Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting
Dydd Mawrth 11 Ebrill 2000
Tuesday 11 April 2000
CynnwysContents
- 3Cwestiynau i’r Prif YsgrifennyddQuestions to the First Secretary
- 3Senedd Ewropeaidd (Dylanwadu ar Ddeddfwriaeth)European Parliament (Influencing Legislation)
- 7Arian Newydd ar gyfer Recriwtio Heddlu yng NghymruNew Money for Police Recruitment in Wales
- 9Cyrff Cyhoeddus a Noddir gan y CynulliadAssembly Sponsored Public Bodies
- 12Llais i’r Cynulliad (Cyrff Anllywodraethol Ledled y DU)Voice for the Assembly (UK-Wide Non-Governmental Organisations)
- 15Uwch Gynhadledd Lisbon (Cyfraniad Cymru)Lisbon Summit (Wales’s Contribution)
- 17Datganiad ar y Map Ardaloedd a GynorthwyirStatement on the Assisted Areas Map
- 24Datganiad ar Gyllid AmaethyddolStatement on Agricultural Funding
- 31Pwyntiau o DrefnPoints of Order
- 36Datganiad BusnesBusiness Statement 1 bleidlais1 vote
- 41Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol: Y Blaid GeidwadolMinority Party Debate: The Conservative Party 4 o bleidleisiau4 votes
- 70Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Plaid y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol)Minority Party Debate (The Liberal Democrat Party) 5 o bleidleisiau5 votes
PleidleisiauVotes
| PleidlaisVote | O blaidFor | YmatalAbstain | Yn erbynAgainst | CanlyniadResult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Datganiad BusnesBusiness Statement | ||||
| CynnigMotion | 24 | 0 | 25 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol: Y Blaid GeidwadolMinority Party Debate: The Conservative Party | ||||
| Gwelliant 1Amendment 1 | 13 | 0 | 35 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Gwelliant 2Amendment 2 | 20 | 7 | 22 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Gwelliant 3Amendment 3 | 20 | 27 | 3 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygioAmended motion | 28 | 0 | 22 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Plaid y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol)Minority Party Debate (The Liberal Democrat Party) | ||||
| Gwelliant 2Amendment 2 | 39 | 6 | 1 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Gwelliant 3Amendment 3 | 33 | 13 | 0 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Gwelliant 4Amendment 4 | 46 | 0 | 0 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Gwelliant 1Amendment 1 | 20 | 0 | 25 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygioAmended motion | 25 | 21 | 0 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
TrafodionProceedings
Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 2 p.m. gyda’r Llywydd yn y Gadair.
The Assembly met at 2 p.m. with the Presiding Officer in the Chair.
Cwestiynau i’r Prif Ysgrifennydd
Questions to the First Secretary
Senedd Ewropeaidd (Dylanwadu ar Ddeddfwriaeth)
European Parliament (Influencing Legislation)
What strategy would the First Secretary follow to enable the Assembly to influence legislation in the European Parliament as early as possible in the democratic process? (OAQ4708)
Pa strategaeth a ddilynai’r Prif Ysgrifennydd i alluogi’r Cynulliad i ddylanwadu ar ddeddfwriaeth yn y Senedd Ewropeaidd cyn gynted ag y bo modd yn y broses ddemocrataidd? (OAQ4708)
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 3
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3
The European Affairs Committee is currently looking at this issue and the report will be considered at its next meeting on 8 June. The concordat on co-ordination of European policy issues states that the UK Government will provide the Assembly with full and comprehensive information as early as possible on all European Union issues that are of interest to us. The creation of the Assembly’s own office in Brussels and our membership of the Wales European Centre will provide further means of support to identify the key issues early. The Subject Committees are the most appropriate place for discussions about detailed policy and a series of policy reviews have recently been prepared which assess the impact of European policy on different aspects of the Assembly’s work. These reports will be considered by each Subject Committee in due course.
Mae’r Pwyllgor Materion Ewropeaidd yn edrych ar y mater hwn ar hyn o bryd ac ystyrir yr adroddiad yn ei gyfarfod nesaf ar 8 Mehefin. Mae’r concordat ar gydlynu materion polisi Ewropeaidd yn datgan y bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn darparu gwybodaeth lawn a chynhwysfawr i’r Cynulliad cyn gynted ag y bo modd ynghylch holl faterion yr Undeb Ewropeaidd sydd o ddiddordeb i ni. Bydd creu swyddfa ei hun i’r Cynulliad ym Mrwsel a’n haelodaeth o Ganolfan Ewropeaidd Cymru yn darparu cymorth ychwanegol i ddynodi’r materion allweddol yn gynnar. Y Pwyllgorau Pwnc yw’r mannau mwyaf priodol ar gyfer trafodaethau am bolisi manwl a pharatowyd cyfres o adolygiadau polisi yn ddiweddar sydd yn asesu effaith polisi Ewropeaidd ar wahanol agweddau ar waith y Cynulliad. Bydd yr adroddiadau hyn yn cael eu hystyried gan bob Pwyllgor Pwnc gyda hyn.
How will you ensure that Welsh opinions and policies that benefit all of Wales will be effectively promoted once established?
Sut y byddwch yn sicrhau y bydd safbwyntiau Cymreig a pholisïau sydd o fudd i bob rhan o Gymru yn cael eu hybu’n effeithiol ar ôl eu sefydlu?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 3
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3
That depends on the quality of feedback we receive. We are a collective body but we rely on the three million people in Wales to lobby the 60 elected Members about issues that concern them. That is then fed through to the collective voice of the Assembly. If there is a pressing issue, which involves the potential for using the European Parliament and its legislative powers to ameliorate matters, we can proceed by that means. The issue is whether we have the backing of the three million people in Wales on a particular matter where perhaps there is a Welsh angle that is different from the UK angle. I am sure that, if we can persuade people in the rest of the UK and in Europe that we have a specific Welsh angle on an issue and strong Welsh backing for this view, we could make our voice heard.
Dibynna hynny ar ansawdd yr adborth a dderbyniwn. Corff cynulliadol ydym ond dibynnwn ar y tair miliwn o bobl yng Nghymru i lobïo’r 60 Aelod etholedig am y materion sydd o bwys iddynt. Porthir hynny wedyn i lais cynulliadol y Cynulliad. Os oes mater brys, sydd yn ymwneud â’r potensial i ddefnyddio’r Senedd Ewropeaidd a’i phwerau deddfwriaethol i wella materion, gallwn fynd ymlaen drwy’r cyfrwng hwnnw. Y cwestiwn yw a ydym yn cael cefnogaeth y tair miliwn o bobl yng Nghymru ar fater penodol lle y bo safbwynt Cymreig sydd o bosibl yn wahanol i safbwynt y DU. Yr wyf yn siŵr, os gallwn berswadio pobl yng ngweddill y DU ac yn Ewrop fod gennym safbwynt Cymreig penodol ar bwnc a chefnogaeth gref yng Nghymru i’r farn honno, y gallem gael gwrandawiad i’n llais.
There is a danger that we are simply reacting to something that is beyond our control or influence, unless we have scrutiny of draft legislation and directives at an earlier stage, before they are finalised. Can we have an assurance that the mechanisms we establish will enable the Assembly to receive the earliest possible feedback in order to feed through our misgivings and aspirations in any draft legislation and directives to the appropriate people so that we can make a difference?
Mae perygl mai’r cwbl a wnawn yw adweithio i rywbeth sydd y tu hwnt i’n rheolaeth neu’n dylanwad, oni allwn archwilio deddfwriaeth a chyfarwyddebau drafft yn gynharach, cyn iddynt gael eu cwblhau. A gawn sicrwydd y bydd y mecanweithiau a sefydlwn yn galluogi’r Cynulliad i dderbyn yr adborth cynharaf posibl er mwyn trosglwyddo ein hamheuon a’n dyheadau ynghylch unrhyw ddeddfwriaeth a chyfarwyddebau drafft i’r bobl briodol fel y gallwn wneud gwahaniaeth?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 4
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4
Dafydd assumes that the grass is greener on the Scottish side of the hill. The Scottish Parliament’s procedures are not necessarily better than our procedures simply because they are different. We placed an obligation on the Subject Committee and Scotland decided to set up a dedicated European Affairs Committee. Both our Subject Committees and Scotland’s European Affairs Committee can be involved at an early stage as long as they are aware that there is an angle on this issue. There is no reason to suppose that a dedicated European Affairs Committee—if that was the line of thought that Dafydd was promoting—will be any better at catching that sort of issue early on, where there is a specific Welsh need to be expressed distinctly from the rest of the UK or the rest of Europe. Our Subject Committees can do that if they are astute. In addition, if officials bring issues to their notice they can then be considered by the Subject Committee. Potentially, that is as good a method as having a separate European Affairs Committee.
Mae Dafydd yn rhagdybio fod y porfeydd yn frasach ar ochr yr Alban i’r bryn. Nid yw gweithdrefnau Senedd yr Alban o reidrwydd yn well na’n gweithdrefnau ni dim ond am eu bod yn wahanol. Rhoesom y Pwyllgor Pwnc o dan rwymedigaeth a phenderfynodd yr Alban sefydlu Pwyllgor Materion Ewropeaidd un pwrpas. Gall ein Pwyllgorau Pwnc a Phwyllgor Materion Ewropeaidd yr Alban gymryd rhan yn gynnar gyhyd â’u bod yn ymwybodol bod safbwynt ar y mater hwn. Nid oes rheswm i dybio y bydd Pwyllgor Materion Ewropeaidd un pwrpas—os mai hynny oedd y safbwynt yr oedd Dafydd yn hyrwyddo—yn well o gwbl wrth fachu ar fater o’r fath yn gynnar, lle y mae angen penodol Gymreig i’w ddatgan sydd yn wahanol i weddill y DU neu weddill Ewrop. Gall ein Pwyllgorau Pwnc wneud hynny os ydynt yn sylwgar. Yn ogystal, os daw swyddogion â materion i’w sylw gellir eu hystyried wedyn drwy’r Pwyllgor Pwnc. Gallai hynny fod yn ddull sydd gystal â chael Pwyllgor Materion Ewropeaidd ar wahân.
The animal transport directive that is currently being debated is a specific example of where this matters. In relation to Westminster, Mr Morley, Labour’s Minister for Fisheries and the Countryside, has indicated a hard-line approach against the live transportation of animals. What representations is he and Christine Gwyther, the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, making on behalf of Wales to oppose this, because it is deeply unpopular with Welsh farmers?
Mae’r gyfarwyddeb ar gludo anifeiliaid a drafodir ar hyn o bryd yn enghraifft benodol o bwysigrwydd hyn. Mewn perthynas â San Steffan, mae Mr Morley, Gweinidog Llafur dros Bysgodfeydd a Chefn Gwlad, wedi dangos ymagwedd ddigymrodedd yn erbyn cludo anifeiliaid byw. Pa sylwadau y mae ef a Christine Gwyther, yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig, yn eu cyflwyno ar ran Cymru i wrthwynebu hyn, oherwydd mae’n amhoblogaidd tu hwnt ymysg ffermwyr Cymru?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 5
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5
This has long been a matter of great concern to Welsh farmers, particularly those involved in the light lamb export trade from the eastern half of mid Wales. I cannot answer for the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee because I am not aware of whether it has taken a specific position on this matter. However, it is a matter for that Committee to state that there is a subject on which the Welsh view may be different from the UK view, that it wants to include the Welsh angle and that it wishes Europe to know about it. If the Committee decides to do that, I am sure that we will follow it through.
Mae hyn yn fater o bryder mawr ers talwm i ffermwyr yng Nghymru, yn enwedig y rhai sydd yn gysylltiedig â’r fasnach allforio ŵyn ysgafn o hanner dwyreiniol canolbarth Cymru. Ni allaf ateb dros y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig oherwydd ni wn a yw wedi mabwysiadu safbwynt penodol ar y mater hwn. Fodd bynnag, mae’n fater i’r Pwyllgor hwnnw ddatgan bod pwnc y gallai barn Cymru arno fod yn wahanol i farn y DU, ei fod yn dymuno cynnwys y safbwynt Cymreig a’i fod yn dymuno i Ewrop wybod amdano. Os penderfyna’r Pwyllgor wneud hynny, yr wyf yn sicr y byddwn yn dilyn y mater drwodd.
Does the First Secretary agree that the policies the Tories are following would lead to the renegotiation of European treaties and would leave Wales and the UK isolated from our European partners? Furthermore, does he agree that the best way to enhance our influence in Europe is to advance preparations for entry into the European single currency?
A yw’r Prif Ysgrifennydd yn cytuno y byddai’r polisïau a ddilynir gan y Torïaid yn arwain at ailnegodi cytundebau Ewropeaidd ac yn gadael Cymru a’r DU wedi eu hynysu oddi wrth ein partneriaid Ewropeaidd? Ymhellach, a yw’n cytuno mai’r dull gorau o hybu ein dylanwad yn Ewrop yw hyrwyddo’r paratoadau i ymuno â’r arian sengl Ewropeaidd?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 5
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5
I am not sure to which wing of the Conservative Party William Graham belongs. I assume that his reason for asking this question about influencing legislation while it is in the European Parliament is that he believes that that can be constructive. I do not think that he believes that ameliorating that legislation is a way of trying to distance Great Britain from mainland Europe and widening the English Channel from 22 miles to 44 miles.
Nid wyf yn sicr i ba adain o’r Blaid Geidwadol y mae William Graham yn perthyn. Cymeraf mai ei reswm dros ofyn y cwestiwn hwn ynghylch dylanwadu ar ddeddfwriaeth tra y bo yn y Senedd Ewropeaidd yw ei fod yn credu y gall hynny fod yn adeiladol. Ni thybiaf ei fod yn credu bod gwella’r ddeddfwriaeth honno’n fodd i geisio pellhau Prydain Fawr oddi wrth dir mawr Ewrop a lledu’r Môr Udd o 22 milltir i 44 milltir.
One could argue that we should be debating whether there is a distinct Welsh interest in the subject of the euro. However, we should not try to arrogate to ourselves any kind of primacy of role in this, relative to the UK Government. We all know what the Government’s stated position is, and it is an issue that will be determined by a referendum either before or after the next general election, following the Government deciding at some stage that the so-called economic tests have been met. We have not reached that stage yet. Therefore, it is academic at this stage to start talking about the Assembly making a determination on whether we are in favour of Great Britain joining the euro. I assume, Mick, that you would not be in favour of Wales joining the euro separately from the rest of the UK.
Gallai rhywun ddadlau y dylem drafod a oes buddiant Cymreig gwahanol ym mhwnc yr ewro. Fodd bynnag, ni ddylem geisio honni’r hawl i rôl flaenllaw o unrhyw fath i ni’n hunain yn y mater hwn, mewn perthynas â Llywodraeth y DU. Gwyddom oll beth yw’r safbwynt a ddatganwyd gan y Llywodraeth, ac mae’n fater a benderfynir drwy refferendwm naill ai cyn neu ar ôl yr etholiad cyffredinol nesaf, wedi i’r Llywodraeth benderfynu ar ryw adeg fod y profion economaidd honedig wedi eu cyflawni. Ni chyraeddasom y fan honno eto. Felly, mater academaidd ar hyn o bryd yw dechrau sôn am y Cynulliad yn penderfynu a ydym o blaid Prydain Fawr yn ymuno â’r ewro. Cymeraf, Mick, na fyddech yn dymuno i Gymru ymuno â’r ewro ar wahân i weddill y DU.
Membership of the euro would be advantageous to Wales for all sorts of reasons. That is evident from the current pressure on the steel industry and other manufacturing industries in Wales from relatively high interest rates. How does Rhodri see the Assembly taking part in the debate in Wales in the run-up to a referendum?
Byddai aelodaeth o’r ewro o fantais i Gymru am bob math o resymau. Mae hynny’n amlwg o’r pwysau presennol ar y diwydiant dur a diwydiannau gweithgynhyrchu eraill yng Nghymru oddi wrth gyfraddau llog cymharol uchel. Pa ran a wêl Rhodri i’r Cynulliad yn y ddadl yng Nghymru yn y cyfnod cyn refferendwm?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 6
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6
There is a problem about the powers to take part in euro campaigning activities. I have recently seen documentation which indicates that the Government of Wales Act would place some restrictions on us with regard to participating in such campaigning activities. Everybody has a right to a view and we would have a right to debate the issue. I agree with John Griffiths to the extent that any part of the UK that has a high degree of dependency on high volume, low value, low margin manufacturing activities, whether it be the West Midlands or Wales, would have been better off in terms of employment growth had we entered the euro at an appropriate rate, well under 3 deutschmark to the pound, compared to the present rate of 3.25 deutschmark to the pound. A weak euro has made Germany very competitive with us and has put pressure on the car and steel industries, and on television and component manufacturing. Our high dependency on those industries, along with not being in the euro at an appropriate rate, has also led to the enormous and unnecessary pressure that they are under.
Mae problem ynghylch y pwerau i gymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau ymgyrchu ar yr ewro. Gwelais ddogfennaeth yn ddiweddar sydd yn dangos y byddai Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru yn gosod rhai cyfyngiadau arnom mewn perthynas â chymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau ymgyrchu o’r fath. Mae gan bawb hawl i’w farn a byddai gennym hawl i drafod y mater. Cytunaf â John Griffiths i’r graddau y byddai unrhyw ran o’r DU sydd yn ddibynnol iawn ar weithgareddau gweithgynhyrchu swm uchel, gwerth isel, elw isel—gallai fod yn orllewin canolbarth Lloegr neu’n Gymru—wedi bod yn well ei fyd o ran twf mewn cyflogaeth pe baem wedi ymuno â’r ewro ar gyfradd briodol, ymhell o dan 3 deutschmark i’r bunt, o’i chymharu â’r gyfradd gyfredol o 3.25 deutschmark i’r bunt. Mae ewro gwan wedi gwneud yr Almaen yn gystadleuol iawn â ni ac wedi rhoi pwysau ar y diwydiannau ceir a dur, ac ar weithgynhyrchu setiau teledu a chydrannau. Mae ein dibyniaeth uchel ar y diwydiannau hynny, ynghyd â’r ffaith nad ydym yn yr ewro ar gyfradd briodol, wedi arwain hefyd at y pwysau aruthrol a diangen sydd arnynt.
Arian Newydd ar gyfer Recriwtio Heddlu yng Nghymru
New Money for Police Recruitment in Wales
What discussions has the First Secretary had with the Home Office on the implementation of new money for police recruitment in Wales? (OAQ4709)
Pa drafodaethau a fu rhwng y Prif Ysgrifennydd a’r Swyddfa Gartref ynghylch defnyddio arian newydd ar gyfer recriwtio heddweision yng Nghymru? (OAQ4709)
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 7
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7
I have had no such discussions with the Home Secretary. I understand that forces in England and Wales have been allocated funding from the crime fighting fund to recruit 5,000 police officers over and above the number of recruits originally planned for the next three years. Following the Home Secretary’s announcement on 27 March, the recruitment programme will be brought forward to deliver all 5,000 recruits within two years. Welsh forces received an additional 223 officers under the crime fighting fund. They will also benefit from the £91 million fund to modernise the police service in England and Wales, which was announced in the budget a few weeks ago.
Ni chefais drafodaethau o’r fath â’r Ysgrifennydd Cartref. Deallaf fod cyllid wedi ei ddyrannu i heddluoedd yng Nghymru a Lloegr o’r gronfa ymladd troseddu er mwyn recriwtio 5,000 o heddweision ar ben y nifer o recriwtiaid a fwriadwyd yn wreiddiol ar gyfer y tair blynedd nesaf. Yn dilyn cyhoeddiad yr Ysgrifennydd Cartref ar 27 Mawrth, deuir â’r rhaglen recriwtio ymlaen er mwyn cyflenwi’r 5,000 o recriwtiaid i gyd o fewn dwy flynedd. Derbyniodd heddluoedd Cymru 223 o swyddogion yn ychwanegol o dan y gronfa ymladd troseddu. Byddant hefyd yn elwa o’r gronfa o £91 miliwn i foderneiddio’r gwasanaeth heddlu yng Nghymru a Lloegr, a gyhoeddwyd yn y gyllideb ychydig wythnosau’n ôl.
Do you believe that, as the Assembly has a role in funding police authorities in Wales, we should have a say in how that money is spent, particularly in relation to the sum spent on civil and discrimination actions against Welsh forces?
A gredwch, gan fod rôl i’r Cynulliad wrth ariannu awdurdodau heddlu yng Nghymru, y dylem gael llais o ran y modd y gwerir yr arian hwnnw, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â’r swm a werir ar achosion sifil a gwahaniaethu yn erbyn heddluoedd Cymru?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 7
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7
There are matters that are directly related to the police authorities and the Home Office. There are also cross-cutting issues that involve the Assembly, and local authorities have duties that have a strong financial relationship with the Assembly through the rate support grant. There is a great deal that the Assembly wishes to do in terms of helping to fight and reduce crime and disorder. Crime reduction is high on the Assembly’s agenda because you cannot create safer, healthier, happier, wealthier and smarter communities where crime is a major problem. We made that clear during a Plenary debate on crime and disorder on 12 October 1999. The Assembly therefore has a strong interest in this issue, but the management, inspection and actions against police authorities is a function that remains with the Home Office.
Ceir materion sydd yn ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â’r awdurdodau heddlu a’r Swyddfa Gartref. Ceir materion trawsbynciol hefyd sydd yn gysylltiedig â’r Cynulliad, ac mae gan awdurdodau lleol ddyletswyddau sydd â chysylltiad ariannol cryf â’r Cynulliad drwy y grant cynnal trethi. Mae llawer iawn y dymuna’r Cynulliad ei wneud o ran helpu i ymladd a lleihau trosedd ac anhrefn. Mae lleihau troseddu’n uchel ar agenda’r Cynulliad oherwydd ni allwch greu cymunedau diogelach, iachach, hapusach a thaclusach lle y mae troseddu’n broblem fawr. Datganasom hynny’n glir yn ystod dadl yn y Cyfarfod Llawn ar drosedd ac anhrefn ar 12 Hydref 1999. Felly mae gan y Cynulliad fuddiant cryf yn y mater hwn, ond mae’r rheolaeth, yr arolygiaeth ac achosion yn erbyn awdurdodau heddlu yn swyddogaeth sydd yn eiddo i’r Swyddfa Gartref o hyd.
We are all aware of how the Home Secretary disgracefully misled the British public with his claims that an extra 5,000 police officers had been recruited. In reality, since May 1997, the total number has probably decreased. What is the position in Wales, not in terms of intention but what has actually happened since May 1997?
Yr ydym oll yn ymwybodol o’r modd gwarthus y camarweiniwyd y cyhoedd ym Mhrydain gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cartref gyda’i honiadau bod 5,000 o heddweision ychwanegol wedi eu recriwtio. Mewn gwirionedd, ers Mai 1997, mae’r cyfanswm wedi lleihau yn ôl pob tebyg. Beth yw’r sefyllfa yng Nghymru, nid o ran y bwriad ond o ran yr hyn a ddigwyddodd mewn gwirionedd ers Mai 1997?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 8
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8
I do not have the figures in front of me today, but my understanding is that there has not been a reduction in the numbers of police officers in Wales. If I am wrong about that I will write to Glyn.
Nid yw’r ffigurau gennyf o’m blaen heddiw, ond yr hyn a ddeallaf yw na fu gostyngiad yn niferoedd yr heddweision yng Nghymru. Os wyf yn anghywir am hynny, fe ysgrifennaf at Glyn.
The community of Mochdre in my constituency is experiencing problems of anti-social behaviour by a small number of people. Would you encourage North Wales Police and the local authorities to use their new powers under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to deal with this persistent problem?
Mae cymuned Mochdre yn fy etholaeth yn profi problemau o ran ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol gan nifer fach o bobl. A fyddech yn annog Heddlu Gogledd Cymru a’r awdurdodau lleol i arfer eu pwerau newydd o dan Ddeddf Trosedd ac Anhrefn 1998 i ddelio â’r broblem barhaus hon?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 8
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8
Local authorities and the police can work together to take firm action to deal with a persistent problem of that kind. It is not a power that has been used frequently, if at all, but it is available to be used. Therefore, the police and local authorities should not hesitate in using that power to become involved in order to try to deal with such a problem. There are probably such outbreaks in most constituencies once a year. They need to be dealt with because the nuisance, pain and aggravation caused to residents makes them want to leave the area, subsequently giving that area a bad reputation, which is then difficult to rebuild. Nipping the problem in the bud would be healthier for everybody involved.
Gall awdurdodau lleol a’r heddlu gydweithio i gymryd camau pendant i ddelio â phroblem barhaus o’r math hwnnw. Nid yw’n bŵer a ddefnyddiwyd yn aml, os o gwbl, ond mae ar gael i’w ddefnyddio. Felly, ni ddylai’r heddlu a’r awdurdodau lleol betruso rhag defnyddio’r pŵer hwnnw i gymryd rhan er mwyn ceisio delio â phroblem o’r fath. Mae digwyddiadau o’r fath yn y rhan fwyaf o etholaethau unwaith y flwyddyn yn ôl pob tebyg. Mae angen ymdrin â hwy oherwydd mae’r niwsans, y boen a’r gwaethygiad a achosir i drigolion yn peri iddynt ddymuno gadael yr ardal, gan roi enw drwg i’r ardal honno o ganlyniad, sydd yn anodd ei gywiro wedyn. Byddai lladd y broblem yn yr egin yn iachach i bawb sydd yn gysylltiedig.
Do you regret the present Government’s decision not to implement a Home Office review into sparsity costs of policing, which would have meant an extra £3 million for Dyfed-Powys Police, which translates into an extra 100 police officers? What will you do to put pressure on your colleagues in London to implement this report?
Ai testun gofid i chi yw penderfyniad y Llywodraeth bresennol i beidio â gweithredu adolygiad gan y Swyddfa Gartref ar gostau plismona ardaloedd prin eu poblogaeth, a fuasai wedi golygu £3 miliwn yn ychwanegol i Heddlu Dyfed-Powys, sydd yn gyfystyr â 100 o heddweision ychwanegol? Beth a wnewch i roi pwysau ar eich cydweithwyr yn Llundain er mwyn gweithredu’r adroddiad hwn?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 9
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9
I do not know whether I can regret that decision, because I am not sure whether other police forces in Wales would have lost officers to provide the additional 100, which, as Kirsty said, would have been recruited by or would have been available to Dyfed-Powys Police if the sparsity formula had been implemented. I do not know where the money would come from. Would the same money be reallocated to sparsely populated areas, therefore taking it from densely populated areas, or would it be an extra fund, on which sparsely populated areas could call, with no deleterious impact on urban parts of Wales? Until Kirsty gives me more details, I cannot answer that question directly.
Ni wn a allaf ofidio ynghylch y penderfyniad hwnnw, oherwydd nid wyf yn sicr a fyddai heddluoedd eraill yng Nghymru wedi colli heddweision i roi’r 100 ychwanegol a fuasai wedi eu recriwtio, fel y dywedodd Kirsty, gan Heddlu Dyfed-Powys neu a fuasai ar gael iddo pe bai’r fformwla teneurwydd wedi ei rhoi ar waith. Ni wn o ble y deuai’r arian. A gâi’r un arian ei ailddyrannu i ardaloedd prin eu poblogaeth, gan ei gymryd felly oddi wrth ardaloedd poblog, ynteu a fyddai’n gronfa ychwanegol, y gallai ardaloedd prin eu poblogaeth ei defnyddio, heb effaith niweidiol ar rannau trefol o Gymru? Hyd nes y bydd Kirsty yn rhoi mwy o fanylion i mi, ni allaf ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw’n uniongyrchol.
Cyrff Cyhoeddus a Noddir gan y Cynulliad
Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies
What proposals does the First Secretary have to reduce the number of Assembly sponsored public bodies over the next three years? (OAQ4704)
Pa gynlluniau sydd gan y Prif Ysgrifennydd i leihau nifer y cyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad yn ystod y tair blynedd nesaf? (OAQ4704)
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 9
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9
In the consultation paper, ‘A Better Wales’, we stated that we would review all of our major sponsored bodies—quangos, in old language—by 2003, so that we can be sure that they are working in the public’s best interests, making good use of the funds they receive and fitting in with the Assembly’s objectives. The Finance Secretary will shortly announce details of the review programme. We will consider the future of each quango in the light of that review.
Yn y papur ymgynghorol, ‘Gwell Cymru’, datganasom y byddem yn adolygu pob un o’r prif gyrff a noddir gennym—cwangos, yn yr hen ieithwedd—erbyn 2003, fel y gallwn fod yn sicr eu bod yn gweithio er budd gorau’r cyhoedd, gan wneud defnydd da o’r arian a dderbyniant a chydweddu ag amcanion y Cynulliad. Bydd yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid yn cyhoeddi manylion y rhaglen adolygu cyn hir. Byddwn yn ystyried dyfodol pob cwango yng ngoleuni’r adolygiad hwnnw.
As part of that review, will you consider the accountability of ASPBs such as, for example, the Arts Council of Wales, to see if it can be improved to ensure that those bodies fully meet the Assembly’s policies and objectives and that they give timely responses to the concerns of Assembly Members and Committees?
Fel rhan o’r adolygiad hwnnw, a fyddwch yn ystyried atebolrwydd cyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad fel, er enghraifft, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, i weld a ellir ei wella er mwyn sicrhau bod y cyrff hynny’n llwyr gyflawni polisïau ac amcanion y Cynulliad a’u bod yn ymateb yn brydlon i bryderon Aelodau a Phwyllgorau’r Cynulliad?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 10
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10
Peter has stirred up several hornets’ nests in that question. I am sure that he knows that Tom Middlehurst has advised the Post-16 Education and Training Committee that the Arts Council of Wales will shortly be the subject of a special management review. A further announcement will be made on that matter.
Mae Peter wedi cicio sawl nyth cacwn yn y cwestiwn hwnnw. Yr wyf yn sicr y gŵyr fod Tom Middlehurst wedi hysbysu’r Pwyllgor Addysg a Hyfforddiant Ôl-16 y bydd Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru’n destun adolygiad rheolaeth arbennig cyn hir. Gwneir cyhoeddiad pellach ar y mater hwnnw.
It is going a step further to say that, in effect, no quango can make a decision without it being subject to countermanding by a Committee or the whole Assembly. That would remove the ability to have quangos at all. We must all be aware that, sometimes, quangos make difficult decisions to terminate funding for a voluntary, arts or sports body. If we had to make those decisions, they would become subjects of tugs of war between different interests and parts of Wales. That would be difficult for us to handle. Maybe we could do so. I wonder whether we could, or whether it is easier to make the Arts Council accountable to the Assembly in a special way, then when it makes a decision that we do not like, we can countermand it by voting in Plenary or by transferring the responsibility of that decision to the Plenary. In those circumstances, we would not want quangos; we would do everything openly and would have to take responsibility for every decision. Peter must remember that when you gain as a result of a quango’s decision, you smile quietly about it and feel warm inside, but when you lose from one, you scream blue murder. That is the nature of politics. We would be in the firing line rather than the Arts Council of Wales or any other quango that has difficult winner and loser decisions to make every year.
Cam pellach na hynny yw dweud, i bob pwrpas, na chaiff yr un cwango wneud penderfyniad heb gael ei orchymyn i’r gwrthwyneb gan Bwyllgor neu’r Cynulliad cyfan. Byddai hynny’n dileu’r gallu i gael cwangos o gwbl. Rhaid inni oll fod yn ymwybodol bod cwangos, weithiau, yn gwneud penderfyniad anodd i derfynu cyllid i gorff gwirfoddol, celfyddydol neu chwaraeon. Pe bai’n rhaid i ni wneud y penderfyniadau hynny, byddent yn destun ymryson rhwng gwahanol fuddiannau a rhannau o Gymru. Byddai’n anodd inni ddygymod â hynny. Efallai y gallem wneud hynny. Tybed a allem, ynteu a yw’n haws gwneud Cyngor y Celfyddydau’n atebol i’r Cynulliad mewn modd arbennig, wedyn pan wna benderfyniad nad ydym yn ei hoffi, gallwn orchymyn i’r gwrthwyneb drwy bleidleisio yn y Cyfarfod Llawn neu drwy drosglwyddo’r cyfrifoldeb am y penderfyniad hwnnw i’r Cyfarfod Llawn. Mewn amgylchiadau o’r fath, ni fyddem am gael cwangos; gwnaem bopeth yn agored a byddem yn gorfod derbyn cyfrifoldeb am bob penderfyniad. Rhaid i Peter gofio y byddwch, wrth ennill o ganlyniad i benderfyniad gan gwango, yn gwenu’n ddistaw yn ei gylch ac yn teimlo’n braf ynoch chi’ch hun, ond y byddwch wrth golli o ganlyniad i benderfyniad yn gweiddi mwrdwr. Dyna natur gwleidyddiaeth. Atom ni y byddent yn tanio yn hytrach nag at Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru neu ryw gwango arall sydd â phenderfyniadau anodd i’w gwneud bob blwyddyn o ran collwyr ac enillwyr.
I ddilyn y pwynt hwnnw, a yw’r Prif Ysgrifennydd yn credu ei bod yn briodol inni ystyried diddymu rhai o’r cwangos a gwneud eu gwaith yn uniongyrchol atebol i’r Cynulliad? Cymeraf enghraifft Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru. Yr wythnos diwethaf, galwodd Ron Davies am weinidog diwylliant. Beth yw barn y Prif Ysgrifennydd ar greu gweinidog diwylliant ac adran ddiwylliant gref yn y Cynulliad, ddiddymu’r Cyngor Celfyddydau a thrwy hynny leihau nifer y cwangos a chynyddu atebolrwydd?
To follow on from that point, does the First Secretary believe that it is appropriate for us to consider abolishing some of these quangos and making their work directly accountable to the Assembly? I will use the example of the Arts Council of Wales. Last week, Ron Davies called for a minister for culture. What is the First Secretary’s opinion on creating a culture minister and a strong culture division in the Assembly, abolishing the Arts Council and, in so doing, reducing the number of quangos and increasing accountability?
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 11
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in Welsh p. 11
Mae’r math o atebolrwydd sydd gennym yn golygu ein bod yn noddi cwangos bob blwyddyn ac yn anfon llythyr strategol atynt sydd yn rhoi canllawiau ar beth y dylent ei wneud â’r arian. Mae’n debyg i’r math o atebolrwydd a fodolai pan oedd ysgrifennydd gwladol a dau is-ysgrifennydd yn rhedeg Cymru, ar wahân i’r ffaith fod llawer mwy o gyfleoedd gennym i ddadlau ynglŷn â’r hyn y mae’r cwangos yn ei wneud.
The kind of accountability that we have means that we sponsor quangos every year and send them a strategic letter which gives guidance on what they should do with the money. That is similar to the type of accountability that existed when a secretary of state and two under-secretaries were running Wales, apart from the fact that we have many more opportunities to argue about what the quangos do
Defnyddiodd Elin y gair ‘uniongyrchol’. Os yw uniongyrchol yn golygu cymryd y penderfyniadau i gael gwared ar gwangos, er enghraifft Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, a gwneud yr un gwaith drwy weinyddiaeth ddiwylliant, nid wyf yn siŵr ynglŷn â hynny. Pe byddem wedi penderfynu sefydlu adran ddiwylliant o fewn y gyfundrefn bresennol, byddem wedi cyhoeddi hynny gerbron y corff anrhydeddus hwn.
Elin used the word ‘direct’. If direct means taking the decisions to get rid of quangos, for example the Arts Council of Wales, and do the same work through a ministry of culture, I am not sure about that. If we had decided to establish a culture department within the existing system, we would have announced that before this honourable body.
In view of your commitment to making quangos work for the best interests of all in Wales, will you look at the Welsh Design and Advisory Service’s activities? Are you aware of allegations that, when businesses come to the WDSA for advice about manufacturing prototypes, they are encouraged to use the Design Engineering Research Centre? That organisation is based in the same premises at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff and is also in receipt of public funds. Do you agree that the fact that both these organisations are run by the same person, Professor Brown, gives rise to a possible conflict of interest? If you cannot give me a direct answer to this, will you write to me about the activities of these organisations, which I believe are detrimental to small businesses, such as one based in Usk?
Oherwydd eich ymrwymiad i beri i gwangos weithio er budd gorau pawb yng Nghymru, a wnewch ystyried gweithgareddau Gwasanaeth Dylunio ac Ymgynghorol Cymru? A ydych yn ymwybodol o honiadau bod busnesau, pan ddeuant at Wasanaeth Dylunio ac Ymgynghorol Cymru am gyngor ynghylch gwneud prototeipiau, yn cael eu hannog i ddefnyddio’r Ganolfan Ymchwil Peirianneg Dylunio? Mae’r corff hwnnw wedi ei leoli yn yr un adeilad yn Athrofa Prifysgol Cymru, Caerdydd ac mae hefyd yn derbyn cyllid cyhoeddus. A gytunwch fod y ffaith bod y ddau gorff hyn yn cael eu rhedeg gan yr un person, yr Athro Brown, yn achosi gwrthdaro buddiannau posibl? Os na allwch roi ateb yn syth i mi ar hyn, a fyddwch gystal ag ysgrifennu ataf am weithgareddau’r cyrff hyn sydd, yr wyf yn credu, yn niweidiol i fusnesau bach, fel un a leolir ym Mrynbuga?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 11
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11
I am familiar with that issue. I have also corresponded with the small firm in Usk, for which I have the highest admiration. This matter is probably better dealt with through correspondence. I have never regarded that body as, strictly speaking, a quango. Therefore, I am not sure that the conflict of interest that you allege relates to this question. However, I am happy to entertain correspondence with you, especially if you seek to draw my attention to anything untoward in the relationship between the two bodies and Professor Brown. I have never heard any personal criticism of him, although there is a difference of view between him and the firm in Usk.
Yr wyf yn gyfarwydd â’r mater hwnnw. Yr wyf finnau wedi gohebu â’r busnes bach ym Mrynbuga, y mae gennyf y parch mwyaf tuag ato. Gwell yw ymdrin â’r mater hwn drwy ohebiaeth yn ôl pob tebyg. Nid wyf erioed wedi ystyried y corff hwnnw’n gwango, a bod yn fanwl. Felly, nid wyf yn siŵr a yw’r gwrthdaro buddiannau a honnwch yn ymwneud â’r cwestiwn hwn. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn fodlon gohebu â chi, yn enwedig os ceisiwch dynnu fy sylw at unrhyw beth anffafriol yn y berthynas rhwng y ddau gorff a’r Athro Brown. Ni chlywais unrhyw feirniadaeth bersonol arno erioed, er bod gwahaniaeth barn rhyngddo a’r busnes ym Mrynbuga.
Llais i’r Cynulliad (Cyrff Anllywodraethol Ledled y DU)
Voice for the Assembly (UK-Wide Non-Governmental Organisations)
Has the First Secretary had any discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales about the need for a direct voice for the Assembly in nominations to UK-wide quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations? (OAQ4700)
A fu unrhyw drafod rhwng y Prif Ysgrifennydd ac Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru ynghylch yr angen am lais uniongyrchol i’r Cynulliad mewn enwebiadau i gyrff anllywodraethol lled-ymreolus ledled y DU? (OAQ4700)
I apologise for the omission of the key words ‘quasi-autonomous’ in the question on the order paper.
Ymddiheuraf am adael allan y gair allweddol ‘lled-ymreolus’ yn y cwestiwn ar bapur y drefn.
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 12
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12
I have never been persuaded of the virtue of the term Assembly sponsored public body as opposed to quango.
Nid wyf erioed wedi fy argyhoeddi o fantais y term corff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad o’i gyferbynnu â chwango.
I have not discussed this matter with the Secretary of State for Wales. However, the previous First Secretary discussed with him the question of introducing a statutory basis to ensure that the Assembly is consulted on appointments made by other Secretaries of State in Westminster to non-departmental public bodies, quangos and Assembly sponsored public bodies of a wider-than-Wales character. That is not being done yet, but contacts continue about this matter at an official level.
Ni thrafodais y mater hwn ag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru. Fodd bynnag, yr oedd y cyn Brif Ysgrifennydd wedi trafod y cwestiwn ag ef o gyflwyno sail statudol i sicrhau yr ymgynghorir â’r Cynulliad ynghylch penodiadau a wneir gan Ysgrifenyddion Gwladol eraill yn San Steffan i gyrff cyhoeddus anadrannol, cwangos a chyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad o’r math sydd yn ehangach na Chymru. Ni wneir hynny eto, ond mae’r cysylltiadau ynghylch y mater hwn yn parhau ar lefel swyddogol.
I am delighted to hear of progress on this issue. I believe that there are at least 37 UK-wide quangos on which we have representatives who purport to speak for Wales but on which neither you nor the rest of us have any right to influence appointments. If, in the interim, it were possible to push to include a voice for Wales and for the Assembly in a concordat, for example, it might speed up the process of final legislation on this issue.
Yr wyf yn falch iawn o glywed am gynnydd ar y mater hwn. Credaf fod o leiaf 37 o gwangos ledled y DU y mae gennym gynrychiolwyr arnynt sydd yn cymryd arnynt siarad dros Gymru ond nad oes gennych chi na’r gweddill ohonom unrhyw hawl i ddylanwadu ar benodiadau iddynt. Pe bai modd, yn y cyfamser, bwyso dros gynnwys llais dros Gymru a thros y Cynulliad mewn concordat, er enghraifft, gallai gyflymu’r broses o ddeddfu’n derfynol ar y mater hwn.
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 13
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13
We have influence over many of these appointments. The issue of whether you want to formalise it and whether Government departments or Ministers in Westminster are willing to do so does not mean that we do not have influence. I agree that we must get away from the tired old formulate that there must be a statutory Welsh man or woman on any quango or Royal Commission. That has probably been around since David Lloyd George was Prime Minister. Having a Commissioner for Public Appointments and an organised procedure should involve getting away from the tokenism of having a Welsh man or woman on every commission or board.
Mae gennym ddylanwad dros lawer o’r penodiadau hyn. Nid yw’r cwestiwn o ba un a ddymunwch ei ffurfioli ac a yw adrannau neu Weinidogion Llywodraeth yn San Steffan yn fodlon gwneud hynny yn golygu nad oes gennym ddylanwad. Cytunaf fod rhaid inni ddianc o’r hen fformwla dreuliedig bod rhaid cael Cymro neu Gymraes statudol ar unrhyw gwango neu Gomisiwn Brenhinol. Mae’n debyg bod hynny’n bod er pan oedd David Lloyd George yn Brif Weinidog. Pe bai Comisiynydd Penodiadau Cyhoeddus a gweithdrefn drefnus, dylai hynny olygu dianc o’r symboliaeth o gael Cymro neu Gymraes ar bob comisiwn neu fwrdd.
If there is a case on merit for having three Welsh men or women on a particular board, then there should be three rather than one. If there are no qualified Welsh men or women available, we should accept that on another board or Royal Commission that would be the case. There is a case for approaching this on merit. We must ensure that this is done in an organised way and that Wales’s interests are not ignored. We sometimes use informal influence and sometimes it would be better if this were laid down in legislation on which we would be consulted. That has been written into some legislation that has been introduced in the past 12 months.
