Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting
Dydd Mawrth 13 Tachwedd 2001
Tuesday 13 November 2001
CynnwysContents
- 3Cwestiynau i Brif Weinidog CymruQuestions to the First Minister
- 3Hyrwyddo Cysylltiadau Rhwng Cymru ac UDAPromotion of Links between Wales and the USA
- 5Dogfen Strategol ‘Cynllun i Gymru 2001’The ‘Plan for Wales 2001’ Strategic Document
- 7Polisi TrafnidiaethTransport Policy
- 8Cydlynu Polisi yng Ngogledd CymruCo-ordination of Policy in North Wales
- 10Datblygiad Datganoli yn y DyfodolFuture Development of Devolution
- 13Perthynas rhwng y Weinyddiaeth a San SteffanRelationship between the Administration and Westminster
- 15Papur Gwyn ar Ddiwygio Tŷ’r ArglwyddiHouse of Lords Reform White Paper
- 17Amser a dreuliwyd gan y Prif Weinidog ar ei Wahanol DdyletswyddauTime spent by the First Minister on his Various Duties
- 19Cefnogi Ardaloedd GwledigSupport for Rural Areas
- 21Effaith y Sefyllfa Ryngwladol ar GymruEffects of the International Situation on Wales
- 23Datganiad ar Drychineb Gwaith Dur CorusStatement on the Corus Steelworks Tragedy
- 37Datganiad BusnesBusiness Statement 1 bleidlais1 vote
- 44Pwyntiau o DrefnPoints of Order
- 49Atal Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.3ASuspension of Standing Order No. 6.3A 1 bleidlais1 vote
- 51Diwygio Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.2Revision of Standing Order No. 6.2 1 bleidlais1 vote
- 53Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Plaid Cymru)Minority Party Debate (Plaid Cymru) 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
- 53Iawndal i Gyn-LowyrCompensation for Former Miners 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
- 80Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Y Blaid Geidwadol)Minority Party Debate (The Conservative Party) 1 bleidlais1 vote
- 80Adeilad Newydd y CynulliadThe New Assembly Building 1 bleidlais1 vote
PleidleisiauVotes
| PleidlaisVote | O blaidFor | YmatalAbstain | Yn erbynAgainst | CanlyniadResult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Datganiad BusnesBusiness Statement | ||||
| CynnigMotion | 28 | 1 | 23 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Atal Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.3ASuspension of Standing Order No. 6.3A | ||||
| Cynnig NDM834Motion NDM834 | 40 | 1 | 9 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Diwygio Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.2Revision of Standing Order No. 6.2 | ||||
| Cynnig NDM831Motion NDM831 | 51 | 0 | 0 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Iawndal i Gyn-LowyrCompensation for Former Miners | ||||
| Gwelliant 1Amendment 1 | 29 | 0 | 21 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Cynnig NDM833Motion NDM833 | 26 | 13 | 12 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Adeilad Newydd y CynulliadThe New Assembly Building | ||||
| Cynnig NDM832Motion NDM832 | 9 | 0 | 40 | GwrthodwydRejected |
TrafodionProceedings
Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 2 p.m. gyda’r Dirprwy Lywydd yn y Gadair.
The Assembly met at 2 p.m. with the Deputy Presiding Officer in the Chair.
Cwestiynau i Brif Weinidog Cymru
Questions to the First Minister
Hyrwyddo Cysylltiadau Rhwng Cymru ac UDA
Promotion of Links between Wales and the USA
Will the First Minister make a statement about the promotion of links between Wales and the USA? (OAQ13835)
A wnaiff Prif Weinidog Cymru ddatganiad ynglŷn â hyrwyddo cysylltiadau rhwng Cymru ac UDA? (OAQ13835)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 3
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3
I ask the Assembly to forgive the condition of my voice this afternoon. Given the Presiding Officer’s indisposition and my voice, perhaps it is wise that the first question is asked by a doctor.
Gofynnaf i’r Cynulliad faddau cyflwr fy llais y prynhawn yma. O ystyried anhwylder y Llywydd a’m llais i, efallai ei bod yn ddoeth mai meddyg sy’n gofyn y cwestiwn cyntaf.
Wales already has good links with the United States. Last November, the US Embassy established a consular presence in Cardiff with the aim of promoting the closer links that you have asked for. The Welsh Development Agency, Wales Trade International and the Wales Tourist Board all have representation in the US to ensure that we can develop our links further. I recently led a successful trade mission to California, which included a visit to the week long event promoting Welsh industry and culture. The Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language attended the UK with NY event last month. These events provided the opportunity to showcase Wales and to show our solidarity with the USA. The recent decision bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales in 2010 will provide us with even better opportunities to promote links with the USA.
Mae gan Gymru gysylltiadau da eisoes â’r Unol Daleithiau. Fis Tachwedd diwethaf, sefydlodd Llysgenhadaeth yr Unol Daleithiau swyddfa gonsylaidd yng Nghaerdydd gyda’r nod o hyrwyddo’r cysylltiadau agosach y gofynasoch amdanynt. Mae gan Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru, Masnach Cymru Rhyngwladol a Bwrdd Croeso Cymru oll gynrychiolaeth yn yr Unol Daleithiau er mwyn sicrhau y gallwn ddatblygu ein cysylltiadau ymhellach. Arweiniais genhadaeth fasnach lwyddiannus i Galiffornia yn ddiweddar, a oedd yn cynnwys digwyddiad wythnos o hyd yn hyrwyddo diwydiant a diwylliant Cymru. Mynychodd y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg y digwyddiad UK with NY fis yn ôl. Yr oedd y digwyddiadau hyn yn gyfle i arddangos Cymru ac i ddangos ein cefnogaeth i’r Unol Daleithiau. Bydd y penderfyniad diweddar i ddod â Chwpan Ryder i Gymru yn 2010 yn rhoi cyfle gwell byth inni hyrwyddo cysylltiadau â’r Unol Daleithiau.
Two or three weeks ago I raised the issue of representations that may have been made to the United States Government and its proposals for restructuring the steel industry in the United States with possible implications for steel imports, particularly into Europe and the United Kingdom.
Ddwy neu dair wythnos yn ôl codais fater sylwadau a allai fod wedi eu gwneud i Lywodraeth yr Unol Daleithiau a’i chynigion ar gyfer ailstrwythuro’r diwydiant dur yn yr Unol Daleithiau gyda goblygiadau posibl ar gyfer allforion dur, yn arbennig i Ewrop a’r Deyrnas Unedig.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 4
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4
Order. I would like questions and answers to go at a cracking pace so that we can fit more than your supplementary and one other in the three-minute slot. One minute and 46 seconds have already elapsed. Please ask your question quickly, let us have a good answer, and then we can have several more questions in this slot.
Trefn. Hoffwn i’r cwestiynau a’r atebion symud yn eu blaenau’n gyflym fel y gallwn gynnwys mwy na’ch cwestiwn atodol ac un arall yn y slot tri munud. Mae munud a 46 eiliad wedi mynd heibio eisoes. Gofynnwch eich cwestiwn yn gyflym, gadewch inni gael ateb da, ac wedyn gallwn gynnwys nifer o gwestiynau eraill yn y slot hwn.
Has the First Minister been able to make those further inquiries?
A yw’r Prif Weinidog wedi gallu gwneud yr ymholiadau pellach hynny?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 4
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4
Yes. A US trade panel recently decided that American steelmakers had suffered as a result of foreign competition. Inquiries are now being made within the US administration into possible remedies, which will conclude by the end of November. The Bush administration will then decide whether to introduce duties on foreign-made steel in February of next year.
Do. Penderfynodd panel masnach o’r Unol Daleithiau yn ddiweddar bod gwneuthurwyr dur America wedi dioddef oherwydd cystadleuaeth o dramor. Gwneir ymholiadau ar hyn o bryd o fewn gweinyddiaeth yr Unol Daleithiau ynglŷn ag atebion posibl, a daw hynny i ben ddiwedd Tachwedd. Yna bydd gweinyddiaeth Bush yn penderfynu a ddylid cyflwyno trethi ar ddur a gynhyrchir dramor yn Chwefror y flwyddyn nesaf.
Byddai o gymorth pe bai’r Prif Weinidog yn siarad ychydig yn arafach inni ddeall yr hyn sydd ganddo i’w ddweud.
It would help if the First Minister were to speak a little slower so that we can understand what he has to say.
Dywedodd Jenny Randerson yn y Pwyllgor Diwylliant i’w hymweliad ag Efrog Newydd fod yn werth chweil a byddem ni fel Pwyllgor yn cytuno â hynny. Fodd bynnag, a yw’r Prif Weinidog yn ymwybodol bod y cynulleidfaoedd wedi bod yn brin yn ystod yr ymweliad gyda mwy o berfformwyr weithiau ar y llwyfan na phobl yn y gynulleidfa? Mae ambell fudiad fel Côr Orpheus Treforys wedi gwneud colled enfawr. Beth a wna’r Prif Weindiog a’r Llywodraeth i gydnabod ymdrech y côr i gefnogi’r ymweliad hwnnnw?
Jenny Randerson told the Culture Committee that her visit to New York was worthwhile and we as a Committee would agree with that. However, is the First Minister aware that audience-numbers were modest during that visit, and that on occasion the performers outnumbered the audience? Some organisations, such as the Morriston Orpheus Choir, have made a huge loss. What will the First Minister and the Government do to acknowledge the choir’s effort in supporting that visit?
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 4
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 4
Nid wyf wedi clywed am unrhyw broblem gydag ymweliad Côr Orhpeus Treforys ag Efrog Newydd. Wrth gwrs, mae risg ymhlyg wrth gymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau o’r fath, ond os ydych chi, Rhodri, neu’r côr eisiau ysgrifennu’n uniongyrchol ataf i neu Jenny, byddwn yn rhoi sylw i’ch gofynion.
I have not heard of any problems with the Morriston Orpheus Choir’s visit to New York. Of course, there is a risk involved with participating in such events, but if you, Rhodri, or the choir, wish to write to me or Jenny directly then we will deal with your requests.
Dogfen Strategol ‘Cynllun i Gymru 2001’
The ‘Plan for Wales 2001’ Strategic Document
Will the First Minister make a statement on action taken to include small and medium-sized enterprise interests in the ‘Plan for Wales 2001’ strategic document? (OAQ13847)
A wnaiff Prif Weinidog Cymru ddatganiad ar y camau a gymerwyd i gynnwys buddiannau busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint yn y ddogfen strategol, ‘Cynllun i Gymru 2001’? (OAQ13847)
I have the same problem as you, Rhodri, my voice has gone all over the place and my head as well.
Mae gennyf yr un broblem â chi, Rhodri, mae fy llais ym mhobman a’m pen hefyd.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 5
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5
The ‘Plan for Wales 2001’ is the Assembly Government’s vision and commitment to the long-term prosperity of Wales. Small and medium-sized enterprises will play a major part in bringing that about. The interests of all businesses were taken into account when formulating the plan and the strategies that underpin it. The actions in the ‘Plan for Wales 2001’ have been augmented by those in the national economic development strategy document, ‘A Winning Wales’.
‘Cynllun i Gymru 2001’ yw gweledigaeth ac ymrwymiad Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i ffyniant Cymru yn yr hirdymor. Bydd busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint yn chwarae rhan allweddol wrth gyflawni hynny. Ystyriwyd buddiannau pob busnes pan oeddem yn llunio’r cynllun a’r strategaethau sy’n sail iddo. Mae’r camau gweithredu yn ‘Cynllun i Gymru 2001’ wedi eu helaethu gan y rhai hynny yn y ddogfen strategaeth datblygu economaidd genedlaethol, ‘Cymru ar ei Hennill’.
The delay of about two years in the delivery of Objective 1 projects on information and communications technology is having an affect on SMEs and large buisnesses alike. What will you tell one of my constituents in Newbridge, who owns a small company employing three people, operating servers on behalf of several clients? If he does not access broadband immediately, he will have to take his business elsewhere.
Mae’r oedi o tua dwy flynedd o ran cyflwyno prosiectau Amcan 1 yn ymwneud â thechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu yn cael effaith ar fusnesau bach a chanolig eu maint a busnesau mawr fel ei gilydd. Beth a ddywedwch wrth un o’m hetholwyr yn Nhrecelyn, sy’n berchen ar gwmni bach sy’n cyflogi tri o bobl, ac yn gweithredu gwasanaethwyr ar ran sawl cleient? Os na fydd yn cael mynediad i fand llydan ar unwaith, bydd yn rhaid iddo fynd â’i fusnes i rywle arall.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 5
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5
I hope that some of the broadband initiatives that we announced recently will reach him, including the £18.5 million programme that Andrew Davies and I recently introduced in public service broadband investment. As a result, the Welsh Development Agency was to engage with the small and medium-sized enterprises, although the programme is primarily, but not exclusively, a public sector network. I would be grateful if you would write to me with those points so that I can raise them with the WDA officials responsible for the ICT strategy for the small and medium-sized enterprises of Wales, primarily in Objective 1 areas.
Gobeithiaf y bydd rhai o’r mentrau band llydan a gyhoeddwyd gennym yn ddiweddar yn ei gyrraedd, gan gynnwys y rhaglen £18.5 miliwn a gyflwynodd Andrew Davies a minnau yn ddiweddar mewn buddsoddiad band llydan gwasanaeth cyhoeddus. O ganlyniad, yr oedd Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru am ymwneud â busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint, er bod y rhaglen yn bennaf, ond nid yn llwyr, yn rhwydwaith sector cyhoeddus. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe baech yn ysgrifennu ataf gyda’r pwyntiau hyn fel y gallaf eu codi gyda swyddogion o’r Awdurdod Datblygu sy’n gyfrifol am y strategaeth TGCh ar gyfer busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint yng Nghymru, mewn ardaloedd Amcan 1 yn bennaf.
Many small and medium-sized enterprises as well as other businesses are concerned about the proposal of a supplementary business rate. As a positive contribution, will you agree to enter into dialogue with representatives from small and medium-sized businesses and others to set up a working party to address their concerns?
Mae llawer o fusnesau bach a chanolig eu maint yn ogystal â busnesau eraill yn bryderus am y cynnig ynglŷn â threth fusnes atodol. Fel cyfraniad cadarnhaol, a gytunwch i gychwyn deialog gyda chynrychiolwyr o fusnesau bach a chanolig eu maint ac eraill er mwyn sefydlu gweithgor i ymdrin â’u pryderon?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 6
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6
I cannot engage in the process this afternoon, but Edwina Hart and I will listen sympathetically to any pleas by small businesses.
Ni allaf ymgymryd â’r broses y prynhawn yma, ond bydd Edwina Hart a minnau yn gwrando â chydymdeimlad ar unrhyw bledion gan fusnesau bach.
How can we help small businesses to access Objective 1 funding and, in particular, to access the operating aids made available to Objective 1 areas?
Sut y gallwn helpu busnesau bach i gael gafael ar arian Amcan 1 ac, yn arbennig, i gael gafael ar y cymhorthion gweithredol a ryddhawyd i ardaloedd Amcan 1?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 6
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6
The main way for small businesses to get help is through Finance Wales. Funding of £45 million was announced in a good, high-profile ceremony in Abertillery some 10 days ago, when the loan fund and the equity fund were delivered from Brussels and were matched slightly more than pound for pound by Barclays Bank. Of course there are other means, which you mentioned in your question, Peter. However, if small businesses feel that they do not have enough access, they must raise that matter either through their local partnerships on Objective 1—with which they can become fully engaged—or through the Assembly, either in the Economic Development Committee or during Questions to the First Minister. If access to Objective 1 funding is blocked to small businesses, we should be able to deal with that through the Business Partnership Council or through other avenues such as the Social Partners Support Unit. You will recall that I was celebrating the fact that jobs with the Welsh Social Partners Support Unit—which have been created, partially, to tackle that problem—were advertised in the Daily Post and The Western Mail last week.
Y brif ffordd i fusnesau bach gael cymorth yw drwy gyfrwng Cyllid Cymru. Cyhoeddwyd y byddai £45 miliwn ar gael mewn seremoni dda, proffil uchel, yn Abertyleri tua 10 diwrnod yn ôl, pan gyflwynwyd y gronfa fenthyg a’r gronfa ecwiti o Frwsel a chafwyd ychydig mwy na phunt am bunt o arian cyfatebol gan Fanc Barclays. Wrth gwrs mae ffyrdd eraill, fel y soniasoch yn eich cwestiwn, Peter. Fodd bynnag, os yw busnesau bach o’r farn nad allant gael gafael digonol ar arian, rhaid iddynt godi’r mater naill ai drwy gyfrwng eu partneriaethau Amcan 1 lleol—y gallant ymwneud yn llawn â hwy—neu drwy’r Cynulliad, naill ai yn y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd neu yn ystod Cwestiynau i’r Prif Weinidog. Os caiff mynediad at arian Amcan 1 ei rwystro i fusnesau bach, dylem fod yn gallu ymdrin â hynny drwy gyfrwng y Cyngor Partneriaeth Busnes neu drwy gyfrwng llwybrau eraill megis Uned Gymorth Partneriaid Cymdeithasol. Cofiwch imi ddathlu’r ffaith bod swyddi gydag Uned Gymorth Partneriaid Cymdeithasol Cymru, a grëwyd, yn rhannol, er mwyn mynd i’r afael â’r broblem honno, wedi eu hysbysebu yn y Daily Post a The Western Mail yr wythnos diwethaf.
Polisi Trafnidiaeth
Transport Policy
A wnaiff Prif Weinidog Cymru ddatganiad ar ddatblygiad cyffredinol polisi trafnidiaeth y Cynulliad? (OAQ13848)
Will the First Minister make a statement on the overall development of the Assembly’s transport policy? (OAQ13848)
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 7
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 7
Yn dilyn ymgynghori helaeth yn gynharach eleni, bydd Sue Essex, y Gweinidog â chyfrifoldeb dros drafnidiaeth, yn lansio ein fframwaith trafnidiaeth i Gymru yr wythnos ar ôl nesaf, a fydd yn cyflwyno ein cynlluniau i greu system drafnidiaeth fwy cynaliadwy a chydweithredol. Bydd Pwyllgor yr Amgylchedd, Cynllunio a Thrafnidiaeth yn adolygu trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, a daeth y cyfnod ymgynghori ar y mater hwnnw i ben fis diwethaf. Bydd dadl mewn Cyfarfod Llawn ym mis Rhagfyr.
Following extensive consultation earlier this year, Sue Essex, the Minister responsible for transport, will launch the Assembly’s transport framework for Wales the week after next, which will set out our plans to create a better co-ordinated and sustainable transport system. The Environment, Planning and Transport Committee will conduct a review of public transport, and the consultation period on that matter came to an end last month. A Plenary debate is scheduled for December.
Wrth ystyried pwysigrwydd rheilffyrdd i’r fframwaith, a fydd y Cynulliad yn penodi un o gyfarwyddwyr y Railtrack newydd?
Considering the importance of railways to the framework, will the Assembly be appointing one of the directors of the new Railtrack?
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 7
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 7
Mae’n rhy gynnar i ddweud. Yr ydym yn awyddus i wneud hynny, ond nid yw’n bosibl am nad yw’r fframwaith, gyda’r manylion am olynydd Railtrack, wedi ymddangos eto. Fel y gwyddoch, methwyd â chael yr hawl i enwebu aelod o fwrdd yr Awdurdod Rheilffyrdd Strategol ond parhawn i obeithio y cawn yr hawl hwnnw gyda bwrdd y cwmni newydd a ddaw yn lle Railtrack, sydd o dan weinyddiaeth.
It is too early to tell. We are eager to do so, but it is not possible as the framework, with details on the successor to Railtrack, has not yet appeared. As you know, we did not manage to secure the right to nominate a member of the Strategic Rail Authority’s board, but we continue to hope that we will secure that right for the board of the new company to replace Railtrack, which is in administration.
The only morning train service between north Wales and the capital should be a strategic service, but instead it calls at every halt between Crewe and Shrewsbury, adding half an hour to the journey. Do you agree that this is deeply unsatisfactory for people trying to do a day’s work in Cardiff, and will you take this matter up with Wales and Borders Trains?
Dylai’r unig wasanaeth trên bore rhwng y Gogledd a’r brifddinas fod yn wasanaeth strategol, ond yn hytrach, mae’n aros ym mhob arhosfan rhwng Crewe a’r Amwythig, gan ychwanegu hanner awr at y siwrnai. A gytunwch bod hyn yn gwbl anfoddhaol i bobl sy’n ceisio gwneud diwrnod o waith yng Nghaerdydd, ac a wnewch godi’r mater hwn gyda chwmni Rheilffyrdd Cymru a’r Gororau?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 7
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7
It is only an unsatisfactory situation up to a point, because those who live on or near those halts may take a different view from those making the full journey from north to south Wales.
Dim ond i raddau y mae hon yn sefyllfa anfoddhaol, gan y gallai’r sawl sy’n byw ger yr arhosfannau hynny fod â barn wahanol i’r rhai sy’n gwneud y siwrnai lawn o’r Gogledd i’r de.
Therefore, this must be argued both ways. I am pleased that Assembly funding has prolonged that additional train’s life until April or May 2002, when the situation will be reviewed.
Felly, rhaid dadlau hyn o’r naill ochr a’r llall. Yr wyf yn falch bod arian y Cynulliad wedi ymestyn bywyd y trên ychwanegol hwnnw tan Ebrill neu Fai 2002, pan gaiff y sefyllfa ei hadolygu.
Railtrack’s lack of technical staff has led to its inability to complete work on the Dovey loop, which would enable a more frequent service on the Cambrian coastline. That is a matter of great concern in mid Wales. Will you raise this crucial issue with Railtrack and explain how important it is to the mid-Wales economy?
Mae prinder staff technegol Railtrack wedi arwain at ei anallu i gwblhau gwaith ar linell ddolennog Dyfi, a fyddai’n galluogi gwasanaeth mwy rheolaidd ar hyd arfordir y Cambrian. Mae hyn yn achosi pryder mawr yn y Canolbarth. A wnewch godi’r mater allweddol hwn gyda Railtrack ac egluro pa mor bwysig ydyw i economi’r Canolbarth?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 8
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8
That is not unique to mid Wales, I am afraid, Glyn. We have always had that problem with Railtrack. It lacks engineering staff who are capable of completing work on the Ebbw Vale to Newport and Cardiff commuter line; we have spoken extensively to the company on that, as well as on other issues relating to the Cardiff Queen Street station loop. All the lines seem to suffer from the same problem: not enough railway and signalling engineers to get on with the job. I am sure that you will be pleased that part of the Strategic Rail Authority’s agreed programme for rail passenger transport support in Wales provides for additional Sunday services on the Heart of Wales railway line, from Swansea to Shrewsbury.
Mae arnaf ofn nad yw hyn yn unigryw i’r Canolbarth, Glyn. Yr ydym wedi cael y broblem hon gyda Railtrack erioed. Mae ganddo brinder staff peirianyddol sy’n gallu cwblhau gwaith ar y llinell cymudwyr o Lynebwy i Gasnewydd a Chaerdydd; yr ydym wedi trafod hynny yn helaeth gyda’r cwmni, yn ogystal â materion eraill sy’n ymwneud â llinell ddolennog gorsaf Heol y Frenhines, Caerdydd. Ymddengys fod pob llinell yn dioddef o’r un broblem: dim digon o beirianwyr rheilffordd a pheirianwyr arwyddion i fwrw ymlaen â’r gwaith. Yr wyf yn sicr y byddwch yn falch bod rhan o raglen gytûn yr Awdurdod Rheilffordd Strategol ar gyfer cymorth trafnidiaeth i deithwyr rheilffordd yng Nghymru yn darparu gwasanaethau ychwanegol ar y Sul ar linell rheilffordd Calon Cymru, rhwng Abertawe a’r Amwythig.
Cydlynu Polisi yng Ngogledd Cymru
Co-ordination of Policy in North Wales
What recent discussions has the First Minister had with the Secretary of State for Wales in relation to the co-ordination of policy in north Wales? (OAQ13837)
Pa drafodaethau a gafodd Prif Weinidog Cymru yn ddiweddar gydag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru mewn perthynas â chydlynu polisi yng ngogledd Cymru? (OAQ13837)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 8
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8
I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Wales, and we discuss a wide range of issues, including north Wales. We look forward immensely to the opening—next week, I think, but certainly before the end of November—of Mostyn docks and its £17 million scheme, which will result in a new ferry service between north-east Wales and Dublin. That ferry service will be an hour and a half shorter than the present service between Liverpool and Dublin, and will be popular with passengers and freight operators.
Byddaf yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd ag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, a thrafodwn amrywiaeth helaeth o faterion, gan gynnwys y Gogledd. Edrychwn ymlaen yn fawr at agor—yr wythnos nesaf, mi gredaf, ond yn sicr cyn diwedd Tachwedd—dociau Mostyn a’i gynllun £17 miliwn, a fydd yn arwain at sefydlu gwasanaeth fferi newydd rhwng y Gogledd-ddwyrain a Dulyn. Bydd y gwasanaeth fferi hwnnw awr a hanner yn fyrrach na’r gwasanaeth presennol rhwng Lerpwl a Dulyn, a bydd yn boblogaidd gyda theithwyr a gweithredwyr cludo.
Even though it is not in my constituency, I add my congratulations to that good news for Mostyn. As unemployment figures continue to fall in the Vale of Clwyd, do you agree that we must encourage the economically inactive people in constituencies back into the workforce? In your discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales, will you ensure that measures such as the working families tax credit, New Deal and the disabled person’s tax credit are widely promoted throughout north Wales? Their promotion will assist those people back into the work market, and will enable us to achieve our aim of economic prosperity across north Wales.
Er nad yw yn fy etholaeth, ychwanegaf fy llongyfarchiadau i’r newyddion da hynny ar gyfer Mostyn. Wrth i ffigurau diweithdra barhau i ostwng yn Nyffryn Clwyd, a gytunwch y dylem annog pobl nad ydynt yn weithredol yn economaidd mewn etholaethau i ddychwelyd i’r gweithlu? Yn eich trafodaethau ag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, a wnewch chi sicrhau y bydd mesurau megis y credyd treth i deuluoedd sy’n gweithio, y Fargen Newydd a’r credyd treth i bobl anabl yn cael eu hyrwyddo’n helaeth ar hyd a lled y Gogledd? Bydd eu hyrwyddo yn helpu’r bobl hynny i ddychwelyd i’r farchnad waith, ac yn ein galluogi i gyflawni ein nod o ffyniant economaidd ar draws gogledd Cymru.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 9
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9
Yes. It has occurred to me that, until recently, the average UK university student has not lived in a country with fewer than a million people unemployed. If you make some international comparisons, the fact that they now live in a country with fewer than a million unemployed people is a great achievement for the United Kingdom Government and its agencies. We must consider where central Government’s responsibility starts and finishes, in relation to issues such as New Deal and the working families tax credit, and where our responsibility for economic development and community regeneration starts and finishes, to ensure that they intersect together. Now that we are reaching the hard core of unemployment, it is important that there is strong co-ordination between central Government agencies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, and the National Assembly for Wales to ensure that those people who probably have not thought about work for the past 20 years while unemployment has been so high, see it as a realistic prospect for them and that there is suitable childcare assistance and so on.
Gwnaf. Sylweddolais nad yw’r myfyriwr prifysgol cyffredin yn y DU, hyd yn ddiweddar, wedi byw mewn gwlad lle mae llai na miliwn o bobl yn ddi-waith. Pe byddech yn gwneud rhywfaint o gymariaethau rhyngwladol, mae’r ffaith eu bod bellach yn byw mewn gwlad sydd â llai na miliwn o bobl ddi-waith yn gryn orchest ar ran Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig a’i hasiantaethau. Rhaid inni ystyried ble mae cyfrifoldeb Llywodraeth ganolog yn cychwyn ac yn gorffen, mewn perthynas â materion megis y Fargen Newydd a’r credyd treth i deuluoedd sy’n gweithio, a ble mae ein cyfrifoldeb dros ddatblygu economaidd ac adfywio cymunedau yn cychwyn ac yn gorffen, er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn croestorri â’i gilydd. Gan ein bod bellach yn cyrraedd craidd caled diweithdra, mae’n bwysig bod cydlynu cryf rhwng asiantaethau Llywodraeth ganolog, megis yr Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau a Chynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru er mwyn sicrhau bod y bobl hynny nad ydynt mae’n debyg wedi ystyried gwaith yn yr 20 mlynedd diwethaf tra bu diweithdra mor uchel, yn ei weld yn gyfle realistig iddynt a bod cymorth gofal plant addas, ac yn y blaen, ar gael.
Have you discussed the possible impact on policy of next year’s planned investment cuts of £370 million by the European airbus consortium in the BAE systems plant at Broughton?
A ydych wedi trafod yr effaith bosibl ar bolisi yn sgîl y toriadau arfaethedig mewn buddsoddi o £370 miliwn y flwyddyn nesaf gan y consortiwm bws awyr Ewropeaidd yng ngwaith systemau BAE ym Mrychdyn?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 10
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10
We have discussed this before. Airbus expected to create about 1,000 jobs over the next year or two. That will not now be possible. It has said that it will continue with the A3XX superjumbo. We are pleased with that. The giant shed in which the wings will be integrated is proceeding. We are also pleased that all the apprenticeships will proceed to completion. However, the recruitment programme has been frozen. Its salesmen are in discussion with its 180 customers, and when the returns have been analysed, one would imagine that there would be a net downward impact. However, there are some other straws in the wind going the other way. I was pleased to hear about the exceptional order placed last week by Emirates airlines for some 55 additional aircraft. That is a boost to the confidence of the industry just when it needed one.
Yr ydym wedi trafod hyn eisoes. Disgwyliai Airbus greu tua 1,000 o swyddi yn ystod y flwyddyn neu ddwy nesaf. Ni fydd hynny’n bosibl bellach. Dywedodd y bydd yn parhau i adeiladu’r ‘superjumbo’A3XX. Yr ydym yn falch o hynny. Mae’r cwt enfawr lle bydd yr adenydd yn cael eu hintegreiddio yn mynd yn ei flaen. Yr ydym hefyd yn falch y bydd yr holl brentisiaethau yn cael eu cwblhau. Fodd bynnag, mae’r rhaglen recriwtio wedi ei rhewi. Mae ei werthwyr mewn trafodaeth â’i 180 o gwsmeriaid, a phan fydd y canlyniadau wedi eu dadansoddi, byddwn yn dychmygu y byddai effaith net tuag i lawr. Fodd bynnag, bu’r gwynt yn chwythu’r ffordd arall hefyd. Yr oeddwn yn falch o glywed am yr archeb eithriadol a gyflwynwyd gan gwmni awyrennau Emirates yr wythnos diwethaf am tua 55 o awyrennau ychwanegol. Mae hynny’n hwb i hyder y diwydiant ar yr union adeg pan oedd ei angen arno.
Datblygiad Datganoli yn y Dyfodol
Future Development of Devolution
What discussions did the First Minister have with the Prime Minister during his recent visit to the Assembly regarding the future development of devolution? (OAQ13842)
Pa drafodaethau gafodd Prif Weinidog Cymru â Phrif Weinidog y DU yn ystod ei ymweliad diweddar â’r Cynulliad ynghylch datblygiad datganoli yn y dyfodol? (OAQ13842)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 10
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10
I discussed a number of subjects with the Prime Minister during his recent visit. The healthy state and future development of devolution was the main subject of discussion at the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee in Cathays Park, chaired by the Prime Minister. There was general agreement at the meeting that the inevitable disagreements which are bound to exist between central Government and any or all of the devolved administrations were at glitch level, and not at showstopper level.
Trafodais nifer o bynciau gyda’r Prif Weinidog yn ystod ei ymweliad diweddar. Prif bwnc trafod y Cydbwyllgor Gweinidogion ym Mharc Cathays, a gadeiriwyd gan y Prif Weinidog, oedd cyflwr iach a datblygiad datganoli yn y dyfodol. Cafwyd cytundeb cyffredinol yn y cyfarfod mai cymedrol, ac nid difrifol, oedd yr anghytundebau anochel sy’n sicr o ddigwydd rhwng Llywodraeth ganolog ac unrhyw un neu bob un o’r gweinyddiaethau a ddatganolwyd.
I am sure that the First Minister will join the Welsh Liberal Democrats in recognising the plight of many Welsh students, as illustrated by today’s protest at many universities. I also welcome the fact that both Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives—
Yr wyf yn sicr y byddai Prif Weinidog Cymru yn ymuno â Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru i gydnabod trafferthion llawer o fyfyrwyr Cymru, fel y dangoswyd gan y brotest heddiw mewn llawer o brifysgolion. Croesawaf y ffaith fod Plaid Cymru a Cheidwadwyr Cymru hefyd—
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 11
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11
Order. Will you please ask a question?
Trefn. A wnewch chi ofyn cwestiwn, os gwelwch yn dda?
—have joined the Welsh Liberal Democrats in calling for the abolition of tuition fees. Will the First Minister also join this growing consensus, and condemn Tony Blair’s tax on learning?
—wedi ymuno â Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru i alw am ddiddymu ffioedd dysgu. A fydd Prif Weinidog Cymru hefyd yn ymuno â’r consensws cynyddol hwn, a chondemnio treth Tony Blair ar ddysgu?
You cannot trust the Liberal Democrats.
Ni allwch ymddiried yn y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol.
You cannot trust the Labour Party to deliver.
Ni allwch ymddiried yn y Blaid Lafur i gyflawni.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 11
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11
Order.
Trefn.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 11
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11
The condition of my voice means that I cannot shout over raised voices in this Chamber. As you are a Liberal Democrat, Mick, you did not have the pleasure of attending the Labour Party conference, where the Prime Minister made it clear that a review will be set up with a view to switching over to what is broadly known as the graduate tax method of paying for higher education. This would replace tuition fees. We look forward to movement in that direction. Estelle Morris, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, has confirmed this for England and Wales by setting up the review. It will report early in 2002. I am sure that you will cheer loudly from the sidelines when that happens.
Golyga cyflwr fy llais na allaf weiddi dros leisiau uchel yn y Siambr hon. Gan mai Democrat Rhyddfrydol ydych chi, Mick, ni chawsoch y fraint o fynychu cynhadledd y Blaid Lafur, ble eglurodd y Prif Weinidog y byddai adolygiad yn cael ei sefydlu gyda’r bwriad o newid i’r hyn a adnabyddir yn fras fel y dull treth graddedig o dalu am addysg uwch. Byddai hyn yn disodli ffioedd dysgu. Edrychwn ymlaen at symud i’r cyfeiriad hwnnw. Cadarnhawyd hyn gan Estelle Morris, yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Addysg a Sgiliau, ar gyfer Cymru a Lloegr drwy sefydlu adolygiad. Bydd yn cyflwyno adroddiad ar ddechrau 2002. Yr wyf yn sicr y byddwch yn cymeradwyo’n frwd o’r ystlys pan fydd hynny’n digwydd.
Nick Bourne The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives spoken in English p. 11
Nick Bourne Arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11
In your discussions with the Prime Minister during his visit, when many of us were surprised to hear him talk of the healthy state of the national health service in Wales, did you raise the length of waiting lists in Wales, which are getting ever longer? Cardiac patients may have to wait for up to 12 months for treatment, and orthopaedic patients may have to wait up to 18 months, while cancer patients have no target at all for care.
Yn eich trafodaethau â’r Prif Weinidog yn ystod ei ymweliad, pan synnwyd llawer ohonom o’i glywed yn siarad am gyflwr iach y gwasanaeth iechyd cenedlaethol yng Nghymru, a wnaethoch godi mater rhestrau aros yng Nghymru, sy’n mynd hyd yn oed yn hirach? Gall cleifion y galon ddisgwyl aros am hyd at 12 mis am driniaeth, a gall cleifion orthopedig ddisgwyl aros am hyd at 18 mis, ac nid oes targedau gofal o gwbl ar gyfer cleifion canser.
Did the Prime Minister also give a view on the two-directional Minister for Health and Social Services who talks about co-operation and partnership with the private sector one week and the next week sets her face against it? Did the First Minister also speak to him about the structural reforms that are being put forward that the Minister for Health and Social Services seems to want to be subject to a debate that has been overruled by the Minister for Assembly Business?
A roddodd y Prif Weinidog ei farn hefyd ar y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol chwit chwat sy’n siarad am gydweithio a phartneriaeth â’r sector preifat un wythnos a’r wythnos wedyn yn siarad yn ei erbyn? A wnaeth Prif Weinidog Cymru hefyd siarad ag ef am y diwygiadau strwythurol yr ymddengys bod y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol am eu gweld yn destun dadl a wrthodwyd gan y Trefnydd?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 12
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12
Procedural matters relating to Assembly business are hardly likely to be of concern to the Prime Minister. The delivery of ever-higher quality public services was one subject at the heart of the discussions of the Joint Ministerial Committee. That is to be expected because of the ever-increasing demands on the health service, given the ageing society of which we are all a part, and the importance of its ability to respond to those demands. It is important that the NHS develops the capacity to deal with the increasing demands placed upon it. The structural reforms in Wales are part of the Assembly’s response to Wales’s needs in the same way as those being proposed in England along different lines are part of the Department of Health’s response to England’s needs.
Prin y byddai materion trefniadol sy’n ymwneud â busnes y Cynulliad yn debygol o fod yn rhywbeth y byddai’r Prif Weinidog yn pryderu yn ei gylch. Yr oedd cyflwyno gwasanaethau cyhoeddus o ansawdd cynyddol well yn un pwnc a oedd wrth wraidd trafodaethau Cydbwyllgor y Gweinidogion. Mae hynny i’w ddisgwyl oherwydd y gofynion cynyddol ar y gwasanaeth iechyd, o gofio am y gymdeithas sy’n heneiddio yr ydym oll yn rhan ohoni, a phwysigrwydd ei gallu i ymateb i’r gofynion hynny. Mae’n bwysig bod yr NHS yn datblygu’r gallu i ymdrin â’r gofynion cynyddol a wneir arno. Mae’r diwygiadau strwythurol yng Nghymru yn rhan o ymateb y Cynulliad i anghenion Cymru yn yr un modd ag y mae’r rhai hynny a gynigir yn Lloegr ar hyd llinellau gwahanol yn rhan o ymateb yr Adran Iechyd i anghenion Lloegr.
In the light of Mick Bates’s question, when the Prime Minister was here, did you also have the opportunity to discuss the benefits of partnership Government with him? If you were not here or indisposed—which may happen if your cold gets any worse—not even the former Deputy First Minister or a member of your own party would take over. Presumably, based on what is happening in Scotland, the Acting Deputy First Minister would take over. What are the benefits of this partnership Government for Wales, given the kind of support that you are receiving from the Liberal Democrats? Why does the Prime Minister not seem to believe that such a Government is necessary for Westminster? Do we have one in Wales so that you can sleep at night or is there another, greater reason why we have this partnership Government, which is damaging Wales greatly?
Yng ngoleuni cwestiwn Mick Bates, pan oedd y Prif Weinidog yma, a gawsoch gyfle hefyd i drafod manteision Llywodraeth bartneriaeth gydag ef? Pe baech yn absennol o’r Cynuliad neu pe baech yn anhwylus—a allai ddigwydd pe bai eich annwyd yn gwaethygu—ni fyddai hyd yn oed y cyn Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog nac aelod o’ch plaid eich hun yn cymryd yr awenau. Yr wyf yn cymryd, yn seiliedig ar yr hyn sy’n digwydd yn yr Alban, y byddai’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog Dros Dro yn cymryd yr awenau. Beth yw manteision y Llywodraeth bartneriaeth hon i Gymru, o ystyried y math o gefnogaeth a gewch gan y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol? Pam nad yw’r Prif Weinidog yn credu bod angen Llywodraeth o’r fath ar gyfer San Steffan? A oes gennym un yng Nghymru er mwyn ichi allu cysgu’r nos neu a oes rheswm arall, ehangach pam bod gennym y Llywodraeth bartneriaeth hon, sydd mor niwediol i Gymru?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 13
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13
The constitutional arrangements are different in Wales and Scotland in that regard. I am touched by your worries about the state of my health, but I have lasted well until now and I hope to continue to do so despite today’s problems. I look forward to the get-well-card signed by your group, Nick.
Mae’r trefniadau cyfansoddiadol yn wahanol yng Nghymru a’r Alban yn hynny o beth. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am eich pryderon ynglŷn â chyflwr fy iechyd, ond yr wyf wedi para’n dda hyd yma a gobeithiaf ddal ati i wneud hynny er gwaethaf problemau heddiw. Edrychaf ymlaen at gael cerdyn brysiwch wella wedi’i lofnodi gan eich grŵp, Nick.
Mae pawb call yn cytuno bod yn rhaid cael pwerau deddfu llawn er mwyn i’r Cynulliad allu gweithio. Mae hynny’n cynnwys Alun Pugh, wrth gwrs. O dderbyn hynny, a yw’r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno bod cael pwerau deddfu llawn yn fater o frys? Erbyn pryd y mae’n credu y dylid cael y pwerau hyn—erbyn etholiad 2003, neu etholiad 2007, ynteu a oes yn rhaid i ni aros hyd at etholiad 2011 a llusgo ymlaen gyda’r model anfoddhaol sydd gennym ar hyn o bryd?
Everyone in their right mind agrees that we need full legislative powers in order for the Assembly to work. That includes Alun Pugh, of course. Given that, does the First Minister agree that obtaining full legislative powers is a matter of urgency? By when does he believe that we should have these powers—by the 2003 election, or the 2007 election, or do we have to wait until the 2011 election and continue to be encumbered by the unsatisfactory model that we currently have?
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 13
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 13
Dyma ni yn ôl gyda’r hen obsesiwn, Cynog. Nid oes un sesiwn o gwestiynau yn mynd rhagddo heb fod rhywun o Blaid Cymru yn credu ei bod yn angenrheidiol codi’r cwestiwn hwn eto gan na allent feddwl am unrhyw gwestiwn arall i’w ofyn. Dyna bwrpas eu bodolaeth. Mae’n bwysig fod pawb yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys Cynog, yn gwybod beth yw’r polisi, sef sefydlu comisiwn annibynnol yn y gwanwyn a fydd yn paratoi adroddiad erbyn y cyfnod yn syth ar ôl etholiadau nesaf y Cynulliad yn 2003. Yna, gall yr Aelodau a gaiff eu hailethol a’r Aelodau newydd ei ystyried ar ddechrau tymor llawn newydd y Cynulliad, sef pedair blynedd. Wedi hynny, gall fod yn fater i ni ei ddwyn gerbron San Steffan.
We are back to the old obsession, Cynog. No question time goes by without someone from Plaid Cymru thinking it necessary to raise this question, because they cannot think of another question to ask. That is their raison d’être. It is important that everybody in Wales, including Cynog, knows what the policy is: we will establish an independent commission in the spring that will prepare a report for publication immediately after the next Assembly elections in 2003. The re-elected Members and the new Members can then consider it at the beginning of the new full Assembly term, which is four years. Following that, it can be a matter for us to put before Westminster.
Perthynas rhwng y Weinyddiaeth a San Steffan
Relationship between the Administration and Westminster
Will the First Minister make a statement on the relationship between his administration and the Westminster Government? (OAQ13843)
A wnaiff Prif Weinidog Cymru ddatganiad ar y berthynas rhwng ei weinyddiaeth ef a Llywodraeth San Steffan? (OAQ13843)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 14
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14
Good.
Da.
Thank you for what is probably the best answer that you have given me since I have been a Member of this Assembly. At what point in the legislative process should the National Assembly feed its views to Westminster on primary legislation that affects Wales?
Diolch ichi am yr ateb gorau ichi ei roi o bosibl ers imi fod yn Aelod o’r Cynulliad hwn. Ar ba gam o’r broses ddeddfwriaethol y dylai’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol roi ei farn i San Steffan ar ddeddfwriaeth sylfaenol sy’n effeithio ar Gymru?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 14
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14
We have ample opportunity to do that. About this time of year, each Assembly department is asked what it will propose for the next Queen’s Speech in November 2002. We are already considering that. When the administration has generated proposals, they will be brought before the Assembly, as they were last time. That is why we decided to propose four Bills to Westminster. You will recall what those Bills were. We have done reasonably well—around 36 times better than the Conservative Party during its 18 years in power in terms of the number of Bills that have gone into the Westminster machine from Wales. That is how it is done in Whitehall departments. We do it more democratically and openly because we are a democratically elected Assembly.
Cawn ddigon o gyfle i wneud hynny. Tua’r adeg hon o’r flwyddyn gofynnir i bob adran o’r Cynulliad nodi yr hyn y bydd yn ei gynnig ar gyfer Araith nesaf y Frenhines ym mis Tachwedd 2002. Yr ydym eisoes yn ystyried hynny. Ar ôl i’r weinyddiaeth lunio ei chynigion, cânt eu dwyn gerbron y Cynulliad, fel y digwyddodd y tro diwethaf. Dyna pam inni benderfynu cynnig pedwar Mesur i San Steffan. Byddwch yn cofio’r Mesurau hynny. Yr ydym wedi gwneud yn eithaf da—tua 36 gwaith yn well na’r Blaid Geidwadol yn ystod y 18 mlynedd pan oedd mewn grym o ran nifer y Mesurau a gyflwynwyd o Gymru i San Steffan. Dyna sut y gwneir pethau yn adrannau Whitehall. Yr ydym yn fwy democrataidd ac yn agored yn hynny o beth am ein bod yn Gynulliad a etholir yn ddemocrataidd.
On your relationship with Westminster, can you use your influence as First Minister to ensure that the Welsh Affairs Select Committee investigates those aspects of transport policy for which it is responsible and does not duplicate the Environment, Planning and Transport Committee’s work in its review of public transport policy in Wales?
O ran eich perthynas â San Steffan, a wnewch chi ddefnyddio’ch dylanwad fel Prif Weinidog Cymru i sicrhau bod y Pwyllgor Dethol ar Faterion Cymreig yn ymchwilio i’r agweddau hynny ar bolisi trafnidiaeth y mae’n gyfrifol amdanynt ac nad yw’n dyblygu gwaith Pwyllgor yr Amgylchedd, Cynllunio a Thrafnidiaeth wrth adolygu polisi trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yng Nghymru?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 14
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14
Yes, of course. However, we must be careful in case the Welsh Affairs Select Committee takes the same view about some of our debates when, you could say, we stray into Westminster territory. I need not remind you of recent examples of that. Therefore, a little flexibility on both sides is probably wise. If there is give and take, the relationship between the two legislatures will continue on the same healthy footing.
Gwnaf, wrth gwrs. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni fod yn ofalus rhag ofn bod y Pwyllgor Dethol ar Faterion Cymreig yn mabwysiadu’r un agwedd tuag at rai o’n dadleuon ni pan fyddwn, gellir dweud, yn gorgyffwrdd â gwaith San Steffan. Nid oes angen imi eich atgoffa o’r enghreifftiau o hyn yn ddiweddar. Felly byddai’n ddoeth pe bai’r naill ochr a’r llall yn hyblyg o ran hynny. O gael hyblygrwydd, gall y berthynas rhwng y ddwy ddeddfwrfa barhau yr un mor iach.
I am delighted that the First Minister’s relationships with Westminster are good. Are they good enough for him to be able to give us an idea of when the second reading of the proposed NHS Reform Bill will take place?
Yr wyf yn falch o nodi bod gan Brif Weinidog Cymru berthynas dda â San Steffan. A yw’n ddigon da iddo allu rhoi amcan inni pryd y bydd ail ddarlleniad Mesur Diwygio arfaethedig yr NHS?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 15
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15
The NHS Reform Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons last Friday. I understand that the second reading will be before Christmas, but I do not know the exact date.
Cynhaliwyd darlleniad cyntaf Mesur Diwygio’r NHS ddydd Gwener diwethaf. Deallaf y bydd yr ail ddarlleniad cyn y Nadolig, ond ni wn yr union ddyddiad.
