Cymraeg

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting

Dydd Iau 12 Hydref 2000

Thursday 12 October 2000

DechreuoddMet 09:05 · Daeth i benRose 12:54

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

Heb ei wirio â llaw etoNot yet checked by hand

CynnwysContents

  1. 3Teyrngedau i Donald Dewar, Gweinidog Cyntaf yr AlbanTributes to Donald Dewar, Scotland’s First Minister
  2. 9Penodi i’r Cyngor Partneriaeth Llywodraeth LeolAppointment to the Local Government Partnership Council 1 bleidlais1 vote
  3. 11Cwestiynau i’r Ysgrifennydd Addysg a PhlantQuestions to the Secretary for Education and Children
    1. 11Ailstrwythuro Cyflogau AthrawonTeachers’ Pay Restructuring
    2. 12Gwaith Papur AthrawonTeachers’ Paperwork
    3. 14Cyllid ar gyfer y Raddfa ArwainFunding for the Leadership Spine
    4. 16Diwygiadau i’r Flwyddyn YsgolSchool Year Reforms
  4. 18Cwestiynau i’r Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu GwledigQuestions to the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development
    1. 18Datblygiad CynaliadwySustainable Development
    2. 20Treialon Maes Addasu GenetigGenetic Modification Field Trials
    3. 22Pysgota ar GamlesiCanal Fishing
    4. 24Tir Gofal (Cyllid)Tir Gofal (Funding)
    5. 25Y Cwmni Cig CymreigWelsh Meat Company
  5. 26Pwyntiau o DrefnPoints of Order
  6. 31Datganiad ar Ganolfan Mileniwm CymruStatement on the Wales Millennium Centre
  7. 54Datganiad ar Gyngor Celfyddydau CymruStatement on the Arts Council of Wales
  8. 62Datganiad ar Geiswyr LlochesStatement on Asylum Seekers
  9. 73Cymeradwyo’r Gorchymyn Deunydd Risg Penodedig (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2000Approval of the Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (Wales) 2000 1 bleidlais1 vote
  10. 77Cynigion TrefniadolProcedural Motions 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
  11. 79Yr Adolygiad Cynhwysfawr o Wariant: ParhadThe Comprehensive Spending Review: Continued 7 o bleidleisiau7 votes
  12. 104Dadl FerShort Debate
    1. 104Materion Symudedd a Mynediad i Bobl Ddall a Phobl â Nam ar eu GolwgMobility and Access Issues for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons

PleidleisiauVotes

PleidlaisVoteO blaidForYmatalAbstainYn erbynAgainstCanlyniadResult
Penodi i’r Cyngor Partneriaeth Llywodraeth LeolAppointment to the Local Government Partnership Council
CynnigMotion5200DerbyniwydAdopted
Cymeradwyo’r Gorchymyn Deunydd Risg Penodedig (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2000Approval of the Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (Wales) 2000
CynnigMotion4200DerbyniwydAdopted
Cynigion TrefniadolProcedural Motions
Cynnig trefniadolProcedural motion4200DerbyniwydAdopted
Cynnig trefniadolProcedural motion3901DerbyniwydAdopted
Yr Adolygiad Cynhwysfawr o Wariant: ParhadThe Comprehensive Spending Review: Continued
Gwelliant 1Amendment 128023DerbyniwydAdopted
Gwelliant 3Amendment 322624GwrthodwydRejected
Gwelliant 4Amendment 422031GwrthodwydRejected
Gwelliant 5Amendment 538150DerbyniwydAdopted
Gwelliant 6Amendment 622031GwrthodwydRejected
Gwelliant 7Amendment 723625GwrthodwydRejected
Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygioAmended motion38160DerbyniwydAdopted

TrafodionProceedings

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

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

Teyrngedau i Donald Dewar, Gweinidog Cyntaf yr Alban

Tributes to Donald Dewar, Scotland’s First Minister

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 3

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 3

Fy nyletswydd trist y bore yma yw cofnodi marwolaeth Gweinidog Cyntaf yr Alban, Donald Dewar. Galwaf ar y Prif Ysgrifennydd, y Gwir Anrhydeddus Rhodri Morgan i arwain y teyrngedau.

It is my sad duty this morning to record the death of Scotland’s First Minister, Donald Dewar. I call on the First Secretary, the Right Honourable Rhodri Morgan to lead the tributes.

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 3

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in Welsh and English p. 3

Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i dalu teyrnged i wir ffrind i Gymru ac i un o gewri gwleidyddiaeth Prydain Fawr. Yr oedd hefyd yn un o benseiri’r broses ddatganoli.

in Welsh I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to pay tribute to a true friend of Wales and to one of the political giants of Great Britain. He was also one of the architects of the devolution process.

I pay tribute to Donald Dewar this morning on behalf of the Assembly and the people of Wales. We have lost a true friend, not only of Wales, but also of this Assembly. We have lost one of the giants of the devolution process and the constitutional change that we have seen in the United Kingdom over the past two or three years. When a death occurs as suddenly as Donald’s, when I had had a lengthy conversation with him only last Friday, it comes as a particular shock to the system—to myself personally, as well as to the political system. The new, devolved political geography of the United Kingdom is much the weaker since his death yesterday.

yn Saesneg Talaf deyrnged i Donald Dewar y bore yma ar ran y Cynulliad a phobl Cymru. Yr ydym wedi colli gwir gyfaill, nid yn unig i Gymru, ond i’r Cynulliad hwn hefyd. Yr ydym wedi colli un o gewri’r broses ddatganoli a’r newid cyfansoddiadol a welsom yn y Deyrnas Unedig dros y ddwy neu dair blynedd diwethaf. Pan ddigwydd marwolaeth mor sydyn ag un Donald, a minnau ond wedi cael sgwrs faith gydag ef ddydd Gwener diwethaf, mae’n sioc i’r system – i mi’n bersonol, yn ogystal ag i’r system wleidyddol. Mae daearyddiaeth wleidyddol ddatganoledig newydd y Deyrnas Unedig yn llawer gwannach ers ei farwolaeth ddoe.

I first got to know Donald in 1987 when I entered the House of Commons. He had been there for some considerable time before. I remember an occasion in 1988 when I thought that I had heard the best parliamentary speech that I had heard in my 18 months or so in the House of Commons. It was Donald’s devastating attack on the then Conservative Government of Margaret Thatcher over the introduction of the poll tax, as a whole, and its introduction a year early in Scotland. Afterwards, I asked Peter Bottomley, who was a Junior Conservative Minister at the time, how one made such speeches. If I could ever master the craft of making such a speech, I would be more than pleased with myself. Peter Bottomley replied that Donald did it by respecting the House of Commons and by respecting his opponents, however much he savaged them in his attack. I remember that he brought the House down by reading aloud the winning entry in an essay competition for nine-year-old children in Paisley. The winner had written that Margaret Thatcher was the kind of woman that if you lost your ball in her garden, she would not give it back to you. You can imagine how that brought the House down across all four parties and how everyone felt uplifted afterwards by somebody who had the mastery of the whole House.

yn Saesneg Deuthum i adnabod Donald gyntaf yn 1987 pan gefais fy ethol i Dŷ’r Cyffredin. Yr oedd wedi bod yno ers cryn amser cyn hynny. Cofiaf achlysur yn 1988 pan gredais fy mod wedi clywed yr araith seneddol orau yr oeddwn wedi ei chlywed yn oddeutu’r 18 mis yr oeddwn wedi bod yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin. Ymosodiad deifiol Donald ydoedd ar Lywodraeth Dorïaidd Margaret Thatcher dros gyflwyno treth y pen, yn gyffredinol, a’i chyflwyno flwyddyn yn gynharach yn yr Alban. Ar ôl yr araith, gofynnais i Peter Bottomley, a oedd yn un o Weinidogion Iau y Ceidwadwyr ar y pryd, sut oedd gwneud araith o’r fath. Pe bawn yn gallu meistroli’r grefft o wneud araith o’r fath, byddem yn fwy na balch ohonof fy hun. Atebodd Peter Bottomley fod Donald yn gwneud hyn drwy barchu Tŷ’r Cyffredin a thrwy barchu ei wrthwynebwyr, waeth pa mor gïaidd ei ymosodiad arnynt. Cofiaf iddo gael cymeradwyaeth fyddarol drwy ddarllen ar goedd gwaith enillydd cystadleuaeth traethawd i blant naw mlwydd oed yn Paisley. Yr oedd yr enillydd wedi ysgrifennnu mai Margaret Thatcher oedd y math o wraig na fyddai, pe baech yn colli eich pêl yn ei gardd, yn ei rhoi yn ôl i chi. Gallwch ddychmygu sut ymateb a gafodd hynny gan y pedair plaid a sut yr ysbrydolwyd pawb gan rywun a oedd yn feistr ar y Tŷ cyfan.

If Donald Dewar leaves a legacy to Scotland and to British politics, it is this ability to wound without ever being personal, to put across your case and to attack the other side’s case without ever being nasty, by showing respect to all four parties, to your political opponents and to the people outside whom you serve. He also leaves the legacy whereby nobody thinks that you have been personal and that you have respected the institution in which you have served and the process of democratic politics in which you have been lucky enough to be elected. If he leaves a legacy to Wales, I hope that it is that. I hope that we can all learn, following Donald’s death, this process of putting across our party political points of view but also to respect the institution in which we have the honour of serving, and to respect each other and our respective different points of view.

yn Saesneg Os yw Donald Dewar yn gadael cynhysgaeth i’r Alban a gwleidyddiaeth Prydain, yna’r gallu i glwyfo heb fod yn bersonol byth yw hynny, i gyflwyno eich achos ac ymosod ar achos yr ochr arall heb fod yn gas, drwy ddangos parch tuag at y pedair plaid, tuag at eich gwrthwynebwyr gwleidyddol a thuag at y bobl y tu allan yr ydych yn eu gwasanaethu. Gadawa hefyd y gynhysgaeth lle nad oes neb yn credu ichi fod yn bersonol a’ch bod wedi parchu’r sefydliad y gwasanaethwch ynddo a’r broses o wleidyddiaeth ddemocrataidd y buoch yn ddigon ffodus i gael eich ethol ynddi. Os gedy gynhysgaeth i Gymru, gobeithiaf mai dyna ydyw. Gobeithiaf y gall pob un ohonom ddysgu, yn dilyn marwolaeth Donald, y broses hon o gyflwyno barn wleidyddol ein plaid ond gan barchu’r sefydliad y mae gennym yr anrhydedd o’i wasanaethu, a pharchu ein gilydd a’n safbwyntiau gwahanol priodol.

Ron Davies spoken in English p. 4

Ron Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

The people of Scotland will have woken up this morning with a sense of heavy loss. Donald Dewar had, before his untimely death yesterday, come to epitomise a new spirit of Scotland. He was regarded by many as the father of the nation, and while his passing will be felt most grievously by his family and close friends, there will be many others who will mourn with them. I am grateful for this opportunity to say a few words of my own in tribute to him.

Bydd pobl yr Alban wedi dihuno y bore yma yn teimlo colled fawr. Yr oedd Donald Dewar, cyn ei farwolaeth annhymig ddoe, wedi datblygu yn ymgorfforiad o ysbryd newydd yr Alban. Fe’i ystyriwyd gan lawer yn dad y genedl, ac er mai ei deulu a’i ffrindiau agos fydd yn teimlo’r golled fwyaf, bydd llawer o bobl eraill yn galaru gyda hwy. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am y cyfle hwn i ddweud ychydig eiriau o deyrnged iddo fy hun.

I was privileged to work with him over many years as a Member of Parliament and for a few crucial years as we developed the strategy for devolution to our respective countries. Rhodri first met him in 1987, I first met him four years earlier when I was elected to Parliament and when he was already an established senior figure, having been first elected two decades previously. I did not understand then the depth of feeling in Scotland for the recreation of a Scottish Parliament. I can well remember the intensity of Donald’s beliefs when, shortly after I met him for the first time, he and John Smith put to me, in their own, inimitable way, the case as they saw it for home rule for Scotland. They, in turn, were at a loss to understand the lack of confidence—patriotism as they saw it—and lack of determination on the part of people in Wales to aspire for our own parliament.

Braint oedd gweithio gydag ef am nifer o flynyddoedd fel Aelod Seneddol ac am ychydig o flynyddoedd holl bwysig wrth inni ddatblygu’r strategaeth ar gyfer datganoli i’n priod wledydd. Cyfarfu Rhodri ag ef am y tro cyntaf yn 1987, cyfarfum i ag ef bedair blynedd yn gynharach pan gefais fy ethol i’r Senedd a phan oedd ef eisoes yn ffigwr hŷn sefydledig, a oedd wedi cael ei ethol yn gyntaf ddau ddegawd ynghynt. Nid oeddwn yn deall dyfnder y teimlad yn yr Alban ynglŷn ag ailgreu Senedd yr Alban. Gallaf gofio’n dda angerdd yr hyn yr oedd Donald yn credu ynddo pan, yn fuan ar ôl i mi gwrdd ag ef am y tro cyntaf, cyflwynodd ef a John Smith, yn eu ffordd ddihafal eu hunain, yr achos fel yr oeddent hwy yn ei weld, dros hunanlywodraeth i’r Alban. Yn eu tro, nid oeddent hwy yn deall y diffyg hyder—gwladgarwch yn eu barn hwy—a diffyg penderfyniad ar ran pobl Cymru i ddyheu am ein senedd ein hunain.

Sometimes, the term ‘a good House of Commons man or woman’ is used to condemn with faint praise. That was not the case with Donald. He was a good House of Commons man. He was highly intelligent, intensely hard working, passionate, a master of detail and possessed a withering sense of humour. He became the Labour Party spokesperson on social security and used his acerbic wit and advocacy skills to advance the cause of social justice to maximum effect. He was transparently honest and unaffected and it was this, with his diligence and intelligence, which made him a respected and formidable politician, recognised as such by political friend and foe alike.

Weithiau, defnyddir y term ‘dyn neu fenyw dda yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin’, i gondemnio gyda chanmoliaeth wan. Nid oedd hyn yn wir am Donald. Yr oedd yn ddyn da yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin. Yr oedd yn hynod o ddeallus, yn gweithio’n galed iawn, yn danbaid, yn feistr ar fanylion ac yn meddu ar synnwyr digrifwch deifiol. Daeth yn llefarydd y Blaid Lafur ar nawdd cymdeithasol a defnyddiodd ei grebwyll egr a’i sgiliau eiriolaeth i hyrwyddo achos cyfiawnder cymdeithasol i’r eithaf. Yr oedd yn onest iawn ac yn ddiymhongar a dyma, ynghyd â’i ddiwydrwydd a’i ddeallusrwydd, a’i gwnaeth yn wleidydd uchel ei barch ac yn un i’w ofni, ac fe’i cydnabuwyd felly gan gyfeillion a gelynion gwleidyddol fel ei gilydd.

His great project was, however, devolution. After Tony Blair became leader of the Labour Party, Donald Dewar became Opposition Chief Whip. I was Shadow Secretary of State for Wales at the time. There were many tense internal Labour Party debates, about both the policies and the tactics of devolution. The case for Scotland was already established. Popular and political opinion alike ensured that its case was beyond challenge. The situation in Wales was different, but whenever Wales or the cause of Welsh devolution needed an ally in those internal debates, Donald Dewar was there. The same applied after the 1997 general election. We were then Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales respectively and, for the first 12 months of Government, were preoccupied with devolution. Donald was a complete master of his brief. He was passionate about the principle of Scottish home rule and resolute in his determination to ensure that the detail was right. Hour after hour, week after week and month after month of Cabinet Committee deliberation, Donald Dewar never wavered in his application. Scotland could never have had a doughtier champion.

Fodd bynnag, ei brosiect mawr oedd datganoli. Ar ôl i Tony Blair ddod yn arweinydd y Blaid Lafur, daeth Donald Dewar yn Brif Chwip yr Wrthblaid. Yr oeddwn yn Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru ar y pryd. Bu sawl dadl ddirdynnol o fewn y Blaid Lafur, ynghylch polisïau a thactegau datganoli. Yr oedd yr achos dros yr Alban eisoes wedi ei sefydlu. Sicrhaodd barn boblogaidd a gwleidyddol fel ei gilydd fod ei hachos y tu hwnt i unrhyw her. Yr oedd y sefyllfa yng Nghymru yn wahanol, ond pa bryd bynnag yr oedd angen cyfaill ar Gymru neu ar achos datganoli yng Nghymru yn y dadleuon mewnol hynny, yr oedd Donald Dewar yno. Yr oedd yr un peth yn wir ar ôl etholiad cyffredinol 1997. Ar y pryd Ysgrifenyddion Gwladol yr Alban a Chymru oeddem ac, am 12 mis cyntaf y Llywodraeth, datganoli aeth â’n bryd. Yr oedd Donald yn feistr llwyr ar ei frîff. Yr oedd yn danbaid ynghylch yr egwyddor o hunanlywodraeth i’r Alban ac yn ddiysgog yn ei benderfyniad i sicrhau bod y manylion yn gywir. Awr ar ôl awr, wythnos ar ôl wythnos a mis ar ôl mis o drafodion Pwyllgor y Cabinet, bu diwydrwydd Donald Dewar yn ddiysgog. Ni allai’r Alban byth fod wedi cael eiriolwr mor bybr.

It is not only Scotland that owes a debt to him. He understood the Welsh dimension better than most, and was always a staunch and unflinching ally when the less than enthusiastic Ministers of some other Whitehall departments sought to obstruct our cause for Wales. We only once had a serious disagreement. Predictably enough, it was on the need for reform of the Barnett formula. Wales would have benefited from that, but Scotland would have lost and, therefore, canny Scots financial self-interest prevailed over Celtic solidarity on that occasion. However, he was no nationalist. He liked nothing better than to deploy his skills against the Scottish National Party. He had a waspish sense of humour. His public onslaught against the SNP was relentless. His conference speech in the early 1990s was a classic. He mocked the SNP slogan ‘Scotland free by ’93’. ‘It has much to commend it,’ he said. ‘It rhymes.’

Nid yr Alban yn unig sydd mewn dyled iddo. Deallodd y dimensiwn Cymreig yn well na’r rhan fwyaf o bobl, ac yr oedd bob amser yn gyfaill cadarn a diysgog pan geisiai Gweinidogion llai na brwdfrydig rhai o adrannau eraill Whitehall rwystro ein hachos dros Gymru. Dim ond unwaith y bu anghytundeb difrifol rhyngom. Fel y gellid disgwyl, yr oedd yn ymwneud â’r angen i ddiwygio fformwla Barnett. Byddai Cymru wedi elwa o hynny, ond byddai’r Alban ar ei cholled ac felly, hunanddiddordeb ariannol call yr Albanwyr drechodd undod y Celtiaid yr adeg honno. Fodd bynnag, nid oedd yn genedlaetholwr. Nid oedd dim yn well ganddo na defnyddio ei sgiliau yn erbyn Plaid Genedlaethol yr Alban. Yr oedd ganddo synnwyr digrifwch pigog. Yr oedd ei ymosodiad cyhoeddus ar yr SNP yn ddidrugaredd. Yr oedd ei araith mewn cynhadledd ar ddechrau’r 1990au yn glasur. Gwawdiodd slogan yr SNP ‘Scotland free by ‘93’. ‘Mae llawer i’w ganmol ynddo,’ meddai. ‘Mae’n odli.’

In private, he was a delightful man. He was witty, generous, considerate and cultured, and his friendships extended across all party divides. The course of devolution was not set exclusively by Donald Dewar. He was able to lead a truly national campaign, but the tide was flowing inexorably. Donald’s great contribution was to give precise legislative expression to a political vision for Scotland reborn. In doing that, he gave politics a human face. He could, at times, seem dour, aloof, arrogant even. The reality is that he was humorous, passionate, compassionate and patriotic. Above all, he was Scottish. His country folk will miss and mourn him.

Yn breifat, yr oedd yn ddyn hyfryd. Yr oedd yn ffraeth, hael, ystyrlon a diwylliedig, ac yr oedd ganddo gyfeillion ar draws pob plaid. Ni osodwyd hynt datganoli gan Donald Dewar yn unig. Yr oedd yn gallu arwain ymgyrch wirioneddol genedlaethol, ond yr oedd y llanw yn llifo’n ddiwrthdro. Cyfraniad mawr Donald oedd rhoi mynegiant deddfwriaethol manwl gywir i weledigaeth wleidyddol i’r Alban ailanedig. Wrth wneud hynny, rhoddodd wyneb dynol i wleidyddiaeth. Gallai, ar adegau, ymddangos yn galed, ffroenuchel, hyd yn oed yn drahaus. Y realiti oedd ei fod yn ddoniol, tanbaid, tosturiol a gwladgarol. Yn anad dim, yr oedd yn Albanwr. Bydd pobl ei wlad yn hiraethu ac yn galaru amdano.

Let us in Wales honour his contribution to his own country, but remember also the debt that we owe him for his service to our country. Democracy and politics in Britain is better for the life’s work of Donald Dewar, and it is poorer for his passing.

Gadewch inni yng Nghymru gydnabod ei gyfraniad i’w wlad ei hun, ond cofio hefyd y ddyled sydd arnom iddo am ei wasanaeth i’n gwlad. Mae democratiaeth a gwleidyddiaeth ym Mhrydain yn well oherwydd gwaith oes Donald Dewar, ac yn dlotach oherwydd ei farwolaeth.

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 7

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in Welsh and English p. 7

Tristwch mawr oedd clywed am farwolaeth gynamserol Donald Dewar, a thrasiedi o’r mwyaf i bobl yr Alban oedd gweld cipio ymaith eu prif weinidog yn anterth ei nerth. Mae hon yn golled anferth i’r Alban. Fel y clywsom eisoes yn y ddwy deyrnged haeddiannol, yr oedd Donald Dewar yn ymgyrchydd diflino dros ddatganoli drwy gydol ei yrfa. Ef, gydag eraill, a arweiniodd y drafodaeth ar ddatganoli yn yr Alban flynyddoedd cyn i’r Ddeddf ddod gerbron Tŷ’r Cyffredin. Yr oedd hynny er mantais sylweddol i’r Alban, a’n colled ni yng Nghymru oedd na ddigwyddodd hynny yma. Chwaraeodd ran allweddol yn y broses o sefydlu’r Senedd gyntaf a welodd yr Alban ers bron 300 mlynedd. Pan grëwyd y Senedd honno wedi’r ymgyrchu a’r trafod yn Senedd Llundain, nid oedd amheuaeth ym meddwl neb mai Donald Dewar oedd y dyn i arwain a gweithredu fel Gweinidog Cyntaf a phrif weinidog cyntaf yr Alban.

in Welsh It was extremely sad to hear of the early death of Donald Dewar and it was a great tragedy for the people of Scotland to see their prime minister taken away at the peak of his power. This is a great loss for Scotland. As we have already heard in the two deserving tributes, Donald Dewar was a tireless campaigner for devolution throughout his career. It was he, along with others, who led the debate on devolution in Scotland years before the Act came before the House of Commons. That was of great advantage to Scotland, and it was our loss in Wales that that did not happen here. He played a key role in the process of establishing the first Parliament that Scotland had seen for almost 300 years. When that Parliament was created following the campaigning and debating in the London Parliament, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Donald Dewar was the man to lead and act as First Minister and the first prime minister of Scotland.

Yr hyn a gofiaf finnau yn arbennig amdano oedd, er ei fod yn ymgyrchydd brwd ac yn ddadleuydd cadarn, caled, yr oedd hefyd yn ddyn urddasol. Nid yn unig hynny, yr oedd yn ennyn parch ar draws y sbectrwm gwleidyddol. Hynny a’i gwnaeth yn wladweinydd o’r iawn ryw. Yr oedd ganddo’r gallu, y profiad a’r hyder i roi Senedd yr Alban ar dir cadarn o’r dechrau, gan sicrhau hygrededd haeddiannol i’r Senedd honno.

in Welsh What I particularly remember about him was that, although he was an enthusiastic campaigner and a solid and hard debater, he was also a dignified man. Not only that, he also drew respect from across the political spectrum. That marked him as a true statesman. He had the ability, the experience and the confidence to put the Scottish Parliament on solid ground from the beginning, securing deserved credibility for that Parliament.

Donald Dewar will rightly be remembered as one of the political giants of Scotland and one of the political giants of Britain in recent years. He was a gifted national leader and he was the right person to lead Scotland at a crucial time in the development of its nation. On behalf of all the Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales Assembly Members and the wider party in Wales, we send our sincere condolences to his family and to the people of Scotland in their sad and untimely loss.

yn Saesneg Caiff Donald Dewar ei gofio fel un o gewri gwleidyddol yr Alban ac un o gewri gwleidyddol Prydain yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Yr oedd yn arweinydd cenedlaethol dawnus ac ef oedd y person cywir i arwain yr Alban ar adeg holl bwysig yn natblygiad ei chenedl. Ar ran holl Aelodau Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales yn y Cynulliad Cynulliad a’r blaid ehangach yng Nghymru, anfonwn ein cydymdeimladau diffuant at ei deulu ac at bobl yr Alban yn eu colled drist a chynamserol.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 8

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

On behalf of the Welsh Conservative group in the National Assembly, I associate myself with the words of the three previous speakers. Unlike them, I did not know Donald Dewar, but that was my loss. We had the benefit of being in Scotland and seeing him in action in Parliament, and the role fitted him like a glove. He was a towering presence in the Scottish Parliament. However, whatever the skills, the gift, the passion and the vision, the overriding impression, and I am sure the correct impression, is of a thoroughly decent man, who was held in great affection and loved—not too strong a word in this context—by the Scottish people. You cannot ask for a better testament than that. We have passed our condolences to his family and colleagues in Scotland, but I am grateful for the opportunity to record them formally this morning.

Ar ran grŵp Ceidwadol Cymru yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, ategaf eiriau’r tri siaradwr blaenorol. Yn wahanol iddynt hwy, nid oeddwn yn adnabod Donald Dewar, ond fy ngholled i oedd hynny. Buom yn ffodus o fod yn yr Alban a’i weld wrth ei waith yn y Senedd, ac yr oedd y rôl yn gweddu iddo i’r dim. Yr oedd yn bresenoldeb aruthrol yn Senedd yr Alban. Fodd bynnag, waeth beth fo’r sgiliau, y ddawn, yr angerdd a’r weledigaeth, yr argraff bennaf, a’r argraff gywir yn ddiau, yw mai dyn rhadlon iawn ydoedd, un a hoffwyd ac a garwyd—nid yw hwn yn air rhy gryf yn y cyd-destun hwn—gan bobl yr Alban. Ni allwch ofyn am well tystiolaeth na hynny. Yr ydym wedi cyfleu ein cydymdeimlad i’w deulu a’i gydweithwyr yn yr Alban, ond yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am y cyfle i’w gofnodi’n ffurfiol y bore yma.

Michael German spoken in English p. 8

Michael German siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

Like Nick Bourne, I only knew Donald Dewar by association with the causes that he espoused and with his cause of promoting devolution. There is no doubt that he was a giant of a politician. He was a giant of a politician because of his vision and the way he drove that vision forward and promoted it throughout his lifetime to achieve a devolved settlement for Britain, and particularly for Scotland. In that vision he was a man who understood the need to prepare the political ground. It was his confidence, and his ability to carry the respect of other political parties, that drove the Scottish people’s decision to support their Parliament in such great numbers. For a period of six years before the referendum campaign he was instrumental in ensuring that people of all parties and of no party were involved in discussion and debate to understand the future vision that was on the horizon for Scotland. He stuck to that horizon, he fought for it and saw it through.

Fel Nick Bourne, dim ond drwy gysylltiad â’r achosion a gefnogodd ac â’i achos o hyrwyddo datganoli yr oeddwn yn ei adnabod. Heb unrhyw amheuaeth yr oedd yn gawr o wleidydd. Yr oedd yn gawr o wleidydd oherwydd ei weledigaeth a’r ffordd yr hybodd y weledigaeth honno a’i hyrwyddo drwy gydol ei oes i gyflawni setliad datganoledig i Brydain, ac yn arbennig i’r Alban. Yn y weledigaeth honno yr oedd yn ddyn a ddeallodd yr angen i fraenaru’r tir gwleidyddol. Ei hyder, a’i allu i ennyn parch y pleidiau gwleidyddol eraill, a roddodd hwb i benderfyniad pobl yr Alban i gefnogi eu Senedd mewn niferoedd mor fawr. Am gyfnod o chwe mlynedd cyn ymgyrch y refferendwm bu’n gyfrwng i sicrhau bod pobl yr holl bleidiau a phobl nad oeddent yn perthyn i unrhyw blaid yn rhan o’r drafodaeth a’r ddadl i ddeall y weledigaeth a oedd ar y gorwel i’r Alban. Glynodd wrth y gorwel hwnnw, brwydrodd drosto a’i ganlyn i’w derfyn.

I respected him also for his views on partnership. He understood the need to bring the people of Scotland with him. He understood that the political processes would have to be altered to meet those new challenges. I respected him also for his dream of ensuring that the politics of Britain would be different and would remain different, and that the change he foresaw would be irreversible. I pay tribute to him. The Welsh Liberal Democrats share in the sorrow of the people of Scotland. They now have the task of ensuring that the flame which he had a great part in lighting is carried forward in the future months, years and centuries when the Scottish Parliament will grow and develop. A huge gap is left in Scottish political life. That is a tribute to him and his contribution. I pay tribute to him on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. Our thoughts today go out to his family and friends and those who knew him best, but his memory will live on in the parliament that he did so much to achieve and establish.

Perchais ef hefyd am ei safbwyntiau ar bartneriaeth. Deallodd yr angen i ddod â phobl yr Alban gydag ef. Deallodd y byddai’n rhaid newid y prosesau gwleidyddol er mwyn ateb yr heriau newydd hynny. Perchais ef hefyd am ei freuddwyd o sicrhau y byddai gwleidyddiaeth Prydain yn wahanol ac y byddai’n parhau i fod yn wahanol, ac y byddai’r newid a ragwelodd yn ddiwrthdro. Talaf deyrnged iddo. Rhanna Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yng ngalar pobl yr Alban. Bellach mae ganddynt y dasg o sicrhau bod y fflam y bu ganddo ran fawr yn ei goleuo yn cael ei chario ymlaen dros y misoedd, y blynyddoedd a’r canrifoedd i ddod pan fydd Senedd yr Alban yn tyfu ac yn datblygu. Gadewir bwlch enfawr ym mywyd gwleidyddol yr Alban. Mae hynny’n deyrnged iddo ef a’i gyfraniad. Talaf deyrnged iddo ar ran Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru. Mae ein meddyliau heddiw gyda’i deulu a’i ffrindiau a’r rheini a oedd yn ei adnabod orau, ond bydd y cof amdano yn parhau yn y senedd y gwnaeth gymaint i’w chyflawni a’i sefydlu.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 9

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

Before I ask my colleagues to stand, I would like to say two things. I first met Donald Dewar in 1978, after he had just roundly seen off the Scottish National Party in the Garscadden by-election. I got to know him well after the defeats of 1978 and 1979, when the devolution project in these islands was itself on the rocks. If it were not for his commitment, and that of John Smith, to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, we would not be sitting here today as the National Assembly for Wales.

Cyn imi ofyn i’m cyd-Aelodau sefyll, hoffwn ddweud dau beth. Cyfarfum â Donald Dewar am y tro cyntaf yn 1978, ar ôl iddo drechu Plaid Genedlaethol yr Alban yn isetholiad Garscadden. Deuthum i’w adnabod yn dda ar ôl trechiadau 1978 ac 1979, pan oedd y prosiect datganoli yn yr ynysoedd hyn ei hun mewn trafferthion. Onibai am ei ymrwymiad, ac ymrwymiad John Smith, i sefydlu Senedd yr Alban, ni fyddem yn eistedd yma heddiw fel Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru.

Cafwyd munud o ddistawrwydd.

There followed a minute’s silence.

Penodi i’r Cyngor Partneriaeth Llywodraeth Leol

Appointment to the Local Government Partnership Council

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 9

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 9

Symudwn ymlaen, fel y byddai Donald Dewar am inni ei wneud, at y busnes ar gyfer heddiw.

We will move on, as Donald Dewar would wish us to do, to the business for today.

Yr wyf wedi derbyn ymddiheuriad gan y Trefnydd ac felly galwaf ar Edwina Hart i gynnig y cynnig yn ei le.

I have received an apology from the Business Secretary and therefore I call on Edwina Hart to propose the motion instead.

Edwina Hart The Finance Secretary spoken in English p. 9

Edwina Hart Yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Cynnig Edwina Hart t. 10

Motion Edwina Hart p. 10

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 52 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion adopted.

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

Cwestiynau i’r Ysgrifennydd Addysg a Phlant

Questions to the Secretary for Education and Children

Ailstrwythuro Cyflogau Athrawon

Teachers’ Pay Restructuring

Q1 Phil Williams spoken in English p. 11

C1 Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

How much of the £13.7 million additional money allocated to local education authorities for teachers’ pay restructuring is intended to fund senior management pay advancement? (OAQ7137)

Faint o’r £13.7 miliwn ychwanegol a ddyrannwyd i awdurdodau addysg lleol ar gyfer ailstrwythuro cyflogau athrawon y bwriedir ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer codi cyflogau uwch reolwyr? (OAQ7137)

Rosemary Butler The Secretary for Education and Children spoken in English p. 11

Rosemary Butler Yr Ysgrifennydd Addysg a Phlant siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

The £13.7 million that you mention, Phil, was identified within the additional £91 million for education as the amount provided by the National Assembly for the increased salary costs of teachers passing the performance management pay threshold.

Nodwyd y £13.7 miliwn y soniasoch amdano, Phil, o fewn y £91 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer addysg fel y swm a ddarparwyd gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ar gyfer costau cyflogau cynyddol athrawon sydd yn croesi trothwy cyflogau rheoli perfformiad.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 11

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

You will be aware, Rosemary, that there is general concern that, in many authorities, teachers have not yet seen any sign of this money. In addition, we have a special problem in Wales, where no money has been ring-fenced for awards on the leadership spine. Do you agree that this puts headmasters in the invidious position of having, in effect, to fund awards on the leadership spine out of general school funds? Do you also agree that this is unfortunate, as the average salary for headteachers and deputy headteachers is already lower in Wales than in any other UK region or nation?

Byddwch yn ymwybodol, Rosemary, fod pryder cyffredinol nad yw athrawon, mewn llawer o awdurdodau, wedi gweld unrhyw arwydd o’r arian hwn hyd yn hyn. Hefyd, mae gennym broblem arbennig yng Nghymru, lle nad oes unrhyw arian wedi ei glustnodi ar gyfer dyfarniadau ar y raddfa arwain. A ydych yn cytuno bod hyn yn rhoi prifathrawon yn y sefyllfa anodd o orfod, mewn gwirionedd, ariannu dyfarniadau ar y raddfa arwain o gronfeydd cyffredinol ysgol? A ydych hefyd yn cytuno bod hyn yn anffodus, gan fod cyflogau prifathrawon a dirprwy brifathrawon ar gyfartaledd eisoes yn is yng Nghymru nag yn unrhyw ranbarth neu wlad arall yn y DU?

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 11

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

We, as an Assembly, made a decision that local authorities should set their priorities for education spending within the total amount available to them. We decided to distribute the funding to local education authorities as revenue support grant in line with the wishes of the Welsh Local Government Association.

Fel Cynulliad, penderfynasom y dylai awdurdodau lleol bennu eu blaenoriaethau ar gyfer gwariant addysg o fewn y cyfanswm sydd ar gael iddynt. Penderfynasom ddosbarthu’r arian i awdurdodau addysg lleol fel grant cynnal refeniw yn unol â dymuniadau Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru.

I stated that we had an additional £91 million for education in this financial year, of which £13.7 million was highlighted and indicated for the new restructuring of teachers’ pay. As we were not sure how much of this money would be used and how much would be needed, we said that if an authority did not need its full share of the £13.7 million threshold, it could use that money within its education budget as it chose. If the money were not enough, the local authority was to come back to us so that we could allocate more. We said further through a letter that was sent by my officials that local authorities must fund all the costs of teachers’ pay restructuring from the resources provided in the local government revenue settlement. When the probable level of funding required for threshold payments is set against the £13.7 million and the funding for advanced-skills and fast track teachers, it is clear that there should be sufficient funding within the system to meet all the costs associated with pay restructuring. The local government revenue settlement allows an increase in spending of an additional £91 million, of which only £13.7 million has been indicated. We have a very different system in Wales. We do not ringfence the amount of money allocated to local government, and that is at its request.

Nodais fod gennym £91 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer addysg yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, a phwysleisiwyd a nodwyd bod £13.7 miliwn ohono ar gyfer ailstrwythuro cyflogau athrawon o’r newydd. Gan nad oeddem yn siŵr faint o’r arian hwn fyddai’n cael ei ddefnyddio a faint fyddai ei angen, dywedasom y gallai awdurdod, pe na bai angen ei gyfran lawn o’r trothwy o £13.7 miliwn arno, ddefnyddio’r arian hwnnw fel y dymunai o fewn ei gyllideb addysg. Os na fyddai’r arian yn ddigon, yr oedd yn rhaid i’r awdurdod lleol ddod yn ôl atom fel y gallem ddyrannu rhagor. Dywedasom hefyd drwy lythyr a anfonwyd gan fy swyddogion fod yn rhaid i awdurdodau lleol ariannu holl gostau ailstrwythuro cyflogau athrawon yn y setliad refeniw llywodraeth leol. Pan bennir lefel debygol yr arian sydd yn angenrheidiol ar gyfer taliadau trothwy yn erbyn y £13.7 miliwn a’r arian ar gyfer athrawon â sgiliau uwch a rhai sydd yn y dull carlam, mae’n glir y dylai fod digon o arian ar gael o fewn y system i dalu’r holl gostau sydd yn gysylltiedig ag ailstrwythuro cyflogau. Mae’r setliad refeniw llywodraeth leol yn caniatáu cynnydd mewn gwariant o £91 miliwn ychwanegol, a dim ond £13.7 miliwn o’r swm hwnnw sydd wedi ei nodi. Mae gennym system wahanol iawn yng Nghymru. Nid ydym yn pridiannu swm yr arian a ddyrannwyd i lywodraeth leol, ac mae hynny ar ei chais hi.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 12

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

In the partnership agreement between Labour and the Liberal Democrats, you outline an improved performance management pay scheme for teachers that is decoupled from pupils’ exam performance. For many months you argued that there was no problem in having a performance management framework that was linked to pupil exam performance. This changes the policy. How does this new policy sit with your previous statement to the Committee?

Yn y cytundeb partneriaeth rhwng Llafur a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, amlinellwch gynllun cyflogau rheoli perfformiad gwell i athrawon sydd wedi ei datgyplu o berfformiad arholiadau disgyblion. Am sawl mis dadleuasoch nad oedd cael fframwaith rheoli perfformiad a oedd yn gysylltiedig â pherfformiad arholiadau disgyblion yn broblem o gwbl. Mae hyn yn newid y polisi. Sut mae’r polisi newydd hwn yn cymharu â’ch datganiad blaenorol i’r Pwyllgor?

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 12

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

As these policies were not actually accepted or decided upon until Sunday, I cannot comment on that at present.

Gan na dderbyniwyd y polisïau hyn a chan na phenderfynwyd arnynt mewn gwirionedd tan ddydd Sul, ni allaf roi sylwadau ar hynny ar hyn o bryd.

Gwaith Papur Athrawon

Teachers’ Paperwork

Q2 Mick Bates spoken in English p. 12

C2 Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

What steps is Rosemary Butler taking to reduce the burden of paperwork on teachers? (OAQ7157)

Pa gamau y mae Rosemary Butler yn eu cymryd i leihau’r baich gwaith papur ar athrawon? (OAQ7157)

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 13

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I am delighted to say that last month I appointed a ‘bumph buster’ to identify the nature and the extent of the burdens that you talk about and to recommend how they might be reduced. Recommendations should start to emerge early next year.

Mae’n bleser gennyf ddweud fy mod wedi penodi ‘bumph buster’ y mis diwethaf i nodi natur a graddau’r beichiau yr ydych yn siarad amdanynt ac argymell sut y gellid eu lleihau. Dylai’r argymhellion ddechrau dod i’r golwg yn gynnar y flwyddyn nesaf.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 13

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

We may need a definition of ‘bumph’. However, we know that too much of teachers’ time and energy is being taken up with unnecessary paperwork, which causes distress. I have spoken to teachers’ organisations, which cited particular examples of troublesome paperwork such as key stage reports and inspection reports. You have appointed one person, but when will you implement an audit that involves teachers to examine how this level will be reduced?

Efallai y bydd angen diffiniad o ‘bumph’ arnom. Fodd bynnag, gwyddom fod gormod o amser ac egni athrawon yn mynd ar waith papur diangen, sydd yn achosi gofid. Yr wyf wedi siarad gyda sefydliadau athrawon, a roddodd enghreifftiau o waith papur trafferthus fel adroddiadau cyfnodau allweddol ac adroddiadau arolygiadau. Yr ydych wedi penodi un person, ond pryd y byddwch yn gweithredu archwiliad sydd yn cynnwys athrawon er mwyn ymchwilio i’r modd o ostwng y lefel hon?

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 13

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

The person I have appointed is a deputy headteacher who has been seconded to us for a year from the chalk face. She is aware of the problems within authorities. She will be leading a group of people from across the teaching profession and from the unions and looking at their suggestions on how we can reduce paperwork. Some of the administrative burdens that face teachers, such as assessing and recording people’s progress as part of our essential drive to push up standards, are essential. We can implement an audit from our point of view in the Assembly, but we must address other burdens that come from local education authorities and the Department for Education and Employment. We are trying to identify what the Assembly can do. We have already spoken to local government, which is willing to come on board. DfEE started a project last year but unfortunately there has been little progress on that. We are trying to work together as a team to ensure that we reduce unnecessary ‘bumph’. It is important that we remember that teachers are there to teach.

Mae’r person yr wyf wedi ei benodi yn ddirprwy brifathrawes a secondiwyd inni am flwyddyn o’r ysgol. Mae’n ymwybodol o’r problemau o fewn awdurdodau. Bydd yn arwain grŵp o bobl o ystod gyfan y proffesiwn addysgu ac o’r undebau gan edrych ar eu hawgrymiadau ar sut y gallwn leihau’r gwaith papur. Mae rhai o’r beichiau gweinyddol sydd yn wynebu athrawon, fel asesu a chofnodi cynnydd pobl fel rhan o’n hymgyrch hanfodol i wella safonau, yn hanfodol. Gallwn weithredu archwiliad o’n safbwynt ni yn y Cynulliad, ond rhaid inni ymdrin â beichiau eraill a ddaw oddi wrth awdurdodau addysg lleol a’r Adran Addysg a Chyflogaeth. Yr ydym yn ceisio nodi beth y gall y Cynulliad ei wneud. Yr ydym eisoes wedi siarad gyda llywodraeth leol, sydd yn barod i ymuno â ni. Dechreuodd yr Adran Addysg a Chyflogaeth brosiect y llynedd ond yn anffodus ni wnaethpwyd llawer o gynnydd ar hwnnw. Yr ydym yn ceisio gweithio gyda’n gilydd fel tîm i sicrhau ein bod yn lleihau gwaith papur diangen. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn cofio bod athrawon yno i addysgu.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 13

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 13

Croesawaf yr ymrwymiad yn y cytundeb partneriaeth newydd i leihau’r baich gwaith papur yn ein hysgolion. A fydd yr ymarferiad hefyd yn ystyried y broses wastraffus a biwrocrataidd o ran amser ac adnoddau proffesiynol o orfodi ysgolion ac awdurdodau addysg lleol i wneud cais am gyllid o gronfeydd megis y rhaglen grantiau cynnal addysg a hyfforddiant? A wnewch chi rywbeth i ysgafnu’r baich gweinyddol cynyddol sydd ar lywodraethwyr ysgolion?

I welcome the commitment in the new partnership agreement to reduce the paperwork burden in our schools. Will the exercise also consider the wasteful and bureaucratic process as regards time and professional resources of compelling schools and local education authorities to bid for funding from funds such as the grants for education support and training programme? Will you do something to lighten the increasing administrative burden on school governors?

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 14

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

Trying to reduce the amount of additional paperwork is a matter that the Pre-16 Education Committee has raised. Therefore, although it is in the partnership agreement, it is nothing new. I value greatly the grants for education support and training. It is important that the Pre-16 Education Committee can pinpoint where that money goes. As I said, we allocate the general resource for education money so that local authorities can spend as they see fit in their areas. However, if we are determined to crack particular aspects such as literacy, numeracy, special educational needs and so on, we can pinpoint that money. Therefore, we have reduced the number of headings in GEST. The Committee had a big discussion on this matter and, hopefully, the process will be less bureaucratic. We will consider the matter and present a report to the Committee.

Mae ceisio lleihau swm y gwaith papur ychwanegol yn fater a godwyd gan y Pwyllgor Addysg Cyn-16. Felly, er ei fod yn y cytundeb partneriaeth, nid yw’n unrhyw beth newydd. Gwerthfawrogaf yn fawr y grantiau ar gyfer cymorth a hyfforddiant addysg. Mae’n bwysig bod y Pwyllgor Addysg Cyn-16 yn gallu nodi’n union i ble yr aiff yr arian hwnnw. Fel y dywedais, yr ydym yn dyrannu’r adnodd cyffredinol ar gyfer arian addysg fel y gall yr awdurdodau lleol ei wario fel y gwelant orau yn eu hardaloedd hwy. Fodd bynnag, os ydym yn benderfynol o ddatrys agweddau penodol megis llythrennedd, rhifedd, anghenion addysgol arbennig ac yn y blaen, gallwn nodi’r arian hwnnw yn fanwl. Felly, yr ydym wedi lleihau nifer y penawdau yn y rhaglen Grantiau Cynnal Addysg a Hyfforddiant. Bu trafodaeth fawr yn y Pwyllgor ar y mater hwn a gobeithio y bydd y broses yn llai biwrocrataidd. Byddwn yn ystyried y mater ac yn cyflwyno adroddiad i’r Pwyllgor.

Cyllid ar gyfer y Raddfa Arwain

Funding for the Leadership Spine

Q3 Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 14

C3 Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

Has Rosemary Butler had any discussions with local authorities regarding the level of funding needed for the leadership spine? (OAQ7133)

A yw Rosemary Butler wedi cael unrhyw drafodaethau ag awdurdodau lleol ynglŷn â lefel y cyllid sydd ei angen ar gyfer y raddfa arwain? (OAQ7133)

I declare an interest in this matter.

Yr wyf yn datgan buddiant yn y mater hwn.

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 14

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

There have been frequent discussions with the Welsh Local Government Association and local authorities on all aspects of teachers’ pay restructuring. As I said to Phil Williams, resources are made available from local government revenue settlement for local authorities to fund all the costs of restructuring teachers’ pay. When the probable level of funding required for threshold payments is set against the £13.7 million, there should be sufficient funding in the system to meet all the costs associated with pay restructuring.

Bu trafodaethau mynych â Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru ac awdurdodau lleol ar bob agwedd ar ailstrwythuro cyflogau athrawon. Fel y dywedais wrth Phil Williams, sicrheir bod adnoddau ar gael o setliad refeniw llywodraeth leol i awdurdodau lleol ariannu holl gostau ailstrwythruo cyflogau athrawon. Pan osodir lefel debygol yr arian sydd yn angenrheidiol ar gyfer y taliadau trothwy yn erbyn y £13.7 miliwn, dylai fod digon o arian yn y system i dalu’r holl gostau sydd yn gysylltiedig ag ailstrwythuro’r cyflogau.

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 15

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Will you continue to entrust the responsibility for the allocation of all education funding to schools to be made via local education authorities, or do you need to consult with the Welsh Liberal Democrats before you can answer that question?

A fyddwch yn parhau i roi’r cyfrifoldeb dros ddyrannu yr holl arian addysg i ysgolion i’r awdurdodau addysg lleol, neu a oes angen i chi ymgynghori â Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru cyn y gallwch ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw?

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 15

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

As I have always said, local government in Wales is essential if we are to deliver our strategies. As a leader of a local authority, I am sure that you would not want me to say anything else.

Fel yr wyf wedi ei ddweud bob amser, mae llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru yn hanfodol os ydym i gyflwyno ein strategaethau. Fel arweinydd awdurdod lleol, yr wyf yn siŵr na fyddech am i mi ddweud unrhyw beth arall.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 15

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

How will you respond to Merthyr Tydfil Headteachers’ Association, which wrote to the First Secretary yesterday? Its letter refers to its dismay and disappointment at the short-sightedness of this administration in its lack of recognition for the value of leadership. Do you agree with the association that the education system in Wales, as compared with England, will suffer because of your short-sightedness?

Sut y byddwch yn ymateb i Gymdeithas Prifathrawon Merthyr Tudful a ysgrifennodd at y Prif Ysgrifennydd ddoe? Mae ei llythyr yn cyfeirio at ei digalondid a’i siom yn y weinyddiaeth gibddall hon o ran ei diffyg cydnabyddiaeth am werth arweinyddiaeth. A ydych yn cytuno â’r gymdeithas y bydd y system addysg yng Nghymru, o’i chymharu â Lloegr, yn dioddef oherwydd eich cibddallineb?

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 15

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

I have not yet seen that letter—

Nid wyf wedi gweld y llythyr hwnnw eto—

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 15

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Neither have I.

Na minnau ychwaith.