Os oes dadl ar sail teilyngdod dros gael tri Chymro neu dair Cymraes ar fwrdd penodol, dylai fod tri neu dair yn hytrach nag un. Os nad oes Cymry neu Gymraesau cymwys ar gael, dylem dderbyn mai felly y bydd ar fwrdd neu Gomisiwn Brenhinol arall. Mae dadl dros ymdrin â hyn ar sail teilyngdod. Rhaid inni sicrhau y gwneir hyn mewn modd trefnus ac nad anwybyddir buddiannau Cymru. Yr ydym weithiau’n defnyddio dylanwad anffurfiol a byddai’n well weithiau pe câi hyn ei osod mewn deddfwriaeth y byddai ymgynghori â ni yn ei chylch. Mae hynny wedi ei gynnwys yn rhai o’r deddfau a gyflwynwyd yn y 12 mis diwethaf.
I am concerned about what Rhodri has just said. I hope that he is not implying that we should not be represented on public bodies that have jurisdiction over matters that are of concern to the people of Wales but are not matters for us. I am sure that that was not what he was implying, but I think that should be clarified. Given the additional responsibilities that devolution has created for some of the Welsh representatives on Assembly sponsored public bodies or quangos—I, like you prefer the old word—such as those of equality bodies like the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the new Disability Rights Commission, will he give consideration to pressing the sponsoring departments in Westminster to allow more time for representatives to do the additional work required under devolution?
Yr wyf yn bryderus ynghylch yr hyn y mae Rhodri newydd ei ddweud. Hyderaf nad yw’n awgrymu na ddylem gael cynrychiolaeth ar gyrff cyhoeddus sydd ag awdurdod dros faterion sydd o bwys i bobl Cymru ond sydd heb fod yn faterion i ni. Yr wyf yn sicr nad hynny a awgrymai, ond credaf y dylid rhoi gwedd eglurach ar hynny. O ystyried y cyfrifoldebau ychwanegol a greodd datganoli i rai o’r cynrychiolwyr o Gymru ar gyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad neu gwangos—fel chithau, mae’n well gennyf yr hen air—fel rhai cyrff cydraddoldeb fel y Comisiwn Cyfleoedd Cyfartal, y Comisiwn Cydraddoldeb Hiliol a’r Comisiwn Hawliau Anabledd newydd, a yw’n fodlon ystyried pwyso ar yr adrannau noddi yn San Steffan i ganiatáu mwy o amser i gynrychiolwyr gyflawni’r gwaith ychwanegol sydd yn angenrheidiol o dan ddatganoli?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 14
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14
That question is in two parts. I was exploring the possibility that there is a better way of making appointments than how they have been made over the past 100 years where, almost automatically, there is a token Welsh man or woman on every commission or board. I am confident that, if appointments were based on the merit of the Welsh population, we would be more likely to have more representation than the token one.
Mae dwy ran i’r cwestiwn hwnnw. Yr oeddwn yn ymchwilio i’r posibiliad bod gwell ffordd o benodi na’r modd y’i gwnaethpwyd dros y 100 mlynedd diwethaf lle y mae Cymro neu Gymraes symbolaidd, yn ddifeddwl bron, ar bob comisiwn neu fwrdd. Yr wyf yn ffyddiog, pe bai penodiadau’n seiliedig ar deilyngdod poblogaeth Cymru, y byddem yn fwy tebygol o gael mwy o gynrychiolaeth na’r un symbolaidd.
As for the Disability Rights Commission and other equal opportunity related bodies, I think that such bodies wish to ensure that they have a good geographical and sectoral spread concerned with different types of disabilities, inequalities or disadvantage. Most Assembly Members would like to be a fly on the wall when appointments are considered in London and when the issue of how to consult the Assembly, the Assembly Secretaries or Plenary are discussed. In general, Government departments in London ensure that we are consulted and that we can voice our opinion. When the board of S4C is appointed, we are consulted on a massive scale because the Department of Culture, Media and Sport cannot see the programmes and, even if it could, it would not understand them. It is technically the DCMS’s appointment but it wants us to be involved in the same way that a Government department in London normally would. I am not sure how big a problem this is in ensuring that we are fully consulted. There are probably one or two wrinkles in some departments that have not recognised the reality of devolution as quickly as others. I do not think that it is a major problem but I would be grateful to hear from anybody who thinks it is.
O ran y Comisiwn Hawliau Anabledd a chyrff eraill sydd yn ymwneud â chydraddoldeb, credaf fod cyrff o’r fath yn dymuno sicrhau bod ganddynt ddosbarthiad daearyddol a sectoraidd da sydd yn gysylltiedig â gwahanol fathau o anableddau, anghydraddoldebau neu anfantais. Hoffai’r rhan fwyaf o Aelodau’r Cynulliad fod yn bryf ar y pared pan ystyrir penodiadau yn Llundain a phan drafodir y cwestiwn o sut i ymgynghori â’r Cynulliad, yr Ysgrifenyddion Cynulliad neu’r Cyfarfod Llawn. Ar y cyfan, mae adrannau Llywodraeth yn Llundain yn sicrhau yr ymgynghorir â ni ac y cawn leisio ein barn. Pan benodir bwrdd S4C, ymgynghorir â ni’n helaeth iawn oherwydd ni all yr Adran Diwylliant, y Cyfryngau a Chwaraeon weld y rhaglenni a, hyd yn oed pe gallai, nis deallai. Penodiad yr Adran Diwylliant, y Cyfryngau a Chwaraeon ydyw’n dechnegol ond dymuna inni gymryd rhan yn yr un modd ag y byddai adran Llywodraeth yn Llundain fel arfer. Nid wyf yn sicr o faint y broblem hon o ran sicrhau yr ymgynghorir yn llawn â ni. Mae un neu ddau o frychau yn ôl pob tebyg mewn rhai adrannau na chydnabuasant realiti datganoli cyn gynted ag eraill. Ni chredaf ei bod yn broblem fawr ond byddwn yn ddiolchgar o glywed gan unrhyw un sydd yn credu ei bod.
Thank you for using the term quangos rather than Assembly sponsored public bodies, which other Cabinet members have used. I agree with you that we should move away from the tokenism of having a Welsh member on quangos. The Food Standards Agency is an England and Wales based quango from which Wales can benefit from England’s expertise. In England and Wales quangos, we can share the expertise that lies in Wales with other parts of the United Kingdom.
Diolch i chi am ddefnyddio’r term cwangos yn hytrach na chyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad, a ddefnyddiwyd gan aelodau eraill o’r Cabinet. Cytunaf â chi y dylem symud oddi wrth y symboliaeth o gael aelod Cymreig ar gwangos. Mae’r Asiantaeth Safonau Bwyd yn gwango ar gyfer Cymru a Lloegr y gall Cymru elwa drwyddi o arbenigedd Lloegr. Yng nghwangos Cymru a Lloegr, gallwn rannu’r arbenigedd a geir yng Nghymru â rhannau eraill o’r Deyrnas Unedig.
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 15
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15
I agree with that. Devolution has not meant the end of the creation of England and Wales quangos. They will continue to play a major part at this partially democratic level, depending on how good the accountability arrangements are. When that happens, in bodies such as the Food Standards Agency the level of expertise on matters of food and public health, food safety, consumer interest and information must be ensured. I am confident that when you do that— provided that you do not rely on some old boy’s network in the gentleman’s club in Pall Mall—we would get good representation based on merit from Wales. However, we must ensure that the Assembly trawls among people in Wales to ensure they realise that they can put their names forward without fear of being dismissed out of hand because they are not members of gentleman’s clubs in Mayfair.
Cytunaf â hynny. Nid yw datganoli wedi golygu diwedd ar greu cwangos dros Gymru a Lloegr. Byddant yn dal i chwarae rhan bwysig ar y lefel rannol ddemocrataidd hon, yn ôl pa mor dda yw’r trefniadau atebolrwydd. Pan ddigwydd hynny, mewn cyrff fel yr Asiantaeth Safonau Bwyd rhaid sicrhau lefel yr arbenigedd ar faterion bwyd a iechyd cyhoeddus, diogelwch bwyd, buddiant y defnyddwyr a gwybodaeth. Yr wyf yn ffyddiog, pan wnewch hynny—ar yr amod na ddibynnwch ar ryw rwydwaith o hen ddisgyblion yng nghlwb y boneddigion yn Pall Mall—y caem gynrychiolaeth dda ar sail teilyngdod o Gymru. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni sicrhau bod y Cynulliad yn chwilio ymysg pobl Cymru i sicrhau eu bod yn sylweddoli y gallant gyflwyno eu henwau heb ofni cael eu diystyru’n ddifeddwl am nad ydynt yn aelodau o glybiau boneddigion yn Mayfair.
Uwch Gynhadledd Lisbon (Cyfraniad Cymru)
Lisbon Summit (Wales’s Contribution)
What plans does the First Secretary have to ensure that Wales contributes to the UK’s ability to meet the targets agreed by European leaders during their Lisbon summit? (OAQ4707)
Pa gynlluniau sydd gan y Prif Ysgrifennydd i sicrhau bod Cymru’n cyfrannu at allu’r DU i gyrraedd y targedau a gytunwyd gan arweinwyr Ewropeaidd yn ystod yr uwchgynhadledd yn Lisbon? (OAQ4707)
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 15
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15
I assume that the targets to which you refer are the ones relating to the development of small and medium sized enterprises, the enhancement of research capacity and the shift to a knowledge-based economy. All of those fit in well with aspects of our Objective 1 programme and with the policy outlines in ‘Betterwales.com’. The Economic Development Committee will want to examine the conclusions of the Lisbon summit and consider their practical implications for Wales. The Huggins report from the Cardiff University Centre for Advanced Studies gave us a low rating. We have been saying for some months that there is a need to do something with our ability to generate new jobs in the growth sectors of the economy for knowledge-based industries and the research capability within Wales if it is to catch up with more advanced regions. The identification of the nub of the problem of the Welsh economy in the Huggins report is nothing new. However, the report gets to the heart of it and we must do something about building it up. It fits in well with the Lisbon summit conclusions.
Cymeraf mai’r targedau y cyfeiriwch atynt yw’r rhai sydd yn ymwneud â datblygu busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint, hybu’r gallu ymchwil a’r symudiad at economi sydd yn seiliedig ar wybodaeth. Mae pob un o’r rheini’n cydweddu’n dda ag agweddau ar ein rhaglen Amcan 1 a’r amlinelliadau polisi yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’. Bydd y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd eisiau edrych ar benderfyniadau’r uwchgynhadledd yn Lisbon ac ystyried eu goblygiadau ymarferol i Gymru. Yr oedd adroddiad Huggins o Ganolfan Uwchastudiaethau Prifysgol Caerdydd yn rhoi statws isel i ni. Yr ydym yn dweud ers rhai misoedd bod angen gwneud rhywbeth â’n gallu i greu swyddi newydd yn sectorau twf yr economi ar gyfer diwydiannau sydd yn seiliedig ar wybodaeth a’r gallu ymchwil oddi mewn i Gymru os yw i oddiweddyd y rhanbarthau mwy datblygedig. Nid oes dim yn newydd yn y dynodiad o graidd y broblem yn economi Cymru sydd yn adroddiad Huggins. Fodd bynnag, â’r adroddiad at hanfod hynny a rhaid inni wneud rhywbeth ynghylch ei gryfhau. Mae’n cydweddu’n dda â phenderfyniadau’r uwchgynhadledd yn Lisbon.
I fear that our policy on research and development is the least convincing of the three and I am concerned about that. One of the measures agreed is the establishment of a European innovation scoreboard. By June of this year, I assume that your Government, through the UK Government, will be responsible for reporting on policies for promoting research and development. Bearing in mind the present shortfall that we have of less than 2 per cent of research and development for 5 per cent of the population, what policies will you report to persuade the European Union that the Government of Wales has serious plans to close that gap quickly?
Ofnaf mai ein polisi ar ymchwil a datblygu yw’r lleiaf argyhoeddiadol o’r tri a phryderaf ynghylch hynny. Un o’r mesurau a gytunwyd yw sefydlu bwrdd sgorio arloesi Ewropeaidd. Erbyn Mehefin eleni, cymeraf y bydd eich Llywodraeth, drwy gyfrwng Llywodraeth y DU, yn gyfrifol am adrodd ar bolisïau i hybu ymchwil a datblygu. Gan gofio’r diffyg presennol sydd gennym o lai na 2 y cant o ymchwil a datblygu am 5 y cant o’r boblogaeth, pa bolisïau y byddwch yn adrodd amdanynt i argyhoeddi’r Undeb Ewropeaidd bod gan Lywodraeth Cymru gynlluniau difrif i gau’r bwlch hwnnw’n gyflym?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 16
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16
As a research scientist, that is something about which you have been concerned for many decades and I share your concerns. Apart from the Institute of Grassland Research in Aberystwyth and the new biomedical research institute that is to be built on the site of the medical school in Cardiff, there are few publicly funded research institutes. That also applies to university research. It requires more than the kind of funding that most university departments can obtain. In terms of the fixed bodies that can draw in big time money from the science research council and others, Wales has always suffered badly by comparison with Scotland and many of the English regions leaving aside Oxford and Cambridge’s domination of this discipline within the United Kingdom. A knowledge-based economy is now recognised as a definite part of the economic tools of the trade to ensure an evening up of the weaker regions with the richer. That is a key part of trying to ensure that the knowledge-based economy takes off in Europe in the same way as the USA and I am hopeful that we can act more quickly in correcting the Welsh deficit in science funding.
Fel gwyddonydd ymchwil, mae hynny’n rhywbeth y buoch yn pryderu yn ei gylch ers degawdau lawer a rhannaf eich pryderon. Ar wahân i’r Sefydliad Ymchwil Glaswelltir yn Aberystwyth a’r sefydliad ymchwil biomeddygol newydd sydd i’w godi ar safle’r ysgol feddygol yng Nghaerdydd, prin yw’r sefydliadau ymchwil a noddir gan y cyhoedd. Mae hynny hefyd yn wir am ymchwil gan brifysgolion. Mae’n gofyn mwy na’r math o gyllid sydd ar gael i’r rhan fwyaf o adrannau prifysgol. O ran y cyrff sefydlog sydd yn gallu denu arian mawr o’r cyngor ymchwil wyddonol ac eraill, mae Cymru wedi dioddef yn ddrwg erioed o’i chymharu â’r Alban a llawer o ranbarthau Lloegr heb roi ystyriaeth i dra-arglwyddiaeth Rhydychen a Chaergrawnt ar y ddisgyblaeth hon oddi mewn i’r Deyrnas Unedig. Gwelir economi’n seiliedig ar wybodaeth yn rhan bendant bellach o’r arfau economaidd i sicrhau cyfartalu rhwng y rhanbarthau gwannaf a’r rhai cyfoethocaf. Mae hynny’n rhan allweddol o geisio sicrhau bod yr economi sydd yn seiliedig ar wybodaeth yn cychwyn yn Ewrop yn yr un modd ag yn UDA ac yr wyf yn ffyddiog y gallwn weithredu’n gyflymach wrth gywiro’r diffyg yng Nghymru mewn cyllid gwyddoniaeth.
I am sure that many people in this Chamber would wish to express their support for the targets outlined in the Lisbon summit. Do you agree that it should be a priority to link every school in Wales to the internet as suggested by the Prime Minister? Will you give a guaranteed date by which the Government of Wales will achieve this?
Yr wyf yn sicr y byddai llawer yn y Siambr hon yn dymuno datgan eu cefnogaeth i’r targedau a amlinellwyd yn yr uwchgynhadledd yn Lisbon. A gytunwch y dylai fod yn flaenoriaeth cysylltu pob ysgol yng Nghymru â’r rhyngrwyd fel yr awgrymwyd gan y Prif Weinidog? A ydych yn fodlon rhoi sicrwydd o ddyddiad ar gyfer cyflawni hynny gan Lywodraeth Cymru?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 17
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17
That moves a little bit off the issue of the Lisbon summit conclusions. However, we are keen to see a full hook-up of Welsh schools to the internet. That is fairly well established in the USA. It is not universal yet. It is the UK Government’s intention to see that it happens in the UK. As far as Wales is concerned, I cannot give a target date. When a date becomes feasible, I will ensure that the Chamber knows.
Mae hynny’n mynd ychydig oddi wrth fater y penderfyniadau yn yr uwchgynhadledd yn Lisbon. Fodd bynnag, yr ydym yn awyddus i weld pob ysgol yng Nghymru wedi ei chysylltu â’r rhyngrwyd. Mae hynny wedi ei sefydlu’n eithaf cadarn yn UDA. Nid yw’n fyd-eang eto. Bwriad Llywodraeth y DU yw sicrhau y digwydd hynny yn y DU. O ran Cymru, ni allaf roi dyddiad targed. Pan fydd modd rhoi dyddiad, byddaf yn sicrhau y caiff y Siambr wybod.
Datganiad ar y Map Ardaloedd a Gynorthwyir
Statement on the Assisted Areas Map
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 17
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17
Yesterday, the UK Government announced the start of a consultation period until 2 May on revised proposals for the assisted areas map, which has now been submitted by the Government for the European Commission’s approval. The lack of an assisted areas map has concerned me in my economic development function, particularly since the European Commission has approved a map for Ireland, which is our nearest competitor in another member state. The fact that we do not have a map and that our nearest neighbour has had one since 31 December puts Wales in an unfavourable competitive position. Although Assembly officials have continued to make indicative offers of regional selective assistance, we all recognised that that situation could not continue for any length of time without resulting in considerable loss of future job prospects. Therefore, I am pleased that the Government is now moving forwards in submitting new proposals for the Commission’s approval.
Ddoe, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth y DU ddechrau cyfnod ymgynghori hyd 2 Mai ar gynigion diwygiedig ar gyfer y map ardaloedd a gynorthwyir, sydd bellach wedi ei gyflwyno gan y Llywodraeth i’w gymeradwyo gan y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd. Bu diffyg map ardaloedd a gynorthwyir yn destun pryder i mi yn fy swyddogaeth datblygu economaidd, yn enwedig ers i’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd gymeradwyo map ar gyfer Iwerddon, sef ein cystadleuydd agosaf mewn aelod wladwriaeth arall. Mae’r ffaith nad oes gennym fap a bod un gan ein cymydog agosaf ers 31 Rhagfyr yn rhoi Cymru mewn sefyllfa gystadleuol anffafriol. Er bod swyddogion y Cynulliad wedi parhau i roi cynigion dangosol o gymorth rhanbarthol dewisol, yr oeddem oll yn cydnabod na allai’r sefyllfa honno barhau’n hir heb arwain at gryn golled o ran rhagolygon swyddi yn y dyfodol. Felly, yr wyf yn falch bod y Llywodraeth yn symud ymlaen yn awr tuag at gyflwyno cynigion newydd i’w cymeradwyo gan y Comisiwn.
The new proposed assisted areas map is broadly similar to the one drafted last July and, overall, it represents a good deal for Wales. There is no change to the Objective 1 areas carrying over to full development area status. The original proposals have been altered in line with changes required by the European Commission to the way the map was devised. The principal change is in ensuring that areas in lower case—the intermediate development area category—are contiguous, substantial in terms of population, and have a large number of industrial sites relative to the level of population. Otherwise, the European Commission would take the view that the population cut on which it insisted was being circumnavigated by choosing wards with a low population but with large industrial sites.
Mae’r map ardaloedd a gynorthwyir arfaethedig newydd yn fwy neu lai yr un fath â’r un a ddrafftiwyd fis Gorffennaf diwethaf ac, at ei gilydd, mae’n golygu bargen dda i Gymru. Nid oes newid o ran trawsnewid yr ardaloedd Amcan 1 yn rhai â statws ardal ddatblygu llawn. Newidiwyd y cynigion gwreiddiol yn unol â newidiadau a fynnwyd gan y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd yn y modd y dyfeisiwyd y map. Y prif newid yw sicrhau bod ardaloedd mewn llythrennau bach—y dosbarth ardaloedd datblygu rhyngol—yn gyffiniol, yn sylweddol o ran poblogaeth, a bod ynddynt nifer fawr o safleoedd diwydiannol mewn cymhariaeth â lefel y boblogaeth. Fel arall, byddai’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd o’r farn bod y toriad mewn poblogaeth a fynnai yn cael ei osgoi drwy ddethol wardiau â phoblogaeth isel ond safleoedd diwydiannol mawr.
We fought vigorously for the inclusion of parts of Barry, Wrexham and parts of Flintshire on the map but, ultimately, we could not get everything that we wanted into the map. However, the changes imposed by Europe have resulted in the proportionate loss of population in the Welsh intermediate assisted area, being identical to England and Scotland. At the same time, the new methodology has enabled the inclusion of other strategically important areas in Wales. Some important sites will be included in the Government proposals that were not in the previous proposals and their inclusion is the result of considerable co-operation between local government and Assembly officials. During the next three weeks, the UK Government will consult with business, local government and academics on the new map. I hope that the Commission will give the map its early approval so that the Assembly can continue to provide the key forms of business support, particularly regional selective assistance, that helped to develop the Welsh economy.
Ymladdasom yn egnïol dros gynnwys rhannau o’r Barri, Wrecsam a rhannau o Sir y Fflint yn y map ond, yn y pen draw, ni allem gynnwys popeth a ddymunem yn y map. Fodd bynnag, mae’r newidiadau a orfodwyd gan Ewrop wedi arwain at golled poblogaeth anghymesur yn yr ardal a gynorthwyir rhyngol yng Nghymru, yn yr un modd ag yn Lloegr a’r Alban. Ar yr un pryd, mae’r fethodoleg newydd wedi ei gwneud yn bosibl cynnwys ardaloedd strategol bwysig eraill yng Nghymru. Cynhwysir rhai safleoedd pwysig yng nghynigion y Llywodraeth nad oeddent yn y cynigion blaenorol ac mae eu cynnwys yn ganlyniad i gryn gydweithredu rhwng llywodraeth leol a swyddogion y Cynulliad. Yn ystod y tair wythnos nesaf, bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn ymgynghori â busnes, llywodraeth leol ac academyddion ar y map newydd. Gobeithiaf y bydd y Comisiwn yn cymeradwyo’r map yn fuan fel y gall y Cynulliad barhau i ddarparu’r ffurfiau allweddol o gymorth busnes, yn enwedig cymorth rhanbarthol dewisol, a gynorthwyodd i ddatblygu economi Cymru.
You will already be aware of the deep disappointment throughout north-east Wales over the perceived failure to give full support to BAE Systems’ plans for the new airbus. That is now followed by the failure to secure Objective 2 status for any area in the north-east. I am sure that you will be conscious of the anger, especially in Wrexham, over the decision to remove so much of the assisted areas map from the north-east while expanding the areas eligible for RSA in the south. We must be conscious of a deepening sense that the Assembly—as people in the north-east see it—is only looking after the interests of the south. Do you accept that it is a matter of great priority to reassure people in north-east Wales of the importance of that area’s economic development in securing our overall economic strategy? You mentioned that in the next three weeks there will be consultation with business, local government and academics. There seems to be a significant omission from that list of Welsh representation. There is no reference to consultation with the Assembly. I will refer to the point raised when the initial map was submitted: we must press hard for the view of this democratically elected body to be heard on such an important issue.
Byddwch eisoes yn ymwybodol o’r siom fawr ledled gogledd-ddwyrain Cymru ynghylch y methiant canfyddedig i roi cefnogaeth lawn i gynlluniau BAE Systems ar gyfer y bws awyr newydd. Dilynir hynny’n awr gan y methiant i sicrhau statws Amcan 2 ar gyfer unrhyw ardal yn y gogledd-ddwyrain. Yr wyf yn sicr y byddwch yn ymwybodol o’r dicter, yn enwedig yn Wrecsam, ynghylch y penderfyniad i ddileu cymaint o’r map ardaloedd a gynorthwyir yn y gogledd-ddwyrain tra’n ehangu’r ardaloedd sydd yn gymwys i dderbyn cymorth rhanbarthol dewisol yn y de. Rhaid inni fod yn ymwybodol o ymdeimlad cynyddol nad yw’r Cynulliad— yng ngolwg pobl yn y gogledd-ddwyrain—ddim ond yn gofalu am fuddiannau’r de. A dderbyniwch mai mater o flaenoriaeth fawr yw rhoi sicrwydd i bobl yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru am bwysigrwydd datblygiad economaidd yr ardal honno wrth sicrhau ein strategaeth economaidd gyffredinol? Dywedasoch y bydd ymgynghori yn y tair wythnos nesaf â busnes, llywodraeth leol ac academyddion. Ymddengys bod un o bwys wedi ei adael allan o’r rhestr honno o gynrychiolaeth o Gymru. Nid oes cyfeiriad at ymgynghori â’r Cynulliad. Cyfeiriaf at y pwynt a godwyd pan gyflwynwyd y map cyntaf: rhaid inni bwyso’n galed dros gael gwrandawiad i farn y corff democrataidd etholedig hwn ar fater mor bwysig.
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 19
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19
That is a misunderstanding. As we are a corporate body, we cannot say that we will consult ourselves. We are consultees, although you can hardly call the Assembly a consultee. Views such as those expressed today and in the Economic Development Committee will automatically be taken into account.
Camsyniad yw hynny. Gan ein bod yn gorff corfforaethol, ni allwn ddweud y byddwn yn ymgynghori â ni’n hunain. Yr ydym yn ymgyngoredigion, er mai prin y gallech alw’r Cynulliad yn ymgyngoredig. Bydd safbwyntiau fel y rhai a fynegir heddiw ac yn y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd yn cael eu cymryd i ystyriaeth yn awtomatig.
I do not share Phil’s views on the impact of these changes on north Wales. He contradicts himself—I would have thought that the people of north Wales would be pleased that Broughton is now in the proposed assisted areas map. Furthermore, the Point of Ayr area of Flintshire is included. I believe that he is trying to say that the whole of north Wales will be devastated by today’s announcement. He might well say that about Wrexham—I am sure that there is understandable disappointment in Wrexham—but I do not believe that Flinthsire will share that disappointment. One part of north Wales is not doing well, as distinct from another that will be deeply relieved. I would have thought that the south eastern corner around Broughton and the north western corner around Ffynnongroyw, Point of Ayr and Prestatyn will be delighted that they have been proposed for inclusion in the map.
Nid wyf yn rhannu barn Phil am effaith y newidiadau hyn ar ogledd Cymru. Mae’n ei wrthddweud ei hun—tybiwn i y byddai pobl gogledd Cymru yn falch bod Brychdyn bellach yn y map ardaloedd a gynorthwyir arfaethedig. At hynny, mae ardal y Parlwr Du o Sir y Fflint wedi ei chynnwys. Credaf ei fod yn ceisio dweud y bydd y cyfan o ogledd Cymru’n cael ei ddistrywio gan y cyhoeddiad heddiw. Gallai ddweud hynny am Wrecsam—yr wyf yn siŵr bod siom ddealladwy yn Wrecsam—ond ni chredaf y bydd Sir y Fflint yn rhannu’r siom honno. Mae un rhan o ogledd Cymru nad yw’n gwneud yn dda, o’i chyferbynnu ag un arall a fydd yn teimlo rhyddhad mawr. Tybiwn fod y rhai yn y gornel dde-ddwyreiniol o gwmpas Brychdyn a’r gornel ogledd-orllewinol o amgylch Ffynnongroyw, y Parlwr Du a Phrestatyn wrth eu bodd eu bod wedi eu cynnig i’w cynnwys yn y map.
I agree with some of Phil Williams’s comments, particularly on the north-south divide. Your statement notes that you fought vigorously to include parts of Barry, Wrexham and Flintshire within the regional selective assistance map. What communications have there been between you and Westminster and will you publish those communications in the spirit of open government? What communications have come back rejecting it? Will you highlight why we have been prevented from including Barry, Wrexham and Flintshire within the regional selective assistance map? Regional selective assistance is one way of offering some state support to many organisations and areas outside the Objective 1 map. Is not the exclusion of Barry, Wrexham and Flintshire—particularly in relation to north east Wales, after snubbing Broughton by not awarding them the £25 million of regional selective assistance—particularly bad news for them and, on the whole, bad news for Wales?
Cytunaf â rhai o sylwadau Phil Williams, yn enwedig ar y rhaniad rhwng y de a’r gogledd. Mae’ch datganiad yn nodi eich bod wedi ymladd yn egnïol dros gynnwys rhannau o’r Barri, Wrecsam a Sir y Fflint oddi mewn i’r map cymorth rhanbarthol dewisol. Pa negeseuon a fu rhyngoch chi a San Steffan ac a wnewch gyhoeddi’r negeseuon hynny yn unol ag ysbryd llywodraethu agored? Pa negeseuon a ddaeth yn ôl yn ei wrthod? A nodwch y rheswm pam y’n rhwystrwyd rhag cynnwys y Barri, Wrecsam a Sir y Fflint yn y map cymorth rhanbarthol dewisol? Mae cymorth rhanbarthol dewisol yn un ffordd o gynnig rhywfaint o gymorth gwladol i lawer o gyrff ac ardaloedd oddi allan i’r map Amcan 1. Onid yw cau allan y Barri, Wrecsam a Sir y Fflint—yn enwedig mewn perthynas â gogledd-ddwyrain Cymru, ar ôl anwybyddu Brychdyn drwy beidio â dyfarnu iddynt y £25 miliwn o gymorth rhanbarthol dewisol—yn newyddion arbennig o ddrwg iddynt hwy ac, ar y cyfan, yn newyddion drwg i Gymru?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 20
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20
I am not sure whether Alun Cairns is agreeing or disagreeing with Phil Williams. He started by saying that he thought that Phil was wrong and ended by repeating almost exactly what Phil said. Broughton has been included and, therefore, the £25 million RSA grant not awarded to BAE Systems is irrelevant. I am not certain what he is trying to say.
Nid wyf yn sicr a yw Alun Cairns yn cytuno ynteu’n anghytuno â Phil Williams. Dechreuodd drwy ddweud ei fod yn credu bod Phil yn anghywir a gorffennodd drwy ailadrodd yr hyn a ddywedodd Phil yn union bron. Mae Brychdyn wedi ei gynnwys ac, felly, mae’r grant cymorth rhanbarthol dewisol na ddyfarnwyd i BAE Systems yn amherthnasol. Nid wyf yn sicr o’r hyn y mae’n ceisio ei ddweud.
Phil Williams a gododd—
Phil Williams rose—
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 20
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20
You have asked your question.
Gofynasoch eich cwestiwn.
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 20
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20
Alun Cairns is right that Wrexham and parts of Barry have been omitted. However, parts of the Vale of Glamorgan, which were not previously included in the map, are now included. I do not believe, therefore, that the Vale of Glamorgan as a whole has been completely disadvantaged. The issue is almost like the Arts Council of Wales issue that I mentioned earlier. If there will be a cut of such-and-such per cent in the population coverage, that cut will be the same in Wales, Scotland and England.
Mae Alun Cairns yn gywir wrth ddweud bod Wrecsam a rhannau o’r Barri wedi eu gadael allan. Fodd bynnag, mae rhannau o Fro Morgannwg, nad oeddent cynt wedi eu cynnwys yn y map, bellach wedi eu cynnwys. Ni chredaf, felly, fod Bro Morgannwg yn ei chyfanrwydd wedi ei rhoi’n llwyr o dan anfantais. Mae’r mater bron yn debyg i fater Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru y cyfeiriais ato’n gynharach. Os bydd toriad o hyn-a-hyn y cant yn y boblogaeth a gynhwysir, bydd y toriad yr un fath yng Nghymru, yr Alban a Lloegr.
We try to argue the best possible case for Wales, but you will not get everything that you want. In the end, you will not get the whole of Wales included in this map. Excluded areas will inevitably feel aggrieved. On the other hand, you must take a balanced view. You cannot get everything in. How do you decide which areas to include and which to exclude? Whatever you decide, local Assembly Members and local authorities are bound to kick up a fuss. It is a difficult issue once you accept that you will not get the whole of Wales into the assisted areas map—either as a full development area, where two thirds of Wales would be included, or the further 8 or 9 per cent that we have now got into the second tier assisted areas map.
Ceisiwn ddadlau’r achos gorau posibl dros Gymru, ond ni chewch bopeth yr ydych am ei gael. Yn y diwedd, ni lwyddwch i gynnwys Cymru gyfan yn y map hwn. Mae’n anorfod y bydd ardaloedd a adawyd allan yn teimlo iddynt gael cam. Ar y llaw arall, rhaid ichi edrych yn gytbwys ar hyn. Ni allwch gynnwys popeth. Sut yr ydych yn penderfynu pa ardaloedd i’w cynnwys a pha rai i’w gadael allan? Beth bynnag a benderfynwch, mae Aelodau Cynulliad lleol ac awdurdodau lleol yn sicr o godi helynt. Mae’n fater anodd ar ôl ichi dderbyn na lwyddwch i gael Cymru gyfan yn y map ardaloedd a gynorthwyir—un ai fel ardal ddatblygu lawn, lle y cynhwysid dwy ran o dair o Gymru, neu’r 8 neu 9 y cant pellach yr ydym wedi ei gael yn awr yn y map rhanbarthau cymorth o’r ail haen.
I wish to pick up on your last point. My understanding is that wards in Flintshire have been excluded from the RSA map, and that the area around BAE Systems in Broughton was included, and has remained, in the original map. It is bad news for Flintshire to have these wards taken out, which means that most of the county is excluded. Similarly with Wrexham—there must be great dismay there, as there is in Barry. What is happening in north-east Wales is the shrinkage of support that Government provides. We have had the BAE Systems disappointment at Broughton, and Objective 2 assisted status has been lost to them. There is a danger that Flintshire and Wrexham will become sandwiched between the Wales and Merseyside Objective 1 areas, and that their levels of support will lead to decline and people migrating outwards for jobs. We will need to look at that.
Dymunaf ddilyn eich pwynt olaf. Yr hyn a ddeallaf fi yw bod wardiau yn Sir y Fflint wedi eu gadael allan o’r map cymorth rhanbarthol dewisol, a bod yr ardal o gwmpas BAE Systems ym Mrychdyn wedi ei chynnwys, ac wedi aros, yn y map gwreiddiol. Mae’n newyddion drwg i Sir y Fflint bod y wardiau hyn wedi eu tynnu allan, sydd yn golygu bod y rhan fwyaf o’r sir wedi ei gadael allan. A’r un modd yn achos Wrecsam—rhaid bod siom fawr yn y fan honno, fel y mae yn y Barri. Yr hyn sydd yn digwydd yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru yw crebachu o’r cymorth a ddarperir gan y Llywodraeth. Cawsom y siom ynghylch BAE Systems ym Mrychdyn, ac maent wedi colli statws cymorth Amcan 2. Mae perygl y bydd Sir y Fflint a Wrecsam yn cael eu gwasgu rhwng ardaloedd Amcan 1 Cymru a Glannau Mersi, ac y bydd y lefelau o gymorth iddynt yn arwain at ddirywiad a phobl yn allfudo i gael swyddi. Bydd angen inni edrych ar hynny.
We should be looking at the methodology behind these maps so that there is transparency of operation and so that people are aware of the operational requirements and how they are put together. Disappointments in north-east Wales and Barry will need to be explained. We are still not clear from the information you have given us as to how that would come about. What influence do you have over the map and how it was determined? There is reference to the Welsh Local Government Association and the Assembly. Presumably that means you and the WLGA. Would it have been wise to involve more of us in that process?
Dylem ystyried y fethodoleg sydd y tu ôl i’r mapiau hyn fel bod tryloywder o ran gweithredu ac fel bod pobl yn ymwybodol o’r gofynion gweithredol a’r modd y’u rhoddir wrth ei gilydd. Bydd angen egluro’r siomiannau yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru a’r Barri. Nid yw’n glir inni o hyd o’r wybodaeth a roddasoch i ni sut y digwyddai hynny. Pa ddylanwad sydd gennych dros y map a’r modd y’i penderfynwyd? Mae cyfeiriad at Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru a’r Cynulliad. Ystyr hynny, yn ôl pob tebyg, yw chi a Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru. A fuasai’n ddoeth cynnwys mwy ohonom yn y broses honno?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 22
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22
The methodology determines the outcome. Once the Commission says that it wants a 27 per cent cut in population coverage of assisted areas throughout the European Community, every member state has to take a 27 per cent cut or whatever the figure might be. You must then decide the criteria by which you will choose where the 27 per cent cut will go. The original methodology would have selected chains of wards. In the Vale of Glamorgan, it involved going around the top end of Cardiff and Barry, via Peterston-super-Ely and even the parish of Michaelston-le-Pit, which is known to the Llywydd and myself, and through to Cardiff Wales Airport. The European Commission rejected that strategy. They wanted contiguous chunky areas of about 100,000 population, and also wanted the omitted areas to be chunky areas of around 100,000 population.
Y fethodoleg sydd yn penderfynu’r canlyniad. Unwaith i’r Comisiwn ddweud ei fod am gael toriad o 27 y cant yn y boblogaeth a gynhwysir mewn ardaloedd a gynorthwyir ledled y Gymuned Ewropeaidd, rhaid i bob aelod wladwriaeth dorri 27 y cant neu beth bynnag yw’r ffigur. Wedyn rhaid ichi benderfynu’r meini prawf a ddefnyddiwch i ddewis lle y bydd y toriad o 27 y cant. Byddai’r fethodoleg wreiddiol wedi dewis cadwyni o wardiau. Ym Mro Morgannwg, golygai fynd o gwmpas pen uchaf Caerdydd a’r Barri, drwy Lanbedr-y-fro a hyd yn oed plwyf Llanfihangel-y-pwll, sydd yn gyfarwydd i’r Llywydd a minnau, a drwodd hyd Faes Awyr Cymru Caerdydd. Gwrthododd y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd y strategaeth honno. Yr oeddent am gael ardaloedd swmpus o tua 100,000 o boblogaeth, ac yr oedd hefyd am i’r ardaloedd a adawyd allan fod yn ardaloedd swmpus o tua 100,000 o boblogaeth.
That was a huge restriction. It meant that we could do a bit of an area like Cardiff because it has 320,000 people, but we could not do a bit of Wrexham or the Vale of Glamorgan, although we managed to include three wards on the western side of the Vale of Glamorgan. It meant that either the whole of the Vale of Glamorgan, barring those three wards, was in or was out, and likewise for Newport and Wrexham. If the whole of Wrexham had been in, the rest of north-east Wales would have been out. That is why the areas closest to the Merseyside and Rhyl Objective 1 areas could be included on contiguity grounds. Mike and I have a difference of view on Broughton. Perhaps my memory or his memory is failing. I will write him a letter of apology if Broughton was in the previous map and I am wrong. I did not think Broughton was, but I could be wrong.
Yr oedd hynny’n gyfyngiad aruthrol. Golygai y gallem gael rhan o ardal fel Caerdydd am fod ynddi 320,000 o bobl, ond na allem gael rhan o Wrecsam neu Fro Morgannwg, er inni lwyddo i gynnwys tair ward ar ochr orllewinol Bro Morgannwg. Golygai y byddai un ai’r cyfan o Fro Morgannwg, heblaw am y tair ward honno, wedi ei gynnwys neu ei adael allan, a’r un modd yn achos Casnewydd a Wrecsam. Pe bai’r cyfan o Wrecsam wedi ei gynnwys, byddai gweddill gogledd-ddwyrain Cymru wedi’i adael allan. Dyna pam y gellid cynnwys yr ardaloedd sydd agosaf at ardaloedd Amcan 1 y Rhyl a Glannau Mersi am eu bod yn gyffiniol. Mae gan Mike a mi olwg wahanol ar Frychdyn. Efallai fod fy nghof i neu ei gof ef yn methu. Byddaf yn ysgrifennu llythyr o ymddiheuriad ato os wyf yn anghywir a bod Brychdyn yn y map blaenorol. Nid oeddwn yn credu bod Brychdyn ynddo, ond gallwn fod yn anghywir.
The truth is that Barry is out and Lisvane is in this new map. People will find this difficult to understand. It is not fair for the administration to hide behind bureaucrats in Brussels. The Council of Ministers dictates policy at the European level and that is administered by bureaucrats. The Government should have fought against this pernicious policy to argue that we must have large continuous areas, as you have indicated. This has destroyed some of the prospects that areas like Barry could have reasonably hoped to have. People in Barry will be embittered. Why can we not have an assisted areas policy that is based on the areas that need to be assisted?
Y gwir yw bod y Barri allan a bod Llys-faen wedi ei gynnwys yn y map newydd hwn. Bydd pobl yn ei chael yn anodd deall hynny. Nid yw’n deg i’r weinyddiaeth guddio y tu ôl i fiwrocratiaid ym Mrwsel. Cyngor y Gweinidogion sydd yn gosod polisi ar y lefel Ewropeaidd a gweinyddir hynny gan fiwrocratiaid. Dylai’r Llywodraeth fod wedi ymladd yn erbyn y polisi niweidiol hwn er mwyn dadlau bod rhaid inni gael ardaloedd helaeth di-fwlch, fel y nodasoch. Mae hyn wedi dinistrio rhai o’r rhagolygon y gallasai ardaloedd fel y Barri fod wedi gobeithio’n rhesymol amdanynt. Bydd pobl yn y Barri wedi chwerwi. Pam na allwn gael polisi ardaloedd a gynorthwyir sydd yn seiliedig ar yr ardaloedd y mae angen eu cynorthwyo?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 23
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 23
The competition directorate of the European Community is in charge of assisted areas proposals and it wanted a big cut. The cut was well over a quarter of the previous assisted areas. The British Government was legally advised that the competition directorate was on firm ground in ruling out the methodology that had been used in last summer’s proposals. After months of debate, the UK Government decided that it did not want to be taken to court on the matter. It also decided that it could not afford the delay that would be caused by the protracted legal dispute that David would have liked to have undertaken in defence of an alternative methodology, once it was clear that it was going to be rejected.
Cyfarwyddiaeth cystadleuaeth y Gymuned Ewropeaidd sydd yn gyfrifol am gynigion ardaloedd a gynorthwyir ac yr oedd am gael toriad mawr. Yr oedd y toriad ymhell dros chwarter o’r rhanbarthau cymorth blaenorol. Rhoddwyd cyngor cyfreithiol i Lywodraeth Prydain i’r perwyl bod y gyfarwyddiaeth cystadleuaeth ar dir cadarn wrth wrthod y fethodoleg a ddefnyddiwyd yng nghynigion yr haf diwethaf. Ar ôl misoedd o drafod, penderfynodd Llywodraeth y DU na ddymunai orfod mynd i gyfraith ar y mater. Penderfynodd hefyd na allai fforddio’r oedi a achosid gan y ddadl gyfreithiol hirfaith y byddai David wedi hoffi ymgymryd â hi er mwyn amddiffyn methodoleg arall, wedi iddi ddod yn amlwg y câi ei gwrthod.