In view of the rightly divergent policies of the Welsh and UK Governments, what political and financial support are you receiving from the Westminster Government on your policy of not using private funding for capital projects?
Yng ngoleuni polisïau gwahanol Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU, sy’n briodol, pa gymorth gwleidyddol ac ariannol a gewch gan Lywodraeth San Steffan o ran eich polisi i beidio â defnyddio arian preifat ar gyfer prosiectau cyfalaf?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 15
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15
Jane Hutt made the choice, with the full backing of her Cabinet colleagues, the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities in particular, to provide funding for two new community hospitals in Porthmadog and in the Rhondda at Llwynypia through what used to be regarded as conventional public funding. That does not mean that it will be used for that purpose every time, nor does UK Government policy mean that the Department of Health will never use public funding again. We took that decision in Wales to provide a Welsh answer to Welsh conditions. There are no great philosophical arguments about this. That decision relates to Porthmadog and Llwynypia. We are happy about it and think it is the best way to meet the problems of providing hospital care at a community level for the two areas concerned. It is no more or less than that.
Gwnaeth Jane Hutt y dewis, gyda chefnogaeth lawn ei chyd-Aelodau yn y Cabinet, y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau yn arbennig, i ddarparu arian ar gyfer dau ysbyty cymuned newydd ym Mhorthmadog ac yn Llwynypia yn y Rhondda drwy’r hyn yr arferid ei ystyried yn arian cyhoeddus traddodiadol. Nid yw hynny yn golygu y caiff ei ddefnyddio at y diben hwnnw bob amser, ac nid yw polisi Llywodraeth y DU yn golygu ychwaith na fydd yr Adran Iechyd yn defnyddio arian cyhoeddus byth eto. Gwnaethpwyd y penderfyniad hwnnw yng Nghymru er mwyn rhoi ateb Cymreig i’r sefyllfa yng Nghymru. Nid oes unrhyw ddadleuon athronyddol mawr yn gysylltiedig â hyn. Mae’r penderfyniad hwnnw yn berthnasol i Borthmadog a Llwynypia. Yr ydym yn fodlon arno a chredwn mai dyma’r ffordd orau o oresgyn y problemau sy’n gysylltiedig â rhoi gofal mewn ysbyty yn y gymuned ar gyfer y ddwy ardal dan sylw. Nid yw’n golygu dim mwy na dim llai na hynny.
Papur Gwyn ar Ddiwygio Tŷ’r Arglwyddi
House of Lords Reform White Paper
Will the First Minister discuss the UK Government’s White Paper on the House of Lords reform with the Secretary of State for Wales? (OAQ13844)
A yw Prif Weinidog Cymru yn bwriadu trafod Papur Gwyn Llywodraeth y DU ar ddiwygio Tŷ’r Arglwyddi gydag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru? (OAQ13844)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 16
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16
I have no specific plans to do so because there is no longer a direct impact on the Assembly. There had been rumours that the revised House of Lords would turn into a British version of the German upper house, the Bundesrat, where local government and the Land level of Government—the regional tier that we operate—is directly represented. I am relieved and glad that there are no such proposals. This Assembly would not have been happy to have had the job of nominating either one of its own Members, or someone else whom we considered to be suitable, to join the people in the revised upper house in London. I am pleased that that is no longer part of the proposals.
Nid oes gennyf gynlluniau penodol i wneud hynny gan nad oes effaith uniongyrchol ar y Cynulliad bellach. Bu sibrydion y gallai Tŷ’r Arglwyddi diwygiedig droi yn fersiwn Prydeinig o uwch dŷ’r Almaen, y Bundesrat, lle y cynrychiolir llywodraeth leol a lefel Land o Lywodraeth—yr haen ranbarthol a weithredwn ni—yn uniongyrchol. Mae’n dda gennyf glywed nad oes cynigion o’r fath. Ni fyddai’r Cynulliad hwn wedi bod yn fodlon cael y dasg o enwebu naill ai un o’i Aelodau ei hun, neu rywun arall yr ystyriem yn addas, i ymuno â’r bobl yn yr uwch dŷ diwygiedig yn Llundain. Yr wyf yn falch nad yw hynny bellach yn rhan o’r cynigion.
While many of us would share an objection to such a formalistic approach to having the House of Lords reflect the new devolution settlement, is it not true that we will need peers, or Members of the House of Lords—however they are termed—with experience of devolved politics to ensure that things work smoothly in Westminster?
Er y byddai llawer ohonom hefyd yn gwrthwynebu dull mor ffurfiol o wneud Tŷ’r Arglwyddi i adlewyrchu’r drefn ddatganoli newydd, onid yw’n wir y bydd angen arglwyddi arnom, neu Aelodau o Dŷ’r Arglwyddi—beth bynnag y’u gelwir—â phrofiad o wleidyddiaeth ddatganoledig i sicrhau bod pethau’n gweithio’n rhwydd yn San Steffan?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 16
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16
That is how the system works in Germany and how it calculates its ‘Barnett’ formula. In the upper house every year, representatives of local government and the Land or regional tier of government argue with central Government representatives about who gets what during the following year and what the principles are for the transfer from the rich to the poorer regions.
Dyna sut y mae’r system yn gweithio yn yr Almaen a sut y cyfrifa ei fformwla ‘Barnett’. Yn yr uwch dŷ bob blwyddyn, dadleua cynrychiolwyr llywodraeth leol a haen Land neu’r haen ranbarthol o lywodraeth â chynrychiolwyr Llywodraeth ganolog ynglŷn â phwy sy’n cael beth yn ystod y flwyddyn ganlynol a beth yw’r egwyddorion ar gyfer trosglwyddo o’r rhanbarthau cyfoethog i’r rhai tlotaf.
That would be abhorrent to the British system. The Presiding Officer is the only person in the Chamber who has had experience of this tier of Government. His absence is probably not intentional at the moment. I do not know whether we would want anybody other than the four or five people who would be directly elected from Wales to the upper house under the Government’s proposals, and those who will be appointed via nominations from political parties. Incidentally, people from Wales occasionally make outstanding contributions to the House of Lords. Baroness Finlay of Llandaff’s recent outstanding maiden speech on tobacco was one of the most stunning events of the parliamentary year so far.
Byddai hynny yn wrthun i’r system Brydeinig. Y Llywydd yw’r unig berson yn y Siambr sydd wedi cael profiad o’r haen hon o Lywodraeth. Mae’n debygol nad yw ei absenoldeb ar hyn o bryd yn fwriadol. Ni wn a fyddem am gael unrhyw un heblaw’r pedwar neu bum person a fyddai’n cael eu hethol yn uniongyrchol o Gymru i’r uwch dŷ o dan gynigion y Llywodraeth, a’r bobl a benodir drwy enwebiadau o bleidiau gwleidyddol. Gyda llaw, o bryd i’w gilydd mae Cymry’n gwneud cyfraniadau eithriadol i Dŷ’r Arglwyddi. Yr oedd araith gyntaf y Farwnes Finlay o Landaf ar dybaco yn ddiweddar yn un o ddigwyddiadau mwyaf trawiadol y flwyddyn seneddol hyd yma.
You may well have cast one of the 6 million votes against 6,000 when a Labour conference many years ago voted to abolish the House of Lords. What is your view now of the value of appointed peers?
Mae’n ddigon posibl eich bod yn un o’r 6 miliwn a bleidleisiodd yn erbyn 6,000 pan bleidleisiodd cynhadledd y blaid Lafur nifer o flynyddoedd yn ôl i ddiddymu Tŷ’r Arglwyddi. Beth yw eich barn bellach ar werth arglwyddi a benodir?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 17
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17
Personally, if I was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, instead of First Minister of the Assembly, I would have proposed a different solution. However, I understand why those who are in the House of Commons, and in the Government accountable to the House of Commons, have this problem. The greater the democratic legitimacy of the House of Lords, the greater its ability to challenge the House of Commons. I do not know how you cut it exactly to prevent the upper house from having the democratic legitimacy to challenge the lower house. There is no right answer. I would have come up with a different answer to the Prime Minister’s, but I have no right answer to that, which is a fundamental problem in any bicameral constitution.
Yn bersonol, pe bawn i’n Brif Weinidog y Deyrnas Unedig yn hytrach na Phrif Weinidog Cymru, byddwn wedi cynnig ateb gwahanol. Fodd bynnag, deallaf pam bod gan y rheini sydd yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin, ac yn y Llywodraeth sy’n atebol i Dŷ’r Cyffredin, y broblem hon. Po fwyaf yw cyfreithlondeb democrataidd Tŷ’r Arglwyddi, y mwyaf yn y byd y gall herio Tŷ’r Cyffredin. Ni wn sut yr ydych yn ei drefnu yn union i atal yr uwch dŷ rhag cael y cyfreithlondeb democrataidd i herio’r is dŷ. Nid oes un ateb cywir. Byddwn wedi cynnig ateb gwahanol i un y Prif Weinidog, ond nid oes gennyf yr ateb cywir i hynny, sy’n broblem sylfaenol mewn unrhyw gyfansoddiad dwysiambr.
Amser a dreuliwyd gan y Prif Weinidog ar ei Wahanol Ddyletswyddau
Time spent by the First Minister on his Various Duties
Out of the total amount of time the First Minister spends working, how much time does he spend carrying out the duties of the First Minister, and how much time carrying out the duties of economic development Minister? (OAQ13829)
O gyfanswm yr amser y treulia’r Prif Weinidog yn gweithio, faint o amser y mae’n ei dreulio yn cyflawni dyletswyddau’r Prif Weinidog, a faint o amser y mae’n ei dreulio yn cyflawni dyletswyddau’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd? (OAQ13829)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 17
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17
It is not possible to provide a breakdown of my time in such a way.
Nid yw’n bosibl rhoi dadansoddiad o’m amser yn y modd hwnnw.
I am not surprised. However, you know how concerned I am about your health, First Minister, particularly if it means that a Liberal Democrat would step in if you were to be indisposed. The First Minister must do less as the First Minister now than he did, and he must do less than Mike German did as the Minister for Economic Development—that may be good. However, it is worrying when the Welsh economy faces a severe downturn. Will you give an undertaking that this will not continue at least beyond Christmas?
Nid yw hynny yn syndod imi. Fodd bynnag, gwyddoch gymaint yr wyf yn pryderu am eich iechyd, Brif Weinidog, yn enwedig os yw’n golygu y byddai Rhyddfrydwr Democrataidd yn camu i’ch swydd pe digwydd i chi gael eich taro’n wael. Rhaid bod Prif Weinidog Cymru yn gwneud llai fel Prif Weinidog bellach nag yr arferai, ac mae’n rhaid ei fod yn gwneud llai nag y gwnaeth Mike German fel y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd—efallai fod hynny’n beth da. Fodd bynnag, mae’n peri pryder pan fod economi Cymru yn wynebu dirywiad difrifol. A rowch ymrwymiad na fydd hyn yn parhau o leiaf y tu hwnt i’r Nadolig?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 18
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18
I am inclined to rebut that severe downturn that you wish on the Welsh economy. All we know is that unemployment is at its lowest for 26 years, combined with the lowest mortgage rates for 40 years. Therefore it is in a better condition to face a downturn than it was when your party was in charge of it.
Anghytunaf ynghylch y dirywiad difrifol y dymunwch ar economi Cymru. Y cyfan a wyddwn yw bod diweithdra ar ei isaf ers 26 blynedd, ynghyd â’r cyfraddau morgais isaf ers 40 mlynedd. Felly mae mewn gwell cyflwr i wynebu dirywiad nag yr oedd pan oedd eich plaid chi yn ei rheoli.
However, I will give you an example of the difficulty in answering your question in the way that you would like, in a mathematical, nit-picking division between the duties of the First Minister and those of the Minister for Economic Development. Last Friday, Edwina Hart and I visited Noel Crowley, the leader of Neath Port Talbot Country Borough Council. We went to Morriston Hospital, met Brian Gibbons, and spoke to the relatives of the victims of the explosion at the steelworks and to staff at the accident and emergency and the plastic surgery units. We then went to the steelworks with representatives of Corus’s management and the trade unions. I will say more about that later. Was I there as First Minister? Was I there as the Minister for Economic Development or Health and Social Services? It is not possible to make such a division.
Fodd bynnag, rhoddaf esiampl i chi o’r anhawster wrth ateb eich cwestiwn yn y ffordd yr hoffech, mewn rhaniad mathemategol sy’n hollti blew rhwng dyletswyddau Prif Weinidog Cymru a dyletswyddau’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd. Ddydd Gwener diwethaf, ymwelodd Edwina Hart a minnau â Noel Crowley, arweinydd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell Nedd Port Talbot. Aethom i Ysbyty Treforys, cwrdd â Brian Gibbons, a siarad â pherthnasau dioddefwyr y ffrwydrad yn y gwaith dur ac â staff yn yr uned damweiniau ac achosion brys a’r uned llawdriniaeth gosmetig. Yna aethom i’r gwaith dur gyda chynrychiolwyr rheolwyr Corus a’r undebau llafur. Dywedaf fwy am hynny yn y man. A oeddwn yno fel Prif Weinidog Cymru? A oeddwn yno fel y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd neu Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol? Nid yw’n bosibl gwneud rhaniad o’r fath.
Mae tri chorff cyhoeddus dylanwadol wedi datgan eu hanfodlonrwydd a’u hamharodrwydd i gefnogi cynllun i adeiladu ysgol uwchradd ar safle heintiedig yn Llandudno, sef Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd, Awdurdod Iechyd Gogledd Cymru a Swyddfa Comisiynydd Plant Cymru. Yn rhinwedd eich swydd fel y gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb am ogledd Cymru, a wnewch chi ddatgan eich safbwynt ar y mater difrifol hwn? A wnewch chi ymyrryd a thrafod goblygiadau’r datganiadau diweddaraf â’r awdurdod lleol cyn i’r sefyllfa waethygu?
Three influential public bodies have expressed their dissatisfaction and reluctance to support a plan to build a secondary school on a polluted site in Llandudno: the Environment Agency, the North Wales Health Authority and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. In your capacity as the minister with responsibility for north Wales, will you give your views on this important matter? Will you intervene and discuss the implications of the latest statements with the local authority before the situation deteriorates?
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 19
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 19
Cyfrifoldeb Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd yw rhoi trwydded. Os ydyw o’r farn fod safle arfaethedig ar gyfer ysgol gynradd neu uwchradd yn ‘heintiedig’—fel y bu i chi ei ddisgrifio— ac nad yw’n hapus ynglŷn â hynny, ni roddir trwydded i agor yr ysgol. Ni wn am yr un ymdrech gan Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd i wahardd yr awdurdod lleol rhag adeiladu’r ysgol. Nid wyf yn siŵr a oes sail i’ch cyhuddiadau, Gareth. Gwn am yr hyn a ddywedodd y Comisiynydd Plant ac yr wyf wedi egluro’r sefyllfa gyfreithiol a chyfansoddiadol. Nid oes ganddo’r awdurdod i ddyfarnu yn erbyn yr awdurdod lleol. Gall gymeradwyo, on, os bydd yr awdurdod lleol yn penderfynu bod y safle’n ddiogel, mae ganddo’r hawl i fwrw ymlaen.
The Environment Agency is responsible for granting licences. If it is of the opinion that the proposed site for a primary or secondary school is ‘polluted’—as you described it—and it is not satisfied with that, a licence to open the school will not be granted. I know of no attempt by the Environment Agency to prevent the local authority from building the school. I am not sure whether there is any basis for your allegations, Gareth. I am aware of the Children’s Commissioner’s comments and I have explained the legal and constitutional situation. He does not have the authority to overrule the local authority. He can make recommendations, but, if the local authority decides that the site is safe, it has the right to proceed.
Wrth gwrs, rhaid i’r awdurdod gael trwydded gan Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd er mwyn sicrhau y gall yr ysgol agor ac y bydd yn gwbl ddiogel.
Of course, the authority must obtain a licence from the Environment Agency to ensure that the school can be opened and that it will be completely safe.
Cefnogi Ardaloedd Gwledig
Support for Rural Areas
How is the First Minister co-ordinating policy so as to support rural areas? (OAQ13834)
Sut y mae Prif Weinidog Cymru yn cydlynu polisi er mwyn cefnogi ardaloedd gwledig? (OAQ13834)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 19
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19
‘A Plan for Wales 2001’ sets out my Cabinet’s strategic plan for the remainder of this session and our vision for the longer term. Our vision is for an inclusive and equal Wales with a sustainable rural economy. Sustainable agriculture will provide a broad base of employment, in particular for young people. The Minister for Rural Affairs, Carwyn Jones, is responsible for co-ordinating rural matters, with the full support of myself and the rest of the Cabinet.
Mae ‘Cynllun i Gymru 2001’ yn nodi cynllun strategol fy Nghabinet ar gyfer gweddill y sesiwn hwn a’n gweledigaeth ar gyfer y tymor hwy. Mae’n gweledigaeth yn un ar gyfer Cymru gynhwysol a chyfartal gydag economi wledig gynaliadwy. Bydd amaethyddiaeth gynaliadwy yn darparu sylfaen cyflogaeth eang, yn enwedig i bobl ifanc. Y Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig, Carwyn Jones, sy’n gyfrifol am gydlynu materion gwledig, gyda’m cymorth llawn innau a gweddill y Cabinet.
Do you agree that the provision of small rural schools is vital in many communities across Wales? Will you do all that you can to ensure that, when the rural schools policy is finalised, it contains provisions to retain those schools where possible?
A ydych yn cytuno bod darparu ysgolion bach gwledig yn hanfodol mewn llawer o gymunedau ledled Cymru? A wnewch bopeth o fewn eich gallu i sicrhau, pan gaiff y polisi ysgolion gwledig ei gwblhau, ei fod yn cynnwys darpariaethau i gadw’r ysgolion hynny lle y bo’n bosibl?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 20
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20
Yes, of course, provided that the schools can deliver the national curriculum.
Gwnaf, wrth gwrs, cyhyd ag y gall yr ysgolion gyflwyno’r cwricwlwm cenedlaethol.
Yn Llundain heddiw, beirniadodd y Gweinidog dros Dwristiaeth, Ffilm a Darlledu, Kim Howells, y penderfyniad i gau llwybrau cyhoeddus a mynediad i gefn gwlad yn sgîl clwy’r traed a’r genau. Lluniwyd y polisi hwnnw’n wreiddiol yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol gan y Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig. A gytunwch mai cynnal ymchwiliad cyhoeddus yw’r unig ffordd inni wybod yn y dyfodol a yw’n angenrheidiol cau llwybrau cyhoeddus i reoli’r clwyf os ydym hefyd am sicrhau dyfodol yr economi wledig?
In London today, the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, Kim Howells, criticised the decision to close public footpaths and access to the countryside as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak. That policy was originally formed in the National Assembly by the Minister for Rural Affairs. Do you agree that holding a public inquiry is the only way for us to know in future whether it is necessary to close public footpaths to control the disease without jeopardising the future of the rural economy?
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 20
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 20
Mae’r ddadl hon rhwng y diwydiant twristiaeth a’r diwydiant amaethyddiaeth wedi parhau ers y mis bach, pan ddarganfuwyd achosion cyntaf clwy’r traed a’r genau. Mae’r diwydiant twristiaeth yn cwestiynu pam y rhoddir cymaint o sylw i’r diwydiant amaethyddiaeth, pan fo twristiaeth yn creu mwy o gyfoeth yn ardaloedd gwledig Cymru a Lloegr. Nid yw hwnnw’n bwynt ymarferol oherwydd, hyd nes eich bod yn cael gwared ar y clwyf, nid yw llawer o bobl yn awyddus i ymweld ag ardaloedd a allai fod yn heintiedig. Nid wyf yn siŵr beth y mae’r diwydiant yn ei ddweud, ond gwn ei fod yn parhau i gwyno ar y sail ei fod yn cynhyrchu teirgwaith cymaint, fe gredaf, o gyfoeth mewn ardaloedd gwledig nag a wna’r diwydiant amaethyddiaeth. Fodd bynnag, rhaid cofio bod y diwydiant twristiaeth yn bwysig i ffermwyr, oherwydd bod cymaint ohonynt hefyd yn darparu gwasanaeth gwely a brecwast.
This debate between the tourism industry and the agriculture industry has continued since February, when the first cases of foot and mouth disease were diagnosed. The tourism industry is asking why so much attention is given to the agriculture industry when tourism creates more wealth in rural areas in England and Wales. Their argument is untenable because, until you have eradicated the disease, many people would not choose to visit potentially infected areas. I am not sure what the industry is saying, but I know that it continues to complain on the basis that it creates, I believe, three times more wealth in rural areas as the agriculture industry. However, it must be remembered that the tourism industry is important to farmers, as so many of them also provide a bed and breakfast service.
Yn eich ymdrechion i gefnogi’r ardaloedd gwledig, a ymunwch â mi i annog teuluoedd yn yr ardaloedd hynny i ystyried y cynllun homebuy, a gryfhawyd yn ddiweddar gan Edwina Hart? Mae’n cynnig cyfle da i deuluoedd ifanc ymuno â’r farchnad dai, yn enwedig rhai mewn ardaloedd gwledig.
In your efforts to support rural areas, will you join me in encouraging families in those areas to consider the homebuy scheme, which was recently strengthened by Edwina Hart? It offers young families a good opportunity to break into the housing market, especially in rural areas.
Effaith y Sefyllfa Ryngwladol ar Gymru
Effects of the International Situation on Wales
Pa drafodaethau y mae Prif Weinidog Cymru wedi’u cael gydag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru yn dilyn ymweliad Tony Blair â’r Cynulliad i drafod effaith y sefyllfa ryngwladol ar Gymru? (OAQ13855)
What discussions has the First Minister had with the Secretary of State for Wales following Tony Blair’s visit to the Assembly to discuss the effects of the international situation on Wales? (OAQ13855)
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 21
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 21
Mae’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol a mi wedi cyfarfod sawl gwaith ers ymweliad y Prif Weinidog â Chymru. Parhawn i gydweithio’n agos er mwyn cynrychioli buddiannau Cymru ar lefel y Deyrnas Unedig. Un enghraifft o hyn yw ein haelodaeth o’r Pwyllgor Paratoadau Sifil.
The Secretary of State and I have met several times since the Prime Minister’s visit to Wales. We continue to work closely to represent Wales’s interests at a United Kingdom level. One example of this is our membership of the Civil Contingencies Committee.
Bwriada Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol eithrio o erthygl 6 y confensiwn Ewropeaidd ar iawnderau dynol. Dywed y Gorchymyn perthnasol bod digwyddiadau 11 Medi yn bygwth bywyd y genedl. Beth, yn eich barn chi, yw union ystyr hynny? A gytunwch â chyfarwyddwr Liberty pan ddywed fod y ddeddfwriaeth arfaethedig yn treisio mewn modd sylfaenol reolaeth yn ôl y gyfraith—y rule of law—ein hawliau a’n gwerthoedd Prydeining traddodiadol? A yw David Blunkett wedi trafod y materion hyn gyda chi?
The United Kingdom Government intends to opt out of article 6 of the European convention on human rights. The relevant Order states that the events of 11 September are a threat to the life of the nation. What, in your opinion, is the exact meaning of that? Do you agree with the director of Liberty when he says that the proposed legislation is a fundamental violation of the rule of law, our rights and our traditional British values? Has David Blunkett discussed these matters with you?
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 21
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 21
Ni thrafododd hwy â mi hyd yn hyn. Dyma enghraifft glasurol o’r broblem y cyfeiriais ati wrth ateb cwestiwn Richard Edwards yn gynharach. Os yw’n iawn inni drafod materion nas datganolwyd fel y rhain, rhaid inni fod yn ofalus i beidio â bod yn rhy gaeth wrth geisio gwahardd y Pwyllgor Dethol ar Faterion Cymreig rhag ymyrryd â’n cyfrifoldebau ni.
He has not discussed them with me to date. This is a classic example of the problem to which I referred earlier when answering Richard Edwards’s question. If it is right for us to discuss non-devolved issues such as these, we cannot be too fussy when trying to stop the Select Committee on Welsh Affairs interfering in our responsibilities.
Fel arfer mae David Blunkett yn trafod materion fel hyn—sef cyfreithiau newydd sydd yn ymwneud â’n cyfrifoldebau cyffredinol am les cymdeithasol yng Nghymru—gyda mi, ac er nad yw wedi gwneud hyn ynglŷn â’r Mesur hwn hyd yn hyn, disgwyliaf lythyr oddi wrtho.
As a rule David Blunkett discusses such matters—namely new laws which affect our general responsibilities for social welfare in Wales—with me, and although he has not done so with regards to this Bill yet, I am expecting a letter from him.
Do you agree with the Prime Minister that no cause, however just, justifies killing innocent people in cold blood? If so, do you believe that this excellent precept should also apply in Afghanistan in the war against terrorism?
A ydych yn cytuno â’r Prif Weinidog nad oes unrhyw achos, waeth pa mor gyfiawn, yn cyfiawnhau lladd pobl ddiniwed mewn gwaed oer? Os felly, a gredwch y dylai’r wireb ardderchog hon fod yn gymwys hefyd yn Afghanistan yn y rhyfel yn erbyn terfysgaeth?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 22
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22
We are not responsible for international matters. I would not dissent from establishing broad principles, but matters of defence, foreign policy or security policy are clearly not matters for the Assembly. They are matters for the 40 Welsh Members of Parliament who represent the views of the people of Wales in the House of Commons, which is responsible for establishing Britain’s foreign, defence and security policy, and for holding the Executive to account for its participation in any ventures of this kind.
Nid ydym yn gyfrifol am faterion rhyngwladol. Ni fyddwn yn gwrthwynebu sefydlu egwyddorion cyffredinol, ond yn amlwg nid yw materion amddiffyn, polisi tramor neu bolisi diogelwch yn faterion i’r Cynulliad. Maent yn faterion i’r 40 o Aelodau Seneddol sy’n cynrychioli safbwyntiau pobl Cymru yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin, sy’n gyfrifol am sefydlu polisïau tramor, amddiffyn a diogelwch Prydain, ac am ddal y Weithrediaeth yn atebol am ei chyfranogiad mewn unrhyw fentrau o’r math hwn.
In those areas where you have prominence, will you assure us that you will stress at every opportunity the problems that may affect Wales with regards to the international situation, particularly in industry, and ensure that our voice is heard?
Yn y meysydd hynny lle y mae gennych gyfrifoldeb, a wnewch roi sicrwydd inni y byddwch, ar bob cyfle, yn pwysleisio’r problemau a all effeithio ar Gymru o ran y sefyllfa ryngwladol, yn enwedig mewn diwydiant, a sicrhau y clywir ein llais?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 22
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22
Yes. I have a good relationship with the Home Office. It consults us frequently and when we have had something to say, it listens—as happened with the asylum seekers in the remand wing of Cardiff prison, who will now be gone by Christmas. Therefore, it is not the case that we have no relationship with the Home Office. As long as we establish what is our locus on this issue, it will be happy to consider it. Usually, without my asking, I get a letter from David Blunkett stating the proposal, which in this case is the Prevention of Terror Bill, and asking us to let him know if there is any aspect on which we would want to be consulted, and if so they will consult us. Therefore that is what we do. The newest Bill—Cynog Dafis referred to it—was published on Monday. The Government probably made up its mind about it at the previous Cabinet meeting, worked on it over the weekend, and saw that there is a huge bridge to be crossed because it involves a partial withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. That is new to us, and they have not written to me about it yet, but I expect to receive a letter soon.
Gwnaf. Mae gennyf berthynas dda â’r Swyddfa Gartref. Mae’n ymgynghori â ni yn gyson a phan fo gennym rywbeth i’w ddweud, mae’n gwrando—fel y digwyddodd â’r ceiswyr lloches ar remand yng ngharchar Caerdydd, a fydd bellach wedi mynd erbyn y Nadolig. Felly, nid yw’n wir nad oes gennym berthynas â’r Swyddfa Gartref. Cyhyd â’n bod yn sefydlu beth yw ein safbwynt ar y mater hwn, bydd yn barod i’w ystyried. Fel arfer, heb imi ofyn, caf lythyr oddi wrth David Blunkett yn nodi’r cynnig, sef, y Mesur Atal Terfysg yn yr achos hwn, a gofyn inni roi gwybod iddo os oes unrhyw agwedd y byddem yn awyddus iddo ymgynghori â ni arni, ac os felly, byddant yn ymgynghori â ni. Felly dyna a wnawn. Cyhoeddwyd y Mesur diweddaraf—cyfeiriodd Cynog Dafis ato—ddydd Llun. Mae’n debygol i’r Llywodraeth benderfynu arno yn y cyfarfod Cabinet blaenorol, gweithio arno dros y penwythnos, a gweld bod pont enfawr i’w chroesi gan ei fod yn cynnwys tynnu yn ôl yn rhannol o’r Confensiwn Ewropeaidd ar Hawliau Dynol. Mae hynny yn beth newydd i ni, ac nid ydynt wedi ysgrifennu ataf amdano eto, ond disgwyliaf dderbyn llythyr cyn bo hir.
Datganiad ar Drychineb Gwaith Dur Corus
Statement on the Corus Steelworks Tragedy
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 23
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 23
It is my sad duty to report to the Assembly on the tragic incident at the Corus plant at Port Talbot, early last Thursday evening, when, as a result of an explosion in no. 5 blast furnace, three men were killed, and 12 seriously injured. The latest report this morning from Morriston Hospital indicates that five men remain in a critical condition on ventilators.
Fy nyletswydd trist yw adrodd i’r Cynulliad ar y digwyddiad trychinebus yng ngwaith Corus ym Mhort Talbot yn gynnar nos Iau diwethaf, pan fu farw 3 gŵr ac anafwyd 12 yn ddifrifol yn dilyn ffrwydrad yn ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5. Yn ôl yr adroddiad diweddaraf y bore yma o Ysbyty Treforys mae pum gŵr yn dal mewn cyflwr difrifol ar beiriannau anadlu.
As individuals, each of us are affected by the deaths of others at some time or another, but the majority of us are fortunate enough not to be closely connected with incidents, explosions or accidents where there are multiple fatalities and life-threatening injuries to many. It can, therefore, be difficult for us to imagine the extent of the grief and trauma generated by such incidents, not only among the victims and their relatives, but also in workplaces and in the close-knit communities that are found in areas such as Port Talbot. On behalf of the Assembly, through this statement, I would like to say to all those affected by Thursday’s terrible events that we do understand how you feel, and that we send you our deepest condolences and our most sincere sympathies.
Fel unigolion, effeithir ar bob un ohonom gan farwolaeth pobl eraill rywbryd neu’i gilydd, ond mae’r rhan fwyaf ohonom yn ddigon ffodus i beidio â chael cysylltiad agos â’r digwyddiadau, y ffrwydradau neu’r damweiniau lle ceir nifer o farwolaethau ac anafiadau sy’n fygythiad i fywyd cymaint o bobl. Gall, felly, fod yn anodd inni ddychmygu graddau’r galar a’r trawma a gaiff eu creu gan ddigwyddiadau o’r fath, nid yn unig ymhlith y dioddefwyr a’u perthnasau, ond hefyd mewn gweithfannau ac yn y cymunedau clòs sydd i’w cael mewn ardaloedd fel Port Talbot. Ar ran y Cynulliad, drwy’r datganiad hwn, hoffwn ddweud wrth bawb yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan ddigwyddiadau erchyll dydd Iau ein bod yn deall sut yr ydych yn teimlo, ac yn anfon ein cydymdeimlad dyfnaf a dwysaf atoch.
Everyone in Wales is asking what happened at Port Talbot last Thursday. It is never wise to speculate either on causes or on blame, despite the natural pressure from the media for an instant answer and allocation of blame. There is now a major investigation underway, managed by the police with the support of the Health and Safety Executive, the company, and the trade unions. However, the nature of the damage implies that it may be some time before the causes of the explosion can be ascertained with any confidence.
Mae pawb yng Nghymru yn gofyn beth ddigwyddodd ym Mhort Talbot ddydd Iau diwethaf. Nid yw byth yn ddoeth damcaniaethu naill ai ar achosion nac ar fai, er gwaethaf y pwysau naturiol gan y cyfryngau i gael ateb ar unwaith ac i osod bai. Mae ymchwiliad helaeth yn mynd yn ei flaen ar hyn o bryd, a reolir gan yr heddlu gyda chymorth yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch, y cwmni a’r undebau llafur. Fodd bynnag, mae natur y difrod yn awgrymu y gall gymryd cryn amser cyn y gellir cadarnhau i sicrwydd beth oedd achos y ffrwydrad.
In the company of Edwina Hart, the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, Brian Gibbons, the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services and local Assembly Member, and Noel Crowley, the leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, I visited the plant on Friday evening to attend a meeting with the senior management of Corus, and Eddie Lynch, the deputy general secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation and other union representatives. Tony Pedder, the chief executive of Corus, Stuart Pettifer, the Corus board member responsible for the strip product operations, and Mark Carr, the manager of Llanwern and Port Talbot plants, met us on site.
Yng nghwmni Edwina Hart, y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau, Brian Gibbons, y Dirprwy Weinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a’r Aelod lleol o’r Cynulliad, a Noel Crowley, arweinydd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell Nedd Port Talbot, ymwelais â’r gwaith nos Wener i fynychu cyfarfod gydag uwch reolwyr Corus, ac Eddie Lynch, dirprwy ysgrifennydd cyffredinol Cymdeithas y Diwydiannau Haearn a Dur a chynrychiolwyr undebau eraill. Cyfarfu Tony Pedder, prif weithredwr Corus, Stuart Pettifer, yr aelod o fwrdd Corus sydd â chyfrifoldeb dros weithredu’r cynnyrch strip, a Mark Carr, rheolwr gweithfeydd Llanwern a Phort Talbot, â ni ar y safle.
The mood in the meeting was extremely sombre. However I was impressed by the determination of both senior management and the unions to work together to get to the bottom of these tragic events as soon as possible, to ensure that as much counselling as necessary is available for those who would benefit from it, and to ensure that the plant’s long-term future—with all that means for the communities of Port Talbot and its environs—is unimpaired. We were told that there were no abnormal maintenance practices being undertaken; that the accident happened while the furnace was being brought back up to temperature after an interruption in normal operations the day before resulting from a chilling of the furnace; that there was nothing extraordinary in this, nor that around 20 men, including senior management, were present for a furnace tapping. There was an explosion inside the furnace which both management and unions thought was unprecedented, causing tons of molten metal to emerge from the furnace around the lap joint with tragic consequences to those in its path. This catastrophic furnace failure is unlike any previous furnace explosion in terms of where and how the furnace blew. We were informed that there had not been a molten metal breakout from furnace no. 5 since 1994 and that the state of the furnace had been thoroughly reviewed in the past few months: that review concluded that the furnace would have a campaign life longer than originally thought a year ago.
Yr oedd yr awyrgylch yn y cyfarfod yn ddwys iawn. Fodd bynnag, rhaid imi ganmol penderfyniad yr uwch reolwyr a’r undebau i gydweithio er mwyn datrys y digwyddiadau trychinebus hyn cyn gynted â phosibl, i sicrhau bod cymaint â phosibl o gynghori ar gael i’r rhai a fyddai’n manteisio arno, a sicrhau na fyddai dyfodol hirdymor y gwaith––a’r cyfan y mae’n ei olygu i gymunedau Port Talbot a’r cyffiniau––yn cael ei amharu. Dywedwyd wrthym nad oedd unrhyw arferion cynnal a chadw anghyffredin yn cael eu gweithredu; bod y ddamwain wedi digwydd pan oedd y ffwrnais yn cael ei dychwelyd i’w thymheredd ar ôl i’r ffaith i’r ffwrnais oeri y diwrnod cynt amharu ar ei gwaith arferol; nad oedd unrhyw beth anarferol yn hyn, na’r ffaith bod tua 20 o ddynion, gan gynnwys yr uwch reolwyr, yn bresennol ar gyfer tapio’r ffwrnais. Bu ffrwydrad yn y ffwrnais na welwyd mo’i debyg gan y rheolwyr na’r undebau, gan achosi i dunelli o fetel tawdd ddianc o’r ffwrnais o amgylch y goruniad gyda chanlyniadau trasig i’r rhai a oedd yn ei lwybr. Mae’r methiant trychinebus hwn yn y ffwrnais yn wahanol i unrhyw ffrwydrad blaenorol mewn ffwrnais o ran ble a sut y chwythodd y ffwrnais. Fe’n hysbyswyd na ddihangodd metel tawdd o ffwrnais rhif 5 ers 1994 ac yr adolygwyd cyflwr y ffwrnais yn drwyadl yn yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf: daeth yr adolygiad hwnnw i’r casgliad y gallai’r ffwrnais barhau i weithio am gyfnod hwy na’r hyn a gredwyd flwyddyn yn ôl.
I pay tribute to the way in which the emergency services responded so effectively to the situation. They had to work in very difficult and treacherous conditions. Nevertheless, they conducted themselves in an exemplary fashion, showing true professionalism and considerable courage. The blue light services worked together closely to secure the scene and manage the situation. The police guided emergency vehicles successfully through the stationary traffic that had built up on the motorway, and it co-ordinated operations with great efficiency. The fire service had the daunting task of dealing with the fire and the molten iron, and retrieving the injured, which they did in a safe and organised way. Eighty firefighters were deployed at the incident, working in shocking conditions where steam, gas leakages and small secondary explosions made life extremely difficult and dangerous. It is also important to mention the outstanding work done by the Corus rescue teams whose specialist knowledge of the site and their readiness to put themselves at risk helped the fire service in locating the injured. The fire service commended their work. The local authority also deserves credit for setting up a rest centre and a relatives reception centre to help those affected by the accident.
Talaf deyrnged i’r modd yr ymatebodd y gwasanaethau brys mor effeithiol i’r sefyllfa. Bu raid iddynt weithio mewn amgylchiadau anodd a pheryglus iawn. Fodd bynnag, yr oedd eu hymddygiad yn rhagorol, gan ddangos gwir broffesiynoldeb a dewrder eithriadol. Cydweithiodd y gwasanaethau golau glas yn agos i ddiogelu’r safle a rheoli’r sefyllfa. Arweiniodd yr heddlu y cerbydau brys yn llwyddiannus drwy’r traffig llonydd a oedd wedi cronni ar y draffordd, a chydlynodd y gwaith yn effeithiol iawn. Yr oedd gan y gwasanaeth tân y dasg ddychrynllyd o ddelio â’r tân a’r haearn tawdd, a mynd i gasglu’r rhai a oedd wedi eu hanafu, a gwnaethant hyn mewn ffordd ddiogel a threfnus. Defnyddiwyd wyth deg o ddiffoddwyr tân yn y digwyddiad, gan weithio mewn amgylchiadau echrydus lle yr oedd stêm, nwy yn gollwng a ffrwydradau eilaidd llai yn gwneud bywyd yn anodd a pheryglus eithriadol. Mae hefyd yn bwysig nodi’r gwaith ardderchog a wnaed gan dimau achub Corus. Bu eu gwybodaeth arbenigol o’r safle a’u parodrwydd i roi eu hunain mewn perygl o gymorth mawr i’r gwasanaeth tân wrth ddod o hyd i’r rhai a anafwyd. Canmolwyd eu gwaith gan y gwasanaeth tân. Haedda’r awdurdod lleol hefyd glod am sefydlu canolfan orffwyso a chanolfan i dderbyn perthnasau er mwyn bod o gymorth i’r rhai yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan y ddamwain.
The emergency services returned control of the plant to Corus at around 9 p.m. when the situation had been stabilised. The injured—except for Andrew Hutin, whose body, despite extensive searches in very difficult conditions, was not found until the following day—were taken to Morriston Hospital where they received the best possible treatment. Most unfortunately, Stephen Galsworthy was dead on arrival at the hospital, and Len Radford has died since.
Rhoddodd y gwasanaethau brys reolaeth y gwaith yn ôl i Corus tua 9 p.m. pan oedd y sefyllfa wedi sefydlogi. Aethpwyd â’r rhai a anafwyd––ac eithrio Andrew Hutin, na chanfuwyd ei gorff tan y bore canlynol er gwaethaf chwilio dwys mewn amgylchiadau dybryd––i Ysbyty Treforys lle y cawsant y driniaeth orau bosibl. Yn anffodus, yr oedd Stephen Galsworthy yn farw pan gyrhaeddodd yr ysbyty, a bu farw Len Radford yn ddiweddarach.
On Friday, Edwina Hart, Brian Gibbons and I visited Morriston Hospital and, as difficult as these conditions were, I could not help but feel proud of how well our emergency services dealt—and are continuing to deal—with the injured from this horrific situation. Morriston has one of the largest and best burns units anywhere in Europe which, on the back of dedicated staff and assiduous planning for emergencies such as this, responded magnificently to look after the patients and their relatives.
Ddydd Gwener, ymwelodd Edwina Hart, Brian Gibbons a minnau ag Ysbyty Treforys, ac, er gwaethaf yr amgylchiadau anodd hyn, ni allwn ond teimlo balchder am y modd yr oedd ein gwasanaethau brys wedi delio––ac yn parhau i ddelio––â’r rhai a anafwyd yn y sefyllfa erchyll hon. Mae gan Dreforys un o’r unedau llosgiadau mwyaf ac un o’r gorau yn Ewrop gyfan ac, ynghyd â staff ymrwymedig a chynllunio gofalus ar gyfer argyfyngau tebyg i hyn, mae wedi ymateb yn ardderchog i ofalu am y cleifion a’u perthnasau.
The emergency plans of NHS Wales were activated on Thursday night. The ambulance service arrived at the Corus site quickly and took responsibility for co-ordinating on-site management of the injured. The ambulance incident officer worked with police and fire incident officers to establish control of the scene, and a casualty clearing station was quickly established in a safe area. The injured were triaged by ambulance paramedics at the casualty clearing station before being transported to Morriston. The ambulance service did a remarkable job in getting the injured so promptly to hospital. Through the evening 16 ambulances were used to bring the paramedics and equipment to the scene and transport casualties. The ambulance service emergency communications vehicle, major incident support trailers and decontamination unit were also deployed to the site in accordance with major ambulance incident plans.
Gweithredwyd cynlluniau brys NHS Cymru nos Iau. Cyrhaeddodd y gwasanaeth ambiwlans safle Corus yn gyflym gan gymryd cyfrifoldeb dros gydlynu rheolaeth y rhai a anafwyd ar y safle. Gweithiodd swyddog digwyddiadau yr ambiwlans gyda swyddogion digwyddiadau’r heddlu a’r gwasanaeth tân i ddod â’r sefyllfa dan reolaeth, a sefydlwyd gorsaf glirio ar gyfer y rhai a anafwyd yn gyflym mewn man diogel. Blaenoriaethwyd y rhai a anafwyd gan swyddogion paramedig yr ambiwlans yn yr orsaf glirio cyn eu cludo i Dreforys. Gwnaeth y gwasanaeth ambiwlans waith ardderchog wrth symud y rhai a anafwyd i’r ysbyty mor gyflym. Defnyddiwyd 16 o gerbydau ambiwlans yn ystod y nos i ddod â swyddogion paramedig ac offer i’r safle ac i gludo’r cleifion. Anfonwyd cerbyd cyfathrebu brys y gwasanaeth ambiwlans, cerbydau cymorth digwyddiadau mawr a’r uned dadlygru hefyd i’r safle yn unol â chynlluniau digwyddiadau ambiwlans mawr.
At Morriston Hospital, the accident and emergency department implemented its major incident plan and took immediate measures to ensure that the incoming casualties could be dealt with as speedily as possible. Medical teams were placed on standby and a team allocated to each casualty arriving at the hospital. The all-Wales burns major incident plan was activated to ensure that these facilities were made available soonest to care for those with serious burns. The overall response at the hospital was smooth and in accordance with emergency plans, elements of which had been exercised on Monday last week.
Yn Ysbyty Treforys, gweithredodd yr adran damweiniau ac achosion brys ei chynllun digwyddiadau mawr a chymerodd gamau ar unwaith i sicrhau y byddai’r cleifion a oedd yn dod i mewn yn cael eu trin mor gyflym â phosibl. Paratowyd timau meddygol a rhoddwyd tîm i ofalu am bob claf fel yr oedd yn cyrraedd yr ysbyty. Gweithredwyd cynllun llosgiadau digwyddiadau mawr Cymru-gyfan i sicrhau mai’r rhai oedd â llosgiadau difrifol fyddai’n cael eu trin gyntaf â’r cyfleusterau hyn. Yr oedd yr ymateb yn yr ysbyty yn gyffredinol yn esmwyth ac yn unol â chynlluniau brys, rhai o’r elfennau a oedd wedi cael eu hymarfer ddydd Llun yr wythnos diwethaf.
The roles undertaken by all the staff involved both directly and indirectly in ensuring an effective hospital and ambulance service response to this incident was in keeping with the highest standards that we have come to expect from our dedicated and trained NHS workforce. It is also worth acknowledging the value of having resilient and tested NHS emergency plans to draw on in times of major incidents such as this one. Praise must deservedly go to all those people involved in the emergency response to this tragedy.
Yr oedd y swyddogaethau yr ymgymerwyd â hwy gan yr holl staff a oedd yn cymryd rhan yn uniongyrchol ac yn anuniongyrchol wrth sicrhau ymateb effeithiol y gwasanaeth ysbyty ac ambiwlans i’r digwyddiad hwn yn unol â’r safonau uchaf a ddisgwyliwn gan ein gweithlu ymrwymedig a hyfforddedig yn yr NHS. Mae hefyd yn briodol cydnabod gwerth cael cynlluniau brys gwydn a chadarn o fewn yr NHS y gellir dibynnu arnynt gyda digwyddiadau mawr fel hyn. Rhaid rhoi’r ganmoliaeth haeddiannol i’r holl bobl hynny oedd yn rhan o’r ymateb brys i’r drychineb hon.
Finally, in situations such as this, there will always be allegations regarding insufficient maintenance, over-extending the life of the furnace, and so on as contributory factors to the causes of last week’s explosion. However, until the investigations by the police, the health and safety executive and others are complete, no one can be certain of the exact circumstances that led up to the accident. I can tell the Assembly that the Corus management has strongly reassured me on their commitment to safety as their number one priority. That commitment has not been questioned by any union representatives as far as I am aware.
Yn olaf, mewn sefyllfaoedd fel hyn, byddwn o hyd yn clywed honiadau ynglŷn â chynnal a chadw annigonnol, gor-ymestyn bywyd y ffwrnais, ac yn y blaen, fel ffactorau a gyfrannodd at achos y ffrwydrad yr wythnos diwethaf. Fodd bynnag, hyd nes y bydd yr ymchwiliadau gan yr heddlu, yr awdurdod gweithredol iechyd a diogelwch ac eraill wedi cael eu cwblhau, ni all neb fod yn sicr o’r union amgylchiadau a arweiniodd at y ddamwain. Gallaf ddweud wrth y Cynulliad bod rheolwyr Corus wedi fy sicrhau’n gadarn mai eu hymrwymiad i ddiogelwch yw eu prif flaenoriaeth. Ni chwestiynwyd yr ymrwymiad hwnnw gan unrhyw gynrychiolydd undeb cyn belled ag y gwn i.
Looking to the future, I am told that with no. 4 furnace, the larger of the two at Port Talbot, continuing to operate, the steelworks will continue to operate—albeit at two thirds of normal steel-making capacity and with the possibility of bringing in steel slab from elsewhere. The plant will also continue to serve the needs of its customers for high-quality products delivered as required. As to the future of no. 5 furnace, while it may take a month to determine the true extent of the damage, it was suggested to me that it may be possible to re-commission it in due course. It is Corus’s intention to restore the Port Talbot plant to full production.