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 15

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Neither has the First Secretary, but I will take what you said as a true reflection. I cannot stress my earlier point enough. We have allocated an additional £91 million for education in Wales. Only £13.7 million of that has been identified for restructuing ordinary, or excellent, teachers’ salaries and the rest will be covered in the additional amount. In a letter to local authorities, I indicated how that money should be spent. However, it might help Glyn to know that we are looking at how we can streamline the way local authorities show how they spend their money. That is the issue. People say that it is not clear and call it a ‘funding fog’, which we are trying to mitigate. We are working with local authorities to ensure that they can explain to people exactly where the money goes when we allocate it to them. As far as I am concerned, we have allocated enough money to cover the leadership spine in Wales.

Nid yw’r Prif Ysgrifennydd ychwaith, ond cymeraf yr hyn a ddywedasoch fel adlewyrchiad teg. Ni allaf orbwysleisio fy mhwynt cynharach. Yr ydym wedi dyrannu £91 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer addysg yng Nghymru. Dim ond £13.7 miliwn o’r swm hwnnw a nodwyd ar gyfer ailstrwythuro cyflogau athrawon cyffredin, neu ragorol, a chaiff y gweddill ei gwmpasu yn y swm ychwanegol. Mewn llythyr i’r awdurdodau lleol, nodais sut y dylid gwario’r arian hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, efallai y gallai helpu Glyn i wybod ein bod yn edrych ar sut y gallwn symleiddio’r ffordd y mae awdurdodau lleol yn dangos sut y maent yn gwario eu harian. Dyna’r mater dan sylw. Dywed pobl nad yw’n glir ac fe’i gelwir yn ‘niwl ariannu’, yr ydym yn ceisio ei leddfu. Yr ydym yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau y gallant egluro i bobl yn union i ble y mae’r arian yn mynd pan fyddwn yn ei ddyrannu iddynt. O’m rhan i, dyrannasom ddigon o arian i gwmpasu’r raddfa arwain yng Nghymru.

Diwygiadau i’r Flwyddyn Ysgol

School Year Reforms

Q4 Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 16

C4 Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

Has Rosemary Butler had any discussions with the Welsh Local Government Association regarding the recent report on possible reforms to the organisation of the school year? (OAQ7088)

A yw Rosemary Butler wedi cael unrhyw drafodaethau â Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru ynglŷn â’r adroddiad diweddar ar ddiwygiadau posib i drefn y flwyddyn ysgol? (OAQ7088)

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 16

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

I have had no discussions with the WLGA about this report. While the organisation of the school year is a matter for local authorities, we understand that the WLGA has maintained a watching brief and will now consider its posistion in the light of the recommendations in the local government association for England’s report.

Nid wyf wedi cael unrhyw drafodaethau â Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru ynglŷn â’r adroddiad hwn. Er mai mater i’r awdurdodau lleol yw trefn y flwyddyn ysgol, deallwn fod y Gymdeithas wedi cynnal brîff gwylio ac y bydd yn awr yn ystyried ei sefyllfa yng ngoleuni’r argymhellion yn adroddiad cymdeithas llywodraeth leol Lloegr.

Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 16

Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

Do you know that the current organisation of the school year is largely a hangover from the desire of times past to have children working through the summer, mainly in relation to harvest times? Do you agree that the world has moved on substantially? Parents’ needs and practices have changed dramatically, with more women now in work. Teachers have changed and schools have changed. Our expectations are completely different. Therefore, do you agree that we should consider this proposal in the round, including the needs of schools, teachers and parents, but with the educational needs of the child being placed very firmly at the top of our agenda?

A wyddoch chi fod trefn gyfredol y flwyddyn ysgol i raddau helaeth yn rhywbeth sydd wedi goroesi o’r dymuniad yn y gorffennol i gael plant i weithio drwy’r haf, yn bennaf mewn perthynas ag adeg y cynhaeaf? A gytunwch fod y byd wedi symud ymlaen yn sylweddol? Mae anghenion ac arferion rhieni wedi newid yn sylweddol, gyda mwy o ferched yn gweithio yn awr. Mae athrawon wedi newid ac ysgolion wedi newid. Mae ein disgwyliadau yn hollol wahanol. Felly, a ydych yn cytuno y dylem ystyried y cynnig hwn yn ei holl agweddau, gan gynnwys anghenion ysgolion, athrawon a rhieni, ond gydag anghenion addysgol y plentyn yn cael eu rhoi yn gadarn ar frig ein hagenda?

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 16

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

It is important that the child is always top of the education agenda. You are right, the current pattern dates back to the height of the agricultural industry. It is right to examine whether this is still the appropriate way of delivering education in this technologically advanced age. As I said, the report is for England only and is therefore not directly applicable to Wales. However, we must synchronise with what happens across Offa’s Dyke because there is so much cross-border travel by teachers that it would be very difficult if we did have a different system.

Mae’n bwysig bod y plentyn bob amser ar frig yr agenda addysg. Yr ydych yn gywir, mae’r patrwm cyfredol yn dyddio’n ôl i anterth y diwydiant amaethyddol. Mae’n iawn archwilio i weld ai dyma’r ffordd briodol o gyflwyno addysg yn yr oes dechnolegol hon sydd yn datblygu. Fel y dywedais, ar gyfer Lloegr yn unig y mae’r adroddiad hwn ac felly nid yw’n uniongyrchol berthnasol i Gymru. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni gydamseru â’r hyn sydd yn digwydd dros Glawdd Offa am fod athrawon yn teithio gymaint dros y ffin a byddai’n anodd iawn pe bai gennym system wahanol.

Teachers say that it is unfair on some of their pupils to take their most important examinations in the middle of the hay fever season. Those sorts of things could be adjusted. You would also need to look at universities and when they start their courses. If this matter is to be examined, the whole issue needs to be examined in the round. At the moment this is a report in England only; it may not be implemented anyway. If it is, it may not be implemented in the report’s current form.

Dywed athrawon ei fod yn annheg bod rhai o’u disgyblion yn gorfod sefyll eu harholiadau pwysicaf ynghanol tymor clefyd y gwair. Gallai’r pethau hynny gael eu haddasu. Byddai’n rhaid i chi edrych hefyd ar brifysgolion a phryd y maent hwy yn dechrau eu cyrsiau. Os yw’r mater hwn i’w archwilio, rhaid i’r mater cyfan gael ei archwilio yn ei holl agweddau. Ar hyn o bryd adroddiad ar gyfer Lloegr yn unig yw hwn; efallai na chaiff ei weithredu beth bynnag. Os caiff, efallai na chaiff ei weithredu ar ffurf gyfredol yr adroddiad.

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 17

Owen John Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 17

A wnewch chi sicrhau bod trafodaethau ynglŷn â thymhorau ysgolion yn cael eu cynnal ag athrawon, rhieni, y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, awdurdodau lleol a phlant? Peidiwch â gadael i hyn fod yn fater arall lle’r ydych yn dilyn cwys yr Adran Addysg a Chyflogaeth yn slafaidd.

Will you ensure that discussions concerning school terms are held with teachers, parents, the National Assembly, local authorities and children? Do not let this be another issue where you slavishly follow the line of the Department for Education and Employment.

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 17

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

I thought that things might have been better with Plenary meetings being held in the morning, but obviously it does not make any difference.

Credais y byddai cynnal Cyfarfodydd Llawn yn y bore wedi gwella pethau o bosibl, ond mae’n amlwg nad yw’n gwneud unrhyw wahaniaeth.

This is a report that is being published by local government in England. Local government representatives in Wales are keeping an eye on it. If they decide to do something in Wales, I am sure that they will consult fully. If the matter should be taken a step further, it is important that they look at the teaching profession, at governors in particular and at taking industries on board.

Mae hwn yn adroddiad a gyhoeddir gan lywodraeth leol yn Lloegr. Mae cynrychiolwyr llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru yn cadw llygad arno. Os penderfynant wneud rhywbeth yng Nghymru, yr wyf yn siŵr y byddant yn ymgynghori’n llawn. Pe bai’r mater yn cael ei gymryd gam ymhellach, mae’n bwysig eu bod yn edrych ar y proffesiwn addysgu, ar lywodraethwyr yn arbennig a chan ystyried barn y diwydiannau.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 17

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

You do not seem to be clear about whether we will look at this at all. What is happening in England? Are you in contact with the department in England? If they act, will we act? Will we examine this separately? Your approach seems a little too cavalier on this serious issue. I agree with Lorraine Barrett; we must look at this in view of what happens to the pupils. That demands, at least, that you are in touch with the department in Westminster to find out what they will do. If they are going to do something, will we do the same?

Nid yw’n ymddangos eich bod yn glir eich meddwl a fyddwn yn edrych ar hyn o gwbl. Beth sydd yn digwydd yn Lloegr? A ydych mewn cysylltiad â’r adran yn Lloegr? Os gweithredant, a fyddwn ni’n gweithredu? A fyddwn yn archwilio hwn ar wahân? Ymddengys bod eich ymagwedd ychydig yn rhy ffwrdd-â-hi ar y mater difrifol hwn. Cytunaf â Lorraine Barrett; rhaid inni edrych ar hyn yng ngoleuni’r hyn a ddigwydd i’r disgyblion. Mae hynny’n gofyn i chi fod mewn cysylltiad â’r adran yn San Steffan o leiaf, er mwyn darganfod beth fyddant yn ei wneud. Os ydynt yn mynd i wneud rhywbeth, a fyddwn ni’n gwneud yr un peth?

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 18

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

I discussed this with the Minister of State for Education, Estelle Morris, and this is a Local Government Association initiative, not a DfEE initiative. I made the point earlier that school terms are a matter for local government, not for the Assembly. Obviously we would want an input if there were a proposal for change.

Trafodais hyn â’r Gweinidog Gwladol dros Addysg, Estelle Morris, a menter Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol yw hon, ac nid menter yr Adran Addysg a Chyflogaeth. Gwneuthum y pwynt yn gynharach fod tymhorau ysgol yn fater i lywodraeth leol ac nid i’r Cynulliad. Yn amlwg, byddwn am gynnig mewnbwn pe bai cynnig i newid.

Cwestiynau i’r Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig

Questions to the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development

Datblygiad Cynaliadwy

Sustainable Development

C1 Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 18

Q1 Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 18

Pa gynlluniau sydd gan yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig i ymgorffori goblygiadau datblygiad cynaliadwy o fewn polisïau pob Pwyllgor Pwnc a phob adran llywodraethol yng Nghymru? (OAQ7231)

What plans does the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development have to incorporate the implications of sustainable development within the policies of all Subject Committees and every government department in Wales? (OAQ7231)

Carwyn Jones Yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 18

Carwyn Jones The Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development spoken in Welsh p. 18

Mae’n bwysig bod nod datblygu cynaliadwy yn cael ei gwau drwy holl waith y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Mae’n rhaid i’r nod fod yn ganolog a sylfaenol wrth lunio polisïau yn y Cynulliad.

It is important that the aim of sustainable development is woven into all the National Assembly’s work. That aim must be central and fundamental to all policy-making in the Assembly.

Yr wyf am weld pob Pwyllgor Pwnc yn edrych ar hyn yn fanwl iawn. Dylai pob Pwyllgor Pwnc gofio bod y nod hwn yn berthnasol iawn i’w waith. Ar ôl i’r Cynulliad fabwysiadu’r cynllun datblygu cynaliadwy fis nesaf, byddaf yn archwilio pa mor wyrdd yw polisïau ac ymrwymiadau gwario presennol y Cynulliad ac yn cyflwyno dangosyddion priodol.

I want to see every Subject Committee look at this in great detail. Every Subject Committee should remember that this aim is highly relevant to its work. After the Assembly adopts the sustainable development scheme next month, I will be examining how green the Assembly’s present policies and spending commitments are, and introducing relevant indicators.

Yr wyf hefyd am gasglu manylion am beth yn union yr ydym yn ei wneud ynglŷn â dulliau gwerthuso, adolygu ac arfarnu, ynghyd ag edrych ar ba ffyrdd sydd gennym i hyfforddi staff y Cynulliad ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae hefyd yn bwysig inni barhau i gysylltu ag adrannau Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig yng Nghymru, sef adrannau nad ydynt o dan reolaeth y Cynulliad Cendlaethol, er mwyn iddynt wybod beth yw safbwynt y Cynulliad ar y cynllun datblygu cynaliadwy a’i nod.

I also want to compile details of what exactly we are doing as regards means of evaluating, reviewing and appraising, along with considering the forms of training we have for Assembly staff for the future. It is also important that we continue to link with United Kingdom Government departments in Wales, namely those departments that do not come under the National Assembly, so that they know what the Assembly’s stance is on the sustainable development scheme and its aims.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 19

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 19

Mae’n amlwg, yn dilyn yr ateb hwnnw, y bydd y cynllun datblygu cynaliadwy yn eithriadol o ddylanwadol. Yng ngoleuni hynny, sut bydd yr Ysgrifennydd yn sicrhau bod y cynllun yn cael ei weld fel cyfle ar gyfer datblygiad ac nid fel rhwystr, sydd yn berygl real o edrych ar y cynllun drafft? Er enghraifft, o ran yr economi, bydd yr angen i weithredu egwyddor cynaliadwyedd yn creu cyfle ar gyfer twf mawr mewn rhai sectorau. Un enghraifft o hynny yw ynni adnewyddadwy. Mae’r posibilrwydd o dwf mewn meysydd eraill hefyd yn bwysig i ddatblygiad economaidd. Sut y bydd yr Ysgrifennydd yn sicrhau bod y cynllun yn hwyluso twf y sectorau hynny, yn hytrach na’i dagu?

It is obvious, following that answer, that the sustainable development scheme will be extremely influential. In light of that, how will the Secretary ensure that the plan will be seen as an opportunity for development, rather than an obstacle, which is a real danger looking at the draft plan? For example, as regards the economy, the need to implement the principle of sustainability will create an opportunity for great growth in some sectors. One example of that is renewable energy. The possibility of growth in other areas is also important for economic development. How will the Secretary ensure that the plan will facilitate the growth of those sectors, rather than stifling it?

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 19

Carwyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 19

Mae’n bwysig bod pobl yn deall y bydd y cynllun yn gwarantu datblygu yng Nghymru, nid yn ei rwystro. Addysg yw’r ffordd orau o wneud hynny. Rhaid i bobl ddeall beth yw nod datblygu cynaliadwy. Nid yw pawb yn deall yr hyn y bydd y cynllun yn ei gyflawni. Ein sialens fwyaf yn ystod y misoedd nesaf fydd sicrhau bod pobl yn gwybod ac yn deall beth fydd datblygu cynaliadwy yn ei olygu, sef y bydd datblygu yn digwydd ac na fyddwn yn edrych i’r gorffennol nac yn sefyll yn yr unfan.

It is important that people understand that the scheme will guarantee, not prevent, development in Wales. Education is the best way of doing that. People must understand the aim of sustainable development. Not everyone understands what the plan will achieve. Our biggest challenge during the next few months will be to guarantee that people know and understand what sustainable development will mean, namely that development will take place and we will not look to the past nor stand still.

William Graham spoken in English p. 19

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

So far, we seem to have given this subject little more than lip service. I welcome your commitment today in saying that criteria will be used. Will you tell us on what date those criteria will be published so that we can all judge the success or failure of these schemes?

Hyd yn hyn, nid ydym wedi rhoi mwy na chefnogaeth mewn enw i’r pwnc hwn. Croesawaf eich ymrwymiad heddiw wrth ddweud y defnyddir meini prawf. A wnewch chi ddweud wrthym ar ba ddyddiad y cyhoeddir y meini prawf hynny fel y gall pob un ohonom farnu llwyddiant neu fethiant y cynlluniau hyn?

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 19

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

Some documents outlining the proposals in detail have been placed before Assembly Members. I hope that the National Assembly approves the sustainable development scheme when it comes before the Assembly again in November. That will place before us a set of principles by which we would seek to work. It will then be a matter of producing an action plan to put those principles into practice. I do not accept that mere lip service has been paid to such an important issue. We lead Europe on this matter. Only one other territory in the world has a sustainable development scheme, namely Tasmania. It is important, therefore, that we get it right.

Cyflwynwyd rhai dogfennau yn amlinellu’r cynigion yn fanwl gerbron Aelodau’r Cynulliad. Gobeithiaf y bydd y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn cymeradwyo’r cynllun datblygu cynaliadwy pan ddaw gerbron y Cynulliad eto ym mis Tachwedd. Bydd hwnnw’n rhoi cyfres o egwyddorion ger ein bron y byddem yn ceisio gweithio iddynt. Yna bydd yn fater o gynhyrchu cynllun gweithredu er mwyn rhoi’r egwyddorion hynny ar waith. Ni dderbyniaf mai dim ond cefnogaeth mewn gair a roddwyd i fater mor bwysig. Yr ydym yn arwain Ewrop ar y mater hwn. Dim ond un diriogaeth arall yn y byd sydd â chynllun datblygu cynaliadwy, sef Tasmania. Mae’n bwysig felly bod hyn yn iawn gennym.

Treialon Maes Addasu Genetig

Genetic Modification Field Trials

Q2 Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 20

C2 Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

Will Carwyn Jones make a statement on further genetic modification field trials in Wales? (OAQ7222)

A wnaiff Carwyn Jones ddatganiad ar dreialon maes addasu enetig pellach yng Nghymru? (OAQ7222)

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 20

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

The proposed sites for the next round of farm scale evaluations were announced on 3 August. None of the sites are in Wales.

Cyhoeddwyd y safleoedd arfaethedig ar gyfer cylch nesaf y gwerthusiadau graddfa fferm ar 3 Awst. Nid oedd un o’r safleoedd yng Nghymru.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 20

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

After many months of deliberation, has the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development decided on the legal status of the GM field trials in Flintshire? Why has it taken so long to provide information pertaining to the legality of this trial, when your predecessor had already been advised that it was legal? Will you also give an answer to what will be the date and method of concluding that trial and what will become of the GM crop thereafter?

Ar ôl sawl mis o ystyriaeth, a yw’r Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig wedi penderfynu ar statws cyfreithiol treialon maes addasu yn enetig yn Sir y Fflint? Pam y cymerodd gymaint o amser i ddarparu gwybodaeth yn ymwneud â chyfreithlondeb y treial hwn, pan ddywedwyd eisoes wrth eich rhagflaenydd ei fod yn gyfreithlon? A fyddwch hefyd yn rhoi ateb i beth fydd dyddiad a dull cwblhau’r treial hwnnw a beth a ddaw o’r cnwd a addaswyd yn enetig ar ôl hynny?

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 20

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

The disposal of the crop is under investigation. I would like to see it disposed in the safest possible way, and my officials are considering that aspect currently. With regard to the legality, this is without doubt the most complex legal issue that the National Assembly has had to face—what is the position as regards GM crops? We know what the position is as regards policy, but what can we actually do? It is somewhat akin to trying to drive a large truck through a narrow alleyway. We know and understand the Assembly’s position but there are restrictions on what we can do, especially as regards European legislation. As a result, it has taken some time to assess the legality of the situation. I am aware that a great deal of correspondence has taken place between the Assembly’s legal advisers and groups such as Friends of the Earth. A number of points have been raised and, following the full and careful consideration that they deserve, an answer will be provided.

Maent wrthi’n ymchwilio i’r modd y gwaredir y cnwd. Hoffwn ei weld yn cael ei waredu yn y ffordd fwyaf diogel, ac mae fy swyddogion yn ystyried yr agwedd honno ar hyn o bryd. O ran y cyfreithlondeb, hwn heb unrhyw amheuaeth yw’r mater cyfreithiol mwyaf cymhleth y bu’n rhaid i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ei wynebu—beth yw’r sefyllfa o ran cnydau a addaswyd yn enetig? Gwyddom beth yw’r sefyllfa o ran polisi, ond beth y gallwn ei wneud mewn gwirionedd? Mae ychydig yn debyg i geisio gyrru lori fawr ar hyd lôn gul. Gwyddom a deallwn sefyllfa’r Cynulliad ond mae cyfyngiadau ar yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud, yn arbennig o ran deddfwriaeth Ewrop. O ganlyniad, mae wedi cymryd peth amser i asesu cyfreithlondeb y sefyllfa. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol bod llawer iawn o gyfathrebu wedi digwydd rhwng ymgynghorwyr cyfreithiol y Cynulliad a grwpiau fel Cyfeillion y Ddaear. Codwyd nifer o bwyntiau ac, yn dilyn yr ystyriaeth lawn a gofalus y maent yn eu haeddu, darperir ateb.

Tom Middlehurst spoken in English p. 21

Tom Middlehurst siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

You will be aware, Carwyn, that this field trial is taking place in my constituency. There are many serious concerns that my constituents continue to draw to my attention. I am aware that the legal issues remain unresolved. However, while tiptoeing through the legal minefield, can you give attention to urgent, immediate issues such as—and Janet has already referred to them—the disposal of the crop. We are approaching the harvest and we want assurances that that crop will be disposed of in a way that gives confidence and that there is no residual effects of that trial on the land in question and on the adjacent land. Therefore, will you issue a statement to people in north Wales, particularly my constituents, explaining how that crop will be disposed of so that they can be reassured and their fears allayed?

Byddwch yn ymwybodol, Carwyn, fod y treial maes hwn yn digwydd yn fy etholaeth. Mae llawer o bryderon difrifol y mae fy etholwyr yn parhau i dynnu fy sylw atynt. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol bod y materion cyfreithiol yn parhau heb eu datrys. Fodd bynnag, tra’n cerdded ar flaenau traed drwy’r tir cyfreithiol peryglus, a allwch roi eich sylw i faterion brys, uniongyrchol fel—ac mae Janet eisoes wedi cyfeirio atynt—gwaredu’r cnwd. Mae’r cynhaeaf yn agosáu ac yr ydym am gael sicrwydd y gwaredir y cnwd mewn modd sydd yn rhoi hyder ac na fydd unrhyw effeithiau gweddilliol o’r treial hwnnw ar y tir dan sylw nac ar y tir cyfagos. Felly, a wnewch chi gyhoeddi datganiad i’r bobl yng ngogledd Cymru, yn arbennig fy etholwyr, yn egluro sut y caiff y cnwd hwnnw ei waredu fel y gellir tawelu eu meddyliau a lleddfu eu hofnau?

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 21

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

I appreciate people’s concerns in Sealand and the surrounding area in your constituency. As I mentioned to Janet, there are issues that are being considered at the moment regarding the disposal of the crop. When those issues are resolved, I will write to you, Tom, and to you Janet so that you know the situation.

Gwerthfawrogaf bryderon pobl yn Sealand a’r ardal gyfagos yn eich etholaeth. Fel y soniais wrth Janet, mae materion sydd yn cael eu hystyried ar hyn o bryd o ran gwaredu’r cnwd. Pan gaiff y materion hynny eu datrys, byddaf yn ysgrifennu atoch chi Tom, ac at Janet, fel eich bod yn gwybod beth yw’r sefyllfa.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 21

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

Although I am not officially registered as an organic farmer, I have been farming organically for about 20 years in Berriew, Montgomeryshire. It was a shock to me about a week ago to discover that GM crops were being grown in the open, no more than 10 miles from where I live. Can you assure us that there are no similar small plots, which are not big enough be described as field-scale size, being grown anywhere else in Wales?

Er nad wyf wedi fy nghofrestru yn swyddogol fel ffermwr organig, yr wyf wedi bod yn ffermio’n organig ers tua 20 mlynedd yn Aberriw, Sir Drefaldwyn. Yr oedd yn sioc i mi ddarganfod tuag wythnos yn ôl bod cnydau a addaswyd yn enetig yn cael eu tyfu ar dir agored, prin 10 milltir o lle’r wyf yn byw. A allwch chi ein sicrhau nad oes lleiniau bach tebyg, nad ydynt yn ddigon mawr i gael eu disgrifio fel rhai ar raddfa maes, yn cael eu tyfu unrhyw le arall yng Nghymru?

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 21

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

I believe that the area that you mention is in England and not in Wales, even though it is within 10 miles of where you farm. We do no have direct control over what happens in England. However, departments in England who are responsible for the field trials of genetically modified crops in England have considered the Assembly’s policy. I will continue to make sure that the Assembly’s policy is consulted. However, we do not yet have the ability to make policy with regard to England.

Credaf fod yr ardal y soniwch amdani yn Lloegr ac nid yng Nghymru, er ei bod o fewn 10 milltir i’r fan lle’r ydych yn ffermio. Nid oes gennym reolaeth uniongyrchol dros yr hyn sydd yn digwydd yn Lloegr. Fodd bynnag, mae adrannau yn Lloegr sydd yn gyfrifol am dreialon maes cnydau a addaswyd yn enetig yn Lloegr wedi ystyried polisi’r Cynulliad. Byddaf yn parhau i wneud yn siŵr bod polisi’r Cynulliad yn cael ei ystyried. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’r gallu gennym eto i lunio polisi mewn perthynas â Lloegr.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 22

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

Not yet?

Ddim eto?

Pysgota ar Gamlesi

Canal Fishing

Q3 Lynne Neagle spoken in English p. 22

C3 Lynne Neagle siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

What discussions has Carwyn Jones had with anglers’ associations in Wales regarding the close season for canal fishing? (OAQ7182)

Pa drafodaethau y mae Carwyn Jones wedi’u cael gyda chymdeithasau pysgotwyr yng Nghymru ynghylch y tymor cau ar gyfer pysgota ar gamlesi? (OAQ7182)

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 22

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

I have had correspondence with you on this matter, but I have had no request so far from anglers’ associations to meet to discuss the issue. However, I will entertain such a request if they write to me.

Yr wyf wedi cyfathrebu â chi ar y mater hwn, ond nid wyf wedi cael unrhyw gais hyd yn hyn gan gymdeithasau’r pysgotwyr i gwrdd er mwyn trafod y mater. Fodd bynnag, byddaf yn ystyried cais o’r fath os ysgrifennant ataf.

Lynne Neagle spoken in English p. 22

Lynne Neagle siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

Anglers in my constituency are disappointed that no decision was taken regarding the close season for canal fishing in time to dispense with it for this year. They are frustrated that the close season has finished in England. Can you assure me that you will make a decision on this matter as soon as possible, and certainly in time for the close season in the spring?

Mae pysgotwyr yn fy etholaeth yn siomedig na wnaethpwyd unrhyw benderfyniad o ran y tymor cau ar gyfer pysgota ar gamlesi mewn pryd i’w hepgor eleni. Maent yn rhwystredig fod y tymor cau wedi gorffen yn Lloegr. A allwch fy sicrhau y gwnewch benderfyniad ar y mater hwn cyn gynted â phosibl, ac yn sicr mewn pryd ar gyfer y tymor cau yn y gwanwyn?

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 22

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

It is correct to say that canals in Wales still have what was the old fishing close season imposed on them. That was common throughout England and Wales until about 15 or 20 years ago. However, I take into account what you say. A decision will be taken as soon as possible and I will inform you of it. I repeat the offer that if anglers’ association want to have a meeting, then they are most welcome to write.

Mae’n wir i ddweud bod yr hen dymor cau pysgota yn parhau i gael ei orfodi ar gamlesi yng Nghymru. Yr oedd hynny’n gyffredin ledled Cymru a Lloegr tan tua 15 neu 20 mlynedd yn ôl. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn ystyried yr hyn a ddywedwch. Caiff penderfyniad ei wneud cyn gynted â phosibl a byddaf yn eich hysbysu ohono. Ailadroddaf y cynnig, os yw cymdeithas y pysgotwyr am gael cyfarfod, yna mae croeso iddynt ysgrifennu.

David Melding spoken in English p. 22

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

I congratulate the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development on his elevation to the front bench. I had thought that his job application was destined to be the longest in the Assembly’s short history, but I fear that Mike German is about to achieve that accolade. Can you assure us that the close season for fishing will not be made permanent if the anti-hunting lobby ever succeed in banning that awesome activity.

Llongyfarchaf yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig ar ei ddyrchafiad i’r fainc flaen. Yr oeddwn wedi credu mai ei gais am swydd fyddai’r hwyaf yn hanes byr y Cynulliad, ond ofnaf fod Mike German ar fin cyflawni’r acolad hwnnw. A allwch ein sicrhau na fydd y tymor cau ar gyfer pysgota yn barhaol os bydd y lobi gwrth-hela byth yn llwyddo i wahardd y gweithgaredd arswydus hwnnw.

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 23

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 23

There are no plans to ban angling in any way, shape or form. As somebody who has in the past fished on many occasions, it is not something that I would support.

Nid oes unrhyw gynlluniau o unrhyw fath yn y byd i wahardd pysgota. Fel rhywun sydd wedi pysgota ar sawl achlysur yn y gorffennol, nid yw’n rhywbeth y byddem yn ei gefnogi.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 23

Croesawaf gwestiwn Lynne Neagle. Mae’n un o ddim ond tri chwestiwn a ofynnwyd gan y grŵp Llafur i’r Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig. Mae’n siŵr fod hynny’n adlewyrchiad o’u diddordeb mewn amaeth a datblygu gwledig.

I welcome Lynne Neagle’s question. It is one of only three questions asked by the Labour group to the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development. That is surely a reflection of their interest in agriculture and rural development.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 23

Trefn, os gwelwch yn dda, Barchedig. Cwestiynau yr ydym yn eu cael ar hyn o bryd, nid areithiau. Nid yw faint o gwestiynau a ofynnir gan grwpiau yn berthnasol i’r cwestiwn sydd dan sylw. Pysgota, nid pysgota am bleidleisiau sydd dan sylw.

Order, please, Reverend. We are having questions at the moment, not speeches. The number of questions asked by groups is not relevant to the question under consideration. We are talking about fishing, not fishing for votes.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 23

Mae’n flin gennyf, Lywydd. Yr oeddwn yn mynd i ddweud eu bod wedi cael digon o amser i ysgrifennu cwestiynau gan nad oeddent wedi mynychu eu cynhadledd. Fodd bynnag, yr oeddwn yn ofni y byddai hynny yn eich tramgwyddo.

I am sorry, Presiding Officer. I was going to say that they have had plenty of time to write questions as they did not attend their conference. However, I was worried that that would offend you.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 23

Gofynnwch eich cwestiwn os gwelwch yn dda.

Please ask your question.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 23

A yw Carwyn yn cytuno bod angen strategaeth twristiaeth sydd yn cynnwys pysgota ac yn amlygu’r cyfleoedd a gynigir gan bysgota o ran cyflogaeth a’r economi wledig?

Does Carwyn agree that there is a need for a strategy for tourism that includes fishing and outlines the opportunities that fishing offers in terms of tourism and the rural economy?

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Carwyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 23

Mae’n ddiddorol clywed Rhodri’n datgan y dylai fod tâl ar sail perfformiad yn y Cynulliad ac y dylai’r sawl sydd yn gofyn y mwyaf o gwestiynau gael mwy o arian, pa mor synhwyrol bynnag fo’r cwestiynau.

It is interesting to hear Rhodri Glyn state that there should be performance-related pay in the Assembly and that whoever asks the most questions should receive more pay, no matter how sensible the questions.

Fodd bynnag, derbyniaf yr hyn y mae Rhodri yn ei ddweud. Darllenais ddogfen ddiddorol a gynhyrchwyd gan Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd yng Nghymru, ‘Pysgota yng Nghymru’, sydd yn darparu manylion i dwristiaid am bysgota yng Nghymru a pha mor helaeth ydyw yma. Gobeithiaf y bydd pysgota yn dod yn rhan bwysig o dwristiaeth ac yn denu twristiaid i Gymru.

However, I accept what Rhodri says. I read an interesting document that was produced by the Environment Agency in Wales, ‘Fishing in Wales’, which provides tourists with details of fishing opportunities in Wales and the extent of fishing here. I hope that it becomes an important part of tourism and draws tourists to Wales.

Tir Gofal (Cyllid)

Tir Gofal (Funding)

Q4 Peter Black spoken in English p. 24

C4 Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

What plans does Carwyn Jones have to increase funding for the Tir Gofal scheme? (OAQ7045)

Pa gynlluniau sydd gan Carwyn Jones i gynyddu’r arian ar gyfer y cynllun Tir Gofal? (OAQ7045)

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 24

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

This is a matter for the Finance Secretary and the budget announcement on 19 October. However, the Tir Gofal scheme is an important one and is a key element of the rural development plan for Wales. The budget process is ongoing and the Finance Secretary will make a statement on that shortly. The partnership document outlines the priority that we attach to the development of Tir Gofal and we will await the Finance Secretary’s statement on that.

Mae hwn yn fater i’r Ysgrifennydd Cyllid a’r cyhoeddiad cyllid ar 19 Hydref. Fodd bynnag, mae’r cynllun Tir Gofal yn un pwysig ac yn elfen allweddol o gynllun datblygu gwledig Cymru. Mae proses y gyllideb yn parhau a bydd yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid yn gwneud datganiad ar hynny’n fuan. Amlinella’r ddogfen bartneriaeth y flaenoriaeth a roddwn i ddatblygu Tir Gofal ac arhoswn am ddatganiad yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid ar hynny.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 24

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

In your discussions with the Finance Secretary on Tir Gofal, could you address the scheme’s structure, particularly the cost of administration and perhaps try to find a way of reducing that cost and could you also consider a way of introducing more family farms into the scheme?

Yn eich trafodaethau â’r Ysgrifennydd Cyllid ar Tir Gofal, a allech ymdrin â strwythur y cynllun, yn arbennig y gost weinyddol ac efallai ddod o hyd i ffordd o leihau’r gost honno ac a allech hefyd ystyried ffordd o gyflwyno mwy o ffermydd teuluol i’r cynllun?

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 24

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

Any substantial change to the Tir Gofal scheme would require the European Commission’s approval as part of the rural development plan. However, submissions have been made to me on the targeting and access of Tir Gofal and I am considering those carefully.

Byddai unrhyw newid sylweddol i’r cynllun Tir Gofal yn galw am gymeradwyaeth y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd fel rhan o’r cynllun datblygu gwledig. Fodd bynnag, gwnaethpwyd cyflwyniadau i mi ar dargedu a’r hawl i ddefnyddio Tir Gofal ac yr wyf yn eu hystyried yn ofalus.

Elin Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 24

Elin Jones spoken in Welsh p. 24

A yw’r Ysgrifennydd yn ymwybodol bod cymaint ag £20 miliwn y flwyddyn o arian Ewropeaidd ar gyfer cynlluniau amgylcheddol fel Tir Gofal a neilltuwyd ar gyfer Cymru yn cael ei gadw gan y Trysorlys nad yw byth yn cyrraedd Cymru? Yn sgîl cydnabod egwyddor ychwanegedd gan y Trysorlys ar gyfer Amcan 1 a yw’r Ysgrifennydd yn barod i fynd i’r afael â’r Trysorlys er mwyn sicrhau ychwanegedd ar gyfer Tir Gofal ac £20 miliwn y flwyddyn yn ychwanegol i ffermwyr Cymru?

Is the Secretary aware that as much as £20 million per year of European money for environmental schemes such as Tir Gofal set aside for Wales is being kept by the Treasury and never reaches Wales? Following the Treasury’s acknowledgement of the additionality principle for Objective 1, is the Secretary prepared to tackle the Treasury to ensure additionality for Tir Gofal and £20 million per year extra for the farmers of Wales?

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 25

Carwyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 25

Yr wyf bob amser yn fodlon trafod a mynd i’r afael â’r Trysorlys er mwyn cael y cyfran o’r arian y mae gan Gymru yr hawl iddo.

I am always prepared to discuss with and tackle the Treasury to get the share of money to which Wales is entitled.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 25

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

Following the forecast that, in the next agreements under the Tir Gofal scheme, 20 per cent of all land will be open to access under a voluntary arrangement, would it not be better to divert all the money that is being spent on the flawed Countryside Bill into the Tir Gofal scheme? Would it not be better to have access to our fabulous countryside on the basis of voluntary agreement rather than legislation that would create a legal nightmare?

Yn dilyn y rhagolwg y bydd, yn y cytundebau nesaf o dan y cynllun Tir Gofal, mynediad i 20 y cant o’r holl dir o dan drefniant gwirfoddol, oni fyddai’n well dargyfeirio’r holl arian sydd yn cael ei wario ar y Mesur Cefn Gwlad gwallus i’r cynllun Tir Gofal? Oni fyddai’n well cael mynediad i’n cefn gwlad gwych ar sail cytundeb gwirfoddol yn hytrach na deddfwriaeth a fyddai’n creu hunllef gyfreithiol?

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

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

The Countryside Bill is now passing through the House of Lords. This question is about Tir Gofal.

Mae’r Mesur Cefn Gwlad ar ei daith drwy Dŷ’r Arglwyddi ar hyn o bryd. Mae’r cwestiwn hwn yn ymwneud â Tir Gofal.

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 25

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

The access arrangements provided under Tir Gofal are welcome, but they are not yet widely extended throughout the whole of Wales. The matter of access is being determined by Westminster and is therefore a separate one.

Croesewir y trefniadau mynediad a ddarperir o dan Tir Gofal, ond nid ydynt wedi eu hestyn yn ddigon eang drwy Gymru gyfan eto. Penderfynir ar fater mynediad gan San Steffan ac felly mae’n fater ar wahân.

Y Cwmni Cig Cymreig

Welsh Meat Company

C5 Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 25

Q5 Christine Humphreys spoken in Welsh p. 25

A wnaiff Carwyn Jones ddatganiad ar ddyfodol y Cwmni Cig Cymreig? (OAQ7175)

Will Carwyn Jones make a statement on the future of the Welsh Meat Company? (OAQ7175)

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 25

Carwyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 25

Mae’r cwmni’n credu bod ganddo ddigon o fuddsoddwyr sydd yn ffermwyr i ddilyn ei nod. Mae wedi ysgrifennu at ffermwyr sydd wedi dangos diddordeb mewn trosglwyddo eu buddsoddiadau i’r fenter newydd. Mae ffermwyr hefyd wedi derbyn manylion ynglŷn â’r hyn y mae’r fenter newydd yn ei olygu. Trefnwyd sawl cyfarfod ledled Cymru a chynhaliwyd y cyntaf yn Aberystwyth nos Fawrth.

The company believes that it has enough investors that are farmers to pursue its aims. It has written to farmers who have expressed an interest in transferring their investments to this new initiative. Farmers have also received details on what this new initiative entails. Many meetings have been arranged across Wales and the first was held in Aberystwyth on Tuesday night.

Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 25

Christine Humphreys spoken in Welsh p. 25

Yr ydym i gyd yn edrych ymlaen at y datblygiadau. Fodd bynnag, a allwch ddweud wrthyf fi a’r ffermwyr yng ngogledd Cymru, sydd wedi dioddef yn enbyd dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, faint o arian y Cynulliad a wariwyd ar sefydlu’r Cwmni Cig Cymreig?

We all look forward to the developments. However, can you tell me and the farmers in north Wales, who have suffered greatly over the last few years, how much Assembly money was spent on establishing the Welsh Meat Company?

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 26

Carwyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 26

Mae’n anodd dweud oherwydd nad yw’r mater wedi dod i ben. Yn y pen draw, byddwn yn gwybod faint o arian a fydd wedi ei wario gan y Cynulliad ac Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru. Mae’r cwmni yn bwysig dros ben i ffermwyr Cymru. Mewn byd lle mae’r archfarchnadoedd a’r prynwyr yn fawr, rhaid cael rhyw fath o gorff i sicrhau bod gan ffermwyr Cymru fodd o gystadlu yn y farchnad. Mae gwerthu fel unigolion yn gwanhau sefyllfa ffermwyr Cymru. Nid ydynt yn cael prisiau haeddiannol oherwydd eu bod mor wan yn y farchnad.

It is difficult to say because the matter has not concluded. Eventually, we will know how much money will have been spent by the Assembly and the Welsh Development Agency. The company is extremely important to Welsh farmers. In a world where the supermarkets and buyers are large, we must have some sort of body to ensure that Welsh farmers have a way of competing in the market. Selling as individuals weakens the position of Welsh farmers. They do not get the prices that they deserve because they are so weak in the market.

David Davies spoken in English p. 26

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

Does the Secretary agree that, as well as concentrating on procuring stock, the Welsh Meat Company must consider marketing and added value, which seem to be lacking in the prospectus?

A yw’r Ysgrifennydd yn cytuno, yn ogystal â chanolbwyntio ar gael stoc, bod yn rhaid i’r Cwmni Cig Cymreig ystyried marchnata a gwerth ychwanegol, sydd yn brin yn ôl pob tebyg yn y prosbectws?

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 26

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

Marketing and added value are being dealt with by the agri-food partnerships of the Welsh Development Agency and many other organisations. The meat company and its successor will get that running. Marketing must take place. Wales seeks to compete not in terms of price, because we cannot do that, but in terms of quality. We are the best, not the cheapest. To achieve that, we must never relent on marketing, even when the situation improves. It is no good being the best if we do not tell the world that we are the best. I accept your point about the need to market.

Ymdrinnir â marchnata a gwerth ychwanegol gan bartneriaethau bwyd-amaeth Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru a llawer o sefydliadau eraill. Bydd y cwmni cig a’i olynydd yn gweithredu hynny. Mae’n rhaid marchnata. Ceisia Cymru gystadlu nid yn nhermau prisiau, oherwydd ni allwn wneud hynny, ond yn nhermau ansawdd. Ni yw’r gorau, nid y rhataf. Er mwyn cyflawni hynny, rhaid inni beidio byth â rhoi’r gorau i farchnata, hyd yn oed pan fydd y sefyllfa yn gwella. Thâl hi ddim inni fod y gorau os na ddywedwn wrth y byd mai ni yw’r gorau. Derbyniaf eich pwynt ynglŷn â’r angen i farchnata.

Pwyntiau o Drefn

Points of Order

Richard Edwards spoken in English p. 26

Richard Edwards siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

I raise a point of information, which refers to Rhodri Glyn Thomas’s comments earlier—

Codaf bwynt gwybodaeth, sydd yn cyfeirio at sylwadau Rhodri Glyn Thomas yn gynharach—

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

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

Order. There is no such thing as a point of information; there are only points of order relating to the Standing Orders.

Trefn. Nid oes y fath beth â phwynt gwybodaeth; dim ond pwyntiau o drefn sydd yn ymwneud â’r Rheolau Sefydlog.

Richard Edwards spoken in English p. 26

Richard Edwards siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

Fifty-four questions to the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development were tabled, but only the first 30 that are drawn are published. My questions were drawn at numbers 33 and 54.

Cyflwynwyd pum deg a phedwar o gwestiynau i’r Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig, ond dim ond y 30 cyntaf a dynnwyd sydd wedi eu cyhoeddi. Rhifau 33 a 54 oedd fy nghwestiynau i.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 27

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

I am grateful, as always, for help from Members in running business. Rhodri Glyn Thomas will have noted that it is not useful to use question time to make political points. Today, extraneous matters have been drawn into questions, which extends the time taken. We now have a three-minute time limit on questions. I have been, and I am still, encouraging the Cabinet to reduce the length of answers. Word counts undertaken in the Assembly are not doing well. Therefore, I take a dim view of long answers and an even dimmer view of long questions. In future, I would be grateful if Members would ask only one question and if Secretaries would reduce, at least, their preliminary answers to one sentence. That would allow more time for genuine supplementary questions that would take the debate forward.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar, bob amser, am gymorth gan Aelodau wrth drefnu’r busnes. Bydd Rhodri Glyn Thomas wedi nodi nad yw defnyddio’r sesiwn holi ac ateb i wneud pwyntiau gwleidyddol yn ddefnyddiol. Heddiw, tynnwyd materion amherthnasol i mewn i gwestiynau, sydd yn ymestyn yr amser a gymerir. Bellach mae gennym derfyn amser o dair munud ar gwestiynau. Yr wyf yn annog, ac yn dal i annog y Cabinet i leihau hyd yr atebion. Nid yw’r cyfrif geiriau a wneir yn y Cynulliad yn gwneud yn dda. Felly, yr wyf yn anghymeradwyo atebion maith ac yn anghymeradwyo cwestiynau maith hyd yn oed yn fwy. Yn y dyfodol, byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe bai’r Aelodau yn gofyn un cwestiwn yn unig a’r Ysgrifenyddion yn lleihau eu hatebion rhagarweiniol, o leiaf, i un frawddeg. Byddai hynny’n caniatáu mwy o amser ar gyfer cwestiynau atodol gwirioneddol a fyddai’n datblygu’r ddadl.

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 27

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

Point of order. I seek clarification on whether Glyn Davies declared an interest when he asked his question about genetically modified seeds. We must often declare an interest, even if it is marginal. However, Glyn’s question was closely related to his position as a farmer. We need to have clarification that he declared an interest.

Pwynt o drefn. Ceisiaf eglurhad ar pa un a ddatganodd Glyn Davies fuddiant pan ofynnodd ei gwestiwn am hadau a addaswyd yn enetig. Rhaid inni ddatgan buddiant yn aml, hyd yn oed os yw’n ymylol. Fodd bynnag, yr oedd cwestiwn Glyn yn ymwneud yn agos â’i sefyllfa fel ffermwr. Mae angen inni gael eglurhad ei fod wedi datgan buddiant.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 27

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

Further to that point of order, I thought carefully about my position on that. I referred to my farm but my question did not relate to my farm.

Ymhellalch i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn, meddyliais yn ofalus am fy sefyllfa ar hynny. Cyfeiriais at fy fferm ond nid oedd fy nghwestiwn yn ymwneud â’m fferm.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 27

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

I listened carefully and I will refer to the Record to consider the quality of Glyn’s question.

Gwrandewais yn ofalus a byddaf yn cyfeirio at y Cofnod i ystyried ansawdd cwestiwn Glyn.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 27

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

If there is a need to declare in interest, I will do so.

Os bydd angen datgan buddiant, fe wnaf hynny.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 27

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

Glyn’s question stated that he has farmed organically for about 20 years, and I took that to be a declaration of interest. However, if it is felt that, in future, Members should use the word ‘interest’ when making such a declaration, I will inform Members after I have reviewed the matter.

Nododd cwestiwn Glyn ei fod wedi ffermio’n organig ers tuag 20 mlynedd, a chymerais hynny i olygu ei fod yn datgan buddiant. Fodd bynnag, os teimlir, yn y dyfodol, y dylai’r Aelodau ddefnyddio’r gair ‘buddiant’ wrth wneud datganiad o’r fath, byddaf yn hysbysu’r Aelodau ar ôl imi adolygu’r mater.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 28

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

Further to that point of order, I declare an interest, as I am a farmer.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn, datganaf fuddiant, gan fy mod yn ffermwr.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 28

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

My view at the moment is that Glyn’s wording did amount to a declaration, but I will take further counsel on these matters.

Fy marn ar hyn o bryd yw bod geiriau Glyn yn gyfystyr â datganiad, ond cymeraf gyngor pellach ar y materion hyn.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 28

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

Point of order. I gave you notice of this. I twice raised a point on Tuesday on the business statement. It relates to Standing Order No. 5.3. On the 7.30 a.m. BBC news, there was an announcement of Assembly business—or rather non-Assembly business. This was the withdrawal of the approval of the Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations 2000, the genetically modified seeds issue, from debate. This announcement was made before the matter had been considered by the Business Committee or conveyed to any Business Committee representative. I realise that the Business Secretary is not here at present. He may be watching proceedings on the monitor outside. However, this is an important issue. There is a widespread belief that this item was dropped from the agenda not because, as suggested, there was new legal advice from Friends of the Earth, but because of the embarrassment that was about to be caused to the Labour administration by the other half of the pantomime horse—the back end.

Pwynt o drefn. Fe’ch hysbysais o hyn. Codais bwynt ddwywaith ddydd Mawrth am y datganiad busnes. Mae’n ymwneud â Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 5.3. Ar newyddion y BBC am 7.30 a.m., yr oedd cyhoeddiad am fusnes y Cynulliad—neu’n hytrach busnes nad oedd yn ymwneud â’r Cynulliad, sef dileu Cymeradwyaeth Rheoliadau Hadau (Rhestr Genedlaethol o Amrywiaethau) 2000, mater hadau a addaswyd yn enetig, o’r ddadl. Gwnaethpwyd y cyhoeddiad hwn cyn i’r mater gael ei ystyried gan y Pwyllgor Busnes neu ei gyfleu i unrhyw gynrychiolydd o’r Pwyllgor Busnes. Sylweddolaf nad yw’r Ysgrifennydd Busnes yma ar hyn o bryd. Efallai ei fod yn gwylio’r trafodion ar y monitor y tu allan. Fodd bynnag, mae hwn yn fater pwysig. Mae cred gyffredinol bod yr eitem hon wedi ei hepgor o’r agenda nid, fel yr awgrymwyd, am fod cyngor cyfreithiol newydd gan Gyfeillion y Ddaear, ond oherwydd yr embaras a oedd ar fin gael ei achosi i’r weinyddiaeth Lafur gan hanner arall y ceffyl pantomeim—y pen ôl.

In the absence of the Business Secretary, I ask the First Secretary, because this is a serious issue, whether there is any point in having a Business Committee. [Interruption.] If I am allowed to get to the point—

Yn absenoldeb y Trefnydd, gofynnaf i’r Prif Ysgrifennydd, gan fod hwn yn fater difrifol, a oes unrhyw bwynt cael Pwyllgor Busnes. [Torri ar draws.] Os caniatewch imi ddod at y pwynt—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 28

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

Yes, you are. Order, please.