David asked whether an assisted areas policy could be based on areas that need to be assisted. He also asked if Lisvane is more prosperous than Barry, and the answer is yes. Peculiarly, the Lisvane ward adjoins the Caerphilly area and can therefore be included legitimately on the grounds of contiguity. The same applies to the three western wards in the Vale of Glamorgan, which can be attached to the Bridgend area on the grounds of contiguity and still be within the total population cut we were offered. You could not do that for Barry. There is no contiguity, because Barry is not adjoined to any other full development area like Bridgend or Caerphilly.
Gofynnodd David a ellid seilio polisi ardaloedd a gynorthwyir ar ardaloedd y mae angen eu cynorthwyo. Gofynnodd hefyd a yw Llys-faen yn fwy ffyniannus na’r Barri, a’r ateb yw ydyw. Yn rhyfedd, mae ward Llys-faen yn cydffinio ag ardal Caerffili ac felly gellir ei gynnwys yn gyfiawn ar sail cyffinioldeb. Mae hynny’n wir hefyd am y tair ward orllewinol ym Mro Morgannwg, y gellir eu cyplysu ag ardal Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr ar sail cyffinioldeb a dal i fod oddi mewn i’r toriad ar gyfanswm y boblogaeth a gynigiwyd i ni. Ni allech wneud hynny yn achos y Barri. Nid oes cyffinioldeb, oherwydd nid yw’r Barri’n cydffinio ag unrhyw ardal ddatblygu lawn arall fel Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr neu Gaerffili.
You could say that that is the good fortune of Lisvane and the western wards around Cowbridge and Llandough, but that is the way the system works. David is surely not saying that we should miss an opportunity of attaching the western edge of the Vale of Glamorgan, or the northern tip of Cardiff to the adjoining full development areas in Caerphilly and Bridgend, because we could not include Barry because of any contiguity. It would have been a lost opportunity.
Gallech ddweud mai lwc Llys-faen a’r wardiau gorllewinol o gwmpas y Bont-faen a Llandochau’r Bont-faen yw hynny, ond felly y mae’r system yn gweithio. Siawns nad yw David yn dweud y dylem fethu cyfle i gyplysu ymyl gorllewinol Bro Morgannwg neu ben gogleddol Caerdydd â’r ardaloedd datblygu llawn cyfagos yng Nghaerffili a Phen-y-bont ar Ogwr, am na allem gynnwys y Barri oherwydd diffyg cyffinioldeb. Byddai’n gyfle a gollwyd.
This seems rather haphazard. I want a point of clarification. In the list we have seen, you mentioned the ward of Lisvane and St Mellons. There is no such ward as Lisvane and St Mellons in Cardiff. There is the ward of Lisvane, which is represented by one councillor, the ward of Pontprennau and Old St Mellons, which is represented by two councillors, and the separate ward of St Mellons. Can you clarify which part of north-east Cardiff is covered?
Mae hyn yn ymddangos pe bai wedi ei wneud ar hap braidd. Yr wyf am gael pwynt o eglurhad. Yn y rhestr a welsom, soniasoch am ward Llys-faen a Llaneirwg. Nid oes y fath ward â Llys-faen a Llaneirwg yng Nghaerdydd. Mae ward Llys-faen, a gynrychiolir gan un cynghorydd, ward Pontprennau ac Old St Mellons, a gynrychiolir gan ddau gynghorydd, a ward Llaneirwg ar wahân. A allwch egluro pa ran o ogledd-ddwyrain Caerdydd sydd wedi ei chynnwys?
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 24
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24
I cannot, but I will write to him. As far as I remember when I saw the map, it was the two wards that adjoin the Caerphilly local authority area. I think that is probably Lisvane and Pontprennau.
Ni allaf, ond byddaf yn ysgrifennu ato. Hyd y cofiaf pan welais y map, y ddwy ward sydd yn cydffinio ag ardal awdurdod lleol Caerffili oeddent. Credaf mai Llys-faen a Phontprennau yw’r rheini yn ôl pob tebyg.
A wnewch chi gadarnhau nad oes ward o’r enw Llaneirwg yn Nghaerdydd, ond bod ward o’r enw Trowbridge?
Will you confirm that there is no ward called St Mellons in Cardiff, but that there is a ward called Trowbridge?
Datganiad ar Gyllid Amaethyddol
Statement on Agricultural Funding
Edwina Hart The Finance Secretary spoken in English p. 24
Edwina Hart Yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24
On 30 March, the UK Government announced additional funding to help the farming industry. I am now in a position to make a statement about the financial implications for the Assembly and for farmers in Wales.
Ar 30 Mawrth, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth y DU gyllid ychwanegol i helpu’r diwydiant ffermio. Yr wyf bellach mewn sefyllfa i wneud datganiad am y goblygiadau ariannol i’r Cynulliad ac i ffermwyr yng Nghymru.
The financial measures fall into two broad categories. First, there are measures that are within the Assembly’s sphere of discretion. The UK Government has announced an extra £60 million in 2000-01 to help hill farmers. Of this, £50 million will be added to the reformed allowances for less favoured areas, which will be paid in spring 2001. The remaining £10 million will be used to fund measures, which will help hill farmers to improve business performance. The UK Government has based the allocation to Wales on the historical Welsh share of the hill livestock compensatory allowance expenditure. This means that the Assembly has been allocated £14.7 million to help hill farmers in 2000-01. Of this, £12.25 million will be added to the allowances for Tir Mynydd, the reformed Welsh HLCA scheme, for payment in Spring 2001. Discussions will be held with the farming unions and the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee about how the remaining £2.45 million can be used to help hill farmers improve their businesses within the framework of the rural development plan and the Objective 1 single programming document. This work is crucial if we are to help hill farmers raise incomes and become less reliant on subsidy in the longer term.
Mae’r mesurau ariannol yn perthyn i ddau ddosbarth cyffredinol. Yn gyntaf, mae mesurau sydd oddi mewn i gylch rhyddid penderfynu’r Cynulliad. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi cyhoeddi £60 miliwn yn ychwanegol yn 2000-01 i helpu ffermwyr mynydd. O hynny, ychwanegir £50 miliwn at y lwfansau diwygiedig ar gyfer ardaloedd llai ffafriol, a delir yng ngwanwyn 2001. Defnyddir y £10 miliwn sydd yn weddill i ariannu mesurau a fydd yn helpu ffermwyr mynydd i wella eu perfformiad busnes. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi seilio’r dyraniad i Gymru ar gyfran hanesyddol Cymru o’r gwariant ar lwfansau iawndal da byw tir uchel. Golyga hynny fod £14.7 miliwn wedi ei ddyrannu i’r Cynulliad i helpu ffermwyr mynydd yn 2000-01. O hynny, ychwanegir £12.25 miliwn at y lwfansau ar gyfer Tir Mynydd, y cynllun lwfans iawndal da byw tir uchel diwygiedig yng Nghymru, i’w dalu yng ngwanwyn 2001. Cynhelir trafodaethau â’r undebau ffermio a’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig ynghylch y modd y gellir defnyddio’r £2.45 miliwn sydd yn weddill i helpu ffermwyr mynydd i wella eu busnesau oddi mewn i fframwaith y cynllun datblygu gwledig a’r ddogfen raglennu sengl Amcan 1. Mae’r gwaith hwn yn holl bwysig os ydym i helpu ffermwyr mynydd i gynyddu eu hincwm a dod yn llai dibynnol ar gymorthdaliadau yn y tymor hwy.
In addition, the UK Government has announced an extra £2 million in 2000-01, to be shared between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, for a range of work to help farming businesses to adapt. It has now been agreed that £609,000 will be allocated to the Assembly. Christine Gwyther will be holding discussions with the farming unions and the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on how best to use this money, within the framework of the rural development plan and the Objective 1 SPD.
At hynny, mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi cyhoeddi £2 filiwn yn ychwanegol yn 2000-01, i’w rannu rhwng yr Alban, Cymru a Gogledd Iwerddon, ar gyfer amrediad o waith i helpu busnesau ffermio i ymaddasu. Cytunwyd bellach y caiff £609,000 ei ddyrannu i’r Cynulliad. Bydd Christine Gwyther yn cynnal trafodaethau â’r undebau ffermio a’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig ynghylch sut i ddefnyddio’r arian hwn orau, oddi mewn i fframwaith y cynllun datblygu gwledig a’r ddogfen raglennu sengl Amcan 1.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 30 March that, together with the Assembly, it would take the necessary steps to abolish dairy hygiene charges. There will be a common position of no charges throughout the UK, and this should mean that there are no state aid obstacles to proceeding. The Assembly will work with MAFF and the Food Standards Agency to make the appropriate regulations as quickly as possible. I am pleased that our representations to MAFF enabled this and that common sense has prevailed.
Cyhoeddodd y Weinyddiaeth Amaethyddiaeth, Pysgodfeydd a Bwyd ar 30 Mawrth y byddai, ynghyd â’r Cynulliad, yn cymryd y camau angenrheidiol i ddileu taliadau glanweithdra llaeth. Bydd sefyllfa gyffredin o fod heb daliadau ledled y DU, a dylai hynny olygu nad oes rhwystrau cymorth gwladwriaethol rhag mynd ymlaen. Bydd y Cynulliad yn gweithio gyda’r Weinyddiaeth Amaethyddiaeth, Pysgodfeydd a Bwyd a’r Asiantaeth Safonau Bwyd i wneud y rheoliadau priodol cyn gynted ag y bo modd. Yr wyf yn falch bod ein sylwadau i’r Weinyddiaeth Amaethyddiaeth, Pysgodfeydd a Bwyd wedi hwyluso hyn a bod synnwyr cyffredin wedi llwyddo.
The second category covers measures that legally must operate on a uniform basis throughout the UK. The areas are as follows. Dairy farmers throughout the UK will be paid £22 million to compensate them for the high value of sterling. This represents the full amount of agri-monetary compensation for which the dairy sector is eligible under the European Commission’s regulations. The UK Intervention Board will pay the money. We estimate that about £2.3 million of this money will be paid to Welsh farmers and will be added to the Assembly’s annually managed expenditure.
Mae’r ail ddosbarth yn cynnwys mesurau y mae’n ofynnol yn gyfreithiol iddynt weithredu’n unffurf ledled y DU. Mae’r meysydd fel a ganlyn. Telir £22 miliwn i ffermwyr llaeth ledled y DU i dalu iawn iddynt am werth uchel sterling. Mae hyn yn cyfateb i swm llawn yr iawndal amaeth-arianyddol y mae’r sector llaeth yn gymwys i’w dderbyn o dan reoliadau’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd. Bwrdd Ymyrraeth y DU fydd yn talu’r arian. Amcangyfrifwn y telir tua £2.3 miliwn o’r arian hwn i ffermwyr Cymru ac fe’i hychwanegir at y gwariant a reolir yn flynyddol gan y Cynulliad.
The UK Government will seek the approval of the European Commission to abolish the weight limit for animals entering the over 30 months scheme. It is estimated that this will cost an additional £20 million across the UK, of which around £2 million is likely to be paid to Welsh farmers. This scheme is also administered by the UK Intervention Board. The abolition of the weight limit is likely to be of particular benefit to dairy farmers. The plight of dairy farmers in Wales has been a major concern in the Assembly.
Bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn ceisio cymeradwyaeth gan y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd i ddileu’r terfyn pwysau ar gyfer anifeiliaid sydd yn dod i’r cynllun dros 30 mis. Amcangyfrifir y bydd hyn yn costio £20 miliwn yn ychwanegol ledled y DU, y mae £2 filiwn ohono’n debygol o gael ei dalu i ffermwyr yng Nghymru. Gweinyddir y cynllun hwn hefyd gan Fwrdd Ymyrraeth y DU. Mae dileu’r terfyn pwysau’n debygol o fod o fantais arbennig i ffermwyr llaeth. Bu trafferthion ffermwyr llaeth yng Nghymru yn bryder mawr yn y Cynulliad.
Beef farmers in the UK will be paid £22 million in agri-monetary compensation. Of this, about £2.3 million is likely to be paid to farmers in Wales. It will be paid out through the Assembly’s Agriculture Department and will come out of the annually managed expenditure. This means that the Assembly will draw down from the UK Government whatever money is needed to make the necessary payments in Wales.
Telir £22 miliwn i ffermwyr cig eidion yn y DU mewn iawndal amaeth-arianyddol. O hynny, mae tua £2.3 miliwn yn debygol o gael ei dalu i ffermwyr yng Nghymru. Fe’i telir drwy Adran Amaethyddiaeth y Cynulliad a daw o’r gwariant a reolir yn flynyddol. Golyga hynny y bydd y Cynulliad yn codi oddi wrth Lywodraeth y DU ba bynnag arian y mae ei angen i wneud y taliadau angenrheidiol yng Nghymru.
Sheep farmers in the UK will also be paid £22 million in agri-monetary compensation. Of this, about £6 million is likely to be paid to Welsh farmers. This money will again be paid out through the Assembly’s Agriculture Department and comes under the annually managed expenditure heading.
Telir £22 miliwn i ffermwyr defaid yn y DU hefyd mewn iawndal amaeth-arianyddol. O hynny, mae tua £6 miliwn yn debygol o gael ei dalu i ffermwyr yng Nghymru. Telir yr arian hwn eto drwy Adran Amaethyddiaeth y Cynulliad a daw o dan bennawd y gwariant a reolir yn flynyddol.
The UK Government has also presented proposals to the European Commission for a scheme to restructure the pig industry, which has been in particular trouble. Across the UK, £26 million has been allocated for this. As this money will be distributed in proportion to the relative importance of the pig sector within the regions of the UK, the Welsh share will be relatively small.
Mae Llywodraeth y DU hefyd wedi cyflwyno cynigion i’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd am gynllun i ailstrwythuro’r diwydiant moch, a fu mewn trafferthion arbennig. Ledled y DU, dyrannwyd £26 miliwn ar gyfer hyn. Gan y bydd yr arian hwn yn cael ei ddosbarthu mewn cyfrannedd â phwysigrwydd cymharol y sector moch oddi mewn i ranbarthau’r DU, bydd cyfran Cymru’n gymharol fach.
Additional funding for all of the above measures is provided by the UK Government. The additional funding that it announced on 30 March should mean an additional £28 million for Welsh farmers. The package will provide a breathing space for farmers and, as I have explained, includes measures to help them adapt. However, there is a common recognition among farming organisations in Wales that short-term measures are not enough. Farming must adapt. The measures that were set out in the rural development plan for Wales and in the Objective 1 single programming document will help to secure a more sustainable, long-term future for farming in Wales. Christine Gwyther will work with the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee to draw these measures together in a clear statement that sets out the long-term direction for Welsh agriculture and makes clear the action that the Assembly can and will take to help the industry move in that direction. There is a meeting of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee tomorrow, where we can discuss the package in more detail with Christine. Therefore, this was only a brief financial statement.
Darperir cyllid ychwanegol ar gyfer pob un o’r mesurau uchod gan Lywodraeth y DU. Dylai’r cyllid ychwanegol a gyhoeddodd ar 30 Mawrth olygu £28 miliwn ychwanegol i ffermwyr yng Nghymru. Bydd y pecyn yn rhoi cyfle i ffermwyr Cymru gael eu gwynt ac, fel yr eglurais, mae’n cynnwys mesurau i’w helpu i ymaddasu. Fodd bynnag, mae cydnabyddiaeth gyffredinol ymysg mudiadau ffermio yng Nghymru nad yw mesurau tymor byr yn ddigonol. Rhaid i ffermio ymaddasu. Bydd y mesurau a nodwyd yn y cynllun datblygu gwledig i Gymru ac yn y ddogfen raglennu sengl Amcan 1 yn helpu i sicrhau dyfodol tymor hir, mwy cynaliadwy i ffermio yng Nghymru. Bydd Christine Gwyther yn gweithio gyda’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig i dynnu’r mesurau hyn at ei gilydd mewn datganiad eglur sydd yn cyflwyno’r cyfeiriad tymor hir ar gyfer amaethyddiaeth yng Nghymru ac yn egluro’r camau y gall ac y bydd y Cynulliad yn eu cymryd i helpu’r diwydiant i symud yn y cyfeiriad hwnnw. Bydd cyfarfod o’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig yfory, lle y gallwn drafod y pecyn yn fanylach gyda Christine. Felly, dim ond datganiad ariannol byr oedd hwn.
Croesawaf y ffaith fod y datganiad swyddogol wedi ei wneud o’r diwedd yn y man a’r modd cywir. Mae’n ddatganiad hynod bwysig i’r diwydiant amaethyddol, gan roi £203 miliwn i Brydain a £28 miliwn i Gymru. Rhaid inni groesawu’r datganiad fel ymateb i sefyllfa bresennol y diwydiant amaethyddol yng Nghymru a ledled Prydain.
I welcome the fact that the official statement has been made at last in the correct place and manner. It is an extremely important statement to the agricultural industry, giving £203 million to Britain and £28 million to Wales. We must welcome the statement as a response to the present situation of the agricultural industry in Wales and throughout Britain.
Croesawaf y cyfeiriadau yn y datganiad at yr angen i drafod yr arian sydd yn dod i’r Cynulliad ac i drafod y penderfyniadau ar sut i’w wario. Pwysleisiwyd y cynhelir trafodaethau gyda’r diwydiant a’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig. Mae’n bwysig inni gynnwys ffermwyr ifanc yn y trafodaethau hyn. Mae ffermwyr ifanc yn hyrwyddo polisïau adeiladol a chreadigol yn y sefyllfa hon ac fe’u hanghofir yn aml. Yr ydym yn trafod eu dyfodol hwy.
I welcome the references in the statement to the need to discuss the money that is coming to the Assembly and to discuss the decisions on how to spend it. It was emphasised that discussions will be held with the industry and the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. It is important that we include young farmers in these discussions. Young farmers promote constructive and creative policies in this situation and they are often forgotten. We are discussing their future.
Croesawn y ffaith y bydd iawndal amaeth-arianyddol ar gael i’r diwydiant amaethyddol o’r diwedd. Buom yn brwydro’n galed am hyn a bu pwysau gwleidyddol o Gymru a’r Alban yn ceisio sicrhau yr iawndal hwn ers peth amser. Gwelwyd ffrwyth y pwysau hwnnw yn y datganiad o 10 Stryd Downing.
We welcome the fact that agri-monetary compensation will at last be available to the agricultural industry. We have been fighting hard for this and political pressure from Wales and Scotland has been trying to secure this compensation for some time. The fruit of that pressure was seen in the statement from 10 Downing Street.
Fel y dywedodd Edwina, telir yr iawndal hwn oherwydd effaith andwyol cryfder y bunt ar y diwydiant amaethyddol. Rhaid inni sylweddoli nad yw’r iawndal yn cyfateb i’r difrod a wnaethpwyd i’r diwydiant gan gryfder y bunt. Er bod yr iawndal yn bwysig, nid yw’n gwneud iawn am y difrod sydd wedi tanseilio’r diwydiant yng Nghymru.
As Edwina said, this compensation is paid because of the harmful effect of the strength of the pound on the agricultural industry. We must realise that this compensation does not correspond to the damage that has been done to the industry by the strength of the pound. Although the compensation is important, it does not make amends for the damage that has undermined the industry in Wales.
Mae’n bwysig bod Edwina yn nodi, ar ddiwedd y datganiad, y bydd Christine Gwyther a’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig yn ceisio llunio datganiad clir ar yr hyn y mae’r Cynulliad yn bwriadu ei wneud. Drwy gyfrwng y datganiad hwn o 10 Stryd Downing y mae gennym lwyfan y gallwn adeiladu arno. Yn awr yw’r amser i’r Cynulliad gyflwyno datganiad clir i’r diwydiant amaethyddol a chymunedau gwledig ar yr hyn y mae’n bwriadu ei wneud wrth adeiladu ar y llwyfan hwnnw. Bydd ymateb y Cynulliad, a’r weinyddiaeth Lafur yn arbennig, i’r argyfwng yng nghefn gwlad a’r diwydiant amaethyddol yn cael ei farnu ar sail y datganiad hwnnw.
It is important that Edwina notes, at the end of her statement, that Christine Gwyther and the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee will try to make a clear statement on what the Assembly intends to do. This statement from 10 Downing Street has given us a platform on which we can build. Now is the time for the Assembly to make a clear statement to the agricultural industry and rural communities on what it intends to do by building on that platform. The Assembly’s, and in particular the Labour administration’s, response to the crisis in rural areas and the agriculture industry will be judged on the basis of that statement.
Not only the Labour administration but the whole Assembly will be judged on how we respond to rural issues. I welcome the comments made by the Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Once again we start a process to deliver clear messages to the rural communities that this money is for compensation. We cannot underestimate the suffering and problems experienced in rural areas. Financial compensation is always necessary and helpful but it does not mean an end to problems. It is merely the start of a process.
Nid y weinyddiaeth Lafur yn unig a gaiff ei barnu yn ôl y modd yr ymatebwn i faterion gwledig ond y Cynulliad cyfan. Croesawaf y sylwadau a wnaethpwyd gan Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig. Unwaith eto dechreuwn broses i drosglwyddo negeseuon eglur i’r cymunedau gwledig bod yr arian hwn ar gyfer iawndal. Ni allwn fychanu’r dioddefaint a’r problemau a brofir mewn ardaloedd gwledig. Mae iawndal ariannol yn angenrheidiol ac yn gymorth ond nid yw’n golygu bod y problemau ar ben. Nid yw ond yn ddechrau proses.
Rhodri alluded to the fact that payments would be made in due course. We are hoping to pay the agri-monetary compensation on sheep with the first advantage to the sheep annual payments in late July and August. We will look for the agri-monetary compensation for beef to be paid from the autumn onwards. The compensation for dairy farmers is also likely to be paid from early autumn, to ensure that possible payments are made at that stage for quota users. We will obviously look for the additional money for less-favoured areas to be added to the payments due next spring. We are trying to get the money out as quickly as possible in real terms.
Cyfeiriodd Rhodri at y ffaith y gwneir y taliadau gyda hyn. Yr ydym yn gobeithio talu’r iawndal amaeth-arianyddol ar ddefaid gan ei ychwanegu’n gyntaf at y taliadau blynyddol defaid yn hwyr yng Ngorffennaf ac yn Awst. Byddwn yn ymorol am dalu’r iawndal amaeth-arianyddol ar gyfer cig eidion o’r hydref ymlaen. Mae’r iawndal i ffermwyr llaeth hefyd yn debygol o gael ei dalu o ddechrau’r hydref, er mwyn sicrhau y gwneir taliadau posibl bryd hynny i ddefnyddwyr cwotâu. Wrth gwrs, byddwn yn ymorol am ychwanegu’r arian ychwanegol ar gyfer ardaloedd llai ffafriol at y taliadau sydd i’w gwneud y gwanwyn nesaf. Yr ydym yn ceisio dosbarthu’r arian cyn gynted ag y gellir yn ymarferol.
On behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, I again welcome last week’s recognition of the crisis in Welsh agriculture and the financial awards announced today. We particularly welcome the continuation of the HLCA at the same level as the last two years, the removal of the over 30 months weight limit, the groundwater regulations, the abolishing of the dairy hygiene inspection charges and regulations presented to improve training and future planning in the agricultural sector. I remind you, however, that the dairy industry is moving in the same direction as the pig industry. You must remember that Welsh farmers are pleading for the ability to trade. It is all about fair rules and regulations, which are essential for Welsh agriculture to survive.
Ar ran Ceidwadwyr Cymru, croesawaf eto’r gydnabyddiaeth yr wythnos diwethaf i’r argyfwng yn amaethyddiaeth Cymru a’r dyfarniadau ariannol a gyhoeddwyd heddiw. Croesawn yn arbennig barhad y lwfansau iawndal da byw tir uchel ar yr un lefel â’r ddwy flynedd diwethaf, dileu’r terfyn pwysau dros 30 mis, y rheoliadau dŵr daear, dileu’r taliadau arolygu glanweithdra llaeth a’r rheoliadau a gyflwynwyd i wella hyforddiant a chynllunio ar gyfer y dyfodol yn y sector amaethyddol. Fe’ch atgoffaf, fodd bynnag, fod y diwydiant llaeth yn symud i’r un cyfeiriad â’r diwydiant moch. Rhaid ichi gofio bod ffermwyr Cymru’n ymbil am y gallu i fasnachu. Mae a wnelo hyn i gyd â rheolau a rheoliadau teg, sydd yn hanfodol er mwyn parhad amaethyddiaeth yng Nghymru.
I thank Peter for his comments and for welcoming last week’s announcements. The concerns of the whole Assembly about the dairy industry have been noted and I am sure that we will try to do everything that we can to help that sector.
Diolchaf i Peter am ei sylwadau ac am groesawu’r cyhoeddiadau yr wythnos diwethaf. Nodwyd pryderon y Cynulliad cyfan ynghylch y diwydiant llaeth ac yr wyf yn sicr y ceisiwn wneud popeth yn ein gallu i helpu’r sector hwnnw.
There was me thinking that I could be totally positive about this package after reading that common sense has prevailed. Unfortunately it has not. The Labour administration is responsible for this package, not the Assembly as one body. I would like that point clarified and to hear your views on who is responsible for this.
Dyna lle’r oeddwn yn meddwl y gallwn fod yn gwbl gadarnhaol ynghylch y pecyn hwn ar ôl darllen bod synnwyr cyffredin wedi llwyddo. Gwaetha’r modd, nid ydyw. Y weinyddiaeth Lafur sydd yn gyfrifol am y pecyn hwn, nid y Cynulliad fel un corff. Hoffwn weld egluro’r pwynt hwnnw a chlywed eich barn ynghylch pwy sydd yn gyfrifol am hyn.
Like previous speakers, I welcome the whole package, apart from the fact that the total offer for agri-monetary compensation has not been taken up, which is £65 million for beef and not the £20 million stated. I am pleased to hear about the timescale of payment of the rates. Cash flow is critical for the survival of numerous farmers. I would like for you to clarify that statement now and I look forward to an early statement about payment times.
Fel y siaradwyr blaenorol, croesawaf y pecyn cyfan, heblaw am y ffaith na chymerwyd y cwbl o’r iawndal amaeth-arianyddol a gynigiwyd, sef £65 miliwn ar gyfer cig eidion ac nid £20 miliwn fel y dywedwyd. Yr wyf yn falch o glywed am yr amserlen ar gyfer talu’r arian. Mae llif arian yn holl bwysig er mwyn parhad nifer fawr o ffermwyr. Byddai’n dda gennyf pe baech yn rhoi gwedd eglurach ar y datganiad hwnnw’n awr ac edrychaf ymlaen at ddatganiad buan am amseroedd talu.
I support the concept of consultation between the farming unions and the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. I endorse Rhodri’s plea that young farmers are involved in that process so that we make a statement about the future of farming and our commitment to keep young people involved. The last time I referred to this statement I was concerned about the flow of information through the civil service. It appears again that MAFF has stolen a march on us by announcing the rates of payments for English farmers. I hope that that information will be announced shortly in Wales.
Cefnogaf y syniad o ymgynghori rhwng yr undebau ffermio a’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig. Ategaf apêl Rhodri am gynnwys ffermwyr ifanc yn y broses honno fel y byddwn yn gwneud datganiad am ddyfodol ffermio a’n hymrwymiad i ofalu am ran pobl ifanc ynddo. Y tro diwethaf y cyfeiriais at y datganiad hwn yr oeddwn yn bryderus ynghylch y llif o wybodaeth drwy’r gwasanaeth sifil. Ymddengys eto fod y Weinyddiaeth Amaethyddiaeth, Pysgodfeydd a Bwyd wedi achub y blaen arnom drwy gyhoeddi cyfraddau’r taliadau i ffermwyr yn Lloegr. Hyderaf y cyhoeddir yr wybodaeth honno cyn hir yng Nghymru.
Christine Gwyther will make available the details of the payments tomorrow in the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. My duty today is to submit the financial statement of arrangements. I am not the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development. You also made a point about the Labour administration. I will claim credit for us as an administration and as a Government for producing a good package for farmers to try to help them out. The point that I was trying to make, following on from what Rhodri Glyn Thomas said, was that we have responsibility as an Assembly to ensure that we deal with this important aspect of Welsh life and community. I choose to be inclusive but if the Liberal Democrats do not want inclusiveness, I do not mind.
Bydd Christine Gwyther yn darparu manylion y taliadau yfory yn y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig. Fy nyletswydd heddiw yw cyflwyno’r datganiad ariannol am drefniadau. Nid yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig mohonof. Gwnaethoch bwynt hefyd am y weinyddiaeth Lafur. Hawliaf glod i ni fel gweinyddiaeth ac fel Llywodraeth am greu pecyn da i ffermwyr i’w helpu. Y pwynt y ceisiwn ei wneud, gan ddilyn yr hyn a ddywedodd Rhodri Glyn Thomas, oedd bod cyfrifoldeb arnom fel Cynulliad i sicrhau ein bod yn delio â’r agwedd bwysig hon ar fywyd a chymuned yng Nghymru. Dewisaf fod yn gynhwysol ond os nad yw’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn dymuno cynwysoldeb, nid wyf yn poeni.
Pwyntiau o Drefn
Points of Order
I raise a point of order under Standing Order No. 7.2. It relates to comments that were made about me in Plenary on 28 March. Members will be aware that this Standing Order prohibits the use of language which the Presiding Officer might consider to be disorderly, discriminatory or offensive, or which might detract from the dignity of the Assembly. On 28 March, I made a short speech in the Chamber in support of Government legislation that will hold landlords responsible for council tax on properties inhabited by asylum seekers. While speaking in support of this, I also made some reasonable observations about the growing crisis that has developed around asylum seekers.
Codaf bwynt o drefn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 7.2. Mae’n ymwneud â sylwadau a wnaethpwyd amdanaf yn y Cyfarfod Llawn ar 28 Mawrth. Bydd yr Aelodau’n ymwybodol bod y Rheol Sefydlog hon yn gwahardd y defnydd o iaith y gallai’r Llywydd ei hystyried yn groes i’r drefn, yn wahaniaethol neu’n dramgwyddus, neu’n amharu ar urddas y Cynulliad. Ar 28 Mawrth, gwneuthum araith fer yn y Siambr o blaid deddfwriaeth y Llywodraeth a fydd yn gwneud landlordiaid yn atebol am y dreth gyngor ar eiddo lle y mae ceiswyr nodded yn byw. Wrth siarad o blaid hyn, gwneuthum rai sylwadau rhesymol hefyd am yr argyfwng cynyddol a ddatblygodd o gwmpas ceiswyr nodded.
First, I said that the legislation was sensible since asylum seekers cannot work. That is a statement of fact. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work in this country. Two Members of this Chamber, John Griffiths and Carwyn Jones, deliberately misinterpreted this factual statement. Carwyn Jones stated that I had suggested that asylum seekers who come here, and I quote his words, are ‘lazy and unwilling to work’. I did not say this, as the record will show. I said that they cannot work, which is a fact.
Yn gyntaf, dywedais fod y ddeddfwriaeth yn synhwyrol gan na all ceiswyr nodded weithio. Datganiad o ffaith yw hynny. Ni chaniateir i geiswyr nodded weithio yn y wlad hon. Yr oedd dau Aelod o’r Siambr hon, John Griffiths a Carwyn Jones, wedi camddehongli’r datganiad ffeithiol hwn yn fwriadol. Dywedodd Carwyn Jones fy mod wedi awgrymu bod ceiswyr nodded a ddaw yma, a dyfynnaf ei eiriau, ‘yn ddiog ac yn amharod i weithio’. Ni ddywedais hynny, fel y bydd y cofnod yn dangos. Dywedais na allant weithio, sydd yn ffaith.
Worse was to follow. I went on to say that the majority of asylum seekers are found to be bogus. Again, this is an undisputed fact. The Labour Government in Westminster has acknowledged this. I asked for clear objectives from the Government about asylum seekers. I called on Peter Law to ask the Home Secretary to speed up the process for determining applications. That was all perfectly reasonable, yet John Griffiths accused me of using language that could, and I quote his words, ‘create a climate where physical attacks on people are encouraged’. He accused me of using language that was, and I quote again from the record, ‘xenophobic and borders on racism’. He suggested that I had used ‘racist language’. It is unacceptable that a Member of this Assembly can make spurious allegations against fellow Members who are engaged in reasonable debates about important issues. John Griffiths chose to ignore the reasonable points that I made. He made unfounded allegations against me of racism, xenophobia and of using language that was likely to incite violence. I call upon you, Llywydd, to rule these comments as being out of order. I urge John Griffiths to have the courage to make a personal statement retracting those comments and to offer me an apology.
Yr oedd gwaeth i ddilyn. Euthum ymlaen i ddweud y darganfyddir bod y rhan fwyaf o geiswyr nodded yn ffug. Unwaith eto, ffaith gydnabyddedig yw hon. Mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur yn San Steffan wedi cydnabod hyn. Gofynnais am amcanion clir oddi wrth y Llywodraeth am geiswyr nodded. Gelwais ar Peter Law i ofyn i’r Ysgrifennydd Cartref gyflymu’r broses ar gyfer penderfynu ar geisiadau. Yr oedd hynny oll yn berffaith resymol, ond fe’m cyhuddwyd gan John Griffiths o ddefnyddio iaith a allai, a dyfynnaf ei eiriau, ‘creu hinsawdd lle yr anogir ymosodiadau corfforol ar bobl’. Fe’m cyhuddodd o ddefnyddio iaith a oedd, a dyfynnaf eto o’r cofnod, ‘yn senoffobig ac yn ymylu ar hiliaeth’. Awgrymodd fy mod wedi defnyddio ‘iaith hiliol’. Mae’n annerbyniol bod Aelod o’r Cynulliad hwn yn gallu gwneud honiadau ffug am gyd-Aelodau sydd yn cymryd rhan mewn dadleuon rhesymol am faterion o bwys. Dewisodd John Griffiths anwybyddu’r pwyntiau rhesymol a wneuthum. Gwnaeth honiadau di-sail amdanaf o hiliaeth, senoffobia ac o ddefnyddio iaith a oedd yn debygol o ysgogi trais. Galwaf arnoch, Lywydd, i ddyfarnu bod y sylwadau hynny allan o drefn. Pwysaf ar John Griffiths i fod yn ddigon dewr i wneud datganiad personol yn tynnu’n ôl y sylwadau hynny a chynnig ymddiheuriad i mi.
I stand by what I said on the basis that we, as public representatives, have to be careful of what we say and of the effect it might have outside the Assembly. We have all seen the publicity in the newspapers recently surrounding the fact that elected representatives are capable of adding to or subtracting from a climate in society that could foster hostility to asylum seekers. That is a common sense point of view. People have anxieties, which are understandable in many respects, when they see people coming in to their community. There are anxieties and fears, and there is scope for misunderstanding and hostility. We have seen this on the south coast of England. I do not wish it to happen in Wales. I made reasonable points, Llywydd, that all of us bear that responsibility. We must be careful of what we say and do, so as not to help create a climate in society that could lead to hostility and, ultimately, the possibility of physical attack. These people come here with many problems. I wish them to have a warm welcome, not to face hostility and possible physical attack.
Daliaf at yr hyn a ddywedais ar y sail bod rhaid i ni, fel cynrychiolwyr cyhoeddus, fod yn ofalus ynghylch yr hyn a ddywedwn a’i effaith bosibl y tu allan i’r Cynulliad. Gwelsom oll y cyhoeddusrwydd yn y papurau newydd yn ddiweddar ynghylch y ffaith bod cynrychiolwyr etholedig yn gallu ychwanegu at neu dynnu oddi wrth hinsawdd mewn cymdeithas a allai fagu gelyniaeth at geiswyr nodded. Mae hynny’n safbwynt cyffredin. Mae gan bobl bryderon, sydd yn ddealladwy ar lawer ystyr, pan welant bobl yn dod i’w cymuned. Mae pryderon ac ofnau, ac mae posibiliad o gamddealltwriaeth a gelyniaeth. Gwelsom hyn ar arfordir de Lloegr. Ni ddymunaf i hynny ddigwydd yng Nghymru. Gwneuthum bwyntiau rhesymol, Lywydd, fod cyfrifoldeb arnom i gyd. Rhaid inni fod yn ofalus o’r hyn a ddywedwn ac a wnawn, fel na fyddwn yn helpu i greu hinsawdd mewn cymdeithas a allai arwain at elyniaeth ac, yn y pen draw, at y posibiliad o ymosodiad corfforol. Daw’r bobl hyn yma â llawer o broblemau. Dymunaf iddynt gael croeso cynnes, ac nid wynebu gelyniaeth a’r posibiliad o ymosodiad corfforol.
Although it is not for me to try to read what is in your mind, Llywydd, in my opinion, David Davies has pushed your tolerance to the limit. Certainly on many occasions and on many issues he has pushed to the limit the tolerance that Assembly Members should be afforded. It is not for me to judge, but I believe that it was right for me to point out on that occasion, and probably belatedly in respect of David Davies, that we must be careful about what we say and do. I stand by my remarks. I want those people to come to Wales and to receive a warm welcome, not meet the hostile atmosphere that I fear would be the result of David Davies’s remarks. I considered what I said carefully and I stand by it.
Er nad fy lle i yw ceisio darllen yr hyn sydd yn eich meddwl, Lywydd, yn fy marn i, mae David Davies wedi gwthio’ch goddefgarwch i’r pen. Yn sicr, ar lawer o achlysuron ac ar lawer o faterion mae wedi gwthio i’r pen y goddefgarwch y dylid ei ganiatáu i Aelodau’r Cynulliad. Nid fy lle i yw dyfarnu, ond credaf mai iawn oedd imi nodi ar yr achysur hwnnw, ac yn rhy hwyr yn achos David Davies, yn ôl pob tebyg, fod rhaid inni fod yn ofalus ynghylch yr hyn a ddywedwn ac a wnawn. Daliaf at fy sylwadau. Yr wyf am i’r bobl hynny ddod i Gymru a chael croeso cynnes, nid yr awyrgylch gelyniaethus yr ofnaf y byddai’n ganlyniad i sylwadau David Davies. Ystyriais yr hyn a ddywedais a glynaf wrtho.
Further to that point of order, I find it completely bizarre that someone should make a comment in this Chamber and then complain when it is thrown back at him or her. That is a negation of what this Chamber is about. I remind David of what I said. I said that his remarks could be interpreted in such a way that people might think that he is saying that asylum seekers are lazy and cannot work. If he thought his comments would not be picked up and criticised, he had another think coming. That is what this Chamber is all about. I did not accuse him of anything. I suggested that his comments could be interpreted in a certain way. I certainly interpreted them in that way. Nothing was said about David himself. In my view, his comments were criticised properly. He seeks to clarify his position now but it has taken him a fortnight to do so.
Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, fe’i caf yn gwbl ryfeddol i rywun wneud sylw yn y Siambr hon a chwyno wedyn pan luchir ef yn ôl ato ef neu hi. Mae hynny’n nacâd o bwrpas y Siambr hon. Atgoffaf David o’r hyn a ddywedais. Dywedais y gellid dehongli ei sylwadau yn y fath fodd fel y gallai pobl feddwl ei fod yn dweud bod ceiswyr nodded yn ddiog ac na allant weithio. Os credai na fyddai ei sylwadau’n cael eu codi a’u beirniadu, yr oedd yn methu’n arw. Dyna holl bwrpas y Siambr hon. Ni chyhuddais ef o ddim. Awgrymais y gellid dehongli ei sylwadau mewn modd penodol. Yn sicr, fe’u dehonglais felly. Ni ddywedwyd dim am David ei hun. Yn fy marn i, yr oedd ei sylwadau wedi eu beirniadu’n briodol. Mae’n ceisio egluro ei safbwynt yn awr ond cymerodd bythefnos iddo wneud hynny.
Although I was not named by David, I was also shocked by the way he phrased his comments. We must take into account the context in which David made his comments. UK politicians are increasingly using this subject and playing the race card in an unacceptable way. When read in that context, David’s comments were, I believe, not in order.
Er nad enwyd fi gan David, fe’m syfrdanwyd innau gan y modd y geiriodd ei sylwadau. Rhaid inni gymryd i ystyriaeth y cyd-destun y gwnaeth David ei sylwadau ynddo. Mae gwleidyddion y DU yn defnyddio’r pwnc hwn fwyfwy ac yn defnyddio hil mewn modd annerbyniol. O’u darllen yn y cyd-destun hwnnw, yr oedd sylwadau David allan o drefn, yr wyf yn credu.
I will first of all quote the words of Raj Chandran, the longest serving board member of the Commission for Racial Equality. He said that these matters should be aired and that we do a great disservice if we do not allow freedom of speech. I was here when David Davies spoke and he has faithfully quoted what he said. He did indeed say that asylum seekers could not work. That is a fact. There is nothing racist or xenophobic in that and it is not an incitement to violence. John Griffiths has spoken reasonably about why we should welcome genuine asylum seekers but has said nothing to justify his attack on David Davies.
Dyfynnaf yn gyntaf eiriau Raj Chandran, yr aelod bwrdd hwyaf ei wasanaeth ar y Comisiwn Cydraddoldeb Hiliol. Dywedodd y dylid gwyntyllu’r materion hyn ac y gwnawn gam mawr os na chaniatawn ryddid barn. Yr oeddwn yma pan siaradodd David Davies a dyfynnodd yr hyn a ddywedodd yn union gywir. Dywedodd, yn wir, na allai ceiswyr nodded weithio. Ffaith yw honno. Nid oes dim hiliol neu senoffobig yn hynny ac nid yw’n anogaeth i drais. Siaradodd John Griffiths yn rhesymol ynghylch pam y dylem groesawu ceiswyr nodded gwirioneddol ond ni ddywedodd ddim i gyfiawnhau ei ymosodiad ar David Davies.
In David’s support, I point out that he wrote to the Presiding Officer immediately after that debate. This is the first opportunity, Carwyn, that he has had to raise this matter in the Chamber, having spoken to the Presiding Officer immediately afterwards. We do not do genuine asylum seekers who deserve our hospitality any favours by suggesting that a problem with bogus asylum seekers does not exist in the UK and Wales. David Davies was perfectly proper in what he said and it is incumbent on John Griffiths and Carwyn Jones to make it clear that they are not suggesting in any way that David is racist or xenophobic. That would be an offensive attack on a fellow Assembly Member. There was nothing racist or xenophobic in what he said.
Er mwyn cefnogi David, nodaf ei fod wedi ysgrifennu at y Llywydd yn syth ar ôl y ddadl honno. Dyma’r cyfle cyntaf a gafodd, Carwyn, i godi’r mater hwn yn y Siambr, ar ôl siarad â’r Llywydd yn union wedyn. Ni wnawn gymwynas â cheiswyr nodded gwirioneddol sydd yn haeddu lletygarwch gennym drwy awgrymu nad oes problem o ran ceiswyr nodded ffug yn y DU ac yng Nghymru. Yr oedd David Davies yn gwbl weddus yn yr hyn a ddywedodd ac mae’n ddyletswydd ar John Griffiths a Carwyn Jones roi ar ddeall nad ydynt yn awgrymu mewn unrhyw fodd fod David yn hiliol neu’n senoffobig. Byddai hynny’n ymosodiad tramgwyddus ar gyd-Aelod Cynulliad. Nid oedd dim hiliol neu senoffobig yn yr hyn a ddywedodd.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 34
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34
I do not want to prolong this. I remind Members that we have a debate tomorrow on the adoption of revisions to the Protocol on Conduct in the Chamber relating to Standing Order No. 7.2, which relates to this matter.