Wrth edrych i’r dyfodol, dywedwyd wrthyf gan fod ffwrnais rhif 4, y fwyaf o’r ddwy ym Mhort Talbot yn dal i weithredu, y bydd y gwaith dur yn dal i weithedu––er y bydd hynny ar ddwy ran o dair o’i allu arferol i gynhyrchu dur ac y bydd posibilrwydd y caiff slabiau dur eu cludo i mewn o rywle arall. Bydd y gwaith hefyd yn parhau i wasanaethu anghenion ei gwsmeriaid am gynnyrch o ansawdd uchel a gaiff ei ddarparu yn ôl yr angen. Ynglŷn â dyfodol ffwrnais rhif 5, er y gallai gymryd mis i ganfod beth yw’r difrod gwirioneddol, awgrymwyd wrthyf y gallai fod yn bosibl ei hail-gomisiynu maes o law. Bwriad Corus yw dychwelyd gwaith Port Talbot i’w lawn allu i gynhyrchu.
While overseeing the police and health and safety executive are not devolved functions, I assure the Assembly that we will liaise closely with those bodies, the company and the unions to ensure that no effort is spared to get to the bottom of this incident and to ensure that the lessons learnt are applied as speedily as possible. I appreciate that this may be of little comfort to the bereaved, the injured and their relatives and the local communities closely touched by this tragedy. To these, I can only say that our thoughts and prayers are with you and that your trials and tribulations are a stark reminder to us all that those working in heavy industry to help provide us with the cars, washing machines and so on that we often take for granted, face real dangers every day. Although guarding against those dangers is the prime responsibility of the employing company in law, we in Government must also do what we can to minimise them.
Er nad yw goruchwylio’r heddlu a’r awdurdod gweithredol iechyd a diogelwch yn weithgareddau datganoledig, yr wyf yn sicrhau’r Cynulliad y byddwn yn cadw mewn cysylltiad agos â’r cyrff hynny, y cwmni a’r undebau i sicrhau y gwnawn bobpeth o fewn ein gallu i ganfod achos y digwyddiad hwn a sicrhau y caiff y gwersi a ddysgwyd eu gweithredu cyn gynted â phosibl. Gwerthfawrogaf mai ychydig iawn o gysur yw hyn i’r rhai sydd mewn galar, y rhai a anafwyd a’u perthnasau a’r gymuned leol sydd wedi teimlo’r drasiedi hon. I’r bobl hyn, ni allaf ond dweud ein bod yn meddwl amdanoch ac yn gweddïo drosoch a bod eich trallodion a’ch helbulon yn ein hatgoffa i gyd bod y rhai sy’n gweithio mewn diwydiant trwm i helpu i’n cyflenwi gyda cheir, peiriannau golchi ac ati a gymerwn yn ganiataol yn aml, yn wynebu peryglon gwirioneddol bob dydd. Er mai’r cwmni sy’n cyflogi sydd â’r prif gyfrifoldeb cyfreithiol o warchod rhag y peryglon hynny, rhaid inni mewn Llywodraeth hefyd wneud yr hyn a allwn i’w lleihau.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 28
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28
I remind Members that the allotted time for this important and sad statement is 30 minutes. We have already used 10 minutes. I appeal to Members to keep their questions short as at least 12 Members want to speak on this matter.
Atgoffaf yr Aelodau mai 30 munud a bennwyd ar gyfer y datganiad pwysig a thrist hwn. Yr ydym eisoes wedi defnyddio 10 munud. Apeliaf ar yr Aelodau i gadw eu cwestiynau yn fyr gan fod o leiaf 12 o Aelodau am gael siarad ar y mater hwn.
I join with the First Minister in expressing my deepest sympathy for those individuals, families and communities that have suffered as a result of last Thursday’s explosion. I found myself in a trying situation for some 3 hours on that day and could not think of anything else until I heard that my father, who is a welder at the plant, was fit and well. Other families in a similar situation, sadly, did not hear the same news, and our thoughts are now with the injured and those families that have suffered the greatest loss.
Ymunaf â Phrif Weinidog Cymru wrth fynegi fy nghydymdeimlad dwysaf â’r unigolion, y teuluoedd a’r cymunedau sydd wedi dioddef o ganlyniad i’r ffrwydrad ddydd Iau diwethaf. Canfyddais fy hun mewn sefyllfa anodd iawn am tua 3 awr y diwrnod hwnnw ac ni allwn feddwl am unrhyw beth arall nes i mi glywed bod fy nhad, sy’n weldiwr yn y gwaith, yn fyw ac yn iach. Yn anfffodus, ni chlywodd teuluoedd eraill, a oedd mewn sefyllfa debyg, yr un newyddion, ac mae ein meddyliau bellach gyda’r rhai a anafwyd a’r teuluoedd hynny sydd wedi dioddef y golled fwyaf.
I thank the First Minister for his statement and for his clarifying a number of issues. I also underline his comments in relation to the police, the health service, the local authority, the fire service, Corus management, the unions and all the individuals involved in the rescue operation and treatment at the hospital.
Diolchaf i’r Prif Weinidog am ei ddatganiad ac am egluro nifer o faterion. Tanlinellaf hefyd ei sylwadau ynglŷn â’r heddlu, y gwasanaeth iechyd, yr awdurdod lleol, y gwasanaeth tân, rheolwyr Corus, yr undebau a’r holl unigolion oedd yn rhan o’r gwaith achub a’r driniaeth yn yr ysbyty.
I have a few questions. Much of the statement seems to contradict the research that I conducted over the weekend by talking to plant employees. Although it is typical that rumours arise at such times, it is important that these are taken into consideration to discover if they are just rumours or whether they have any factual basis. Clearly, the people I talked to work at the plant and know how the blast furnaces and the rest of the plant operates. I understand that blast furnace no. 5 has a relatively poor safety record compared to blast furnace no. 4. I understand also that the condition of the lining had been a talking point among the workforce during the last few weeks. The feeling was that the lining may not have lasted an additional two years from now—not in addition to its expected lifespan. I am told of several breakouts over the last five years from blast furnace no. 5. These points need to be clarified. This information has been gleaned from people who work at blast furnace no. 5, or who have recently left due to redundancies at Corus.
Mae gennyf rai cwestiynau. Ymddengys fod llawer o’r datganiad yn croesddweud yr ymchwil a wneuthum dros y penwythnos wrth siarad â gweithwyr yn y gwaith. Er ei bod yn arferol clywed sïon ar adegau o’r fath, mae’n bwysig eu hystyried er mwyn darganfod ai sïon yn unig ydynt ynteu a ydynt yn seiliedig ar ffaith. Yn amlwg, mae’r bobl y siaradais â hwy yn gweithio yn y gwaith ac yn gwybod sut y mae’r ffwrneisi chwyth a gweddill y gwaith yn gweithredu. Deallaf fod cofnod diogelwch ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5 yn weddol wael o’i gymharu â ffwrnais chwyth rhif 4. Deallaf hefyd i gyflwr y leinin fod yn destun trafod ymysg y gweithlu dros yr wythnosau diwethaf. Y teimlad oedd na fyddai’r leinin wedi para am ddwy flynedd arall o nawr––ddim yn ychwanegol at ei fywyd disgwyledig. Dywedwyd wrthyf am nifer o ffrwydradau dros y pum mlynedd diwethaf o ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5. Rhaid egluro’r pwyntiau hyn. Cafwyd yr wybodaeth hon gan bobl sy’n gweithio yn ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5, neu sydd wedi gadael yn ddiweddar oherwydd diswyddiadau yn Corus.
I commend Janet Davies for raising questions of safety in March 2000, and the First Minister for following them up. To confirm a few details, will the First Minister publish the minutes and records of those meetings where he raised safety concerns immediately after Janet Davies’s questions? We are not questioning the First Minister’s role. We are questioning Corus’s reaction at that time—whether it sought to dismiss the concerns that were raised, whether it sought to follow through with an informal investigation or otherwise, and whether that was followed through to the end.
Cymeradwyaf Janet Davies am godi cwestiynau ynglŷn â diogelwch ym mis Mawrth 2000, a’r Prif Weinidog am fynd ar eu trywydd. I gadarnhau rhai manylion, a wnaiff y Prif Weinidog gyhoeddi cofnodion y cyfarfodydd hynny pan gododd y pryderon ynglŷn â diogelwch yn syth ar ôl cwestiynau Janet Davies? Nid ydym yn cwestiynu rôl y Prif Weinidog. Yr ydym yn cwestiynu ymateb Corus ar y pryd––a geisiodd anwybyddu’r pryderon a godwyd, a geisiodd ymateb drwy gynnal ymchwiliad anffurfiol ai peidio, ac a gynhaliwyd yr ymchwiliad hwnnw i’r pen draw?
Finally, will the First Minister ensure that the Health and Safety Executive’s investigation will take into account his discussions with Corus management? Will the investigation also take into account the reports from staff and workers at the plant about the breakout and the quality of the lining? Anything other than that would be an insult to those who have lost their lives, to the injured workers, and to the employees who still work at the plant.
Yn olaf, a wnaiff y Prif Weinidog sicrhau y bydd ymchwiliad yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch yn ystyried ei drafodaethau gyda rheolwyr Corus? A wnaiff yr ymchwiliad hefyd ystyried yr adroddiadau gan staff a gweithwyr y gwaith ynglŷn â’r ffrwydrad a chyflwr y leinin? Byddai unrhyw beth heblaw hynny yn sarhâd ar y rhai a gollodd eu bywydau, y gweithwyr a anafwyd, a’r gweithwyr sy’n dal i weithio yn y gwaith.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 29
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29
The question of the condition of the blast furnace lining may be the subject of a Health and Safety Executive inquiry. I cannot foretell where the police inquiries and the HSE inquiries will lead. If they lead to matters relating to our discussions with Corus about blast furnace no. 5, those papers would have to be handed over to the police. I would be more than happy to hand over any notes, e-mails or letters relating to our discussions with Corus on this issue. Matters in which the police and the HSE would not be interested must remain commercially confidential. However, if they become the subject of the HSE and police investigations—which is quite likely—those are the proper bodies to lead the investigation. I want to make it clear that there is a police-led investigation, and subsidiary to that is the HSE-led investigation and a Corus management-led investigation. We do not want a National Assembly investigation on top of that. We cannot have yet another route. All that will do is feed rumours.
Efallai y bydd mater cyflwr leinin y ffwrnais chwyth yn destun ymchwiliad gan yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch. Ni allaf ddarogan i ble y bydd ymchwiliadau’r heddlu nac ymchwiliadau’r HSE yn arwain. Pe baent yn arwain at faterion sy’n berthnasol i’n trafodaethau ni gyda Corus ynglŷn â ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5, byddai’n rhaid cyflwyno’r papurau hynny i’r heddlu. Byddwn yn fwy na bodlon trosglwyddo unrhyw nodiadau, negeseuon e-bost neu lythyrau sy’n berthnasol i’n trafodaethau gyda Corus ar y mater hwn. Rhaid i faterion na fyddai o ddiddordeb i’r heddlu na’r HSE aros yn gyfrinachol yn fasnachol. Fodd bynnag, pe baent yn dod yn destun ymchwiliadau’r HSE a’r heddlu––sy’n bosibilrwydd––hwy yw’r cyrff priodol i arwain yr ymchwiliad. Hoffwn ei wneud yn glir bod ymchwiliad gan yr heddlu yn cael ei gynnal, yn ogystal ag ymchwiliad gan yr HSE ac ymchwiliad gan reolwyr Corus yn atodol i hynny. Nid ydym am gael ymchwiliad gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Ni allwn gael llwybr arall eto. Y cyfan a wnâi hynny fyddai creu sïon.
I take up the issue about the breakouts. What you have just said, Alun—based on what you say is direct information from people who have worked at the blast furnace—is directly contradictory to what we have been told and which was not dissented from by about eight union representatives who represent the workforce at Port Talbot. We have been told that there have been no breakouts at blast furnace no. 5 since about 1994. That seems to be in direct contradiction to what you say, and it should therefore be fairly easy to resolve. It is important that we ensure that that issue is firmly nailed one way or the other. If your informants are right, then Corus is wrong. If my information is right, as given to us by Corus and the trade unions, your informants are wrong. That is always possible in the immediate aftermath of a trauma. People immediately try to jump to conclusions. We all do it, including politicians and community leaders.
Âf i’r afael â’r mater ynglŷn â’r ffrwydradau. Mae’r hyn yr ydych newydd ei ddweud, Alun—sy’n seiliedig, yn ôl yr hyn a ddywedwch, ar wybodaeth uniongyrchol gan bobl sydd wedi gweithio yn y ffwrnais chwyth—yn hollol wahanol i’r hyn a ddywedwyd wrthym ni ac ni wnaeth yr wyth cynrychiolydd undeb sy’n cynrychioli’r gweithlu ym Mhort Talbot anghytuno â hynny. Dywedwyd wrthym na fu ffrwydradau yn ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5 ers tua 1994. Ymddengys bod hynny yn hollol wahanol i’r hyn a ddywedwch chi, ac felly dylai fod yn weddol hawdd i’w ddatrys. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn sicrhau y caiff y mater hwnnw ei ddatrys un ffordd neu’r llall. Os yw’r rhai â’ch hysbysodd yn gywir, yna mae Corus yn anghywir. Os yw’r wybodaeth sydd gennyf i yn gywir, fel y rhoddwyd hi inni gan Corus a’r undebau llafur, mae’r rhai â’ch hysbysodd yn anghywir. Mae hynny bob amser yn bosibl yn union ar ôl trawma. Bydd pobl yn ceisio dod i gasgliadau ar unwaith. Byddwn i gyd yn gwneud hynny, gan gynnwys gwleidyddion ac arweinwyr cymunedol.
Regarding your kind words about the response to the safety concerns raised by Janet Davies some 18 months ago, those questions were much wider, as I recall. They were about the general condition of safety and whether Corus was cutting back on maintenance at the plant, and were not specific to the blast furnace lining. Corus told us that this always happens after a change of contracts. When new contractors are employed, the old contractors will always say that they lost their contract to the lowest bidder, which gives rise to rumours about cutting corners and that plant safety maintenance is neglected. Although this does not exclude blast furnace linings as a possible cause, it is important to note that the key point made to us by management and unions is that they were not aware of a blast furnace breakout around a lap joint, or expansion joint, in the past. This is what makes it different to previous breakouts.
Ynglŷn â’ch geiriau caredig am yr ymateb i’r pryderon am ddiogelwch a godwyd gan Janet Davies ryw 18 mis yn ôl, yr oedd y cwestiynau hynny yn llawer ehangach, mi gofiaf. Yr oeddynt yn ymwneud â chyflwr diogelwch yn gyffredinol ac a oedd Corus yn cwtogi ar gynnal a chadw yn y gwaith, nid oeddynt yn benodol ynglŷn â leinin y ffwrnais chwyth. Dywedodd Corus wrthym bod hyn bob amser yn digwydd pan fo’r contractau yn newid dwylo. Pan gyflogir contractwyr newydd, bydd yr hen gontractwyr bob amser yn dweud eu bod wedi colli eu contract i’r cwmni oedd â’r cynnig isaf, sy’n creu sïon ynglŷn â thorri corneli a bod cynnal a chadw diogelwch yn y gwaith yn cael ei esgeuluso. Er nad yw hyn yn diystyru leinin ffwrneisi chwyth fel achos posibl, mae’n bwysig nodi mae’r pwynt allweddol a wnaethpwyd i ni gan y rheolwyr a’r undebau yw nad oeddynt yn ymwybodol o ffrwydrad mewn ffwrnais chwyth o gwmpas y coruniad, neu’r uniad ymestyn, yn y gorffennol. Dyma sy’n ei wneud yn wahanol i ffrwydradau blaenorol.
Finding the right words in these tragic circumstances is not easy. The incident at Corus last Thursday shocked us all. It goes without saying that our sympathy goes out to the families of the dead, the injured and the traumatised, and to those who have to work at the plant in the wake of this tragedy. As you have already indicated, I am sure that you will join me in paying tribute to the staff at Morriston Hospital’s accident and emergency and burns units for their committed and unselfish attitude, and to the neighbouring hospitals for their support. We also pay tribute to the courage and commitment of the fire service, the ambulance service and the police service, and to Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, local church leaders, the Red Cross and St John’s Ambulance for their support that night. Do you agree that speculation at this time is not helpful and that these tragically affected families have the right to expect a full and thorough inquiry by the police and the Health and Safety Executive, the results of which should be published?
Mae’n anodd dod o hyd i’r geiriau cywir mewn amgylchiadau trychinebus fel hyn. Mae’r digwyddiadau yn Corus ddydd Iau diwethaf wedi ein dychryn i gyd. Nid oes angen dweud ein bod yn cydymdeimlo â theuluoedd y rhai a fu farw, y rhai a anafwyd a’r rhai a ddioddefodd drawma, a’r rhai sy’n gorfod gweithio yn y gwaith yn dilyn y drychineb hon. Fel yr ydych wedi nodi eisoes, yr wyf yn siŵr yr ymunwch â mi wrth dalu teyrnged i staff uned ddamweiniau ac achosion brys ac uned losgiadau Ysbyty Treforus am eu hymrwymiad a’u hagwedd anhunanol, ac i’r ysbytai cyfagos am eu cefnogaeth. Talwn deyrnged hefyd i ddewrder ac ymrwymiad y gwasanaeth tân, y gwasanaeth ambiwlans a’r heddlu, ac i Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell-nedd Port Talbot, arweinwyr eglwysi lleol, y Groes Goch ac Ambiwlans Sant Ioan am eu cefnogaeth y noson honno. A gytunwch nad yw damcaniaethu ar hyn o bryd yn ddefnyddiol a bod gan y teuluoedd hyn sydd wedi dioddef mor drychinebus yr hawl i ddisgwyl cael ymchwiliad llawn a thrylwyr gan yr heddlu a’r Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch, ac y dylid cyhoeddi’r canlyniadau hynny?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 31
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 31
I could not agree more. You could have three separate inquiries—by the police, the Health and Safety Executive and Corus management. That would mean members of the traumatised workforce, who were perhaps hospitalised or saw scenes that nobody should have to see during their lifetime, having to answer the same questions three times over. For reasons of what you might call good human practice, one inquiry will be held. That will mean that those who may have valuable information to impart to those trying to discover the causes of the breakout and whether there is blame to be attached, only have to answer the questions once. That is a very important principle given the circumstances. Therefore, anything we can do to confine the inquiry into the causes and possible blame to a single avenue of questioning is important, as a service to people who have been traumatised or, in some cases, bereaved. We must adhere to that at all times when we have no regulatory role. We know that the Health and Safety Executive does a good job. Corus has learnt that lesson, as we saw yesterday with the £300,000 it was fined for the incident at the Llanwern plant. We are not responsible for the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; overseeing the Health and Safety Executive is the responsibility of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. They are tough people to deal with; they do not need us riding on their backs, telling them how to do the job that they do extremely well.
Cytunaf yn llwyr. Gallech gael tri ymchwiliad ar wahân––gan yr heddlu, yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch a rheolwyr Corus. Byddai hynny yn golygu y byddai’n rhaid i’r gweithlu sydd mewn trawma, a fu yn yr ysbyty efallai neu a welodd olygfeydd na ddylai neb orfod eu gweld yn ystod eu bywyd, ateb yr un cwestiynau deirgwaith. Am resymau y gallech ei galw yn arfer dynol da, un ymchwiliad a gynhelir. Mae hyn yn golygu mai dim ond unwaith y bydd yn rhaid i’r rhai a allai fod â gwybodaeth bwysig i’w rhannu â’r rhai sy’n ceisio canfod achosion y ffrwydrad ac a ddylai unrhyw un gymryd y bai, ateb y cwestiynau. Mae honno yn egwyddor bwysig iawn o gofio’r amgylchiadau. Felly, mae unrhyw beth y gallwn ei wneud i gyfyngu’r ymchwiliad i achosion a bai posibl i un llwybr o gwestiynu yn bwysig, fel gwasanaeth i’r bobl sydd wedi eu heffeithio neu, mewn rhai achosion, mewn galar. Rhaid inni gadw at hynny bob amser pan nad oes gennym rôl reolaethol. Gwyddom fod yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch yn gwneud gwaith da. Mae Corus wedi dysgu’r wers honno, fel y gwelsom ddoe gyda’r ddirwy o £300,000 a gafodd am y digwyddiad yng ngwaith Llanwern. Nid ydym yn gyfrifol am Ddeddf Iechyd a Diogelwch yn y Gweithle 1974; cyfrifoldeb yr Adran Drafnidiaeth, Llywodraeth Leol a’r Rhanbarthau yw goruchwylio’r Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch. Maent yn bobl anodd i ddelio â hwy; nid oes angen i ni bwyso ar eu cefnau, yn dweud wrthynt sut i wneud gwaith y maent yn ei wneud yn dda iawn.
I thank Gwenda for her comments about the units at Morriston Hospital. The hospital has a burns and plastic surgery unit because of the heavy industry in south Wales and the risks from the oil refineries at Milford Haven and the gas, chemical, steel and tinplate plants throughout the region. Wherever there is a molten metal, gas or oil-related risk, that is the place to locate a burns and plastic surgery unit. There is no other unit of the calibre of Morriston’s south of Birmingham. The UK’s three other such units can be found in Hull, Preston and Aberdeen, for similar reasons. It is important to remember that the Morriston unit is one of the jewels in the NHS crown. We would like to think that it is never used, but it is there for a specific purpose. It is not there for nothing; it exists to deal with incidents such as last Thursday’s, when its services were, sadly, called upon. However, it measured up to the occasion.
Diolch i Gwenda am ei sylwadau ynglŷn â’r unedau yn Ysbyty Treforus. Mae gan yr ysbyty uned losgiadau a llawdriniaeth gosmetig oherwydd y diwydiannau trwm sydd yn y De a’r peryglon o’r purfeydd olew yn Aberdaugleddau a’r gweithfeydd nwy, cemegau, dur a thunplat ledled yr ardal. Lle bynnag y bo risg yn gysylltiedig â metel tawdd, nwy neu olew, dyna’r lle i leoli uned losgiadau a llawdriniaeth gosmetig. Nid oes uned arall o’r un safon â Threforus i’r de o Birmingham. Mae’r tair uned arall o’r fath yn y DU i’w cael yn Hull, Preston ac Aberdeen, am resymau tebyg. Mae’n bwysig cofio bod uned Treforus yn un o drysorau’r NHS. Hoffem feddwl na chaiff byth ei defnyddio, ond mae yno am resymau penodol. Nid yw yno am ddim rheswm; mae’n bodoli er mwyn delio â digwyddiadau fel yr un ddydd Iau diwethaf, pan oedd gofyn am ei gwasanaethau gwaetha’r modd. Fodd bynnag, atebodd y galw.
I also express sympathy to the families that have lost relatives and those severely injured last Thursday. We send them our hopes and wishes for their recovery as far as is possible. How can the families and communities affected come to terms with last Thursday’s events? I was driving to west Wales that night, and I heard on the radio that there had been an explosion at the steelworks. I am afraid that when I asked my question 18 months ago, I had the no. 5 blast furnace in mind, although I did not refer to it specifically. My immediate reaction was to hope that blast furnace no. 5 had not caused the explosion, but then I drove around the bend and saw the steelworks.
Mynegaf innau hefyd gydymdeimlad â’r teuluoedd a gollodd berthnasau a’r rhai a anafwyd yn ddifrifol ddydd Iau diwethaf. Anfonwn ein gobeithion a’n dymuniadau gorau iddynt am wellhad llwyr os yw’n bosibl. Sut y gall y teuluoedd a’r cymunedau yr effeithiwyd arnynt ddod i delerau â digwyddiadau ddydd Iau diwethaf? Yr oeddwn yn gyrru tua’r Gorllewin y noson honno, a chlywais ar y radio bod ffrwydrad wedi digwydd yn y gwaith dur. Pan ofynnais fy nghwestiwn 18 mis yn ôl, rhaid i mi gyfaddef mai ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5 oedd ar fy meddwl, er na chyfeiriais ati yn benodol. Fy ymateb cyntaf oedd gobeithio nad ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5 oedd wedi achosi’r ffrwydrad, ond yna gyrrais heibio’r gornel a gwelais y gwaith dur.
I must ask a few questions, although I know that it is difficult at this time, so soon after the accident. We must also await the results of the investigations, but I want reassurance that they will consider all the evidence of claims of inadequate maintenance. With both a police and a Health and Safety Executive investigation underway, it is understandable, Rhodri, that you cannot publish your April 2000 discussions on safety issues with Corus. However, I want a commitment that you will give all records, in whatever form, to the investigations.
Rhaid i mi ofyn ychydig o gwestiynau, er y gwn ei bod yn anodd ar hyn o bryd, mor fuan wedi’r ddamwain. Rhaid inni hefyd aros am ganlyniadau’r ymchwiliadau, ond yr wyf am gael sicrwydd y byddant yn ystyried yr holl dystiolaeth o’r honiadau o waith cynnal a chadw annigonnol. Gydag ymchwiliad yr heddlu a’r Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch yn digwydd, mae’n ddealladwy, Rhodri, na allwch gyhoeddi eich trafodaethau fis Ebrill 2000 ar faterion diogelwch gyda Corus. Fodd bynnag, hoffwn gael ymrwymiad y byddwch yn rhoi pob cofnod, ym mha bynnag ffurf, i’r ymchwiliadau.
Corus gave you those assurances while workers at the plant were showing great concern for their safety. Did you ask for an appropriate statutory body, presumably the Health and Safety Executive, to inspect the plant, given that those concerns had been expressed not only to me, but also to you? Was Corus able to back its assurances with evidence? Can you also explain what was commercially confidential before last Thursday’s disastrous incident?
Rhoddodd Corus y sicrwydd hynny i chi tra bo’r gweithwyr yn y gwaith yn bryderus iawn ynglŷn â’u diogelwch. A wnaethoch ofyn i gorff statudol priodol, sef yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch fe dybiaf, archwilio’r gwaith, o gofio bod y pryderon hynny nid yn unig wedi cael eu cyflwyno i mi, ond hefyd i chi? A oedd Corus yn gallu cefnogi ei sicrwydd gyda thystiolaeth? A allwch egluro hefyd beth oedd yn gyfrinachol yn fasnachol cyn digwyddiad erchyll ddydd Iau diwethaf?
We cannot make any judgments on the cause of the accident; we must await the results of the investigation. However, if the cause turns out to be something totally unexpected and previously unknown, will that information be shared with other steelworks worldwide? That is important to prevent further loss of life. Can you also give an assurance that you will press for the full results of the investigations to be made public?
Ni allwn roi dyfarniad ar achos y ddamwain; rhaid inni aros am ganlyniadau’r ymchwiliad. Fodd bynnag, os mai rhywbeth hollol annisgwyl ac nad oedd yn wybyddus eisoes fydd hynny, a gaiff yr wybodaeth honno ei rhannu gyda gweithfeydd dur eraill yn fyd-eang? Mae hynny’n bwysig er mwyn atal colli rhagor o fywydau. A allwch hefyd sicrhau y byddwch yn mynnu bod canlyniadau llawn yr ymchwiliadau yn cael eu cyhoeddi?
On the longer term, I note that you have received assurances from Corus on the future of its Port Talbot plant, and that it may rebuild the blast furnace. You need to press Corus hard on this matter, as well as ensuring that its commitment to maintenance will be 100 per cent in future.
Yn y tymor hwy, nodaf eich bod wedi derbyn sicrwydd gan Corus ar ddyfodol ei waith ym Mhort Talbot, ac y bydd efallai yn ailadeiladu’r ffwrnais chwyth. Rhaid ichi bwyso’n galed ar Corus ar y mater hwn, yn ogystal â sicrhau y bydd ei ymrwymiad i gynnal a chadw yn 100 y cant yn y dyfodol.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 34
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34
I have a few points to make. Corus is being open with us. I do not think that it has a problem imparting the same information to you as it has to me. Everything that was said on Friday was said before Eddie Lynch, deputy general secretary of the steelworkers’ union ISTC, and around eight or nine—I do not recall the exact number—local union representatives from the plant. Corus representatives said that they had examined the condition of blast furnace no. 5 two or three months ago, with a view to seeing how much life was left in it before they decided whether to reline it or rebuild it. They were surprised at how good its condition was. That is what Corus told us. It was not a hold-in-the-corner, whispered comment. The unions were present when it was said, and did not deny that that was Corus’s conclusion. I am not in a position to second-guess whether that conclusion was right or wrong. People with vastly more knowledge on blast furnace practice than I might conclude on that for the police and the Health and Safety Executive. It is not my job, as I do not have the technical knowledge. However, Corus has been open, and I am sure that representatives would be willing to answer your questions as well as mine.
Mae gennyf rai pwyntiau i’w gwneud. Mae Corus yn agored gyda ni. Ni thybiaf fod ganddynt unrhyw drafferth rhannu yr un wybodaeth ichi ac a wnaeth i mi. Cafodd popeth a ddywedwyd ddydd Gwener ei ddweud o flaen Eddie Lynch, dirprwy ysgrifennydd cyffredinol undeb y gweithwyr dur, ISTC, ac oddeutu wyth neu naw––nid wyf yn cofio’r union rif––o gynrychiolwyr lleol yr undeb o’r gwaith. Dywedodd cynrychiolwyr Corus eu bod wedi archwilio cyflwr ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5 ddau neu dri mis yn ôl, gyda’r bwriad o weld faint o fywyd oedd ar ôl ynddi cyn iddynt benderfynu pa un a ddylent ei hail-leinio neu ei hail-adeiladu. Yr oeddynt wedi eu synnu cystal ei chyflwr. Dyna a ddywedodd Corus wrthym. Nid oedd yn sylw a gafodd ei sibrwd mewn cornel. Yr oedd yr undebau yn bresennol pan ddywedwyd hyn, ac ni wnaethant wadu mai dyna oedd casgliad Corus. Nid wyf mewn sefyllfa i ddyfalu a oedd y casgliad hynnw yn gywir neu’n anghywir. Gall pobl sydd â llawer mwy o wybodaeth na fi ar arferion ffwrnais chwyth ddod i’r casgliadau hynny ar gyfer yr heddlu a’r Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch. Nid dyma fy ngwaith i, gan nad oes gennyf y wybodaeth dechnegol. Fodd bynnag, bu Corus yn agored, ac yr wyf yn sicr y byddai cynrychiolwyr yn fodlon ateb eich cwestiynau chi yn ogystal â’m rhai i.
On openness, there are no circumstances in the world under which I would not deliver anything requested by the police and the Health and Safety Executive—whether exchanges of e-mails or notes of meetings that I, or Assembly officials have had with Corus—on any matter relating to blast furnace no. 5. If that is what the authorities request, they will receive it by return. There is no problem with that. Regardless, I am sure that the results of the investigations will be made public. The only instance preventing that from happening would be if the matter were referred to a court of law, in which case the information would become privileged.
Ynglŷn â bod yn agored, nid oes unrhyw amgylchiadau yn y byd lle na fyddwn yn cyflwyno unrhyw wybodaeth y gwnaed cais amdani gan yr heddlu a’r Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch––boed yn negeseuon e-bost neu’n nodiadau o gyfarfodydd a gefais i, neu swyddogion o’r Cynulliad gyda Corus––ar unrhyw fater yn ymwneud â ffwrnais chwyth rhif 5. Os mai dyna yw cais yr awdurdodau, cânt hwy ar fyrder. Nid oes unrhyw broblem ynglŷn â hynny. Er hynny, yr wyf yn siŵr y caiff canlyniadau’r ymchwiliad eu cyhoeddi. Yr unig beth a fyddai’n atal hynny rhag digwydd fyddai bod y mater yn cael ei gyfeirio i’r llys, yna byddai’r wybodaeth yn freintiedig.
You are right about the implications for other steelworks, where they have similar blast furnaces. Blast furnace experts from all over the world will arrive in Port Talbot, to try to discover what on earth happened, given that the breakout at the lap joint is either unprecedented, or unheard-of in any other country.
Yr ydych yn iawn ynglŷn â’r oblygiadau i weithfeydd dur eraill, lle mae ganddynt ffwrneisi chwyth tebyg. Bydd arbenigwyr ffwrneisi chwyth o bob rhan o’r byd yn dod i Bort Talbot, i geisio darganfod beth ar y ddaear a ddigwyddodd, o gofio bod y ffrwydrad yn y coruniad erioed wedi digwydd o’r blaen.
As in mining villages, there is a special solidarity and kinship among people living in steel towns. The way the people of Port Talbot have felt during the last four or five days reflects the community’s sense of loss, shock and tragedy caused by the bereavements and serious injuries sustained by workers. Other Members have raised the important issues and have spoken well about them. We must bear in mind an important lesson—the community solidarity and kinship has given a sense of support to the people affected. It is important, at this particular juncture, that we maintain that solidarity and support and that we do not tear each other apart at the very time people need the greatest support and solidarity. Questions must be asked and answered urgently, for the sake of the bereaved, the injured, the local community and the future safety of blast furnace workers.
Fel mewn pentrefi glofaol, mae undod a charennydd arbennig ymhlith pobl sy’n byw mewn trefi dur. Mae teimladau pobl Port Talbot dros y pedwar neu bum diwrnod diwethaf wedi adlewyrchu’r ymdeimlad o golled, o ddychryn ac o drychineb yn y gymuned a achoswyd gan y profedigaethau a’r anafiadau difrifol a ddioddefodd rhai o’r gweithwyr. Mae Aelodau eraill wedi codi’r materion pwysig ac wedi siarad yn dda amdanynt. Rhaid inni gofio gwers bwysig––mae’r undod a’r carennydd cymunedol wedi rhoi ymdeimlad o gefnogaeth i’r bobl yr effeithiwyd arnynt. Mae’n bwysig, ar y pwynt hwn, ein bod yn cynnal yr undod a’r gefnogaeth ac nad ydym yn rhwygo ein gilydd yn ddarnau ar yr union adeg y mae angen y gefnogaeth a’r undod hwnnw ar bobl fwyaf. Rhaid gofyn ac ateb cwestiynau ar frys, er lles y rhai sydd mewn galar, y rhai a anafwyd, y gymuned leol ac er lles dyfodol diogel gweithwyr y ffwrnais chwyth.
It is also important that we extend our gratitude to the emergency services that worked so well in responding to this tragedy—the statutory services along with voluntary organisations such as the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, the Red Cross and the St John’s Ambulance. Social services staff also turned out and off-duty health service staff rang the hospital to see if they could help in any way in responding to the tragedy. We also extend our gratitude to the people of Port Talbot, who have behaved with dignity and restraint. There was no panic or hysteria; they allowed the emergency services and those best trained to get on with the job of dealing with those in greatest need as quickly and professionally as possible.
Mae hefyd yn bwysig ein bod yn estyn ein diolchgarwch i’r gwasanaethau brys a weithiodd mor dda wrth ymateb i’r drychineb hon––y gwasanaethau statudol ynghyd â’r sefydliadau gwirfoddol megis Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol y Merched, y Groes Goch ac Ambiwlans Sant Ioan. Daeth staff y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol i’r adwy a ffoniodd staff y gwasanaeth iechyd nad oeddent ar ddyletswydd yr ysbyty i weld a allent helpu mewn unrhyw ffordd gyda’r ymateb i’r drychineb. Estynnwn ein diolch hefyd i bobl Port Talbot, sydd wedi ymddwyn ag urddas a phwyll. Ni fu unrhyw banig na hysteria; gadawyd i’r gwasanaethau brys a’r rhai oedd wedi’u hyfforddi orau ymdrin â’r mwyaf anghenus mor gyflym a phroffesiynol â phosibl.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 35
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 35
The sense of community is the very reason why it is important that steel production continues in Port Talbot. That is why, inevitably, at a time like this, we cannot only think of discovering the cause of the explosion; we must also consider continuity of production, albeit at only two/thirds of previous steelmaking capacity. Slab can be brought in from elsewhere for the strip mills to make good the lack from Port Talbot due to the inevitable iron shortage at this time. You were right to say that the relationship between the community in Port Talbot, which almost wraps itself around the steelworks, and vice versa, is incredibly symbiotic. Both depend on each other and therefore know by instinct, perhaps, how to react to a tragedy of this kind because they will think of neighbours or relatives working at the steelworks. ‘There but for the grace of God go I’ is bound to be a thought that goes through the minds of everybody in a community such as Port Talbot at a time like this.
Yr ysbryd cymunedol yw’r union reswm pam ei bod yn bwysig parhau i gynhyrchu dur ym Mhort Talbot. Dyna pam ei bod, yn anorfod, ar adegau fel hyn nad canfod achos y ffrwydrad yw ein hunig ystyriaeth; rhaid inni hefyd ystyried parhad cynhyrchiant, er mai dwy ran o dair o’r gallu blaenorol i gynhyrchu dur sydd ar gael bellach. Gellir prynu slabiau o leoedd eraill ar gyfer y melinau stribed i wneud iawn am y diffyg ym Mhort Talbot oherwydd y prinder anochel mewn haearn ar hyn o bryd. Yr oeddech yn iawn i ddweud bod y berthynas rhwng y gymuned ym Mhort Talbot, sydd fel pe bai’n cau ei hun am y gwaith dur, ac fel arall, yn symbiotig iawn. Mae’r ddau’n dibynnu ar ei gilydd ac felly’n gwybod yn reddfol, efallai, sut i ymateb i drychineb o’r fath gan y byddant yn meddwl am gymdogion neu berthnasau yn gweithio yn y gwaith dur. Bydd pobl mewn cymuned fel Port Talbot ar adeg fel hon yn siŵr o fod yn meddwl, fe allai hyn fod wedi digwydd imi.
Finding answers to questions is of interest to management, unions and people who work in steelworks of similar design. They will all be desperate for answers. It is still early days, because, five days after the incident, it is still not cool enough for people to start poking around close to where the metal broke out. The blast furnace has not yet died down enough to allow a proper, full investigation to be started. It might be some considerable time before the chemistry of the explosion, if you like, or the practice aspects leading up to this unprecedented explosion can be identified.
Bydd dod o hyd i atebion i gwestiynau yn fanteisiol i’r rheolwyr, yr undebau a’r bobl sy’n gweithio mewn gweithfeydd dur tebyg. Byddant i gyd yn awyddus i gael atebion. Mae’n gynnar iawn o hyd oherwydd, bum diwrnod wedi’r ddamwain, nid yw wedi oeri digon i bobl ddechrau chwilio o gwmpas y lle y gorlifodd y metel. Nid yw’r ffwrnais chwyth wedi diffodd ddigon hyd yn hyn i allu dechrau ymchwiliad priodol, llawn. Gall fod beth amser cyn y gellir canfod natur y ffrwydrad, neu’r agweddau ymarferol a arweiniodd at y ffrwydrad digyffelyb hwn.
I agree with Brian’s commendable comments about the off-duty doctors and nurses who volunteered to come into work. Some staff also worked double shifts because they were determined that the dying and the critically injured should receive the best possible chances of survival.
Cytunaf â sylwadau canmoladwy Brian ynglŷn â’r meddygon a ‘r nyrsys nad oedd ar ddyletswydd ac a wirfoddolodd i weithio. Gweithiodd rhai staff shifftiau dwbl hefyd am eu bod yn benderfynol y dylai’r rhai a oedd yn marw a’r rhai a anafwyd yn ddifrifol gael y cyfle gorau posibl o oroesi.
I also extend sympathy and condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and to the injured and their families. I also praise the work of the emergency services and Morriston Hospital for the way in which they dealt with the incident. Do you agree that it is premature to speculate on the reasons for this tragedy, and that the investigation must be open and transparent and fully engage the community and the workers at Corus?
Estynnaf fy nghydymdeimlad hefyd i deuluoedd y rhai a gollodd eu bywydau yn y digwyddiad trychinebus hwn ac i’r rhai a anafwyd a’u teuluoedd. Canmolaf hefyd waith y gwasanaethau brys ac Ysbyty Treforus am y ffordd yr ymdriniwyd â’r digwyddiad. A gytunwch ei bod yn rhy fuan damcaniaethu ar y rhesymau dros y drychineb hon, ac y dylai’r ymchwiliad fod yn agored a thryloyw ac y dylai gynnwys y gymuned a gweithwyr Corus?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 37
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 37
I am sure that Corus will want to do that, subject to the need not to overly stress bereaved or traumatised members of the workforce who were among the 20 in the immediate neighbourhood of the blast, but not among the 13 or 14 who were injured or have sadly died as a result, and those who would have been on the day shift when there was a chill in the furnace, which they were trying to bring back up to normal temperature. Subject to not putting those people through too much of the agonies of appearing in the open to answer questions, I am sure Corus will want to make the investigation as open as possible. Corus must restore confidence in this type of blast furnace, which exists elsewhere in the Corus empire, though not in Wales, and similar blast furnaces elsewhere in the world.
Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd Corus yn dymuno gwneud hynny, ar yr amod na fyddant yn rhoi gormod o bwysau ar aelodau o’r gweithlu oedd ymysg yr 20 a oedd o fewn cyrraedd y ffrwydrad sydd mewn galar neu o dan straen, ond nid ymysg y 13 neu 14 a anafwyd neu yn anffodus a fu farw o ganlyniad, a’r rhai a fyddai wedi bod ar y shifft dydd pan oerodd y ffwrnais, ac yr oeddynt yn ceisio ei chynhesu yn ôl i’r tymheredd arferol. Ar yr amod na fyddant yn rhoi gormod o bwysau ar y bobl hynny i geisio ateb cwestiynau yn agored, yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd Corus yn dymuno cynnal ymchwiliad mor agored â phosibl. Rhaid i Corus adfer hyder yn y math hwn o ffwrnais chwyth, sydd i’w gael mewn lleoedd eraill o fewn ymerodraeth Corus, er nad yng Nghymru, a ffwrneisi chwyth tebyg mewn mannau eraill yn y byd.
Datganiad Busnes
Business Statement
Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business spoken in English p. 37
Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 37
Before I turn to the business statement for the next three weeks, I wish to inform Members that this week’s business is as programmed. Immediately following this business statement, Members will wish to note that we will consider a motion to suspend Standing Order No. 6.3A for the purpose of moving Jane Davidson’s oral question session from 29 November to 27 November. Members will also wish to note that, in addition to the programmed business for this Thursday, and as I informed the Business Committee, the Minister for Health and Social Services will make a statement on the Children’s Society in Wales.
Cyn imi droi at y datganiad busnes ar gyfer y tair wythnos nesaf, hoffwn hysbysu’r Aelodau fod busnes yr wythnos hon fel y cynlluniwyd. Yn syth ar ôl y datganiad busnes hwn, bydd yr Aelodau yn dymuno nodi y byddwn yn ystyried cynnig i ohirio Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.3A at ddiben symud sesiwn cwestiwn llafar Jane Davidson o 29 Tachwedd i 27 Tachwedd. Bydd yr Aelodau hefyd yn dymuno nodi, yn ogystal â’r busnes a gynlluniwyd ar gyfer y dydd Iau hwn, ac fel yr hysbysais y Pwyllgor Busnes, bydd y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn gwneud datganiad ar Gymdeithas y Plant yng Nghymru.
The Business Committee agreed at its meeting this morning business for the next three weeks as shown on the Chamberweb under supporting documents. Arrangements will be made as usual to post a copy of this statement to the intranet and the internet.
Cytunodd y Pwyllgor Busnes yn ei gyfarfod y bore yma y busnes ar gyfer y tair wythnos nesaf fel y gwelir ar we’r Siambr o dan dogfennau ategol. Gwneir trefniadau yn ôl yr arfer i osod copi o’r datganiad hwn ar y fewnrwyd a’r rhyngrwyd.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 37
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 37
Are there any objections to the business statement? I see that there are. Do 10 Members object? I see that they do. I therefore call the Minister for Assembly Business to propose the business statement. I will then allow one Member from each group to respond, after which I will allow the Minister to reply before calling a vote.
A oes unrhyw wrthwynebiadau i’r datganiad busnes? Gwelaf fod yna wrthwynebiadau. A oes deg Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Gwelaf eu bod. Galwaf ar y Trefnydd felly i gynnig y datganiad busnes. Yna byddaf yn caniatáu un Aelod o bob grŵp i ymateb, ac yn caniatáu’r Gweinidog i ymateb cyn galw pleidlais.
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
I told Andrew beforehand that we would object to the business statement. The Plaid Cymru group feels unable to support it this week. We have become increasingly embarrassed by the often chaotic order of business since our return after a three-month recess. The Government seems content to proceed by way of statements and no-named day motions. On our first day this term, the only scheduled debate was pulled. We also managed to retable a debate that had already been held in July. The important debate on the structure of the NHS was replaced by a statement, despite its importance and despite opposition views. That is a disgrace, after having three months to prepare for business. Other debates scheduled on the forward look have disappeared altogether. This week, there is not one Government debate. We are having more statements than debates. The week before last, there was not one Government debate except for those noting the Welsh Administration Ombudsman and the Health Service Ombudsman’s reports. It is not good enough, and it is not acceptable.
Dywedais wrth Andrew ymlaen llaw y byddem yn gwrthwynebu’r datganiad busnes. Mae grŵp Plaid Cymru o’r farn na all ei gefnogi yr wythnos hon. Yr ydym wedi teimlo cywilydd cynyddol yn sgîl natur anhrefnus y busnes yn aml ers inni ddychwelyd ar ôl tri mis o doriad. Ymddengys fod y Llywodraeth yn fodlon parhau drwy gyfrwng datganiadau a chynigion heb ddyddiad trafod. Ar ein diwrnod cyntaf y tymor hwn, tynnwyd yr unig ddadl a drefnwyd yn ôl. Llwyddwyd hefyd i ailgyflwyno dadl a gynhaliwyd eisoes ym mis Gorffennaf. Rhoddwyd datganiad yn lle’r ddadl bwysig ar strwythur yr NHS, er gwaethaf ei phwysigrwydd ac er gwaethaf safbwyntiau gwrthbleidiol. Mae hynny’n warthus, ar ôl cael tri mis i baratoi ar gyfer busnes. Mae dadleuon eraill a drefnwyd ar gynlluniau i’r dyfodol wedi diflannu’n llwyr. Yr wythnos hon, ni cheir un ddadl gan y Llywodraeth. Cawn fwy o ddatganiadau na dadleuon. Yr wythnos cyn diwethaf, ni chafwyd un ddadl gan y Llywodraeth ar wahân i’r rheini a oedd yn nodi adroddiadau Ombwdsmon Gweinyddiaeth Cymru ac Ombwdsmon Gwasanaeth Iechyd Cymru. Nid yw hyn yn ddigon da, ac nid yw’n dderbyniol.
Will the Minister for Assembly Business get his act together? Is the Government deliberately avoiding debate? Maybe we are waiting to have a debating Chamber worthy of our debates before we hold them. My group has decided that until there is an attempt to create a proper balance between statements and debates—and we have no objection to statements, but we would like Plenary to be peppered with debates on occasion—we will not support the business statement.
A wnaiff y Trefnydd ymdrin â’r sefyllfa? A yw’r Llywodraeth yn fwriadol yn osgoi dadl? Efallai ein bod yn aros i gael Siambr ddadlau sy’n deilwng o’n dadlau cyn inni eu cynnal. Mae fy ngrŵp wedi penderfynu, hyd nes y ceir ymgais i greu cydbwysedd cywir rhwng datganiadau a dadleuon—ac nid ydym yn gwrthwynebu datganiadau, ond hoffem weld y Cyfarfod Llawn yn cael i fritho â dadleuon o bryd i’w gilydd—ni fyddwn yn cefnogi’r datganiad busnes.
Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives are clearly finding it difficult to provide an effective opposition, if they have to resort to technical procedures to try to derail the Government’s business. It is the Liberal Democrat group’s belief that statements can often—[Interruption.]
Mae’n amlwg bod Plaid Cymru a’r Ceidwadwyr yn ei chael hi’n anodd darparu gwrthwynebiad effeithiol, os oes rhaid iddynt droi at weithdrefnau technegol i geisio dymchwel busnes y Llywodraeth. Cred grŵp y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol y gall datganiadau yn aml—[Torri ar draws.]
