Cymraeg

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting

Dydd Mawrth 19 Tachwedd 2002

Tuesday 19 November 2002

DechreuoddMet 14:00 · Daeth i benRose 17:19

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

Heb ei wirio â llaw etoNot yet checked by hand

CynnwysContents

  1. 3Datganiad Personol gan David MeldingPersonal Statement by David Melding
  2. 4Cwestiynau i’r Prif WeinidogQuestions to the First Minister
    1. 4Targedau IechydHealth Targets
    2. 10Perthynas WaithWorking Relationships
    3. 11Gwasanaethau Trafnidiaeth GyhoeddusPublic Transport Services
    4. 14Llysgenadaethau’r CynulliadAssembly Embassies
    5. 16Y Swyddfa Ystadegau GwladolThe Office for National Statistics
    6. 18Ariannu Gwasanaethau IechydFunding Health Services
    7. 20Cyffur Gwrthiselder, SeroxatAnti-depressant Drug, Seroxat
    8. 21Uwchgynhadledd y Ddaear, JohannesburgEarth Summit, Johannesburg
    9. 23Ansawdd Cludiant Cyhoeddus yn y GogleddQuality of Public Transport in North Wales
    10. 24Amddiffynfeydd rhag LlifogyddFlood Defences
  3. 27Datganiad ar Brosiect Cau’r BwlchStatement on the Narrowing the Gap Project
  4. 39Datganiad ar Fenter Hawliau LlesStatement on the Welfare Rights Initiative
  5. 46Datganiad BusnesBusiness Statement
  6. 48Pwyntiau o DrefnPoints of Order
  7. 50Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Erthylu (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2002Approval of the Abortion (Amendment)(Wales) Regulations 2002 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
  8. 56Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Awdurdodau Lleol (Gweithredu Trefniadau Gweithredol neu Amgen Gwahanol) (Cymru) 2002Approval of the Local Authorities (Operation of Different Executive or Alternative Arrangements) (Wales ) Regulations 2002 3 o bleidleisiau3 votes
  9. 64Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Y Blaid Geidwadol)Minority Party Debate (The Conservative Party) 3 o bleidleisiau3 votes
    1. 64Ysbytai Sefydledig y Gwasanaeth Iechyd GwladolNational Health Service Foundation Hospitals 3 o bleidleisiau3 votes
  10. 99Pwyntiau o DrefnPoints of Order

PleidleisiauVotes

PleidlaisVoteO blaidForYmatalAbstainYn erbynAgainstCanlyniadResult
Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Erthylu (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2002Approval of the Abortion (Amendment)(Wales) Regulations 2002
Cynnig NDM1214Motion NDM12144622DerbyniwydAdopted
Cynnig NDM1215Motion NDM12154422DerbyniwydAdopted
Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Awdurdodau Lleol (Gweithredu Trefniadau Gweithredol neu Amgen Gwahanol) (Cymru) 2002Approval of the Local Authorities (Operation of Different Executive or Alternative Arrangements) (Wales ) Regulations 2002
Cynnig NDM1216Motion NDM121630128DerbyniwydAdopted
Gwelliant 1Amendment 19042GwrthodwydRejected
Cynnig NDM1217Motion NDM121728129DerbyniwydAdopted
Ysbytai Sefydledig y Gwasanaeth Iechyd GwladolNational Health Service Foundation Hospitals
Gwelliant 1Amendment 132023DerbyniwydAdopted
Gwelliant 2Amendment 232022DerbyniwydAdopted
Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygioAmended motion32814DerbyniwydAdopted

TrafodionProceedings

Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 2 p.m. gyda’r Llywydd yn y Gadair.

The Assembly met at 2 p.m. with the Presiding Officer in the Chair.

Datganiad Personol gan David Melding

Personal Statement by David Melding

David Melding spoken in English p. 3

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

I take this opportunity to explain why I have resigned as Chair of the Committee on Standards of Conduct. The Committee’s workload has been extensive and more exacting than was perhaps originally anticipated. Many of the Assembly’s procedures and Standing Orders have needed refinement and adaptation during its inaugural term. The Committee has been keen to use the light of experience to examine the efficacy of a standards regime that was designed in the run-up to the Assembly’s creation in 1999. Essentially, our task has been to make a given system more coherent, not to replace it with a whole new structure of our own. In its annual debates on the Committee’s work, the Assembly in Plenary has never indicated any anxiety about this approach.

Achubaf ar y cyfle hwn i egluro pam yr wyf wedi ymddiswyddo o fod yn Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad. Bu llwyth gwaith y Pwyllgor yn helaeth ac yn fanylach nag a ragwelwyd yn wreiddiol o bosibl. Bu’n rhaid gwella ac chaboli llawer o weithdrefnau a Rheolau Sefydlog y Cynulliad yn ystod ei dymor cyntaf. Bu’r Pwyllgor yn awyddus i ddefnyddio goleuni profiad i archwilio effeithiolrwydd cyfundrefn safonau a ddyfeisiwyd yn y cyfnod cyn sefydlu’r Cynulliad yn 1999. Yn y bôn, ein tasg oedd gwneud system benodol yn fwy cyson, nid creu fframwaith cyfan newydd i’w roi yn ei lle. Yn ei ddadleuon blynyddol ar waith y Pwyllgor, nid yw Cyfarfod Llawn y Cynulliad erioed wedi nodi unrhyw bryder ynghylch y dull gweithredu hwn.

However, of all the issues examined, none has caused more difficulty than the unique requirement for membership of the Freemasons to be registered by Assembly Members. After nearly two years’ work, the Committee on Standards of Conduct unanimously proposed a change to the rules. However, our recommendation to replace the present unique obligation on freemasons with a common requirement for AMs to record membership of all private clubs and societies was defeated in Plenary last Wednesday. Had it been carried by the necessary two-thirds majority, the change would have preserved the existing requirement to register freemasonry and satisfied freemasons that they were not being singled out unfairly. In acting as it has, the Assembly has, at least temporarily, destroyed the Committee’s authority. The Committee must review sensitive matters, as well as complaints against Members. That work is impossible unless Committee members act in a non-partisan way. The judgment of the Committee on Standards of Conduct on substantive issues should be confirmed by Plenary when the Committee has achieved consensus. Otherwise, there is no hope of the Assembly having an effective standards regime based on internal regulation within the bounds set by law. If this seems self-evident, I remind Members that the precedent set last week is that a unanimous recommendation from the Committee can be overturned by Plenary, even in the face of persuasive legal advice. I believe that, by resigning as Chair, I can offer the Committee some protection from what I consider to be arbitrary pressures. The Assembly must not allow the current debilitating situation to persist. It should move quickly to set a new and honourable precedent to never overturn a clear decision by the Committee on Standards of Conduct, other than for strictly legal considerations. Without such a convention, the Committee will be permanently enfeebled.

Fodd bynnag, o’r holl faterion a archwiliwyd, nid oes yr un wedi peri mwy o anhawster na’r gofyniad unigryw i Aelodau’r Cynulliad gofrestru aelodaeth o’r Seiri Rhyddion. Wedi ymron ddwy flynedd o waith, cynigiodd y Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad yn unfrydol i newid y rheolau. Fodd bynnag, yn y Cyfarfod Llawn ddydd Mercher diwethaf, trechwyd ein hargymhelliad y dylid cyfnewid y rhwymedigaeth unigryw bresennol ar seiri rhyddion â gofyniad cyffredinol i Aelodau’r Cynulliad gofnodi eu haelodaeth o bob clwb a chymdeithas breifat. Pe bai’r cynnig wedi’i dderbyn gan y mwyafrif gofynnol o ddwy ran o dair, byddai’r newid wedi cadw’r gofyniad presennol i gofrestru aelodaeth o’r Seiri Rhyddion ac wedi bodloni seiri rhyddion na wahaniaethir yn annheg yn eu herbyn. Drwy weithredu fel y gwnaeth, mae’r Cynulliad wedi dinistrio awdurdod y Pwyllgor, dros dro o leiaf. Rhaid i’r Pwyllgor adolygu materion sensitif, yn ogystal â chwynion yn erbyn Aelodau. Mae’r gwaith hwnnw’n amhosibl oni bai bod aelodau’r Pwyllgor yn gweithredu’n amhleidiol. Dylai barn y Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad ar faterion o bwys gael ei chadarnhau gan y Cyfarfod Llawn pan fo’r Pwyllgor wedi dod i gonsensws. Fel arall, nid oes gobaith cael cyfundrefn safonau effeithiol sy’n seiliedig ar reoleiddio mewnol o fewn y terfynau a osodwyd gan y gyfraith. Os yw hyn yn ymddangos yn amlwg ohono’i hun, yr wyf yn atgoffa’r Aelodau mai’r gynsail a osodwyd yr wythnos diwethaf yw y gall argymhelliad unfrydol gan y Pwyllgor gael ei droi ar ei ben gan y Cyfarfod Llawn, hyd yn oed yn wyneb cyngor cyfreithiol argyhoeddiadol. Credaf y gallaf, drwy ymddiswyddo o fod yn Gadeirydd, gynnig rhywfaint o amddiffyniad i’r Pwyllgor rhag yr hyn a ystyriaf yn bwysau gormesol. Rhaid i’r Cynulliad beidio â chaniatáu i’r sefyllfa wanhaol bresennol barhau. Dylai gymryd camau buan i osod cynsail newydd ac anrhydeddus i beidio byth â mynd yn erbyn penderfyniad pendant gan y Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad, ac eithrio oherwydd ystyriaethau cwbl gyfreithiol. Heb gonfensiwn o’r fath, bydd y Pwyllgor wedi’i wanhau’n barhaol.

We are privileged to serve in the Assembly’s inaugural term. It is only to be expected that, in its early days, the Assembly will occasionally stumble. However, the Plenary’s decision on freemasonry was a serious error of judgment that, if not corrected, will cause lasting damage to this institution.

Mae’n fraint i ni wasanaethu yn nhymor cyntaf y Cynulliad. Mae’n gwbl ddisgwyliadwy y bydd y Cynulliad yn baglu weithiau yn ei ddyddiau cynnar. Fodd bynnag, yr oedd penderfyniad y Cyfarfod Llawn ar y Seiri Rhyddion yn gamfarn ddifrifol a fydd yn peri niwed parhaol i’r sefydliad hwn os na chaiff ei chywiro.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 4

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

I am grateful to you, David, for the tone of your personal statement and for your service to the Assembly thus far.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar ichi, David, am naws eich datganiad personol ac am eich gwasanaeth i’r Cynulliad hyd yn hyn.

Cwestiynau i’r Prif Weinidog

Questions to the First Minister

Targedau Iechyd

Health Targets

Q1 Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 4

C1 Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

Would the First Minister make a statement on progress towards meeting health targets? (OAQ20301)

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar y camau a gymerwyd i gyrraedd targedau iechyd? (OAQ20301)

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 4

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales’s report for the year 2001-02 charts progress in meeting the 15 health-gain targets set out in ‘Better Health, Better Wales’. The report shows positive trends in lung, breast and cervical cancers and in coronary heart disease and strokes. There is less, but nevertheless positive, evidence of improvement in relation to teenage smoking and dental caries, but for other matters, such as accidents and low birth-weight, the report does not find evidence of improvement. However, it demonstrates the Government’s determination to provide services in Wales that focus on the health of our population and not simply on the creation of an illness service.

Mae adroddiad Prif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru am y flwyddyn 2001-02 yn disgrifio’r cynnydd o ran cyrraedd y 15 targed cynnydd mewn iechyd a nodwyd yn ‘Gwell Iechyd, Gwell Cymru’. Mae’r adroddiad yn dangos tueddiadau cadarnhaol yng nghanser yr ysgyfaint, y fron a cheg y groth ac yng nghlefyd coronaidd y galon a strôc. Mae llai o dystiolaeth, ond cadarnhaol er hynny, o welliant o ran ysmygu ymysg rhai yn eu harddegau a phydredd dannedd, ond yng nghyd-destun materion eraill, fel damweiniau a phwysau geni isel, nid yw’r adroddiad yn canfod tystiolaeth o welliant. Er hynny, mae’n dangos penderfyniad y Llywodraeth i ddarparu gwasanaethau yng Nghymru sy’n canolbwyntio ar iechyd ein poblogaeth ac nid yn unig ar greu gwasanaeth salwch.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 5

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

As we approach the end of the Assembly term, with elections in around six months’ time, it is worth reminding the First Minister of the commitments made in the last election. The Labour Party’s manifesto stated:

Wrth inni nesáu at ddiwedd tymor y Cynulliad, a’r etholiadau ymhen tua chwe mis, mae’n werth atgoffa’r Prif Weinidog am yr ymrwymiadau a wnaed yn ystod yr etholiad diwethaf. Dywedodd maniffesto’r Blaid Lafur:

‘By the end of a Labour Assembly’s first term, no one will wait more than six months for outpatient treatment, or more than 18 months for inpatient treatment’.

Erbyn diwedd tymor cyntaf Cynulliad Llafur, ni fydd neb yn disgwyl mwy na chwe mis am driniaeth cleifion allanol, neu fwy na 18 mis am driniaeth cleifion mewnol.

The latest statistics show that the number of people waiting more than six months for out-patient treatment rose from 5,956 in March 1997 to 83,433 by 30 September 2002. The number of people waiting longer than 18 months for in-patient operations rose from 1,402 in March 1997 to 4,335 by 30 September. First Minister, do you think that it is time that you apologised?