Ni ddymunaf ymestyn hyn. Atgoffaf yr Aelodau fod gennym ddadl yfory ar fabwysiadu diwygiadau yn y Protocol ar Ymddygiad yn y Siambr sydd yn gysylltiedig â Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 7.2, sydd yn ymwneud â’r mater hwn.
Fy nghof yw bod David Davies wedi defnyddio’r ymadrodd ‘will never work’. Byddai’n werth gwirio’r cofnod. Mae gwahaniaeth mawr rhwng dweud hynny a dweud na all pobl sydd yn ceisio nodded weithio tra eu bod yn ceisio nodded.
My recollection is that David used the phrase ‘will never work’. It would be worth checking the record. There is a great difference between saying that and saying that asylum seekers cannot work while seeking asylum.
Credaf fod y rhan fwyaf ohonom yma, ac eithrio’r grŵp Ceidwadol efallai—ac nid wyf yn sicr am y grŵp cyfan—yn teimlo’n anghysurus iawn ynglŷn â’r hyn a ddywedodd David yn ystod y drafodaeth honno a’r ffordd y’i ddywedodd. Mae Nick yn gywir i ddweud y dylid cefnogi rhyddid i fynegi barn bob amser. Fodd bynnag, dylid mynegi’r farn honno’n gyfrifol. Credaf fod David wedi mynd ymhell dros y terfyn hwnnw. Dehonglodd llawer ohonom ei ddatganiadau fel rhai nad oeddem am fod ag unrhyw gysylltiad â hwy.
I believe that most of us here, with the exception of the Conservative group perhaps—and I am not sure about the entire group—felt most uncomfortable about what David said in that discussion and how he said it. Nick is right to say that freedom to express an opinion should be supported at all times. However, that opinion should be expressed responsibly. I believe that David went far over that boundary. Many of us interpreted his statements as ones with which we did not want to be associated in any way.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 34
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34
In response to David Davies’s point of order, I have studied the record and have discussed this matter and taken advice on it. John Griffiths referred to David Davies’s language. These are important distinctions. No allegation was made against David Davies. It was alleged that what he had said was bordering, or bordered, on racism. That seems to me to be an attempt—no doubt a carefully crafted attempt on John Griffiths’s part—to remain within Standing Order No. 7.2. I therefore cannot find that what was said about David Davies was a transgression of that Standing Order as it is currently constructed. However, I warn Members that in future we will be voting to adopt revisions to the protocol relating to Standing Order No. 7.2, which will be much firmer.
Mewn ymateb i bwynt o drefn David Davies, astudiais y cofnod a thrafodais y mater hwn a derbyn cyngor arno. Cyfeiriodd John Griffiths at iaith David Davies. Mae’r rhain yn wahaniaethau pwysig. Ni wnaethpwyd cyhuddiad yn erbyn David Davies. Honnwyd bod yr hyn a ddywedodd yn ymylu, neu wedi ymylu, ar hiliaeth. Ymddengys hynny i mi’n ymgais—ac yn ymgais ddeheuig ar ran John Griffiths, y mae’n siŵr—i aros oddi mewn i Reol Sefydlog Rhif 7.2. Felly ni allaf ddyfarnu bod yr hyn a ddywedodd am David Davies yn torri’r Rheol Sefydlog honno ar ei ffurf bresennol. Fodd bynnag, rhybuddiaf yr Aelodau y byddwn yn y dyfodol yn pleidleisio i fabwysiadu diwygiadau i’r protocol sydd yn ymwneud â Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 7.2, a fydd yn gadarnach o lawer.
Reference was made to my tolerance. I have been too tolerant in relation to Standing Order No. 7.2 in the past. I was misled by my Westminster experience into not realising that allegations against any outside person were out of order. Allegations against Members are always out of order. That will be made more explicit under the revised protocol, which covers several incidents that have taken place in this Chamber when I have perhaps veered too much towards looking for self-discipline and self-control and have not been sufficiently authoritarian. I warn you that after Easter I shall return a new, authoritarian Presiding Officer. I hope that we can now draw a line under this as we will consider this issue again tomorrow.
Cyfeiriwyd at fy ngoddefgarwch. Bûm yn rhy oddefgar ynghylch Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 7.2 yn y gorffennol. Fe’m camarweiniwyd gan fy mhrofiad yn San Steffan i beidio â sylweddoli bod cyhuddiadau yn erbyn unrhyw un y tu allan allan o drefn. Mae cyhuddiadau yn erbyn Aelodau allan o drefn bob amser. Bydd hynny wedi ei nodi’n eglurach o dan y protocol diwygiedig, sydd yn ymdrin â sawl digwyddiad a fu yn y Siambr hon pan wyrais ormod efallai at chwilio am hunanddisgyblaeth a hunanreolaeth a pheidio â bod yn ddigon awdurdodus. Fe’ch rhybuddiaf y byddaf yn dychwelyd ar ôl y Pasg yn Llywydd newydd, awdurdodus. Hyderaf y gallwn ddod â hyn i ben yn awr gan y byddwn yn ystyried y mater hwn eto yfory.
Point of order. This relates to the comprehensive spending review, about which we have heard much in recent weeks. Our understanding was that Objective 1 and other matters would be considered in the comprehensive spending review, which takes place in July. We now understand that the submission for bids under the comprehensive spending review had to be received by the end of March. I ask you, Presiding Officer, whether you have had a request from the First Secretary to make it clear to the Assembly what the nature of those submissions were before the end of March.
Pwynt o drefn. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â’r arolwg cynhwysfawr o wariant, y clywsom lawer amdano yn yr wythnosau diwethaf. Ein dealltwriaeth oedd y byddai Amcan 1 a materion eraill yn cael eu hystyried yn yr arolwg cynhwysfawr o wariant, sydd yn digwydd yng Ngorffennaf. Deallwn yn awr fod rhaid i’r cyflwyniadau am geisiadau o dan yr arolwg cynhwysfawr o wariant fod wedi eu derbyn erbyn diwedd Mawrth. Gofynnaf i chi, Lywydd, a dderbyniasoch gais gan y Prif Ysgrifennydd i roi ar ddeall i’r Cynulliad beth oedd natur y cyflwyniadau hynny cyn diwedd Mawrth.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 35
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 35
I have not had a request from the First Secretary on this matter to my knowledge. This is not a point of order for me. It is clearly a matter of business. Perhaps the Finance Secretary would like to comment.
Ni dderbyniais gais oddi wrth y Prif Ysgrifennydd ar y mater hwn hyd y gwn. Nid pwynt o drefn i mi yw hwn. Mae’n amlwg yn fater o fusnes. Efallai y carai’r Ysgrifennydd Cyllid wneud sylw.
Edwina Hart The Finance Secretary spoken in English p. 36
Edwina Hart Yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36
If there are problems, I would be delighted, at the earliest opportunity, to place a statement on the intranet to assist Members, outlining the procedures relating to the comprehensive spending review.
Os oes problemau, byddwn yn falch iawn, ar y cyfle cyntaf, o osod datganiad ar y fewnrwyd i gynorthwyo’r Aelodau, gan amlinellu’r gweithdrefnau sydd yn ymwneud â’r arolwg cynhwysfawr o wariant.
Datganiad Busnes
Business Statement
Andrew Davies The Business Secretary spoken in English p. 36
Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36
I will begin by informing Members of two statements that will be made in Plenary tomorrow. You will recall that on 29 March, my colleague Peter Law, the Secretary for Local Government and Housing, in responding to the Conservative Party minority debate on councillors’ allowances and, in particular, those of Cardiff City and County Council, said that he would write to the council that day, requesting it to withdraw those allowances voluntarily. If he did not receive a response he said that he would bring forward legislation for consultation. He also said that he would make a statement in Plenary within a fortnight. In the light of that, Peter will make a statement in Plenary tomorrow. The second statement will be by my colleague Edwina Hart, the Finance Secretary, on the budget. That follows her earlier statement on 28 March.
Yr wyf am ddechrau drwy hysbysu’r Aelodau am ddau ddatganiad a wneir yn y Cyfarfod Llawn yfory. Byddwch yn cofio bod fy nghyd-Aelod Peter Law, yr Ysgrifennydd Llywodraeth Leol a Thai, wrth ymateb ar 29 Mawrth i ddadl plaid leiafrifol y Blaid Geidwadol ar lwfansau cynghorwyr ac, yn benodol, rhai Cyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, wedi dweud yr ysgrifennai at y cyngor y diwrnod hwnnw, gan ofyn iddo dynnu’n ôl y lwfansau hynny o’i wirfodd. Pe na dderbyniai ateb dywedodd y byddai’n cyflwyno deddfwriaeth ar gyfer ymgynghori. Dywedodd hefyd y gwnâi ddatganiad yn y Cyfarfod Llawn o fewn pythefnos. Yng ngoleuni hynny, bydd Peter yn gwneud datganiad yn y Cyfarfod Llawn yfory. Bydd yr ail ddatganiad gan fy nghyd-Aelod, Edwina Hart, yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid, ar y gyllideb. Mae hynny’n dilyn ei datganiad cynharach ar 28 Mawrth.
Business on Tuesday 9 May is as reported last week. On 10 May, the motion to approve the Housing (Right to Buy) (Priority Charges) (Wales) Order 2000 has been deferred until later in the session. In its place there will be a motion to approve a revision to Standing Order No. 22.12. Business on Tuesday 16 May is as I reported last week. As I reported to the Business Committee this morning, on Wednesday 17 May the debate on film production in Wales has been replaced by a debate on the new Assembly building. The debate on film production in Wales will be deferred until June.
Bydd y busnes ddydd Mawrth 9 Mai fel y’i hadroddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf. Ar 10 Mai, gohiriwyd y cynnig i gymeradwyo’r Gorchymyn Tai (Hawl i Brynu) (Taliadau Blaenoriaeth) 2000 hyd yn ddiweddarach yn y sesiwn. Yn ei le bydd cynnig i gymeradwyo diwygiad i Reol Sefydlog Rhif 22.12. Mae’r busnes ddydd Mawrth 16 Mai fel y’i hadroddais yr wythnos diwethaf. Fel yr adroddais i’r Pwyllgor Busnes y bore yma, ddydd Mercher 17 Mai, yn lle’r ddadl ar gynhyrchu ffilmiau yng Nghymru rhoddwyd dadl ar adeilad newydd y Cynulliad. Gohirir y ddadl ar gynhyrchu ffilmiau yng Nghymru hyd Fehefin.
On Tuesday 23 May there will be a debate on a children’s commissioner and on Wednesday 24 May business will include a debate on the Objective 2 and Objective 3 programmes. Arrangements will be made to post a copy of my statement to both the intranet and the internet later today.
Ddydd Mawrth 23 Mai bydd dadl ar gomisiynydd plant a dydd Mercher 24 Mai bydd y busnes yn cynnwys dadl ar y rhaglenni Amcan 2 ac Amcan 3. Gwneir trefniadau i osod copi o’m datganiad ar y fewnrwyd ac ar y rhyngrwyd yn ddiweddarach heddiw.
I object to the business statement.
Gwrthwynebaf y datganiad busnes.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 37
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 37
Are there 10 objections to the business statement?
A oes 10 gwrthwynebiad i’r datganiad busnes?
I see that there are. Therefore, under Standing Order No. 5.4, I call the Business Secretary to propose the business statement. I can allow one Member from each group to respond before the Business Secretary replies and I call a vote.
Gwelaf fod. Felly, o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 5.4, galwaf ar y Trefnydd i gynnig y datganiad busnes. Gallaf ganiatáu i un Aelod o bob grŵp ymateb cyn y bydd y Trefnydd yn ateb ac y galwaf am bleidlais.
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
First, I want to refresh the memory of the Assembly as to what was decided during the Welsh Conservative minority party debate on 29 March. We debated capping Welsh councillors’ allowances and, as the Business Secretary said, it related particularly, although not exclusively, to Cardiff city councillors. That debate was followed by a vote and 27 Members voted in favour of the motion, while 20 Members from the Labour group abstained. Nobody voted against it.
Yn gyntaf, dymunaf atgoffa’r Cynulliad o’r hyn a benderfynwyd yn ystod dadl plaid leiafrifol Ceidwadwyr Cymru ar 29 Mawrth. Trafodasom gapio lwfansau cynghorwyr yng Nghymru ac, fel y dywedodd y Trefnydd, yr oedd yn ymwneud yn benodol, er nad yn gyfan gwbl, â chynghorwyr dinas Caerdydd. Ar ôl y ddadl honno bu pleidlais a phleidleisiodd 27 Aelod o blaid y cynnig, tra ymataliodd 20 Aelod o’r grŵp Llafur. Ni phleidleisiodd neb yn ei erbyn.
During the course of my closing speech, I asked the Secretary for Local Government and Housing to indicate what he proposed to do and he said that he would bring forward proposals for urgent action within two weeks. Those proposals have not been brought before the Assembly and there is no indication of what they might be. We feel that this issue is being kicked into the long grass. There is a danger that the Labour Party is trying to get out of a fix by leaving it until the last session before the Easter recess to make a statement, when there will no longer be an opportunity to vote against the business statement.
Yn ystod fy araith derfynol, gofynnais i’r Ysgrifennydd Llywodraeth Leol a Thai nodi’r hyn y bwriadai ei wneud a dywedodd y cyflwynai gynigion ar gyfer camau brys o fewn pythefnos. Ni roddwyd y cynigion hynny gerbron y Cynulliad ac nid oes awgrym o’r hyn y gallent fod. Teimlwn fod y mater hwn yn cael ei fwrw o’r neilltu. Mae perygl bod y Blaid Lafur yn ceisio dianc o helbul drwy beidio â gwneud datganiad tan y sesiwn olaf cyn toriad y Pasg, pan na fydd cyfle mwyach i bleidleisio yn erbyn y datganiad busnes.
Unless Peter Law proposes to timetable this legislation tomorrow, which may be the case—he will no doubt have the opportunity of setting that out—we feel that it is appropriate to vote against this. There are strong feelings about this and there is no indication of any climb down by Russell Goodway or members of the Labour cabinet in Cardiff. There is no indication of heeding public opinion or bringing forward legislation. It was always going to be thus. It was obvious from the start that Russell Goodway would not listen to that debate.
Oni bai fod Peter Law yn bwriadu amserlennu’r ddeddfwriaeth hon yfory, a gallai hynny fod yn wir—mae’n sicr y caiff gyfle i nodi hynny—teimlwn mai priodol yw pleidleisio yn erbyn hyn. Mae teimladau cryf am hyn ac nid oes awgrym o gyfaddawd gan Russell Goodway neu aelodau’r cabinet Llafur yng Nghaerdydd. Nid oes arwydd o wrandawiad i’r farn gyhoeddus neu o gyflwyno deddfwriaeth. Yr oedd yn anorfod mai fel hyn y byddai. Yr oedd yn amlwg o’r dechrau na wrandawai Russell Goodway ar y ddadl honno.
The Assembly has spoken clearly. Even the Labour group did not vote against our minority motion. Is it not time that this Assembly did something for Wales? This is the wish of the people of Wales and this Assembly. I urge Members to vote against the business statement.
Mae’r Cynulliad wedi siarad yn eglur. Ni phleidleisiodd y grŵp Llafur hyd yn oed yn erbyn ein cynnig lleiafrifol. Onid yw’n bryd i’r Cynulliad hwn wneud rhywbeth dros Gymru? Dyma ddymuniad pobl Cymru a’r Cynulliad hwn. Anogaf yr Aelodau i bleidleisio yn erbyn y datganiad busnes.
There is general concern about this issue within this Chamber and outside. The concern centres on the fact that if a statement is made today—and of course Members have no details about the content of that statement—and Members consider its contents unsatisfactory in relation to decisions taken, it will be impossible for them to make their views known for another month, because of the recess. It is incumbent upon the administration to clarify what it intends to do in the light of Russell Goodway’s response being unacceptable to the administration and the Assembly. I urge that a clear statement be given today about the Government’s intentions. Our group will vote against the business statement unless a clear statement is given.
Mae pryder cyffredinol ynghylch y mater hwn oddi mewn i’r Siambr hon a’r tu allan. Mae’r pryder hwnnw’n ymwneud yn bennaf â’r ffaith, os gwneir datganiad heddiw—ac wrth gwrs nid oes gan yr Aelodau unrhyw fanylion am gynnwys y datganiad hwnnw—a bod Aelodau’n ystyried bod ei gynnwys yn anfoddhaol mewn perthynas â phenderfyniadau a wnaethpwyd, ni fydd modd iddynt roi gwybod am eu barn am fis arall, oherwydd y toriad. Mae dyletswydd ar y weinyddiaeth i egluro’r hyn y bwriada ei wneud yng ngoleuni’r ffaith fod ymateb Russell Goodway yn annerbyniol i’r weinyddiaeth ac i’r Cynulliad. Pwysaf am roi datganiad pendant heddiw ynghylch bwriadau’r Llywodraeth. Bydd ein grŵp ni’n pleidleisio yn erbyn y Datganiad Busnes oni roddir datganiad pendant.
I preface my comments by declaring my usual interest as a member of Cardiff council. I endorse what has been said. I am disappointed that Andrew Davies’s statement this afternoon did not contain assurances about what would be included in tomorrow’s statement. I understand that the council was given two weeks to respond, but I have the benefit of having sat through a council meeting last Thursday in which every indication was given to the public that there would be no question of listening to the Assembly.
Cyn fy sylwadau datganaf y buddiant arferol sydd gennyf fel aelod o gyngor Caerdydd. Ategaf yr hyn a ddywedwyd. Yr wyf yn siomedig nad oedd datganiad Andrew Davies y prynhawn yma’n cynnwys sicrwydd ynghylch yr hyn a gâi ei gynnwys yn y datganiad yfory. Deallaf fod y cyngor wedi cael pythefnos i ymateb, ond mae gennyf y fantais o fod wedi eistedd drwy gyfarfod o’r cyngor ddydd Iau diwethaf lle y rhoddwyd pob arwydd i’r cyhoedd na fyddai unrhyw sôn am wrando ar y Cynulliad.
I realise that there is a big gap between the rhetoric and the reality but we need an assurance this afternoon that there will be a timetable introduced tomorrow and that the Assembly’s wishes, expressed in a vote, will be adhered to.
Sylweddolaf fod bwlch mawr rhwng y rhethreg a’r realiti ond mae arnom angen sicrwydd y prynhawn yma y caiff amserlen ei chyflwyno yfory ac y glynir wrth ddymuniadau’r Cynulliad, a fynegwyd mewn pleidlais.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 39
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39
I call a Member of the Labour Group who is the Secretary for Local Government and Housing.
Galwaf ar Aelod o’r Grŵp Llafur, sef yr Ysgrifennydd Llywodraeth Leol a Thai.
We must be responsible. I understand Assembly Members’ concern. I respect and note the decision made on 29 March. On that day I wrote to Cardiff City and County Council and I gave it 14 days to respond, which is a reasonable time for a local authority to call meetings and discuss a situation. Nothing should be pushed into the long grass. The Government of Wales and the National Assembly for Wales have to be seen to act in a responsible and appropriate manner. We may think that some people outside act in an impetuous way and shoot from the hip. We do not have to emulate that and I hope that Members agree that my course of action is right. The 14 days I gave is up tomorrow. I have promised, and the Business Secretary has said today, that I will be making a definitive statement tomorrow on the action that I recommend should be taken by the Assembly regarding Cardiff council and its allowances. That is where the difficulty lies. No one has ignored anything. I assure Assembly Members that I will be here tomorrow afternoon to make that statement before the recess and I will inform you of the action that I will take. It would be wrong and inappropriate for me to say anything further today because I have given Cardiff council until tomorrow to respond in writing to tell me what action it intends to take. If it does not take the action that I have suggested, I will take that action, with the Assembly’s support, for it.
Rhaid inni fod yn gyfrifol. Deallaf bryder Aelodau’r Cynulliad. Parchaf a nodaf y penderfyniad a wnaethpwyd ar 29 Mawrth. Y diwrnod hwnnw ysgrifennais at Gyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd a rhoddais 14 diwrnod iddo ateb, sydd yn gyfnod rhesymol i awdurdod lleol alw cyfarfodydd a thrafod sefyllfa. Ni ddylid bwrw dim o’r neilltu. Rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru a Chynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru gael eu hystyried yn rhai sydd yn gweithredu’n gyfrifol ac yn briodol. Gallem feddwl bod rhai pobl y tu allan yn gweithredu’n fyrbwyll ac yn ddibaratoad. Nid oes rhaid inni efelychu hynny a hyderaf fod yr Aelodau’n cytuno bod fy null o weithredu’n gywir. Bydd y 14 diwrnod a roddais ar ben yfory. Addewais, a dywedodd y Trefnydd heddiw, y byddaf yn gwneud datganiad pendant yfory ar y camau yr argymhellaf y dylai’r Cynulliad eu cymryd mewn perthynas â chyngor Caerdydd a’i lwfansau. Dyna lle y mae’r anhawster. Nid oes neb wedi anwybyddu dim. Rhoddaf sicrwydd i Aelodau’r Cynulliad y byddaf yma brynhawn yfory i wneud y datganiad hwnnw cyn y toriad ac y rhoddaf wybod i chi am y camau a gymeraf. Anghywir ac amhriodol fyddai imi ddweud dim pellach heddiw oherwydd rhoddais tan yfory i gyngor Caerdydd ymateb mewn ysgrifen gan ddweud wrthyf pa gamau y bwriada eu cymryd. Os na chymer y camau a awgrymais, cymeraf finnau’r camau hynny, gyda chefnogaeth y Cynulliad, ar ei ran.
Andrew Davies The Business Secretary spoken in English p. 39
Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39
As I reported to the Business Committee this morning, in light of the discussion held on 29 March, and as Peter Law has already outlined, this administration has taken this issue extremely seriously. We gave tomorrow as a deadline to the local authority and we thought it appropriate to table the statement after the deadline had passed. Peter has made a commitment, which is in the Record of Proceedings, of what action he will take if there is not an appropriate response on behalf of the leader of Cardiff council. Our position remains the same.
Fel yr adroddais i’r Pwyllgor Busnes y bore yma, yng ngoleuni’r drafodaeth a gynhaliwyd ar 29 Mawrth, ac fel yr amlinellodd Peter Law eisoes, mae’r weinyddiaeth hon wedi cymryd y mater hwn yn gwbl o ddifrif. Rhoesom yfory’n ddyddiad olaf i’r awdurdod lleol a chredem mai priodol oedd cyflwyno’r datganiad ar ôl y terfyn amser. Gwnaeth Peter ymrwymiad, sydd yng Nghofnod y Trafodion, ynghylch y camau y bydd yn eu cymryd os nad oes ymateb priodol ar ran arweinydd cyngor Caerdydd. Mae ein safbwynt yr un fath o hyd.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 40
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40
Under Standing Order No. 5.4 I am obliged to put the proposition that the business statement be adopted to a vote.
O dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 5.4 rhaid imi roi’r cynnig dros dderbyn y datganiad busnes i bleidlais.
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 24 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 25
Gwrthodwyd y cynnig.
Motion rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (24)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Alison Halford
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Alun Michael
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Karen Sinclair
Yn erbynAgainst (25)
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Michael German
- William Graham
- Christine Humphreys
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Jenny Randerson
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Phil Williams
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 40
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40
The motion that the business statement be adopted has been rejected. Under Standing Order No. 5.4 I am obliged to request the Business Secretary to bring forward a revised statement as soon as possible.
Mae’r cynnig dros dderbyn y datganiad busnes wedi ei wrthod. O dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 5.4 rhaid imi ofyn i’r Trefnydd roi datganiad wedi’i ddiwygio gerbron cyn gynted ag y bo modd.
Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol: Y Blaid Geidwadol
Minority Party Debate: The Conservative Party
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 41
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41
I have selected amendments 1 and 2 in the name of Rhodri Glyn Thomas and amendment 3 in the name of Mick Bates.
Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliannau 1 a 2 yn enw Rhodri Glyn Thomas a gwelliant 3 yn enw Mick Bates.
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
I am proud to be asked to lead this debate. As a farmer from north Wales, I have seen at first hand the worsening state of rural communities. However, I take no pleasure in having to participate in this debate, as nothing would give me greater pleasure than to congratulate the administration on its success at giving hope and encouragement to rural Wales. Sadly, I can neither compliment nor congratulate.
Yr wyf yn falch imi gael fy ngwahodd i arwain y ddadl hon. Fel ffermwr o ogledd Cymru, gwelais gymunedau gwledig yn dirywio â’m llygaid fy hun. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n bleser o gwbl imi orfod cymryd rhan yn y ddadl hon, gan na roddai dim fwy o bleser i mi na llongyfarch y weinyddiaeth ar ei llwyddiant wrth roi gobaith ac anogaeth i’r Gymru wledig. Gwaetha’r modd, ni allaf ganmol a llongyfarch.
Unfortunately, I am here again to represent the neglected views of the beleaguered group of men and women from rural Wales. This crisis is the worst in living memory. The backbone of the rural economy is the family farm, and this has been ripped apart. Today, dairy farmers are paid the same price for milk as they were in 1986. No wonder two in every five farmers are being treated by a doctor and taking tablets. Their marriages are strained and they have no future.
Yn anffodus, yr wyf yma eto i gynrychioli barn anghofiedig grŵp o ddynion a menywod o gefn gwlad Cymru. Yr argyfwng hwn yw’r gwaethaf o fewn cof. Asgwrn cefn yr economi wledig yw’r fferm deuluol, a rhwygwyd hon yn ddarnau. Heddiw, telir yr un pris i ffermwyr llaeth am laeth ag yn 1986. Nid oes ryfedd bod dau ym mhob pump o ffermwyr dan law meddyg ac yn cymryd tabledi. Mae eu priodasau dan bwysau ac nid oes ganddynt ddyfodol.
I know that when I mention the miners and the steelworkers, Brian and some of the others will jump up and down. These dairy farmers, particularly the tenant farmers and also pig farmers, do not have any route for financial assistance. They are self-employed. If they do not have children at school—the average age of farmers is 57—they have no unemployment pay, no family credit or support of any kind. They even have to pay the doctor for their tablets.
Gwn, pan soniaf am y glowyr a’r gweithwyr dur, y bydd Brian a rhai o’r lleill yn neidio i fyny ac i lawr. Nid oes gan y ffermwyr llaeth hyn, yn enwedig y ffermwyr denantiaid a hefyd ffermwyr moch, unrhyw ffordd o gael cymorth ariannol. Maent yn hunangyflogedig. Os nad oes ganddynt blant yn yr ysgol—oed cyfartalog ffermwyr yw 57—ni chânt dâl diweithdra, credyd teulu neu gymorth o unrhyw fath. Rhaid iddynt dalu’r meddyg am eu tabledi hyd yn oed.
Does Peter agree with the written reply that I received from the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development that the level of direct and indirect support from the public purse to individual farms is over £32,000?
A yw Peter yn cytuno â’r ateb ysgrifenedig a dderbyniais oddi wrth yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig fod lefel y cymorth uniongyrchol ac anuniongyrchol o’r pwrs cyhoeddus i ffermydd unigol dros £32,000?
Brian must remember that we are in Europe. British farmers insist that they should receive the same support as European farmers. The majority of that money is from Europe and we have rules and regulations against us. All they ask is to be able to trade and run their business effectively.
Rhaid i Brian gofio ein bod yn Ewrop. Mae ffermwyr Prydain yn mynnu y dylent dderbyn yr un cymorth â ffermwyr yn Ewrop. Daw’r rhan fwyaf o’r arian hwnnw o Ewrop ac mae gennym reolau a rheoliadau yn ein herbyn. Y cwbl a ofynnant yw cael masnachu a rhedeg eu busnes yn effeithiol.
Does Peter Rogers believe that one of the main reasons for the current crisis in agriculture and tourism in rural areas is the strength of the pound and, and that it would be alleviated considerably if Wales and the UK were members of the European single currency?
A yw Peter Rogers o’r farn mai un o’r prif resymau dros yr argyfwng presennol mewn amaethyddiaeth a thwristiaeth mewn ardaloedd gwledig yw cryfder y bunt, ac y câi ei leddfu’n sylweddol pe bai Cymru a’r DU yn aelodau o’r arian sengl Ewropeaidd?
Entering into the European single currency at the moment would be devastating. Nobody thought that the crisis would sink to the levels it has. We would give away far too much by joining. There are many other things that we can do with rules.
Byddai ymuno â’r arian sengl Ewropeaidd ar hyn o bryd yn drychinebus. Ni chredai neb y byddai’r argyfwng yn gwaethygu i’r graddau a wnaeth. Byddem yn ildio llawer gormod drwy ymuno. Mae llawer o bethau eraill y gallwn eu gwneud â rheolau.
A dairy farmer’s wife came to see me last week to see how she could get help for her husband, who has a dairy farm with 100 cows. She was working part time at a local school. She had been told at the local benefit office that the only way that she could get help would be if her husband went to see the doctor to get a sick note for depression so that he could claim benefit. Are you surprised that this occurs when the milk price has dropped from 26p to 15p per litre? Milk is almost cheaper than bottled water.
Daeth gwraig ffermwr llaeth ataf i’m gweld yr wythnos diwethaf i weld sut y gallai gael cymorth i’w gŵr, sydd â fferm laeth ag arni 100 o wartheg. Yr oedd yn gweithio’n rhan-amser mewn ysgol leol. Dywedwyd wrthi yn y swyddfa fudd-daliadau leol mai’r unig ffordd y gallai gael cymorth fyddai i’w gŵr fynd i weld y meddyg a chael nodyn salwch am iselder ysbryd fel y gallai hawlio budd-dâl. A ydych yn synnu bod hyn yn digwydd pan yw pris llaeth wedi disgyn o 26c i 15c y litr? Mae llaeth bron â bod yn rhatach na dŵr potel.
The strength of the pound will destroy the milk industry and, in turn, the rural economy. Why did the administration discontinue the calf processing aid scheme in July when it was budgeted to run until December? Through the summer months, we watched the mass slaughter of calves. Christine Gwyther promised that we would reintroduce the scheme on 1 October, but when she went to Brussels on 3 October this was refused. A little research would have saved the airfare.
Bydd cryfder y bunt yn dinistrio’r diwydiant llaeth ac, yn ei dro, yr economi wledig. Pam y terfynodd y weinyddiaeth y cynllun cymorth prosesu lloi yng Ngorffennaf a hwnnw wedi ei gyllido i redeg hyd Ragfyr? Drwy fisoedd yr haf, gwelsom laddfa gyffredinol o loi. Addawodd Christine Gwyther y byddem yn ailgyflwyno’r cynllun ar 1 Hydref, ond pan aeth i Frwsel ar 3 Hydref gwrthodwyd hyn. Byddai ychydig o ymchwil wedi arbed cost y tocyn awyren.
This Labour Government is guilty of complete incompetence over its support for the farmers. Note this headline from the Farmers Guardian last week:
Mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur hon yn euog o fwnglereiddiwch llwyr ynghylch ei chymorth i’r ffermwyr. Sylwch ar y pennawd hwn yn y Farmers Guardian yr wythnos diwethaf:
‘We do not give a damn where beef comes from.’
These are the words of Shawn Baker who is the head of production for the Midland Meat Packers, which supply the main supermarkets. He says that animal welfare is not a high priority with consumers, who buy mainly on price. Price is the main consideration. So much for food standards, animal welfare and traceability. Pig farmers adhered to welfare standards and abolished pig stalls and tethers, which made them totally uncompetitive. Cheap food ruled the day and pig farmers were left to go to the wall. The labelling of meat products deliberately misinforms the public by suggesting that food has been produced in Britain when it is only processed in Britain. No imported meat has been produced under the same stringent conditions and checks as British meat. That is why it is so cheap. Welsh farmers are fighting for a market share with one hand tied behind their backs. Their livelihoods are on the line. Look what happened to the Welsh ewe trade. The Welsh mountain farmer depended on the export trade, but regulations made us remove the spinal cord. Our total trade for mutton with France was lost, as they only buy whole carcasses. This decimated the Welsh sheep industry. We are the only country in the European Commission not to claim agri-monetary compensation in full.
Dyna eiriau Shawn Baker sydd yn bennaeth cynhyrchu i Midland Meat Packers, sydd yn cyflenwi’r prif archfarchnadoedd. Dywed nad yw lles anifeiliaid yn flaenoriaeth uchel gan ddefnyddwyr, sydd yn prynu ar sail y pris yn bennaf. Pris yw’r brif ystyriaeth. Naw wfft i safonau bwyd, lles anifeiliaid ac olrheinadwyedd. Cadwodd ffermwyr moch at safonau lles a dileu stalau moch a thenynnau, gan eu gwneud yn gwbl anghystadleuol. Bwyd rhad oedd biau hi a gadawyd i ffermwyr moch fynd i’r wal. Mae labelu cynhyrchion cig yn camarwain y cyhoedd yn fwriadol drwy awgrymu bod bwyd wedi ei gynhyrchu ym Mhrydain a hwnnw ond wedi ei brosesu ym Mhrydain. Ni chynhyrchwyd dim o’r cig a fewnforir o dan yr un amodau a gwiriadau caeth â chig Prydain. Dyna pam y mae mor rhad. Mae ffermwyr Cymru’n ymladd am ran o’r farchnad ag un llaw wedi ei chlymu y tu ôl i’w cefnau. Mae eu bywoliaeth yn y fantol. Edrychwch ar yr hyn a ddigwyddodd i’r fasnach mamogiaid. Dibynnai ffermwyr mynydd Cymru ar y fasnach allforion, ond yr oedd rheoliadau yn ein gorfodi i dynnu llinyn yr asgwrn cefn. Collwyd y cwbl o’n masnach cig dafad â Ffrainc, gan nad ydynt ond yn prynu carcasau cyfan. Chwalodd hynny ddiwydiant defaid Cymru. Ni yw’r unig wlad yn y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd na hawliodd iawndal amaeth-arianyddol yn llawn.
How much agri-money did the Conservative Government ever draw down?
Faint o arian amaethyddol a gododd y Llywodraeth Geidwadol erioed?
I am talking about a crisis in agriculture, to which money will not make much difference. However, when you are running at the current strength of the pound, it is totally unfair. The money is there. We have never faced a crisis of this level before. This administration has knocked the stuffing out of a once-proud industry. But that is not enough. Farmers must now contend with an uncontrollable—
Yr wyf yn sôn am argyfwng mewn amaethyddiaeth, na wna arian lawer o wahaniaeth iddo. Fodd bynnag, pan ydych yn rhedeg ar gryfder presennol y bunt, mae’n gwbl annheg. Mae’r arian yno. Nid ydym erioed wedi wynebu argyfwng o’r maint hwn. Mae’r weinyddiaeth hon wedi colbio diwydiant a oedd gynt yn fawr ei fri. Ond nid yw hynny’n ddigon. Rhaid i ffermwyr ymgodymu bellach—
This is supposed to be a debate on the rural economy, not simply on agriculture, although I accept that agriculture is a vital part of the rural economy. People in rural areas earn much less than people who live in cities. Therefore, why did your party bitterly oppose the national minimum wage?
Dadl ar yr economi wledig yw hon i fod, nid ar amaethyddiaeth yn unig, er fy mod yn derbyn bod amaethyddiaeth yn rhan holl bwysig o’r economi wledig. Mae pobl mewn ardaloedd gwledig yn ennill llawer llai na phobl sydd yn byw mewn dinasoedd. Felly, pam yr oedd eich plaid chi mor chwyrn yn erbyn yr isafswm cyflog cenedlaethol?
One of the problems that we had was the money that was being earned in those areas in the tourist trade. I cannot see that the national minimum wage has made a difference in rural areas in Wales. There is absolute devastation everywhere.
Un o’r problemau a oedd gennym oedd yr arian a enillid yn yr ardaloedd hynny yn y fasnach ymwelwyr. Ni allaf weld bod yr isafswm cyflog cenedlaethol wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth mewn ardaloedd gwledig yng Nghymru. Mae distryw llwyr ym mhob man.
Farmers will have to contend with an uncontrollable amount of people who will have the legal right to roam over our properties. You know that the solution is voluntary access but this administration is hell bent on confrontation. You do not understand the countryside and you do not want to. You have ruined the rural economy by not listening. The consultation document ‘Greater Protection and Better Management of Common Land in England and Wales’ not only covers the possible changes to registration procedures, it also takes the views of the graziers of common land. This consultation was sent out on 21 March, just in time to clash with lambing. It finishes on 10 April. Nobody will have the opportunity to give proper views on it. The economy and services in rural Wales are dependent on a living and thriving countryside, which depends totally on sustainable agriculture, which is being destroyed.
Bydd yn rhaid i ffermwyr ymgodymu â nifer afreoladwy o bobl a gaiff hawl gyfreithiol i grwydro dros ein tiroedd. Gwyddoch mai’r ateb yw mynediad gwirfoddol ond mae’r weinyddiaeth hon yn benderfynol o gael gwrthdaro. Ni ddeallwch gefn gwlad ac ni ddymunwch wneud. Yr ydych wedi difetha’r economi wledig drwy beidio â gwrando. Mae’r ddogfen ymgynghorol ‘Gwarchod a Rheoli Tir Comin yn Well yng Nghymru’ yn ymdrin nid yn unig â’r newidiadau posibl mewn gweithdrefnau cofrestru, ond mae hefyd yn ystyried barn ffermwyr defaid ar dir comin. Fe’i dosbarthwyd ar gyfer ymgynghoriad ar 21 Mawrth, ar yr union adeg i wrthdaro â’r ŵyna. Daw i ben ar 10 Ebrill. Ni chaiff neb gyfle i ddweud ei farn yn iawn arni. Mae’r economi a’r gwasanaethau yng nghefn gwlad Cymru’n dibynnu ar gefn gwlad byw a ffyniannus, sydd yn dibynnu’n gyfan gwbl ar amaethyddiaeth gynaliadwy, sydd yn cael ei dinistrio.
Finally, I will take you back to 1957, long before you were born, Glyn. The Treaty of Rome article 39.1(b) states that one of the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy is:
Yn olaf, af â chi’n ôl i 1957, ymhell cyn eich geni chi, Glyn. Dywed erthygl 39.1(b) o Gytundeb Rhufain mai un o amcanion y Polisi Amaethyddol Cyffredin yw:
‘to ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, in particular by increasing the individual earnings of persons engaged in agriculture.’
‘sicrhau safon byw deg i’r gymuned amaethyddol, yn enwedig drwy gynyddu enillion unigol y rhai sydd yn ymwneud ag amaethyddiaeth.’
Almost half a century later this Labour administration has destroyed this ideal. When will Welsh farmers have a fair standard of living?
Bron hanner canrif yn ddiweddarach mae’r weinyddiaeth Lafur hon wedi dinistrio’r ddelfryd hon. Pa bryd y caiff ffermwyr Cymru safon byw deg?
Cynigiaf welliant 1. Yn llinell 1 dileer ‘gresynu at fethiant’ ac ychwanegu ‘pryderu o weld methiant’.
I propose amendment 1. In line 1 delete ‘deplores’ and replace with ‘is concerned at’.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 45
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (continued) spoken in Welsh p. 45
Cynigiaf welliant 2. Ar ddiwedd y cynnig ychwaneger ‘sydd yn cael eu tanseilio gan werth uchel y bunt’.
I propose amendment 2. At the end of the motion add ‘which are being undermined by the high value of sterling’.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 45
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (continued) spoken in Welsh p. 45
Pan welais y cynnig hwn, yr oeddwn yn bryderus mai’r hyn yr oeddem yn mynd i’w gael oddi wrth y grŵp Ceidwadol oedd y rhefru arferol. Credaf fod hynny’n siomedig. Trafodwn y cynnig pwysig hwn sydd yn sôn am y modd y tanseiliwyd yr economi wledig a gwasanaethau yng nghefn gwlad yn sgîl datganiad hynod o bwysig o 10 Stryd Downing rai wythnosau yn ôl ynglŷn â chymhorthdal i’r diwydiant amaethyddol. Mae’n ddadlennol i nifer o Aelodau’r Cynulliad gerdded allan yn ystod yr agoriad hwnnw gan Peter Rogers. Rhybuddiaf Peter fod pobl nid yn unig yn cerdded allan o’r Siambr hon ond fod yna bobl sydd yn cau eu clustiau i’r argyfwng yng nghefn gwlad bob tro y gwneir y math hwn o ddatganiad.
When I saw this motion, I was worried that what we were going to get from the Conservative group was the usual rant. I think that is disappointing. We are discussing this important motion which talks about the way in which the rural economy and services in the countryside have been undermined following an exceptionally important statement from 10 Downing Street a few weeks ago regarding aid for the agricultural industry. It is revealing that many Assembly Members walked out during that opening by Peter Rogers. I warn Peter that people are not only walking out of this Chamber but there are people who are shutting their ears to the crisis in the rural areas every time this kind of statement is made.
Yr wyf mor ymwybodol ag unrhyw un o’r argyfwng yng nghefn gwlad. Mae nifer o Aelodau eraill yn ymwybodol o’r argyfwng. Nid oes angen i rywun weiddi arnom yn barhaus i’n hatgoffa o’r argyfwng. Mae angen inni weithredu yn ymarferol ac yn gadarnhaol i wneud rhywbeth am yr argyfwng. Nid yw pobl yng nghefn gwlad eisiau gael eu hatgoffa yn barhaus o’r newyddion drwg. Maent eisiau clywed yr hyn sydd gan y Cynulliad i’w ddweud am eu sefyllfa a’r hyn y mae’r Cynulliad yn mynd i’w wneud. Wrth wrando ar agoriad Peter, meddyliais a oedd holl broblemau cefn gwlad a’r diwydiant amaethyddol wedi datblygu yn sydyn ym mis Mai 1997? Nid dyna fy atgof i o’r sefyllfa. Nid oedd pethau ddim gwell o dan y Llywodraeth Geidwadol flaenorol. Nid oes pwynt iddynt weiddi arnom yma a dweud beth sydd angen ei wneud. Cawsant 18 mlynedd i wneud rhywbeth am y sefyllfa. Gwaethygodd y sefyllfa o dan y Llywodraeth Geidwadol ddiwethaf.
I am as aware as anyone of the crisis in the rural areas. Many other Members are aware of the crisis. There is no need for someone to shout at us continuously to remind us of the crisis. We need to take practical and affirmative actions to do something about the crisis. People in rural areas do not want people reminding them continuously of the bad news. They want to hear what the Assembly has to say about their situation and what the Assembly is going to do. While listening to Peter’s opening remarks I wondered whether all the problems of the rural areas and the agricultural industry had developed suddenly in May 1997? That is not my recollection of the situation. Things were no better under the previous Conservative Government. There is no point in them shouting at us here and saying what needs to be done. They had 18 years to do something about the situation. The situation deteriorated under the last Conservative Government.
