da. Ni fyddai’n ddoeth nac yn dderbyniol mynd ormod i un cyfeiriad.

Cynog Dafis a gododd—

Cynog Dafis rose—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 33

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 33

Trefn. Mae datganiad arall.

Order. There is another statement.

Datganiad ar Adroddiad Phillips ar BSE

Statement on the Phillips Report on BSE

Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business spoken in English p. 33

Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 33

Later today, the Government will present the report of the Phillips inquiry into the bovine spongiform encephalopathy situation to Parliament. Subject to parliamentary business, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Nick Brown, will make a statement to the House of Commons at 12.30 p.m. The Assembly’s First Minister will make a written statement available to Members on the Cabinet’s written statements page on the intranet as soon as possible thereafter. We also intend to make a transcript of Mr Brown’s statement available as soon as practicable. That has been communicated to the other three parties.

Yn ddiweddarach heddiw, bydd y Llywodraeth yn cyflwyno adroddiad ymchwiliad Phillips i’r sefyllfa enseffalopathi sbyngffurf buchol i’r Senedd. Yn amodol ar fusnes seneddol, bydd y Gweinidog Amaethyddiaeth, Pysgodfeydd a Bwyd, Nick Brown, yn gwneud datganiad i Dŷ’r Cyffredin am 12.30 p.m. Bydd Prif Weinidog y Cynulliad hefyd yn sicrhau bod datganiad ysgrifenedig ar gael i’r Aelodau ar dudalen datganiadau ysgrifenedig y Cabinet ar y fewnrwyd cyn gynted â phosibl wedi hynny. Yr ydym hefyd yn bwriadu rhyddhau trawsysgrif o ddatganiad Mr Brown cyn gynted ag y bydd yn ymarferol. Mae’r tair plaid arall wedi cael gwybod am hynny.

David Lloyd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 33

David Lloyd spoken in Welsh p. 33

Tra’n diolch i Andrew am ei ddatganiad, dyma’r peth cyntaf a glywsom am y newyddion hwn. Fel pwynt o drefn, pan fo datganiadau am gael eu gwneud mewn Tŷ arall ynglŷn â mater megis enseffalopathi sbyngffurf buchol ac afiechyd Creutzfeldt-Jakob, sydd yn holl bwysig i ni yng Nghymru, yn ogystal ag i weddill y Deyrnas Gyfunol, dylem gael datganiad yma. Mae hyn yn teilyngu datganiad yma yn awr gan ei fod o bwys mawr. Croesawn y sylwadau ond mae hyn yn newyddion i ni ac, yn sylfaenol, nid yw hynny yn ddigon da. Dylem gael datganiad gan y Gweindog yn awr. Mae hwn yn fater holl bwysig o ran iechyd ac amaethyddiaeth ein gwlad.

While thanking Andrew for his statement, this is the first that we have heard of this news. As a point of order, when statements are to be made in another House on a matter such as BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which is of crucial importance to us in Wales, as well as to the rest of the United Kingdom, we should have a statement here. This is worthy of a statement here now as it is of great importance. We welcome the comments but this is news to us and, basically, that is not good enough. We should have a statement now from the Minister. This is a crucial matter for health and agriculture in our country.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 33

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 33

The First Minister and myself informed representatives of each of the parties before I made my statement. We cannot make a simultaneous statement to the Assembly because this inquiry and the subsequent report were initiated by the UK Government in 1997. Therefore, it is the UK Government’s first duty to report the findings of the inquiry to Parliament. The Assembly is not part of the UK Government. However, I have given a commitment that, once the statement has been made and if other parties so wish, the administration will make a full oral statement to this Chamber at the earliest possible opportunity, which would be next Tuesday.

Hysbyswyd cynrychiolwyr o bob un o’r pleidiau gan y Prif Weinidog a minnau cyn i mi wneud fy natganiad. Ni allwn wneud datganiad ar y cyd i’r Cynulliad gan mai Llywodraeth y DU ddechreuodd yr ymchwiliad hwn a’r adroddiad dilynol ym 1997. Felly, dyletswydd gyntaf Llywodraeth y DU yw cyflwyno adroddiad ar ganfyddiadau’r ymchwiliad i’r Senedd. Nid yw’r Cynulliad yn rhan o Lywodraeth y DU. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf wedi gwneud ymrwymiad, unwaith y gwneir y datganiad ac os bydd pleidiau eraill yn dymuno hynny, y bydd y weinyddiaeth yn gwneud datganiad llafar llawn i’r Siambr hon cyn gynted â phosibl, sef ddydd Mawrth nesaf.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 34

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34

I accept that and, in fairness, we were told in advance of this. It would be inappropriate for us to comment on a report that has not yet been published. We must see the report and we would welcome the opportunity to look at it and consider its details. I think that it is appropriate for us to consider it next Tuesday, which would be the earliest opportunity.

Derbyniaf hynny ac, a bod yn deg, fe’n hysbyswyd ymlaen llaw am hyn. Ni fyddai’n briodol i ni gyflwyno sylwadau ar adroddiad nas cyhoeddwyd eto. Rhaid inni weld yr adroddiad a byddwn yn croesawu’r cyfle i edrych arno ac ystyried y manylion ynddo. Credaf ei bod yn briodol inni ei ystyried ddydd Mawrth nesaf, sef y cyfle cynharaf.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 34

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 34

Yn dilyn y drafodaeth honno yn y Siambr ddydd Mawrth nesaf, gobeithio, ceisiaf wneud trefniadau i sicrhau y gosodir y mater hwn ar agenda’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn trafod y mater mewn dyfnder yn y Pwyllgor hwnnw.

Following that debate in the Chamber next Tuesday, hopefully, I will try to make arrangements to ensure that this matter is placed on the agenda of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. It is important that we discuss this matter in depth in that Committee.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 34

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34

That would be helpful.

Byddai hynny yn ddefnyddiol.

Pwynt o Drefn

Point of Order

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 34

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 34

Pwynt o drefn. Llywydd, mae Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.8 yn rhoi darpariaeth ar gyfer gwneud datganiadau. O dan y Rheol honno, gofynnaf i chi a yw hi’n dderbyniol bod y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Gweindog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd, wedi datgan gwybodaeth gyfrinachol i’r wasg am statws cyfreithiol Cyd-bwyllgor Addysg Cymru—corff sydd yn chwarae rôl allweddol ym mywyd addysgol Cymru—tra bod y Gweinidog Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes yn gwrthod gwneud datganiad i’r Cynulliad ar y mater hwn? A wnewch chi gadarnhau nad yw’r ffaith fod CBAC yn gwmni preifat yn rheswm dros beidio â gwneud datganiad? Wedi’r cyfan, yr ydym newydd gael datganiad ar broblemau Panasonic, sydd yn gwmni preifat.

Point of Order. Presiding Officer, Standing Order No. 6.8 makes provision for making statements. Under that Standing Order, I ask you if it is acceptable that the Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Economic Development, has released to the press confidential information about the legal status of the Welsh Joint Education Committee—a body that plays a crucial role in Wales’s educational life—while the Minister for Education and Life-long Learning refuses to make a statement to the Assembly on this matter? Will you confirm that the fact that the WJEC is a private company is not a reason for not making a statement? After all, we have just had a statement on the problems of Panasonic, which is a private company.

Ar wahân i’r ffaith fod datganiad Mike German yn creu pryder cyffredinol am CBAC—corff o’r pwys mwyaf, fel y dywedais—onid yw hi’n dangos amharch i’r Cynulliad ac felly yn gyfan gwbl annerbyniol?

Apart from the fact that Mike German’s statement creates general concern about the WJEC—a most important organisation, as I said—does it not show disrespect for this Assembly and is it not therefore totally unacceptable?

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 35

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 35

In response to Cynog’s question on my Business Statement on Tuesday, that we would listen to representations. I am not aware that we have had any. However, I stand by the statements that I made on Tuesday. The WJEC is a private company and it is a matter in the first case for the Welsh Local Government Association. However, if the proposed education and life-long learning committee wishes to look at this matter in terms of the running of the WJEC, we would argue that it is a matter for them. We do not see that it is a matter of urgency as defined in our Standing Orders for this administration or my colleague, the Minister for Education and Life-long Learning to make a statement. We realise that it is an important matter, but there are more appropriate ways of dealing with it.

Mewn ymateb i gwestiwn Cynog ar fy Natganiad Busnes ddydd Mawrth, y byddem yn gwrando ar gynrychioliadau. Nid wyf yn ymwybodol ein bod wedi derbyn unrhyw gynrychioliadau. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn dal wrth y datganiadau a wnaethpwyd ddydd Mawrth. Cwmni preifat yw CBAC ac felly mater i Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru ydyw yn gyntaf. Fodd bynnag, pe byddai’r pwyllgor addysg a dysgu gydol oes arfaethedig yn dymuno ystyried y mater hwn yn nhermau rhedeg CBAC, byddwn yn dadlau mai mater iddynt hwy ydyw. Nid ystyriwn fod hyn yn fater brys fel y diffinnir yn ein Rheolau Sefydlog i’r weinyddiaeth hon na’m cyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes, wneud datganiad. Sylweddolwn ei fod yn fater pwysig, ond mae ffyrdd mwy priodol o ymdrin ag ef.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 35

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 35

Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw. Mae Andrew Davies wedi ailadrodd y pwynt ynglŷn â statws cyfartal cwmni preifat. Nodais innau hefyd nad yw hynny yn rhwystr o gwbl. Mae’n bosibl y bydd y pwyllgor addysg a dysgu gydol oes arfaethedig am edrych ar y mater hwn, ond pwysaf arnoch chi i nodi’r anghysondeb rhwng Aelodau o Gabinet y Cynulliad yn gwneud datganiadau i’r wasg â methiant y Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb i wneud datganiad i’r Cynulliad. Dylid gwneud datganiad i’r Cynulliad ynglŷn â chorff sydd, yn ôl y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog, yn wynebu anhawsterau ariannol a chyfreithiol pwysig ar hyn o bryd.

Further to that point of order. Andrew Davies has repeated the point about the equal status of a private company. I also noted that that is no obstacle whatsoever. It is possible that the proposed education and life-long learning committee might want to look at this issue, but I press you to note this inconsistency between Members of the Assembly Cabinet releasing statements to the press and the failure of the Minister responsible to make a statement to the Assembly. A statement should be made to the Assembly about a body which, according to the Deputy First Minister, is facing important legal and financial difficulties at this time.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 35

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 35

I make it absolutely clear that the Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Economic Development did not make a statement. It related to his previous employment before he became an Assembly Member, and we felt that it was inappropriate for a statement to be made on this issue. The running of the WJEC is an important matter and, as I have said already, there are existing ways in which the Assembly could look at this. Following consultation with my colleague Jane Davidson, the Minister for Education and Life-long Learning, it may be a matter for the education and life-long learning committee once it is elected.

Fe’i gwnaf yn hollol glir na wnaeth y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd ddatganiad. Yr oedd yn ymwneud â’i gyflogaeth flaenorol cyn iddo ddod yn Aelod o’r Cynulliad, a theimlasom nad oedd yn briodol gwneud datganiad ar y mater hwn. Mae rhedeg CBAC yn fater pwysig ac, fel y nodais eisoes, mae ffyrdd presennol y gallai’r Cynulliad edrych ar hyn. Yn dilyn ymgynghori â’m cyd-Aelod Jane Davidson, y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes, gallai fod yn fater i’r pwyllgor addysg a dysgu gydol oes unwaith y caiff ei ethol.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 36

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36

On that point of order. This is a slightly different issue, but I agree that we need a statement on this issue to clear the air. Representations were made on the Business Statement on Tuesday in relation to that. I also had a private word with the Minister for Assembly Business indicating that I thought that this was an issue that needed addressing. In relation to Standing Order No. 2.8, which is my specific concern, Ministers must make decisions and determinations from time to time. The Deputy First Minister may, in the absence of the First Minister, have to make decisions relating to the WJEC. It is appropriate that he makes a statement to clear the air on this issue. If he did not make a statement in relation to his status, he issued a legal document to the press relating to his status. If he did not, he should issue a written statement because the press says that he did. He needs to clarify the position. If he has that legal advice, the Office of the Counsel General should look at it. The WJEC is only a private company in form; the substance of this is of key significance to Wales. I have had representations as has Jonathan Morgan as our education spokesman. Parents and employers are becoming concerned about the status of this body. We need it clarified.

Ar y pwynt hwnnw o drefn. Mae hwn yn fater ychydig yn wahanol, ond cytunaf fod angen datganiad ar y mater hwn er mwyn clirio’r aer. Gwnaethpwyd cynrychioliadau ar y Datganiad Busnes ddydd Mawrth mewn perthynas â hynny. Mynnais air preifat hefyd gyda’r Trefnydd yn nodi fy mod o’r farn y dylid ymdrin â’r mater hwn. Mewn perthynas â Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 2.8, sef fy mhryder penodol, rhaid i Weinidogion wneud penderfyniadau o bryd i’w gilydd. Efallai y bydd yn rhaid i’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog, yn absenoldeb y Prif Weinidog, wneud penderfyniadau sydd yn ymwneud â CBAC. Mae’n briodol ei fod yn gwneud datganiad i glirio’r aer ynghylch y pwnc. Os na wnaeth ddatganiad mewn perthynas â’i statws, cyhoeddodd ddogfen gyfreithiol i’r wasg yn ymwneud â’i statws. Os na wnaeth hynny, dylai gyhoeddi datganiad ysgrifenedig gan fod y wasg yn dweud iddo wneud hynny. Mae angen iddo grisialu’r sefyllfa. Os oes ganddo’r cyngor cyfreithiol hwnnw, dylai Swyddfa’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol edrych arno. Dim ond mewn enw y mae CBAC yn gwmni preifat; mae ei sylwedd o arwyddocâd allweddol i Gymru. Yr wyf i, yn ogystal â Jonathan Morgan fel ein llefarydd addysg, wedi derbyn cynrychioliadau. Mae rhieni a chyflogwyr yn pryderu ynghylch statws y corff hwn. Mae angen inni gael eglurhad.

David Davies spoken in English p. 36

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36

On that point of order, is it not the case that if this is a private company, we deserve an explanation as to why all the directors of this supposedly private company are councillors? Should this not be investigated by the Partnership Council and the Local Government and Housing Committee—

Ar y pwynt hwnnw o drefn, onid ydym yn haeddu eglurhad ynghylch pam fod cyfarwyddwyr y cwmni preifat hwn oll yn gynghorwyr, os yw’n gwmni preifat? Oni ddylai’r Cyngor Partneriaeth a’r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai ymchwilio i hyn—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh and English p. 37

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 37

Order. This is not in order. We are not debating the WJEC. I am answering Cynog Dafis’s point of order.

yn Saesneg Trefn. Nid yw hyn yn dderbyniol. Nid ydym yn trafod CBAC. Yr wyf yn ateb pwynt o drefn Cynog Dafis.

Felly, a gaf barhau i ymateb i’r pwynt o drefn yn fy ffordd fy hun, os gwelwch yn dda?

in Welsh Therefore, may I continue to respond to the point of order in my own way, please?

Wrth gadeirio busnes y Cynulliad yn y Cyfarfod Llawn, ni allaf alw cwestiynau ond ar ddatganiadau sydd wedi eu cyflwyno gan y Cabinet. Hoffwn ei gwneud yn glir nad wyf wedi derbyn unrhyw gais gan y Cabinet i roi datganiad ar y mater hwn.

in Welsh When chairing Assembly business in Plenary, I can only call for questions on statements that have been presented by the Cabinet. I want to make it clear that I have not received any request from the Cabinet to make a statement on this issue.

Mae’n wir fy mod wedi cael ceisiadau am gwestiynau brys a’m bod wedi cael trafodaethau ag Aelodau y tu allan i’r Cynulliad ynglŷn â’r sefyllfa hon. Fodd bynnag, ni chredaf fod hwn yn fater o frys ar hyn o bryd. Gallai ddod yn fater o frys ac yn fater o bwysigrwydd cyhoeddus yn ôl ein Rheolau Sefydlog ond, ar hyn o bryd, dyna fy agwedd i.

in Welsh It is true that I have received requests for urgent questions and that I have had discussions with Members outside the Assembly about this situation. However, I do not believe that this is an urgent matter at present. It could become an urgent matter and a matter of public importance according to our Standing Orders but, at present, that is my stance.

Deallaf fod teimlad yn y Cynulliad, a byddwn yn cynghori’r Llywodraeth i ymateb i’r teimlad hwn, naill ai yn y pwyllgor addysg a dysgu gydol oes arfaethedig neu mewn rhyw ffordd arall. Os na wnaiff hynny, byddwn yn yr un sefyllfa bob tro y byddwn yn cyfarfod. Nid yw hynny’n dderbyniol, oherwydd mae’n annheg â busnes y Cynulliad a busnes pawb arall.

in Welsh I understand that there is feeling in the Assembly, and I would advise the Government to respond to this feeling, either in the proposed education and life-long learning committee or by some other means. If it does not do so, we will be in the same situation every time we meet. That is not acceptable, because it is unfair to the Assembly’s business and everyone else’s business.

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Life-long Learning spoken in English p. 37

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 37

Further to that point of order, I confirm that I have not received any representations. I would be grateful if Members made representations to me, and then we can appropriately consider how best to manage them.

Yn dilyn y pwynt o drefn hwnnw, cadarnhaf nad wyf wedi derbyn unrhyw sylwadau. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe byddai’r Aelodau yn gwneud cynrychioliadau i mi, ac yna gallwn ystyried yn briodol beth yw’r ffordd orau i’w rheoli.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 37

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 37

That is very helpful.

Mae hynny’n ddefnyddiol iawn.

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 37

Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh p. 37

Pwynt o drefn. Ategaf yr hyn a ddywedasoch eiliad yn ôl. Hefyd, wrth i’r Llywodraeth ymateb yn ôl eich awgrym chi, Lywydd, a ellir ystyried hefyd oblygiadau archwilio, oherwydd nid yw cwmnïau preifat yn dod o fewn y gyfundrefn archwilio? Pan fo arian cyhoeddus yn y fantol, rhaid sicrhau bod cyfundrefn archwilio ar gyfer sefyllfa o’r fath.

Point of order. I endorse what you said a moment ago. Also, when the Government responds in the way that you suggested, Llywydd, could it also consider the implications of auditing, because private companies do not come under the audit system? Where public money is concerned, it must be ensured that there is an audit system for such a situation.

Hoffwn godi pwynt arall o drefn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 5.1. A ydych wedi cael unrhyw arwydd o newid yn ein busnes o safbwynt Pwyllgor Rhanbarth Gogledd Cymru, sydd i fod i gyfarfod yfory yn Wrecsam? Deallaf fod y Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb dros faterion y Gogledd wedi dweud y bore yma na fydd yno. A ydych wedi cael unrhyw arwydd, felly, na fydd y Pwyllgor yn cyfarfod gan na fydd y Prif Weinidog yno?

I wish to raise another point of order under Standing Order No. 5.1. Have you been given any indication of a change in our business in terms of the North Wales Regional Committee, which is due to meet tomorrow in Wrexham? I understand that the Minister with responsibility for north Wales matters has said this morning that he will not be there. Have you been given any indication, therefore, that the Committee will not meet because the First Minister will not be present?

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 38

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh and English p. 38

Dyna’r tro cyntaf imi glywed am hyn. Trof at Gadeirydd Pwyllgor Rhanbarth y Gogledd, Ann Jones.

in Welsh This is the first that I have heard of this. I turn to the Chair of the North Wales Regional Committee, Ann Jones.

Can you offer any assistance on this point of order? Is this meeting scheduled? I have not heard anything to the contrary.

yn Saesneg A allwch gynnig unrhyw gymorth ar y pwynt hwn o drefn? A yw’r cyfarfod hwn wedi’i amserlennu? Nid wyf wedi clywed unrhyw beth i’r gwrthwyneb.

Ann Jones spoken in English p. 38

Ann Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 38

The meeting is scheduled as arranged.

Mae’r cyfarfod wedi’i amserlennu fel y trefnwyd.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 38

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 38

Fel y gwyddoch, nid yw’n fater i mi a yw Gweinidogion yn cytuno i ymddangos o flaen Pwyllgorau ai peidio. Fodd bynnag, mae’n gwbl deg i Aelodau godi’r pwyntiau hyn fel pwyntiau o drefn ac i dynnu sylw atynt, oherwydd, yn naturiol, os yw’r system Bwyllgorau hon i weithio’n effeithiol, boed yn Bwyllgorau Rhanbarth neu’n Bwyllgorau Pwnc, mae’n bwysig ein bod yn ceisio cadw at yr agenda.

As you know, it is not a matter for me whether or not Ministers agree to appear before Committees. However, it is perfectly fair for Members to raise these points as points of order and to draw attention to them, because, naturally, if this Committee system is to work effectively, whether it be Regional Committeees or Subject Committees, it is important that we try to keep to the agenda.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 38

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 38

Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister, has indicated that he will, whenever possible, attend meetings of the North Wales Regional Committee. It has not been possible for him to do so this week, but he has indicated that, in future, he wishes to attend as many meetings of the Committee as possible.

Mae Rhodri Morgan, y Prif Weinidog, wedi nodi y bydd, ble bynnag y bo’n bosibl, yn mynychu cyfarfodydd Pwyllgor Rhanbarthol Gogledd Cymru. Ni fu’n bosibl iddo wneud hynny yr wythnos hon, ond mae wedi nodi, yn y dyfodol, ei fod am fynychu cymaint o gyfarfodydd y Pwyllgor â phosibl.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 38

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 38

Pwynt o drefn. Dywedodd y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes nad oedd neb wedi cysylltu â hi’n uniongyrchol. Cymeraf fod hynny’n gywir, a derbyniaf yr hyn a ddywedodd—

Point of order. The Minister for Education and Life-long Learning said that no-one had contacted her directly. I take it that that is correct, and I accept what she said—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 39

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 39

Trefn. A yw hwn yn bwynt o drefn?

Order. Is this a point of order?

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 39

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 39

Ydyw. Mae pobl wedi cysylltu â’r cyn-Ysgrifennydd Addysg o’r blaen. Felly, nid yw’n deg i Weinidog newydd ddweud nad oes unrhyw un wedi cysylltu â hi—

Yes, it is. People have previously contacted the former Secretary for Education. Therefore, it is not fair for a new Minister to say that no one has contacted her—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 39

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 39

Mae’n gwbl deg i’r Gweinidog presennol ddweud nad oes dim cysylltiad wedi bod â hi, a dyna y’i clywais yn ei ddweud.

It is perfectly fair for the present Minister to say that no contact has been made with her, and that is what I heard her say.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 39

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

Further to that point of order—

Yn dilyn y pwynt hwnnw o drefn—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 39

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

Which point of order is that?

Pa bwynt o drefn fyddai hynny?

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 39

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

The one that you have not ruled on, relating to Standing Order No. 2.8. Could you rule on whether it would be appropriate for the Deputy First Minister ever to consider the WJEC until this issue is clarified?

Yr un nad ydych wedi gwneud penderfyniad arno, yn ymwneud â Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 2.8. A allech wneud penderfyniad ar a fyddai’n briodol i’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ystyried CBAC o gwbl cyn i’r mater gael ei egluro?

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 39

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

You know that I would not rule in session on a sensitive issue of that kind. I have indicated clearly that I believe that it would be appropriate for the Government of Wales to respond to Members’ questions. The Cabinet, I am sure, is considering that. I will review the record and take further advice on this matter. I will inform the Assembly if there is anything further that I should say on the matter. Can we now proceed with business please? Is this a new point of order?

Fe wyddoch na fyddwn yn gwneud penderfyniad yn ystod sesiwn ar fater sensitif o’r fath. Nodais yn glir fy mod o’r farn y byddai’n briodol i Lywodraeth Cymru ymateb i gwestiynau’r Aelodau. Yr wyf yn siŵr bod y Cabinet yn ystyried hynny. Byddaf yn adolygu’r cofnod ac yn cymryd cyngor pellach ar y mater hwn. Hysbysaf y Cynulliad os bydd unrhyw beth pellach y dylwn ei ddweud ar y mater. A allwn fwrw ati â’r busnes yn awr? A yw hwn yn bwynt newydd o drefn?

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 39

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

It is. It relates to the Assembly review, which was initiated by the First Secretary during the summer. A letter followed, suggesting that the first meeting of this review would be held in early September and that it would consider all types of functions and activities in the National Assembly for Wales. We have spent some time considering the terms of reference.

Ydyw. Mae’n ymwneud ag arolwg y Cynulliad, a ddechreuwyd gan y Prif Ysgrifennydd yn ystod yr haf. Dilynodd llythyr, yn awgrymu y byddai cyfarfod cyntaf yr arolwg hwn yn cael ei gynnal ddechrau mis Medi ac y byddai’n ystyried pob math o swyddogaethau a gweithgareddau yng Nghynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. Yr ydym wedi treulio cryn amser yn ystyried y cylch gorchwyl.

Subsequently, matters contained in that review were decided unilaterally, or at least without reference to other party groups and outside bodies that would have been considering the review. Examples would be the renaming of Secretaries as Ministers, appointing an additional number of Deputy Secretaries, and the creation of the post of Deputy First Minister so that Rhodri could have his own John Prescott. In addition, there have been changes to question time. We have had requests from Government Ministers for pairing. I thought that this was too close to the Westminster model for the administration’s liking. I have no particular problem with it, but it should be within the review. Changes to Standing Orders may be required. I suggest that the role of the Deputy First Minister should certainly involve changes to Standing Orders. However, where do we stand, if matters are being decided without the review and without the benefit of consultation with other parties and outside bodies that are part of the review process?

O ganlyniad, penderfynwyd yn unochrog ar y materion a gynhwyswyd yn yr arolwg hwnnw, neu o leiaf heb gyfeirio at bleidiau eraill a chyrff allanol a fyddai wedi ystyried yr arolwg. Ymhlith yr enghreifftiau byddai ailenwi Ysgrifenyddion yn Weinidogion, penodi nifer ychwanegol o Ddirprwy Ysgrifenyddion, a chreu swydd Dirprwy Brif Weinidog, fel y gallai Rhodri gael ei John Prescott ei hun. Yn ogystal, bu newidiadau i’r sesiwn cwestiynau. Cawsom geisiadau gan Weinidogion y Llywodraeth i baru. Yr oeddwn o’r farn bod hyn yn rhy agos i fodel San Steffan i fodloni’r weinyddiaeth. Nid oes gennyf unrhyw broblem benodol â hyn, ond dylid ei gynnwys o fewn yr arolwg. Efallai y bydd angen newid y Rheolau Sefydlog. Awgrymaf y dylai rôl y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog yn sicr gynnwys newidiadau i’r Rheolau Sefydlog. Fodd bynnag, beth yw ein sefyllfa, os caiff materion eu penderfynu heb yr arolwg a heb fudd ymgynghori â phleidiau eraill a chyrff allanol sydd yn rhan o’r broses arolygu?

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 40

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

Further to that point of order. As Nick knows, one of the biggest problems in getting the review off the ground is arranging a mutually convenient date with all the parties—

Yn dilyn y pwynt hwnnw o drefn. Fel y gŵyr Nick, un o broblemau mwyaf dechrau’r arolwg yw trefnu dyddiad sydd yn gyfleus i bob plaid—

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 40

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

There has been no suggestion of any dates—

Ni fu unrhyw sôn am unrhyw ddyddiadau—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 40

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

Order. Let the Minister answer, then I might call you again.

Trefn. Gadewch i’r Gweinidog ateb, yna efallai y galwaf arnoch eto.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 40

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

Or you might not—

Neu efallai na wnewch—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 40

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

Order. That is for me to decide. What is wrong with you today? I do not mean you, Andrew—I mean the Assembly.

Trefn. Mater i mi fydd penderfynu hynny. Beth sydd yn bod arnoch heddiw? Nid chi yn bersonol Andrew—y Cynulliad.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 40

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

The problem has been arranging a mutually convenient date, as I know from looking at correspondence or e-mails between the First Minister’s office and party leaders. There was no attempt to delay this meeting. Rhodri, as you know, initiated this review, in consultation with the Presiding Officer. We are keen as a party, and as an administration, to take this issue forward. We recognise—and it has already been acknowledged—that some of the changes made, such as the designation of a Deputy First Minister and the use of the word ‘Minister’ instead of ‘Assembly Secretary’, will probably necessitate a change to Standing Orders. We acknowledge that. We recognise that and it is something that we wish to take forward at the earliest possible opportunity. It is not meant as a discourtesy to other parties that we have made these changes. As soon as we can arrange a date, the Assembly review can proceed.

Y broblem fu trefnu dyddiad cyfleus i bawb, fel y gwn o edrych ar ohebiaeth neu negeseuon e-bost rhwng swyddfa’r Prif Weinidog ac arweinwyr y pleidiau. Ni fu unrhyw ymgais i oedi’r cyfarfod hwn. Rhodri, fel y gwyddoch, ddechreuodd ar yr arolwg hwn, drwy ymgynghori â’r Llywydd. Yr ydym yn awyddus fel plaid, ac fel gweinyddiaeth, i ddatblygu’r mater hwn. Cydnabyddwn—ac fe’i cydnabuwyd eisoes—y bydd rhai o’r newidiadau a wnaethpwyd, fel penodi Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a defnyddio’r gair ‘Gweinidog’ yn lle ‘Ysgrifennydd Cynulliad’, fwy na thebyg yn gofyn am newidiadau i’r Rheolau Sefydlog. Cydnabyddwn hynny. Cydnabyddwn hynny ac mae’n rhywbeth yr hoffem ei ddatblygu cyn gynted â phosibl. Nid yw’r ffaith ein bod wedi gwneud y newidiadau hyn yn gyfystyr â dangos diffyg cwrteisi i’r pleidiau eraill. Cyn gynted ag y llwyddwn i drefnu dyddiad, gall arolwg y Cynulliad fynd rhagddo.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 41

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

Further to that point of order, it is simply not good enough to say that there have been attempts to fix dates. That is not the case. There are no dates in the diary and, as far as I am aware, no attempts have been made. It is now two months later than the initial promise of a meeting, and matters are being decided unilaterally. If this review is to happen, it should happen now. If it is not going to happen, we might as well admit it, because there is no point in being part of a review process when issues are being decided without the involvement of other people.

Yn dilyn y pwynt hwnnw o drefn, nid yw’n ddigon da dweud y ceisiwyd trefnu dyddiadau. Nid yw hynny’n wir. Nid oes unrhyw ddyddiadau yn y dyddiadur a, hyd y gwn, ni wnaethpwyd unrhyw ymgais. Y mae bellach ddeufis yn ddiweddarach na’r addewid cychwynnol o gyfarfod, a chaiff materion eu penderfynu yn unochrog. Os ydym am gynnal yr arolwg hwn, dylid ei gynnal yn awr. Os na chaiff ei gynnal, cystal fyddai cyfaddef hynny, gan nad oes pwynt bod yn rhan o broses arolygu pan fydd materion yn cael eu penderfynu heb gynnwys pobl eraill.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 41

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

I want to confirm that efforts have been made and I am sure that Ieuan and the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats could confirm that. Attempts have been made to fix a date for this meeting. It has not been possible to arrange a mutually convenient date. I have seen correspondence on this, so I can confirm that that has taken place.

Hoffwn gadarnhau y gwnaethpwyd ymdrechion ac yr wyf yn siŵr y gallai Ieuan ac arweinydd Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru gadarnhau hynny. Gwnaethpwyd ymdrechion i drefnu dyddiad ar gyfer y cyfarfod hwn. Ni fu’n bosibl trefnu dyddiad cyfleus i bawb. Gwelais ohebiaeth ynglŷn â hyn, felly gallaf gadarnhau ei fod wedi digwydd.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 41

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

The Deputy Presiding Officer and myself are keen to make ourselves available to chair any meetings concerned with this review. As regards the use of titles by Ministers or, indeed, by other party leaders, that is a matter within Standing Orders. It is also a matter of courtesy in this Chamber. There have been discussions and we have agreed on that. It would not be expected that requests for the Business Committee to review the operation of Standing Orders, for example, would wait upon this review on matters of detail. However, I appreciate that where a review is established to look at procedures in general, it would be appropriate to consider those matters together for everyone’s convenience. I hope that we can make progress on this issue. Indeed, my deputy is chafing at the bit for this review to begin.