Dengys yr ystadegau diweddaraf fod nifer y rhai sy’n disgwyl am fwy na chwe mis am driniaeth cleifion allanol wedi codi o 5,956 ym Mawrth 1997 i 83,433 erbyn 30 Medi 2002. Mae’r nifer sy’n disgwyl am fwy na 18 mis am lawdriniaethau cleifion mewnol wedi codi o 1,402 ym Mawrth 1997 i 4,335 erbyn 30 Medi. Brif Weinidog, a gredwch ei bod yn bryd ichi ymddiheuro?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 5

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

Waiting lists are important. However, I answered the question as it was set down. You chose to table the question as you did and I answered it honestly, responding to how you framed the question. While waiting lists are important, most people’s experience of the national health service relates to seeing a consultant about chronic conditions such as arthritis, bronchitis, diabetes and coronary heart disease, and does not relate to waiting lists. If you concentrate on waiting lists alone, you miss out the majority of the NHS’s work in dealing with those chronic conditions. That is what takes up a large part of its time. I am astonished that you are unable to pick up on the answer to your question. I answered your question. If you did not want to ask that question, why did you table it? I can only answer the questions as tabled. The Chief Medical Officer for Wales’s report shows that there was an improvement and positive trends in relation to lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, coronary heart disease and strokes. If you do not think that such improvements are good for the population of Wales, I do not know what planet you live on.

Mae rhestrau aros yn bwysig. Fodd bynnag, atebais y cwestiwn fel y’i gosodwyd. Chi a ddewisodd gyflwyno’r cwestiwn fel y gwnaethoch ac fe’i hatebais yn onest, gan ymateb i’r modd y lluniwyd y cwestiwn. Er bod rhestrau aros yn bwysig, mae profiad y rhan fwyaf o bobl o’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol yn ymwneud â gweld ymgynghorydd ynghylch anhwylderau cronig fel arthritis, broncitis, clefyd siwgwr a chlefyd coronaidd y galon, ac nid â rhestrau aros. Os canolbwyntiwch ar restrau aros yn unig, yr ydych yn methu’r rhan fwyaf o waith y GIG wrth ddelio â’r anhwylderau cronig hynny. Hynny sy’n mynd â rhan fawr o amser y gwasanaeth. Synnaf na allwch ddilyn yr ateb i’ch cwestiwn. Atebais eich cwestiwn. Os nad oeddech am ofyn y cwestiwn hwnnw, pam y gwnaethoch ei gyflwyno? Ni allaf ond ateb y cwestiynau fel y’u cyflwynwyd. Mae adroddiad Prif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru’n dangos bod gwelliant a thueddiadau cadarnhaol o ran canser yr ysgyfaint, canser y fron, canser ceg y groth, clefyd coronaidd y galon a strôc. Os na chredwch fod gwelliannau o’r fath yn beth da i boblogaeth Cymru, ni wn ar ba blaned yr ydych yn byw.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 6

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

Do you agree that the way that targets have been set in the past has sometimes had the negative effect of distorting clinical priorities? Do you agree that we must move towards a more holistic way of measuring healthcare performance and patients’ experience of the service?

A gytunwch fod y dull o osod targedau yn y gorffennol wedi cael effaith negyddol weithiau drwy wyrdroi blaenoriaethau clinigol? A gytunwch fod rhaid inni symud tuag at ddull mwy cyfannol o fesur perfformiad gofal iechyd a phrofiad cleifion o’r gwasanaeth?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 6

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

I agree. I thought that that was what Alun Cairns was trying to get at in framing his question as he did. He asked about health targets and my response was about health targets. It was a good question, but he now realises that he did not want to ask it in the first place because he is not interested in health gains. The public is interested in health gains. According to the Chief Medical Officer, there are clear health gains as regards lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, coronary heart disease and strokes. That is undoubtedly a measure of the achievements made in improving the population’s health and lifestyles and of the achievements made by the consultants, the GPs, the nurses and all those who work for the NHS.

Cytunaf. Tybiais mai hynny a oedd dan sylw gan Alun Cairns gan iddo lunio ei gwestiwn yn y fath fodd. Holodd am dargedau iechyd ac yr oedd fy ymateb yn ymwneud â thargedau iechyd. Yr oedd yn gwestiwn da, ond mae’n sylweddoli’n awr nad oedd am ei ofyn yn y lle cyntaf gan nad yw’n ymddiddori mewn cynnydd ym maes iechyd. Mae’r cyhoedd yn ymddiddori mewn cynnydd o’r fath. Yn ôl y Prif Swyddog Meddygol, mae cynnydd pendant o ran canser yr ysgyfaint, canser y fron, canser ceg y groth, clefyd coronaidd y galon a strôc. Mae hynny’n sicr yn fesur o’r hyn a gyflawnwyd wrth wella iechyd a ffyrdd o fyw’r boblogaeth, ac o’r hyn a gyflawnwyd gan yr ymgynghorwyr, y meddygon teulu, y nyrsys a phawb arall sy’n gweithio i’r GIG.

Ieuan Wyn Jones The Leader of the Opposition spoken in English p. 6

Ieuan Wyn Jones Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

The First Minister must get down from his academic high horse and answer the question. When he fought the election in 1999, he promised the people of Wales that nobody would wait more than six months for their first out-patient treatment, yet now there are 83,433 people waiting. He made a target and has missed it by a mile. Rather helpfully, the Labour Party’s next manifesto has been leaked to the press. It quite candidly and openly states that cutting waiting lists has proved to be a far greater challenge than anyone anticipated. Let me repeat the question: will the First Minister now apologise for making a pledge that he has not kept, or will he tell us that he will honour it in the next six months?

Rhaid i’r Prif Weinidog ddod oddi ar ei geffyl academaidd ac ateb y cwestiwn. Yn ystod ymgyrch yr etholiad yn 1999, addawodd i bobl Cymru na fyddai neb yn disgwyl yn fwy na chwe mis am eu triniaeth cleifion allanol gyntaf, ac eto mae 83,433 o bobl yn disgwyl yn awr. Gosododd darged ac mae wedi’i fethu’n llwyr. Mae’n eithaf buddiol bod maniffesto nesaf y Blaid Lafur wedi’i ddatgelu i’r wasg. Mae’n dweud yn gwbl agored a di-flewyn-ar-dafod fod torri rhestrau aros wedi profi’n her fwy o lawer nag yr oedd neb yn ei disgwyl. Gadewch imi ailadrodd y cwestiwn: a wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ymddiheuro’n awr am wneud addewid nas cadwodd, neu a wnaiff ddweud wrthym y bydd yn ei gadw yn ystod y chwe mis nesaf?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 6

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

No draft manifesto of the Labour Party has been leaked to the press. Ieuan says that I have not answered the question. Unfortunately for you, Ieuan, I answered the question that Alun Cairns asked. You may not like the answer and Alun Cairns may not like the answer, but it was the right question to answer. The public is interested in whether the health gain targets have been achieved. That progress has been made is not my view; it is the view of the Chief Medical Officer for Wales. I am sure that Ieuan will not question her integrity even though he may wish to question mine. The Chief Medical Officer says that there are positive trends in relation to lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, coronary heart disease and strokes and that, in other regards, improvements are not quite so positive. These targets are key to improving the health of the population of Wales, and that is what the population wants.

Nid oes yr un maniffesto drafft o eiddo’r Blaid Lafur wedi’i ddatgelu i’r wasg. Dywed Ieuan nad wyf wedi ateb y cwestiwn. Yn anffodus i chi, Ieuan, atebais y cwestiwn a ofynnodd Alun Cairns. Efallai nad ydych yn hoffi’r ateb ac efallai nad yw Alun Cairns yn hoffi’r ateb, ond hwnnw oedd y cwestiwn iawn i’w ateb. Mae o ddiddordeb i’r cyhoedd wybod a gyrhaeddwyd y targedau cynnydd mewn iechyd. Nid lleisio fy marn i yr wyf drwy ddweud y bu cynnydd; barn Prif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru ydyw. Yr wyf yn sicr na wnaiff Ieuan gwestiynu ei gonestrwydd er ei fod efallai am gwestiynu fy ngonestrwydd i. Dywed y Prif Swyddog Meddygol fod tueddiadau cadarnhaol o ran canser yr ysgyfaint, canser y fron, canser ceg y groth, clefyd coronaidd y galon a strôc ac nad yw’r gwelliannau ym meysydd eraill yr un mor gadarnhaol. Mae’r targedau hyn yn rhan allweddol o wella iechyd poblogaeth Cymru, a dyna ddymuniad y boblogaeth.

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 7

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

I am astonished that the First Minister should find it so difficult to say ‘I made a promise, I got it wrong and I apologise’. That is all that we ask the First Minister to do. If the First Minister thinks that waiting lists are a sensitive issue, as he clearly does—because he has got on his high horse today—why does he not acknowledge that his Minister for Health and Social Services should spend the next six months tackling waiting lists, rather than spending time on a costly, unnecessary, bureaucratic reform that will not reduce the waiting lists one iota?

Yr wyf yn synnu bod y Prif Weinidog yn ei chael mor anodd dweud ‘Gwneuthum addewid, camgymerais ac ymddiheuraf’. Dyna’r cwbl y gofynnwn i’r Prif Weinidog ei wneud. Os yw’r Prif Weinidog yn credu bod rhestrau aros yn bwnc sensitif, ac mae’n amlwg ei fod—gan ei fod wedi mynd ar gefn ei geffyl heddiw—pam nad yw’n cydnabod y dylai ei Weinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol dreulio’r chwe mis nesaf yn mynd i’r afael â rhestrau aros, yn hytrach na threulio amser ar newidiadau drud, diangen, biwrocrataidd na wnaiff leihau’r rhestrau aros y mymryn lleiaf?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 7

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

All I do is to look at the questions and answer them. The question that I answered may not have been the one that Ieuan wishes that Alun Cairns had asked, and Alun Cairns may wish that he had asked a different question. However, he did not table a question about waiting lists, but about health gain targets, and I gave an answer on health gain targets. Ieuan may not like it that there has been an improvement in health gains. Alun clearly does not, but that is his fault for asking a question about health gain targets. If Alun cannot ask the right question, then he will not get the answer that is politically convenient for him. He needs to do his research better. [Laughter.] Some opposition Members obviously think that improvements in terms of lung, breast and cervical cancers are a laughing matter. The people of Wales do not think that such improvements are a laughing matter. They would consider it a matter for applause that changes in lifestyles, combined with better treatment from the national health service, have brought this about.

Y cwbl a wnaf yw edrych ar y cwestiynau a’u hateb. Efallai nad y cwestiwn a atebais i oedd yr un y mae Ieuan yn dymuno y byddai Alun Cairns wedi’i ofyn, ac efallai fod Alun Cairns yn dymuno y byddai wedi gofyn cwestiwn gwahanol. Fodd bynnag, ni chyflwynodd gwestiwn am restrau aros, ond am dargedau cynnydd mewn iechyd, a rhoddais ateb ar dargedau cynnydd mewn iechyd. Efallai nad yw wrth fodd Ieuan bod cynnydd ym maes iechyd wedi digwydd. Mae’n amlwg nad yw wrth fodd Alun, ond ei fai ef yw hynny am ofyn cwestiwn am dargedau cynnydd mewn iechyd. Os na all Alun ofyn y cwestiwn iawn, ni chaiff yr ateb sy’n wleidyddol gyfleus iddo. Rhaid iddo wneud ei ymchwil yn well. [Chwerthin.] Mae’n amlwg bod rhai o Aelodau’r wrthblaid yn credu bod gwelliannau o ran canser yr ysgyfaint, canser y fron a chanser ceg y groth yn fater i chwerthin yn ei gylch. Nid yw pobl Cymru’n credu bod gwelliannau o’r fath yn fater chwerthin. Fe’i hystyrient yn fater i’w ganmol fod newidiadau mewn ffyrdd o fyw, ynghyd â gwell triniaeth gan y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, wedi arwain at y cynnydd hwn.

Karen Sinclair spoken in English p. 8

Karen Sinclair siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

When I was in hospital last April, the 79-year-old lady in the bed next to me was going to have bladder surgery, and a 94-year-old lady, whom I met in the tea room and with whom I entered into conservation, had had a pacemaker fitted. First Minister, do you agree that, under the Tories, these people would not have even been considered for surgery? I can say that with total confidence because my father-in-law was in that position. He was over 65 and his case for treatment was dismissed because of his age. Do you agree that far more people are being treated by our health service now than were even considered for placement on waiting lists under the Tories? That is the reality.

Pan oeddwn yn yr ysbyty fis Ebrill diwethaf, yr oedd gwraig 79 mlwydd oed yn y gwely nesaf i mi ar fin cael llawdriniaeth ar ei phledren, ac yr oedd gwraig 94 mlwydd oed, y cyfarfûm â hi yn yr ystafell de a chychwyn sgwrs â hi, wedi cael llawdriniaeth i osod rheoliadur. Brif Weinidog, a gytunwch na fyddai’r bobl hynny wedi’u hystyried ar gyfer llawdriniaeth o dan y Torïaid? Gallaf ddweud hynny’n gwbl hyderus gan y bu fy nhad-yng-nghyfraith yn y sefyllfa honno. Yr oedd dros 65 oed a gwrthodwyd ei achos am driniaeth oherwydd ei oed. A gytunwch fod mwy o lawer o bobl yn cael eu trin gan ein gwasanaeth iechyd yn awr nag a gâi eu hystyried hyd yn oed i’w rhoi ar restrau aros dan y Torïaid? Dyna’r gwir amdani.