Dywedodd Rhodri Glyn yn gynharach y dylai’r Cynulliad wneud pethau ymarferol a chadarnhaol. Felly, pam na chefnogodd Plaid Cymru gais Plaid Geidwadol Cymru i godi’r gwaharddiad ar gig eidion ar yr asgwrn ar y diwrnod cyntaf yn hytrach na chwympo i gôl y Blaid Lafur oherwydd fod dêl arall ar gael? Pam nad oeddech yn ymarferol ac yn gadarnhaol bryd hynny?
Rhodri Glyn said earlier that the Assembly should do practical and affirmative things. Therefore, why did Plaid Cymru not support the Welsh Conservative Party’s attempt to lift the beef on the bone ban on the first day rather than playing into the hands of the Labour Party because another deal was available? Why were you not practical and affirmative then?
Yr oeddem yn gwbl ymarferol a chadarnhaol. Ar awgrym Plaid Cymru y dechreuwyd ar ymchwiliad cynhwysfawr i’r mater hwn. Yn ogystal, o ganlyniad i’r ymchwiliad cynhwysfawr hwn nid yn unig y codwyd y gwaharddiad yng Nghymru ond fe’i codwyd ledled Prydain. Yr wyf yn falch o’r ffordd y gwnaeth y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig dan Gadeiryddiaeth Ieuan Wyn Jones ymdrin â’r broblem honno. Mae’n dangos sut y gellir gweithredu yn gadarnhaol, ymarferol a chyfrifol mewn sefyllfa felly. Pe baem wedi dilyn yr hyn y mae Rod yn ei awgrymu byddai Cymru mewn sefyllfa lawer gwanach yn sgîl rhai o’r rheoliadau y byddwn yn eu hwynebu o Ewrop ynglŷn â chig ar yr asgwrn yn y dyfodol.
We were totally practical and affirmative. It was at the suggestion of Plaid Cymru that a comprehensive inquiry was initiated into this matter. In addition, as a result of this comprehensive inquiry not only was the ban lifted in Wales but it was lifted throughout Britain. I am proud of the way the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee under the Chairmanship of Ieuan Wyn Jones dealt with that problem. It shows how to take affirmative, practical and responsible action in such a situation. Had we followed what Rod is suggesting, Wales would be in a much weaker position as a result of some of the regulations that we will be facing from Europe regarding meat on the bone in the future.
Felly, a yw Rhodri’n cadarnhau nad polisi Plaid Cymru ar y pryd oedd bod y Cynulliad yn arwain y ffordd ond ei fod yn dilyn yr hyn a oedd yn digwydd yn San Steffan?
Therefore, does Rhodri confirm that Plaid Cymru’s policy at the time was not that the Assembly leads the way but that it follows what was happening in Westminster?
Synnaf nad yw gwleidydd o brofiad Rod Richards yn deall sut mae’r broses wleidyddol yn gweithio. Gwelsom yn achos y datganiad a ddaeth o 10 Stryd Downing ychydig o wythnosau yn ôl sut y mae pwysau gwleidyddol o un sefydliad gwleidyddol yn gallu arwain at ddatganiadau o sefydliadau eraill. A yw Rod yn dweud y byddai’n well ganddo weld y gwaharddiad yn cael ei godi yng Nghymru yn unig ac nid yng ngwledydd eraill Prydain?
I am surprised that a politician of Rod Richards’s experience does not understand how the political process works. We saw in the case of the statement that came from 10 Downing Street a few weeks ago how political pressure from one political institution can lead to statements from other institutions. Is Rod saying that he would prefer to see the ban being lifted solely in Wales and not in the other countries of the UK?
Nid oes dwywaith mai’r hyn yr oedd ar y diwydiant amaeth ei angen oedd gweld y gwaharddiad hwnnw yn cael ei godi drwy Brydain gyfan. Dechreuwyd y broses honno gan yr ymchwiliad yng Nghymru—dyna’r hyn a symbylodd yr ymateb oddi wrth lywodraethau eraill. Fel gyda’r iawndal amaeth-arianyddol a’r taliadau hylendid llaeth, daeth hynny oherwydd y pwysau gwleidyddol a grewyd yma. Mae’n dangos yn glir beth y gellir ei wneud yn gadarnhaol ac yn ymarferol i geisio ateb problemau dwysaf cefn gwlad.
There is no question that what the agriculture industry needed was to see that ban lifted throughout the whole of the UK. The inquiry in Wales was initiated by that process—that is what motivated the response from other governments. As with the agri-monetary compensation and the dairy hygiene charges, it came because of the political pressure that was produced here. It shows clearly what can be done affirmatively and practically to try to answer the most severe problems of rural areas.
Beth yw ein rôl ni fel Aelodau o’r Cynulliad? Beth yw rôl y Cynulliad? Mae angen i’r weinyddiaeth Lafur—y Llywodraeth leiafrifol sydd gennym—ddangos bod ganddi raglen wleidyddol glir ar gyfer delio gyda phroblemau cefn gwlad. Cytunaf â’r cynnig nad ydym wedi gweld y rhaglen wleidyddol honno eto. Clywsom am y mesurau sydd yn y cynllun datblygu gwledig ac yn y ddogfen raglennu sengl a aeth i Ewrop, ond nid ydym wedi gweld rhaglen wleidyddol gadarn, glir oddi wrth y weinyddiaeth. Mae lle gan y Cynulliad i fynegi pryder nad yw’r weinyddiaeth Lafur wedi cyflwyno’r rhaglen glir honno eto. Yr ydym yn aros amdani. Dywedodd Edwina yn ei datganiad, wedi’r datganiad gan 10 Stryd Downing, y bydd cyfle yn ystod y misoedd nesaf cyn y Sioe Amaethyddol Frenhinol Genedlaethol i’r rhaglen honno gael ei chyflwyno.
What is our role as Assembly Members? What is the Assembly’s role? The Labour administration—the minority Government that we have—needs to show that it has a clear political programme for dealing with rural problems. I agree with the motion that we have not yet seen that political programme. We have heard of the measures contained in the rural development plan, and in the single programming document that has gone to Europe, but we have not seen a firm, clear political programme from the administration. The Assembly has room to express its concern that the Labour administration has not yet introduced that clear programme. We await it. Edwina said in her statement that, following the statement from 10 Downing Street, there would be an opportunity during the next few months before the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show for that programme to be presented.
Rhodri, as you are looking for practical measures that would benefit the rural economy in Wales, one practical measure is the effective implementation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill. It is widely proven that that would have great economic benefit for the rural economy of Wales. Do you support the effective implementation of that Bill?
Rhodri, gan eich bod yn chwilio am fesurau ymarferol a fyddai o fudd i’r economi wledig yng Nghymru, un mesur ymarferol yw gweithredu’r Mesur Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy yn effeithiol. Profwyd mewn llawer man y byddai hynny o fudd economaidd mawr i economi wledig Cymru. A gefnogwch weithredu’r Mesur hwnnw’n effeithiol?
Y geiriau hanfodol yma, John, yw gweithredu effeithiol. Mae’r cynlluniau a gyflwynwyd gan y Llywodraeth Lafur yn San Steffan ac a gyflwynir inni yn y Cynulliad yn hollol aneffeithiol i weithredu’r cynllun hwn. Mae John yn iawn fod dogfennau ac astudiaethau a ddengys fod potensial i fuddsoddi yn yr economi wledig a allai ddod oddi wrth y fath gynllun. Ond yr hyn yr oedd ei angen, a’r hyn sydd yn ddiffygiol yn y ddeddfwriaeth, yw’r ffaith nad yw Llywodraeth Lafur San Steffan wedi caniatáu i’r Cynulliad greu’r math o ddeddfwriaeth sydd yn ateb anghenion Cymru. Pe bai hynny’n digwydd, a phe bai’r cymal hwnnw yn ein gallugoi i wneud hynny o fewn y ddeddfwriaeth, efallai y byddai rhai ohonom yn barotach i gefnogi’r ddeddfwriaeth honno ac i’w gweld yn cael ei gweithredu yn ymarferol yng Nghymru.
The essential words here, John, are effective implementation. The plans that have been presented by the Labour Government in Westminster and that are presented to us in the Assembly are completely ineffective to implement this plan. John is right that there are documents and studies that show that there is potential for investing in the rural economy that could come from such a plan. But what was needed, and what is lacking in the legislation, is the fact that the Labour Government in Westminster has not allowed the Assembly to create the sort of legislation that responds to Wales’s needs. If that were to happen, and if that clause would enable us to do that within the legislation, then perhaps some of us would be more willing to support that legislation and to see it implemented practically in Wales.
Mae angen i’r weinyddiaeth Lafur ddwyn y cynlluniau hyn gerbron mewn ffordd sydd yn ymarferol i’w gweithredu ac sydd yn cynnig cyfleoedd gwirioneddol yng nghefn gwlad. Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd Christine, wrth iddi grynhoi, yn cyflwyno rhai o’r syniadau hyn. Ond syniadau sydd yn ymateb ydynt—maent yn ymateb i argyfwng yn hytrach na chynnig gweledigaeth glir ar gyfer yr economi wledig.
The Labour administration needs to put these plans forward in a way that is practical to implement and that offers real opportunities in the countryside. I am sure that Christine, in her summing up, will present some of these ideas. But they are ideas that react—they react to a crisis rather than offer a clear vision for the rural economy.
Y cwestiwn arall a gododd wrth imi wrando ar gyflwyniad Peter oedd a fyddai’r Llywodraeth Geidwadol ddiwethaf, pe bai wedi aros mewn grym, wedi ymateb yn wahanol mewn unrhyw ffordd i’r argyfwng presennol yng nghefn gwlad. Yr oedd yn ddadlennol pan geisiodd Peter ymateb i bwynt Elin Jones ynglŷn â chryfder y bunt—dyna’r elfen sydd yn tanseilio’r economi wledig. Dyna sydd yn creu’r problemau yng nghefn gwlad, a gwyddom beth yw safbwynt y Blaid Geidwadol ar y bunt gref—y mae’n rhan greiddiol o’i pholisïau a’i delwedd wleidyddol. Hyd nes yr awn i’r afael â’r broblem honno, ni wneir gwahaniaeth sylfaenol i’r problemau sydd yn wynebu’r economi wledig.
The other question that arose as I listened to Peter’s introduction was whether the last Conservative Government would, had it stayed in power, have reacted differently in any way to the present crisis in the countryside. It was revealing when Peter tried to respond to Elin Jones’s point about the strength of the pound—that is the element that undermines the rural economy. That is what creates problems in the countryside and we know what the Conservative Party’s point of view is on the strong pound—it is a central part of its policies and its political image. Until we tackle that problem, no basic difference will be made to the problems facing the rural economy.
Nid oes llawer o wahaniaeth—trwch adain gwybedyn o wahaniaeth—rhwng polisïau asgell dde Tony Blair a Gordon Brown ar y bunt, a pholisïau blaenorol John Major a Kenneth Clarke. Dyna sydd yn creu’r problemau yng nghefn gwlad. Llunir yr agenda yn ne-ddwyrain Lloegr gan anghenion de-ddwyrain Lloegr. Mae graddfeydd llog yn dal i godi ar sail prisiau tai yn ne-ddwyrain Lloegr. Mae hynny’n cryfhau’r bunt ac yn dwysáu’r problemau yng nghefn gwlad. Rhaid i’r Cynulliad geisio defnyddio—
There is not much difference—a hair’s breadth of difference—between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown’s right wing policies on the pound, and John Major and Kenneth Clarke’s previous policies. That is what creates the problems in the countryside. The agenda is set in south-east England by south-east England’s needs. Interest rates continue to rise on the basis of house prices in south-east England. That strengthens the pound and deepens the problems in the countryside. The Assembly must try to use—
If you believe that the policy on the European currency was so popular in Wales, how do you account for the fact that the Conservative Party did overwhelmingly well throughout the United Kingdom, particularly in Wales and in your area, in the European elections?
Os credwch fod y polisi ar yr arian treigl Ewropeaidd mor boblogaidd yng Nghymru, sut yr esboniwch y ffaith fod y Blaid Geidwadol wedi gwneud mor ysgubol o dda ledled y Deyrnas Unedig, yn enwedig yng Nghymru ac yn eich ardal chi, yn yr etholiadau Ewropeaidd?
I was under the impression that Plaid Cymru did slightly better than the Conservatives in my area and throughout Wales. If that is the measure that you want to use to judge people’s view of the pound, it is about time that we joined the euro. I fail to see the relevance of your point. However, the point that I am making—
Yr oeddwn o dan yr argraff fod Plaid Cymru wedi gwneud ychydig yn well na’r Ceidwadwyr yn fy ardal i a ledled Cymru. Os mai hwnnw yw’r ffon fesur yr ydych am ei defnyddio i farnu ynghylch safbwynt pobl ar y bunt, mae’n hen bryd inni ymuno â’r ewro. Methaf â gweld perthnasedd eich pwynt. Fodd bynnag, y pwynt yr wyf fi’n ei wneud—
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh and English p. 49
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 49
Order. This is a Conservative debate. At this rate, no other Conservative will be called.
yn Saesneg Trefn. Dadl y Ceidwadwyr yw hon. Os awn ymlaen fel hyn, ni elwir ar yr un Ceidwadwr arall.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas, a ddoi di i derfyn?
in Welsh Rhodri Glyn Thomas, will you wind up?
I deplore the way in which the Labour administration is responding to the crisis in rural areas, the rural economy and rural services. I would need to be persuaded that the Conservative Government has responded more effectively in the past, and would do so if it were still in power. However, I am not persuaded. This is a Conservative rant. Let us acknowledge our concern about the lack of clear policies by the present administration and challenge them to bring forward those policies. The strength of sterling creates problems and something must be done about that before we can begin to respond to the issues of rural Wales and the rural economy. I accept Mick’s amendment and we will support it.
Gresynaf at y ffordd y mae’r weinyddiaeth Lafur yn ymateb i’r argyfwng mewn ardaloedd gwledig, yr economi wledig a gwasanaethau gwledig. Byddai angen imi gael fy argyhoeddi bod y Llywodraeth Geidwadol wedi ymateb yn fwy effeithiol yn y gorffennol, ac y gwnâi pe bai’n dal i fod mewn grym. Fodd bynnag, ni’m hargyhoeddwyd. Rhefru Ceidwadol yw hyn. Gadewch inni gydnabod ein pryder ynghylch diffyg polisïau pendant gan y weinyddiaeth bresennol a’u herio i gyflwyno’r polisïau hynny. Mae cryfder y bunt yn creu problemau a rhaid gwneud rhywbeth ynghylch hynny cyn y gallwn ddechrau ymateb i faterion cefn gwlad Cymru a’r economi wledig. Derbyniaf welliant Mick a byddwn yn ei gefnogi.
I propose amendment 3. Add at the end of the motion:
Cynigiaf welliant 3. Ychwaneger ar ddiwedd y cynnig:
We will oppose amendment 1, because we deplore the administration’s attitude. That amendment weakens the whole motion. However, we will support amendment 2. I hope to bring rational debate to this motion. I welcome the debate, although the irony of the fact that the Tories are also responsible for the current situation is not lost on me, once a farmer. However, as a practical person, I believe that we must look forward positively and try to build for Wales’s rural future.
Byddwn yn gwrthwynebu gwelliant 1, oherwydd gresynwn at agwedd y weinyddiaeth. Mae’r gwelliant hwnnw’n gwanhau’r cynnig cyfan. Fodd bynnag, byddwn yn cefnogi gwelliant 2. Gobeithiaf gymhwyso dadlau rhesymol at y cynnig hwn. Croesawaf y ddadl, er nad wyf fi, a fu unwaith yn ffermwr, wedi methu eironi’r ffaith fod y Torïaid hefyd yn gyfrifol am y sefyllfa bresennol. Fodd bynnag, fel rhywun ymarferol, credaf ein bod yn gorfod edrych ymlaen yn gadarnhaol a cheisio adeiladu ar gyfer dyfodol gwledig Cymru.
I wish to focus on a method that can be used to provide information that will enable action to be taken to stop the decline referred to in the motion. That decline has been illustrated by many recent events, such as the closure of post offices and banks, a decline in manufacturing and the decline in business start-ups. In Powys, there was a 12 per cent decline in business start-ups in the past four years. There has also been a lack of investment in infrastructure and a continued loss of young people from our rural areas. This decline has been hastened by the strength of the pound. Wales has not done well economically, relative to the rest of the UK or Europe. We have higher unemployment, lower incomes and lower numbers of the population of working age in employment.
Dymunaf ganolbwyntio ar ddull y gellir ei ddefnyddio i ddarparu gwybodaeth a fydd yn hwyluso gweithredu i atal y dirywiad y cyfeirir ato yn y cynnig. Dangoswyd y dirywiad hwnnw drwy lawer o ddigwyddiadau’n ddiweddar, megis cau swyddfeydd post a banciau, dirywiad mewn gweithgynhyrchu a’r dirywiad yn nifer y busnesau sydd yn dechrau. Ym Mhowys, bu dirywiad o 12 y cant yn nifer y busnesau newydd yn y pedair blynedd diwethaf. Bu diffyg buddsoddi hefyd mewn seilwaith a cholled barhaus o bobl ifanc o’n hardaloedd gwledig. Cyflymwyd y dirywiad hwn gan gryfder y bunt. Ni wnaeth Cymru’n dda yn economaidd, o’i chymharu â gweddill y DU neu Ewrop. Mae gennym ddiweithdra uwch, incwm is a niferoedd is o’r boblogaeth o oed gweithio mewn cyflogaeth.
The European structural funding for 2000-06 has focused attention on the measure of economic performance based on gross domestic product. Wales’s gross domestic product per capita is 82 per cent of the EU average. In west Wales and the Valleys it is 71 per cent. GDP will remain the means of measuring economic regeneration. For example, the aim in our Objective 1 programme is to take us to 87 per cent of the UK average by 2006. That requires an annual growth rate of 3.5 per cent.
Mae’r cyllid strwythurol Ewropeaidd am 2000-06 wedi canolbwyntio sylw ar y mesur o berfformiad economaidd sydd yn seiliedig ar gynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth. Mae’r cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth y pen yng Nghymru yn 82 y cant o gyfartaledd yr UE. Yng ngorllewin Cymru a’r Cymoedd mae’n 71 y cant. Bydd CMC yn parhau’n ddull o fesur adfywiad economaidd. Er enghraifft, y nod yn ein rhaglen Amcan 1 yw ein codi i 87 y cant o gyfartaledd y DU erbyn 2006. Mae hynny’n gofyn cyfradd dwf flynyddol o 3.5 y cant.
I contend in this amendment that GDP is an inadequate measure—it is about quantity, not quality. The United Nations human development programme argues that all countries should pay more attention to the quality rather than quantity of growth. It identifies five damaging forms of growth: its effect on the jobless—growth that does not translate into jobs; voiceless people—growth that is not matched by the spread of democracy; being rootless—growth that snuffs out cultural identity; futureless—growth that despoils the environment, and ruthless—growth where the benefits are seized only by the rich. Rapid growth rates measured by GDP hide the growth of social exclusion, environmental degradation in terms of the individual’s welfare or that of sustainable development and income distribution—a high GDP can be achieved while many people live in poverty. The Assembly has a statutory duty under Section 121 of the Government of Wales Act 1998, to practice sustainability in all of its functions. We must consider alternative indicators, or we may find ourselves in the same situation as they did in Ireland between 1987 and 1995, when the top 40 per cent of household incomes grew twice as fast as the bottom 40 per cent, thereby widening the gap between rich and poor.
Dadleuaf yn y gwelliant hwn fod CMC yn fesurydd annigonol—mae’n ymwneud â maint, nid ansawdd. Mae rhaglen datblygu dynol y Cenhedloedd Unedig yn dadlau y dylai pob gwlad roi mwy o sylw i ansawdd twf yn hytrach na’i faint. Dynoda bum ffurf niweidiol o dwf: ei effaith ar y di-waith—twf nad yw’n troi’n swyddi; pobl heb lais—twf nad yw’n cyd-fynd â lledaeniad democratiaeth; bod yn ddiwreiddiau—twf sydd yn dileu hunaniaeth ddiwylliannol; diffyg dyfodol—twf sydd yn anrheithio’r amgylchedd, a didostur—twf lle y gafaelir yn y manteision gan y cyfoethogion yn unig. Mae cyfraddau twf cyflym a fesurir trwy gynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth yn cuddio twf allgáu cymdeithasol, dirywiad amgylcheddol o ran lles yr unigolyn neu o ran datblygu cynaliadwy a dosbarthu incwm—gellir cyflawni CMC uchel tra bod llawer yn byw mewn tlodi. Mae dyletswydd statudol ar y Cynulliad o dan Adran 121 o Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 1998, i arfer cynaliadwyedd ym mhob un o’i swyddogaethau. Rhaid inni ystyried dangosyddion amgen, neu gallem gael ein hunain yn yr un sefyllfa ag Iwerddon rhwng 1987 a 1995, pan dyfodd y 40 y cant uchaf o incwm teuluol ddwywaith yn gynt na’r 40 y cant isaf, gan ledaenu’r bwlch rhwng y cyfoethog a’r tlawd.
We have an opportunity to direct our Executive to provide indicators that mean something to the quality of life for all people in Wales. This is social inclusion. We need a sustainable development measure. The Liberal Democrats strongly believe that we must develop an index of sustainable economic welfare, as proposed and amended by the Welsh Institute of Rural Studies in a paper written by Peter Midmore, Jon Matthews and Michael Christie earlier this year. I recommend that everybody reads it. I see that Cynog has, as he is nodding his head. The index is not only raw GDP, it requires 20 adjustments to take into account the hidden costs of environmental degradation caused by congestion, air and water pollution; commuting; personal pollution control and the loss of farmland and farmers, the depletion of our natural resources and many other factors. These indicators are not just theoretical; they are used in Germany, the Netherlands and many other European countries. Our Rural Development Plan has taken steps in the right direction, but needs greater recognition of this sustainable economic welfare index.
Mae gennym gyfle i gyfarwyddo ein Gweithrediaeth i ddarparu dangosyddion sydd yn golygu rhywbeth i ansawdd bywyd holl bobl Cymru. Cynhwysiant cymdeithasol yw hyn. Mae arnom angen mesurydd datblygu cynaliadwy. Mae’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn credu’n gryf bod rhaid inni ddatblygu mynegai o les economaidd cynaliadwy, fel a gynigiwyd ac a ddiwygiwyd gan Sefydliad Astudiaethau Gwledig Cymru mewn papur a ysgrifennwyd gan Peter Midmore, Jon Matthews a Michael Christie yn gynharach eleni. Argymhellaf y dylai pawb ei ddarllen. Gwelaf fod Cynog wedi gwneud, gan ei fod yn nodio ei ben. Nid yw’r mynegai’n gynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth syml yn unig, mae’n gofyn 20 o gymwysiadau er mwyn cymryd i ystyriaeth y costau cudd o ddirywiad amgylcheddol a achosir gan dagfeydd, llygredd aer a dŵr; cymudo; rheolaeth llygredd personol a cholli tir amaeth a ffermwyr, dihysbyddu ein hadnoddau naturiol a llawer o ffactorau eraill. Nid dangosyddion damcaniaethol yw’r rhain yn unig; fe’u defnyddir yn yr Almaen, yr Iseldiroedd a llawer o wledydd Ewropeaidd eraill. Mae ein Cynllun Datblygu Gwledig wedi cymryd camau i’r cyfeiriad cywir, ond mae angen mwy o gydnabyddiaeth ynddo i’r mynegai lles economaidd cynaliadwy hwn.
However, indicators such as this require good data, which is not available in Wales. In comparison to Scotland, the study of the Welsh Institute of Rural Studies states that:
Fodd bynnag, mae angen data da ar gyfer dangosyddion o’r fath, nad ydynt ar gael yng Nghymru. O’i chymharu â’r Alban, dywed astudiaeth Sefydliad Astudiaethau Gwledig Cymru:
‘for Wales, a weaker base of published statistics leads to serious difficulties, although if a more effective set of economic policies emerged the extra cost of collection ought to be totally justified’.
‘yn achos Cymru, mae’r sylfaen wannach o ystadegau cyhoeddedig yn arwain at anawsterau difrifol, ond pe deuai set fwy effeithiol o bolisïau economaidd i’r amlwg dylai’r gost ychanegol o’u casglu fod yn gwbl gyfiawnadwy’.
Data is crucial to the effective use of structural funds to regenerate our rural areas using effective sustainable indicators. While we understand the failures of the past, we must build indicators that will help build our future. The Liberal Democrats believe that the right direction, as indicated by the index of sustainable economic welfare, will reverse the decline in rural areas. Sustainable solutions will be found by empowering our communities to take action for themselves through, for example, community development.
Mae data’n holl bwysig er mwyn defnyddio cronfeydd strwythurol yn effeithiol i adfywio ein hardaloedd gwledig gan ddefnyddio dangosyddion cynaliadwy effeithiol. Tra deallwn fethiannau’r gorffennol, rhaid inni greu dangosyddion a fydd o gymorth i adeiladu ein dyfodol. Cred y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol y bydd y cyfeiriad cywir, fel a ddangosir gan y mynegai lles economaidd cynaliadwy, yn gwyrdroi’r dirywiad mewn ardaloedd gwledig. Darganfyddir atebion cynaliadwy drwy gyfnerthu ein cymunedau i weithredu drostynt eu hunain drwy ddatblygu cymunedol, er enghraifft.
Community development enables communities to strengthen their economic, social and environmental resources by examining their own communities. This type of bottom-up programme puts the community at the centre of the development process. Programmes such as LEADER are to be commended, because they are based on implementing communities’ desires, which are often based on looking at the indicators within their own communities.
Mae datblygu cymunedol yn galluogi cymunedau i gryfhau eu hadnoddau economaidd, cymdeithasol ac amgylcheddol drwy archwilio eu cymunedau eu hunain. Mae rhaglen o’r gwaelod i fyny o’r math hwn yn rhoi’r gymuned ar ganol y broses datblygu. Mae rhaglenni fel LEADER i’w canmol, am eu bod yn seiliedig ar weithredu dyheadau cymunedau, sydd yn seiliedig yn aml ar edrych ar y dangosyddion oddi mewn i’w cymunedau eu hunain.
I urge you to support this amendment which will bring greater prosperity to rural areas by an examination of all the indicators which will lead to a better quality of life for those people referred to in the motion who desperately need our help.
Fe’ch anogaf i gefnogi’r gwelliant hwn a ddaw â mwy o ffyniant i ardaloedd gwledig drwy archwilio’r holl ddangosyddion a fydd yn arwain at well ansawdd bywyd i’r bobl hynny y cyfeirir atynt yn y cynnig sydd â thaer angen am ein cymorth.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 52
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52
Before I call Glyn Davies, I remind Members that it is the practice in party group debates to call Members of the group that is holding the debate alternately with other Members. However, because I have to call the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development at 4.10 p.m. to respond, followed by Nick Bourne, it will be difficult for me to accommodate anyone except Glyn Davies unless he can be abstemious, so to speak.
Cyn imi alw ar Glyn Davies, atgoffaf yr Aelodau mai’r arfer yn nadleuon grwpiau’r pleidiau yw galw ar Aelodau o’r grŵp sydd yn cynnal y ddadl am yn ail ag Aelodau eraill. Fodd bynnag, am fod rhaid imi alw ar yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig am 4.10 p.m. i ymateb, a Nick Bourne wedyn, bydd yn anodd imi gynnwys neb heblaw Glyn Davies oni bai ei fod yn gallu bod yn gymedrol, a’i eirio felly.
There can no longer be any question that, from a rural perspective, the current Labour Government is the worst, most uncaring British Government for a century. Over the last three years, the prosperity, economic prospects and morale of rural Wales have been undermined in a way that has shocked the Welsh countryside. Since the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay invariably associates itself with the misguided policies of Westminster, it must accept its share of responsibility. My colleague, Peter Rogers, a man who genuinely and passionately understands rural Wales has already spoken in his inimitable style about the crisis that has befallen Welsh agriculture—the basis of our rural economy. Farm incomes have collapsed in many cases into a loss situation. Pig farmers and dairy farmers are going out of business at an ever-increasing rate. The young people of rural Wales are leaving the industry and the area because there are so few worthwhile prospects to persuade them to stay.
Ni ellir amau bellach mai’r Llywodraeth Lafur bresennol, o safbwynt gwledig, yw’r Llywodraeth Brydeinig waethaf, fwyaf esgeulus ers canrif. Dros y tair blynedd diwethaf, tanseiliwyd ffyniant, rhagolygon economaidd a morâl y Gymru wledig mewn modd a syfrdanodd gefn gwlad Cymru. Gan fod Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru ym Mae Caerdydd yn ymgysylltu’n ddieithriad â pholisïau cyfeiliornus San Steffan, rhaid iddi dderbyn ei rhan o’r cyfrifoldeb. Mae fy nghyd-Aelod, Peter Rogers, gŵr sydd â dealltwriaeth wirioneddol ac angerddol o gefn gwlad Cymru wedi siarad eisoes yn ei ddull unigryw am yr argyfwng a ddaeth i ran amaethyddiaeth Cymru—sylfaen ein heconomi wledig. Mae incwm ffermydd wedi dirywio mewn llawer achos i sefyllfa o golled. Mae mwyfwy o ffermwyr moch a ffermwyr llaeth yn mynd allan o fusnes. Mae pobl ifanc cefn gwlad Cymru’n gadael y diwydiant a’r ardal am fod cyn lleied o ragolygon buddiol i’w cymell i aros.
The usual response from Labour Members in Westminster and in the Assembly is that the problems of agriculture arise from a strong pound. We heard that today. That is stated as if it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Government. The amendments to our motion indicate that Plaid Cymru’s agriculture spokesman agrees with them. That is not good enough. The argument is faulty for two reasons. First, the exchange rate problem is not so much because of a strong pound but because of a weak euro. The dollar and yen exchange rates have changed little over many years. Many in the current Government and the apologists for the current Government go on about the strong pound in a desperate attempt to prevent the public from appreciating what a disaster the euro has been. The problem is that the Government has not fully used the compensatory mechanisms put in place to deal with the economic consequences of a falling euro.
Yr ymateb arferol gan Aelodau Llafur yn San Steffan ac yn y Cynulliad yw bod problemau amaethyddiaeth yn deillio o bunt gref. Clywsom hynny heddiw. Dywedir hynny fel pe na bai hynny ag unrhyw gysylltiad o gwbl â’r Llywodraeth. Mae’r gwelliannau i’n cynnig yn dangos bod llefarydd amaethyddiaeth Plaid Cymru’n cytuno â hwy. Nid yw hynny’n ddigon da. Mae’r ddadl yn ddiffygiol am ddau reswm. Yn gyntaf, nid yw problem y gyfradd gyfnewid yn ganlyniad i bunt gref yn ogymaint ag ewro gwan. Ychydig o newid a fu yng nghyfraddau cyfnewid y ddoler a’r ien dros flynyddoedd lawer. Mae nifer yn y Llywodraeth bresennol a diffynwyr y Llywodraeth bresennol yn sôn o hyd am y bunt gref mewn ymgais enbyd i gadw’r cyhoedd rhag sylweddoli’r fath drychineb a fu’r ewro. Y broblem yw nad yw’r Llywodraeth wedi gwneud defnydd llawn o’r mecanweithiau ad-daliadol a roddwyd ar waith i ymdrin â’r canlyniadau economaidd i gwymp yr ewro.
Secondly, there is the contribution that the Government itself has made to the exchange rate movements by diverting spending capacity away from savings and pension provision into consumer spending. That inevitably means higher interest rates and more unfavourable exchange rates. The damage wrought on the rural economy of Wales by the Chancellor’s cavalier abolition of tax exempt special savings accounts, personal equity plans, the failure of the Chancellors new individual savings account and the vicious taxation attack on private pensions has not received the condemnation it deserves in Wales.
Yn ail, mae’r cyfraniad a wnaeth y Llywodraeth ei hun i symudiadau’r gyfradd gyfnewid drwy gyfeirio’r gallu gwario oddi wrth gynilion a darpariaeth pensiynau ac i wariant gan ddefnyddwyr. Mae hynny’n anorfod yn golygu cyfraddau llog uwch a chyfraddau cyfnewid mwy anffafriol. Nid yw’r difrod a wnaethpwyd i economi wledig Cymru gan ddiddymiad ffwrdd-â-hi’r Canghellor o gyfrifon cynilion arbennig di-dreth, cynlluniau ecwiti personol, methiant cyfrif cynilion unigol newydd y Canghellor a’r ymosodiad trethiant cïaidd ar bensiynau preifat wedi ei gollfarnu yn y modd y mae’n ei haeddu yng Nghymru.
It is not only agriculture that has been undermined. The whole rural economy of Wales has been affected. The Welsh rural economy is built on three pillars: agriculture, the manufacturing industry and tourism. Unfavourable exchange rates hit all three pillars at the same time and have brought the rural economy to its knees. To make things worse, Labour has resolved to further undermine a demoralised countryside by attacking centuries-old traditions and rights that are part of the life of rural Wales. Labour seems determined to impose its urban values on the countryside through, for example, a ban on hunting where emotion is replacing fact and common sense—
Nid amaethyddiaeth yn unig a danseiliwyd. Effeithiwyd ar y cwbl o economi wledig Cymru. Mae economi wledig Cymru wedi ei adeiladu ar dair colofn: amaethyddiaeth, diwydiant gweithgynhyrchu a thwristiaeth. Trawyd y tair colofn hyn gan gyfraddau cyfnewid anffafriol yr un pryd a daethant â’r economi wledig i’w liniau. I wneud pethau’n waeth, penderfynodd Llafur danseilio cefn gwlad digalon ymhellach drwy ymosod ar draddodiadau a hawliau ganrifoedd oed sydd yn rhan o fywyd y Gymru wledig. Ymddengys fod Llafur yn benderfynol o orfodi ei werthoedd trefol ar gefn gwlad drwy, er enghraifft, waharddiad ar hela lle y mae emosiwn yn disodli ffaith a synnwyr cyffredin—
What would you say to the farmers I have met who say that they are concerned about the wheat fields when the hunt goes across them?
Beth a ddywedech wrth y ffermwyr y cyfarfûm â hwy sydd yn dweud eu bod yn bryderus ynghylch y caeau gwenith pan yw’r helfa’n mynd ar eu traws?
You meet farmers whom I do not meet. If they say that the hunt should not go across their wheat fields, then it should not. It works entirely on a voluntary basis.
Yr ydych yn cwrdd â ffermwyr nad wyf fi’n cwrdd â hwy. Os dywedant na ddylai’r helfa groesi eu caeau gwenith, ni ddylai. Mae’n gweithio’n gwbl wirfoddol.
But it is all right for them to go everywhere else?
Ond a yw’n iawn iddynt fynd i bob man arall?
Yes, if it is by agreement, which is what we approve of.
Ydyw, os yw hynny drwy gytundeb, sef yr hyn a gymeradwywn.
We now face the new right to roam legislation. The Countryside Bill has virtually no relevance to Wales. There is already a great deal of public access and a huge commitment by this Assembly to supporting Tir Gofal and to using the environmental elements—
Yn awr yr ydym yn wynebu’r ddeddfwriaeth hawl i grwydro newydd. Nid yw’r Mesur Cefn Gwlad yn berthnasol o gwbl bron i Gymru. Mae llawer iawn o fynediad i’r cyhoedd eisoes ac ymrwymiad enfawr gan y Cynulliad i gynnal Tir Gofal a defnyddio elfennau amgylcheddol—
Are you aware that walking creates 5,000 jobs in Wales? That is not a Labour Party figure; that is from a report by Peter Midmore, who is Professor of Rural Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. There is enormous potential to increase that number of jobs even more, so why will your party not move away from the simple slogan of ‘get off my land’?
A ydych yn ymwybodol bod cerdded yn creu 5,000 o swyddi yng Nghymru? Nid ffigur y Blaid Lafur yw hwnnw; daw hynny o adroddiad gan Peter Midmore, sydd yn Athro Astudiaethau Gwledig ym Mhrifysgol Cymru, Aberystwyth. Mae potensial anferth i gynyddu’r nifer swyddi honno’n fwy byth, felly pam nad yw’ch plaid chi’n fodlon rhoi’r gorau i’r slogan syml o ‘ewch oddi ar fy nhir’?
The Conservative Party has always favoured greater access by voluntary means. That was my point but you were not listening. We want the Assembly to support Tir Gofal and use the environment elements in Tir Mynydd to encourage further extension of access by voluntary agreement.
Mae’r Blaid Geidwadol yn ffafriol erioed i fwy o fynediad drwy ddulliau gwirfoddol. Dyna oedd fy mhwynt ond nid oeddech yn gwrando. Dymunwn i’r Cynulliad gynnal Tir Gofal a defnyddio’r elfennau amgylcheddol yn Tir Mynydd i annog ehangu pellach ar fynediad drwy gytundeb gwirfoddol.
We want Assembly Members to join us in calling for policies that will help to revive the rural economy and restore the morale of those who live and work in rural Wales. We must press the Chancellor to encourage saving and investment in private pensions to take pressure off consumer spending, interest rates and exchange rates. The Assembly must commit to improving transport links in rural Wales so that new industries can be encouraged to create a new diversified economy. The Assembly must make a greater commitment to the tourism industry, which is so important to the rural economy.
Yr ydym am i Aelodau’r Cynulliad ymuno â ni wrth alw am bolisïau a fydd o gymorth i adfywio’r economi wledig ac adfer morâl y rhai sydd yn byw ac yn gweithio yng nghefn gwlad Cymru. Rhaid inni bwyso ar y Canghellor i annog cynilo a buddsoddi mewn pensiynau preifat er mwyn codi’r pwysau oddi ar wariant gan ddefnyddwyr, cyfraddau llog a chyfraddau cyfnewid. Rhaid i’r Cynulliad ymroi i wella cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth yn y Gymru wledig fel y gellir annog diwydiannau newydd i greu economi amrywiol newydd. Rhaid i’r Cynulliad ymrwymo’n helaethach i’r diwydiant twristiaeth, sydd mor bwysig i’r economi wledig.
Our motion deplores the Labour Government’s failure in Wales. I was interested to see that the amendment of Plaid Cymru’s spokesman on agriculture and the rural economy suggested that we should not deplore it but simply be concerned by it. I promise Rhodri Glyn Thomas and the Labour Government that the Welsh Conservative AMs are made of something sterner than the malleable putty that passes for Plaid Cymru opposition. We resent, deplore and condemn Labour’s appalling record in its disregard for rural Wales. We firmly believe that rural Wales will not recover its economic vitality, its self-confidence nor its confidence in Government until Britain and Wales are in the capable hands of a Conservative Government once again.
Mae ein cynnig yn gresynu at fethiant y Llywodraeth Lafur yng Nghymru. Yr oedd yn ddifyr imi weld fod gwelliant llefarydd Plaid Cymru ar amaethyddiaeth a’r economi wledig yn awgrymu na ddylem resynu ond pryderu’n unig ynghylch hynny. Caiff Rhodri Glyn Thomas a’r Llywodraeth Lafur weld bod Aelodau Cynulliad Ceidwadol Cymru o ddeunydd caletach na’r pwti hyblyg sydd yn gwneud y tro am wrthblaid Plaid Cymru. Yr ydym yn digio wrth, yn gresynu at ac yn collfarnu record warthus Llafur yn ei ddiystyrwch o’r Gymru wledig. Credwn yn bendant na fydd y Gymru wledig yn adfer ei hegni economaidd, ei hunanhyder na’i hymddiriedaeth mewn Llywodraeth nes bo Prydain a Chymru yn nwylo medrus Llywodraeth Geidwadol unwaith eto.
I am disappointed at the choice of the Conservative Party’s tone for this debate. On seeing the wording of the motion, my first reaction was to sigh, laugh and then become irritated. I am sick of going over the same ground and of telling the truth in answer to negative and fictional accusations by the Conservative Party in response to the Labour Party’s unrelenting efforts to regenerate our rural communities. Even the wording of the motion disappoints me. It is a completely false, negative statement and there is no attempt to present any ideas for further regeneration.
Yr wyf yn siomedig ynghylch yr oslef a ddewisodd y Blaid Geidwadol ar gyfer y ddadl hon. Wrth weld geiriad y cynnig, fy ymateb cyntaf oedd ocheneidio, chwerthin ac wedyn digio. Yr wyf wedi hen flino ar fynd dros yr un tir a dweud y gwir wrth ateb honiadau negyddol a ffug gan y Blaid Geidwadol mewn ymateb i ymdrechion diflino’r Blaid Lafur i adfywio ein cymunedau gwledig. Mae geiriad y cynnig yn siom i mi hyd yn oed. Mae’n ddatganiad cwbl ffug a negyddol ac nid oes unrhyw ymgais i gyflwyno unrhyw syniadau ar gyfer adfywio pellach.
We are all aware of the luxury of being in opposition and this motion is an example of the negative, critical and amnesiac attitude that we have come to associate with the Conservative Party on Labour’s approach to farming. We must remind ourselves of the Conservative Party’s record on the rural economy. The phrase ‘18 years of Tory rule’ is an overused one but we must clarify how the decimation caused by years of mismanagement brought the countryside to its knees in the first place. The Conservative Party proposed this motion but I remind you that it was the Conservative Party’s complete ignorance of the initial BSE problems and the decline in risk assessment for short-term financial and electoral gain that sparked off the huge problems facing the industry today. Who deregulated bus services? Why does the Objective 2 document contain sections to tackle rural isolation? Which party preached to us for many years that market forces were the only way forward?
Yr ydym oll yn ymwybodol o’r moethusrwydd o fod yn wrthblaid ac mae’r cynnig hwn yn enghraifft o’r ymagwedd negyddol, beirniadol ac anghofus y daethom i’w chysylltu â’r Blaid Geidwadol at ddull Llafur o ymdrin â ffermio. Rhaid inni ein hatgoffa ein hunain am record y Blaid Geidwadol ar yr economi wledig. Gorddefnyddir yr ymadrodd ‘18 mlynedd o lywodraeth Dorïaidd’ ond rhaid inni egluro sut yr oedd y difrod a achoswyd gan flynyddoedd o gamreoli wedi dod â chefn gwlad i’w liniau yn y lle cyntaf. Y Blaid Geidwadol a gynigiodd y cynnig hwn ond fe’ch atgoffaf mai anwybodaeth lwyr y Blaid Geidwadol am y problemau cyntaf ynghylch BSE a’r dirywiad mewn asesu risg er mwyn enillion ariannol ac etholiadol tymor byr a gychwynnodd y problemau anferth sydd yn wynebu’r diwydiant heddiw. Pwy a ddadreoleiddiodd wasanaethau bysiau? Pam y mae’r ddogfen Amcan 2 yn cynnwys adrannau i ymdrin ag ynysu yng nghefn gwlad? Pa blaid a bregethodd wrthym am flynyddoedd lawer mai grymoedd y farchnad oedd yr unig ffordd ymlaen?