Mae’r Dirprwy Lywydd a minnau yn awyddus i sicrhau ein bod ar gael i gadeirio unrhyw gyfarfodydd yn ymwneud â’r arolwg hwn. O ran y defnydd o deitlau gan Weinidogion neu, yn wir, gan arweinwyr y pleidiau eraill, mae’r mater hwnnw o fewn y Rheolau Sefydlog. Mae hefyd yn fater o gwrteisi yn y Siambr hon. Cafwyd trafodaethau a chytunasom ar hynny. Ni fyddai disgwyl i geisiadau i’r Pwyllgor Busnes arolygu gweithrediad y Rheolau Sefydlog, er enghraifft, yn amodol ar arolwg o fanylion. Fodd bynnag, gwerthfawrogaf lle caiff arolwg ei sefydlu i edrych ar weithdrefnau yn gyffredinol, y byddai’n briodol ystyried y materion hynny gyda’n gilydd er cyfleustra i bawb. Gobeithiaf y gallwn wneud cynnydd yn hyn o beth. Yn wir, mae fy nirprwy yn awyddus iawn i’r arolwg hwn ddechrau.

Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Addysg (Cyfyngu Cyflogaeth) (Cymru) 2000

Approval of the Education (Restriction of Employment) (Wales) Regulations 2000

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Life-long Learning spoken in English p. 42

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 42

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 42

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 42

The regulations have been formally moved and are being taken under the relevant Standing Order. Therefore, they are not a matter for debate.

Cynigiwyd y rheoliadau yn ffurfiol a chânt eu hystyried o dan y Rheol Sefydlog perthnasol. Felly, nid ydynt yn fater i’w drafod.

Cynnig Jane Davidson t. 42

Motion Jane Davidson p. 42

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 52 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (52)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Adroddiad Blynyddol Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru

The Annual Report of the Welsh Administration Ombudsman

Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business spoken in English p. 43

Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business (continued) spoken in English p. 43

Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43

I trust that Members will join me in welcoming the first annual report from Michael Buckley, the Welsh Administration Ombudsman. This is a new office that replaces the Parliamentary Ombudsman for devolved matters in Wales. Mr Buckley is also the Parliamentary Ombudsman and Health Service Commissioner for England, Scotland and Wales. We are fortunate to benefit from the experience which he brings with him to this new role.

Hyderaf yr ymuna’r Aelodau â mi wrth groesawu adroddiad blynyddol cyntaf Michael Buckley, sef Ombwdsman Gweinyddiaeth Cymru. Swydd newydd yw hon sydd yn disodli’r Ombwdsmon Seneddol ar gyfer materion wedi’u datganoli yng Nghymru. Mr Buckley yw Ombwdsmon Seneddol a Chomisiynydd y Gwasanaeth Iechyd yng Nghymru, Lloegr a’r Alban hefyd. Yr ydym yn ffodus i elwa ar y profiad a ddaw gydag ef i’w rôl newydd.

The Welsh Administration Ombudsman is responsible for investigating complaints about administrative action and refusals to disclose information. These powers of investigation apply to the Assembly and those Assembly sponsored bodies which fall within his remit.

Mae Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru yn gyfrifol am ymchwilio i gŵynion ynghylch gweithredu gweinyddol a phenderfyniadau i wrthod datgelu gwybodaeth. Mae’r pwerau ymchwilio hyn yn berthnasol i’r Cynulliad a’r cyrff hynny a noddir gan y Cynulliad sydd yn dod o fewn ei gylch gwaith.

The appointment has begun the important first steps of adopting specific solutions for Wales, rather than blindly following UK custom and practice. I welcome this move towards the investigation of complaints. We must remember that the Assembly is still a new and developing administration and institution, so this approach will help the Assembly to mature and adopt best practice. It also gives an assurance to the public that the Assembly takes the role of the Ombudsman seriously.

Cychwynnodd y penodiad y camau cyntaf pwysig o fabwysiadu atebion penodol ar gyfer Cymru, yn hytrach na dilyn arferion y DU yn ddall. Croesawaf y symudiad hwn tuag at ymchwilio i gŵynion. Rhaid inni gofio bod y Cynulliad yn dal i fod yn weinyddiaeth ac yn sefydliad newydd sydd yn datblygu, felly bydd yr ymagwedd hon yn helpu’r Cynulliad i aeddfedu a mabwysiadu arfer gorau. Mae hefyd yn rhoi sicrwydd i’r cyhoedd fod y Cynulliad yn cymryd rôl yr Ombwdsmon o ddifrif.

It is important to remember that our Ombudsman is more accessible than the Parliamentary Ombudsman. In Wales, members of the public can complain directly to him. They do not have to go through the lengthy process of writing to their MP, asking them to take up the complaint on their behalf. Having a more approachable Ombudsman should result in more complaints being received by his office. I am sure that this is the right approach. Collcutt, in his recent review of English public sector Ombudsmen, recommended the adoption of the same system that we have in Wales. Against this background, I do not believe that too much should be read into the number of complaints that are made to the Ombudsman, or the number taken up by him. It is still early days.

Mae’n bwysig cofio bod ein Hombwdsmon yn fwy hygyrch na’r Ombwdsmon Seneddol. Yng Nghymru, gall aelodau o’r cyhoedd gwyno yn uniongyrchol iddo ef. Nid oes rhaid iddynt fynd drwy’r broses hir o ysgrifennu at eu AS, gan ofyn iddynt ymgymryd â’r gŵyn ar eu rhan. Dylai cael Ombwdsmon mwy hygyrch olygu y derbynnir rhagor o gŵynion gan ei swyddfa. Yr wyf yn siŵr mai dyma’r ymagwedd iawn. Argymhellodd Collcutt, yn ei adolygiad diweddar o Ombwdsmyn y sector cyhoeddus yn Lloegr, y dylid mabwysiadu’r un system â’r un sydd gennym yng Nghymru. Yn erbyn y cefndir hwn, ni chredaf y dylid darllen gormod i mewn i nifer y cwynion a wneir i’r Ombwdsmon, na’r nifer yr ymgymerodd ef â hwy. Mae pethau ond megis cychwyn.

This report identifies the increasing complexity of the systems operated by the public sector and the consequent increased risk of maladministration. We must guard against this and, where maladministration is found, we must be ready to consider redress.

Noda’r adroddiad hwn gymhlethdod cynyddol y systemau a weithredir gan y sector cyhoeddus a’r risg cynyddol o gamweinyddiaeth o ganlyniad i hynny. Rhaid inni ymochel rhag hyn a, lle canfyddir camweinyddiaeth, rhaid inni fod yn barod i ystyried unioni hyn.

A consultation on the recommendations made in the Collcutt report for the future of public sector Ombudsmen in England has recently ended. The outcome is not yet known, but we do know that the report’s main recommendation—for a commission of Ombudsmen to be established—could be equally applicable to Wales. We are considering the implications of the Collcutt report for Wales.

Daeth ymgynghoriad ar yr argymhellion a wnaethpwyd yn adroddiad Collcutt ar ddyfodol Ombwdsmyn y sector cyhoeddus yn Lloegr i ben yn ddiweddar. Ni wyddys y canlyniad eto, ond gwyddom y gallai prif argymhelliad yr adroddiad—sef sefydlu comisiwn o Ombwdsmyn—fod yr un mor berthnasol i Gymru. Ystyriwn oblygiadau adroddiad Collcutt i Gymru.

The First Minister is also considering whether to propose to the Secretary of State for Wales that we jointly carry out a similar review of Ombudsmen services in Wales, because any changes to the operation of the Ombudsman’s Office will require primary legislation.

Mae’r Prif Weinidog hefyd yn ystyried a ddylid cynnig i Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru ein bod yn cynnal adolygiad tebyg ar y cyd o wasanaethau’r Ombwdsmyn yng Nghymru, gan y bydd angen deddfwriaeth sylfaenol ar unrhyw newidiadau i weithredu Swyddfa’r Ombwdsmon.

I was going to address Janet Davies’ amendment 1, but I understand that she has withdrawn it.

Yr oeddwn yn mynd i roi sylw i welliant 1 Janet Davies, ond deallaf ei bod wedi’i dynnu yn ôl.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 45

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

I understand that the amendment is withdrawn, but Janet Davies may, of course, speak in the debate.

Deallaf fod y gwelliant wedi’i dynnu yn ôl, ond gall Janet Davies siarad yn y ddadl, wrth gwrs.

Janet Davies spoken in English p. 45

Janet Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

I withdraw amendment 1. On reflection, there are wider issues that need discussion and debate and are of greater priority than the one to which amendment 1 refers.

Tynnaf welliant 1 yn ôl. Erbyn meddwl, mae materion ehangach sydd angen eu trafod a’u dadlau ac y mae angen rhoi mwy o flaenoriaeth i’r rheini na’r un y cyfeiria gwelliant 1 ato.

I welcome the report. As Andrew said, it is the first year of the combined posts of central administration and health for this Office. I have some concerns. The Ombudsman’s Office was set up in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, adopted from models in the Scandinavian countries, when there were a number of instances of severe maladministration in both central and local government, not only in Wales but in Britain as a whole. Matters have changed in government since those days, and there is a question as to whether this is the best home for complaints about government. The report makes some telling points. Confusion among the public exists about what is covered by the Administration Ombudsman, or by the Health or Local Government Ombudsman. There is a narrow definition of maladministration. Perhaps the most difficult problem for the public is that they do not have access to files so that they can present a valid case. It is difficult if you do not have access to the basis to know what you are doing if you are not aware of the way it works.

Croesawaf yr adroddiad. Fel y dywedodd Andrew, dyma flwyddyn gyntaf swyddi cyfunol gweinyddiaeth ganolog ac iechyd ar gyfer y Swyddfa hon. Mae gennyf rai pryderon. Sefydlwyd Swyddfa’r Ombwdsmon ar ddiwedd y 1960au a dechrau’r 1970au, ac fe’i mabwysiadwyd o fodelau yng ngwledydd Llychlyn, pan gafwyd nifer o enghreifftiau o gamweinyddiaeth ddifrifol mewn llywodraeth ganolog a llywodraeth leol, nid yn unig yng Nghymru ond ym Mhrydain gyfan. Newidiodd materion mewn llywodraeth ers y dyddiau hynny, a chyfyd cwestiwn ai dyma’r cartref gorau ar gyfer cwynion am y llywodraeth. Gwna’r adroddiad rai pwyntiau grymus. Mae dryswch yn bodoli ymysg y cyhoedd am yr hyn a gwmpesir gan yr Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth, neu gan yr Ombwdsmon Iechyd neu Lywodraeth Leol. Mae’r diffiniad o gamweinyddiaeth yn gyfyng. Efallai mai’r broblem anoddaf i’r cyhoedd yw nad oes ganddynt fynediad i ffeiliau fel y gallant gyflwyno achos dilys. Os nad oes gennych fynediad i’r sylfaen mae’n anodd gwybod beth a wnewch os nad ydych yn ymwybodol o’r ffordd y gweithia.

I appreciate that the Ombudsman’s lowering of the evidence level over the past year to increase access has been helpful to the public. It has, along with easier access in other ways, led to a higher proportion of cases being considered. At the end of the day, a lower proportion of those may eventually be investigated because of the higher numbers coming in in the first place. It is time to consider whether the remit and structure of the Office of the Ombudsman is the best possible for the early years of the twenty-first century. I appreciate Andrew saying that we will be looking at whether it should be combined into one Office. I feel that we need a wider look at that. Will the Government consider a possible wider advocacy role? I noticed on reading the report that three out of four investigations completed this year, where maladministration was found, concerned agriculture. When I read the case studies, it seemed to me that the maladministrations were probably down to the bureaucratic rules of agricultural subsidy rather than of any intention of deliberate maladministration. Those injustices were remedied and it is right that they should be remedied and we should not remove that role. Maybe there is scope for extension and greater flexibility. However, we must consider whether that would be beneficial and whether it would be good value for money. I ask the Government to consider these points and the best way forward to meet some genuine public grievances about the Office of the Ombudsman.

Sylweddolaf fod y ffordd y gostyngwyd lefel y dystiolaeth gan yr Ombwdsmon yn ystod y flwyddyn a aeth heibio er mwyn cael gwell mynediad wedi bod yn ddefnyddiol i’r cyhoedd. Ynghyd â mynediad haws mewn ffyrdd eraill, arweiniodd at ystyried canran uwch o achosion. Ar ddiwedd y dydd, efallai yr archwilir canran is o’r rheini yn y pen draw oherwydd y niferoedd uwch sydd yn dod i mewn yn y lle cyntaf. Mae’n amser ystyried a yw cylch gwaith a strwythur Swyddfa’r Ombwdsmon y gorau posibl ar gyfer blynyddoedd cynnar yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Gwerthfawrogaf Andrew yn dweud y byddwn yn ystyried a ddylid ei uno’n un Swyddfa. Teimlaf fod angen inni edrych yn ehangach ar hynny. A fydd y Llywodraeth yn ystyried rôl eiriolaeth ehangach bosibl? Sylwais wrth ddarllen yr adroddiad fod tri allan o bedwar archwiliad a gwblhawyd eleni, lle canfuwyd camweinyddiaeth, yn ymwneud ag amaethyddiaeth. Pan ddarllenais yr astudiaethau achos, ymddangosai i mi fod y gamweinyddiaeth yn ôl pob tebyg yn ganlyniad rheolau biwrocratig cymhorthdal amaethyddol yn hytrach nag unrhyw fwriad o gamweinyddu bwriadol. Unionwyd yr anghyfiawnderau hynny ac mae’n iawn y dylent gael eu hunioni ac ni ddylem ddileu’r rôl honno. Efallai bod sgôp ar gyfer ehangu a mwy o hyblygrwydd. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni ystyried a fyddai hynny yn fanteisiol ac a fyddai’n werth da am arian. Gofynnaf i’r Llywodraeth ystyried y pwyntiau hyn a’r ffordd orau ymlaen i ateb rhai cwynion dilys gan y cyhoedd am Swyddfa’r Ombwdsmon.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 46

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46

I also welcome the report. It is important that as part of the devolution settlement we have our own independent Welsh Ombudsman. If the Assembly is to be seen to be open and accountable, the Ombudsman will play an important role in ensuring that members of the public with complaints have a legitimate avenue by which they can have them investigated.

Croesawaf innau’r adroddiad hefyd. Fel rhan o setliad datganoli mae’n bwysig fod gennym ein Hombwdsmon Cymreig annibynnol. Os yw’r Cynulliad i gael ei weld yn agored ac yn atebol, bydd yr Ombwdsmon yn chwarae rôl bwysig wrth sicrhau bod gan y cyhoedd sydd â chwynion ddull cyfiawn o’u harchwilio.

Janet Davies made some valid points, particularly about the Ombudsman’s advocacy role. Members of the public who are often faced with an intractable bureaucracy or an administration do not know which way to turn. They often go to the Ombudsman, sometimes with issues that are outside the ambit of his powers, sometimes in a form that is inappropriate for him to investigate. The widest possible extension that we can give to the Ombudsman in terms of how we take up those complaints and how we act as an advocate on behalf of the public would be welcome. That would help members of the public in accessing the Assembly and dealing with the problems that they face. That could be considered as part of the roles and functions of the Assembly. That applies to other sectors of public life.

Gwnaeth Janet Davies rai pwyntiau dilys, yn arbennig ynglŷn â rôl eiriolaeth yr Ombwdsmon. Nid yw aelodau o’r cyhoedd sydd yn aml yn wynebu biwrocratiaeth anhydrin neu weinyddiaeth yn gwybod pa ffordd i droi. Maent yn aml yn mynd at yr Ombwdsmon, weithiau gyda materion sydd y tu allan i gwmpas ei bwerau, weithiau ar ffurf sydd yn amhriodol iddo ei archwilio. Byddai croeso i’r estyniad ehangaf posibl y gallwn ei roi i’r Ombwdsmon o ran sut yr ymgymerwn â’r cwynion hynny a sut y gweithredwn fel eiriolwr ar ran y cyhoedd. Byddai hynny yn helpu aelodau o’r cyhoedd wrth gael mynediad i’r Cynulliad ac ymdrin â’r problemau a wynebant. Gellid ystyried hynny fel rhan o rolau a swyddogaethau’r Cynulliad. Mae hynny yn berthnasol i sectorau eraill o fywyd cyhoeddus.

David Davies spoken in English p. 47

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 47

I also welcome the report and the fact that we have a Welsh Administration Ombudsman. This report was brief. I would say surprisingly brief, presumably due to the fact that the office has only been up and running for a year. There were a number of questions and points that we would like to draw out from that report. First, the WAO obviously supports the recommendations that came out of the report into the way that the public administration ombudsmen conduct themselves in England, in particular the move towards combining the role of the Health Service Ombudsman, the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Local Government Ombudsman. We fully support this in principle, although this should not be seen as a cost-cutting measure or a way of reducing staff. There is no indication in this report that that is so, but if it were we would be strongly against it. We need to ensure that more complaints are investigated, not fewer.

Croesawaf innau’r adroddiad hefyd a’r ffaith bod gennym Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru. Yr oedd yr adroddiad hwn yn fyr. Dywedwn ei fod yn syndod o fyr, yn ôl pob tebyg oherwydd mai dim ond ers blwyddyn y bu’r swyddfa’n weithredol. Yr oedd nifer o gwestiynau a phwyntiau yr hoffem eu codi o’r adroddiad hwnnw. Yn gyntaf, mae Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru yn amlwg yn cefnogi’r argymhellion a ddaeth allan o’r adroddiad i ymddygiad ombwdsmyn gweinyddiaeth gyhoeddus yn Lloegr, yn arbennig y symudiad tuag at uno rôl Ombwdsmon y Gwasanaeth Iechyd, yr Ombwdsmon Seneddol a’r Ombwdsmon Llywodraeth Leol. Cefnogwn hyn yn llawn mewn egwyddor, er na ddylid ystyried hyn fel mesur torri costau nac fel ffordd o ostwng nifer y staff. Nid oes unrhyw arwydd yn yr adroddiad hwn o hynny, ond pe byddai, byddem yn gryf yn ei erbyn. Mae angen inni sicrhau yr archwilir mwy o gŵynion, nid llai.

I turn to the number of investigated cases. We are told that, previously, cases were only taken on if there was a high expectation that they would succeed, and the WAO has now lowered the evidential hurdle needed to take on cases. We would therefore have expected to see more cases with a lower number of complaints being upheld. I appreciate, as the Minister for Assembly Business said, that it is early days and only a small number of complaints have been considered, so it is difficult to make fair comparisons. However, if you look at what we have this year in Wales, 54 complaints were received, 13 were investigated, four were completed and four were upheld. That compared in the last year with the Parliamentary Ombudsman, across the whole of the United Kingdom, considering 1506 complaints, of which 372 were investigated, 247 were either justified or partially justified and 25 were thrown out. I will not pretend to be as good on statistics as Phil Williams, but even looking at the low number of cases that were considered, one would have expected more than 13 out of 54 to be investigated, particularly if the amount of evidence and the chances of that case succeeding has been lowered.

Trof at y nifer o achosion yr ymchwiliwyd iddynt. Dywedir wrthym mai dim ond os oedd disgwyliad uchel y byddent yn llwyddo yr ymgymerid ag achosion yn flaenorol, ac erbyn hyn mae Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru wedi gostwng y rhwystr tystiolaethol sydd ei angen i ymgymryd ag achosion. Byddem felly wedi disgwyl gweld rhagor o achosion â nifer is o gŵynion yn cael eu cadarnhau. Sylweddolaf, fel y dywedodd y Trefnydd, fod pethau ond megis cychwyn a dim ond nifer fach o gŵynion a ystyriwyd, felly mae’n anodd gwneud cymariaethau teg. Fodd bynnag, os edrychwch ar yr hyn sydd gennym eleni yng Nghymru, derbyniwyd 54 o gŵynion, ymchwiliwyd i 13 ohonynt, cwblhawyd pedair a chadarnhawyd pedair ohonynt. Yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf yr oedd hynny yn cymharu â’r Ombwdsmon Seneddol, ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig gyfan, yn ystyried 1506 o gŵynion, yr ymchwiliwyd i 372 ohonynt, y cyfiawnhawyd neu gyfiawnhawyd yn rhannol 247 ohonynt ac y taflwyd 25 ohonynt allan. Nid wyf yn honni bod cystal â Phil Williams ar ystadegau, ond hyd yn oed o edrych ar y nifer isel o achosion a ystyriwyd, byddai rhywun wedi disgwyl ymchwilio i fwy na 13 allan o 54 ohonynt, yn arbennig os lleihawyd swm y dystiolaeth a gobeithion yr achos hwnnw o lwyddo.

Second, as the Minister for Assembly Business pointed out—and I fully support this—members of the public can go to the WAO directly rather than being referred by their Member of Parliament, a perfectly good and sensible idea. However, one might have expected proportionally more than 54 complaints to have been received. I wonder whether there is enough public awareness of what the WAO does.

Yn ail, fel y nododd y Trefnydd—ac yr wyf yn cefnogi hyn yn gyfan gwbl—gall aelodau’r cyhoedd fynd at Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru yn uniongyrchol yn hytrach na’u Haelod Seneddol yn eu cyfeirio ato, syniad da a synhwyrol. Fodd bynnag, byddai rhywun wedi disgwyl derbyn mwy na 54 o gŵynion ar gyfartaledd. Tybed a oes digon o ymwybyddiaeth gyhoeddus o’r hyn a wna Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru.

As Janet pointed out, of the four cases that were upheld, three of them were against the Assembly’s agriculture department. At a time when farmers are suffering so many hardships, it is quite worrying that the Assembly’s agriculture department has had three out of three complaints upheld against it. The fourth complaint was against social services. I appreciate that only four cases were considered, but they were all upheld or partially upheld, which is 100 per cent. While we are looking at much lower figures here, that must be a cause for concern.

Fel y nododd Janet, o’r pedwar achos a gadarnhawyd, yr oedd tri ohonynt yn erbyn adran amaethyddiaeth y Cynulliad. Ar adeg pan fo ffermwyr yn dioddef cymaint o galedi, ei bod yn eithaf pryderus fod adran amaethyddiaeth y Cynulliad wedi cael tair allan o dair cwyn yn ei herbyn. Yr oedd y bedwaredd gŵyn yn erbyn y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Sylweddolaf mai dim ond pedwar achos a ystyriwyd, ond cadarnhawyd neu gadarnhawyd yn rhannol bob un ohonynt, sef cant y cant. Er ein bod yn edrych ar ffigurau is o lawer yma, rhaid bod hynny’n achos pryder.

Finally, to pick up on a point made earlier in today’s proceedings, there are limitations as to what the WAO can do. There are bodies, and I must mention the Welsh Joint Education Committee, which in one way or another are in receipt of public funding but are currently not being properly audited. There are all sorts of allegations flying around as to whether or not the WJEC is legally constituted, whether or not Objective 3 money was spent as it should have, and whether or not it might have to pay money back to Europe. It would be helpful if the WAO could also look at such bodies. However, in general, we welcome this report.

Yn olaf, i ailgodi pwynt a wnaethpwyd yn gynharach yn ystod y trafodion heddiw, mae cyfyngiadau ar yr hyn y gall Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru ei wneud. Mae cyrff, a rhaid imi grybwyll Cyd-bwyllgor Addysg Cymru, sydd mewn rhyw ffordd neu’i gilydd yn derbyn arian cyhoeddus ond ni chânt eu harchwilio’n gywir ar hyn o bryd. Mae pob math o honiadau yn mynd o gwmpas p’un a ffurfiwyd CBAC yn gyfreithiol ai peidio, p’un a wariwyd arian Amcan 3 fel y dylid ai peidio, a ph’un a ddylai dalu arian yn ôl i Ewrop ai peidio. Byddai’n ddefnyddiol pe bai Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru yn gallu edrych ar gyrff o’r fath hefyd. Fodd bynnag, ar y cyfan croesawn yr adroddiad hwn.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 49

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

We welcome the report, but I would like to comment on the cases that were upheld, particularly the agriculture ones. I am sure that many people in this Chamber hear many complaints in their surgeries about agriculture, and as such, part of the partnership agreement is to form an independent appeals panel specifically for agricultural complaints, since this is a detailed and complex area. The consultation is currently out, and I draw your attention to it, because yet again it is partnership working. I am sure that our farmers in Wales will benefit from this independent appeals panel.

Croesawn yr adroddiad, ond hoffwn wneud sylwadau ar yr achosion a gadarnhawyd, yn arbennig y rhai amaethyddol. Yr wyf yn siŵr bod llawer o bobl yn y Siambr hon yn clywed llawer o gŵynion yn eu cymorthfeydd am amaethyddiaeth, ac fel y cyfryw, rhan o’r gytundeb partneriaeth yw ffurfio panel apeliadau annibynnol yn benodol ar gyfer cwynion amaethyddol, gan fod hwn yn faes manwl a chymhleth. Mae’r ymgynghoriad ar waith, a thynnaf eich sylw ato, oherwydd unwaith eto dyma bartneriaeth sydd yn gweithio. Yr wyf yn siŵr yr elwa ein ffermwyr yng Nghymru o’r panel apeliadau annibynnol hwn.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 49

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

The points made by Janet, Peter, David and Mick are all valid. I pay tribute to Janet’s work as Chair of the Audit Committee—she has done exemplary work. I suggest that the four people who spoke in response to the debate—or any other Members who wish to do so—write to the First Minister. I am sure that he will take your points on board when he decides whether to write to the Secretary of State for Wales, proposing whether or not we carry out a review of ombudsman services in Wales similar to the one that is being conducted elsewhere. There are areas where we need to improve—the Agriculture Department has been highlighted—on the other hand we need to keep things in perspective. Standards of public life in Wales and the UK are high, certainly compared with other countries in Europe and the rest of the world. However, there is a need to be conscious of how we conduct our public life in Wales and—I admit— our administration. I urge those Members who have spoken and those who may not have done to make their points to the First Minister. They will be taken on board in determining whether we ask for the review.

Mae pwyntiau Janet, Peter, David a Mick i gyd yn ddilys. Talaf deyrnged i waith Janet fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Archwilio—gwnaeth waith rhagorol. Cynigiaf y dylai’r pedwar person a siaradodd mewn ymateb i’r ddadl—neu unrhyw Aelodau eraill sydd yn dymuno gwneud hynny—ysgrifennu at y Prif Weinidog. Yr wyf yn siŵr yr ystyria eich pwyntiau pan benderfynna a ddylai ysgrifennu at Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, yn cynnig p’un a ddylid cynnal adolygiad yng Nghymru sydd yn debyg i’r un a gynhelir mewn mannau eraill o wasanaethau’r ombwdsmon ai peidio. Mae meysydd y mae angen inni eu gwella—amlygwyd yr Adran Amaethyddiaeth—ar y llaw arall mae angen inni gadw pethau mewn persbectif. Mae safonau bywyd cyhoeddus yng Nghymru a’r DU yn uchel, yn sicr o’u cymharu â gwledydd eraill yn Ewrop a gweddill y byd. Fodd bynnag, mae angen inni fod yn ymwybodol o sut y cynhelir ein bywyd cyhoeddus yng Nghymru a—chyfaddefaf—ein gweinyddiaeth. Annogaf yr Aelodau hynny a siaradodd a’r rheini na wnaethant o bosibl i roi eu pwyntiau gerbron y Prif Weinidog. Cânt eu hystyried wrth benderfynu a fyddwn yn gofyn am adolygiad.

Cynnig Andrew Davies t. 50

Motion Andrew Davies p. 50

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 30 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (30)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Janice Gregory
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • David Lloyd
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams

Dadl ynglŷn â’r Gyllideb Ddrafft

Debate on the Draft Budget

Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair am 10.40 a.m.

The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair at 10.40 a.m.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 50

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

I have selected amendments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the name of Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Yr wyf wedi dewis gwelliannau 1, 2, 3, 4 a 5 yn enw Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Edwina Hart The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities spoken in English p. 51

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

I welcome the new Deputy Presiding Officer to the Chair on this first occasion. I will not take interventions during my main speech. I will deal with any matters in my reply.

Croesawaf y Dirprwy Lywydd newydd i’r Gadair ar yr achlysur cyntaf hwn. Ni chymeraf ymyriadau yn ystod fy mhrif araith. Deliaf ag unrhyw faterion yn fy ateb.

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Edwina Hart The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities (continued) spoken in English p. 51

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

It is my pleasure to present the draft budget proposals for 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04. Members may recall that when I presented the draft budget last year I said that we had limited room for manoeuvre at that time. The budget adjustments therefore reflected this, and did not, and could not, address the fundamental shape of the overall allocations of the Assembly’s funds. Nevertheless, within our limited scope we made a good start in addressing the Assembly’s priorities. This time, however, it is different. We have an opportunity to allocate the significant amounts of money made available in the spending review in accordance with the Assembly’s own priorities. This time we can set out the Assembly’s stall for the next three years in the way in which we wish to distribute resources. This is an agenda made in Wales.

Mae’n bleser gennyf gyflwyno cynigion y gyllideb ddrafft ar gyfer 2001-02, 2002-03 a 2003-04. Efallai y bydd yr aelodau yn cofio imi ddweud, pan gyflwynais y gyllideb ddrafft y llynedd, ei bod yn eithaf tynn arnom ar y pryd. Felly adlewyrchwyd hyn yn addasiadau’r gyllideb, ac ni wnaethant, ac ni allasent, ymdrin â ffurf sylfaenol dyraniadau cyffredinol o arian y Cynulliad. Serch hynny, o fewn ein cwmpas cyfyngedig yr ydym wedi dechrau’n dda wrth ymdrin â blaenoriaethau’r Cynulliad. Y tro hwn, fodd bynnag, mae’n wahanol. Mae gennym gyfle i ddyrannu’r symiau sylweddol o arian a oedd ar gael yn yr adolygiad o wariant yn unol â blaenoriaethau’r Cynulliad ei hun. Y tro hwn gallwn, fel Cynulliad, nodi sut yn union yr ydym am ddosbarthu’r adnoddau dros y tair blynedd nesaf. Mae hon yn agenda a wnaethpwyd yng Nghymru.

For the past six months or so I have been listening to the views of Committees, our partners, and my fellow Assembly Ministers on how the money should be spent. I pay tribute to the three outgoing Ministers—Rosemary Butler, Tom Middlehurst and Peter Law—for the amount of time and effort that they put into the Committees’ recommendations on the budget and their own commitment to the spending priorities within their departments. Aspirations and expectations have been high, and the resources are not limitless. However, I hope that the draft budget proposals before you today meet the aspirations of most, and exceed the expectations of some.

Ers chwe mis, neu oddeutu hynny, bûm yn gwrando ar safbwyntiau’r Pwyllgorau, ein partneriaid, a’m Cyd-Weinidogion yn y Cynulliad ar sut y dylid gwario’r arian. Talaf deyrnged i’r tri Gweinidog sydd yn ymadael—Rosemary Butler, Tom Middlehurst a Peter Law—am yr amser a’r ymdrech a wnaethpwyd mewn perthynas ag argymhellion y Pwyllgorau ar y gyllideb a’u hymrwymiad hwy i’r blaenoriaethau gwario o fewn eu hadrannau. Bu’r dyheadau a’r disgwyliadau yn uchel, ac nid yw’r adnoddau yn ddiderfyn. Fodd bynnag, gobeithiaf fod cynigion y gyllideb ddrafft sydd ger eich bron heddiw yn bodloni dyheadau’r rhan fwyaf ohonoch, ac yn mynd y tu hwnt i ddisgwyliadau rhai ohonoch.

The proposals meet 54 of the 55 committee priorities that were presented to me before the summer. They extend the objectives and targets in ‘Betterwales.com’ and support the implementation of the new partnership agreement. To recap, the allocations made available to the Assembly from the spending review in total are some £9.7 billion in 2001-02, £10.4 billion in 2002-03 and £11 billion in 2003-04. This is an average annual real increase in the Assembly’s departmental expenditure limit of 5.4 per cent. These are record levels of spending in Wales, and we must capitalise on these figures. We have set out our strategic vision in ‘Betterwales.com’. This budget is about making speed towards that vision and making an impact on people’s lives. Before getting into the detail, I will pick out some themes that will run through the budget.

Mae’r cynigion yn bodloni 54 o blith y 55 o flaenoriaethau’r pwyllgorau a gyflwynwyd imi cyn yr haf. Estynnant yr amcanion a’r targedau yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’ gan ategu’r gwaith o weithredu cytundeb y bartneriaeth newydd. Ac ailadrodd, mae’r dyraniadau a oedd ar gael i’r Cynulliad o’r adolygiad o wariant at ei gilydd tua £9.7 biliwn yn 2001-02, £10.4 biliwn yn 2002-03 ac £11 biliwn yn 2003-04. Dyma gynnydd blynyddol gwirioneddol o 5.4 y cant ar gyfartaledd yn nherfyn gwariant adrannol y Cynulliad. Dyma’r lefelau uchaf erioed o wariant yng Nghymru, a rhaid inni elwa ar y ffigurau hyn. Yr ydym wedi nodi ein gweledigaeth strategol yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’. Mae’r gyllideb hon yn ymwneud â chyflymu tuag at y weledigaeth honno gan effeithio ar fywydau pobl. Ond cyn mynd i fanylion, canolbwyntiaf ar rai themâu a fydd yn rhedeg drwy’r gyllideb.