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 8

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

That is true. Most of us have family members who could confirm that. Furthermore, it is notable that the Tories, when they were running the health service, suppressed the Black report, which was a study carried out in 1980 on the connection between social inequality and poor health. They did not allow its publication. We have allowed the publication of a similar report, although it is, in a sense, a rod for our own backs in that it shows how far we have to go to create the equality in health gains and in the health service that will eventually mean equality of health. The health of people at the top of the social scale and those at the bottom is not equal. As a society, we must put that right.

Mae hynny’n wir. Mae gan y rhan fwyaf ohonom berthynas a allai gadarnhau hynny. Yn ogystal â hynny, mae’n werth nodi bod y Torïaid, pan oeddent yn rhedeg y gwasanaeth iechyd, wedi atal adroddiad Black, sef astudiaeth a gyflawnwyd yn 1980 ar y cysylltiad rhwng anghydraddoldeb cymdeithasol ac iechyd gwael. Ni wnaethant ganiatáu ei gyhoeddi. Yr ydym ni wedi caniatáu cyhoeddi adroddiad tebyg, er ei fod, ar un ystyr, yn ffon a dorasom i’n curo ein hunain gan ei fod yn dangos cymaint sydd gennym i’w wneud er mwyn creu’r cydraddoldeb mewn cynnydd ym ym maes iechyd ac yn y gwasanaeth iechyd a fydd yn golygu cydraddoldeb iechyd yn y pen draw. Mae iechyd y rhai ar ben y raddfa gymdeithasol a iechyd y rhai ar y gwaelod yn anghyfartal. Rhaid i ni fel cymdeithas gywiro hynny.

Nick Bourne The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives spoken in English p. 8

Nick Bourne Arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

Let us try again, First Minister, to get you to answer these questions, as you seem to think that you only have to answer the question that has been tabled. You have been asked several times to apologise for the waiting list situation. You seemed happy to answer a soft-ball question from Karen Sinclair, but you have not answered the basic question: will you now apologise for the fact that 83,000 people are waiting, when you said that waiting lists would be cut? You have been in power for five years. Is it not time that you took responsibility for the disaster in your running of the health service? That is the question. Let us see whether you can answer it.

Gadewch inni roi cynnig arall arni, Brif Weinidog, i geisio cael gennych ateb y cwestiynau hyn, gan ei bod yn debyg eich bod yn credu mai dim ond y cwestiwn a gyflwynwyd y mae’n rhaid ichi ei ateb. Gofynnwyd sawl gwaith ichi ymddiheuro am sefyllfa’r rhestrau aros. Yr oeddech yn ymddangos yn fodlon ateb cwestiwn hawdd gan Karen Sinclair, ond nid ydych wedi ateb y cwestiwn sylfaenol: a wnewch chi ymddiheuro’n awr am y ffaith bod 83,000 o bobl yn disgwyl, a chithau wedi dweud y câi’r rhestrau aros eu torri? Yr ydych mewn grym ers pum mlynedd. Onid yw’n bryd ichi dderbyn y cyfrifoldeb dros eich dull trychinebus o redeg y gwasanaeth iechyd? Dyna’r cwestiwn. Gadewch inni weld a allwch ei ateb.

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 9

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

How does a ‘disaster in your running of the health service’ equate with what Dr Ruth Hall, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales has said about substantial health gains in key areas? There have been reductions in the incidence of lung, breast and cervical cancers, coronary heart disease and strokes, and lesser improvements with regard to teenage smoking and dental caries. Those are improvements. That does not fit with the myth that Nick wishes to create by repeatedly stating that the health service is a disaster. It is not a disaster. Waiting lists are important and are far too long but the bulk of the health service’s work is carried out by consultants who deal with chronic conditions, not the episodic conditions that mostly generate waiting lists. Most people’s experience of the health service involves repeat visits to general practitioners or consultants, or sometimes treatment from paramedics, to sort out chronic conditions such as diabetes, strokes, heart disease, asthma and bronchitis. Although the length of the waiting lists is regrettable, there has been huge improvement with regard to such conditions in the national health service, treatment of which forms most people’s experience of the NHS.

Sut y gellir cysoni ‘eich dull trychinebus o redeg y gwasanaeth iechyd’ â’r hyn a ddywedodd Dr Ruth Hall, Prif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru, am y cynnydd sylweddol mewn meysydd allweddol? Bu llai o achosion o ganser yr ysgyfaint, canser y fron a chanser ceg y groth, clefyd coronaidd y galon a strôc, a gwelliannau llai o ran ysmygu ymysg rhai yn eu harddegau a phydredd dannedd. Gwelliannau yw’r rhain. Nid yw hynny’n gyson â’r chwedl y mae Nick am ei chreu drwy ddatgan dro ar ôl tro fod y gwasanaeth iechyd yn drychineb. Nid yw’n drychineb. Mae rhestrau aros yn bwysig ac yn rhy hir o lawer ond gwneir y rhan helaethaf o waith y gwasanaeth iechyd gan ymgynghorwyr sy’n ymdrin ag anhwylderau cronig, nid yr anhwylderau episodig sy’n creu’r rhestrau aros gan mwyaf. Profiad y rhan fwyaf o’r bobl o’r gwasanaeth iechyd yw gweld ymarferwyr cyffredinol neu ymgynghorwyr dro ar ôl tro, neu weithiau driniaeth gan barameddygon, i drin anhwylderau cronig fel y clefyd siwgwr, strôc, clefyd y galon, asthma a broncitis. Er bod hyd y rhestrau aros yn peri gofid, bu gwelliant aruthrol o ran anhwylderau o’r fath yn y gwasanaeth iechyd, a’r driniaeth ar gyfer yr anhwylderau hynny yw profiad y rhan fwyaf o bobl o’r GIG.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 9

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

Although you have not apologised, you have at least said that the waiting list is too long. How can anyone believe anything that the Labour Party states in terms of pledges or guarantees when you gave a guarantee that you would eliminate the waiting list, on which there are now 83,000 people? It has climbed every month, except for one, since you have been in power. Will you apologise to the people of Wales and those 83,000 who you seem resolutely to dismiss as unimportant?

Er nad ydych wedi ymddiheuro, o leiaf eich bod wedi dweud bod y rhestr aros yn rhy hir. Sut y gall rhywun gredu dim a ddywed y Blaid Lafur o ran addewidion neu warantau a chithau wedi gwarantu y byddech yn dileu’r rhestr aros, y mae arni 83,000 o bobl erbyn hyn? Cododd bob mis, heblaw un, ers ichi ddod i rym. A wnewch chi ymddiheuro i bobl Cymru ac i’r 83,000 hynny y mae’n ymddangos eich bod yn benderfynol o’u hwfftio fel rhai dibwys?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 10

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

I just said that they were important. You are not listening. You do not have to take my word for it, take the Chief Medical Officer for Wales’s word for it. She reports to the people of Wales and the whole of this Assembly, not only the Assembly Government. She has charted progress clearly against the 15 health targets set out in ‘Better Health, Better Wales’. I will not repeat them, but it shows an improving picture for health in Wales.

Yr wyf newydd ddweud eu bod yn bwysig. Nid ydych yn gwrando. Nid oes rhaid ichi gymryd fy ngair i am hyn, cymerwch air Prif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru. Mae’n adrodd i bobl Cymru ac i’r holl Gynulliad, nid i Lywodraeth y Cynulliad yn unig. Mae wedi disgrifio’n fanwl y cynnydd a wnaed ar y 15 targed iechyd a nodir yn ‘Gwell Iechyd, Gwell Cymru’. Ni wnaf eu hailadrodd, ond mae’n dangos bod darlun iechyd Cymru yn gwella.

Perthynas Waith

Working Relationships

Q2 Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 10

C2 Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

What changes has the First Minister made to the working relationships between Welsh Assembly Government Officials and Assembly Members during 2002? (OAQ20311)

Ym mha ffordd y mae wedi newid y berthynas waith rhwng Swyddogion Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru ac Aelodau’r Cynulliad yn ystod 2002? (OAQ20311)

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 10

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

The recent change was to limit the number of officials who can send e-mails directly to AMs and their support staff. This follows some well-publicised cases where e-mails were misdirected as a consequence of the original global address list system combined with the fact that there are too many Davieses, Morgans and Joneses in Wales.

Y newid diweddar oedd cyfyngu ar nifer y swyddogion a gaiff anfon negeseuon e-bost yn uniongyrchol at Aelodau Cynulliad a’u staff cymorth. Mae hyn yn dilyn rhai achosion y bu llawer o gyhoeddusrwydd yn eu cylch lle y camgyfeiriwyd negeseuon e-bost o ganlyniad i’r system rhestr gyfeiriadau gynhwysfawr wreiddiol ynghyd â’r ffaith bod gormod o Daviesiaid, Morganiaid a Jonesiaid yng Nghymru.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 10

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

I wanted to raise a similar point with you. During the three and a half years of the Assembly’s existence, its officials have been open and helpful in terms of discussing detailed constituency problems. However, recently, I was told that you and your Government are demanding that only senior officials be allowed to discuss these issues with AMs. How does this approach square with your Government’s commitment to open government?

Yr oeddwn am godi pwynt tebyg gyda chi. Yn ystod tair blynedd a hanner bodolaeth y Cynulliad, bu ei swyddogion yn agored ac yn gymwynasgar o ran trafod problemau etholaeth manwl. Fodd bynnag, yn ddiweddar, dywedwyd wrthyf eich bod chi a’ch Llywodraeth yn mynnu mai dim ond uwch swyddogion a gaiff drafod y materion hyn gydag Aelodau Cynulliad. Sut y gellir cysoni’r dull gweithredu hwn ag ymrwymiad eich Llywodraeth i lywodraeth agored?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 10

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

There is no such change in the protocol or procedures for speaking to individual AMs about constituency cases.

Ni fu newid o’r fath yn y protocol neu’r gweithdrefnau ar gyfer siarad ag Aelodau unigol o’r Cynulliad am achosion etholaethol.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 11

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Do you agree with me that it is in the interests of elected representatives, their political staff and Assembly civil servants to maintain a collective professional relationship that does not allow for officials to be named in party-political literature?

A gytunwch â mi ei bod er budd y cynrychiolwyr etholedig, eu staff gwleidyddol a gweision sifil y Cynulliad i gynnal cydberthynas broffesiynol nad yw’n caniatáu enwi swyddogion mewn llenyddiaeth plaid wleidyddol?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 11

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Absolutely, I would go along with that. Individual civil servants should not be named in party-political literature.

Yn hollol, byddwn yn cyd-fynd â hynny. Ni ddylid enwi gweision sifil unigol mewn llenyddiaeth plaid wleidyddol.

Jocelyn Davies spoken in English p. 11

Jocelyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Returning to your original answer to Glyn Davies, now that AMs have a separate domain, your concern that your officials might send us documents by mistake no longer applies. Therefore, will you lift this ridiculous block?

Gan fynd yn ôl at eich ateb gwreiddiol i Glyn Davies, gan fod parth ar wahân gan Aelodau’r Cynulliad yn awr, nid yw’ch pryder y gallai’ch swyddogion anfon dogfennau atom drwy gamgymeriad yn berthnasol bellach. Gan hynny, a wnewch godi’r gwaharddiad chwerthinllyd hwn?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 11

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

I have just said in answer to Glyn that I am not aware of any such block. I am not aware of any instruction given to civil servants and the Permanent Secretary to change any rules that were in existence when the Assembly was established.

Yr wyf newydd ddweud mewn ateb i Glyn nad wyf yn ymwybodol o waharddiad o’r fath. Ni wn am unrhyw gyfarwyddyd a roddwyd i weision sifil ac i’r Ysgrifennydd Parhaol i newid unrhyw reolau a oedd mewn bod pan sefydlwyd y Cynulliad.

Alun Pugh spoken in English p. 11

Alun Pugh siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

I am impressed with our Chief Medical Officer and I know that she is keen to see a reduction in 7,000 deaths in Wales from smoking-related diseases, which are concentrated in our poorest communities. A recent British Medical Association report gave new impetus to calls from Scotland, Ireland and London for controls of smoking in public places. Will your Government consider a bid for primary legislation to protect employees and the public from the proven health risks of—

Mae gennyf feddwl mawr o’n Prif Swyddog Meddygol a gwn ei bod yn awyddus i weld gostyngiad yn y 7,000 o farwolaethau yng Nghymru oherwydd clefydau sy’n gysylltiedig ag ysmygu, sy’n fwyaf cyffredin yn ein cymundau tlotaf. Rhoddwyd hwb newydd mewn adroddiad diweddar gan y Gymdeithas Feddygol Brydeinig i’r galwadau oddi wrth yr Alban, Iwerddon a Llundain am reolaethau ar ysmygu mewn mannau cyhoeddus. A wnaiff eich Llywodraeth ystyried ymgeisio am ddeddfwriaeth sylfaenol i warchod gweithwyr a’r cyhoedd rhag y risgiau profedig i iechyd o—

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

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

Order. That was a stray supplementary to question 1.

Trefn. Yr oedd y cwestiwn atodol hwnnw wedi crwydro o gwestiwn 1.