Other factors, for which it was not responsible, compounded the Conservative Party’s management of the rural economy. The low level of world commodity prices is an indisputable problem facing the farming industry, which impacts on the whole of the rural community. Another factor has been the drive towards the restructuring of the common agriculture policy to move away from the heavy reliance on state aid and the subsidy under Agenda 2000. We are also aware of the problems caused by the strength of sterling and we would be wrong not to say that this is a tremendous problem for rural and all other areas. The last Conservative Government paid no agri-monetary compensation at all. I asked Peter Rogers about that but he did not answer my question.
Yr oedd ffactorau eraill, nad oedd yn gyfrifol amdanynt, wedi gwaethygu rheolaeth y Blaid Geidwadol o’r economi wledig. Mae lefel isel prisiau nwyddau yn y byd yn broblem ddiymwad sydd yn wynebu’r diwydiant ffermio, sydd yn effeithio ar y cyfan o’r gymuned wledig. Ffactor arall fu’r ymgyrch i ailstrwythuro’r polisi amaethyddol cyffredinol er mwyn symud oddi wrth y ddibyniaeth fawr ar gymorth gwladwriaethol a chymorthdaliadau o dan Agenda 2000. Yr ydym hefyd yn ymwybodol o’r problemau a achoswyd gan gryfder sterling ac ni fyddai’n iawn inni beidio â dweud bod hon yn broblem aruthrol i ardaloedd gwledig a phob ardal arall. Ni thalodd y Llywodraeth Geidwadol ddiwethaf unrhyw iawndal amaeth-arianyddol o gwbl. Holais Peter Rogers ynghylch hynny ond nid atebodd fy nghwestiwn.
Following the farming summit at the end of last month, the Prime Minister announced a massive package of aid worth at least £200 million for the farming industry to alleviate immediate pressures. Edwina has broken the figures down for Wales. I could not and would not attempt to do so, therefore I will use the British figures. I will not bore you with a blow by blow breakdown of these measures. Indeed, the package is so comprehensive that I would not have time to detail them all. I will expand a little on what Labour is doing for the rural areas of Wales. This is important and we are working very hard on their behalf.
Ar ôl yr uwchgynhadledd ffermio ddiwedd y mis diwethaf, cyhoeddodd y Prif Weinidog becyn anferth o gymorth sydd yn werth o leiaf £200 miliwn i’r diwydiant ffermio er mwyn lliniaru pwysau dybryd. Mae Edwina wedi dadansoddi’r ffigurau ar gyfer Cymru. Ni allwn ac ni fynnwn geisio gwneud hynny, felly defnyddiaf y ffigurau Prydeinig. Ni’ch diflasaf â dadansoddiad fesul un o’r mesurau hyn. Yn wir, mae’r pecyn mor gynhwysfawr fel na fyddai amser imi eu rhestru i gyd. Ymhelaethaf ychydig ar yr hyn y mae Llafur yn ei wneud dros ardaloedd gwledig Cymru. Mae hynny’n bwysig ac yr ydym yn gweithio’n galed iawn ar eu rhan.
First, agri-monetary compensation. Labour has pledged to deliver £66 million in agri-monetary aid; £22 million each to the dairy, sheep and beef sectors. You may ask why the Government has not pledged agri-monetary compensation for the arable sector. Arable farmers are already being paid £171 million of agri-money this year. Another measure announced in this package is the Government’s pledge to abolish dairy hygiene inspection charges. Christine Gwyther has been pursuing this on our behalf for some time. This agreement with MAFF can only strengthen our case with Europe. It is estimated that this measure alone will be worth at least £1 million for the industry.
Yn gyntaf, iawndal amaeth-arianyddol. Mae Llafur wedi addo cyflenwi £66 miliwn o gymorth amaeth-arianyddol; £22 miliwn yr un i’r sectorau llaeth, defaid a chig eidion. Gallech ofyn pam nad yw’r Llywodraeth wedi addo iawndal amaeth-arianyddol i’r sector tir âr. Mae ffermwyr tir âr eisoes yn derbyn £171 miliwn o arian amaethyddol eleni. Mesur arall a gyhoeddwyd yn y pecyn hwn yw addewid y Llywodraeth i ddileu taliadau arolygu glanweithdra llaeth. Mae Christine Gwyther yn ceisio cyflawni hyn ar ein rhan ers cryn amser. Ni all y cytundeb hwn â’r Weinyddiaeth Amaethyddiaeth, Pysgodfeydd a Bwyd ond cryfhau ein hachos gydag Ewrop. Amcangyfrifir y bydd y mesur hwn ar ei ben ei hun yn werth o leiaf £1 filiwn i’r diwydiant.
The Government will also remove the over 30 months weight limit, which should be worth approximately £11.5 million to the dairy sector. The sum of £26 million will be used to help restructure the pig industry and, importantly for Wales, the Government has announced the retention of £60 million in the UK budget to support less favoured areas in 2001. Labour has also announced a number of broader measures to further regenerate the rural economy.
Bydd y Llywodraeth hefyd yn dileu’r terfyn pwysau dros 30 mis, a ddylai fod yn werth tua £11.5 miliwn i’r sector llaeth. Defnyddir y swm o £26 miliwn i helpu i ailstrwythuro’r diwydiant moch ac, yn bwysig i Gymru, cyhoeddodd y Llywodraeth y cedwir £60 miliwn yng nghyllideb y DU i roi cymorth i ardaloedd llai ffafriol yn 2001. Mae Llafur hefyd wedi cyhoeddi nifer o fesurau ehangach i adfywio’r economi wledig ymhellach.
Who wrote this statement?
Pwy a ysgrifennodd y datganiad hwn?
I did, this morning, with facts rather than emotion and silly comments.
Myfi, y bore yma, gan ddefnyddio ffeithiau yn hytrach nag emosiwn a sylwadau gwirion.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 58
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 58
Order. It hardly behoves Members who seek to raise points of order about the behaviour of other Members and to complain, to be behaving in a way that is not entirely in order. It is the Welsh Conservative group’s debate after all.
Trefn. Prin ei bod yn briodol i Aelodau sydd yn ceisio codi pwyntiau o drefn a chwyno am ymddygiad Aelodau eraill, ymddwyn mewn modd nad yw’n gwbl mewn trefn. Dadl grŵp Ceidwadol Cymru ydyw wedi’r cwbl.
This is a reaction to the Conservatives’ debate.
Mae hyn yn ymateb i ddadl y Ceidwadwyr.
Labour has announced a number of broader measures to further regenerate the rural economy in the package announced by the UK Government and in the rural development plan that we are developing. I say ‘we’, because we are working very hard together in the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on ‘Farming for the Future’. I do not have enough time to go through all of what I have prepared because Christine’s time will be curtailed.
Cyhoeddodd Llafur nifer o fesurau ehangach i adfywio’r economi wledig ymhellach yn y pecyn a gyhoeddwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU ac yn y cynllun datblygu gwledig yr ydym yn ei ddatblygu. Dywedaf ‘ni’, oherwydd yr ydym yn gweithio’n galed iawn yn y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig ar ‘Ffermio ar gyfer y Dyfodol’. Nid oes gennyf ddigon o amser i fynd drwy’r cwbl o’r hyn a baratoais oherwydd byddwn yn cwtogi ar amser Christine.
I have made myself clear in my claim that this is a strange choice of debate for the Conservatives, given that they were the ones who failed the rural economy. I live in a rural community and I was there, David, during those years to see the decimation and its causes. The Labour Party has begun the difficult task of making rural communities viable once again. It will be a long, uphill struggle, but we are committed to that task.
Yr wyf wedi fy egluro fy hun o ran fy haeriad bod hon yn ddadl ryfedd i’w dewis gan y Ceidwadwyr, o ystyried mai hwy oedd y rhai a esgeulusodd yr economi wledig. Yr wyf yn byw mewn cymuned wledig ac yr oeddwn yno, David, yn ystod y blynyddoedd hynny i weld y distryw a’i achosion. Mae’r Blaid Lafur wedi dechrau ar y dasg anodd o wneud cymunedau gwledig yn hyfyw unwaith eto. Bydd yn ymdrech hir ac anodd, ond yr ydym wedi ymrwymo i’r dasg honno.
Thank you, Karen. I do not mind being curtailed when I am faced with fact instead of flannel, which has been the substance of a great deal of this debate.
Diolch i chi, Karen. Nid oes gwahaniaeth gennyf gael fy nghwtogi pan wynebir fi â ffeithiau yn hytrach na lol, sef yr hyn a fu’n sylwedd i lawer iawn o’r ddadl hon.
I am sure that you are not surprised to hear that we reject the motion completely. To say that we are failing to protect the rural economy and its services is totally unfounded. I also reject Rhodri Glyn Thomas’s amendment 1. I am sorry if that upsets you, Rhodri.
Yr wyf yn sicr na synnwch o glywed ein bod yn gwrthod y cynnig yn llwyr. Mae dweud ein bod yn methu â diogelu’r economi wledig a’i wasanaethau’n gwbl ddi-sail. Gwrthodaf hefyd welliant 1 Rhodri Glyn Thomas. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf os yw hynny’n eich siomi, Rhodri.
Our approach to economic prosperity for all parts of Wales has always been the creation of a flourishing enterprise and innovation culture, which values, recognises and rewards entrepreneurial spirit. Action, not rhetoric is needed for rural Wales, which is why we have been pushing ahead with the delivery of a range of policies and programmes.
Y dull sydd gennym erioed o geisio ffyniant economaidd ar gyfer pob rhan o Gymru yw creu diwylliant menter ac arloesi llewyrchus, sydd yn trysori, yn cydnabod ac yn gwobrwyo mentergarwch. Gweithredu, nid rhethreg yw’r hyn y mae ei angen ar y Gymru wledig, a dyna pam y buom yn bwrw ymlaen i gyflawni amrediad o bolisïau a rhaglenni.
Richard Edwards a gododd—
Richard Edwards rose—
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 59
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 59
Richard probably wants to say something helpful, Christine.
Mae Richard am ddweud rhywbeth a fydd o gymorth yn ôl pob tebyg, Christine.
I hope so, Richard, or I will be very cross.
Gobeithiaf, Richard, neu byddaf yn flin iawn.
I am sure that you would welcome something helpful. Will you join me in condemning the sheer effrontery of the proposers of this motion? The Tory legacy to rural Wales for two decades was BSE, bus deregulation, crippled public services, spiralling interest rates and unemployment. What about child poverty? In 1979, if the Conservatives had promised to treble child poverty in rural and urban Wales, it would have been the one promise that it managed to keep.
Yr wyf yn sicr y croesawech rywbeth a fydd o gymorth. A ymunwch â mi wrth gollfarnu haerllugrwydd llwyr cynigwyr y cynnig hwn? Yr etifeddiaeth Dorïaidd a gafodd y Gymru wledig am ddau ddegawd oedd BSE, dadreoleiddio bysiau, gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a andwywyd, cyfraddau llog cynyddol a diweithdra. Beth am dlodi ymysg plant? Yn 1979, pe bai’r Ceidwadwyr wedi addo treblu tlodi ymysg plant yn y Gymru wledig a’r Gymru drefol, honno fyddai’r un addewid y byddent wedi llwyddo i’w chadw.
Sheer effrontery is a phrase I could not have chosen better myself. Let us return to the issues. Tomorrow, we will debate the Objective 1 single programming document and the draft Rural Development Plan, which was considered in Plenary last year. Both of those documents contain measures aimed at the development of rural areas to improve basic services, enhance the contribution of tourism, craft and cultural activities and promote diversification to encourage alternative sources of income.
Mae haerllugrwydd llwyr yn ymadrodd na allaswn ddewis ei well fy hun. Gadewch inni fynd yn ôl at y materion sydd o bwys. Yfory, byddwn yn trafod y ddogfen raglennu sengl Amcan 1 a’r Cynllun Datblygu Gwledig drafft, a ystyriwyd yn y Cyfarfod Llawn y llynedd. Mae’r ddwy ddogfen hynny’n cynnwys mesurau sydd yn ceisio datblygu ardaloedd gwledig er mwyn gwella gwasanaethau sylfaenol, hybu cyfraniad twristiaeth, crefftau a gweithgareddau diwylliannol a hyrwyddo amrywiaethu er mwyn hybu ffynonellau incwm eraill.
Returning to agriculture, this administration recognises the continuing reliance of many rural communities on agriculture for direct and indirect employment. I have always said that we understand that for every job created on a farm, 0.4 jobs are created off the farm. That is important to remember. We have provided substantial financial help to the industry.
Gan droi’n ôl at amaethyddiaeth, mae’r weinyddiaeth hon yn cydnabod dibyniaeth barhaus llawer o gymunedau gwledig ar amaethyddiaeth am gyflogaeth uniongyrchol neu anuniongyrchol. Dywedais erioed ein bod yn deall bod pob un swydd a greir ar fferm yn creu 0.4 o swyddi oddi ar y fferm. Mae’n bwysig cofio hynny. Rhoesom gymorth ariannol helaeth i’r diwydiant.
I am grateful to Edwina for reporting substantively the UK package, but the Welsh input into that was critical. Wales leads the way in this respect. Hard work went into it, not only on a political level, but on an official level.
Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i Edwina am roi adroddiad am sylwedd pecyn y DU, ond yr oedd y cyfraniad o Gymru i hynny’n holl bwysig. Mae Cymru ar y blaen yn hyn o beth. Aeth gwaith caled iddo, nid yn unig ar lefel wleidyddol, ond ar lefel swyddogol.
Is your administration committed to the family farm being the centre of Welsh agriculture?
A yw’ch gweinyddiaeth wedi ymrwymo i le’r fferm deuluol fel canolbwynt amaethyddiaeth yng Nghymru?
Absolutely. I should not have to answer that question. I am sure that it comes through in our policies and programmes. We also lead the way on agri-environmental measures—the Tir Gofal scheme is respected and known throughout Europe. By the end of three years, about 2,000 farms in Wales, including family farms—we are making greater strides to ensure that that happens, David—will be part of the scheme. This will create social, environmental and economic gains for our people. Our organic scheme is flourishing and I am glad that we have been able to put more money into it.
Yn gyfan gwbl. Ni ddylwn orfod ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw. Yr wyf yn sicr bod hynny’n amlwg yn ein polisïau a’n rhaglenni. Yr ydym hefyd yn arwain y ffordd ar fesurau amaeth-amgylcheddol—perchir y cynllun Tir Gofal ac mae’n adnabyddus ledled Ewrop. Ymhen tair blynedd, bydd tua 2,000 o ffermydd yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys ffermydd teuluol—yr ydym yn cymryd camau brasach i sicrhau y digwydd hynny, David—yn rhan o’r cynllun. Bydd hyn yn creu manteision cymdeithasol, amgylcheddol ac economaidd i’n pobl. Mae ein cynllun organig yn ffynnu ac yr wyf yn falch ein bod wedi gallu rhoi mwy o arian ynddo.
I welcome Edwina’s announcement of agri-monetary compensation for Welsh farmers today. However, in her statement she said that the full amount had been made available to dairy farmers, not beef and sheep farmers. I have beef and sheep areas in my constituency. Do you regret the London Government’s decision not to make the full amount of agri-monetary compensation available for the beef and sheep sector?
Croesawaf gyhoeddiad Edwina am iawndal amaeth-arianyddol i ffermwyr Cymru heddiw. Fodd bynnag, yn ei datganiad dywedodd fod y swm llawn wedi ei ddarparu i ffermwyr llaeth, nid i ffermwyr cig eidion a defaid. Mae gennyf ardaloedd cig eidion a defaid yn fy etholaeth i. A yw penderfyniad Llywodraeth Llundain i beidio â darparu’r swm llawn o iawndal amaeth-arianyddol i’r sector cig eidion a defaid yn destun gofid i chi?
Throughout the negotiations between this administration and the UK Government, agri-monetary compensation was pursued at every level. I am pleased that the full amount will be made available for dairy farmers and that the over 30 month scheme weight limit was lifted. It will be great to see dairy farmers receive the full amount, but as far as sheep are concerned, it was a big stride forward that we were able to protect the amount of hill livestock compensatory allowance for this year. We had no idea if we would manage that at the start of the negotiations. I am pleased that we did.
Drwy gydol y negodiadau rhwng y weinyddiaeth hon a Llywodraeth y DU, dilynwyd iawndal amaeth-arianyddol ar bob lefel. Yr wyf yn falch y bydd y swm llawn wedi ei ddarparu i ffermwyr llaeth a bod y terfyn pwysau yn y cynllun 30 mis wedi ei ddileu. Bydd yn braf iawn gweld ffermwyr llaeth yn derbyn y swm llawn, ond o ran defaid, yr oedd yn gam mawr ymlaen inni allu diogelu swm y lwfansau iawndal da byw tir uchel am y flwyddyn hon. Nid oedd gennyf syniad a fyddem yn llwyddo i wneud hynny ar ddechrau’r negodiadau. Yr wyf yn falch inni wneud.
I will talk a little about the less favoured areas. In addition to last year’s special package—worth £15 million to Welsh producers in less favoured areas—an extra £60 million for 2000-01 was announced on 30 March. Wales will receive £14.7 million of that.
Soniaf ychydig am yr ardaloedd llai ffafriol. Ar ben y pecyn arbennig y flwyddyn ddiwethaf—a oedd yn werth £15 miliwn i gynhyrchwyr yng Nghymru mewn ardaloedd llai ffafriol—cyhoeddwyd £60 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer 2000-01 ar 30 Mawrth. Bydd Cymru’n derbyn £14.7 miliwn o hynny.
I have said that Wales made the running on help for hill famers. We also made the running on the dairy hygiene charges. It is good that Wales was first to do this and that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food came in with us. I am glad that they did.
Dywedais mai Cymru a arweiniodd y ffordd o ran cymorth i ffermwyr mynydd. Ni oedd ar y blaen hefyd o ran y taliadau glanweithdra llaeth. Mae’n dda mai Cymru oedd y gyntaf i wneud hyn a bod y Weinyddiaeth Amaethyddiaeth, Pysgodfeydd a Bwyd wedi ymuno â ni. Yr wyf yn falch iddi wneud.
We must remember that some agri-monetary compensation has been paid. We talked about the discretionary element last week. A sum of £88 million will be paid this year as a second instalment of the compulsory compensation announced by Nick Brown in September last year. A further £44 million will be paid in 2001, assuming the exchange rate stays the same. As well as the second instalments, the first instalment of compulsory aid to the cereals sector is currently being paid. It is worth £1.6 million to Welsh producers because we have very few cereal producers. It is worth about £170 million to the UK as a whole. I have talked about the agri-monetary compensation for dairy farmers. I want to stress that, in our negotiations, we try to push the Welsh point of view of fair play. In that spirit, the money will be paid not to the quota owners, but to those who actually produce on that quota. Sofa farmers, or pub farmers as they are sometimes called, will not get the money. It will go to the producers. In the spirit of fairness, which I think is peculiarly Welsh, I was chuffed to get that agreement.
Rhaid inni gofio bod rhywfaint o iawndal amaeth-arianyddol wedi ei dalu. Soniasom am yr elfen ddewisol yr wythnos diwethaf. Telir swm o £88 miliwn eleni fel ail randaliad o’r iawndal gorfodol a gyhoeddwyd gan Nick Brown ym mis Medi y llynedd. Telir £44 miliwn pellach yn 2001, gan gymryd y bydd y gyfradd gyfnewid yn aros yr un fath. Yn ogystal â’r ail randaliadau, telir rhandaliad cyntaf y cymorth gorfodol i’r sector ydau ar hyn o bryd. Mae’n werth £1.6 miliwn i gynhyrchwyr yng Nghymru oherwydd ychydig iawn o gynhyrchwyr ydau sydd gennym. Mae’n werth tua £170 miliwn i’r DU gyfan. Soniais am yr iawndal amaeth-arianyddol i ffermwyr llaeth. Yr wyf am bwysleisio ein bod, yn ein negodiadau, yn ceisio pwyso dros safbwynt Cymru o gael chwarae teg. Yn yr ysbryd hwnnw, nid i berchnogion y cwotâu y telir yr arian, ond i’r rhai sydd yn cynhyrchu’n wirioneddol ar y cwotâu hynny. Ni fydd ffermwyr soffa, neu ffermwyr tafarn fel y’u gelwir weithiau, yn derbyn yr arian. Â i’r cynhyrchwyr. Yn ysbryd tegwch, sydd yn arbennig o Gymreig yr wyf yn credu, yr oeddwn yn falch iawn o gael y cytundeb hwnnw.
We reject Rhodri Glyn Thomas’s amendment 2 regarding the high value of sterling. I have some sympathy with it, as he knows. However, it does not only affect rural Wales. It affects industries and businesses throughout Wales and the UK as a whole. The First Secretary has written to the Treasury about this issue. I am sure that you will agree that the Assembly, and certainly the Labour administration in Wales, cares about all of Wales.
Gwrthodwn welliant 2 Rhodri Glyn Thomas ynghylch gwerth uchel sterling. Mae gennyf rywfaint o gydymdeimlad ag ef, fel y gŵyr. Fodd bynnag, nid ar y Gymru wledig yn unig y mae’n effeithio. Effeithia ar ddiwydiannau a busnesau ledled Cymru a’r DU gyfan. Ysgrifennodd y Prif Ysgrifennydd at y Trysorlys am y mater hwn. Yr wyf yn sicr y cytunwch fod y Cynulliad, ac yn sicr y weinyddiaeth Lafur yng Nghymru, yn gofalu am Gymru gyfan.
I was disappointed that nobody mentioned the agri-food strategy. We developed an industry-led strategy to promote the use of Welsh produce and to develop added value food processing in Wales. A ring-fenced allocation of £1.8 million to support work on the agri-food strategy has been given to the Welsh Development Agency’s agri-food directorate. Good work is being done.
Yr oeddwn yn siomedig na soniodd neb am y strategaeth amaeth-bwyd. Datblygasom strategaeth a arweinir gan y diwydiant i hybu’r defnydd o gynnyrch o Gymru ac i ddatblygu prosesu bwyd gwerth ychwanegol yng Nghymru. Rhoddwyd dyraniad a glustnodwyd o £1.8 miliwn i gynnal gwaith ar y strategaeth amaeth-bwyd i gyfarwyddiaeth amaeth-bwyd Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru. Gwneir gwaith da arno.
Other key areas of action include improving the skills base of our rural areas, which is vital to attract new industries and to achieve economic diversification. A skilled workforce is essential, as Rhodri Morgan knows from his previous job in the Welsh Office, and as I know from my previous job in local government. The work of the Post-16 Education and Training Committee will be helpful to that. The Assembly must back, not knock, the sort of things we are talking about. I want you to remember that when you talk to the media and when you talk in this arena.
Un o’r meysydd gweithredu eraill yw gwella sylfaen medrau ein hardaloedd gwledig, sydd yn holl bwysig er mwyn denu diwydiannau newydd a chyflawni amrywiaethu economaidd. Mae gweithlu medrus yn hanfodol, fel y gŵyr Rhodri Morgan o’i swydd flaenorol yn y Swyddfa Gymreig, ac fel y gwn i o’m swydd flaenorol mewn llywodraeth leol. Bydd gwaith y Pwyllgor Addysg a Hyfforddiant Ôl-16 yn gymorth yn hynny o beth. Rhaid i’r Cynulliad gefnogi, ac nid beirniadu, y math o bethau yr ydym yn sôn amdanynt. Dymunaf ichi gofio hynny pan siaradwch â’r cyfryngau a phan siaradwch yn y man ymryson hwn.
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In view of the time, will you wind up? It is an hour’s debate.
Yng ngolwg yr amser, a wnewch derfynu? Dadl awr yw hon.
We are also working hard on information and communications technology because rural Wales needs a knowledge-based modern economy, as well as a more traditional, land based economy. Rhodri Morgan announced strand 6 of the Llwybr-Pathway project at the end of last year. It is very welcome. I will mention some of the contributions that people made, if that is all right.
Yr ydym hefyd yn gweithio’n galed ar dechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu oherwydd mae ar y Gymru wledig angen economi fodern yn seiliedig ar wybodaeth, yn ogystal ag economi fwy traddodiadol, yn seiliedig ar y tir. Cyhoeddodd Rhodri Morgan linyn 6 o’r prosiect Llwybr-Pathway ddiwedd y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Mae croeso mawr iddo. Soniaf am rai o’r cyfraniadau a wnaethpwyd, os yw hynny’n iawn.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 62
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 62
I do not know if it is all right, because Nick Bourne must respond to the debate, we have to have a vote and there is the precious matter of the next debate, which is a Liberal Democrat debate. I have to protect these party group debates.
Ni wn a yw hynny’n iawn, oherwydd rhaid i Nick Bourne ymateb i’r ddadl, rhaid inni gael pleidlais ac mae mater pwysig y ddadl nesaf, sydd yn ddadl gan y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Rhaid imi ddiogelu’r dadleuon grwpiau plaid hyn.
In that spirit, I will wind up. The Labour group will abstain on Mick Bates’ amendment 3. It was raised in good spirit but you did not acknowledge the work that was already being done by this administration and by the Assembly on gathering new statistics. That undermined the amendment. We will abstain but I underline our commitment to better rural statistics.
Yn yr ysbryd hwnnw, terfynaf. Bydd y grŵp Llafur yn ymatal ar welliant 3 Mick Bates. Fe’i codwyd â bwriad da ond ni chydnabuasoch y gwaith a wneir eisoes gan y weinyddiaeth hon a chan y Cynulliad ar gasglu ystadegau newydd. Yr oedd hynny’n tanseilio’r gwelliant. Byddwn yn ymatal ond pwysleisiaf ein hymrwymiad i ystadegau gwledig gwell.
First, I find it astounding that Richard Edwards has suggested that there was effrontery in proposing a motion such as this. If rural Wales was listening, especially in his own constituency, I hope that they would treat that comment with the contempt it deserves. When the electors most recently voted in his constituency, in Prendergast ward, there was a massive swing to the Welsh Conservatives in a seat that we had never held before and which we captured. Therefore, more contributions like that would be most welcome.
Yn gyntaf, fe’m syfrdanwyd bod Richard Edwards wedi awgrymu bod haerllugrwydd wrth gynnig cynnig fel hwn. Os oedd y Gymru wledig yn gwrando, yn enwedig yn ei etholaeth ei hun, gobeithiaf y bydd yn trin y sylw hwnnw â’r dirmyg y mae’n ei haeddu. Pan bleidleisiodd yr etholwyr yn fwyaf diweddar yn ei etholaeth, yn ward Prendergast, yr oedd gogwydd anferth at Geidwadwyr Cymru mewn sedd nad oeddem erioed wedi ei dal o’r blaen ac a enillwyd gennym. Felly, byddai croeso mawr i ragor o gyfraniadau fel hwnnw.
This debate involves the serious plight of rural Wales. I will deal first with issues that are not strictly related to farming income but are hitting hard on farmers and people in agricultural communities. First, the statutory right to roam. This is apparently popular with farmers in Newport East and with the Liberal Democrats, who voted for it in their conference. However, it is not popular in rural Wales. Rural Wales does not want it. I wish that the Assembly had the chance to vote against it here rather than have it imposed on us. Secondly, the fuel tax rise is well above inflation. Labour raised the price of fuel and the Liberals supported it.
Mae’r ddadl hon yn ymwneud â chyflwr difrifol y Gymru wledig. Yr wyf am ymdrin yn gyntaf â materion nad ydynt yn ymwneud yn gyfan gwbl ag incwm ffermio ond sydd yn bwrw ffermwyr a phobl mewn cymunedau amaethyddol yn galed. Yn gyntaf, yr hawl statudol i grwydro. Ymddengys fod hyn yn boblogaidd ymysg ffermwyr yn Nwyrain Casnewydd ac ymysg y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, a bleidleisiodd drosto yn eu cynhadledd. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n boblogaidd yn y Gymru wledig. Nid yw’r Gymru wledig am ei gael. Byddai’n dda gennyf pe bai’r Cynulliad wedi cael cyfle i bleidleisio yn ei erbyn yma yn hytrach na’i fod yn cael ei orfodi arnom. Yn ail, mae’r codiad yn y dreth tanwydd ymhell uwchlaw chwyddiant. Cododd Llafur bris tanwydd ac fe’i cefnogwyd gan y Rhyddfrydwyr.
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 63
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 63
So did you.
Gwnaethoch chi hefyd.
No. The First Secretary says—
Naddo. Dywed y Prif Ysgrifennydd—
Point of order.
Pwynt o drefn.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 63
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 63
Order. Is it relevant to this debate?
Trefn. A yw’n berthnasol i’r ddadl hon?
Yes. The Standing Orders require us to refer to other Members in the way in which they wish to be referred. There is a great weight of evidence that suggests that the Conservatives in the Assembly want to be called the Welsh Conservative Party. In future, would Nick Bourne refer to us by the name of the party that we represent, and not by the name of another registered party in Wales that has no representation in this Chamber? Otherwise, I will be forced to continue to raise this point of order until it happens. We will be pleased to recognise him if he recognises other people.
Ydyw. Mae’r Rheolau Sefydlog yn mynnu ein bod yn cyfeirio at Aelodau eraill yn y modd a ddymunant. Mae tystiolaeth helaeth i awgrymu bod y Ceidwadwyr yn y Cynulliad yn dymuno cael eu galw’n Blaid Geidwadol Cymru. Yn y dyfodol, a fydd Nick Bourne gystal â chyfeirio atom wrth enw’r blaid a gynrychiolwn, ac nid wrth enw plaid gofrestredig arall yng Nghymru, nad oes ganddi gynrychiolaeth yn y Siambr hon? Fel arall, byddaf yn gorfod parhau i godi’r pwynt o drefn hwn hyd nes y digwydd hynny. Byddwn yn falch o’i gydnabod ef os yw’n cydnabod pobl eraill.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 64
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 64
I am grateful for that point of order. It underlines a point that I have made several times during these debates. Groups self-select their registered name when registering under the appropriate legislation and when they appear here as groups. It is for them to decide, within the rules of order, how they wish to be referred to.
Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am y pwynt o drefn hwnnw. Tanlinella’r pwynt a wneuthum sawl gwaith yn ystod y dadleuon hyn. Mae’r grwpiau yn dewis eu henw cofrestredig eu hunain wrth gofrestru o dan y ddeddfwriaeth briodol a phan ymddangosant yma fel grwpiau. Mater iddynt hwy ei benderfynu, oddi mewn i reolau’r drefn, yw’r modd y dymunant i eraill gyfeirio atynt.
I am happy to agree to a trade-off with the leader of the Liberal Democrats. If Michael German refers to us as Welsh Conservatives, we will certainly refer to them in future as the Liberal Democrats. I apologise for the lapse, if there was one. However, on a serious substantive point, the Liberal Democrats have supported the increases in fuel tax and we have not. I must correct the First Secretary. We have always been against you on that and we remain against you.
Yr wyf yn falch o gytuno ar fargen ag arweinydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Os cyfeiria Michael German atom fel Ceidwadwyr Cymru, byddwn yn sicr o gyfeirio atynt yn y dyfodol fel y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Ymddiheuraf am y llithriad, os oedd un. Fodd bynnag, ar bwynt pwysig difrifol, mae’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol wedi cefnogi’r codiadau mewn treth tanwydd ac nid ydym ni. Rhaid imi gywiro’r Prif Ysgrifennydd. Buom yn eich erbyn erioed ar hynny ac yr ydym yn eich erbyn o hyd.
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 64
Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in Welsh p. 64
Clarke did.
Gwnaeth Clarke.
You are referring to another era, Rhodri. You had better get real.
Yr ydych yn cyfeirio at oes arall, Rhodri. Byddai’n well ichi ddeffro i’r byd go iawn.
Above all, we have a Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development who is caught in the headlights of a fast approaching juggernaut. She says that we are making progress. It seems that she did everything to support a genetically modified free environment except vote in favour of it when the opportunity arose. She was hopelessly wrong-footed on a cull ewe scheme for Wales, which she promised to deliver. We had the famous revolving door meeting in Europe, with Christine present for all of half an hour to argue for the scheme. She sometimes gives the appearance of listening, but rarely acts. Therefore, it seems that she has not heard the message.
Yn fwy na dim, mae gennym Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig sydd wedi ei dal gan oleuadau lori fawr sydd yn nesáu’n gyflym. Dywed ein bod yn gwneud cynnydd. Ymddengys ei bod wedi gwneud popeth i gefnogi amgylchedd sydd yn rhydd oddi wrth addasiadau genetig heblaw am bleidleisio o’i blaid pan ddaeth y cyfle. Fe’i daliwyd ar y troed anghywir yn anobeithiol ar gynllun lladd mamogiaid i Gymru, yr addawodd ei gyflawni. Cawsom y cyfarfod drws troi enwog yn Ewrop, lle’r oedd Christine yn bresennol am hanner awr cyfan i ddadlau dros y cynllun. Mae’n rhoi’r argraff weithiau ei bod yn gwrando, ond anaml y mae’n gweithredu. Felly, ymddengys na chlywodd y neges.
Most seriously, farming incomes are on the floor. They remain incredibly low. They are lower than they ever were under the Conservatives, if you want to hark back to a previous time. Rural bankruptcies are rising, as are rural suicides. I hope that someone will tell Labour Members at Westminster that that is certainly true in Powys.
Yn fwyaf difrifol, mae incymau ffermio wedi cyrraedd y gwaelod. Maent yn anhygoel o isel o hyd. Maent yn is nag y buont erioed o dan y Ceidwadwyr, os ydych am gyfeirio’n ôl at oes a fu. Mae methdaliadau yng nghefn gwlad ar gynnydd, fel y mae hunanladdiadau yng nghefn gwlad. Gobeithiaf y dywed rhywun wrth yr Aelodau Llafur yn San Steffan fod hyn yn sicr yn wir ym Mhowys.
I will now discuss services in rural Wales. The health service is suffering from serious bed and staff cuts, with no proper recognition of the rurality factor. The same is true about the police force. The Assembly cannot deal directly with post offices but we can make representations on the issue. The rate of closure is accelerating.
Yr wyf yn awr am drafod gwasanaethau yn y Gymru wledig. Mae’r gwasanaeth iechyd yn dioddef gan doriadau difrifol o ran staff a gwelyau, heb unrhyw gydnabyddiaeth iawn i ffactor gwledigrwydd. Mae’r un peth yn wir am yr heddlu. Ni all y Cynulliad ymdrin yn uniongyrchol â swyddfeydd post ond gallwn gyflwyno sylwadau ar y mater. Mae’r gyfradd cau ar gynnydd.
We are both aware of the difficulties that rural post offices are facing. However, you are not aware of the significant number of post office closures under your administration. Your plans for privatisation would have led to the decimation of those post offices. Deriding the Labour Government’s plans negates that your privatisation plans would have done exactly the same in rural areas.
Mae’r ddau ohonom yn ymwybodol o’r anawsterau sydd yn wynebu swyddfeydd post gwledig. Fodd bynnag, nid ydych yn ymwybodol o’r nifer fawr o swyddfeydd post a gaeodd o dan eich gweinyddiaeth chi. Byddai eich cynlluniau preifateiddio wedi arwain at ddistrywio’r swyddfeydd post hynny. Wrth ddirmygu cynlluniau’r Llywodraeth Lafur yr ydych yn gwadu y byddai eich cynlluniau preifateiddio chi wedi gwneud yr un peth yn union mewn ardaloedd gwledig.
You were not listening. I said that the rate of closure had accelerated. I acknowledge that there was a rate of closure under a previous administration. That is fairly straightforward. You have not appreciated that the privatisation of the post offices had nothing to do with the running of the sub-post office network. We are used to the Liberal Democrats being—
Nid oeddech yn gwrando. Dywedais fod y gyfradd cau ar gynnydd. Cydnabyddaf fod cyfradd cau o dan weinyddiaeth flaenorol. Mae hynny’n eithaf syml. Ni sylweddolasoch nad oedd a wnelo preifateiddio swyddfeydd post ddim â rhedeg y rhwydwaith o is-swyddfeydd post. Yr ydym wedi arfer â’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol—
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 65
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 65
Order. There are four votes on this debate and I must protect the time of the next debate. I ask you kindly to draw your remarks to a close within 10 seconds.
Trefn. Mae pedair pleidlais ar y ddadl hon a rhaid imi ddiogelu amser y ddadl nesaf. Gofynnaf yn garedig ichi gwblhau’ch sylwadau o fewn 10 eiliad.
Alun Pugh, Jenny Randerson a David Melding a gododd—
Alun Pugh, Jenny Randerson and David Melding rose—
I will give way—
Yr wyf yn fodlon ildio—
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 66
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66
I have to ask you to close your speech rather than give way. We are out of time.
Gofynnais ichi orffen eich araith yn hytrach nag ildio. Mae ein hamser ar ben.
I am concerned that we missed out on our last debate.
Yr wyf yn bryderus am ein bod wedi cael colled yn ein dadl ddiwethaf.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 66
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66
I am well aware of that. That will not happen today. Nick Bourne, please conclude.
Yr wyf yn ymwybodol iawn o hynny. Ni fydd hynny’n digwydd heddiw. Nick Bourne, terfynwch, os gwelwch yn dda.
In response to that, we have not had a strong showing in terms of time in this debate.
Mewn ymateb i hynny, ni chawsom ddangosiad da o ran amser yn y ddadl hon.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 66
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66
I still owe you six minutes.
Mae arnaf chwe munud i chi o hyd.
I will move on to my concluding comments.
Af ymlaen at fy sylwadau terfynol.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 66
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66
Order. The debate finishes in one minute and I must allow time for the vote.
Trefn. Bydd y ddadl yn gorffen ymhen munud a rhaid imi ganiatáu amser ar gyfer y bleidlais.
I will therefore conclude. On the post office issue, we remain of the view that the Labour Party has done everything to destroy the post office network. I am sorry that the Liberal Democrats feel the need to support them. On the particular amendments—
Terfynaf, felly. Ar fater y swyddfeydd post, yr ydym o’r farn o hyd fod y Blaid Lafur wedi gwneud popeth er mwyn dinistrio’r rhwydwaith swyddfeydd post. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf fod y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn teimlo’r angen i’w chefnogi. Ar y gwelliannau penodol—
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 66
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66
It is now 4.30 p.m. and I will have to bring the debate to a close. I must keep time in these minority party debates. We owe you six minutes already and you will have them in your next debate.
Mae’n awr yn 4.30 p.m. a rhaid imi ddod â’r ddadl i ben. Rhaid imi gadw at yr amser yn y dadleuon plaid leiafrifol hyn. Mae arnom chwe munud i chi eisoes ac fe’u cewch yn eich dadl nesaf.
Can I not say how we will be voting? It will only take 30 seconds.
Oni chaf ddweud sut y byddwn yn pleidleisio? Ni chymer ond 30 eiliad.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 66
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66
Yes. Only 30 seconds.
Cewch. Dim ond 30 eiliad.
In relation to Rhodri Glyn Thomas’s amendment 1, it is a shame that he feels the need to provide a life support mechanism to Labour even though Christine Gwyther did not seem to want to take it. We will abstain on his amendment 2 and on the Liberal Democrats’ amendment 3.
Mewn perthynas â gwelliant 1 Rhodri Glyn Thomas, mae’n drueni ei fod yn teimlo’r angen i roi peiriant cynnal bywyd i Lafur er nad ymddangosai fod Christine Gwyther am ei dderbyn. Byddwn yn ymatal ar welliant 2 o’i eiddo ac ar welliant 3 y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol.
Gwelliant 1 Rhodri Glyn Thomas t. 67
Amendment 1 Rhodri Glyn Thomas p. 67
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 13 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 35
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (13)
- Cynog Dafis
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (35)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Rosemary Butler
- Alun Cairns
- Christine Chapman
- Andrew Davies
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- William Graham
- Janice Gregory
- Christine Gwyther
- Alison Halford
- Edwina Hart
- Christine Humphreys
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Huw Lewis
- David Melding
- Alun Michael
- Tom Middlehurst
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Peter Rogers
- Karen Sinclair
- Kirsty Williams
Gwelliant 2 Rhodri Glyn Thomas t. 67
Amendment 2 Rhodri Glyn Thomas p. 67
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 20 YmatalAbstain 7 Yn erbynAgainst 22
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (20)
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Cynog Dafis
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Michael German
- Christine Humphreys
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- Jenny Randerson
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (7)
- Nick Bourne
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- William Graham
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
Yn erbynAgainst (22)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Andrew Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Alison Halford
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Huw Lewis
- Alun Michael
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Karen Sinclair
Gwelliant 3 Mick Bates t. 68
Amendment 3 Mick Bates p. 68
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 20 YmatalAbstain 27 Yn erbynAgainst 3
Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment adopted.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (20)
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Cynog Dafis
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Michael German
- Christine Humphreys
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- Jenny Randerson
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (27)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Nick Bourne
- Rosemary Butler
- Alun Cairns
- Andrew Davies
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- William Graham
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Huw Lewis
- David Melding
- Alun Michael
- Tom Middlehurst
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Peter Rogers
- Karen Sinclair
Yn erbynAgainst (3)
- Christine Chapman
- Brian Gibbons
- Alison Halford
Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygio Peter Rogers t. 69
Amended motion Peter Rogers p. 69
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 28 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 22
Derbyniwyd y cynnig wedi’i ddiwygio.
Amended motion adopted.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (28)
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Michael German
- William Graham
- Christine Humphreys
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Jenny Randerson
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (22)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Andrew Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Alison Halford
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Huw Lewis
- Alun Michael
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Karen Sinclair
Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Plaid y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol)
Minority Party Debate (The Liberal Democrat Party)
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 70
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70
I have selected amendments 1 and 5 in the name of Andrew Davies, and amendments 2, 3 and 4 in the name of David Lloyd.
Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliannau 1 a 5 yn enw Andrew Davies, a gwelliannau 2, 3 a 4 yn enw David Lloyd.
Point of order. The amendments which appear on the order paper as two amendments tabled in my name, amendments 1 and 5, were intentionally tabled as one amendment and appeared on the intranet as one amendment. I am concerned that when it then appeared on the order paper it had been divided into two amendments without my officials or myself being consulted. I do not think that it is appropriate for officials to make these decisions unilaterally, without consulting whichever party tables the amendment. I beg your indulgence to take the amendments in my name as one amendment and vote on them as one.
Pwynt o drefn. Yr oedd y gwelliannau sydd yn ymddangos ar bapur y drefn fel dau welliant yn fy enw i, gwelliannau 1 a 5, wedi eu cyflwyno’n fwriadol fel un gwelliant ac ymddangosasant ar y fewnrwyd fel un gwelliant. Pryderaf ei fod wedi ei rannu pan ymddangosodd wedyn ar bapur y drefn yn ddau welliant heb ymgynghori â’m swyddogion neu fi. Ni chredaf ei bod yn briodol i swyddogion wneud y penderfyniadau hyn yn unochrog, heb ymgynghori â pha bynnag blaid sydd yn cyflwyno’r gwelliant. Apeliaf am oddefgarwch gennych i dderbyn y gwelliannau yn fy enw yn un gwelliant a phleidleisio arnynt fel petaent yn un.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 70
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70
I take full responsibility for the appearance of the order paper and the amendments. I am prepared, on the basis of the information that I have been given and in accordance with the present guidance, to accept amendments 1 and 5 in your name as one amendment. We will vote on it as amendment 1 plus 5.