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 39
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39
Order.
Trefn.
It is our belief that statements can often provide an effective form of scrutiny. Although formal debates and votes are important in taking forward the Assembly’s business, statements and the scrutiny which they involve often get to the root of a matter better than a formal debate, because of the formal procedures that surround debates. For that reason, Deputy Presiding Officer, we will support the business statement.
Yn ein barn ni gall datganiadau yn aml ddarparu dull effeithiol o graffu. Er bod dadleuon ffurfiol a phleidleisiau yn bwysig er mwyn datblygu busnes y Cynulliad, mae datganiadau, a’r craffu sydd ei angen yn eu sgîl, yn aml yn mynd at wraidd mater yn well na dadl ffurfiol, oherwydd y gweithdrefnau ffurfiol sy’n ymwneud â dadleuon. Am y rheswm hwnnw, Ddirprwy Lywydd, cefnogwn y datganiad busnes.
The Welsh Conservative Party informed the Government this morning that it would oppose the business statement. We are yet to have a commitment from the Government to a debate on NHS structural reforms. These are the biggest reforms since the early 1970s. The Government has had three months to prepare for a debate and yet, the National Assembly is not due to discuss those reforms in Plenary. That is an insult to devolution and an insult to the Minister for Health and Social Services, who is not being given the opportunity to defend her proposals in Plenary.
Hysbysodd Plaid Geidwadol Cymru y Llywodraeth y bore yma y byddai’n gwrthwynebu’r datganiad busnes. Ni chafwyd ymrwymiad gan y Llywodraeth hyd yn hyn i ddadl ar ddiwygiadau strwythurol yr NHS. Y rhain yw’r diwygiadau mwyaf ers y 1970au cynnar. Cafodd y Llywodraeth dri mis i baratoi ar gyfer dadl ac eto, ni fwriedir i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol drafod y diwygiadau hynny yn y Cyfarfod Llawn. Mae hynny’n sarhad i ddatganoli ac yn sarhad i’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, nad yw’n cael y cyfle i amddiffyn ei chynigion mewn Cyfarfod Llawn.
The NHS Reform Bill, which is the piece of primary legislation that will enable these changes to take place, was published on Thursday. We have had no discussion on the Bill’s core clauses in advance of that, because the administration lost the opportunity to have a separate NHS (Wales) Bill.
Cyhoeddwyd Mesur Diwygio’r NHS, sef y darn o ddeddfwriaeth sylfaenol a fydd yn caniatáu’r newidiadau hyn, ddydd Iau. Ni chafwyd unrhyw drafodaeth ar gymalau craidd y Mesur cyn hynny, gan fod y weinyddiaeth wedi colli’r cyfle i gael Mesur NHS (Cymru) ar wahân.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 39
Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39
What?
Beth?
In response to the First Minister’s sedentary remark, it was originally your intention to do this in a draft Bill. That was clearly expressed in the Queen’s Speech.
Mewn ymateb i sylw’r Prif Weinidog ar ei eistedd, yr oedd yn fwriad gennych yn wreiddiol i wneud hyn mewn Mesur drafft. Mynegwyd hynny’n glir yn Araith y Frenhines.
We know that the second reading of this Bill is due next Tuesday. The First Minister is now yawning. Of course, he did not reply when questioned on this earlier, because he did not know when this primary piece of legislation to effect the NHS changes in Wales would be discussed in principle in the House of Commons. It will be discussed next Tuesday. The House of Commons will discuss these matters in principle, before we have had a chance to discuss them in Plenary. We are not even due to discuss them in principle in a motion that could be amended. It is a disgrace. Will we debate these structural changes in principle in a motion that can be amended, or will you simply drive them through without full discussion in Plenary?
Gwyddom y bwriedir cael ail ddarlleniad o’r Mesur hwn ddydd Mawrth nesaf. Yn awr mae’r Prif Weinidog yn dylyfu gên. Wrth gwrs, ni ymatebodd pan holwyd ef ynglŷn â hyn yn gynharach, am nad oedd yn gwybod pryd fyddai’r darn hwn o ddeddfwriaeth sylfaenol i ddylanwadu ar newidiadau yn yr NHS yng Nghymru yn cael ei drafod mewn egwyddor yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin. Caiff ei drafod ddydd Mawrth nesaf. Bydd Tŷ’r Cyffredin yn trafod y materion hyn mewn egwyddor, cyn y byddwn wedi cael y cyfle i’w trafod yn y Cyfarfod Llawn. Nid ydym hyd yn oed wedi cynllunio i’w trafod mewn egwyddor mewn cynnig a allai gael ei ddiwygio. Mae’n warthus. A fyddwn yn trafod y newidiadau strwythurol hyn mewn egwyddor mewn cynnig a all gael ei ddiwygio, neu a fyddwch yn syml yn eu llywio drwodd heb gynnal trafodaeth lawn yn y Cyfarfod Llawn?
Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business spoken in English p. 40
Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40
I welcome your contribution, David. I note that you made it rather than your new party business manager. I congratulate you on keeping your portfolio, unlike some of the other members of your group, who have been reshuffled. [CONSERVATIVE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Answer the question.’]
Croesawaf eich cyfraniad, David. Nodaf mai chi â’i gwnaeth yn hytrach na rheolwr busnes newydd eich plaid. Fe’ch llongyfarchaf am gadw eich portffolio, yn wahanol i rai o aelodau eraill eich grŵp, a ad-drefnwyd. [AELODAU CEIDWADOL Y CYNULLIAD: ‘Atebwch y cwestiwn.’]
No-one challenged my business statement last week. I made it clear that there would be changes to this Thursday’s Plenary session and I made it clear that there would be a statement on the NHS structures review. Nobody challenged the statement. Questions were raised and the Presiding Officer—[Interruption.] It is in the Record of Proceedings. The Presiding Officer made it clear that nobody challenged my business statement. They asked questions, but that is different. Nobody challenged the content of my business statement and I stand by it. We made our intentions clear.
Ni heriodd neb fy natganiad busnes yr wythnos diwethaf. Amlygais y ffaith y byddai newidiadau i sesiwn Cyfarfod Llawn ddydd Iau yma ac amlygais y ffaith y byddai datganiad ar yr adolygiad o strwythurau’r NHS. Ni heriodd neb y datganiad. Codwyd cwestiynau ac amlygodd y Llywydd—[Torri ar draws.] Mae yng Nghofnod y Trafodion. Amlygodd y Llywydd y ffaith na heriodd neb fy natganiad busnes. Gofynnwyd cwestiynau, ond mae hynny’n wahanol. Ni heriodd neb gynnwys fy natganiad busnes a glynaf wrtho. Gwnaethom ein bwriadau yn glir.
Point of order.
Pwynt o drefn.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 40
John Marek Y Dipryw Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40
Is your point of order pertinent to this? I normally take points of order after the Minister has responded.
A yw eich pwynt o drefn yn berthnasol i hyn? Fel arfer, cymeraf bwyntiau o drefn ar ôl i’r Gweinidog ymateb.
It needs to be sorted. I seek your guidance as to whether the Minister for Assembly Business should have declared an interest in the—
Mae angen delio â’r sefyllfa. Ceisiaf eich arweiniad ynglŷn â pha un a ddylai’r Trefnydd fod wedi datgan buddiant yn y—
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 41
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41
Order. I will switch off your microphone, Rod. That is not a matter for you, but for the individual Member concerned.
Trefn. Diffoddaf eich meicroffon, Rod. Nid mater i chi yw hwnnw, ond i’r Aelod unigol dan sylw.
I understand that David Melding wants to try to make political capital out of this. Peter Black is right that the two minority parties are trying to use procedural issues and not substantive policy issues to make political points.
Deallaf fod David Melding am elwa’n wleidyddol o hyn. Mae Peter Black yn iawn bod y ddwy blaid leiafrifol yn ceisio defnyddio materion trefniadol yn hytrach na materion polisi sylweddol i wneud pwyntiau gwleidyddol.
This issue has been discussed in the Health and Social Services Committee. There has been extensive consultation on it. The Minister reported to the Health and Social Services Committee on that consultation last week. I said that there would be a statement. I have also said that there will be a debate and I have told the Business Committee that. The Chair of the Health and Social Services Committee sent me a letter, and I understand the terms of the letter. Ann Jones reported to me as Chair of the Health and Social Services Committee, stating that it was said in Committee that there would be a debate between that Committee meeting and Christmas. I will ensure that. Nevertheless, there will be a statement on Thursday.
Trafodwyd y mater hwn gan y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol. Bu’n destun ymgynghoriad eang. Cyflwynodd y Gweinidog adroddiad i’r Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ar yr ymgynghoriad hwnnw yr wythnos diwethaf. Dywedais y byddai datganiad. Dywedais hefyd y bydd dadl ac yr wyf wedi dweud hynny wrth y Pwyllgor Busnes. Anfonodd Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol lythyr ataf, a deallaf dermau’r llythyr. Cyflwynodd Ann Jones adroddiad imi fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, yn datgan iddynt ddweud yn y Pwyllgor y byddai dadl rhwng y cyfarfod Pwyllgor hwnnw a’r Nadolig. Byddaf yn sicrhau hynny. Fodd bynnag, bydd datganiad ddydd Iau.
I understand that Jocelyn also wants to make political capital out of this. It is interesting that while her leader is on his magical mystery tour around Wales, presumably with his collecting box, Plaid Cymru is, once again, intent on pursuing procedural issues rather than serious policy issues. You say that business is a shambles, yet we have debates, as requested, on many important issues in this Chamber, including the international situation. We allocated time for that. We had a statement and have, on many occasions, given way to requests for business to be scheduled.
Deallaf fod Jocelyn hefyd am wneud elw gwleidyddol o hyn. Mae’n ddiddorol nodi, tra bod ei harweinydd ar daith ddirgel hud o amgylch Cymru, fwy na thebyg gyda’i flwch casglu, bod Plaid Cymru, unwaith eto, yn mynnu mynd ar drywydd materion trefniadol yn hytrach na materion polisi difrifol. Dywedwch fod busnes yn draed moch, ond eto cawn ddadleuon, yn ôl y gofyn, ar lawer o faterion pwysig yn y Siambr hon, yn cynnwys y sefyllfa ryngwladol. Neilltuwyd amser ar gyfer hynny. Cawsom ddatganiad ac yr ydym wedi ildio ar sawl adeg i geisiadau i drefnu busnes.
If we look at the business for the next three weeks, Plaid Cymru says that it is a shambles and that we are not discussing important issues. Next week—
Os edrychwn ar y busnes ar gyfer y tair wythnos nesaf, dywed Plaid Cymru ei fod yn draed moch ac nad ydym yn trafod materion pwysig. Yr wythnos nesaf—
Will you give way?
A wnewch chi ildio?
No, I will not.
Na wnaf.
Point of order.
Pwynt o drefn.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 42
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 42
Nick, I must be strict on this. It must be a point of order that relates to Andrew’s comments, otherwise I will take it after he has finished speaking.
Nick, rhaid imi fod yn llym ynglŷn â hyn. Rhaid iddo fod yn bwynt o drefn sy’n ymwneud â sylwadau Andrew, fel arall derbyniaf eich pwynt o drefn ar ôl iddo orffen siarad.
It relates to his comments. I am sorry, but the Government did not allocate time for a debate on the international situation, as it was a Plaid Cymru minority debate.
Mae’n ymwneud â’i sylwadau. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf, ond ni neilltuodd y Llywodraeth amser ar gyfer dadl ar y sefyllfa ryngwladol, gan mai dadl leiafrifol gan Blaid Cymru ydoedd.
I accept that on a technicality—[Laughter.]
Derbyniaf hynny ar bwynt technegol—[Chwerthin.]
I say ‘technicality’ because party leaders and business managers know that the reason we did not table a debate was because we could not agree on the wording of a motion. Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives could not agree on the wording. That is why we had a statement. For the record, let us state what actually happened.
Dywedais ‘ar bwynt technegol’ oherwydd gŵyr arweinwyr y pleidiau a rheolwyr busnes mai’r rheswm na chyflwynwyd dadl oedd am na allem gytuno ar eiriad y cynnig. Ni allai Plaid Cymru a’r Ceidwadwyr gytuno ar y geiriad. Dyna pam inni gael datganiad. Er mwyn i bawb gael gwybod, gadewch inni ddatgan beth yn union a ddigwyddodd.
Point of order.
Pwynt o drefn.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 42
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 42
Order. I have switched off Members’ microphones. Please sit down, David. I will allow the Minister to finish his statement. We have had two points of order. The normal place for points of order is after the business statement. I would be grateful if Members settled down and listened quietly to the Minister. We will vote on this, and the Minister will either win the vote or not.
Trefn. Yr wyf wedi diffodd meicroffonau Aelodau. Eisteddwch i lawr, David. Caniataf i’r Gweinidog orffen ei ddatganiad. Yr ydym wedi cael dau bwynt o drefn. Y lle arferol i bwyntiau o drefn yw ar ôl y datganiad busnes. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallai’r Aelodau dawelu a gwrando’n ddistaw ar y Gweinidog. Byddwn yn pleidleisio ar hyn, a bydd y Gweinidog naill ai’n ennill y bleidlais neu’n colli.
Business is allegedly a shambles. However, on Tuesday 20 November, we have a debate on the homelessness strategy. Is that a minor issue? Is that a shambles? We will also have Ann Jones’s short debate on houses in multiple occupation—[Interruption.]
Honnir bod busnes yn draed moch. Fodd bynnag, ddydd Mawrth 20 Tachwedd, mae gennym ddadl ar y strategaeth digartrefedd. A yw hwnnw’n fater dibwys? A yw hwnnw’n draed moch? Byddwn hefyd yn cael dadl fer Ann Jones ar dai amlbreswyliaeth—[Torri ar draws.]
That short debate has been rescheduled for that date alongside the homelessness strategy. We are debating important issues regarding homelessness. The following week, there will be a debate on the final budget, and the quinquennial review of the Welsh Language Board. When the Conservative Party ran Wales with all its mates on the quangos, was there ever an open and transparent review of quangos? No, there was not. We are scheduling that debate. Other issues to be discussed soon include the quinquennial review of the National Museums and Galleries of Wales and the Audit Committee’s annual report. There is a host of important issues which will be debated by this Assembly. That is why the Assembly was set up.
Aildrefnwyd y ddadl fer honno ar gyfer y dyddiad hwnnw ochr yn ochr â’r strategaeth digartrefedd. Yr ydym yn trafod materion pwysig mewn perthynas â digartrefedd. Yr wythnos ddilynol, cynhelir dadl ar y gyllideb derfynol, ac ar yr adolygiad pum mlynedd o Fwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg. Pan oedd y Blaid Geidwadol yn arwain Cymru gyda’i holl gyfeillion ar y cwangos, a chafwyd erioed adolygiad agored a thryloyw o gwangos? Na, ni chafwyd un. Yr ydym yn trefnu’r ddadl honno. Ymhlith y materion eraill i’w trafod yn fuan bydd yr adolygiad pum mlynedd o Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau Cenedlaethol Cymru ac adroddiad blynyddol y Pwyllgor Archwilio. Mae llu o faterion pwysig i’w trafod gan y Cynulliad hwn. Dyna’r rheswm y sefydlwyd y Cynulliad.
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 28 YmatalAbstain 1 Yn erbynAgainst 23
Derbyniwyd y datganiad busnes.
Business statement carried.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (28)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
YmatalAbstain (1)
- Alison Halford
Yn erbynAgainst (23)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- 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
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rod Richards
- Peter Rogers
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Phil Williams
Pwyntiau o Drefn
Points of Order
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 44
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44
Points of order will not take half an hour. I remind the Assembly that we have two minority party debates today and we must finish by 5.30 p.m.. We need therefore to begin the first of the minority party debates in about three minutes’ time to complete business properly. We must also consider changes to Standing Orders prior to that. Also, I am not the Presiding Officer, I am the Deputy Presiding Officer. Therefore I will be chary of giving any rulings. If there is any doubt about what I should do, I will refer the matter to the Presiding Officer for his consideration. I appeal to those Members who can postpone their points of order, to please do so. I have notice of some points of order, I will take them all, but let us be as expeditious as possible.
Ni fydd y pwyntiau o drefn yn cymryd hanner awr. Atgoffaf y Cynulliad fod gennym ddwy ddadl plaid leiafrifol heddiw a rhaid inni orffen erbyn 5.30 p.m.. Rhaid inni felly ddechrau’r ddadl plaid leiafrifol gyntaf ymhen tua thair munud er mwyn cwblhau busnes yn briodol. Rhaid inni hefyd ystyried newidiadau i Reolau Sefydlog cyn hynny. Hefyd, nid y Llywydd wyf i, ond y Dirprwy Lywydd. Felly byddaf yn ochelgar rhag rhoi unrhyw ddyfarniadau. Os bydd unrhyw amheuaeth ynglŷn â’r hyn y dylwn ei wneud, cyfeiriaf y mater i’r Llywydd ei ystyried. Erfyniaf ar yr Aelodau hynny a all ohirio eu pwyntiau o drefn i wneud hynny, os gwelwch yn dda. Derbyniais rybudd o rai pwyntiau o drefn, cymeraf bob un ohonynt, ond gadewch inni fod mor gyflym â phosibl.
Point of order. I raise this under Standing Order No. 13.5, which states that the Business Committee ‘shall meet in private’. A few years ago, when I was new to this organisation, I inadvertently discussed a Business Committee matter with other people, and there was no end of a row from the Minister for Assembly Business. I find it disturbing that he has now taken to mentioning that Committee’s private discussions whenever he feels it politically expedient to do so.
Pwynt o drefn. Codaf hyn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 13.5, sy’n datgan y bydd y Pwyllgor Busnes yn ‘cwrdd yn breifat’. Ychydig flynyddoedd yn ôl, pan oeddwn yn newydd i’r sefydliad hwn, bûm yn esgeulus a thrafod un o faterion y Pwyllgor Busnes gyda phobl eraill, a chefais ddigon o gerydd gan y Trefnydd. Teimlaf yn annifyr ynglŷn â’r ffaith ei fod bellach yn crybwyll trafodaethau preifat y Pwyllgor hwnnw pryd bynnag y teimla ei fod yn wleidyddol gyfleus i wneud hynny.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 44
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44
The Minister for Assembly Business will have heard what you have said. It is not a point of order for me.
Bydd y Trefnydd wedi clywed yr hyn a ddywedwyd gennych. Nid yw’n bwynt o drefn i mi.
Point of order. I would like to correct the Minister for Assembly Business. He claimed that only two parties were prepared to sign up to a motion on the international situation, but that is incorrect as three parties signed up—Plaid Cymru, Labour and the Liberal Democrats. It was the Tories who did not sign up to that motion. That is why we did not have the debate, and I would like Andrew to withdraw that comment.
Pwynt o drefn. Hoffwn gywiro’r Trefnydd. Honnodd mai dim ond dwy blaid a oedd yn barod i ymrwymo i gynnig ar y sefyllfa ryngwladol, ond mae hynny’n anghywir oherwydd bod tair plaid wedi ymrwymo—Plaid Cymru, y blaid Lafur a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Y Torïaid oedd y rhai na ymrwymodd i’r cynnig hwnnw. Dyna pam na chawsom y ddadl, a hoffwn pe bai Andrew yn tynnu’r sylw hwnnw yn ôl.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 45
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45
Again, the Minister for Business will have heard what you have said.
Unwaith eto, bydd y Trefnydd wedi clywed yr hyn a ddywedwyd gennych.
Point of order. I raise this under Standing Order No. 6.9. During points of order last Thursday I raised the issue of why the Minister for Rural Affairs has allowed cattle to be buried in the tip in Anglesey against Government policy. The Minister admitted that that was true, but in his reply made serious allegations about the farmer concerned—most worryingly that the farmer had lied about the age of the cattle buried at the site. Without foundation, he also questioned why the farmer had taken four and a half years to register the birth of those cattle. The Minister should have known that cattle passports for heifers were not available in 1995—
Pwynt o drefn. Codaf y pwynt hwn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.9. Yn ystod pwyntiau o drefn ddydd Iau diwethaf codais y mater ynglŷn â pham y caniataodd y Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig i wartheg gael eu claddu yn y domen yn Ynys Môn yn erbyn polisi’r Llywodraeth. Cyfaddefodd y Gweinidog fod hynny’n wir, ond yn ei ateb gwnaeth honiadau difrifol am y ffermwr dan sylw—yn fwyaf pryderus, ynglŷn â’r ffaith bod y ffermwr wedi dweud celwydd am oed y gwartheg a gladdwyd ar y safle. Yn ddisail, amheuodd hefyd pam y cymerodd y ffermwr bedair blynedd a hanner i gofrestru genedigaeth y gwartheg hynny. Dylai’r Gweinidog fod yn ymwybodol nad oedd pasportau gwartheg ar gyfer heffrod ar gael ym 1995—
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 45
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45
What is the point of order? I have nothing to do with cattle passports.
Beth yw’r pwynt o drefn? Nid yw pasportau gwartheg yn ymwneud â mi.
I am coming to it now. The cattle were certified by the birth certificates. Will you clarify whether, during points of order, a Minister is still accountable for what he says, and whether we, as Assembly Members, are able to question the substance of that Minister’s remarks?
Dof at hynny yn awr. Ardystiwyd y gwartheg gan y tystysgrifau geni. A wnewch chi egluro pa un a yw Gweinidog, yn ystod pwyntiau o drefn, yn atebol o hyd am yr hyn a ddywed, a pha un a allwn ni, fel Aelodau’r Cynulliad, gwestiynu sylwedd sylwadau’r Gweinidog hwnnw?
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 45
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45
You are able to question, scrutinise and hold the Executive to account. Our procedures are designed to enable you to do that. Ministers are entirely responsible for what they say. If—and I do not know whether this is what you are alleging—a Minister inadvertently misleads the National Assembly, I am sure that that Minister would want to immediately set the record straight on the floor of the Assembly, and I have not received any such request from any Minister.
Gallwch gwestiynu, craffu a gwneud y Weithrediaeth yn atebol. Cynllunnir ein gweithdrefnau i’ch galluogi i wneud hynny. Mae’r Gweinidogion yn gyfrifol yn gyfan gwbl am yr hyn a ddywedant. Os bydd Gweinidog—ac ni wn ai hyn yr ydych yn ei honni—yn ddiofal yn camarwain y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, yr wyf yn siŵr y byddai’r Gweinidog am gywiro’r gwall ar unwaith ar lawr y Cynulliad, ac ni dderbyniais unrhyw gais o’r fath gan unrhyw Weinidog.
Pwynt o drefn. Codaf hyn o dan Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.12, sy’n datgan,
Point of order. I raise this under Standing Order No. 6.12, which states,
‘bydd busnes mewn cyfarfodydd llawn yn mynd yn ei flaen ar sail y cynigion a wneir’.
‘business in plenary meetings shall proceed on the basis of motions proposed’.
Cyfeiriaf at benderfyniad a wnaed mewn dadl ar Cyd-Bwyllgor Addysg Cymru, ar 16 Hydref, sef y byddai’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes yn adrodd ar y camau a gymerwyd i ddiogelu dyfodol y corff hollbwysig hwn. Hyd yn hyn, nid yw’r Cynulliad wedi clywed dim oddi wrth y Gweinidog i’r perwyl hwn. Hoffwn eich arweiniad ynghylch yr hyn y dylid ei wneud i fynnu anrhydeddu argymhelliad o’r fath.
I refer to a decision made in a debate on the Welsh Joint Education Committee, on 16 October, namely that the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning would report on the steps taken to safeguard the future of this essential body. The Assembly has heard nothing to this end from the Minister as yet. I would like your guidance on what should be done to insist that such recommendations are honoured.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 46
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46
I can only help by quoting a paragraph from ‘Putting Wales First: A Partnership for the People of Wales’ which states,
Ni allaf helpu ond drwy ddyfynnu paragraff o ‘Rhoi Cymru yn Gyntaf: Partneriaeth i Bobl Cymru’, sy’n datgan,
‘We recognise that majority votes in plenary sessions are binding on cabinet members, and will require them, within the reasonable discharge of their statutory duties, to come back within a specified time with a timetable for implementation.’
‘Rydym yn cydnabod bod pleidleisiau mwyafrif mewn cyfarfodydd llawn yn rhwymo aelodau’r cabinet, a bydd yn ofynnol iddynt, yng nghyd-destun cyflawni eu dyletswyddau statudol yn rhesymol, ddod yn ôl o fewn cyfnod penodedig gydag amserlen weithredu.’
I am sure that, further to this point of order, you will be able to use your ingenuity to ensure that, should this timetable not be adhered to, Ministers will be scrutinised as to why.
Yr wyf yn siŵr, ymhellach i’r pwynt hwn o drefn, y gallwch ddefnyddio eich dyfeisgarwch i sicrhau y caiff Gweinidogion, pe na lynir at yr amserlen hon, eu craffu ynglŷn â’r rheswm dros hynny.
Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn, yr oeddwn yn cyfeirio at 16 Hydref y llynedd, nid eleni.
Further to that point of order, I was referring to 16 October last year, not this year.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 46
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46
You must use your ingenuity to ensure that Ministers are scrutinised on these matters.
Rhaid ichi ddefnyddio eich dyfeisgarwch i sicrhau y caiff Gweinidogion eu craffu ynghylch y materion hyn.
Point of order. I raise this under Standing Order No. 6.5. Further to the issue of the health structures debate, it seems obvious that Westminster will debate health structures before this devolved Assembly. Will you rule on that?
Pwynt o drefn. Codaf hyn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.5. Ymhellach i fater dadl y strwythurau iechyd, ymddengys yn amlwg y bydd San Steffan yn trafod strwythurau iechyd cyn y Cynulliad datganoledig hwn. A wnewch chi ddyfarnu ar hynny?
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 46
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46
That is not a point of order for me. Our procedures are independent of those followed at Westminster.
Nid pwynt o drefn i mi yw hynny. Mae ein gweithdrefnau ni yn annibynnol ar y rheini a ddilynir yn San Steffan.
Further to that point of order. The Plaid and Tory health spokespersons show a lamentable lack of knowledge and understanding of Westminster’s legislative process. The Government’s health Bills are enabling Bills which will enable us to implement our proposals.
Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn. Dengys llefarwyr iechyd Plaid Cymru a’r Ceidwadwyr ddiffyg gwybodaeth a dealltwriaeth affwysol o broses ddeddfwriaethol San Steffan. Mesurau hwyluso yw Mesurau iechyd y Llywodraeth a fydd yn ein galluogi i weithredu ein cynigion.
I raise a separate but related point of order, relating to the suspension of Standing Orders, under Standing Orders Nos. 34.4 and 34.5. Last Thursday, the Minister for Assembly Business undertook to consider the possibility of holding a debate on NHS structural reforms this Thursday, and to inform us if there was to be one. He subsequently briefed the press that it was not possible because of Standing Orders. That is for the same day that we are being asked to suspend Standing Orders to allow the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning to go to Brussels and answer oral questions on a different date. We could easily have suspended Standing Orders to allow a full debate on this crucial issue, which will now be debated in Westminster before it will be debated here. Looking at the forward work programme, the earliest date on which a debate could be held on this would be in the last week before Christmas. No doubt that would suit Andrew Davies well.
Codaf bwynt ar wahân o drefn ond un sy’n gysylltiedig, yn ymwneud â gohirio Rheolau Sefydlog, o dan Reolau Sefydlog Rhifau 34.4 a 34.5. Ddydd Iau diwethaf, ymrwymodd y Trefnydd i ystyried y posibilrwydd o gynnal dadl ar ddiwygiadau strwythurol yr NHS ddydd Iau, ac i’n hysbysu pe cynhelid dadl. Yn dilyn hynny, hysbysodd y wasg na fyddai’n bosibl oherwydd y Rheolau Sefydlog. Mae hynny ar gyfer yr un diwrnod ag y gofynnir inni ohirio Rheolau Sefydlog er mwyn caniatáu i’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol oes fynd i Frwsel ac ateb cwestiynau llafar ar ddyddiad gwahanol. Gellid bod wedi gohirio’r Rheolau Sefydlog yn hawdd er mwyn caniatáu dadl lawn ar y mater hanfodol bwysig hwn, a fydd yn awr yn cael ei ddadlau yn San Steffan cyn iddo gael ei ddadlau yma. Gan edrych ar y flaenraglen gynllunio, y dyddiad cynharaf y gellid cynnal dadl ar y mater hwn fyddai yn yr wythnos olaf cyn y Nadolig. Nid oes amheuaeth y byddai hynny’n addas iawn i Andrew Davies.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 47
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 47
The Minister for Assembly Business will have heard your comments.
Bydd y Trefnydd wedi clywed eich sylwadau.
Pwynt o drefn. Rhoddais rybudd y byddwn yn codi hyn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.7, yn ymwneud â chyhoeddi dogfennau. Cysylltais â’r fewnrwyd, yn llawn brwdfrydedd, fore Gwener diwethaf, i edrych ar agenda’r wythnos hon, dim ond i ddarganfod bod Plaid Cymru heddiw am gynnal dadl yn gwrthwynebu adeilad newydd y Cynulliad a bod y Torïaid am gynnal dadl yn cefnogi iawndal i lowyr. Yr oedd y cyntaf yn syndod braidd i mi, ond yr oedd yr ail yn gwbl anghredadwy. [Chwerthin.] Fodd bynnag, mae pwynt difrifol ynglŷn â’r iaith Gymraeg fel iaith fusnes yn y Cynulliad: mae problemau wedi codi ynghylch dogfennau’n cael eu cyhoeddi’n hwyr yn yr iaith Gymraeg. Er mwyn y rhai ohonom sy’n ceisio cynnal ein busnes yn y Cynulliad drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, a allech drafod â’r Llywydd fodd i sicrhau y gallwn ddibynnu ar y wybodaeth yn y dogfennau hyn, a’u bod yn cyrraedd mewn pryd, fel y cawn hawliau cyfartal â’r bobl sy’n defnyddio dogfennau Saesneg yn y Cynulliad?
Point of order. I gave notice that I would raise this under Standing Order No. 6.7, concerning the issuing of documents. I logged on to the intranet last Friday morning, full of enthusiasm, to look at this week’s agenda, only to discover that Plaid Cymru today intends to hold a debate opposing the new Assembly building and that the Tories intend to hold a debate in support of compensation for miners. The first was somewhat of a surprise to me, but the second was utterly unbelievable. [Laughter.] However, there is a serious point about the Welsh language as a language of business in the Assembly: problems have arisen concerning the late publication of Welsh-language documents. On behalf of those of us who try to carry out our business in the Assembly through the medium of Welsh, could you discuss with the Presiding Officer a means of ensuring that we can depend on the information in these documents and that they arrive on time, and that we have equal rights with those who use English-language documents in the Assembly?
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 48
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 48
I can respond to this point: I entirely agree that people should be able to use English or Welsh in the National Assembly, as they wish. However, we must recognise that there are those of us who can speak Welsh and those who cannot, and occasionally the service is not as good as you or I would wish. We discuss this in the House Committee. We aim to ensure that documents are available simultaneously in English and Welsh. We occasionally fall short of that ideal. Please contact the Presiding Office whenever you feel that we fall short of the ideal; we will always try to remedy the situation.
Gallaf ymateb i’r pwynt hwn: cytunaf yn llwyr y dylai pobl fod yn gallu defnyddio’r Gymraeg neu’r Saesneg yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, fel y mynnont. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni gydnabod bod rhai ohonom yn gallu siarad Cymraeg a rhai na all wneud, ac weithiau nid yw’r gwasanaeth cystal ag y byddech chi neu minnau yn ei ddymuno. Trafodwn hyn ym Mhwyllgor y Tŷ. Ein nod yw sicrhau bod dogfennau ar gael ar yr un pryd yn Gymraeg ac yn y Saesneg. O bryd i’w gilydd nid ydym yn llwyddo i gyflawni’r delfryd hwnnw. A fyddech cystal â chysylltu â Swyddfa’r Llywydd pryd bynnag y credwch nad ydym yn cyflawni’r delfryd; ceisiwn adfer y sefyllfa bob tro.
Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw, credaf fod sail gan y rhai ohonom sy’n ddibynnol—ac sy’n dewis bod yn ddibynnol—ar ddogfennau Cymraeg gwyno nad yw’r ddarpariaeth ar ein cyfer yn gyfartal â’r hyn ar gyfer y rhai sy’n dibynnu ar ddogfennau Saesneg. Gellid dadlau y gwelir yr iaith Gymraeg yn y Cynulliad yn iaith i’w chyfieithu iddi, yn hytrach nag yn iaith i’w defnyddio fel iaith fusnes naturiol y sefydliad. Dyma fy mhwynt a byddwn yn falch pe bai’r Llywydd a chi’n ei drafod a cheisio darganfod ffyrdd o sicrhau bod gan yr iaith Gymraeg statws cyfartal fel iaith fusnes yn y Cynulliad.
Further to that point, I believe the those of us who are dependent—and who choose to be dependent—on Welsh-language documents have a basis to complain that the provision made for us is not equal to that for those who depend on English-language documents. It could be argued that in the Assembly the Welsh language is seen as a language to translate into, rather than one to be used as the natural language of business in the institution. That is my point and I would be grateful if you and the Presiding Officer would discuss it and try to find ways of ensuring that the Welsh language has an equal status as a language of business in the Assembly.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 48
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 48
I am conscious that we are eating into the time allocated for minority party debates. As I said, our aim is to attempt to realise the ideal where English and Welsh are interchangeable and it is not a case of one language being translated into another. We will not achieve perfection, simply because 80 per cent of us do not speak Welsh and 20 per cent do. However, that is our aim and we will always try to achieve it.
Yr wyf yn ymwybodol ein bod yn mynd â’r amser a neilltuwyd ar gyfer dadleuon pleidiau lleiafrifol. Fel y dywedais, ein nod yw ceisio gwireddu’r delfryd lle y mae’r Gymraeg a’r Saesneg yn gyfnewidiadwy ac nid yn fater o gyfieithu un iaith i’r llall. Ni chawn berffeithrwydd, yn syml am nad yw 80 y cant ohonom yn siarad Cymraeg ac mai 20 y cant sydd yn ei siarad. Fodd bynnag, dyna ein nod a cheisiwn ei gyflawni ar bob adeg.
Atal Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.3A
Suspension of Standing Order No. 6.3A
Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business spoken in English p. 49
Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
Further to my comments last week on this matter, the Welsh Conservatives will oppose the suspension of Standing Order No. 6.3A. The reasons are simple: while we support the principle in the Standing Orders that Ministers should be present to answer questions, we accept that they may occasionally be absent from the Chamber. However, on such occasions, there is clear provision under Standing Order No. 6.3A for other Cabinet Ministers to answer questions on behalf of the absent Minister. The Minister for Assembly Business owes the Chamber an explanation. Will he explain why he will not use that provision? Why can another Cabinet Minister not answer questions on behalf of the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning? I presume that at least one of them will be present on 29 November. Surely somebody on the front bench can answer questions for the absent Minister.
Ymhellach i’m sylwadau yr wythnos diwethaf ar y mater hwn, bydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru yn gwrthwynebu atal Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.3A. Mae’r rhesymau yn syml: er ein bod yn cefnogi’r egwyddor yn y Rheolau Sefydlog y dylai Gweinidogion fod yn bresennol i ateb cwestiynau, derbyniwn y gallent, o bryd i’w gilydd, fod yn absennol o’r Siambr. Fodd bynnag, ar adegau o’r fath, ceir darpariaeth glir o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.3A i Aelodau eraill o’r Cabinet ateb cwestiynau ar ran y Gweinidog sy’n absennol. Mae’r Siambr yn haeddu eglurhad gan y Trefnydd. A wnaiff egluro pam na fydd yn defnyddio’r ddarpariaeth honno? Pam na all Gweinidog arall o’r Cabinet ateb cwestiynau ar ran y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes? Tybiaf y bydd o leiaf un ohonynt yn bresennol ar 29 Tachwedd. Mae’n siŵr y gall rhywun ar y fainc flaen ateb cwestiynau ar ran y Gweinidog absennol.
We feel that this is an abuse of procedure, given that there are clear guidelines under Standing Order No. 6 for dealing with such an eventuality. I also feel that it shows contempt for the Assembly.
Credwn fod hyn yn achos o gam-drin y weithdrefn o ystyried bod canllawiau clir o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6 ar gyfer delio â digwyddiad posibl o’r fath. Teimlaf hefyd ei fod yn dirmygu’r Cynulliad.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 49
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49
It is in order for the Minister to propose the motion. If you disagree with it, you may vote against it.
Mae mewn trefn i’r Gweinidog gynnig y cynnig. Os anghytunwch ag ef, gallwch bleidleisio yn ei erbyn.
The motion does not intend to show contempt for the Assembly. Jonathan has only recently taken William Graham’s place on the Business Committee, so he is not aware of its previous discussions. I reported on this fully to the Business Committee this morning. The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning is away on 29 November as she is heading the UK ministerial delegation to the European youth council. Jocelyn Davies was generous enough to say that Plaid Cymru had already supported this move, so that is why the Minister will not be present.
Ni fwriedir i’r cynnig ddirmygu’r Cynulliad. Dim ond yn ddiweddar y cymerodd Jonathan le William Graham ar y Pwyllgor Busnes, felly nid yw’n ymwybodol o’i drafodaethau blaenorol. Cyflwynais adroddiad llawn ar hyn i’r Pwyllgor Busnes y bore yma. Mae’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes i ffwrdd ar 29 Tachwedd am ei bod yn arwain dirprwyaeth weinidogol y DU i gyngor ieuenctid Ewrop. Yr oedd Jocelyn Davies yn ddigon hael i ddweud bod Plaid Cymru eisoes wedi cefnogi’r symudiad hwn, felly dyna’r rheswm pam na fydd y Gweinidog yn bresennol.
Normally, I would substitute for Ministers absent during oral questions, as I have done previously for the First Minister, Jenny Randerson and Jane Hutt. Unfortunately, however, I will not be present in the Chamber on that day either. [CONSERVATIVE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Oh.’] I made this point in the Business Committee and it was accepted, albeit with reservations. It is far better for Ministers to answer questions in person, than to substitute someone who is unable to fully answer Members’ questions, as I know from experience. I stressed to the Business Committee that this is an exceptional circumstance, which is why I asked for its support. I will seek to ensure that it does not happen again. I apologise for not providing a full explanation previously, but I had understood that the message would be conveyed through the usual channels.
Fel arfer, byddwn yn cymryd lle Gweinidogion sy’n absennol yn ystod cwestiynau llafar, fel y gwneuthum o’r blaen ar gyfer y Prif Weinidog, Jenny Randerson a Jane Hutt. Yn anffodus, fodd bynnag, ni fyddaf yn bresennol yn y Siambr ar y diwrnod hwnnw ychwaith. [AELODAU CEIDWADOL Y CYNULLIAD: ‘O.’] Gwneuthum y pwynt hwn yn y Pwyllgor Busnes ac fe’i derbyniwyd, er gydag amheuaeth. Mae’n llawer gwell i’r Gweinidog ateb cwestiynau yn bersonol, yn hytrach na bod rhywun yn cymryd eu lle sy’n methu ag ateb cwestiynau’r Aelodau yn llawn, fel y gwn o brofiad. Pwysleisiais i’r Pwyllgor Busnes fod hyn yn sefyllfa arbennig, a dyna’r rheswm imi ofyn am ei gefnogaeth. Ceisiaf sicrhau na fydd yn digwydd eto. Ymddiheuraf am beidio â darparu esboniad llawn yn flaenorol, ond deallais y byddai’r neges yn cael ei throsglwyddo drwy’r sianeli arferol.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 50
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50
I remind Members that this motion requires a two-thirds majority in favour to be carried.
Atgoffaf yr Aelodau fod angen mwyafrif o ddwy ran o dair o blaid er mwyn cymeradwyo’r cynnig hwn.
Cynnig NDM834 Andrew Davies t. 50
Motion NDM834 Andrew Davies p. 50
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 40 YmatalAbstain 1 Yn erbynAgainst 9
Derbyniwyd y cynnig.
Motion carried.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (40)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Christine Chapman
- Cynog Dafis
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Geraint Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Carwyn Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- David Lloyd
- Peter Law
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (1)
- Alison Halford
Yn erbynAgainst (9)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- William Graham
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rod Richards
- Peter Rogers
Diwygio Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 6.2
Revision of Standing Order No. 6.2
Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business spoken in English p. 51
Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business (continued) spoken in English p. 52
Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52
(NDM831)
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 52
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52
I now call for a vote on the motion, which requires a two-thirds majority in favour to be carried.
Gofynnaf yn awr am bleidlais ar y cynnig, sydd angen mwyafrif o ddwy ran o dair o blaid er mwyn ei dderbyn.
Cynnig NDM831 Andrew Davies t. 52
Motion NDM831 Andrew Davies p. 52
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 51 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0
Derbyniwyd y cynnig.
Motion carried.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (51)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Eleanor Burnham
- Alun Cairns
- Christine Chapman
- Cynog Dafis
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- David Davies
- Geraint Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- William Graham
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Alison Halford
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Peter Law
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Tom Middlehurst
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Rod Richards
- Peter Rogers
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Phil Williams
Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Plaid Cymru)
Minority Party Debate (Plaid Cymru)
Iawndal i Gyn-Lowyr
Compensation for Former Miners
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 53
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53
I have selected amendment 1 in the name of Andrew Davies and amendment 2 in the name of William Graham.
Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliant 1 yn enw Andrew Davies a gwelliant 2 yn enw William Graham.
Cynigiaf fod
I propose that
Geraint Davies (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 53
Geraint Davies (continued) spoken in Welsh and English p. 53
Dylai’r Cynulliad fod yn ddiolchgar i’r pleidiau lleiafrifol am gyflwyno cynigion o’r fath gan mai dyma’r unig ffordd i gael dadl yn y Cynulliad ar hyn o bryd. Bydd Plaid Cymru’n pleidleisio’n erbyn y ddau welliant. Mae gwelliant 1 yn gamarweiniol ac yn groes i ysbryd y cynnig. Gwrthodwn welliant 2 gan y byddai’n anaddas i’r blaid a oedd wedi ymladd yn erbyn achos y glowyr am dros naw mlynedd ddod o hyd i gydwybod yn sydyn a cheisio rhoi’r bai ar bobl eraill.
in Welsh The Assembly should be grateful to the minority parties for tabling such motions because this is the only way to have a debate in the Assembly at present. Plaid Cymru will not support the amendments. Amendment 1 is misleading and is contrary to the spirit of the motion. We will reject amendment 2 as it would be inappropriate for the party that fought against the miners’ claims for over nine years to suddenly find a conscience and try to put the blame on others.
Since the historic victory of 1998, according to the latest Department of Trade and Industry figures, the number of compensation claims made in Wales by ex-miners suffering from work-related emphysema and chronic bronchitis is 32,781. Out of those, 1,723 claims were settled by payments. Out of those, fast-track payments account for 1,158. That leaves the number of fully compensated claims at 565. Five-hundred and sixty-five out of 32,781—that is the terrible reality facing Welsh miners, the widows and families today and the shameful reality that is facing the Government.
yn Saesneg Ers buddugoliaeth hanesyddol 1998, yn ôl ystadegau diweddaraf yr Adran Masnach a Diwydiant, gwnaeth 32,781 o gyn-lowyr sy’n dioddef o emffysema a broncitis cronig o ganlyniad i’w gwaith gais am iawndal yng Nghymru. O’r rheini, cafodd 1,723 o geisiadau eu setlo drwy roi taliadau. O’r rheini, yr oedd 1,158 yn daliadau dull carlam. Golyga hynny mai 565 yw nifer y ceisiadau sydd wedi cael iawndal llawn. Pum cant chwe deg a phump o 32,781—dyna’r realiti ofnadwy sy’n wynebu glowyr Cymru, y gweddwon a’r teuluoedd heddiw a’r realiti cywilyddus sy’n wynebu’r Llywodraeth.
We hear that £100 million is being paid out to miners, but almost half of that—£48 million—has been paid to miners suffering from a different condition, namely vibration white finger. This money is not part of the compensation settlement arising from the 1998 High Court judgment. That is pure spin. It is also worth noting that the remaining money—just over £51 million—includes all interim payments and all statutory bereavement awards. Again, that payment does not arise from the 1998 judgment. The only statistic to bear in mind is the one that I have already quoted, namely, that in the last four years out of over 32,000 claims, only 565 have been fully compensated.
yn Saesneg Clywn y caiff £100 miliwn ei dalu i lowyr, ond talwyd bron hanner o’r swm hwnnw—£48 miliwn—i lowyr sy’n dioddef o glefyd gwahanol, sef vibration white finger. Nid yw’r arian hwn yn rhan o’r setliad iawndal sy’n deillio o ddyfarniad yr Uchel Lys yn 1998. Mae hynny’n sbin llwyr. Mae’n werth nodi hefyd fod yr arian sy’n weddill—ychydig dros £51 miliwn—yn cynnwys pob taliad interim a phob dyfarniad statudol yn dilyn profedigaeth. Eto, nid yn sgîl dyfarniad 1998 y telir yr arian hwnnw. Yr unig ystadegyn i’w gofio yw’r un yr wyf newydd ei ddyfynnu, sef mai dim ond 565 o 32,000 o geisiadau sydd wedi cael iawndal llawn yn ystod y pedair blynedd diwethaf.
Why is it taking so long to pay that money out? We have had a series of statements from Government Ministers that would lead one to think that all was well. In 1998, the Energy Minister, John Battle said:
yn Saesneg Pam ei fod yn cymryd cymaint o amser i dalu’r arian hwnnw? Cawsom gyfres o ddatganiadau gan Weinidogion y Llywodraeth a fyddai’n gwneud ichi feddwl bod popeth yn mynd yn dda. Yn 1998, dywedodd y Gweinidog dros Ynni, John Battle:
‘We are serious about sorting this out, and quickly.’
In October 1999, Stephen Byers claimed that ‘enormous strides’ had been taken. In February 2000, Helen Liddell said that she wanted:
yn Saesneg Ym mis Hydref 1999, honnodd Stephen Byers fod ‘enormous strides’ wedi’u cymryd. Ym mis Chwefror 2002, dywedodd Helen Liddell ei bod am gael:
‘every hold-up, every unnecessary delay removed.’
By January 2001, Peter Hain felt obliged to ensure that miners ‘get compensation as soon as possible’. The latest in a long line of Ministers, Brian Wilson, now heralds yet another ‘important breakthrough’. Where is the evidence of all these breakthroughs? It is not felt in our communities, where miners are dying before they get a penny of what they deserve. It is not being felt in the most economically deprived areas that should be benefiting from the compensation money that belongs to the miners and their families and that should not be stuck in the DTI or the Treasury.
yn Saesneg Erbyn Ionawr 2001, teimlodd Peter Hain fod yn rhaid iddo sicrhau y byddai glowyr yn cael ‘compensation as soon as possible’. Mae’r Gweinidog diweddaraf un, Brian Wilson, bellach yn cyhoeddi ‘important breakthrough’ arall. Ble mae’r dystiolaeth o’r holl drobwyntiau hyn? Nis gwelir yn ein cymunedau, lle mae glowyr yn marw cyn iddynt gael ceiniog o’r hyn y maent yn ei haeddu. Nis gwelir yn yr ardaloedd sy’n fwyaf difreintiedig yn economaidd a ddylai fod yn elwa o’r iawndal y mae hawl gan y glowyr a’u teuluoedd iddo ac na ddylai gael ei gadw gan yr Adran Masnach a Diwydiant na’r Trysorlys.