Gwasanaethau Trafnidiaeth Gyhoeddus

Public Transport Services

Q3 Christine Chapman spoken in English p. 11

C3 Christine Chapman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Will you make a statement about improving public transport services in Wales? (OAQ20313)

A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ynghylch gwella gwasanaethau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yng Nghymru? (OAQ20313)

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 12

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

The Assembly Government’s objectives for improving public transport involve tackling social disadvantage, promoting equality of opportunity, supporting sustainable development and improving access to employment. The keys to meeting the public transport aspirations of Wales include our notable successes, for example, implementation of free travel for pensioners and the disabled and, more recently, detached consideration by the Strategic Rail Authority of a 15-year Wales and borders rail franchise, with a dedicated Valleys line business unit, from wider UK franchise considerations.

Mae amcanion Llywodraeth y Cynulliad ar gyfer gwella trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn ymwneud â mynd i’r afael ag anfantais gymdeithasol, hybu cyfle cyfartal, cefnogi datblygu cynaliadwy a gwella’r mynediad i gyflogaeth. Rhai o’r gweithredoedd allweddol i gyflawni dyheadau Cymru o ran trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yw ein llwyddiannau nodedig, er enghraifft, cynnig i bensiynwyr a’r anabl deithio am ddim ac, yn fwy diweddar, ystyriaeth gan yr Awdurdod Rheilffyrdd Strategol i fasnachfraint rheilffyrdd 15 mlynedd ar gyfer Cymru a’r gororau, gydag uned fusnes benodol i reilffyrdd y Cymoedd, ar wahân i’r ystyriaethau ehangach i fasnachfreintiau yn y DU.

Christine Chapman spoken in English p. 12

Christine Chapman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

I welcome those initiatives. Do you agree that improving rail links between Cardiff and the Cynon Valley will open up the amenities and the economic benefits of the capital to my constituency? Do you also agree that a reliable bus service provides essential access to vital community facilities and that the poor service currently facing bus users in my constituency, who must suffer missed appointments, long periods standing outside in harsh weather conditions and regular expected disruption, is unacceptable?

Croesawaf y mentrau hynny. A gytunwch y byddai gwella’r cysylltiadau rheilffyrdd rhwng Caerdydd a Chwm Cynon yn golygu y bydd adnoddau a manteision economaidd y brifddinas ar gael i’m hetholaeth i? A gytunwch hefyd fod gwasanaeth bysiau dibynadwy’n darparu mynediad hollbwysig i gyfleusterau cymunedol hanfodol a bod y gwasanaeth gwael a brawf defnyddwyr bysiau yn fy etholaeth i, sy’n dioddef o orfod methu apwyntiadau, treulio cyfnodau hir yn sefyll y tu allan ar dywydd garw a’r disgwyliad o amhariadau rheolaidd, yn annerbyniol?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 12

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

I am sorry to hear about the problems with the bus service from the Cynon Valley to Pontypridd and Cardiff.

Mae’n ddrwg gennyf glywed am y problemau sy’n gysylltiedig â’r gwasanaeth bysiau o Gwm Cynon i Bontypridd a Chaerdydd.

On the train service, we hope that the rail passenger partnership bid by Wales and Borders Trains to the Strategic Rail Authority will be successful. That would permit a service to operate every half-hour from the Cynon Valley from September 2003. Some investments have already been made to enable passing loops to be introduced at Mountain Ash.

Ynghylch y gwasanaeth trenau, gobeithiwn y bydd y cais partneriaeth teithwyr rheilffyrdd gan Wales and Borders Trains i’r Awdurdod Rheilffyrdd Strategol yn llwyddiannus. Byddai hynny’n caniatáu gweithredu gwasanaeth bob hanner awr o Gwm Cynon o Fedi 2003. Gwnaed rhai buddsoddiadau eisoes fel y gellir cyflwyno llinellau osgoi yn Aberpennar.

On the bus services, I would prefer not to comment further on matters relating to transport tribunals and quasi-judicial considerations, as a decision is still pending.

Ynghylch y gwasanaethau bysiau, byddai’n well gennyf beidio â gwneud sylw pellach am faterion sy’n ymwneud â thribiwnlysoedd trafnidiaeth ac ystyriaethau lled-farnwrol, gan y disgwylir penderfyniad o hyd.

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 13

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

Since the Conservative Party deregulated the bus industry, bus operators all too frequently attempt to blame councils for their own commercial and managerial incompetence. In view of the fact that more people travel by bus in Wales than other forms of public transport, will the First Minister, with the Secretary of State for Wales, consider promoting legislation that would enable the bus industry to be nationalised?

Ers i’r Blaid Geidwadol ddadreoleiddio’r diwydiant bysiau, mae gweithredwyr bysiau’n ceisio rhoi’r bai ar gynghorau’n llawer rhy aml am eu hanallu masnachol a rheolaethol eu hunain. Yng ngolwg y ffaith bod pobl yn defnyddio bysiau yng Nghymru yn fwy na mathau eraill o drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, a wnaiff y Prif Weinidog, gydag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, ystyried hyrwyddo deddfwriaeth a fyddai’n fodd i wladoli’r diwydiant bysiau?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 13

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I have not heard Plaid Cymru promote that suggestion before. However, we will consider the best way to promote effective bus transport; you rightly say that probably ten times as many people travel by bus daily compared with those who travel by train. That is one reason why we have initially concentrated on giving free bus passes to pensioners and people with disabilities; there is currently no equivalent for train journeys. I do not know whether action as radical as you suggest needs to be taken. Perhaps you are referring to some of the points that Christine raised regarding the Cynon Valley, although I did not rise to the bait in answering her questions. However, I do not know whether a nuclear option such as that should be adopted at this stage. I will consider the matter with Sue Essex.

Ni chlywais Blaid Cymru’n hyrwyddo’r awgrym hwnnw o’r blaen. Fodd bynnag, gwnawn ystyried y dull gorau o hyrwyddo trafnidiaeth bysiau effeithiol; yr ydych yn iawn wrth ddweud bod deg gwaith cymaint o bobl yn teithio mewn bysiau bob dydd ag sy’n teithio mewn trenau, yn ôl pob tebyg. Dyna un rheswm pam yr ydym wedi canolbwyntio i ddechrau ar roi tocynnau bysiau am ddim i bensiynwyr a phobl ag anableddau; nid oes dim byd cyfatebol ar gyfer teithiau trên ar hyn o bryd. Ni wn a oes angen cymryd camau mor radical ag a awgrymwch chi. Efallai’ch bod yn cyfeirio at rai o’r pwyntiau a gododd Christine ynghylch Cwm Cynon, er na neidiais at yr abwyd wrth ateb ei chwestiynau. Fodd bynnag, ni wn a ddylid mabwysiadu dewis mor ysgytwol â hynny ar hyn o bryd. Gwnaf ystyried y mater gyda Sue Essex.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 13

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I agree with Pauline’s remedy for the situation; in my constituency, we also see the need to consider the regulatory framework that governs the deregulated bus service. It is ridiculous that commercial decisions are taken that often seem perverse and cause inconvenience rather than convenience for the travelling public. Do you agree that some form of regulation is desperately needed in order to rationalise the system?

Cytunaf ag ateb Pauline i’r sefyllfa; yn fy etholaeth i, yr ydym ninnau’n gweld yr angen i ystyried y fframwaith rheoliadol sy’n llywodraethu’r gwasanaeth bysiau dadreoleiddiedig. Mae’n chwerthinllyd y gwneir penderfyniadau masnachol sy’n aml yn ymddangos yn wrthnysig ac yn peri anhwylustod yn hytrach na hwylustod i’r cyhoedd wrth deithio. A gytunwch fod angen dybryd am ryw fath o reoleiddio er mwyn rhesymoli’r system?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 13

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

The bus industry is not fully deregulated. Traffic commissioners determine the suitability of operators but do not determine the route structure of services, as they did in the past. The Nicholas Ridley school of the Conservative Party believed that only competition would provide the right level of bus services in areas where the population was large enough to sustain them. We have come into the debate late in the day—the bus industry was deregulated around 20 years ago. However, our actions—such as introducing free bus passes and increasing employment, which means that more people commute to work—has led to a 10 per cent increase in the number of people who use buses. Reregulating the industry would only be possible through primary legislation. We are not the regulators: the traffic commissioners are servants of the Department for Transport and not the Assembly. Although it is mainly our responsibility to deal with public transport, excluding the rail industry, we do not control the regulation of bus operators. That is still a matter for the traffic commissioners and the Department for Transport.

Nid yw’r diwydiant bysiau wedi’i ddadreoleiddio’n llwyr. Mae comisiynwyr traffig yn penderfynu ar addasrwydd gweithredwyr ond nid ydynt yn penderfynu ar fframwaith llwybrau’r gwasanaethau, fel y gwnaent yn y gorffennol. Yr oedd carfan Nicholas Ridley yn y Blaid Geidwadol yn credu mai dim ond cystadleuaeth a roddai’r lefel briodol o wasanaethau bysiau mewn ardaloedd lle’r oedd y boblogaeth yn ddigon mawr i’w cynnal. Yr ydym wedi ymuno â’r ddadl yn hwyr—dadreoleiddiwyd y diwydiant bysiau tua 20 mlynedd yn ôl. Er hynny, mae’r camau a gymerasom—fel cyflwyno tocynnau bws am ddim a chynyddu cyflogaeth, sy’n golygu bod mwy o bobl yn cymudo i’r gwaith—wedi arwain at gynnydd o 10 y cant yn y nifer sy’n defnyddio bysiau. Ni fyddai ond yn bosibl ailreoleiddio’r diwydiant drwy ddeddfwriaeth sylfaenol. Nid ni yw’r rheoleiddwyr: gweision i’r Adran Drafnidiaeth yw’r comisiynwyr traffig, nid i’r Cynulliad. Er mai ein cyfrifoldeb ni’n bennaf yw delio â thrafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, heblaw am y diwydiant rheilffyrdd, nid ydym yn rheoli’r rheoleiddio ar weithredwyr bysiau. Mae hynny’n fater i’r comisiynwyr traffig a’r Adran Drafnidiaeth o hyd.

Llysgenadaethau’r Cynulliad

Assembly Embassies

Q4 Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 14

C4 Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

Would the Minister make a statement on the cost and benefits of establishing ‘Assembly embassies’ outside Wales? (OAQ20302)

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar gost sefydlu ‘llysgenadaethau’r Cynulliad’ y tu allan i Gymru, a manteision mynd ati i wneud hynny? (OAQ20302)

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 14

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

It is difficult for me to do so, as we have no such proposals. It is only the Conservative Party in the Assembly that has made reference to such a designation.

Mae’n anodd imi wneud hynny, gan nad oes gennym gynigion o’r fath. Dim ond y Blaid Geidwadol yn y Cynulliad sydd wedi cyfeirio at ddisgrifiad o’r fath.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 14

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

I would say that I am grateful for that reply, but I am not. It is not the Conservative Party that has used the term ‘embassies’: The Western Mail and other news outlets have also used that term. I would be happy to show their reports to the First Minister. [Interruption.]

Hoffwn ddweud fy mod yn ddiolchgar am yr ateb hwnnw, ond nid ydwyf. Nid y Blaid Geidwadol a ddefnyddiodd yr enw ‘llysgenadaethau’: mae The Western Mail a darparwyr newyddion eraill wedi defnyddio’r enw hwnnw. Byddwn yn falch o ddangos eu hadroddiadau i’r Prif Weinidog. [Torri ar draws.]

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

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

Order.

Trefn.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 14

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

It does not matter whether you call the new offices embassies or Wales overseas centres. During the summer, you announced plans to establish six centres—in New York, San Francisco, Brussels, Singapore, Tokyo and Australia. They must surely cost something. You said that you would like more to be established but that six were all that you could afford. If you know that six embassies, or Wales overseas centres, are all that you can afford, you must know how much they cost. How much do they cost, First Minister?

Nid yw o bwys a ydych yn galw’r swyddfeydd newydd yn llysgenadaethau neu’n ganolfannau Cymru dramor. Yn ystod yr haf, gwnaethoch gyhoeddi cynlluniau i sefydlu chwe chanolfan—yn Efrog Newydd, San Francisco, Brwsel, Singapôr, Tokyo ac Awstralia. Siawns eu bod yn costio rhywbeth. Dywedasoch y carech weld sefydlu rhagor ond mai chwech oedd y cwbl y gallech ei fforddio. Os gwyddoch mai chwe llysgenhadaeth, neu ganolfan Cymru dramor, yw’r cwbl y gallwch ei fforddio, rhaid eich bod yn gwybod beth yw eu cost. Beth yw eu cost, Brif Weinidog?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 15

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

They are not embassies. It is only the Tories who want to set up embassies. Admit it, Jonathan—your party is the only one that wants to set up embassies. [ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Answer the question.’]

Nid llysgenadaethau ydynt. Dim ond y Torïaid sydd am sefydlu llysgenadaethau. Cyfaddefwch, Jonathan—eich plaid chi yw’r unig un sydd am sefydlu llysgenadaethau. [AELODAU’R CYNULLIAD: ‘Atebwch y cwestiwn.’]

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 15

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Order.

Trefn.

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 15

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

You must ensure that your questions are correct, as I have to answer the questions tabled. You have proposals for embassies, but we do not. If you want to set up embassies, you must take the responsibility of assessing their costs and benefits. We have no such proposals. We are proposing business development offices, and the business community supports those proposals. I am sorry to see that the Conservative Members have become anti-business. People used to think of the Tory Party as the party of business, but it certainly cannot be called that anymore.