Derbyniaf gyfrifoldeb llwyr am wedd papur y drefn a’r gwelliannau. Yr wyf yn barod, ar sail yr wybodaeth a roddwyd i mi ac yn unol â’r arweiniad presennol, i dderbyn gwelliannau 1 a 5 yn eich enw yn un gwelliant. Byddwn yn pleidleisio arno fel gwelliant 1 a 5.
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
Kirsty Williams (continued) spoken in English p. 71
Kirsty Williams (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 71
A few weeks ago I visited a patient in a hospital not far from this building. This gentleman had been attacked in the city centre but, due to the care and attention of the hospital staff, was now well and ready to go home. However, he remained in the hospital because the local authority was trying to put a home care package in place for him. He had been waiting for over three weeks and, despite the staff’s best efforts, was fed up and wanted to go home. I am sure that all of us here would have felt the same.
Ychydig o wythnosau’n ôl euthum i weld claf mewn ysbyty nid nepell o’r adeilad hwn. Ymosodwyd ar y gŵr bonheddig hwn yng nghanol y ddinas ond, o ganlyniad i ofal a sylw staff yr ysbyty, yr oedd bellach yn iach ac yn barod i fynd adref. Fodd bynnag, arhosai yn yr ysbyty am fod yr awdurdod lleol yn ceisio rhoi pecyn gofal cartref ar waith ar ei gyfer. Bu’n aros dros dair wythnos ac, er gwaethaf ymdrechion gorau’r staff, yr oedd wedi syrffedu ac am fynd adref. Yr wyf yn sicr y teimlai pawb ohonom yma yr un fath.
At the beginning of that week, four other patients had been in a similar situation. One, thankfully, had been discharged. However, three had picked up illnesses while in the hospital and had once again become medical emergencies. That highlights the unsatisfactory situation of bed blocking. It is an ugly phrase, but the realities are not pretty either. Patients are not receiving care in the most appropriate setting nor, perhaps, the safest. The number of patients finding themselves in this situation will vary from day to day. However, the Assembly’s health statistics and analysis unit put the figure at 628 patients in October 1999, the most up-to-date figures available to it. That is an increase on the 598 beds that were found to be blocked in a Welsh Office survey of local authorities at the beginning of 1999.
Ddechrau’r wythnos honno, bu pedwar claf arall mewn sefyllfa debyg. Yr oedd un, diolch byth, wedi ei ryddhau. Fodd bynnag, yr oedd tri wedi dal salwch tra oeddent yn yr ysbyty a daethant yn achosion meddygol brys eto. Mae hynny’n tynnu sylw at y sefyllfa anfoddhaol o flocio gwelyau. Mae’n ymadrodd hyll, ond nid yw gwirioneddau’r sefyllfa mor bert â hynny ychwaith. Nid yw cleifion yn derbyn gofal yn y lleoliad mwyaf priodol nac, efallai, yr un mwyaf diogel. Mae nifer y cleifion sydd yn eu cael eu hunain yn y sefyllfa hon yn amrywio o ddiwrnod i ddiwrnod. Fodd bynnag, yr oedd uned ystadegau a dadansoddi iechyd y Cynulliad wedi nodi ffigur o 628 o gleifion yn Hydref 1999, y ffigurau diweddaraf sydd ar gael iddi. Mae hynny’n gynnydd oddi ar y 598 o welyau y cafwyd eu bod wedi eu blocio mewn arolwg gan y Swyddfa Gymreig o awdurdodau lleol ar ddechrau 1999.
The Liberal Democrats are therefore correct in saying that at any one time, some 600 beds can be blocked in Welsh hospitals. Beyond the frustration felt by the individuals concerned, there are consequences for the NHS’s ability to deliver services. Not only is it inappropriate for the patient to be kept in hospital, it also an expensive way of delivering care at a time when financial resources in the NHS are at a premium, as are beds.
Mae’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn gywir felly wrth ddweud ei bod yn bosibl i tua 600 o welyau gael eu blocio, ar unrhyw adeg benodol, yn ysbytai Cymru. Yn ogystal â’r rhwystredigaeth a deimlir gan yr unigolion dan sylw, mae canlyniadau i allu’r NHS i gyflenwi gwasanaethau. Nid yn unig y mae’n amhriodol cadw’r claf mewn ysbyty, mae hefyd yn ffordd ddrud o gyflenwi gofal ar adeg pan fo adnoddau ariannol yn yr NHS yn brin, fel y mae gwelyau.
The administration continues to fail to tackle adequately the problems of emergency medical admission capacity. The effect of this is to increase waiting times for elective surgery such as hip and knee and cataract operations. We have seen an incredible 195 per cent increase in the number of people waiting more than 18 months for inpatient or day case treatment. If we are to begin to tackle this appalling rise, then we need to sort out the lack of capacity in our hospitals, as David Lloyd’s amendments state. We also need to ensure that the NHS’s bed resources are used appropriately. Research shows that there is scope, if we can crack the problem of bed blocking, for an additional 20,000 patients to be treated in these beds, resources allowing.
Mae’r weinyddiaeth yn parhau i fethu ag ymdrin yn ddigonol â phroblemau’r nifer o welyau sydd ar gael i dderbyn achosion meddygol brys. Effaith hynny yw cynyddu amseroedd aros ar gyfer llawdriniaeth ddewisol fel llawdriniaethau ar y glun a’r pen-glin a philennau. Gwelsom gynnydd anhygoel o 195 y cant yn nifer y bobl sydd yn aros yn hwy na 18 mis am driniaeth fel claf mewnol neu achos dydd. Os ydym i ddechrau ymdrin â’r cynnydd gwarthus hwn, mae angen inni ddechrau datrys y diffyg yn nifer y gwelyau yn ein hysbytai, fel y noda gwelliannau David Lloyd. Mae angen inni sicrhau hefyd y caiff adnoddau gwelyau’r NHS eu defnyddio’n briodol. Dengys ymchwil fod cyfle, os gallwn ddatrys problem blocio gwelyau, i drin 20,000 o gleifion ychwanegol yn y gwelyau hyn, os oes digon o adnoddau.
The causes of bed blocking are complex and numerous and can differ in different parts of Wales. However, the difficulties faced by local authorities in providing funding for care when people leave hospitals are acknowledged throughout Wales. Local authorities have become increasingly stretched in recent years and have been continually forced to make difficult decisions regarding budget allocations. Social services departments have often been the losers. Within social services departments, bed blocking is not often seen as a priority.
Mae achosion blocio gwelyau’n gymhleth ac yn niferus a gallant amrywio mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru. Fodd bynnag, cydnabyddir ledled Cymru yr anawsterau a wynebir gan awdurdodau lleol wrth ddarparu arian ar gyfer gofal pan fo pobl yn gadael ysbytai. Mae awdurdodau lleol wedi eu hymestyn fwyfwy yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf hyn ac fe’u gorfodwyd yn barhaus i wneud penderfyniadau anodd ynghylch dyraniadau cyllideb. Adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yw’r rhai a fu ar eu colled yn aml. Oddi mewn i adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, ni welir blocio gwelyau yn flaenoriaeth yn aml.
In tough times there is little incentive to take on an issue for which somebody else is currently paying. No doubt the administration will point to the increase in expenditure in this year’s social services budget, but allowing local authorities to spend more on social services is different from handing over the hard cash.
Ar adegau anodd nid oes llawer o gymhelliad i fynd i’r afael â mater y mae rhywun arall yn talu amdano ar y pryd. Mae’n siŵr y bydd y weinyddiaeth yn cyfeirio at y cynnydd mewn gwariant yng nghyllideb y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol eleni, ond mae caniatáu i awdurdodau lleol wario mwy ar wasanaethau cymdeithasol yn wahanol i drosglwyddo’r arian sychion.
However, we need more than cash if we are to solve this problem. Often it is areas of communication that prevent the smooth discharge of patients from hospitals into the care of local authorities. We need to find ways of ensuring that local authorities’ social services departments, the NHS and voluntary organisations can work together to ensure that this problem does not continue.
Fodd bynnag, mae arnom angen mwy nag arian os ydym i ddatrys y broblem hon. Mewn llawer achos, meysydd cyfathrebu sydd yn atal rhyddhau cleifion yn rhwydd o ysbytai i ofal awdurdodau lleol. Mae angen inni ddarganfod ffyrdd o sicrhau bod adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol awdurdodau lleol, yr NHS a mudiadau gwirfoddol yn gallu cydweithio i sicrhau nad yw’r broblem hon yn parhau.
The Liberal Democrats believe that there are three main areas that need to be addressed if we are to tackle the problem of bed blocking. The first is the need to develop prevention strategies to stop people being admitted to hospital if it can be avoided. This ensures that there are adequate intervention plans if somebody is potentially at risk from staying in his or her own home.
Cred y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol fod tri phrif faes y mae angen ymdrin â hwy os ydym i fynd i’r afael â phroblem blocio gwelyau. Y cyntaf yw’r angen i ddatblygu strategaethau atal er mwyn rhwystro derbyn pobl i ysbytai os gellir osgoi hynny. Mae hyn yn sicrhau bod cynlluniau ymyrryd digonol os yw’n bosibl bod rhywun mewn perygl wrth aros yn ei gartref ei hun.
We need to address the needs of carers. Often people have to be admitted to hospital when their carers fall ill. We need to find ways of stopping people from being admitted to hospitals in the first place.
Mae angen inni ymdrin ag anghenion gofalwyr. Yn aml rhaid derbyn pobl i ysbyty pan fo’u gofalwyr yn mynd yn sâl. Mae angen inni ddarganfod ffyrdd o atal derbyn pobl i ysbytai yn y lle cyntaf.
Secondly, we need to rebuild our rehabilitation services, which have been decimated under previous regimes. The number of rehabilitation beds in Wales has been dramatically cut. By reinvesting in these services, not only do we give patients the opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life when they return to their communities or homes—by allowing them to do more because of their improved outcomes—but it also means that people are not readmitted into hospital so soon.
Yn ail, mae angen inni ailadeiladu ein gwasanaethau ailsefydlu, a ddinistriwyd o dan lywodraethau blaenorol. Mae nifer y gwelyau ailsefydlu yng Nghymru wedi ei dorri’n drawiadol. Drwy ailfuddsoddi yn y gwasanaethau hyn, nid yn unig y rhoddwn gyfle i gleifion fwynhau gwell ansawdd bywyd pan ddychwelant i’w cymunedau neu eu cartrefi—drwy ganiatáu iddynt wneud mwy oherwydd eu canlyniadau gwell—ond golyga na chaiff pobl eu haildderbyn i’r ysbyty mor fuan.
We need to sort out issues regarding co-operation and the funding of the NHS, and social services departments in particular.
Mae angen inni ddatrys materion sydd yn ymwneud â chydweithredu ac ariannu’r NHS, ac adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn benodol.
In this motion the Liberal Democrats call for some of the welcome additional resources that have been announced in London and in this Assembly to be earmarked for tackling these problems.
Yn y cynnig hwn mae’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn galw am glustnodi rhai o’r adnoddau ychwanegol derbyniol a gyhoeddwyd yn Llundain ac yn y Cynulliad hwn i ymdrin â’r problemau hyn.
Given that the situation varies so much around Wales and considering the difficulties that local authorities have, we believe that the local health group is the appropriate vehicle for delivering this funding. Local health groups are already bringing various agencies to work together, unless of course you discount Cardiff county council, which has failed to convince social services departments to work on their local health group. However, I know that my colleague Jenny Randerson will mention that later.
Gan fod y sefyllfa’n amrywio gymaint o gwmpas Cymru ac yng ngolwg anawsterau awdurdodau lleol, credwn mai’r grŵp iechyd lleol yw’r cyfrwng priodol i gyflenwi’r arian hwn. Mae grwpiau iechyd lleol eisoes yn dod â gwahanol asiantaethau at ei gilydd i weithio, oni bai eich bod yn diystyru cyngor sir Caerdydd, wrth gwrs, sydd wedi methu â pherswadio adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol i weithio ar ei grŵp iechyd lleol ef. Fodd bynnag, gwn y bydd fy nghydweithiwr Jenny Randerson yn sôn am hynny’n ddiweddarach.
Local health groups already have GPs, community staff, nurses, social services and voluntary sectors working together to tackle health improvement in their areas. By earmarking some of the additional resources for the NHS in Wales to these groups, they can commission services in their own areas that are appropriate to their own areas’ needs. We can begin to tackle the inappropriateness of people receiving care in inappropriate settings, and with the added benefit of freeing up vital hospital beds we can begin to tackle waiting times.
Mae grwpiau iechyd lleol eisoes wedi cael meddygon teulu, staff cymunedol, nyrsys, gwasanaethau cymdeithasol a sectorau gwirfoddol i weithio gyda’i gilydd i ymdrin â gwella iechyd yn eu hardaloedd. Drwy glustnodi rhai o’r adnoddau ychwanegol ar gyfer yr NHS yng Nghymru ar gyfer y grwpiau hyn, gallant gomisiynu gwasanaethau yn eu hardaloedd eu hunain sydd yn briodol i anghenion eu hardaloedd eu hunain. Gallwn ddechrau mynd i’r afael â’r amhriodoldeb o dderbyn gofal mewn lleoliadau amhriodol, a chyda’r fantais ychwanegol o ryddhau gwelyau ysbyty holl bwysig gallwn ddechrau mynd i’r afael ag amseroedd aros.
I propose amendment 1 plus 5. After ‘this Assembly notes’, delete the second, third and fourth clauses.
Cynigiaf welliant 1 a 5. Ar ôl ‘y Cynulliad hwn yn nodi’, dileer yr ail, y trydydd a’r pedwerydd cymal.
After ‘this Assembly resolves’, delete the second, third and fourth clauses and replace with:
Ar ôl ‘yn penderfynu’, dileer yr ail, y trydydd a’r pedwerydd cymal a rhodder yn eu lle:
to promote joint working between health authorities, social services departments, the voluntary and independent sectors to develop a whole-systems approach to the prevention of avoidable hospital admissions, rapid effective treatment, and timely discharge to the most appropriate setting with the right level and mix of support;
hyrwyddo gweithio ar y cyd rhwng awdurdodau iechyd, adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, y sectorau gwirfoddol ac annibynnol i ddatblygu ymagwedd system-gyfan ar gyfer atal cleifion rhag cael eu hanfon i’r ysbyty pan fo modd osgoi hynny, darparu triniaeth gyflym ac effeithiol, a rhyddhau amserol i’r lleoliad mwyaf priodol lle y ceir y lefel a’r gymysgedd iawn o gefnogaeth;
to request the Secretary for Health and Social Services, in conjunction with the Health and Social Services Committee, to produce within three months a comprehensive plan which deals with these issues.
gofyn i’r Ysgrifennydd Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, ar y cyd â’r Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, gynhyrchu o fewn tri mis gynllun cyflawn a fydd yn ymdrin â’r materion hyn.
Cynigiaf welliant 2. Ychwaneger ar ddiwedd y seithfed cymal:
I propose amendment 2. Add at the end of the seventh clause:
Cynigiaf welliant 3. Dileer yr atalnod llawn ar ddiwedd yr wythfed cymal ac ychwanegu:
I propose amendment 3. Delete the full stop at the end of the eighth clause and add:
Cynigiaf welliant 4. Ychwaneger gymal newydd ar y diwedd:
I propose amendment 4. Add a new clause at the end:
David Lloyd (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 75
David Lloyd (continued) spoken in Welsh and English p. 75
Mae hon yn broblem bwysig. Diolchaf i Kirsty a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol am ddod â’r cynnig hwn gerbron. Mae’n argyfwng oherwydd bod nifer o welyau yn cael eu colli i’r gwasanaeth, gan nad yw’r hyblygrwydd yn bodoli i alluogi pobl i fynd adref neu i gartref yn ôl yr angen.
in Welsh This is an important problem. I thank Kirsty and the Liberal Democrats for proposing this motion. It is a crisis because a number of beds are being lost to the service, as the flexibility does not exist to enable people to return home or to go to a home when the need arises.
Mae’n broblem o adnoddau yn ogystal â diffyg trefn. Mae problem ynglŷn â phrinder staff. Nid oes digon o nyrsys, meddygon, na gweithwyr cymdeithasol ac ni ddarperir digon o hyfforddiant ar eu cyfer. Mae nifer o ffactorau. Unwaith eto datganaf fuddiant fel meddyg teulu, sydd wedi gorfod wynebu’r problemau dros y blynyddoedd. Daeth yn bwysicach yn ddiweddar oherwydd i ni golli miloedd o welyau. Wrth i nifer ein gwelyau leihau, mae’r broblem o flocio yn dod yn fwyfwy pwysig gan nad oes digon o le yn y system.
in Welsh It is a problem of resources as well as lack of organisation. There is a problem of staff shortage. There are not enough nurses, doctors or social workers and not enough training is provided for them. There are a number of factors. Once again I declare an interest as a GP, who has had to face these problems over a number of years. It has become more important recently as we have lost thousands of beds. As our bed numbers decrease, the problem of bed blocking becomes more and more important because there is not enough capacity in the system.
I introduce a philosophical point into the debate. How do we view old age in this country? I mentioned my interest as a doctor. I also mention an interest because I will hopefully grow old one day. This is an issue in which we all have an interest. We have inadequate pension levels, and the long awaited report of the Royal Commission on the Long Term Care of the Elderly has been shelved. It was published 18 months ago and we still await implementation. We need action on bed blocking, which is not a new problem. There are various solutions of which Jane is aware. The other philosophical point about how strongly we care about old people is the bias we should have on keeping old people in the community rather than hiving them off into a home because it is more convenient. It is appropriate in some circumstances but we should have a bias that people should be retained in their community.
yn Saesneg Cyflwynaf bwynt athronyddol i’r ddadl. Sut yr ydym yn edrych ar henaint yn y wlad hon? Crybwyllais fy muddiant fel meddyg. Crybwyllaf fuddiant hefyd gan y byddaf, gobeithio, yn heneiddio ryw ddiwrnod. Mae hyn yn fater y mae gan bawb ohonom fuddiant ynddo. Mae gennym lefelau pensiwn annigonol, ac mae adroddiad hir-ddisgwyliedig y Comisiwn Brenhinol ar Ofal Tymor Hir yr Henoed wedi ei roi o’r neilltu. Fe’i cyhoeddwyd 18 mis yn ôl ac yr ydym yn dal i ddisgwyl ei weithredu. Mae arnom angen gweithredu ar flocio gwelyau, nad yw’n broblem newydd. Mae gwahanol atebion y mae Jane yn ymwybodol ohonynt. Y pwynt athronyddol arall ynghylch cryfder ein gofal am hen bobl yw’r rhagfarn a ddylai fod gennym o blaid cadw hen bobl yn y gymuned yn hytrach na’u rhoi o’r neilltu mewn cartref am fod hynny’n fwy cyfleus. Mae’n briodol mewn rhai amgylchiadau ond dylai fod gennym rhagfarn o blaid cadw pobl yn eu cymuned.
Would you say that one of the obstacles for enabling that to happen is often the long waiting lists that people face for adaptations to their homes and for other enabling equipment which means that they can live in their own homes rather than in a residential setting, and that there are severe problems in accessing those materials?
A ddywedech mai un o’r rhwystrau rhag hwyluso hynny’n aml yw’r rhestrau aros hir a wynebir gan bobl ar gyfer addasiadau yn eu cartrefi ac offer galluogi eraill sydd yn golygu y gallant fyw yn eu cartrefi eu hunain yn hytrach nag mewn lleoliad preswyl, a bod problemau difrifol wrth gael y pethau hynny?
I agree. I was about to mention that point so I will skip to the next. We await implementation of the National Carers Strategy. We have had some brave words and £9 million has been allocated for the next three years. Something was supposed to appear in January and we are still waiting for it. We allegedly have some nice strategies—the report of the Royal Commission on the Long Term Care of the Elderly and the National Carers Strategy—but the situation demands action. It also demands resources, which is why I have tabled amendments and I am looking for widespread support. We need to increase our bed capacity and staff recruitment—nurses and doctors. We are 700 nurse/midwife vacancies down and we have problems with GP recruitment. That is why we are pressing for a second medical school which is still on the agenda. I believe there is a meeting this week, although most of us are not invited, to discuss the issue of the second medical school.
Cytunaf. Yr oeddwn ar fin sôn am y pwynt hwnnw felly af ymlaen at y nesaf. Yr ydym yn disgwyl gweithredu’r Strategaeth Gofalwyr Genedlaethol. Clywsom rai geiriau braf a dyrannwyd £9 miliwn ar gyfer y tair blynedd nesaf. Yr oedd rhywbeth i fod i ymddangos yn Ionawr ac yr ydym yn dal i’w ddisgwyl. Honnir bod gennym rhai strategaethau dymunol—adroddiad y Comisiwn Brenhinol ar Ofal Tymor Hir yr Henoed a’r Strategaeth Gofalwyr Genedlaethol—ond mae’r sefyllfa’n galw am weithredu. Mae hefyd yn galw am adnoddau, a dyna pam yr wyf wedi cyflwyno gwelliannau ac yr wyf yn edrych am gefnogaeth eang. Mae angen inni gynyddu ein nifer gwelyau a recriwtio staff—nyrsys a meddygon. Mae gennym 700 o swyddi gwag i nyrsys a bydwragedd ac mae gennym broblemau o ran recriwtio meddygon teulu. Dyna pam yr ydym yn dal i bwyso am ail ysgol feddygol sydd ar yr agenda o hyd. Credaf fod cyfarfod yr wythnos hon, er na wahoddir y mwyafrif ohonom, i drafod mater yr ail ysgol feddygol.
Would you agree that one of the most important ways of dealing with the problem of bed blocking is integrating health and social care? Would you also agree that local health groups are a unique opportunity and mechanism in Wales to effectively achieve this objective?
A gytunech mai un o’r ffyrdd pwysicaf o ddelio â phroblem blocio gwelyau yw integreiddio gofal iechyd a chymdeithasol? A gytunech hefyd fod grwpiau iechyd lleol yn gyfle ac yn fecanwaith unigryw yng Nghymru i gyflawni’r amcan hwnnw’n effeithiol?
I agree that local health groups are unique institutions in Wales. I am deeply worried that they will never be resourced adequately to deliver everything we all expect of them. They are unique institutions but let us see them in practice. I have yet to see evidence of a clear vision of how local health groups are going to develop. Will they remain static at their present level 1? They need resources and that is the nub issue. We have had brave announcements of more resources for health. A vision of how we regard our elderly people must be made a priority. Will we only have strategies on the backburner or truly help them? Support our amendments.
Cytunaf fod grwpiau iechyd lleol yn sefydliadau unigryw yng Nghymru. Yr wyf yn poeni’n fawr na fyddant byth yn cael digon o adnoddau i gyflawni popeth yr ydym yn disgwyl ganddynt. Maent yn sefydliadau unigryw ond gadewch inni eu gweld ar waith. Nid wyf eto wedi gweld tystiolaeth o weledigaeth eglur o’r modd y bydd grwpiau iechyd lleol yn datblygu. A fyddant yn aros yn eu hunfan ar eu lefel 1 bresennol? Maent angen adnoddau a dyna’r mater hanfodol. Cawsom gyhoeddiadau rhagorol am fwy o adnoddau i iechyd. Rhaid i weledigaeth o’r modd yr ystyriwn ein hen bobl ddod yn flaenoriaeth. Ai strategaethau gohiriedig yn unig a fydd gennym ynteu a ydym am eu helpu’n wirioneddol? Cefnogwch ein gwelliannau.
I start with a story that will probably be familiar to many of you, although there is a twist in the tale. A pensioner in my constituency is in dire need of a hip replacement. She has already had one hip replacement but unfortunately the wrong cement was used. Everyone was recalled and re-examined. For some reason that cannot be explained, she was judged not to be in pain. More or less everyone else in that batch was judged to be in pain and had a second replacement. Despite the fact that she was obviously in pain and despite prolonged correspondence, we reached the point where she was told that she had to wait her turn. Times of up to three years were discussed. Bearing in mind that she had been told that she was alright, she went on holiday to Cyprus where her hip seized up and she was brought back by air ambulance. She has now been in hospital for more than three weeks. The latest information I have is that she will be dealt with sometime after 21 April. Once you have got over your incredulity out of the way in which she was treated and once you have taken on board the human cost involved in all of this, let us think about the appalling waste and misuse of NHS resources. She will be in hospital for at least six weeks for an operation that should have encompassed a week at the most.
Dechreuaf â stori a fydd yn gyfarwydd i lawer ohonoch yn ôl pob tebyg, er bod tro yn ei diwedd. Mae pensiynwraig yn fy etholaeth ag arni daer angen clun newydd. Cafodd un glun newydd eisoes ond yn anffodus defnyddiwyd y sment anghywir. Galwyd pawb yn ôl a’u hailarchwilio. Am ryw reswm na ellir ei esbonio, dyfarnwyd nad oedd mewn poen. Dyfarnwyd bod bron pawb arall yn y grŵp hwnnw mewn poen a chawsant ail glun newydd. Er ei bod yn amlwg ei bod mewn poen ac er gwaethaf gohebiaeth hirfaith, daethom i’r sefyllfa lle y dywedwyd wrthi y byddai’n rhaid iddi aros ei thro. Trafodwyd amseroedd o hyd at dair blynedd. Gan gofio ei bod wedi ei hysbysu ei bod yn iawn, aeth ar wyliau i Gyprus lle y clodd ei chlun a daethpwyd â hi’n ôl mewn ambiwlans awyr. Mae bellach mewn ysbyty ers dros dair wythnos. Yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf sydd gennyf yw y caiff sylw rywdro ar ôl 21 Ebrill. Ar ôl ichi ddod dros eich anghrediniaeth ynghylch y modd y’i triniwyd ac wedi ichi amgyffred y gost ddynol a oedd ynghlwm â hyn oll, gadewch inni feddwl am y gwastraff ofnadwy a’r camddefnydd o adnoddau’r NHS. Bydd mewn ysbyty am o leiaf chwe wythnos i gael llawdriniaeth a ddylasai fod wedi cymryd wythnos ar y mwyaf.
This case is a direct result of appallingly long waiting lists which is one aspect of the problem of bed blocking. The Bro Taf Health Authority area in which she lives tops the league of shame with the longest waiting lists in Wales. I do not want to list too many statistics but some of them must be mentioned. In February, the figures showed an increase of 6.4 per cent from January in those waiting over 12 months for inpatient and day care treatment. In the Cardiff and Vale trust area, there were 4,121 people waiting over 12 months for treatment. The total number of people waiting for any kind of treatment was 19,500. There was a phenomenal 43,320 people waiting for their first outpatient appointment. That is the outward, visible sign and serious human cost of bed blocking and the other factors that contribute to our appalling waiting lists.
Mae’r achos hwn yn ganlyniad uniongyrchol i restrau aros ofnadwy o hir sydd yn un agwedd ar broblem blocio gwelyau. Mae ardal Awdurdod Iechyd Bro Taf lle y mae’n byw ar ben y gynghrair gywilyddus gyda’r rhestrau aros hwyaf yng Nghymru. Ni ddymunaf restru gormod o ystadegau ond rhaid sôn am rai ohonynt. Yn Chwefror, yr oedd y ffigurau’n dangos cynnydd o 6.4 y cant ers Ionawr yn nifer y rhai a fu’n aros dros 12 mis am driniaeth claf mewnol ac achos dydd. Yn ardal ymddiriedolaeth Caerdydd a’r Fro, yr oedd 4,121 o bobl yn aros dros 12 mis am driniaeth. Cyfanswm y nifer o bobl a oedd yn aros am unrhyw fath o driniaeth oedd 19,500. Yr oedd nifer ryfeddol o 43,320 o bobl yn aros am eu hapwyntiad claf allanol cyntaf. Dyna arwydd gweladwy, allanol a chost ddynol ddifrifol blocio gwelyau a’r ffactorau eraill sydd yn cyfrannu at ein rhestrau aros arswydus.
Bed blocking is not the only cause of increased waiting lists. However, it is a significant and above all, an avoidable contributor to them. Other causes of the problem require extra money to deal with them. We have extra money coming through and I am delighted about that. We could do with four times as much to make a real impact but one must not look a gift horse in the mouth. However, extra money is not needed to deal with bed blocking. Different services must co-operate and the money must be shifted around. There must be co-operation between health service providers and social services providers.
Nid blocio gwelyau yw unig achos rhestrau aros cynyddol. Fodd bynnag, mae’n gyfrannwr pwysig i bob un, ac yn fwy na dim, yn un y gellir ei osgoi. Mae angen arian ychwanegol i ymdrin ag achosion eraill y broblem. Mae arian ychwanegol yn dod drwodd atom ac yr wyf yn falch iawn am hynny. Byddai’n dda gennym gael pedair gwaith cymaint i gael effaith wirioneddol ond ni ddylid cyfrif dannedd march rhodd. Fodd bynnag, nid oes angen arian ychwanegol i ymdrin â blocio gwelyau. Rhaid i wahanol wasanaethau gydweithredu a rhaid symud yr arian o gwmpas. Rhaid cael cydweithredu rhwng darparwyr y gwasanaeth iechyd a darparwyr gwasanaethau cymdeithasol.
I will give you another specific example. In the Cardiff and Vale trust in the last month there have been 140 discharge delays. Those delays are due to a variety of causes but examples include delays in accessing specialist home rehabilitation services, shortage of community health services, problems for getting equipment for use in the community due to disputes between the trusts and social services and delays in accessing residential care places. Another elderly lady—over 90 in fact—in my constituency had a heart attack last September. She also suffers from severe arthritis and could no longer get out without the use of a wheelchair. That wheelchair was ordered in early October. She has rung every week since and has been told that it will be in soon. Her comment to me was, ‘I am only old, dear, I am not stupid’. That is a comment on the way in which we treat elderly people. They were fobbing her off. That is the only way to describe it. When I rang up, I discovered that there were 2,000 people ahead of her in the queue for wheelchairs. I am told that the waiting lists for most other aids and appliances are as dire. People cannot go home from hospital unless they can get about in their own home. This particular lady has gone home because she lives in a sheltered housing complex, but her quality of life is poor because she enjoys getting out and about but cannot do so.
Yr wyf am roi enghraifft benodol arall i chi. Yn ymddiriedolaeth Caerdydd a’r Fro y mis diwethaf bu 140 o oediadau cyn rhyddhau. Mae’r oediadau hynny’n ganlyniad i amryw o achosion ond ymysg yr enghreifftiau y mae oediadau cyn cael gwasanaethau ailsefydlu cartref arbenigol, prinder gwasanaethau iechyd cymunedol, problemau wrth gael offer i’w defnyddio yn y gymuned oherwydd anghydfodau rhwng yr ymddiriedolaethau a’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol ac oediadau cyn cael lleoedd gofal preswyl. Cafodd gwraig oedrannus arall—dros 90 mewn gwirionedd—yn fy etholaeth drawiad ar y galon fis Medi diwethaf. Mae hefyd yn dioddef gan arthritis difrifol ac ni allai fynd allan bellach heb ddefnyddio cadair olwyn. Archebwyd y gadair olwyn honno yn gynnar ym mis Hydref. Ffoniodd bob wythnos ers hynny a dywedwyd wrthi y daw cyn hir. Ei sylw wrthyf fi oedd, ‘Hen ydwyf, cariad, nid twp’. Mae hynny’n sylw ar y modd yr ydym yn trin pobl oedrannus. Yr oeddent yn gwneud esgus i gael gwared â hi. Dyna’r unig ddisgrifiad posibl ohono. Pan ffoniais, darganfûm fod 2,000 o bobl o’i blaen yn disgwyl am gadair olwyn. Dywedir wrthyf fod y rhestrau aros ar gyfer y rhan fwyaf o gymhorthion ac offer eraill yn arswydus. Ni all pobl fynd adref o’r ysbyty oni bai eu bod yn gallu symud o gwmpas yn eu cartref eu hun. Mae’r wraig arbennig hon wedi mynd adref am ei bod yn byw mewn cyfadail tai dan warchod, ond mae ansawdd ei bywyd yn wael am ei bod yn mwynhau mynd allan ond ni all wneud.
What are the solutions? We need to increase investment in community support. We need to strengthen the links between healthcare services and councils, and not just social services departments, but housing and education departments also. Above all, we need to pool part of the health and social services budget to deal with this problem. We suggest that that should go via local health groups. I fully concur with what Dai said about the importance of resources to local health groups to enable them to fulfil their function and to develop and grow. Local health groups offer a golden opportunity to unblock lines of communication. It is a matter of regret that this opportunity is being lost in Cardiff, and Kirsty referred to this. Cardiff council is alone in refusing to nominate a representative to the Cardiff local health group. It is the only council in Wales that has failed to take up that offer. Its reason is that the place is offered only to an officer and not to a politician. It should recognise that it is out of step with the rest of Wales on this, as it is on a number of other things. I urge the Assembly Secretary to renew the efforts that she has made, which I applaud, to secure the nomination of an officer from Cardiff.
Beth yw’r atebion? Mae angen inni gynyddu’r buddsoddiad mewn cefnogaeth gymunedol. Mae angen inni gryfhau’r cysylltiadau rhwng gwasanaethau gofal iechyd a chynghorau, ac nid yn unig adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, ond adrannau tai ac addysg hefyd. Yn fwy na dim, mae angen inni gronni rhan o’r gyllideb iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol er mwyn delio â’r broblem hon. Awgrymwn y dylai hynny fynd drwy grwpiau iechyd lleol. Cytunaf yn llwyr â’r hyn a ddywedodd Dai am bwysigrwydd adnoddau i grwpiau iechyd lleol i’w galluogi i gyflawni eu swyddogaeth a datblygu a thyfu. Mae grwpiau iechyd lleol yn cynnig cyfle euraid i ddadflocio’r llinellau cyfathrebu. Testun gofid yw bod y cyfle hwn yn cael ei golli yng Nghaerdydd, a chyfeiriodd Kirsty at hyn. Cyngor Caerdydd yw’r unig un sydd yn gwrthod enwebu cynrychiolydd ar grŵp iechyd lleol Caerdydd. Dyna’r unig gyngor yng Nghymru a wrthododd dderbyn y cynnig hwnnw. Y rheswm y mae’n ei roi yw bod y lle a gynigir yn un i swyddog yn unig ac nid i wleidydd. Dylai sylweddoli ei fod yn anghydwedd â gweddill Cymru ar hyn, fel y mae ar nifer o bethau eraill. Pwysaf ar yr Ysgrifennydd Cynulliad i ddyblu’r ymdrechion a wnaeth, a ganmolaf, i sicrhau enwebu swyddog o Gaerdydd.
I contrast Cardiff with best practice, or at least very good practice in Swansea, where the chair of the local health group is the director of social services. The director of social services is also a co-opted member of the health authority. In addition, the chair of the health authority is a co-opted member of Swansea council’s social services committee. That seems an excellent set-up and a way of sitting through, listening to and understanding the point of view of the other side, and of breaking down tribalism and the artificial barriers that exist. By steps such as these, we will increase understanding and co-operation. We go further and suggest that the time is right for local health groups to be used as a channel for funding. I urge you to be imaginative. The state of the health service in Wales is dire. It is worse than in England. Our waiting lists are a national disgrace, whether you use the term national as we do in Wales or national as they do in England.
Cyferbynnaf Gaerdydd â’r arfer gorau, neu o leiaf arfer da iawn yn Abertawe, lle y mae cadeirydd y grŵp iechyd lleol yn gyfarwyddwr y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Mae cyfarwyddwr y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol hefyd yn aelod cyfetholedig o’r awdurdod iechyd. Yn ogystal, mae cadeirydd yr awdurdod iechyd yn aelod cyfetholedig o bwyllgor gwasanaethau cymdeithasol cyngor Abertawe. Ymddengys hynny yn drefniant rhagorol ac yn ffordd o eistedd a gwrando a deall safbwynt yr ochr arall, ac o chwalu teyrngarwch llwythol a’r rhwystrau ffug sydd yn bod. Drwy gamau fel y rhain, byddwn yn cynyddu dealltwriaeth a chydweithrediad. Yr ydym yn mynd ymhellach ac yn awgrymu mai hon yw’r adeg briodol i ddefnyddio grwpiau iechyd lleol fel cyfrwng ariannu. Fe’ch anogaf i fod yn ddyfeisgar. Mae cyflwr y gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru’n arswydus. Mae’n waeth nag yn Lloegr. Mae ein rhestrau aros yn warth cenedlaethol, pa un a ddefnyddiwch y term cenedlaethol fel yr ydym ni yng Nghymru neu fel y maent hwy yn Lloegr.
In terms of best practice, are you aware of the opportunity offered by a service like Taff-Ely Emergency Medical Service in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in my Pontypridd constituency? A consortium of GPs covering 100,000 patients, 14 practices, with 58 GPs based in the hospital provide medical support that has brought down the number of emergency admissions. That kind of example should be used as good practice and should be translated throughout Wales in terms of ensuring that we get real integrated services between primary and secondary care.
O ran yr arfer gorau, a ydych yn ymwybodol o’r cyfle a gynigir gan wasanaeth fel Taff-Ely Emergency Medical Service yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Morgannwg yn fy etholaeth ym Mhontypridd? Mae consortiwm o feddygon teulu sydd yn cynnwys 100,000 o gleifion, 14 o bractisiau, gyda 58 o feddygon teulu sydd wedi eu lleoli yn yr ysbyty’n darparu cymorth meddygol sydd wedi lleihau nifer y derbyniadau brys. Dylid defnyddio enghraifft o’r math hwnnw fel arfer da a’i ledaenu ledled Cymru o ran sicrhau ein bod yn cael gwasanaethau integredig gwirioneddol rhwng gofal sylfaenol ac eilaidd.
I welcome that detailed explanation. I imagine that that is the kind of practice that should be replicated throughout Wales. In the emergency situation we are now in, it is time to look at a very imaginative and broad range of options. This is a low cost option to deal with bed blocking. I urge you to take these proposals on board and to support the motion to get the less ill people out of our hospitals in order to allow those who are in need of medical attention into our hospitals.
Croesawaf yr eglurhad manwl hwnnw. Dychmygaf mai hwnnw yw’r math o arfer y dylid ei ailadrodd ledled Cymru. Yn y sefyllfa o argyfwng yr ydym ynddi’n awr, mae’n bryd edrych ar amrediad dyfeisgar ac eang iawn o ddewisiadau. Mae hyn yn ddewis isel ei gost i ddelio â blocio gwelyau. Fe’ch anogaf i dderbyn y cynigion hyn a chefnogi’r cynnig i gael y bobl lai sâl allan o’n hysbytai er mwyn caniatáu i’r rhai y mae arnynt angen sylw meddygol ddod i mewn i’n hysbytai.
The Welsh Conservative Party is pleased to support the Liberal Democrats’ motion. I hope that I have not offended anyone with that language. [Laughter.] I must say, however, that I have always liked the term ‘Tory’ but I am heterodox in that as in many other things.
Mae Plaid Geidwadol Cymru’n falch o gefnogi cynnig y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Gobeithiaf nad wyf wedi tramgwyddo neb â’r geiriau hynny. [Chwerthin.] Rhaid imi ddweud, fodd bynnag, fy mod yn hoff erioed o’r term ‘Tori’ ond yr wyf yn anuniongred yn hynny o beth fel yr wyf mewn llawer o bethau eraill.
There is no doubt that patients suffer needlessly at present because of how we deal with continuing nursing care. It is important for us to remember that the people who we talk about in terms of bed blocking are often in the last months of their lives. It is inappropriate that they spend that time in a hospital when there is adequate nursing home provision available in the community or when they could be supported at home by their loved ones. This is about quality of care for those patients.
Nid oes dwywaith bod cleifion yn dioddef yn ddiangen ar hyn o bryd oherwydd y modd yr ydym yn delio â gofal nyrsio parhaus. Mae’n bwysig inni gofio bod y bobl y soniwn amdanynt o ran blocio gwelyau yn aml ym misoedd olaf eu bywyd. Mae’n amhriodol eu bod yn treulio’r amser hwnnw mewn ysbyty pan fo darpariaeth ddigonol mewn cartrefi nyrsio ar gael yn y gymuned neu pan allent gael eu cynnal gartref gan eu hanwyliaid. Mae hyn yn ymwneud ag ansawdd y gofal i’r cleifion hynny.
The present arrangements are expensive. It costs two to three times as much to provide continuing nursing care in the intermediate sector and even more in the acute sector as opposed to designated nursing homes that specialise in that form of care. That is not getting us best value.
Mae’r trefniadau presennol yn ddrud. Mae’n costio ddwy neu dair gwaith cymaint i ddarparu gofal nyrsio parhaus yn y sector rhyngol ac yn fwy byth yn y sector aciwt o’i wrthgyferbynnu â chartrefi nyrsio dynodedig sydd yn arbenigo ar y ffurf honno o ofal. Nid yw hynny’n rhoi’r gwerth gorau i ni.
I remind David Melding of the Conservative Party manifesto for the Assembly elections on this issue. There is nothing about it in the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto, which I have in front of me. The Conservative manifesto states that:
Atgoffaf David Melding am faniffesto’r Blaid Geidwadol ar gyfer etholiadau’r Cynulliad ar y mater hwn. Nid oes dim amdano ym maniffesto’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, sydd gennyf o’m blaen. Dywed y maniffesto Ceidwadol fod:
‘many hospital beds are occupied by elderly patients ready for discharge. We believe that social services should contract with private nursing homes to receive elderly patients who are ready to go home, especially at weekends when social workers are not available to receive discharged patients in their homes. This has the added benefit of freeing up hospital beds and helping to reduce waiting lists and waiting times.’
‘llawer o welyau ysbyty yn cael eu defnyddio gan gleifion oedrannus sydd yn barod i’w rhyddhau. Credwn y dylai gwasanaethau cymdeithasol gysylltu â chartrefi nyrsio preifat fel eu bod yn derbyn cleifion oedrannus sydd yn barod i fynd adref, yn enwedig ar benwythnosau pan nad yw gweithwyr cymdeithasol ar gael i dderbyn cleifion a ryddhawyd yn eu cartrefi. Y fantais ychwanegol a geir drwy hyn yw rhyddhau gwelyau ysbyty a helpu i leihau rhestrau aros ac amseroedd aros.’
Does David Melding still subscribe to that?
A yw David Melding yn dal i gefnogi hynny?
I was happy to contest the election under that manifesto and it sums up the prudent use of the private sector. Many private nursing homes exist and provide many beds. That sector is currently under pressure. We often hear about beds closing in the NHS, but let us not forget that those beds in private nursing homes are likely to close. We cannot afford to lose that capacity in the private sector as well as the independent sector because we should recall that many organisations are not out for profit in providing continuing nursing care. The beds are there and they must be used. It is a great sadness that that capacity exists; it is spare but it needs to be used more efficiently. However, because of poor discharge and the workings of current paying arrangements for these beds, they are not being used. There is a real question to be addressed here.