First, I have tried to make as much as possible of the allocations available to front-line services—more doctors and nurses, better social services, better hospital and school buildings, more teachers, better local services and so on. It is important that we invest in these areas so that they can deliver the kind of front-line services that both they, and we, can be proud of. Second, a major theme of social inclusion runs through this budget. We must get on and tackle the problems of communities and areas that are run-down, and improve the position of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.

Yn gyntaf, ceisiais wneud cymaint â phosibl o’r dyraniadau a oedd ar gael i wasanaethau’r rheng flaen—rhagor o feddygon a nyrsys, gwell gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, gwell ysbytai ac adeiladau ysgolion, rhagor o athrawon, gwell gwasanaethau lleol ac yn y blaen. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn buddsoddi yn y meysydd hyn fel y gallant gyflwyno’r math o wasanaethau rheng flaen y gallant hwy, a ninnau, ymfalchïo ynddynt. Yn ail, rhed prif thema cynhwysiant cymdeithasol drwy’r gyllideb hon. Rhaid inni ddechrau mynd i’r afael â phroblemau cymunedau ac ardaloedd sydd wedi dirywio, a gwella sefyllfa’r rhai diamddiffyn a’r rhai sydd o dan anfantais yn ein cymuned.

In total, my proposals inject over £177 million extra by 2003-04 into promoting social inclusion: from our ambitious Communities First programme, through Sure Start and Children First for children, to helping the homeless, to free bus passes and travel for pensioners and the disabled, to supporting students from deprived backgrounds. Although the Assembly does not have all the levers available to fully address social exclusion, I am determined that we make the best use of those that we have, and strengthen them with hard cash in these priority areas.

At ei gilydd, mae fy nghynigion yn chwistrellu mwy na £177 miliwn yn ychwanegol erbyn 2003-04 i hyrwyddo cynhwysiant cymdeithasol: o’n rhaglen uchelgeisiol Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, i raglenni i blant sef Cychwyn Cadarn a Plant yn Gyntaf, i helpu’r digartref, i docynnau bws am ddim a theithio am ddim i bensiynwyr a’r anabl, i gefnogi myfyrwyr o gefndiroedd amddifad. Er nad oes gan y Cynulliad yr holl drosolion sydd ar gael i ymdrin yn llawn ag allgáu cymdeithasol, yr wyf yn benderfynol ein bod yn gwneud y defnydd gorau o’r rheini sydd gennym a’u cryfhau gydag arian sychion yn y meysydd blaenoriaeth hyn.

Thirdly, we have also made it a priority to invest in children and children’s services. This is a neglected area where well-directed intervention by the Assembly can make a real difference to children’s lives, and their future livelihoods. Therefore, we are investing significant sums in services for children and young people, such as free nursery places for all three-year-olds, our national childcare strategy, the children’s commissioner, strengthening provision for children in care, better careers advice, better training and improving youth services. In total, that extra investment will be worth some £120 million by 2003-04. That is alongside the additional money going into schools to recruit more teachers and improve school buildings. That is money well spent, and will make a difference.

Yn drydydd, yr ydym hefyd wedi blaenoriaethu’r gwaith o fuddsoddi mewn plant a gwasanaethau i blant. Mae hwn yn faes a esgeuluswyd lle y gall ymyrraeth bwrpasol gan y Cynulliad wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol i fywydau plant, a’u bywoliaeth yn y dyfodol. Felly, buddsoddwn symiau sylweddol mewn gwasanaethau i blant a phobl ifanc, fel lleoedd am ddim mewn meithrinfeydd ar gyfer pob plentyn tair blwydd oed, ein strategaeth gofal plant genedlaethol, y comisiynydd plant, cryfhau’r ddarpariaeth ar gyfer plant mewn gofal, gwell cyngor ar yrfaoedd, gwell hyfforddiant a gwella gwasanaethau i bobl ifanc. At ei gilydd, bydd y buddsoddiad ychwanegol hwnnw yn werth tua £120 miliwn erbyn 2003-04. Mae hyn ochr yn ochr â’r arian ychwanegol a gaiff ei wario ar ysgolion i recriwtio rhagor o athrawon a gwella adeiladau ysgolion. Mae hwnnw’n ddefnydd da o arian, a bydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth.

The budget will also make a significant contribution to the delivery of the Assembly’s sustainable development duty, particularly in areas such as housing, the economy, transport, the environment and agriculture. Several Committees have stressed the importance of this to me. In total, the budget allocates £28 million in 2001-02, rising to almost £94 million in 2003-04 towards measures that promote sustainable development. Many Committees have also indicated the importance of equal opportunities. I am allocating an extra £250,000 a year to fund activities to support the Assembly’s equality agenda. That will fund initiatives to help develop better communication between the Assembly and bodies promoting the interests of under-represented groups.

Bydd y gyllideb hefyd yn gwneud cyfraniad sylweddol tuag at gyflawni dyletswydd datblygu cynaliadwy’r Cynulliad, yn arbennig mewn meysydd fel tai, yr economi, trafnidiaeth, yr amgylchedd ac amaethyddiaeth. Mae sawl Pwyllgor wedi pwysleisio pwysigrwydd hyn imi. At ei gilydd, dyranna’r gyllideb £28 miliwn yn 2001-02, gan godi i bron £94 miliwn yn 2003-04 tuag at fesurau sydd yn hyrwyddo datblygu cynaliadwy. Mae sawl Pwyllgor hefyd wedi nodi pwysigrwydd cyfle cyfartal. Dyrannaf £250,000 ychwanegol y flwyddyn i ariannu gweithgareddau i gefnogi agenda gydraddoldeb y Cynulliad. Bydd yr arian hwn yn ariannu mentrau er mwyn helpu i ddatblygu gwell cyfathrebu rhwng y Cynulliad a chyrff sydd yn hyrwyddo buddiannau grwpiau a dangynrychiolir.

I now turn to some of the detail of the budget, which I hope you will have the opportunity to digest. I obviously start with health and social services. Overall spending on health will increase by £169 million in 2001-02, £415 million in 2002-03, and £669 million in 2003-04. That is an average annual increase, after inflation, of 5.1 per cent each year in real terms. It takes health spending beyond £3.6 billion in 2003-04. That is a massive amount of money, but it will not mean much unless it improves frontline services for patients. Jane Hutt will shortly announce new targets for waiting times, the importance of which I am sure we all recognise. It is clear that money is not enough. There must be commitment to ensure that frontline services to patients are delivered.

Trof yn awr at rai o fanylion y gyllideb, y cewch gyfle gobeithio i’w hystyried. Yn amlwg, dechreuaf gyda iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Bydd gwariant cyffredinol ar iechyd yn cynyddu £169 miliwn yn 2001-02, £415 miliwn yn 2002-03, a £669 miliwn yn 2003-04. Mae hwnnw’n gynnydd blynyddol ar gyfartaledd, ar ôl chwyddiant, o 5.1 y cant bob blwyddyn mewn termau gwirioneddol. Mae’n mynd â gwariant iechyd y tu hwnt i £3.6 biliwn yn 2003-04. Mae hwn yn swm aruthrol o arian, ond ni fydd yn golygu llawer oni fydd yn gwella gwasanaethau rheng flaen i gleifion. Cyn bo hir, bydd Jane Hutt yn cyhoeddi targedau newydd ar gyfer amserau aros, y mae pob un ohonom yn ymwybodol mor bwysig ydynt mae’n siŵr. Mae’n amlwg nad yw arian yn ddigon. Rhaid cael ymrwymiad i sicrhau y cyflwynir gwasanaethau rheng flaen i gleifion.

Another immediate measure we are introducing is a freeze on prescription charges for everyone and, from April 2001, free prescriptions will be introduced to those under 25. However, we also need to invest in the long-term future of the national health service and we have two major initiatives.

Un mesur uniongyrchol arall a gyflwynwn yw rhewi taliadau presgripsiwn i bawb ac, o Ebrill 2001, cyflwynir presgripsiynau am ddim i bawb o dan 25 oed. Fodd bynnag, bydd angen inni fuddsoddi hefyd yn nyfodol tymor hir y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol ac mae gennym ddwy brif fenter.

First is the re-establishment of the health capital programme after many years of underinvestment. Over the next three years, we will fund nearly £64 million of new capital development across Wales, including an additional £17 million towards a major capital programme at Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, and £10 million to replace the linear accelerators at Singleton Hospital, a key element of cancer services in west Wales.

Yn gyntaf, ailsefydlu’r rhaglen cyfalaf iechyd ar ôl sawl blwyddyn o danfuddsoddi. Dros y tair blynedd nesaf, byddwn yn ariannu bron £64 miliwn o ddatblygiad cyfalaf newydd ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys £17 miliwn ychwanegol tuag at raglen cyfalaf o bwys yn Ysbyty Tywysog Cymru, Merthyr Tudful, a £10 miliwn i brynu cyflymyddion unionlin yn Ysbyty Singleton, sef elfen allweddol o wasanaethau canser yng ngorllewin Cymru.

Secondly, we are tackling the shortage of doctors, nurses and other staff in the health service, by increasing the number of medical students at the University of Wales College of Medicine by an extra 65 each year from September 2001, and funding an extra 265 training places each year for non-medical staff. That investment is badly needed if we are to deal with the long-term problems of the NHS. That investment cannot be seen in isolation from any of our plans in future years. We are also introducing a new fund to reduce health inequalities through targeted support among our most disadvantaged communities. I know that this was a priority for the Health and Social Services Committee.

Yn ail, awn i’r afael â phrinder meddygon, nyrsys ac aelodau eraill o’r staff yn y gwasanaeth iechyd, drwy gael 65 yn ychwanegol o fyfyrwyr meddygol yng Ngoleg Meddygaeth Prifysgol Cymru bob blwyddyn o Fedi 2001, ac ariannu 265 o leoedd hyfforddi ychwanegol bob blwyddyn ar gyfer staff anfeddygol. Mae angen mawr am y buddsoddiad hwnnw os ydym i ddelio â phroblemau tymor hir yr NHS. Ni ellir ystyried y buddsoddiad hwnnw ar wahân i unrhyw gynlluniau sydd gennym ar gyfer y blynyddoedd i ddod. Yr ydym hefyd yn cyflwyno cronfa newydd i leihau anghydraddoldebau iechyd drwy gefnogaeth wedi’i thargedu ymhlith ein cymunedau sydd o dan yr anfantais fwyaf. Gwn y bu hyn yn flaenoriaeth i’r Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol.

I now turn to social services. I mentioned earlier our priorities of social inclusion and children, and there are significant increases in these budgets to strengthen provision. In terms of children, we are increasing support for the children’s voluntary services; an extra £5 million by 2003-04 for Sure Start for children under four; increasing support for the Children First programme to improve services for children in need; and fully funding the office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. We are also investing an extra £1 million each year in the Play 2000 initiative, which was popular throughout Wales.

Trof yn awr at wasanaethau cymdeithasol. Soniais yn gynharach am ein blaenoriaethau ar gyfer cynhwysiant cymdeithasol a phlant, ac mae cynnydd sylweddol yn y cyllidebau hyn i gryfhau’r ddarpariaeth. O safbwynt plant, yr ydym yn cynyddu cefnogaeth i’r gwasanaethau gwirfoddol i blant; £5 miliwn ychwanegol erbyn 2003-04 ar gyfer Cychwyn Cadarn i blant o dan bedair oed; cynyddu’r gefnogaeth i’r rhaglen Plant yn Gyntaf i wella gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen; ac ariannu swydd Comisiynydd Plant i Gymru yn llawn. Yr ydym hefyd yn buddsoddi £1 filiwn ychwanegol bob blwyddyn yn y fenter Chwarae 2000, a oedd yn boblogaidd ledled Cymru.

We are increasing funds to the national childcare strategy by £4 million by 2003-04. We will expand programmes that aim to support young people to make the transition to adult life through extending the children and youth partnership fund and the related youth access initiative. Both these schemes aim to encourage youngsters from the age of eight to 17 to engage in community-based youth activities, and prevent them getting involved in truancy, vandalism, crime or drugs. We are also increasing funding to drug and alcohol initiatives that will help to deliver our new substance misuse strategy. These schemes all contribute to delivering our commitment to tackle social disadvantage in Wales.

Yr ydym yn rhoi cynnydd o £4 miliwn ar gyfer y strategaeth gofal plant genedlaethol erbyn 2003-04. Byddwn yn ehangu rhaglenni sydd yn anelu at gefnogi pobl ifanc i newid i fywyd oedolyn drwy ymestyn y gronfa partneriaeth plant a phobl ifanc a’r fenter gysylltiedig mynediad i bobl ifanc. Nod y ddau gynllun hyn yw annog plant a phobl ifanc o wyth i 17 oed i ymgymryd â gweithgareddau i ieuenctid yn y gymuned, a’u hatal rhag ymwneud â thriwantiaeth, fandaliaeth, troseddau neu gyffuriau. Yr ydym hefyd yn cynyddu’r arian ar gyfer mentrau cyffuriau ac alcohol a fydd yn helpu i gyflwyno ein strategaeth camddefnyddio sylweddau newydd. Cyfranna bob un o’r cynlluniau hyn at gyflwyno ein hymrwymiad i fynd i’r afael ag anfantais gymdeithasol yng Nghymru.

We recognise the key role played by the voluntary sector and we are increasing core funding to voluntary organisations. Indeed, the whole package I am announcing today increases support to the voluntary sector by some £38 million by 2003-04.

Cydnabyddwn y rôl allweddol a chwaraeir gan y sector gwirfoddol a chynyddwn yr arian craidd i sefydliadau gwirfoddol. Yn wir, mae’r pecyn cyfan a gyhoeddaf heddiw yn sicrhau cynnydd o £38 miliwn i’r gefnogaeth ar gyfer y sector gwirfoddol erbyn 2003-04.

Social inclusion is not just an issue for young people. The old, and those adults who need long-term care are also highly vulnerable to exclusion and poor-quality care. We will introduce a new long-term care strategy, which will include free nursing care from October 2001, new measures to avoid the need for immediate house sales for those entering long-term residential or nursing care, and ways to ease people through. Linked to this, we will develop a new approach to joint working between the NHS and local government. That will build on the work of the emergency pressures taskforce. We will also strengthen the national carers’ strategy in Wales.

Nid yw cynhwysiant cymdeithasol yn fater i bobl ifanc yn unig. Mae’r henoed a’r oedolion hynny sydd angen gofal tymor hir yn agored iawn i allgáu a gofal o ansawdd gwael hefyd. Cyflwynwn strategaeth gofal tymor hir newydd, a fydd yn cynnwys gofal nyrsio am ddim o Hydref 2001, fesurau newydd i osgoi’r angen am werthu tai uniongyrchol ar gyfer y rheini sydd yn mynd i ofal preswyl neu nyrsio tymor hir, a ffyrdd o leddfu’r broses i bobl. Yn gysylltiedig â hyn, datblygwn ymagwedd newydd tuag at gydweithio rhwng yr NHS a llywodraeth leol. Bydd hynny yn adeiladu ar waith y tasglu pwysau argyfwng. Byddwn hefyd yn cryfhau strategaeth genedlaethol y gofalwyr yng Nghymru.

I am pleased to announce an extra £12 million for 2002-03 onwards to complete the resettlement into the community of the remaining Hensol Hospital residents, and begin the substantial resettlement of residents from Bryn-y-Neuadd. That honours our commitment in ‘Betterwales.com’ that all long-stay learning disability hospitals in Wales will have been closed by 2010. I am sure that this will be widely welcomed.

Mae’n bleser gennyf gyhoeddi £12 miliwn ychwanegol o 2002-03 ymlaen i gwblhau ailsefydlu gweddill trigolion Ysbyty Hensol yn y gymuned, a dechrau ar y gwaith sylweddol o ailsefydlu trigolion o Fryn-y-Neuadd. Mae hynny’n anrhydeddu ein hymrwymiad yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’ y bydd pob ysbyty anabledd dysgu arhosiad hir yng Nghymru wedi cau erbyn 2010. Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd croeso mawr i hyn.

I turn now to education, where again we are laying the foundations of long-term improvements to our education system, alongside more immediate measures. Starting with early years, we are providing funds for the preparatory work for the expansion of free part-time education places for three-year-olds. I know that this was a priority for the Pre-16 Education Committee and we now need to make sure that the objective in ‘Betterwales.com is implemented in a planned way.

Trof yn awr at addysg, lle yr ydym unwaith eto yn gosod seiliau gwelliannau tymor hir i’n system addysg, ochr yn ochr â mesurau mwy uniongyrchol. Gan ddechrau gyda’r blynyddoedd cynnar, yr ydym yn darparu arian ar gyfer gwaith paratoadol i ehangu lleoedd addysg rhan amser am ddim i blant tair blwydd oed. Gwn fod hyn yn flaenoriaeth i’r Pwyllgor Addysg Cyn-16 a bellach mae angen inni sicrhau y gweithredir yr amcan yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’ mewn ffordd drefnus.

The second major announcement on education is an extra £86 million over the three years for capital spending in schools to tackle the problems of inadequate buildings. That will bring total provision for expenditure on school buildings over the next three years up to nearly £300 million. I am sure that that will be welcomed in schools throughout Wales. That will put us well on the way to meeting the ‘Betterwales.com’ target that all schools should be in good physical shape and properly maintained by 2010. In carrying out building work, local authorities and others must have regard for the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and related guidance on disabled access.

Yr ail brif gyhoeddiad ar addysg yw £86 miliwn ychwanegol dros y tair blynedd ar gyfer gwariant cyfalaf mewn ysgolion i fynd i’r afael â phroblemau adeiladau annigonol. Daw hynny â chyfanswm y ddarpariaeth ar gyfer gwariant ar adeiladau ysgolion dros y tair blynedd nesaf i bron £300 miliwn. Yr wyf yn siŵr y croesewir hyn mewn ysgolion ledled Cymru. Bydd hyn yn sicrhau y byddwn yn prysur gyrraedd targed ‘Gwellcymru.com’ y dylai pob ysgol fod mewn cyflwr adeileddol da ac wedi ei chynnal a’i chadw’n gywir erbyn 2010. Wrth gyflawni’r gwaith adeiladu, mae’n rhaid i awdurdodau lleol ac eraill ystyried gofynion Deddf Gwahaniaethu ar Sail Anabledd 1995 a’r arweiniad cysylltiedig ar fynediad i’r anabl.

Thirdly, we are making available to local authorities additional revenue funding for education of £20 million in 2001-02, £25 million in 2002-03 and an extra £32 million in 2003-04. We will consult the Welsh Local Government Association on the use of this money. However, we envisage that it will be used to reduce junior class sizes, improve the performance of pupils at key stage 3 and support underperforming schools. That money is on top of the generous local government settlement, through which most education moneys are channelled, and to which I will refer in a moment.

Yn drydydd, sicrhawn y bydd gwariant refeniw ychwanegol o £20 miliwn ar gyfer addysg ar gael i awdurdodau lleol yn 2001-02, £25 miliwn yn 2002-03 a £32 miliwn ychwanegol yn 2003-04. Ymgynghorwn â Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru ar y defnydd o’r arian hwn. Fodd bynnag, rhagwelwn y caiff ei ddefnyddio i leihau maint dosbarthiadau cynradd, gwella perfformiad disgyblion yng nghyfnod allweddol 3 a chynnal ysgolion sydd yn tangyflawni. Mae’r arian hwn yn ychwanegol at y setliad llywodraeth leol hael, y sianelir y rhan fwyaf o’r arian addysg drwyddo, ac y cyfeiriaf ato mewn eiliad.

We are committed to social inclusion in the education sector. Grants for education support and training are being increased by £5 million by 2003-04 to continue progress towards reducing absenteeism, and towards training teachers to support out-of-hours learning. We are also aware of the need to recruit more and better graduates to go into teaching, and we are increasing funding for initial teacher training incentives to £8.8 million in 2001-02.

Yr ydym yn ymrwymedig i gynhwysiant cymdeithasol yn y sector addysg. Bydd cynnydd o £5 miliwn mewn grantiau ar gyfer cymorth addysgol a hyfforddiant erbyn 2003-04 er mwyn parhau i symud tuag at leihau absenoliaeth, a hyfforddi athrawon i gefnogi dysgu y tu allan i oriau ysgol. Yr ydym hefyd yn ymwybodol o’r angen i recriwtio mwy o raddedigion o safon uwch i ddod yn athrawon, ac yr ydym yn cynyddu arian ar gyfer mentrau hyfforddi athrawon cychwynnol i £8.8 miliwn yn 2001-02.

I now turn to the post-16 sector. We are well aware of the huge skills agenda which exists in Wales and we are determined to tackle this. We propose to get the new National Council for Education and Training for Wales off to a flying start, Tom, by allocating an extra £10.7 million in 2001-02 on top of its baseline, rising to £30.7 million by 2003-04. That includes the extension of the highly regarded modern apprenticeships scheme to those over 25, and further announcements will be made on this. The funding for CETW will also support the increase in further education student numbers to 70,000 full-time equivalents in 2001-02. We are also making a significant investment of £8 million by 2003-04 to support the creation and development of the new Careers Wales all-age guidance service. That additional funding will enable us to increase the numbers of young people being helped by the Youth Gateway programme, which is unique to Wales.

Trof yn awr at y sector ôl-16. Yr ydym yn dra ymwybodol o’r agenda sgiliau anferth sydd yn bodoli yng Nghymru ac yn benderfynol o fynd i’r afael â hyn. Cynigiwn roi dechrau da i’r Cyngor Cenedlaethol dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant newydd i Gymru, Tom, drwy ddyrannu £10.7 miliwn ychwanegol yn 2001-02 ar ben ei linell sylfaen, fydd yn codi i £30.7 miliwn erbyn 2003-04. Mae hynny’n cynnwys ymestyn y cynllun prentisiaethau modern uchel eu parch i’r rheiny dros 25 oed, a gwneir cyhoeddiadau pellach ar hyn. Bydd yr arian ar gyfer CETW hefyd yn cefnogi’r cynnydd yn nifer y myfyrwyr addysg bellach i 70,000 cyfwerth ag amser llawn yn 2001-02. Yr ydym hefyd yn gwneud buddsoddiad sylweddol o £8 miliwn erbyn 2003-04 i gefnogi’r gwaith o greu a datblygu gwasanaeth arweiniad newydd i bob oedran gan Gyrfaoedd Cymru. Bydd yr arian ychwanegol hwnnw yn ein galluogi i gynyddu nifer y bobl ifanc sydd yn cael help gan raglen Porth i Bobl Ifanc, sydd yn unigryw i Gymru.

These measures contribute towards fulfilling the aims of the new report, ‘Extending Entitlement–supporting young people in Wales’. We are putting significant funding into the Wales Youth Agency to fund the youth card in Wales, greater training for youth workers and we are increasing support to voluntary youth groups. We are also supporting the Llais Ifanc/Young Voice programme, as well as a new programme to tackle the basic skills deficit in Wales, especially among adults.

Cyfranna’r mesurau hyn at gyflawni nodau’r adroddiad newydd, ‘Estyn yr Hawl—cefnogi pobl ifanc yng Nghymru’. Buddsoddwn arian sylweddol yn Asiantaeth Ieuenctid Cymru i ariannu’r cerdyn ieuenctid yng Nghymru, mwy o hyfforddiant i weithwyr ieuenctid ac yr ydym yn cynyddu’r cymorth i grwpiau ieuenctid gwirfoddol. Cefnogwn hefyd y rhaglen Llais Ifanc/Young Voice, yn ogystal â rhaglen newydd i fynd i’r afael â’r prinder sgiliau sylfaenol yng Nghymru, yn arbennig ymhlith oedolion.

Funding for the Higher Education Funding Council will be increased by £16 million by 2003-04. That will support the recruitment of more than 3,000 additional full-time equivalent students. We are acutely aware of the position of students facing financial hardship, especially those from disadvantaged areas. We are therefore increasing the budget for student access funds. We will also devise a bespoke scheme of learning maintenance allowances in Wales to encourage all 16-year-olds to stay in full-time education and not be put off education by financial considerations. That is important when we consider our social exclusion agenda.

Bydd cynnydd o £16 miliwn yn yr arian ar gyfer y Cyngor Cyllido Addysg Uwch erbyn 2003-04. Bydd hynny’n cefnogi’r gwaith o recriwtio mwy na 3,000 o fyfyrwyr ychwanegol sydd yn gyfwerth ag amser llawn. Yr ydym yn ymwybodol iawn o sefyllfa myfyrwyr sydd yn wynebu caledi ariannol, yn arbennig y rheini o ardaloedd o dan anfantais. Felly cynyddwn y gyllideb ar gyfer cronfeydd mynediad i fyfyrwyr. Byddwn hefyd yn llunio cynllun penodol o lwfansau cynhaliaeth dysgu yng Nghymru i annog pob plentyn 16 mlwydd oed i aros mewn addysg llawn amser gan sicrhau na fydd ystyriaethau ariannol yn peri iddynt roi’r gorau i addysg. Mae hynny’n bwysig pan ystyriwn ein hagenda allgáu cymdeithasol.

I now turn to the local government settlement. We all recognise the important role that local authorities have in delivering local services in Wales. We also recognise, along with the Local Government and Housing Committee, that double-figure increases in council taxes each year are not sustainable. Nevertheless, it is important that we ensure that local authorities deliver the services that the electorate expects. We will therefore increase the revenue support grant by an extra £38 million in 2001-02, £226 million in 2002-03 and £370 million in 2003-04.

Trof yn awr at y setliad llywodraeth leol. Mae pob un ohonom yn cydnabod y rôl bwysig sydd gan awdurdodau lleol wrth gyflwyno gwasanaethau lleol yng Nghymru. Cydnabyddwn hefyd, ynghyd â Llywodraeth Leol a’r Pwyllgor Tai, nad yw cynnydd ffigur dwbl yn nhrethi’r cyngor bob blwyddyn yn gynaliadwy. Serch hynny, mae’n bwysig inni sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn cyflwyno’r gwasanaethau y mae’r etholwyr yn eu disgwyl. Byddwn felly yn rhoi £38 miliwn ychwanegol at y grant cynnal refeniw yn 2001-02, £226 miliwn yn 2002-03 a £370 miliwn yn 2003-04.

Local councils need the flexibility to manage their resources in the way that best meets local needs. At the same time, the Assembly needs to be assured that local government is delivering in key areas of concern to the public as well as to the Assembly. Policy agreements between the Assembly and local government will address that by asking councils to set challenging, yet achievable, targets to improve key services. Those targets will be agreed with the Assembly. We are introducing a performance incentive scheme worth an additional £10 million in 2001-02 and £30 million in 2003-04. That money will be made available provided that local authorities make satisfactory progress in setting and achieving the new targets.

Mae angen yr hyblygrwydd ar gynghorau lleol i reoli eu hadnoddau yn y ffordd sydd yn diwallu anghenion lleol orau. Ar yr un pryd, mae angen sicrwydd ar y Cynulliad bod llywodraeth leol yn cyflawni mewn meysydd allweddol o bryder i’r cyhoedd yn ogystal ag i’r Cynulliad. Bydd cytundebau polisi rhwng y Cynulliad a llywodraeth leol yn ymdrin â hynny drwy ofyn i gynghorau osod targedau anodd, ac eto cyraeddadwy, i wella gwasanaethau allweddol. Cytunir ar y targedau hynny â’r Cynulliad. Cyflwynwn gynllun cymhelliant perfformiad gwerth £10 miliwn ychwanegol yn 2001-02 a £30 miliwn yn 2003-04. Bydd yr arian hwnnw ar gael ar yr amod bod awdurdodau lleol yn gwneud cynnydd boddhaol wrth bennu a chyflawni’r targedau newydd.

The additional funding allows for an increase in local authority spending of 5.6 per cent in 2001-02, 5.3 per cent in 2002-03 and 5.4 per cent in 2003-04. We are aware of the difficulties that the move to the new standard spending assessment formula causes for some authorities. I can assure you that Peter Law has made representations on that. We therefore propose to allocate an additional £4 million, £3 million and £2 million to funding a transitional scheme for the next three years. On top of this, councils will receive additional amounts from specific grants for many service sectors. The revenue support grant includes sums to cover the costs of meeting new legislative burdens.

Bydd yr arian ychwanegol yn caniatáu ar gyfer cynnydd yng ngwariant awdurdodau lleol o 5.6 y cant yn 2001-02, 5.3 y cant yn 2002-03 a 5.4 y cant yn 2003-04. Yr ydym yn ymwybodol o’r anawsterau y mae symud i’r fformwla asesu gwariant safonol newydd yn eu hachosi i rai awdurdodau. Gallaf eich sicrhau bod Peter Law wedi gwneud sylwadau ar hynny. Felly cynigiwn ddyrannu £4 miliwn, £3 miliwn a £2 filiwn ychwanegol i ariannu cynllun trosiannol ar gyfer y tair blynedd nesaf. Ar ben hyn, caiff cynghorau symiau ychwanegol o grantiau penodol ar gyfer llawer o’r sectorau gwasanaethau. Mae’r grant cynnal refeniw yn cynnwys symiau i dalu costau beichiau deddfwriaethol newydd.

In total, the package means an overall increase in Assembly support for local government of 8 per cent in 2001-02. I hope that you will agree that that is fair and reasonable. We will look to local authorities to ensure that that money is spent wisely on key services such as education, social services and transport and highways.

At ei gilydd, golyga’r pecyn gynnydd cyffredinol yng nghefnogaeth y Cynulliad ar gyfer llywodraeth leol o 8 y cant yn 2001-02. Gobeithiaf y cytunwch fod hynny’n deg a rhesymol. Byddwn yn disgwyl i awdurdodau lleol sicrhau y caiff yr arian ei wario’n ddoeth ar wasanaethau allweddol fel addysg, gwasanaethau cymdeithasol a thrafnidiaeth a phriffyrdd.

I now turn to housing, which is a key service delivered by local government. We will increase the local authority general capital funding and supplementary credit approvals for housing by £5 million in 2001-02 and increase that to £20 million by 2003-04. That will enable local authorities to improve public and private sector housing and follows many years of declining baselines for housing.

Trof yn awr at dai, sydd yn wasanaeth allweddol a ddarperir gan lywodraeth leol. Byddwn yn cynyddu arian cyfalaf cyffredinol awdurdodau lleol a chymeradwyaethau credyd ategol gan £5 miliwn ar gyfer tai yn 2001-02 a byddwn yn cynyddu hynny i £20 miliwn erbyn 2003-04. Bydd hynny’n galluogi awdurdodau lleol i wella tai yn y sector cyhoeddus a’r sector preifat ac mae hyn yn dilyn blynyddoedd lawer o linellau sylfaen sydd yn dirywio ar gyfer tai.

We are concerned about the plight of the homeless, and are increasing the supported housing revenue grant to provide an additional 200 beds for homeless and other vulnerable people. That meets the Assembly’s Plenary decision to extend the categories of homeless people in need of accommodation. We are also funding an additional 15 projects to help achieve the Assembly’s commitment to eliminate rough sleeping.

Yr ydym yn gofidio am broblemau’r digartref, ac yn cynyddu’r grant refeniw tai â chymorth i ddarparu 200 o welyau ychwanegol ar gyfer y digartref a phobl eraill sydd yn agored i niwed. Mae hyn yn bodloni penderfyniad Cyfarfod Llawn y Cynulliad i ymestyn y categorïau o bobl ddigartref y mae angen llety arnynt. Yr ydym hefyd yn ariannu 15 o brosiectau ychwanegol er mwyn helpu i gyflawni ymrwymiad y Cynulliad i ddileu cysgu ar y stryd.

We are also tackling social exclusion in other ways too. We are injecting an extra £15 million a year by 2003-04 in the Assembly’s flagship Communities First programme, which is aimed at up to 100 of the most deprived communities in Wales. We shall also ensure that mainstream programmes take account of and complement the Communities First initiative. We are extending the coverage of the new home energy efficiency scheme to benefit 38,000 households by 2003. This will move us towards the target of meeting the needs of all fuel-poor households by 2010.

Yr ydym yn mynd i’r afael ag allgáu cymdeithasol mewn ffyrdd eraill hefyd. Chwistrellwn £15 miliwn ychwanegol y flwyddyn erbyn 2003-04 ym mhrif raglen y Cynulliad, Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, a anelir at hyd at 100 o’r cymunedau mwyaf amddifad. Byddwn hefyd yn sicrhau bod rhaglenni prif ffrwd yn ystyried ac yn gweddu i’r fenter Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf. Estynnwn y sylw a roddir i’r cynllun newydd effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref fel y bydd 38,000 o gartrefi yn elwa ar hyn erbyn 2003. Bydd hyn yn ein symud tuag at y targed o ddiwallu anghenion pob cartref tlawd o ran tanwydd erbyn 2010.