Cewch. Trefn, os gwelwch yn dda.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 28

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

Is there any point in having a Business Committee with representatives such as Jenny Randerson and William Graham on it, if, in advance of meetings, the Business Secretary or another member of the administration tells the Assembly Press Office what the Committee will decide? Unless we have clarification—

A oes unrhyw ddiben cael Pwyllgor Busnes gyda chynrychiolwyr fel Jenny Randerson a William Graham arno, os yw’r Ysgrifennydd Busnes neu aelod arall o’r weinyddiaeth yn dweud wrth Swyddfa’r Wasg y Cynulliad beth fydd y Pwyllgor yn ei benderfynu? Oni chawn eglurhad—

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 29

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

How do you know what happened?

Sut gwyddoch chi beth oedd wedi digwydd?

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 29

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Somebody told the Assembly Press Office. It is unlikely to have been anyone other than the administration.

Dywedodd rhywun wrth Swyddfa’r Wasg y Cynulliad. Mae’n annhebyg o fod yn unrhyw un heblaw’r weinyddiaeth.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 29

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

How do you know that?

Sut gwyddoch chi hynny?

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 29

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Order.

Trefn.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 29

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Perhaps you would like to check. You are the First Secretary. You sometimes—

Efallai yr hoffech wirio hynny. Chi yw’r Prif Ysgrifennydd. Weithiau—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 29

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Order.

Trefn.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 29

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

You are the man who is supposed to carry the can.

Chi yw’r dyn sydd i fod i ysgwyddo’r cyfrifoldeb.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 29

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Order. Can we have a speech, please?

Trefn. A allwn ni gael araith, os gwelwch yn dda?

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 29

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Will the First Secretary undertake to consider this issue and report back on how the Assembly Press Office, which is, after all, the administration’s press office, came to brief the BBC before the matter had been discussed in the Business Committee? It is a simple question. Was this—

A wnaiff y Prif Ysgrifennydd ymrwymo i ystyried y mater hwn a rhoi adborth ar sut y bu i Swyddfa’r Wasg y Cynulliad, sef swyddfa’r wasg y weinyddiaeth, wedi’r cyfan, friffio’r BBC cyn i’r mater gael ei drafod yn y Pwyllgor Busnes? Mae’n gwestiwn syml. A oedd hyn—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 29

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Order. This is not question time. You raised a point of order, Nick Bourne, which is a matter for me. I will give Cabinet members and anyone else who wishes to comment on the point of order an opportunity to do so before I make a brief comment.

Trefn. Nid sesiwn gwestiynau yw hon. Yr ydych wedi codi pwynt o drefn, Nick Bourne, sydd yn fater i mi. Rhoddaf gyfle i aelodau’r Cabinet ac unrhyw un arall sydd yn dymuno rhoi sylwadau ar y pwynt o drefn i wneud hynny cyn imi wneud sylw byr.

Jocelyn Davies spoken in English p. 29

Jocelyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Further to that point of order, I intended to raise the same point of order in a slightly different manner. Why has the procedure for consulting other party business managers on these matters changed this week, when it has worked perfectly well for the last 17 months? If we look at Standing Orders—I think that the relevant one is Standing Order No. 13—they describe what the Business Committee is supposed to do. It is supposed to advise the Business Secretary on the management of business. I feel, therefore, that it is discourteous for us to hear that business has been withdrawn on the news, in advance of us being told about it either via a telephone call, if we are not able to have a meeting straightaway, or by some other means. This undermines the Business Committee’s work. I agree with Nick that, if the Committee is going to be undermined in this way, there is not much point in having it.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, bwriedais godi’r un pwynt o drefn mewn ffordd ychydig yn wahanol. Pam bod y weithdrefn ar gyfer ymgynghori â rheolwyr busnes pleidiau eraill ar y materion hyn wedi newid yr wythnos hon, er iddi weithio’n iawn am y 17 mis diwethaf? Os edrychwn ar y Rheolau Sefydlog—credaf mai’r un perthnasol yw Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 13—disgrifiant yr hyn y mae disgwyl i’r Pwyllgor Busnes ei wneud. Mae i fod i gynghori’r Trefnydd ar reoli busnes. Felly, teimlaf ei fod yn anghwrtais inni glywed bod busnes wedi cael ei dynnu’n ôl ar y newyddion, cyn inni gael gwybod naill ai drwy alwad ffôn, os na allwn gael cyfarfod ar unwaith, neu drwy ryw gyfrwng arall. Mae hyn yn tanseilio gwaith y Pwyllgor Busnes. Cytunaf â Nick, os caiff y Pwyllgor ei danseilio fel hyn, nad oes llawer o bwynt ei gael.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 30

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

I point out, before I call the Finance Secretary to reply, that I have received an apology from the Business Secretary via e-mail. I believe that he is carrying out a function in his role of surrogate Assembly Secretary with responsibility for culture—or whatever the appropriate phrase is for a Secretary who is standing in for another—in Llandrindod Wells today.

Nodaf, cyn imi alw ar yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid i ateb, fy mod wedi derbyn ymddiheuriad gan y Trefnydd drwy e-bost. Credaf ei fod yn cyflawni ei ddyletswydd fel dirprwy Ysgrifennydd y Cynulliad gyda chyfrifoldeb dros ddiwylliant—neu beth bynnag yw’r ymadrodd priodol ar gyfer Ysgrifennydd sydd yn dirprwyo dros un arall—yn Llandrindod heddiw.

Edwina Hart The Finance Secretary spoken in English p. 30

Edwina Hart Yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

The Business Secretary gave various assurances about this on Tuesday. We will clarify the position as regards the news and whether any information was released from the Press Office. In due course, we will report back. I accept the points made by Jocelyn, but I wish that Nick, on such a sad day for British politics, could have behaved better in making his remarks.

Rhoddodd y Trefnydd lawer o wahanol fathau o sicrwydd ynglŷn â hyn ddydd Mawrth. Byddwn yn egluro’r sefyllfa o ran y newyddion ac a ryddhawyd unrhyw wybodaeth o Swyddfa’r Wasg. Maes o law, byddwn yn adrodd yn ôl. Derbyniaf y pwyntiau a wnaethpwyd gan Jocelyn, ond trueni na allai Nick, ar ddiwrnod mor drist i wleidyddiaeth Prydain, fod wedi ymddwyn yn well wrth wneud ei sylwadau.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 30

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

The Finance Secretary, who is speaking on the Business Secretary’s behalf today, has given an undertaking that this matter will be reviewed. I will wait for that review to take place before I make a direct comment. However, the Business Committee constitutes a unique arrangement in United Kingdom politics. It has worked, over the last 18 months, on the basis of its advising the Business Secretary on Assembly business. However, conventions have developed around that, as the National Assembly Advisory Group’s report envisaged. All of us will want to learn how those conventions and our Standing Orders apply in a new situation, if we will be in a new situation, next week. The best thing to do today is to reflect on what happened. We have received an indication from the acting Business Secretary for today that there will be a further review of what may have happened.

Mae’r Ysgrifennydd Cyllid, sydd yn siarad ar ran y Trefnydd heddiw, wedi cytuno y caiff y mater hwn ei adolygu. Arhosaf i’r adolygiad hwnnw ddigwydd cyn gwneud sylw uniongyrchol. Fodd bynnag, mae’r Pwyllgor Busnes yn drefniant unigryw yng ngwleidyddiaeth y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae wedi gweithio, dros y 18 mis diwethaf, ar y sail ei fod yn cynghori’r Ysgrifennydd Busnes ar fusnes y Cynulliad. Fodd bynnag, mae confensiynau wedi datblygu o amgylch hynny fel y rhagwelwyd yn adroddiad Grŵp Ymgynghorol y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Bydd pob un ohonom eisiau dysgu sut y mae’r confensiynau hynny a’n Rheolau Sefydlog yn gymwys mewn sefyllfa newydd, os byddwn mewn sefyllfa newydd, yr wythnos nesaf. Y peth gorau i’w wneud heddiw fyddai ystyried yr hyn a ddigwyddodd. Yr ydym wedi derbyn awgrym gan y Trefnydd dros dro ar gyfer heddiw y bydd adolygiad pellach o’r hyn a allai fod wedi digwydd.

Although I am always very keen for the Assembly to be open, we must be open within our procedures. Some of our procedures, such as the Business Committee, are confidential. In the past, events that took place in Business Committee meetings have appeared in the media. That is not helpful, as it is one of our few confidential Committees. It is confidential for a good reason, as the Business Committee’s role is to ensure that Assembly business in Plenary is conducted in a coherent and a fairly orderly manner. It is an unique organisation and I would not want to see its structure disrupted. I am sure that I also speak for my colleague, the Deputy Presiding Officer, Jane Davidson, who chairs the Business Committee, and for good reason.

Er fy mod bob amser yn awydddus iawn i’r Cynulliad fod yn agored, mae’n rhaid inni fod yn agored o fewn ein gweithdrefnau. Mae rhai o’n gweithdrefnau, fel y Pwyllgor Busnes, yn gyfrinachol. Yn y gorffennol, mae pethau a ddigwyddodd mewn cyfarfodydd o’r Pwyllgor Busnes wedi ymddangos yn y cyfryngau. Nid yw hynny o gymorth, gan mai hwn yw un o’r ychydig Bwyllgorau cyfrinachol sydd gennym. Mae’n gyfrinachol am reswm da, gan mai rôl y Pwyllgor Busnes yw sicrhau y cynhelir busnes y Cynulliad mewn Cyfarfod Llawn mewn modd cydlynus a gweddol drefnus. Mae’n sefydliad unigryw ac ni fyddwn am i unrhyw beth amharu ar ei strwythur. Yr wyf yn siŵr fy mod yn siarad hefyd ar ran fy nghyd-Aelod, y Dirprwy Lywydd, Jane Davidson, sydd yn cadeirio’r Pwyllgor Busnes, ac am reswm da.

Datganiad ar Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru

Statement on the Wales Millennium Centre

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 31

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 31

Galwaf ar y Gwir Anrhydeddus Rhodri Morgan, a hoffwn fod y cyntaf i’w longyfarch yn ffurfiol yn y Cynulliad ar yr anrhydedd drwy’r Deyrnas sydd wedi dod i’w ran. Mae’n gydnabyddiaeth nid yn unig o’i gyfraniad ef i wleidyddiaeth y Deyrnas ac i wleidyddiaeth Cymru, ond hefyd i statws priodol y Cynulliad.

I call on the Right Honourable Rhodri Morgan, and I would like to be the first to formally congratulate him in the Assembly on the honour of United Kingdom distinction that has been bestowed upon him. It not only acknowledges his contribution to UK politics and to Welsh politics, but also to the Assembly’s rightful status.

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 31

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in Welsh and English p. 31

Diolch am eich geiriau caredig. Ni fyddwn yn wir anrhydeddus pe na byddwn yn Brif Ysgrifennydd y Cynulliad, felly mae fy nyled i’r corff hwn yn amlwg.

in Welsh Thank you for your kind words. I would not be right honourable if I were not the Assembly’s First Secretary, so I am obviously indebted to this body.

I apologise for the length and complexity of this statement, especially in the light of your earlier remarks. The Wales Millennium Centre is a proposed major arts and cultural development on the next door site to the Assembly. It plans to house a number of the premier arts bodies in Wales, including the Welsh National Opera, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Diversions Dance Company and several other bodies. Their co-location under the same roof could lead not only to savings in the organisations’ overheads but to a new creative synergy between them. I consider the broad concept of the Wales Millennium Centre to be good and I support it in principle.

yn Saesneg Ymddiheuraf am hyd a chymhlethdod y datganiad hwn, yn arbennig yng ngoleuni eich sylwadau cynharach. Mae Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn ddatblygiad celfyddydol a diwylliannol arfaethedig ar y safle sydd drws nesaf i’r Cynulliad. Ei bwriad yw cynnwys nifer o'rif gyrff celfyddydol yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Cwmni Dawns Diversions a sawl corff arall. Gallai eu cyd-leoli o dan yr un to arwain nid yn unig at arbedion yng ngorbenion y sefydliadau ond at synergedd creadigol newydd rhyngddynt. Yr wyf yn ystyried bod cysyniad cyffredinol Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn dda a chefnogaf ef mewn egwyddor.

The project is in some difficulties that will not be easy to resolve. The figures that I am using today represent prudent estimates of the likely project costs. They may not always coincide with those set out in the briefing document from the Wales Millennium Centre board that has been supplied to Assembly Members.

yn Saesneg Mae’r prosiect mewn rhywfaint o drafferthion na fyddant yn hawdd eu datrys. Mae’r ffigurau a ddefnyddiaf heddiw yn cynrychioli amcangyfrifon doeth o gostau tebygol y prosiect. Efallai na fyddant bob amser yn cyd-daro â’r rhai a nodwyd yn y ddogfen friffio gan fwrdd Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru a gyflwynwyd i Aelodau’r Cynulliad.

Jocelyn Davies spoken in English p. 32

Jocelyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

I am sorry, First Secretary, I cannot hear.

Mae’n ddrwg gennyf, Brif Ysgrifennydd, ni allaf glywed.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 32

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

Order. There is a good audio system in this room.

Trefn. Mae system sain dda yn yr ystafell hon.

Jocelyn Davies spoken in English p. 32

Jocelyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

I am not the only one who cannot hear.

Nid fi yw’r unig un na all glywed.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 32

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

Order. You can use the headsets for translation and for verbatim, as I understand.

Trefn. Gallwch ddefnyddio’r clustffonau ar gyfer cyfieithu ac ar gyfer y sain air am air, fel y deallaf.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 32

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

I apologise to any Assembly Members who cannot hear, but I would hesitate to re-read my statement. The Wales Millennium Centre project, led by its chairman, Sir Alan Cox, and chief executive, Kathryn McDowell, has taken the idea of a cultural centre from a vision to a design intended to cost £70.2 million. They secured commitments of £27 million from the Millennium Commission and £10 million from the Arts Council of Wales, under the Artslot scheme. The then Secretary of State for Wales also committed £15.9 million of funding for the project. That comprised of £8 million directly from the former Welsh Office, £4 million from the Welsh Development Agency, £2 million from Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, £400,000 from the Wales Tourist Board and, initially, £1.5 million from the European regional development fund, although that was later increased to £4.4 million. The total in place or provided by the National Assembly and its sponsored bodies was £18.8 million, which represents 27 per cent of the project budget.

Ymddiheuraf i unrhyw Aelod o’r Cynulliad na allant glywed, ond byddwn yn gyndyn o ailddarllen fy natganiad. Mae prosiect Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, o dan arweiniad ei chadeirydd, Syr Alan Cox, a’i phrif weithredwr, Kathryn McDowell, wedi datblygu’r syniad o ganolfan ddiwylliannol o weledigaeth i ddyluniad y disgwylir iddo gostio £70.2 miliwn. Gwarantwyd ymrwymiadau o £27 miliwn gan Gomisiwn y Mileniwm a £10 miliwn gan Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, o dan y cynllun Artslot. Addawodd Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru ar y pryd £15.9 miliwn o arian ar gyfer y prosiect. Yr oedd hynny’n cynnwys £8 miliwn yn uniongyrchol gan yr hen Swyddfa Gymreig, £4 miliwn gan Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru, £2 filiwn gan Gorfforaeth Datblygu Bae Caerdydd, £400,000 gan Fwrdd Croeso Cymru ac, ar y cychwyn, £1.5 miliwn gan y gronfa datblygu rhanbarthol Ewropeaidd, er i’r swm hwnnw gael ei gynyddu yn ddiweddarach i £4.4 miliwn. Y cyfanswm a oedd yn ei le neu wedi ei ddarparu gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol a’i gyrff noddedig oedd £18.8 miliwn, sydd yn cynrychioli 27 y cant o gyllideb y prosiect.

The Assembly is, therefore, one of three major funders for the project. I know that some of you believe that the Millennium Commission should provide the additional funding for the centre. We are in constant contact with the Millennium Commission on this, and have been throughout. We approach the project in partnership with the Millennium Commission. It is important to remember that the commission’s life is limited and that its grant programmes will close early next year. At that point, it would not be easy for the commission to provide extra assistance.

Felly, mae’r Cynulliad yn un o dri phrif arianwyr y prosiect. Gwn fod rhai ohonoch yn credu y dylai Comisiwn y Mileniwm ddarparu’r arian ychwanegol ar gyfer y ganolfan. Yr ydym mewn cysylltiad rheolaidd â Chomisiwn y Mileniwm ar hyn, fel yr ydym wedi bod drwy gydol yr amser. Yr ydym yn ymdrin â’r prosiect mewn partneriaeth â Chomisiwn y Mileniwm. Mae’n bwysig cofio bod bywyd y comisiwn yn gyfyngedig ac y bydd ei raglenni grant yn cau yn gynnar y flwyddyn nesaf. Ar yr adeg honno, ni fyddai’n hawdd i’r comisiwn ddarparu cymorth ychwanegol.

The project must be able to demonstrate clearly that it can raise sufficient private sector match funding to support the delivery of the centre. If it cannot, either work stops or at least one of the funders will need to pick up the bill. To match the lottery funds, the WMC needed to raise £14 million from the private sector. The project achieved the first of the fund raising milestones expected of it by raising £4.8 million by 31 December 1999. The second milestone to raise a further £4 million by June 2000 was not met, at least as originally defined. Therefore, on the original cost projections, there was a funding gap approaching some £10 million to fill.

Mae’n rhaid i’r prosiect allu dangos yn glir y gall godi digon o arian cyfatebol o’r sector preifat i gefnogi’r gwaith o ddarparu’r ganolfan. Os na all wneud hynny, bydd y gwaith naill ai’n dod i ben neu bydd angen i o leiaf un o’r arianwyr dalu’r bil. Er mwyn cyfateb ag arian y loteri, yr oedd angen i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru godi £14 miliwn o’r sector preifat. Cyflawnodd y prosiect y garreg filltir gyntaf o ran codi arian a ddisgwyliwyd ganddo drwy godi £4.8 miliwn erbyn 31 Rhagfyr 1999. Ni chyrhaeddwyd yr ail garreg filltir i godi £4 miliwn pellach erbyn Mehefin 2000, o leiaf fel y’i diffiniwyd yn wreiddiol. Felly, yn ôl y rhagamcaniad cost gwreiddiol, yr oedd bwlch ariannol o tua £10 miliwn i’w lenwi.

The WMC did not provide its plans to cover that critical gap until August. In looking for match funding, the WMC also hopes to raise further capital funding using tax breaks called capital allowances. The WMC believes that those allowances could raise £6.5 million towards the capital costs of the centre. The Inland Revenue advised that it would not be possible to give a guarantee on the outcome of such deals until the tax claim had been made and considered in detail.

Ni ddarparodd y ganolfan ei gynlluniau ar gyfer y bwlch holl bwysig hwnnw tan fis Awst. Wrth edrych am arian cyfatebol, mae’r ganolfan hefyd yn gobeithio codi rhagor o arian cyfalaf gan ddefnyddio seibiannau treth a elwir yn lwfansau cyfalaf. Cred y ganolfan y gallai’r lwfansau hynny godi £6.5 miliwn tuag at gostau cyfalaf y ganolfan. Dywedodd Cyllid y Wlad na fyddai’n bosibl rhoi sicrwydd ynghylch canlyniad bargen o’r fath nes i’r cais am dreth gael ei wneud a’i ystyried yn fanwl.

In the summer, following meetings with Sir Alan Cox and his chief executive to discuss the project and its funding, I agreed to consider supporting a project with the other funders up to a value of £75 million, which was £5 million more than the original plan. However, when AMEC, the WMC’s identified building contractor, submitted its final offer for a fixed price building contract, its actual price implied a total scheme cost of £86 million, with an estimated additional £10 million to take account of risks and contingencies. The WMC then terminated its relationship with AMEC forthwith. It appears that the advice on the cost plan on which the WMC and AMEC had been relying for many months had not been fully tested and was overly optimistic.

Yn ystod yr haf, yn dilyn cyfarfodydd gyda Syr Alan Cox a’i brif weithredwr i drafod y prosiect a’r dull o’i ariannu, cytunais i ystyried cefnogi prosiect gyda’r arianwyr eraill hyd at £75 miliwn mewn gwerth, sef £5 miliwn yn fwy na’r cynllun gwreiddiol. Fodd bynnag, pan gyflwynodd AMEC, contractwr adeiladu’r ganolfan a enwyd, ei gynnig terfynol ar gyfer contract adeiladu pris sefydlog, yr oedd ei bris gwirioneddol yn awgrymu cyfanswm cost y cynllun o £86 miliwn, gyda £10 miliwn ychwanegol tybiedig er mwyn rhoi ystyriaeth i’r risgiau a’r treuliau annisgwyl. Yna terfynodd y ganolfan ei pherthynas ag AMEC ar unwaith. Ymddengys fod y cyngor ar y cynllun cost yr oedd y ganolfan ac AMEC wedi bod yn dibynnu arno am fisoedd lawer heb gael ei brofi’n llawn ac yr oedd yn rhy optimistaidd.

The WMC board then put work in hand to reassess the scheme. I engaged our own independent scrutiny of the project by Turner and Townsend consultants to consider the budget and the scheme’s historic performance. That report is now available publicly. The document did not make comfortable reading. It showed that the scheme costs had not been within budgeted levels for a considerable time. Despite expending almost £9 million on consultancy and other fees over some years, the centre’s design and specification was still at an early stage and represented an insufficient basis on which to cost the scheme accurately. In Turner and Townsend’s view, the final cost of the centre could be as much as £104 million: £29 million more than the provisional £75 million envelope. The WMC’s funding package, including private sector funding, which the Millennium Commission and I thought achievable, did not approach that. In the light of that, other major public funders and I agreed that we would ask the WMC to reconsider the project against the target cost ceiling of £75 million. This request included the possibility of an additional £4 million from the funders. It was not a cap on the scheme as some have said. It represented what we believe was a realistic amount of money that the project could raise.

Yna aeth bwrdd y ganolfan ati i ailasesu’r cynllun. Penodais yr ymgynghorwyr Turner a Townsend i ymgymryd ag archwiliad annibynnol o’r prosiect er mwyn ystyried y gyllideb a pherfformiad hanesyddol y cynllun. Mae’r adroddiad hwnnw bellach ar gael yn gyhoeddus. Yr oedd darllen y ddogfen yn gwneud i rywun deimlo’n anghysurus. Dangosodd nad oedd costau’r cynllun wedi bod o fewn y lefelau cyllideb ers cryn amser. Er iddi wario bron £9 miliwn ar ffïoedd ymgynghori a ffïoedd eraill dros rai blynyddoedd, yr oedd dyluniad a manyleb y ganolfan ar gam cyntaf eu datblygiad o hyd ac yn cynrychioli sail annigonol i gostio’r cynllun yn gywir arni. Ym marn Turner a Townsend, gallai cost derfynol y ganolfan fod gymaint â £104 miliwn: £29 miliwn yn fwy na’r amlen £75 miliwn dros dro. Nid oedd pecyn ariannol y ganolfan, gan gynnwys arian y sector preifat, yr oedd yn bosibl ei gyflawni yn fy marn i ac ym marn Comisiwn y Mileniwm, yn dod yn agos at hynny. Yng ngoleuni hynny, cytunodd y prif arianwyr cyhoeddus eraill a minnau y byddem yn gofyn i’r ganolfan ailystyried y prosiect yn erbyn targed y nenfwd cost o £75 miliwn. Yr oedd y cais hwn yn cynnwys y posibilrwydd o gael £4 miliwn ychwanegol oddi wrth yr arianwyr. Nid oedd hynny’n gosod cap ar y cynllun fel y dywedodd rhai. Yn ein barn ni, yr oedd yn cynrychioli swm realistig o arian y gallai’r prosiect ei godi.

I also made clear to the WMC my need to be able to assure the Assembly that we could have genuine confidence in the project in terms of its cost plan, funding package, project management, the capacity and expertise of the board to manage the exercise and the operational business plan. In responding, the board did not produce proposals at £75 million. It brought forward a new approach: the cultural village. This reduced the size of the main building and moved it to a different position in order to reduce costs. It maintained the lyric theatre and located the Urdd and Diversions Dance Company in accommodation slightly apart from the main building. It also allowed expansion onto other areas of the site later. According to the WMC’s current advisers this scheme, for which there is no longer a fixed price construction contract, is likely to cost £86 million, including a provision for land and provision for risk. That is already £11 million above the £75 million budget figure. At that level, the funders would inevitably be asked to find an additional £8 million over and above existing commitments. That would also mean accepting significantly more optimistic assumptions about how much the project could realistically raise from private sources and capital allowances. Overall, if the Millennium Commission were able to contribute half of the extra, the Assembly would need to find £4 million on top of the £8 million already committed. That is a considerable amount of additional money for which no baseline provision exists.

Eglurais hefyd i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru fy angen i allu sicrhau’r Cynulliad y gallem fod â hyder gwirioneddol yn y prosiect o ran ei gynllun cost, y pecyn ariannu, rheoli’r prosiect, gallu ac arbenigedd y bwrdd i reoli’r ymarfer a’r cynllun busnes gweithredol. Wrth ymateb, ni chynhyrchodd y bwrdd gynigion ar £75 miliwn. Cyflwynodd ymagwedd newydd: y pentref diwylliannol. Yr oedd hyn yn lleihau maint y prif adeilad ac yn ei symud i safle gwahanol er mwyn lleihau’r costau. Cadwai’r theatr delynegol gan leoli’r Urdd a Chwmni Dawns Diversions mewn adeiladau ychydig ar wahân i’r prif adeilad. Caniataodd hefyd ar gyfer ehangu i ardaloedd eraill o’r safle yn ddiweddarach. Yn ôl ymgynghorwyr cyfredol y ganolfan, mae’r cynllun hwn, nad oes contract adeiladu pris sefydlog ar ei gyfer bellach, yn debygol o gostio £86 miliwn, gan gynnwys darpariaeth ar gyfer tir a darpariaeth ar gyfer risg. Mae hynny eisoes £11 miliwn yn uwch na’r ffigur cyllideb o £75 miliwn. Ar y lefel honno, byddai gofyn i’r arianwyr yn anochel ddod o hyd i £8 miliwn ychwanegol yn fwy na’r ymrwymiadau presennol. Byddai hynny hefyd yn golygu derbyn tybiaethau llawer mwy optimistaidd ynglŷn â faint y gallai’r prosiect yn realistig ei godi o ffynonellau preifat a lwfansau cyfalaf. Yn gyffredinol, pe bai Comisiwn y Mileniwm yn gallu cyfrannu hanner y swm ychwanegol, byddai angen i’r Cynulliad ddod o hyd i £4 miliwn ar ben yr £8 miliwn a ymrwymwyd eisoes. Mae hynny’n swm sylweddol o arian ychwanegol nad oes darpariaeth gwaelodlin yn bodoli ar ei gyfer.

Our consultants have also been examining this proposal. In their view, the likely cost including a sensible level of contingency will be over £91 million, suggesting a total funding shortfall, after accepting the more generous assumptions about fundraising from other sources, of £13 million.

Bu ein hymgynghorwyr hefyd yn archwilio’r cynnig hwn. Yn eu barn hwy, bydd y gost debygol gan gynnwys lefel synhwyrol o dreuliau annisgwyl dros £91 miliwn, sydd yn awgrymu diffyg yn y cyfanswm ariannol, ar ôl derbyn y tybiaethau mwy hael am godi arian o ffynonellau eraill, o £13 miliwn.

I understand that Cardiff City and County Council is negotiating with Grosvenor Waterside to purchase the site on behalf of the Wales Millennium Centre. Throughout the difficult last few months, we have been in close contact with the Wales Millennium Centre and have scrutinised its cost estimates properly. At no stage has any Assembly money been paid over, nor any formal grant agreement made to do so.

Deallaf fod Cyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd yn negodi gyda Grosvenor Waterside i brynu’r safle ar ran Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Drwy gydol yr ychydig fisoedd anodd diwethaf, buom mewn cysylltiad agos â’r Ggnolfan gan archwilio ei hamcangyfrifon cost yn gywir. Nid yw arian y Cynulliad ar unrhyw adeg wedi cael ei drosglwyddo, ac ni wnaethpwyd cytundeb grant ffurfiol i wneud hynny ychwaith.

If the project goes ahead, not only does the capital element need to be strictly controlled and managed to ensure that it comes in to time and within budget, but there must be confidence in the centre’s future operational position. The business case for the cultural village proposal is finely balanced. My advisers have not yet reported on that aspect but it is clear that there will be a real and possibly significant risk that the centre will not be able to break even. That is troubling. If this scheme is to command a substantial amount of financial support, it must have a reasonable chance of being able to wash its face after it opens. We have seen too many other projects fail to deliver what they have promised and ended up with significant ongoing subsidies from the public purse.

Os â’r prosiect yn ei flaen, bydd angen nid yn unig rheoli’r elfen gyfalaf yn llym a’i rheoli er mwyn sicrhau y daw’r arian i mewn ar amser ac o fewn y gyllideb, ond mae’n rhaid cael hyder yn sefyllfa weithredol y ganolfan yn y dyfodol. Mae’r achos busnes ar gyfer cynnig y pentref diwylliannol yn gytbwys iawn. Nid yw fy ymgynghorwyr wedi cyflwyno adroddiad eto ar yr agwedd honno ond mae’n amlwg y bydd risg wirioneddol a sylweddol o bosibl na fydd y ganolfan yn gallu ad-dalu ei chostau. Mae hynny’n peri gofid. Er mwyn i’r cynllun hwn ddenu swm sylweddol o gymorth ariannol, rhaid iddo gael cyfle rhesymol i allu golchi ei wyneb ar ôl iddo agor. Yr ydym wedi gweld gormod o brosiectau eraill yn methu â chyflawni’r hyn y maent wedi ei addo ac yn y pen draw cymorthdaliadau parhaus sylweddol o bwrs y wlad fu eu hanes.

I have a responsibility to ensure that Assembly expenditure must be regular, proper and good value for money. The Assembly cannot proceed with substantive support for this project until we are satisfied that it has been accurately costed, and is affordable in capital cost and running costs, and that we can be assured that it will be properly project-managed to come in within budget and on time.

Mae gennyf gyfrifoldeb dros sicrhau bod gwariant y Cynulliad yn rheolaidd, yn gywir ac yn werth da am arian. Ni all y Cynulliad fynd yn ei flaen gyda chymorth sylweddol ar gyfer y prosiect hwn nes y byddwn yn fodlon ei fod wedi cael ei gostio’n gywir, a’i fod yn fforddiadwy o ran costau cyfalaf a chostau cyfredol, ac y gellir ein sicrhau y caiff ei reoli’n gywir fel prosiect er mwyn dod o fewn y gyllideb a chael ei gwblhau ar amser.

This project has reached a critical point in its life. We mustconsider whether to continue to support it and, if so, on what terms. For a project of this sort, and given its potential importance, it is right to test the Assembly’s view.

Mae’r prosiect hwn wedi cyrraedd man holl bwysig yn ei fywyd. Rhaid inni ystyried a ydym am barhau i’w gefnogi ac, os felly, ar ba delerau. Ar gyfer prosiect o’r fath, ac o gofio pa mor bwysig y gallai fod, mae’n iawn profi barn y Cynulliad.

The first question is whether have enough solid and robust information to make a decision. Frankly, at this moment, we do not. If we have to make a decision now, with material uncertainty about capital and revenue costs I would have to advise you to withdraw our offer of support.

Y cwestiwn cyntaf yw a oes digon o wybodaeth gadarn i wneud penderfyniad. Ar hyn o bryd, nac oes, a bod yn onest. Os oes rhaid inni wneud penderfyniad yn awr, gydag ansicrwydd perthnasol ynglŷn â chyfalaf a chostau refeniw, byddai’n rhaid imi eich cynghori i dynnu ein cynnig o gymorth yn ôl.

Dafydd Wigley spoken in English p. 36

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36

Shame.

Trueni.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 36

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36

The risks to public funds are too great. However, if this scheme were successful it could be a major national asset for Wales, an architectural landmark and a world-class facility. If it can be delivered at an acceptable cost and if plans can be produced in which we can have confidence, then I would be delighted to commend it to you.

Mae’r risgiau i arian cyhoeddus yn rhy fawr. Fodd bynnag, pe bai’r cynllun hwn yn llwyddiannus gallai fod yn ased cenedlaethol mawr i Gymru, tirnod pensaernïol a chyfleuster o’r radd flaenaf. Pe gellir ei gyflwyno ar gost dderbyniol a phe gellir cynhyrchu cynlluniau y gallwn fod â hyder ynddynt, byddwn yn falch o’i gymeradwyo i chi.

At present we cannot have that confidence. However, further work on the design could take the plans to the Royal Institute of British Architects’ stage E, a point where there is clarity or more detailed costing based on a concrete and detailed design rather than broad concepts. If, in parallel, we have work done to thoroughly test the business plan, we could take a definitive view on the matter of whether or not to proceed based on robust capital and revenue projections.

Ar hyn o bryd, ni allwn fod â’r hyder hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, gallai gwaith pellach ar y cynllun fynd â’r cynlluniau i gam E Sefydliad Brenhinol Penseiri Prydain, lle mae eglurdeb neu fwy o gostio manwl yn seiliedig ar gynllun pendant a manwl yn hytrach na chysyniadau eang. Os ydym, yn gyfochrog â hyn, yn gwneud gwaith i brofi’r cynllun busnes yn drylwyr, gallem benderfynu a ydym am fynd yn ein blaenau yn seiliedig ar ragdybiaethau cyfalaf a refeniw.

I do not rule out the possibility that we would, at that stage, conclude that the scheme was too costly or too risky, but we would at least have given it the full consideration a project of this importance deserves. This further work will not be cheap. It will require £2 million and take six months. With that work and that expenditure, the scheme might still emerge as too costly. In such a case, we would know that the money had been well spent if it had given this project a chance, but had also saved money in the long term.

Nid wyf yn diystyru’r posibilrwydd y byddem, ar yr adeg honno, yn dod i’r cagsliad bod y cynllun yn rhy gostus neu fod gormod o risg, ond byddem o leiaf wedi rhoi’r ystyriaeth lawn y mae prosiect mor bwysig â hwn yn ei haeddu. Bydd angen £2 filiwn a byddai’r gwaith yn cymryd chwe mis. Gyda’r gwaith a’r gwariant hwnnw, efallai y bydd y cynllun yn rhy gostus o hyd. Mewn achos o’r fath, byddem yn gwybod bod yr arian wedi cael ei wario’n dda pe bai wedi rhoi cyfle i’r prosiect hwn, ond y byddai hefyd wedi arbed arian yn y tymor hir.

Proceeding along the lines I have outlined is a significant commitment and I intend to write to party leaders to ask them whether, in view of the risks involved, they are prepared to agree to this action. If there is a reasonable degree of agreement, I shall commission the necessary work. The results would be brought back to Members probably around next April. The Assembly would consider the outcome of the Wales Millennium Centre’s work and come to an overall assessment of cost certainty, remaining risk and management capacity—in essence, whether the project could move forward into the build stage on a sound footing.

Mae parhau ar hyd y llinellau yr wyf wedi eu hamlinellu yn ymrwymiad sylweddol a bwriadaf ysgrifennu at arweinyddion y pleidiau i ofyn a ydynt, yng ngoleuni’r risgiau dan sylw, yn barod i gytuno i’r gweithredu hwn. Os oes cytundeb rhesymol, comisiynaf y gwaith angenrheidiol. Câi’r canlyniadau eu cyflwyno i’r Aelodau tua mis Ebrill nesaf siŵr o fod. Byddai’r Cynulliad yn ystyried canlyniad gwaith Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru gan ddod i asesiad cyffredinol o’r sicrwydd cost, y risg sydd yn weddill a’r gallu i reoli—yn y bôn, a allai’r prosiect symud ymlaen i’r cam adeiladau ar sail gadarn.

The Arts Council of Wales is not likely to be able to contribute more funds in any event. Sir Alan Cox has made it clear that he expects the Assembly to underwrite the project. I cannot write a blank cheque for this project or any other. The Wales Millennium Centre would be a significant development that could contribute substantially to the cultural, artistic and economic life of Wales. It could also raise our profile nationally and internationally. But if it turns out to be a white elephant with a rapacious appetite for public money, it will do Wales no credit.

Nid yw Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn debygol o fod yn gallu cyfrannu rhagor o arian beth bynnag. Mae Syr Alan Cox wedi egluro ei fod yn disgwyl i’r Cynulliad warantu’r prosiect. Ni allaf ysgrifennu siec wag ar gyfer y prosiect hwn nac unrhyw un arall. Byddai Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn ddatblygiad arwyddocaol a allai gyfrannu’n sylweddol at fywyd diwylliannol, artistig ac economaidd Cymru. Gallai hefyd godi ein proffil yn genedlaethol ac yn rhyngwladol. Ond os mai eliffant gwyn fydd y prosiect yn y pen draw gyda chwant rheibus am arian cyhoeddus, ni fydd yn gwneud unrhyw les i Gymru.

Before we commit ourselves finally to the Wales Millennium Centre, we must be clear about how much we are to be asked for and whether we are confident that this is the right way to spend it. That is why I am going to consult party leaders on the merits of contributing to the Wales Millennium Centre to enable it to do further detailed work on the project before an inviolable decision is taken on its future.

Cyn inni ymrwymo ein hunain yn derfynol i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru, rhaid inni fod yn glir ynglŷn â faint y gofynnir inni amdano ac a ydym yn hyderus mai dyma’r ffordd gywir o’i wario. Dyna pam y byddaf yn ymgynghori ag arweinyddion y pleidiau ar rinweddau cyfrannu i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru i’w galluogi i wneud gwaith manwl pellach ar y prosiect cyn i benderfyniad annhoradwy gael ei gymryd ar ei dyfodol.

I am determined that we should give the Wales Millennium Centre a chance to put its house in order, combining support for a project that still has the potential to do much good and transform the cultural life of Wales with rigorous stewardship of public money.

Yr wyf yn benderfynol y dylem roi cyfle i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru roi trefn ar bethau, gan gyfuno cymorth ar gyfer prosiect sydd â’r potensial o hyd i wneud llawer o ddaioni a gweddnewid bywyd diwylliannol Cymru gan warchod arian cyhoeddus yn llym.

I apologise for the length of that statement but I hope that the Assembly will understand the complexity of the figures that I was giving.

Ymddiheuraf am hyd y datganiad hwnnw ond gobeithiaf y bydd y Cynulliad yn deall cymhlethdod y ffigurau yr oeddwn yn eu rhoi.

Owen John Thomas spoken in English p. 38

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 38

It gives a negative spin on an exciting and enterprising plan. If we are here to encourage the people of Wales to be enterprising and confident, this is the last thing that we wanted to hear today from the First Secretary. Presumably, First Secretary, you accept the fact that the independent assessors working for the Millennium Commission in London have checked out and accepted the viability of the revised plan that will produce the Wales Millennium Centre at a cost of £81.5 million? Presumably, you also accept the fact that the independent assessors of the Wales Millennium Centre have also agreed the cost at £81.5 million? Will you confirm that the independent assessors working for the National Assembly have adjusted their assessment in light of the revised plan, and are quoting costs of between £83 million and £88 million, corrected to £81.5 million and £85 million when the land costs are removed? I understand that they are still adjusting their figures downwards. Do you agree that if one were to take £83 million as a median of the National Assembly assessors’ figures, you would require additional funding of £8 million for the centre?

Mae’n rhoi gwedd negyddol ar gynllun cyffrous a blaengar. Os ydym yma i annog pobl Cymru i fod yn fentrus a hyderus, dyma’r peth olaf yr oeddem am ei glywed heddiw gan y Prif Ysgrifennydd. Yn ôl pob tebyg, Brif Ysgrifennydd, yr ydych yn derbyn y ffaith bod yr aseswyr annibynnol sydd yn gweithio i Gomisiwn y Mileniwm yn Llundain wedi gwirio a derbyn dichonoldeb y cynllun diwygiedig a fydd yn cynhyrchu Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru ar gost o £81.5 miliwn? Yn ôl pob tebyg, yr ydych hefyd yn derbyn y ffaith bod aseswyr annibynnol Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru wedi cytuno i’r gost o £81.5 miliwn hefyd? A wnewch chi gadarnhau bod yr aseswyr annibynnol sydd yn gweithio i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol wedi addasu eu hasesiad yng ngoleuni’r cynllun diwygiedig, ac yn dyfynnu costau o rhwng £83 miliwn ac £88 miliwn, wedi ei gywiro i £81.5 miliwn ac £85 miliwn pan ddileer y costau tir? Deallaf eu bod yn dal i addasu eu ffigurau at i lawr. A ydych yn cytuno, pe bai rhywun yn cymryd £83 miliwn fel canolrif ffigurau aseswyr y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, y byddai angen arian ychwanegol o £8 miliwn ar gyfer y ganolfan?

Do you further agree that if this sum were funded by the Millennium Commission and the National Assembly, it would imply a new commitment from the Assembly of under £3 million in the proportions of money that have been given by the Millennium Commission and the National Assembly to date? Do you also agree that such an investment would be worthwhile were you to activate additional investments totalling £68 million and, consequently, secure an exciting facility that, in your own words, would be a unique and valuable contribution to the cultural and artistic life of Wales? Do you also agree that the National Assembly, faced with the possibility, as you have claimed this week, of committing an extra £50 million, would require the centre to cost £116 million, way above the highest figure quoted by the National Assembly assessors when considering the old plan that has long been radically revisited and revised? Do you agree that if you were sure of your facts, you would not need to highly exaggerate the figures? Finally, the Millennium Commission is not asking for a stop, check, start approach, but would have built-in checks and reviews along the way. What is required now from the National Assembly is to add £3 million to its original commitment to draw down that £68 million to make this national centre a reality.

A ydych hefyd yn cytuno, pe bai’r swm hwn yn cael ei ariannu gan Gomisiwn y Mileniwm a’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, y byddai’n awgrymu ymrwymiad newydd gan y Cynulliad o lai na £3 miliwn yng nghyfrannau’r arian a roddwyd gan Gomisiwn y Mileniwm a’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hyd yn hyn? A ydych hefyd yn cytuno y byddai’n fuddiol gwneud buddsoddiad o’r fath pe baech yn cychwyn buddsoddiadau ychwanegol o £68 miliwn ac, o ganlyniad, yn sicrhau cyfleuster cyffrous a fyddai, yn eich geiriau chi, yn gyfraniad unigryw a gwerthfawr i fywyd diwylliannol ac artistig Cymru? A ydych hefyd yn cytuno y byddai’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, sydd yn wynebu’r posibilrwydd, fel yr ydych wedi honni’r wythnos hon, o ymrwymo £50 miliwn ychwanegol, yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i’r ganolfan gostio £116 miliwn, llawer mwy na’r ffigur uchaf a ddyfynnwyd gan aseswyr y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol wrth ystyried yr hen gynllun a ailystyriwyd ac a ddiwygiwyd yn radical? A ydych yn cytuno na fyddai angen i chi orliwio’r ffigurau pe baech yn sicr o’ch ffeithiau? Yn olaf, nid yw Comisiwn y Mileniwm yn gofyn am ymagwedd aros, gwirio a dechrau, ond y byddai gwiriadau ac adolygiadau yn cael eu cynnwys ar hyd y ffordd. Yr hyn y mae angen i’r Cynulliad ei wneud yn awr yw ychwanegu £3 miliwn i’w ymrwymiad gwreiddiol i leihau’r £68 miliwn hwnnw i wneud y ganolfan genedlaethol hon yn realiti.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 39

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

The difference between us, Owen John, is that you believe that I put a spin on that report, and I believe that I gave a balanced report stating how desirable this centre is. However, there are financial problems involved in not being sure of the costs, and I have sought to test, in conjunction with the other party leaders, whether the best way forward is not to spend the £2 million in additional fees on design work, so that we have reached the stage in five or six months’ time where we can say with, roughly, an 80 per cent degree of certainty, what this will cost. At the moment, we do not have that degree of certainty.

Y gwahaniaeth rhyngom, Owen John, yw eich bod chi yn credu fy mod wedi rhoi un wedd ar yr adroddiad hwnnw, ac yr wyf fi yn credu fy mod wedi rhoi adroddiad cytbwys yn nodi pa mor ddymunol yw’r ganolfan hon. Fodd bynnag, mae problemau ariannol ynghlwm wrth beidio â bod yn siŵr o’r costau, ac yr wyf wedi ceisio profi, ar y cyd ag arweinyddion y pleidiau eraill, ai’r ffordd orau ymlaen yw peidio â gwario’r £2 filiwn mewn ffïoedd ychwanegol ar waith cynllunio, fel ein bod wedi cyrraedd y cam mewn pum neu chwe mis lle y gallwn ddweud, yn fras, gyda sicrwydd o 80 y cant, faint fydd hyn yn ei gostio. Ar hyn o bryd, nid yw’r sicrwydd hwnnw gennym.

I do not recognise the figures that you have given. It is absurd to exclude land costs. It is true that we have three consultants. The consultants for the Millennium Commission take the lowest figure. I believe that, including land, their figures are £84.5 million. The middle estimate of the Citex report—working for the WMC board—which seems to be the appropriate one to quote in this context, gives a figure of £86 million, including an estimate for land. I am sorry to see Owen John Thomas shaking his head, but that is the advice that I have. However, I must not break it down too much, because you then know what the land prices are likely to be. We believe that we are talking about £86 million and that is the figure that, I believe, the WMC board accepts from the Citex consultancy company. Turner and Townsend, working on our behalf, give a figure of £91 million on the same basis.

Nid wyf yn cydnabod y ffigurau a roddasoch. Mae’n wirion eithrio costau tir. Mae’n wir bod gennym dri ymgynghorydd. Mae’r ymgynghorwyr ar gyfer Comisiwn y Mileniwm yn cymryd y ffigur isaf. Credaf fod eu ffigurau, gan gynnwys tir, yn £84.5 miliwn. Rhydd amcangyfrif canol adroddiad Citex—sydd yn gweiithio i fwrdd y ganolfan—sef yr un mwyaf priodol i’w ddyfynnu yn y cyd-destun hwn yn ôl pob tebyg, ffigur o £86 miliwn, gan gynnwys amcangyfrif ar gyfer tir. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf weld Owen John Thomas yn ysgwyd ei ben, ond dyna’r cyngor sydd gennyf. Fodd bynnag, ni ddylwn ei ddadansoddi ormod, oherwydd wedyn byddwch yn gwybod beth mae’r prisiau tir yn debygol o fod. Credwn ein bod yn siarad am £86 miliwn a dyna’r ffigur, yn fy marn i, y mae bwrdd y Ganolfan yn ei dderbyn gan gwmni ymgynghorol Citex. Rhydd Turner a Townsend, sydd yn gweithio ar ein rhan, ffigur o £91 miliwn ar yr un sail.

I do not recognise the optimistic picture that every time Turner and Townsend look at it they bring their figures down. That is not happening, Owen John. We have a gap between the £75 million that has been allocated, which is itself a £5 million increase on the original £70 million, and potentially, £91 million if Turner and Townsend are right. You are giving me a wildly optimistic view based on no real willingness to accept the risk of a cost overrun from where we are now. We do not know enough about this project cost yet to be able to say within 5 per cent either way what this project will cost. We cannot afford a half-built project if cost overruns are uncovered halfway through the construction.

Nid wyf yn derbyn y darlun optimistaidd bod y ffigurau yn gostwng bob tro y mae Turner a Townsend yn edrych arnynt. Nid yw hynny’n digwydd, Owen John. Mae gennym fwlch rhwng y £75 miliwn a ddyrannwyd, sydd ynddo’i hun yn gynnydd o £5 miliwn ar y £70 miliwn gwreiddiol, ac o bosibl, £91 miliwn os yw Turner a Townsend yn iawn. Yr ydych yn rhoi darlun optimistaidd iawn yn seiliedig ar ddiffyg parodrwydd gwirioneddol i dderbyn y risg y bydd y costau’n fwy na’r ffigur sydd gennym ar hyn o bryd. Ni wyddom ddigon am gost y prosiect eto i allu dweud o fewn 5 y cant y naill ffordd neu’r llall faint fydd cost y prosiect hwn. Ni allwn fforddio prosiect wedi hanner ei adeiladu os datgelir costau’n rhedeg drosodd hanner ffordd drwy’r gwaith adeiladu.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 40

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

On behalf of the Conservative group, I welcome this statement and its content. It is a sensible approach to a difficult problem. We welcome its timing after a difficult and turbulent couple of months for the Wales Millennium Centre. As one of the Members who represent the capital city, I am eager for this project to be completed because not only will it make a valuable contribution to the capital city, but to Wales. It will be a showcase for our performing arts. We have an excellent array of performing arts in Wales that deserve such a centre. It will make a huge contribution to promoting our international image as a nation.

Ar ran y grŵp Ceidwadol, croesawaf y datganiad hwn a’i gynnwys. Mae’n ymagwedd synhwyrol tuag at broblem anodd. Croesawn ei amseriad ar ôl rhai misoedd anodd a chythryblus i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Fel un o’r Aelodau sydd yn cynrychioli’r brifddinas, yr wyf yn awyddus i’r prosiect hwn gael ei gwblhau oherwydd gwna nid yn unig gyfraniad gwerthfawr i’r brifddinas, ond i Gymru. Bydd yn ganolfan ar gyfer y celfyddydau perfformio. Mae gennym gasgliad rhagorol o gelfyddydau perfformio yng Nghymru sydd yn haeddu canolfan o’r fath. Gwna gyfraniad mawr i hyrwyddo ein delwedd ryngwladol fel cenedl.