Rhaid ichi sicrhau bod eich cwestiynau’n gywir, gan fod rhaid imi ateb y cwestiynau a gyflwynwyd. Mae gennych chi gynigion ar gyfer llysgenadaethau, ond nid oes gennym ni. Os ydych am sefydlu llysgenadaethau, rhaid i chi ymgymryd â’r cyfrifoldeb dros asesu eu costau a’u buddion. Nid oes gennym ni gynigion o’r fath. Yr ydym ni’n cynnig swyddfeydd datblygu busnes, ac mae pobl busnes yn cefnogi’r cynigion hynny. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf weld bod yr Aelodau Ceidwadol wedi mynd yn wrth-fusnes. Arferid ystyried y Blaid Dorïaidd yn blaid busnes, ond mae’n sicr na ellir ei galw’n hynny bellach.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 15

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Do you agree that the Conservative Party’s misleading characterisation of an essential business presence as an expensive and unnecessary embassy demonstrates the party’s irrelevance and how out of touch it is with the need to improve the Welsh export market, attract new jobs to Wales and promote Wales abroad?

A gytunwch fod disgrifiad camarweiniol y Blaid Geidwadol o’r presenoldeb busnes hanfodol hwn drwy ei alw’n llysgenhadaeth ddrud a diangen yn dangos pa mor amherthnasol yw’r blaid a pha mor anwybodus y mae am yr angen i wella marchnad allforion Cymru, denu swyddi newydd i Gymru a hyrwyddo Cymru dramor?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 15

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

The Conservatives are not interested in exports or inward investment, and they do not want to see business develop. They are in a corner all on their own; I feel sorry for the Tories in Wales today.

Nid yw’r Ceidwadwyr yn ymddiddori mewn allforion neu fewnfuddsoddiad, ac nid ydynt am weld busnes yn datblygu. Maent mewn cornel ar eu pen eu hunain; teimlaf dosturi tuag at y Torïaid yng Nghymru heddiw.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 16

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 16

Gobeithiaf y byddaf yn gofyn cwestiwn cywir ond, os na wnaf hynny, byddwn yn gwerthfawrogi ateb beth bynnag. A gytunwch fod cwestiwn Jonathan Morgan yn dangos bod Ceidwadwyr Cymru yn gwybod cost popeth a gwerth dim byd? Un o brif gyfrifoldebau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru yw creu proffil uchel i Gymru yn fyd-eang—gan gynnwys Ewrop, wrth gwrs—a sicrhau mantais economaidd yn sgîl hynny.

I hope to ask the right question but, if I should fail, I would nevertheless appreciate an answer. Do you agree that Jonathan Morgan’s question shows that the Welsh Conservatives know the cost of everything and the value of nothing? One of the National Assembly for Wales’s main responsibilities is to raise Wales’s international profile—which, of course, includes our profile in Europe—and gain economic benefit as a result.

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 16

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 16

Bydd denu busnes i Gymru a chynyddu ein hallforion o les i’n gwlad. Nid prif bwrpas y swyddfeydd hyn fydd codi proffil Cymru ond, os yw pobl yn cysylltu’r wlad â’r cynnyrch a gaiff ei allforio neu â’r enw da a ddaw o’r buddsoddiadau yng Nghymru a wneir gan y gwledydd lle lleolir y swyddfeydd, bydd ein proffil ynghyd â’n heconomi yn elwa. Nid oes gan y Torïaid ddiddordeb ym mhroffil nac yn nhwf economi Cymru.

Attracting business to Wales and increasing our exports will naturally benefit the country. Raising Wales’s profile will not be these offices’ main responsibility but, if people make a connection between Wales and its exported products or the prestige emanating from investments made in Wales by the countries where these offices are located, our profile as well as our economy will benefit. The Tories are not interested in Wales’s profile or in its economic growth.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 16

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

We know that your approach to difficult questions is not to answer them. I will try again: how much will the Welsh overseas centres, which have not been debated in Plenary or Committee, cost the people of Wales year on year?

Gwyddom mai’ch dull o ymdrin â chwestiynau anodd yw peidio â’u hateb. Rhoddaf gynnig arall arni: faint y bydd canolfannau Cymru dramor, nas trafodwyd yn y Cyfarfod Llawn neu mewn Pwyllgor, yn eu costio i bobl Cymru flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 16

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

The centres will bring a great deal of economic benefit to Wales. I am pleased that you supported the establishment of the first centre, Nick. Do you remember that, on 10 February, you voted in favour of establishing the centre in Brussels? Glyn Davies and William Graham did likewise. I hope that you are not trying to deny something that is on record. You voted in favour of establishing the Wales European Centre, but now it seems that you have suddenly changed your mind as regards these centres. I do not have the figures with me but, if you wish to ask questions about the costs, you are welcome to write to me, and I would be happy to answer those questions.

Daw’r canolfannau â llawer o fudd economaidd i Gymru. Yr wyf yn falch eich bod wedi cefnogi sefydlu’r ganolfan gyntaf, Nick. A gofiwch eich bod, ar 10 Chwefror, wedi pleidleisio o blaid sefydlu’r ganolfan ym Mrwsel? Gwnaeth Glyn Davies a William Graham yr un fath. Gobeithiaf nad ydych yn ceisio gwadu rhywbeth sydd ar gof a chadw. Gwnaethoch bleidleisio dros sefydlu Canolfan Ewropeaidd Cymru, ond ymddengys bellach eich bod wedi newid eich meddwl yn sydyn o ran y canolfannau hyn. Nid yw’r ffigurau gennyf ond, os dymunwch ofyn cwestiynau am y costau, mae croeso ichi ysgrifennu ataf, a byddwn yn falch o ateb y cwestiynau hynny.

Y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol

The Office for National Statistics

Q5 Phil Williams spoken in English p. 16

C5 Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

What discussions has the First Minister had with the Secretary of State for Wales to ensure a better service from the Office for National Statistics, so that the National Assembly can base strategic decisions on complete and up-to-date information? (OAQ20321)

Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Prif Weinidog wedi’u cynnal ag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru i sicrhau bod gwasanaeth y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol yn well, a hynny er mwyn i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol allu seilio penderfyniadau strategol ar wybodaeth gyflawn gyfredol? (OAQ20321)

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 17

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

I meet the Secretary of State on a regular basis to discuss matters of a common interest. These include the development of a strong evidence base to inform strategic decision-making. Information from the Office for National Statistics is a major component of building that evidence base. You will be aware, as a result of last Wednesday’s announcement about the labour force survey figures, that, between September 2001 and September 2002, the total number of jobs in the Welsh economy increased by 33,000. This information is one of the fruits of our investment in increasing the labour force survey’s sample size from 4,700 to 21,000. We made that investment in order to get more accurate and dependable figures. The first fruits of that investment are beginning to come through. I am sure that you welcome the statistics and the increase of 33,000 jobs.

Yr wyf yn cwrdd â’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn rheolaidd i drafod materion sydd o ddiddordeb cyffredin. Un ohonynt yw datblygu sylfaen dystiolaeth gadarn i oleuo penderfynu strategol. Mae gwybodaeth oddi wrth y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol yn rhan bwysig o’r gwaith o osod y sylfaen dystiolaeth honno. Byddwch yn ymwybodol, o ganlyniad i’r cyhoeddiad ddydd Mercher diwethaf am ffigurau’r arolwg o’r llafurlu, fod cynnydd o 33,000 wedi bod yng nghyfanswm y nifer o swyddi yn economi Cymru rhwng Medi 2001 a Medi 2002. Yr wybodaeth hon yw un o ffrwythau ein buddsoddiad mewn cynyddu maint sampl yr arolwg o’r llafurlu o 4,700 i 21,000. Gwnaethom y buddsoddiad hwnnw er mwyn cael ffigurau mwy manwl gywir a dibynadwy. Mae ffrwyth cyntaf y buddsoddiad hwnnw’n dechrau dod i’r golwg. Yr wyf yn sicr eich bod yn croesawu’r ystadegau a’r cynnydd o 33,000 o swyddi.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 17

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

Against our advice on job targets, the key target of your economic strategy is to cut the gap in gross domestic product per head by 1 per cent per year. Yet the latest Welsh figures available on the web are for 1999. Therefore, we have no opportunity to monitor your strategy on your terms, although the evidence suggests that the gap is widening. As provisional GDP per capita figures for the UK are available six weeks after each quarter, is it deliberate Government policy that the latest figures for Wales on the key item of your economic strategy are nearly three years out of date?

Yn groes i’n cyngor ni ar dargedau swyddi, targed allweddol eich strategaeth economaidd chi yw cau’r bwlch yn y cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth y pen o 1 y cant y flwyddyn. Er hynny, y ffigurau diweddaraf sydd ar gael am Gymru ar y we yw’r rhai am 1999. Felly, nid oes gennym gyfle i fonitro’ch strategaeth ar eich telerau chi, er bod y dystiolaeth yn awgrymu bod y bwlch yn ymledu. Gan fod y ffigurau cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth y pen dros dro am y DU ar gael chwe wythnos ar ôl pob chwarter, ai polisi bwriadol gan y Llywodraeth yw bod y ffigurau diweddaraf am Gymru ar yr eitem allweddol yn eich strategaeth economaidd bron dair blynedd ar ei hôl hi?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 17

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

You are smelling a conspiracy when there is not one. When we requested improved and more reliable labour force survey figures, we also requested better GDP figures for Wales. Those figures are not yet available. Labour force survey figures are easier to produce, as statisticians argue among themselves as to what are the key components of GDP statistics. Therefore, we have taken the same action in terms of GDP figures and labour force survey figures; it is simply that the labour force survey figures for Wales, which we commissioned the ONS to supply at an extra cost, have been issued earlier than the GDP figures.

Yr ydych yn synhwyro cynllwyn pan nad oes un yn bod. Pan ofynasom am ffigurau gwell a mwy dibynadwy o’r arolwg o’r llafurlu, gwnaethom hefyd ofyn am well ffigurau cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth am Gymru. Nid yw’r ffigurau hynny ar gael eto. Mae ffigurau’r arolwg o’r llafurlu’n haws eu cynhyrchu, gan fod ystadegwyr yn dadlau ymysg ei gilydd ynghylch pa gydrannau o ystadegau cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth yw’r rhai allweddol. Felly, yr ydym wedi cymryd yr un camau o ran ffigurau cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth â ffigurau’r arolwg o’r llafurlu; y cwbl yw bod ffigurau’r arolwg o’r llafurlu am Gymru—y gwnaethom gomisiynu’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol i’w cyflenwi am gost ychwanegol—wedi’u cyhoeddi’n gynharach na ffigurau’r cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth.

William Graham spoken in English p. 18

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

Will you comment on whether the method of determining population statistics used in the formulation of local government finance figures should be collected via the Office for National Statistics, so that we cease to rely upon general practice patient returns for variation between censuses?

A wnewch sylw ynghylch a ddylai’r dull o bennu ystadegau poblogaeth a ddefnyddir wrth fformiwleiddio ffigurau cyllid llywodraeth leol gael ei gasglu drwy’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol, fel ein bod yn rhoi’r gorau i ddibynnu ar ffurflenni cleifion practisiau cyffredinol i ganfod newid rhwng y naill gyfrifiad a’r llall?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 18

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

I am not sure what happens between censuses. However, there must be a revision as some areas, such as Ceredigion, were upgraded and others, such as Cardiff, were downgraded following the 2001 census, and as it has been suggested that even the 1991 census is no longer a reliable record of how many people lived in Wales at that time, and where they lived. Fortunately for the Assembly, the readjustment downwards of the English population was, proportionately, greater than that of the Welsh population as a whole. We do not lose money as a result, but there will be a review of which areas receive what proportion of rate support grant where that is based upon population changes, as it appears that the figures have been wrong for the past 20 years.

Nid wyf yn sicr beth sy’n digwydd rhwng y cyfrifiadau. Fodd bynnag, rhaid wrth adolygu gan fod rhai ardaloedd, fel Ceredigion, wedi’u huwchraddio ac eraill, fel Caerdydd, wedi’u hisraddio ar ôl cyfrifiad 2001, a chan fod awgrym nad yw hyd yn oed gyfrifiad 1991 yn gofnod dibynadwy bellach o faint o bobl a oedd yn byw yng Nghymru bryd hynny, ac ym mhle. Yn ffodus i’r Cynulliad, yr oedd yr ailunioni tuag i lawr ar boblogaeth Lloegr yn fwy, ar gyfartaledd, na hynny ar boblogaeth Cymru yn ei chyfanrwydd. Nid ydym yn colli arian o ganlyniad, ond bydd adolygiad o ba ardaloedd sy’n cael pa gyfran o grant cynnal y trethi lle y mae hynny’n seiliedig ar newidiadau mewn poblogaeth, gan ei bod yn ymddangos bod y ffigurau’n anghywir ers 20 mlynedd.

Ariannu Gwasanaethau Iechyd

Funding Health Services

Q6 Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 18

C6 Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

What discussions has the First Minister had with the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding funding health services in west Wales? (OAQ20294)

Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Prif Weinidog wedi’u cynnal â’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ynghylch ariannu gwasanaethau iechyd yn y gorllewin? (OAQ20294)

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 19

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

The final budget for the year starting on 1 April 2003 was agreed on 6 November. Draft allocations will be issued to the service before Christmas for technical verification, with final allocations due to be agreed shortly afterwards, in the early months of the new year.