We are also increasing the local regeneration fund by £11 million in 2003-04. This fund is aimed at the sustainable regeneration of the most deprived areas in Wales. Most of the budget is eligible to be used as match funding for structural funds and an extra £2 million has been ring-fenced for the voluntary sector by 2003-04.

Byddwn hefyd yn cynyddu y gronfa adfywio lleol gan £11 miliwn yn 2003-04. Anelir y gronfa hon at adfywio’r ardaloedd mwyaf amddifad yng Nghymru mewn ffordd gynaliadwy. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r gyllideb yn gymwys i’w defnyddio fel arian cyfatebol ar gyfer cronfeydd strwythurol a neilltuwyd £2 filiwn ychwanegol ar gyfer y sector gwirfoddol erbyn 2003-04.

Improving the economy of Wales, and especially the Objective 1 areas and the whole structural funds areas, is a key priority of this administration. I am pleased that we are able to provide a significant boost to economic development alongside the substantial European investment. We are determined to improve the performance of all our companies in exporting, and are providing an extra £3 million by 2003-04 towards international trade initiatives. We are also investing in international relations to raise the profile of Wales overseas, which has been an issue for many of us in the National Assembly.

Mae gwella economi Cymru, ac yn arbennig yr ardaloedd Amcan 1 a’r ardaloedd cronfeydd strwythurol i gyd, yn un o flaenoriaethau allweddol y weinyddiaeth hon. Yr wyf yn falch ein bod yn gallu rhoi hwb sylweddol i ddatblygiad economaidd ochr yn ochr â’r buddsoddiad sylweddol Ewropeaidd. Yr ydym yn benderfynol o wella perfformiad pob un o’n cwmnïau sydd yn allforio, gan ddarparu £3 miliwn ychwanegol erbyn 2003-04 tuag at fentrau masnach ryngwladol. Buddsoddwn hefyd mewn cysylltiadau rhyngwladol i godi proffil Cymru dramor, a fu’n fater i lawer ohonom yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol.

We want to focus even more on developing an enterprise culture and supporting new businesses. We are therefore putting an extra £5 million by 2003-04 into enterprise development and support. That should encourage an additional 2,500 new business start-ups by 2003-04. We are also establishing a new tier 3 scheme of small grants to SMEs. We want to increase the innovation and competitiveness of our small and medium-sized enterprises and improve links between companies and colleges. We are therefore putting extra moneys into innovation, design and technology.

Yr ydym am ganolbwyntio hyd yn oed yn fwy ar ddatblygu diwylliant o fentergarwch ac ar gefnogi busnesau newydd. Felly byddwn yn buddsoddi £5 miliwn yn ychwanegol erbyn 2003-04 i ddatblygu a chynnal mentrau. Dylai hyn annog 2,500 o fusnesau newydd i ddechrau erbyn 2003-04. Yr ydym hefyd yn sefydlu cynllun 3 haen o grantiau bach i fentrau bach a chanolig eu maint. Yr ydym am gynyddu blaengaredd a natur gystadleuol ein mentrau bach a chanolig eu maint gan wella cysylltiadau rhwng cwmnïau a cholegau. Yr ydym felly yn buddsoddi arian ychwanegol mewn blaengaredd, dylunio a thechnoleg.

On match funding, I assure the Assembly that we have made sufficient provision for match funding for structural funds in this budget. Over £65 million of new money is being made available for match funding in 2001-02 across a range of budgets, rising to over £70 million in 2003-04. I have also added significantly to the established Assembly budget lines that are eligible as sources of match funding. Wherever possible, I have tried to make the match funding sources as transparent as possible, which was a concern of the Economic Development Committee. I have already mentioned the local regeneration fund. In the economic development main expenditure group I am increasing the Pathway to Prosperity match funding line to provide match funding for projects where funding is not available from existing budgets. We are also injecting almost £6 million in the first year to Finance Wales, to establish a launch fund of at least £50 million. This is subject to European approval.

O ran arian cyfatebol, sicrhaf y Cynulliad ein bod wedi darparu’n ddigonol ar gyfer arian cyfatebol ar gyfer cronfeydd strwythurol yn y gyllideb hon. Bydd dros £65 miliwn o arian newydd ar gael ar gyfer arian cyfatebol yn 2001-02 ar draws ystod o gyllidebau, gan godi i dros £70 miliwn yn 2003-04. Ychwanegais yn sylweddol hefyd at linellau cyllideb sefydledig y Cynulliad sydd yn gymwys fel ffynonellau arian cyfatebol. Lle bo’n bosibl, ceisiais wneud ffynhonellau arian cyfatebol mor eglur â phosibl, a oedd yn bryder i’r Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd. Yr wyf eisoes wedi crybwyll y gronfa adfywio lleol. Yng ngrŵp prif wariant datblygu economaidd yr wyf yn cynyddu llinell arian cyfatebol Ffordd i Ffyniant i ddarparu arian cyfatebol ar gyfer prosiectau lle nad yw’r arian ar gael o gyllidebau presennol. Yr ydym hefyd yn chwistrellu bron £6 miliwn yn y flwyddyn gyntaf i Gyllid Cymru, i sefydlu cronfa lansio o £50 miliwn o leiaf. Mae hyn yn amodol ar gymeradwyaeth gan Ewrop.

There are concerns about the sources of advice available to businesses, voluntary groups and individuals on structural funds. We are therefore providing £500,000 a year to fund Euro facilitators to help advise on taking advantage of structural funds opportunities. There is a need to fund an accelerated programme of strategic site preparation and provision of advance factory premises. We are therefore providing extra funds to the Welsh Development Agency, primarily for this purpose. Tourism is also a major priority for us, and we are increasing funding to the Wales Tourist Board to help promote Wales as a tourist destination. In total, this amounts to a significant package of measures to improve the economy.

Mae pryderon ynglŷn â’r ffynonellau cyngor sydd ar gael i fusnesau, grwpiau gwirfoddol ac unigolion ar gronfeydd strwythurol. Felly darparwn £500,000 y flwyddyn i ariannu hwyluswyr yr ewro er mwyn helpu i roi cyngor ar fanteisio ar gyfleoedd cronfeydd strwythurol. Mae angen ariannu rhaglen gyflym o baratoi safle strategol a darparu adeiladoedd ffatrïoedd ymlaen llaw. Felly darparwn arian ychwanegol i Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru, yn bennaf at y diben hwn. Mae twristiaeth yn flaenoriaeth o bwys inni hefyd, a chynyddwn yr arian i Fwrdd Croeso Cymru er mwyn helpu i hyrwyddo Cymru fel cyrchfan dwristiaeth. At ei gilydd, mae hyn yn becyn sylweddol o fesurau i wella’r economi.

Regarding transport and the environment, we recognise that there has been underinvestment in the transport infrastructure in recent years, and are committed to doing something about it. Simply building more roads is not the answer. We must develop an integrated transport system that relieves the pressure on our road system and makes it easier for people to travel by public transport. These proposals are aimed at a balanced approach towards road and rail, public building and private transport.

O ran trafnidaeth a’r amgylchedd, cydnabyddwn y bu tanfuddsoddi yn y seilwaith trafnidiaeth yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf, ac yr ydym yn ymrwymedig i wneud rhywbeth yn ei gylch. Nid adeiladu rhagor o ffyrdd yw’r ateb. Rhaid inni ddatblygu system trafnidiaeth integredig sydd yn lleddfu’r pwysau ar ein system ffyrdd ac yn ei gwneud yn haws i bobl deithio ar gludiant cyhoeddus. Anelir y cynigion hyn at ymagwedd gytbwys tuag at ffyrdd a rheilffyrdd, adeiladau cyhoeddus a thrafnidiaeth breifat.

We are making a major investment of £30 million by year three into the transport grant to respond to local transport plans and support the funding of integrated transport strategies across Wales. This will be a flagship programme. Also included in the transport grant is a further expansion of the popular Safe Routes to Schools scheme, and developing safer communities as a part of that. We are also increasing the special grant funding for local road safety schemes in years two and three to meet the challenging road traffic casualty reduction targets.

Yr ydym yn gwneud buddsoddiad o bwys o £30 miliwn erbyn blwyddyn tri yn y grant trafnidiaeth i ymateb i gynlluniau trafnidiaeth lleol gan ategu’r gwaith o ariannu strategaethau trafnidiaeth integredig ledled Cymru. Bydd hon yn brif raglen. Hefyd, cynhwysir estyniad pellach o’r cynllun poblogaidd Ffyrdd Diogel i’r Ysgol yn y grant trafnidiaeth, gan ddatblygu cymunedau mwy diogel fel rhan o hynny. Cynyddwn hefyd yr arian grant arbennig ar gyfer cynlluniau lleol diogelwch ar y ffordd ym mlynyddoedd dau a thri i gyrraedd y targedau anodd ar gyfer lleihau damweiniau traffig ffordd.

We are providing an extra £18 million a year by 2003-04 onwards for the central Government’s roads programme. We are also funding the start of a noise reduction programme on trunk roads. We are investing a further £500,000 in the national cycle network, which is good news for cyclists. We will also provide core funding for the Sustrans office in Wales.

Darparwn £18 miliwn yn ychwanegol y flwyddyn erbyn 2003-04 ymlaen ar gyfer rhaglen ffyrdd Llywodraeth ganolog. Ariannwn hefyd ddechrau rhaglen lleihau sŵn ar y cefnffyrdd. Buddsoddwn £500,000 pellach yn y rhwydwaith beiciau cenedlaethol, sydd yn newyddion da i feicwyr. Byddwn hefyd yn darparu arian craidd ar gyfer swyddfa Sustrans yng Nghymru.

It is important to continue to support socially necessary bus services. We are therefore putting extra money into the bus partnership fund and the community transport grant. I can also confirm that additional amounts have been made available to local authorities through the revenue support grant to fully fund free bus passes for pensioners and the disabled on local buses from April 2001, and free fares for pensioners and disabled people from April 2002.

Mae’n bwysig parhau i gynnal gwasanaethau bysiau sydd yn gymdeithasol angenrheidiol. Felly buddsoddwn arian ychwanegol yn y gronfa partneriaeth bysiau a’r grant trafnidiaeth gymunedol. Gallaf gadarnhau hefyd fod symiau ychwanegol bellach ar gael i awdurdodau lleol drwy’r grant cynnal refeniw i ariannu’n llawn tocynnau bws am ddim i bensiynwyr a’r anabl ar fysiau lleol o Ebrill 2001, a theithio am ddim i bensiynwyr a phobl anabl o Ebrill 2002.

On planning, we are providing more money for planning research to underpin our new spatial planning framework. We are also providing £100,000 of new money towards supporting a design commission for Wales to promote and raise design standards.

O ran cynllunio, darparwn ragor o arian ar gyfer ymchwil cynllunio i fod yn sail i’n fframwaith cynllunio gofodol newydd. Darparwn £100,000 o arian newydd hefyd tuag at gefnogi comisiwn dylunio i Gymru i hyrwyddo a chodi safonau dylunio.

On the environment, we are providing a significant uplift in baselines to the key agencies. National parks will receive an extra £2.5 million by 2003-04, the Countryside Council for Wales an extra £10 million and the Environment Agency Wales an additional £3 million. A further £1 million a year is aimed at fully implementing the habitats regulations. The extra funds will enable these bodies to meet a range of statutory and European obligations, including the notification of all Natura 2000 sites, and bringing an additional 15,000 hectares of special areas of conservation and sites of special scientific interest under management.

O ran yr amgylchedd, darparwn hwb sylweddol mewn gwaelodlinau i’r asiantaethau allweddol. Bydd y parciau cenedlaethol yn cael £2.5 miliwn ychwanegol erbyn 2003-04, y Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymruyn cael £10 miliwn ychwanegol ac Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd Cymru yn cael £3 miliwn ychwanegol. Anelir £1 filiwn arall y flwyddyn at weithredu’r rheoliadau cynefinoedd yn llawn. Bydd yr arian ychwanegol yn galluogi’r sefydliadau hyn i fodloni ystod o rwymedigaethau statudol ac Ewropeaidd, gan gynnwys cofrestru pob un o safleoedd Natura 2000, a dod â 15,000 o hectarau ychwanegol o ardaloedd cadwraeth arbennig a safleoedd o ddiddordeb gwyddonol arbennig o dan reolaeth.

We are fully committed to developing a new waste strategy for Wales to significantly improve our performance on waste management. This is a priority for the Environment, Planning and Transport Committee. We will be setting new targets for local authorities. An extra £24 million is being provided by year three, with the allocation to be determined as our waste strategy is firmed up.

Yr ydym yn llwyr ymrwymedig i ddatblygu strategaeth gwastraff newydd i Gymru i wella ein perfformiad o ran rheoli gwastraff yn sylweddol. Mae hon yn flaenoriaeth ar gyfer Pwyllgor yr Amgylchedd, Cynllunio a Thrafnidiaeth. Byddwn yn gosod targedau newydd ar gyfer awdurdodau lleol. Darperir £24 miliwn ychwanegol erbyn blwyddyn tri, gyda’r dyraniad i’w bennu wrth i’n strategaeth gwastraff gael ei sefydlu.

I also want to mention forestry. As I reported previously, we are seeking an appropriate transfer of resources to the Assembly before we are willing to take over financial responsibility for forestry. Negotiations are still ongoing. However, on the assumption that we will receive an adequate transfer—I stress that this is on that assumption—we are providing an extra £4 million by 2003-04 to fund a variety of forestry schemes, most of which are eligible for European funding. In particular, we will be funding programmes targeting deprived communities, shelterwood on farms, restoration of ancient wooded sites and biomass projects. Also, as a one-off measure, we are providing for the development of mountain biking facilities in certain forests as this activity generates a great deal of tourism revenue for local areas.

Yr wyf am sôn hefyd am goedwigaeth. Fel y soniais o’r blaen, ceisiwn drosglwyddiad priodol o’r adnoddau i’r Cynulliad cyn y byddwn yn fodlon ymgymryd â’r cyfrifoldeb ariannol dros goedwigaeth. Mae’r negodiadau yn parhau o hyd. Fodd bynnag, a thybio y byddwn yn cael trosglwyddiad digonol—pwysleisiaf bod hyn ar y dybiaeth honno—darparwn £4 miliwn ychwanegol erbyn 2003-04 i ariannu amrywiaeth o gynlluniau coedwigaeth, y mae’r rhan fwyaf ohonynt yn gymwys ar gyfer arian Ewropeaidd. Yn arbennig, byddwn yn ariannu rhaglenni sydd yn targedu cymunedau amddifad, coed cysgodi ar ffermydd, adfer safleoedd coediog hynafol a phrosiectau bio-màs. Hefyd, fel mesur unigryw, darparwn ar gyfer datblygu cyfleusterau beicio mynydd mewn rhai fforestydd penodol gan fod y gweithgaredd hwn yn cynhyrchu llawer o refeniw twristiaeth ar gyfer ardaloedd lleol.

Turning to agriculture and rural development, we have done a great deal to encourage the careful stewardship of the environment by farmers. We are now providing extra funds to continue this excellent work.

Gan droi at amaethyddiaeth a datblygu gwledig, gwnaethom lawer iawn i annog ffermwyr i warchod yr amgylchedd yn ofalus. Bellach darparwn arian ychwanegol i barhau’r gwaith rhagorol hwn.

We are extending our provision for our agri-environment schemes to protect wildlife habitats; this will be sufficient to enable 25 per cent of agricultural land in Wales to be under agri-environmental agreement, in organic production, or in conversion to organic status, by 2003. Within that, we are doubling provision for the organic conversion scheme, which will provide for 200 new agreements each year.

Ymestynnwn ein darpariaeth ar gyfer ein cynlluniau amaeth-amgylcheddol i ddiogelu cynefinoedd bywyd gwyllt; bydd hyn yn ddigon i alluogi 25 y cant o’r tir amaethyddol yng Nghymru i fod o dan gytundeb amaeth-amgylcheddol, yn cynhyrchu bwydydd organig, neu yn y broses o drosi i statws organig, erbyn 2003. O fewn hynny, dyblwn y ddarpariaeth ar gyfer y cynllun trosi i ffermio organig, a fydd yn darparu ar gyfer 200 o gytundebau newydd bob blwyddyn.

We are also extending provision for the Tir Gofal scheme by £6 million in 2003-04. We are conscious of the need to help farmers to find new markets for their produce and to help them adopt new business practices and environmentally sustainable methods. These are activities which can qualify for European funding under Objective 1 and the rural development programme. We are therefore significantly increasing the budgets for processing and marketing grants, and for advice to farmers, to help them adapt, as part of the new Farming Connect service. These were priorities for the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Yr ydym hefyd yn ymestyn y ddarpariaeth ar gyfer y cynllun Tir Gofal gan £6 miliwn yn 2003-04. Yr ydym yn ymwybodol o’r angen i helpu ffermwyr i ddod o hyd i farchnadoedd newydd ar gyfer eu cynnyrch a’u helpu i fabwysiadu arferion busnes newydd a dulliau sydd yn amgylcheddol gynaliadwy. Gweithgareddau yw’r rhain a all fod yn gymwys ar gyfer arian Ewropeaidd o dan Amcan 1 a’r rhaglen datblygu gwledig. Felly cynyddwn y cyllidebau ar gyfer grantiau prosesu a marchnata yn sylweddol, ac ar gyfer rhoi cyngor i ffermwyr, a’u helpu i addasu, fel rhan o wasanaeth newydd Cyswllt Ffermio. Yr oedd y rhain yn flaenoriaethau ar gyfer y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig.

There is also a need to support the niche marketing of Welsh beef and lamb and it is important that small abattoirs are not handicapped in trying to develop niche products. We have earmarked £1.5 million a year to implement the recommendations of the Maclean report on easing the burden of meat hygiene charges on small abattoirs. For legal reasons, however, the National Assembly will only be able to implement this if England and Scotland follow suit. I hope that they will.

Mae angen cefnogi marchnata arbenigol cig eidion a chig oen Cymru ac mae’n bwysig nad yw lladd-dai bach o dan anfantais wrth geisio datblygu cynnyrch arbenigol. Clustnodwyd £1.5 miliwn y flwyddyn gennym i weithredu argymhellion adroddiad Maclean ar leddfu baich taliadau hylendid cig ar ladd-dai bach. Am resymau cyfreithiol, fodd bynnag, dim ond os bydd Lloegr a’r Alban yn gwneud yr un peth y gall y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol weithredu hyn. Gobeithiaf y gwnânt.

I know that the school milk scheme is popular with children and farmers and, subject to legal confirmation, we are moving ahead with that scheme.

Gwn fod y cynllun llaeth ysgol yn boblogaidd gyda phlant a ffermwyr ac, yn amodol ar gadarnhad cyfreithiol, yr ydym yn bwrw ymlaen â’r cynllun hwnnw.

Last but not least, I address the arts and culture. It is vital that Wales has a vibrant and thriving culture, which is accessible to all. We are therefore providing significant uplifts to all the main cultural and sporting bodies.

Yn olaf, ond nid y lleiaf, ymdriniaf â’r celfyddydau a diwylliant. Mae’n holl bwysig bod gan Gymru ddiwylliant byw a ffyniannus, sydd ar gael i bawb. Felly rhoddwn hwb sylweddol i bob un o’r prif sefydliadau diwylliannol a chwaraeon.

We are injecting additional amounts into the National Museums and Galleries of Wales to allow a standard admission charge of £1 a head from April 2001. That extends the current scheme where those over 60, those under 19 and the unemployed get free admission. This will extend access to people who have never visited some of our national treasures. We are also increasing funding for the Arts Council of Wales by £4 million by 2003-04. I know that that was a priority of the Post-16 Education and Training Committee. I hope that we can now open a new chapter in the history of the Arts Council, and that we can move forward from the recent reviews.

Chwistrellwn symiau ychwanegol i Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau Cenedlaethol Cymru i ganiatáu tâl mynediad safonol o £1 y pen o Ebrill 2001. Mae hynny yn ymestyn y cynllun cyfredol lle caiff pawb sydd dros 60 oed, pobl o dan 19 oed a’r di-waith fynediad am ddim. Bydd hyn yn ymestyn mynediad i bobl nad ydynt erioed wedi ymweld â’n trysorau cenedlaethol. Yr ydym hefyd yn cynyddu hefyd yn yr arian ar gyfer Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru gan £4 miliwn erbyn 2003-04. Gwn fod hyn yn flaenoriaeth y Pwyllgor Addysg a Hyfforddiant Ôl-16. Gobeithiaf y gallwn yn awr ddechrau pennod newydd yn hanes Cyngor y Celfyddydau, ac y gallwn symud ymlaen o’r adolygiadau diweddar.

Finally, I am pleased that we are able to increase the funding for the Welsh Language Board to enable it to extend its successful mentrau iaith programme, so that they provide nationwide coverage by 2003-4. We are also making a one-off payment to the Urdd to fund the Llandudno Eisteddfod in 2002, because of the funding difficulties that it faces for that year. Those of you who delight in facts and figures—I am glad to see Phil here—may have noticed that I intend to keep an unallocated reserve of £50 million in 2002-03 and £100 million in 2003-04. This is prudent given that we do not know what financial pressures may lie ahead. Those resources will be allocated in a future budget round. I said from the outset, Deputy Presiding Officer, that this budget needed to demonstrate both immediate action and long-term investment. I am confident that this balanced package has achieved both of those aims. It puts Wales first, and I look forward to hearing the views of the National Assembly.

Yn olaf, yr wyf yn falch ein bod yn gallu cynyddu’r arian ar gyfer Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg i’w galluogi i ymestyn ei raglen mentrau iaith lwyddiannus, fel y byddant yn darparu gwasanaeth ledled y wlad erbyn 2003-04. Byddwn hefyd yn gwneud taliad unigryw i’r Urdd i ariannu Eisteddfod Llandudno yn 2002, oherwydd yr anawsterau ariannol a wyneba ar gyfer y flwyddyn honno. Efallai bod y rheini ohonoch sydd yn ymddiddori mewn ffeithiau a ffigurau—yr wyf yn falch o weld Phil yma—wedi sylwi fy mod yn bwriadu cadw cronfa wrth gefn nas dyrannwyd o £50 miliwn yn 2002-03 a £100 miliwn yn 2003-04. Mae hynny yn ddoeth o gofio na wyddom pa bwysau ariannol gall fod o’n blaenau. Caiff yr adnoddau hynny eu dyrannu yn un o gylchoedd cyllideb y dyfodol. Dywedais o’r cychwyn, Ddirprwy Lywydd, fod angen i’r gyllideb hon ddangos gweithredu uniongyrchol a buddsoddiad tymor hir. Hyderaf fod y pecyn cytbwys hwn wedi cyflawni’r ddau nod hynny. Mae’n rhoi Cymru yn gyntaf, ac edrychaf ymlaen at glywed safbwyntiau’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol.

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 66

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 66

Cynigiaf welliant 1. Ychwaneger ar ddiwedd y cynnig fel cymal newydd:

I propose amendment 1. Add at the end of the motion as a new clause:

Ieuan Wyn Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 66

Ieuan Wyn Jones (continued) spoken in Welsh p. 66

Cynigiaf welliant 2. Ychwaneger ar ddiwedd y cynnig fel cymal newydd:

I propose amendment 2. Add at the end of the motion as a new clause:

Ieuan Wyn Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 66

Ieuan Wyn Jones (continued) spoken in Welsh p. 66

Cynigiaf welliant 3. Ychwaneger ar ddiwedd y cynnig fel cymal newydd:

I propose amendment 3. Add at the end of the motion as a new clause:

Ieuan Wyn Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 67

Ieuan Wyn Jones (continued) spoken in Welsh p. 67

Cynigiaf welliant 4. Ychwaneger ar ddiwedd y cynnig fel cymalau newydd:

I propose amendment 4. Add at the end of the motion as new clauses:

Ieuan Wyn Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 67

Ieuan Wyn Jones (continued) spoken in Welsh p. 67

Cynigiaf welliant 5. Ychwaneger ar ddiwedd y cynnig fel cymalau newydd:

I propose amendment 5. Add at the end of the motion as new clauses:

Ieuan Wyn Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 68

Ieuan Wyn Jones (continued) spoken in Welsh and English p. 68

Yn gyntaf, croesawaf John i’r gadair fel Dirprwy Lywydd, a dymunaf bob llwyddiant iddo yn ei swydd a’i gyfrifoldebau newydd. Cymeraf y cyfle hefyd i ddiolch i Jane Davidson am ei gwaith fel Dirpwy Lywydd, ac am ei chadeiryddiaeth yn y Pwyllgor Busnes. Dymunaf yn dda iddi yn ei swydd newydd fel Gweinidog Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes.

in Welsh First, I welcome John to the chair as Deputy Presiding Officer, and I wish him every success in his new post and responsibilities. I also take this opportunity to thank Jane Davidson for her work as Deputy Presiding Officer, and for her chairing of the Business Committee. I wish her well in her new post as Minister for Education and Life-long Learning.

Yr wyf yn croesawu tri pheth ynglŷn â’r gyllideb hon. Mae nifer o bethau nad wyf yn eu croesawu, ond mae tri pheth yr wyf yn eu croesawu. Yn gyntaf, diolchaf yn gynnes i Edwina am y modd cwbl agored y mae hi’n cyflwyno ei chyllideb, a diolchaf hefyd iddi am y modd y mae hi’n cyflwyno gwybodaeth i aelodau’r wrthblaid sydd yn siarad ar faterion cyllid. Yr wyf yn sicr bod gwers i Weinidogion eraill yn y Llywodraeth hon yn y modd y mae hi’n ymdrin â’r gwrthbleidiau.

in Welsh I welcome three things about this budget. There are a number of things that I do not welcome, but there are three things that I do. First, I warmly thank Edwina for her openness in presenting her budget, and I also thank her for the way in which she presents information to members of the opposition who speak on budgetary matters. I am certain that there is a lesson for other Ministers in this Government in the way that she deals with the opposition parties.

Fy ail bwynt—ac mae’n bwynt a wnaethpwyd gennym sawl tro ers cyhoeddi’r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant—yw ein bod yn croesawu’r egwyddor a dderbyniwyd bellach gan Gordon Brown, fod yr arian ar gyfer cronfeydd strwythurol Ewrop yn ychwanegol i’r grant bloc. Mae hynny’n fuddugoliaeth i’r Cynulliad. Yr ydym yn parhau i ddweud nad ydym yn cael y cyfan o’r arian hwnnw, ond mae’r ffaith fod yr arian ar gael yn fuddugoliaeth i’r Cynulliad.

in Welsh My second point—and it is one that we have made several times since the announcement of the comprehensive spending review—is that we welcome the principle that has now been accepted by Gordon Brown, that the funding for the European structural funds is additional to the block grant. That is a victory for the Assembly. We continue to say that we are not receiving that money in full, but the fact that that money is available is a victory for the Assembly.

Yn drydydd, yr ydym, yn naturiol, yn croesawu’r agweddau yn y gyllideb hon sydd yn ymwneud ag ychwanegiad i’r gwariant. Mae rhai elfennau yn sectorau iechyd ac addysg yr ydym yn eu croesawu. Dyna ran o’r cyfrifoldeb o fod yn wrthblaid adeiladol. Fodd bynnag, rhaid tynnu sylw at nifer o bethau eraill nad ydynt yn y gyllideb, neu sydd yn gamarweiniol.

in Welsh Thirdly, we welcome, naturally, the aspects of this budget that relate to additional expenditure. There are some elements in the health and education sectors that we welcome. That is part of the responsibility of being a constructive opposition. However, we must draw attention to a number of other aspects that are not included in this budget, or that are misleading.

Un o’r pethau y dylem fod yn gwbl glir yn ei gylch o safbwynt unrhyw gyllideb yw bod yn rhaid i’r drafodaeth fod ar ffigurau agored y gallwn eu dehongli’n glir. Pan gyhoeddwyd y gyllideb hon gan y Llywodraeth ddydd Iau diwethaf, rhoddwyd awgrym clir yn y datganiad i’r wasg fod y cynnydd yn yr arian ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf yn codi o’r £8.3 biliwn y bwriadai’r Llywodraeth ei wario, i £9.7 biliwn. Wrth edrych ar hynny ar yr wyneb, mae’n gynnydd aruthrol yng nghyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru—£1.35 biliwn yn ychwanegol uwchlaw’r hyn yr oedd yn bwriadu ei wario yn wreiddiol.

in Welsh One thing that we should be totally clear about in relation to any budget is that the discussion must be on transparent figures that can be clearly interpreted. When this budget was announced by the Government last Thursday, there was a clear suggestion in the press release that the increase in funding for next year would rise from the £8.3 billion that the Government intended to spend, to £9.7 billion. Looking at that at face value, it is a huge increase in the Welsh Government’s budget—£1.35 billion extra over and above what it originally intended to spend.

Fodd bynnag, edrychodd Phil Willams ar y print mân, sydd yn dangos darlun tra gwahanol. O’r cynnydd honedig o £1.35 biliwn, yr oedd £865 miliwn yn dric cyfrifyddol wrth symud o un system gyfrifyddol i un arall. Nid yw’r arian hwnnw ar gael i’w wario ar wasanaethau. Felly, cynnydd o tua £500 miliwn a geir mewn gwirionedd. Dyna’r arian ychwanegol y gallwn ei wario ar ein gwasanaethau. Diolch byth fod cyfrifiannell Phil Williams yn fwy dibynnol na meistri sbin Llafur.

in Welsh However, Phil Williams looked at the small print, which shows a radically different picture. Of the alleged £1.35 billion increase, £865 million was an accounting trick performed from moving from one accounting system to another. That money is not available to spend on services. Therefore, the real increase is around £500 million. That is the additional money that we can spend on our services. Thankfully, Phil Williams’s calculator is more dependable than the Labour spin doctors.

Yr oeddem wedi dod i ddisgwyl y math hwnnw o dric gan Lywodraeth Tony Blair, ond yr ydym yn hynod siomedig fod Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn defnyddio’r un triciau. Diolch byth fod gan Gymru wrthblaid effeithiol i ddangos y darlun cywir. Yr ydym yn cynnig gwelliant 1 oherwydd bod angen inni gael gonestrwydd a didwylledd yn y modd y cyflwynwn ffigurau.

in Welsh We had come to expect that kind of trick from Tony Blair’s Government, but we are extremely disappointed that the Assembly Government is using the same tricks. Thankfully, Wales has an effective opposition to show the true picture. We propose amendment 1 because we must have honesty and sincerity in the way that figures are presented.

Gadewch inni ystyried yn fanwl y gyllideb fel ag y mae. Ar ôl tynnu ymaith y swm nad yw ar gael mewn gwirionedd ac anghofio am yr arian ffug hwnnw, mae’r cynnydd yn ein cyllideb yn cyfateb yn fras i’r hyn a addawodd Gordon Brown inni yng Ngorffennaf. Felly, mae peth o’r cynnydd ar gyfer cwrdd â’r arian sydd yn ddyledus i Gymru o dan Amcan 1. Fel y dywedais—a chroesawaf hyn—mae’r ffaith ei fod yn ychwanegol i’r bloc yn fuddugoliaeth i’r Cynulliad. Fodd bynnag, mae’n iawn i bobl Cymru gael gwybod nad yw’r holl arian wedi dod. Mae’r gyllideb hon yn cadarnhau’r hyn a ddywedasom, sef bod yn rhaid i arian cyfatebol ddod o gyllidebau presennol addysg, iechyd ac ati. Gwyddom hynny oherwydd, pan gymerwn bopeth i ystyriaeth, ceir cynnydd o 7 y cant yn y gwariant adrannol ar iechyd ac ati yng Nghymru o’i gymharu ag 8.7 y cant yng ngweddill y Deyrnas Gyfunol. Bydd Phil Williams yn ymhelaethu ar hynny yn ei araith.

in Welsh Let us consider in detail the budget as it stands. After taking away the sum that is not really available and forgetting about that phoney money, the increase in our budget corresponds roughly to what Gordon Brown promised us in July. Therefore, part of the increase is to cover the money due to Wales under Objective 1. As I said—and I welcome this—the fact that it is in addition to the block is a victory for the Assembly. However, it is right for the people of Wales to know that not all the money has come through. This budget confirms what we said, that is, that match funding has to come from the present budgets for education, health and so on. We know that because, when we take everything into account, there is an increase of 7 per cent in the departmental expenditure on health and so on in Wales compared with 8.7 per cent in the rest of the United Kingdom. Phil Williams will expand on that in his speech.