I do not share the views in today’s The Western Mail that seemed to think that this project could go ahead at any cost. Projects go ahead at fixed costs. As a public body, we cannot sanction the building of such a project at any cost. We in this Chamber are the guardians of the public purse and if we were to sanction this building at any cost we would be doing the people of Wales a disservice.

Nid wyf yn rhannu’r safbwyntiau yn The Western Mail heddiw sydd yn credu, yn ôl pob tebyg, y gallai’r prosiect hwn fynd yn ei flaen ar unrhyw gost. Â prosiectau yn eu blaenau ar gostau sefydlog. Fel corff cyhoeddus, ni allwn gymeradwyo adeiladu prosiect o’r fath ar unrhyw gost. Ni yn y Siambr hon yw gwarcheidwaid pwrs y wlad a phe bawn yn cymeradwyo’r adeiladu hwn ar unrhyw gost byddem yn gwneud anghymwynas â phobl Cymru.

We share the concerns that you have outlined regarding funding. We cannot write blank cheques. We agree with your sentiments. Doing so would add to the lack of confidence in this project that, unfortunately, exists across Wales. We must learn the lessons of the Millennium Dome that has been constructed in London that such projects can spiral out of control. It is our responsibility, as elected representatives, to take a sensible view on this.

Rhannwn y pryderon a danlinellwyd gennych o ran ariannu. Ni allwn ysgrifennu sieciau gwag. Cytunwn â’ch teimladau. Byddai gwneud hynny yn ychwanegu at y diffyg hyder yn y prosiect hwn sydd yn bodoli, yn anffodus, ledled Cymru. Mae’n rhaid inni ddysgu gwersi Dôm y Mileniwm a adeiladwyd yn Llundain, sef y gall prosiectau o’r fath fynd y tu hwnt i reolaeth. Ein cyfrifoldeb ni, fel cynrychiolwyr etholedig, yw ystyried hyn yn synhwyrol.

This statement is a sensible approach. I would like to ask two questions on the statement. First, from which budget will the £2 million come? Will it be from within the existing budget lines or is it additional money to what is already being spent in this financial year? Do you agree that, when this six-month period is over, we could establish a fixed cost for the project? It would not be acceptable for the Wales Millennium Centre to reappear at our door halfway through the building of the project asking for further public financial assistance. After that six-month period, we would want to see a fixed cost before we could proceed.

Mae’r datganiad hwn yn ymagwedd synhwyrol. Hoffwn ofyn dau gwestiwn am y datganiad. Yn gyntaf, o ba gyllideb y daw’r £2 filiwn? A ddaw o’r tu mewn i’r llinellau cyllideb presennol neu a yw’n arian ychwanegol at yr hyn sydd eisoes yn cael ei wario yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon? A ydych yn cytuno, pan ddaw’r cyfnod chwe mis hwn i ben, y gallem sefydlu cost sefydlog ar gyfer y prosiect? Ni fyddai’n dderbyniol i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru ailymddangos wrth ein drws hanner ffordd drwy adeiladu’r prosiect, yn gofyn am ragor o gymorth ariannol cyhoeddus. Ar ôl y cyfnod hwnnw o chwe mis, byddem am weld cost sefydlog cyn y gallem fynd yn ein blaenau.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 41

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

I commend you on what you said and how you said it because the only way we can proceed on this is by the four parties coming together, either the party leaders or their arts and culture spokespersons, and agreeing on the best way forward. That is the answer to the first of Jonathan’s questions as regards the budget line. I hope that it will not cost the Assembly £2 million. I hope that we can share that cost with the Millennium Commission. Therefore, the cost to us would be £1 million. We have yet to agree that with the Millennium Commission because we have yet to agree that this is the right way forward. I like to think that it would only cost £1 million to the Assembly. That would be a matter for the Finance Secretary. However, the reason why I am giving this statement this morning is because of the Finance Secretary’s previous involvement in this issue. There is a conflict of interest technicality here. Out of the budget procedure, what I hope would be an additional £1 million would be found, but I cannot say from which budget line.

Fe’ch canmolaf am yr hyn a ddywedasoch a’r modd y’i dywedwyd gennych oherwydd yr unig ffordd y gallwn fynd yn ein blaenau yw drwy ddod â’r pedair plaid ynghyd, naill ai arweinyddion y pleidiau neu eu llefarwyr ar y celfyddydau a diwylliant, a chytuno ar y ffordd orau ymlaen. Dyna’r ateb i gwestiwn cyntaf Jonathan o ran y llinell gyllideb. Gobeithiaf na fydd yn costio £2 filiwn i’r Cynulliad. Gobeithiaf y gallwn rannu’r gost honno gyda Chomisiwn y Mileniwm. Felly, y gost i ni fyddai £1 miliwn. Nid ydym eto wedi cytuno ar hynny gyda Chomisiwn y Mileniwm oherwydd nad ydym wedi cytuno eto mai dyma’r ffordd orau ymlaen. Hoffwn feddwl mai dim ond £1 filiwn y byddai’n ei gostio i’r Cynulliad. Byddai hynny’n fater i’r Ysgrifennydd Cyllid. Fodd bynnag, y rheswm pam yr wyf yn rhoi’r datganiad hwn y bore yma yw oherwydd ymwneud yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid â’r mater hwn yn flaenorol. Mae pwynt technegol o fuddiannau’n gwrthdaro yma. O weithdrefn y gyllideb, byddem yn dod o hyd i’r hyn a fyddai yn £1 filiwn ychwanegol gobeithio, ond ni allaf ddweud o ba linell gyllideb.

The issue of fixed cost, which Jonathan raised, is important. He quoted the example of the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, which perhaps is not entirely appropriate. We must remember that we will never hit it quite as lucky as we did with the Millennium Stadium when Cardiff and Wales got a £180 million stadium for £130 million. Laing lost £50 million on that contract. That will never happen again. Lightning does not strike twice, not the nice kind of lightning that gets you a £180 million project for £130 million. We were amazingly lucky that the Millennium Stadium was built under a fixed-price contract. Subsequent to Laing’s experience with the Millennium Stadium, AMEC became the only construction company in the UK that was willing to do fixed-price contracts. The Wales Millennium Centre terminated its negotiations with AMEC, possibly prematurely, when it received AMEC’s estimate of £86 million. Even that was not a truly fixed-price contract. No other construction company in Britain offers fixed-term contracts. Let us be clear on that. AMEC is now off the job and therefore there is no other company that will do this job on a fixed-price basis. That is why we must handle that side of things carefully. At this stage, I cannot guarantee that even in six months’ time and after £2 million we will get much closer than 80 per cent cost certainty. That is why we must proceed on a four-party basis if we are to get this project up and running.

Mae mater cost sefydlog, a gododd Jonathan, yn bwysig. Dyfynnodd enghraifft Dôm y Mileniwm yn Greenwich, nad yw efallai yn hollol briodol. Mae’n rhaid inni gofio na fyddwn byth mor ffodus ag y buom gyda Stadiwm y Mileniwm pan gafodd Caerdydd a Chymru stadiwm gwerth £180 miliwn am £130 miliwn. Collodd Laing £50 miliwn ar y contract hwnnw. Ni ddigwydd hynny fyth eto. Nid yw rhywbeth felly’n digwydd ddwywaith, sef y math o beth sydd yn rhoi prosiect £180 miliwn i chi am £130 miliwn. Yr oeddem yn rhyfeddol o ffodus i Stadiwm y Mileniwm gael ei hadeiladu o dan gontract pris sefydlog. Yn dilyn profiad Laing gyda Stadiwm y Mileniwm, AMEC oedd yr unig gwmni adeiladu yn y DU a oedd yn barod i wneud contractau pris sefydlog. Daeth Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru â’i negodiadau ag AMEC i ben, o bosibl cyn pryd, pan dderbyniodd amcangyfrif AMEC o £86 miliwn. Nid oedd hwnnw hyd yn oed yn gontract pris sefydlog gwirioneddol. Nid oes unrhyw gwmni adeiladu arall ym Mhrydain yn cynnig contractau tymor sefydlog. Gadewch inni fod yn glir ynglŷn â hynny. Nid yw AMEC yn gysylltiedig â’r gwaith bellach ac felly nid oes unrhyw gwmni arall ar gael i wneud y gwaith ar sail pris sefydlog. Dyna pam y mae’n rhaid inni ymdrin â’r ochr honno o bethau yn ofalus. Ar yr adeg hon, ni allaf warantu y cawn fwy nag 80 y cant o sicrwydd cost hyd yn oed ymhen chwe mis ac ar ôl £2 filiwn. Dyna pam bod yn rhaid inni fynd yn ein blaenau ar sail pedair plaid os ydym i lwyddo i weithredu’r prosiect hwn.

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 43

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43

I declare an interest as a Cardiff councillor, as Cardiff City and County Council might own the land. I do not know whether or not that is an interest.

Datganaf fuddiant fel cynghorydd yng Nghaerdydd, oherwydd efallai bod Cyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd yn berchen ar y tir. Ni wn a yw hynny’n fuddiant ai peidio.

Jonathan referred to the Dome. You have used that analogy before and you have referred to it again. There are two major differences between this project and the Dome. First, the Dome is temporary and, secondly, there is nothing much worth seeing in it. The Millennium Centre will last for decades and it will be a vibrant expression of all the strands of Welsh culture from all parts of Wales. Do you agree that a more accurate comparison would be the Millennium Stadium? That was a project with a cost problem that received much criticism, not least from The Western Mail, but now it is seen as a project of great importance and pride for Wales. Do you agree that we must keep our eyes fixed on the goal and work out how we will achieve it in a financially acceptable way?

Cyfeiriodd Jonathan at y Dôm. Yr ydych wedi defnyddio’r gyfatebiaeth honno o’r blaen ac yr ydych wedi cyfeirio ati eto. Mae dau wahaniaeth mawr rhwng y prosiect hwn a’r Dôm. Yn gyntaf, rhywbeth dros dro yw’r Dôm ac, yn ail, nid oes llawer sydd yn werth ei weld ynddo. Bydd Canolfan y Mileniwm yn para am ddegawdau ac yn fynegiant bywiog o holl feysydd diwylliant Cymru o bob rhan o Gymru. A ydych yn cytuno y byddai Stadiwm y Mileniwm yn gymhariaeth agosach? Yr oedd hwnnw’n brosiect gyda phroblem cost a gafodd gryn feirniadaeth, yn bennaf gan The Western Mail, ond bellach fe’i ystyrir yn brosiect o bwysigrwydd a balchder mawr i Gymru. A gytunwch fod yn rhaid inni ganolbwyntio ar y nod a gweithio allan sut i’w chyflawni mewn ffordd sydd yn dderbyniol yn ariannol?

I welcome your statement today and I fully appreciate the need to resolve the cost difficulties. You referred to spin on the statement. In replying to my question, will you take the opportunity to provide a firm commitment to the concept of the project and to your understanding of its importance as an expression of Welsh culture? We have lost an opera house. We will look stupid if we lose a millennium centre as well.

Croesawaf eich datganiad heddiw a gwerthfawrogaf yn llawn yr angen i ddatrys yr anawsterau o ran cost. Cyfeiriasoch at wedd wahanol ar y datganiad. Wrth ateb fy nghwestiwn, a wnewch chi fanteisio ar y cyfle i roi ymrwymiad cadarn i gysyniad y prosiect ac i’ch dealltwriaeth o’i bwysigrwydd fel mynegiant o ddiwylliant Cymru? Yr ydym wedi colli tŷ opera. Byddwn yn edrych yn wirion os collwn ganolfan y mileniwm hefyd.

I have a question about the timescale for your review. Having read the Turner and Townsend report, I understand that it will be a complex review. I also understand from your statement that millennium funding will not be available after the end of the millennium year. However, your review will run beyond the end of that year. We will therefore, I assume, forfeit the opportunity to take up or to ask for additional millennium funding.

Mae gennyf gwestiwn ynglŷn â’r raddfa amser ar gyfer eich adolygiad. Ar ôl darllen adroddiad Turner a Townsend, deallaf y bydd yn adolygiad cymhleth. Deallaf hefyd o’ch datganiad na fydd arian y mileniwm ar gael tan ddiwedd blwyddyn y mileniwm. Fodd bynnag, bydd eich adolygiad yn rhedeg y tu hwnt i ddiwedd y flwyddyn honno. Felly, byddwn yn colli’r cyfle i dderbyn neu ofyn am arian mileniwm ychwanegol.

One assumes that there are additional sources of funding that could be applied for. You cannot write blank cheques. As I said before, The Western Mail would be the first to criticise a cost overrun. I welcome a cross-party initiative and I would welcome your renewed commitment to the concept and detailed answers on the implications of the timescale of the review.

Mae rhywun yn tybio bod ffynonellau ychwanegol o arian y gellid gwneud cais amdanynt. Ni allwch ysgrifennu sieciau gwag. Fel y dywedais o’r blaen, The Western Mail fyddai’r cyntaf i feirniadu costau yn rhedeg drosodd. Croesawaf fenter trawsbleidiol a byddwn yn croesawu eich ymrwymiad o’r newydd i’r cysyniad ac atebion manwl ar oblygiadau graddfa amser yr adolygiad.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 44

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44

I thought I had made my feelings plain that the Millennium Centre is desirable for Wales if we can get it up and running and if, having got it up and running, it does not become a major consumer of public funds year by year. It must have a robust plan for its operation, as well as for the achievement of the building. I take this opportunity to restate my opinion—if it got lost in the length of the previous statement—that I am keen on this project, but I cannot write blank cheques.

Credais fy mod wedi mynegi fy hun yn glir bod Canolfan y Mileniwm yn ddymunol i Gymru os gallwn ei gweithredu ac os na ddaw, ar ôl ei gweithredu, yn un o brif ddefnyddwyr arian cyhoeddus flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn. Mae’n rhaid iddo gael cynllun cadarn er mwyn ei gweithredu, yn ogystal ag er mwyn ei adeiladu. Cymeraf y cyfle hwn i ailddatgan fy marn—os collwyd hi o ganlyniad i hyd y datganiad blaenorol—fy mod yn frwdfrydig dros y prosiect hwn, ond ni allaf ysgrifennu sieciau gwag.

Let us be clear. This is not a review. I propose to spend £2 million—if we can get the Assembly’s support—not on a review, but on designing the building. This is the actual design of the building. We are talking about design fees to architects and quantity surveyors to say ‘that will cost that’ and ‘the corridor will go there, the wall will go there and it will cost so much’. I am not reviewing the project to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. We are talking about designing the building up to the RIBA’s stage D; the point at which you can normally say, within about 80 per cent cost certainty, whether or not to go ahead with the project.

Gadewch inni fod yn glir. Nid adolygiad yw hwn. Cynigiaf wario £2 filiwn—os gallwn gael cefnogaeth y Cynulliad—nid ar adolygiad, ond ar ddylunio’r adeilad. Hwn yw dyluniad gwirioneddol yr adeilad. Yr ydym yn siarad am ffïoedd dylunio i benseiri a maintfesurwyr i ddweud ‘bydd hyn yn costio hyn a hyn’ a ‘bydd y coridor yn mynd yn y fan honno, y wal yn mynd yn y fan honno a bydd yn costio gymaint â hyn’. Nid wyf yn adolygu’r prosiect er mwyn dweud ‘ie’ neu ‘na’. Yr ydym yn siarad am ddylunio’r adeilad hyd at gam D Sefydliad Brenhinol Penseiri Prydain; y pwynt lle y gallwch fel arfer ddweud, o fewn sicrwydd cost o tua 80 y cant, a ddylid mynd ymlaen â’r prosiect ai peidio.

However, Jenny mentioned the Millennium Dome in Greenwich. The Millennium Centre is, without question, a much better project than that. Not because it is in Wales and the Greenwich dome is in England—it has nothing to do with that—but for precisely the reason that Jenny mentioned. It will be permanent and it will be a major landmark building with many exciting activities taking place inside. The problem has been that it is not an Assembly project. It had to be done by an external non-profit making trust type body, and that body has never been properly resourced to carry out a project of this kind. Had it been an Assembly project, it could not have had Millennium Commission funding. The Millennium Commission cannot fund Government projects. It can only fund projects from the voluntary or non-profit sector such as this. It must be done on the basis of a trust of willing individuals who come together. However, they have not presented a project to us that enables us to say that we are ready to release the public money at this stage. In six months’ time, I hope that that will be true following further design work on the building.

Fodd bynnag, soniodd Jenny am Ddôm y Mileniwm yn Greenwich. Mae Canolfan y Mileniwm, yn ddiau, yn brosiect llawer gwell na hwnnw. Nid am ei fod yng Nghymru a bod dôm Greenwich yn Lloegr—nid oes a wnelo ddim â hynny—ond am yr union reswm y soniodd Jenny amdano. Bydd yn barhaol ac yn adeilad tirnod o bwys gyda llawer o weithgareddau cyffrous yn digwydd ynddo. Nid prosiect y Cynulliad ydoedd a dyna oedd y broblem. Yr oedd yn rhaid iddo gael ei wneud gan gorff allanol ar ffurf ymddiriedolaeth nad yw’n gwneud elw, ac ni ddarparwyd adnoddau’n briodol i’r corff hwnnw erioed er mwyn cynnal prosiect o’r math hwn. Pe bai wedi bod yn un o brosiectau’r Cynulliad, ni fyddai wedi gallu cael arian Comisiwn y Mileniwm. Ni all Comisiwn y Mileniwm ariannu prosiectau’r Llywodraeth. Dim ond prosiectau o’r sector gwirfoddol neu’r sector nad yw’n gwneud elw y gall eu hariannu, fel y prosiect hwn. Mae’n rhaid iddo gael ei wneud ar sail ymddiriedaeth unigolion parod sydd wedi dod ynghyd. Fodd bynnag, nid ydynt wedi cyflwyno prosiect inni sydd yn ein galluogi i ddweud ein bod yn barod i ryddhau arian cyhoeddus ar yr adeg hon. Ymhen chwe mis, gobeithiaf y bydd hynny’n wir yn dilyn gwaith dylunio pellach ar yr adeilad.

Tom Middlehurst spoken in English p. 45

Tom Middlehurst siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

I offer my full support to the First Secretary this morning. Let us be clear: everybody in this Chamber wants this project to proceed. It can only proceed with a high degree of cost certainty. Rhodri’s statement this morning is not negative. It is, and must be, a hard-headed statement. We are talking about the use of public funds. We cannot underwrite a project of this nature given its current state. I am astonished that The Western Mail can say—I did not write Jonathan’s script for him and he has not written mine—that we must proceed whatever the cost. No one in this Chamber, or any person in Wales, would support that premise. It is nonsense. I know that I will invite The Western Mail exocet in saying this and there will be a great deal of personal attacks on me, but that does not faze me. It is another example of shabby, under-researched journalism. Their leader article today is a disgrace. The editor should take a long look at the paper’s content. To suggest that £75 million is plucked out of someone’s imagination is nonsense. The First Secretary has demonstrated that this morning. We know how we arrived at the figure of £75 million. That was the figure that secured the Assembly’s and the other public-funding bodies’ support. It was on the basis of the WMC’s own project costs. The experts agree that, to reach 80 per cent cost certainty—that is what we want to do, which in itself must send shivers down people’s spines—we need to spend another £2 million to reach that cost certainty. That is a responsible commitment. However, some people might say that 80 per cent cost certainty at stage D is not enough. That is reality and I live with it.

Cynigiaf fy nghefnogaeth lawn i’r Prif Ysgrifennydd y bore yma. Gadewch inni fod yn glir: mae pawb yn y Siambr hon am i’r prosiect lwyddo. Dim ond gyda chryn sicrwydd o ran cost y gall fynd yn ei flaen. Nid yw datganiad Rhodri y bore yma yn negyddol. Mae’n ddatganiad di-lol ac mae’n rhaid iddo fod felly. Yr ydym yn siarad am ddefnyddio arian cyhoeddus. Ni allwn warantu prosiect o’r natur hon o gofio ei sefyllfa gyfredol. Yr wyf yn synnu y gall The Western Mail ddweud—nid ysgrifennais sgript Jonathan ar ei ran ac nid yw ef wedi ysgrifennu fy sgript innau—bod yn rhaid inni fynd yn ein blaenau beth bynnag fo’r gost. Ni fyddai unrhyw un yn y Siambr hon, nac unrhyw berson yng Nghymru, yn cefnogi’r gosodiad hwnnw. Nonsens ydyw. Gwn y byddaf yn cythruddo The Western Mail wrth ddweud hyn ac y bydd llawer o ymosodiadau personol arnaf, ond nid yw hynny’n mennu dim arnaf. Mae’n enghraifft arall o newyddiaduraeth wael, heb ddigon o waith ymchwil. Mae ei erthygl flaen heddiw yn warthus. Dylai’r golygydd edrych yn fanwl ar gynnwys y papur. Mae awgrymu bod £75 miliwn yn cael ei gipio o ddychymyg rhywun yn nonsens. Mae’r Prif Ysgrifennydd wedi dangos hynny y bore yma. Gwyddom sut y daethom at y ffigur o £75 miliwn. Hwnnw oedd y ffigur a sicrhaodd gefnogaeth y Cynulliad a chyrff eraill a ariennir gan y cyhoedd. Yr oedd ar sail costau prosiect y ganolfan ei hun. Cytuna’r arbenigwyr fod yn rhaid inni, er mwyn cyrraedd sicrwydd cost o 80 y cant—dyna’r hyn yr ydym am ei wneud, sydd ynddo’i hun yn sicr o anfon ias i lawr cefnau pobl—wario £2 filiwn arall i gyrraedd y sicrwydd cost hwnnw. Mae hwnnw’n ymrwymiad cyfrifol. Fodd bynnag, efallai y byddai rhai pobl yn dweud nad yw sicrwydd cost o 80 y cant ar gam D yn ddigon. Dyna yw realiti ac yr wyf yn byw gyda’r realiti hwnnw.

This is, without doubt, a unique and worthy project. However, it is not the only worthy project in Wales. There are ambitious plans to redevelop Clwyd Theatr Cymru in my colleague’s constituency in Delyn. It is worthy of full and effective consideration. Let us be clear: there are no unlimited funds for worthy projects, but we must make a considered judgement about an appropriate level of expenditure to which this Assembly can commit. I fully support the First Secretary. I hope that this Assembly will recognise the good sense that he has offered the Chamber this morning.

Heb amheuaeth, mae hwn yn brosiect unigryw a chlodwiw. Fodd bynnag, nid hwn yw’r unig brosiect teilwng yng Nghymru. Mae cynlluniau uchelgeisiol i ailddatblygu Theatr Clwyd Cymru yn etholaeth fy nghyd-Aelod yn Nelyn. Mae’n haeddu ystyriaeth lawn ac effeithiol. Gadewch inni fod yn glir: nid oes arian di-ben-draw ar gyfer prosiectau teilwng, ond mae’n rhaid inni wneud penderfyniad ystyriol ynglŷn â lefel briodol o wariant y gall y Cynulliad hwn ymrwymo iddo. Cefnogaf y Prif Ysgrifennydd yn llawn. Gobeithiaf y bydd y Cynulliad hwn yn cydnabod y synnwyr da y mae wedi ei gynnig i’r Siambr y bore yma.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 46

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46

You are correct that we do not only want the project to proceed, we also want it to succeed as a business plan. The business plan following the construction phase must be robust as well as the costing of the building of the project. Your comments about The Western Mail are also well taken. I was surprised at the tone. However, it is newspaper leader writers’ privilege to commend going ahead at whatever cost or to attack if one does go ahead whatever the cost. That is the relationship between politicians and the media and we must live with it. It is not unreasonable to try to get a level of certainty regarding a project where one knows what one is buying. One then has some control to prevent the Wales Millennium Centre becoming a cuckoo in the nest where there is no room for funding for any other cultural body in Wales because the centre is taking up so much of the money. We do not want that to happen. We do not want a half-finished shell because cost overruns are discovered too late. However, we want the project. Can we get it and commit ourselves to it, and at what stage does one say that today is go or no go? We are not at that stage yet. We hope we will be in six months’ time.

Yr ydych yn gywir pan ddywedwch nid yn unig yr ydym am i’r prosiect lwyddo, yr ydym am iddo lwyddo hefyd fel cynllun busnes. Mae’n rhaid i’r cynllun busnes yn dilyn y cyfnod adeiladu fod yn gadarn yn ogystal â chostau adeiladu’r prosiect. Croesewir eich sylwadau am The Western Mail hefyd. Yr oedd y tôn yn fy synnu. Fodd bynnag, braint ysgrifenwyr golygyddol papurau newydd yw cymeradwyo mynd ymlaen beth bynnag fo’r gost neu ymosod os bydd rhywun yn mynd ei flaen beth bynnag fo’r gost. Dyna’r berthynas sydd rhwng gwleidyddion a’r cyfryngau ac mae’n rhaid inni fyw gyda hynny. Nid yw’n afresymol ceisio cael lefel o sicrwydd ynglŷn â phrosiect pan fydd rhywun yn gwybod beth mae’n ei brynu. Yna mae gan rywun rhywfaint o reolaeth dros atal Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru rhag mynd yn gyw cog yn y nyth lle nad oes lle i ariannu unrhyw gorff diwylliannol arall yng Nghymru am fod y ganolfan yn mynd â gymaint o’r arian. Nid ydym am i hynny ddigwydd. Nid ydym am gael cragen hanner parod am fod y costau sydd wedi rhedeg drosodd wedi cael eu darganfod yn rhy hwyr. Fodd bynnag, yr ydym am gael y prosiect. A allwn ei gael ac ymrwymo ein hunain iddo, a phryd mae rhywun yn dweud mai heddiw yw’r adeg i ddweud ie neu na? Nid ydym wedi cyrraedd y fan honno eto. Gobeithiwn y byddwn ymhen chwe mis.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 47

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 47

Before I call Dafydd Wigley, I point out that we have another statement to follow. A debate was deferred and it must take place, although under a time limit, when my colleague, the Deputy Presiding Officer will be chairing. We also have the short debate. I encourage Members to ask questions. I allowed our former Secretary for Post-16 Education and Training a little latitude for good reason, but it does not extend to other Members.

Cyn imi alw ar Dafydd Wigley, nodaf fod gennym ddatganiad arall i ddilyn. Gohiriwyd dadl ac mae’n rhaid ei chynnal, er o fewn terfyn amser, pan fydd fy nghyd-Aelod, y Dirprwy Lywydd yn y Gadair. Mae gennym y ddadl fer hefyd. Anogaf Aelodau i ofyn cwestiynau. Caniateais rywfaint o ryddid i’n cyn Ysgrifennydd Addysg a Hyfforddiant Ôl-16 am reswm da, ond nid yw’n ymestyn i Aelodau eraill.

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 47

Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh p. 47

Diolch am y rhybudd hwnnw, Lywydd.

Thank you for that warning, Presiding Officer.

Mae’r datganiad heddiw yn siom o’r mwyaf i mi. Gwelaf y datganiad yn negyddol, ac o wrando ar sylwadau Tom Middlehurst, ynghyd â sylwadau’r Prif Ysgrifennydd, ni allaf ond rhagweld bod y datganiad heddiw yn gam cyntaf at roi’r gorau i’r holl brosiect.

Today’s statement is a great disappointment to me. I view this as a negative statement, and from listening to Tom Middlehurst’s comments, together with those of the First Secretary, I can only anticipate that today’s statement is the first step towards giving up on this whole project.

Os credwn yn y celfyddydau, rhaid inni gredu yn yr adnoddau ar gyfer y celfyddydau. Mae’r celfyddydau wedi cael rhy ychydig o lawer o adnoddau dros flynyddoedd lawer ac mae’n amser i ni wneud iawn am hynny.

If we believe in the arts, we must believe in resources for the arts. The arts have had far too few resources for many years and it is time for us to make up for that.

Yr un agwedd a ddangosir yma â’r agwedd tuag at adeilad newydd y Cynulliad: diffyg hyder, diffyg penderfyniad, diffyg gweledigaeth. Gyda’r math ar gwmni opera sydd gennym, mae’n haeddu cartref iawn yng Nghaerdydd, fel y mae Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Mae’n rhaid i ni gael hyd i ffordd i hyn ddigwydd yn lle cael hyd i esgus dros beidio â mynd ymlaen.

The same attitude is shown here as the attitude towards the new Assembly building: lack of confidence, llack of determination, lack of vision. An opera company such as ours deserves a proper home in Cardiff, as does Urdd Gobaith Cymru. We must find a way of making this happen, instead of finding an excuse for it not to go ahead.

Gofynnaf un cwestiwn penodol i’r Prif Ysgrifennydd: os bydd yn cymryd chwe mis i wneud yr adolygiad manwl o gostau, sut y bydd pwyllgor Syr Alan Cox yn cael ei gyllido dros y cyfnod hwnnw? Ynteu ai ffordd o adael i’r dŵr redeg i’r tywod yw hyn; cefnu ar y prosiect a rhoi’r bai ar rywun arall?

I ask the First Secretary one specific question: if it will take six months to undertake the detailed review of costs, how will Sir Alan Cox’s committee be funded over that period? Or is this a way of letting the water run into the sand; ditching the project and blaming someone else?

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 48

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in Welsh p. 48

Mae Dafydd yn llawer rhy emosiynol yn ei ymateb i’r hyn a ddywedais yn y datganiad. Pan fyddwch yn dweud mewn datganiad eich bod yn bwriadu gofyn am gefnogaeth y Cynulliad i wario £2 filiwn i gynllunio prosiect, nid ydych yn disgwyl i rywun ymateb drwy ddweud eich bod yn ceisio rhoi’r gorau i’r prosiect. Ceisio bwrw ymlaen â’r prosiect yw bwriad y cynnig hwn i wario £2 filiwn ychwanegol. Pe bawn yn siarad am roi’r gorau i’r prosiect, byddwn wedi siarad am gael gwared â’r prosiect. Bwriadaf geisio cael hyd i’r ffordd orau o fwrw ymlaen â’r prosiect, gyda chefnogaeth y pedair plaid yn y Cynulliad, gobeithio.

Dafydd is much too emotional in his response to what I said in the statement. When you say in a statement that you intend to ask for the Assembly’s support to spend £2 million to design a project, you do not expect someone to respond by saying that you are trying to give up on the project. This proposal is intended to take the project forward by spending an additional £2 million. If I were talking about giving up on the project, I would have talked about getting rid of the project. I intend to find the best way of taking this project forward, hopefully with the support of the four parties in the Assembly.

Nid wyf yn siarad am adolygiad, ond am wneud cynlluniau manwl ar gyfer y prosiect fel ein bod yn gwybod beth yw’r gost. Dyna’r gwaith y mae penseiri a syrfewyr meintiau yn ei wneud; gwaith sydd heb ei wneud hyd yn hyn. Nid ydym wedi cyrraedd cam D Sefydliad Brenhinol Penseiri Prydain; fel arfer dyna’r cam cyn gosod contract, sef cam E. Yr ydym yn sôn am gyrraedd cam D mewn chwe mis, ar ôl gwario £2 filiwn o ffïoedd ychwanagol. Dyna pam yr wyf yn gofyn am gefnogaeth i wario’r £2 filiwn er mwyn cael gwybod beth yn union fyddai cost y prosiect. Gallem wedyn ddweud ein bod am fwrw ymlaen, neu nad ydym am fwrw ymlaen oherwydd y bydd yn costio gormod.

I am not talking about a review, but about making detailed plans for the project so that we know what it will cost. That is the work that architects and quantity surveyors do; work that has not been carried out yet. We have not reached the Royal Institute of British Architects’ stage D; that is the usual step before a contract, which is stage E. We are talking about reaching stage D in six months, after spending £2 million in additional fees. That is why I am asking for support in spending the £2 million in order to find out exactly what the cost of the project would be. We would then be able to say that we will go ahead or that we will not proceed because it will cost too much.

Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 48

Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 48

Thank you, First Secretary, for your statement, although I would have preferred the opportunity to have a debate today. It is easier to get points over in a debate rather than as questions.

Diolch yn fawr, Brif Ysgrifennydd, am eich datganiad, er y byddai wedi bod yn well gennyf gael y cyfle i gael dadl heddiw. Mae’n haws cyfleu eich pwyntiau mewn dadl yn hytrach na fel cwestiynau.

Do you agree that this not about a building, but about a centre of excellence that will nurture and showcase all that is best in the performing arts in Wales? I apologise if I am repeating some of what you have said already, but it is important to get this on the public record. Do you agree that the Wales Millennium Centre is not just an arts centre or an opera house, although it will be home for Welsh National Opera, the largest touring opera in the UK, and that no other country in the world has a homeless national opera company? As a Rhondda girl I am proud to be an opera lover. I do not see it as an elitist art form.

A gytunwch nad yw hyn yn ymwneud ag adeilad ond â chanolfan ragoriaeth a fydd yn meithrin ac yn arddangos y gorau yn y celfyddydau perfformio yng Nghymru? Ymddiheuraf os wyf yn ailadrodd peth o’r hyn a ddywedasoch eisoes, ond mae’n bwysig cofnodi hyn yn gyhoeddus. A ydych yn cytuno nad canolfan gelfyddydol neu dŷ opera yn unig yw Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, er y bydd yn gartref i Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, y cwmni opera teithiol mwyaf yn y DU, ac nid oes gan unrhyw wlad arall yn y byd gwmni opera cenedlaethol digartref? Fel merch o’r Rhondda, yr wyf yn falch o fod yn ddilynwr opera. Nid yw’n ffurf gelfyddydol elitaidd yn fy marn i.

You mentioned some of the residents in the centre. However, it is important to acknowledge publicly the likes of Diversions Dance Company. I am sure you will agree that this is a leading European company which takes its performances all over the world. Do you know that Touch Trust works with people suffering from multiple disabilities, enabling them to enrich their life experiences with music and movement? Do you also know that the Amateur Music Federation will be based at the centre, as well as the Welsh Academy, which has 450 members, who are literature lovers and writers in Wales? There will be so many opportunities here, right across the performing arts. I appreciate Tom’s comments about other good projects, but this will encompass everything in the performing world in Wales.

Soniasoch am rai o breswylwyr y ganolfan. Fodd bynnag, mae’n bwysig cydnabod Cwmni Dawns Diversions yn gyhoeddus. Yr wyf yn siŵr y cytunwch fod hwn yn gwmni Ewropeaidd blaenllaw sy’n mynd â’i berfformiadau dros y byd i gyd. A wyddoch fod Touch Trust yn gweithio gyda phobl sydd yn dioddef o anableddau lluosog, sydd yn eu galluogi i gyfoethogi eu profiadau mewn bywyd gyda cherddoriaeth a symudiadau? A wyddoch hefyd y caiff y Ffederasiwn Cerddoriaeth Amatur ei lleoli yn y ganolfan, yn ogystal â’r Academi Gymreig, sydd â 450 o aelodau, sydd yn ddilynwyr llenyddiaeth ac yn awduron yng Nghymru? Bydd cymaint o gyfleoedd yma, ar draws y celfyddydau perfformio. Gwerthfawrogaf sylwadau Tom am brosiectau da eraill, ond bydd hyn yn ymgorffori popeth yn y byd perfformio yng Nghymru.

Do you also agree that the Wales Millennium Centre is not just about Cardiff? It is important to emphasise this, although I believe that it is right that such a centre of excellence should be based in our capital city. It will provide a permanent home for all the companies that will be based there. They take their work out to all parts of Wales so that everyone can have the experience and thrill of live performance.

A ydych hefyd yn cytuno nad yw Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn ymwneud â Chaerdydd yn unig? Mae’n bwysig pwysleisio hyn, er y credaf y dylid lleoli canolfan ragoriaeth o’r fath yn ein prifddinas. Bydd yn darparu cartref parhaol i’r holl gwmnïau a fydd wedi eu lleoli yno. Ânt â’i gwaith allan i bob rhan o Gymru fel y gall pawb gael y profiad a’r wefr o berfformiadau byw.

The cultural village is about jobs: do you welcome the 1,000 construction jobs and the 300 full-time jobs that will be available when it opens, as I am sure it will? We must not lose this last chance to build something that is unique. If we are serious about the talent in Wales, the opportunities for future generations and the jobs offered by this project, we must support it. I know that Rhodri Morgan has supported it, and I appreciate that he has to protect the public purse, but following negotiation with the Millennium Commission and the Arts Council of Wales, will he provide the necessary funding? This opportunity will not come again and we cannot go through this fiasco again. We cannot afford not to do all that we can to ensure that this project continues. Would it be possible to access Objective 2 money to help fund this project or is it too late?

Mae’r pentref diwylliannol yn ymwneud â swyddi: a ydych yn croesawu’r 1,000 o swyddi adeiladu a’r 300 o swyddi llawn amser a fydd ar gael pan fydd yn agor, fel yr wyf yn siŵr y gwnaiff? Mae’n rhaid inni beidio â cholli’r cyfle olaf hwn i adeiladu rhywbeth sydd yn unigryw. Os ydym o ddifrif ynghylch y talent yng Nghymru, y cyfleoedd ar gyfer cenedlaethau i ddod a’r swyddi a gynigir gan y prosiect hwn, mae’n rhaid inni ei gefnogi. Gwn fod Rhodri Morgan wedi ei gefnogi, a gwerthfawrogaf ei fod yn gorfod diogelu pwrs y wlad, ond yn dilyn negodi gyda Chomisiwn y Mileniwm a Chyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, a fydd yn darparu’r arian angenrheidiol? Ni ddaw’r cyfle hwn eto ac ni allwn fynd drwy’r ffiasgo hwn eto. Ni allwn fforddio peidio â gwneud popeth y gallwn er mwyn sicrhau bod y prosiect hwn yn parhau. A fyddai’n bosibl cael gafael ar arian Amcan 2 er mwyn helpu ariannu’r prosiect hwn neu a yw’n rhy hwyr?

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 50

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

Hanging on to the European regional development fund of £4.4 million is the number one priority. Getting additional European money on top of that is highly unlikely because the flagship tourism/culture project got something of a bad name during the final years of Objectives 2 and 5b. The likelihood of persuading the European Commission that it is a good idea to repeat the experiences with Objective 2 in the new round is limited. The ERDF allocation was increased from £1.6 million to £4.4 million, as I mentioned in my statement, and going beyond that would be chasing a will-o’-the-wisp.

Dal ymlaen i’r gronfa datblygu rhanbarthol Ewropeaidd o £4.4 miliwn yw’r flaenoriaeth gyntaf. Mae’n annhebyg y cawn arian Ewropeaidd ychwanegol ar ben hynny oherwydd cafodd y prif brosiect twristiaeth/diwylliant rywfaint o enw gwael yn ystod blynyddoedd olaf Amcanion 2 a 5b. Mae’r tebygolrwydd o ddarbwyllo’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd fod ailadrodd y profiadau gydag Amcan 2 yn y cylch newydd yn syniad da yn gyfyngedig. Cynyddwyd dyraniad y gronfa datblygu rhanbarthol Ewropeaidd o £1.6 miliwn i £4.4 miliwn, fel y soniais yn fy natganiad, a byddai mynd y tu hwnt i hynny fel ceisio dal Jac y lantar.

I agree with Lorraine’s other comments. The Wales Millennium Centre is an important flagship project and a centre of excellence for the nine bodies to be situated there, some of which are administrative as well as artistic. The centre would, without doubt, provide a flagship for the cultural life of Wales. However, Tom is right to indicate that some people, like myself, are more in favour of theatre than opera and some prefer opera to theatre. However, we must recognise that opera is not the only cultural activity, because there are others like theatre which have been neglected in Wales for a long time.

Cytunaf â sylwadau eraill Lorraine. Mae Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn fanerlong o brosiect pwysig ac yn ganolfan ragoriaeth ar gyfer y naw corff a gaiff eu lleoli yno, y mae rhai ohonynt yn weinyddol yn ogystal ag artistig. Byddai’r ganolfan yn ddiau yn ganolbwynt ar gyfer bywyd diwylliannol Cymru. Fodd bynnag, mae Tom yn iawn i nodi bod rhai pobl, fel minnau, yn fwy o blaid theatr nag opera a bod yn well gan rai opera na theatr. Fodd bynnag, mae’n rhaid inni gydnabod nad opera yw’r unig weithgaredd diwylliannol, oherwydd mae rhai eraill fel y theatr a esgeuluswyd yng Nghymru ers amser maith.

Therefore, let us not only focus on the Welsh National Opera, although I accept that it is the only internationally famous cultural icon that has emerged from Wales since its early days when miners from the Rhondda and nurses would take part in the phenomenal choral performances that established the WNO’s fame in the 1940s and 1950s, when it performed Nabucco around the world. At that time, it was famous for being amateur in status, but professional in quality. I admire the WNO’s work, but other art forms also have a claim on public funds. Therefore, I solicit support from the Assembly this morning for the expenditure of further fees for design work to take us to the stage at which we will know whether we can say ‘go’ or ‘no go’ to this project.

Felly, gadewch inni ganolbwyntio nid yn unig ar Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, er y derbyniaf mai hwn yw’r unig eicon diwylliannol enwog yn rhyngwladol sydd wedi dod o Gymru ers ei dyddiau cynnar pan fyddai glowyr o’r Rhondda a nyrsys yn cymryd rhan yn y perfformiadau corawl aruthrol a sefydlodd enwogrwydd y Cwmni yn y 1940au a’r 1950au, pan berfformiodd Nabucco o amgylch y byd. Ar y pryd, yr oedd yn enwog am fod yn amatur o ran statws, ond yn broffesiynol o ran ansawdd. Edmygaf waith y Cwmni ond mae gan ffurfiau celfyddydol eraill yr hawl i arian cyhoeddus hefyd. Felly, yr wyf yn ymbil am gymorth y Cynulliad y bore yma am wariant ar ffioedd pellach ar gyfer gwaith dylunio er mwyn mynd â ni i’r cam lle y gwyddom y gallwn ddweud ie neu na i’r prosiect hwn.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 51

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

I welcome your statement. As someone who has sat on the capital funding lottery board for the arts, I am acutely aware that with projects of vision, there is often a danger of allowing the heart to rule the head. We must ensure, in the projects that we put forward, that we know that they have a solid financial base. I welcome the Assembly’s commitment across all parties to support taking this project to RIBA. However, although we must ensure that the heart does not rule the head, we have a chronic problem with the funding of the arts and how we use public money. That is a major issue when you consider that up the road from the proposed site for the Wales Millennium Centre, there is a centre for visual arts that receives public lottery money but is struggling to survive and still needs more.

Croesawaf eich datganiad. Fel rhywun sydd wedi eistedd ar fwrdd loteri arian cyfalaf ar gyfer y celfyddydau, yr wyf yn dra ymwybodol, gyda phrosiectau gweledigaeth, fod perygl o adael i’r galon reoli’r pen. Mae’n rhaid inni sicrhau, yn y prosiectau a gyflwynir gennym, ein bod yn gwybod bod ganddynt sail ariannol gadarn. Croesawaf ymrwymiad y Cynulliad ar draws pob plaid i gefnogi mynd â’r prosiect hwn i Sefydliad Brenhinol Penseiri Prydain. Fodd bynnag, er bod yn rhaid inni sicrhau nad yw’r galon yn rheoli’r pen, mae gennym broblem ddifrifol gydag ariannu’r celfyddydau a sut y defnyddiwn arian cyhoeddus. Mae hynny’n fater o bwys pan ystyriwch, i fyny’r ffordd o’r safle arfaethedig ar gyfer Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, fod canolfan ar gyfer y celfyddydau gweledol sydd yn cael arian cyhoeddus y loteri ond sydd yn brwydro i oroesi ac sydd angen mwy o arian o hyd.

Following the Assembly’s decision today, I would welcome a proper debate on using public money to fund the arts because I am concerned that some Members are prepared to make commitments to any expenditure without responsibility. If we decide to take this project forward today, will the other funders be kept on board? What role can the Assembly play in encouraging other funders over the next six months to join the project? Can you assure us that, whatever the proposed final costs, we will be able to have a proper debate in the Assembly to decide how much to give?

Yn dilyn penderfyniad y Cynulliad heddiw, byddwn yn croesawu dadl briodol ar ddefnyddio arian cyhoeddus i ariannu’r celfyddydau am fy mod yn gofidio bod rhai Aelodau yn barod i wneud ymrwymiadau i unrhyw wariant heb gyfrifoldeb. Os penderfynwn fynd yn ein blaenau gyda’r prosiect hwn heddiw, a fydd yr arianwyr eraill yn parhau i gael eu cynnwys? Pa rôl y gall y Cynulliad ei chwarae wrth annog arianwyr eraill dros y chwe mis nesaf i ymuno â’r prosiect? A allwch ein sicrhau, beth bynnag fo’r costau terfynol arfaethedig, y gallwn gael dadl briodol yn y Cynulliad i benderfynu faint i’w roi?

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 51

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

As soon as I can draw a reasonable conclusion about the Assembly’s attitude as a whole to proceeding to the next stage in the expenditure of this £2 million—although I hope that we would not be spending all the £2 million—I will be on the telephone to Chris Smith asking him, as Chair of the Millennium Commission, whether we can proceed to share a commitment to at least the next stage, with a view to proceeding with this project in six months if a cost-controlled viable business plan is produced. I would be happy to consider a wider debate on public funding for the arts, although it is a matter for Andrew Davies and the Business Committee rather than myself. In the light of some of Nick Bourne’s earlier remarks, I had better not make commitments, but I would welcome that debate.

Cyn gynted ag y gallaf ddod i gasgliad rhesymol ynglŷn ag agwedd y Cynulliad yn gyffredinol tuag at fynd ymlaen i’r cam nesaf yng ngwariant y £2 filiwn hyn—er y gobeithiaf na fyddem yn gwario’r £2 filiwn i gyd—byddaf yn ffonio Chris Smith gan ofyn iddo, fel Cadeirydd Comisiwn y Mileniwm, a allwn barhau i rannu ymrwymiad i’r cam nesaf o leiaf, gyda’r bwriad o fynd ymlaen â’r prosiect hwn ymhen chwe mis os cynhyrchir cynllun busnes dichonol cost-reoledig. Byddwn yn fodlon ystyried dadl ehangach ar arian cyhoeddus ar gyfer y celfyddydau, er ei fod yn fater i Andrew Davies a’r Pwyllgor Busnes yn hytrach na fi fy hun. Yng ngoleuni rhai o sylwadau cynharach Nick Bourne, gwell imi beidio â gwneud ymrwymiadau, ond byddwn yn croesawu’r ddadl honno.

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 52

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 52

Gwnaf ddau bwynt yn glir. Nid oes gennyf, fel arweinydd grŵp Plaid Cymru, unrhyw broblem o ran trafod â chi y ffordd ymlaen â’r prosiect hwn.

I make two clear points. I do not have, as the leader of the Plaid Cymru group, any problem in discussing with you the way ahead with this project.

Yn ail, nid ydym ychwaith yn credu bod angen unrhyw fath o siec wag. Credwn fod modd i’r prosiect hwn symud yn ei flaen yn fuan gyda symiau cymharol fach o arian cyhoeddus.

Second, we do not believe either that any kind of blank cheque is needed. We believe that this project could soon move forward with comparatively small sums of public funding.

Hoffwn ymateb i’ch tôn a’ch iaith y bore yma. Pa fath o neges y mae’n ei rhoi i’r bobl sydd yn edrych ar y ganolfan hon fel baner-long ar gyfer y celfyddydau pan ddywedwch fod potensial i’r ganolfan fod yn eliffant gwyn? Pa fath o neges y mae hyn yn ei rhoi i’r bobl sydd wedi brwydro flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn, mis ar ôl mis, i sicrhau bod y prosiect hwn yn llwyddo?

I would like to respond to your tone and your language this morning. What kind of message does it give to the people that look at this centre as the flagship for the arts when you say that there is a potential for it to be a white elephant? What kind of message does it give to the people who have fought year after year, month after month, to ensure that this project succeeds?

Eich lle chi, yn y sefyllfa wleidyddol sydd ohoni, gan gofio bod datganoli wedi datgloi adfywiad yn y byd celfyddydol a’n diwylliant, yw rhoi eich cefnogaeth lwyr i’r syniad o ganolfan genedlaethol y gallwn ni fel Cymry ymfalchïo ynddi.

Your place, in the current political situation, bearing in mind that devolution has unlocked a regeneration in the arts world and our culture, is to give your full support to the idea of a national centre in which we as Welsh people can take pride.

Gofynnaf ichi beidio â bod yn llugoer, peidio â thaflu dŵr oer, peidio â bod yn negyddol, a gadael i bobl Cymru wybod eich bod yn cefnogi’r prosiect gant y cant.

I ask you not to be lukewarm, not to throw cold water, not to be negative, and to let the people of Wales know that you are one hundred per cent behind the project.

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 52

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in Welsh p. 52

Ni wn faint o weithiau y mae’n rhaid i mi ddweud hyn. Yr wyf gant y cant y tu ôl i egwyddor y prosiect, dim ond ein bod yn gwybod o fewn 80 y cant beth fydd cost y prosiect. Ni welaf unrhyw beth afresymol ynghylch hynny. Mae’n weddus i anfon neges allan o’r Cynulliad i fyd y celfyddydau ein bod yn awyddus i weld y prosiect yn mynd yn ei flaen, dim ond ein bod yn gwybod faint y bydd yn ei gostio o fewn 80 y cant. Dyna’r sicrwydd y mae’n rhaid wrtho fel nad ydych mewn perygl o greu eliffant gwyn.