Cytunwyd ar y gyllideb derfynol ar gyfer y flwyddyn sy’n dechrau ar 1 Ebrill 2003 ar 6 Tachwedd. Rhoddir y dyraniadau drafft i’r gwasanaeth cyn y Nadolig ar gyfer dilysu technegol, ac mae’r dyraniadau terfynol i’w cytuno’n fuan wedyn, ym misoedd cyntaf y flwyddyn newydd.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 19

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

There is grave concern in my constituency about the impact that Carmarthenshire NHS Trust’s financial position may have on the provision of essential services such as maternity services and accident and emergency cover. Will you give a commitment that your Government will not agree with the trust any recovery plan that would lead to cuts in these and other essential front-line services?

Mae pryder difrifol yn fy etholaeth i ynghylch effaith bosibl sefyllfa ariannol Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Sir Gaerfyrddin ar ddarparu gwasanaethau hanfodol fel gwasanaethau mamolaeth a gofal ar gyfer damweiniau ac achosion brys. A wnewch ymrwymo na fydd eich Llywodraeth yn cytuno gyda’r ymddiriedolaeth ar unrhyw gynllun adfer a fyddai’n arwain at doriadau yn y gwasanaethau hyn a gwasanaethau rheng flaen hanfodol eraill?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 19

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

I cannot make such guarantees in the Chamber today if there are financial problems. If such problems exist—I do not know whether they do—they must be addressed. That could be done by way of the Wanless review, which will start soon. Large areas of health authority debts have been written off—debts amounting to about £30 million, I think—but as some of the accumulated financial deficits will be passed on to local health boards, this must be sorted out as quickly as possible.

Ni allaf roi gwarant o’r fath yn y Siambr heddiw os oes problemau ariannol. Os oes problemau o’r fath—ni wn a oes rhai—rhaid ymdrin â hwy. Gellid gwneud hynny drwy adolygiad Wanless, a fydd yn dechrau cyn hir. Mae rhannau helaeth o ddyledion awdurdodau iechyd wedi’u dileu—dyledion a oedd yn gymaint â thua £30 miliwn, yr wyf yn credu—ond gan y bydd rhai o’r diffygion ariannol cronedig yn cael eu trosglwyddo i fyrddau iechyd lleol, rhaid datrys hyn mor gyflym â phosibl.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 19

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

Will you consider establishing designated foundation hospitals as a way of improving health services in west Wales and reducing the number of people waiting for treatment—which currently stands at 83,000—or have you ruled out the use of such hospitals in Wales?

A wnewch ystyried sefydlu ysbytai sefydledig penodol fel modd i wella gwasanaethau iechyd yn y Gorllewin a lleihau nifer y rhai sy’n disgwyl am driniaeth—sef 83,000 ar hyn o bryd—neu a ydych wedi diystyru defnyddio ysbytai o’r fath yng Nghymru?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 19

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

You have mixed up two concepts. It is by way of the proposed elective surgery units—which will be privately financed in England—that we could directly tackle waiting lists. We have never ruled out using elective surgery units, although they would not be part of the private sector in Wales. Foundation hospitals are less relevant in terms of reducing waiting lists. We have no proposals to establish foundation hospitals in Wales, whatever their merits in the English context.

Yr ydych wedi cymysgu dau gysyniad. Yr unedau llawfeddygaeth ddewisol—a ariannir yn breifat yn Lloegr—yw’r modd y gallem ei ddefnyddio i fynd i’r afael yn syth â rhestrau aros. Nid ydym erioed wedi diystyru defnyddio unedau llawfeddygaeth ddewisol, er na fyddent yn rhan o’r sector preifat yng Nghymru. Mae ysbytai sefydledig yn llai perthnasol o ran lleihau rhestrau aros. Nid oes gennym gynigion i sefydlu ysbytai sefydledig yng Nghymru, beth bynnag fo’u rhinweddau yng nghyd-destun Lloegr.

Cyffur Gwrthiselder, Seroxat

Anti-depressant Drug, Seroxat

Q7 Alison Halford spoken in English p. 20

C7 Alison Halford siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government regarding the safe use, or otherwise, of the anti-depressant drug, Seroxat? (OAQ20314)

Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Prif Weinidog wedi’u cynnal â Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch a yw’n ddiogel defnyddio’r cyffur gwrthiselder, Seroxat, neu beidio? (OAQ20314)

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 20

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

The safety of prescribed drugs is not a devolved matter. It remains an issue for the UK Government, and is dealt with by the Medicines Control Agency and the Committee on Safety of Medicines. I believe that there have been recent studies of Seroxat, which has been used successfully to treat depressive illness in millions of people worldwide. The British National Formulary, which is supplied to all doctors in Wales, has recently been amended to take account of reports of patients experiencing difficulties when trying to come off Seroxat.

Nid yw diogelwch cyffuriau a ragnodir yn fater a ddatganolwyd. Mae’n dal i fod yn fater i Lywodraeth y DU, ac ymdrinnir ag ef gan yr Asiantaeth Rheolaeth Meddyginiaethau a’r Pwyllgor ar Ddiogelwch Meddyginiaethau. Credaf fod astudiaethau wedi bod yn ddiweddar o Seroxat, a ddefnyddiwyd yn llwyddiannus i drin anhwylderau iselder mewn miliynau o bobl ledled y byd. Mae’r British National Formulary, a roddir i’r holl feddygon yng Nghymru, wedi’i ddiwygio yn ddiweddar i ystyried adroddiad am gleifion sy’n profi anawsterau wrth geisio rhoi’r gorau i ddefnyddio Seroxat.

Alison Halford spoken in English p. 20

Alison Halford siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

One of my constituents is taking that particular drug. I understand that there is growing evidence in a small percentage of cases that Seroxat can induce self-harm or violent behaviour. My constituent drove a vehicle through the doors of a medical help centre when trying to get medical assistance. He was imprisoned for four years. His parents are happy that he remains in prison because he is receiving some kind of support. However, in light of that, will the Minister for Health and Social Services looks at this drug rather than leave the issue to other authorities?

Mae un o’m hetholwyr i’n cymryd y cyffur hwnnw. Deallaf fod tystiolaeth gynyddol bod Seroxat mewn canran fach o achosion yn gallu arwain at niweidio’r hunan neu ymddygiad treisgar. Gwnaeth fy etholwr i yrru cerbyd drwy ddrysau canolfan cymorth meddygol wrth geisio cael cymorth meddygol. Fe’i carcharwyd am bedair blynedd. Mae ei rieni’n fodlon ei fod yn aros yn y carchar gan ei fod yn cael rhyw fath o gymorth. Fodd bynnag, yng ngolwg hynny, a wnaiff y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol edrych ar y cyffur hwn yn hytrach na gadael y mater i awdurdodau eraill?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 20

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

If it is unsuitable for some patients because of behavioural consequences when the drug is withdrawn or when patients try to reduce their dependency on it, that unsuitability will be the same in Wales as in England. It is wise that we have a British National Formulary. The recent amendment is currently being supplied to all doctors to warn them of what can happen when patients try to come off the drug. The consequences are alarming, and I presume that your constituent was trying to come off the drug rather than experiencing side effects of taking it. I am unaware of the treatment’s side effects but it creates a dependency and causes severe withdrawal symptoms when patients want to come off it. However, if you want to write to me about that, I will ensure that your letter is passed on to the Medicines Control Agency to consider further amendments to the British National Formulary.

Os yw’n anaddas i rai cleifion oherwydd y canlyniadau ar eu hymddygiad pan dynnir y cyffur yn ôl neu pan yw cleifion yn ceisio bod yn llai dibynnol arno, bydd yr un mor anaddas yng Nghymru ag ydyw yn Lloegr. Mae’n beth doeth bod y British National Formulary gennym. Rhoddir y diwygiad diweddar i’r holl feddygon yn awr i’w rhybuddio am yr hyn a all ddigwydd pan fo cleifion yn ceisio rhoi’r gorau i’r cyffur. Mae’r canlyniadau’n frawychus, a chymeraf fod eich etholwr yn ceisio rhoi’r gorau i’r cyffur yn hytrach na phrofi’r sgîl-effeithiau ar ôl ei gymryd. Nid wyf yn gwybod am sgîl-effeithiau’r driniaeth ond mae’n creu dibyniaeth ac yn peri symptomau diddyfnu difrifol pan yw cleifion am roi’r gorau i’w ddefnyddio. Fodd bynnag, os dymunwch ysgrifennu ataf am hynny, sicrhaf y caiff eich llythyr ei drosglwyddo i’r Asiantaeth Rheolaeth Meddyginiaethau iddi gael ystyried diwygiadau pellach i’r British National Formulary.

David Lloyd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 21

David Lloyd spoken in Welsh p. 21

Beth mae’r Prif Weinidog am ei wneud ynglŷn â’r dulliau marchnata cryf a ddefnyddir ar gyfer cyffuriau newydd, a all fychanu eu sgîl effeithiau?

What will the First Minister do about the strong-arm tactics used to market new drugs, which can play down their side effects?

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 21

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 21

Os yw’r meddygyniaethau hyn yn cael eu marchnata’n amhriodol, byddai angen tystiolaeth wirioneddol arnom er mwyn gwneud cyhuddiadau y gallem eu cefnogi. Clywsom am rai o’r cwmnïau mawr yn rhoi gwyliau fel gwobrwyon am gyflwyno meddyginiaethau newydd ac yn y blaen, ond mae sefydlu beth sy’n dderbyniol neu’n annerbyniol o ran gwerthu meddyginiaethau newydd yn rhy anodd i feddygon. Fodd bynnag, os oes gennych dystiolaeth fod marchanta amhriodol yn digwydd yng Nghymru, byddwn yn ddiolchgar i dderbyn y dystiolaeth honno, a hysbysaf yr Adran Iechyd o’r enghreifftiau hynny.

If these drugs are being marketed inappropriately, we would need conclusive evidence before any accusations could be made. We have heard of some of these large companies giving holidays as prizes for introducing new medications and so on, but establishing what is acceptable or unacceptable in terms of selling new medications is too difficult for doctors. However, if you have evidence that inappropriate marketing is happening in Wales, I would be grateful to receive that evidence, and I will inform the Department of Health of those examples.

Uwchgynhadledd y Ddaear, Johannesburg

Earth Summit, Johannesburg

C8 Delyth Evans siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 21

Q8 Delyth Evans spoken in Welsh p. 21

Pa gymorth a roddodd y Cynulliad i beri bod modd i bobl ifanc o Gymru fynd i uwchgynhadledd y ddaear yn Johannesburg? (OAQ20309)

What support did the Assembly provide to enable young people from Wales to attend the earth summit in Johannesburg? (OAQ20309)

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 21

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 21

Yr oedd naw o bobl ifanc o Gymru yn bresennol yn uwchgynhadledd y ddaear ar ddatblygu cynaliadwy yn Johannesburg ym mis Awst. Etholwyd tri ohonynt gan eu cyfoedion mewn cynhadledd fis Gorffennaf diwethaf, a drefnwyd, yn anuniongyrchol drwy ein hadnoddau ni, gan y Ganolfan Dechnoleg Amgen. Yr oedd hynny yn gymorth iddynt deithio i Johannesburg ac aros yno gyda’u gwarchodwyr.

Nine young people from Wales were present at the earth summit on sustainable development in Johannesburg in August. Three of those were elected by their peers in a conference last July, which was organised, indirectly using our resources, by the Centre for Alternative Technology. That assisted them to travel to Johannesburg and stay there with their chaperones.

Delyth Evans siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 22

Delyth Evans spoken in Welsh p. 22

Yn ddiweddar, clywodd Pwyllgor Rhanbarth y Canolbarth dystiolaeth y bobl ifanc hyn am eu taith i Johannesburg. Dychwelasant gyda syniadau arbennig o dda ynglŷn â’r ffordd ymlaen. A gytunwch fod hyn yn esiampl dda o sut mae’r Cynulliad yn cefnogi pobl ifanc, ac a ystyriwch gwrdd â’r grŵp hwn eto i weld sut y gallwch helpu i ddatblygu rhai o’u syniadau?

Recently, the Mid Wales Regional Committee heard evidence from these young people about their trip to Johannesburg. They returned with exceptionally good ideas about the way forward. Do you agree that this is a good example of the way that the Assembly supports young people, and will you consider meeting with this group again to see how you can help develop some of their ideas?

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 22

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 22

Cynhelir cynhadledd yn Abertawe cyn y Nadolig. Bydd y naw person ifanc hyn rhwng 18 a 23 mlwydd oed, a gynrychiolodd ieuenctid Cymru yn yr uwchgynhadledd yn bresennol, hyd y gwn i, fis nesaf. Yr oeddent yn llysgenhadon arbennig, ac yr oeddwn yn ymfalchïo yn eu hymddygiad. Nid oedd un garfan mor amlwg yn ystod yr uwchgynhadledd a’i chyfarfodydd gan gynnwys cyfarfodydd ymylol yr uwchgynhadledd. Yr wyf yn disgwyl clywed gan y genhedlaeth nesaf yn y gynhadledd yn Abertawe fis nesaf pa fath o arweiniad y gallant hwy ei roi, a pha fath o arweiniad y maent yn ei ddisgwyl gan oedolion Cymru, gan gynnwys y Cynulliad a’i Lywodraeth.