Y pwynt sylfaenol yw bod yn rhaid i’r arian cyfatebol ddod o’r gyllideb sydd wedi rhoi ychwanegiadau sylweddol ar gyfer iechyd ac addysg yn Lloegr. Yn naturiol, felly, yr ydym ni yn cael llai.

in Welsh The fundamental point is that the match funding must come from the budget that has provided substantial increases for health and education in England. Naturally, therefore, we get less.

Ar ôl tynnu ymaith y twyll, gwelwn nad yw angen Cymru yn cael ei ateb yn llawn yn y gyllideb hon. Mae dewisiadau anodd o’n blaenau, a gorau po gyntaf, felly, y bydd y Llywodraeth yn barod i gadarnhau a derbyn hynny.

in Welsh After removing the deception, we see that Wales’s need is not fully met by this budget. There are difficult choices ahead of us, and the sooner the better, therefore, that the Government is ready to confirm and accept that.

We, as a party, have not been taken in by the spin that was put on the budget—

yn Saesneg Fel plaid, ni chawsom ein twyllo gan y gogwydd a roddwyd ar y gyllideb—

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 70

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

Notwithstanding what you are saying, Ieuan, do you agree that the level of expenditure increase outlined in this budget is unprecedented? Also, can you give an example of any administration that has given increases even remotely as large as this administration has done?

Er gwaethaf yr hyn a ddywedwch, Ieuan, a gytunwch nad oes cynsail i lefel y cynnydd yn y gwariant a amlinellwyd yn y gyllideb hon? Hefyd, a allwch roi enghraifft o unrhyw weinyddiaeth sydd wedi rhoi cynnydd hyd yn oed o’r braidd mor fawr ag y mae’r weinyddiaeth hon wedi ei wneud?

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 70

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

I cannot give you precise figures. However, one of the reasons that we are considering these increases is because your Labour Government in Westminster kept the Tory spending plans for the first three years of its administration. We are making up for lost time. You will have to accept that.

Ni allaf roi ffigurau manwl ichi. Fodd bynnag, un o’r rhesymau pam ein bod yn ystyried y cynnydd hwn yw am fod eich Llywodraeth Lafur chi yn San Steffan wedi cadw cynlluniau gwario’r Torïaid ar gyfer tair blynedd gyntaf ei gweinyddiaeth. Yr ydym yn gwneud iawn am yr amser a gollwyd. Bydd yn rhaid ichi dderbyn hynny.

I agree that there is an increase in the budget for Wales. Nevertheless, because we have to take our match funding from our departmental, or block, increase, we do not get the same kind of increases for health and education that the people of England get.

Cytunaf fod cynnydd yn y gyllideb i Gymru. Serch hynny, gan fod yn rhaid inni gymryd ein harian cyfatebol o’n cynnydd adrannol, neu floc, ni chawn yr un math o gynnydd ar gyfer iechyd ac addysg y mae pobl Lloegr yn ei gael.

Let us consider the spin. I indicated that the £1.3 billion is not available to us. There is an accountancy charge here. It is phoney money in reality. There is £865 million in the budget that we cannot spend. Once we take that away, we are back to the comprehensive spending review settlement that Gordon Brown announced in July. Although we accept that the budget is clearer this year than it was last year, further clarity is necessary, which is why we tabled amendment 2.

Gadewch inni ystyried y sbin. Nodais nad yw’r £1.3 biliwn ar gael inni. Mae tâl cyfrifo yma. Arian ffug ydyw mewn gwirionedd. Mae £865 miliwn yn y gyllideb na allwn ei wario. Unwaith y tynnwn y swm hwnnw ymaith, dychwelwn at setliad yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant a gyhoeddodd Gordon Brown ym mis Gorffennaf. Er ein bod yn derbyn bod y gyllideb yn gliriach eleni nag yr oedd y llynedd, mae angen egluro ymhellach, a dyna pam yr ydym wedi cyflwyno gwelliant 2.

There are three ways in which the clarity of the budget could be improved. First, we need clarity on the normal expenditure and essential services, such as schools and hospitals. Secondly, the contribution of European structural funds should be identified clearly. Thirdly, the public sector match funding should be set out in figures that everyone can understand. I hope that the Government accepts that that is a sensible amendment.

Mae tair ffordd y gellid gwella eglurder y gyllideb. Yn gyntaf, mae angen eglurder ynglŷn â’r gwariant arferol a’r gwasanaethau hanfodol, fel ysgolion ac ysbytai. Yn ail, dylid nodi cyfraniad y cronfeydd strwythurol Ewropeaidd yn glir. Yn drydydd, dylid nodi arian cyfatebol y sector cyhoeddus mewn ffigurau sydd yn ddealladwy i bawb. Gobeithiaf fod y Llywodraeth yn derbyn bod hwn yn welliant synhwyrol.

No long-term solution to meeting the needs of Wales is possible until there has been a thorough review of the way the block grant is calculated. The reasons why that is necessary will be familiar to all Assembly Members. We all recognise now that that formula is outdated and discredited. It is based on population and not on need. The fact that Wales is relatively poorer than the rest of Britain, and the fact that we have an ageing population mean that our health needs are also much greater.

Nid yw ateb tymor hir i ddiwallu anghenion Cymru yn bosibl hyd nes y cynhelir adolygiad trylwyr o’r modd y cyfrifir y grant bloc. Bydd y rhesymau pam y mae hynny’n angenrheidiol yn gyfarwydd i bob un o Aelodau’r Cynulliad. Yr ydym oll yn cydnabod bellach bod y fformwla honno yn hen ac wedi colli hygrededd. Mae’n seiliedig ar boblogaeth ac nid ar angen. Mae’r ffaith bod Cymru’n gymharol dlotach na gweddill Prydain a’r ffaith bod gennym boblogaeth sydd yn heneiddio yn golygu bod ein hanghenion iechyd yn llawer mwy hefyd.

This is not only the opinion of Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales. Among those who have called for a fairer funding system are the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales, who is now a member of the Government, and Charles Kennedy, the UK leader of the Liberal Democrats. I told Edwina, in today’s questions session, that we had the benefit of looking at the draft partnership agreement between the Labour administration and the Liberal Democrats, in which there was a key phrase—indeed, a whole section—on finance. The draft version of that document stated

Nid barn Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales yn unig yw hyn. Ymhlith y rhai sydd wedi galw am system ariannu decach mae arweinydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yng Nghymru, sydd bellach yn aelod o’r Llywodraeth, a Charles Kennedy, arweinydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn y DU. Dywedais wrth Edwina, yn y sesiwn cwestiynau heddiw, fod gennym y fantais o edrych ar gytundeb drafft y bartneriaeth rhwng y weinyddiaeth Lafur a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, lle yr oedd cymal allweddol—yn wir, adran gyfan—ar gyllid. Nodai fersiwn ddrafft y ddogfen honno

‘The Partnership Government is committed to secure a fairer deal for Wales across all areas of public expenditure’.

That called for a fundamental review of the Barnett formula. The problem is that it was only in the draft version of the document; it had disappeared by the final version. It is no good saying that you can only address the final document, because we have seen the draft. We want to know why it was taken out of the final document. It is obvious to anybody reading the document that Gordon Brown must have had an apoplexy in 11 Downing Street from thinking that the Assembly was going to change the Barnett formula. Did Gordon Brown intervene and stop it from being included in the partnership agreement? What surprises me is that the Liberal Democrats were prepared to ditch that commitment to secure seats at the Cabinet table.

Galwai honno am adolygiad sylfaenol o fformwla Barnett. Y broblem yw mai dim ond yn fersiwn drafft y ddogfen yr oedd; yr oedd wedi diflannu erbyn y fersiwn terfynol. Waeth ichi heb â dweud mai dim ond y ddogfen derfynol y gallwch ymdrin â hi, oherwydd gwelsom y fersiwn drafft. Yr ydym am wybod pam y cafodd ei ddileu o’r ddogfen derfynol. Mae’n amlwg i unrhyw un sydd yn darllen y ddogfen bod yn rhaid bod Gordon Brown wedi cael apoplecsi yn 11 Stryd Downing wrth feddwl bod y Cynulliad yn mynd i newid fformwla Barnett. A ymyrrodd Gordon Brown a’i atal rhag cael ei gynnwys yn y cytundeb partneriaeth? Yr hyn sydd yn fy synnu yw bod y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn barod i gael gwared â’r ymrwymiad hwnnw er mwyn sicrhau seddi o amgylch bwrdd y Cabinet.

What we have now is a coalition Government with, on one hand, no commitment to fight for a better deal for Wales, and, on the other hand, a willingness to mislead the people of Wales on the money that it has secured. It hardly gives my party confidence that it is a Government that will stand up for the needs of Wales. Does not the misleadingly rosy view that they have suggest a lack of confidence on their behalf? Now that we have established a clearer idea of the amount of money that we have to spend, let us decide as an Assembly what the priorities should be. We recognise that we have a responsibility to put forward how we would have prioritised that spending.

Yr hyn sydd gennym yn awr yw Llywodraeth glymblaid heb unrhyw ymrwymiad i ymladd am well cytundeb i Gymru ar y naill law, a pharodrwydd i gamarwain pobl Cymru o ran yr arian y mae wedi ei sicrhau ar y llaw arall. Prin ei bod yn rhoi hyder i’m plaid ei bod yn Llywodraeth a fydd yn sefyll o blaid anghenion Cymru. Onid yw’r farn gamarweiniol obeithiol sydd ganddynt yn awgrymu diffyg hyder ar eu rhan? A ninnau bellach â syniad cliriach ynglŷn â faint o arian sydd gennym i’w wario, gadewch inni benderfynu fel Cynulliad beth ddylai’r blaenoriaethau fod. Cydnabyddwn fod gennym gyfrifoldeb i gynnig sut y byddem wedi blaenoriaethu’r gwariant hwnnw.

Amendment 3 reminds the Government of the Assembly’s duty to promote sustainable development. The draft budget gives no hint of this, and the lack of funding for the national waste strategy until 2002-03 is a cause of concern. I hope that Edwina will deal with that point in her closing remarks. Amendment 4 is concerned mainly with the principle of transparency over European money, as I have already explained. We draw attention to the education budget, which is one example of a budget that has increased by less than it should have because of the need to match-fund EU structural funds. Education is of key importance to the Assembly’s work, yet it is not receiving the investment it needs.

Mae gwelliant 3 yn atgoffa’r Llywodraeth o ddyletswydd y Cynulliad i hyrwyddo datblygiad cynaliadwy. Nid yw’r gyllideb ddrafft yn rhoi unrhyw awgrym o hyn, ac mae’r prinder arian ar gyfer y strategaeth gwastraff genedlaethol tan 2002-03 yn achos pryder. Gobeithiaf y bydd Edwina yn delio â’r pwynt hwnnw yn ei sylwadau wrth gloi. Mae gwelliant 4 yn ymwneud yn bennaf â’r egwyddor o eglurder ynglŷn ag arian Ewrop, fel yr wyf eisoes wedi egluro. Tynnwn sylw at y gyllideb addysg, sydd yn un enghraifft o gyllideb sydd wedi cynyddu llai nag y dylai oherwydd yr angen i ddod o hyd i arian cyfatebol ar gyfer cronfeydd strwythurol yr UE. Mae addysg yn holl bwysig i waith y Cynulliad, ac eto nid yw’n cael y buddsoddiad sydd ei angen arno.

In amendment 5, we have listed what our priorities should be. We are realistic enough to see that we cannot achieve everything that we want with the kind of money on offer. However, this is how we would put money to the best use. First, we must have a strategy for increasing the number of jobs for our people, as we face a serious situation in our manufacturing industries. The job losses in Panasonic are the latest in a long line of such losses.

Yng ngwelliant 5, yr ydym wedi rhestru beth ddylai ein blaenoriaethau fod. Yr ydym yn ddigon realistig i weld na allwn gyflawni popeth yr ydym am ei gael gyda’r math o arian a gynigir. Fodd bynnag, dyma sut y byddem yn gwneud y defnydd gorau o’r arian. Yn gyntaf, mae’n rhaid inni gael strategaeth ar gyfer cynyddu nifer y swyddi i’n pobl, gan ein bod yn wynebu sefyllfa ddifrifol yn ein diwydiannau gweithgynhyrchu. Y swyddi a gollwyd yn Panasonic yw’r diweddaraf mewn cyfres hir o golledion o’r fath.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 73

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 73

Will you take an intervention?

A gymerwch chi ymyriad?

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 73

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 73

I am coming to the end, and other people want to speak. Edwina was right not to take interventions during her speech because there are detailed points that must be made at this stage.

Yr wyf yn dod i ben, a mae rhagor o bobl am siarad. Yr oedd Edwina yn iawn i beidio â chymryd ymyriadau yn ystod ei haraith gan fod pwyntiau manwl y mae’n rhaid eu gwneud yn ystod y cam hwn.

Health is another key area where we must increase the capacity of the NHS, particularly increasing the number of doctors and nurses entering the profession. The shortage of doctors, nurses and other health professionals is a serious problem. We are possibly within weeks of another winter crisis. Waiting lists continue to increase and the number of beds has been cut by about 30 per cent over the past 10 years.

Mae iechyd yn faes allweddol arall lle mae’n rhaid inni gynyddu gallu’r NHS, gan gynyddu yn arbennig nifer y meddygon a’r nyrsys sydd yn ymuno â’r proffesiwn. Mae prinder meddygon, nyrsys a phobl broffesiynol eraill ym maes iechyd yn broblem ddifrifol. Yr ydym, o bosibl, o fewn wythnosau i argyfwng gaeaf arall. Mae rhestrau aros yn parhau i gynyddu ac mae nifer y gwelyau wedi gostwng tua 30 y cant dros y 10 mlynedd diwethaf.

We are also disappointed, despite Edwina’s comments, by the lack of provision in the budget for developing a bilingual society in Wales and for implementing the Welsh Language Board’s strategy. On agriculture, the Government has once again refused to introduce a new entrants scheme. Assembly Members will know that I have pursued this matter for some time, and, despite the fact that the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee this year called for this to be a budget priority, I am afraid that it has not been included. We need more money to repair our housing stock. The amount allocated to local authorities for general capital funding is a drop in the ocean compared with the real need. Those are some of the important issue that should be considered in the context of the budget.

Yr ydym wedi ein siomi hefyd, er gwaethaf sylwadau Edwina, gan y ddiffyg darpariaeth yn y gyllideb ar gyfer datblygu cymdeithas ddwyieithog yng Nghymru ac ar gyfer gweithredu strategaeth Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg. O ran amaethyddiaeth, mae’r Llywodraeth unwaith eto wedi gwrthod cyflwyno cynllun newydd-ddyfodiaid. Bydd Aelodau’r Cynulliad yn gwybod fy mod wedi bod ar drywydd y mater hwn ers peth amser, ac er gwaethaf y ffaith fod y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig eleni wedi galw ar i hyn fod yn flaenoriaeth o ran cyllideb, mae arnaf ofn nad yw wedi cael ei gynnwys. Mae angen rhagor o arian arnom i atgyweirio ein stoc tai. Mae’r swm a ddyrannwyd i awdurdodau lleol ar gyfer arian cyfalaf cyffredinol yn un pitw o’i gymharu â’r angen gwirioneddol. Dyna rai o’r materion pwysig y dylid eu hystyried yng nghyd-destun y gyllideb.

The settlement falls far short of what the Government claims, and even further short of what Wales needs. We cannot be honest with the people of Wales unless we are prepared to acknowledge that. As well as setting the record straight, our amendments are aimed at enabling the Assembly to put the limited amount of extra cash on offer to the best possible use.

Mae’r setliad ymhell o gyrraedd yr hyn y mae’r Llywodraeth yn ei honni, ac ymhellach fyth o’r hyn sydd ei angen ar Gymru. Ni allwn fod yn onest gyda phobl Cymru oni fyddwn yn barod i gydnabod hynny. Yn ogystal ag unioni pethau, mae ein gwelliannau wedi eu hanelu at alluogi’r Cynulliad i wneud y defnydd gorau posibl o’r swm cyfyngedig o arian ychwanegol sydd ar gael.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 74

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 74

I welcome you to your role, Deputy Presiding Officer. I also welcome Jane Davidson, and look forward to crossing swords with her later.

Fe’ch croesawaf i’ch rôl, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Croesawaf Jane Davidson hefyd, ac edrychaf ymlaen at groesi cleddyfau â hi yn ddiweddarach.

I apologise for the absence of our finance spokesperson. His preparations for next year’s marathon had an early setback a few days ago in Welshpool, but he is recovering. However, I see that that is a disappointment for Peter Law. I will convey your best wishes.

Ymddiheuraf am absenoldeb ein llefarydd cyllid. Cafodd ei baratoadau ar gyfer marathon y flwyddyn nesaf dro anffodus cynnar ychydig ddyddiau yn ôl yn y Trallwng, ond mae’n gwella. Fodd bynnag, gwelaf fod hynny’n siom i Peter Law. Byddaf yn cyflwyno eich dymuniadau gorau.

I will concentrate on some key aspects of the draft budget. There are some good points, as there will always be in a budget, and I will try to give them due credit. The overall impression is that the Labour and the Liberal Democrat spin doctors have had some presentational success by making it look better than it is. The increase is far less in Wales than it is in England.

Canolbwyntiaf ar rai agweddau allweddol ar y gyllideb ddrafft. Mae rhai pwyntiau da, fel sydd bob tro mewn cyllideb, a cheisiaf roi’r clod dyledus iddynt. Yr argraff gyffredinol yw bod meistri sbin Llafur a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol wedi cael rhywfaint o lwyddiant cyflwyniadol drwy wneud iddi edrych yn well nag y mae. Mae’r cynnydd yn llai o lawer yng Nghymru nag yn Lloegr.

Health is one aspect of the budget that causes concern. Capital building has slowed down, and it is nowhere near the average level that it was under the previous Government. That remains the case even after these recent adjustments. We are faced with a deplorable waiting list situation in Wales, which is far worse than in England. The content of this budget is insufficient to address what is bound to be a winter bed crisis, despite the protestations of the Minister for Health and Social Services that she will reduce the in-patient waiting list. It has barely moved and is destined to increase this winter, and we have not even started to look at the out-patient waiting list. We welcome drug and alcohol initiatives. We also welcome the increase in core funding for voluntary organisations. However, the health budget is insufficient.

Mae iechyd yn un agwedd ar y gyllideb sydd yn achosi pryder. Mae adeiladu cyfalaf wedi arafu, ac nid yw’n agos at y lefel gyfartalog yr oedd arni o dan y Llywodraeth flaenorol. Mae hynny’n parhau i fod yn wir hyd yn oed ar ôl yr addasiadau diweddar hyn. Wynebwn sefyllfa ofnadwy o ran rhestrau aros yng Nghymru, sydd yn waeth o lawer nag y mae yn Lloegr. Nid yw cynnwys y gyllideb hon yn ddigon i ymdrin â’r hyn sydd yn siŵr o fod yn argyfwng gwelyau dros y gaeaf, er gwaethaf datganiadau’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol y bydd yn gostwng rhestr aros cleifion mewn ysbytai. Prin ei fod wedi symud ac yn ddiau bydd yn cynyddu’r gaeaf hwn, ac nid ydym hyd yn oed wedi dechrau edrych ar y rhestr aros ar gyfer cleifion allanol. Croesawn y mentrau cyffuriau ac alcohol. Croesawn hefyd y cynnydd yn yr arian craidd ar gyfer sefydliadau gwirfoddol. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’r gyllideb iechyd yn ddigonol.

I will pin the lie at the beginning. It continues to be spun that there is additional money because of this coalition Government. Of course, there is not. There is additional money because of the comprehensive spending review. There could scarcely be other, given the state of the public finances, but that has nothing to do with your pact with the other half of the pantomime horse. That was destined to happen anyway given your economic inheritance. I hear ‘hear hears’ from Brian Gibbons.

Nodaf y celwydd ar y dechrau. Parheir i ledaenu’r syniad bod arian ychwanegol ar gael oherwydd y Llywodraeth glymblaid hon. Nid oes dim, wrth gwrs. Mae arian ychwanegol ar gael oherwydd yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant. Prin y gallai fod fel arall, o gofio cyflwr yr arian cyhoeddus, ond nid oes a wnelo hynny ddim â’ch cytundeb â hanner arall y ceffyl pantomeim. Yr oedd yn yr arfaeth i hynny ddigwydd beth bynnag o gofio eich etifeddiaeth economaidd. Clywaf ‘clywch clywch’ gan Brian Gibbons.

On education, we are pleased that you are beginning to deal with inadequate buildings, but that remains a massive problem. I agree with the leader of Plaid Cymru that the education budget is insufficient. On local government, I was pleased to hear the Minister for Finance denounce double figure council tax increases. She was responsible for many of them last year. It is good that, late in the day at least, we have a denunciation of some of the increases that we have seen, for example, in Powys and Monmouthshire. Some are well into double figures. However, 9 per cent is scarcely more acceptable. You suggest that because 9 per cent is not double figures, that is all right. It is not. It is well above the rate of inflation, and for those councils that had massive increases last year and the year before, it is unacceptable. There will be nothing in this—

O ran addysg, yr ydym yn falch eich bod yn dechrau delio ag adeiladau annigonol, ond erys hynny’n broblem enfawr. Cytunaf ag arweinydd Plaid Cymru fod y gyllideb addysg yn annigonol. O ran llywodraeth leol, yr oeddwn yn falch o glywed y Gweinidog dros Gyllid yn condemnio cynnydd ffigur dwbl yn y dreth gyngor. Hi oedd yn gyfrifol am lawer ohonyny y llynedd. Mae’n dda bod gennym, ar ddiwedd y dydd o leiaf, gondemniad o rai o’r achosion o gynnydd a welsom, er enghraifft, ym Mhowys a Sir Drefaldwyn. Mae rhai ymhell i mewn i ffigurau dwbl. Fodd bynnag, prin bod 9 y cant yn fwy derbyniol. Awgrymwch, gan nad yw 9 y cant yn ffigurau dwbl, fod hynny’n iawn. Nid ydyw. Mae lawer yn uwch na chyfradd chwyddiant, ac i’r cynghorau hynny a gafodd gynnydd enfawr y llynedd a’r flwyddyn flaenorol, mae’n annerbyniol. Ni fydd dim yn—

Kirsty Williams a gododd—

Kirsty Williams rose—

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 76

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 76

I am sorry, Kirsty. You will have a chance later, I am sure.

Mae’n ddrwg gennyf, Kirsty. Cewch gyfle yn ddiweddarach, mae’n siŵr.

Ron Davies spoken in English p. 76

Ron Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 76

No, she will not.

Na, chaiff hi ddim.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 76

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 76

No, she will not, apparently. I think that that is for the Deputy Presiding Officer to determine. The budget is totally insufficient to deal with the council tax position through much of Wales, and certainly rural Wales.

Na, chaiff hi ddim, mae’n debyg. Credaf mai rhywbeth Dirprwy Lywydd benderfynu arno yw hynny. Mae’r gyllideb yn hollol annigonol i ddelio â sefyllfa’r dreth gyngor ar draws y rhan fwyaf o Gymru, ac yn sicr yng Nghymru wledig.

On agriculture and the environment, we are pleased that more is going towards agri-environment schemes, but it is not enough. I agree with the leader of Plaid Cymru that we need a young entrants scheme, but that must be coupled with an early retirement scheme. There is nothing in this budget for that. At a time when agriculture, our rural industry and rural Wales are on the floor, there is insufficient provision to address the serious crisis. I would have liked to see more being done without great cost to address the problem of misleading labelling of products that purport to be Welsh and are not. I would like to have seen more done within our powers to address the problem of substandard imports as opposed to our own very high standard products.

O ran amaethyddiaeth a’r amgylchedd, yr ydym yn falch bod mwy yn mynd tuag at gynlluniau amaeth-amgylcheddol, ond nid yw’n ddigon. Cytunaf ag arweinydd Plaid Cymru fod angen cynllun newydd-ddyfodiaid arnom, ond rhaid cyplysu hynny â chynllun ymddeol yn gynnar. Nid oes dim yn y gyllideb hon ar gyfer hynny. Ar adeg pan fo amaethyddiaeth, ein diwydiant gwledig a Chymru wledig ar y llawr, nid oes digon o ddarpariaeth i ymdrin â’r argyfwng difrifol. Byddwn wedi hoffi gweld mwy yn cael ei wneud heb gost fawr i ymdrin â phroblem labeli camarweiniol ar gynnyrch sydd yn honni eu bod yn rhai Cymreig ond nad ydynt. Byddwn wedi hoffi gweld mwy yn cael ei wneud o fewn ein pwerau i ymdrin â phroblem mewnforion is na’r safon o’u cyferbynnu â’n cynnyrch ninnau sydd o safon uchel.

We have grave reservations about local government, health and agriculture. On the structural funds situation, at least we had a grudging recognition by the Finance Minister that we do not have full match funding over and above Barnett. We know that we do not and it was good, at last, to have an acknowledgement of that from her. It is incorrect to say that this budget is insufficient to address our needs except to the extent that we have no projects as the Government has worked us to a standstill on this. In year one we still have not committed money, or we had not until yesterday. I think a small amount was rushed through yesterday in advance of this budget statement so that they can say that something has been committed. This budget is insufficient to address opportunities that face west Wales and the Valleys to transform the economy. That is our fourth major concern.

Mae gennym amheuon dybryd am lywodraeth leol, iechyd ac amaethyddiaeth. O ran sefyllfa’r cronfeydd strwythurol, cydnabu’r Gweinidog dros Gyllid o’i hanfodd o leiaf nad yw’r arian cyfatebol llawn gennym eto yn ychwanegol at Barnett. Gwyddom nad yw gennym ac yr oedd yn dda, o’r diwedd, ei chlywed yn cydnabod hynny. Mae’n anghywir dweud bod y gyllideb hon yn annigonol i ymdrin â’n hanghenion ac eithrio i’r graddau nad oes gennym unrhyw brosiectau gan fod y Llywodraeth wedi ein harwain i sefyll yn stond ar hyn. Ym mlwyddyn un nid ydym wedi neilltuo arian o hyd, neu nid oeddem wedi gwneud tan ddoe. Credaf fod swm bach wedi cael ei ruthro drwodd ddoe cyn y datganiad hwn ar y gyllideb fel y gallant ddweud bod rhywbeth wedi ei neilltuo. Nid yw’r gyllideb hon yn ddigon i ymdrin â’r cyfleoedd sydd yn wynebu gorllewin Cymru a’r Cymoedd i drawsffurfio’r economi. Dyna ein pedwerydd prif bryder.

In relation to transport, while we welcome some of the initiatives, they seem to fall short of what is necessary at a time when we have a fuel crisis in the UK and in Wales. There is nothing to address the needs of motorists or the need to encourage economic development in rural areas. The only way in which Edwina seems to address the fuel crisis is through an increased provision for cycle paths. While that may be welcome, we need to include something in the draft budget to recognise the importance of the Babtie report and the importance of developing roads in mid and rural Wales to encourage investment in those areas.

Mewn perthynas â thrafnidiaeth, er ein bod yn croesawu rhai o’r cynlluniau, ymddengys nad ydynt yn ddigonol ar gyfer yr hyn sydd ei angen ar adeg pan fo gennym argyfwng tanwydd yn y DU ac yng Nghymru. Nid oes dim i ymdrin ag anghenion modurwyr na’r angen i annog datblygiad economaidd mewn ardaloedd gwledig. Ymddengys mai’r unig ffordd y mae Edwina yn ymdrin â’r argyfwng tanwydd yw drwy ddarparu rhagor o lwybrau beicio. Er bod croeso i hynny, mae angen inni gynnwys rhywbeth yn y gyllideb ddrafft i gydnabod pwysigrwydd adroddiad Babtie a phwysigrwydd datblygu ffyrdd yng nghanolbarth Cymru a Chymru wledig i annog buddsoddiad yn yr ardaloedd hynny.

We will vote against noting this budget unless amendment 4 is passed in relation to the recognition of the key importance of structural funds. We welcome some of the key features of the budget but it does not go nearly far enough to addressing some of the structural problems on health, education and agriculture. There is no proper recognition of the need to transform west Wales and the Valleys with full funding over and above Barnett.

Byddwn yn pleidleisio yn erbyn nodi’r gyllideb hon oni dderbynnir gwelliant 4 mewn perthynas â chydnabod pwysigrwydd cronfeydd strwythurol. Croesawn rai o nodweddion allweddol y gyllideb ond nid â’n ddigon pell i ymdrin â rhai o’r problemau strwythurol o ran iechyd, addysg ac amaethyddiaeth. Nid oes cydnabyddiaeth briodol o’r angen i drawsffurfio gorllewin Cymru a’r Cymoedd gydag arian llawn yn ychwanegol at Barnett.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 77

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

To protect the time of the short debate, this debate must close at 12.05 p.m. I intend to call Edwina to exercise the right of reply at 11.55 a.m. and restrict her to five minutes. I have six speakers who have five minutes maximum each. We can fit them all in. I regret that there is no more time, but this is a take note motion and there will be a further opportunity to debate. I would be grateful if Members restricted their remarks to three or four minutes.

I ddiogelu amser y ddadl fer, rhaid i’r ddadl hon orffen am 12.05 p.m. Bwriadaf alw ar Edwina i arfer yr hawl i ateb am 11.55 a.m. a’i chyfyngu i bum munud. Mae gennyf chwe siaradwr ag uchafswm o bum munud yr un. Gallwn gynnwys pob un ohonynt. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf nad oes rhagor o amser ar gael, ond cynnig i dynnu sylw yw hwn a bydd cyfle arall i drafod. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe bai’r Aelodau yn gallu cyfyngu eu sylwadau i dair neu bedair munud.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 78

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 78

I congratulate you, Deputy Presiding Officer, on assuming your position, and I wish you well for the future.

Hoffwn eich llongyfarch, Ddirprwy Lywydd, ar ymgymryd â’ch swydd, a dymunaf yn dda ichi yn y dyfodol.

I congratulate the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities on the superb draft budget statement that she made this morning. Make no mistake about it, with this budget statement the National Assembly for Wales has arrived. This morning, you were presented with a basket full of good news that she cooked up in her financial kitchen. She has made us a pie that is so succulent that everybody in Wales can appreciate and have a share of it, with a particular emphasis on the socially deprived areas. I know that she has always fought for social justice and that she will ensure it, and I welcome her statement in that regard.

Hoffwn longyfarch y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau ar y datganiad gwych a wnaeth y bore yma ar y gyllideb ddrafft. Heb unrhyw amheuaeth, gyda’r datganiad cyllideb hwn mae Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru wedi cyrraedd. Y bore yma, cyflwynwyd ichi fasged yn llawn o newyddion da a goginiodd yn ei chegin ariannol. Gwnaeth bastai mor flasus inni fel y gall pawb yng Nghymru ei gwerthfawrogi a chael rhan ohoni, gyda phwyslais arbennig ar yr ardaloedd cymdeithasol ddifreintiedig. Gwn ei bod wedi brwydro dros gyfiawnder cymdeithasol bob amser ac y bydd yn sicrhau hynny, a chroesawaf ei datganiad yn hynny o beth.

As a socialist myself—[ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Oh’.] Did you not realise?

Fel sosialydd fy hun—[AELODAU’R CYNULLIAD: ‘O’.] Onid oeddech yn sylweddoli?

As a socialist from Blaenau Gwent, I was delighted at the important content under all the headings in this budget. It will make a difference and we need the funding because we are still reeling from 20 years of Tory oppression, but that is another story to which we will return, because I do not want the Tories to go without therapy.

Fel sosialydd o Flaenau Gwent, yr oeddwn yn falch o’r cynnwys pwysig o dan bob un o’r penawdau yn y gyllideb hon. Gwnaiff wahaniaeth ac mae angen yr arian arnom gan ein bod yn dioddef o hyd ar ôl 20 mlynedd o ormes y Torïaid, ond stori arall yw honno y dychwelwn ati, oherwydd nid wyf am i’r Torïaid fynd heb therapi.

We have an opportunity to change things positively for the people of Wales. I thank Edwina and appreciate her kind reference to myself, Rosemary Butler and Tom Middlehurst, because we did play a part. Make no mistake about it, this is very much a Labour budget, which was in place before this week—[CONSERVATIVE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Oh’.]

Mae gennym gyfle i newid pethau yn gadarnhaol i bobl Cymru. Diolchaf i Edwina a gwerthfawrogaf ei chyfeiriad caredig ataf fi, Rosemary Butler a Tom Middlehurst, oherwydd fe chwaraeasom ran. Heb unrhyw amheuaeth, cyllideb Lafur yw hon, ac yr oedd mewn grym cyn yr wythnos hon—[AELODAU’R BLAID GEIDWADOL: ‘O!’.]