I do not know how many times I have to say this. I am one hundred per cent behind the principle of the project, as long as we know within 80 per cent how much the project will cost. I do not see anything unreasonable in that. It is appropriate to send out a message from the Assembly to the arts world that we are keen to see the project proceeding, as long as we know how much it will cost within 80 per cent. That is the certainty that you must have so that you are not at risk of creating a white elephant.

Credaf fod honno’n neges resymol a gweddus. Yr wyf yn hapus yr aiff y neges allan fod ein cefnogaeth i’r egwyddor yn gant y cant, ond mae’n rhaid i ni gael sicrwydd i raddau helaeth am y gost, neu gallai beryglu agweddau eraill ar ein byd diwylliannol. Nid dim ond cwmni opera a’r saith neu wyth o weithgareddau eraill a fydd yn cael cartref y tu mewn i’r ganolfan newydd hon yr ydym yn eu trafod, ond agweddau eraill hefyd na fyddant yn ymgartrefu yn y ganolfan, fel byd y theatr a byd y nofelau.

I believe that to be an appropriate and reasonable message. I am happy that the message will go out that we support the principle one hundred per cent, but we must have an assurance to a large extent about the cost, or it could endanger other aspects of our cultural world. We are not only discussing the opera company and the other seven or eight activities that will be accomodated in the centre, but also other aspects that will not be housed in the centre, such as the world of theatre and the world of novels.

Yr wyf yn hapus i weld yr adfywiad yn hunan-hyder celfyddydol a diwylliannol Cymru. Yr wyf yn hapus fod Trezza Azzopardi wedi cyrraedd rhestr fer Gwobr Booker am nofelau. Ni fydd y ganolfan o les iddi hi. Rhaid inni dderbyn nad yw pob agwedd o’n bywyd celfyddydol yn mynd i ddigwydd yn y ganolfan hon.

I am happy to see the regeneration of the artistic and cultural self-confidence of Wales. I am happy that Trezza Azzopardi reached the shortlist for the Booker Prize for novels. She will not benefit from the centre. We must accept that not all aspects of our artistic life will take place in this centre.

Felly mae’n hollol weddus i gyfleu’r neges ein bod yn gefnogol mewn egwyddor ac yn hapus i wario £2 filiwn mewn ffioedd ychwanegol i gynllunio hyd at gam D RIBA, fel y gwyddom beth fydd y gost, i raddau helaeth, cyn inni gytuno i ddechrau.

Therefore it is entirely appropriate to convey the message that we are supportive in principle and are happy to spend £2 million in additional fees to draw up plans up to RIBA stage D, so that we know, to a large extent, what it will cost before we agree to proceed.

Val Feld spoken in English p. 53

Val Feld siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53

As a Member for Swansea, I welcome this prudent and careful approach. This is undoubtedly an important project. Does the First Secretary accept that, in view of the widespread concern in Swansea, west and north Wales about the previous open-ended financial contributions by the people of Wales to Cardiff Bay, it is vitally important that, for the credibility of the Assembly throughout Wales, we are seen to be careful, transparent and fair in the way in which we allocate what we hold on behalf of the people of Wales? Do you agree that if we were to invite the South Wales Evening Post and the Daily Post to run leader articles on this issue, we would get a different picture from that in today’s edition of The Western Mail? Do you also agree that it is rather disappointing and strange that Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales does not share our concern to be seen to be managing our money on behalf of the people of Wales with great prudence?

Fel Aelod dros Abertawe, croesawaf yr ymagwedd ddoeth a gofalus hon. Yn ddiau, mae hwn yn brosiect pwysig. A yw’r Prif Ysgrifennydd yn derbyn, yng ngoleuni’r pryder cyffredinol yn Abertawe, gorllewin a gogledd Cymru, am gyfraniadau ariannol pen agored blaenorol pobl Cymru i Fae Caerdydd, ei bod yn holl bwysig i hygrededd y Cynulliad y cawn ein hystyried, ledled Cymru, yn Gynulliad sydd yn ofalus, eglur a theg yn y ffordd y dyrannwn yr hyn a ddaliwn ar ran pobl Cymru? A ydych yn cytuno, pe bawn yn gwahodd y South Wales Evening Post a’r Daily Post i gynnwys erthyglau blaen ar y mater hwn, byddem yn cael darlun gwahanol iawn i’r un yn rhifyn heddiw o The Western Mail? A ydych hefyd yn cytuno ei fod braidd yn siomedig ac yn rhyfedd nad yw Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales yn rhannu ein pryder o gael ein gweld yn rheoli ein harian ar ran pobl Cymru yn ofalus iawn?

Owen John Thomas spoken in English p. 53

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53

Speculate to accumulate. [Laughter.]

Oni heuir ni fedir. [Chwerthin.]

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 54

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

Order.

Trefn.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 54

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

I will respond to Val’s questions rather than to one of the comments I heard from Owen John Thomas’s row at the back.

Ymatebaf i gwestiynau Val yn hytrach nag i un o’r sylwadau a glywais gan res Owen John Thomas yn y cefn.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 54

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

Order. The comment from the back was not on the record. Therefore, it did not happen.

Trefn. Ni chofnodwyd y sylw o’r cefn. Felly, ni ddigwyddodd.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 54

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

I will take the view as I am sure Owen John Thomas would have taken when he was a school master.

Ymatebaf yn yr un modd ag y byddai Owen John Thomas wedi gwneud siŵr o fod pan oedd yn athro.

The shock in this matter was caused by the fact that the AMEC price was £10 million more than everyone had expected. It was the last of the fixed price contracts available, at a price of £86 million, not £75 million, with an additional allowance of up to £10 million for contingencies. That meant that it was panic stations for all concerned. We must all accept that, and it is why we cannot go gung-ho on this project. However, with reference to Owen John Thomas’s non words about speculation, we are willing to speculate £2 million on fees in order to have an approximate 80 per cent cost certainty of the project’s final cost.

Achoswyd y sioc yn y mater hwn gan y ffaith bod pris AMEC £10 miliwn yn fwy na’r disgwyl. Hwn oedd yr olaf o’r contractau pris sefydlog a oedd ar gael, ar bris o £86 miliwn, nid £75 miliwn, gyda lwfans ychwanegol o hyd at £10 miliwn ar gyfer treuliau annisgwyl. Golygai hynny ei fod yn banig llwyr i bawb dan sylw. Mae’n rhaid i bob un ohonom dderbyn hynny, a dyna pam na allwn fynd ymlaen â’r prosiect hwn yn frwdfrydig. Fodd bynnag, gan gyfeirio at eiriau Owen John Thomas nas ynganwyd ynglŷn â thybiaeth am fentro, yr ydym yn barod i fentro £2 filiwn ar ffioedd er mwyn cael sicrwydd cost o tua 80 y cant o gost derfynol y prosiect.

We do not need more leader writers or front-page splashes about the Wales Millennium Centre. We need discussions with the Assembly party leaders, or their arts and culture spokespersons, so that we can agree the next stage—to spend £2 million—which we hope can then be shared with the Millennium Commission. If I sense that that is the feeling from discussions today, or during the rest of this week, with the party leaders, I will phone Chris Smith to ask him if we can proceed. That is what we want, not more leader writers.

Nid oes angen rhagor o ysgrifenwyr golygyddol nac erthyglau tudalen flaen am Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Mae angen trafodaethau ag arweinyddion pleidiau’r Cynulliad, neu eu llefarwyr ar y celfyddydau a diwylliant, fel y gallwn gytuno ar y cam nesaf—i wario £2 filiwn—y gellir ei wario wedyn gobeithio gyda Chomisiwn y Mileniwm. Os synhwyraf mai dyna’r teimlad o’r trafodaethau heddiw, neu yn ystod gweddill yr wythnos, gydag arweinyddion y pleidiau, byddaf yn ffonio Chris Smith i ofyn iddo a allwn fynd yn ein blaenau. Dyna beth sydd arnom ei eisiau, nid rhagor o ysgrifenwyr erthyglau blaen.

Datganiad ar Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru

Statement on the Arts Council of Wales

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 54

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

There have been three recent major developments concerning the Arts Council of Wales. First, Members will be aware that Joanna Weston, the Chief Executive of the Council, recently felt it appropriate to tender her resignation, which was accepted. This was her own decision and she handled a difficult situation with considerable dignity. It would be entirely appropriate to record the Assembly’s appreciation of the efforts of Ms Weston, who provided loyal and valuable service to the Council in many respects during a period of significant change for the Council, a point that the Wallace report also confirmed.

Bu tri datblygiad pwysig yn ddiweddar yn ymwneud â Chyngor Celfyddydau Cymru. Yn gyntaf, bydd yr Aelodau yn ymwybodol y teimlodd Joanna Weston, Prif Weithredwraig y Cyngor, ei bod yn briodol yn ddiweddar i gynnig ei hymddiswyddiad, ac fe’i derbyniwyd. Ei phenderfyniad hi ei hun oedd hyn a llwyddodd i ddelio â sefyllfa anodd gyda chryn urddas. Byddai’n gwbl briodol cofnodi gwerthfawrogiad y Cynulliad o ymdrechion Ms Weston, a ddarparodd wasanaeth teyrngar a gwerthfawr i’r Cyngor mewn sawl cyswllt yn ystod cyfnod o newid arwyddocaol i’r Cyngor, pwynt a gadarnhawyd hefyd gan adroddiad Wallace.

Frances Medley, the Council’s planning director, has been appointed Acting Chief Executive. The Chair of the Council has been asked to put in place arrangements to fill the post, on a permanent basis, as soon as possible. It is for the Council itself to make such an appointment through open competition, although the appointment must be approved by the Assembly.

Penodwyd Frances Medley, cyfarwyddwr cynllunio’r Cyngor, yn Brif Weithredwr Dros Dro. Gofynnwyd i Gadeirydd y Cyngor sefydlu trefniadau i lenwi’r swydd, yn barhaol, cyn gynted â phosibl. Cyfrifoldeb y Cyngor ei hun fydd gwneud penodiad o’r fath drwy gystadleuaeth agored, er y bydd yn rhaid i’r Cynulliad gymeradwyo’r penodiad.

Second, Members will be aware that Tom Middlehurst commissioned Richard Wallace to undertake an independent management review of the Council. Mr Wallace presented his final report some weeks ago, which is in the public domain. Tom Middlehurst reported previously to Members that he accepted the recommendations contained in the Wallace report which, in summary, involve: restructuring the Council, with a particular focus on its regional delivery; rearranging its finance functions; improving the planning and management of its work; creating greater openness; and, revising its procedures. The Council itself has considered the report and welcomed its recommendations. Tom Middlehurst met with the Chair of the Council to consider the actions the Council needs to address. The Council is presently undertaking further, detailed analysis of the recommendations and is to prepare a detailed action plan, for the relevant Assembly Secretary’s approval, for implementing such recommendations.

Yn ail, bydd yr Aelodau yn ymwybodol bod Tom Middlehurst wedi comisiynu Richard Wallace i gynnal arolwg rheoli annibynnol o’r Cyngor. Cyflwynodd Mr Wallace ei adroddiad terfynol rai wythnosau yn ôl, sydd ar gael i’r cyhoedd. Hysbysodd Tom Middlehurst yr Aelodau cyn hynny ei fod yn derbyn yr argymhellion yn adroddiad Wallace sydd, yn gryno, yn cynnwys: ailstrwythuro’r Cyngor, gyda ffocws penodol ar ei gyflwyniad yn rhanbarthol; ad-drefnu ei swyddogaethau cyllid; gwella’r drefn o gynllunio a rheoli ei waith; creu natur fwy agored; ac, arolygu ei weithdrefnau. Mae’r Cyngor ei hun wedi ystyried yr adroddiad ac yn croesawu ei argymhellion. Cyfarfu Tom Middlehurst â Chadeirydd y Cyngor i ystyried y camau gweithredu y mae angen i’r Cyngor ymdrin â hwy. Mae’r Cyngor wrthi ar hyn o bryd yn cynnal dadansoddiad manwl pellach o’r argymhellion a bydd yn paratoi cynllun gweithredu manwl, i’r Ysgrifennydd Cynulliad perthnasol ei gymeradwyo, ar gyfer gweithredu argymhellion o’r fath.

The third development was the Pricewaterhouse Coopers report on theatre for young people. Members may be aware of the publication last Friday of the PWC review of the implementation of the theatre for young people strategy. This report, commissioned by the Arts Council, notes many major weaknesses in how this process was managed and makes a number of specific recommendations. Once again, the Council has accepted the conclusions that were drawn and has already taken steps to start to put things right. By making public this report, the Arts Council is demonstrating its appreciation of the need to be more open than has previously been the case. The Arts Council recognises its own weaknesses and the need to tackle them.

Y trydydd datblygiad oedd adroddiad Pricewaterhouse Coopers ar theatr i bobl ifanc. Efallai y bydd yr Aelodau yn ymwybodol bod PWC wedi cyhoeddi arolwg o weithrediad y strategaeth theatr i bobl ifanc ddydd Gwener diwethaf. Mae’r adroddiad hwn, a gomisiynwyd gan Gyngor y Celfyddydau, yn nodi llawer o wendidau mawr yn y ffordd y rheolwyd y broses hon ac yn gwneud nifer o argymhellion penodol. Unwaith eto, mae’r Cyngor wedi derbyn y casgliadau a luniwyd ac mae eisoes wedi cymryd camau i ddechrau unioni pethau. Drwy gyhoeddi’r adroddiad hwn, mae Cyngor y Celfyddydau yn dangos ei werthfawrogiad o’r angen i fod yn fwy agored nag y bu yn y gorffennol. Mae Cyngor y Celfyddydau yn cydnabod ei wendidau ei hun a’r angen i fynd i’r afael â hwy.

Nobody doubts the increasingly important impact of arts and culture on our society. The Assembly should ensure that the strategy that underpins such developments is appropriately supported and is delivered effectively. There have been difficulties within the arts in Wales, but I am confident that we are now taking the necessary steps to put the arts back on a firm footing as far as public advocacy and administration are concerned. I am sure that we will have a useful, albeit brief, consideration of this matter today, and I look forward to hearing Members’ views.

Nid oes unrhyw amheuaeth o effaith gynyddol bwysig y celfyddydau a diwylliant ar ein cymdeithas. Dylai’r Cynulliad sicrhau y caiff y strategaeth sydd yn sail i ddatblygiadau o’r fath ei chynnal yn briodol a’i chyflwyno’n effeithiol. Bu anawsterau o fewn y celfyddydau yng Nghymru, ond yr wyf yn hyderus ein bod bellach yn cymryd y camau angenrheidiol i roi llwyfan cadarn i’r celfyddydau o ran eiriolaeth gyhoeddus a gweinyddu. Mae’n siŵr y cawn gyfle i roi ystyriaeth ddefnyddiol, er yn fyr, i’r mater hwn heddiw, ac edrychaf ymlaen at glywed safbwyntiau’r Aelodau.

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 56

Owen John Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 56

Mae Plaid Cymru eisoes wedi croesawu’r adroddiad. Yr ydym yn falch o weld yr awgrym y dylid datganoli’r broses o wneud penderfyniadau fel y gall cymunedau wneud yr hyn y maent yn ei ddymuno yn hytrach na derbyn gorchmynion o Gaerdydd. Croesawn hefyd yr awgrym y dylai pethau fod yn fwy agored ac y dylai’r Cyngor fod yn fwy atebol i’r cwsmeriaid y mae’n eu cynrychioli. Croesawn hefyd y farn y dylid adennill a chryfhau hyder y gymuned gelfyddydol gan nad yw’n bodoli ar hyn o bryd. Croesawn y farn fod angen newidiadau radical i ryddhau potensial enfawr y cyngor hwn i gryfhau diwylliant a’r celfyddydau yng Nghymru. Edrychwn ymlaen at weld Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn gwneud cyfraniad sylweddol i ddatblygiad twristiaeth diwyllannol sydd â goblygiadau enfawr i economi Cymru.

Plaid Cymru has already welcomed the report. We are pleased to see the suggestion that the decision making process should be devolved so that communities can do what they wish rather than receive orders from Cardiff. We also welcome the suggestion that things should be more open and that the Council should be more accountable to the clients that it represents. We also welcome the opinion that the confidence of the cultural community should be regained and strengthened as it does not exist at present. We welcome the opinion that radical changes are needed to release this council’s huge potential to strengthen culture and the arts in Wales. We look forward to seeing the Welsh Arts Council making a substantial contribution to the development of cultural tourism that has huge implications for the economy of Wales.

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 56

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in Welsh p. 56

Nid wyf yn siŵr a oedd cwestiynau yn y datganiad i mi eu hateb. Credaf fod Owen John Thomas yn cyfeirio at adroddiad Wallace. Mae ef yn cytuno, ac yr wyf finnau hefyd yn cytuno, ag argymhellion yr adroddiad. Credaf ein bod i gyd yn gytûn ar hyn. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am ei gyfraniad.

I am not sure if there were questions in the statement for me to answer. I think that Owen John Thomas was referring to the Wallace report. He agrees, and I also agree with the report’s recommendations. I believe that we all agree on this. I am grateful for his contribution.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 57

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 57

The Welsh Conservative Party’s view is that the Arts Council of Wales, in its present form, has come to the end of its natural life. The Arts Council has lost the confidence of the arts community. Those of us who have been involved in the Assembly’s review of arts and culture could not fail to notice the strength of feeling in the arts community about its lack of a working relationship with the personnel and management of the council. The Arts Council as it is presently constituted, with its current structures and personnel, is not the sort of organisation that we need in this new political era. I understand the recommendations of the Wallace report, but I do not believe that merely changing the structures would be the answer. The problems go deeper than that. They relate to the people who currently run the Arts Council and its ethos and outlook. We have consulted our colleagues in Westminster who agree with our position that we need a new cultural agency in Wales. As First Secretary, will you commit yourself to a new cultural funding agency that can deliver on the Assembly’s priorities as will be outlined within the Assembly’s arts review, rebuild relationships with the arts community, many of whom view the current management with deep suspicion, and offer a less bureaucratic structure? The recommendations of the Wallace report, as confirmed by officials responding to concerns in the Post-16 Education and Training Committee will increase the administration costs of the Arts Council. That will not be accepted by the arts community, which wants to see more money spent in grants.

Barn Plaid Geidwadol Cymru yw bod Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, ar ei ffurf bresennol, wedi dod i ddiwedd ei oes naturiol. Mae Cyngor y Celfyddydau wedi colli hyder cymuned y celfyddydau. Byddai wedi bod yn anodd i’r rheini ohonom a fu’n ymwneud ag adolygiad y Cynulliad o’r celfyddydau a diwylliant fethu â sylwi ar gryfder y teimlad o fewn cymuned y celfyddydau am ei diffyg perthynas waith gyda phersonél a rheolwyr y cyngor. Nid yw Cyngor y Celfyddydau fel ag y mae ar hyn o bryd, gyda’i strwythurau a’i bersonél presennol, y math o sefydliad sydd ei angen arnom yn yr oes wleidyddol newydd hon. Deallaf argymhellion adroddiad Wallace, ond ni chredaf mai newid y strwythurau yn unig fyddai’r ateb. Mae’r problemau’n ddyfnach na hynny. Maent yn ymwneud â’r bobl sydd yn rhedeg Cyngor y Celfyddydau ar hyn o bryd a’i ethos a’i weledigaeth. Yr ydym wedi ymgynghori â’n cydweithwyr yn San Steffan sydd yn cytuno â’n safbwynt bod angen asiantaeth ddiwylliannol newydd arnom yng Nghymru. Fel Prif Ysgrifennydd, a wnewch chi ymrwymo eich hun i asiantaeth ariannu ddiwylliannol newydd a all gyflawni blaenoriaethau’r Cynulliad fel y’u hamlinellir o fewn adolygiad celfyddydau’r Cynulliad, ailadeiladu cydberthnasau gyda chymuned y celfyddydau, y mae gan lawer ohonynt amheuon cryf am y drefn reoli gyfredol, a chynnig strwythur llai biwrocrataidd? Bydd argymhellion adroddiad Wallace, fel y’u cadarnhawyd gan swyddogion yn ymateb i bryderon yn y Pwyllgor Addysg a Hyfforddiant Ôl-16 yn cynyddu costau gweinyddol Cyngor y Celfyddydau. Ni fydd hynny’n dderbyniol o fewn cymuned y celfyddydau, sydd am weld mwy o arian yn cael ei wario ar grantiau.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 57

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 57

I go along with a lot, but not all, of your questions or the commitments that you asked me to make. I am not at a stage today to say scrap the Arts Council and start all over again. I would not go that far. There is a common thread between the three developments to which I referred, namely the resignation of the chief executive, the Wallace report into greater openness, more emphasis on better management and better regional delivery mechanisms, and the Pricewaterhouse Coopers report into why people were so angry about the reawarding of the theatre for young people contract. Those three things undoubtedly manifest much unhappiness with the way that the Arts Council has been run, and a loss of faith by people in the artistic community. That is why a restructuring of the Arts Council is inevitable when you have a new chief executive and have accepted the terms of the Wallace report.

Yr wyf yn cytuno â llawer o’ch cwestiynau neu’r ymrwymiadau y gofynnoch i mi eu gwneud, ond nid pob un ohonynt. Nid wyf mewn sefyllfa heddiw i gytuno i gael gwared ar Gyngor y Celfyddydau a dechrau o’r newydd. Ni fyddwn yn mynd mor bell â hynny. Mae elfen gyffredin i’r tri datblygiad y cyfeiriais atynt, sef ymddiswyddiad y brif weithredwraig, adroddiad Wallace i natur fwy agored, mwy o bwyslais ar reolaeth well a gwell dulliau o gyflwyno’n rhanbarthol, ac adroddiad Pricewaterhouse Coopers i’r rhesymau pam yr oedd pobl mor ddig am ailddyfarnu contract y theatr i bobl ifanc. Yn ddiau mae’r tri pheth hynny yn arwydd o gryn anfodlonrwydd â’r ffordd y bu Cyngor y Celfyddydau’n cael ei redeg, a’r ffaith bod pobl yn y gymuned artistig wedi colli ffydd. Dyna pam bod ailstrwythuro Cyngor y Celfyddydau yn anochel pan fydd gennych brif weithredwr newydd a phan fyddwch wedi derbyn termau adroddiad Wallace.

I am also considering the Pricewaterhouse Coopers report and its conclusions. It is probably fair to say that every time that the Arts Council makes a decision about the allocation of funds—because the arts by their nature are subjective—those that are not chosen to deliver a service are angry. They ask why you have awarded it to that body over there, because it does things in an old-fashioned way, or in a new-fashioned, trendy way, or whatever, and the body to which you award it, which was not awarded a contract five years earlier, is happy. You cannot satisfy the losers that you have made that award on an objective basis, because the arts by their nature—whether it be the Booker prize or the Nobel prize for literature, or whatever—involve a high degree of subjectivity in decision making. How do you decide these things? It is on a hunch in the end, because there is no real, mathematical formula; it is based on whether you like something better than something else. Therefore, in that area of subjectivity that is inherent in the arts, there will always be a degree of unhappiness, which is why I do not go quite as far as you in saying scrap the Arts Council and start all over again.

Yr wyf hefyd yn ystyried adroddiad Pricewaterhouse Coopers a’i gasgliadau. Mae, fwy na thebyg, yn deg nodi bob tro y gwna Cyngor y Celfyddydau benderfyniad ynghlych dyrannu arian—gan fod y celfyddydau yn eu hanfod yn oddrychol—mae’r rheini na chânt eu dewis i gyflwyno gwasanaeth yn ddig. Gofynnant pam y dyfarnwyd arian i’r corff hwnnw yn y fan acw, gan ei fod yn gwneud pethau mewn ffordd hen ffasiwn, neu mewn ffordd newydd, ffasiynol, neu beth bynnag, ac mae’r corff y dyfarnwyd yr arian iddo, na ddyfarnwyd contract iddo bum mlynedd ynghynt, yn fodlon. Ni allwch fodloni’r rhai sydd yn colli eich bod wedi gwneud y dyfarniad hwnnw ar sail wrthrychol, gan fod y celfyddydau yn eu hanfod—boed yn wobr Booker neu’n wobr Nobel am lenyddiaeth, neu beth bynnag—yn golygu graddau uchel o wrthrychedd wrth wneud penderfyniadau. Sut mae gwneud y penderfyniadau hyn? Yn ôl eich greddf yn y pen draw, oherwydd nid oes unrhyw fformwla fathemategol, mewn gwirionedd; mae’n seiliedig ar a ydych yn hoffi un peth yn well na rhywbeth arall. Felly, yn y maes hwnnw o wrthrychedd sydd yn gynhenid yn y celfyddydau, bydd rhywfaint o anfodlonrwydd yn bodoli bob amser, a dyna pam nad af mor bell â chi a nodi y dylid cael gwared ar Gyngor y Celfyddydau a dechrau o’r newydd.

Christine Humphreys spoken in English p. 58

Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 58

I welcome the statement and the recognition of the contribution of the arts and culture to Welsh life. There is an acceptance in your report that structures need to be changed to reflect the needs of the arts in Wales, and to rebuild confidence in the arts in Wales. I particularly welcome the publication of the Pricewaterhouse Coopers report, which I believe is now in the public domain, and its criticism of the lack of consultation in the implementation of the theatre for young people strategy. The report confirms what many of us felt for a long time, that there was not proper consultation; indeed 21 of the 22 local authorities felt that they were not consulted properly.

Croesawaf y datganiad a’r gydnabyddiaeth o gyfraniad y celfyddydau a diwylliant i fywyd yng Nghymru. Mae eich adroddiad yn derbyn bod angen newid strwythurau er mwyn adlewyrchu anghenion y celfyddydau yng Nghymru, ac i ailadeiladu hyder yn y celfyddydau yng Nghymru. Croesawaf gyhoeddi adroddiad Pricewaterhouse Coopers, sydd ar gael i’r cyhoedd erbyn hyn, a’i feirniadaeth o’r diffyg ymgynghori wrth weithredu strategaeth y theatr i bobl ifanc. Cadarnha’r adroddiad yr hyn y mae nifer ohonom wedi ei deimlo ers peth amser, sef nad ymgynghorwyd yn gywir; yn wir yr oedd 21 o’r 22 o awdurdodau lleol o’r farn nad ymgynghorwyd yn briodol â hwy.

The Pricewaterhouse Coopers report points out that the consultation carried out by the Arts Council did not ask basic, fundamental questions, such as what did young people want, what the views of the specialist theatre practitioners and teachers were, and—an essential question—what resources were available. We are becoming aware of the Arts Council’s previous attitude, which was, at best, a mother knows best attitude, and, at worst, a cavalier attitude towards the people that they serve. I believe, as do many people, that it was this Assembly’s review of the arts and culture that put in train the process of questioning and bringing a halt to some of the extreme actions of the Arts Council. This has wider implications than just for the Arts Council of Wales. Can you tell me what steps you have taken to ensure that not only the Arts Council of Wales but all other Assembly sponsored public bodies that have a responsibility to this Assembly and to the people of Wales enshrine this Assembly’s commitment to openness and accountability, and undertake meaningful consultations with key players when fundamental decisions and changes have to be made?

Mae adroddiad Pricewaterhouse Coopers yn nodi na ofynnodd yr ymgynghoriad a gynhaliwyd gan Gyngor y Celfyddydau gwestiynau sylfaenol, hanfodol, fel beth yr oedd pobl ifanc ei eisiau, beth oedd safbwyntiau ymarferwyr ac athrawon theatrau arbenigol, a—chwestiwn hanfodol—pa adnoddau oedd ar gael. Yr ydym yn dod yn ymwybodol o agwedd Cyngor y Celfyddydau yn y gorffennol, a oedd, ar ei gorau, yn agwedd mam a wŷr orau, ac, ar ei gwaethaf, yn agwedd ddi-hid tuag at y bobl a wasanaethir ganddynt. Credaf, fel y gwna llawer o bobl, mai adolygiad y Cynulliad o’r celfyddydau a diwylliant a sbardunodd y broses o holi a dirwyn rhai o gamau gweithredu eithafol Cyngor y Celfyddydau i ben. Mae i hyn oblygiadau ehangach nag i Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn unig. A allwch ddweud wrthyf pa gamau yr ydych wedi’u cymryd i sicrhau bod nid yn unig Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru ond yr holl gyrff cyhoeddus eraill a noddir gan y Cynulliad sydd yn atebol i’r Cynulliad hwn ac i bobl Cymru yn ymgorffori ymrwymiad y Cynulliad hwn i fod yn agored ac yn atebol, a’u bod yn ymgynghori’n ystyrlon gyda chyfranogwyr allweddol pan fydd yn rhaid gwneud penderfyniadau a newidiadau sylfaenol?

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 59

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 59

As with Jonathan’s speech, I do not agree with some of the words that you used, such as ‘cavalier’ and ‘extreme’, but I know what you are talking about. Undoubtedly, there were strong feelings widespread in the artistic community, save for the problem that I mentioned in responding to Jonathan, that you will never make all the customers happy, because in the end you have to say that somebody is getting the contract, and somebody is not. That will give rise to screams of abuse. It does not matter if you are the archangel Gabriel making the dispositions as regards theatre for young people because you will still have people screaming blue murder that they, for some obscure reason, did not get the contract to which they felt they were entitled due to their right way of carrying out a particular cultural project.

Fel gydag araith Jonathan, ni chytunaf â rhai o’r geiriau a ddefnyddiwyd gennych, fel ‘di-hid’ ac ‘eithafol’, ond gwn beth yr ydych yn sôn amdano. Yn ddiau, yr oedd teimladau cryf yn amlwg yn y gymuned artistig, heblaw am y broblem a grybwyllais wrth ymateb i Jonathan, na allwch byth fodloni pob cwsmer, oherwydd yn y pen draw mae’n rhaid ichi ddweud bod rhywun yn cael y contract, a bod rhywun ddim yn ei gael. Bydd hynny’n arwain at honiadau o anghyfiawnder. Nid oes gwahaniaeth os mai chi yw’r archangel Gabriel yn gwneud y penderfyniadau ynghylch theatr i bobl ifanc, byddai pobl yn dal i fod wedi eu cythruddo am na chawsant hwy, am ryw reswm rhyfedd, y contract yr oedd ganddynt yr hawl i’w gael, yn eu barn hwy, oherwydd eu ffordd gywir hwy o weithredu prosiect diwylliannol penodol.

In all other senses, I agree with what Christine said. It is about openness, transparency, regional delivery and carrying with you the artistic community and the wider public interested in arts, culture and their importance to the future of Wales. They are all important issues that have gone wrong over the past few years. We now have an opportunity, with the arts review, a new Chief Executive, the Wallace report and by digesting the consequences of the report into theatre for young people, to put it right.

Ymhob ffordd arall, cytunaf â’r hyn a ddywedodd Christine. Mae’n ymwneud â bod yn agored, eglurder, cyflawni’n rhanbarthol a chynnwys y gymuned artistig a’r cyhoedd ehangach sydd â diddordeb yn y celfyddydau, diwylliant a’u pwysigrwydd i ddyfodol Cymru. Maent oll yn faterion pwysig sydd wedi mynd o chwith yn yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf. Mae gennym gyfle yn awr, gyda’r adolygiad o’r celfyddydau, Prif Weithredwr newydd, adroddiad Wallace a thrwy ystyried canlyniadau’r adroddiad ar theatr i bobl ifanc, i unioni’r cam.

Tom Middlehurst spoken in English p. 60

Tom Middlehurst siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 60

I do not intend to be a jack-in-the-box Assembly Member, but many of this morning’s issues have been of a direct interest to me.

Nid wyf yn bwriadu bod yn Aelod jac-yn-y-bocs o’r Cynulliad, ond bu llawer o’r materion y bore yma o ddiddordeb uniongyrchol i mi.

Does Rhodri agree that we need to maintain the arm’s length principle? Whether we have an arts council that goes by another name is another matter. It is easy this morning to take pot shots at the Arts Council of Wales. The Wallace report gives us that opportunity and the Pricewaterhouse Coopers report confirms the concerns expressed throughout Wales as regards the council’s work. It is important, at this stage in the Arts Council’s life, to draw a line under that, and recognise that because of its significant personnel changes, we should send the council some positive messages today to show that we want to move forward on the basis of the Wallace and Pricewaterhouse Coopers reports and, more importantly, on the basis of the arts and culture review, which the Assembly will publish shortly. Due to the significant personnel changes, the fact that the Chair has only been in office for a short time and that we are about to appoint a new chief executive, we should give the council the opportunity to put its house in order.

A yw Rhodri’n cytuno bod angen inni gynnal yr egwyddor hyd braich? Mater arall yw a ddylid sefydlu cyngor y celfyddydau o dan enw arall. Mae’n hawdd gwneud Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn gocyn hitio y bore yma. Rhydd adroddiad Wallace y cyfle hwnnw inni a chadarnha adroddiad Pricewaterhouse Coopers y pryderon a fynegwyd ledled Cymru ynghylch gwaith y cyngor. Mae’n bwysig tanlinellu hyn yn ystod y cyfnod hwn yn oes Cyngor y Celfyddydau, a chydnabod, oherwydd ei newidiadau sylweddol mewn personél, y dylem anfon rhai negeseuon cadarnhaol i’r cyngor heddiw i ddangos ein bod am symud ymlaen ar sail adroddiad Wallace ac adroddiad Pricewaterhouse Coopers ac, yn anad dim, ar sail yr adolygiad o’r celfyddydau a diwylliant, a gyhoeddir gan y Cynulliad cyn bo hir. O ganlyniad i’r newidiadau sylweddol o ran personél, y ffaith mai dim ond am gyfnod byr y bu’r Cadeirydd yn ei swydd a’n bod ar fin penodi prif weithredwr newydd, dylem roi cyfle i’r cyngor roi trefn ar bethau.

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in English p. 61

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 61

You are right, Tom. It is inevitably open season on the Arts Council of Wales this morning. I hope the council realises that this does not derive from hostility about its future potential to be able to lead, guide and resource the cultural industries of Wales so that we can be legitimately proud of them. It is probably fair to say that, post devolution, the cultural life of Wales is more important than it was before. Inevitably, we feel responsible for trying to ensure that it is as successful as possible, which applies to both subjects raised this morning. Our message is that we hope to see the Arts Council become very alive, strong and able to communicate in an open and transparent way with all the different aspects of culture in Wales and all parts of the country.

Yr ydych yn llygad eich lle, Tom. Mae’n anochel ei bod yn dymor agored ar Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru y bore yma. Gobeithio bod y cyngor yn sylweddoli nad yw hyn yn deillio o ddrwgdeimlad ynghylch ei botensial yn y dyfodol i allu arwain, tywys a darparu adnoddau ar gyfer diwydiannau diwylliannol Cymru fel y gallwn ymfalchïo’n haeddiannol ynddynt. Mae’n fwy na thebyg yn deg nodi, yn dilyn datganoli, bod bywyd diwylliannol Cymru yn bwysicach nag y bu yn y gorffennol. Yn anochel, yr ydym yn teimlo’n gyfrifol am geisio sicrhau ei fod mor llwyddiannus â phosibl, sydd yn berthnasol i’r ddau bwnc a godwyd y bore yma. Ein neges yw y gobeithiwn weld Cyngor y Celfyddydau yn troi’n sefydliad llawn bywyd, cryf â’r gallu i gyfathrebu mewn ffordd agored ac eglur â phob un o’r gwahanol agweddau ar ddiwylliant yng Nghymru a phob rhan o’r wlad.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 61

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 61

Cefnogaf sylwadau Tom Middlehurst fod angen edrych yn ofalus ar yr hyn a ddywedir am y celfyddydau a diwylliant yn adroddiad y Pwyllgor Addysg a Hyfforddiant Ôl-16. Ni allaf ragweld beth fydd cynnwys yr adroddiad hwnnw.

I support Tom Middlehurst’s comments about looking carefully at what will be said about the arts and culture in the Post-16 Education and Training Committee’s report. I cannot foresee the contents of that report.

Teimlaf yn gryf na ellir gadael y gwaith o ddiwygio Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn gyfan gwbl i’r cyngor ei hun. Bydd angen goruchwyliaeth a chymorth allanol er mwyn sicrhau bod gan y cyngor y gallu i wneud y diwygiadau pwysig sydd o’i flaen.

I feel strongly that the work of reforming the Arts Council of Wales should not be left entirely to the council itself. Supervision and external assistance will be required to ensure that the council has the ability to carry out the important reforms ahead.

Nid oes rheswm i gredu y byddai patrwm rhanbartholedig, datganoledig yn fwy costus na’r system bresennol. Gellid arbed arian pe bai rhanbarthau yn delio â mân geisiadau. Byddai hynny’n rhyddhau pa gorff canolog bynnag fydd gennym i gymryd golwg strategol ar y sefyllfa ac i fod yn gyfrifol am gyllido sefydliadau cenedlaethol.

There is no reason to believe that a regionalized, devolved pattern would cost more than the present system. Money could be saved if regions were to deal with small applications. That would release whatever our central body will be to take a strategic view of the situation and to be responsible for funding national organisations.

Wrth ranbartholi bydd angen ystyried beth sydd yn briodol ar ei gyfer. Tynnwyd ein sylw at lenyddiaeth eisoes. Fodd bynnag, ni fyddai’n briodol ranbartholi cyfrifoldeb am gefnogi awduron, oni bai mai awduron arbennig o leol sydd dan sylw. Mae llenyddiaeth yn un maes, felly, lle dylid cadw’r cyfrifoldeb yn ganolog.

Regionalization means that we must consider what is appropriate for it. Our attention has been drawn to literature already. However, it would not be appropriate to regionalize responsibility for supporting authors, unless that the authors in question were particularly local. Literature, therefore, is one field where responsibility must remain central.

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Ysgrifennydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 62

Rhodri Morgan The First Secretary spoken in Welsh p. 62

Diolch am y geiriau cefnogol hynny. Yr ydym yn edrych ymlaen yn fawr at adroddiad y Pwyllgor y bu Cynog yn ei gadeirio. Efallai y gallwn gymryd sawl cam ymlaen ar ôl clywed cynnwys yr adroddiad.

Thank you for those supportive words. We look forward keenly to the report by the Committee that Cynog chaired. Perhaps we will be able to take a number of steps forward after hearing the contents of the report.

O ran yr agwedd ranbartholedig, yr oedd Richard Wallace gynt yn brif swyddog ariannol gwasanaeth sifil yr hen Swyddfa Gymreig. Nid wyf yn siŵr a oedd yn gweithio drosom yn ystod cyfnod y Cynulliad ei hun. Yn sicr byddai wedi cymryd golwg fanwl ar yr ochr ariannol ac felly ar a fyddai cost ychwanegol, pe byddid yn torri’r gwasanaethau i’r lefel ranbartholedig.

As regards the regionalised aspect, Richard Wallace was formally the chief financial official of the former Welsh Office. I am not sure whether he worked for us during the period of the Assembly itself. Undoubtedly he would have taken a detailed view of the financial aspect and therefore on whether there would be an additional cost if services were broken down to the regionalised level.

Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn ceisio symud ymlaen ac i ffwrdd o’r ffraeo. Nid yw’n weddus ceisio hollti byd diwylliannol Cymru rhwng y pleidiau gwahanol. Nid yw’n fater gwleidyddol yn yr ystyr honno. Yr ydym i gyd o blaid gweld bywyd llawer mwy moethus a llewyrchus yn y byd diwylliannol oherwydd y byddai hynny er ein lles ni i gyd yng Nghymru, ac yn dwyn clod ar y Cynulliad hefyd.

It is important that we try to move forward and get away from the squabbling. It is not appropriate to try and split the cultural world of Wales between the different political parties. It is not a political matter in that sense. We are all in favour of seeing a much more sumptuous and flourishing life in the cultural world because it would be of benefit to us all in Wales, and also bring acclaim to the Assembly.

Datganiad ar Geiswyr Lloches

Statement on Asylum Seekers

Edwina Hart The Finance Secretary spoken in English p. 62

Edwina Hart Yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 62

This statement is to provide you, as promised, with an update on the current situation on the dispersal of asylum seekers in Wales. I know that you will welcome this statement as this is an important issue, and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on it today, as a result of the various points that were raised before our constituency weeks. It may be helpful to provide some background information on the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, which sought to do three things. First, the Act seeks to control the number of asylum seekers entering the country. Second, it aims to speed up the decision-making process. Its third aim is to support those who have no other means of support while their application for leave to remain is being considered.

Bwriad y datganiad hwn, fel yr addawyd, yw darparu’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ar y sefyllfa gyfredol ynghylch dosbarthu ceiswyr lloches yng Nghymru. Gwn y byddwch yn croesawu’r datganiad hwn gan ei fod yn bwnc pwysig, ac yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am gael y cyfle i’w drafod heddiw, o ganlyniad i’r amrywiol bwyntiau a godwyd cyn ein hwythnosau etholaeth. Efallai y bydd yn ddefnyddiol rhoi rhywfaint o wybodaeth gefndirol ichi ar Ddeddf Mewnfudo a Lloches 1999, a oedd yn ceisio gwneud tri pheth. Yn gyntaf, mae’r Ddeddf yn ceisio rheoli nifer y ceiswyr lloches a ddaw i mewn i’r wlad. Yn ail, mae’n anelu at gyflymu’r broses gwneud penderfyniadau. Ei thrydydd nod yw cynnal y rheini nad oes ganddynt unrhyw fodd arall o gynhaliaeth tra bod eu cais am ganiatâd i aros yn cael ei ystyried.

The Home Office also set up a new directorate: the National Asylum Support Service. This was given the responsibility of dispersing asylum seekers across Britain on a ‘no-choice’ basis to areas that had available accommodation, existing multi-ethnic populations and the scope to develop voluntary community support services. The dispersal arrangements began this year and they are being phased in gradually. Local authorities were to form consortia to negotiate the dispersal arrangements, including the contracts with the Home Office for the provision of accommodation supplied by local authorities. In addition, NASS will negotiate with private-sector contractors for accommodation. Dispersal will reflect the availability of accommodation and support according to the languages spoken by ethnic minorities in the cluster areas.

Sefydlodd y Swyddfa Gartref hefyd gyfarwyddiaeth newydd: y Gwasanaeth Cynnal Lloches Cenedlaethol. Rhoddwyd iddo’r cyfrifoldeb o ddosbarthu ceiswyr lloches ledled Prydain ar sail ‘dim dewis’ i ardaloedd lle yr oedd llety ar gael, lle yr oedd poblogaethau aml-ethnig eisoes yn bodoli a lle yr oedd cyfle i ddatblygu gwasanaethau cynnal cymunedol gwirfoddol. Dechreuodd y trefniadau dosbarthu eleni ac fe’u cyflwynir yn raddol. Disgwylid i awdurdodau lleol ffurfio consortia i negodi’r trefniadau dosbarthu, gan gynnwys y contractau gyda’r Swyddfa Gartref ar gyfer darparu llety a gyflenwir gan awdurdodau lleol. Yn ogystal, bydd NASS yn negodi gyda chontractwyr sector preifat ynghylch llety. Bydd y broses ddosbarthu yn adlewyrchu argaeledd llety a chymorth yn ôl yr ieithoedd a siaredir gan leiafrifoedd ethnig yn yr ardaloedd clwstwr.

Against this background, however, you will have seen the recent press speculation surrounding the arrival of asylum seekers in Wales, especially the concerns about numbers, the consortia arrangements and the additional health and education costs that the arrival of asylum seekers would have for providers in Wales. I shall address these and other concerns.

Fodd bynnag, yn erbyn y cefndir hwn, byddwch wedi gweld y tybiaethau diweddar yn y wasg ynghylch ceiswyr lloches yn cyrraedd Cymru, yn arbennig y pryderon ynghylch niferoedd, y trefniadau consortia a’r costau iechyd ac addysg ychwanegol a fyddai’n dod i ran darparwyr yng Nghymru yn sgîl dyfodiad ceiswyr lloches. Byddaf yn ymdrin â’r pryderon hyn a phryderon eraill.

According to the latest information from the Home Office, the numbers of asylum seekers to be dispersed to Wales may be considerably less than the 5,000 a year which was originally forecast. Also the date of their arrival has been postponed. Thus far, most asylum seekers have been dispersed to the English Midlands and north-east England, some to Scotland, and—as far as we are aware—just two families have come to Wales under these new arrangements: one to Wrexham and one to Cardiff.

Yn ôl yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf gan y Swyddfa Gartref, gallai nifer y ceiswyr lloches a gaiff eu dosbarthu i Gymru fod yn sylweddol llai na’r 5,000 y flwyddyn a ragwelwyd yn wreiddiol. Hefyd gohiriwyd y dyddiad y byddant yn cyrraedd. Hyd yn hyn dosbarthwyd y rhan fwyaf o’r ceiswyr lloches i Ganolbarth Lloegr a gogledd-ddwyrain Lloegr, rhai ohonynt i’r Alban, a—hyd y gwyddom—dim ond dau deulu a ddaeth i Gymru o dan y trefniadau newydd hyn: un i Wrecsam ac un i Gaerdydd.

The most significant reason for this is that a much greater number of applicants than anticipated—over one third—is seeking ‘support-only’ packages, which allow them to stay in London and south-east England, instead of the ‘support and accommodation’ package, which would require them to be dispersed to other parts of the country. The overall effect is that a much greater number of asylum seekers remain in London and south-east England than was expected. This development has led to a significant revision in the number of accommodation units required by NASS across the UK, from the 64,000 units, which were originally forecast, to a current forecast of about 46,000 units.

Y rheswm mwyaf arwyddocaol dros hyn yw bod nifer llawer mwy o ymgeiswyr nag a ragwelwyd—dros draean—yn gwneud cais am becynnau ‘cymorth yn unig’, sydd yn caniatáu iddynt aros yn Llundain a de-ddwyrain Lloegr, yn hytrach na’r pecyn ‘cymorth a llety’, a fyddai’n ei gwneud yn ofynnol iddynt gael eu gwasgaru i rannau eraill o’r wlad. Yr effaith gyffredinol yw bod nifer llawer mwy na’r disgwyl o geiswyr lloches yn aros yn Llundain a de-ddwyrain Lloegr. Mae’r datblygiad hwn wedi arwain at adolygiad arwyddocaol o nifer yr unedau llety sydd eu hangen ar NASS ledled y DU, o’r 64,000 o unedau a ragwelwyd yn wreiddiol, i’r hyn a ragwelir ar hyn o bryd, sef 46,000.

As Finance Secretary I am keen to ascertain the level of additional health and education costs. The reduction in the numbers forecast will have an effect on these costs. Unfortunately, although the Home Office can advise on the trend, the precise numbers are still uncertain. However, should additional support for local authorities and health authorities be needed this year, the Assembly would be able to provide it, although I cannot give any commitments at this stage. The present numbers of asylum seekers entering Wales suggest that costs will not be significant this year.

Fel Ysgrifennydd Cyllid yr wyf yn awyddus i bennu lefel y costau iechyd ac addysg ychwanegol. Caiff y gostyngiad yn y niferoedd a ragwelir effaith ar y costau hyn. Yn anffodus, er y gall y Swyddfa Gartref roi cyngor ar y duedd, ansicr yw’r union niferoedd o hyd. Fodd bynnag, pe byddai angen cymorth ychwanegol ar awdurdodau lleol ac awdurdodau iechyd eleni, byddai’r Cynulliad yn gallu ei ddarparu, ond ni allaf wneud unrhyw ymrwymiadau ar hyn o bryd. Mae niferoedd presennol y ceiswyr lloches sydd yn dod i Gymru yn awgrymu na fydd y costau yn sylweddol eleni.

Turning to the consortia arrangements, which have also been of concern to some Members. There are two consortia in Wales: Cardiff, and the rest of Wales, led by Newport. As a result of the reduction in the amount of units required across the UK, the Home Office has decided to stagger the introduction of consortia arrangements, which means that asylum seekers are to be dispersed, initially to the four consortia, namely East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside, and Liverpool, which have already signed contracts with the Home Office. Contract negotiations are to continue with the consortia in Manchester, Scotland—excluding Glasgow—and Cardiff with a view to bringing these on sometime in the new year. Contract discussions are also continuing with consortia in the south west, south central, East Anglia and the all-Wales consortia, but those are not expected to come on stream until some time in the next financial year.

Gan droi at y trefniadau consortia, a fu hefyd yn peri pryder i rai o’r Aelodau. Mae dau gonsortia yng Nghymru: Caerdydd, a gweddill Cymru, o dan arweiniad Casnewydd. O ganlyniad i’r gostyngiad yn nifer yr unedau sydd eu hangen ledled y DU, mae’r Swyddfa Gartref wedi penderfynu cyflwyno’r trefniadau consortia fesul cam, sydd yn golygu y caiff ceiswyr lloches eu dosbarthu i bedwar consortia i ddechrau, sef Dwyrain Canolbarth Lloegr, Gorllewin Canolbarth Lloegr, Swydd Efrog a Glannau Humber a Lerpwl, sydd eisoes wedi llofnodi contractau gyda’r Swyddfa Gartref. Bydd negodiadau contract yn parhau i fynd rhagddynt ym Manceinion, yr Alban—ac eithrio Glasgow—a Chaerdydd gyda’r nod o’u datblygu rhywbryd yn ystod y flwyddyn newydd. Mae trafodaethau contract hefyd yn mynd rhagddynt gyda chonsortia yn ne orllewin Lloegr, canol de Lloegr, Dwyrain Anglia a chonsortia Cymru gyfan, ond ni ddisgwylir iddynt gael eu gweithredu tan rywbryd yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf.