The facts in this case speak for themselves. It is a fact that miners have been conned into accepting fast-track payments, leaving them with considerably less money than they are entitled to. It is a fact that miners who have had a full medical assessment should receive a settlement within weeks. It is also a fact that 11,598 fully assessed miners in Wales have not yet received a penny.
yn Saesneg Mae ffeithiau’r achos hwn yn amlwg. Mae’n ffaith bod y glowyr wedi’u twyllo i dderbyn taliadau dull carlam, sy’n golygu eu bod wedi cael llawer llai o arian na’r hyn y mae hawl ganddynt iddo. Mae’n ffaith y dylai glowyr sydd wedi cael asesiad meddygol llawn gael setliad o fewn wythnosau. Mae’n ffaith hefyd nad yw’r 11,598 o lowyr Cymru sydd wedi’u hasesu’n llawn wedi cael ceiniog eto.
I do not agree with a great deal of what you have said. Will you clarify who is conning the miners? That is an extremely serious accusation. I would be grateful if you would spell out who is conning the miners.
Ni chytunaf â llawer o’r hyn a ddywedasoch. A wnewch esbonio pwy sy’n twyllo’r glowyr? Mae hwnnw’n gyhuddiad difrifol dros ben. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallech egluro’n fanwl pwy sy’n twyllo’r glowyr.
I am sure that you would agree that it is unsatisfactory for a miner in a desperate situation to have to wait for such a long time to receive compensation because of Government incompetence. Even then, he does not get the money to which he is entitled. That is unacceptable.
Yr wyf yn siŵr y byddech yn cytuno nad yw’n foddhaol bod glöwr mewn sefyllfa enbyd yn gorfod aros mor hir i gael iawndal oherwydd anallu’r Llywodraeth. Hyd yn oed wedyn, ni chaiff yr arian y mae hawl ganddo iddo. Mae hynny’n annerbyniol.
It is a fact that the Government did not employ extra staff to deal with assessment claims until January 2001. It is also a fact that an office capable of dealing with such claims was only set up in Wales a few weeks ago. Around 11,500 outstanding cases will be dumped on that office. It will also be expected to deal with the 300 new claims received in Wales every week. While we welcome the establishment of a claims monitoring group and its associated benefits, the obvious question is why was it not set up before? The Government refused to negotiate with the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers for three long years. Why was this time lost? Let us not forget the clawback, and the fact that New Labour made this iniquitous system retrospective in August 1997, thereby ensuring that Welsh miners were no longer exempt—a good way of making money and using sick miners to do so. Plaid Cymru would like to know how much this clawback system is costing. What are the staffing and administrative costs? How much money will be reclaimed from the pockets of the miners? We need some straight answers.
Mae’n ffaith na chyflogodd y Llywodraeth staff ychwanegol i ddelio â’r ceisiadau asesu tan Ionawr 2001. Mae’n ffaith hefyd mai dim ond ychydig wythnosau yn ôl y sefydlwyd swyddfa sy’n gallu delio â cheisiadau o’r fath yng Nghymru. Caiff tua 11,500 o geisiadau nad ymdriniwyd â hwy eto eu rhoi i’r swyddfa honno. Disgwylir i’r swyddfa honno ddelio â’r 300 o geisiadau newydd a geir yng Nghymru bob wythnos hefyd. Er ein bod yn croesawu’r ffaith bod grŵp monitro ceisiadau wedi’i sefydlu ynghyd â’r buddiannau cysylltiedig, y cwestiwn amlwg yw pam nad yw wedi’i sefydlu eisoes? Gwrthododd y Llywodraeth negodi â Chymdeithas Genedlaethol Goruchwylwyr, Dirprwyon a Thanwyr Pyllau Glo (NACODS) am dair blynedd. Pam y collwyd yr amser hwn? Ni ddylem anghofio’r system adfachu, a’r ffaith i Llafur Newydd ôl-weithredu’r system anghyfiawn hon yn Awst 1997, gan sicrhau nad oedd glowyr Cymru bellach wedi’u heithrio—sef ffordd dda o wneud arian gan ddefnyddio glowyr sy’n sâl. Hoffai Plaid Cymru wybod faint mae’r system adfachu hon yn ei chostio. Beth yw’r costau staffio a gweinyddu? Faint o arian a gaiff ei adennill o’r glowyr? Mae angen atebion gonest arnom.
This Labour Government stands condemned of inactivity, negligence and obstruction. As Hugh James Solicitors, which is acting on behalf of many miners, stated recently:
Condemnir y Llywodraeth Lafur hon am beidio â gweithredu, am fod yn esgeulus ac am rwystro’r broses. Fel y dywedodd Cyfreithwyr Hugh James, sy’n gweithredu ar ran llawer o’r glowyr, yn ddiweddar:
‘They should stop congratulating themselves, shut up and roll up their sleeves and get the job done. That is the only thing that will win them the approval and gratitude of the mining communities’.
The answer is simple: prioritise the issue. A frontbench Minister needs to take charge. We have had enough of incompetent junior Ministers. We urgently want more funding and more staff to deal with assessments and claims. I do not want to stand here in a few months’ time debating this issue again. I want the Assembly to take action. We can either side with Westminster or fight to ensure justice for our miners. That should be given top priority.
Mae’r ateb yn syml: blaenoriaethu’r mater. Mae angen i Weinidog y fainc flaen gymryd yr awenau. Yr ydym wedi syrffedu ar y Gweinidogion iau anfedrus. Mae angen dybryd am fwy o arian a mwy o staff i ddelio â’r asesiadau a’r ceisiadau. Nid wyf am sefyll yma ymhen ychydig fisoedd yn trafod y mater hwn eto. Yr wyf am i’r Cynulliad weithredu. Gallwn naill ai wneud yr un peth â San Steffan neu frwydro i sicrhau cyfiawnder i’n glowyr. Dylid sicrhau bod hynny’n un o’n prif flaenoriaethau.
Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business spoken in English p. 56
Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 56
I propose amendment 1. Delete all wording after ‘the National Assembly’ and replace with:
Cynigiaf welliant 1. Dileu pob gair sy’n dilyn ‘Cynulliad Cenedlaethol’ a rhoi’r canlynol yn eu lle:
I propose amendment 2. Delete the semicolon after ‘1998’ and insert:
Cynigiaf welliant 2. Dileu’r hanner colon ar ôl ‘1998’ ac ychwanegu:
William Graham (continued) spoken in English p. 56
William Graham (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 56
Last February when we debated this issue, Members from all parties called on their experiences and described in graphic detail and with great emotion, the suffering that many ex-miners living in our communities endure daily. We know and accept that all Governments are advised and guided by scientific experts. We also understand only too well, through our experiences with the foot and mouth disease crisis, that the advice given by scientific experts is often open to question and disagreement. However, it is on the advice of these scientific advisers that Governments base their policies and act according to law.
Pan gynhaliwyd dadl ar y mater hwn fis Chwefror diwethaf, siaradodd Aelodau o bob plaid am eu profiadau gan ddisgrifio’n fanwl iawn a llawn teimlad yr hyn y mae llawer o gyn-lowyr sy’n byw yn ein cymunedau yn ei ddioddef yn feunyddiol. Yr ydym yn gwybod ac yn derbyn bod pob Llywodraeth yn dilyn cyngor a chanllawiau arbenigwyr gwyddonol. Deallwn hefyd ond yn rhy dda, drwy ein profiadau o ran argyfwng clwy’r traed a’r genau, fod y cyngor a roddir gan arbenigwyr gwyddonol yn aml yn ddadleuol ac na chytunir arno. Fodd bynnag, ar gyngor y cynghorwyr gwyddonol hyn y mae Llywodraethau yn seilio eu polisïau ac yn gweithredu yn ôl y gyfraith.
The industrial injuries advisory committee has advised successive Governments on diseases that appear to be attributable to a particular occupation. In 1973, the industrial injuries advisory committee concluded that coal dust did not cause disabling chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In 1988, the committee reached exactly the same conclusion. That was a committee of scientific experts. Even if they were wrong, that was their advice at the time. In 1992, it produced a further report recommending prescription of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. We all agree that once a person is diagnosed as suffering from a prescribed disease, they should be allowed—subject to specified conditions—to claim a benefit from the state.
Mae pwyllgor ymgynghorol anafiadau diwydiannol wedi cynghori Llywodraethau dilynol ar glefydau yr ymddengys y gellir eu priodoli i swydd benodol. Yn 1973, daeth pwyllgor ymgynghorol anafiadau diwydiannol i’r casgliad nad oedd llwch glo yn achosi broncitis cronig ac emffysema sy’n anablu. Yn 1988, daeth y pwyllgor i’r un casgliad hefyd. Pwyllgor o arbenigwyr gwyddonol ydoedd. Hyd yn oed os nad oeddent yn gywir, dyna oedd eu cyngor ar y pryd. Yn 1992, cynhyrchodd adroddiad pellach gan argymell y dylid pennu broncitis cronig ac emffysema yn glefyd diwydiannol. Mae pob un ohonom yn cytuno y dylid caniatáu i bawb y canfuwyd eu bod yn dioddef o glefyd a bennwyd—yn unol ag amodau penodol—wneud cais am fudd-dal gan y wladwriaeth.
In 1992, the Conservative Government accepted this advice, and in 1993 introduced a no-fault compensation scheme with no blame attached to British Coal and with no reduction in compensation for smokers. The Government’s no-fault scheme helped stimulate an initial influx of over 45,000 claims and, we should all note, an agreement with the plaintiffs’ representatives that there should be a High Court test case to examine the issues in detail. Accordingly, eight lead cases were selected, which embraced a variety of lung injuries and working histories to establish whether coal dust and/or nitrous fumes caused the injuries. Subsequently, this agreed High Court test case was concluded. Mr Justice Turner ruled that there was a causative link between exposure to coal mining dust and a contribution to some respiratory conditions.
Yn 1992, derbyniodd y Llywodraeth Geidwadol y cyngor hwn, ac yn 1993, cyflwynodd gynllun iawndal di-fai lle na rhoddwyd y bai ar Lo Prydain a lle na ostyngwyd yr iawndal i ysmygwyr. Yn sgîl cynllun di-fai y Llywodraeth, gwnaethpwyd dros 45,000 o geisiadau cychwynnol a chafwyd cytundeb â chynrychiolydd yr achwynyddion, y dylai pob un ohonom ei nodi, y dylid cynnal achos prawf yn yr Uchel Lys i archwilio’r materion yn fanwl. Yn unol â hynny, detholwyd wyth achos arweiniol, a gwmpasodd amrywiaeth o anafiadau i’r ysgyfaint a hanesion gwaith i benderfynu a achoswyd yr anafiadau gan lwch glo a/neu fwg nitraidd. Wedyn, daeth yr achos prawf hwn yn yr Uchel Lys i ben. Dyfarnodd Meistr Ustus Turner fod cyswllt achosol rhwng bod mewn cysylltiad â llwch glo a rhai anhwylderau anadlu a’i fod yn cyfrannu atynt.
This is the largest personal injury claim in British legal history. However, since that ruling there has been a typical New Labour approach to this matter—all spin and no substance. The Government has used several excuses for the delays and lack of progress, citing the volume of claims, the lack of medical staff to examine claimants, and the complexity of the agreed claims procedure. The reality is that insufficient resources have been allocated to effectively progress this problem. Sadly, there is no evidence that the extra medical staff who were brought out of retirement or specifically trained to undertake the required examinations are having an impact on the number of claims that still need to be progressed. All we have is a lack of commitment and a lack of understanding of the urgency to complete these claims. This has been compounded by the persistent changes made by the United Kingdom Government to the ministerial responsibility for this matter.
Dyma’r cais mwyaf am iawndal anafiadau personol yn hanes cyfreithiol Prydain. Fodd bynnag, ers y dyfarniad hwnnw, mae Llafur Newydd wedi mabwysiadu ymagwedd nodweddiadol tuag at y mater hwn—sbin a dim sylwedd. Mae’r Llywodraeth wedi defnyddio nifer o esgusodion am yr oedi a’r diffyg cynnydd, gan ddyfynnu nifer y ceisiadau, diffyg staff meddygol i archwilio ceiswyr, a chymhlethdod y weithdrefn y cytunwyd arni ar gyfer gwneud cais. Y gwir amdani yw na ddyrannwyd digon o adnoddau i fynd i’r afael â’r broblem hon yn effeithiol. Yn anffodus, nid oes tystiolaeth bod y staff meddygol ychwanegol sydd wedi dychwelyd i’r gwaith ar ôl ymddeol neu a gafodd hyfforddiant arbennig i gynnal yr archwiliadau angenrheidiol yn effeithio ar nifer y ceisiadau y mae angen ymdrin â hwy o hyd. Y cyfan sydd gennym yw diffyg ymrwymiad a diffyg dealltwriaeth bod yn rhaid cwblhau’r ceisiadau hyn ar fyrder. Gwaethygu y mae’r sefyllfa oherwydd y newidiadau parhaus a wneir gan Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig o ran cyfrifoldeb gweinidogol am y mater hwn.
Will you join me in condemning the last Conservative Government for blocking these claims in the appeals court time after time? The Labour Government stopped those appeals and enabled those claims to start their process.
A ymunwch â mi i gondemnio’r Llywodraeth Geidwadol ddiwethaf am rwystro’r ceisiadau hyn yn y llys apêl dro ar ôl tro? Rhoddodd y Llywodraeth Lafur derfyn ar yr apeliadau hynny gan alluogi i’r broses o ddelio â’r ceisiadau ddechrau.
With the greatest respect, if you had listened to the earlier parts of my speech, you would have understood exactly why that was the case. The scientific case was not proved until 1992. That is the reality.
Gyda phob parch, petaech wedi gwrando ar rannau cynharach fy araith, byddech wedi deall yn union pam y digwyddodd hynny. Ni phrofwyd yr achos gwyddonol tan 1992. Dyna’r gwirionedd.
Regarding the allocation of funding for projects in Wales by the coalfields regeneration fund, there appears to be a significantly lower number of projects and amounts of money awarded in grants. This issue requires explanation, and we would support an investigation at the relevant level into this apparent anomaly. Today, we need to be reassured that the Welsh monitoring group is fully appraised of this matter, and that it has set in hand adequate procedures that will govern the timescale for completing these claims. A monitoring group must make viable and necessary reports to the Assembly so that this matter is always in open consideration. I pay tribute to the South Wales Argus’s campaign that kept this matter on the public agenda, and continually updated everyone concerned on an extremely important issue.
O ran dyrannu arian i brosiectau yng Nghymru o’r gronfa adfywio meysydd glo, ymddengys fod nifer sylweddol llai o brosiectau a llawer llai o arian yn cael eu rhoi mewn grantiau. Mae angen esbonio’r mater hwn, a byddem yn cefnogi ymchwiliad ar y lefel briodol i’r anghysondeb amlwg hwn. Heddiw, mae angen sicrwydd bod y grŵp monitro yng Nghymru yn llwyr ymwybodol o’r mater hwn, a’i fod wedi sefydlu gweithdrefnau digonol a fydd yn rheoli amserlen cwblhau’r ceisiadau hyn. Rhaid i grŵp monitro wneud adroddiadau ymarferol ac angenrheidiol i’r Cynulliad fel y caiff y mater hwn ei ystyried yn agored bob amser. Talaf deyrnged i ymgyrch y South Wales Argus a sicrhaodd fod y mater hwn yn parhau i fod ar agenda y cyhoedd, ac a roddodd yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf drwy’r amser i bawb a oedd yn ymwneud â’r mater hynod bwysig hwn.
The last time that we debated the miners’ compensation scheme was on 15 February, which was also at Plaid Cymru’s request. As I said then, many other Members also represent mining communities and share in the frustration felt by miners and their widows. Plaid Cymru should not posture that it has the monopoly of interest or compassion. I assure it that it does not. The point remains the same, but it is worth asking what has changed.
Y ddadl ddiwethaf a gawsom ar y cynllun iawndal i lowyr oedd ar 15 Chwefror, ar gais Plaid Cymru unwaith eto. Fel y dywedais y pryd hynny, mae llawer o Aelodau eraill yn cynrychioli cymunedau glofaol hefyd ac yn rhannu’r rhwystredigaeth a deimla glowyr a gweddwon glowyr. Ni ddylai Aelodau Plaid Cymru ymhonni mai dim ond hwy sydd â diddordeb yn y mater neu sy’n tosturio wrth y glowyr. Rhoddaf sicrwydd i Blaid Cymru nad yw hynny’n wir. Nid yw’r pwynt wedi newid, ond mae’n werth gofyn beth sydd wedi newid.
Andrew Davies stated in February that a total of £27.5 million had been paid out in Wales. As of 17 September, this has risen to £46.6 million. While the figure has not quite doubled, I think that we can agree that this is a huge rise in seven months. In the UK as a whole, the Government is currently paying out more than £1 million a day in compensation for respiratory diseases and white finger. The claims have not been processed in an instant, as if by magic. However, we must recognise that this is Britain’s biggest ever industrial injuries case. At the end of September, 164,527 claims had been made for respiratory disease in the UK—34,497 of these in Wales. Each of these claims needs to be processed individually. We are making progress, and the rate of progress is speeding up every day as we tackle the many different aspects of this complex issue.
Nododd Andrew Davies ym mis Chwefror fod £27.5 miliwn wedi’i dalu yng Nghymru. Erbyn 17 Medi, codwyd y swm hwn i £46.6 miliwn. Er nad yw’r ffigur wedi dyblu, credaf y gallwn gytuno bod hyn yn gynnydd anferth mewn saith mis. Yn y DU gyfan, mae’r Llywodraeth ar hyn o bryd yn talu dros £1 filiwn bob dydd mewn iawndal oherwydd clefydau anadlu a vibration white finger. Ni phroseswyd y ceisiadau ar unwaith, mewn chwinciad. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni gydnabod mai hwn yw’r achos anafiadau diwydiannol mwyaf erioed ym Mhrydain. Erbyn diwedd Medi, derbyniwyd 164,527 o geisiadau yn ymwneud â chlefydau anadlu yn y DU a 34,497 ohonyny yng Nghymru. Mae angen prosesu pob un o’r ceisiadau hyn ar wahân. Gwnawn gynnydd, ac mae cyfradd y cynnydd yn cyflymu bob dydd wrth inni fynd i’r afael â’r agweddau gwahanol lu ar y mater cymhleth hwn.
Evidence suggests that the oldest and sickest miners have been seen first, and that miners with a slightly lower priority are now being seen. This is due to Helen Liddell’s commitment to fast track the claims of the most needy. The number of full medical examinations has risen from 450 per month in June to 650 or 700 per month now. Again, that demonstrates Labour’s consistent efforts to make as many doctors available as possible. I think that the public at large now realises that Plaid Cymru’s claims about the clawback of benefits were a red herring. In the small number of cases where clawback has been applied, the sums recovered have been minimal. I made clear last time, were these sums not recovered, miners would, in effect, be compensated twice for the same injury. That would contravene civil law as it currently stands.
Awgryma’r dystiolaeth i’r glowyr hynaf a mwyaf sâl gael eu gweld yn gyntaf, a bod y glowyr sydd â blaenoriaeth ychydig yn is bellach yn cael eu gweld. Digwydd hyn oherwydd ymrwymiad Helen Liddell i sicrhau ein bod yn ymdrin yn gyntaf â cheisiadau y bobl â’r angen mwyaf. Mae nifer yr archwiliadau meddygol llawn wedi codi o 450 y mis ym Mehefin i 650 neu 700 y mis erbyn hyn. Eto, dengys hynny ymdrech barhaus y Blaid Lafur i sicrhau bod cymaint o feddygon â phosibl ar gael. Credaf fod y cyhoedd bellach yn sylweddoli bod Plaid Cymru yn codi ysgyfarnog wrth wneud ei honiadau am adfachu budd-daliadau. Yn y nifer fach o achosion lle y defnyddiwyd y broses adfachu, bach iawn fu’r symiau a adenillwyd. Eglurais y tro diwethaf y byddai glowyr yn cael iawndal ddwywaith am yr un anaf, megis, pe nad adenillid y symiau hyn. Byddai hynny’n groes i’r gyfraith sifil fel y mae ar hyn o bryd.
We must remember that it was the UK Labour Government that accepted liability for the former miners’ claims. The Conservatives repeatedly failed to do so for some seven years. We heard their reasoning for that. As for William Graham’s amendment 2, it is easy to avoid a change in ministerial responsibility when you do not have any ministerial responsibility yourself. The time taken to process claims is directly related to the previous Conservative Government’s failure to accept liability. It took seven years: seven more years of paperwork to sift through to ascertain the important date of the disease’s onset; seven more years of medical evidence to plough through; and seven more years of benefit claims to study. All this serves to illustrate that while we have been working hard to find a practical solution to an extremely complex issue, the opposition parties have stuck to what they do best.
Rhaid inni gofio mai Llywodraeth Lafur y DU a dderbyniodd fod y Llywodraeth yn atebol am geisiadau y cyn-lowyr. Ni wnaeth y Ceidwadwyr hynny dro ar ôl tro am ryw saith mlynedd. Clywsom eu rhesymau dros hynny. Ynglŷn â gwelliant 2 William Graham, mae’n hawdd osgoi newid cyfrifoldeb gweinidogol pan nad oes gennych unrhyw gyfrifoldeb o’r fath. Mae’r amser a gymerir i brosesu’r ceisiadau yn gysylltiedig yn uniongyrchol â’r ffaith na dderbyniodd y Llywodraeth Geidwadol flaenorol fod y Llywodraeth yn atebol. Cymerodd saith mlynedd: saith mlynedd arall o waith papur i’w ddadansoddi er mwyn canfod dyddiad pwysig cychwyn y clefyd; saith mlynedd arall o dystiolaeth feddygol i’w dadansoddi; a saith mlynedd arall o geisiadau am fudd-daliadau i’w hastudio. Dengys hyn oll fod y gwrthbleidiau, tra ein bod ni’n gweithio’n galed i ddod o hyd i ateb ymarferol i fater cymhleth dros ben, wedi parhau i wneud yr hyn a wnânt orau.
You tell us that this is an extremely complex issue and that that is why it has taken you so long, yet you condemn the previous Government for the fact that it took about seven years to go to court. Is that not the normal length of time for such cases to go through a test cycle case? Is it not also time that you stopped concentrating on the previous Government and tried to sort out the problems that your own Government has caused?
Yr ydych yn dweud wrthym fod hwn yn fater cymhleth dros ben ac mai dyna’r rheswm pam y cymerodd cymaint o amser, ond eto yr ydych yn condemnio’r Llywodraeth flaenorol am y ffaith iddi gymryd tua saith mlynedd i’r achos fynd gerbron y llys. Onid hynny yw’r cyfnod arferol a gymer i achosion o’r fath fynd drwy achos cylch prawf? Onid yw’n bryd ichi beidio â chanolbwyntio ar y Llywodraeth flaenorol a cheisio datrys y problemau a grëwyd gan eich Llywodraeth eich hun?
I thought that I was explaining clearly why it was taking so long. I stand by what I said about the seven years during which the Conservatives failed to acknowledge the issue.
Credwn fy mod yn esbonio’n glir pam yr oedd y broses yn cymryd mor hir. Glynaf wrth yr hyn a ddywedais am y saith mlynedd pan na chydnabuwyd y mater gan y Ceidwadwyr.
In closing, the opposition parties have stuck to what they do best, which is spreading fear and mischief in the hope that it will obscure the achievements made for some extremely sick people.
I gloi, mae’r gwrthbleidiau wedi parhau i wneud yr hyn a wnânt orau, sef codi ofn a helynt gan obeithio y bydd yn cuddio’r hyn a gyflawnwyd ar gyfer pobl sy’n sâl iawn.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 61
Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh and English p. 61
Ymatebaf yn syth i’r hyn y mae Karen newydd ei ddweud a’i sicrhau nad ydym yn hawlio monopoli ar y pwnc pwysig hwn. Mawr obeithiwn fod llawer o bobl mewn pleidiau eraill yn rhannu ein pryder am arafwch y broses. Hoffem weld y broses hon yn gweithio’n effeithiol fel bod glowyr yn derbyn yr iawndal y maent yn ei haeddu. Mae’n siom enfawr i weld mai dim ond un Gweinidog sydd yn y Siambr ar hyn o bryd, a dim ond wyth Aelod o’r Blaid Lafur. Nid yw hynny’n arwydd o ymrwymiad mawr i’r pwnc hwn ac mae hynny’n siom fawr.
in Welsh I will respond immediately to Karen’s comments and assure her that we do not claim a monopoly on this important subject. We greatly hope that many people in other parties share our concern about the slugishness of the process. We would like to see this process working effectively so that the miners receive the compensation that is rightfully theirs. It is a great disappointment to see that there is only one Minister currently in the Chamber, and only eight Labour Party Members. That does not suggest a great commitment to this subject and that is a great disappointment.
Mae’n rhyfedd clywed William Graham yn ymosod ar y Blaid Lafur am arafwch. Am naw mlynedd bu’r Blaid Geidwadol yn defnyddio’r llysoedd i geisio atal glowyr rhag cael eu hiawndal. Gadewch inni fod yn gwbl glir ynglŷn â’r hyn a drafodwn: iawndal, yr hyn y mae’n iawn i’w dalu, yr hyn y mae gan bobl hawl iddo.
in Welsh It is strange to hear William Graham attacking the Labour Party for tardiness. For nine years, the Conservative Party used the courts to prevent miners from obtaining their compensation. Let us be absolutely clear about what we are discussing: compensation, payments that should be made, payments to which people have a just claim.
Cofiaf, yn 1997, ganfasio yn Nyffryn Aman a chael fy nghyfarch ar stepen drws gan wraig weddol oedrannus yn fy ngwahodd i mewn i weld ei gŵr. Ni allai ef ddod allan i gwrdd â mi. Gwelais y gŵr yn ei gadair a silindr ocsigen wrth ei ymyl ac yntau yn ymladd am ei anadl. Cofiaf ei eiriau: rhaid inni gael Llywodraeth Lafur er mwyn inni dderbyn ein hiawndal. Beth mae’r glöwr hwnnw, a chyn lowyr eraill yng Nghymru, wedi ei weld dros y pedair blynedd ddiwethaf? Bu pum Gweinidog gwahanol yn ceisio delio â’r mater hwn. Mae pob un ohonynt, yn ei dro, yn dweud: mae rhaid i chi roi ychydig o fisoedd imi i fynd i’r afael â’r sefyllfa hon. Byddai hynny’n record gwael ar gyfer clwb pêl droed, heb sôn am Weinidogion mewn Llywodraeth sy’n ymwneud â phwnc a ddylai fod yn flaenoriaeth.
in Welsh I remember canvassing in the Amman Valley in 1997 and being greeted on a doorstep by a fairly elderly woman who invited me in to meet her husband. He could not come out to meet me. I saw the husband in his chair with an oxygen cylinder at his side, fighting for breath. I remember his words: we must have a Labour Government to ensure that we receive our compensation. What has he, and his fellow ex-miners in Wales, seen over the past four years? Five different Ministers have tried to deal with this matter. Each one of them, in turn, has said: you must give us a few months to get to grips with this situation. That would be a terrible record for a football club, let alone for Ministers in Government dealing with a subject that should be a priority.
Jocelyn looks bemused. What I meant to say was, it would have been a poor record for a football club in terms of managers, let alone for a Government appointing Ministers. This matter should be a priority.
yn Saesneg Mae Jocelyn yn edrych fel petai wedi’i drysu. Yr hyn yr oeddwn yn golygu ei ddweud oedd y byddai hynny’n record wael ar gyfer clwb pêl droed o ran ei reolwyr, heb sôn am Lywodraeth sy’n penodi Gweinidogion. Dylai’r mater hwn fod yn flaenoriaeth.
Let us consider what some of these Ministers have told us over the years. On 21 December 1998, the energy Minister, John Battle, said:
yn Saesneg Gadewch inni ystyried yr hyn y mae rhai o’r Gweinidogion hyn wedi dweud wrthym dros y blynyddoedd. Ar 21 Rhagfyr 1998, dywedodd John Battle, y Gweinidog dros ynni:
‘Today we have taken a big step forward.’
Then, on 8 October 1999, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Stephen Byers, said:
yn Saesneg Wedyn, ar 8 Hydref 1999, dywedodd Stephen Byers, yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Fasnach a Diwydiant:
‘Over the last few weeks we have taken enormous strides.’
On 14 February 2000, Helen Liddell, Minister for Energy and Competitions in Europe said:
yn Saesneg Ar 14 Chwefror 2000, dywedodd Helen Liddell, y Gweinidog dros Ynni a Chystadlu yn Ewrop:
‘I want every hold up, every unnecessary delay removed’.
On 26 January 2001, the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe, Peter Hain said:
yn Saesneg Ar 26 Chwefror 2001, dywedodd Peter Hain, y Gweinidog dros Ynni a Chystadleugarwch yn Ewrop:
‘What I want to do is to drive it forward as soon as possible’.
On 1 November, 2001 Brian Wilson, the Minister for Industry and Energy said:
yn Saesneg Ar 1 Tachwedd 2001, dywedodd Brian Wilson, y Gweinidog dros Ddiwydiant ac Ynni:
‘We have made an important breakthrough’.
Where do we stand in Wales now? Only 4.5 per cent of claims have been settled. Karen Sinclair stated that the Labour Government has attempted to deal with that. Almost 12,000 claims have been medically assessed and are simply awaiting payment. Those settlements have not been made. What is the problem with those claims?
yn Saesneg Beth yw’r sefyllfa bellach yng Nghymru? Dim ond 4.5 y cant o’r ceisiadau a setlwyd. Nododd Karen Sinclair fod y Llywodraeth Lafur wedi ceisio mynd i’r afael â’r sefyllfa honno. Mae bron 12,000 o bobl a wnaeth gais wedi cael eu hasesu’n feddygol ac yn aros am daliadau. Ni wnaethpwyd y setliadau hynny. Beth yw’r broblem gyda’r ceisiadau hynny?
Some might say that there are more claims in Wales, which explains why so few of them have been settled so far. However, in Yorkshire there are almost 9,000 more claims than in Wales and yet 8.6 per cent of them have already been settled. Wales is doing worse than any other part of Britain. What does that say to those ex-miners who expect so much of this Labour Government? I urge colleagues in the Labour Party not to defend the indefensible and to support and prioritise this cause to ensure that this process works. The mines took away miners’ health, but not their strength of character. Margaret Thatcher and successive Tory Governments took away miners’ dignity, but not their pride. We face a situation where we might see a Labour Government taking away miners’ hope. I sincerely hope that does not happen.
yn Saesneg Efallai y byddai rhai pobl yn dweud bod mwy o geisiadau yng Nghymru, sy’n egluro pam bod cyn lleied ohonynt wedi’u setlo hyd yma. Fodd bynnag, mae bron 9,000 yn fwy o geisiadau yn Swydd Efrog nag yng Nghymru ac eto mae 8.6 y cant ohonynt eisoes wedi’u setlo. Mae’r sefyllfa yng Nghymru yn waeth nag mewn unrhyw rhan arall o Brydain. Beth a ddywed hynny wrth y cyn-lowyr hynny sydd â disgwyliadau mor uchel am y Llywodraeth Lafur hon? Anogaf Aelodau Llafur y Cynulliad i beidio â chyfiawnhau yr hyn na ellir ei gyfiawnhau ac i gefnogi ac i flaenoriaethu’r achos hwn er mwyn sicrhau bod y broses hon yn gweithio. Torrwyd iechyd y glowyr gan y pyllau glo, ond ni ddinistriwyd eu penderfyniad. Chwalwyd urddas y glowyr gan Margaret Thatcher a Llywodraethau Torïaidd dilynol, ond ni ddinistriwyd eu balchder. Yr ydym yn wynebu sefyllfa lle y mae’n bosibl y bydd Llywodraeth Lafur yn dinistrio gobaith y glowyr. Gobeithiaf yn fawr na ddigwydd hynny.
Gobeithiaf y gallaf fynd yn ôl at lowyr Dyffryn Aman a dweud wrthynt fod y Llywodraeth hon yn symud ymlaen ar fyrder, a’i bod am wireddu gobeithion y glowyr hyn a fuddsoddodd gymaint yn y mudiad Llafur.
in Welsh I hope that I can return to the miners of the Amman Valley and tell them that this Government will move ahead urgently and that it will realise the hopes of these miners who invested so much in the Labour movement.
My constituency is home to the last deep coal mine in Wales, Tower Colliery, which, as you will know, the Conservative Government tried vehemently to close in 1994. Many former miners still live in the constituency, which means that miners’ compensation is an important issue for me, and an emotive issue for the miners and their families who have roots in the Cynon Valley.
Mae pwll glo dwfn olaf Cymru, Glofa’r Tŵr yn fy etholaeth i. Fel y gwyddoch, ceisiodd y Llywodraeth Geidwadol yn galed i’w chau yn 1994. Mae llawer o gyn-lowyr yn byw yn yr etholaeth o hyd, sy’n golygu bod iawndal i lowyr yn fater pwysig i mi, ac yn fater emosiynol i’r glowyr a’u teuluoedd sydd â’u gwreiddiau yng Nghwm Cynon.
No political party has a greater affinity with south Wales miners than the Labour Party. It was the UK Labour Government who accepted liability for the former miners’ claims after the Conservatives repeatedly refused to do so. That was the biggest industrial injury case in British legal history. Those of us who represent mining communities want nothing more than to deliver justice for the south Wales miners. No matter to which political party we belong, we are all concerned about any delays with claims for compensation.
Nid oes gan unrhyw blaid wleidyddol fwy o gyswllt â glowyr de Cymru na’r Blaid Lafur. Plaid Lafur y DU a dderbyniodd atebolrwydd am geisiadau cyn-lowyr ar ôl i’r Ceidwadwyr wrthod ei wneud dro ar ôl tro. Dyna’r achos anafiadau diwydiannol mwyaf yn hanes cyfraith Prydain. Prif ddymuniad y rhai ohonom sy’n cynrychioli cymunedau glofaol yw sicrhau cyfiawnder i lowyr de Cymru. Ni waeth beth fo ein plaid wleidyddol, mae pob un ohonom yn pryderu am unrhyw oedi o ran y ceisiadau am iawndal.
I entirely reject what Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives have stated. If they were in Government, they would realise that this is a complex issue. It is the easiest thing in the world to stand on the sidelines and criticise. However, when you try to deal with such a complex issue, it is not so simple.
Gwrthodaf yn llwyr yr hyn a ddywedwyd gan Blaid Cymru a’r Ceidwadwyr. Pe baent hwy mewn Llywodraeth, byddent yn sylweddoli bod hwn yn fater cymhleth. Y peth hawsaf yn y byd yw sefyll ar y cyrion yn beirniadu. Fodd bynnag, pan geisiwch ddelio â mater mor gymhleth, nid yw mor syml.
Let us consider what has happened. At the start of this month, we received news that highlighted the good progress that has been made. As a result of a new agreement with solicitors acting for claimants, it is now hoped that 70 per cent of all claimants will receive final payments by 2002.
Ystyriwn yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd. Ar ddechrau’r mis hwn, cawsom newyddion a amlygodd y cynnydd da sydd wedi’i wneud. O ganlyniad i gytundeb newydd gyda’r cyfreithwyr sy’n gweithredu ar ran y ceiswyr, y gobaith yn awr yw y bydd 70 y cant o’r ceiswyr wedi cael taliadau terfynol erbyn 2002.
Labour accepted liability for this case and responsibility for around £4.5 billion worth of claims for more than 250,000 claimants. We cannot disregard that. That money will be paid out. The Labour Government has already paid out almost £50 million in Wales and is currently paying out more than £1 million a day. The process from start to finish has been speeded up.
Derbyniodd y Blaid Lafur atebolrwydd am yr achos hwn a chyfrifoldeb dros geisiadau gwerth tua £4.5 biliwn ar gyfer dros 250,000 o geiswyr. Ni allwn ddiystyru hynny. Caiff yr arian hwnnw ei dalu. Mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur eisoes wedi talu bron £50 miliwn yng Nghymru ac mae’n talu dros £1 filiwn bob dydd ar hyn o bryd. Mae’r broses gyfan yn gyflymach erbyn hyn.
The Labour Government is doing what it can to deliver justice for miners. This debate seeks to make political capital out of the suffering of ex-miners throughout Wales. This is a serious process. The miners and their families want practical solutions, not Plaid Cymru’s political point-scoring.
Mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur yn gwneud popeth o fewn ei gallu i sicrhau cyfiawnder i’r glowyr. Mae’r ddadl hon yn ceisio cael mantais wleidyddol o ddioddefaint cyn-lowyr ledled Cymru. Mae hon yn broses ddifrifol. Mae’r glowyr a’u teuluoedd am weld atebion ymarferol, yn hytrach na gwleidydda Plaid Cymru.
I will discuss coalfield regeneration in Wales. Thirty-one of our 50 most deprived wards are situated in the former coalfields. Encouraging regeneration in those communities is vital. Pit closures brought social and economic disadvantages, which are now being passed on to a new generation. Officially, these communities suffer from high unemployment, but there is also extensive, hidden unemployment, especially among those who have been diverted onto sickness benefit. Across the former coalfields, low wages reflect the all-too-common low-skill, manual jobs and the absence of well-paid professional occupations. Part-time work and short-term contracts are rife.
Trafodaf y gwaith o adfywio’r meysydd glo yng Nghymru. O’r 50 o’n wardiau mwyaf difreintiedig, mae 31 yn y cyn feysydd glo. Mae’n hanfodol hybu gwaith adfywio yn y cymunedau hynny. Daeth anfanteision cymdeithasol ac economaidd yn sgîl cau’r pyllau glo, anfanteision a gaiff eu trosglwyddo bellach i genhedlaeth newydd. Yn swyddogol, ceir diweithdra uchel yn y cymunedau hyn, ond ceir llawer o ddiweithdra cudd hefyd, yn enwedig ymhlith y bobl sydd bellach yn cael budd-dal salwch. Ar draws y cyn-feysydd glo, mae cyflogau isel yn adlewyrchu’r gwaith sgiliau isel â llaw sy’n llawer rhy gyffredin a’r ffaith nad oes swyddi proffesiynol â chyflog uchel. Mae gwaith rhan amser a chontractau byrdymor yn rhemp.
When the pits were still working, you did not need formal education to get work. That attitude still lingers and educational attainment in the former coalfields lags behind other areas in Wales. In Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly and Rhondda, around one third of people of working age do not have any formal qualifications. In similar English communities the figure is lower, at around one fifth. Plaid Cymru fully supports the Coalfields Communities Campaign in its call for a coalfields taskforce for Wales, following the success of the coalfields taskforce established by John Prescott for the English coalfields in 1997, which introduced proposals within 12 months. The Assembly needs to reflect on the fact that, in the first round of funding, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in England received £52 million and it has just received £45 million over three years in the second round. In comparison, Wales only received £3.5 million in the first round and will receive £1 million in the second round. Who is fighting our corner on this? Much of that money came from the workers’ pension scheme. In taking the proportion of our workers’ contribution into account, it has been calculated that the funding for Welsh coalfields regeneration should be £10 million to £11 million in the first round, not £3.5 million.
Pan oedd pyllau glo yn weithredol, nid oedd angen addysg ffurfiol i gael gwaith. Erys yr agwedd honno o hyd ac mae cyrhaeddiad addysgol yn y cyn feysydd glo yn is nag mewn ardaloedd eraill yng Nghymru. Ym Mlaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tudful, Caerffili, a’r Rhondda, nid oed gan tua thraean o’r bobl o oedran gwaith unrhyw gymwysterau ffurfiol. Mae’r ffigur yn is mewn cymunedau tebyg yn Lloegr, sef tua un person o bob pump. Mae Plaid Cymru yn cefnogi Ymgyrch Cymunedau’r Meysydd Glo yn llwyr wrth iddi alw am dasglu meysydd glo i Gymru, yn sgîl llwyddiant tasglu’r meysydd glo a sefydlwyd gan John Prescott ar gyfer meysydd glo Lloegr yn 1997, a gyflwynodd gynigion o fewn 12 mis. Mae angen i’r Cynulliad feddwl am y ffaith i Ymddiriedolaeth Adfywio’r Meysydd Glo yn Lloegr gael £52 miliwn, yn y cylch cyllido cyntaf, a’i bod newydd gael £45 miliwn dros dair blynedd yn yr ail gylch. O gymharu â hynny, dim ond £3.5 miliwn a gafodd Cymru yn y cylch cyntaf a bydd yn cael £1 filiwn yn yr ail gylch. Pwy sy’n brwydro drosom yn hyn o beth? Daeth llawer o’r arian hwnnw o gynllun pensiwn y gweithwyr. Gan ystyried y gyfran y cyfrannodd ein gweithwyr ato, cyfrifwyd y dylai Cymru fod wedi cael rhwng £10 miliwn a £11 miliwn i adfywio’r meysydd glo yn y cylch cyntaf, yn hytrach na £3.5 miliwn.
No-one can argue that the funding is not desperately needed and deserved. Our coalfield communities are losing out again to the Barnett formula. Surely, a different and fairer basis is needed to deliver justice for our former mining areas. Therefore, I ask the Minister for Health and Social Services to make urgent representations on this matter. I am sure that we can all agree on that.
Ni all neb ddadlau nad oes angen dybryd am yr arian ac nad yw’n haeddiannol. Mae ein cymunedau glofaol ar eu colled eto oherwydd fformiwla Barnett. Rhaid wrth sail wahanol a thecach i sicrhau cyfiawnder i’n cyn ardaloedd glofaol. Felly, gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol wneud sylwadau ar fyrder ar y mater hwn. Yr wyf yn siŵr y gall pob un ohonom gytuno ar hynny.
During Plaid Cymru’s last debate on this issue, I told you about a neighbour—an elderly man with a high percentage of disability as a result of working underground. He underwent the final medical examination 17 months ago and was promised a full and final offer within weeks. However, he is still waiting. His solicitor’s letters and phone calls have elicited no response, despite promises to review his file. His story is outrageous. Many others are in the same situation, despite promises that the oldest and most severely disabled are being dealt with first. For instance: Mr Morgan, 88 years old, 90 per cent disabled; Mr Harris, 80 years old, 80 per cent disabled and Glyn Morgan, 80 years old, 80 per cent disabled. I could name others. These people have no outstanding issues and have been waiting for almost two years for an offer. They are the oldest and the sickest. There is a massive failure in the administration system that calculates the damages due to them.
Yn ystod dadl ddiwethaf Plaid Cymru ar y mater hwn, soniais am un o’m cymdogion—dyn oedrannus sy’n anabl iawn o ganlyniad i weithio o dan y ddaear. Cafodd archwiliad meddygol terfynol 17 mis yn ôl ac addawyd iddo y byddai’n cael cynnig llawn terfynol ymhen wythnosau. Fodd bynnag, parhau i aros y mae. Nid atebwyd llythyron a galwadau ffôn ei gyfreithiwr, er gwaethaf y ffaith yr addawyd y byddai ei ffeil yn cael ei hadolygu. Mae’r hyn sydd wedi digwydd iddo yn warthus. Mae llawer o bobl eraill yn yr un sefyllfa, er gwaethaf yr addewid i ymdrin â’r rhai hynaf a’r rhai mwyaf anabl yn gyntaf. Er enghraifft: Mr Morgan, 88 mlwydd oed, anabl 90 y cant; Mr Harris, 80 mlwydd oed, anabl 80 y cant a Glyn Morgan, 80 mlwydd oed, anabl 80 y cant. Gallwn enwi pobl eraill. Nid oes gan y bobl hyn faterion nad ymdriniwyd â hwy ac maent yn aros ers bron dwy flynedd i gael cynnig. Y bobl hynaf a’r bobl fwyaf sâl ydynt. Mae’r system weinyddol sy’n cyfrifo’r iawndal y mae ganddynt hawl iddo wedi methu’n llwyr.
I finish by quoting from the Prime Minister’s letter to the Coalfields Communities Campaign conference in September 2001:
Gorffennaf drwy ddyfynnu llythyr Prif Weinidog y DU i gynhadledd Ymgyrch Cymunedau’r Meysydd Glo ym Medi 2001:
‘At the beginning of this Government’s second term, I wanted to send my good wishes to your important annual conference. My purpose is to reaffirm this Government’s determination to do right by ex-miners and mining communities. We have not forgotten you and we will not do so.’
How many any of us believe that that will be a reality without increased pressure from the entire Assembly?
Faint ohonom sy’n credu y bydd hynny’n digwydd heb fwy o bwysau o’r Cynulliad cyfan?
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 66
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66
There is just about time for three more speakers before I call the Minister, if we limit ourselves to three minutes.
Bydd digon o amser i dri Aelod arall siarad cyn imi alw ar y Gweinidog, os bydd pawb yn siarad am dair munud yn unig.
I am proud to be a miner’s son from the Rhondda. My father worked in Cambrian colliery, my grandfather worked in the Gorki colliery and neither of them enjoyed good health. Therefore, I have a personal interest in this afternoon’s debate.
Yr wyf yn falch o fod yn fab i löwr o’r Rhondda. Gweithiai fy nhad yng nglofa’r Cambrian, gweithiai fy nhad-cu yng nglofa’r Gorki, ac nid oedd iechyd y ddau yn dda. Felly, mae diddordeb personol gennyf yn y ddadl y prynhawn yma.
Welsh miners, in the south and north of our small nation, are among the finest men that have ever walked the earth. With their hands, they tore from the earth the coal that fuelled the industrial revolution. With their voluntary contributions, they created libraries and welfare institutes, and with their collective efforts, they built and financed a political party that has worked for a century to advance the interests of working people. That is my party—the Labour Party. They knew that more could be achieved by the unity of the British working class than by shouting insults about incomers over Offa’s Dyke.
Mae glowyr Cymru, ym mhob rhan o’n cenedl fach, ymhlith y dynion gorau erioed sydd wedi byw. Gyda’u dwylo, gwnaethant dynnu o’r ddaear y glo a hybodd y chwyldro diwydiannol. Gyda’u cyfraniadau gwirfoddol y crëwyd llyfrgelloedd a sefydliadau lles ac yn sgîl eu hymdrechion ar y cyd, cafodd plaid wleidyddol ei datblygu a’u hariannu sydd wedi gweithio ers canrif i wella buddiannau’r dosbarth gweithiol. Fy mhlaid i yw honno—y Blaid Lafur. Gwyddent y gellid cyflawni mwy drwy sicrhau undod gweithwyr Prydain na gweiddi geiriau sarhaus ar newydd-ddyfodiaid dros Glawdd Offa.
I get very angry when Plaid Cymru tries to hijack the issue for narrow political gain. We need to be clear on the facts. It was the Labour Government—
Gwylltiaf pan fo Plaid Cymru yn ceisio defnyddio’r mater er mantais wleidyddol iddi’i hun. Mae angen inni sicrhau bod y ffeithiau’n glir. Y Llywodraeth Lafur a—
Gareth Jones a gododd—
Gareth Jones rose—
I will not give way. It was the Labour Government that accepted state liability for the miners when the Tories disgracefully refused to do so. Let us drop the crocodile tears, nobody is being misled by the Tories today.
Nid ildiaf. Y Llywodraeth Lafur a dderbyniodd atebolrwydd y wladwriaeth am y glowyr pan oedd y Torïaid mor gywilyddus ag i wrthod gwneud hynny. Anghofiwch am y ffug-ddagrau, ni chaiff neb ei gamarwain gan y Torïaid heddiw.
David Davies a gododd—
David Davies rose—
Given your party’s record on the destruction of mining communities, silence might be your best course of action. The Labour Government has so far paid out nearly—
O ystyried yr hyn a wnaeth eich plaid i ddinistrio’r cymunedau glofaol, efallai taw piau hi. Mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur erbyn hyn wedi talu bron—
Will you give way?
A wnewch chi ildio?
No, I will not. The Labour Government has so far paid out nearly £50 million in Wales, with much more to come. We are working towards practical solutions, not playing political games. We all want faster progress, but no one in any Labour administration, either here or at the other end of the M4, is standing in the way of these payments.