Will the Conservatives over there in the Bermuda Triangle be quiet? [Laughter.]

A wnaiff y Ceidwadwyr draw acw yn Nhriongl Bermuda fod yn dawel? [Chwerthin.]

The budget also contains a sprinkling of Liberal Democrat issues. I know where the biomass issue came from, but I am not sure about the mountain bikes in the forestry. I think that Peter Black supports that. The important thing is that this budget will make a big impact on people throughout Wales. When you consider its headings, it is clear that things will change and that our Minister for Finance, Local Government and the Communities has listened to what was said on health, local government, agriculture and education. She has listened and taken action and the people working around her have come forward positively to do the same.

Mae’r gyllideb hefyd yn cynnwys ychydig o faterion y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Gwn o ble y daeth y mater bio-màs, ond nid wyf yn siŵr ynglŷn â’r beiciau mynydd yn y fforestydd. Credaf fod Peter Black yn cefnogi hynny. Y peth pwysig yw y bydd y gyllideb hon yn effeithio’n fawr ar bobl ledled Cymru. Pan ystyriwch ei phenawdau, mae’n amlwg y bydd pethau yn newid a bod ein Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a’r Cymunedau wedi gwrando ar yr hyn a ddywedwyd am iechyd, llywodraeth leol, amaethyddiaeth ac addysg. Gwrandawodd a gweithredodd ac mae’r bobl o’i hamgylch wedi dod ymlaen i wneud yr un peth yn gadarnhaol.

Of course, the Leader of the Opposition will rubbish and try to undermine the budget. That is his job. However, in his heart of hearts he knows, like everyone else in this Chamber, that this budget is a winner. We are all used to the Conservative leader’s pulsating negativity, which has brought a new meaning to the term ‘Aberystwyth-nik’. He is not in the Chamber at the moment, so we will deal with him at another time. I was deeply touched when he mentioned his concern about funding for local government. I am from Blaenau Gwent and I remember—

Wrth gwrs, bydd Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid yn dilorni ac yn ceisio tanseilio’r gyllideb. Dyna’i waith. Fodd bynnag, yn nwfn ei galon gŵyr, fel pawb arall yn y Siambr hon, fod y gyllideb hon yn llwyddiant. Mae pob un ohonom yn gyfarwydd ag agwedd negyddol egnïol arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr, sydd wedi rhoi ystyr newydd i’r term ‘Aberystwyth-nic’. Nid yw yn y Siambr ar hyn o bryd, felly fe ddeliwn ag ef rywbryd arall. Yr oeddwn yn ddiolchgar iawn pan soniodd am ei bryder ynglŷn ag arian ar gyfer llywodraeth leol. Yr wyf yn dod o Flaenau Gwent a chofiaf—

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 79

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

Do you not agree that it is deplorable that Mr Bourne is frightening the tax payers of Powys by claiming that they will face a 12 or 15 per cent rise in council tax this year when this partnership Government has guaranteed that, due to money being made available, council tax rises will not be above 9 per cent?

Oni chytunwch ei fod yn alaethus fod Mr Bourne yn dychryn trethdalwyr Powys drwy honni y byddant yn wynebu cynnydd o 12 neu 15 y cant yn y dreth gyngor eleni pan fo’r Llywodraeth bartneriaeth hon wedi gwarantu, oherwydd yr arian sydd ar gael, na fydd y dreth gyngor yn cynyddu fwy na 9 y cant?

Alun Cairns a gododd—

Alun Cairns rose—

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 79

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

Alun, Peter must be allowed to respond to the first intervention.

Alun, rhaid caniatáu i Peter ymateb i’r ymyriad cyntaf.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 79

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

I was hoping to get extra time, Deputy Presiding Officer. However, Nick Bourne’s claim was deplorable because he did not have the guts to stand up to Kirsty when she tried to intervene earlier. As usual, Tories work by scaremongering, which is what he did in his statement. When Blaenau Gwent and other deprived communities in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Neath Port Talbot wanted help, do not forget that it was the Tories who voted against increasing the damping grant. That is why I was amazed at his comment today about more money, because when we needed their support, they did not give it and they never have.

Yr oeddwn yn gobeithio cael amser ychwanegol, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Fodd bynnag, yr oedd honiad Nick Bourne yn alaethus gan nad yw’n ddigon dewr i herio Kirsty pan geisiodd ymyrryd yn gynharach. Fel arfer, mae’r Torïaid yn gweithio drwy godi bwganod, sef yr hyn a wnaeth yn ei ddatganiad. Pan oedd angen help ar Flaenau Gwent a chymunedau amddifad eraill ym Merthyr Tudful, Rhondda Cynon Taf a Chastell-nedd Port Talbot, cofiwch mai’r Torïaid oedd y rhai a bleidleisiodd yn erbyn cynyddu’r grant dampio. Dyna pam yr oeddwn yn synnu at ei sylw heddiw ynglŷn â rhagor o arian, oherwydd pan oedd angen eu cefnogaeth arnom, ni roddasant y gefnogaeth honno ac nid ydynt erioed wedi ei rhoi.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 80

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 80

Will you give way?

A wnewch chi ildio?

Peter Law spoken in English p. 80

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 80

No, I will not because my time is running out. You can tell us all about Bermuda in the future. [Laughter.]

Na wnaf, oherwydd mae fy amser yn dod i ben. Gallwch ddweud y cyfan wrthym am Bermuda yn y dyfodol. [Chwerthin.]

Housing is important, and the Minister has recognised that and has increased the housing budget. I welcome that because now that it has been subsumed into finance and communities, we must not forget it. Even more important is homelessness and rooflessness and those people who depend on us for help because they do not have the safety, comfort, stability and care that we take for granted. That is why I thank Edwina for increasing the homeless and roofless budget by £1 million again this year at a time when the Assembly has recognised what needs to be done by working with the shelters, voluntary organisations, local government and housing associations to make a difference. Do not forget that for 20 years the Tories denied that there was a homeless problem, but they did not go to look behind Marks & Spencer in Cardiff and other places. Therefore, I am grateful to her for addressing that need and, generally, for her work in delivering a budget for the future that will make a difference to the lives of the people of Wales. I support her most warmly.

Mae tai yn bwysig, ac mae’r Gweinidog wedi cydnabod hynny ac wedi cynyddu’r gyllideb dai. Croesawaf hynny oherwydd gan ei bod bellach wedi cael ei chynnwys gyda chyllid a chymunedau, rhaid inni beidio â’i hanghofio. Hyd yn oed yn bwysicach na hynny yw bod heb gartref a heb do uwch eich pen a’r bobl hynny sydd yn dibynnu arnom am help gan nad oes ganddynt y diogelwch, y cysur, y sefydlogrwydd a’r gofal y cymerwn ninnau’n ganiataol. Dyna pam y diolchaf i Edwina am gynyddu’r gyllideb ar gyfer y digartref a’r rhai heb do uwch eu pennau £1 filiwn eto eleni ar adeg pan mae’r Cynulliad wedi cydnabod beth sydd angen ei wneud drwy weithio gyda’r llochesi a’r cymdeithasau tai i wneud gwahaniaeth. Cofiwch fod y Torïaid ers 20 mlynedd wedi gwadu bod problem digartrefedd yn bodoli, ond nid oeddent wedi edrych y tu cefn i Marks & Spencer yng Nghaerdydd a llefydd eraill. Felly, yr wyf yn ddiolchgar iddi am ymdrin â’r angen hwnnw ac, yn gyffredinol, am ei gwaith wrth gyflwyno cyllideb ar gyfer y dyfodol a fydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i fywydau pobl Cymru. Fe’i cefnogaf yn frwd.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 80

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 80

It is a pleasure to congratulate a very old friend on his election to Deputy Presiding Officer.

Mae’n bleser llongyfarch hen ffrind ar gael ei ethol yn Ddirprwy Lywydd.

One of the advantages of having an Assembly is that draft budgets like this are published and debated openly. I thank Edwina and her officials for presenting the figures so clearly and reasonably. There are many things in the budget that I welcome, but looking at the numbers, I will make three points. First, like Ieuan Wyn Jones, I was disappointed that the press release and interviews that accompanied the budget launch suggested that it had increased to £9.7 billion, without stressing that the method of accounting had totally changed. Comparing like with like, the budget only goes up to £8.8 billion. That is a cash increase of 8.8 per cent, which is a fair amount of money. However, we have often requested that the budgetary European fund be presented separately, but, in this draft budget, money from Europe and some items of match funding are scattered throughout the document and are not always identified clearly. These add up to £200 million and, according to the principle of additionality, that spending must be additional to the normal budget. Therefore, our budget for normal expenditure increases to £8.6 billion, which represents a 7 per cent cash increase. If you compare that with a headline inflation of 3.3 per cent and there is nearly a 4 per cent increase in real terms. That is good news, after 21 years of Tory budget. However, how good is good? Compare a 7 per cent cash increase in our normal budget with the increase in department expenditure limits for the UK as a whole, next year the total increases from £95 billion to £212 billion. That is an 8.7 per cent increase. Therefore, if we celebrate after receiving a 7 per cent increase, England is celebrating better news.

Un o fanteision cael Cynulliad yw y caiff cyllidebau drafft fel hyn eu cyhoeddi a’u trafod yn agored. Diolchaf i Edwina a’i swyddogion am gyflwyno’r ffigurau mor glir a rhesymol. Croesawaf lawer o bethau yn y gyllideb, ond wrth edrych ar y ffigurau, gwnaf dri phwynt. Yn gyntaf, fel Ieuan Wyn Jones, yr oeddwn yn siomedig bod y datganiad i’r wasg a’r cyfweliadau a oedd yn cyd-fynd â lansio’r gyllideb yn awgrymu ei bod wedi cynyddu i £9.7 biliwn, heb bwysleisio bod y dull o gyfrifo wedi newid yn llwyr. Gan gymharu dau beth tebyg, dim ond i £8.8 miliwn mae’r gyllideb yn codi. Mae hwnnw’n gynnydd ariannol o 8.8 y cant, sydd yn swm sylweddol o arian. Fodd bynnag, yr ydym yn aml wedi gofyn i’r gronfa gyllideb Ewropeaidd gael ei chyflwyno ar wahân, ond, yn y gyllideb ddrafft hon, mae arian o Ewrop a rhai eitemau o arian cyfatebol ar wasgar drwy’r ddogfen ac nid ydynt wedi eu nodi’n glir bob tro. O’u rhoi at ei gilydd, gwnânt gyfanswm o £200 miliwn ac, yn ôl egwyddor ychwanegedd, mae’n rhaid i’r gwariant hwnnw fod yn ychwanegol at y gyllideb arferol. Felly, mae ein cyllideb ar gyfer gwariant arferol yn cynyddu i £8.6 biliwn, sef cynnydd ariannol o 7 y cant. Os cymharwch hynny â chwyddiant pennawd o 3.3 y cant mae cynnydd o bron 4 y cant mewn termau gwirioneddol. Mae hynny’n newyddion da, ar ôl 21 mlynedd o gyllideb y Torïaid. Fodd bynnag, pa mor dda yw da? Cymharwch gynnydd o 7 cant yn ein cyllideb arferol â’r cynnydd yn nherfynau gwariant adrannau’r DU yn gyffredinol, mae’r cyfanswm y flwyddyn nesaf yn cynyddu o £95 biliwn i £212 biliwn. Mae hynny’n gynnydd o 8.7 y cant. Felly, os ydym ni’n dathlu ar ôl cael cynnydd o 7 y cant, mae Lloegr yn dathlu newyddion gwell.

The intention of Barnett is that we get smaller percentage increases so that, over time, spending in Wales comes down to the English level on the Barnett items. However, there is no mechanism to increase spending in Wales on the non-Barnett items, such as Government research, where we receive far less. That is confirmed when you consider the different Government departments. It is marvellous to get an 8.6 per cent increase for health and social services, which is essential and long overdue. However, in England, the Department of Health gets a 9.3 per cent increase. The same applies to education, which is my biggest disappointment. The main lesson that the Economic Development Committee learnt in Ireland was that education was the basis of Ireland’s economic success. The Assembly education and training budget has increased to 6.5 per cent, but the Department for Education and Employment enjoys an overall increase of 8.6 per cent. I know that that is not absolutely comparable, but the importance of education has been underestimated.

Bwriad Barnett yw y cawn gynnydd canrannol llai fel bod gwariant yng Nghymru, dros gyfnod o amser, yn gostwng i lefel Lloegr ar eitemau Barnett. Fodd bynnag, nid oes unrhyw fecanwaith i gynyddu gwariant yng Nghymru ar yr eitemau nad ydynt yn ymwneud â Barnett, fel ymchwil y Llywodraeth, lle cawn lai o lawer. Cadarnheir hynny pan ystyriwch adrannau gwahanol y Llywodraeth. Mae’n wych cael cynnydd o 8.6 y cant ar gyfer iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, sydd yn hanfodol ac wedi bod yn ddyledus er tro. Fodd bynnag, yn Lloegr, caiff yr Adran Iechyd gynnydd o 9.3 y cant. Mae’r un peth yn wir am addysg, sef fy siomedigaeth fwyaf. Y brif wers a ddysgodd y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd yn Iwerddon oedd mai addysg oedd sail llwyddiant economaidd Iwerddon. Mae cyllideb addysg a hyfforddiant y Cynulliad wedi cynyddu i 6.5 y cant, ond mae’r Adran Addysg a Chyflogaeth yn mwynhau cynnydd cyffredinol o 8.6 y cant. Gwn nad yw hyn yn llwyr gymaradwy, ond bychanwyd pwysigrwydd addysg.

Second, on economic development, we welcome a big increase in money for tourism, but the main increase covers the money from Europe channelled through the Welsh European Funding Office. There is a well-rehearsed disagreement between Plaid Cymru and the Government on this. We believe that actual spending in the European structural fund programmes will reach the agreed average target in two years; the Government assumed that it would take four to five years. The large number of good applications that were submitted in the first round of the Objective 1 programme are already over target and none of the applicants expect a long wait before spending the money. In the partnership agreement there is a call for extra Treasury money if actual spending of European money is above the assumed level. There are no ‘ifs’ because when the extra money is required and if the Government meets its pledge that no worthwhile project will go unfunded, we will need extra money. We must ensure that the extra money comes from the Treasury and not through squeezing the lines in this budget or else it will blow a big hole in Edwina’s plans for the future.

Yn ail, o ran datblygiad economaidd, croesawn gynnydd mawr mewn arian i dwristiaeth, ond mae’r prif gynnydd yn cwmpasu’r arian o Ewrop wedi ei sianelu drwy Swyddfa Ariannu Ewropeaidd Cymru. Bu anghytundeb dro ar ôl tro rhwng Plaid Cymru a’r Llywodraeth ynglŷn â hyn. Credwn y bydd gwariant gwirioneddol yn rhaglenni’r gronfa strwythurol Ewropeaidd yn cyrraedd y targed cyfartalog cytûn mewn dwy flynedd; cymerodd y Llywodraeth yn ganiataol y byddai’n cymryd pedair i bum mlynedd. Mae’r nifer fawr o geisiadau da a gyflwynwyd yng nghylch cyntaf rhaglen Amcan 1 eisoes dros y targed ac nid yw un o’r ymgeiswyr yn disgwyl aros yn hir cyn gwario’r arian. Yn y cytundeb partneriaeth mae galw am arian ychwanegol y Trysorlys os bydd yr arian Ewropeaidd a gaiff ei wario yn fwy na’r lefel dybiedig. Nid oes unrhyw ‘ond’ oherwydd pan fydd angen yr arian ychwanegol, ac os bydd y Llywodraeth yn cadw at ei haddewid na fydd unrhyw brosiect gwerth chweil yn mynd heb arian, bydd angen arian ychwanegol arnom. Rhaid inni sicrhau y daw’r arian ychwanegol hwn o’r Trysorlys ac nid drwy wasgu’r llinellau yn y gyllideb hon neu fe fydd yn chwalu cynlluniau Edwina ar gyfer y dyfodol.

That brings me to my third query. The main line for local government revenue gets a cash increase of 6.7 per cent, including the £4 million damping grant. I do not know how we make up the 8 per cent, but I know that that settlement will make people angry. With the new SSA formula starting next year, £4 million is inadequate to cover the shortfalls for counties suffering a 2 per cent or 3 per cent drop in SSA. I doubt whether council tax increases will be kept within 9 per cent. There is £230 million in end-of-year flexibility, far more than we need to remove the pain from the changes in the funding formula. That is what reserves are for. So what has happened to that £230 million? Our departmental expenditure limit is close to the total announced in the spending review, and I would have expected it to be available on top of that. After all, if it is our unspent money it is a matter of concern that these reserves are increasing rapidly year by year.

Daw hynny â mi at fy nhrydydd pwynt. Caiff y brif linell ar gyfer refeniw llywodraeth leol gynnydd ariannol o 6.7 y cant, gan gynnwys y grant dampio o £4 miliwn. Ni wn sut y cyflawnir yr 8 y cant, ond gwn y bydd y setliad hwnnw yn gwneud pobl yn ddig. Gyda fformwla newydd SSA yn dechrau’r flwyddyn nesaf, nid yw £4 miliwn yn ddigon i gwmpasu’r diffygion ar gyfer siroedd sydd yn dioddef gostyngiad o 2 y cant neu 3 y cant yn yr SSA. Yr wyf yn amau a gedwir y cynnydd yn y dreth gyngor o fewn 9 y cant. Mae £230 miliwn mewn hyblygrwydd diwedd y flwyddyn, llawer mwy nag sydd ei angen arnom i gael gwared â’r boen o ganlyniad i’r newidiadau yn y fformwla ariannu. Dyna beth yw pwrpas cronfeydd wrth gefn. Felly beth sydd wedi digwydd i’r £230 miliwn hwnnw? Mae ein terfyn gwariant adrannol yn agos i’r cyfanswm a gyhoeddwyd yn yr adolygiad o wariant, a byddwn wedi disgwyl iddo fod ar gael yn ychwanegol at hwnnw. Wedi’r cyfan, os mai ein harian ni nas gwariwyd ydyw, yna mae’n fater o bryder bod y cronfeydd wrth gefn hyn yn cynyddu’n gyflym flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn.

I will summarise this budget in three sentences. First, it confirms that the Barnett formula is basically unfair to Wales, giving us smaller percentage increases on items where we spend more, but making no adjustment to those where we get less. Second, there is a serious underestimate of the likely level of European grants. Third, the money for extra match funding has clearly been taken from education and local government. Next April it is the council tax payers who will fill the gap. Numbers are hard and unforgiving and, unless the Government addresses the real queries that I have raised, it will not be forgiven.

Gwnaf grynhoi’r gyllideb hon mewn tair brawddeg. Yn gyntaf, mae’n cadarnhau bod fformwla Barnett yn y bôn yn annheg i Gymru, gan roi cynnydd canrannol llai inni ar eitemau lle y gwariwn fwy, ond heb wneud unrhyw addasiad i’r rheini lle cawn lai. Yn ail, tanbrisir lefel debygol grantiau Ewropeaidd yn ddifrifol. Yn drydydd, mae’r arian ar gyfer arian cyfatebol ychwanegol yn amlwg wedi ei gymryd o addysg a llywodraeth leol. Fis Ebrill nesaf talwyr y dreth gyngor fydd yn llenwi’r bwlch. Mae’r ffigurau yn galed ac yn anfaddeugar ac, os na fydd y Llywodraeth yn ymdrin â’r cwestiynau gwirioneddol a godais, ni faddeuir iddi.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 83

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83

I also welcome you to your new role, Deputy Presiding Officer. Although this is only the second budget that has come before the National Assembly for Wales, it is by far its most significant. The £9.7 billion that is being allocated for next year is to be spent in accordance with the priorities set out in the partnership agreement between the Liberal Democrats and Labour. This is a document that will not only bring stability to the Assembly and to the Government of Wales but will also bring real benefits to the people of Wales. We have the opportunity in this partnership and in this budget to make a real difference to the quality of people’s lives. It also gives us the chance to carve out a distinctive Welsh agenda in which we can take a different road to that in England and Scotland on key policies.

Fe’ch croesawaf hefyd i’ch rôl newydd, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Er mai dim ond yr ail gyllideb yw hon a ddaeth ger bron Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, hon yn ddiau yw’r un fwyaf arwyddocaol. Caiff y £9.7 biliwn a ddyrennir ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf ei wario yn unol â’r blaenoriaethau a nodir yn y cytundeb partneriaeth rhwng y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a Llafur. Mae hon yn ddogfen a ddaw nid yn unig â sefydlogrwydd i’r Cynulliad ac i Lywodraeth Cymru ond daw hefyd â manteision gwirioneddol i bobl Cymru. Mae’r cyfle gennym i wneud gwahaniaeth mawr i ansawdd bywydau pobl. Rhydd y cyfle inni greu agenda nodweddiadol Gymreig lle y gallwn gymryd ffordd wahanol i Loegr a’r Alban o ran polisïau allweddol.

We should welcome the extra £169 million for health services next year and, above all, the way in which it is being spent. Freezing prescription charges, providing free prescriptions for those under 25 and free dental checks for those under 25 and those over 60, together with the extension of free eye tests, which has already been agreed, is the start of a significant preventative health agenda. The £200 million that has been made available for capital investment in the NHS is much needed as is the money that has been put aside for flexible care and joint working to allow local health groups to run pilots to improve co-ordination between health and social services so as to tackle bed-blocking.

Dylem groesawu’r £169 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer gwasanaethau iechyd flwyddyn nesaf ac, yn anad dim, y ffordd y caiff ei wario. Mae rhewi taliadau presgripsiwn, darparu presgripsiynau am ddim i bawb o dan 25 oed ac archwiliadau deintyddol am ddim i bawb o dan 25 oed a phawb dros 60 oed, ynghyd ag ymestyn profion llygaid am ddim, y cytunwyd arno eisoes, yn ddechrau ar agenda iechyd ataliol sylweddol. Mae mawr angen y £200 miliwn a sicrhawyd ar gyfer buddsoddiad cyfalaf yn yr NHS fel y mae’r arian a neilltuwyd ar gyfer gofal hyblyg a gweithio ar y cyd er mwyn caniatáu i grwpiau iechyd lleol gynnal cynlluniau peilot i wella cydlyniad rhwng y gwasanaethau iechyd a’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol er mwyn mynd i’r afael â phroblem rhyddhau gwelyau.

In education, we are pleased that the Government of Wales is now investing in a long-held Liberal Democrat policy to reduce class sizes for all primary school children. We welcome the money to pay teacher training bursaries to primary school teacher trainees, and as someone who over a year ago held a short debate on the need to invest in our school buildings, I believe that the £200 million plus made available for this is an excellent start. The extra money for access funds to help student poverty is much needed. Combined with the commitment to hold an independent investigation into student funding and to fully fund its conclusions, we have achieved in partnership a major step forward that will bring huge benefits for students.

Mewn addysg, yr ydym yn falch bod Llywodraeth Cymru bellach yn buddsoddi mewn polisi a fu gan y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol ers amser i leihau maint dosbarthiadau ar gyfer pob plentyn ysgol gynradd. Croesawn yr arian i dalu bwrseriaethau hyfforddi athrawon i athrawon ysgolion cynradd o dan hyfforddiant, ac fel rhywun a gynhaliodd ddadl fer ychydig dros flwyddyn yn ôl ar yr angen i fuddsoddi yn adeiladau ein hysgolion, credaf fod y £200 miliwn plws a fydd ar gael ar gyfer hyn yn ddechrau rhagorol. Mae mawr angen yr arian ychwanegol ar gyfer cronfeydd mynediad i helpu tlodi myfyrwyr. Ynghyd â’r ymrwymiad i gynnal ymchwiliad annibynnol i ariannu myfyrwyr ac i ariannu ei gasgliadau yn llawn, yr ydym wedi cymryd cam mawr ymlaen mewn partneriaeth a ddaw â manteision enfawr i fyfyrwyr.

The commitment to reintroduce free school milk for key stage 1 pupils is part of a wider agenda on nutritional development. It also reverses cuts made by Margaret Thatcher when she was education minister. This has been a particular concern of Mick Bates, who has worked tirelessly to achieve this over the last 18 months. It also amounts to a commitment to dairy farmers that is part of a wider package for rural communities. This includes £60 million for farming and rural support and an extra £10 million in assistance for farmers affected by changes to Tir Mynydd. There is over £60 million for agri-environment schemes and Tir Gofal.

Mae’r ymrwymiad i ailgyflwyno llaeth ysgol am ddim i ddisgyblion cyfnod allweddol 1 yn rhan o agenda ehangach ar ddatblygiad maethol. Mae hefyd yn gwrthdroi toriadau a wnaethpwyd gan Margaret Thatcher pan oedd yn weinidog addysg. Bu hyn yn destun pryder arbennig i Mick Bates, sydd wedi gweithio’n ddiflino i gyflawni hyn yn ystod y 18 mis diwethaf. Mae hefyd yn gyfystyr ag ymrwymiad i fermwyr llaeth sydd yn rhan o becyn ehangach i gymunedau gwledig. Mae hyn yn cynnwys £60 miliwn ar gyfer cefnogaeth ffermio a gwledig a £10 miliwn ychwanegol mewn cymorth i ffermwyr yr effeithir arnynt gan y newidiadau i Tir Mynydd. Mae dros £60 miliwn ar gyfer cynlluniau amaeth-amgylcheddol a Tir Gofal.

There is much more in this budget arising from the partnership Government, not least the new money for housing. That is the first such increase for housing since 1991. The 8 per cent increase in resources available to local government is much needed. Although we still have to debate the local government funding formula and revenue settlement, these extra resources make it possible for councils to keep council tax bills down next year. After last year, and in the face of Treasury demands for an average rise of 10 per cent for this year and the following year, that is a much needed boost for council tax payers.

Mae llawer mwy yn y gyllideb hon yn deillio o’r Llywodraeth bartneriaeth, nid lleiaf yr arian newydd ar gyfer tai. Dyna’r cynnydd cyntaf o’i fath ar gyfer tai ers 1991. Mae gwir angen y cynnydd o 8 y cant mewn adnoddau sydd ar gael i lywodraeth leol. Er bod yn rhaid inni drafod fformwla gyllido a setliad refeniw llywodraeth leol o hyd, gwna’r adnoddau ychwanegol hyn hi’n bosibl i gynghorau gadw biliau’r dreth gyngor i lawr y flwyddyn nesaf. Ar ôl y llynedd, ac yn wyneb galwadau gan y Trysorlys am godiad o 10 y cant ar gyfartaledd am eleni a’r flwyddyn ganlynol, mae hynny yn hwb oedd ei angen yn ddirfawr ar dalwyr y dreth gyngor.

I am happy to support this budget. It has taken the extra money that we have received and channelled it into distinct Welsh priorities. It turns the partnership commitment of two separate parties to Wales and the people of Wales into reality.

Yr wyf yn hapus i gefnogi’r gyllideb hon. Cymerodd yr arian ychwanegol a dderbyniasom a’i sianelu i flaenoriaethau Cymreig penodol. Mae’n troi’r ymrwymiad partneriaeth o ddwy blaid ar wahân i Gymru a phobl Cymru yn realiti.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 85

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85

There are two more speakers remaining. If the next speaker, David Davies, could confine himself to three minutes, I would be grateful. I will, however, allow you five minutes if you wish.

Mae dau siaradwr arall ar ôl. Os gall y siaradwr nesaf, David Davies, gyfyngu ei hun i dair munud, byddwn yn ddiolchgar. Fodd bynnag, caniatâf i chi gael pum munud fodd bynnag os dymunwch.

David Davies spoken in English p. 85

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85

I therefore offer you brief congratulations on your appointment as Deputy Presiding Officer.

Felly yr wyf am eich llongyfarch yn fyr ar eich penodiad yn Ddirprwy Lywydd.

This budget is not so much a basket full of goodies, as Peter Law said, but a basket full of sound-bites. It is a veritable Chinese meal of a budget, which will leave us feeling full for a couple of minutes, but starve us in the months and years to come. The Minister talked of record of levels of spending. That sounds good, but it is just a sound-bite. Of course there are record levels of spending. Every year that there was a Conservative Government or a Labour Government there were record levels of spending. There always are, and have to be, for us to keep ahead of inflation. What Edwina did not talk about, and I listened to her carefully, were record increases in spending. She knows that that is a very different matter.

Nid yw’r gyllideb hon yn fasged llawn pethau da, fel y dywedodd Peter Law, ond yn fasged llawn datganiadau bachog. Mae’n gyllideb sydd yn debyg i bryd o fwyd Tseinïaidd, a fydd yn ein gadael yn teimlo’n llawn am ychydig funudau, ond yn ein gadael i lwgu yn ystod y misoedd a’r blynyddoedd i ddod. Soniodd y Gweinidog am y lefelau gwariant uchaf erioed. Mae hyn yn swnio’n dda, ond dim ond datganiad bachog ydyw. Wrth gwrs ceir y lefelau gwariant uchaf erioed. Ymhob blwyddyn o Lywodraeth Geidwadol neu Lywodraeth Lafur cafwyd y lefelau gwariant uchaf erioed. Mae hyn bob amser yn wir, a rhaid cael hyn, er mwyn cadw uwchlaw chwyddiant. Yr hyn na soniodd Edwina amdano, a gwrandewais arni yn ofalus, oedd y cynnydd gwariant uchaf erioed. Gŵyr fod hynny’n fater hollol wahanol.

We heard much from the Minister and from the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Peter Black, about the good news of where the increases were, but we heard little about the cuts. I will mention just a few of them. One was in the Valuation Office. It may not seem like a headline grabber, but the Valuation Office’s work is important. Many small, rural businesses such as pubs are suffering because the Valuation Office cannot process appeals sufficiently quickly. That cut or freeze will not help that situation. The Minister told us about the importance of the integrated transport scheme. Where was the money to back up what she feels to be a priority? The truth is that maintenance of roads is being cut or frozen and, more worryingly, so is the freight facilities grant. That will ultimately mean that less freight will be moved by rail and more by roads. That is in complete contrast to what the Minister calls for in public.

Clywsom lawer gan y Gweinidog a chan y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Lywodraeth Leol, Peter Black, am y newyddion da ynghylch lle y cafwyd y cynnydd, ond ychydig a glywsom am y toriadau. Soniaf am ddim ond rhai ohonynt. Yr oedd un yn y Swyddfa Brisio. Efallai nad yw’n swnio fel pennawd papur newydd, ond mae gwaith y Swyddfa Brisio yn bwysig. Mae llawer o fusnesau gwledig bach megis tafarndai yn dioddef am na all y Swyddfa Brisio brosesu apeliadau yn ddigon cyflym. Ni fydd y toriad neu’r rhewiad hwnnw yn helpu’r sefyllfa honno. Dywedodd y Gweinidog wrthym am bwysigrwydd y cynllun trafnidiaeth integredig. Ble yr oedd yr arian i gefnogi’r hyn sydd, yn ei barn hi, yn flaenoriaeth? Y gwir yw bod yr arian ar gyfer cynnal a chadw ffyrdd yn cael ei dorri neu ei rewi ac, yn fwy pryderus, felly hefyd y grant cyfleusterau cludo nwyddau. Yn y pen draw, golyga hynny y caiff llai o nwyddau eu cludo ar y rheilffyrdd a mwy ar y ffyrdd. Mae hyn yn hollol groes i’r hyn y geilw’r Gweinidog amdano yn gyhoeddus.

Most worryingly of all, not enough money will be spent on flood defence. Indeed, it appears to have been cut in the budget. Yet, only a few months ago I heard the Deputy Minister for Local Government—this was before his appointment—arguing eloquently for more money for flood defence. Large areas of Wales are currently threatened by rising sea levels. To cut flood defence at this time will cause more worry and upset to people such as those living along the River Severn in the Wentloog area.

Yn fwyaf pryderus, ni chaiff digon o arian ei wario ar amddiffynfeydd llifogydd. Yn wir, ymddengys i’r arian gael ei gwtogi yn y gyllideb. Ac eto, ychydig fisoedd yn ôl clywais y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Lywodraeth Leol—yr oedd hyn cyn ei benodiad—yn dadlau’n huawdl dros ragor o arian ar gyfer amddiffynfeydd llifogydd. Ar hyn o bryd mae ardaloedd mawr yng Nghymru yn agored i lefelau môr cynyddol. Bydd cwtogi’r arian ar gyfer amddiffynfeydd llifogydd ar yr adeg hon yn achosi rhagor o boen a thrallod i bobl fel y rheini sydd yn byw ar hyd Afon Hafren yn ardal Gwynllŵg.

To turn to the revenue support grant, unlike the Member for Brecon and Radnorshire, I do not consider a 9 per cent increase in council tax acceptable.