In the case of Cardiff, it should also be noted, as reported in The Western Mail recently, that following the ‘loss’ of the accommodation block of 250 beds at Adams Court, there may be difficulties in finding a replacement reception centre, which may further delay a contract being signed. However, some asylum seekers may still be dispersed to Cardiff under the new arrangements because the private sector provider that purchased the Adams Court property lease is contracted to NASS to provide accommodation for asylum seekers.

Yn achos Caerdydd, dylid nodi hefyd, fel y cofnodwyd yn The Western Mail yn ddiweddar, yn dilyn ‘colli’ bloc llety o 250 o welyau yn Adams Court, y gallai fod anawsterau wrth ddod o hyd i ganolfan dderbyn arall, a allai achosi oedi pellach wrth lofnodi contract. Fodd bynnag, efallai y bydd angen dosbarthu rhai ceiswyr lloches i Gaerdydd o hyd o dan y trefniadau newydd oherwydd bod y darparwr sector preifat a brynodd brydles eiddo Adams Court wedi’i gontractio i NASS i ddarparu llety i geiswyr lloches.

On the role of the private sector accommodation providers that Alun Cairns mentioned, I understand that there are three private sector providers contracted by NASS for Wales. During my discussions with the local authorities, they have made it clear that the current arrangements were not satisfactory. In their view, with which I concur, private contractors should not be free to place asylum seekers in any part of Wales with little or no input from local authorities and none from the Assembly. That cannot be right. The last thing that I want is for asylum seekers to be placed where they lack the necessary support.

O ran rôl y darparwyr llety sector preifat a grybwyllwyd gan Alun Cairns, deallaf fod tri darparwr sector preifat wedi’u contractio gan NASS i Gymru. Yn ystod fy nhrafodaethau gyda’r awdurdodau lleol, amlygwyd nad oedd y trefniadau cyfredol yn foddhaol. Yn eu barn hwy, ac yr wyf yn cytuno â hi, ni ddylai fod gan gontractwyr preifat y rhyddid i gartrefu ceiswyr lloches yn unrhyw ran o Gymru heb lawer o fewnbwn neu heb unrhyw fewnbwn o gwbl gan awdurdodau lleol a heb unrhyw fewnbwn o gwbl gan y Cynulliad. Ni all hynny fod yn iawn. Y peth olaf yr wyf am ei weld yw ceiswyr lloches yn cael eu cartrefu lle nad yw’r cymorth angenrheidiol ar gael iddynt.

I am also concerned about some existing asylum seekers who are claiming benefit under the old system. I refer specifically to those who are still awaiting a decision, but who will join the new arrangements if they are not given leave to remain and decide to appeal. It is estimated that there are around 200 of these cases across Wales, mainly in Newport and Cardiff. In the opinion of the local authorities, which have to deal with these cases, the support arrangements are wholly inappropriate. There have been instances of families not being able to access any form of support while they are moving from one system to the other.

Yr wyf hefyd yn pryderu am rai o’r ceiswyr lloches presennol sydd yn gwneud cais am fudd-daliadau o dan yr hen system. Cyfeiriaf yn benodol at y rheini sydd yn aros am benderfyniad o hyd, ond a fydd yn ymuno â’r trefniadau newydd os na roddir caniatâd iddynt aros ac os penderfynant apelio. Amcangyfrifir bod tua 200 o’r achosion hyn ledled Cymru, yn bennaf yng Nghasnewydd a Chaerdydd. Ym marn yr awdurdodau lleol, sydd yn gorfod ymdrin â’r achosion hyn, mae’r trefniadau cynnal yn gwbl amhriodol. Cafwyd enghreifftiau o deuluoedd yn methu â chael gafael ar unrhyw fath o gymorth tra’n symud o un system i’r llall.

My final concerns relate to the level of consultation and dialogue that NASS has had at all levels in Wales. That requires significant improvement. Assembly officials need to be better informed and advised about timings and the numbers of asylum seekers so that they and the relevant agencies can plan ahead with a greater degree of certainty. We intend to raise these matters with Home Office Ministers. As indicated at the start of my statement, the main concerns remain the numbers, the potential cost of education, the provision of healthcare, as well as how to operate support arrangements. Furthermore, we must be mindful of any pressures on local communities and the need to support asylum seekers in the areas in which they finally settle if they are granted leave to remain.

Mae fy mhryderon olaf yn ymwneud â lefel yr ymgynghori a’r deialog a gynhaliwyd gan NASS ar bob lefel yng Nghymru. Mae angen gwella’n sylweddol ar hynny. Mae angen i swyddogion y Cynulliad gael eu hysbysu a’u cynghori yn well ynghylch amseru a nifer y ceiswyr lloches er mwyn iddynt hwy a’r asiantaethau perthnasol allu cynllunio ymlaen llaw gyda mwy o sicrwydd. Yr ydym yn bwriadu codi’r materion hyn gyda Gweinidogion y Swyddfa Gartref. Fel y nodwyd ar ddechrau fy natganiad, y prif bryderon o hyd yw niferoedd, cost posibl addysg, darparu gofal iechyd, ynghyd â sut i weithredu trefniadau cynnal. At hyn, mae’n rhaid inni gofio unrhyw bwysau ar gymunedau lleol a’r angen i gynorthwyo ceiswyr lloches yn yr ardaloedd y byddant yn ymgartrefu ynddynt yn y pen draw os cânt ganiatâd i aros.

Local authorities’ accommodation costs and some administrative costs, such as English language support and translation and interpretation costs, will be met by Home Office funding, but none of the other costs will be. The Audit Commission report, ‘Another Country’ has identified that adequate funding is crucial to the overall success of the new arrangements stating that:

Cyllidir costau llety awdurdodau lleol a rhai costau gweinyddol, megis cymorth iaith Saesneg a chostau cyfieithu a dehongli, gan y Swyddfa Gartref, ond ni fydd unrhyw gostau eraill. Nododd adroddiad gan y Comisiwn Archwilio, ‘Another Country’ fod arian digonol yn hanfodol i lwyddiant cyffredinol y trefniadau newydd gan ddatgan:

‘Asylum seekers are a high-needs group and represent new demands on local budgets, particularly for mainstream education services and healthcare’.

Those who receive a positive decision to remain in the UK will need extra support to settle successfully.

Bydd angen cymorth ychwanegol ar y rheini a gaiff benderfyniad cadarnhaol i aros yn y DU er mwyn iddynt ymgartrefu’n llwyddiannus.

Wales has a long tradition of being a welcoming nation. Asylum seekers are mainly people who have suffered injustice and hardship, and we should make them welcome. However, we should not be complacent nor should we lose sight of the fact that there is still the possibility of significant implications for the provision of education and health services in particular. It is important that the Assembly and local authorities have a basis to plan on this matter and we will be pressing the Home Office on this. I will continue to report any progress to Members because I think that that would be welcomed.

Mae gan Gymru draddodiad hir o fod yn wlad groesawgar. Pobl sydd wedi dioddef anghyfiawnder a chaledi yw ceiswyr lloches gan fwyaf, a dylem roi croeso iddynt. Fodd bynnag, ni ddylem fod yn hunanfodlon na cholli golwg ar y ffaith fod posibilrwydd o hyd y bydd goblygiadau arwyddocaol o ran darparu addysg a gwasanaethau iechyd yn benodol. Mae’n bwysig fod gan y Cynulliad ac awdurdodau lleol sail i gynllunio ar y mater hwn a byddwn yn dwyn pwysau ar y Swyddfa Gartref yn hyn o beth. Byddaf yn parhau i hysbysu’r Aelodau o unrhyw gynnydd gan fy mod yn teimlo y byddai hynny’n cael ei groesawu.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 66

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66

I thank the Finance Secretary for her statement, I am sure that we would all echo her sentiments that asylum seekers will be made welcome in Wales. I was particularly pleased to hear what you said on the situation with private companies. We must get a grip on that and I am glad that you intend to do so.

Diolch i’r Ysgrifennydd Cyllid am ei datganiad, yr wyf yn siŵr y byddem oll yn adleisio ei gobeithion y caiff ceiswyr lloches eu croesawu yng Nghymru. Yr oeddwn yn arbennig o falch o glywed yr hyn a ddywedasoch ynglŷn â’r sefyllfa gyda chwmnïau preifat. Mae’n rhaid inni fynd i’r afael â hynny a da yw clywed eich bod yn bwriadu gwneud hynny.

I have a few questions that might push you further on some of the things that you have already said. First, do you anticipate any difficulties arising out of the decision of Cardiff City and County Council to stay out of the Wales national consortium? Have you or any of your Cabinet colleagues had discussions with the relevant local authorities about this matter to resolve any difficulties that may arise? I understand that negotiations are ongoing with the Home Office and that it may be difficult to answer my next question. I wonder whether you are satisfied with the Home Office’s overall approach and whether you or any of your Cabinet colleagues have had direct minister to minister talks with colleagues at Westminster—if there are difficulties at officer level— about the problems that the Welsh local government is experiencing with the asylum issue? Have you or any of your Cabinet colleagues had discussions with the Home Office about the implementation of the voucher scheme, which was part of the support package for asylum seekers? Do you share my concern about some aspects of the current scheme, particularly the fact that change cannot be given for vouchers? Is there any capacity for us to influence the Home Office in the way that they conduct that scheme? It is unlikely they will change their minds about vouchers, but it would be useful to know if they could move on the change issue.

Mae gennyf ychydig gwestiynau a allai ofyn ichi ymhelaethu ar rai o’r pethau a ddywedasoch eisoes. Yn gyntaf, a ragwelwch unrhyw anawsterau yn codi o benderfyniad Cyngor Dinas a Sir Caerdydd i beidio â bod yn rhan o gonsortiwm cenedlaethol Cymru? A ydych chi neu unrhyw un o’ch cydweithwyr yn y Cabinet wedi cynnal trafodaethau gyda’r awdurdodau lleol perthnasol ynglŷn â’r pwnc er mwyn datrys unrhyw anawsterau a allai godi? Deallaf fod negodiadau yn mynd rhagddynt gyda’r Swyddfa Gartref ac y gallai fod yn anodd cael ateb i’m cwestiwn nesaf. Tybed a ydych yn fodlon ag ymagwedd gyffredinol y Swyddfa Gartref ac a ydych chi neu unrhyw un o’ch cydweithwyr yn y Cabinet wedi cynnal sgyrsiau uniongyrchol rhwng un gweinidog ac un arall gyda’ch cydweithwyr yn San Steffan—os oes anawsterau ar lefel swyddogion—ynghylch y problemau y mae llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru yn eu cael gyda cheiswyr lloches? A ydych chi neu unrhyw un o’ch cydweithwyr yn y Cabinet wedi cynnal trafodaethau gyda’r Swyddfa Gartref ynghylch gweithredu’r cynllun talebau, a oedd yn rhan o’r pecyn cymorth i geiswyr lloches? A ydych yn rhannu fy mhryder ynghylch rhai agweddau ar y cynllun cyfredol, yn arbennig y ffaith na ellir rhoi newid am dalebau? A oes unrhyw ffordd y gallem ddylanwadu ar y Swyddfa Gartref ynghylch y ffordd y caiff y cynllun hwnnw ei weithredu? Mae’n annhebygol y byddant yn newid eu meddyliau am dalebau, ond byddai’n ddefnyddiol gwybod a allent ailystyried rhoi newid.

Finally, I was pleased to hear what you said about the possibility of additional finance, if necessary, this year from the Assembly’s budget. In the event of the Home Office not being prepared in the long term to make extra funds available to meet costs such as education, health and social services, will you consider making provision in the Assembly’s budget in future years for reimbursing local authorities and health authorities for that extra expenditure. That is essential if we are to ensure that services for local people do not suffer when asylum seekers arrive in larger numbers. I look forward to receiving your answers on those points today and I welcome your commitment to keeping us updated on this issue.

Yn olaf, da oedd clywed eich sylwadau am y posibilrwydd o gael arian ychwanegol, pe bai angen, o gyllideb y Cynulliad eleni. Pe na byddai’r Swyddfa Gartref yn barod yn yr hir dymor i ryddhau arian ychwanegol i dalu costau fel addysg, iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, a fyddech yn ystyried gwneud darpariaeth yng nghyllideb y Cynulliad yn y dyfodol ar gyfer ad-dalu awdurdodau lleol ac awdurdodau iechyd am y gwariant ychwanegol hwnnw. Mae hynny yn hanfodol os ydym am sicrhau na fydd gwasanaethau i bobl leol yn dioddef pan fydd ceiswyr lloches yn cyrraedd mewn niferoedd mwy. Edrychaf ymlaen at dderbyn eich atebion ar y pwyntiau hynny heddiw a chroesawaf eich ymrwymiad i roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf inni yn hyn o beth.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 68

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 68

I will answer those questions in reverse order. The finance issue is a matter for the Home Office. I will continue to press the Home Office about adequate provisions in this area. However, I am mindful that we have responsibilities and if we do not receive any additional cash in that area, we will have to make provisions. I will continue to make provisions, particularly with regard to health authorities and the problems that we face with local government. Some of these matters are not devolved. On the issue of the voucher scheme, I share the sentiments of the Transport and General Workers Union that were expressed in the Trades Union Congress. They are concerned about the voucher scheme. They are particularly concerned about the issue of going to a shop with a £10 voucher and spending £7.80 without receiving change. That is an issue. I will be more than happy to press central Government on that issue on behalf of the Assembly.

Atebaf y cwestiynau hynny gan ddechrau gyda’r olaf. Mater i’r Swyddfa Gartref yw’r cyllid. Byddaf yn parhau i roi pwysau ar y Swyddfa Gartref ynghylch darpariaethau digonol yn y maes hwn. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn ymwybodol bod gennym gyfrifoldebau ac os na dderbyniwn unrhyw arian ychwanegol yn y maes hwnnw, bydd yn rhaid inni ddarparu ar gyfer hyn. Byddaf yn parhau i wneud darpariaethau, yn arbennig ynghylch awdurdodau iechyd a’r problemau a wynebwn gyda llywodraeth leol. O ran y cynllun talebau, yr wyf yn cytuno â barn Undeb y Gweithwyr Trafnidiaeth a Chyffredinol a fynegwyd yng Nghyngres yr Undebau Llafur. Maent yn pryderu am y cynllun talebau. Maent yn pryderu’n benodol ynghylch mynd i siop â thaleb o £10 gan wario £7.80 heb gael unrhyw newid. Mae hynny’n broblem. Byddaf yn fwy na bodlon rhoi pwysau ar Lywodraeth ganolog yn hyn o beth ar ran y Cynulliad.

On the question of the Home Office, I have talked at official level but these talks are now gradually going into the political arena. The relationship has been between local government and the Home Office. In the last few months we have begun serious discussions with local authorities and representatives of the consortium about the problems that are arising. We do not see any difficulty with the two consortia. Rosemary Butler and myself have met representatives of the consortia and they are liaising closely on the issues affecting them in respect of their contract with the Home Office.

O ran y Swyddfa Gartref, cynhaliais drafodaethau ar lefel swyddogol ond mae’r trafodaethau hyn yn raddol yn mynd i’r arena wleidyddol. Bu’r gydberthynas rhwng llywodraeth leol a’r Swyddfa Gartref. Yn yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf yr ydym wedi dechrau ar drafodaethau dwys gydag awdurdodau lleol a chynrychiolwyr y consortiwm am y problemau a ddaw i’r amlwg. Ni welwn unrhyw anawsterau gyda’r ddau gonsortia. Mae Rosemary Butler a minnau wedi cwrdd â chynrychiolwyr y consortia ac maent yn cydweithio’n agos ar y materion sydd yn effeithio arnynt o ran eu contract gyda’r Swyddfa Gartref.

I am delighted by your comments on private companies. This area is about private landlords and which asylum seekers come in. If the local authorities do not know who is coming, how on earth can we deal with some of the service aspects? I have covered those points. We will be taking these matters further, particularly in the area of how the scheme is administered and what type of co-operation we have had from the Home Office in this respect.

Mae’n bleser gennyf glywed eich sylwadau ar gwmnïau preifat. Mae’r maes hwn yn ymwneud â landlordiaid preifat a pha geiswyr lloches a ddaw i’r wlad. Os nad yw’r awdurdodau lleol yn gwybod pwy sydd yn dod, sut ar wyneb y ddaear y gallwn ymdrin â rhai o’r agweddau ar wasanaethau? Yr wyf wedi cwmpasu’r pwyntiau hynny. Byddwn yn trafod y materion hyn ymhellach, yn arbennig o ran sut y gweinyddir y cynllun a pha fath o gydweithrediad a gafwyd gan y Swyddfa Gartref yn hyn o beth.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 69

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 69

I welcome the Finance Secretary’s statement. I press her on some of the points that were raised. The issue is perhaps one of generalisations. We need more specifics on the numbers. I appreciate that she cannot give a precise number as she said in her statement. However, I wonder what the best guess is of the number of asylum seekers that will be coming to Wales in the next financial year and the timing of that? I reiterate the point that Edwina Hart and Helen Mary Jones made that, as a nation, we must welcome asylum seekers. We must welcome them as Wales and the United Kingdom. What discussions have you had? Do we have a completed concordat with the Home Office or is it still in draft form?

Croesawaf ddatganiad yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid. Hoffwn roi pwysau arni ynghylch rhai o’r pwyntiau a godwyd. Efallai mai cyffredinoli yw’r broblem. Mae angen manylion mwy penodol arnom am y niferoedd. Gwerthfawrogaf na all roi yr union nifer fel y nododd yn ei datganiad. Fodd bynnag, tybed beth yw’r amcangyfrif gorau o nifer y ceiswyr lloches a ddaw i Gymru yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf a beth fydd yr amseru? Ailbwysleisiaf y pwynt a wnaethpwyd gan Edwina Hart a Helen Mary Jones y dylem, fel gwlad, groesawu ceiswyr lloches. Mae’n rhaid inni eu croesawu fel Cymru a’r Deyrnas Unedig. Pa drafodaethau a gawsoch? A oes gennym goncordat cyflawn gyda’r Swyddfa Gartref neu a yw ar ei ffurf drafft o hyd?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 69

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 69

I will deal with that.

Byddaf yn delio â hynny.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 69

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 69

Perhaps you could deal with that. This interlink between the National Assembly and the Home Office will be crucial, which is what worries me. From your past comments about some Government departments—the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, I believe—you are not always happy with Westminster dealings yourself. It remains to be confirmed what extra funding we will receive. The crux of this issue is that adequate funding is necessary. In reality, the bulk of asylum seekers will almost certainly come to Cardiff and Newport; perhaps you can say something about that. It seems wrong in principle that those local authorities should have to pick up the great bulk of the cost. While you say that the Assembly is able to deal with this year’s costs, which are not significant, you are unwilling to commit yourself to that, and I wonder why. If the costs are small, the bulk of them will nevertheless fall on a few authorities. We would welcome a statement about the local authorities that will be hard pressed and about some reimbursement of the necessary costs for local authorities and health authorities.

Efallai y gallech ddelio â hynny. Bydd y rhyng-gyswllt hwn rhwng y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol a’r Swyddfa Gartref yn hanfodol, a dyna sydd yn fy mhoeni. O’ch sylwadau yn y gorffennol am rai o adrannau’r Llywodraeth—Adran yr Amgylchedd, Trafnidiaeth a’r Rhanbarthau, fe gredaf—nid ydych bob amser yn fodlon â thrafodion San Steffan eich hun. Yr ydym yn parhau i aros am gadarnhad o faint o arian ychwanegol a gawn. Craidd y mater hwn yw bod angen arian digonol. Mewn gwirionedd, mae’n debygol y bydd y rhan fwyaf o’r ceiswyr lloches yn sicr o ddod i Gaerdydd a Chasnewydd; efallai y gallech sôn am hynny. Ymddengys yn annheg, mewn egwyddor, fod yn rhaid i’r awdurdodau lleol hynny ysgwyddo’r rhan fwyaf o’r gost. Er eich bod yn nodi y gall y Cynulliad ymdrin â chostau eleni, nad ydynt yn sylweddol, nid ydych yn barod i ymrwymo eich hun i hynny, a thybed pam. Os bach yw’r costau, bydd y rhan fwyaf ohonynt yn dal i ddod i ran nifer fach o awdurdodau. Byddwn yn croesawu datganiad ynghylch yr awdurdodau lleol a fydd o dan bwysau ac ynghylch ad-dalu’r costau angenrheidiol i awdurdodau lleol ac awdurdodau iechyd.

Regarding the particular contracts that are being signed with the consortia, could we press you for more precision on the dates? It is stated that the contract with Cardiff will be sometime in the new year. Does that mean that we expect it within the first three months, for example? The contract with Newport, the all-Wales consortia, will be sometime in the next financial year. Could we press you for more precision on that? Regarding the three private sector providers, I take it from your statement that that is a definitive number. It is not clear whether your understanding means that there are no more or whether there are possibly more but that we are unaware of them. There is a place for the private sector, but I agree that it must provide the service in conjunction with local authorities and health authorities. I welcome the statement, but we need more precision from you, particularly on funding. Local authorities and health authorities will be understandably concerned that they may be expected to foot a considerable bill, and it may just fall on a couple of local authorities and health authorities in Wales.

O ran y contractau penodol a gaiff eu llofnodi gyda’r consortia, a allem bwyso arnoch i fod yn fwy penodol ynghylch y dyddiadau? Nodir mai rhywbryd yn y flwyddyn newydd y trefnir y contract gyda Chaerdydd. A yw hynny’n golygu ein bod yn ei ddisgwyl o fewn y tri mis cyntaf, er enghraifft? Bydd y contract gyda Chasnewydd, y consortia Cymru-gyfan, rhywbryd yn y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf. A allem roi pwysau arnoch i fod yn fwy penodol am hyn? O ran y tri darparwr sector preifat, deallaf o’ch datganiad fod hynny’n nifer bendant. Nid yw’n glir a yw eich dealltwriaeth yn golygu nad oes rhagor neu fod rhagor o bosibl ond nad ydym yn ymwybodol ohonynt. Mae lle i’r sector preifat, ond cytunaf fod yn rhaid iddo ddarparu’r gwasanaeth ar y cyd ag awdurdodau lleol ac awdurdodau iechyd. Croesawaf y datganiad, ond mae a siŵr ngen mwy o fanylder gennych, yn arbennig o ran ariannu. Gellir deall pam y bydd awdurdodau lleol ac awdurdodau iechyd yn poeni y bydd disgwyl iddynt ysgwyddo bil sylweddol, a’i bod yn bosibl mai dim ond i ran nifer fach o awdurdodau lleol ac awdurdodau iechyd yng Nghymru y daw’r costau hynny.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 70

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

Local authorities share your concerns on numbers, Nick. The situation is so fluid that in terms of negotiations with the consortia, it is difficult to determine where we are and to pin things down. The only information that I can give you on numbers is that around 100 asylum seekers are estimated to be accommodated in Wales. According to the figures, there were approximately 400 in Wales between April 1999 and March 2000, but only around 200 of these are in-country applicants. We still do not have precise figures from the consortia about numbers, but I will report back to the Assembly as soon as I have more information on this, if I can get any clarity and detail on it.

Mae awdurdodau lleol yn rhannu eich pryderon ynghylch niferoedd, Nick. Mae’r sefyllfa mor gyfnewidiol fel ei bod yn anodd, o ran negodi gyda’r consortia, pennu’r union sefyllfa a chael gwybodaeth bendant. Yr unig wybodaeth y gallaf ei rhoi ichi ar niferoedd yw yr amcangyfrifir bod tua 100 o geiswyr lloches wedi’u lletya yng Nghymru. Yn ôl y ffigurau, yr oedd tua 400 yng Nghymru rhwng mis Ebrill 1999 a mis Mawrth 2000, ond dim ond tua 200 ohonynt yn ymgeiswyr o fewn y wlad. Nid oes gennym ffigurau manwl gywir o hyd gan y consortia ynghylch niferoedd, ond byddaf yn adrodd yn ôl i’r Cynulliad cyn gynted ag y bydd gennyf fwy o wybodaeth am hyn, os gallaf gael unrhyw eglurder a manylder arno.

On the concordat, as far as I am aware, it is a draft concordat at present. It makes specific references to this as one area on which the Assembly should be consulted. It is important, therefore, that when that concordat comes about, it is adhered to and we are consulted on these issues. I referred to the private sector and the three providers of which we are aware, and that is about as definitive as I can be. I am concerned about this cost issue, and I made no commitments for future years—obviously I would have to look at this in those terms. I want to be certain about numbers. I am fairly certain that within this financial year, at present, everything could be accommodated.

O ran y concordat, hyd y gwn i, mae’r cytundeb yn un drafft ar hyn o bryd. Cyfeiria’n benodol at hyn fel un maes y dylid ymgynghori â’r Cynulliad yn ei gylch. Felly, mae’n bwysig pan ddaw’r cytundeb i rym, y glynir ato ac yr ymgynghorir â ni ar y materion hyn. Cyfeiriais at y sector preifat a’r tri darparwr yr ydym yn ymwybodol ohonynt, ond ni allaf fod yn fwy pendant na hynny. Yr wyf yn pryderu am y gost, ac ni wnes unrhyw ymrwymiadau ar gyfer y blynyddoedd i ddod—yn amlwg byddai’n rhaid i mi ystyried hyn yn y cyswllt hwnnw. Yr wyf am fod yn bendant ynghylch niferoedd. Ar hyn o bryd yr wyf yn gymharol bendant y gellid darparu ar gyfer popeth o fewn y flwyddyn ariannol hon.

The Secretary for Health and Social Services is working on how we would deal with the health of asylum seekers, and there are also issues that Rosemary Butler is addressing within her portfolio about the education needs of asylum seekers. When we have a clear idea from the consortia and the Home Office, and I hope to have further discussions next week, I will report back to the Assembly on any definitive points. If it would be helpful, Presiding Officer, I could update this issue on the intranet for Members on a regular basis, when I get further information after my meeting. I, like you, Nick, am concerned about the lack of clarity in this area, because we need to know where we are going. The educational needs in some areas could be quite enormous. We could have as many as 12 to 13 different diverse language groups.

Mae’r Ysgrifennydd Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn ymwneud â gwaith ar sut y byddem yn delio â iechyd ceiswyr lloches, ac mae materion hefyd y mae Rosemary Butler yn ymdrin â hwy o fewn ei phortffolio ynghylch anghenion addysg ceiswyr lloches. Pan fydd gennym syniad clir gan y consortia a’r Swyddfa Gartref, a gobeithiaf gynnal trafodaethau pellach yr wythnos nesaf, byddaf yn adrodd yn ôl i’r Cynulliad ar unrhyw bwyntiau pendant. Petai’n ddefnyddiol, Lywydd, gallwn roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y pwnc ar y fewnrwyd i’r Aelodau yn rheolaidd, pan gaf ragor o wybodaeth ar ôl fy nghyfarfod. Yr wyf i, fel chithau, Nick, yn poeni am y diffyg eglurder yn y maes hwn, oherwydd mae angen inni wybod i ba gyfeiriad yr ydym yn mynd. Gallai’r anghenion addysgol mewn rhai ardaloedd fod yn enfawr. Gallai fod gennym cymaint â 12 i 13 o wahanol grwpiau ieithyddol amrywiol.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 71

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 71

I declare an interest as a member of Swansea City and County Council. I welcome this statement and the acknowledgement of the concern of local authorities, particularly about private sector providers. The level of information that is available to local authorities about private sector contractors in their area, and where asylum seekers are being relocated as part of those contracts, still needs to be addressed. I also welcome the acknowledgement of the need for better information and co-ordination with councils on this. We also need to acknowledge, as you have done, Edwina, the concern about the hidden costs to councils on rehousing asylum seekers, particularly in terms of education and health. I hope that we can make progress in this area with the Home Office.

Datganaf fuddiant fel aelod o Gyngor Dinas a Sir Abertawe. Croesawaf y datganiad hwn a’r ffaith fod pryder awdurdodau lleol wedi’i gydnabod, yn arbennig ynghylch darparwyr sector preifat. Mae angen ymdrin â lefel yr wybodaeth sydd ar gael i awdurdodau lleol ynghylch contractwyr sector preifat yn eu hardal, a lle mae ceiswyr lloches yn cael eu hadleoli yn rhan o’r contractau hynny. Croesawaf hefyd y gydnabyddiaeth o’r angen am well gwybodaeth a chydlyniad gyda chynghorau yn hyn o beth. Mae angen hefyd inni gydnabod, fel y gwnaethoch chi, Edwina, y pryder ynghylch y costau cudd i gynghorau wrth ailgartrefu ceiswyr lloches, yn arbennig yn nhermau addysg ac iechyd. Gobeithiaf y gallwn wneud cynnydd yn hyn o beth gyda’r Swyddfa Gartref.

I have some questions. My first question relates to the consultation and dialogue with NASS. Several local authorities feel that they are being left out on this issue. They are not receiving the necessary co-ordination and information. I hope that we can address that and I would be grateful if you could give some more detail as to exactly how we are addressing that particular concern.

Mae gennyf rai cwestiynau. Mae fy nghwestiwn cyntaf yn ymwneud â’r ymgynghori a’r deialog gyda NASS. Mae sawl awdurdod lleol o’r farn eu bod yn cael eu hepgor o’r broses. Nid ydynt yn derbyn y lefel angenrheidiol o gydlyniad a gwybodaeth. Gobeithiaf y gallwn ymdrin â hynny a byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallech roi mwy o fanylion ynghylch yr union ffordd yr ydym yn ymdrin â’r pryder penodol hwnnw.

In relation to the Cardiff contract, you referred to Adams Court and the fact that the lease has been purchased by a private contractor. Is it possible, therefore, that asylum seekers could be rehoused in that complex before Cardiff has signed the contract? If that is the case, how will we deal with that in relation to Cardiff?

Mewn perthynas â chontract Caerdydd, cyfeirioch at Adams Court a’r ffaith bod contractwr preifat wedi prynu’r brydles. Felly, a fyddai’n bosibl i geiswyr lloches gael eu hailgartrefu yn y cymhlyg hwnnw cyn i Gaerdydd lofnodi’r contract? Os felly, sut byddwn yn ymdrin â hynny mewn perthynas â Chaerdydd?

My final question concerns your voucher system. I welcome again the acknowledgement of the problem with vouchers. We need to make serious representations to the Home Office on this issue, because vouchers effectively stigmatise asylum seekers and penalise them by restricting what they can buy.

Mae fy nghwestiwn olaf yn ymwneud â’ch system talebau. Croesawaf eto’r gydnabyddiaeth o’r broblem gyda thalebau. Mae angen inni wneud cynrychioliadau difrifol i’r Swyddfa Gartref yn hyn o beth, oherwydd mae talebau mewn gwirionedd yn creu stigma i geiswyr lloches ac yn eu cosbi drwy gyfyngu ar yr hyn y gallant ei brynu.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 72

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 72

Thank you for your comments on the voucher system. I can understand that there are some concerns within the Chamber about the operation of the system and how the vouchers are utilised. I take that point on board.

Diolch ichi am eich sylwadau ar y system talebau. Gallaf ddeall fod rhai pryderon o fewn y Siambr ynghylch gweithredu’r system a sut y defnyddir y talebau. Derbyniaf y pwynt hwnnw.

Regarding the Cardiff contract, as far as I am aware—and I will confirm this, Peter—the answer is yes. The private contractors can take asylum seekers into Adams Court even before anything is signed with the consortia in Cardiff. If I am not correct, I will advise you, but that is my understanding.

O ran contract Caerdydd, cyn belled ag yr wyf yn ymwybodol—a byddaf yn cadarnhau hyn, Peter—bydd yw’r ateb. Gall y contractwyr preifat roi ceiswyr lloches yn Adams Court hyd yn oed cyn i unrhyw beth gael ei lofnodi gyda’r consortia yng Nghaerdydd. Os wyf yn anghywir, rhoddaf wybod i chi, ond dyna yw fy nealltwriaeth.

Regarding consultation and dialogue with NASS, there will be additional meetings between officials next week. As a result of those consultations and meetings, I will issue further information to Assembly Members. However, your initial point about housing is also interesting in that the housing needs of asylum seekers must also be considered. Local authorities have a difficult task in looking at these housing needs. There may be a tendency to look at an estate where there are many vacant properties and decide that those can be utilised. However, that is not necessarily in the best interests of the local community or the asylum seekers.

O ran ymgynghori a deialog gyda NASS, cynhelir cyfarfodydd ychwanegol rhwng swyddogion yr wythnos nesaf. O ganlyniad i’r ymgynghoriadau a’r cyfarfodydd hynny, byddaf yn cyhoeddi gwybodaeth bellach i Aelodau’r Cynulliad. Fodd bynnag, mae eich pwynt cyntaf am dai hefyd yn ddiddorol gan fod yn rhaid ystyried anghenion ceiswyr lloches o ran tai hefyd. Mae gan awdurdodau lleol dasg anodd wrth ystyried yr anghenion hyn o ran tai. Gallai fod tuedd i edrych ar ystâd lle mae llawer o eiddo gwag a phenderfynu y gellir eu defnyddio. Fodd bynnag, ni fyddai hynny o reidrwydd er budd y gymuned leol na’r ceiswyr lloches.

It would be good if we had a more strategic approach to this issue. If we knew, for instance, that 100 asylum seekers of Chinese origin were coming to Wales, we could approach the Chinese communities and ask them how they could help. If we had more time, we could deal with this issue more effectively. In terms of housing, we could take more time to identify in what type of communities asylum seekers could be placed. That is important if we are to make them feel welcome. It is also important for people in society to understand that we will not simply put hundreds of people on one estate and abandon them. There are some important issues that we must start to address if we are to accept more asylum seekers than we have done.

Byddai’n dda o beth pe byddai gennym ymagwedd fwy strategol tuag at y mater hwn. Pe byddem yn gwybod, er enghraifft, bod 100 o geiswyr lloches o darddiad Tsieineeg yn dod i Gymru, gallem ymgynghori â’r cymunedau Tsieneaidd a gofyn iddynt sut y gallent helpu. Pe byddai gennym fwy o amser, gallem ymdrin â’r mater hwn yn fwy effeithiol. O ran tai, gallem gymryd mwy o amser i nodi ym mha fath o gymunedau y gallai ceiswyr lloches gael eu cartrefu. Mae hynny’n bwysig os ydym am wneud iddynt deimlo bod croeso iddynt. Mae’n bwysig hefyd i bobl yn y gymdeithas ddeall na fyddwn yn rhoi cannoedd o bobl ar un ystâd a’u gadael yno. Mae rhai materion pwysig y mae’n rhaid inni ddechrau mynd i’r afael â hwy os ydym am dderbyn mwy o geiswyr lloches nag y gwnaethom yn y gorffennol.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 73

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 73

Thank you, Edwina, particularly for your undertaking to put the information on the intranet.

Diolch, Edwina, yn arbennig am gytuno i roi’r wybodaeth ar y fewnrwyd.

Cymeradwyo’r Gorchymyn Deunydd Risg Penodedig (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2000

Approval of the Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (Wales) 2000

Carwyn Jones The Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development spoken in English p. 73

Carwyn Jones Yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 73

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Carwyn Jones The Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development (continued) spoken in English p. 73

Carwyn Jones Yr Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 73

The Specified Risk Material Order 1997 was introduced on 1 January 1998 to control the import of specified risk material and certain food products and feeding stuffs containing specified risk material.

Cyflwynwyd y Gorchymyn Deunydd Risg Penodedig 1997 ar 1 Ionawr 1998 i reoli mewnforio deunydd risg penodedig a rhai cynnyrch bwyd a chynnyrch bwydo yn cynnwys deunydd risg penodedig.

A recent communication proposal regulating the use of specified risk material was adopted on 29 June 2000. The proposal’s objective is to revise the Specified Risk Material Order 1997 to meet the requirements of the Commission’s decision introducing EU wide controls on the removal and destruction of specified risk material.

Mabwysiadwyd cynnig cyfathrebu diweddar yn rheoleiddio’r defnydd o ddeunydd risg penodedig ar 29 Mehefin 2000. Amcan y cynnig yw diwygio Gorchymyn Deunydd Risg Penodedig 1997 i fodloni gofynion penderfyniad y Comisiwn yn cyflwyno rheolaethau UE gyfan ar waredu a dinistrio deunydd risg penodedig.

The proposed Specific Risk Material (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2000 will bring the legislation in Wales on the control of specified risk material into line with that introduced in the rest of the European Union. In addition, it will extend the categories of premises to which specified risk material must be sent when imported and will require food and feeding stuffs to be accompanied by a certificate when they are imported from a third country.

Bydd Gorchymyn Deunydd Risg Penodedig (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2000 yn sicrhau bod y ddeddfwriaeth yng Nghymru ar reoli deunydd risg penodedig yn unol â’r ddeddfwriaeth a gyflwynir yn ngweddill yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Yn ogystal, bydd yn ymestyn y categorïau eiddo y mae’n rhaid anfon deunydd risg penodedig iddynt pan gânt eu mewnforio a bydd yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i fwyd a chynnyrch bwydo gael tystysgrif pan gânt eu mewnforio o drydedd wlad.

The slight relaxation of the controls will mean that material previously classified as specified risk material will again be available for food and other use. This will also reduce the quantity of specified risk material, which will be produced in abattoirs and slaughterhouses, lowering disposal costs and processing time.

Bydd llacio’r rheolaethau ychydig yn golygu y bydd deunydd a ddosbarthwyd yn y gorffennol fel deunydd risg penoedig eto ar gael ar gyfer bwyd a defnyddiau eraill. Bydd hefyd yn lleihau swm y deunydd risg penodedig, a gynhyrchir mewn lladd-dai, gan leihau costau gwaredu ac amser prosesu.

The introduction of specified risk material controls throughout the EU will also ensure that similar food-safety controls are in operation across the whole of the European Union. The risk of SRM being imported into the UK will be significantly reduced and the standards of public health protection will also improve. There is an additional benefit to our industry in that the SRM controls are likely to increase production costs in other member states, making UK producers more competitive.

Bydd cyflwyno rheolaethau deunydd risg penodedig drwy’r UE gyfan hefyd yn sicrhau bod rheolaethau diogelwch bwyd tebyg yn weithredol ledled yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Caiff y risg o fewnforio SRM i’r DU ei gostwng yn sylweddol a bydd safonau diogelu iechyd y cyhoedd hefyd yn gwella. Mae budd ychwanegol i’n diwydiant yn yr ystyr bod rheolaethau SRM yn debygol o gynyddu costau cynhyrchu mewn aelod-wladwriaethau eraill, gan olygu y bydd cynhyrchwyr y DU yn fwy cystadleuol.

It is proposed that the Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2000, is made today, and will come into force on 7 November. I commend the motion to the National Assembly.

Cynigir y dylid cymeradwyo Gorchymyn Deunydd Risg Penodedig (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2000 heddiw, a daw i rym ar 7 Tachwedd. Cymeradwyaf y cynnig hwn i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol.

Elin Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 74

Elin Jones spoken in Welsh p. 74

Hoffwn wneud ychydig o bwyntiau ar y Gorchymyn hwn. Yn gyntaf, nodaf mor anfoddhaol yw hi bod y ddogfen heb fod ar gael i’r gwrthbleidiau am o leiaf 24 awr ar ôl y dyddiad sydd yn y cynnig. Gofynnaf i’r Cabinet sicrhau nad yw’r arferiad hwn yn ailgydio.

I wish to make a few points on this Order. First, I note that it is highly unsatisfactory that the document was not made available to the opposition parties for at least 24 hours after the date in the motion. I ask the Cabinet to ensure that this habit does not take hold again.

Mae’r Gorchymyn yn ymwneud â mewnforio deunydd risg penodedig, ac y mae’n Orchymyn amserol ar hyn o bryd. Yr oedd newyddion ddoe fod achosion o BSE ar gynnydd yn Ffrainc. Gofynnaf i’r Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth, felly, sicrhau, drwy drafod o fewn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, fod y rheoliadau llym eang sydd yn bodoli yng ngwledydd Prydain i reoli BSE hefyd yn cael eu gweithredu mewn gwledydd eraill sydd ag achosion o BSE. Gallwn sicrhau wedyn y gall cwsmeriaid y wlad hon fod yn hyderus bod y cig a’r cynhyrchion cig sydd o fewn y Gorchymyn hwn heddiw yn gyfan gwbl rydd o BSE.

The Order deals with importing specified risk material, and it is a timely Order at the moment. There was news yesterday that cases of BSE in France are on the increase. I ask the Agriculture Secretary, therefore, to ensure, through discussions within the European Union, that the wide and strict regulations that exist in the countries of Britain to control BSE are also implemented in other countries that have cases of BSE. We can then ensure that customers in this country can be confident that the meat and meat products covered by this Order today are completely free from BSE.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 75

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

The Welsh Conservatives welcome these moves, particularly if it means that Welsh farmers are going to be more competitive against their counterparts. In addition, we welcome the fact that some costs in the abattoirs here will decrease. I also echo Elin’s words about the French control of BSE, and that we should push hard for them to have the same stringent regulations that we have here. Through those regulations, we have the safest meat in the world.

Mae Ceidwadwyr Cymru yn croesawu’r symudiadau hyn, yn arbennig os yw’n golygu y bydd ffermwyr Cymru yn fwy cystadleuol yn erbyn eu cymheiriaid. Yn ogystal, yr ydym yn croesawu’r ffaith y bydd rhai o’r costau yn y lladd-dai yn gostwng. Adleisiaf hefyd eiriau Elin ynghylch rheolaeth Ffrainc ar BSE, ac y dylem roi mwy o bwysau arnynt i gyflwyno’r un rheolaethau caeth ag sydd gennym yn y DU. Drwy’r rheoliadau hynny, mae’r cig mwyaf diogel yn y byd gennym.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 75

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

The Welsh Liberal Democrats welcome this Order. However, we need assurance on two issues. One is that the legislation is implemented stringently and equally throughout Europe. Second, that imports are accompanied by certificates that guarantee their safety. There is a suggestion, for example, that the recent outbreak of swine fever in the east of England was caused by the careless disposal of legal imports. I would like the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development to give us an assurance that this cannot take place and that the controls of any imports, and the certificates, are watertight and also that the veterinary service undertakes thorough inspections of premises that are responsible for the slaughter of imported meat.

Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yn croesawu’r Gorchymyn hwn. Fodd bynnag, mae angen sicrwydd arnom ar ddau fater. Un yw y caiff y ddeddfwriaeth ei gweithredu’n gaeth ac yn yr un modd drwy Ewrop. Yn ail, y bydd tystysgrifau gan fewnforion sydd yn gwarantu eu diogelwch. Mae awgrym, er enghraifft, yr achoswyd yr achosion diweddar o dwymyn y moch yn nwyrain Lloegr o ganlyniad i waredu mewnforion cyfreithiol yn ddiofal. Hoffwn i’r Ysgrifennydd Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig roi sicrwydd inni na all hyn ddigwydd ac nad oes unrhyw ffordd o dorri’r rheolaethau ar unrhyw fewnforion a hefyd bod y gwasanaeth milfeddygol yn cynnal arolygiadau trwyadl o eiddo sydd yn gyfrifol am ladd cig wedi’i fewnforio.

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 75

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

Of course it is impossible to say that any regulation, order or statute is completely watertight. There will be some people who will break the law and they must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. All three of you have made a point about the way in which these regulations will be policed. It is one thing to have the same regulation throughout the European Union; it is another to ensure that those regulations are policed uniformly. I hope that, where regulations are imposed in other EU countries, they will be policed properly.

Wrth gwrs mae’n amhosibl sicrhau bod unrhyw reoliad, gorchymyn neu statud yn gwbl gynhwysfawr. Bydd rhai pobl yn torri’r gyfraith a dylid eu herlyn cyn belled ag y mae’r gyfraith yn ei ganiatáu. Cododd y tri ohonoch bwynt ynglŷn â’r ffordd y caiff y rheoliadau hyn eu gweithredu. Un peth yw cael yr un rheoliad ledled yr Undeb Ewropeaidd; peth arall yw sicrhau bod y rheoliadau hynny yn cael eu gweithredu yn yr un modd. Gobeithiaf, lle gorfodir rheoliadau yng ngwledydd eraill yr UE, y cânt eu gweithredu’n gywir.

The position of BSE is coming to light strongly in a number of other countries. Reference has been made to France. Last month, French beef exports to Kuwait were banned. The incidences of BSE in France are on the increase, and I suspect that they are not alone in the European Union in increased incidence and detection of BSE. In the UK we bore the brunt of BSE, in the sense that it was noticed and discovered here first. I believe that other countries will face the same problems in the future. However, the one thing that we can say and that has been echoed by Elin, Peter and Mick, is that we have the safest meat in the European Union. That is of great value to us in marketing terms. This Order can only help us and can only impose on other countries in the European Union the same high standards that we have been operating in the United Kingdom.

Mae’r sefyllfa ynglŷn â BSE yn dod i’r amlwg mewn nifer o wledydd eraill. Cyfeiriwyd at Ffrainc. Fis diwethaf, gwaharddwyd allforio cig eidion Ffrengig i Kuwait. Mae’r achosion o BSE yn Ffrainc ar gynnydd, ac yr wyf yn amau nad hwy yw’r unig wlad yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd ag achosion cynyddol o BSE yn cael eu canfod. Yn y DU fe’n trawyd yn wael gan BSE, yn yr ystyr mai dyma lle y sylwyd arno a lle y’i canfyddwyd gyntaf. Credaf y bydd gwledydd eraill yn wynebu’r un problemau yn y dyfodol. Fodd bynnag, yr un peth y gallwn ei ddweud ac a adleisiwyd gan Elin, Peter a Mick, yw mai gennym ni y mae’r cig mwyaf diogel yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae hynny o werth mawr inni wrth farchnata. Dim ond ein helpu y gall y Gorchymyn hwn ei wneud a gosod yr un safonau uchel a fu’n gweithredu yn y Deyrnas Unedig ar wledydd eraill yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd.

Cynnig Carwyn Jones t. 76

Motion Carwyn Jones p. 76

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 42 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (42)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Glyn Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • David Lloyd
  • John Marek
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair am 11.47 a.m.

The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair at 11.47a.m.

Cynigion Trefniadol

Procedural Motions

Jane Davidson The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 77

Jane Davidson Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

I call on the Finance Secretary to propose two procedural motions, under Standing Order No. 6.16, for the continuation of the debate on the comprehensive spending review

Galwaf ar yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid i gynnig dau gynnig trefniadol, o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.16, ar gyfer parhau â’r ddadl ar yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant

Edwina Hart The Finance Secretary spoken in English p. 77

Edwina Hart Yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 42 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (42)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Glyn Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • David Lloyd
  • John Marek
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 78

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 78

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 39 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 1

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (39)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Glyn Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (1)
  • Alison Halford

Yr Adolygiad Cynhwysfawr o Wariant: Parhad

The Comprehensive Spending Review: Continued

Parhad o ddadl 12 Medi.

Debate continued from 12 September.

Untitled spoken in English p. 80

Heb deitl siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 80

but regrets that full match funding over and above the bloack grant has not been provided for the Objective 1 programme.

ond mae’n gresynu na ddarparwyd arian cyfatebol llawn ar ben y grant bloc ar gyfer rhaglen Amcan 1.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 81

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 81

Members can view the full motion and amendments, as a reference for voting purposes, on the Chamberweb. I remind Members that Standing Order No. 7.4 does not allow Members to speak more than once in a debate on any matter. Therefore, Members who spoke on 12 September will not be called to speak today.

Gall aelodau weld y cynnig llawn a’r gwelliannau, fel cyfeirnod at ddibenion pleidleisio, ar Wefan y Siambr. Hoffwn atgoffa Aelodau nad yw Gorchymyn Sefydlog Rhif 7.4 yn caniatáu i Aelodau siarad fwy nag unwaith mewn dadl ar unrhyw fater. Felly, ni elwir ar Aelodau a siaradodd ar 12 Medi i siarad heddiw.

I call on Delyth Evans who is the first name on the list of speakers to continue the debate.

Galwaf ar Delyth Evans, sef yr enw cyntaf ar restr y siaradwyr i barhau â’r ddadl.

Delyth Evans siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 81

Delyth Evans spoken in Welsh and English p. 81

Mae’r drafodaeth hon yn bwysig i’n gwaith yn y Cynulliad o ran gosod y blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y gyllideb. Mae’r ffaith fod y Canghellor a’r Trysorlys wedi rhyddhau arian ychwanegol ar ben y bloc ar gyfer Amcan 1 yng Nghymru yn fuddugoliaeth anferth i’r weinyddiaeth Lafur yn y Cynulliad. Bydd unrhyw un sydd wedi delio â’r Trysorlys, ac yn gyfarwydd â meddylfryd unigryw yr adran arbennig honno o’r Llywodraeth yn Whitehall, yn deall faint yn union o fuddugoliaeth oedd hyn i ni yng Nghymru. Dylem fod yn barod i gydnabod mai Rhodri Morgan a’i ragflaenydd Alun Michael oedd yn uniongyrchol gyfrifol am sefydlu’r egwyddor bwysig hon. Byddai’n braf clywed y pleidiau eraill yn cydnabod hynny o bryd i’w gilydd.