Yr oeddwn yn falch o ymladd yr etholiad o dan y maniffesto hwnnw ac mae’n crynhoi’r defnydd synhwyrol o’r sector preifat. Mae llawer o gartrefi nyrsio’n bodoli ac yn darparu llawer o welyau. Mae’r sector hwnnw o dan bwysau ar hyn o bryd. Clywn yn aml am gau gwelyau yn yr NHS, ond na foed inni anghofio bod y gwelyau hynny mewn cartrefi nyrsio preifat yn debygol o gau. Ni allwn fforddio colli’r nifer honno yn y sector preifat yn ogystal â’r sector annibynnol oherwydd dylem gofio nad chwilio am elw y mae llawer o fudiadau wrth ddarparu gofal nyrsio parhaus. Mae’r gwelyau yno a rhaid eu defnyddio. Tristwch mawr yw bod y nifer honno’n bod; maent yn rhydd ond mae angen eu defnyddio’n fwy effeithlon. Fodd bynnag, oherwydd rhyddhau gwael a gweithrediad y trefniadau talu presennol ar gyfer y gwelyau hyn, nid ydynt yn cael eu defnyddio. Mae cwestiwn gwirioneddol i’w drafod yma.
On the Royal Commission on the Long Term Care for the Elderly, there have been rumours lately that the Government is going to accept the commission’s proposal that all personal care should be free at the point of delivery and presumably all nursing care at the very least. This is a long-term problem. It was a real problem under the last Government, so I am not trying to hide the fact that nursing care in non-NHS hospitals was charged under the last Government. That was probably unlawful and it has taken a long time to realise that nursing care should not be paid for and that it is rightly paid for by the NHS even if it is delivered in a private or independent nursing home. That area of public policy needs to be clarified with the greatest urgency and I hope that Jane Hutt will say something on that.
Ynghylch y Comisiwn Brenhinol ar Ofal Tymor Hir yr Henoed, bu sïon yn ddiweddar fod y Llywodraeth yn mynd i dderbyn cynnig y comisiwn y dylai’r holl ofal personol fod am ddim ar y pwynt cyflenwi a’r holl ofal nyrsio o leiaf gellid tybio. Mae hon yn broblem dymor hir. Yr oedd yn broblem wirioneddol o dan y Llywodraeth ddiwethaf, felly nid wyf yn ceisio celu’r ffaith bod tâl wedi ei godi am ofal nyrsio mewn ysbytai y tu allan i’r NHS o dan y Llywodraeth ddiwethaf. Yr oedd hynny’n anghyfreithlon yn ôl pob tebyg a chymerwyd llawer o amser i sylweddoli na ddylid talu am ofal nyrsio ac mai’r NHS a ddylai dalu amdano’n iawn hyd yn oed os cyflenwir ef mewn cartref nyrsio preifat neu annibynnol. Mae angen rhoi gwedd eglurach ar y maes polisi cyhoeddus hwnnw â’r brys mwyaf a gobeithiaf y dywed Jane Hutt rywbeth am hynny.
We need an audit of the current position. We have heard much talk about the likelihood of social services keeping people waiting because their budgets have run out, not on proper assessed needs but because they cannot pay for nursing home places. I do not know if these facts will be borne out but they should be examined. Furthermore, the range of hospital discharge procedures is variable. That is a problem because if discharge is poor, the patient is often back in hospital very soon, blocking beds that could be used for other patients.
Mae arnom angen archwiliad o’r sefyllfa bresennol. Clywsom lawer o sôn am y tebygolrwydd bod gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn gwneud i bobl ddisgwyl am fod eu cyllidebau wedi dod i ben, nid yn ôl anghenion a aseswyd yn briodol ond am na allant dalu am leoedd mewn cartrefi nyrsio. Ni wn a gadarnheir y ffeithiau hyn ond dylid eu harchwilio. Yn ogystal, mae amrediad y gweithdrefnau rhyddhau o ysbytai yn amrywiol. Mae hynny’n broblem oherwydd os yw’r rhyddhau’n wael, bydd y claf yn ôl yn yr ysbyty’n fuan iawn yn aml, gan flocio gwelyau y gellid eu defnyddio ar gyfer cleifion eraill.
How social services and health work together is crucial. There is much scope for better joint working now that local health groups exist. I have been fair on this. I do not support local health groups; I opposed them and preferred GP fundholding. However, the one area where I think that it is reasonable to claim that they could bring benefit is in a closer working relationship. However, that is not certain. That still has to be achieved. Just because there are mechanisms in place to allow more joint working, it does not mean that it is inevitable.
Mae’r modd y mae gwasanaethau cymdeithasol a iechyd yn cydweithio’n holl bwysig. Mae llawer o gyfle yn awr ar gyfer gwell gweithio ar y cyd â grwpiau iechyd lleol. Bûm yn deg ynghylch hyn. Ni chefnogaf grwpiau iechyd lleol; gwrthwynebais hwy ac yr oedd yn well gennyf gyllidebau a ddelid gan feddygon teulu. Fodd bynnag, yr un maes lle y credaf ei bod yn rhesymol honni y gallent ddod â budd yw mewn perthynas waith agosach. Fodd bynnag, nid yw hynny’n sicr. Ni chyflawnwyd hynny eto. Nid yw’r ffaith bod mecanweithiau wedi eu sefydlu i ganiatáu mwy o weithio ar y cyd yn golygu bod hynny’n rhwym o ddigwydd.
Finally, I do not think that the answer to this problem is diverting some of the extra expenditure that has, quite rightly and in a most welcome way, been allocated to the national health service into social care to pay for nursing home places. We need more money for social care and for the national health service. I concede that social care has been an under-spend since the reform in community care in 1990 and that that was the responsibility of the previous Government. However, for three years, it has been the responsibility of this Labour Government. It should address this matter.
Yn olaf, ni chredaf mai’r ateb i’r broblem hon yw arallgyfeirio rhywfaint o’r gwariant ychwanegol a ddyrannwyd, yn gwbl briodol ac mewn modd derbyniol iawn, i’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol i ofal cymdeithasol i dalu am leoedd mewn cartrefi nyrsio. Mae arnom angen mwy o arian ar gyfer gofal cymdeithasol ac ar gyfer y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol. Derbyniaf fod tanwariant ar ofal cymdeithasol ers diwygio gofal cymunedol yn 1990 ac mai cyfrifoldeb y Llywodraeth flaenorol oedd hynny. Fodd bynnag, ers tair blynedd, mae’n gyfrifoldeb i’r Llywodraeth Lafur hon. Dylai ymdrin â’r mater hwn.
Christine Humphreys spoken in Welsh and English p. 84
Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 84
Kirsty referred to the phrase ‘bed-blocking’. I wish to pass on a message that I received yesterday morning when I visited the executive committee of Age Concern in North Wales Central. Members of that committee find the term ‘bed-blocking’ increasingly offensive. Elderly people feel that they are seen as the problem and the cause of the problem, when, in reality, they are the victims. They suggest that, from now on, we should use the term ‘delayed discharge from hospital’ rather than ‘bed-blocking’.
yn Saesneg Cyfeiriodd Kirsty at yr ymadrodd ‘blocio gwelyau’. Dymunaf drosglwyddo neges a dderbyniais fore ddoe pan euthum i weld pwyllgor gwaith Gofal Henoed yng Nghanol Gogledd Cymru. Mae aelodau’r pwyllgor hwnnw yn cael yr ymadrodd ‘blocio gwelyau’ yn un sydd yn peri tramgwydd cynyddol. Teimla pobl oedrannus mai hwy a ystyrir yn broblem ac yn achos y broblem, er mai hwy, mewn gwirionedd, yw’r rhai sydd yn dioddef. Awgrymant y dylem, o hyn ymlaen, arfer y term ‘rhyddhau gohiriedig o ysbyty’ yn hytrach na ‘blocio gwelyau’.
Mae dwy agwedd ar y broblem hon. Yn gyntaf, mae’n effeithio’n wael ar allu’r gwasanaeth iechyd i weithio’n effeithlon. Fel y dywedodd Kirsty, yng Nghymru mae tua 600 o bobl yn disgwyl gadael ysbyty ar unrhyw adeg. Mae’n costio’r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru tua £1.3 miliwn yr wythnos i gadw pobl yn eu gwelyau. Cyn y Nadolig, yr oedd gan Ymddiriedolaeth NHS Gogledd Ddwyrain Cymru 42 o gleifion yn aros i gael eu rhyddhau i gartrefi preswyl neu i’w cartrefi eu hunain. Yn y Gogledd-Ddwyrain, datryswyd y broblem drwy ddefnyddio arian a oedd wedi ei glustnodi i ymdopi â phwysau ychwanegol ar ysbytai yn ystod y gaeaf. Gwnaethpwyd hyn gan bartneriaeth o’r awdurdod iechyd a’r cyngor sir lleol. Yn anffodus, nid yw’r arian hwn yn barhaol. Drwy ddefnyddio arian dros dro, bydd y broblem wedi ei datrys am gyfnod byr ond yn gwaethygu drachefn yn fuan wedyn. Nid yw sefyllfa fel hon yn foddhaol nac yn dderbyniol yn y tymor hir.
in Welsh There are two aspects to this problem. First, it badly affects the ability of the health service to work efficiently. As Kirsty said, in Wales approximately 600 people are expecting to be discharged from hospital at any one time. It costs the health service in Wales approximately £1.3 million every week to keep people in their beds. Before Christmas, North East Wales NHS Trust had 42 patients waiting to be discharged to residential homes or to their own homes. In the North-East, the problem was solved through using funds that had been earmarked to cope with additional pressures on hospitals during the winter. This was done by a partnership of the health authority and the local county council. Unfortunately, this money is not permanent. Through using temporary funds, the problem is solved for a short period but then worsens again soon afterwards. Such a situation is not satisfactory or acceptable in the long term.
Yn ail, mae’n effeithio’n wael ar gleifion a ddylai fod yn gadael yr ysbyty i aros yn rhywle mwy addas. Fel arfer, mae’r broblem yn anodd i’w datrys. Fel y dywedodd Jenny, prinder arian yw un o’r prif achosion. Fodd bynnag, mae diffyg cydlynu yn ffactor arall sydd yr un mor bwysig. Mae angen gwell cydlynu rhwng yr ymddiriedolaeth iechyd a’r cyngor sir i sicrhau bod cyfleusterau ar gael i bobl sydd am adael yr ysbyty. Os nad awn i’r afael â’r hyn sydd yn digwydd i bobl ar ôl iddynt adael yr ysbyty, ni fyddwn fyth yn datrys problem y rhestrau aros hirfaith.
in Welsh Secondly, it badly affects patients who should be discharged from hospital to stay somewhere more appropriate. As usual, the problem is difficult to solve. As Jenny said, a lack of money is one of the main causes. However, a lack of co-ordination is another factor that is just as important. We need better co-ordination between the health trust and the county council to ensure that facilities are available for people who wish to leave hospital. If we do not tackle what happens to people after they are discharged from hospital, we will never solve the problem of long waiting lists.
Yn Ymddiriedolaeth NHS Gogledd Ddwyrain Cymru, mae timau ymateb cyflym wedi eu datblygu mewn partneriaeth â’r awdurdod lleol. Mae’r timau hyn yn helpu wrth ryddhau pobl o ysbytai cyn gynted â phosibl. Maent hefyd yn sicrhau bod rhai pobl yn gallu aros yn eu cartrefi, heb orfod mynd i’r ysbyty o gwbl.
in Welsh In the North East Wales NHS Trust, rapid response teams have been developed in partnership with the local authority. These teams help to release people from hospitals as soon as possible. They also ensure that some people can stay in their homes, without having to go into hospital at all.
Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yn credu mai’r ffordd orau i daclo’r broblem yw i fynd trwy’r grwpiau iechyd lleol newydd. Mae’r rhain yn cyfateb i ffiniau awdurdodau iechyd lleol. Gellid rhoi cyllid ychwanegol iddynt i gomisiynu gwasanaethau gan ddarparwyr lleol i ddatrys problem y rhai sydd am adael ysbyty, ond sydd yn methu â gwneud.
in Welsh The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that the best way to tackle the problem is to go through the new local health groups. These correspond to local health authority boundaries. They could be given additional funding to commission services from local providers to solve the problem of people wanting to leave hospital, but who are unable to do so.
Jane Hutt The Secretary for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 85
Jane Hutt Yr Ysgrifennydd Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85
The subject of the motion is important and topical. Thank you for using your motion to raise this issue. I support the underlying concerns and aims of the motion. Andrew Davies’s amendment 1 plus 5 is a constructive addition to this debate. They show our support for the spirit and intentions behind the motion and that we have had a constructive debate on these important issues. I have difficulty—
Mae testun y cynnig yn bwysig ac yn amserol. Diolch i chi am ddefnyddio’ch cynnig i godi’r mater hwn. Cefnogaf bryderon a nodau sylfaenol y cynnig. Mae gwelliant 1 a 5 Andrew Davies yn ychwanegiad adeiladol at y ddadl hon. Dangosant ein cefnogaeth i ysbryd a bwriadau’r cynnig a’n bod wedi cael dadl adeiladol ar y materion pwysig hyn. Yr wyf yn ei chael yn anodd—
We find it impossible to accept amendment 1 plus 5, because you want to replace the word ‘resolves’ with ‘to request’. This is about the position and significance of a Plenary debate of this nature and amendment 1 plus 5 undermines the power of a Plenary debate.
Fe’i cawn yn amhosibl derbyn gwelliant 1 a 5, oherwydd yr ydych am roi’r gair ‘gofyn’ yn lle ‘yn penderfynu’. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â statws a phwysigrwydd dadl o’r natur hon yn y Cyfarfod Llawn ac mae gwelliant 1 a 5 yn tanseilio pŵer dadl yn y Cyfarfod Llawn.
Not at all. As I have indicated, we take this seriously. My comments will indicate how I will respond to this and rightly because of the way that you have raised it in the Plenary.
Dim o gwbl. Fel y nodais, cymerwn hyn o ddifrif. Bydd fy sylwadau’n nodi sut y byddaf yn ymateb i hyn ac yn briodol felly oherwydd y modd yr ydych wedi ei godi yn y Cyfarfod Llawn.
I want to tackle the figures in the motion, which cause me concern. They give a misleading picture. The figures quoted were published by the Welsh Office’s Statistical Directorate, which gave a figure of 590 delayed discharges on 31 January last year. That was at the height of winter pressures when one would expect a higher level of hospital admissions and throughput than for the rest of the year. Therefore, it is not an average of the position over the full year. Those figures and those arising from them, distort the figures that you have given in the motion.
Yr wyf am ymdrin â’r ffigurau yn y cynnig, sydd yn peri pryder i mi. Maent yn rhoi darlun camarweiniol. Cyhoeddwyd y ffigurau a ddyfynnwyd gan Gyfarwyddiaeth Ystadegol y Swyddfa Gymreig, a roddodd ffigur o 590 rhyddhad gohiriedig ar 31 Ionawr y llynedd. Yr oedd hyn ar anterth pwysau’r gaeaf pan ddisgwylid lefel uwch o dderbyniadau a throsiant mewn ysbytai nag yng ngweddill y flwyddyn. Felly, nid yw’n gyfartaledd o’r sefyllfa dros y flwyddyn gyfan. Mae’r ffigurau hynny a’r rhai sydd yn deillio ohonynt, yn ystumio’r ffigurau a roddasoch yn y cynnig.
The higher figure of 628, which was the last figure that the Library was able to make available, was produced at the end of September. Therefore the impact of a winter crisis is not the only indication of high or low levels of bed blocking. It can happen at any time. To discount the figures because one set was produced in January does not negate the argument that at any time, up to and over 600 beds can be blocked.
Cynhyrchwyd y ffigur uwch o 628, sef y ffigur diweddaraf y gallai’r Llyfrgell ei ddarparu, ddiwedd Medi. Felly nid yr effaith o argyfwng yn y gaeaf yw’r unig amlygiad o lefelau uwch neu is o flocio gwelyau. Gall ddigwydd rywbryd. Nid yw diystyru’r ffigurau am fod un set wedi ei chynhyrchu yn Ionawr yn fodd i wadu’r ddadl y gall hyd at 600 a mwy o welyau fod wedi eu blocio ar unrhyw adeg benodol.
I do not want to spend all of my time discussing the figures. As you know, there is a difficulty with definition. We must overcome the disputes between professionals, the health service and social services about definitions of delayed discharge. We do not want this to get in the way of delivering the strategies. I want to respond to the strategies that we are developing in order to tackle the problem of delayed discharge. It is important that this is about the approach to the services that we provide. We have commissioned work from the University of Wales, Swansea—the ‘Beds and Bureaucracy’ report, which we have previously discussed. We are taking that forward to consider how we can implement its recommendations.
Ni ddymunaf dreulio’r cwbl o’m hamser yn trafod y ffigurau. Fel y gwyddoch, mae anhawster wrth ddiffinio. Rhaid inni oresgyn yr anghydfodau rhwng gweithwyr proffesiynol, y gwasanaeth iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol ynghylch diffiniadau o ryddhau gohiriedig. Nid ydym am weld hyn yn rhwystro cyflenwi’r strategaethau. Yr wyf am ymateb ynghylch y strategaethau yr ydym yn eu datblygu er mwyn ymdrin â’r broblem o ryddhau gohiriedig. Mae’n bwysig bod hyn yn ymwneud â’r ymagwedd at y gwasanaethau a ddarparwn. Yr ydym wedi comisiynu gwaith gan Brifysgol Cymru, Abertawe—yr adroddiad ‘Gwelyau a Biwrocratiaeth’, a drafodwyd gennym o’r blaen. Yr ydym yn mynd ymlaen â hynny er mwyn ystyried sut y gallwn roi ar waith yr argymhellion sydd ynddo.
We do not want to talk about bed blocking, you are right, Christine, we want to talk about the delayed discharge of some of the most vulnerable people who want dignity, often towards the end of their lives. We must move away from bureaucracy and disputing figures, and look at it strategically so that our work addresses the matter. That is how I want to respond. You all spoke very well about the issues. We must bear in mind that some of those awaiting discharge have continuing health care needs, and plan and cater for them. Beds will not necessarily be released by dealing with delayed discharge. Freeing a geriatric medical bed will not lead directly to an ability to admit a person from a surgical waiting list. Dealing with the problem of hospital beds, delayed discharge and appropriate community resettlement is a complex issue.
Ni ddymunwn siarad am flocio gwelyau, yr ydych yn iawn, Christine, dymunwn siarad am y gohirio cyn rhyddhau rhai o’r bobl sydd fwyaf agored i niwed sydd am gael urddas, yn aml tua diwedd eu hoes. Rhaid inni symud oddi wrth fiwrocratiaeth a dadlau ynghylch ffigurau, ac edrych arni’n strategol fel bod ein gwaith yn ymdrin â’r mater. Dyna sut yr wyf am ymateb. Mae pob un ohonoch wedi siarad yn dda am y materion hyn. Rhaid inni gofio bod gan rai sydd yn disgwyl eu rhyddhau anghenion gofal iechyd parhaus, a bod angen cynllunio a darparu ar eu cyfer. Ni fydd gwelyau’n cael eu rhyddhau o reidrwydd drwy ddelio â rhyddhau gohiriedig. Ni fydd rhyddhau gwely meddygol geriatrig yn arwain yn uniongyrchol at y gallu i dderbyn rhywun oddi ar restr aros lawfeddygol. Mae delio â phroblem gwelyau ysbyty, rhyddhau gohiriedig ac ailsefydlu priodol yn y gymuned yn fater cymhleth.
I wrote to you recently about a constituent of mine who waited 33 months for a hip replacement operation that was classed as semi-urgent. I wrote to the chief executive of Swansea NHS Trust who replied by explaining that there were 65 patients awaiting discharge, which would have helped to alleviate the problem for my constituent. Are you contradicting what he said in his reply?
Ysgrifennais atoch yn ddiweddar ynghylch un o’m hetholwyr a arhosodd 33 mis am lawdriniaeth i gael clun newydd a ystyriwyd yn un led-frys. Ysgrifennais at brif weithredwr Ymddiriedolaeth NHS Abertawe a atebodd gan egluro bod 65 o gleifion yn disgwyl eu rhyddhau, a fyddai wedi helpu i liniaru’r broblem i’m hetholwr. A ydych yn gwrth-ddweud yr hyn a ddywedodd yn ei ateb?
There are discharge issues that we need to tackle. We set up the emergency pressures taskforce at the height of the pressures we experienced after the Christmas period to look at the whole issue of bed capacity, critical care capability and workforce planning. It is a more complex problem than merely saying that there are beds in community care for the people whose discharge has been delayed. Some of those people need further assessment for their continuing healthcare. Delayed discharge is also related to family needs, carers’ responsibilities, adaptations to housing and transport and housing services, as Jenny and Kirsty mentioned.
Mae materion ynghylch rhyddhau y mae angen inni ymdrin â hwy. Sefydlasom y tasglu pwysau brys ar anterth y pwysau a brofasom ar ôl cyfnod y Nadolig i edrych ar holl fater nifer y gwelyau, y gallu gofal critigol a chynllunio’r gweithlu. Mae’n fater mwy cymhleth na dweud yn syml fod gwelyau mewn gofal cymunedol ar gyfer y bobl y gohiriwyd eu rhyddhau. Mae ar rai o’r bobl hynny angen asesu pellach ar gyfer eu gofal iechyd parhaus. Mae rhyddhau gohiriedig hefyd yn gysylltiedig ag anghenion teuluoedd, cyfrifoldebau gofalwyr, addasiadau i dai a gwasanaethau trafnidiaeth a thai, fel y dywedodd Jenny a Kirsty.
The Scottish Minister said on Friday that in Scotland they have 41 definitions of delayed discharge. There are major issues relating to how people are moved on. As Dai has said, this is not about treating people as if they were on a factory conveyer belt. It is about preventing the reasons why they are in hospital in the first place. Preventing admissions, along with rehabilitation and preventing readmission, are critical. We are looking at all of these issues through the emergency pressures taskforce. We have good examples of the rapid response teams, to which Christine referred, in north-east Wales. We also have a good rapid response team in Blaenau Gwent. Social services, GPs, occupational therapists and physiotherapists are all involved in enabling people to stay in their homes and in ensuring that they are not readmitted to hospital after being discharged. During the Christmas period, many people were readmitted to hospital. Jane Davidson referred to TEEMS, which prevented people from having to be admitted to hospitals. Infections can be picked up in hospitals, so it is inappropriate for them to be there. We must look at the whole approach to care for vulnerable and elderly people in particular.
Dywedodd Gweinidog yr Alban ddydd Gwener fod ganddynt 41 diffiniad yn yr Alban o ryddhau gohiriedig. Ceir materion o bwys sydd yn gysylltiedg â’r modd y symudir pobl yn eu blaen. Fel y dywedodd Dai, nid yw hyn yn fater o drafod pobl fel pe baent ar gludfelt mewn ffatri. Mae’n ymwneud ag atal y rhesymau pam y maent yn yr ysbyty yn y lle cyntaf. Mae atal derbyniadau, ynghyd ag ailsefydlu ac atal aildderbyn, yn holl bwysig. Yr ydym yn edrych ar bob un o’r materion hyn drwy’r tasglu pwysau brys. Mae gennym enghreifftiau da o’r timau ymateb cyflym, y cyfeiriodd Christine atynt, yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru. Mae gennym hefyd dîm ymateb cyflym da ym Mlaenau Gwent. Mae gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, meddygon teulu, therapyddion galwedigaethol a ffisiotherapyddion oll yn ymwneud â galluogi pobl i aros yn eu cartrefi a sicrhau na chânt eu haildderbyn i’r ysbyty ar ôl eu rhyddhau. Yn ystod cyfnod y Nadolig, aildderbyniwyd llawer o bobl i’r ysbyty. Cyfeiriodd Jane Davidson at TEEMS, a ataliodd yr angen i aildderbyn pobl i ysbytai. Gellir dal heintiadau mewn ysbytai, felly mae’n amhriodol iddynt fod yno. Rhaid inni ystyried yr holl ymagwedd at ofal i bobl sydd yn agored i niwed a phobl oedrannus yn benodol.
Given the importance you have attached to rehabilitation, do you not accept that rehabilitation services are often best provided through community hospitals, and that, therefore, threats to community hospitals throughout Wales and in particular in Powys where we will shortly lose 90 beds, are undermining, not strengthening that service?
O ystyried y pwysigrwydd a roddwch ar ailsefydlu, oni dderbyniwch mai drwy ysbytai cymunedol yn aml y darperir gwasanaethau ailsefydlu orau, ac felly, bod bygythiadau i ysbytai cymunedol ledled Cymru ac ym Mhowys yn arbennig lle y byddwn yn colli 90 o welyau cyn hir. yn tanseilio, ac nid yn cryfhau’r gwasanaeth hwnnw?
Kirsty always manages to mention the Powys community hospitals, all of which will stay open. I am pleased that I will shortly be addressing the Community Hospitals Association.
Mae Kirsty bob amser yn llwyddo i sôn am ysbytai cymunedol Powys, y bydd pob un ohonynt yn aros yn agored. Yr wyf yn falch y byddaf yn annerch Cymdeithas yr Ysbytai Cymunedol cyn hir.
The Labour Government has introduced the opportunity for partnership through the local health groups. I am glad that you accept that they have a vital role to play, David. They include social services, GPs, nurses, pharmacists and the voluntary sector, all working together. They have a tremendous future, but have only been in existence for a year. We have only recently abolished GP fundholding to enable local health groups to provide this role. They have started to help design services and will continue to do so. The flexibilities of the Health Act 1999, the recently introduced pooled budgeting and promotion of joint working between the NHS and social services will make a great difference. They have been introduced by the Government and backed by the Assembly. There are examples of innovative schemes and we have a strong measure of consensus in the Assembly about how we can move this forward. There are examples in Wales of good co-operation between the social services, health authorities and trusts on a daily basis to deal with delayed discharge, such as in Swansea, for example. We must recognise that, in terms of how we proceed, local health groups are the future but we cannot move them as fast as you would expect.
Mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur wedi cyflwyno’r cyfle ar gyfer partneriaeth drwy’r grwpiau iechyd lleol. Yr wyf yn falch eich bod yn derbyn bod ganddynt rôl holl bwysig i’w chwarae, David. Cynhwysant wasanaethau cymdeithasol, meddygon teulu, nyrsys, fferyllwyr a’r sector gwirfoddol, y cwbl yn gweithio gyda’i gilydd. Mae iddynt ddyfodol aruthrol, ond dim ond ers blwyddyn y maent yn bodoli. Nid ydym ond newydd ddileu cyllidebau meddygon teulu er mwyn galluogi grwpiau iechyd lleol i gyflawni’r rôl hon. Dechreuasant helpu i gynllunio gwasanaethau a pharhant i wneud hynny. Bydd yr hyblygrwydd yn y Ddeddf Iechyd 1999, y cronni cyllidebau a gyflwynwyd yn ddiweddar a’r hyrwyddo o weithio ar y cyd rhwng yr NHS a’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr. Fe’u cyflwynwyd gan y Llywodraeth a’u cefnogi gan y Cynulliad. Ceir enghreifftiau o gynlluniau arloesol ac mae gennym gonsensws helaeth yn y Cynulliad ynghylch sut y gallwn fwrw ymlaen â hyn. Ceir enghreifftiau yng Nghymru o gydweithredu da rhwng y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, awdurdodau iechyd ac ymddiriedolaethau o ddydd i ddydd i ymdrin â rhyddhau gohiriedig, fel yn Abertawe, er enghraifft. Rhaid inni gydnabod, o ran y ffordd yr awn ymlaen, mai grwpiau iechyd lleol yw’r dyfodol ond ni allwn eu symud mor gyflym ag y gallech ddisgwyl.
We support Dai’s amendments and the concerns and aims that underpin them. Obviously, Dai’s amendment 2 is not compatible with our amendment 1 plus 5, which deletes the clause to which he refers. I assure Dai that, following the work of this taskforce and in discussion with him and the Committee about the way forward, it is a priority area for the Government. I do not think that we will ever eliminate delayed discharge because of the factors and reasons that exist not only in the health service. The Assembly’s aim should be to ensure that elderly people do not have the kind of delay that blights their lives at that time of life.
Cefnogwn welliannau Dai a’r pryderon a’r nodau sydd yn sail iddynt. Mae’n amlwg nad yw gwelliant 2 Dai yn gyson â’n gwelliant 1 a 5 ni, sydd yn dileu’r cymal y cyfeiria ato. Yr wyf yn sicrhau Dai ei fod, ar ôl gwaith y tasglu hwn ac mewn trafodaeth ag ef a’r Pwyllgor ynghylch y ffordd ymlaen, yn faes sydd yn flaenoriaeth i’r Llywodraeth. Ni chredaf y byddwn byth yn dileu rhyddhau gohiriedig oherwydd y ffactorau a’r rhesymau sydd yn bodoli, nid yn unig yn y gwasanaeth iechyd. Dylai fod yn nod gan y Cynulliad sicrhau na fydd pobl oedrannus yn profi’r math o oedi sydd yn andwyo eu bywydau yn yr adeg honno yn eu hoes.
We must have a strategic approach to this. It is about primary care and keeping people at home, emergency admissions and good out of hour services at times of great pressure. We must ensure that every hospital bed is used effectively and that people are not stuck in beds but receive continuing care. This needs to be examined, which means that we must look at other kinds of beds such as step down beds, which are used in some parts of Wales.
Rhaid inni ymwneud yn strategol â hyn. Mae’n ymwneud â gofal sylfaenol a chadw pobl yn eu cartrefi, derbyniadau brys a gwasanaethau da y tu allan i oriau ar adegau pan fo pwysau mawr. Rhaid inni sicrhau y caiff pob gwely ysbyty ei ddefnyddio’n effeithiol ac y bydd pobl yn derbyn gofal parhaus yn hytrach na’u gadael mewn gwelyau. Mae angen edrych ar hyn, sydd yn golygu bod rhaid inni edrych ar fathau eraill o welyau fel gwelyau camu i lawr, a ddefnyddir mewn rhai rhannau o Gymru.
We must examine how we co-operate with housing and how we establish our carers strategy which, I assure you will be implemented. Local authorities are already planning for the carers strategy. We have discussed the Royal Commission in the Health and Social Services Committee and we are working closely with the UK Government on that. There is consensus in the Assembly about how to deal with delayed discharge and the way that we transform the NHS in Wales. With the extra money and with people beavering away in the service who are planning and helping us to move this forward, we will see a transformation over the coming years.
Rhaid inni edrych ar y modd yr ydym yn cydweithredu â thai a sut yr ydym yn sefydlu ein strategaeth gofalwyr a gaiff ei gweithredu, yr wyf yn eich sicrhau. Mae awdurdodau lleol eisoes yn cynllunio ar gyfer y strategaeth gofalwyr. Trafodasom y Comisiwn Brenhinol yn y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ac yr ydym yn gweithio’n agos â Llywodraeth y DU ar hynny. Mae consensws yn y Cynulliad ynghylch sut i ymdrin â rhyddhau gohiriedig a’r modd yr ydym yn trawsnewid yr NHS yng Nghymru. Gyda’r arian ychwanegol a’r bobl sydd wrthi’n ddygn yn y gwasanaeth sydd yn cynllunio ac yn ein helpu i symud ymlaen â hyn, byddwn yn gweld trawsnewid yn y blynyddoedd sydd i ddod.
I commend the Assembly for what has been a well-tempered and informed debate. I will not mention what happened earlier this afternoon. This issue has been approached in a productive manner. If we have learnt anything this afternoon, it is that we will try to avoid the use of the term bed blocking in future and use the words delayed discharge because this is not about blaming the patient. It is about dignity, independence and respect for those who need community care.
Canmolaf y Cynulliad am yr hyn a fu’n ddadl hynaws a gwybodus. Ni soniaf am yr hyn a ddigwyddodd yn gynharach y prynhawn yma. Ymdriniwyd â’r mater hwn yn gynhyrchiol. Os dysgasom rywbeth y prynhawn yma, hwnnw yw y byddwn yn ceisio osgoi arfer y term ‘blocio gwelyau’ o hyn ymlaen ac yn defnyddio’r geiriau ‘rhyddhau gohiriedig’ oherwydd nid yw hyn yn ymwneud â bwrw’r bai ar y claf. Mae’n ymwneud ag urddas, annibyniaeth a pharch i’r rhai y mae arnynt angen gofal cymunedol.
We must place on record that while we are not attempting to blame somebody or see what fault there has been, it is clear that the experience in Wales has moved from bad to worse to disaster. The number of patients in Wales who have been waiting more than 12 months for in-patient treatment in hospitals is now 10,800. There has been a 6.4 per cent increase in patients waiting over one month and a 195 per cent increase in patients waiting more than 18 months.
Rhaid inni gofnodi, er nad ydym yn ceisio rhoi’r bai ar neb neu’n ceisio canfod pa ddiffyg a fu, ei bod yn amlwg bod y profiad yng Nghymru wedi mynd o ddrwg i waeth i drychineb. Nifer y cleifion yng Nghymru sydd yn disgwyl ers dros 12 mis am driniaeth claf mewnol mewn ysbyty bellach yw 10,800. Bu cynnydd o 6.4 y cant yn nifer y cleifion sydd yn disgwyl dros fis a chynnydd o 195 y cant yn nifer y cleifion sydd yn disgwyl ers dros 18 mis.
There is a domino effect in this strategy for delayed discharge. What affects one end blocks beds at the other end. I have personal experience of that. I spent a day with the Ambulance Service at the Royal Gwent Hospital, where the problem is at its worst in Wales. It affected me that I was stacking people on trolleys in the admission ward of the hospital. Usk is the worst area in Wales. Not only does it have the poorest response times from the ambulance service, it is also difficult to get into the hospital as it has the worst bed blocking. I find it strange that in the same health authority area, in Bedwellty, there are unused empty rehabilitation beds. We have to find genuine solutions.
Mae effaith gynyddol yn y strategaeth hon ar gyfer rhyddhau gohiriedig. Mae’r hyn sydd yn digwydd yn un pen yn blocio gwelyau yn y pen arall. Mae gennyf brofiad personol o hynny. Treuliais ddiwrnod gyda’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Gwent, lle y mae’r broblem ar ei gwaethaf yng Nghymru. Yr oedd yn ofid imi fy mod yn pentyrru pobl ar drolïau yn ward dderbyn yr ysbyty. Brynbuga yw’r ardal waethaf yng Nghymru. Nid yn unig y mae amseroedd ymateb gwaethaf y gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn y fan honno, mae hefyd yn anodd mynd i’r ysbyty oherwydd mai yno y mae’r blocio gwaethaf ar welyau. Fe’i caf yn rhyfedd fod gwelyau ailsefydlu nas defnyddir yn yr un ardal awdurdod iechyd, ym Medwellte. Rhaid inni ddarganfod atebion gwirioneddol.
Our proposal is to deal with this by devolving power to local health groups. That is why we cannot accept Andrew Davies’s amendment 1 plus 5, because it would not provide the best solution at local level. We have heard today that there is much good practice in this matter. We have also heard that the genuine mixed solutions for which we are looking between local authorities, the voluntary sector, carers and the NHS could not be provided by any other agency than one that was able to address matters by looking at the whole picture in the round.
Yr hyn a gynigiwn yw y dylid ymdrin â hyn drwy ddatganoli pŵer i grwpiau iechyd lleol. Dyna pam na allwn dderbyn gwelliant 1 a 5 Andrew Davies, oherwydd ni roddai’r ateb gorau ar lefel leol. Clywsom heddiw fod llawer o arfer da yn y mater hwn. Clywsom hefyd na ellid darparu’r atebion cymysg gwirioneddol yr ydym yn chwilio amdanynt rhwng awdurdodau lleol, y sector gwirfoddol, gofalwyr a’r NHS drwy’r un asiantaeth arall heblaw am un a allai ymdrin â’r materion hyn drwy edrych ar y darlun cyfan.
There must be local solutions to local problems. The situation is different wherever you are, and is different where trusts have taken different decisions about rehabilitation beds. The closure of rehabilitation beds over a long period of time has meant that people have not been able to return to the community quickly enough or have not been able to find the appropriate care or have not been able to move that one stage further towards being rehabilitated into the community. We cannot, therefore, accept Andrew Davies’s amendment 1 plus 5 because it would, in effect, take away what is at the heart of this motion, which is to provide local solutions for local problems.
Rhaid bod atebion lleol i broblemau lleol. Mae’r sefyllfa’n wahanol ym mha le bynnag yr ydych, ac mae’n wahanol lle y gwnaeth ymddiriedolaethau benderfyniadau gwahanol ynghylch gwelyau ailsefydlu. Mae cau gwelyau ailsefydlu dros gyfnod maith wedi golygu na fu modd i bobl ddychwelyd i’r gymuned yn ddigon cyflym neu na fu modd iddynt ganfod y gofal priodol neu na fu modd iddynt symud un cam ymhellach tuag at gael eu hailsefydlu yn y gymuned. Felly, ni allwn dderbyn gwelliant 1 a 5 Andrew Davies am y byddai, i bob pwrpas, yn dileu’r hyn sydd wrth wraidd y cynnig hwn, sef darparu atebion lleol i broblemau lleol.
We are pleased to accept Dai Lloyd’s amendment 2. We will abstain on his amendment 3 because there are some matters in this area that are not within the solutions that we propose, and it may be beyond us to complete parts of them by 2003. However, we support the spirit of the amendment. We will support his amendment 4, which is very valuable.
Yr ydym yn falch o dderbyn gwelliant 2 Dai Lloyd. Byddwn yn ymatal ar welliant 3 o’i eiddo oherwydd mae rhai materion yn y maes hwn nad ydynt oddi mewn i’r atebion a gynigiwn, a gallai fod yn amhosibl inni gyflawni rhannau ohonynt erbyn 2003. Fodd bynnag, cefnogwn ysbryd y gwelliant. Byddwn yn cefnogi gwelliant 4 o’i eiddo, sydd yn werthfawr iawn.
In conclusion, I mention the various strategies to which reference has been made. The question of whether the long-term care for the elderly strategy has been kicked into the long grass is an unexplained disgrace. This needs to be dealt with and brought back rapidly onto the agenda. We need to see the national carers’ strategy put into action. We may have strategyitis in Wales—we have strategy after strategy. Unless these strategies are turned into real action plans people will suffer.
I derfynu, crybwyllaf y gwahanol strategaethau y cyfeiriwyd atynt. Mae’r cwestiwn ynghylch a fwriwyd strategaeth gofal tymor hir yr henoed o’r neilltu yn warth anesboniedig. Mae angen delio â hyn a’i rhoi’n ôl ar yr agenda’n fuan. Rhaid inni weld y strategaeth gofalwyr genedlaethol ar waith. Efallai ein bod yn dioddef gan glefyd strategaethau yng Nghymru—mae gennym strategaethau di-rif. Oni throir y strategaethau hyn yn gynlluniau gweithredu gwirioneddol bydd pobl yn dioddef.
I respect David Melding’s contribution. I am not yet certain whether I would call him a Tory, but if he likes to be called a Tory I am happy to do so—or maybe a Welsh Tory—it is up to him. The solution that was suggested to you by your colleague is only one part of the solution. I do not believe that private care is the total solution—it is a part solution. We need to bring together the voluntary sector, the carers, the private sector, social services and the NHS on this matter.
Parchaf gyfraniad David Melding. Nid wyf yn sicr eto a fyddwn am ei alw’n Dori, ond os yw’n hoffi cael ei alw’n Dori yr wyf yn falch o wneud hynny—neu efallai’n Dori Cymreig—ef a gaiff benderfynu. Nid yw’r ateb a awgrymwyd gennych chi a’ch cydweithwyr ond yn un rhan o’r ateb. Ni chredaf mai gofal preifat yw’r ateb cyfan—mae’n ateb rhannol. Mae angen inni ddod â’r sector gwirfoddol, y gofalwyr, y sector preifat, y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol a’r NHS at ei gilydd ar y mater hwn.
We have an opportunity today to move from thinking and strategies to action and to deal with the problem of insufficient resource in the whole service of rehabilitation into the community. It is not just a financial problem—it is a resource allocation problem. We have some resources available to us now. Our motion suggests that we should be putting money into this area so that it will have the domino effect of allowing people to get back into the community, and allowing them to get into hospital beds for the elective surgery which they have so long been denied.
Mae gennym gyfle heddiw i symud oddi wrth feddwl a strategaethau ac at weithredu a delio â phroblem adnoddau annigonol yn y gwasanaeth ailsefydlu yn y gymuned yn ei gyfanrwydd. Nid problem ariannol yn unig ydyw—mae’n broblem dyrannu adnoddau. Mae rhai adnoddau ar gael i ni’n awr. Mae ein cynnig yn awgrymu y dylem roi arian i’r maes hwn fel y caiff effaith gynyddol o ganiatáu i bobl fynd yn ôl i’r gymuned a chaniatáu iddynt gael gwelyau ysbyty ar gyfer y llawdriniaeth ddewisol a wrthodwyd iddynt gyhyd.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 92
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 92
For the Assembly’s convenience I will take Andrew Davies’s amendment 1 plus 5 at the end, as it both deletes and adds.
Er hwylustod i’r Cynulliad, cymeraf welliant 1 a 5 Andrew Davies ar y diwedd, gan ei fod yn dileu ac yn ychwanegu.
Gwelliant 2 David Lloyd t. 92
Amendment 2 David Lloyd p. 92
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 39 YmatalAbstain 6 Yn erbynAgainst 1
Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment adopted.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (39)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Cynog Dafis
- Andrew Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Christine Humphreys
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Elin Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- David Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Janet Ryder
- Karen Sinclair
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (6)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- David Davies
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
Yn erbynAgainst (1)
- William Graham
Gwelliant 3 David Lloyd t. 93
Amendment 3 David Lloyd p. 93
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 33 YmatalAbstain 13 Yn erbynAgainst 0
Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment adopted.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (33)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Cynog Dafis
- Andrew Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Elin Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- David Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Janet Ryder
- Karen Sinclair
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (13)
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- David Davies
- Michael German
- William Graham
- Christine Humphreys
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Jenny Randerson
- Peter Rogers
- Kirsty Williams
Gwelliant 4 David Lloyd t. 94
Amendment 4 David Lloyd p. 94
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 46 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0
Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment adopted.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (46)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Rosemary Butler
- Alun Cairns
- Christine Chapman
- Cynog Dafis
- Andrew Davies
- David Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- William Graham
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Christine Humphreys
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Elin 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
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
Gwelliant 1 Andrew Davies t. 94
Amendment 1 Andrew Davies p. 94
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 20 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 25
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (20)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Andrew Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Alun Pugh
- Karen Sinclair
Yn erbynAgainst (25)
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- David Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Michael German
- William Graham
- Christine Humphreys
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Jenny Randerson
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygio Kirsty Williams t. 96
Amended motion Kirsty Williams p. 96
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 25 YmatalAbstain 21 Yn erbynAgainst 0
Derbyniwyd y cynnig wedi’i ddiwygio.
Amended motion adopted.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (25)
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- David Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Michael German
- William Graham
- Christine Humphreys
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Jenny Randerson
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (21)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Andrew Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Karen Sinclair
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 5.33 p.m.
The session ended at 5.33 p.m.