Na wnaf. Mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur erbyn hyn wedi talu bron £50 miliwn yng Nghymru, gyda lawer mwy i ddod. Yr ydym yn ceisio sicrhau atebion ymarferol, yn hytrach na gwleidydda. Mae pob un ohonom am weld cynnydd cyflymach, ond nid oes neb yn y weinyddiaeth Lafur, yma neu ar ben arall y M4, yn rhwystro’r taliadau hyn.
Many of my points have already been made, so I will be brief. My cold will go and I will get better, however, miners will not. Miners will die before they get just compensation for recognised industrial diseases: emphysema, chronic bronchitis and occupational asthma from the ubiquitous dust.
Mae llawer o’m pwyntiau eisoes wedi’u gwneud, felly byddaf yn gryno. Bydd fy annwyd yn gwella ond ni fydd y glowyr yn gwella. Bydd glowyr yn marw cyn iddynt gael iawndal am glefydau diwydiannol cydnabyddedig: emffysema, broncitis hirfaith ac asthma galwedigaethol oherwydd y llwch a aiff bobman.
I congratulate the South Wales Argus as it continues to campaign for miners’ justice, fighting for the people of Wales. We have heard the claim that the Labour Government is paying £100 million to miners. That is a piece of spin, really, because it lumps everything together, namely compensation for all prescribed illnesses and diseases, including vibration white finger and lung disease, statutory payments for industrial accidents and diseases, and bereavement payments to widows. The Government misleads and, moreover, betrays miners and their families, who have contributed to the UK economy through their blood, sweat, tears, health and lives.
Llongyfarchaf y South Wales Argus wrth iddo barhau i ymgyrchu i sicrhau cyfiawnder i’r glowyr, gan frwydro dros bobl Cymru. Clywsom yr honiad bod y Llywodraeth Lafur yn talu £100 miliwn i’r glowyr. Sbin yw hwnnw, mewn gwirionedd, gan ei fod yn clymu popeth wrth ei gilydd, sef iawndal am bob clefyd a bennwyd, gan gynnwys vibration white finger a chlefyd yr ysgyfaint, taliadau statudol oherwydd damweiniau a chlefydau diwydiannol, a thaliadau i weddwon yn dilyn profedigaeth. Mae’r Llywodraeth yn camarwain a hefyd yn bradychu glowyr a’u teuluoedd, sydd wedi cyfrannu at economi y DU drwy eu gwaed, eu chwys, eu dagrau, eu hiechyd a’u bywydau.
Vibration white finger is a painful pins-and-needles pain in the hands and fingers, day and night, summer and winter. It makes picking up small things, fastening buttons and dressing almost impossible. It is caused by the continuous use of air-driven or hydraulic power percussion tools. [AN ASSEMBLY MEMBER: ‘That is why we are compensating them.’] That is right, because it is an industrial disease, and duly so. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 also ensures that. We have heard that 16,563 compensation claims for vibration white finger were received. The total number of claims settled was 5,289, including 1,280 claims that were denied. Therefore, only 4,009 vibration white finger claims were approved. Of the £100 million promised, only £47.7 million has been paid out.
Mae vibration white finger yn boen pinnau bach poenus yn y dwylo a’r bysedd, na pheidia ddydd na nos, na’r haf na’r gaeaf. O’r herwydd, mae bron yn amhosibl codi pethau bach, cau botymau a gwisgo. Fe’i hachosir drwy ddefnyddio offer taro a yrrir gan awyr neu bŵer hydrolig. [AELOD O’R CYNULLIAD: ‘Dyna pam ein bod yn rhoi iawndal iddynt.’] Mae hynny’n iawn ac yn briodol, gan ei fod yn glefyd diwydiannol. Mae Deddf Iechyd a Diogelwch yn y Gwaith 1974 yn sicrhau hynny hefyd. Clywsom fod 16,563 o geisiadau am iawndal oherwydd vibration white finger wedi dod i law. Cafodd cyfanswm o 5,289 o geisiadau eu setlo, gan gynnwys 1,280 o geisiadau a wrthodwyd. Felly, dim ond 4,009 o geisiadau oherwydd vibration white finger a gymeradwywyd. O’r £100 miliwn a addawyd, dim ond £47.7 miliwn sydd wedi’i dalu.
In my constituency, miners who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome have had their claims denied. That is very similar to vibration white finger. It is another spin; because of the nature of their work, they do not receive any money. Others with vibration white finger must prove their employment. As Karen said, the records are there and they need checking.
Yn fy etholaeth i, gwrthodwyd ceisiadau’r glowyr sy’n dioddef o syndrom y twnnel carpalaidd. Mae hwnnw’n debyg iawn i vibration white finger. Sbin arall ydyw; oherwydd natur eu gwaith, ni chânt unrhyw arian. Rhaid i bobl eraill â vibration white finger brofi eu cyflogaeth. Fel y dywedodd Karen, mae’r cofnodion yno ac mae angen eu gwirio.
Headline Statistics Wales’s figures on lung disease, received on 14 October 2001 from the Department of Trade and Industry, show that of 32,781 claims received, 1,723 were settled by payment, 1,158 were settled by fast-track—and we have heard of the disastrous way that that was handled, 565 claims were settled by full assessment and, in Wales, 525 claims were settled without payment. The amount of compensation paid out of the £100 million, including interim and bereavement payments, was £51.1 million.
Dengys ffigurau Penawdau Ystadegau Cymru ar glefyd yr ysgyfaint, a dderbyniwyd ar 14 Hydref 2001 gan yr Adran Masnach a Diwydiant, i 1,723 o’r 32,781 o geisiadau a ddaeth i law gael eu setlo drwy daliad, i 1,158 ohonynt gael eu setlo drwy ddefnyddio’r dull carlam—a chlywsom am y ffordd ofnadwy yr ymdriniwyd â hynny, cafodd 565 o geisiadau eu setlo drwy gynnal asesiad llawn ac, yng Nghymru, cafodd 525 o geisiadau eu setlo heb daliad. O’r £100 miliwn, talwyd iawndal o £51.1 miliwn, gan gynnwys taliadau dros dro a thaliadau yn dilyn profedigaeth.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 68
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 68
Order. I want to allow a few more speakers to contribute.
Trefn. Yr wyf am ganiatáu i ychydig o siaradwyr eraill gyfrannu.
I will talk faster.
Siaradaf yn gyflymach.
It is interesting to hear about these issues 13 years after the campaign for compensation. This money comes from the Government that is taking £550 million—almost half the surplus of the 11.9 billion British Coal staff superannuation scheme. When the Labour Government was in opposition, it decried the Tory Government, but now it is lining its vaults with money that people paid into their pension funds for their futures. Although the Prime Minister said,
Mae’n ddiddorol clywed am y materion hyn 13 mlynedd ar ôl yr ymgyrch am iawndal. Daw’r arian hwn o’r Llywodraeth sy’n mynd â £550 miliwn—bron hanner gwarged cynllun pensiwn aelodau o staff Glo Prydain gwerth 11.9 biliwn. Pan oedd y Llywodraeth Lafur yn wrthblaid, dilornodd y Llywodraeth Dorïaidd, ond mae bellach yn cronni’r arian a dalwyd gan bobl i’w cronfeydd pensiwn ar gyfer y dyfodol. Er i’r Prif Weinidog ddweud,
‘We will not let you down,’
his actions do not follow his words.
nid yw’n gweithredu yn ôl ei eiriau.
We welcome the setting up of the monitoring group, but it has taken three years for that to happen. Why take so long? Why was the Government so proud that it could not ask for help from the enemy? It thought NACODS was the enemy. It is in complete contrast to the efficiency with which the Government took the money from the pension scheme. It gets the money on the day. It does not have to wait four years as the miners do to get their compensation—if they are still alive.
Croesawn y ffaith bod grŵp monitro wedi’i sefydlu, ond cymerodd dair blynedd i hynny ddigwydd. Pam mae wedi cymryd mor hir? Pam yr oedd y Llywodraeth mor falch na allai ofyn am gymorth gan y gelyn? Credai mai NACODS oedd y gelyn. Mae’n gwrthgyferbynnu’n llwyr ag effeithlonrwydd y Llywodraeth wrth fynd â’r arian o’r cynllun pensiwn. Caiff yr arian ar y diwrnod. Nid yw’n gorfod aros pedair blynedd fel y mae’r glowyr yn gorfod aros i gael eu hiawndal—os ydynt yn dal i fyw.
Various Government Ministers have announced major breakthroughs and steps. Will we simply hear the same message repeated? It is not happening. It is damaging to everybody. Miners are dying without having quality of life and without receiving just compensation for the work that they did for their country. Families are losing their loved ones and are being insulted by the UK Government.
Mae Gweinidogion gwahanol y Llywodraeth wedi cyhoeddi trobwyntiau a chamau breision. A fyddwn yn clywed yr un neges dro ar ôl tro? Nid yw’n digwydd. Gwna niwed i bawb. Mae glowyr yn marw heb ansawdd bywyd da a heb gael iawndal teg am y gwaith a wnaethant i’w gwlad. Mae teuluoedd yn colli eu hanwyliaid a chânt eu sarhau gan Lywodraeth y DU.
I wish I shared Geraint Davies’s faith. He ended his speech by saying that the answer to this problem was simple. This issue is far from simple and the solutions to it are complex. Geraint called on the National Assembly for Wales to resolve this issue. This is not a matter for the National Assembly, but it is a matter on which we should explain a view and we are doing so today.
Hoffwn pe bai ffydd Geraint Davies gennyf. Gorffennodd ei araith drwy ddweud bod yr ateb i’r broblem hon yn syml. Mae’r mater yn bell o fod yn syml ac mae’r atebion yn gymhleth. Galwodd Geraint ar Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru i ddatrys y mater hwn. Nid yw hwn yn fater i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, ond mae’n fater lle y dylem egluro barn a gwnawn hynny heddiw.
There are miners in my constituency, as there are in other Members’ constituencies. I sympathise greatly with those miners and their families who have experienced delay in receiving compensation. We have consistently argued that payments must be processed more quickly. Too many miners have died without receiving any compensation. I still get former miners coming to my surgeries with unresolved claims. All is not right with this process. However, we must recognise that significant work has been done to try to address this problem and progress is being made. For all the rhetoric that I hear from Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives who, as it has been pointed out, resisted these claims for so long—
Mae glowyr yn fy etholaeth i, fel yn etholaethau Aelodau eraill. Cydymdeimlaf yn fawr â’r glowyr hynny a’u teuluoedd lle y bu oedi wrth roi iawndal iddynt. Yr ydym wedi dadlau’n gyson bod yn rhaid prosesu’r taliadau yn gyflymach. Mae gormod o lowyr wedi marw heb gael unrhyw iawndal. Mae cyn-lowyr â cheisiadau sydd heb eu setlo yn dod i’m cyngorfeydd o hyd. Mae diffygion yn y broses hon. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni gydnabod bod llawer o waith wedi’i wneud i geisio ymdrin â’r broblem hon ac y gwneir cynnydd. Er yr holl rethreg a glywaf gan Blaid Cymru a’r Ceidwadwyr a wrthwynebodd y ceisiadau am gymaint o amser, fel a nodwyd—
Geraint Davies a gododd—
Geraint Davies rose—
I only have three minutes, Geraint, to get through my contribution.
Dim ond tair munud sydd gennyf, Geraint, i siarad.
For all the rhetoric that I have heard, we must recognise that work has been done and progress is being made. We need to resolve this issue, but we will not make any progress by shouting the odds in this way and making political capital out of it as is being done today.
Ar ôl yr holl rethreg a glywsom, rhaid inni gydnabod bod gwaith wedi’i wneud ac y gwneir cynnydd. Mae angen inni ddatrys y mater hwn, ond ni fyddwn yn gwneud unrhyw gynnydd drwy ddweud y drefn yn y modd hwn a thrwy fanteisio’n wleidyddol ar y mater fel sy’n digwydd heddiw.
The logjam before us seems to be a result of the complexity of the respiratory disease scheme and the availability of respiratory consultants. Although the first factor is being tackled the second is much more difficult to tackle. We need to recognise that the Government is at last getting its act together, but we must continue to press for more fast-tracking and a quicker resolution of the problem.
Ymddengys fod y broses wedi’i rhwystro oherwydd cymhlethdod y cynllun clefydau anadlu ac argaeledd ymgynghorwyr anadlu. Er yr ymdrinnir â’r ffactor cyntaf, mae’r ail ffactor yn llawer mwy anodd i ymdrin ag ef. Mae angen inni gydnabod bod y Llywodraeth yn cymryd camau priodol o’r diwedd, ond rhaid inni barhau i bwyso arni i ddefnyddio’r dull carlam yn amlach ac i ddod â’r broblem i ben yn gyflymach.
I will address the issue of the coalfields regeneration fund that was in the motion and was mentioned by Jocelyn. We must be clear that Plaid Cymru and other parties are calling for the National Assembly for Wales to provide a single pot of money for which communities can bid. Having a single pot of money was one reason why Communities First was introduced and, more importantly, to achieve sustainable outcomes from the community investments that came from it.
Ymdriniaf â’r mater o gronfa adfywio’r meysydd glo a oedd yn y cynnig ac a grybwyllwyd gan Jocelyn. Rhaid inni fod yn glir bod Plaid Cymru a phleidiau eraill yn galw ar Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru i neilltuo un gronfa arian y gall cymunedau wneud cais amdani. Yr oedd neilltuo un gronfa arian yn un o’r rhesymau dros gyflwyno Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf ac, yn bwysicach, yn fodd i sicrhau canlyniadau cynaliadwy o’r buddsoddiadau cymunedol a ddeilliodd ohoni.
It is my belief—and I think the Government’s belief—that we will not achieve that sort of sustainable investment. By having more than one pot of money, we will confuse the issue. I am therefore pleased that the agreement that has been reached with the coalfields communities campaign is that the investment of the money, which it has received from Wales, will be used to complement Communities First and not to take its place or try to conflict with it. That is a reasonable way forward. I cannot support the motion, particularly in relation to the coalfields regeneration trust.
Fy marn i—a chredaf mai dyna farn y Llywodraeth—yw na fyddwn yn cyflawni buddsoddiadau cynaliadwy o’r fath. Drwy gael mwy nag un gronfa arian, byddwn yn drysu’r mater. Felly mae’n dda gennyf fod y cytundeb y daethpwyd iddo gydag ymgyrch adfywio’r meysydd glo yw y caiff yr arian, a gafodd o Gymru, ei ddefnyddio i ategu Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf yn hytrach na disodli hynny neu geisio gwrthdaro â hynny. Mae hynny’n ffordd resymol ymlaen. Ni allaf gefnogi’r cynnig, yn enwedig mewn perthynas ag ymddiriedolaeth adfywio’r meysydd glo.
Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 71
Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 71
I welcome the opportunity to respond to this debate. The payment of fair and timely compensation to the victims of these life-destroying illnesses and their families is a matter of intense concern to all Assembly Members. However, Plaid Cymru’s motion fails to grasp the realities of the issue in several important respects. I urge Members to support the administration’s amendment 1. The Plaid Cymru motion ignores the continuing progress in speeding up payments, targeting those most in need, and the Government’s commitment to resolving the difficulties. It also ignores the fact that many different measures are being used to regenerate the former coalfield communities. As Christine and Peter have said, this is a complex issue, which we are addressing together.
Croesawaf y cyfle i ymateb i’r ddadl hon. Mae talu iawndal teg ac amserol i’r bobl sy’n dioddef o’r clefydau hyn sy’n dinistrio eu bywydau ac i’w teuluoedd yn fater o bryder mawr i bob Aelod o’r Cynulliad. Fodd bynnag, nid yw cynnig Plaid Cymru yn deall y sefyllfa sydd ohoni ar sawl cyfrif. Anogaf yr Aelodau i gefnogi gwelliant 1 y weinyddiaeth. Mae cynnig Plaid Cymru yn anwybyddu’r cynnydd parhaus a wnaethpwyd i gyflymu’r broses dalu, gan dargedu’r bobl sydd â’r angen mwyaf, ac ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth i ddatrys yr anawsterau. Mae hefyd yn anwybyddu’r ffaith y cymerir llawer o fesurau gwahanol i adfywio cymunedau’r cyn feysydd glo. Fel y dywedodd Christine a Peter, mae hwn yn fater cymhleth, yr ydym yn ymdrin ag ef gyda’n gilydd.
I must inform Brian Hancock that the Welsh monitoring group, which was set up to deal with issues and problems relating to Wales, has been highly successful. It has brought together all the main stakeholders to discuss how we can eliminate major bottlenecks in the system. Some of the initiatives discussed in the group, such as rescheduling the appointments in favour of the oldest and sickest claimants, have been implemented in Wales before being extended to other parts of Great Britain. The Minister of State for Industry, Energy and the Environment in the UK Government, Brian Wilson, attended the group’s most recent meeting on 29 October and gave a commitment to ensuring that claims are processed without delay. He said that where questions could not be resolved, the balance of doubt should be in favour of the claimant. Of the 33 testing centres for respiratory diseases in the UK, nine are in Wales. In March, the former Minister of State for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe, Peter Hain, announced in agreement with the claimants’ solicitors that claimants already in the medical assessment process would be reprioritised so that the sickest and oldest miners would be assessed first. The reprioritising of appointments in south Wales took place between March and June—earlier, again, than in England. Following recent discussions with claimants’ solicitors, further improvements in prioritising claims have been agreed. This means that state claims by those other than widows will be held until widows’ claims have been completed.
Rhaid imi hysbysu Brian Hancock i grŵp monitro Cymru, a sefydlwyd i ddelio â materion a phroblemau sy’n ymwneud â Chymru, fod yn llwyddiannus iawn. Mae wedi dod â phob un o’r prif randdeiliaid ynghyd i drafod sut y gallwn ddileu’r prif rwystrau yn y system. Gweithredwyd rhai o’r mentrau a drafodwyd yn y grŵp, megis aildrefnu’r apwyntiadau er mwyn blaenoriaethu’r ceiswyr hynaf a mwyaf sâl, yng Nghymru cyn cael eu hymestyn i rannau eraill o Brydain Fawr. Bu’r Gweinidog Gwladol dros Ddiwydiant, Ynni a’r Amgylchedd yn Llywodraeth y DU, Brian Wilson, yng nghyfarfod diweddaraf y grŵp ar 29 Hydref a rhoddodd ymrwymiad i sicrhau y caiff ceisiadau eu prosesu heb oedi. Dywedodd y dylid cefnogi’r person a oedd wedi gwneud y cais, lle na ellid ateb rhai cwestiynau. Mae naw o’r 33 o ganolfannau sy’n cynnal profion ar gyfer clefydau anadlu yn y DU yng Nghymru. Ym Mawrth, cyhoeddodd y cyn Weinidog Gwladol dros Ynni a Chystadleugarwch yn Ewrop, Peter Hain, ar ôl cytuno â chyfreithwyr y ceiswyr, y câi’r bobl hynny y mae eu ceisiadau eisoes wedi cyrraedd y broses asesu meddygol, eu blaenoriaethu o’r newydd er mwyn sicrhau y câi’r glowyr mwyaf sâl a’r glowyr hynaf eu hasesu’n gyntaf. Gwnaethpwyd y gwaith o ailflaenoriaethu apwyntiadau yn y De rhwng Mawrth a Mehefin—yn gynharach nag yn Lloegr, unwaith eto. Yn dilyn trafodaethau diweddar â chyfreithwyr y ceiswyr, cytunwyd ar welliannau pellach o ran blaenoriaethu ceisiadau. Golyga hyn yr ymdrinnir â cheisiadau i’r wladwriaeth gan bobl nad ydynt yn wragedd gweddw ar ôl cwblhau’r ceisiadau gan wragedd gweddw.
The Plaid Cymru motion attempts to establish an artificial link between miners’ compensation and the allocation to the coalfields regeneration trust. As you know, the coal mining communities in the south Wales Valleys and those in north-east Wales, which Alun described, have witnessed a dramatic change in fortune over recent decades. The Assembly recognises the need for an integrated and collaborative approach to the economic, social and environmental improvement of our communities.
Mae cynnig Plaid Cymru yn ceisio sefydlu cyswllt artiffisial rhwng iawndal y glowyr a’r arian a ddyrennir i ymddiriedolaeth adfywio’r meysydd glo. Fel y gwyddoch, bu tro ar fyd yn y cymunedau glofaol yng Nghymoedd y De ac yn y Gogledd-ddwyrain, a ddisgrifiwyd gan Alun, dros y degawdau diweddaraf. Mae’r Cynulliad yn cydnabod yr angen am ymagwedd integredig a chydweithredol tuag at y gwaith o wella ein cymunedau yn economaidd, yn gymdeithasol ac yn amgylcheddol.
The coalfields regeneration trust was formed in 1998 as a result of recommendations made by the coalfields taskforce, which was set up by John Prescott. The initiative applied to England and was extended to Wales and Scotland six months later. In January 1999, the former Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Michael, announced £3.4 million in funding for the coalfields regeneration trust for 1999-2002.
Sefydlwyd ymddiriedolaeth adfywio’r meysydd glo yn 1998 yn sgîl argymhellion a wnaethpwyd gan dasglu’r meysydd glo, a sefydlwyd gan John Prescott. Yr oedd y fenter yn berthnasol i Loegr ac fe’i hymestynnwyd i Gymru a’r Alban chwe mis yn ddiweddarach. Yn Ionawr 1999, cyhoeddodd cyn-Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, Alun Michael, £3.4 miliwn ar gyfer ymddiriedolaeth adfywio’r meysydd glo ar gyfer 1999-2002.
Although the coalfields regeneration trust plays an important part, it is not the only initiative. The current local regeneration fund has a part to play, as do European structural funds. European funds have a direct impact, as 92 per cent of the wards identified by the trust are in Objective 1 areas. The funds will support and regenerate those communities. Peter is right to say that tackling social disadvantage through the Communities First programme will be geared at former coalfield areas. The Welsh Development Agency has invested hundreds of millions of pounds in reclaiming the areas scarred by industrial activity in the past.
Er bod ymddiriedolaeth adfywio’r meysydd glo yn chwarae rhan bwysig, nid yr unig fenter ydyw. Mae gan y gronfa adfywio leol bresennol ran i’w chwarae, yn ogystal â chronfeydd strwythurol Ewrop. Caiff cronfeydd Ewrop effaith uniongyrchol, gan mai ardaloedd Amcan 1 yw 92 y cant o’r wardiau a nodir gan yr ymddiriedolaeth. Bydd y cronfeydd yn cefnogi ac yn adfywio’r cymunedau hynny. Mae Peter yn gywir i ddweud y caiff y gwaith o fynd i’r afael ag anfantais gymdeithasol drwy’r rhaglen Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf ei anelu at gyn-ardaloedd meysydd glo. Mae Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru wedi buddsoddi cannoedd o filiynau o bunnoedd yn y gwaith o adennill yr ardaloedd y cafodd gweithgarwch diwydiannol effaith niweidiol arnynt yn y gorffennol.
The compensation claim is the largest personal injury action in the UK. We have been unstinting in lobbying the UK Government to achieve a just settlement for our retired miners. We have worked closely with the Department of Trade and Industry to introduce new fast-track proposals. I will put the record straight for Geraint and William. The latest position is that 33,058 Welsh compensation claims for respiratory disease have been received. Of those, 524 have been declined or withdrawn; 1,769 have been paid in full and final settlement; and 10,120 interim payments have been made. The total compensation paid so far for respiratory disease is £53.2 million. This is nearly double the amount that was reported to the Assembly during the previous debate on this subject in February.
Y cais am iawndal yw’r achos mwyaf yn y DU o ran anafiadau personol. Buom yn ddiwyd yn ein gwaith o lobio Llywodraeth y DU i gael setliad teg ar gyfer ein cyn-lowyr. Yr ydym wedi cydweithio’n agos â’r Adran Masnach a Diwydiant i gyflwyno cynigion dull carlam newydd. Rhoddaf y ffeithiau diweddaraf er gwybodaeth Geraint a William sef cafwyd 33,058 o geisiadau am iawndal oherwydd clefydau anadlu o Gymru. Cafodd 524 o’r rheini eu gwrthod neu eu tynnu’n ôl; mae 1,769 wedi eu setlo’n derfynol; a gwnaethpwyd 10,120 o daliadau interim. Cyfanswm yr iawndal a dalwyd hyd yma oherwydd clefydau anadlu yw £53.2 miliwn. Mae hwn bron dwbl y swm a nodwyd i’r Cynulliad yn ystod y ddadl flaenorol ar y mater hwn ym mis Chwefror.
In addition, 16,609 Welsh claims for compensation for vibration white finger have been received, and £48.6 million in compensation has been paid to date. It is important that we take that forward. Nearly £100 million has been paid in mining-related compensation; £1 million is paid out daily.
Yn ogystal, cafwyd 16,609 o geisiadau o Gymru am iawndal oherwydd vibration white finger, a thalwyd £48.6 miliwn o iawndal hyd yma. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn symud hynny ymlaen. Talwyd bron £100 miliwn o iawndal sy’n gysylltiedig â chloddio; telir £1 filiwn bob dydd.
The Conservatives’ amendment is a feeble attempt to undermine the good work being done and the Assembly’s concern to move this forward. It is clear that, since August—
Mae gwelliant y Ceidwadwyr yn ymgais wan i danseilio’r gwaith da a wneir a phryder y Cynulliad i weithredu ar hyn. Mae’n amlwg, ers mis Awst diwethaf—
Rhodri Glyn Thomas a David Davies a gododd—
Rhodri Glyn Thomas and David Davies rose—
To whom should I give way?
I bwy y dylwn ildio?
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 73
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 73
It is up to you, but remember that you only have a short time left to speak.
Gallwch ddewis, ond cofiwch nad oes llawer o amser gennych ar ôl.
I am grateful to Jane for her comments and her commitment to trying to move this forward. Does she accept that there is still a need to put pressure on the Westminster Government to move this process forward to ensure that more miners receive the payments to which they are entitled?
Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i Jane am ei sylwadau a’i hymrwymiad i geisio gweithredu ar hyn. A dderbynia fod angen o hyd i bwyso ar Lywodraeth San Steffan i symud y broses hon ymlaen er mwyn sicrhau bod mwy o lowyr yn cael y taliadau y mae ganddynt hawl iddynt?
We are continuing to work closely with the Secretary of State for Wales and Brian Wilson, both of whom have made a strong commitment to the effective working of the compensation scheme.
Parhawn i gydweithio’n agos ag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru a Brian Wilson, y gwnaeth ill dau ymrwymiad cryf i sicrhau bod y cynllun iawndal yn gweithredu’n effeithiol.
I am astounded by Jane’s previous comments. Is she suggesting that we are in some way wrong to raise this issue, which she agrees is of great importance to everyone in Wales?
Mae sylwadau blaenorol Jane yn fy synnu. A awgryma ei bod yn amhriodol ryw ffordd inni godi’r mater hwn, y mae’n cytuno ei fod o bwys mawr i bawb yng Nghymru?
I say that your Government refused to accept liability. You are now trying to undermine what could be an important debate. We are willing and able, as a result of the Labour Government’s commitment, to get this money through to miners and their communities. It is feeble to start talking about Ministers. The UK Ministers have made a commitment, and each one has visited Wales, to deliver on this scheme.
Dywedaf i’ch Llywodraeth chi wrthod derbyn atebolrwydd. Yr ydych bellach yn ceisio tanseilio’r hyn a allai fod yn ddadl bwysig. Yr ydym yn fodlon sicrhau bod yr arian hwn yn cyrraedd glowyr a’u teuluoedd ac yn gallu gwneud hynny, o ganlyniad i ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth Lafur. Mae’n druenus dechrau siarad am Weinidogion. Mae Gweinidogion y DU wedi gwneud ymrwymiad, ac mae pob un ohonynt wedi ymweld â Chymru, i gyflawni’r cynllun hwn.
It is important that we consider the whole context of how we regenerate our mining communities. We must make the money available to the miners and their families, as we are doing, by working with the UK Government. We must also ensure that we regenerate the mining communities in a way that is sustainable in the long term, so that the dreaded scourge that came upon our mining communities will never be repeated .
Mae’n bwysig inni ystyried y cyd-destun cyfan o ran y ffordd y gallwn adfywio ein cymunedau glofaol. Rhaid inni sicrhau bod yr arian ar gael i’r glowyr a’u teuluoedd, fel y gwnawn, drwy gydweithio â Llywodraeth y DU. Rhaid inni sicrhau hefyd ein bod yn adfywio’r cymunedau glofaol mewn ffordd sy’n gynaliadwy yn yr hirdymor, fel na welwn byth eto y gofid mawr a ddaeth i ran ein cymunedau glofaol.
I am amazed that Labour Assembly Members, instead of attacking the serious problem that is being debated today, used the opportunity to attack Plaid Cymru for bringing this debate forward. I was equally surprised to hear the Liberal Democrat spokesman speaking to the Labour Party’s brief.
Yr wyf yn synnu i Aelodau Llafur y Cynulliad, yn hytrach na beirniadu’r broblem ddifrifol yr ydym yn ei dadlau heddiw, ddefnyddio’r cyfle i feirniadu Plaid Cymru am gyflwyno’r ddadl hon. Yr oeddwn yn synnu hefyd wrth glywed llefarydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn cadw at frîff y Blaid Lafur.
This issue has been a long, protracted, sorry saga in Wales. This was summed up all too well when the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, had the audacity to boast in this Chamber two weeks ago that the UK Government is paying out £1 million a week to Wales to compensate miners and their families, as if that was the answer to all our concerns. Does he think that we are completely innumerate and that we do not realise that the sum total of the compensation cases arising from the historic court case fought by NACODS is likely to be over £4 billion in the UK, and approaching £1 billion in Wales? At a rate of £1 million a week, it will take 900 to 1,000 weeks to clear the backlog—that is, 18 to 20 years. Many ex-miners and their widows will have to wait that length of time for their payment—to get the justice to which they are entitled from this recalcitrant New Labour Government.
Bu’r mater hwn yn saga hirfaith a thruenus yng Nghymru. Crynhowyd hyn yn berffaith pan fu Prif Weinidog y DU, Tony Blair, mor ddigywilydd ag ymffrostio yn y Siambr hon bythefnos yn ôl bod Llywodraeth y DU yn talu £1 filiwn yr wythnos i Gymru i roi iawndal i lowyr a’u teuluoedd, fel petai hynny’n ateb ein holl bryderon. A greda ein bod yn hollol anrhifog ac nad ydym yn sylweddoli bod cyfanswm yr achosion iawndal sy’n deillio o’r achos llys hanesyddol a ymladdodd NACODS yn debygol o fod dros £4 biliwn yn y DU, a bron £1 biliwn yng Nghymru? Os rhoddir £1 filiwn yr wythnos, bydd yn cymryd rhwng 900 a 1000 o wythnosau i brosesu’r ceisiadau sydd eisoes wedi dod i law—sef, 18 i 20 o flynyddoedd. Bydd yn rhaid i lawer o gyn-lowyr a gweddwon y glowyr aros am y cyfnod hwnnw cyn cael taliad—i gael y cyfiawnder y mae hawl ganddynt iddo o’r Llywodraeth Llafur Newydd gyndyn hon.
Alun Pugh, I understand why you were emotional, but are you proud of that kind of record, when you choose to attack Plaid Cymru rather than attack the issue? I look at Christine Chapman, who also attacked Plaid Cymru. Are you proud of that? When you see miners in your surgeries on Saturday morning, will you tell them to their face that they may have to wait over 10 years to get the compensation to which they are entitled because of how the New Labour Government in London has dragged its feet on this issue? Are you proud of that?
Alun Pugh, deallaf pam yr oeddech yn emosiynol, ond a ydych yn ymfalchïo mewn record o’r fath, gan ddewis beirniadu Plaid Cymru yn hytrach na beirniadu’r mater? Edrychaf ar Christine Chapman, a feirniadodd Plaid Cymru hefyd. A ydych yn falch o hynny? Pan welwch lowyr yn eich cymorthfeydd ar fore Sadwrn, a dywedwch wrthynt yn uniongyrchol efallai y bydd yn rhaid iddynt aros dros 10 mlynedd i gael yr iawndal sy’n ddyledus iddynt oherwydd y ffordd mae’r Llywodraeth Llafur Newydd yn Llundain wedi llusgo eu traed o ran y mater hwn? A ydych yn falch o hynny?
I hope that, however embarrassed our Labour Ams may be by the Government’s intransigence, they will raise their voices loud and clear and tell Tony Blair that his Government’s performance on this issue is not good enough. I also hope that they will give NACODS and Bleddyn Hancock their full support to secure justice for this group of workers who have suffered too much for far too long.
Gobeithiaf y bydd ein AC Llafur, er cymaint y mae cyndynrwydd y Llywodraeth yn codi cywilydd arnynt, yn codi eu lleisiau yn uchel ac yn glir i ddweud wrth Tony Blair nad yw perfformiad ei Lywodraeth ar y mater hwn yn ddigon da. Gobeithiaf hefyd y byddant yn cefnogi NACODS a Bleddyn Hancock yn llwyr er mwyn sicrhau cyfiawnder i’r grŵp hwn o weithwyr sydd wedi dioddef gormod am lawer rhy hir.
Does Dafydd agree that having only 24 accredited respiratory consultants in south Wales is a problem? Most of the medical examinations are performed by retired consultants, many of whom are not even based in Wales? This is an indication of the determination that these examinations are carried out. However, if there is a bottleneck, you cannot just create accredited consultants to ease it. It is unfortunate, but it is a fact.
A gytuna Dafydd fod y ffaith mai dim ond 24 o ymgynghorwyr anadlu achrededig sydd ar gael yn y De yn broblem? Cyflawnir y rhan fwyaf o’r archwiliadau meddygol gan ymgynghorwyr sydd wedi ymddeol, nad yw llawer ohonynt hyd yn oed yn gweithio yng Nghymru? Mae hwn yn arwydd o’r penderfyniad i sicrhau y caiff yr archwiliadau hyn eu cyflawni. Fodd bynnag, pan fo oedi, nid oes modd ‘creu’ ymgynghorwyr achrededig i leddfu’r broblem. Mae’n anffodus, ond mae’n ffaith.
Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh and English p. 75
Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 75
It is highly unfortunate. I accept that more medical personnel have been recruited, but the bottleneck is now affecting those at Aon IRISC and those who handle cases. There are miners who have waited 18 months after clearance by the doctors and have still not received cash because of that bottleneck. There are almost 12,000 cases in Wales—with some claimants living and some, sadly, deceased—who have been fully assessed medically and are still waiting for their money. What can delay payment in such circumstances? I am sure that Brian would agree that that is an issue.
yn Saesneg Mae’n anffodus iawn. Derbyniaf fod mwy o bersonél meddygol wedi’u recriwtio, ond mae’r oedi bellach yn effeithio ar y bobl yn Aon IRISC a’r rheini sy’n trin achosion. Mae rhai glowyr wedi aros 18 mis ar ôl cael eu clirio gan y meddygon ond nad ydynt wedi cael arian o hyd oherwydd yr oedi hwnnw. Mae bron 12,000 o achosion yng Nghymru—y mae rhai o’r bobl hynny yn byw ac y mae rhai ohonynt wedi marw, yn anffodus—sydd wedi cael eu hasesu’n llawn yn feddygol ac sy’n parhau i aros am eu harian. Beth sy’n achosi’r oedi o ran talu mewn amgylchiadau o’r fath. Yr wyf yn siŵr y byddai Brian yn cytuno bod hynny’n broblem.
Mae’r ffeithiau sy’n deillio o’r ddadl heddiw yn glir. Mae cymaint â 33,000 i 35,000 o geisiadau am iawndal yng Nghymru. O’r rheini, dim ond rhyw 1,700 a dalwyd yn llawn, sef llai na 5 y cant o’r ceisiadau. Dyma’r cyfran isaf o bob rhanbarth ym Mhrydain. Yn Swydd Efrog mae’r cyfran yn 8.6 y cant. Pam yr ydym gymaint yn arafach yng Nghymru wrth brosesu’r taliadau? Mae cannoedd o gyn-lowyr yn disgwyl am gyfiawder ac mae’n hen bryd iddynt ei gael. Mae bron i bedair blynedd ers yr achos llys hanesyddol, ac o’r cyfnod hwnnw y maent yn dal i ddisgwyl. Yn enw pob rheswm, faint mwy o’r dynion hyn neu eu gweddwon fydd yn gorfod disgwyl o hyd?
in Welsh The facts that have come out of today’s debate are clear. There are as many as 33,000 to 35,000 claims for compensation in Wales. Of those, only some 1,700 have received their compensation in full, that is less than 5 per cent of the claimants. That is the lowest proportion of all regions in Britain. In Yorkshire the proportion is 8.6 per cent. Why are we in Wales so much slower in processing payments? Hundreds of former miners are awaiting justice and it is high time that they got it. It is almost four years since the historical court case, and they are still waiting. In the name of reason, how many more of these men or their widows will be forced to continue waiting?
Trof yn awr at grŵp arbennig o lowyr, sef y rhai a fu’n gweithio mewn pyllau glo preifat. Mae eu dioddefaint llawn cymaint â dioddefaint y rhai a weithiai yn y diwydiant gwladoledig. Mae rhai o’r cwmnïau a oedd yn eu cyflogi wedi methu ac mae rhai cyn-gyflogwyr yn anfodlon setlo. Rhaid sicrhau iawndal teilwng i’r gweithwyr hyn hefyd. Efallai y gellid defnyddio Deddf Niwmoconiosis 1979. Dyna’r Ddeddf y bu’r Llywydd a minnau’n gorfod gwasgu Llywodraeth Lafur Callaghan amdani yn y saithdegau. Efallai y gellid addasu’r Ddeddf honno—sydd eisoes wedi peri talu £80 miliwn o iawndal—i gynnwys y rhai sy’n dioddef o emffysema, broncitis hirfaith ac asthma fel y caent hwythau iawndal. Byddai hynny’n rhoi cyfle i gyn-chwarelwyr sy’n dioddef o’r un cyflyrau gael yr iawndal y mae ganddynt bob hawl i’w ddisgwyl.
in Welsh I turn now to a particular group of miners; namely those who worked in privately owned coalmines. Their suffering is just as great as the suffering of those who worked in the nationalised industry. Some of the companies that employed them have gone bankrupt and some former employers are unwilling to settle. We must ensure appropriate compensation for these workers also. The Pneumoconiosis Act of 1979 could perhaps be used. That is the Act that the Presiding Officer and myself had to squeeze out of Callaghan’s Labour Government in the seventies. The Act—which has already led to £80 million in compensation payments to be made—could perhaps be adapted to include those suffering from emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma so that they would receive compensation. That would give former quarrymen who are suffering from the same afflictions the chance to receive the compensation that they have every right to expect.
Mae problemau eraill wedi codi yn y ddadl hon. Mae angen cadarnhau y bydd pawb sydd wedi derbyn taliadau trac cyflym a thaliadau sy’n llai nag y gallent fod wedi disgwyl eu cael, yn dal â’r hawl i gael gweddill y taliad cyflawn.
in Welsh Other problems have surfaced during this debate. We must receive an assurance that everyone who has received fast-track payments and payments that are less than those they could have hoped for, retain the right to receive the remainder of the payment in full.
Tynnaf sylw at arafwch IRISC wrth ddelio â cheisiadau. Dim ond pum person sydd yn gweithio ar geisiadau—er bod 15 arall dan hyfforddiant. Fodd bynnag, pam y bu’n rhaid inni ddisgwyl tan yn awr i gael y nifer iawn? Dyna sydd wedi arwain at yr oedi y cyfeiriais ato wrth ymateb i Brian Gibbons eiliad yn ôl.
in Welsh I draw attention to the slugishness within IRISC in dealing with claims. There are only five case-workers—although 15 more are being trained. However, why have we had to wait until now to have the full complement? That is what has led to the delay that I referred to in responding to Brian Gibbons a moment ago.
Wrth gloi, gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog gydnabod nad yw Llywodraeth Tony Blair yn delio â’r mater hwn mewn modd sy’n dderbyniol i’r glowyr, y cyn-lowyr a gweddwon y glowyr yng Nghymru. A ymunwch â ni i alw ar bob un o’r Gweinidogion perthnasol yn Llundain i sicrhau bod lleisiau’r 35,000 o bobl ar y rhestri yng Nghymru yn cael eu clywed, yr arian yn cael ei dalu—o fewn chwe mis—a bod yr holl saga anffodus hwn o oedi crintachlyd yn dod i ben?
in Welsh In closing, I ask the Minister to accept that Tony Blair’s Government is not dealing with this matter in a manner that is satisfactory to the miners, the former miners and miners’ widows in Wales. Will you join with us in calling on every one of the relevant Ministers in London to ensure that the voices of the 35,000 people on the lists in Wales are heard, that the money is paid—within six months—and that this whole unfortunate saga of miserly delay comes to an end?
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 77
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77
I remind Members that amendment 2 will fall if amendment 1 is carried.
Atgoffaf yr Aelodau y bydd gwelliant 2 yn methu os derbynnir gwelliant 1.
Gwelliant 1 Andrew Davies t. 77
Amendment 1 Andrew Davies p. 77
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 29 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 21
Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment carried
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (29)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Alison Halford
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
Yn erbynAgainst (21)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- David Davies
- Geraint Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- William Graham
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rod Richards
- Peter Rogers
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Phil Williams
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 79
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79
Amendment 2 has fallen.
Mae gwelliant 2 wedi methu.
Cynnig NDM833 Geraint Davies t. 79
Motion NDM833 Geraint Davies p. 79
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 26 YmatalAbstain 13 Yn erbynAgainst 12
Derbyniwyd y cynnig.
Motion carried.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (26)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Christine Gwyther
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
YmatalAbstain (13)
- Cynog Dafis
- Geraint Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- David Lloyd
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (12)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Christine Chapman
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Brian Gibbons
- William Graham
- Alison Halford
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rod Richards
- Peter Rogers
Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Y Blaid Geidwadol)
Minority Party Debate (The Conservative Party)
Adeilad Newydd y Cynulliad
The New Assembly Building
I have spoken about the proposed new Assembly building in this, our existing debating Chamber, on several occasions. There have been two consistent strands running through all my contributions. First, I have consistently sought to prevent the project from going ahead, and secondly I have consistently claimed that Assembly Members have not been presented with the project’s true financial implications. I have also repeatedly warned that eventually the true costs of the project will come out. In fact, I contend that the project’s costs have not gone up at all, it is just that we and the public are now for the first time finding out what they are.
Yr wyf wedi siarad am adeilad newydd arfaethedig y Cynulliad yma, yn ein Siambr ddadlau bresennol, sawl tro. Bu gan bob un o’m cyfraniadau ddwy thema gyson. Yn gyntaf, yr wyf bob amser wedi ceisio atal y prosiect rhag mynd rhagddo, ac yn ail yr wyf bob amser wedi honni nad yw Aelodau’r Cynulliad wedi cael gwybod goblygiadau ariannol gwirioneddol y prosiect. Yr wyf wedi rhybuddio dro ar ôl tro y daw costau gwirioneddol y prosiect i’r amlwg yn y pen draw. Yn wir, honnaf nad cynyddu a wnaeth costau’r prosiect o gwbl. Y gwir amdani yw mai dim ond yn awr yr ydym ni a’r cyhoedd yn cael gwybod am y tro cyntaf beth yw’r costau.
No issue has caused, nor continues to cause, our National Assembly more damage than the utter shambles over the new building project. We all have our own ideas on where the blame for this shambles lies, and we may have different ideas on how to straighten it out, but I suspect that we all agree that we would like to draw a line under the indecision.
Nid yw’r un mater arall wedi achosi cymaint o niwed i’n Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, nac yn parhau i wneud, na thraed moch llwyr prosiect yr adeilad newydd. Mae gennym oll syniadau ynghylch pwy sydd ar fai am y sefyllfa hon, ac efallai fod gennym syniadau gwahanol ynghylch sut i’w hunioni, ond credaf ein bod oll yn gytûn yr hoffem weld diwedd ar y diffyg penderfyniad.
We have chosen the future of the new debating Chamber as the subject of our minority debate in an attempt to encourage clear direction. The Conservatives’ stance is clear and remains unchanged: to spend a huge sum of money on a new debating Chamber, before the National Assembly has a track record of achievement that is recognised and acknowledged by the Welsh people, is not the right thing to do.
Yr ydym wedi dewis dyfodol ein Siambr ddadlau newydd yn destun ein dadl plaid leiafrifol i geisio ysgogi cyfeiriad clir. Mae safbwynt y Ceidwadwyr yn ddiamwys ac erys yn ddigyfnewid: nid yw’n briodol gwario swm enfawr o arian ar Siambr ddadlau newydd cyn bod gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hanes o gyflawni a gydnabyddir gan bobl Cymru
We all know that our present Chamber is no more than adequate and that today the issue is less clear-cut because £8 million has already been spent on the infamous hole in the ground. However, our view remains clear: the costs are too high and the project should be cancelled and the money invested in public services. Such a decision, in our view, would transform the light in which the Assembly is regarded by the Welsh people.
Gwyddom oll mai digonol yn unig yw ein Siambr bresennol a bod y mater yn fwy amwys erbyn heddiw am fod £8 miliwn eisoes wedi ei wario ar y twll bondigrybwyll yn y ddaear. Fodd bynnag, yr ydym yn eglur ein meddyliau o hyd: mae’r costau yn rhy uchel a dylid canslo’r prosiect a buddsoddi’r arian yn y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Bydd y penderfyniad hwnnw, yn ein barn ni, yn trawsnewid delwedd y Cynulliad yng ngolwg pobl Cymru.
We are all trying, in our different ways, to make a success of the National Assembly. We are working—some of us in Government, some of us in opposition, the Liberal Democrats in both—to win the backing of the people of Wales. Scrapping this project may stir up Wales’s chattering classes, but it would also be hugely welcomed across Wales, and would do more to ensure that the Welsh public respects the Assembly than any other decision we could take.
Yr ydym oll, yn ein ffyrdd gwahanol, yn ceisio sicrhau bod y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn llwyddo. Yr ydym yn gweithio—rhai ohonom yn y Llywodraeth, rhai ohonom mewn gwrthblaid, y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn y ddwy—i ennill cefnogaeth pobl Cymru. Efallai y byddai penderfyniad i ganslo’r prosiect hwn yn cynhyrfu’r dosbarth canol dysgedig, ond byddai croeso mawr iawn iddo hefyd ledled Cymru, ac y byddai’n gwneud mwy i ennyn parch tuag at y Cynulliad ymhlith y cyhoedd yng Nghymru nag unrhyw benderfyniad arall y gallem ei wneud.
Since we tabled this motion, some Assembly Members have told me that we have debated this issue too often already. My response is that we have not debated this issue honestly at all. If we had done so, I believe that we might not have gone ahead with the project, and certainly not as one of our new Assembly’s first major expenditures.
Ers inni gyflwyno’r cynnig hwn, dywedodd rhai Aelodau’r Cynulliad wrthyf ein bod wedi trafod y mater hwn yn rhy aml eisoes. Fy ymateb i yw nad ydym wedi trafod y mater hwn yn onest o gwbl. Pe baem wedi gwneud hynny, ni chredaf y byddem wedi bwrw ymlaen â’r prosiect, ac yn sicr, nid fel un o’r prosiectau mwyaf, cyntaf i’n Cynulliad newydd wario arian arno.
Let us look back. First, we considered building a new debating Chamber, the likely cost of which was said to be approximately £10 million, plus some additional costs. I do not know how many of us believed those figures; I certainly did not. Lord Rogers was then chosen to design the building. He is an architect who works at the edge of technology—so much so that we still do not know if it is actually possible to build his design for the roof. Whether Lord Rogers has ever brought a project in on budget is a good question. Predictably, the budget rose to £22 million, plus a contingency reserve of 15 per cent. On discussing the design and the model with people who had built major projects, I became convinced that £30 million was the minimum true cost, and said so. Since then there has been a delay of three months while the First Minister assessed the position, which cost £386,000. In addition, the discount that was reasonably anticipated given the prestigious nature of the project has long since disappeared because of the row associated with it. In my view, if the project is to go ahead now, and meet the purpose that its supporters claim for it, we must contemplate a total figure probably approaching £40 million.