Wales has done extremely well out of the comprehensive spending review this time, thanks to the remarkably successful stewardship of the British economy by the Labour Government. Therefore, we have a rare opportunity to do something creative and radical over and above our other commitments.

in Welsh This debate is important for our work in the Assembly with regard to setting priorities for the budget. The fact that the Chancellor and the Treasury have released additional funding over and above the block for Objective 1 in Wales is a huge victory for the Labour administration in the Assembly. Anybody who has dealt with the Treasury and is familiar with the unique mentality of that particular department in Whitehall, will understand exactly how much of a victory this was for us in Wales. We should be prepared to acknowledge that Rhodri Morgan and his predecessor Alun Michael were directly responsible for the establishment of this important principle. It would be nice to hear the other parties acknowledging that from time to time. Mae Cymru wedi gwneud yn eithriadol o dda allan o’r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant y tro hwn, diolch i stiwardiaeth hynod lwyddiannus economi Prydain gan y Llywodraeth Lafur. Felly, mae gennym gyfle prin i wneud rhywbeth creadigol a radical uwchlaw ein hymrwymiadau eraill.

It seems to me that there are two ways in which you can use this opportunity. You can either spread the budget fairly evenly across the sectors, and indeed there are pressing demands on resources from all areas. Or, you can decide that there are one or two key areas of spending that should receive a disproportionate amount of money in view of their strategic importance. They are sectors whose development is vital to the success of our programme to improve prosperity and opportunity for all of the people of Wales. I would like us to take the second approach.

yn Saesneg Ymddengys i mi fod dwy ffordd y gellwch ddefnyddio’r cyfle hwn. Gallwch naill ai ddosbarthu’r gyllideb yn eithaf cyfartal ar draws y sectorau, ac yn wir mae gofynion taer ar adnoddau o bob maes. Neu, gallwch benderfynu bod un neu ddwy ardal allweddol o wariant a ddylai dderbyn swm anghymesur o arian yng ngoleuni eu pwysigrwydd strategol. Dyma’r sectorau y mae eu datblygiad yn hanfodol i lwyddiant ein rhaglen i wella ffyniant a chyfle i holl bobl Cymru. Hoffem inni gymryd yr ail ymagwedd.

I would like to see a clear bias in this budget towards economic development and rural development, and in particular towards the information technology sector. There is no other single sector that will so clearly determine our ability as a country to prosper in the future. We are already falling behind. Compared with the rest of Britain, Wales has the lowest use of the internet and e-mail in business and the lowest number of websites. However, about 50 per cent of employment in the United States today is internet related.

yn Saesneg Hoffwn weld tuedd glir yn y gyllideb tuag at ddatblygu economaidd a datblygu gwledig, ac yn arbennig tuag at y sector technoleg gwybodaeth. Nid oes unrhyw sector unigol arall a fydd yn pennu mor glir ein gallu fel gwlad i ffynnu yn y dyfodol. Yr ydym eisoes ar ei hôl hi. O’i chymharu â gweddill Prydain, Cymru sydd yn gwneud y defnydd lleiaf o’r rhyngrwyd a’r e-bost mewn busnes a Chymru sydd â’r nifer isaf o wefannau. Fodd bynnag, mae tua 50 y cant o gyflogaeth yr Unol Daleithiau heddiw yn gysylltiedig â’r rhyngrwyd.

Yesterday, in the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, we heard evidence from two successful entrepreneurs in mid Wales. Both companies use internet servers in Canada and New Jersey because the telecoms infrastructure here is too poor to deal with their business. Both agree that developing a broadband telecoms base was vital to the survival of the rural economy. A gradual rate of improvement from the current position will not be enough. We are too far behind for that. We need a step change in our approach to IT in Wales and must be bold and imaginative in how we go about this in terms of telecoms infrastructure and in our approach to IT training provision. The resources that are now available to us through Objective 1 and the departmental budget are the best chance that we will have to significantly develop the IT sector, a sector that is critical if we are going to meet our objectives of improving prosperity and meet the other objectives that we have set ourselves in ‘Betterwales.com’.

yn Saesneg Ddoe, yn y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig, clywsom dystiolaeth gan ddau entrepreneur llwyddiannus yng nghanolbarth Cymru. Mae’r ddau gwmni yn defnyddio gwasanaethwyr rhyngrwyd yng Nghanada a New Jersey am fod y seilwaith telathrebu yma yn rhy wael i ddelio â’u busnes. Mae’r ddau’n cytuno bod datblygu canolfan delathrebu eang yn hanfodol i barhad yr economi wledig. Ni fydd gwella’r sefyllfa bresennol yn raddol yn ddigon. Yr ydym yn rhy bell ar ei hôl hi ar gyfer hynny. Mae angen newid cyfeiriad ein hymagwedd tuag at TG yng Nghymru a rhaid inni fod yn hyderus ac yn llawn dychymyg ynghylch sut i fwrw ymlaen â hyn o safbwynt seilwaith telathrebu a’n hymagwedd at ddarparu hyfforddiant TG. Yr adnoddau sydd bellach ar gael inni drwy Amcan 1 a’r gyllideb adrannol yw’r cyfle gorau a gawn i ddatblygu’r sector TG yn sylweddol, sector sydd yn dyngedfennol os ydym i gwrdd â’n hamcanion o wella ffyniant a bodloni’r amcanion eraill yr ydym wedi eu gosod i ni ein hunain yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 83

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 83

Hoffwn drafod y berthynas rhwng yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant a’r ddogfen ‘Putting Wales First: A Partnership Agreement for the People of Wales’. Cyfeiriaf yn gyntaf at adran 10—‘Cyllid’—y ddogfen gytundeb wreiddiol a gafodd ei hepgor yn ddiweddarach. Yr oedd yn cynnwys ymrwymiad i geisio sicrhau bargen gyllido decach i Gymru ar draws pob rhan o wario cyhoeddus ac i ddiwygio fformwla Barnett. Dywedodd Mike German y gallai Cymru elwa o adolygiad o’r fath o tua £400 miliwn y flwyddyn. Penderfynwyd hepgor yr ymrwymiad pwysig hwn o’r ddogfen gytundeb oherwydd y byddai’n peri embaras i’r grŵp Llafur sydd wedi honni bod Cymru yn cael ei thrin yn hael gan y Trysorlys. Clywsom Delyth Evans yn cadarnhau hynny.

I would like to discuss the relationship between the comprehensive spending review and the ‘Putting Wales First: A Partnership Agreement for the People of Wales’ document. First, I refer to section 10—‘Finance’—of the original agreement document, which was later omitted. That included a commitment to try to ensure a fairer funding deal for Wales across all areas of public expenditure and to reform the Barnett formula. Mike German said that Wales could benefit from some £400 million a year from such a review. It was decided to omit this important commitment from the partnership agreement because it would cause embarrassment to the Labour group, which has alleged that Wales is being treated generously by the Treasury. We heard Delyth Evans confirm that.

Mae Plaid Cymru o’r farn mai bargen wael a gawn yng Nghymru gan Lywodraeth San Steffan ac nid yw’r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant yn newid dim ar hynny. Mae’n dda gweld cynnydd sylweddol mewn gwariant cyhoeddus o’r diwedd ond mae’n gynnydd o lefel isel iawn. Oherwydd penderfyniad y Llywodraeth Lafur i gadw at dargedau gwariant y Torïaid am y ddwy flynedd gyntaf, yn 1999-2000 yr oedd gwariant cyhoeddus, fel cyfran o’r cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth, sef 38 y cant, ar ei lefel isaf ers 1964. Nid yw’r adolygiad ond yn golygu y cyrhaeddwn 40.5 y cant erbyn 2003, sydd bron gyfuwch â blwyddyn isaf Llywodraeth John Major.

Plaid Cymru believes that Wales gets a poor deal from the Westminster Government and the CSR does not alter that in any way. It is good to see a substantial increase in public expenditure at last, but it is an increase from a very low level. Because of the Labour Government’s decision to keep to the Tories’ expenditure targets for the first two years, public expenditure in 1999-2000, as a proportion of gross domestic product, 38 per cent, was at its lowest level since 1964. The CSR only means that we will reach 40.5 per cent by 2003, which is almost as high as the lowest year of the John Major Government.

A yw Cymru’n cael mwy na’i siâr o’r setliad? Dim o gwbl. Y cyfan a gawn yn ychwanegol yw cyfran o’r arian Ewropeaidd y dylem fod wedi ei gael ar gyfer Amcan 1, 2 a 3. Dim ond cyfran. Ar gyfer 2000-03, dylem dderbyn £783 miliwn o arian Ewropeaidd. Mae Gordon Brown yn caniatáu inni gael £442 miliwn. Mae’r datganiad croeso yn y ddogfen goalisiwn ynglŷn â

Does Wales get more than its share of the settlement? Not at all. All we get in addition is a proportion of the European funding that we should have received for Objective 1, 2 and 3. Only a proportion. For 2000-03, we should receive £783 million of European funding. Gordon Brown is allowing us £442 million. The welcome statement in the coalition document about

‘the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s agreement to provide full expenditure cover for the EU funding programme’

yn anghywir a synnaf fod y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol wedi cytuno iddo. Nid oes ceiniog o arian cyfatebol.

is incorrect and I am surprised that the Liberal Democrats have agreed to it. There is not a penny of match funding.

Canlyniad hyn fydd hepgor rhai o’r cynlluniau Ewropeaidd neu dynnu arian o feysydd megis iechyd, llywodraeth leol ac addysg. Os y gwnawn yr ail, bydd gwariant yn y meysydd hynny’n codi 6.7 y cant y flwyddyn ar gyfartaledd o’i gymharu ag 80 y cant ym Mhrydain. Prin bod honno’n fargen dda. Y canlyniad fydd gweld gwasanaethau yng Nghymru’n syrthio ymhellach ar ôl y lefel Brydeinig.

The consequence of this will be the omission of some of the European schemes or that money will be taken from areas such as health, local government or education. If we do the latter, expenditure in those areas will increase on average by 6.7 per cent per annum compared with 80 per cent in Britain. That is hardly a good deal. The consequence will be that services in Wales will fall further behind the British level.

Hoffwn droi at baragraffau 15, 16 ac 18 ym mhennod 4 y ddogfen. Mae paragraff 15 yn dweud y bydd y coalisiwn yn gwasgu ar Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig i sicrhau y bydd

I would like to turn to paragraphs 15, 16 and 18 in chapter 4 of the document. Paragraph 15 states that the coalition will bring pressure to bear on the UK government to ensure that

‘adequate PES cover and match funding in place for the second half of the Structural Funds programme’.

Mae hyn gystal â chyfaddef nad oes ‘adequate PES cover and match funding’ ar gyfer y rhan gyntaf. Mae ychydig o wrth-ddweud yma, ond pob lwc â’r ymdrech.

This is tantamount to admitting that we do not have ‘adequate PES cover and match funding’ for the first part. There is a slight contradiction there, but best of luck with the attempt.

Mae rhagor o wrth-ddweud ym mharagraff 16, sydd yn sôn am gael ‘appropriate additional resources’ i sicrhau bod modd derbyn yr arian Ewropeaidd i gyd ac am wneud

There is more contradiction in paragraph 16, which mentions securing ‘appropriate additional resources’ to ensure that we can draw down all the European funding and to make an

‘in-year bid on the Treasury Reserve’.

Mae digon o arian i gael yno, wrth gwrs. Fodd bynnag, a yw Rhodri Morgan a Mike German wedi bod yn siarad â Gordon Brown? Mae’n bosibl y dylwn ofyn, a yw Charles Kennedy wedi bod yn siarad â Tony Blair ar ran y ddau gyfaill hyn. A ydynt wedi cael winc fach i awgrymu y gallai fod rhagor o arian ar gael, dim ond i Lafur ffurfio clymblaid â’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol? Os ydynt wedi cael winc o’r fath, credaf ei fod yn briodol ein bod yn cael gwybod hynny.

There is enough money there, of course. However, have Rhodri Morgan and Mike German been speaking to Gordon Brown? It is possible that I should ask whether Charles Kennedy has been talking to Tony Blair on behalf of these two friends. Have they had a little wink to suggest that more money could be available, as long as Labour form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly? If they have been given such a wink, I think that it is appropriate that we be informed of that.

Mae paragraff 16 yn sôn am sefydlu:

Paragraph 16 talks of the establishment of

‘a full ongoing audit of the European Funding process’

Mae hynny’n codi nifer o gwestiynau. Pwy sydd yn mynd i wneud yr archwiliad hwn a pham fod y gair ‘independent’ wedi ei groesi allan yn y ddogfen derfynol? A oes rhaid cael archwiliad o’r math hwnnw er mwyn cwrdd â gofynion yr Undeb Ewropeaidd ynglŷn â’r cronfeydd strwythurol? Pwy sydd yn mynd i dalu am yr archwilad? Credaf mai Trysorlys y Deyrnas Gyfunol ddylai dalu gan ei bod yn rhyng-gipio cymaint o’r arian Ewropeaidd a ddylai ddod i Gymru.

That raises several questions. Who will undertake this audit and why has the word ‘independent’ been crossed out in the final document? Does not such an audit have to be undertaken in order to meet European Union requirements regarding the structural funds? Who is going to pay for the audit? I think that the UK Treasury should pay as it is intercepting so much of the European Funding that should be coming to Wales.

Mae mwy o gwestiynau i’w gofyn ond nid oes amser yn awr. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn addo y byddwn ni ym Mhlaid Cymru yn eu gofyn yn ddiarbed wrth i’r glymblaid hon geisio gweithredu ei holl addewidion, os yn wir y caiff ei sefydlu yn y lle cyntaf.

There are more questions to be asked but there is no time now. However, I promise that we in Plaid Cymru will ask them relentlessly as this coalition tries to deliver on all its promises, if indeed it is established in the first place.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 85

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85

I will focus my comments on one clause outlined in Peter Black’s amendment 5:

Byddaf yn canolbwyntio fy sylwadau ar un cymal a amlinellwyd yng ngwelliant 5 Peter Black:

‘upgrading long-term NHS clinical capacity and reducing waiting times’.

For 80,000 people in Wales, the wait for treatment goes on and on, with record numbers waiting longer than 18 months for their operations and appointments. Therefore, the Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that the Assembly must seize the opportunity presented by the comprehensive spending review to make the necessary investments in the NHS and social care capacity that will enable waiting times to be brought down, working conditions improved, and ensure that patients in Wales’s experience of the NHS and social care is a positive one.

I’r 80,000 o bobl yng Nghymru, mae aros am driniaeth yn mynd ymlaen ac ymlaen, ac mae’r niferoedd uchaf erioed yn aros yn hwy na 18 mis am eu llawdriniaethau a’u hapwyntiadau. Felly, mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yn credu bod yn rhaid i’r Cynulliad fanteisio ar y cyfle a gyflwynwyd gan yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant i wneud y buddsoddiadau angenrheidiol yn yr NHS ac yng nghwmpas y ddarpariaeth gofal cymdeithasol a fydd yn caniatáu i amseroedd aros ostwng, i amodau gwaith wella, ac a fydd yn sicrhau bod profiad cleifion yng Nghymru o’r NHS yn gadarnhaol.

We must ensure that there is an element of stability in this budget and, as far as possible, that funds are recurrent. That is vital if the NHS is able to move forward and plan its services for the future with confidence. This investment must begin with the NHS’s most vital resource—its personnel, its people. We must ensure that working conditions are improved to retain our existing staff and attract back into the service trained staff who were disillusioned with past regimes and felt it necessary to leave. We must do this by providing flexible working condition for all NHS staff. At the same time, we must ensure that while the current situation is improved, we need to invest in the training of individuals who will work in our hospitals and social care settings in future years. That includes improving the number of funded nurse training places and the full Welsh complement of undergraduate medical training places.

Mae’n rhaid inni sicrhau bod elfen o sefydlogrwydd yn y gyllideb hon a bod yr arian, cyn belled ag y bo modd, yn rheolaidd. Mae hynny’n hanfodol er mwyn i’r NHS allu datblygu a chynllunio ei wasanaethau ar gyfer y dyfodol yn hyderus. Rhaid i’r buddsoddiad hwn ddechrau gydag adnodd mwyaf hanfodol yr NHS—ei bersonél, ei bobl. Rhaid inni sicrhau y bydd amodau gwaith yn gwella er mwyn cadw ein staff presennol a denu yn ôl i’r gwasanaeth staff cymwys a oedd wedi digalonni gyda chyfundrefnau’r gorffennol ac a oedd yn teimlo bod angen iddynt adael. Rhaid inni wneud hyn drwy ddarparu amodau gwaith hyblyg ar gyfer holl staff yr NHS. Ar yr un pryd, rhaid inni sicrhau er y bydd y sefyllfa bresennol yn gwella, y bydd angen inni fuddsoddi mewn hyfforddiant unigolion a fydd yn gweithio yn ein hysbytai a’n sefydliadau gofal cymdeithasol yn y dyfodol. Mae hynny’n cynnwys gwella nifer y lleoedd a ariennir ar gyfer hyfforddi nyrsys a nifer llawn y lleoedd hyfforddi meddygol i israddedigion yng Nghymru.

Before our summer recess, the Health and Social Services Committee received a document that clearly stated the need for increased intensive therapy units and high dependency unit beds and 400 general medical beds. This administration and any future administration—perhaps next week—must redress the 6000 bed cuts presided over by the previous Conservative Government. These investments in staff and beds will be jeopardised unless we also invest in the infrastructure of Welsh hospitals.

Cyn gwyliau’r haf, derbyniodd y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ddogfen a oedd yn nodi’n glir yr angen am fwy o unedau therapi dwys a gwelyau mewn unedau dibyniaeth uchel a 400 o welyau meddygol cyffredinol. Rhaid i’r weinyddiaeth hon ac unrhyw weinyddiaeth yn y dyfodol—efallai yr wythnos nesaf—unioni’r toriad o 6000 o welyau a wnaethpwyd gan y Llywodraeth Dorïaidd flaenorol. Peryglir y buddsoddiadau hyn mewn staff a gwelyau oni fyddwn hefyd yn buddsoddi yn seilwaith ysbytai Cymru.

Janet Davies spoken in English p. 86

Janet Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86

It is accepted that the role of housing is the most crucial factor in Wales’s health. In addition, the 1998 figures showed that unfit owner-occupied and privately rented houses needed at least £940 million spent on bringing them up to adequate standard. Therefore, could you justify why in the ‘Putting Wales First’ document there is only an intention to spend 0.5 per cent of the money that is needed—that is £5 million a year, about £227, 000 per council—on housing? In addition, could you explain why there seems to be a failure to pump-prime housing when it is so important for the health service?

Derbynnir mai rôl tai yw’r ffactor mwyaf tyngedfennol i iechyd Cymru. Yn ogystal, dangosodd ffigurau 1998 bod angen gwario o leiaf £940 miliwn ar dai perchennog-ddeiliaid anaddas a thai preifat ar rent er mwyn iddynt gyrraedd safon dderbyniol. Felly, a allech gyfiawnhau pam yn y ddogfen ‘Putting Wales First’ ei bod ond yn fwriad gwario 0.5 y cant o’r arian sydd ei angen—hynny yw £5 miliwn y flwyddyn, tua £227,000 fesul cyngor—ar dai? Yn ogystal, a allech esbonio pam yr ymddengys bod methiant i neilltuo arian yn benodol ar gyfer tai pan fydd mor bwysig i’r gwasanaeth iechyd?

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 87

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 87

I would be the first to agree that for too long in the past, responsibility for the health and wellbeing of this country has been left to doctors and nurses. Health is much more than what doctors, nurses and hospitals can provide. If we are to truly improve the health of this country, we need to look at the broad range of services provided by local government and education settings, for instance. Housing is crucial. There is no point in fixing someone’s chest infection if you are going to send that person home to live in a damp house. That is why the figure that you quoted is additional to what was already going to be spent by this Labour administration. It is additional to what was already allocated. The partnership document intends to ensure that the housing renovation grants system, which was decimated under the last Government, begins to be restored to the level at which it should be.

Fi fyddai’r cyntaf i gytuno bod y cyfrifoldeb dros iechyd a lles y wlad hon wedi’i adael yn rhy hir yn nwylo meddygon a nyrsys yn y gorffennol. Mae iechyd yn golygu llawer mwy na’r hyn y gall meddygon, nyrsys ac ysbytai ei ddarparu. Os ydym i wella iechyd y wlad hon yn wirioneddol, mae angen inni edrych ar yr ystod eang o wasanaethau a ddarperir gan sefydliadau llywodraeth leol ac addysg, er enghraifft. Mae tai yn hanfodol. Nid oes pwynt gwella haint ar frest rhywun os byddwch yn anfon y person hwnnw adref i fyw mewn tŷ llaith. Dyna pam fod y ffigur a ddyfynwyd gennych yn ychwanegol at yr hyn a oedd eisoes yn mynd i gael ei wario gan y weinyddiaeth Lafur hon. Mae’n ychwanegol at yr hyn a ddyranwyd eisoes. Mae’r ddogfen bartneriaeth yn bwriadu sicrhau y dechreuir adfer y system grantiau adnewyddu tai, a anrheithiwyd o dan y Llywodraeth ddiwethaf, i’r lefel y dylai fod.

To return to what I was going to say, investment is needed in the infrastructure of the service. It is hard to believe that in Swansea, radiotherapy machines are being repaired and patched with spare parts from machines that are no longer used in England. Contrary to the scepticism, perhaps jealous scepticism, of other parties, I believe that the measures outlined in the partnership document will begin to deliver for the staff and patients of the NHS in Wales.

I ddychwelyd at yr hyn yr oeddwn yn mynd i’w ddweud, mae angen buddsoddi yn seilwaith y gwasanaeth. Mae’n anodd credu bod peiriannau radiotherapi yn Abertawe yn cael eu hatgyweirio a’u hailwampio â darnau sbâr o beiriannau nas defnyddir yn Lloegr bellach. Yn groes i sgeptiaeth, o bosibl sgeptiaeth genfigenus, pleidiau eraill, credaf y bydd y mesurau a amlinellir yn y ddogfen bartneriaeth yn dechrau cyflawni’r addewid i staff a chleifion yr NHS yng Nghymru.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 87

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 87

It is becoming obvious that this debate is taking place in circumstances very different to those of the first half of the debate. The previous discussion was based on how the budget would be allocated according to ‘Betterwales.com’. That has now been superseded by ‘Putting Wales First’. After all the public consultation involved in ‘Betterwales.com’, how much public consultation will there be into ‘Putting Wales First’?

Mae’n dod yn amlwg bod y ddadl hon yn digwydd o dan amgylchiadau gwahanol iawn i’r rheiny yn hanner cyntaf y ddadl. Yr oedd y ddadl flaenorol yn seiliedig ar sut y dyrennid y gyllideb yn ôl ‘Gwellcymru.com’. Mae hwn bellach wedi ei ddisodli gan ‘Putting Wales First’. Ar ôl yr holl ymgynghori cyhoeddus a oedd yn gysylltiedig â ‘Gwellcymru.com’, faint o ymgynghori cyhoeddus a fydd ar ‘Putting Wales First’?

Amendment 4, proposed in the name of Ieuan Wyn Jones, still stands and is still relevant. The amendment states that money should be allocated according to priorities that will achieve the aim of spreading prosperity throughout Wales and tackling inequality in our society. The best way to tackle this inequality, as has already been said, is to invest in housing. Better housing will lead to an improvement in health and educational prospects and will stimulate local employment prospects.

Mae gwelliant 4, a gynigiwyd yn enw Ieuan Wyn Jones, yn dal i sefyll ac mae’n berthnasol o hyd. Mae’r gwelliant yn datgan y dylid dyrannu arian yn ôl blaenoriaethau a fydd yn cyflawni’r nod o ledaenu ffyniant ledled Cymru a mynd i’r afael â’r anghydraddoldeb hwn yn ein cymdeithas. Y ffordd orau o fynd i’r afael â’r anghydraddoldeb hwn, fel y dywedwyd eisoes, yw buddsoddi mewn tai. Bydd tai gwell yn arwain at welliant o ran rhagolygon iechyd ac addysgol ac yn symbylu rhagolygon cyflogaeth lleol.

Here I take up Janet Davies’s point, bearing in mind what Kirsty said, which was interesting. I note from ‘Putting Wales First’, which was a sign of this new coalition’s commitment to tackling the causes of disadvantage, that the coalition intends to invest a grand total of an additional £7 million each year for three years in improving the quality of housing in Wales. This new money is to be welcomed, but it will hardly touch the surface of the problem. The latest Welsh housing statistics put the total cost of repairing homes in Wales at approximately £1 billion. If this new money is not sufficient, we have to consider something else. This is where Kirsty’s comments are interesting. The total in the housing underspend overall this year is, astonishingly, over £23 million.

Yma yr wyf yn mynd ar ôl pwynt Janet Davies, gan gadw mewn cof yr hyn a ddywedodd Kirsty, a oedd yn ddiddorol. Nodaf o ‘Putting Wales First’, a oedd yn arwydd o ymrwymiad y glymblaid newydd hon i fynd i’r afael ag achosion anfantais, fod y glymblaid yn bwriadu buddsoddi cyfanswm o £7 miliwn ychwanegol bob blwyddyn am dair blynedd i wella ansawdd tai yng Nghymru. Dylid croesawu’r arian newydd hwn, ond ni fydd prin yn cyffwrdd â wyneb y broblem. Mae ystadegau diweddaraf tai Cymru yn rhoi cyfanswm y gost o atgyweirio cartrefi yng Nghymru ar tua £1 biliwn. Os nad yw’r arian newydd hwn yn ddigonol, rhaid inni ystyried rhywbeth arall. Dyma lle mae sylwadau Kirsty yn ddiddorol. Yn rhyfeddol, mae cyfanswm cyffredinol y tanwariant ar dai eleni dros £23 miliwn.

Kirsty Williams a gododd—

Kirsty Williams rose—

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 88

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 88

Will you take an intervention?

A ydych yn fodlon cymryd ymyriad?

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 88

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 88

No. One year’s underspend in housing is more than this new coalition is intending to invest over three years to improve the quality of housing in Wales. That is totally unacceptable. That underspend must be explained.

Nac ydw. Mae tanwariant ar dai mewn un flwyddyn yn fwy na’r hyn y mae’r glymblaid newydd hon yn bwriadu ei fuddsoddi dros dair blynedd i wella ansawdd tai yng Nghymru. Mae hynny’n hollol annerbyniol. Rhaid esbonio’r tanwariant hwnnw.

Kirsty Williams a gododd—

Kirsty Williams rose—

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 88

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 88

Order. Janet is not taking an intervention.

Trefn. Nid yw Janet yn cymryd ymyriad.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 88

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 88

Even if you add up all the other moneys promised in ‘Putting Wales First’ for housing-related issues, they do not total more than £42 million over three years. That is a drop in the ocean, especially when you consider this year’s underspend. Plaid Cymru say that that underspend should have been spent and the £42 million been on top of that amount.

Hyd yn oed pe byddech yn ychwanegu’r holl arian arall a addawyd yn ‘Putting Wales First’ ar gyfer materion yn ymwneud â thai, nid ydynt yn gwneud cyfanswm o fwy na £42 miliwn dros dair blynedd. Nid yw hyn ond pitw, yn enwedig pan ystyriwch tanwariant eleni. Mae Plaid Cymru yn dweud y dylid fod wedi gwario’r tanwariant hwnnw ac y dylai’r £42 miliwn fod yn ychwanegol at y swm hwnnw.

I draw your attention to paragraph 16 in the local government and housing section of ‘Putting Wales First’. That section states that the new coalition:

Tynnaf eich sylw at baragraff 16 yn adran llywodraeth leol a thai o ‘Putting Wales First’. Mae’r adran honno yn datgan y bydd y glymblaid newydd:

‘will participate in the on-going review of the capital finance of council housing.’

Here, again, we need clarification. Peter Law has made it clear that it is Labour Party policy to finance the backlog of repairs through the transfer of council housing stock out of council control. Labour is determined to follow the Thatcherite policy for financing council housing. It was Thatcher’s distrust of public investment in this essential commodity that blighted so many of our communities. Yet Labour refuses to look at changing the borrowing requirements and offering councils an alternative way, enabling them to borrow money, retain control of their housing stock and repair it. One can only assume that stock transfer is now Liberal Democrat policy as well. Both groups are showing their true blue colours. Ieuan’s amendments stated that we should invest in those things that will make a difference to poor health and poor education and increase social inclusion. Plaid Cymru would invest in housing in Wales and, by doing that, we would be investing in the basis of better communities for the future of Wales.

Yma, eto, mae angen eglurhad. Mae Peter Law wedi egluro mai polisi’r Blaid Lafur yw ariannu’r ôl-groniad o atgyweiriadau drwy drosglwyddo’r stoc o dai cyngor o reolaeth y cyngor. Mae Llafur yn benderfynol o ddilyn polisi Thatcheraidd ar gyfer ariannu tai cyngor. Amheuaeth Thatcheraidd o fuddsoddiad cyhoeddus yn y mater hanfodol hwn a niweidiodd gynifer o’n cymunedau. Eto i gyd mae Llafur yn gwrthod edrych ar newid y gofynion benthyg a chynnig dull amgen i gynghorau, gan eu galluogi i gael benthyg arian, cadw rheolaeth ar eu stoc tai a’u hatgyweirio. Gellir ond tybio bod trosglwyddo’r stoc bellach yn bolisi’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol hefyd. Dengys y ddau grŵp eu gwir liw glas. Mynegodd gwelliannau Ieuan y dylid buddsoddi yn y pethau hynny a fydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i iechyd gwael ac addysg wael ac yn gwella cynhwysiant cymdeithasol. Byddai Plaid Cymru yn buddosddi mewn tai yng Nghymru, ac wrth wneud hynny byddem yn buddsoddi mewn seiliau cymunedau gwell ar gyfer dyfodol Cymru.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 89

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 89

Before this issue develops legs and runs too far, there is no doubt that housing is an important aspect in the social and cultural determinants of health. However, the most important determinant, as outlined in the Townsend report, which David Davies’s Government did not even have the courage to print, was people’s income—

Cyn i’r mater hwn fynd yn rhy bell, nid oes amheuaeth nad yw tai yn agwedd bwysig ar yr hyn sydd yn pennu iechyd yn gymdeithasol a diwylliannol. Fodd bynnag, y penderfynydd pwysicaf, fel yr amlinellwyd yn adroddiad Townsend, nad oedd gan Lywodraeth David Davies y dewrder i’w gyhoeddi, oedd incwm pobl—

David Davies: a gododd—

David Davies: rose—

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 89

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 89

Order. Could we have quiet in the Chamber for the Member to speak. Will you take an intervention?

Trefn. A allwn ni gael tawelwch yn y Siambr i’r Aelod siarad. A ydych yn fodlon cymryd ymyriad?

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 89

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 89

No. Income was the most important determinant. The Labour Government’s programme to concentrate on dealing with poverty and low incomes is the right way forward. We need to tackle housing, but it is only one of a number of issues. [Interruption.]

Nac ydyw. Incwm oedd y penderfynydd pwysicaf. Rhaglen y Llywodreth Lafur i ganolbwyntio ar ymdrin â thlodi ac incwm isel yw’r ffordd iawn ymlaen. Mae angen inni fynd i’r afael â thai, ond dim ond un o nifer o faterion ydyw. [Torri ar draws.]

Alison Halford spoken in English p. 90

Alison Halford siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

Point of order. David Davies’s behaviour is unacceptable and I wish to complain about it.

Pwynt o drefn. Mae ymddygiad David Davies yn annerbyniol a hoffwn gwyno amdano.

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

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

David Davies, will you respond to that point of order?

David Davies, a wnewch chi ymateb i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn?

David Davies spoken in English p. 90

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

I made a contribution in the debate on transport on Tuesday and Brian Gibbons talked through it. I was told that because the microphone was not on, he was not officially saying anything. Brian Gibbons’s behaviour put me off. If he cannot take it, then he should not dish it out. Either he can apologise or I will carry on talking through—

Cyfrannais at y ddadl ar drafnidiaeth ddydd Mawrth a siaradodd Brian Gibbons ar fy nhraws. Dywedwyd wrthyf am nad oedd y meicroffon ymlaen, nad oedd yn dweud unrhyw beth yn swyddogol. Gwnaeth ymddygiad Brian Gibbons i mi deimlo’n annifyr. Os na all ymdopi â hyn, ni ddylai fod mor barod i drin pobl eraill yn yr un modd. Naill ai gall ymddiheuro neu byddaf yn parhau i siarad ar ei draws—

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

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

Order. I remind all Members that only speakers called by the Chair are officially recorded for the Record. We ask Members to respect each other in this Chamber and to listen to other Members’ speeches. It is up to individual Members whether or not they take an intervention. An intervention comes out of the time allocated to an individual Member’s speech.

Trefn. Atgoffaf bob Aelod mai dim ond siaradwyr a elwir gan y Cadeirydd a gaiff eu cofnodi’n swyddogol ar gyfer y Cofnod. Gofynnwn i Aelodau barchu ei gilydd yn y Siambr hon ac i wrando ar areithiau Aelodau eraill. Mater i Aelodau unigol yw pa un a ydynt am gymryd ymyriad ai peidio. Daw ymyriad allan o’r amser a ddyrennir i araith Aelod unigol.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 90

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

I speak against virtually all of the amendments, with the exception of Peter Black’s amendment 5. I support Val Feld’s point that one of the most debilitating aspects of the comprehensive spending review has been the behaviour of the opposition in dealing with Objective 1, match funding and PES cover. In recent meetings held by the Economic Development Committee throughout Wales, I have been disappointed by the lack of engagement by the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, in the Objective 1 programme. I concur with Val’s point that one of the main reasons for that is that a debate on Objective 1 and related matters—

Siaradaf yn erbyn pob gwelliant bron, ac eithrio gwelliant 5 Peter Black. Cefnogaf bwynt Val Feld mai un o agweddau mwyaf gwanychol yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant oedd ymddygiad yr wrthblaid wrth ddelio ag Amcan 1, arian cyfatebol a darpariaeth yr arolwg gwariant cyhoeddus . Mewn cyfarfodydd diweddar a gynhaliwyd gan y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd ledled Cymru, fe’m siomwyd gan ddiffyg cyfraniad y sector preifat, yn arbennig busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint, yn rhaglen Amcan 1. Cytunaf â phwynt Val mai un o’r prif resymau dros hynny yw bod dadl ar Amcan 1 a materion perthnasol—

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 90

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

Do you accept that a delay in implementation is also a major factor in deterring people?

A dderbyniwch fod oedi wrth weithredu hefyd yn ffactor sylweddol wrth rwystro pobl?

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 90

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

I would not accept that. The level of performance in Wales in delivering Objective 1 is as good historically as any other programme. It is as good as most other regions in the United Kingdom at the moment, with the possible exception of Merseyside, which has already had experience of one particular programme. The main reason is that opposition parties in this Assembly have talked down the potential of Objective 1. They have continually pointed obstacles as to why it would not happen. We have delivered on the comprehensive spending review and the PES cover and we have provided the potential for match funding. I had hoped that the opposition parties would have decided to let bygones be bygones and start a fresh era in which we would talk about exploiting the potential. That has not happened. Straight back from behind their closed-door conference in Llandudno, with a new leader, we could have hoped for a new song from Plaid Cymru. We had a new leader but it was the old song. Instead of offering new vision and a new theme it went over the old themes—discredited themes, in the light of the comprehensive spending review. It reminded me of the song from Paint your Wagon, ‘I never saw a sight that was not better looking back’. Plaid Cymru is incapable of looking forward. It wants to fight these battles over and over again. Let us get to the nub of the issue. Did we get adequate PES cover? We did in terms of the expenditure because, as we have seen in the documents that have come before the Economic Development Committee, the spending profile will not be flat and symmetrical. There will be a start-up, a plateau and a tail-off. If we look at the figures for the comprehensive spending review, we see that over the last five years of the spending programme it is projected that we will put £850 million into the scheme to cover the so-called missing money to which Plaid Cymru refers continually. We have projected this extra money into the scheme, and we have seen the documents in meetings of the Economic Development Committee.

Ni fyddwn yn derbyn hynny. Mae’r lefel o berfformiad yng Nghymru wrth gyflwyno Amcan 1 cystal yn hanesyddol ag unrhyw raglen arall. Mae cystal â’r rhan fwyaf o’r rhanbarthau eraill yn y Deyrnas Unedig ar hyn o bryd, ac eithrio Glannau Merswy o bosibl, sydd eisoes wedi cael profiad o un rhaglen arbennig. Y prif reswm yw bod y gwrthbleidiau yn y Cynulliad hwn wedi dibrisio potensial Amcan 1. Maent wedi cyfeirio dro ar ôl tro at rwystrau o safbwynt pam na fyddai’n digwydd. Yr ydym wedi cyflawni ein haddewidion o ran yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant a darpariaeth yr arolwg gwariant cyhoeddus ac yr ydym wedi darparu’r potensial ar gyfer arian cyfatebol. Yr oeddwn wedi gobeithio y byddai’r gwrthbleidiau wedi penderfynu peidio â dal dig a dechrau ar gyfnod newydd o siarad am fanteisio i’r eithaf ar y potensial. Ni ddigwyddodd hynny. Newydd ddychwelyd o’r tu ôl i ddrysau caeëdig eu cynhadledd yn Llandudno, gydag arweinydd newydd, gallem fod wedi gobeithio am gân newydd gan Blaid Cymru. Cawsom arweinydd newydd ond yr un hen gân. Yn lle cynnig gweledigaeth newydd a thema newydd aeth dros yr hen themâu—themâu a wrthbrofwyd, yng ngoleuni’r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant. Yr oedd yn fy atgoffa o’r gân yn Paint your Wagon, ‘I never saw a sight that was not better looking back’. Nid yw Plaid Cymru yn gallu edrych ymlaen. Mae am ymladd y brwydrau hyn drosodd a throsodd. Gadewch inni fynd i graidd y mater. A gawsom ddigon o arian yr arolwg gwariant cyhoeddus? Cawsom hynny o safbwynt y gwariant oherwydd, fel y gwelsom yn y dogfennau a ddaeth gerbron y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd, ni fydd y proffil gwario yn wastad ac yn gydffurf. Bydd cychwyn, man gwastad a diwedd. Os edrychwn ar y ffigurau ar gyfer yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant, gwelwn dros bum mlynedd olaf y rhaglen wario y rhagamcanir y byddwn yn rhoi £850 miliwn yn y cynllun i gwmpasu’r arian coll fel y’i gelwir y mae Plaid Cymru yn cyfeirio ato dro ar ôl tro. Rhagamcanwyd yr arian ychwanegol hwn yn y cynllun, a gwelsom y dogfennau yng nghyfarfodydd y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd.

Moving on to match funding, it is an insult to the ingenuity and the creativity of people in Wales to believe that they are not capable of deriving match funding from the £7 billion to £8.5 billion that we have at our disposal in the Assembly or from the extra £400 million to £500 million that we are getting from the comprehensive spending review. On top of that, we have money from the Employment Service and the New Deal and the options from the lottery. Let us put this behind us. We have had enough swings of this dead cat from Plaid Cymru. Let us move on to the future.

Gan symud ymlaen at arian cyfatebol, mae’n sarhad ar ddyfeisgarwch a dawn greadigol pobl Cymru i gredu na allant gael arian cyfatebol o’r £7 biliwn i £8.5 biliwn sydd gennym i’w ddefnyddio yn y Cynulliad neu o’r £400 miliwn i £500 miliwn ychwanegol yr ydym yn ei gael o’r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant. Ar ben hynny, mae gennym arian o’r Gwasanaeth Cyflogi a’r Fargen Newydd a’r opsiynau o’r loteri. Gadewch inni roi hyn y tu ôl inni. Yr ydym wedi cael digon o’r un hen ddadl gan Blaid Cymru. Gadewch inni symud ymlaen i’r dyfodol.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 92

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 92

Fis diwethaf pan drafodasom yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant, yr oedd y cynnig yn cymeradwyo’r egwyddor bod y cronfeydd yn cael eu dyrannu gan y Cynulliad yn ôl y blaenoriaethau a roddir yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’ a bod y Cynulliad yn cymeradwyo’r egwyddor bod y dyraniadau yn hybu tair prif thema, sef datblygu cynaliadwy, mynd i’r afael ag anfantais cymdeithasol, a chyfle cyfartal.

Last month when we discussed the comprehensive spending review, the motion approved the principle that the funds were distributed by the Assembly according to the priorities set out in ‘Betterwales.com’ and that the Assembly approves the principle that the allocations promotes the three major themes, sustainable development, tackling social disadvantage, and equal opportunities.

Bellach, nid barn Pwyllgorau’r Cynulliad na chynnwys ‘Gwellcymru.com’ a fydd yn dylanwadu neu’n penderfynu ar y modd y dyrennir yr arian, ond y bartneriaeth arfaethedig rhwng y Llywodraeth a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a chynnwys y cytundeb partneriaeth ‘Putting Wales First’.

By now, it is not the opinion of the Assembly’s Committees or the contents of ‘Betterwales.com’ that will influence or determine the way that the money is allocated, but the proposed partnership between the Government and the Liberal Democrats and the contents of the partnership agreement ‘Putting Wales First’.

Mae’n amlwg ac yn syndod felly fod y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol wedi darganfod bwlch ariannu o £60 miliwn yn yr arian cyfatebol a roddwyd gan San Steffan ac y cyfeiriwyd ato gan Peter Black yn y ddadl ar 12 Medi. Mawr obeithiaf na fydd yr arian hwn yn cael ei dynnu o wasanaethau megis iechyd ac addysg. Mae’n edrych yn debyg y bydd gwariant cyhoeddus yng Nghymru yn llai ar gyfartaledd nag yn Lloegr wedi ichi dynnu cymorthdaliadau Ewropeaidd ac arian cyfatebol o gyllideb y Cynulliad. Mae Cynog Dafis wedi gwneud y pwynt hwnnw yn ddigon eglur.

It is obvious and surprising therefore that the Liberal Democrats have found a funding gap of £60 million in the match funding provided by Westminster to which Peter Black referred in the debate on 12 September. I greatly hope that this money will not be taken from services such as health and education. It looks likely that public expenditure in Wales will be less on average than in England when you take European subsidies and match funding from the Assembly’s budget. Cynog Dafis has made that point clearly enough.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 92

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 92

Would you rather we spent all this money on services and allowed the Objective 1 money to go without any match funding, or do what we can with the money that has been made available to us and allocate money as best we can with the budget that we have been given? We would all have wanted much more money from central Government to spend on this match funding, but the money has not come through as we would all have wanted. Therefore, we must work with what we have.

A fyddai’n well gennych inni wario’r holl arian hwn ar wasanaethau a chaniatáu i arian Amcan 1 fynd heb unrhyw arian cyfatebol, neu wneud yr hyn a allwn gyda’r arian sydd ar gael inni a dyrannu arian orau y gallwn gyda’r gyllideb a roddwyd inni? Byddem i gyd wedi dymuno cael rhagor o arian gan y Llywodraeth ganolog i wario ar yr arian cyfatebol hwn, ond nid yw’r arian wedi dod drwyddo fel y byddem i gyd wedi dymuno. Felly, rhaid inni weithio gyda’r hyn sydd gennym.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 93

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 93

Dim ond rhyfeddu at y dröedigaeth yr oeddwn i.

I was merely astonished at the conversion.

Dyna pam, wrth ddarllen y cytundeb ac ystyried y blaengareddau arfaethedig ym maes addysg a dysgu gydol oes, fod rhywun yn gweld bod rhai cynlluniau niwlog o ran targedau ariannol penodol. Er enghraifft, ni phennwyd arian ar gyfer addysg feithrin. Nid oes ymrwymiad i ddatblygu darpariaeth ddwyieithog yma ychwaith, dim ond y frawddeg gryptaidd

That is why, in reading the agreement and considering the proposed initiatives in the field of education and lifelong learning, one sees that there are some hazy schemes with regard to specific financial targets. For example, money has not been specified for nursery education. There is no commitment to developing bilingual provision here either, only the cryptic sentence

‘we will ensure that the role of the voluntary organisations…is respected’,

beth bynnag a olyga hynny. Cyfeirir hefyd at £65 miliwn uwchlaw’r cynlluniau presennol dros y tair blynedd nesaf i leihau maint dosbarthiadau i blant wyth, naw, 10 ac 11 mlwydd oed.

what ever that means. Reference is also made to £65 million over and above existing plans over the next three years to reduce class sizes for children aged eight, nine 10 and 11.

Ai’r ysgolion ynteu’r Prif Ysgrifennydd a’r darpar Ddirprwy Brif Ysgrifennydd a bennodd y flaenoriaeth honno? Ac os ydym am leihau maint dosbarthiadau, a gawn wybod i ba lefel neu uchafswm? Yn yr un modd, a yw gwario £1.3 miliwn ar lefrith rhad yn flaenoriaeth a fynegwyd gan ysgolion ac athrawon? Byddwn hefyd yn awyddus i weld sut y bwriedir gweithio gyda Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig i ddatgysylltu perfformiad disgyblion mewn arholiadau—

Was it the schools or the First Secretary and the Deputy First Secretary designate who determined that priority? And if we are to reduce class sizes, can we be told to what level or maximum? In the same way, is spending £1.3 million on cheap milk a priority that has been expressed by schools and teachers? I would also be anxious to see how it is intended to work with the UK Government to separate pupils’ performance in examinations—

Gwenda Thomas a gododd—

Gwenda Thomas rose—

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 93

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

Order. Will you take an intervention from Gwenda Thomas?

Trefn. A ydych yn fodlon cymryd ymyriad gan Gwenda Thomas?

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 93

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 93

Na wnaf. Nid oes gennyf amser. Yr wyf wedi cymryd un ymyriad.

No. I do not have time. I have taken one intervention.

Hyd yn hyn, mae’r Adran Addysg a Chyflogaeth wedi dewis ein hanwybyddu yn llwyr ar y mater pwysig hwn, ac ar nifer o faterion pwysig eraill. Croesawn rai agweddau yn y sector addysg, er enghraifft y cynllun peilot ar gyfer y Fagloriaeth Gymreig, yr ymdrech i fynd i’r afael â thlodi myfyrwyr, uwchraddio adeiladau ysgolion a’r bwriad uchelgeisiol i greu polisi ar gyfer ysgolion gwledig, er nad oes yma amcan o gost na buddsoddiad.

To date, the Department for Education and Employment has decided to completely ignore us on this important matter, and on many other important matters. We welcome some aspects in the education sector, for example the pilot scheme for the Welsh Baccalaureate, the effort to tackle student poverty, upgrading school buildings and the ambitious intention to create a policy for rural schools, although there is no estimate of a cost or investment here.

I gloi, yr wyf yn siomedig nad oes unrhyw ymrwymiad ariannol na chyfeiriad at strategaeth i wella darpariaeth addysg anghenion arbennig na’r iaith Gymraeg, a phrin yw’r ymrwymiad i’r brif thema o gyfle cyfartal. Ar hyn o bryd, rhestr o ddymuniadau sydd yma ac nid rhestr o dargedau diriaethol i anelu atynt. Mae nifer o’r eitemau polisi yn simsan ac yn arwynebol, ac nid ydynt wedi eu clymu i symiau ariannol penodedig. Mae’r diffyg eglurder yn y ffigurau o ran ffynonellau yn peri pryder. Erfyniaf ar Edwina, pan ddaw’r amser i wneud penderfyniadau terfynol, y bydd, yn unol â’i haddewid blaenorol, yn cyflwyno ffigurau’r gyllideb mewn modd diamwys a thryloyw fel y byddwn oll yn eu deall.

To conclude, I am disappointed that there is no financial commitment or reference to a strategy to improve special needs education provision or the Welsh language, and there is little commitment to the main theme of equality of opportunity. At present, this is a wish list rather than a list of concrete targets towards which to aim. Many of the policy items are unstable and superficial, and they have not been tied to specific financial sums. The lack of clarity in the figures regarding sources causes concern. I plead with Edwina, when the time comes to make final decisions, that she will, in accordance with her previous promise, present the budget figures in an unambiguous and transparent manner so that we all understand them.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 94

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94

I will deal with the amendments. On amendment 1, I think I made it quite clear in the Plenary debate on 19 July that, given the overall increase in the block grant as a result of the spending review and the amount of match funding already in the system, I believe that there is adequate provision. We will therefore not support amendment 1. On amendment 3, I suggest that it is time to stop carping about these issues. We must put all this behind us. We have had the spending review and we know of the job that must be done in terms of properly managing structural fund programmes. The people of Wales will not thank us for carping and going over the same issues all the time.

Deliaf â’r gwelliannau. O ran gwelliant 1, credaf fy mod wedi ei gwneud yn ddigon clir yn nadl y Cyfarfod Llawn ar 19 Gorffennaf fy môd yn teimlo, o ystyried y cynnydd cyffredinol yn y grant bloc o ganlyniad i’r adolygiad o wariant a’r swm o arian cyfatebol yn y system eisoes, bod y ddarpariaeth yn ddigonol. Ni fyddwn felly yn cefnogi gwelliant 1. O ran gwelliant 3, awgrymaf ei bod yn amser rhoi taw ar gwyno am y materion hyn. Rhaid inni roi hyn y tu ôl inni. Yr ydym wedi cael yr adolygiad o wariant a gwyddom am y gwaith sydd yn rhaid ei wneud o ran rheoli rhaglenni ariannu strwythurol yn iawn. Ni fydd pobl Cymru yn diolch inni am weld beiau a thrafod yr un materion drwy’r amser.