Gan droi at y grant cynnal refeniw, yn wahanol i’r Aelod dros Sir Frycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed, nid ystyriaf fod cynnydd o 9 y cant yn y dreth gyngor yn dderbyniol.

Kirsty Williams a gododd—

Kirsty Williams rose—

David Davies spoken in English p. 87

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 87

I will not give way, because you were not prepared to give way to me. You can sit and listen. [ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Oh.’] You might learn something. We in the Conservative Party are not prepared to lay down our principles for a job. Nick Bourne was right to highlight the enormous council tax increases that have been suffered by people in Powys, just as I have highlighted those suffered by people in Monmouthshire. We will continue to do that. We are not prepared to accept that 9 per cent is an acceptable increase. We will continue to fight this Government, whether Liberal or Labour, to ensure that the people of Wales receive fair council tax increases.

Nid ildiaf, oherwydd nid oeddech yn barod i ildio i mi. Cewch eistedd a gwrando. [AELODAU O’R CYNULLIAD: ‘O’.] Efallai y dysgwch rhywbeth. Nid ydym ni yn y Blaid Geidwadol yn barod i aberthu ein hegwyddorion am swydd. Yr oedd Nick Bourne yn iawn i amlygu’r cynnydd anferthol mewn treth gyngor a ddioddefodd pobl ym Mhowys, yn union fel yr amlygais y cynnydd a ddioddefwyd gan bobl yn Sir Fynwy. Parhawn i wneud hynny. Nid ydym yn fodlon derbyn bod 9 y cant yn gynnydd derbyniol. Parhawn i ymladd y Llywodraeth hon, p’un a yw’n Rhyddfrydol neu’n Llafur, er mwyn sicrhau y caiff pobl Cymru gynnydd teg mewn treth gyngor.

Janet Davies spoken in English p. 87

Janet Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 87

I am grateful to the Deputy Presiding Officer for allowing me two minutes to speak. I will only speak for two minutes, because I want to address one point—the housing budget. When I look at the difference between the original baseline for next year and the proposed change, I note that the housing revenue account subsidy will be reduced by £23 million. Housing revenue account subsidy provides money for housing benefit. When it is reduced, that means that council house tenants have to pay part of that housing subsidy. These people, who are usually on fairly low incomes, even though they pay rent, will have to subsidise even poorer tenants. That is highly regrettable. Overall, on the housing budget, there is a reduction of almost £14 million between the original baseline and the new plans. That is not a good advertisement for the Assembly in relation to people who need help with housing.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i’r Dirprwy Lywydd am ganiatáu dwy funud imi siarad. Dim ond am ddwy funud y siaradaf, oherwydd yr wyf am fynd i’r afael ag un pwynt—y gyllideb dai. Pan edrychaf ar y gwahaniaeth rhwng y llinell sylfaen wreiddiol ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf a’r newid arfaethedig, nodaf y bydd gostyngiad o £23 miliwn yn y cymhorthdal cyfrif refeniw tai. Darpara’r cymhorthdal cyfrif refeniw tai arian ar gyfer budd-dal tai. Pan gaiff ei ostwng, golyga y bydd yn rhaid i denantiaid tai cyngor dalu rhan o’r cymhorthdal tai hwnnw. Rhaid i’r bobl hyn, sydd fel arfer ar incwm eithaf isel, er eu bod yn talu rhent, sybsideiddio tenantiaid sydd yn dlotach byth. Mae hynny’n anffodus iawn. Ar y cyfan, ar y gyllideb tai, mae gostyngiad o bron £14 miliwn rhwng y llinell sylfaen wreiddiol a’r cynlluniau newydd. Nid yw hynny yn hysbyseb dda i’r Cynulliad mewn perthynas â phobl y mae angen help arnynt gyda thai.

Edwina Hart The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities spoken in English p. 87

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 87

David Davies has obviously not read my budget, as the Valuation Office was given a 7 per cent annual increase.

Mae’n amlwg na ddarllenodd David Davies fy nghyllideb, gan fod y Swyddfa Brisio wedi derbyn cynnydd blynyddol o 7 y cant.

I now turn to the serious business of dealing with Ieuan Wyn Jones’s amendments. On amendment 1, there has never been an attempt to claim that the adjustments resulting from the move to resource budgeting constituted additional resources for the Assembly. When the spending announcement was made in July, all Assembly Members were informed by e-mail of the adjustments to the baseline. The published increases were net of the resource accounting and budgeting adjustments. The adjustments are included in the baselines for all years. The tables laid before the Assembly on 19 October sought to clarify and show all of the changes since we last ratified them, hence the inclusion of the resource accounting and budgeting adjustments and the changes line. These adjustments are clearly identified at the end of the table. Phil referred to a press release. The figures that he mentioned were not in my official press release.

Trof yn awr at y busnes difrifol o ymdrin â gwelliannau Ieuan Wyn Jones. O ran gwelliant 1, ni chafwyd ymgais erioed i honni bod yr addasiadau o ganlyniad i’r symudiad i gyllido adnoddau yn golygu adnoddau ychwanegol i’r Cynulliad. Pan wnaethpwyd y cyhoeddiad gwariant yng Ngorffennaf, hysbyswyd holl Aelodau’r Cynulliad o’r addasiadau i’r llinellau sylfaen ar yr e-bost. Yr oedd y cynnydd a gyhoeddwyd yn glir o gyfrifo adnoddau a’r addasiadau i’r gyllideb. Cynhwysir yr addasiadau yn y llinellau sylfaen ar gyfer pob blwyddyn. Ceisiodd y tablau a roddwyd gerbron y Cynulliad ar 19 Hydref egluro a dangos yr holl newidiadau ers inni eu cadarnhau ddiwethaf, ac o’r herwydd gynnwys cyfrifo adnoddau ac addasiadau i’r gyllideb a’r llinell newidiadau. Nodir yr addasiadau hyn yn glir ar ddiwedd y tabl. Cyfeiriodd Phil at ddatganiad i’r wasg. Nid oedd y ffigurau a grybwyllodd yn fy natganiad swyddogol i i’r wasg.

In amendment 2, which I also urge you to reject, Ieuan’s calculations are incorrect. The Treasury document ‘2000 Spending Review: New Public Spending Plans 2001-2004’ (CM 4807) announcing the outcome of the 2000 spending review includes a table setting out the departmental expenditure limits. The cash increase in the Assembly’s DEL for 2001-02 is 8.9 per cent on the provision for 2001-02. This compares with an overall increase in the DEL of 8.7 per cent. The three-year average is also higher for the Assembly.

Yng ngwelliant 2, y’ch anogaf i’w wrthod hefyd, mae cyfrifiadau Ieuan yn anghywir. Mae dogfen y Trysorlys ‘Adolygiad o Wariant 2000: Cynlluniau Gwariant Cyhoeddus Newydd 2001-2004’ (CM 4807) sydd yn cyhoeddi canlyniad yr adolygiad o wariant yn 2000 yn cynnwys tabl sydd yn nodi cyfyngiadau gwariant adrannol. Mae cynnydd ariannol DEL y Cynulliad ar gyfer 2001-02 yn 8.9 y cant ar ddarpariaeth 2001-02. Mae hyn yn cymharu â chynnydd cyffredinol yn y DEL o 8.7 y cant. Mae’r cyfartaledd tair blynedd yn uwch hefyd ar gyfer y Cynulliad.

I am happy to accept amendment 3 and the points that were made in it. However, I urge Members to reject amendment 4. Match funding has been fully debated in the Chamber. The priority for parties is to get on with using the structural funds. The Assembly has received an additional £421 million over the three years of the spending review. This was an unprecedented addition to the Welsh budget and is additional to the Barnett formula arrangements. We all welcome that. There is no case for the whole of the public expenditure provision to be additional. The existing provision within the Assembly’s baseline must be included in the calculation and need for resources. We have all received the additional provision that we need.

Yr wyf yn hapus i dderbyn gwelliant 3 a’r pwyntiau a wnaethpwyd ynddo. Fodd bynnag, anogaf yr Aelodau i wrthod gwelliant 4. Cafwyd dadl lawn ar arian cyfatebol yn y Siambr. Y flaenoriaeth i’r pleidiau yw dal ati i ddefnyddio’r cronfeydd strwythurol. Derbyniodd y Cynulliad £421 miliwn ychwanegol yn ystod tair blynedd yr adolygiad o wariant. Yr oedd hwn yn ychwanegiad hollol newydd i’r gyllideb Gymreig ac mae’n ychwanegol at drefniadau fformwla Barnett. Yr ydym i gyd yn croesawu hynny. Nid oes achos i’r holl ddarpariaeth o wariant cyhoeddus fod yn ychwanegol. Rhaid cynwys y ddarpariaeth bresennol o fewn llinell sylfaen y Cynulliad yn y cyfrifiad a’r angen am adnoddau. Derbyniasom oll y ddarpariaeth ychwanegol yr oedd ei hangen arnom.

As I said previously, it would have been nice to have an extra amount for match funding. However, we received an overall good settlement and there is already match in the system, so we cannot complain. I have allocated an additional £66 million in 2001-02, rising to £71 million in 2003-04 specifically for match funding. I do not want to rubbish anything. We are talking about an Assembly budget by the end of the term of £11 billion. We have also identified separate elements of the European funding, as the third clause already suggests. The public expenditure survey cover is clearly marked in the economic development main expenditure group under ‘WEFO-European Funding’. The new match funding pots are identified separately in the economic development, health and agriculture and rural development main expenditure groups. I cannot separately identify the match funding sources under the old programmes, as these are parts of baselines in organisations such as local authorities and the WDA.

Fel y dywedais o’r blaen, byddai wedi bod yn braf cael swm ychwanegol ar gyfer arian cyfatebol. Fodd bynang, derbyniasom setliad da ar y cyfan ac mae cyfatebiaeth eisoes yn y system, felly ni allwn gwyno. Dyrannais £66 miliwn ychwanegol yn 2001-02, gan godi i £71 miliwn yn 2003-04 yn benodol ar gyfer arian cyfatebol. Nid wyf am ddilorni unrhyw beth. Yr ydym yn siarad am gyllideb o £11 biliwn yn y Cynulliad erbyn diwedd y tymor. Nodasom hefyd elfennau ar wahân o arian Ewrop, fel yr awgryma’r trydydd cymal eisoes. Nodir yr arolwg o wariant cyhoeddus yn glir y ngrŵp prif wariant datblygu economaidd o dan ‘WEFO-European Funding’. Nodir y dyraniadau arian cyfatebol newydd ar wahân yng ngrwpiau prif wariant datblygu economaidd, iechyd ac amaethyddiaeth a datblygu gwledig. Ni allaf nodi ffynonellau’r arian cyfatebol ar wahân o dan yr hen raglenni, am fod y rhain yn rhannau o linellau sylfaen mewn sefydliadau megis awdurdodau lleol ac Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru.

I cannot support amendment 5 because of two of the sub-clauses. In all other respects, I would have been happy to support it. The budget takes account of our ‘Betterwales.com’ commitment to set out a clear employment strategy for Wales, including a skills action plan. This will be pursued as part of the national economic development strategy that will be published in the spring. The health allocation, as I said to Nick, includes provision for continued growth in medical undergraduate education, with 65 additional places and an extra 265 training places for health professionals. We are also giving priority investment in additional beds and intensive care facilities. We are already providing 156 additional beds and 25 critical beds. I have also taken account of the important social services by means of a 27 per cent allocation, which addresses many of the issues for social services. We are committed to building a bilingual society, in which education is vital and we pressed ahead last year with the full introduction of a national curriculum requirement for Welsh at key stage 4. We are bringing forward more subordinate legislation to render more public bodies subject to the Welsh Language Act 1993.

Ni allaf gefnogi gwelliant 5 oherwydd dau o’r is-gymalau. Ym mhob ffordd arall, byddwn wedi bod yn hapus i’w gefnogi. Ystyria’r gyllideb ein hymrwymiad i ‘Gwellcymru.com’ i nodi strategaeth cyflogaeth glir ar gyfer Cymru, gan gynnwys cynllun gweithredu sgiliau. Eir ar drywydd hyn yn rhan o’r strategaeth genedlaethol ar gyfer datblygu economaidd a gyhoeddir yn y gwanwyn. Mae’r dyraniad iechyd, fel y dywedais wrth Nick, yn cynnwys darpariaeth ar gyfer tŵf parhaol mewn addysg feddygol i israddedigion, gyda 65 o leoedd ychwanegol a 265 o leoedd hyfforddi ychwanegol ar gyfer gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol. Yr ydym hefyd yn rhoi blaenoriaeth i fuddsoddi mewn gwelyau a chyfleusterau gofal dwys ychwanegol. Darparwn eisoes 156 o welyau ychwanegol a 25 o welyau argyfwng. Ystyriais hefyd y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol pwysig drwy ddyrannu 27 y cant, sydd yn mynd i’r afael â llawer o’r materion gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Yr ydym yn ymrwymedig i adeiladu cymdeithas ddwyieithog, ym mha un y mae addysg yn hanfodol a dyfalbarhawyd y llynedd drwy gyflwyno’n llawn ofyniad y cwricwlwm cenedlaethol ar gyfer Cymraeg yng nghyfnod allweddol 4. Yr ydym yn dod â rhagor o isddeddfwriaethau gerbron i beri bod rhagor o gyrff cyhoeddus yn atebol i Ddeddf yr Iaith Gymraeg 1993.

Owen John Thomas a gododd—

Owen John Thomas rose—

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 90

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

I will finish my point on the amendments first. We agree that special needs education should be adequately funded. We do not accept that there is a need for a young farmers new entrants scheme at this stage. That is the same as I said last year, which is the last useful point on Ieuan Wyn Jones’s amendments. I turn to other points that were raised in the debate.

Gorffennaf fy mhwynt ar y gwelliannau yn gyntaf. Cytunwn y dylid ariannu addysg anghenion arbennig yn ddigonol. Ni dderbyniwn fod angen cynllun ymgeiswyr newydd ffermwyr ifanc ar hyn o bryd. Mae hynny yr un peth ag a ddywedais y llynedd, sef y pwynt defnyddiol olaf ar welliannau Ieuan Wyn Jones. Trof at bwyntiau eraill a godwyd yn y ddadl.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 90

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

You have about one minute left.

Mae gennych tuag un funud ar ôl.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 90

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

Phil raised some interesting points in his contribution. There is flexibility within the system in terms of European money, to bring along spending quicker. There is sufficient in the local government settlement. With regard to end-of-year flexibility, I have shown the separate table on that because I do not want it included in the main table. That would cause problems and perhaps distort the table and our ability to see how the spending relates.

Cododd Phil rai pwyntiau diddorol yn ystod ei gyfraniad. Mae hyblygrwydd o fewn y system o ran arian Ewropeaidd, i sicrhau gwariant ynghynt. Mae digon yn setliad y llywodraeth leol. O ran hyblygrwydd diwedd blwyddyn, dangosais y tabl ar wahân ar hynny am nad wyf am ei gynnwys yn y prif dabl. Byddai hynny yn achosi problemau ac o bosibl yn camliwio’r tabl a’n gallu i weld sut y mae’r gwariant yn cyfateb.

A number of other detailed points were raised, which I do not have the opportunity in this short time to address, but if Members want to address specific points to me later I will be delighted to deal with them through correspondence.

Codwyd nifer o bwyntiau manwl eraill nad oes cyfle gennyf yn yr amser prin hwn i fynd i’r afael â hwy, ond os dymuna’r Aelodau godi pwyntiau penodol gyda mi yn ddiweddarach byddaf yn falch i ymdrin â hwy drwy ohebiaeth.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 90

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

I regret that there has not been time to cross-examine the Minister properly. I will endeavour to ensure that that does not happen again. However, we must protect the time for the short debate.

Mae’n ddrwg gennyf na chafwyd amser i groesholi’r Gweinidog yn iawn. Ceisiaf sicrhau na fydd hynny yn digwydd eto. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni ddiogelu’r amser ar gyfer y ddadl fer.

Gwelliant 1 Ieuan Wyn Jones t. 91

Amendment 1 Ieuan Wyn Jones p. 91

GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 22 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 30

Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment rejected.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (22)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (30)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams

Gwelliant 2 Ieuan Wyn Jones t. 91

Amendment 2 Ieuan Wyn Jones p. 91

GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 22 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 31

Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment rejected.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (22)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Alun Cairns
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (31)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams

Gwelliant 3 Ieuan Wyn Jones t. 92

Amendment 3 Ieuan Wyn Jones p. 92

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 52 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (52)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Gwelliant 4 Ieuan Wyn Jones t. 93

Amendment 4 Ieuan Wyn Jones p. 93

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 21 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 31

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (21)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Alun Cairns
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (31)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams

Gwelliant 5 Ieuan Wyn Jones t. 93

Amendment 5 Ieuan Wyn Jones p. 93

GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 23 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 31

Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment rejected.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (23)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Alun Cairns
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (31)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 31 YmatalAbstain 16 Yn erbynAgainst 7

Derbyniwyd y cynnig wedi'i ddiwygio.

Amended motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (31)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
YmatalAbstain (16)
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Geraint Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (7)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Alun Cairns
  • David Davies
  • William Graham
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers

Dadl Fer

Short Debate

Cynnal Ffyniant Cefn Gwlad Cymru

Maintaining a Vibrant Welsh Countryside

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 96

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 96

Deputy Presiding Officer, as an Assembly Member from north Wales and a fellow ardent Wrexham Football Club supporter, I congratulate you on your new appointment.

Dirprwy Lywydd, fel Aelod o’r Cynulliad o ogledd Cymru a chyd-gefnogwr brwd o Glwb Pêl-droed Wrecsam, hoffwn eich llongyfarch ar eich penodiad newydd.

I am a very lucky person. From my early school days, I only wanted to do one thing, and that was to be a farmer. At the age of 30, I became a farmer in my own right. I know that when I speak in the Assembly I come over as excitable. Perhaps, I even stumble over some of my words. I hope that you appreciate that I only started speaking in public over the last couple of years when addressing farmers’ rallies in gale-swept outdoor locations where I had to shout to be heard. Today, I will be calm and try to convey an important message.

Yr wyf yn berson lwcus iawn. Ers fy nyddiau cynnar yn yr ysgol, dim ond un peth yr oeddwn am ei wneud, a hynny oedd bod yn ffermwr. Yn 30 oed, euthum yn ffermwr drwy fy hawl fy hun. Gwn wrth siarad yn y Cynulliad fy mod yn ymddangos fel person hawdd fy nghynhyrfu. Yr wyf, o bosibl, hyd yn oed yn baglu dros fy ngeiriau. Gobeithiaf eich bod yn sylweddoli mai dim ond yn ystod yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf y dechreuais siarad yn gyhoeddus wrth annerch ralïau ffermwyr mewn lleoliadau tymhestlog yn yr awyr agored lle yr oedd yn rhaid imi weiddi i gael fy nghlywed. Heddiw, ni chynhyrfaf a cheisiaf gyfleu neges bwysig.

I lived in Birkenhead during my early teenage years and spent every weekend and holiday helping on a farm on the Wirral. It was a five-mile cycle ride and my reward was usually a few fresh eggs and the previous week’s edition of the then Farmer and Stockbreeder. I was made up. In those days we clipped sheep and milked cows by hand. We cut the corn with a binder, which meant that we had to scythe the headlands of the fields before we could start to cut, so that the corn was not flattened under the tractor wheels.

Bûm yn byw ym Mhenbedw yn ystod blynyddoedd cynnar fy arddegau a threuliais bob penwythnos a gwyliau yn helpu ar fferm yn Nghilgwri. Yr oedd yn bum milltir ar gefn beic ac fel arfer fy ngwobr oedd ychydig o wyau ffres a rhifyn yr wythnos flaenorol o’r Farmer and Stockbreeder fel ag yr oedd ar y pryd. Yr oeddwn ar ben fy nigon. Yn y dyddiau hynny byddem yn cneifio defaid ac yn godro gwartheg â llaw. Byddem yn torri gwenith â rhwymwr, a olygai fod yn rhaid inni bladuro talarau’r caeau cyn y gallem ddechrau torri, fel na châi’r gwenith ei sathru o dan olwynion y tractor.

You may remember the moving story that Glyn Davies told in this Chamber during the hunting debate. Glyn told the Chamber about his uncle Mott snaring rabbits and how the BBC went with Glyn to his land in Berriew to film the spot where they used to set the snares. Believe it or not, my first job after college was on the farm that Glyn now owns but, luckily, it was before he bought it. I remember ploughing that very bank with a grey Fergie bach and a two-furrow plough, but I do not remember coming across uncle Mott.

Efallai y cofiwch stori gynhyrfus a adroddodd Glyn Davies yn y Siambr hon yn ystod y ddadl ar hela. Soniodd Glyn wrth y Siambr am ei ewythr Mott yn maglu cwningod a sut yr aeth y BBC gyda Glyn i’w dir yn Aberriw i ffilmio’r fan yr arferent osod y maglau. Credwch hynny neu beidio, ond cefais fy swydd gyntaf ar ôl gadael y coleg ar y fferm y mae Glyn bellach yn berchen arni ond, yn ffodus, yr oedd hynny cyn iddo ei phrynu. Cofiaf aredig yr union lechwedd honno gyda Fergie bach llwyd ac aradr ddeugwys, ond ni chofiaf ddod ar draws ewythr Mott.

I have seen the industry change over the years. I have seen it adapt and I am proud of that. Agriculture has always been willing to change, but it needs our support. Prior to the crisis in the industry I employed five workers. My son now manages with one worker and the help of my wife, who is also a life-long farmer.

Gwelais y diwydiant yn newid dros y blynyddoedd. Fe’i gwelais yn addasu ac yr wyf yn falch o hynny. Bu amaethyddiaeth bob amser yn barod i newid, ond mae angen ein cefnogaeth ni arni. Cyn yr argyfwng yn y diwydiant cyflogwn bump o weithwyr. Bellach mae fy mab yn rheoli gydag un gweithiwr a help fy ngwraig, sydd hefyd yn ffermwraig oes.

Life in rural areas would not be possible without the close knit community. People are not just neighbours, they are also our best friends. I had a serious barn fire a few years ago and my neighbours wheeled the huge fire hoses down to the river without me knowing that they had even seen the fire. They brought cakes to feed the firemen. I am determined to support these people in their plight. I hope that you can see from that where my passion for this industry comes from.

Ni fyddai bywyd mewn ardaloedd gwledig yn bosibl heb y gymuned glòs. Nid cymdogion yn unig yw pobl, maent yn ffrindiau gorau inni hefyd. Cefais dân difrifol mewn ysgubor rai blynyddoedd yn ôl a gwthiodd fy nghymdogion y pibellau diffodd tân anferth i lawr at yr afon heb imi wybod iddynt hyd yn oed weld y tân. Daethant â chacennau i fwydo’r dynion tân. Yr wyf yn benderfynol o gefnogi’r bobl hyn yn eu trafferthion. Gobeithiaf y gallwch weld o hyn o le y daw fy angerdd dros y diwydiant hwn.

I do not intend to blind you with figures on the desperate financial situation in which many farming families find themselves. Most farmers are only kept in business by at least one other member of the family taking an outside job. I went to see a farmer a few weeks ago. His farm once employed three workers. It now has none. The farmer’s wife, a lady in her fifties, was working nights in a residential home just to make ends meet. Farmers are indebted to their wives for their solid support during these difficult times.

Ni fwriadaf eich dallu â ffigurau ar y sefyllfa ariannol anobeithiol y caiff llawer o deuluoedd ffermio eu hunain ynddi. Dim ond wrth i o leiaf un aelod arall o’r teulu gymryd gwaith tu allan i’r fferm y cedwir y rhan fwyaf o ffermwyr mewn busnes. Euthum i weld ffermwr rai wythnosau yn ôl. Cyflogai ei fferm dri o weithwyr ar un adeg. Bellach nid oes yno neb. Gweithiai gwraig y ffermwr, menyw yn ei phumdegau, fin nos mewn cartref preswyl er mwyn cael dau ben llinyn ynghyd. Mae ffermwyr yn ddyledus i’w gwragedd am eu cefnogaeth gref yn ystod yr amseroedd anodd hyn.

This is a common story, and the result of the industry’s desperate plight. Farmers can no longer tighten their belts and bear it. Diversification is not an alternative for many because they do not have the means. On Tuesday, the First Minister answered a question of mine by talking about the success of Tony Blair and the farming aid package. However, the industry is in meltdown. Is there anybody listening, or understanding? Tens of thousands of people have left the industry—over 22,000 this year alone.

Mae hon yn stori gyffredin, ac yn ganlyniad trafferthion anobeithiol y diwydiant. Ni all ffermwyr dynhau eu gwregysau a dioddef hynny mwyach. Nid yw arallgyfeirio yn ddewis amgen i lawer am nad oes ganddynt yr adnoddau. Ddydd Mawrth, atebodd y Prif Weinidog un o’m cwestiynau drwy siarad am lwyddiant Tony Blair a’r pecyn cymorth ffermio. Fodd bynnag, mae’r diwydiant yn dadfeilio. A oes unrhyw un yn gwrando, neu’n deall? Gadawodd degau o filoedd o bobl y diwydiant—dros 22,000 eleni yn unig.

As sure as night follows day we will need food, food that is safe and of the highest quality. We need food produced under the best conditions and with full traceability. The only way to guarantee that is by supporting Welsh farmers and their produce.

Cyn sicred ag y bo’r nos yn dilyn dydd bydd angen bwyd arnom, bwyd sydd yn ddiogel ac o’r ansawdd uchaf. Mae arnom angen bwyd a gynhyrchwyd o dan yr amodau gorau ac y gellir ei olrhain yn llawn. Yr unig ffordd i warantu hynny yw drwy gefnogi ffermwyr Cymru a’u cynnyrch.

Alun Pugh spoken in English p. 98

Alun Pugh siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 98

I agree that food safety is paramount. I have in my hand a photograph of John Gummer force-feeding a burger to his daughter. Are you proud of your party’s record on BSE?

Cytunaf fod diogelwch bwyd yn hollbwysig. Yn fy llaw mae gennyf lun o John Gummer yn gorfodi ei ferch i fwyta byrger. A ydych yn falch o record eich plaid ar BSE?

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 98

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 98

I have seen the photograph, but I have not read the Phillips report. Some people will have to take responsibility for mistakes that were made. I cannot comment without reading the report.

Gwelais y ffotograff, ond ni ddarllenais adroddiad Phillips. Rhaid i rai bobl gymryd y cyfrifoldeb dros gamgymeriadau a wnaethpwyd. Ni allaf wneud sylwadau heb ddarllen yr adroddiad.

I ask you to support Welsh farmers and their produce. These common-sense measures will contribute to a vibrant countryside. I do not have to preach to you about the exodus of young people from the countryside. The numbers of students on training schemes in agricultural colleges have dried up. We will not have a new generation of farmers unless we act now. The knock-on effect of out-migration is a vicious circle of decline. Local post offices, shops, schools and businesses are all threatened by people leaving the countryside. For many people in these areas the phrase ‘if you want to get on, get out’ still applies. Unless we move to stop the out-migration, the prospects for Wales are desperately poor.

Gofynnaf ichi gefnogi ffermwyr Cymru a’u cynnyrch. Bydd synnwyr cyffredin y mesurau hyn yn cyfrannu at ffyniant cefn gwlad. Nid oes angen imi bregethu wrthoch am bobl ifanc yn gadael cefn gwlad. Mae nifer y myfyrwyr ar gynlluniau hyfforddi mewn colegau amaethyddol wedi gostwng yn sylweddol. Ni fydd gennym genhedlaeth newydd o ffermwyr oni weithredwn yn awr. Effaith gynyddol ymfudo i’r tu allan yw cylch cythreulig o ddirywiad. Bygythir swyddfeydd post, siopau, ysgolion a busnesau lleol gan bobl sydd yn gadael cefn gwlad. I lawer o bobl yn yr ardaloedd hyn mae’r ymadrodd ‘os ydych am lwyddo, gadewch’ yn dal i fod yn berthnasol. Oni weithredwn i atal yr ymfudo i’r tu allan, mae’r rhagolygon ar gyfer Cymru yn anobeithiol o wael.

Farmers are the rightful custodians of the countryside. Only they have the skills, know-how and ability to care for it. However, we fail to protect them against inferior and unfair competition. If we do not support our agriculture industry, our countryside will suffer. The French Government has, amazingly, taken the bull by the horns by awarding generous non-repayable grants of up to £14,000 to entice British farmers to go to France. There is also state-subsidised borrowing of up to £72,000 at 2 per cent interest, and a state-subsidised advance for farm improvement of up to £94,000 at 2 per cent interest. In France they think that it is important that young farmers, who are seen as the future of rural areas, are given every assistance. They say that they want a lot of people farming a reasonable and viable amount of land, rather than a few privileged farmers working an enormous amount of land. That way, they encourage a rural economy and ensure that homes are lived in, and that schools and shops remain open.

Y ffermwyr yw gwarchodwyr cyfiawn cefn gwlad. Dim ond ganddynt hwy y mae’r sgiliau, yr wybodaeth a’r gallu i ofalu amdani. Fodd bynnag, methwn â’u diogelu rhag cystadleuaeth israddol ac annheg. Oni chefnogwn ein diwydiant amaeth, bydd ein cefn gwlad yn dioddef. Mae Llywodraeth Ffrainc, yn rhyfeddol, wedi plymio iddi drwy ddyfarnu grantiau hael o hyd at £14,000 nad oes rhaid eu had-dalu i ddenu ffermwyr o Brydain i fynd i Ffrainc. Ceir hefyd fenthyca o hyd at £72,000 ar log o 2 y cant a noddir gan y wladwriaeth, a blaendal o hyd at £94,000 ar gyfer gwelliannau ar y fferm ar log o 2 y cant a noddir gan y wladwriaeth. Yn Ffrainc credant ei bod yn bwysig rhoi pob cymorth i ffermwyr ifanc, a welir fel dyfodol yr ardaloedd gwledig. Dywedant eu bod am weld llawer o bobl yn ffermio darn o dir rhesymol ac ymarferol ei faint, yn hytrach nag ychydig o ffermwyr breintiedig yn gweithio darn anferthol o dir. Yn y ffordd honno, anogant economi wledig a sicrhânt y bydd pobl yn byw mewn cartrefi, a bod ysgolion a siopau yn aros ar agor.

I am sad to see that the new Lib-Lab coalition will shorten the title of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee to the Rural Affairs Committee. My topic today is an appropriate one on the very day that the Phillips report is published. I hope that the report will provide answers to some complex questions. Mistakes were undoubtedly made, with terrible consequences for some families. The human tragedy of those who suffered from CJD is immeasurable. The industry also suffered. I hope that we can learn from what happened, so that it never occurs again.

Tristwch yw y bydd y glymblaid newydd rhwng y Blaid Lafur a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn cwtogi teitl Y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig i Bwyllgor Materion Gwledig. Mae fy mhwnc heddiw yn briodol ar yr union ddiwrnod y cyhoeddir adroddiad Phillips. Gobeithiaf y bydd yr adroddiad yn rhoi atebion i rai cwestiynau dyrys. Yn ddiamau gwnaethpwyd camgymeriadau, gyda chanlyniadau ofnadwy i rai teuluoedd. Mae trasiedi ddynol y rheini a ddioddefodd o CJD yn anfesuradwy. Dioddefodd y diwydiant hefyd. Gobeithiaf y gallwn ddysgu o’r hyn a ddigwyddodd, fel nad yw’n digwydd byth eto.

Agriculture is the most important industry in rural Wales. All rural affairs are under threat unless we recognise that a successful agricultural industry is essential to maintain a vibrant Welsh countryside.

Amaethyddiaeth yw’r diwydiant pwysicaf yng Nghymru wledig. Mae holl faterion gwledig o dan fygythiad oni chydnabyddwn fod diwydiant amaethyddol llwyddiannus yn hanfodol i gynnal ffyniant cefn gwlad yng Nghymru.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 99

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

Peter, I understand that you have given permission for Elin Jones to contribute to this debate. I have also had a request from Delyth Evans; do I have your permission to include her?

Peter, deallaf eich bod wedi rhoi caniatâd i Elin Jones gyfrannu i’r ddadl hon. Cefais gais gan Delyth Evans hefyd; a gâf eich caniatâd i’w chynnwys hi?

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 99

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

I have also received a request from Mick Bates. Can all three of them take part?

Cefais innau gais gan Mick Bates hefyd. A all y tri ohonynt gymryd rhan?

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 99

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

That can be accommodated.

Gellir caniatáu hynny.

Elin Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 99

Elin Jones spoken in Welsh p. 99

Diolchaf i Peter am roi amser i mi ar y pwnc hwn ac am ei ddewis ar ddiwrnod cyhoeddi adroddiad Phillips.