A summit will be held in Swansea before Christmas. Those nine young people, between the ages of 18 and 23, who represented the youth of Wales in the summit, will be present, as far as I know, next month. They were excellent ambassadors, and I was proud of the way that they conducted themselves. No group was as prominent during the summit and its meetings, including the summit’s fringe meetings. I am waiting to hear from the next generation in the conference in Swansea next month what sort of lead they can give, and what sort of lead they expect from Wales’s adults, including the Assembly and its Government.

David Davies spoken in English p. 22

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

First Minister, you can find the means to support young people who want to attend the environment conference in Johannesburg but, as reported in The Western Mail the other day, you cannot find the means to support young people who need to have their tonsils removed. Are your priorities not a little strange?

Brif Weinidog, gallwch ddod o hyd i fodd i gynorthwyo pobl ifanc sydd am fynd i’r gynhadledd amgylcheddol yn Johannesburg ond, fel yr adroddwyd yn The Western Mail y diwrnod o’r blaen, ni allwch ddod o hyd i fodd i helpu pobl ifanc y mae angen tynnu eu tonsiliau. Onid yw’ch blaenoriaethau braidd yn rhyfedd?

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

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

Order. This question does not relate to the health service.

Trefn. Nid yw’r cwestiwn hwn yn ymwneud â’r gwasanaeth iechyd.

Janet Davies spoken in English p. 22

Janet Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

Reducing, reusing and recycling resources is immensely important to the young people who went to Johannesburg, First Minister. Therefore, are you ready to implement the relevant new European Union directive that will soon take effect?

Mae lleihau, ailddefnyddio ac ailgylchu adnoddau’n bwysig dros ben i’r bobl ifanc a aeth i Johannesburg, Brif Weinidog. Gan hynny, a ydych yn barod i weithredu cyfarwyddeb newydd berthnasol yr Undeb Ewropeaidd a ddaw i rym cyn hir?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 22

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

When we consider how to action the recommendations that arise from Johannesburg, we will do so in line with our obligations to mainstream sustainable development in everything that we do. We cannot give guarantees about accepting recommendations from every conference on these subjects, but we consider ourselves as being in the vanguard of sustainable development worldwide. I know from the summit in Johannesburg that Wales is in the vanguard.

Pan ystyriwn sut i weithredu ar sail yr argymhellion sy’n codi yn sgîl uwchgynhadledd Johannesburg, gwnawn hynny yn unol â’r orfodaeth sydd arnom i roi datblygu cynaliadwy yn y brif ffrwd ym mhob dim a wnawn. Ni allwn roi gwarant ynghylch derbyn argymhellion pob cynhadledd ar y pynciau hyn, ond credwn ein bod ar flaen y gad mewn datblygu cynaliadwy drwy’r byd. Gwn ar sail yr uwchgynhadledd yn Johannesburg fod Cymru ar flaen y gad.

Ansawdd Cludiant Cyhoeddus yn y Gogledd

Quality of Public Transport in North Wales

C9 Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Q9 Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 23

A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ar sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwella ansawdd cludiant cyhoeddus yng ngogledd Cymru? (OAQ20318)

Will the First Minister make a statement on how the Government of Wales is improving the quality of public transport in north Wales? (OAQ20318)

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 23

Mae amcanion y Cynulliad ar gyfer gwella cludiant cyhoeddus yn cynnwys mynd i’r afael ag anfantais gymdeithasol, hyrwyddo cyfle cyfartal, a chefnogi datblygu cynaliadwy drwy gyfrwng cludiant cyhoeddus sydd wedi ei gydlynu’n well ac yn fwy integredig. Mae’r rhain yn hanfodol i gyflawni dyheadau pobl gogledd Cymru, ac mae ein llwyddiannau hyd yn hyn yn cynnwys cyflwyno teithio am ddim i bensiynwyr a phobl anabl ac, o ganlyniad i arian gan y Cynulliad, wella’r gwasanaethau trenau rhwng y Gogledd a’r De, gan gynnig mwy o wasanaethau i deithwyr o Wrecsam.

The Assembly’s objectives for improving public transport involve tackling social disadvantage, promoting equality of opportunity, and supporting sustainable development through better co-ordinated and more integrated public transport. These are key to meeting the aspirations of the people of north Wales, and our notable successes include implementing free travel for pensioners and the disabled and, through Assembly funding, improved train services between north and south Wales, offering a greater number of services for passengers from Wrexham.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 23

Mewn cyfarfod o Bwyllgor Rhanbarth y Gogledd fis Mawrth diwethaf, clywsoch am y pryder mawr ynghylch cyflwr a safonau gwael gwasanaeth rheilffordd Dyffryn Conwy rhwng Blaenau Ffestiniog a Llandudno. Gofynnwyd i chi ystyried gwella ansawdd y gwasanaeth hwnnw yn y tymor byr, tra bydd gwelliannau yn digwydd i’r A470, ac yn y tymor hir er mwyn cynnal y cymunedau a’r gwasanaethau gwledig hynny sydd mor ddibynnol ar gludiant cyhoeddus. A ydych yn rhoi sylw brys a theilwng i’r mater hwn?

In a meeting of the North Wales Regional Committee last March, you heard of the great concern regarding the poor condition and standards of the rail service in the Conwy Valley between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno. You were asked to consider improving the quality of that service in the short term, while improvements are made to the A470, and in the long term to maintain those communities and rural services that are so dependent on public transport. Are you giving this matter the urgent attention that it clearly deserves?

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 23

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 23

Ydym. Mae’r cwestiwn hwn wedi codi o’r blaen, ac yr ydym yn ei drin fel mater brys a theilwng. Tra bo cymaint o ailadeiladu’n digwydd rhwng Dolwyddelan a’r Crimea ger Blaenau Ffestiniog, bydd anawsterau i ddefnyddwyr ceir, ac felly bydd yn bwysig sicrhau bod y gwasanaeth trên ar gael i bobl nad yw defnyddio ceir yn gyfleus iddynt.

Yes. This question has arisen before, and we are treating it as an urgent and deserving matter. While so many roadworks take place between Dolwyddelan and the Crimea near Blaenau Ffestiniog, there will be difficulties for car users, and therefore it will be important to ensure that the train service is available for people who cannot conveniently use their cars.

Eleanor Burnham siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 24

Eleanor Burnham spoken in Welsh p. 24

Mae’r hawl i ddefnyddio tocynnau consesiwn Cymreig ar deithiau sydd yn croesi i Loegr yn dibynnu ar gytundebau rhwng awdurdodau lleol a’r gweithredwyr bws, os yw’r ardal yn Lloegr yn ffinio â Chymru ai peidio. A gytunwch y dylai’r Cynulliad lunio cynllun pendant ynglŷn â ffiniau’r ardaloedd lle y defnyddir y tocynnau consensiwn, i atal dryswch ar ran defnyddwyr y tocynnau ar y fath deithiau, yn enwedig wrth deithio o’r Gogledd i’r De?

The right to use Welsh concessionary tickets on journeys that cross into England depends on agreements between local authorities and the bus operators, whether the English region borders with Wales or not. Do you agree that the Assembly should draw up a specific scheme regarding the boundaries of the regions where the concessionary tickets are used, to avoid confusion for ticket users on such journeys, especially when travelling from north to south Wales?

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 24

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 24

Nid wyf wedi clywed am enghreifftiau o’r dryswch hwn. Pe gallech ysgrifennu ataf, fe ymgynghoraf â Sue Essex er mwyn gweld beth y gallwn ei wneud. Yn aml, mae’n fwy cyfleus wrth deithio o’r De i’r Gogledd, yn enwedig i gyffiniau Wrecsam a Glannau Dyfrdwy, i fynd yn ôl a blaen dros y ffin. Felly, er mwyn sicrhau fy mod yn deall y cwestiwn yn iawn, byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallech ysgrifennau ataf ag enghreifftiau.

I have not heard of examples of such confusion. If you write to me, I will consult with Sue Essex to see what we can do. Often, it is more convenient when travelling from south to north Wales, especially to the Wrexham and Deeside area, to go back and forth over the border. Therefore, to ensure that I understand the question correctly, I would be grateful if you would write to me with examples.

David Ian Jones spoken in English p. 24

David Ian Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

Do you share my concern at the lack of a direct rail link between north Wales and Manchester airport, which is the major international gateway to the region? What do you propose to do to press the rail transport operators to remedy this?

A ydych yn rhannu fy mhryder ynghylch diffyg cyswllt rheilffordd uniongyrchol rhwng y Gogledd a maes awyr Manceinion, sef y fynedfa ryngwladol bwysig i’r rhanbarth? Beth y bwriadwch ei wneud i bwyso ar y gweithredwyr trafnidiaeth rheilffyrdd i gywiro hynny?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 24

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

I was not aware that there was no direct rail service between north Wales and Manchester airport. The rail service in the Manchester area covers Manchester airport. It is a well-connected airport, and is a valuable resource to people who live in north Wales. It confers international direct-route travel that is second only to London, which is most convenient for people living only an hour or two away. I was unaware that there was no direct service, via Crewe or another main connecting point for travel from north Wales, and I will write to you when I have researched the position thoroughly.

Ni wyddwn nad oedd gwasanaeth rheilffyrdd uniongyrchol rhwng y Gogledd a maes awyr Manceinion. Mae’r gwasanaeth rheilffyrdd yn ardal Manceinion yn cynnwys maes awyr Manceinion. Mae’n faes awyr sydd â chysylltiadau da, ac mae’n adnodd gwerthfawr i rai sy’n byw yn y Gogledd. Mae’n cynnig teithio rhyngwladol ar lwybrau uniongyrchol sydd ond yn ail i Lundain, sy’n gyfleus iawn i rai sydd ond yn byw awr neu ddwy i ffwrdd. Ni wyddwn nad oedd gwasanaeth uniongyrchol, drwy Crewe neu brif bwynt cysylltu arall ar gyfer teithio o’r Gogledd, ac ysgrifennaf atoch pan fyddaf wedi ymchwilio’n drwyadl i’r sefyllfa.

Amddiffynfeydd rhag Llifogydd

Flood Defences

Q10 Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 24

C10 Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24

Will the First Minister make a statement on what precautions are being taken to ensure that there are suitable flood defences in place across Wales? (OAQ20293)

A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ar y camau sy’n cael eu cymryd i sicrhau bod amddiffynfeydd addas rhag llifogydd ar waith ledled Cymru? (OAQ20293)

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 25

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

We are allocating £38 million for taking precautions against flooding over this and the next three financial years.

Yr ydym yn dyrannu £38 miliwn i gymryd camau rhag llifogydd dros y flwyddyn ariannol hon a’r tair nesaf.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 25

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

Developing an early-warning system has worked well in Ruthin. Last weekend, it gave people plenty of warning to move their valuables upstairs although, thankfully, there was no flood. A great deal of work remains before completing Ruthin’s flood defences. Are you satisfied that early-warning systems, which were called for after the floods of previous years, are now in place throughout Wales, to ensure that everybody has plenty of warning of an impending flood?

Mae datblygu system rhybudd cynnar wedi gweithio’n dda yn Rhuthun. Y penwythnos diwethaf, rhoddodd ddigon o rybudd i bobl symud eu pethau gwerthfawr i fyny’r grisiau er na fu llifogydd, diolch byth. Mae llawer iawn o waith i’w wneud eto cyn cwblhau’r amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd yn Rhuthun. A ydych yn fodlon bod systemau rhybudd cynnar, y galwyd amdanynt ar ôl y llifogydd yn y blynyddoedd blaenorol, wedi’u rhoi ar waith bellach ledled Cymru, i sicrhau y caiff pawb ddigon o rybudd am lifogydd sydd ar ddod?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 25

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

We have not yet received an application for standard grant aid relating to Ruthin. We cannot generate the application because the prime responsibility for that is with the operating authorities—the Environment Agency and local authorities. Denbighshire County Council is promoting the scheme. We can fund it—we have allocated £38 million for it—and we believe that the scheme is fit for purpose, but Denbighshire council has yet to submit a formal application in respect of Ruthin. Therefore, I cannot tell you whether and how the application deals with early-warning systems. We will treat any application that we receive from Denbighshire council with urgency. I hope that the £38 million that we have allocated will cover all the costs required, on the basis of 85 per cent standard grant aid.

Nid ydym wedi derbyn cais eto am gymorth grant arferol mewn cysylltiad â Rhuthun. Ni allwn ni wneud y cais gan fod y prif gyfrifoldeb am hynny gan yr awdurdodau gweithredu—Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd a’r awdurdodau lleol. Cyngor Sir Ddinbych sy’n hyrwyddo’r cynllun. Gallwn ni ei ariannu—yr ydym wedi dyrannu £38 miliwn ar ei gyfer—a chredwn fod y cynllun yn addas i’w bwrpas, ond nid yw Cyngor Sir Ddinbych wedi cyflwyno cais ffurfiol eto mewn cysylltiad â Rhuthun. Gan hynny, ni allaf ddweud wrthych a yw’r cais yn ymdrin â systemau rhybudd cynnar neu sut y byddai’n gwneud hynny. Trafodwn ar frys unrhyw gais a gawn gan Gyngor Sir Ddinbych. Gobeithiaf y bydd y £38 miliwn yr ydym wedi’i ddyrannu’n talu am yr holl gostau angenrheidiol, ar sail y cymorth grant arferol o 85 y cant.