Gadewch inni edrych yn ôl. Yn gyntaf, ystyriwyd adeiladu Siambr ddadlau newydd, y dywedwyd y byddai’n costio tua £10 miliwn, ynghyd â rhai costau ychwanegol i’w hadeiladu fwy na thebyg. Ni wn faint ohonom a gredai’r ffigurau hynny; yn sicr ni chredais i hwy. Yna dewiswyd yr Arglwydd Rogers i gynllunio’r adeilad. Mae’n bensaer sy’n gweithio â’r datblygiadau technolegol diweddaraf—i’r fath raddau fel na wyddom o hyd a oes modd adeiladu ei gynllun ar gyfer y to. Mae’n werth gofyn a yw’r Arglwydd Rogers erioed wedi cwblhau prosiect yn unol â’r gyllideb. Yn ôl y disgwyl, cynyddodd y gyllideb i £22 miliwn, yn ogystal â chronfa wrth gefn i gostau annisgwyl o 15 y cant. Ar ôl trafod y cynllun a’r model â phobl sydd wedi adeiladu prosiectau mawr, yr oeddwn yn argyhoeddedig mai £30 miliwn oedd lleiafswm y gost mewn gwirionedd, a dywedais hynny. Ers hynny bu oedi o dri mis tra bod Prif Weinidog Cymru yn pwyso a mesur. Costiodd hynny £386,000. Yn ogystal, mae’r gostyngiad y gellid bod wedi ei ddisgwyl yn ôl pob rheswm ar gyfer y fath brosiect o fri wedi hen ddiflannu oherwydd y ffrae sydd wedi codi yn ei gylch. Yn fy marn i, er mwyn i’r prosiect fynd rhagddo yn awr, ac ateb y diben y mae ei gefnogwyr yn ei hawlio iddo, rhaid inni ystyried cyfanswm yn agos at £40 miliwn, mae’n debyg.
Conservatives are pragmatic by instinct. We recognise that this is an absolute shambles that must be sorted out. Two choices face us. The right and sensible choice from our perspective—the people’s choice—is to scrap the project today. The wrong choice, genuinely espoused by others, is to take the path to spending nearly £40 million on a project that the taxpayers will see as the Members’ own project. The decision is easy for the Conservative Party: we want to scrap the project.
Mae Ceidwadwyr yn bobl ymarferol wrth reddf. Cydnabyddwn fod y sefyllfa hon yn draed moch llwyr a rhaid ei hunioni. Wynebwn ddau ddewis. Y dewis cywir, call o’n safbwynt ni—dewis y bobl—yw canslo’r prosiect heddiw. Y dewis anghywir, y mae pobl eraill yn ei arddel yn ddiffuant, yw penderfynu gwario bron £40 miliwn ar brosiect y bydd trethdalwyr yn ei ystyried yn brosiect i’r Aelodau eu hunain. Mae’r penderfyniad yn un hawdd i’r Blaid Geidwadol: yr ydym am ganslo’r prosiect.
I acknowledge that the decision is more difficult for others, especially for Labour Assembly Members, because the First Minister has not given any leadership on this difficult issue. He gives coded signals to the media and public that he is against the project—a ‘Good old Rhodri, man of the people’ line. In the Assembly he says the minimum that he can get away with, leaving the Minister for Finance swinging in the wind and hanging out to dry.
Cydnabyddaf fod y penderfyniad yn anos i bobl eraill, yn arbennig Aelodau Llafur y Cynulliad, am nad yw Prif Weinidog Cymru wedi rhoi unrhyw arweiniad ar y mater anodd hwn. Mae’n rhoi lled-awgrymiadau i’r cyfryngau a’r cyhoedd nad yw o blaid y prosiect—’yr hen frawd, Rhodri, dyn y werin bobl’ yw ei gân. Yn y Cynulliad mae’n dweud cyn lleied â phosibl, gan adael y Gweinidog dros Gyllid yn ddiymgeledd.
We must all come to terms with this lack of leadership. Perhaps we should view our First Minister as an ambassador, representing the Assembly among the people, making best use of his encyclopaedic general knowledge of Wales and ready wit, while the rest of us confront the hard choices that must be made. Perhaps our First Minister can be our equivalent of Max Boyce, entertaining the people while the other 59 Members face up to the difficult decisions.
Rhaid inni oll ddygymod â’r diffyg arweiniad hwn. Efallai y dylem edrych ar ein Prif Weinidog fel llysgennad, yn cynrychioli’r Cynulliad ymhlith y bobl, yn manteisio ar ei wybodaeth gyffredinol hollgynhwysol am Gymru a’i ffraethineb, tra bod y gweddill ohonom yn mynd i’r afael â’r dewisiadau anodd y mae’n rhaid eu gwneud. Efallai y gall ein Prif Weinidog fod yn Max Boyce y Cynulliad, yn diddanu pobl tra bod y 59 o Aelodau eraill yn gwneud y penderfyniadau anodd.
If you do not support our motion today, you are, effectively, saying that you are willing to spend nearly £40 million on this prestigious—we say unnecessary—project. On the other hand, if you believe that we should not spend nearly £40 million on building a new Assembly debating Chamber—and I know that some Members in other parties agree with me—vote with us. Draw a line under this project and have done with it. Scrap the project and spend the money on the people of Wales instead.
Os na chefnogwch ein cynnig heddiw, yr ydych yn dweud, i bob diben, eich bod yn barod i wario bron £40 miliwn ar y prosiect hwn o fri—prosiect nad oes ei angen, dywedwn ni. Ar y llaw arall, os credwch na ddylem wario bron £40 miliwn ar adeiladu Siambr ddadlau newydd i’r Cynulliad—a gwn fod rhai Aelodau yn y pleidiau eraill yn cytuno â mi—yna pleidleisiwch gyda ni. Rhowch y gorau i’r prosiect hwn unwaith ac am byth. Rhowch y gorau iddo a gwariwch yr arian ar bobl Cymru yn ei le.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 83
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83
Fourteen Members have indicated that they wish to speak. They will not all be able to contribute unless Members limit themselves to three minutes. Instead of the voluntary limit in the last debate, I will impose a limit of three minutes on every speaker, except for the Minister and Nick Bourne, who will conclude the debate and who will have 15 minutes in which to speak.
Nododd 14 o’r Aelodau eu bod am siarad. Ni fydd modd i bob un ohonynt gyfrannu oni fydd yr Aelodau yn siarad am lai na thair munud yr un. Yn hytrach na’r terfyn gwirfoddol yn y ddadl ddiwethaf, gosodaf derfyn o dair munud ar bob siaradwr, heblaw am y Gweinidog a Nick Bourne, a fydd yn cloi’r ddadl. Bydd ganddynt hwy 15 munud.
There is a tremendous reek of Conservative hypocrisy about this debate, as there was in the previous debate on miners’ compensation. We all know the Conservatives’ record in Wales on the national health service, which they have sought to bring into this debate, and that on miners’ compensation. It is a shameful record, and I raise it because many people to whom I have spoken believe that that point should be made repeatedly.
Gwelwn ragrith noeth o du’r Ceidwadwyr yn y ddadl hon, fel y gwelwyd yn y ddadl flaenorol ar iawndal i gyn-lowyr. Gwyddom oll am record y Ceidwadwyr yng Nghymru o ran y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, y maent wedi ceisio ei gynnwys yn y ddadl hon ac yn y ddadl ar iawndal i gyn-lowyr. Mae’n record gywilyddus, a thynnaf sylw ati am fod llawer o bobl yr wyf wedi siarad â hwy o’r farn y dylid gwneud y pwynt hwnnw dro ar ôl tro.
You mentioned our record on the health service: will you confirm that after nearly five years of Labour rule in Wales, we now have the worst health statistics on record?
Bu ichi gyfeirio at ein record o ran y gwasanaeth iechyd: a wnewch chi gadarnhau fod gennym yr ystadegau iechyd gwaethaf a gofnodwyd erioed ar ôl bron pum mlynedd o reolaeth Lafur yng Nghymru?
Alun, you should ask yourself why, for the second Westminster general election running, we have a Tory-free Wales. The people have delivered their verdict; they know the Conservatives’ record on health and other issues, and they know our record, and they have delivered their judgment.
Alun, y cwestiwn y dylech ei ofyn ichi eich hun yw pam mae Cymru, ar ôl yr ail etholiad cyffredinol olynol i San Steffan, yn ddi-Dori. Mae’r bobl wedi mynegi eu barn; gwyddant am record y Ceidwadwyr ar iechyd a materion eraill, a gwyddant am ein record ni, ac maent wedi mynegi eu barn.
The arguments for a new Assembly building are well rehearsed. We return to this subject repeatedly, and we have seen the hypocrisy of the Welsh Conservatives repeatedly. We know that the building is needed for practical reasons, which they must recognise. It is needed also for symbolic reasons; it is partly about self-confidence in Wales and it is important that Wales is seen to have a landmark building to symbolise the new democracy and political reality. It is now time to get on with it. That is my message today. We know that a blank cheque cannot be written, but we also know that there are always difficulties with this sort of public building. We have seen that with the new Scottish Parliament building, and Portcullis House at Westminster, the costs of which increased far in excess of any inflation in this project in Wales. Difficulties always exist, but we know that this building is needed. We must bite the bullet and get on with it.
Mae’r dadleuon dros adeilad newydd y Cynulliad yn gyfarwydd. Dychwelwn at y pwnc hwn dro ar ôl tro, ac yr ydym wedi gweld rhagrith Ceidwadwyr Cymru dro ar ôl tro. Gwyddom fod angen yr adeilad am resymau ymarferol. Rhaid eu bod yn cydnabod hynny. Mae angen yr adeilad newydd am resymau symbolaidd hefyd; i raddau mae a wnelo â hunan-hyder Cymru ac mae’n bwysig bod y byd yn gweld bod Cymru yn cael adeilad o fri sy’n symbol o’r ddemocratiaeth a’r sefyllfa wleidyddyol newydd. Mae’n bryd inni fwrw iddi yn awr. Dyna fy neges heddiw. Gwyddom na allwn fod yn afrad, ond gwyddom hefyd fod anawsterau bob amser wrth godi’r math hwn o adeilad cyhoeddus. Gwelsom hynny yn nst a new Assembly building are somehow against devolution. When you say to people that they are speaking up for a privileged elite, speak to the people in Wales. In sayu. Mae anawsterau o hyd, ond gwyddom fod angen yr adeilad hwn. Rhaid inni fwrw iddi.
We should not compromise by building a radically smaller building or one of lesser quality. We want a high quality building that sends out the message that we are serious about the new politics in Wales. We want a building to symbolise that. We do not want the hypocrisy of the Conservatives.
Ni ddylem gyfaddawdu drwy godi adeilad llawer yn llai nac adeilad o safon is. Yr ydym am godi adeilad o safon sy’n rhoi’r neges ein bod o ddifrif ynglŷn â’r wleidyddiaeth newydd yng Nghymru. Yr ydym am godi adeilad a fydd yn symbol o hynny. Nid ydym am glywed rhagrith y Ceidwadwyr.
It is ideal that I am speaking after John Griffiths, as I wish to raise a few points that he mentioned. There is no doubt that the embarrassment of this Assembly building is creating enormous problems for Wales’s image. The hole in the ground outside, with a £34,000 fence surrounding it, is an embarrassment to the Assembly administration, and to Plaid Cymru, which supported the administration and propped it up when it needed to drive the vote through. It was a paradise for the London media sketch writers recently, who commented on an industrial estate. I need not say that they were not on an industrial estate. The only industrial estate that stands before us is the one outside—that great big hole in the ground. They reacted badly to the condition—
Mae’n ddelfrydol fy mod yn siarad ar ôl John Griffiths, gan fy mod am godi ychydig o bwyntiau a grybwyllodd. Nid oes amheuaeth bod embaras adeilad y Cynulliad yn creu problemau enfawr o ran delwedd Cymru. Mae’r twll yn y ddaear y tu allan, wedi’i amgylchynu gan ffens a gostiodd £34,000, yn embaras i weinyddiaeth y Cynulliad, ac i Blaid Cymru, a gefnogodd y weinyddiaeth ac a fu’n gefn iddi pan oedd angen iddi sicrhau’r bleidlais. Bu’n fêl ar fysedd braslunwyr papurau Llundain yn ddiweddar, a ddisgrifiodd ystad ddiwydiannol. Afraid dweud nad mewn ystad ddiwydiannol oeddent. Yr unig ystad ddiwydiannol sydd o’n blaen yw’r un y tu allan—y twll mawr hwnnw yn y ddaear. Bu iddynt ymateb yn wael i gyflwr—
Beth y tybiwch y dylid ei wneud â’r twll yn y ddaear?
What do you think should be done with the hole in the ground?
Yr wyf yn ddigon clir ar hynny. Ni all y sefyllfa bresennol barhau. Mae’n rhaid i Brif Weinidog Cymru ddewis y ffordd ymlaen—naill ai rhoi’r gorau i’r adeilad newydd, neu yrru’r prosiect drwodd a derbyn canlyniadau gwleidyddol hynny. Yr wyf yn erbyn yr adeilad hwn, ac nid wyf am i’r prosiect barhau.
in Welsh I am clear enough on that. The present situation cannot continue. The First Minister must decide on the way forward—either scrap the new building, or drive the project through and accept the political consequences. I am against this building, and I do not want the project to continue.
The image of Wales and the National Assembly for Wales has been damaged. We would have sent a strong message to the London journalists, if we could have said, ‘yes, our existing Assembly building is adequate—it is not a flash building, it is not at the cutting edge of technology, but our public services are much better’. Would it not have been nice to say that we have a better health service instead? Would it not have been nice to say, ‘yes, but we have shorter waiting lists’? I remind John Griffiths that after four and a half years of a Labour administration we now have the worst health statistics on record. Labour looks to a time further back than that, but it has had enough time to sort that out.
yn Saesneg Bu niwed i ddelwedd Cymru a Chynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. Byddem wedi anfon neges gref at newyddiadurwyr Llundain pe gallem fod wedi dweud, ‘ie, mae adeilad presennol y Cynulliad yn ddigonol—nid yw’n adeilad crand, nid oes ganddo y dechnoleg ddiweddaraf, ond mae ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn llawer gwell’. Oni fyddai wedi bod yn braf dweud bod gennym wasanaeth iechyd gwell yn lle hynny? Oni fyddai wedi bod yn braf dweud, ‘ie, ond mae gennym restrau aros byrrach’? Hoffwn atgoffa John Griffiths fod gennym yr ystadegau iechyd gwaethaf a gofnodwyd erioed erbyn hyn ar ôl pedair blynedd a hanner o weinyddiaeth Lafur. Mae Llafur yn edrych yn ôl ar gyfnod cyn hynny, ond mae wedi cael digon o amser i ddatrys hynny.
Does it not show a lack of a sense of proportion that you go on and on about the cost of the new Assembly building and pay so little attention to the fact that there was an underspend of £54 million on health last year and £45 million the year before? There was a total underspend of £272 million. Is that not far more important? The resources are there. Why do you pay so much attention to a much smaller part of the budget?
Onid yw’r ffaith eich bod yn rhygnu ymlaen ynghylch cost adeilad newydd y Cynulliad tra’ch bod yn rhoi cyn lleied o sylw i’r tanwariant o £54 miliwn ar iechyd y llynedd a’r tanwariant o £45 miliwn y flwyddyn flaenorol yn dangos eich bod wedi colli pob amcan o gymesuredd? Bu tanwariant o £272 miliwn i gyd. Onid yw hynny yn llawer pwysicach? Mae’r adnoddau yno. Pam yr ydych yn rhoi cymaint o sylw i ran llawer llai o’r gyllideb?
The Welsh Conservatives’ manifesto states that we want to increase spending on health, and we want allocations for each budget line used to the full. That raises questions about the First Minister’s leadership—I will come back to that in a few seconds.
Noda maniffesto Ceidwadwyr Cymru ein bod am wario mwy o arian ar iechyd, a’n bod am sicrhau y caiff dyraniadau pob llinell o’r gyllideb eu defnyddio’n llawn. Mae hynny yn codi cwestiwn ynghylch arweiniad Prif Weinidog Cymru—dychwelaf at hynny yn y man.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 85
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85
Order. Your time has just expired, Alun. That was a good try.
Trefn. Mae eich amser ar ben, Alun. Ond yr oedd yn gynnig da.
I have given way several times. Do I not get time in compensation?
Yr wyf wedi ildio sawl gwaith. Oni chaf amser oherwydd hynny?
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 86
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86
No, sorry.
Na chewch, mae’n ddrwg gennyf.
Point of order. I challenge the speed of that decision.
Pwynt o drefn. Heriaf natur frysiog y penderfyniad hwnnw.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 86
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86
We will move on.
Awn ymlaen.
The decision to have a new building was taken before this Assembly was created. The building was seen as essential to establish a home for Welsh democracy. I supported it, and still do. Furthermore, we were allowed to debate this matter—let us be grateful for that. [Laughter.] Do I get extra time for laughter? We would be failing in our duty if we did not realise that the project was damaged goods even before the Assembly set eyes on it. There were no signed contracts, there was procurement confusion, disability access was played down in the original plan, crèche facilities had to be built in, and the land that was bought was too small for the building to fit onto it. I am not sure that we really knew how much it was going to cost. That was the poisoned chalice that Edwina Hart inherited.
Gwnaethpwyd y penderfyniad i godi adeilad newydd cyn i’r Cynulliad hwn gael ei sefydlu. Credid bod yr adeilad yn hanfodol fel cartref democratiaeth Cymru. Fe’i cefnogais, ac fe’i cefnogaf o hyd. At hynny, cawsom gyfle i drafod y mater hwn—boed inni fod yn ddiolchgar am hynny. [Chwerthin.] A gaf amser ychwanegol am fod pobl yn chwerthin? Byddem yn methu pe na baem yn sylweddoli bod problemau gan y prosiect hwn hyd yn oed cyn i’r Cynulliad ymhél ag ef. Ni lofnodwyd contractau; bu dryswch ynghylch y broses gaffael, ni roddwyd fawr o sylw i fynediad i’r anabl yn y cynllun gwreiddiol, yr oedd yn rhaid ychwanegu cyfleusterau meithrinfa, ac yr oedd y darn o dir a brynwyd yn rhy fach i gynllun yr adeilad. Nid wyf yn siŵr ein bod yn gwybod mewn gwirionedd faint yr oedd yn mynd i’w gostio. Dyna’r gwpan gwenwynig a drosglwyddwyd i Edwina Hart.
It is not a choice between an Assembly building and better health. Wales deserves a great building that symbolises our democracy. However, I agree that that should not be at any price. As has been said, our situation is not like that in Scotland, where the price of the new Parliament building has escalated to over £200 million. It was a Conservative Government that approved the construction of Portcullis House, at a cost of £100 million, as my colleague mentioned.
Nid dewis rhwng adeilad Cynulliad a gwell iechyd ydyw. Mae Cymru yn haeddu adeilad gwych sy’n symbol o’n democratiaeth. Fodd bynnag, cytunaf na ddylid talu crocbris am hynny. Fel y dywedwyd, nid ydym yn yr un sefyllfa â’r Alban, lle y bu cynnydd mawr ym mhris y Senedd-dy newydd, a fydd bellach yn costio dros £200 miliwn. Llywodraeth Geidwadol a gymeradwyodd y penderfyniad i adeiladu Tŷ Portcullis am £100 miliwn, fel y soniodd fy nghyd-Aelod.
Jonathan Morgan a gododd—
Jonathan Morgan rose—
I will not give way. That was £1 million for every office. It also rented trees. The Northern Ireland Assembly walked into the magnificent Stormont building, which was already adapted and suitable for all purposes. As a Member for a constituency in north Wales, I am more than aware of the economic needs of our public services. I am glad that Edwina is asking hard questions. However, we need this building. It is not our fault—
Nid ildiaf. Yr oedd hynny’n cyfateb i £1 filiwn am bob swyddfa. Rhentwyd coed hefyd. Yr oedd adeilad gwych Stormont a oedd wedi ei addasu eisoes i ateb pob diben yn barod ar gyfer Cynulliad Gogledd Iwerddon. Fel Aelod dros etholaeth yn y Gogledd, yr wyf yn ymwybodol iawn o anghenion economaidd ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Yr wyf yn falch o weld bod Edwina yn gofyn cwestiynau trylwyr. Fodd bynnag, mae angen yr adeilad hwn arnom. Nid ein bai ni yw—
I am grateful to Alison for giving way. We know that the costs are rapidly heading towards £40 million. We do not know whether the costs will exceed that figure. How much more would you be willing to pay? At what point do you say no, Alison—£40 million, £50 million, £100 million?
Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i Alison am ildio. Gwyddom fod y costau yn prysur tynnu at £40 miliwn. Ni wyddom a fydd y costau yn mynd y tu hwnt i’r ffigur hwnnw. Faint yn rhagor y byddwch yn fodlon ei dalu? Pa bryd y byddwch yn dweud na, Alison—£40 miliwn, £50 miliwn, £100 miliwn?
I cannot answer that question. I am not on the inner track when it comes to procurement and so on. Wales needs this building but, as I have already said, not at any cost. That is why Edwina Hart is doing a good job and needs our support.
Ni allaf ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw. Nid wyf yn arbenigo ar gaffael ac ati. Mae angen yr adeilad hwn ar Gymru, ond ni ddylid talu crocbris, fel y dywedais eisoes. Dyna pam maw Edwina Hart yn gwneud gwaith da ac mae angen inni ei chefnogi.
I suggest that, if any consideration should be given of the new buildings proposed for Cardiff, it should be the Millennium Centre. That would give us time to learn the lessons of commissioning expensive public buildings. We have spent money on this project—let us get on with and let us get a building.
Os oes angen ailystyried adeiladau newydd arfaethedig Caerdydd o gwbl, awgrymaf mai Canolfan y Mileniwm ddylai gael ei hailystyried. Byddai hynny yn rhoi amser inni ddysgu’r gwersi o gomisiynu adeiladau cyhoeddus costus. Yr ydym wedi gwario arian ar y prosiect hwn—mae’n bryd inni fwrw iddi ac mae’n bryd codi adeilad.
I accompanied a tour of 30 children from north Wales around the Assembly. It was probably the first north Wales school to visit the Assembly. The children were excited at seeing the Chamber and going to the Pierhead to see the model of the new building. When they return to Cardiff, as they will when they grow up, would it not be wonderful for them to see an innovative building, which would be a clear statement that, at last, Wales has come of age?
Ymunais â 30 o blant o’r Gogledd ar daith o amgylch y Cynulliad. Dyma’r tro cyntaf i ysgol o’r Gogledd ymweld â’r Cynulliad, siŵr o fod. Yr oedd y plant yn gyffro i gyd o weld y Siambr a mynd i’r adeilad Pierhead i weld model yr adeilad newydd. Pan ddychwelant i Gaerdydd, fel y byddant, yn oedolion, oni fyddai’n beth gwych pe baent yn gallu gweld adeilad arloesol, a fyddai’n arwydd clir o’r diwedd, fod Cymru wedi dod i oed?
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 87
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 87
I owe Alun an apology. I have allowed Alison a little over three minutes, as she took an intervention. Alun was very generous—he took more than one intervention and I should have allowed him more time. I apologise for that.
Ymddiheuraf wrth Alun. Yr wyf wedi caniatáu i Alison siarad am ychydig dros dair munud, gan iddi dderbyn ymyriad. Yr oedd Alun yn hael iawn—derbyniodd fwy nag un ymyriad a dylwn fod wedi rhoi mwy o amser iddo. Ymddiheuraf am hynny.
Rhaid inni feddwl heddiw am y neges y byddwn yn ei chyfleu os ydym yn penderfynu parhau â’r adeilad newydd, yn enwedig yn sgîl y ffaith mai dim ond un o bob pedwar a bleidleisiodd o blaid sefydlu’r Cynulliad. Gŵyr pawb am y problemau gyda’r costau—cododd y gost o £13 miliwn i £40 miliwn. Pwy a ŵyr beth fydd y gost derfynol os y penderfynwn gario ymlaen â’r prosiect heddiw?
We must think today of the message that we will send out if we decide to continue with the new building, especially given the fact that only one in four people voted in favour of establishing the Assembly. Everyone knows of the cost implications—the cost has risen from £13 million to £40 million. Who knows what the final cost will be if we decide to progress with the project today?
Mae gan ein gwlad lawer o broblemau eisoes—yn y diwydiant amaeth, er enghraifft. Soniodd John Griffiths am y gwasanaeth iechyd, a dywedaf wrtho fod pethau’n llawer gwaeth dan y Blaid Lafur nag oeddent dan y Blaid Geidwadol. Mae llywodraeth leol yn dioddef o brinder arian a, thros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, collodd llawer o bobl eu swyddi. Dywedaf yn blwmp ac yn blaen heddiw nad oes rhaid inni gael adeilad newydd. Rhaid inni gael syniadau adeiladol. Dylem benderfynu heddiw i roi terfyn ar y prosiect hwn a gwario’r arian ar rywbeth positif, megis ysbyty newydd i blant, i sicrhau y gall pawb deimlo’n falch o’r Cynulliad a’i Aelodau.
There are already so many problems in our country—in the agriculture industry, for example. John Griffiths mentioned the health service, and I would like to say to him that things are much worse under the Labour Party than they were under the Conservative Party. Local government suffers from a lack of funding and, over the past year, many people have lost their jobs. I state unequivocally today that we do not need a new building. We must have constructive ideas. We should decide today to abandon this project and spend the money on something positive, such as a new children’s hospital, to ensure that everyone can feel proud of the Assembly and its Members.
Even by the standards of controversy typical for new public building projects, the saga of the new Assembly Chamber is remarkable. It almost beggars belief that we are debating, yet again, whether or not it should even be built. I say almost because, of course, the sponsors of this motion are the Welsh Conservative group. Now there is a construct that defies belief—anti-devolution, anti-Assembly, anti new Chamber. Who needs a new Chamber when there is a nice one already in Westminster? The trouble is, no one in Wales will elect them to it. Therefore, here they are like a tapered boys brigade, lost in the fog, compelled down a path they do not want to take using navigation methods in which they do not believe—a sad, rudderless, emasculated rump whose most profound conviction is that it should not exist.
Mae hanes Siambr newydd y Cynulliad yn rhyfeddol hyd yn oed o’i gymharu â’r anghydfod arferol sy’n codi ynghylch prosiectau adeiladau newydd cyhoeddus. Prin y gellir credu ein bod yn trafod, unwaith eto, a ddylid hyd yn oed ei hadeiladu ai peidio. Dywedaf prin, am mai grŵp Ceidwadwyr Cymru, wrth gwrs, sy’n cyflwyno’r cynnig hwn. Ceir dilyniant anghredadwy—gwrth-ddatganoli, gwrth-Gynulliad, gwrth-Siambr newydd. Pwy sydd angen Siambr newydd pa fo siambr braf eisoes yn San Steffan? Y drwg yw na fydd neb yng Nghymru yn eu hethol yno. Felly dyma hwy fel math tila o frigâd y bechgyn, ar goll yn y niwl, yn gorfod cerdded ar hyd llwybr nad ydynt am ei ddilyn gan ddefnyddio dulliau llywio nad ydynt yn credu ynddynt—gweddillion truenus, di-arweinydd, di-rym sy’n argyhoeddedig na ddylai fodoli hyd yn oed.
David Davies a gododd—
David Davies rose—
I will not take an intervention; I have not got time. You have plenty of speakers. The only time this conviction seems to waive is when the wicked witch of the north, the Member of Parliament for Ribble Valley, vents his spleen on this place and, by association, on them. Unfortunately, the many and varied problems that have bedevilled the new Chamber project from the outset have, without question, played into the hands of the enemies of devolution. It also does not help to caricature the events of the past few months as ego clashes between the main protagonists. It is ironic that this trivialisation stems from some of the biggest egos this side of Hollywood. The National Assembly and democracy in Wales requires an appropriate and accessible symbol if it is ever to achieve its full potential.
Ni dderbyniaf ymyriad; nid oes digon o amser gennyf. Mae gan y Ceidwadwyr ddigon o siaradwyr. Yr unig dro y bydd yr argyhoeddiad cadarn hwn yn pallu yw pan fo Aelod Seneddol Ribble Valley yn bwrw ei fustl ar y lle hwn a, thrwy hynny arnynt hwy. Yn anffodus, mae’r problemau lu a gwahanol a fu’n gysylltiedig â phrosiect y Siambr newydd ers y cychwyn, yn ddi-os wedi rhoi mêl ar fysedd gelynion datganoli. Nid yw’n fuddiol ychwaith portreadu digwyddiadau yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf fel gwrthdaro myfïol rhwng y prif chwaraewyr. Mae’n eironig y daw’r dehongliad bychanus hwn o enau rhai o’r bobl fwyaf myfïol y tu allan i Hollywood. Mae’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol a democratiaeth yng Nghymru yn gofyn am symbol addas, hygyrch er mwyn gwireddu ei botensial i’r eithaf.
Better governance for Wales is a long-term enterprise, demanding courage, leadership and, above all, vision. The Assembly has existed for two years and we have barely established its foundations. There is a long journey ahead of us and, let us not forget that we Assembly Members are only temporary keepers of our offices. Future generations will judge us harshly if we compromise vision for expediency dictated by the enemies of devolution. The Conservative Party calls for a children’s hospital and for more money to be spent on the health service—it had 18 years in government in which it chose instead to hammer the health service and to undermine the social, economic and democratic fabric of this country. The Conservative Party made devolution and the Assembly necessary, and it makes the new Chamber essential.
Mae sicrhau gwell llywodraeth i Gymru yn fenter hirdymor, sy’n gofyn am ddewrder, arweiniad ac, yn anad dim, gweledigaeth. Mae’r Cynulliad wedi bodoli ers dwy flynedd a phrin yr ydym wedi gosod ei sylfeini. Mae taith hir o’n blaenau ac, ni ddylem anghofio mai ceidwaid dros dros ein swyddi ydym fel Aelodau’r Cynulliad. Bydd cenedlaethau’r dyfodol yn ein barnu’n hallt os rhown y weledigaeth honno yn y fantol er mwyn rhyw hwylustod a fynnir gan elynion datganoli. Mae’r Blaid Geidwadol yn galw am ysbyty i blant a mwy o wariant ar y gwasanaeth iechyd—a hithau wrth y llyw am 18 mlynedd pan ddewisodd yn lle hynny ddifethu’r gwasanaethau iechyd a thanseilio anian gymdeithasol, economaidd a democrataidd y wlad hon. Oherwydd y Blaid Geidwadol y mae angen datganoli a’r Cynulliad. Oherwydd y Blaid Geidwadol y mae’r Siambr newydd yn hanfodol.
If more Members brought their constituents to this Chamber, today’s debate would be unnecessary. When I show people around this Chamber, they cannot believe that we are going to spend millions of pounds on something that we already have. They, quite rightly, see this as a waste of taxpayers’ money that could be spent on worthier causes.
Pe bai mwy o’r Aelodau yn dod â’u hetholwyr i’r Siambr hon, ni fyddai angen y ddadl hon heddiw. Pan dywysaf bobl o amgylch y Siambr hon, ni allant gredu ein bod yn bwriadu gwario miliynau o bunnau ar rywbeth sydd gennym eisoes. Maent o’r farn, yn gwbl briodol, bod hyn yn wastraff arian y trethdalwyr, arian y gellid ei wario ar rywbeth mwy teilwng.
I am interested to hear that you have managed to bring so many of your constituents from north Wales to the Assembly. I represent a deprived area and my constituents can not afford to travel. Will you let me in on your secret or do you assist them to come here?
Mae’n ddiddorol clywed eich bod wedi llwyddo i ddod â chymaint o’ch etholwyr o’r gogledd i’r Cynulliad. Yr wyf yn cynrychioli ardal ddifreintiedig ac ni all fy etholwyr fforddio teithio yma. A wnewch chi ddweud y gyfrinach wrthyf neu a ydych yn rhoi cymorth iddynt gyrraedd yma?
What I said was that if more Members brought their constituents here—[Interruption.] I agree with you, it is a long way. My constituents point out that Members were happy to stand up in this Chamber and call for a stop to the war in Afghanistan and wax lyrical on the humanitarian problems that were created as a result. However, the same Members have consistently voted to spend millions of pounds on somewhere for them to say those things. Their position is inconsistent
Yr hyn a ddywedais oedd pe bai mwy o’r Aelodau yn dod â’u hetholwyr yma—[Torri ar draws.] Yr wyf yn cytuno â chi ei bod yn dipyn o daith. Noda fy etholwyr fod yr Aelodau yn ddigon parod i sefyll ar eu traed yn y Siambr hon a galw am roi terfyn ar y rhyfel yn Afghanistan ac i siarad am huawdl am y problemau dyngarol a achoswyd o ganlyniad i’r rhyfel. Fodd bynnag, mae’r un un Aelodau wedi pleidleisio’n gyson dros wario miliynau o bunnau ar safle lle y gallent ddweud y pethau hynny. Nid ydynt yn arddel safbwynt cyson.
In politics, we frequently face difficult choices—this is not one of them. The choice is simple and I know what people would want us to do. I am confident that they would rather that we use the money to improve their quality of life and not our own. Put to good use in the health service, these millions could save lives. It is not too late to make that commitment.
Ym myd gwleidyddiaeth, yr ydym yn aml yn gorfod wynebu dewisiadau anodd—nid yw hwn yn eu plith. Mae’r dewis yn syml a gwn beth y mae pobl am inni ei wneud. Yr wyf yn hyderus y byddai’n well ganddynt pe baem yn defnyddio’r arian i wella ansawdd eu bywydau hwy ac nid ein bywydau ni. Drwy ddefnyddio’r miliynau hyn yn ddoeth yn y gwasanaeth iechyd, gellir achub bywydau. Nid yw’n rhy hwyr i wneud yr ymrwymiad hwnnw.
This reminds me of the general election euro debate, and we know what the result for the Conservatives was then. Now, we have a will they, won’t they, sometime, never approach to this building. We are told that the Conservatives are split, some of them are in the never-ever brigade and others are in the ‘yes, but not now’ brigade. I would like to know who stands where. How many Conservative Members of Parliament are now sitting comfortably in Portcullis House, which they decided to build for themselves, at the cost of almost £300 million? Presumably, the Conservatives—they were Tories then, of course—did not object to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament being built at the time and they were quite right not to object. Look at the numbers of visitors who go there. It is a major source of income. Why are our Conservatives so bereft of imagination that they cannot see that this new Assembly Chamber will repay its cost many times over, admittedly, not directly back to the public purse, but through the private sector operators of transport, hotels, restaurants and retail outlets? I would have thought that the Conservatives would be behind that level of leverage to benefit the private sector and the jobs and the prosperous economy that comes from it. The Chamber will be a tourist attraction.
Mae hyn yn fy atgoffa o’r ddadl ar yr ewro yn yr etholiad cyffredinol, a gwyddom beth oedd y canlyniad i’r Ceidwadwyr bryd hynny. Yn awr, gwelwn eu bod yn gwamalu ynglŷn â’r adeilad hwn, weithiau o blaid, weithiau yn erbyn, rhai o blaid o bosibl, rhai yn erbyn am byth. Dywedir wrthym nad yw’r Ceidwadwyr yn gytûn yn hyn o beth, mae rhai ohonynt yn y garfan ‘byth, fyth’, rhai yn y garfan ‘ie, ond nid ar hyn o bryd’. Hoffwn wybod pwy sydd ym mha garfan. Faint o Aelodau Seneddol Ceidwadol sydd erbyn hyn yn eistedd yn gyfforddus yn Nhŷ Portcullis, y penderfynasant ei adeiladu ar eu cyfer, am bron £300 miliwn? Yr wyf yn cymryd nad oedd gan y Ceidwadwyr—Torïaid oeddent bryd hynny—yn gwrthwynebu’r penderfyniad i adeiladu Big Ben a Thŷ’r Cyffredin a Thŷ’r Arglwyddi bryd hynny ac yr oeddent yn llygad eu lle i beidio â’u gwrthwynebu. Ystyriwch faint o ymwelwyr sy’n mynd yno. Mae’n ffynhonnell bwysig o incwm. Pam mae gan y Ceidwadwyr gyn lleied o ddychymyg fel na allant weld y bydd Siambr newydd y Cynulliad yn adennill ei chostau dro ar ôl tro, nid yn uniongyrchol i bwrs y wlad, rhaid cyfaddef, ond drwy gwmnïau’r sector cyhoeddus megis cludiant, gwestai, bwytai a mannau arwerthu? Byddwn wedi meddwl y byddai’r Ceidwadwyr o blaid cael y fath ddylanwad i sicrhau manteision i’r sector preifat a’r swyddi a’r economi ffyniannus a ddaw yn eu sgîl. Bydd y Siambr yn denu twristiaid.
Nobody likes new buildings as they are being planned or built. Consider the controversy that surrounded the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Now, those voices are silent and the public mood is different because Wales is hosting major events, including the FA Cup. Let us hope that the people in London hear the Conservatives’ message. We do not want the Wembley Stadium to be built so that we can have more activity in Wales. That message would help us and we would reap its benefits.
Nid oes neb yn hoffi adeiladau newydd tra eu bod yn cael eu cynllunio neu eu hadeiladu. anghydfod ynglŷn â Stadiwm y Mileniwm yng Nghaerdydd. Erbyn hyn mae’r lleisiau hynny wedi tewi ac mae barn y wlad wedi newid ers i Gymru gynnal digwyddiadau pwysig, yn cynnwys Cwpan y FA. Gobeithio bod y bobl yn Llundain yn gwrando ar neges y Ceidwadwyr. Nid ydym am i Stadiwm Wembley gael ei adeiladu fel y gallwn gael mwy o weithgaredd yng Nghymru. Byddai’r neges honno yn fuddiol inni.
More money per person from the people of Wales was spent on the Millennium Dome than will ever be needed to build the new Assembly building. A project devised by the Conservative Party to be used for only one year for shallow infotainment is considered more important than a building designed by an architect to last for decades, if not centuries, that would put Wales on the world stage and would ensure that the Welsh people’s Government is open, effective and accessible to all.
Gwariwyd mwy o arian fesul person o bobl Cymru ar Ddôm y Mileniwm nag y bydd byth ei angen i godi adeilad newydd y Cynulliad. Credir bod prosiect a luniwyd gan y Blaid Geidwadol i’w ddefnyddio am flwyddyn yn unig am wybodaeth-adloniant arwynebol yn bwysicach nag adeilad a gynlluniwyd gan bensaer i oroesi am flynyddoedd lawer, os nad canrifoedd, adeilad a fyddai’n gosod Cymru ar lwyfan y byd ac a fyddai’n sicrhau bod llywodraeth pobl Cymru yn agored, yn effeithiol ac yn hygyrch i bawb.
During the 1979 referendum, the Conservatives promised that if Wales voted no, it would get a new hospital. No prizes for guessing what really happened afterwards. The same arguments were made before the 1997 referendum and I think that the people of Wales were not going to be fooled twice. They did not believe the Conservatives’ attempt at populism then and they will not do so this time.
Yn ystod refferendwm 1979, addawodd y Ceidwadwyr y byddent yn codi ysbyty newydd yng Nghymru pe bai Cymru yn pleidleisio na. Nid oes rhaid dyfalu beth ddigwyddodd mewn gwirionedd wedi hynny. Rhoddwyd yr un dadleuon gerbron cyn refferendwm 1997 a chredaf nad oedd pobl Cymru am gael eu twyllo ddwywaith. Ni chredasant ymgais y Ceidwadwyr i fod yn boblyddol bryd hynny ac ni fyddant eu credu y tro hwn.
The Assembly has debated this matter time and time again. On the 21 June 2000, Alun Cairns said, and I agree with him,
Bu’r Cynulliad yn trafod y mater hwn dro ar ôl tro. Ar 21 Mehefin 2000, dywedodd Alun Cairns, a chytunaf ag ef,
‘We have been here on so many occasions in the past.’
‘Buom yma gynifer o weithiau yn y gorffennol.’
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 91
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91
Order. Mike, your time is up.
Trefn. Mike, mae eich amser ar ben.
The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities should be commended in this matter for her unswerving loyalty to the First Minister and for allowing him to hide behind her skirts. Either that is true or she has not realised that he has hung her out to dry. He has Hart in the right place, as they might say. Is she, or will she be, telling us that the First Minister is not ultimately responsible for this debacle? Does she expect us to believe that the First Minister does not have mud on his hands? Does she expect us to believe that the muck does not stop with the First Minister? If she does, she is showing more loyalty to him than he is entitled to.
Dylid canmol y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau am ei theyrngarwch ddi-syfl i Brif Weinidog Cymru yn hynny o beth ac am adael iddo gysgodi y tu ôl iddi. Naill ai mae hyn yn wir neu nid yw wedi sylweddoli ei fod wedi ei gadael yn ddiymgeledd. Mae Hart o dan ei fawd, fel y byddent yn ei ddweud. A yw, neu a fydd, yn dweud wrthym nad Prif Weinidog Cymru sy’n gyfrifol yn y pen draw am y tryblith hwn? A yw’n disgwyl inni gredu bod dwylo Prif Weinidog Cymru yn lân? A yw’n disgwyl inni gredu nad Prif Weinidog Cymru sy’n gyfrifol yn y pen draw? Os felly, mae’n fwy teyrngar iddo nag y mae’n ei haeddu.
Will the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities undertake that, if she goes ahead with this project, she will consider a commemoration of this glowing chapter in Welsh political history? There are precedents—the Battle of Hastings, where the Normans made a tapestry to commemorate their achievement at that time. That should be replicated so that this Government can commemorate its achievements in a tapestry. Imagine the depictions: we could have Ron Davies sitting outside Cardiff City Hall sharing a joke with Russell Goodway; we could have Alun Michael depositing £10 million in used notes outside Grosvenor Waterside to pay for the extension of this building’s lease; we could have the First Minister in a shed out the back washing his hands of the project. What of the Finance Minister? She should be depicted on site, truly the Hart in the hole of Welsh politics. The central feature should be none other than Richard Rogers. I foresee him sitting astride his horse, Trigger—[Laughter.] I see that there are people here old enough to remember the old cowboy. This building could be famous by the end of this millennium and we should call the commemoration the ‘by ’ere tapestry’.
A fydd y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau yn ymrwymo i ystyried coffáu’r bennod ddisglair hon yn hanes gwleidyddiaeth Cymru os bydd yn bwrw ymlaen â’r prosiect? Mae cynsail i hyn—Brwydr Hastings, pan wnaeth y Normaniaid frodwaith i goffáu eu camp bryd hynny. Dylid efelychu hynny fel y gall y Llywodraeth hon goffáu ei chyflawniadau mewn brodwaith. Dychmygwch y lluniau: Ron Davies yn eistedd y tu allan i Neuadd Dinas Caerdydd yn rhannu jôc â Russell Goodway; Alun Michael yn rhoi £10 miliwn mewn hen bapurau deg punt y tu allan i Grosvenor Waterside i dalu am estyn prydles yr adeilad hwn; Prif Weinidog Cymru mewn cwt yn y cefn yn golchi ei ddwylo o’r prosiect? Beth am y Gweinidog dros Gyllid? Dylid ei phortreadu ar y safle, gwir fan gwan gwleidyddiaeth Cymru. Yn y prif lun dylai fod neb llai na Richard Rogers. Yr wyf yn ei ddychmygu yn eistedd ar gefn ei geffyl, Trigger—[Chwerthin.] Gwelaf fod pobl yma sy’n ddigon hen i gofio’r hen gowboi. Gallai’r adeilad hwn fod yn enwog erbyn diwedd y mileniwm hwn a dylem alw’r coffâd yn ‘frodwaith by ’ere’.
Mae grŵp Plaid Cymru yn parhau i gefnogi adeiladu Siambr newydd ar gyfer y Cynulliad ac felly yn ymwrthod â chynnig y Toriaid. Nid oedd angen sylwadau gan bapurau newydd Llundain arnom i’n hargyhoeddi bod angen lle gwell na’r Siambr hon.
The Plaid Cymru group continues to support the building of a new Assembly Chamber and therefore rejects the Tories’ motion. We did not need comments from the London press to convince us that we need a better place than this Chamber.
A ydych chi, fel fi, yn rhyfeddu bod angen i Brif Weinidog Cymru ddarllen sylwadau braslunwyr papurau newydd Llundain i’w argyhoeddi y dylai gefnogi’r prosiect hwn? Onid yw hi’n hen bryd iddo gefnogi’r Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau a rhoi arweiniad clir ar y mater hwn?
Are you amazed, as I am, that the First Minister needed to read the comments of London sketch writers to convince him that he should support this project? Is it not high time that he supported the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities and gave clear leadership on this matter?
Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 93
Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh and English p. 93
Ydyw, mae hi’n hen bryd. Yr oedd yn ddifyr ei wylio ar y teledu y noson o’r blaen, ac efallai y cawn ni ddatganiad o’r fath yn y Siambr.
in Welsh Yes, it is high time. It was entertaining watching him on television the other evening, and perhaps he will make a similar statement in the Chamber
Mae angen siambr newydd arnom, nid fel llwyfan moethus i brif weinidogion o Lundain sy’n ymweld â ni, ond er mwyn inni gyflawni ein gwaith. Yr ydym eisiau siambr lle nad yw’n pennau yn hollti ar ôl tair awr a hanner o gyfarfod, lle y gall ymwelwyr weld mwy na chefn pennau Aelodau nad ydynt yn eu hadnabod, a lle y gallaf innau weld wyneb Huw Lewis yn ei holl ogoniant heb orfod dibynnu ar fwletin newyddion ar y teledu gyda’r nos. O gofio’r £260 miliwn a wariwyd ar yr honglad hyll o swyddfeydd i Aelodau Seneddol yn Llundain, nid ydym yn gofyn am lawer. Nid ydym ychwaith yn gofyn am y £235 miliwn a fydd ei angen ar gyfer Senedd-dy newydd yr Alban. Yr ydym yn gofyn am £30 miliwn i godi cartref addas i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol cyntaf ers dyddiau Owain Glyndwr. A yw hynny’n afresymol? Ble y mae ein hunan-barch fel cenedl? Ble y mae’r neges o hyder yn y Gymru newydd sy’n falch o sefyll â’i phen yn uchel ymysg cenhedloedd y byd? Dywedaf wrth y Torïaid—sydd yn ceisio gwasgu’r diferyn olaf o fantais wleidyddol o’r saga hon—rhag eich cywilydd.
in Welsh We need a new chamber, not as a lavish platform for prime ministers on their visits from London, but so that we can do a job of work. We want a chamber where, after a three and a half hour meeting, our heads are not splitting, where visitors can see more than the back of the heads of Members who they do not recognise and where I can see Huw Lewis’s face in all its glory without having to depend on a television news bulletin in the evening. Given the £260 million spent on building the monstrosity of an office block for Members of Parliament in London, we are not asking for much. Neither are we asking for the £235 million that will be needed for the Scottish Parliament’s new building. We are asking for £30 million to build a suitable home for the first National Assembly since the days of Owain Glyndwr. Is that unreasonable? Where is our self-respect as a nation? Where is the message of confidence in a new Wales that is proud to stand tall among other world nations? I say to the Tories—who are trying to squeeze the last drop of political advantage from this saga—that you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Have the Tories learnt nothing in the two years that they have been here? They know the price of everything and the value of nothing. The sad truth is that, individually, Tory Members realise by now that we need a new chamber. They consent to that and tell us so in private.
yn Saesneg A yw’r Torïaid wedi dysgu dim yn y ddwy flynedd ers iddynt ddod yma? Gwyddant bris popeth ond gwerth dim. Y gwir amdani yw bod yr Aelodau Torïaidd, fel unigolion, yn sylweddoli erbyn hyn bod angen siambr newydd arnom. Maent yn cytuno ar hynny ac yn dweud hynny wrthym yn breifat.