I thank Peter for allowing me time on this subject and for choosing it on the day of publication of the Phillips report.

Mae’n gyd-digwyddiad anffodus i’r Torïaid, o bosibl, a hwythau wedi dewis y ddadl hon, ac yr wyf yn deall pam mae Peter mor dawel heddiw. Bydd yr adroddiad hwn yn debygol o groniclo’r llanastr llwyr a wnaeth Llywodraeth y Torïaid yn y 1980au a’r 1990au, a arweiniodd at yr argyfwng BSE. Dyma lanastr, yn anffodus, a arweiniodd at golli bywydau a chyfrannu’n sylweddol at yr argyfwng mewn amaethyddiaeth heddiw. Ni all y Torïaid olchi eu dwylo o’r argyfwng hwnnw.

It is an unfortunate coincidence for the Tories, perhaps, after they chose this debate, and I understand why Peter is so quiet today. It is probable that this report will chronicle the complete mess that the Tory Government made in the 1980s and 1990s, which led to the BSE crisis. This mess unfortunately led to loss of life and contributed substantially to the crisis in agriculture today. The Tories cannot wash their hands of that crisis.

Ambell waith byddaf yn alaru ar y polareiddio agweddau ar amaethyddiaeth yn y Cynulliad. Mae’r Torïaid yn bloeddio’n negyddol yn barhaus am yr argyfwng amaethyddol—heblaw am heddiw, o bosibl. Mae’r Aelodau Llafur yn gwadu bod unrhyw werth economaidd i amaeth. Mae’n rhaid cofio mai cynhyrchu bwyd a chynnal yr amgylchedd gwledig yw amaeth. Yn hyn o beth, mae amaeth Cymru yn hollol ganolog i’n gweledigaeth ar gyfer datblygu cynaliadwy. Ni allwn honni ein bod yn wlad gynaliadwy os ydym yn mewnforio’r rhan fwyaf o’n bwyd o Seland Newydd, De America a Tsieina, ym mhellafoedd byd. Mae amaeth yn gyfan gwbl ganolog i fodloni ein gofyniad statudol i hyrwyddo Cymru a datblygiad cynaliadwy Cymru. Mae’n bwysig ein bod i gyd fel Aelodau yn cofio bod amaeth a chynhyrchu bwyd yn ganolog i’n gweledigaeth datblygu cynaliadwy.

I sometimes get tired of the polarisation of attitudes on agriculture in the Assembly. The Tories are forever ranting negatively about the agriculture crisis—except possibly today. Labour Members deny that agriculture has any economic value. We must remember that agriculture is about producing food and maintaining the rural environment. As such, Welsh agriculture is completely central to our vision for sustainable development. We cannot assert that we are a sustainable country if we import most of our food from the far-flung countries of New Zealand, South America and China. Agriculture is completely central to our statutory requirement to promote Wales and the sustainable development of Wales. It is important that all of us as Members remember that agriculture and food production is central to our vision of sustainable development.

Delyth Evans spoken in English p. 100

Delyth Evans siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 100

Despite your modest introduction, Peter, you speak eloquently on behalf on behalf of rural communities, particularly in committee. Your passionate and sincere contribution is appreciated.

Er gwaethaf eich cyflwyniad diymhongar, Peter, yr ydych yn siarad yn huawdl ar ran cymunedau gwledig, yn arbennig mewn pwyllgor. Gwerthfawrogir eich cyfraniad angerddol a didwyll.

I am sure that you would agree that the very existence of the Assembly, which your party opposed initially, provides people like you, and the unions representing farming communities, with an important opportunity to contribute directly to the policy-making process. This is something that the Assembly—unlike any other body in the past—can do. We should welcome and commend this.

Yr wyf yn siŵr y cytunech fod union fodolaeth y Cynulliad, a wrthwynebwyd gan eich plaid yn wreiddiol, yn rhoi cyfle pwysig i bobl fel chi, a’r undebau sydd yn cynrychioli cymunedau ffermio, i gyfrannu yn uniongyrchol i’r broses o lunio polisïau. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth y gall y Cynulliad—yn wahanol i’r un corff arall yn y gorffennol—ei wneud. Dylem groesawu a chymeradwyo hyn.

I hope that you would also agree that the excellent work of the Minister for Rural Affairs is massively improving confidence in rural communities and providing a clearer idea of the way forward for agriculture. Having spoken to farmers recently, I believe that there is an increased optimism about the future of farming, and much of that is due to the good work that the Assembly and the Labour administration is doing on behalf of the rural communities.

Gobeithiaf y cytunech hefyd fod y gwaith rhagorol y Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig yn rhoi llawer mwy o hyder i gymunedau gwledig ac yn darparu syniad cliriach o’r ffordd ymlaen i amaethyddiaeth. Ar ôl siarad â ffermwyr yn ddiweddar, credaf fod mwy o optimistiaeth ynghylch dyfodol ffermio, ac mae llawer o hynny o ganlyniad i’r gwaith da a wna’r Cynulliad a’r weinyddiaeth Lafur ar ran y cymunedau gwledig.

In particular I mention the excellent promotional work that Carwyn is doing on behalf of Welsh lamb, beef and veal, the money that we are putting in to support the organic sector, the important agri-environment schemes and the way in which we are fighting for Wales in Europe. That did not happen before the existence of the Assembly. We should all be proud of that work.

Yn arbennig crybwyllaf y gwaith hyrwyddo rhagorol a wna Carwyn ar ran cig oen, cig eidion a chig llo Cymru, yr arian a roddwn i gefnogi’r sector organig, y cynlluniau amaeth-amgylcheddol pwysig a’r ffordd yr ymladdwn dros Gymru yn Ewrop. Ni ddigwyddai hynny cyn bodolaeth y Cynulliad. Dylem i gyd fod yn falch o’r gwaith hwnnw.

Finally, it does not help farmers or the rural communities in general—and I am not suggesting that you are doing this, Peter—for people to give the impression that the problems facing farmers are simply the fault of governments. That is not true, and it does not promote a desire to change, which we must encourage farmers to accept for themselves. The problems facing the agricultural communities are the result of the harsh realities of the global market. Governments in this situation can try to support farmers in every way that we can, but to suggest that we are to blame in some way is not going to help them, or provide the right conditions for the future of agriculture.

Yn olaf, nid yw’n helpu ffermwyr na’r cymunedau gwledig yn gyffredinol—ac nid awgrymaf eich bod yn gwneud hyn, Peter—i bobl roi’r argraff fod y problemau a wyneba’r ffermwyr yn fai ar lywodraethau yn unig. Nid yw hyn yn wir, ac nid yw’n hyrwyddo dymuniad i newid, sydd yn rhywbeth y mae’n rhaid inni annog ffermwyr i’w dderbyn eu hunain. Canlyniad gwirioneddau llym y farchnad fyd-eang yw’r problemau a wyneba’r cymunedau amaethyddol. Gall llywodraethau yn y sefyllfa hon geisio cefnogi ffermwyr ym mhob ffordd bosibl, ond nid yw awgrymu mai ni sydd rhywsut ar fai yn mynd i’w helpu, nac yn darparu’r amodau iawn ar gyfer dyfodol amaethyddiaeth.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 101

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 101

Thank you, Peter, for your sincerity and for allowing me to speak in this debate. I do not, for a moment, doubt your sincerity towards recognising the importance of agricultue for rural areas. However, it has always been my desire, and the desire of my party, to give agriculture and rural areas as a whole a sustainable base. We have an opportunity, through the Assembly, to create policies that will achieve our noble goal. I have always tried to bring reasoned and rational debate to that issue so that we can create a positive future. However, I want to remind you—and you admitted that you have been part of agricultural politics for two years—that some years ago, a large campaign was mounted against a Tory Government cut in the most fundamental payment area for farmers, namely the hill compensatory allowance. Your Government refused to listen and 25 per cent of that basic payment was removed. That aggravated the decline, which was associated, as we all know, with the dreadful mistakes that were made over the BSE crisis.

Diolch, Peter, am eich didwylledd ac am ganiatáu imi siarad yn y ddadl hon. Nid wyf, am eiliad, yn amau eich didwylledd wrth gydnabod pwysigrwydd amaethyddiaeth i ardaloedd gwledig. Fodd bynnag, bu’n ddymuniad gennyf i, ac yn ddymuniad gan fy mhlaid, i roi sail cynaliadwy i amaethyddiaeth ac ardaloedd gwledig yn eu cyfanrwydd. Mae gennym gyfle, drwy’r Cynulliad, i greu polisïau a fydd yn cyflawni ein nod aruchel. Ceisiais bob amser ddod â dadl resymegol a chall i’r mater hwnnw fel y gallwn greu dyfodol positif. Fodd bynnag, dymunaf eich atgoffa—a chyfaddefasoch eich bod wedi bod yn rhan o wleidyddiaeth amaethyddol ers dwy flynedd—fod ymgyrch fawr wedi’i threfnu rai blynyddoedd yn ôl yn erbyn toriad gan y Llywodraeth Dorïaidd i un o’r taliadau mwyaf sylfaenol i ffermwyr, sef y lwfans iawndal i ffermwyr tir uchel. Gwrthododd eich Llywodraeth wrando a diddymwyd 25 y cant o’r taliad sylfaenol hwnnw. Ychwanegodd hynny at y dirywiad, a oedd yn gysylltiedig, fel y gwyddom oll, â’r camgymeriadau dychrynllyd a wnaethpwyd yn ystod argyfwng BSE.

Some humility is required and also, ‘we are sorry for those mistakes’, must be part of your approach to this debate. I am pleased that, as a result of this debate, you now recognise the importance of that. I only hope that we can all work together to achieve something, making rural Wales an example to rural areas throughout the world.

Mae angen peth gostyngeiddrwydd a hefyd rhaid i ‘ymddiheurwn am y camgymeriadau hynny’ fod yn rhan o’ch ymagwedd i’r ddadl hon. Yr wyf yn falch eich bod bellach yn cydnabod, o ganlyniad i’r ddadl hon, bwysigrwydd hynny. Gobeithiaf y gallwn oll gydweithio i gyflawni rhywbeth, gan wneud Cymru wledig yn esiampl i ardaloedd gwledig ledled y byd.

Carwyn Jones The Minister for Rural Affairs spoken in English p. 102

Carwyn Jones Y Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 102

I add my words to those that have already been expressed by many today in congratulating John Marek on his election to the post of Deputy Presiding Officer.

Ychwanegaf fy ngeiriau at y rhai a fynegwyd eisoes gan lawer heddiw wrth longyfarch John Marek o’i ethol i swydd y Dirprwy Lywydd.

Of our many debates on agriculture in this Chamber, this is probably the one that has been, in many ways, the most measured. Agriculture has gone through an extremely difficult time, not just since the establishment of this Assembly in May last year, but before that. There is general agreement in the National Assembly about the future direction of farming and how important the prosperity and strength of farming is to rural areas, although there will inevitably be disagreements as to how that can be achieved.

O’n dadleuon lu ar amaethyddiaeth yn y Siambr hon, dyma’r un a fu, mewn sawl ffordd, yn fwyaf ystyriol. Dioddefodd amaethyddiaeth amser eithriadol o anodd, nid yn unig ers sefydlu’r Cynulliad hwn ym Mai y llynedd, ond cyn hynny. Ceir cytundeb cyffredinol yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ynghylch cyfeiriad ffermio yn y dyfodol a pha mor bwysig yw ffyniant a chryfder ffermio i ardaloedd gwledig, er y bydd anghytundeb ar sut y gellir cyflawni hynny yn anochel.

The greatest obstacle that farming faces is the fact that we are not members of the euro. I do not want to get into a debate about if or when we should join—that is for another place at another time—but it is certainly something of which I am strongly aware. Being outside the euro, and the weakness of the euro, means that the produce of farmers in Wales is more expensive in the European market, which is our most important market and not the United States or North America. Secondly, the intervention prices and payments to farmers that are made in euros mean that the actual money that farmers receive is also decreasing. A double whammy, to coin a phrase previously used in an election campaign.

Y rhwystr mwyaf a wyneba ffermio yw’r ffaith nad ydym yn aelodau o’r ewro. Nid wyf yn dymuno cychwyn dadl ar os neu pryd y dylem ymuno—mae hynny ar gyfer adeg arall mewn lle arall—ond yn sicr y mae’n rhywbeth yr wyf yn ymwybodol iawn ohono. Golyga bod y tu allan i’r euro, a gwendid yr euro, fod cynnyrch ffermwyr yng Nghymru yn ddrutach yn y farchnad Ewropeaidd, sef ein marchnad bwysicaf ac nid yr Unol Daleithiau neu Ogledd America. Yn ail, golyga’r prisiau ymyriad a’r taliadau i ffermwyr a wneir mewn euros fod yr arian gwirioneddol a dderbynia’r ffermwyr yn gostwng hefyd. ‘Double whammy’, i ddefnyddio ymadrodd a ddefnyddiwyd yn flaenorol mewn ymgyrch etholiadol.

However, it is not good enough, of course, for me or anyone else in this Assembly to simply say that there is not much we can do about it. To say ‘sorry, but it is all to do with the euro and it is outside of our control and the control of the UK Government’, is simply not good enough. Many things are being done to assist farming in the deep crisis in which it has found itself. There is certainly no hidden message in the change of title from Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development to Minister for Rural Affairs. As I explained to you yesterday, Peter, agriculture is still an important part of this portfolio and it is something to which I dedicate a great deal of my time.

Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n ddigon imi nac i unrhyw un arall yn y Cynulliad hwn ddweud yn syml nad oes llawer y gallwn ei wneud amdano. Nid yw dweud ‘mae’n ddrwg gennyf, ond mae’r cyfan i’w wneud â’r euro ac mae y tu hwnt i’n rheolaeth ni a rheolaeth Llywodraeth y DU’ yn ddigon da. Gwneir llawer o bethau i gynorthwyo ffermio yn yr argyfwng dwys y mae ynddo ar hyn o bryd. Yn sicr nid oes neges gudd yn y newid teitl o Ysgrifennydd dros Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig i’r Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig. Fel yr esboniais ichi ddoe, Peter, mae amaethyddiaeth yn dal yn rhan bwysig o’r portffolio hwn a rhoddaf lawer o’m hamser iddo.

Many of the schemes that we have put into place to assist farming in the future are beginning to prove effective, for example, the processing and marketing grants. A great deal of money has been provided for processors in Wales. There are many, but off hand, I can only mention Aeron Valley Cheese Limited and Associated Co-operative Creameries. However, there are many other organisations that have directly benefited from National Assembly grants. These have been provided in order to add value to Welsh produce, so that the raw material we produce in Wales does not have value added to it outside of Wales. It means that more money stays within the rural economy of our country.

Mae llawer o’r cynlluniau yr ydym wedi eu rhoi yn eu lle i gynorthwyo ffermio yn y dyfodol yn dechrau profi’n effeithiol, er enghraifft, y grantiau prosesu a marchnata. Darparwyd llawer iawn o arian ar gyfer proseswyr yng Nghymru. Mae llawer yn bodoli, ond y funud hon, gallaf ond crybwyll Aeron Valley Cheese Limited ac Associated Co-operative Creameries. Fodd bynnag, mae llawer o sefydliadau eraill a elwodd yn uniongyrchol o grantiau’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Darparwyd y rhain er mwyn ychwanegu gwerth i gynnyrch Cymreig, fel nad ychwanegir gwerth i’r deunydd crai a gynhyrchwn yng Nghymru y tu allan i Gymru. Golyga fod rhagor o arian yn aros o fewn economi wledig ein gwlad.

We must grasp the many opportunities now available through Objective 1 and the rural development plan. I look forward to seeing how the projects that will be put forward will help farming and the rural economy as a whole in future. We are seeking to make a major investment in Farming Connect, which Mick Bates has supported for some time. It will provide information, advice and training to farmers, including industry-led strategy groups and an all-Wales network of demonstration farms. However, we must be careful not to become, as I have said many times before, a strategy factory. We must ensure results.

Rhaid inni ddal ar y cyfleoedd lawer sydd ar gael bellach drwy Amcan 1 a’r cynllun datblygu gwledig. Edrychaf ymlaen at weld sut y bydd y prosiectau a gaiff eu cynnig yn helpu ffermio a’r economi wledig yn ei chyfanrwydd yn y dyfodol. Ceisiwn wneud buddsoddiad sylweddol yn Cyswllt Ffermio, y mae Mick Bates wedi ei gefnogi ers peth amser. Darpara wybodaeth, cyngor a hyfforddiant i ffermwyr, gan gynnwys grwpiau strategaeth o dan arweiniad diwydiant a rhwydwaith o ffermydd enghreifftiol drwy Gymru gyfan. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni fod yn ofalus nad ydym yn datblygu’n ffatri strategaeth, fel y dywedais lawer gwaith o’r blaen. Rhaid inni sicrhau canlyniadau.

The Farm Innovation Service can go some way towards helping people achieve results. People often ask me where can they go for information on how to diversify. That is a fair question. The point of the Farm Innovation Service is to ensure that people have farm business reviews on their farms. If they have to attend seminars in towns, people quite often feel that they are sending a message to their neighbours that the farm is not doing well. So that service will be provided on the farm. Many people have good ideas but do not know where to get financial or moral help. The Farm Innovation Service will provide that help. It will also help those who are looking for ideas on how to maximise their farm income and provided them with those ideas.

Gall y Gwasanaeth Arloesi Ffermydd fynd beth o’r ffordd tuag at helpu pobl i wireddu canlyniadau. Gofynna pobl imi yn aml i ble y gallant fynd am wybodaeth ar sut i arallgyfeirio. Mae’n gwestiwn teg. Diben y Gwasanaeth Arloesi Ffermydd yw sicrhau bod gan bobl adolygiadau busnes fferm ar eu ffermydd. Os oes rhaid iddynt fynychu seminarau mewn trefydd, teimla pobl yn fynych eu bod yn anfon neges i’w cymdogion nad yw’r fferm yn gwneud yn dda. Felly darperir y gwasanaeth hwnnw ar y fferm. Mae gan lawer o bobl syniadau da ond ni wyddant ymhle i gael help ariannol neu foesol. Bydd y Gwasanaeth Arloesi Ffermydd yn darparu’r help hwnnw. Bydd hefyd yn helpu’r rheini sydd yn edrych am syniadau ar sut i fwyhau incwm eu ffermydd a rhoi’r syniadau hynny iddynt.

In Wales we have the Tir Gofal scheme. It is different from any scheme elsewhere in the United Kingdom. As my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, has already mentioned, there is a commitment to extend Tir Gofal and also the organic farming scheme. We hope to bring more people into these schemes. The organic farming scheme is often criticised. People say it is not worth the candle. Yet, today I will visit two organic farms. All the organic farmers whose farms I have visited have said that they are delighted that they have converted. It is not easy to do. However, no-one has said to me that they wished that they had stayed in conventional farming.

Yng Nghymru mae gennym gynllun Tir Gofal. Mae’n wahanol i unrhyw gynllun arall yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Fel y crybwyllwyd eisoes gan fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau, mae ymrwymiad i ehangu Tir Gofal a hefyd y cynllun ffermio organig. Gobeithiwn gynnwys rhagor o bobl yn y cynlluniau hynny. Beirniadir y cynllun ffermio organig yn aml. Dywed pobl nad yw’n werth y drafferth. Eto i gyd, heddiw ymwelaf â dwy fferm organig. Dywedodd yr holl ffermwyr organig yr ymwelais â’u ffermydd eu bod yn falch o fod wedi trosi. Nid yw’n hawdd gwneud hynny. Fodd bynnag, ni ddywedodd unrhyw un wrthyf y dymunai fod yn dal i ffermio’n gonfensiynol.

I agree with Peter’s comments on Welsh food. It is a sad fact that we cannot prohibit imports of meat and meat products from countries where welfare standards are much lower than ours. That is a result of world trade arrangements. However, as I understand it, those arrangements will expire in 2003. They need to be revisited at that time. It is galling for Welsh food producers to see cheaper imports from countries where welfare standards fall far below our own and to be undercut in that way. That must be addressed at a European, not just a Welsh level. We are succeeding, despite the obstacles, in promoting our flagship products.

Cytunaf â sylwadau Peter ar fwyd Cymreig. Mae’n ffaith drist na allwn wahardd mewnforio cig a chynnyrch cig o wledydd lle mae’r safonau lles yn is o lawer na’n safonau ni. Mae hynny o ganlyniad i drefniadau masnach y byd. Fodd bynnag, yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, daw’r trefniadau hynny i ben yn 2003. Bydd angen ailymweld â hwy bryd hynny. Mae’n dân ar groen cynhyrchwyr bwyd Cymru i weld mewnforion rhatach o wledydd lle mae’r safonau lles yn is o lawer na’n safonau ni yn cael eu gwerthu’n rhatach yn y fath fodd. Rhaid mynd i’r afael â hynny ar lefel Ewropeaidd, nid ar lefel Gymreig yn unig. Er gwaethaf y rhwystrau, llwyddwn i hyrwyddo ein prif gynnyrch.

Lamb and beef have been mentioned. I attended the SIAL International Food Fair in Paris on Saturday, and visited all the Welsh exhibitors. They were extremely pleased with the feedback that they had received. The Specialist Cheesemakers’ Association in Wales was the only dairy stand from the UK. It was overwhelmed with interest in the cheeses of Wales. Interest came from around the world, especially the far east. Many of the top restaurants in Paris now consider Welsh lamb to be a flagship product, the best in the world. We need to promote that increasingly. One problem is that, while others have confidence in what we produce, we cannot always bring ourselves to understand that our products are among the best in the world. It is a matter of promoting that confidence.

Soniwyd am gig oen a chig eidion. Mynychais Ffair Fwyd Ryngwladol SIAL ym Mharis ddydd Sadwrn, ac ymwelais â’r holl arddangoswyr Cymreig. Yr oeddynt yn hynod falch o’r adborth a gawsant. Y Gymdeithas Gwneuthurwyr Caws Arbenigol yng Nghymru oedd yr unig stondin cynnyrch llaeth o’r DU. Yr oeddent wrth eu bodd â’r diddordeb mewn cawsiau o Gymru. Cafwyd diddordeb o bob cwr o’r byd, yn enwedig o’r dwyrain pell. Ystyria llawer o’r bwytai gorau ym Mharis gig oen Cymreig bellach fel un o’u cynnyrch pwysicaf, y gorau yn y byd. Rhaid inni hyrwyddo hynny fwyfwy. Un broblem yw nad ydym bob amser yn fodlon sylweddoli bod ein cynnyrch ymysg y gorau yn y byd, er bod gan eraill hyder yn yr hyn a gynhyrchwn. Mater o hyrwyddo’r hyder hwnnw ydyw.

You raised the question of financial support and packages for farmers. That matter can be explored by Finance Wales. There are many different schemes in many different countries. It is important that we not only provide financial support but also support for training and for those who want to consider new, additional ways of using their farms. It is important that we do not just offer people money and tell them to get on with it, but offer support and training as well as money so that they have everything in place to enable them to succeed.

Codasoch gwestiwn cefnogaeth ariannol a phecynnau ar gyfer ffermwyr gennych. Gall Cyllid Cymru archwilio’r mater hwnnw. Ceir llawer o wahanol gynlluniau mewn llawer o wahanol wledydd. Mae’n bwysig ein bod nid yn unig yn darparu cefnogaeth ariannol ond hefyd yn darparu cefnogaeth ar gyfer hyfforddiant ac ar gyfer y rheini a ddymunant ystyried ffyrdd ychwanegol, newydd o ddefnyddio eu ffermydd. Mae’n bwysig nad ydym ond yn cynnig arian yn unig i bobl ac yn dweud wrthynt i fwrw ymlaen, ond y cynigiwn gefnogaeth a hyfforddiant yn ogystal ag arian fel bod ganddynt bopeth yn ei le i’w galluogi i lwyddo.

I agree that we do not want to have a small number of large farms in Wales. That is not the nature of Welsh farming. Many other countries, such as New Zealand and Australia, have large ranch farms. Farms of that size would fundamentally alter, for the worse, the fabric of the Welsh countryside under the Welsh rural economy.

Cytunaf na ddymunwn gael nifer fach o ffermydd mawr yng Nghymru. Nid dyna natur ffermio yng Nghymru. Mae gan lawer o wledydd eraill, megis Seland Newydd ac Awstralia, ffermydd ransh mawr. Byddai ffermydd o’r maint hynny yn achosi newid sylfaenol ym mhatrwm cefn gwlad Cymru o dan economi wledig Cymru, a hynny er gwaeth.

In Wales, we should seek to do all that we can to promote farms that support families and provide a sustainable future for them. That often means people farming as individuals or families, but working together as a group to market produce. That gives them more muscle in the market. I have said that many times.

Yng Nghymru, dylem geisio gwneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i hyrwyddo ffermydd sydd yn cynnal teuluoedd ac yn darparu dyfodol cynaliadwy ar eu cyfer. Yn aml golyga hynny bobl sydd yn ffermio fel unigolion neu deuluoedd, ond sydd yn gweithio gyda’i gilydd fel grŵp i farchnata cynnyrch. Rhydd hynny iddynt fwy o rym yn y farchnad. Dywedais hynny lawer tro.

Janice Gregory spoken in English p. 106

Janice Gregory siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 106

You mentioned the importance of families. Will you, therefore, join with me in welcoming members of the Glamorgan branch of the Women’s Food and Farming Union, who are in the milling area?

Soniasoch am bwysigrwydd teuluoedd. A wnewch chi, felly, ymuno â mi wrth groesawu aelodau o gangen Morgannwg o Undeb Bwyd a Ffermio’r Gwragedd, sydd yn y neuadd?

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 106

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 106

I take great pleasure in welcoming them. I am grateful to you for raising that. I will speak to them briefly after this debate. They are most welcome.

Mae’n bleser o’r mwyaf gennyf eu croesawu. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar ichi am godi hynny. Siaradaf â hwy yn fyr ar ôl y ddadl hon. Mae croeso mawr iddynt.

I will mention the Phillips report on BSE, on which a statement is being made to Parliament around this time. It is based on a Westminster inquiry, so it is right that the statement is made there. However, whatever the outcome of the Phillips report, it is exceptionally important that lessons are learnt and that people understand what went wrong.

Soniaf am adroddiad Phillips ar BSE, y cyflwynir datganiad arno i’r Senedd tua’r adeg hon. Mae’n seiliedig ar ymholiad yn San Steffan, felly mae’n iawn mai yno y gwneir y datganiad. Fodd bynnag, waeth beth fydd canlyniad adroddiad Phillips, mae’n eithriadol o bwysig y caiff gwersi eu dysgu ac y dealla pobl beth a aeth o’i le.

As I mentioned, I was in France this week. The big story in France now is the prevalence of BSE in that country. I suspect that farmers in France, and maybe in some other European countries, face the situation that farmers in the United Kingdom have suffered for years. However, we can now tell buyers outside the UK that we have been through that situation and have learnt the lessons. We now have in place the best controls in the world, and people can buy beef from Wales and from the rest of the UK in the knowledge that it is the safest in the world. I do not believe that other countries can say that at the moment. I hope that that will give us a marketing opportunity in the near future.

Fel y soniais, yr oeddwn yn Ffrainc yr wythnos hon. Y stori fawr yn Ffrainc ar hyn o bryd yw mynychtra BSE yn y wlad honno. Tybiaf fod ffermwyr yn Ffrainc, ac o bosibl mewn rhai gwledydd Ewropeaidd eraill, yn wynebu’r sefyllfa a ddioddefodd ffermwyr yn y Deyrnas Unedig ers blynyddoedd. Fodd bynnag, gallwn bellach ddweud wrth brynwyr y tu allan i’r DU inni fod drwy’r sefyllfa honno a’n bod wedi dysgu’r gwersi. Bellach mae gennym y rheolaethau gorau yn y byd, a gall pobl brynu cig eidion o Gymru ac o weddill y DU gan wybod mai dyma’r cig eidion mwyaf diogel yn y byd. Ni chredaf y gall gwledydd eraill ddweud hynny ar hyn o bryd. Gobeithiaf y rhydd hynny gyfle marchnata inni yn y dyfodol agos.

Peter mentioned the adaptability of farming. I have said many times that farming is the oldest business on the planet. I will not say ‘oldest profession’, as that would get me into trouble. There have been 8,000 years of farming. The industry has not survived by standing still, but by being adaptable and by working to new conditions. Peter identified that in his speech. It is the National Assembly’s job to ensure that new opportunities are identified, that support is forthcoming and that people feel that they have friends in the National Assembly. They must feel that the National Assembly considers farming and agriculture essential to the economy not only of rural Wales, but of Wales as a whole.

Soniodd Peter am allu ffermio i addasu. Dywedais lawer tro mai ffermio yw’r busnes hynaf ar y blaned hon. Ni ddywedaf y ‘proffesiwn hynaf’, am y byddai hynny yn fy rhoi mewn trwbwl. Cafwyd 8,000 o flynyddoedd o ffermio. Ni oroesoedd y diwydiant drwy aros yn llonydd, ond drwy addasu a gweithio i amodau newydd. Nododd Peter hynny yn ei araith. Gwaith y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yw sicrhau y nodir cyfleoedd newydd, bod cefnogaeth gerllaw a bod pobl yn teimlo bod ganddynt gyfeillion yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Rhaid iddynt deimlo yr ystyria’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol fod ffermio ac amaethyddiaeth yn hanfodol, nid yn unig i economi Cymru wledig, ond i Gymru gyfan.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 107

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 107

Croesawaf y datganiadau a wnaethoch wrth ymateb i’r drafodaeth hon. Efallai y cymerwch y cyfle hwn i bwysleisio’r cyfraniad y mae amaethyddiaeth yn parhau i’w wneud i’r economi wledig. Yr ydym i gyd yn gwybod am y sylw a gafodd y datganiad anffodus nad yw amaethyddiaeth yn cyfrannu fawr ddim at gynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth. Efallai fod hyn yn gyfle i chi ddatgan pa mor bwysig yw amaethyddiaeth i’r economi wledig a’i bod yn parhau i fod yn asgwrn cefn i’r economi honno ac i swyddi mewn nifer o gymunedau gwledig.

I welcome the statements that you have made in responding to this discussion. Perhaps you will take this opportunity to emphasise the contribution that agriculture continues to make to the rural economy. We all know about the attention given to the unfortunate statement that agriculture makes little contribution to gross domestic product. Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to state how important agriculture is to the rural economy and that it remains the backbone of that economy and of jobs in a number of rural communities.

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 107

Carwyn Jones spoken in Welsh and English p. 107

Fel sosialydd, yr wyf bob amser yn awyddus i glywed pobl yn dweud na allwch fesur effaith rhywbeth ar yr economi wrth ystyried ffigurau yn unig. Mae hefyd ffactorau cymdeithasol ac amgylcheddol i’w hystyried. Cydnabyddaf y ffaith fod ffermio yn cyfrannu llawer i gefn gwlad ac nad yw ffigurau yn rhoi’r darlun llawn.

in Welsh As a socialist, I am always eager to hear people say that you cannot measure the effect of something on the economy merely by considering figures. There are also social and environmental issues to consider. I recognise the fact that farming contributes much to rural areas and that figures do not give the full picture.

Finally, we are striving to find a farming industry in Wales that is sustainable, strong and, above all, confident. In five or 10 years’ time—when I hope that farming will be more prosperous, more confident and stronger than it is now—we will look back on this time and say, ‘Yes, that was a very difficult time, but things have improved and we in the National Assembly made a real difference.’

yn Saesneg I gloi, ymdrechwn i ddod o hyd i ddiwydiant ffermio yng Nghymru sydd yn gynaliadwy, yn gryf ac, uwchlaw popeth, yn hyderus. Ymhen pum neu 10 mlynedd—pan fydd ffermio’n fwy llewyrchus, yn fwy hyderus ac yn gryfach nag y mae yn awr, gobeithiaf—edrychwn yn ôl ar y cyfnod hwn gan ddweud, ‘Oedd, yr oedd yn gyfnod anodd iawn, ond mae pethau wedi gwella ac fe wnaethom ni yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol wahaniaeth gwirioneddol.’

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 108

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 108

Before I close the session, may I remind Members that the annual meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch will be held here immediately after the session. I call on John Griffiths to chair the meeting. I thank Members and declare this session closed.

Cyn cloi’r cyfarfod hwn, a gaf i atgoffa’r Aelodau y cynhelir cyfarfod blynyddol o Gangen Cymdeithas Seneddol y Gymanwlad yma yn union ar ôl y cyfarfod. Galwaf ar John Griffiths i gadeirio’r cyfarfod. Diolchaf i’r Aelodau a datganaf fod y cyfarfod hwn wedi dod i ben.

Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 12.34 p.m.

The session ended at 12.34 p.m.