We share the priorities that Ieuan Wyn Jones covers in amendment 4 and we are trying to actively address them. I am disappointed that Ieuan does not feel able to support the priorities in ‘Betterwales.com’ in that respect. Our understanding is that we signed up to the introduction, which includes the three major themes, in the programme for Government. That obviously relates to amendment 4 in parts. I thought that there was some general signing up on some themes with ‘Betterwales.com’. I have no intention of supporting amendment 6. It is a pity that we cannot get on and do certain things. I appreciate the sentiment behind amendment 7, but the Labour Party will support the Liberal Democrats’ amendment 5, in the name of Peter Black, in this regard. There are no surprises there—

Rhannwn y blaenoriaethau a gwmpesir gan Ieuan Wyn Jones yng ngwelliant 4 ac yr ydym yn ceisio mynd i’r afael â hwy yn weithredol. Yr wyf yn siomedig nad yw Ieuan yn teimlo y gall gefnogi’r blaenoriaethau yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’ o’r safbwynt hwnnw. Ein dealltwriaeth yw inni gymeradwyo’r cyflwyniad, sydd yn cynnwys y tair prif thema, yn y rhaglen ar gyfer y Llywodraeth. Mae rhannau ohono yn amlwg yn berthnasol i welliant 4. Credais fod rhywfaint o gytundeb cyffredinol ar rai themâu gyda ‘Gwellcymru.com’. Nid yw’n fwriad gennyf gefnogi gwelliant 6 o gwbl. Mae’n drueni na allwn fwrw ymlaen a gwneud rhai pethau. Gwerthfawrogaf y teimlad y tu ôl i welliant 7, ond bydd y Blaid Lafur yn cefnogi gwelliant 5 y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, yn enw Peter Black, yn y cyswllt hwn. Nid yw hynny’n annisgwyl—

Peter Black spoken in English p. 95

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

May I raise that point with you, Edwina? If you support amendment 7, which proposes to set average council tax at the rate of inflation, that would lead to a council tax increase of 3.3 per cent, whereas the Liberal Democrat partnership agreement proposes an average council tax increase of only 3 per cent.

A allaf godi’r pwynt hwnnw gyda chi, Edwina? Os ydych yn cefnogi gwelliant 7, sydd yn cynnig pennu’r dreth gyngor gyffredin ar raddfa chwyddiant, y byddai hynny yn arwain at gynnydd o 3.3 y cant yn y dreth gyngor, tra bod cytundeb partneriaeth y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn cynnig cynnydd o ddim ond 3 y cant yn y dreth gyngor gyffredin.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 95

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

That is correct, Peter.

Mae hynny’n gywir, Peter.

David Davies spoken in English p. 95

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

Finance Secretary, on 1 December 1999, did you not say that if you were to look at the Liberals in four years’ time and mark the contributions so far, in the way that you would mark exam papers, the Liberals would fail hands down? How do you explain your sudden change of mind?

Yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid, ar 1 Rhagfyr 1999, oni ddywedasoch pe byddech yn edrych ar y Rhyddfrydwyr ymhen pedair blynedd a nodi eu cyfraniadau hyd hynny, yn y ffordd y byddech yn marcio papurau arholiad, y byddai’r Rhyddfrydwyr yn methu yn lân? Sut yr esboniwch y newid sydyn yn eich barn?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 95

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

You have probably quoted me correctly, but circumstances and politics change. You must recognise the realities of getting good, sound and stable government in Wales, which I rate much higher than any jibes that I make in this Chamber. We must ensure that Wales is governed with stable government over the next few years of the Assembly’s life.

Yr ydych yn ôl pob tebyg wedi fy nyfynnu’n gywir, ond mae amgylchiadau a gwleidyddiaeth yn newid. Rhaid i chi gydnabod realiti cael llywodraeth dda, gadarn a sefydlog yng Nghymru, yr hyn yr ystyriaf yn uwch o lawer nag unrhyw wawdio a wnaf yn y Siambr hon. Rhaid inni sicrhau y caiff Cymru ei llywodrethu gan lywodraeth sefydlog yn ystod yr ychydig flynyddoedd nesaf o fywyd y Cynulliad.

I want to turn to the points that were made in both debates. Ieuan Wyn Jones talked in the initial debate about some of the inequalities in Welsh society, heart disease and properly resourced schools. Those are issues with which I totally concur and they need to be taken into account when making our budget priorities.

Trof at y pwyntiau a wnaethpwyd yn ystod y ddwy ddadl. Siaradodd Ieuan Wyn Jones yn y ddadl gychwynnol am rai o’r anghydraddoldebau yn y gymdeithas yng Nghymru, clefyd y galon ac ysgolion â’r adnoddau cywir. Mae’r rheini yn faterion yr wyf y cytuno â hwy yn gyfan gwbl ac mae angen eu hystyried wrth flaenoriaethu ein cyllideb.

The last time Peter Black spoke, he mentioned transparency in our dealings. We must be transparent, in terms of the European structural funds and the pots of money from match funding and in how we deal with all those issues.

Y tro diwethaf y siaradodd Peter Black, soniodd am natur dryloyw ein gweithrediadau. Rhaid inni fod yn dryloyw, o ran cronfeydd strwythurol Ewrop a’r domen o arian cyfatebol ac yn y ffordd yr ydym yn delio â’r holl faterion hynny.

Nick Bourne spoke about several issues, but he spoke a lot about health, the problems with waiting lists being an issue of confidence and the need for us to consider our priorities in terms of health investment, which, in the light of the settlement that I have in the comprehensive spending review, will be very high on our lists. He also mentioned agriculture, with particular reference to Tir Gofal and money and commitments for it. We are totally committed to the Tir Gofal scheme. It has been wholly necessary in the way that we deal with agricultural issues in Wales.

Siaradodd Nick Bourne am nifer o faterion, ond siaradodd lawer am iechyd, y problemau gyda rhestrau aros yn fater o hyder a’r angen inni ystyried ein blaenoriaethau o ran buddsoddi mewn iechyd, a fydd, yng ngoleuni’r setliad sydd gennyf yn yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant, yn uchel iawn ar ein rhestrau. Soniodd hefyd am amaethyddiaeth, gan gyfeirio’n arbennig at Tir Gofal a’r arian a’r ymrwymiadau ar ei gyfer. Yr ydym yn hollol ymrwymedig i’r cynllun Tir Gofal. Mae wedi bod yn hollol angenrheidiol yn y modd y deliwn â materion amaethyddol yng Nghymru.

I was pleased with Val Feld’s comments about the need for the strategic use of cash. It is important that we deal with money strategically and make it go further and consider our budget in that respect. Phil Williams spoke in detail about looking at comparable figures and the full publication of them. There are figures that indicate the consequentials with all Westminster departments. There is further work to be done in that area. We must always be mindful of what is right for us in terms of what consequentials we get.

Yr oeddwn yn falch o sylwadau Val Feld ynglŷn â’r angen i ddefnyddio arian yn strategol. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn delio ag arian yn strategol ac yn sicrhau ei fod yn mynd ymhellach ac ystyried ein cyllideb o’r safbwynt hwnnw. Siaradodd Phil Williams yn fanwl ynglŷn ag edrych ar ffigurau cymaradwy a’u cyhoeddi’n llawn. Mae yna ffigurau sydd yn nodi’r canlyniadau gyda holl adrannau San Steffan. Mae gwaith pellach i’w wneud yn y maes hwnnw. Rhaid inni fod yn ymwybodol bob amser o’r hyn sydd yn iawn inni o ran y canlyniadau a gawn.

Glyn Davies was perturbed in the last debate about the council tax settlement and tried to accuse me of simply rolling out the Westminster agenda. That is clearly not the case. As regards the council tax, from what I understand from this debate, I am sure that you have all spent more time reading the partnership document than I have.

Cynhyrfwyd Glyn Davies yn y ddadl ddiwethaf ynglŷn â setliad y dreth gyngor a cheisiodd fy nghyhuddo o gyflwyno agenda San Steffan. Yn amlwg nid yw hynny’n wir. O safbwynt y dreth gyngor, yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf o’r ddadl hon, yr wyf yn siŵr eich bod i gyd wedi treulio mwy o amser yn darllen y ddogfen bartneriaeth na fi.

I turn to Delyth Evans’s comments about money over and above the Barnett block. This is significant. To have money over and above the block is significant in terms of the direction in which we have moved. The Chancellor has recognised that need. We must bear that in mind when talking about reopening the discussion on the Barnett block. I noted your points, Delyth, about the bias towards economic and rural development. That is essential. We must acknowledge that the rural economy requires money and we must develop that economy supportively and correctly for the people who live in rural areas.

Trof at sylwadau Delyth Evans ynglŷn ag arian uwchlaw bloc Barnett. Mae hyn ar arwyddocaol. Mae cael arian uwchlaw’r bloc yn arwyddocaol o ran y cyfeiriad y symudasom ato. Cydnabu’r Canghellor yr angen hwnnw. Rhaid inni gadw hynny mewn cof wrth siarad am ailagor y drafodaeth ar floc Barnett. Nodais eich pwyntiau, Delyth, ynglŷn â’r tueddiad tuag at ddatblygu economaidd a gwledig. Mae hynny’n hanfodol. Rhaid inni gydnabod bod angen arian ar yr economi wledig a rhaid datblygu’r economi honno yn gefnogol ac yn gywir ar gyfer y bobl sydd yn byw mewn ardaloedd gwledig.

I turn to Kirsty’s comments. On the issue of improving capacity, I agree with the broad thrust of her remarks. It is necessary to contribute to the type of investment that will turn around the health service in Wales.

Trof at sylwadau Kirsty. O safbwynt gwella gallu, cytunaf yn fras â’i sylwadau. Mae angen cyfrannu at y math o fuddsoddiad a fydd yn chwyldroi’r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru.

I do not have your knowledge of music and films, Brian, to be able to comment on your points. However, I concur with your comments on the position regarding structural funds. They were well made. We must get on with the job.

Nid oes gennyf yr wybodaeth sydd gennych chi am gerddoriaeth a ffilmiau, Brian, i allu cynnig sylwadau ar eich pwyntiau. Fodd bynnag, cytunaf â’ch sylwadau ar y sefyllfa’n ymwneud ag arian strwythurol. Fe’u cyflwynwyd yn dda. Rhaid inni fwrw ymlaen â’r gwaith.

I turn to the interventions from Janet, Gareth and Cynog. I was astounded, Gareth, to hear your comments about school milk. It proves once and for all that Labour and the Liberals are the parties of rural Wales, because we are interested in the milk issue for farmers. Partnership—

Trof at yr ymyriadau gan Janet, Gareth a Cynog. Cefais fy syfrdanu, Gareth, i glywed eich sylwadau ynglŷn â llaeth mewn ysgolion. Mae’n profi unwaith ac am byth mai Llafur a’r Rhyddfrydwyr yw pleidiau Cymru wledig, am fod gennym ddiddordeb ym mater llaeth i ffermwyr. Mae partneriaeth—

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 97

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 97

A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd ildio?

Will the Secretary give way?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 97

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 97

No.

Na wnaf.

I do not intend to debate with you today the partnership agreement to which you have all referred. This agreement is about the Assembly’s future and what the people of Wales feel about it. ‘Betterwales.com’ still exists as a document. This partnership builds on the good work that was done on the document. It enhances the document and looks, hopefully, to a good future. Therefore, I do not intend to debate that. Welsh people will be fed up with the narrow politicking about our partnership agreement. They see this as an issue of stable, sound government. That is how we see it. We have put our narrow political differences aside for the good of Wales. If that makes the Assembly work, I will be damn proud if we have to sign up to it.

Nid yw’n fwriad gennyf heddiw i ddadlau ynghylch y cytundeb partneriaeth yr ydych i gyd wedi cyfeirio ato. Mae’r cytundeb hwn yn ymwneud â dyfodol y Cynulliad a barn pobl Cymru amdano. Mae ‘Gwellcymru.com’ yn dal i fodoli fel dogfen. Mae’r bartneriaeth hon yn adeiladu ar y gwaith da a wnaethpwyd ar y ddogfen. Mae’n gwella’r ddogfen ac yn edrych at ddyfodol da gobeithio. Felly, nid yw’n fwriad gennyf i ddadlau am hynny. Bydd pobl Cymru yn diflasu ar wleidydda cul ynglŷn â’n cytundeb partneriaeth. Gwelant hyn fel mater o lywodraeth gadarn, sefydlog. Dyna sut y gwelwn ni bethau. Rhoddasom ein gwahaniaethau gwleidyddol cul o’r neilltu er lles Cymru. Os yw hynny’n gwneud i’r Cynulliad weithio, yna byddaf yn hynod falch os bydd rhaid inni ymrwymo iddo.

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 28 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 23

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (28)
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • 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
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (23)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Christine Chapman
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • John Marek
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas

Tynnwyd gwelliant 2 yn ôl.

Amendment 2 was withdrawn.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 98

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 98

Although we did not debate amendment 2, why can we not vote on it?

Er na chafwyd dadl ar welliant 2, pam na allwn bleidleisio arno?

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 98

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 98

The Presiding Officer wrote to Glyn Davies on September 11 to indicate that amendment 2 would not be selected for debate nor put to a vote because it was similar to amendment 1.

Ysgrifennodd y Llywydd at Glyn Davies ar 11 Medi i nodi na fyddai gwelliant 2 yn cael ei ddewis ar gyfer y ddadl nac yn mynd i bleidlais am ei fod yn debyg i welliant 1.

GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 22 YmatalAbstain 6 Yn erbynAgainst 24

Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment rejected.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (22)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (6)
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Michael German
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Kirsty Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (24)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • John Marek
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas

GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 22 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 31

Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment rejected.

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

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 38 YmatalAbstain 15 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (38)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jane Hutt
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • John Marek
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
YmatalAbstain (15)
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Geraint Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Phil Williams

GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 22 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 31

Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment rejected.

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

GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 23 YmatalAbstain 6 Yn erbynAgainst 25

Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment rejected.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (23)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (6)
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Michael German
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Kirsty Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (25)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • John Marek
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 38 YmatalAbstain 16 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig wedi’i ddiwygio.

Amended motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (38)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Christine Chapman
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jane Hutt
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • John Marek
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
YmatalAbstain (16)
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Geraint Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams

Dadl Fer

Short Debate

Materion Symudedd a Mynediad i Bobl Ddall a Phobl â Nam ar eu Golwg

Mobility and Access Issues for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons

Christine Chapman spoken in English p. 104

Christine Chapman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 104

I will accept contributions from Helen Mary Jones, Brian Gibbons, David Melding and Kirsty Williams. I welcome representatives from the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the National Guide Dogs Association who are in the public gallery.

Derbyniaf gyfraniadau gan Helen Mary Jones, Brian Gibbons, David Melding a Kirsty Williams. Croesawaf gynrychiolwyr o Sefydliad Cenedlaethol Brenhinol y Deillion a Sefydliad Cenedlaethol Cŵn y Deillion sydd yn yr oriel gyhoeddus.

Last week was National Guide Dogs Week and I was privileged to spend two days looking at the work of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. At its training centre in Cardiff, I was blindfolded and led by a guide dog around the streets. I also had the opportunity to use a long cane to negotiate numerous obstacles. Later in the week, I accompanied one of my constituents, who is visually impaired, around Aberdare town centre and I experienced at first hand the difficulties that he faces day in and day out.

Yr wythnos diwethaf yr oedd yn Wythnos Genedlaethol Cŵn y Deillion a chefais y fraint o dreulio dau ddiwrnod yn edrych ar waith Cŵn Tywys ar gyfer Cymdeithas y Deillion. Yn y ganolfan hyfforddi yng Nghaerdydd, rhoddwyd mwgwd dros fy llygaid a chefais fy arwain o amgylch y strydoedd gan gi tywys. Cefais gyfle hefyd i ddefnyddio ffon hir i oresgyn nifer o rwystrau. Yn ddiweddarach yn yr wythnos, euthum yng nghwmni un o’m hetholwyr, sydd â nam ar ei olwg, o gwmpas canol tref Aberdâr a phrofais yn uniongyrchol yr anawsterau sydd yn ei wynebu’n ddyddiol.

That experience, albeit brief, brought home to me the real mobility problems faced by blind and visually impaired persons. To give you a flavour of these problems, they include uneven pavements, cars parked on pavements and bins left out, overhanging trees and branches, pavements that suddenly become roads with cars, and pedestrian crossings with buttons that are difficult to reach and which do not let you know when it is safe to cross. It was quite a frightening experience. Those things are easier to negotiate if you are sighted, but for those who are visually impaired they can be at best, a hindrance, at worst, a death trap.

Llwyddodd y profiad hwnnw, er ei fod yn fyrhoedlog, i’m gwneud yn ymwybodol o broblemau symudedd gwirioneddol a wynebir gan y deillion a phobl â nam ar eu golwg. I roi blas ichi o’r problemau hyn, maent yn cynnwys palmentydd anwastad, ceir wedi eu parcio ar balmentydd a biniau wedi eu gadael allan, coed a changhennau yn bargodi, palmentydd sydd yn troi’n ffyrdd â cheir arnynt, a chroesfannau cerddwyr â botymau sydd yn anodd i’w cyrraedd nad ydynt yn rhoi gwybod ichi pryd y bydd yn ddiogel i groesi. Yr oedd yn brofiad eithaf arswydus. Mae’r pethau hyn yn haws i’w goresgyn os gallwch weld, ond i’r rheini sydd â nam ar eu golwg, gallant fod yn rhwystr, neu’n waeth na hynny, yn berygl i fywyd.

I will offer some stark facts: in Wales, there are 55,000 visually impaired people, which translates into an average of just under 1,400 voters per constituency. Seventy-five per cent of working age visually impaired people are unemployed. Sixty-seven per cent have an additional impairment and 45 per cent state that it limits their daily activities. Over a quarter of visually impaired people have an unmet need for adaptations in the home and the majority of the visually impaired are elderly, isolated and poor. They exist on incomes that are less than half the national average in Wales. Ninety-eight per cent of older visually impaired people receive a state benefit of one kind or another. A survey carried out by the RNIB indicated that only 43 per cent of visually impaired people had been out on their own in the previous week whilst only 33 per cent had used public transport independently. We are talking about real social exclusion here.

Cynigiaf rai ffeithiau moel: yng Nghymru mae 55,000 o bobl â nam ar eu golwg, sydd yn golygu ar gyfartaledd ychydig o dan 1,400 o bleidleiswyr ym mhob etholaeth. Mae 75 y cant o bobl â nam ar eu golwg o oedran gweithio yn ddi-waith. Mae gan 67 y cant nam ychwanegol ac mae 45 y cant yn nodi ei fod yn cyfyngu ar eu gweithgareddau dyddiol. Mae gan dros chwarter y bobl â nam ar eu golwg angen nas gwireddwyd i addasu eu cartrefi ac mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r bobl â nam ar eu golwg yn oedrannus, yn unig a thlawd. Maent yn bodoli ar incwm sydd yn llai na hanner y cyfartaledd cenedlaethol yng Nghymru. Mae 98 y cant o’r bobl hŷn â nam ar eu golwg yn derbyn rhyw fath o fudd-dâl y wladwriaeth. Dangosodd arolwg a gynhaliwyd gan yr RNIB mai dim ond 43 y cant o bobl â nam ar eu golwg oedd wedi bod allan ar eu pennau eu hunain yn ystod yr wythnos flaenorol tra mai dim ond 33 y cant oedd wedi defnyddio trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn annibynnol. Yr ydym yn siarad am allgáu cymdeithasol gwirioneddol yma.

As outlined in ‘Betterwales.com’, to which we have all signed up, we want Wales to prosper. We have real aspirations for Wales, not least for a strong economy. We are about to enter a crucial period of economic and social regeneration in Wales and we must now take steps to ensure that the talents and skills of all our people are recognised and utilised. To do that we need the best people and if we miss out on certain sectors of our society, we are not doing what is best for Wales. That not only makes sound sense in terms of inclusion, it also makes sound commercial sense. Access to a decent standard of living as well as employment, education and training is a key issue.

Fel yr amlinellwyd yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’, yr ydym oll wedi ei gymeradwyo, yr ydym am weld Cymru’n ffynnu. Mae gennym ddyheadau gwirioneddol ar gyfer Cymru, yn arbennig economi gref. Yr ydym ar drothwy cyfnod tyngedfennol o adfywio economaidd a chymdeithasol yng Nghymru a rhaid inni bellach gymryd camau i sicrhau y rhoddir cydnabyddiaeth i dalentau a sgiliau ein holl bobl ac y cânt eu defnyddio. Er mwyn gwneud hynny mae angen y bobl orau ac os anwybyddwn rai sectorau yn ein cymdeithas, ni fyddwn yn gwneud y gorau i Gymru. Mae hynny nid yn unig yn gwneud synnwyr doeth o ran cynwysoldeb, ond hefyd yn gwneud synnwyr masnachol cadarn. Mae mynediad i safon byw boddhaol yn ogystal â chyflogaeth, addysg a hyfforddiant yn fater allweddol.

What are the challenges? The Welsh economy is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which have less than 15 employees and are, therefore, exempt from the major provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. If we are to be serious about inclusion, we must engage with SMEs on this matter.

Beth yw’r heriau? Rheolir economi Cymru gan fentrau bach a chanolig eu maint, llawer ohonynt â llai na 15 o weithwyr ac felly maent wedi eu heithrio o brif ddarpariaethau Deddf Gwahaniaethu ar Sail Anabledd 1995. Os ydym i gymryd cynhwysiad o ddifrif, rhaid gweithio gyda mentrau bach a chanolig eu maint ar y mater hwn.

To do that, the Assembly must work closely with its public bodies, such as the Welsh Development Agency—and this may be an opportune moment to ask the new chief executive of the WDA tough questions—and the new Council for Education and Training for Wales, to ensure that the training and skills needs and employment prospects of visually impaired persons are fully considered and met. We must insist that visually impaired people have the opportunity to play the fullest role possible in the regeneration of Wales.

I wneud hynny, rhaid i’r Cynulliad weithio’n agos gyda’i gyrff cyhoeddus, megis Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru—ac efallai bod hyn yn gyfle i holi cwestiynau anodd i brif weithredwr newydd y WDA—a Chyngor Addysg a Hyfforddiant newydd Cymru, er mwyn sicrhau y rhoddir ystyriaeth lawn i anghenion hyfforddi a sgiliau a rhagolygon gwaith pobl â nam ar eu golwg a’u bodloni. Rhaid inni fynnu bod gan bobl â nam ar eu golwg gyfle i chwarae’r rôl lawnaf bosibl wrth adfywio Cymru.

The main obstacle that they face is public attitudes and misconceptions about blindness. That is the crux of the matter. The New Deal has succeeded in assisting visually impaired people into work. That success must continue so that we do not waste their talents and abilities.

Y prif rwystr a wynebant yw agweddau’r cyhoedd a’u camddealltwriaeth ynglŷn â dallineb. Dyna graidd y mater. Llwyddodd y Fargen Newydd i helpu pobl â nam ar eu golwg i gael gwaith. Rhaid parhau â’r llwyddiant hwnnw fel nad ydym yn gwastraffu eu doniau a’u galluoedd.

Access must also mean access to timely, relevant and comprehensive information. Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act requires private business as well as public bodies to make reasonable adjustments to make their information accessible. I would like the Assembly to monitor that aspect of the Act to ensure that those changes take place within a reasonable timescale.

Rhaid i fynediad hefyd olygu mynediad i wybodaeth amserol, perthnasol a chynhwysfawr. Mae’n ofynnol yn ôl Rhan III Deddf Gwahaniaethu ar sail Anabledd i fusnesau preifat yn ogystal â chyrff cyhoeddus wneud addasiadau rhesymol fel bod eu gwybodaeth ar gael. Hoffwn i’r Cynulliad fonitro’r agwedd honno ar y Ddeddf i sicrhau bod y newidiadau hynny yn digwydd o fewn graddfa amser resymol.

Devolution is about a new approach to politics. It is about making it relevant to the man, woman and child in the street. However, is that happening if some sectors of society are marginalised? On voting, many visually impaired people face massive disenfranchisement. In the 1997 General Election, four of every 10 visually impaired people did not vote. Problems with the siting of polling stations and with formally casting their votes, as well as a lack of election literature in an accessible format were factors cited for that. I welcome the fact that the Assembly will make its proceedings available in large print, braille and on audio cassette and disk from early next year. That is long overdue.

Mae datganoli’n ymwneud ag ymagwedd newydd tuag at wleidyddiaeth. Mae’n ei gwneud yn berthnasol i’r gŵr, y wraig a’r plentyn yn y stryd. Fodd bynnag, a yw hynny’n digwydd os caiff rhai sectorau yn y gymdeithas eu gwthio i’r cyrion? Wrth bleidleisio, mae llawer o bobl â nam ar eu golwg yn wynebu difreiniad anferthol. Yn Etholiad Cyffredinol 1997, ni phleidleisiodd pedwar allan o bob 10 o bobl â nam ar eu golwg. Ymhlith y ffactorau a nodwyd dros hynny yr oedd problemau gyda lleoliad y gorsafoedd pleidleisio a bwrw eu pleidleisiau yn ffurfiol, yn ogystal â phrinder llenyddiaeth etholiadol ar fformat hygyrch. Croesawaf y ffaith y bydd y Cynulliad yn sicrhau y bydd ei drafodion ar gael mewn print bras, braille ac ar gaset sain a disg yn gynnar y flwyddyn nesaf. Dylai fod wedi digwydd ers tro.

While considering politics, we must also ask ourselves, as Assembly Members, whether our offices and surgeries in our regions and constituencies are accessible to visually impaired persons and, if not, how we can change that. On mobility, the layout of our towns and villages create many problems for visually impaired people on a basic level. As I said, I experienced that last week, when I was out and about in Aberdare and Cardiff. I have given examples of bad practice.

Wrth ystyried gwleidyddiaeth, rhaid inni hefyd holi ein hunain, fel Aelodau o’r Cynulliad, a yw ein swyddfeydd a’n cymorthfeydd yn ein rhanbarthau a’n hetholaethau yn hygyrch i bobl â nam ar eu golwg ac, os nad ydynt, sut y gallwn newid hynny. O ran symudedd, mae cynllun ein trefi a phentrefi yn creu llawer o broblemau sylfaenol i bobl â nam ar eu golwg. Fel y dywedais, profais hynny yr wythnos diwethaf, pan oeddwn allan o amgylch Aberdâr a Chaerdydd. Rhoddais enghreifftiau o arferion gwael.

We must ensure that we provide a timetable for standardising the location of audible and tactile pedestrian crossings in Wales, as they presently vary. We must look to our partners in local government to lead the way. They must do so if they are serious about making that sea change.

Rhaid inni sicrhau ein bod yn darparu amserlen ar gyfer safoni lleoliadau croesfannau i gerddwyr yng Nghymru y gellir eu gweld a’u cyffwrdd, gan eu bod yn amrywio ar hyn o bryd. Rhaid edrych i gyfeiriad ein partneriaid mewn llywodraeth leol i arwain y ffordd. Rhaid iddynt wneud hynny os ydynt o ddifrif ynglŷn â gwneud y gweddnewidiad.

Regarding public transport, on the railways, many blind people have problems with the gap between trains and platforms. That is a dangerous situation. Nasty accidents have occurred. Can we design a safer system? Sue Essex has had several meetings on this with various organisations, which I welcome. Also, when visually impaired people board trains or buses, they can be hampered by a lack of universal on-board announcements regarding stops. How are visually impaired people expected to know where they are if announcements are not made? Those are the practical difficulties that they face daily. Can we press transport providers to make announcements as a matter of course? You may say that there would be less problems using a taxi. Many private minicab drivers refuse to carry guide dogs in their cabs. Sadly, the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 do not apply to these drivers. I was horrified when I heard that such situations often arise. The refusal to allow a guide dog in a cab restricts the freedom, quality of life and ability to be included of visually impaired people in Wales. I urge local authorities to use their licensing powers to prevent minicab drivers from refusing to carry guide dogs.

O ran trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, ar y rheilffyrdd caiff llawer o bobl ddall broblemau gyda’r bwlch rhwng trenau a’r platfform. Mae honno’n sefyllfa beryglus. Cafwyd damweiniau cas. A allwn lunio system fwy diogel? Cafodd Sue Essex nifer o gyfarfodydd am hyn gydag amrywiol sefydliadau, a chroesawaf hynny. Hefyd, wrth i bobl â nam ar eu golwg fynd ar drenau neu fysiau, cânt eu llesteirio gan ddiffyg cyhoeddiadau cyffredinol ar y daith o safbwynt arosfannau. Sut y disgwylir i bobl â nam ar eu golwg wybod lle y maent os na wneir cyhoeddiadau? Dyna’r anawsterau ymarferol a wynebant yn ddyddiol. A ellir pwyso ar ddarparwyr trafnidiaeth i wneud cyhoeddiadau fel mater o drefn? Gallech ddweud y byddai llai o broblemau wrth ddefnyddio tacsi. Gwrthoda llawer o yrrwyr tacsi gludo cŵn tywys yn eu tacsis. Yn anffodus, nid yw darpariaethau Deddf Gwahaniaethu ar Sail Anabledd 1995 yn gymwys i’r gyrwyr hyn. Cefais fraw pan glywais fod achosion o’r fath yn codi’n aml. Mae gwrthod caniatáu i gi tywys fynd mewn tacsi yn cyfyngu ar ryddid pobl â nam ar eu golwg yng Nghymru, ansawdd eu bywyd a’u gallu i gael eu cynnwys. Anogaf awdurdodau lleol i ddefnyddio eu pwerau trwyddedu i rwystro gyrrwyr tacsis rhag gwrthod cludo cŵn tywys.

What about other supports? Think of the following tasks that most of us take for granted: using a microwave, reading the controls on appliances such as cookers and washing machines, sewing a button back on a shirt, gardening and cleaning. All of these take on a different perspective when you are blind or visually impaired and accrue extra costs for equipment or assistance. Some of you may have heard of Professor Igor Alexander, from Imperial College, London. I understand that he is the guru in artificial intelligence. He has done in much in developing innovatory aids for the visually impaired. However, I issue a call to our Welsh innovators and scientists to think about the challenges that visually impaired people face.

Beth am gymhorthion eraill? Meddyliwch am y tasgau canlynol y mae’r rhan fwyaf ohonom yn eu cymryd yn ganiataol: defnyddio meicrodon, darllen cyfarwyddiadau ar offer megis popty a pheiriant golchi, gwnïo botwm ar grys, garddio a glanhau. Cymer y rhain i gyd bersbectif gwahanol os ydych yn ddall neu â nam ar eich golwg ac mae’n golygu rhagor o gostau am offer neu gymorth. Efallai y clywodd rhai ohonoch am yr Athro Igor Alexander, o Goleg Imperial, Llundain. Deallaf mai ef yw’r arweinydd ym maes deallusrwydd artiffisial. Gwnaeth lawer i ddatblygu cymhorthion arloesol ar gyfer pobl â nam ar eu golwg. Fodd bynnag, galwaf ar ein dyfeiswyr a’n gwyddonwyr yng Nghymru i feddwl am yr heriau a wynebir gan bobl â nam ar eu golwg.

Guide dogs are crucial. At this point, I ask you, if you have not already done so, to visit the guide dog training centre in Cardiff. You will have an enjoyable and informative day. However, while guide dogs are crucial support, I am sure that there is huge potential for exciting developments to assist mobility. We already have the work of JMU Access Partnership in Cardiff, which is doing pioneering work on this. I hope that it will expand over the coming years to allow many more visually impaired people to benefit from its work. What new innovations and aids can be designed and made in Wales to assist visually impaired people in their daily lives? As you know, we have set targets for research and development under the Objective 1 programme. I hope that some businesses emerging from that process will look to this aspect of innovation.

Mae cŵn tywys yn hanfodol. Ar y pwynt hwn, os na wnaethoch hynny eisoes, gofynnaf ichi ymweld â’r ganolfan hyfforddi cŵn tywys yng Nghaerdydd. Cewch ddiwrnod pleserus ac addysgiadol. Fodd bynnag, er bod cŵn tywys yn gynhaliaeth hanfodol, yr wyf yn siŵr fod potensial enfawr ar gyfer datblygiadau cyffrous i gynorthwyo symudedd. Mae gennym eisoes waith JMU Access Partnership yng Nghaerdydd, sydd yn gwneud gwaith arolesol ar hyn. Gobeithiaf y bydd yn ehangu yn ystod y blynyddoedd i ddod i alluogi mwy o bobl â nam ar eu golwg i fanteisio ar ei waith. Pa ddyfeisiadau a chymhorthion newydd y gellir eu cynllunio a’u gwneud yng Nghymru i gynorthwyo pobl â nam ar eu golwg yn eu bywydau bob dydd? Fel y gwyddoch, gosodwyd targedau ar gyfer ymchwil a datblygiad o dan raglen Amcan 1. Gobeithiaf y bydd rhai busnesau sydd yn ymgodi o’r broses honno yn edrych ar yr agwedd hon ar ddyfeisgarwch.

However, that is not the whole story. As we know from previous discussions on the Assembly building, access for visually impaired people must be built in rather than added on. We must get this right from the start. The issues that I have raised are cross-cutting issues in the Assembly and rightly so. That should also be true outside this Assembly. We are all involved in this process. I am pleased with the progress of the Assembly’s Committee on Equality of Opportunity. It is a ground-breaking committee and is committed to mainstreaming disability issues. However, we need to build on its work and ensure that we do not hive off the issues to that Committee. These issues affect all the Assembly’s work and every Committee.

Fodd bynnag, nid dyna’r stori gyfan. Fel y gwyddom o drafodaethau blaenorol ar adeilad y Cynulliad, rhaid cynnwys mynediad i bobl â nam ar eu golwg yn hytrach na’i ychwanegu. Rhaid cael hyn yn iawn o’r cychwyn. Mae’r materion a godais yn faterion trawsbynciol yn y Cynulliad ac mae hynny’n deg. Dylai hynny fod yn wir y tu allan i’r Cynulliad hwn hefyd. Yr ydym i gyd yn gysylltiedig â’r broses hon. Yr wyf yn falch o gynnydd Pwyllgor y Cynulliad ar Gyfle Cyfartal. Mae’n bwyllgor sydd yn torri tir ac yn ymrwymedig i ddod â materion anabledd i’r brif ffrwd. Fodd bynnag, mae angen inni adeiladu ar ei waith a sicrhau nad ydym yn rhoi’r materion hynny o’r neilltu drwy eu rhoi i’r Pwyllgor hwnnw. Mae’r materion hyn yn effeithio ar holl waith y Cynulliad a phob Pwyllgor.

There were many other issues that I could have raised today, for example, access to higher education and the Welsh braille project. However, time has been limited. I conclude by saying that I am concerned that this debate should not be about warm words and rhetoric, but should be about accelerating change and making a difference so that in five years’ time, the statistics that I read earlier are history, not reality.

Yr oedd llawer o faterion eraill y gallwn fod wedi eu codi heddiw, er enghraifft, mynediad i addysg uwch a’r prosiect braille Cymraeg. Fodd bynnag, mae amser wedi bod yn gyfyng. Dof i’r casgliad drwy ddweud fy mod yn bryderus nad dadl ynghylch geiriau caredig a rhethreg y dylai hon fod, ond ynghylch cyflymu newid a gwneud gwahaniaeth fel bod yr ystadegau a ddarllenais yn gynharach yn hen hanes ymhen pum mlynedd, nid yn realiti.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 109

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 109

Thank you, Christine. As you have nearly used up all the time allocated, I will only permit contributions of one minute from the other speakers.

Diolch, Christine. Gan eich bod wedi defnyddio bron yr holl amser a neilltuwyd, ni fyddaf ond yn caniatáu cyfraniadau o un funud gan y siaradwyr eraill.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 109

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 109

I thank Christine for allowing me a minute of her time. She has highlighted well the barriers that we all, as individuals and institutions, erect that disable those with a visual impairment from playing the role in society that they wish to play. When we talk about access, I would like to think that we are talking about access in its widest possible sense. In my constituency I came across the appalling case of a visually impaired person who wished to be a school governor and was told by the National Assembly that the documents that she needed to fulfil her role as a school governor were not available in braille. That is horrific. However, I understand that that situation has now been resolved.

Diolchaf i Christine am roi munud o’i hamser imi. Pwysleisiodd yn dda y rhwystrau yr ydym i gyd, fel unigolion a sefydliadau, yn eu codi sydd yn gwneud y sawl sydd â nam ar ei olwg yn analluog i chwarae’r rhan a ddymunant mewn cymdeithas. Wrth siarad am fynediad, hoffwn feddwl ein bod yn siarad am fynediad yn yr ystyr ehangaf posibl. Yn fy etholaeth i deuthum ar draws achos echrydus o berson â nam ar ei olwg a oedd yn dymuno bod yn llywodraethwr ysgol ac y dywedodd y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol wrtho nad oedd y dogfennau yr oedd eu hangen arni i gyflawni ei rôl fel llywodraethwr ysgol ar gael mewn braille. Mae hynny’n ddychrynllyd. Fodd bynnag, deallaf fod y sefyllfa honno bellach wedi ei datrys.

In the summer, I was privileged to write a foreword to a survey carried out by the Wales Council for the Blind and Sense Cymru into services available for deafblind people. That illustrated the lottery that exists in local government for people with sensory impairments. I would like this Assembly to take on board the findings of that survey and to ensure that from now on people with sensory impairments, wherever they live in Wales, have access to high quality services.

Yn ystod yr haf, cefais y fraint o gael ysgrifennu rhagair i arolwg a gynhaliwyd gan Gyngor Deillion Cymru a Synnwyr Cymru i’r gwasanaethau ar gael ar gyfer pobl byddar-ddall. Dangosodd hynny y loteri sydd yn bodoli mewn llywodraeth leol ar gyfer pobl â nam ar eu synhwyrau. Hoffwn i’r Cynulliad hwn ystyried canfyddiadau’r arolwg hwnnw a sicrhau o hyn ymlaen fod gan bobl â nam ar eu synhwyrau, lle bynnag y bônt yn byw yng Nghymru, fynediad i wasanaethau o ansawdd uchel.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 110

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 110

I join Kirsty Williams in thanking Christine Chapman for putting this important issue on our agenda and for allowing me to make a brief contribution. I concur with everything that Christine said, particularly about the role of Assembly sponsored public bodies and our role in relation to them. However, before we start, ‘taking the splinter out of other people’s eyes’, to use a Biblical quote, we must be sure that as an Assembly we have taken the log out of our own.

Ymunaf â Kirsty Williams wrth ddiolch i Christine Chapman am roi’r mater pwysig hwn ar ein hagenda ac am ganiatáu inni wneud cyfraniad byr. Cytunaf â phopeth a ddywedodd Christine, yn arbennig am rôl cyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad a’n rôl ni mewn perthynas â hwy. Fodd bynnag, cyn inni ddechrau ‘tynnu brycheuyn o lygaid ein brodyr’, i ddyfynnu o’r Beibl, rhaid inni fod yn sicr fel Cynulliad ein bod wedi tynnu’r trawst o’n llygaid ein hunain.

Do we produce our documents in the best possible format for visually impaired people? From now on, it will be possible to request them in braille or large print. However, by simply increasing the font size as a matter of routine, we can make our documents available to the majority of visually impaired people without them having to make a special request.

A ydym yn cynhyrchu ein dogfennau yn y fformat orau bosibl ar gyfer pobl â nam ar eu golwg. O hyn ymlaen, bydd yn bosibl gofyn amdanynt mewn braille neu brint bras. Fodd bynnag, drwy gynyddu maint y ffont fel mater o drefn, gallwn sicrhau bod ein dogfennau ar gael i’r rhan fwyaf o bobl â nam ar eu golwg heb iddynt orfod gwneud cais arbennig amdanynt.

Are the colour schemes in this building helpful to enable visually impaired people to get about? Could we do something about that in the short-term while we wait to move? Will we ensure that our new Chamber building meets the best specifications in these terms? Finally, what about our employment and recruitment practices? I was shocked to hear what Kirsty said about a school governor. I am concerned that people applying for employment with us may face the same sort of issues. We need to tackle that.

A yw cynllun lliwiau’r adeilad hwn o gymorth i alluogi pobl â nam ar eu golwg i fynd o gwmpas? A ellid gwneud rhywbeth am hyn yn y tymor byr tra’n aros i symud? A fyddwn yn sicrhau bod ein hadeilad Siambr newydd yn bodloni’r amodau gorau o ran hyn? Yn olaf, beth am ein harferion cyflogi a recriwtio? Cefais fraw o glywed yr hyn a ddywedodd Kirsty am lywodraethwr ysgol. Yr wyf yn bryderus y gall pobl sydd yn ymgeisio am swyddi gyda ni wynebu’r un math o faterion. Rhaid inni fynd i’r afael â hynny.

David Melding spoken in English p. 111

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 111

I also thank Christine for initiating this debate. It is not generally realised by many of the public and, I suspect, by many policy makers, that the majority of people who are registered as blind have some level of vision. It is important, therefore, to consider how we respond in constructing buildings. In the manufacture of telephones, for example, it is increasingly difficult to know where the zero is situated. It is not in a standard place. These things have a big impact on people with poor vision. They cannot use public phones or phones for access to public buildings.

Diolchaf finnau hefyd i Christine am roi cychwyn ar y ddadl hon. Nid oes llawer o’r cyhoedd na llawer o lunwyr polisïau, tybiaf, yn sylweddoli’n gyffredinol fod gan y rhan fwyaf o bobl sydd wedi eu cofrestru’n ddall rhywfaint o’u golwg. Mae’n bwysig, felly, ystyried sut yr ymatebwn wrth godi adeiladau. Wrth weithgynhyrchu ffonau, er enghraifft, mae’n fwyfwy anodd gwybod lle mae’r sero. Nid yw mewn un lle safonol. Mae’r pethau hyn yn cael effaith fawr ar bobl â golwg gwael. Ni allant ddefnyddio ffonau cyhoeddus na ffonau i gael mynediad i adeiladau cyhoeddus.

The use of colour and light in buildings is imperative. In many buildings and on large concourses, there will be the odd step here and there. Nothing could be designed to cause more irritation to people with mobility problems. These things are simple to solve. I hope that in the landmark building—that this party does not support, but it will be built anyway—these matters will be addressed and that it will be a wonderful building in terms of access for people with all sorts of disabilities.

Mae’r defnydd o liw a golau mewn adeiladau yn holl bwysig. Mewn llawer o adeiladau ac mewn cynteddau mawr, bydd gris anwastad yma ac acw. Ni ellid cynllunio dim sydd yn achosi mwy o ddicter i bobl â phroblemau symudedd. Mae’r pethau hyn yn hawdd i’w datrys. Yn yr adeilad nodedig—nad yw’r blaid hon yn ei gefnogi, ond a adeiladir beth bynnag—gobeithiaf yr ymdrinnir â’r materion hyn ac y bydd yn adeilad hyfryd o ran mynediad i bobl â phob math o anabledd.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 111

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 111

I thank Christine for raising this subject. I wonder about the obstacles in the virtual building to which David referred. I want to refer to a particular issue that was drawn to my attention in the summer about people who have the dual pathology of being deaf and blind. This is mentioned in the document to which Kirsty referred. In my neighbouring constituency, in Neath Port Talbot, there is a school that deals with deafblind children. There is a serious danger that this particular school which provides valuable education for this difficult need may not be able to continue to provide these services because of a lack of resources and, I suspect, because people do not know that it exists. The document for which Kirsty wrote the foreword points out that there are probably 1,300 people who have deafblind problems in Wales. If we extrapolate from that, it is likely that there are 250 school children in Wales with such problems. Many local authorities and social services departments do not even know that these children exist. It would be reasonable to assume that if they do not know that they exist then they are not providing the specialist services.

Diolchaf i Christine am godi’r pwnc hwn. Pendronaf ynghylch y rhwystrau yn yr adeilad rhithwir y cyfeiriodd David ato. Yr wyf am gyfeirio at fater arbennig y tynnwyd fy sylw ato yn ystod yr haf ynghylch pobl sydd â’r batholeg ddeuol o fod yn fyddar a dall. Sonnir am hyn yn y ddogfen y cyfeiriodd Kirsty ati. Yn yr etholaeth gyfagos i mi, yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot, mae ysgol sydd yn delio â phlant byddar-ddall. Mae perygl enbyd na all yr ysgol arbennig hon sydd yn darparu addysg werthfawr ar gyfer yr angen anodd hwn barhau i ddarparu’r gwasanaethau hyn oherwydd prinder adnoddau ac, fe dybiaf, am nad yw pobl yn gwybod am ei bodolaeth. Noda’r ddogfen yr ysgrifennodd Kirsty’r rhagair iddi fod 1,300 o bobl yn ôl pob tebyg â phroblemau byddar-ddall yng Nghymru. Os allosodwn o hynny, mae’n debygol fod 250 o blant ysgol yng Nghymru â phroblemau o’r fath. Ni ŵyr llawer o’r awdurdodau lleol a’r adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol bod y plant hyn yn bodoli hyd yn oed. Byddai’n rhesymol rhagdybio os na wyddant eu bod yn bodoli yna nid ydynt yn darparu’r gwasanaethau arbenigol.

Edwina Hart The Finance Secretary spoken in English p. 112

Edwina Hart Yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 112

The Executive welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this debate. All the contributions have indicated the level of concern across all parties about this issue and how we can work together constructively to deal with many of the issues that were raised.

Croesawa’r Weithrediaeth y cyfle i gyfrannu i’r ddadl hon. Dangosodd yr holl gyfraniadau lefel y pryder ar draws pob plaid ynghylch y mater hwn a sut y gallwn weithio gyda’n gilydd yn adeiladol i ddelio â llawer o’r materion a godwyd.

I refer to Brian’s contribution. I am well aware of the issue of deafblind children and the matters within these constituencies. I have already had discussions with Gwenda. She has made considerable representations on this issue and her concerns are well known in this area. We all share these concerns in terms of education.

Cyfeiriaf at gyfraniad Brian. Yr wyf yn llwyr ymwybodol o fater plant byddar-ddall a’r materion o fewn yr etholaethau hyn. Yr wyf eisoes wedi cael trafodaethau gyda Gwenda. Gwnaeth gynrychioliadau sylweddol ar y mater hwn ac mae ei phryderon yn y maes hwn yn dra hysbys. Yr ydym oll yn rhannu’r pryderon hyn o safbwynt addysg.

Several key points have been made about putting our own house in order in many areas. It is important that we take on board—and I will discuss this with officials—the whole issue of font size. I sometimes have difficulty reading papers and, yet, I allegedly have 20:20 vision. That is an important aspect and a simple thing that we can undertake. I will ensure that we do what we can in that area.

Gwnaethpwyd llawer o bwyntiau allweddol ynghylch rhoi trefn ar ein tŷ ein hunan mewn amryw o feysydd. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn ymgymryd â holl fater maint ffontiau—a byddaf yn trafod hyn gyda swyddogion. Weithiau câf anhawster i ddarllen papurau ac eto i gyd, yn ôl pob golwg, mae gennyf olwg 20:20. Mae honno yn agwedd bwysig ac yn rhywbeth syml y gallwn ymgymryd ag ef. Sicrhaf y gwnawn yr hyn a allwn yn y maes hwnnw.

The issue of buildings and colour schemes is also important. With regard to the new building, we have widely consulted with, for example, the disability lobby, and a group of members from the disabled community are advising us and the advisers on the new building on all such issues. I will look at the colour scheme issues in this building as a matter of urgency. However, the new Chamber will provide everything that is required.

Mae mater adeiladau a chynllun lliwiau yn bwysig hefyd. O safbwynt yr adeilad newydd, ymgynghorwyd yn eang â’r lobi anabledd, er enghraifft, ac mae grŵp o aelodau o’r gymuned anabl yn ein cynghori ni ac ymgynghorwyr yr adeilad newydd ar bob mater o’r fath. Edrychaf ar faterion y cynllun lliw yn yr adeilad hwn ar fyrder. Fodd bynnag, bydd y Siambr newydd yn darparu popeth sydd yn ofynnol.

It is important that our employment practices are excellent in this area. Inducting staff is also important. We must look at how staff are taught to deal with general equality issues on gender, race and disability, so that they can communicate well with consumers, who are also national taxpayers, when they visit us. I will take forward those issues after today’s debate.

Mae’n bwysig bod ein harferion cyflogi yn rhagorol yn y maes hwn. Mae hyfforddi staff yn bwysig hefyd. Rhaid edrych ar sut y dysgir staff i ddelio â materion o gydraddoldeb cyffredinol o safbwynt rhyw, hil ac anabledd, fel y gallant gyfathrebu’n well â defnyddwyr, sydd hefyd yn drethdalwyr cenedlaethol, pan fyddant yn ymweld â ni. Byddaf yn gweithredu ar y materion hynny ar ôl dadl heddiw.

Christine also raised an important issue about voting. It is essential that we consider the set up of polling stations, voting slips and how we can generate more interest in democracy in that lobby. Following on from today’s debate, I will take those points forward and report back to the Assembly in due course.

Cododd Christine fater pwysig hefyd ynghylch pleidleisio. Mae’n hanfodol ein bod yn ystyried sut y caiff gorsafoedd pleidleisio a slipiau pleidleisio eu trefnu a sut y gallwn gynhyrchu mwy o ddiddordeb mewn democratiaeth yn y lobi hwnnw. Yn dilyn dadl heddiw, byddaf yn gweithredu ar y materion hynny ac yn adrodd yn ôl i’r Cynulliad yn y man.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 113

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 113

That brings today’s proceedings to a close. I thank Members and declare this session ended.

Daw hynny â’r trafodaethau i ben am heddiw. Diolchaf i’r Aelodau a datganaf fod y sesiwn hon wedi dod i ben.

Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 12:54 p.m.

The session ended at 12:54 p.m.