Where do we stand on the new building? Edwina Hart was right to tell the world that she was nobody’s pushover. I do not imagine that many people thought she was. She was right to say that we are not prepared to see the costs of a project originally priced at £8.2 million by the Richard Rogers Partnership, and built and fully fitted for a total of £17 million, escalate to £50 million—no way. We want our building, and we want it for a fair price—£30 million: yes; £50 million: no.
yn Saesneg Beth yw’r sefyllfa o ran yr adeilad newydd erbyn hyn? Yr oedd Edwina Hart yn iawn wrth gyhoeddi i’r byd nad gwas bach neb ydoedd. Ni chredaf fod llawer o bobl yn credu iddi fod erioed. Yr oedd yn iawn wrth ddweud nad ydym yn barod i weld costau prosiect a oedd yn costio £8.2 miliwn yn ôl y prisiad gwreiddiol gan Bartneriaeth Richard Rogers, i’w adeiladu a’i ddodrefnu am gyfanswm o £17 miliwn, yn cynyddu i £50 miliwn—dim perygl. Yr ydym am godi ein hadeilad, ac yr ydym am ei godi am bris teg—£30 miliwn: ie; £50 miliwn: nage.
Edwina was also right to challenge builders and architects to do an honest job for a fair price. However, in doing this, we must learn the lessons of the sorry saga of the last three years. In 1998, I wrote to the Welsh Office to point out the dangers of escalating costs because the specifications at that time were not tight enough. We must be aware of the dangers and ensure the progress of a properly specified project with appropriate costs. We must send out a message that the days of cost-plus, open-ended and junket-ridden public sector building contracts have come to an end in Wales. The way forward is to draw up a firm, detailed, transparent and comprehensive specification for this project and to base a watertight contract on that. This, of course, depends on us, as Members, and the Government, not wanting deviations from the specifications to pander to some last-minute whim or other. It depends on a agreement with a reputable construction company to do the job on the basis of—
yn Saesneg Yr oedd yn briodol hefyd i Edwina herio’r adeiladwyr a’r penseiri i wneud gwaith gonest am bris teg. Fodd bynnag, wrth wneud hyn, rhaid inni ddysgu gwersi hanes truenus y tair blynedd diwethaf. Yn 1998, ysgrifennais at y Swyddfa Gymreig i nodi bod perygl y byddai’r costau yn cynyddu am nad oedd y rhagofynion ar y pryd yn ddigon manwl. Rhaid inni fod yn ymwybodol o’r peryglon a sicrhau datblygiad prosiect ac iddo ragofynion addas am gost priodol. Rhaid inni gyfleu’r neges fod oes y contractau adeiladu cost-elw, penagored, llawn jolihoetan yn y sector cyhoeddus ar ben yng Nghymru. Y ffordd ymlaen yw llunio rhagofynion cadarn, manwl, eglur a chynhwysfawr ar gyfer y prosiect hwn ynghyd â chontract hollgynhwysol yn seiliedig arnynt. Mae hyn, wrth gwrs, yn dibynnu ar y ffaith na fyddwn ni, fel Aelodau, a’r Llywodraeth am wyro oddi wrth y rhagofynion er mwyn ildio i ryw fympwy ar y funud olaf. Mae’n dibynnu ar gytundeb gyda chwmni adeiladu ag enw da i wneud y gwaith ar sail—
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 94
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94
I must stop you, Dafydd. You have had four minutes.
Rhaid imi eich atal, Dafydd. Yr ydych wedi cael pedair munud.
I would have given you some of the time I have to speak, Dafydd, because I agree with everything you have said. However, I want to have my say.
Byddwn wedi rhoi peth o’m hamser ichi, Dafydd, am imi gytuno â phopeth a ddywedasoch. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf am leisio barn hefyd.
Even though Glyn Davies is always entertaining, this is becoming tedious. He went over and over the same old stuff that we have all heard before. In fact, I could have read it in the Record. The new building has been discussed endlessly and I will not rehearse the argument because everyone, apart from the Tories, has made comments with which I agree. It was always the intention that this would be a temporary Chamber. Richard Rogers’s design won the open competition and millions of pounds have already been spent. Let us move forward. Expressions of interest have been received and we should get on with the job.
Er bod Glyn Davies bob amser yn ddifyr, mae hyn yn dechrau mynd yn ddiflas. Bu’n canu’r un hen gân dro ar ôl tro, yr ydym oll wedi ei chlywed o’r blaen. Yn wir, gallwn fod wedi darllen yr hyn a ddywedodd yn y Cofnod. Mae’r adeilad newydd wedi cael ei drafod yn ddiddiwedd ac ni roddaf y ddadl gerbron eto am fod pawb, ar wahân i’r Torïaid, wedi gwneud sylwadau yr wyf yn cytuno arnynt. Y bwriad erioed fu i hon fod yn Siambr dros dro. Enillodd cynllun Richard Roger gystadleuaeth agored a gwariwyd miliynau o bunnoedd eisoes. Mae angen inni symud ymlaen. Cafwyd sawl mynegiant o ddiddordeb a dylem fwrw iddi.
The Penarth Society wrote to me this week urging me to do all I could to ensure that the new building is built. It feels that it is crucial, along with the Wales Millennium Centre, to the European Captial of Culture bid. The society’s view is that we will not have any credibility if we do not go ahead with these projects. Let us not be sidelined by the Tories’ mischief-making and hoodwinked by their sheer hypocrisy. They will relish bringing visitors to the new building, particularly David Davies when he brings Conservative ladies from Monmouth to the Assembly. They will tell visitors how lovely the building is and how Wales should be proud of it, even though they did not want the building in the first place and wasted so much Assembly time trying to stop it.
Ysgrifennodd Cymdeithas Penarth ataf yr wythnos hon yn erfyn arnaf i wneud popeth o fewn fy ngallu i sicrhau y caiff yr adeilad newydd ei godi. Mae o’r farn bod yr adeilad newydd, ynghyd â Chanolfan Mileniwm Cymru, yn rhan hanfodol o’r cais i fod yn Brifddinas Ddiwylliant Ewrop. Mae’r gymdeithas o’r farn na fydd unrhyw hygrededd gennym os nad awn ymlaen â’r prosiectau hyn. Rhaid inni beidio â gadael i ddrygioni’r Torïaid dynnu ein sylw ac i’w rhagrith noeth daflu llwch i’n llygaid. Byddant ar ben eu digon yn gwahodd ymwelwyr i’r adeilad newydd, yn enwedig David Davies pan fydd yn gwahodd merched Ceidwadol Mynwy i’r Cynulliad. Byddant yn dweud wrth yr ymwelwyr pa mor braf yw’r adeilad a chymaint y dylai Cymru ymfalchïo ynddo, er nad oeddent am iddo gael ei godi yn y lle cyntaf ac er eu bod wedi gwastraffu cymaint o amser y Cynulliad yn ceisio atal yr adeilad rhag cael ei godi.
Do not forget that it is the Tories who are desperate for a room for reflection. Where would that room go even if we wanted one? There is no space for it in this building. How precious can they be, wanting a room for reflection? I would rather provide rooms for reflection to all the factory and shop workers, who would deserve it. This new building will be for everyone, not just Members, as would be their room for reflection. Ann already mentioned Peter Rogers’s visitors. Around 50 farmers visited last week. I had 20 visitors from Penarth at the same time and there was congestion in the foyer. There must be a health and safety concern related to having dozens of visitors here at the same time. The Assembly has voted over and over again to continue with the construction of the new Chamber. Which part of ‘yes’ do the Tories not understand?
Peidiwch ag anghofio mai’r Torïaid sy’n ysu am gael ystafell ar gyfer myfyrdod. Pa ystafell y gellid ei neilltuo ar ei chyfer hyd yn oed os oeddem am ei chael? Nid oes lle iddi yn yr adeilad hwn. Sôn am fod yn fursennaidd a hwythau am gael ystafell i fyfyrio ynddi? Byddai’n well gennyf ddarparu ystafelloedd ar gyfer myfyrdod i bob gweithiwr ffatri a siop, a fyddai’n ei haeddu. Bydd yr adeilad newydd ar gyfer pawb, nid dim ond yr Aelodau, fel y byddai eu hystafell ar gyfer myfyrdod. Cyfeiriodd Ann at ymwelwyr Peter Rogers eisoes. Ymwelodd tua 50 o ffermwyr yr wythnos diwethaf. Yr oedd 20 ymwelwyr o Benarth gennyf ar yr un pryd a bu cryn dagfa yn y cyntedd. Rhaid bod ystyriaethau iechyd a diogelwch yn gysylltiedig â chael dwsinau o ymwelwyr yma ar yr un pryd. Mae’r Cynulliad wedi pleidleisio droeon i barhau i adeiladu’r Siambr newydd. Pa ran o’r ‘ie’ nad yw’r Torïaid yn ei deall?
I did not support this new building originally, but we have had a democratic vote on it and it is a pity that the Conservatives—the barmy army—have to waste our time on this again. This matter should now be left to the Minister to deal with. She is working prudently and is taking a common-sense approach on behalf of all of us. It is good to hear support for her this afternoon. When farmer poll tax was speaking earlier on behalf of the Tories, the only comments that I agreed with were those on the Liberal Democrats—I wanted to compliment you on those. However, democracy has spoken, and we are where we are. We cannot simply leave a hole in the ground, although I would be tempted to use it for carcass burial—preferably Tory carcasses. We have spent around £8 million on that hole, therefore we need to provide the sort of building that is expected for the Assembly—a seat of Government. I do not like the design, I would prefer a more traditional building, but that is what it looks like and we need to get on with building it.
Ni chefnogais yr adeilad newydd hwn yn wreiddiol, ond yr ydym wedi cynnal pleidlais ddemocrataidd arno ac mae’n drueni bod y Ceidwadwyr—y llu gwallgof hwnnw—yn peri inni fradu ein hamser ar hyn unwaith eto. Dylai’r mater hwn fod yn nwylo’r Gweinidog erbyn hyn er mwyn iddi hi ddelio ag ef. Mae’n ymddwyn yn ddoeth a chyda synnwyr cyffredin ar ran pob un ohonom. Mae’n dda clywed y gefnogaeth iddi y prynhawn yma. Pan oedd y Ceidwadwr o ffermwr yn siarad yn gynharach ar ran y Torïaid, yr unig sylwadau yr oeddwn yn cytuno arnynt oedd y rheini am y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol—yr oeddwn am eich canmol amdanynt. Fodd bynnag, yr ydym wedi clywed llais democratiaeth, a dyna’r sefyllfa sydd ohoni. Ni allwn adael twll yn y ddaear, er y cawn fy nhemptio i’w ddefnyddio ar gyfer claddu carcasau—rhai Torïaidd o ddewis. Yr ydym wedi gwario tua £8 miliwn ar y twll hwnnw, felly mae angen inni godi’r math o adeilad y byddai dyn yn ei ddisgwyl ar gyfer y Cynulliad—cartref Llywodraeth. Nid wyf yn hoffi’r cynllun, byddai’n well gennyf adeilad mwy traddodiadol, ond dyna’r cynllun ac mae angen inni fwrw ymlaen â’r gwaith o godi’r adeilad.
Peter, you often talk about your constituents in Blaenau Gwent in this Chamber and the fact that they cannot understand how much money is spent in Cardiff and in the Bay, in particular. You have remained consistent on that position. Are you happy that the costs are rapidly approaching £40 million? Are you content with a £40 million project or would you be content with a £50 million or £100 million project? We do not know where the cost will end. Do you think that there should be an upper limit?
Peter, yr ydych yn aml yn sôn am eich etholwyr ym Mlaenau Gwent yn y Siambr hon a’r ffaith na allant ddeall pam bod cymaint o arian yn cael ei wario yng Nghaerdydd ac yn y Bae, yn arbennig. Buoch yn gyson yn hynny o beth. A ydych yn fodlon bod y costau yn prysur dynnu at £40 miliwn? A ydych yn fodlon ar brosiect £40 miliwn, neu a fyddech yn fodlon ar brosiect £50 miliwn neu brosiect £100 miliwn? Ni wyddom beth fydd y gost yn y pen draw? A gredwch y dylid pennu uchafswm?
After such questions, I would question the judgment of the leader of the Welsh Conservatives in making you business manager. That is pure speculation. The Conservatives’ approach is disingenuous. They talk of increasing costs and would prefer to spend the money on a children’s hospital, the health budget or any other cheap shot on which they know they cannot win. At the same time they put their hands up—or they would have if there had been a debate—to support putting £25 million of public money into the Wales Millennium Centre. Such are their double standards. I am concerned about spending money on such projects, but I also recognise democracy, which they do not. We have had a vote on this, which is what they should recognise. We need to progress on this together to ensure that we get the best type of building for the Assembly, for the new political era. The sooner we get together and support the Minister, the better for us all, including the Conservatives.
Ar ôl clywed y cwestiynau hynny, yr wyf yn amau barn arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru wrth eich penodi yn reolwr busnes. Dyfalu pur yw hynny. Mae safbwynt y Ceidwadwyr yn anonest. Maent yn sôn am gostau cynyddol a byddai’n well ganddynt pe bai’r arian yn cael ei wario ar ysbyty i blant, ar y gyllideb iechyd neu ar unrhyw beth arall y gwyddant na fyddant yn ennill y ddadl yn ei gylch. Ar yr un pryd, maent wedi cefnogi’r penderfyniad—neu byddent wedi ei gefnogi pe cynhelid dadl—i roi £25 miliwn o arian cyhoeddus i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Sôn am safonau dwbl. Yr wyf yn pryderu ynghylch y penderfyniad i wario arian ar brosiectau o’r fath, ond yr wyf hefyd yn cydnabod democratiaeth, rhywbeth nad ydynt hwy yn ei gydnabod. Cynhaliwyd pleidlais ar hyn gennym, a dylent gydnabod hynny. Mae angen bwrw ymlaen â’r gwaith hwn gyda’n gilydd er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn cael yr adeilad gorau o’i fath i’r Cynulliad, ar gyfer yr oes wleidyddol newydd. Po gyntaf y deuwn ynghyd a chefnogi’r Gweinidog, gorau oll i bawb, gan gynnwys y Ceidwadwyr.
Edwina Hart The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities spoken in English p. 97
Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 97
According to some Members’ contributions I have been swinging in the wind today; somebody has been hiding behind my skirt, and now I am supposed to be designing a tapestry—so we had better all start threading.
Yn ôl rhai o gyfraniadau’r Aelodau, yr wyf yn ddiymgeledd heddiw; y mae rhywun wedi bod yn cysgodi y tu ôl imi, ac yn awr dylwn fod yn cynllunio brodwaith—felly gwell inni fwrw iddi i wnïo.
On the day when the Welsh Conservatives propose a motion to this Assembly that is interesting, positive and perhaps a little unexpected, I will cheer, but sadly, today is not that day. The hole in the ground does not embarrass me, Alun; your party and this continuous debate on the new building does. It is not a hole in the ground, it is work that has been undertaken and that will be of use when I decide who gets the contract to construct the new building and when we get on with building it next year. That is the end of the matter. The Assembly has spoken and we are having a new building.
Pan ddaw’r dydd lle y bydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru yn dwyn cynnig gerbron y Cynulliad hwn sy’n ddiddorol, yn gadarnhaol ac ychydig yn annisgwyl o bosibl, rhoddaf floedd, ond nid yw’r dydd hwnnw wedi dod heddiw gwaetha’r modd. Nid yw’r twll yn y ddaear yn codi cywilydd arnaf, Alun: yr hyn sy’n codi cywilydd arnaf yw eich plaid chi a’r ddadl ddi-baid ar yr adeilad newydd. Nid twll yn y ddaear mohono. Mae’n waith sydd wedi ei ddechrau a fydd o ddefnydd pan benderfynaf ar y sawl a gaiff y contract i godi’r adeilad newydd a phan fwriwn iddi i’w godi y flwyddyn nesaf. Dyna ddiwedd y mater. Mae’r Cynulliad wedi mynegi ei farn ac yr ydym yn codi adeilad newydd.
The Conservatives have opposed a new Assembly building since the first day that they were elected to this institution. The Assembly has rejected the Tory view from day one and should do so again today. I sometimes ask myself what is the deep-seated opposition of the Welsh Conservatives to a new building for the National Assembly for Wales? Are the Tories against public investment in civic buildings as a point of principle? History suggests not, and Mike German mentioned that earlier.
Bu’r Ceidwadwyr yn gwrthwynebu adeilad newydd y Cynulliad ers y diwrnod cyntaf iddynt gael eu hethol i’r sefydliad hwn. Mae’r Cynulliad wedi gwrthod barn y Torïaid o’r diwrnod cyntaf a dylai wneud hynny eto heddiw. Weithiau, yr wyf yn gofyn pam bod gan Geidwadwyr Cymru wrthwynebiad mor ffyrnig i adeilad newydd Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru? A yw’r Torïaid yn erbyn buddsoddi arian cyhoeddus mewn adeiladau dinesig fel mater o egwyddor? Mae hanes yn awgrymu fel arall, a chyfeiriodd Mike German at hyn yn gynharach.
In 1840, the Tory Prime Minister, Robert Peel commissioned Charles Barry to construct the Palace of Westminster—determined to show that the rising barons of Victorian industry could be as opulent as any feudal lord. More recently, John Major authorised the large expenditure on Portcullis House—the new accommodation for Members of Parliament—which amounted to £200 million not £100 million. That is the same John Major who commissioned the Millennium Dome. The truth is that the Tory attitude to civic buildings is based entirely on their attitude to power and politics. If a building represents the union and the empire—the centralised power of privileged elites—the Tories will not spare a penny on extravagant luxury. If a building is to represent devolution and democracy, the Tories turn their backs and want nothing to do with it.
Yn 1840, comisiynwyd Charles Barry i adeiladu Palas San Steffan gan y Prif Weinidog Torïaidd, Robert Peel—a oedd yn benderfynol o ddangos y gallai barwniaid newydd diwydiant yr Oes Fictoraidd fod yr un mor ysblennydd ag unrhyw arglwydd ffiwdal. Yn fwy diweddar, awdurdododd John Major y gwariant mawr ar Dŷ Portcullis—sef adeilad newydd ar gyfer Aelodau Seneddol—a gostiodd £200 miliwn yn y pen draw nid £100 miliwn. John Major hefyd a gomisiynodd Ddôm y Mileniwm. Y gwir yw bod agwedd y Torïaid tuag at adeiladau dinesig wedi’i seilio’n gyfan gwbl ar eu hagwedd tuag at rym a gwleidyddiaeth. Os yw’r adeilad yn cynrychioli’r undeb a’r ymerodraeth—grym canolog yr etholedigion breintiedig—ni fydd y Torïaid yn arbed yr un geiniog ar foethusrwydd. Os yw adeilad yn cynrychioli datganoli a democratiaeth, mae’r Torïaid yn cefnu arno ac yn ymwrthod ag ef.
They present their opposition to the building in terms of a concern for the health budget. That is rich. They know that the rate of growth of the health budget under my stewardship is greater than at any time under their administration. To introduce the matter of a children’s hospital into the argument is emotive and crass. We should remember that this Labour administration allocated capital to that campaign. The Tories irresponsibly cut huge swathes through the capital programmes of all public services in Wales. They destroyed the seed corn. My problem now is not providing the money, but re-creating the capacity to deliver capital programmes. However, my commitment to that is reflected in the Porthmadog and Rhondda new hospital projects.
Maent yn dweud eu bod yn gwrthwynebu’r adeilad oherwydd eu pryder am y gyllideb iechyd. Go brin. Gwyddant fod cyfradd twf y gyllideb iechyd o dan fy stiwardiaeth i wedi bod yn fwy nag ar unrhyw adeg pan oeddent mewn grym. Mae codi mater yr ysbyty i blant yn y ddadl yn gynyrfiadol ac yn hurt. Dylem gofio i’r weinyddiaeth Lafur hon ddyrannu cyfalaf i’r ymgyrch honno. Bu’r Torïaid yn anghyfrifol wrth gwtogi’n fawr ar raglenni cyfalaf ym mhob un o’r gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Dinistriwyd yr asedau ganddynt. Fy mhroblem i bellach yw ail-greu’r capasiti i gyflwyno rhaglenni cyfalaf ac nid darparu’r arian. Fodd bynnag, gwelwyd fy ymrwymiad i hynny yn y prosiectau i godi ysbytai newydd ym Mhorthmadog a’r Rhondda.
I am often asked whether a new building is consistent with our aim to create a more equal Wales in which we seek to remove the poverty that scars our country. Attacking poverty is my first priority. Our policies for Objective 1, Communities First, redistributing resources in local government and in the NHS, all support this priority.
Gofynnir imi yn aml a yw codi adeilad newydd yn gyson â’n nod o greu Cymru fwy cyfartal lle yr ydym yn ceisio dileu’r tlodi sy’n bla ar ein gwlad. Ymladd tlodi yw fy mhrif flaenoriaeth. Mae ein polisïau ar gyfer Amcan 1, Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, ailddyrannu adnoddau mewn llywodraeth leol ac yn yr NHS, oll yn ategu’r flaenoriaeth hon.
I emphasise that it is not just the chattering classes that want a new Assembly building and I offer the support of some of my learning disabled constituents, who visited this Chamber and described it as being shabby and disappointing. They did not think that it was very posh. However, they looked at the new building design and said that that was beautiful. I get e-mails from them regularly asking when we are going to finish building it.
Hoffwn bwysleisio nad dim ond y dosbarth canol dysgedig sydd o blaid adeilad newydd i’r Cynulliad a mynegaf gefnogaeth rhai o’m hetholwyr ag anableddau dysgu a ymwelodd â’r Siambr hon gan ddweud ei fod yn ddi-raen ac yn siomedig. Nid oedd yn grand iawn, yn eu barn hwy. Fodd bynnag, edrychasant ar gynllun yr adeilad newydd gan ddweud ei fod yn hardd iawn. Caf negeseuon e-bost ganddynt yn rheolaidd yn gofyn pa pryd y byddwn yn cwblhau’r gwaith adeiladu.
I will ensure that the limited finance to be invested in the new building will not detract from our policies to attack poverty. When the building adds to our confidence and prestige as a nation, it will contribute towards the economic development needs of our poorest communities. That is Peter Law’s position. If we get this project right, we will improve communities in Wales. The Assembly building will be provided, and it will not be to the detriment of health expenditure or regeneration.
Byddaf yn sicrhau na fydd y cyllid cyfyngedig a gaiff ei fuddsoddi yn yr adeilad newydd yn amharu ar ein polisïau i drechu tlodi. Ar ôl i’r adeilad ennyn ein hyder a’n bri fel cenedl, bydd yn cyfrannu tuag at anghenion datblygu economaidd ein cymunedau tlotaf. Dyna safbwynt Peter Law. Os llwyddwn yn y prosiect hwn, byddwn yn gwella cymunedau yng Nghymru. Caiff adeilad y Cynulliad ei ddarparu, ac ni fydd gwariant ar iechyd neu adfywio ar ei golled o’r herwydd.
The Welsh Conservatives are opposed to this building because, in their gut they remain opposed to devolution. That is emphasised by the recent sentiments of the Conservative Party’s spokesperson on Wales, Nigel Evans, as indicated by Richard Edwards. At a time when the whole world is struggling with huge tensions, seeking to balance so many rights and interests, Nigel Evans tells this Assembly and the people we represent—the people of Wales—that we do not deserve a say on this issue. He tells us that we do not have the right to an opinion. I was discussing with the Member for Swansea West how Swansea had benefited over the years from exports of copper, iron, tin, coal and much else, however, as he put it, rarely has Swansea benefited as much as it did from the export of Nigel Evans from Townhill, which is in his constituency.
Mae Ceidwadwyr Cymru yn gwrthwynebu’r adeilad hwn am eu bod, yn y bôn, yn parhau i wrthwynebu datganoli. Pwysleisiwyd hynny yn ddiweddar gan sylwadau llefarydd y Blaid Geidwadol ar Gymru, Nigel Evans, fel y nododd Richard Edwards. Ar adeg pan fo’r holl fyd yn ymgodymu â thensiynau enfawr, gan geisio cael cydbwysedd rhwng cymaint o hawliau a buddiannau, dywed Nigel Evans wrth y Cynulliad hwn a’r bobl yr ydym yn eu cynrychioli—pobl Cymru—nad ydym yn haeddu lleisio barn ar y mater hwn. Dywed wrthym nad oes gennym hawl i fynegi barn. Yr oeddwn yn trafod gyda’r Aelod dros Orllewin Abertawe y modd y mae Abertawe wedi elwa dros y blynyddoedd ar allforio copr, haearn, tun, glo a chynhyrchion eraill, ond, fel y dywedodd, go brin bod Abertawe wedi elwa gymaint ag y gwnaeth o allforio Nigel Evans o Townhill, yn ei etholaeth ef.
I was pleased that the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, took a different view. He recognised our place in the world community and used this Assembly as a platform to address us and the world. He also recognised that at a time when we are increasingly influenced by global events, we can also devolve political power. He celebrated the achievement of devolution: our capacity to manage affairs, which are specific to Wales in Wales. He recognised that Wales was a place in which to consider world affairs.
Yr oeddwn yn falch nad oedd Prif Weinidog Prydain, Tony Blair yn arddel y farn honno. Cydnabu ein lle yng nghymuned y byd gan ddefnyddio’r Cynulliad hwn fel llwyfan i’n hannerch ni a’r byd. Cydnabu hefyd, ar adeg pan fo digwyddiadau byd-eang yn cael mwy a mwy o ddylanwad arnom, y gallwn hefyd ddatganoli pŵer gwleidyddol. Dathlodd gyflawnu datganoli: ein gallu i reoli materion sy’n ymwneud â Chymru yng Nghymru. Cydnabu fod Cymru yn wlad lle y gellid ystyried materion byd-eang.
The reporting of the London media, which was mentioned by Rhodri Glyn, was predictably self-serving. Taken away from their comfort zones of Islington, Putney and Notting Hill, the pundits patronised the locals in time-honoured fashion. Nevertheless, I challenge any Assembly Member, Conservative or otherwise, not to admit embarrassment on behalf of the people of Wales for the setting that we provided when the media of the world was focused upon us. It is clear to everyone in Wales, and everyone who looks in from elsewhere, that this chamber is not suitable for the National Assembly for Wales. Peter Rogers is out of touch with the majority of constituents that Helen Mary Jones mentioned. When children visit this Assembly, they look at it in disbelief. From the mouths of babes come some truths.
Yr oedd adroddiadau’r cyfryngau o Lundain, y cyfeiriodd Rhodri Glyn atynt, yn hunanlesol, fel y byddai rhywun yn ei ddisgwyl. A hwythau’n bell o’u llochesi yn Islington, Putney a Notting Hill, bu’r bobl ddoeth yn nawddoglyd wrth y werin yn ôl eu harfer. Serch hynny, heriaf unrhyw Aelod Cynulliad, boed yn Geidwadwr neu fel arall, i ddweud nad oedd y lleoliad a ddarparwyd gennym pan oedd llygaid cyfryngau’r byd arnom wedi codi cywilydd arnynt ar ran pobl Cymru. Mae’n amlwg i bawb yng Nghymru, a phawb sy’n edrych i mewn o’r tu allan, nad yw’r siambr hon yn addas ar gyfer Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. Mae Peter Rogers wedi colli cyswllt gyda thrwch yr etholwyr y cyfeiriodd Helen Mary Jones atynt. Pan fo plant yn ymweld â’r Cynulliad hwn, maent yn methu â chredu eu llygaid. O enau plant bychain y daw gwirionedd.
It is our role as national politicians to share a vision with the people of Wales. The vision that is offered by the Assembly Government, led by Rhodri Morgan, is of a confident nation, small but clever, proud of what it is and excited by what it can be. The First Minister has supported the new building and I am sick and tired of hearing such criticisms in this Chamber. The vision that we share with our nation needs to be expressed in the physical fabric of our building. This building, in its present form, fails dismally to achieve this purpose. The design provided by Richard Rogers provides the vision that the people of Wales need. I continue to be excited by the design: the scale is right, the location is right, the transparency is right and the vision is right.
Ein rôl ni fel gwleidyddion gwladol yw rhannu gweledigaeth gyda phobl Cymru. Y weledigaeth a gynigia Llywodraeth y Cynulliad, o dan arweiniad Rhodri Mogan, yw cenedl hyderus, fach ond clyfar, sy’n ymfalchïo ynddi’i hun ac yn edrych ymlaen yn eiddgar at yr hyn y gallai fod. Mae Prif Weinidog Cymru wedi cefnogi’r adeilad newydd ac yr wyf wedi hen ddiflasu ar glywed beirniadaeth o’r fath yn y Siambr hon. Mae angen i’r weledigaeth a rannwn â’r genedl gael ei mynegi yng ngwneuthuriad ein hadeilad. Mae’r adeilad hwn, fel y saif, yn methu’n druenus ag ateb y diben hwnnw. Mae cynllun Richard Rogers yn rhoi’r weledigaeth sydd ei hangen ar bobl Cymru. Yr wyf yn parhau i deimlo’n frwdfrydig ynglŷn â’r cynllun: mae’r raddfa yn gywir, mae’r lleoliad yn gywir, mae natur agored yr adeilad yn gywir ac mae’r weledigaeth yn gywir.
It is therefore necessary that I explain once again why I cancelled the commission of the Richard Rogers Partnership. I stress that I am committed to the design and I state that I have always admired Lord Rogers as an architect. Glyn Davies’s cheap jibes about the roof were not appropriate for this discussion. This is not about apportioning blame. I cancelled the commission only because I no longer trusted the partnership’s ability to manage the costs and share with me its understanding of those costs. I did not cancel just because the costs were rising. People in Wales are not naïve; they know that the costs of a complex building project can rise. I cancelled because when my independent advisers tried to share an understanding of why the costs were rising, the partnership refused to accept responsibility and continued to claim the opposite of what was clearly the case. If the Richard Rogers Partnership had been able to work with my advisers to share that understanding of how the project was developing, I would have been willing to come back to the Assembly to consider the cost ceiling arrangement.
Felly mae angen imi egluro unwaith eto pam y bu imi ganslo comisiwn Partneriaeth Richard Rogers. Hoffwn bwysleisio fy mod yn ymrwymedig i’r cynllun a nodi fy mod wedi edmygu’r Arglwydd Rogers fel pensaer erioed. Mae sylwadau diwerth Glyn Davies am y to yn amhriodol yn y drafodaeth hon. Nid mater o feio pobl ydyw. Yr unig reswm dros ganslo’r comisiwn oedd nad oeddwn yn ymddiried yng ngallu’r bartneriaeth i reoli’r costau a thrafod gyda mi ei dehongliad o’r costau hynny. Ni chanslwyd y prosiect am fod y costau yn cynyddu. Nid yw pobl yng Nghymru yn naïf; gwyddant y gall costau prosiect adeiladu cymhleth gynyddu. Canslwyd y prosiect gennyf am fod y bartneriaeth, pan geisiodd fy nghynghorwyr annibynnol gael ei dehongliad pam bod y costau yn cynyddu, wedi gwrthod bod yn gyfrifol ac wedi parhau i honni bod pethau yn groes i’r hyn a oedd yn amlwg yn digwydd. Pe bai Partneriaeth Richard Rogers wedi llwyddo i weithio gyda’m cynghorwyr i ddeall sut yr oedd y prosiect yn datblygu, byddwn wedi bod yn barod i ddychwelyd i’r Cynulliad i ystyried y trefniadau o ran uchafbris.
I am pleased to say that, within the past week, a significant number of highly reputable firms have expressed an interest in working with us to provide the new Assembly building. I say to Assembly Members, to the people of Wales and to those construction firms, that the National Assembly for Wales will today recommit itself to providing the people of Wales with a building on the existing design. We are committed to the design and vision of the building, but we combine our vision with a sensible regard for value for money. I acknowledge Members’ recognition of the cost ceiling. After I have assessed the expressions of interest and gone through the necessary process, I will report back to the Assembly on how matters are developing.
Yr wyf yn falch o nodi bod nifer sylweddol o gwmnïau ag enw da iawn wedi mynegi diddordeb mewn gweithio gyda ni i ddarparu adeilad newydd y Cynulliad yn ystod yr wythnos diwethaf. Dywedaf wrth Aelodau’r Cynulliad, wrth bobl Cymru ac wrth y cwmnïau adeiladu hynny, y bydd Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru heddiw yn ymrwymo o’r newydd i roi adeilad i bobl Cymru yn ôl y cynllun presennol. Yr ydym yn ymrwymedig i gynllun a gweledigaeth yr adeilad, ond o fewn ein gweledigaeth yr ydym hefyd yn rhoi sylw synhwyrol i werth am arian. Nodaf gydnabyddiaeth yr Aelodau o uchafbris. Ar ôl imi asesu’r datganiadau o ddiddordeb a chwblhau’r broses angenrheidiol, byddaf yn cyflwyno adroddiad i’r Cynulliad ar y ffordd y mae pethau’n datblygu.
We look forward to entering into a partnership with an organisation that can build to the existing design and work with us to manage costs. We say to the construction industry that Wales has proved itself to be a place to do business, to achieve visionary buildings with a people who can combine vision with good management. Dafydd Wigley’s comments about financial matters were most welcome in that regard.
Edrychwn ymlaen at lunio partneriaeth gyda sefydliad a all godi’r adeilad yn unol â’r cynllun presennol a gweithio gyda ni i reoli costau. Dywedwn wrth y diwydiant adeiladu fod Cymru wedi profi ei bod yn lle da i wneud busnes, i godi adeiladau a chanddynt weledigaeth gyda phobl a all uno gweledigaeth â rheoli da. Yr oeddwn yn croesawu sylwadau Dafydd Wigley ynglŷn â materion ariannol yn hynny o beth yn fawr iawn.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 101
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 101
You have about 15 seconds remaining.
Mae gennych 15 eiliad ar ôl.
I thank the Welsh Conservatives for providing the opportunity for us to restate our position, but I ask the Assembly to defeat their motion.
Diolchaf i Geidwadwyr Cymru am roi’r cyfle inni nodi ein safbwynt unwaith eto, ond gofynnaf i’r Cynulliad wrthod eu cynnig.
This debate is about three issues. I am surprised that some Members—Peter Law for one—suggest that it is undemocratic to propose such a motion for debate in the National Assembly. It is part of the Assembly’s established tradition that Members can choose debates and invite Members to vote accordingly. We understand that the majority of Assembly Members want a new Assembly building. However, many Members have spoken today about a cost ceiling. Alison Halford and the leader of Plaid Cymru spoke about this—
Mae’r ddadl hon yn ymwneud â thri mater. Synnaf fod rhai Aelodau—Peter Law er enghraifft—yn awgrymu mai peth annemocrataidd yw cynnig cynnig o’r fath ar gyfer dadl yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Mae’n rhan o draddodiad sydd wedi ymsefydlu yn y Cynulliad bod yr Aelodau yn gallu dewis dadleuon a gwahodd yr Aelodau i bleidleisio yn unol â hynny. Deallwn fod y mwyafrif o Aelodau’r Cynulliad o blaid adeilad newydd i’r Cynulliad. Fodd bynnag, mae llawer o’r Aelodau wedi siarad heddiw am gael uchafbris. Siaradodd Alison Halford ac arweinydd Plaid Cymru am hyn—
The former leader of Plaid Cymru.
Cyn-arweinydd Plaid Cymru.
In the absence of the present leader it is easy to fall into that trap.
Gan nad yw’r arweinydd presennol yma mae’n hawdd syrthio i’r fagl honno.
Every Member has thought of a price at which they would say ‘no further’. Therefore let us escape from the first illusion that Edwina Hart sought to create.
Mae pob Aelod wedi meddwl am bris lle y byddent yn dweud ‘dim pellach’. Felly gadewch inni wrthod camargraff cyntaf Edwina Hart.
Will you give way?
A ildiwch?
There is not enough time, Rhodri. I am sorry.
Nid oes gennyf ddigon o amser, Rhodri. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf.
It is an illusion that people who speak against a new Assembly building are somehow against devolution. When you say to people that they are speaking up for a privileged elite, speak to the people in Wales. In saying that we would rather invest the money in a children’s hospital than in a palace for politicians, let us realise where the privileged elite lies. It would do some of you good to speak to electors in Alyn and Deeside and Blaenau Gwent; see what they think and then report back to the Assembly. [Interruption.]
Mae’n gamargraff bod pobl sy’n siarad yn erbyn adeilad newydd y Cynulliad rhywsut yn erbyn datganoli. Pan ddywedwch wrth bobl eu bod yn siarad dros yr etholedigion breintiedig, siaradwch â’r bobl yng Nghymru. Wrth ddweud y byddai’n well gennym fuddsoddi’r arian mewn ysbyty i blant yn lle adeilad crand i wleidyddion, rhaid inni sylweddoli ble y mae’r etholedigion breintiedig. Byddai’n gwneud lles i rai ohonoch siarad ag etholwyr yn Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy a Blaenau Gwent; gwrandewch arnynt hwy ac yna dewch yn ôl i’r Cynulliad. [Torri ar draws.]
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 102
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 102
Order. I urge everyone to calm down. We should finish at 5.30 p.m. We will overrun by about four minutes at this rate. It will be longer if we have disorder in the Chamber.
Trefn. Anogaf bawb i ymdawelu. Dylem orffen am 5.30 p.m. Awn bedair munud dros ein hamser fel y mae pethau ar hyn o bryd. Bydd yn hwyrach byth os bydd anhrefn yn y Siambr.
There is no doubt that this project is unpopular with people throughout Wales. You know that very well, which is why you are uncomfortable with it. There has been much talk about a new democracy, but what matters is what takes place in the Assembly. I felt no sense of shame when the Prime Minister addressed the Assembly as it was an occasion for Wales. What he said mattered far more than the building in which he was saying it. I will not take lessons from London-based journalists, who came here on a cheap-day return from Paddington, about where we should hold debates. It is fine by me that we spend a lot of money on this building because this is where debates should be conducted, on this issue and others. There is no reason why that cannot happen. We will take no lessons from the Labour Party on spending money sensibly. We would spend it on health, not on a new, expensive Assembly building.
Nid oes amheuaeth bod y prosiect hwn yn amhoblogaidd gyda phobl ledled Cymru. Gwyddoch hynny, a dyna pam eich bod yn anghyfforddus ynglŷn ag ef. Bu llawer o sôn am ddemocratiaeth newydd, ond yr hyn sy’n bwysig yw’r hyn sy’n digwydd yn y Cynulliad. Ni theimlais unrhyw gywilydd pan anerchwyd y Cynulliad gan y Prif Weinidog gan mai achlysur i Gymru ydoedd. Yr oedd yr hyn a ddywedodd yn llawer pwysicach na’r adeilad lle yr oedd yn ei ddweud. Ni dderbyniaf wersi gan newyddiadurwyr Llundain, a ddaeth yma ar docyn dwyffordd rhad o Paddington, ynghylch lle y dylem gynnal dadleuon. Mae’n dderbyniol imi ein bod yn gwario llawer o arian ar yr adeilad hwn am mai yma y dylid cynnal dadleuon, ar y mater hwn ac ar faterion eraill. Nid oes unrhyw reswm pam na all hynny ddigwydd. Ni dderbyniwn unrhyw wersi gan y Blaid Lafur ar wario arian yn ddoeth. Byddem yn ei wario ar iechyd, nid ar adeilad newydd, drud i’r Cynulliad.
I will try to deal with some of the contributions. Mike German—part stand-up comedian, part Liberal politician, which is an easy transition—contributed a frolic of his own. I do not know to whom he has been speaking if he thinks that this is a popular policy throughout Wales, as he seemed to be suggesting. This is about more than cost. It is about establishing two things. First, not all Members want a new building. There is a conception that every time the Assembly announces something it is with the support of all parties. We do not want the building and have been consistent throughout. Others have also been consistent throughout.
Ceisiaf ymdrin â rhai o’r cyfraniadau. Cyfrannodd Mike German—hanner digrifwr, hanner gwleidydd Rhyddfrydol, sy’n drawsnewid hawdd—ei firi ei hun. Ni wn â phwy y siaradodd os cred fod hwn yn bolisi poblogaidd ledled Cymru, fel yr awgryma, yn ôl pob golwg. Nid cost yn unig sydd wrth wraidd y mater hwn. Mae a wnelo â chanfod dau beth. Yn gyntaf, nid yw pob Aelod o blaid yr adeilad newydd. Pan gyhoedda’r Cynulliad rywbeth, credir ei fod yn gwneud hynny bob tro gyda chefnogaeth pob un o’r pleidiau. Nid ydym o blaid yr adeilad a buom yn gyson yn hynny o beth ar hyd yr amser. Bu eraill hefyd yn gyson.
However, that cannot be said of the First Minister. In 1998, he said that an Assembly building in Cardiff Bay would be ‘a dog’s breakfast’. He was right, but he has changed his mind several times since. He signed up to the policy of Alun Michael, who wanted the Assembly building in the Bay. He then put forward a compromise position. Edwina Hart then fired Richard Rogers after the costs began to escalate, but only after they really started to go through the roof. Sometimes she seemed quite happy to accept the extra costs. She was a good-time girl on some occasions, throwing money about as if it was going out of fashion, and exercising prudence on others. It has to be said that, all the while, we have not heard from the First Minister. The First Minister, as is so often the case when there is a difficult decision to be made, he ducks it and is nowhere to be seen. We have seen the ‘not me gov’’ routine. Labour Members and others know that this is the case. We saw the routine during the fuel crisis, the foot and mouth disease crisis, last year’s floods and the Mike German crisis. We are now seeing it with the new Assembly building. Where does the First Minister stand on this? We thought that he might speak in this debate. We challenged him to do so, but it has not happened. If he wants to get up now to say where he stands on this, I would be happy to give way for about 10 seconds or so. [CONSERVATIVE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Get up, Rhodri.’]
Fodd bynnag, ni ellir dweud hynny am Brif Weinidog Cymru. Yn 1998, dywedodd mai ‘dog’s breakfast’ fyddai adeilad Cynulliad ym Mae Caerdydd. Yr oedd yn llygad ei le, ond mae wedi newid ei feddwl sawl gwaith ers hynny. Cefnogodd bolisi Alun Michael, a oedd o blaid codi adeilad y Cynulliad yn y Bae. Yna awgrymodd gyfaddawd. Yna diswyddwyd Richard Rogers gan Edwina Hart ar ôl i’r costau ddechrau cynyddu, ond dim ond ar ôl iddynt fynd y tu hwnt i bob rheswm mewn gwirionedd. Weithiau ymddangosai ei bod hi’n eithaf bodlon ar y costau ychwanegol. Yr oedd yn afrad weithiau, yn taflu arian fel pe bai’n mynd allan o’r ffasiwn, ac yna’n gynnil ar adegau eraill. Rhaid dweud drwy hyn oll, ni chlywsom yr un gair gan Brif Weinidog Cymru. Mae Prif Weinidog Cymru, fel sy’n digwydd mor aml pan fo penderfyniad anodd i’w wneud, yn ei osgoi ac nid oes sôn amdano. Yr ydym wedi clywed y gân ‘nid fi sydd ar fai’. Gŵyr yr Aelodau Llafur ac eraill nad yw hynny’n wir. Clywsom y gân honno yn ystod yr argyfwng tanwydd, argyfwng clwy’r traed a’r genau a’r llifogydd y llynedd ac argyfwng Mike German. Clywn hyn eto wrth drafod adeilad newydd y Cynulliad. Beth yw barn Prif Weinidog Cymru arno? Yr oeddem yn credu y byddai’n siarad o bosibl yn y ddadl hon. Fe’i heriwyd gennym i wneud hynny, ond nid yw hynny wedi digwydd. Os hoffai godi ar ei draed yn awr i ddweud ei farn, byddwn yn fwy na pharod i ildio am ryw 10 eiliad. [AELODAU CEIDWADOL Y CYNULLIAD: ‘Codwch ar eich traed, Rhodri.’]
There is an apparent lack of interest. He is like T.S. Eliot’s mystery cat, Macavity, who ‘always has an alibi’ and is ‘not there’:
Ymddengys nad oes ganddo ddiddordeb. Mae’n debyg i gath ddirgelaidd T.S. Eliot, Macavity, sydd bob amser ag alibi ac nid yw yno:
‘Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity… He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare: At whatever time the deed took place—Macavity wasn’t there’.
That is how it was with the fuel crisis, foot and mouth disease, the floods and this is how it is now.
Dyna sut y bu yn ystod yr argyfwng tanwydd, clwy’r traed a’r genau, y llifogydd a dyna sut y mae ar hyn o bryd.
In proposing this motion we have no illusions that the majority of Members will vote against us. I do not know why. It is not because—[Interruption.]
Wrth gynnig y cynnig hwn, nid ydym yn ein twyllo ein hunain o gwbl. Bydd y mwyafrif o’r Aelodau yn pleidleisio yn ein herbyn. Ni wn pam. Nid oherwydd—[Torri ar draws.]
There has been much talk of symbols. Edwina Hart said that she feels no embarrassment over the hole in the ground. If she is not embarrassed why did she put an expensive fence around it? Does that signal the new democracy—hiding things from the people of Wales? The costs will rise and there must come a time when we say ‘this far and no further’. We want the money spent on health. I agree with some of Dafydd Wigley’s sentiments and passion when he asked in a debate earlier this afternoon whether Members feel proud when they have to tell former miners that they will have to wait for compensation. A proper sense of priorities in our first term would mean putting the new building on hold, spending the money on public services, earning some respect and then considering a new building project. Putting the cart before the horse does not make sense.
Bu cryn sôn am symbolau. Dywedodd Edwina Hart nad yw’n teimlo unrhyw gywilydd ynglŷn â’r twll yn y ddaear. Os nad oes cywilydd arni, pam ei bod wedi codi’r ffens ddrud o’i amgylch? A yw hynny yn arwydd o’r ddemocratiaeth newydd—cuddio pethau o olwg pobl Cymru? Bydd y costau’n cynyddu a daw amser, mae’n rhaid, pan ddywedwn ‘hyd yma a dim pellach’. Yr ydym am i’r arian gael ei wario ar iechyd. Cytunaf â rhai o sylwadau dwys Dafydd Wigley pan ofynnodd mewn dadl yn gynharach y prynhawn yma a oedd yr Aelodau yn falch bod yn rhaid iddynt ddweud wrth gyn-lowyr eu bod yn gorfod aros am iawndal. Byddai blaenoriaethau priodol yn ein tymor cyntaf yn golygu gohirio’r adeilad newydd dros dro, gwario’r arian ar y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, ennyn rhywfaint o barch ac yna ystyried prosiect yr adeilad newydd. Nid yw rhoi’r drol o flaen y ceffyl yn gwneud synnwyr.
Lorraine Barrett a gododd—
Lorraine Barrett rose—
I can understand your interest, you are the Member for the area. I invite Members to support our motion, but I have no illusions. However, the people of Wales will make their judgement and I know where they will put their crosses on this issue.
Gallaf ddeall eich diddordeb. Chi yw’r Aelod dros yr ardal. Gwahoddaf yr Aelodau i gefnogi ein cynnig, ond ni thwyllaf fy hun yn hynny o beth. Fodd bynnag, bydd pobl Cymru yn mynegi eu barn a gwn ym mha le y byddant yn rhoi eu croesau o ran y mater hwn.
Cynnig NDM832 Glyn Davies t. 105
Motion NDM832 Glyn Davies p. 105
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 9 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 40
Gwrthodwyd y cynnig.
Motion defeated.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (9)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- William Graham
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rod Richards
- Peter Rogers
Yn erbynAgainst (40)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Cynog Dafis
- Andrew Davies
- Geraint Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Alison Halford
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- David Lloyd
- Peter Law
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Dafydd Wigley
- Phil Williams
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 5.33 p.m.
The session ended at 5.33 p.m.