John Griffiths spoken in English p. 25

John Griffiths siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

On the flood and coastal defence funding review conducted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, do you agree that we must be careful not to lose local knowledge and expertise built up over many years by staff of internal drainage boards, such as the Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels Drainage Board? We must retain local knowledge, along with accountability and direct responsibility, and must not lose them to a remote, centralised system.

Ynghylch yr adolygiad o ariannu amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd ac amddiffynfeydd arfordirol a gynhaliwyd gan Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig, a gytunwch fod rhaid inni ofalu nad ydym yn colli’r wybodaeth a’r arbenigedd lleol a gronnwyd dros flynyddoedd lawer gan staff byrddau traenio mewnol, fel Bwrdd Traenio Caldicot a Gwastatir Gwynllŵg? Rhaid inni gadw gwybodaeth leol, ynghyd ag atebolrwydd a chyfrifoldeb uniongyrchol a pheidio â’u colli i system bell, ganoledig.

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 26

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

The Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels Drainage Board is a wonderful example—only in Britain could you find anomalies dating back to Henry VIII. The prime responsibility for this lies with Monmouthshire County Council and the Environment Agency. It is possible that nowhere else in the UK has this extra drainage board facility, perhaps because much of that area is below high-tide level, protected by the sea wall. It is important that local knowledge is never lost and, if there is one matter that needs local knowledge, it is trying to gauge the effect of bad weather on an area, in terms of where water will overflow, where the tops of floodbanks will erode and so on. The knowledge available in that drainage board must not be lost in the search for theoretically greater efficiency.

Mae Bwrdd Traenio Caldicot a Gwastatir Gwynllŵg yn enghraifft ryfeddol—dim ond ym Mhrydain y caech anomaleddau sy’n dyddio’n ôl i oes Harri VIII. Gan Gyngor Sir Fynwy ac Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd y mae’r prif gyfrifoldeb dros hynny. Mae’n bosibl na cheir y cyfleuster ychwanegol hwn o fwrdd traenio yn unman arall yn y DU, efallai am fod llawer o’r ardal honno o dan lefel penllanw, ac wedi’i hamddiffyn gan y morglawdd. Mae’n bwysig na chollir gwybodaeth leol byth, ac mae angen gwybodaeth leol wrth geisio mesur effaith tywydd gwael ar ardal, o ran lle y bydd dŵr yn gorlifo, ym mhle y bydd pennau glannau gorlifdir yn erydu ac yn y blaen. Rhaid peidio â cholli’r wybodaeth sydd ar gael gan y bwrdd traenio hwnnw yn yr ymchwil am effeithlonrwydd damcaniaethol fwy.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 26

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

One problem in implementing the plans to put up flood defences is that a lot of land relates to old planning applications and purchasers of these plots do not have any information about them. A land search may not return any notification that a house is in an area prone to flooding. Should we not consider amending the legislation so that searches on those properties would provide such details and thus buyers would know exactly what was happening?

Un broblem wrth weithredu’r cynlluniau i godi amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd yw bod llawer o dir yn gysylltiedig â hen geisiadau cynllunio, ac nid oes gan brynwyr y lleiniau hyn unrhyw wybodaeth amdanynt. Mae’n bosibl na fydd chwiliad tir yn dod o hyd i unrhyw hysbysiad bod tŷ mewn ardal sy’n agored i lifogydd. Oni ddylem ystyried newid y ddeddfwriaeth fel y byddai chwiliadau ar eiddo o’r fath yn rhoi’r manylion hynny fel y câi’r prynwyr wybod beth yn union a oedd yn digwydd?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 26

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

You take me back to an early part of my career—I used to undertake the searches in Cardiff City Council’s planning department. I cannot remember what year that was, but I did the job for nine months—quite a long period to be doing searches.

Yr ydych yn dwyn cyfnod cynnar yn fy ngyrfa i gof—arferwn wneud y chwiliadau yn adran gynllunio Cyngor Dinas Caerdydd. Ni allaf gofio ym mha flwyddyn yr oedd hynny, ond gwneuthum y gwaith hwnnw am naw mis—cyfnod eithaf maith i wneud chwiliadau.

It is important to receive accurate information from searches and your solicitor will be expected to undertake a search before you buy a house. You will be aware of the new guidelines regarding building on floodplains and information about them. Some recent high-profile cases have come to the Assembly on appeal, and all four parties in this Assembly would agree on resolving to take greater precautions before permitting building on floodplains.

Mae’n bwysig cael gwybodaeth fanwl o chwiliadau a disgwylir i gyfreithiwr wneud chwiliad o’r fath cyn i neb brynu tŷ. Byddwch yn ymwybodol o’r canllawiau newydd ynghylch adeiladu ar orlifdiroedd a’r wybodaeth yn eu cylch. Cyflwynwyd apêl ar rai achosion adnabyddus iawn i’r Cynulliad, a byddai pob un o’r pedair plaid yn y Cynulliad hwn yn cytuno y dylid penderfynu cymryd camau gofal mwy cyn caniatáu adeiladu ar orlifdiroedd.

Datganiad ar Brosiect Cau’r Bwlch

Statement on the Narrowing the Gap Project

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning spoken in English p. 27

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

I am pleased to report to you on the first phase of the ‘Narrowing the Gap in the Performance of Schools’ project. The report, which everybody has received, focuses on secondary schools, and shows that successful outcomes can be achieved even where school circumstances are challenging.

Yr wyf yn falch o adrodd i chi ar ran gyntaf prosiect ‘Cau’r Bwlch ym Mherfformiad Ysgolion’. Mae’r adroddiad, y mae pawb wedi’i dderbyn, yn canolbwyntio ar ysgolion uwchradd, ac yn dangos bod modd sicrhau canlyniadau llwyddiannus hyd yn oed pan yw amgylchiadau’r ysgol yn anodd.

The impetus for the work came from local government, which asked the Assembly and local government partnership council to examine the factors that contribute towards the gap in performance between schools. The project accords with the Assembly’s statutory responsibility to promote equality of opportunity, and is the result of a shared recognition with local government that until the gap between schools that perform the best and those that perform least well is narrowed, we cannot pretend that there is equality of opportunity for school pupils in Wales. There was also a perception that some schools were bucking the trend and succeeding against the odds. The study set out to test that and discover whether there were lessons to be learned for all schools and particularly for those with challenging circumstances.

Daeth yr ysgogiad i wneud y gwaith hwn oddi wrth lywodraeth leol, a ofynnodd i’r Cynulliad a’r cyngor partneriaeth llywodraeth leol archwilio’r ffactorau sy’n cyfrannu at y bwlch rhwng perfformiad ysgolion. Mae’r prosiect yn gyson â chyfrifoldeb statudol y Cynulliad i hyrwyddo cyfle cyfartal, ac mae’n ganlyniad i gydnabyddiaeth a rennir â llywodraeth leol na ellir honni bod cyfle cyfartal i ddisgyblion ysgol yng Nghymru hyd nes y ceir llai o fwlch rhwng yr ysgolion sy’n perfformio orau a’r rhai sy’n perfformio’n lleiaf da. Yr oedd canfyddiad hefyd bod rhai ysgolion yn mynd yn groes i’r tuedd ac yn llwyddo er gwaethaf pob disgwyl. Aeth yr astudiaeth ati i roi prawf ar hynny a darganfod a oedd gwersi i’w dysgu ar gyfer yr holl ysgolion ac yn enwedig y rhai mewn amgylchiadau anodd.

The evidence that formed the basis for the report came from a variety of sources. The Assembly Government commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research to draw together information on local education authorities’ education strategic plans, and school improvement activity in Wales, and to research school improvement literature. The Assembly’s Statistical Directorate and Mike Treadaway of the Fischer Family Trust compiled statistical data. We asked 100 secondary schools across Wales, identified by Estyn and local education authorities as having succeeded ahead of normal expectations for schools in their circumstances, what they considered had led to their success. Twelve schools identified as performing well, despite being in an area of deprivation, were chosen for further study by a project team of three recently retired senior school managers. They visited and talked to the headteachers and senior management teams about the factors that were driving up standards in their schools. The schools that responded to the questionnaire, particularly those that were visited, welcomed the opportunity to give their views and valued the recognition of their achievements implicit in their selection.

Daeth y dystiolaeth a oedd yn sail i’r adroddiad o amryw o ffynonellau. Gwnaeth Llywodraeth y Cynulliad gomisiynu’r Sefydliad Cenedlaethol er Ymchwil i Addysg i gasglu gwybodaeth am gynlluniau strategol addysg yr awdurdodau addysg lleol, gweithgareddau gwella ysgolion yng Nghymru, ac i ymchwilio i gyhoeddiadau ar wella ysgolion. Cyfarwyddiaeth Ystadegol y Cynulliad a Mike Treadaway o Ymddiriedolaeth Teulu Fischer a gasglodd y data ystadegol. Gofynnwyd i 100 o ysgolion uwchradd ledled Cymru, y nododd Estyn a’r awdurdodau addysg lleol eu bod yn llwyddo’n well nag a ddisgwylid fel arfer yn achos ysgolion yn eu hamgylchiadau hwy, beth a oedd wedi arwain at eu llwyddiant yn eu barn hwy. Cafodd 12 ysgol y nodwyd eu bod yn perfformio’n dda, er eu bod mewn ardal ddifreintiedig, eu dewis i’w hastudio ymhellach gan dîm prosiect o dri uwch reolwr ysgol a oedd wedi ymddeol yn ddiweddar. Bu iddynt ymweld a siarad â phenaethiaid yr ysgol a’r timau rheoli uwch am y ffactorau a oedd yn codi’r safonau yn eu hysgolion. Yr oedd yr ysgolion a ymatebodd i’r holiadur, yn enwedig y rhai yr ymwelwyd â hwy, yn croesawu’r cyfle i roi eu barn ac yn gwerthfawrogi’r gydnabyddiaeth i’w cyflawniadau a oedd ymhlyg wrth eu dewis.

The report identifies three factors essential to school improvements: having key personnel in place to drive school improvement, monitoring teaching and learning, promoting effective practice, and making effective use of assessment data. The report recommends that schools identify key personnel and consider how they can contribute to school improvement. That includes consideration of whether the current staffing structure is appropriate. It also asks schools to consider whether there is an appropriate staff development programme to produce and develop key personnel for the future.

Mae’r adroddiad yn nodi tri ffactor sy’n hanfodol i welliannau mewn ysgolion: bod â staff allweddol i ysgogi gwelliannau yn yr ysgol, monitro dysgu ac addysgu, gan hyrwyddo arferion effeithiol, a defnyddio data asesu’n effeithiol. Mae’r adroddiad yn argymell y dylai ysgolion enwi staff allweddol ac ystyried sut y gallant gyfrannu i’r gwaith o wella’r ysgol. Mae hynny’n cynnwys ystyried a yw’r strwythur staffio cyfredol yn addas. Mae hefyd yn gofyn i’r ysgolion ystyried a oes rhaglen datblygu staff briodol i gynhyrchu a datblygu staff allweddol at y dyfodol.

Schools need to consider whether staff are well-versed in how pupils learn and whether there are agreed strategies for good teaching. The report recommends that schools should evaluate how effective their systems are for monitoring learning and teaching and ensure that arrangements are in place to identify and disseminate good practice within the school.

Mae angen i ysgolion ystyried a yw’r staff yn gyfarwydd â’r modd y mae disgyblion yn dysgu ac a oes strategaethau cytunedig ar gyfer addysgu da. Mae’r adroddiad yn argymell y dylai ysgolion werthuso pa mor effeithiol yw eu systemau ar gyfer monitro dysgu ac addysgu ac y dylent sicrhau bod trefniadau ar waith i ganfod a lledaenu arferion da o fewn yr ysgol.

Schools should use assessment data to systematically evaluate learning and teaching, and to monitor the progress of individual pupils and groups of pupils. Such assessment provides the basis for setting and monitoring targets, and for identifying action needed to address underperformance by individual pupils or groups of pupils.

Dylai ysgolion ddefnyddio data asesu i werthuso dysgu ac addysgu’n systematig, ac i fonitro cynnydd disgyblion unigol a grwpiau o ddisgyblion. Asesu o’r fath yw’r sylfaen ar gyfer gosod a monitro targedau, a nodi’r camau y mae’n rhaid eu cymryd i ymdrin â thanberfformiad disgyblion unigol neu grwpiau o ddisgyblion.

The study considered the potential impact of the community dimension of schools in narrowing the gap in performance. The report concludes that developing the community focus of the school as a resource to be used for all ages in the community raises the profile of education, and has the potential to result in multiple benefits for learners, schools and their communities.

Yn yr astudiaeth ystyriwyd effaith bosibl dimensiwn cymunedol yr ysgolion wrth gau’r bwlch mewn perfformiad. Mae’r adroddiad yn dod i’r casgliad bod datblygu ffocws cymunedol yr ysgol fel adnodd i’w ddefnyddio ar gyfer pob oedran yn y gymuned yn hybu proffil addysg, ac y gallai arwain at fanteision lluosol i ddysgwyr, ysgolion a’u cymunedau.

The report highlights the role of the Assembly Government, local authorities and other key organisations in narrowing the performance gap. Issues covered include support for schools in deprived areas, appropriate levels of funding, the framework for the continuing professional development of teachers, promotion of the school’s role in its community, sharing good practice and celebrating success.

Mae’r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at rôl Llywodraeth y Cynulliad, yr awdurdodau lleol a chyrff allweddol eraill wrth gau’r bwlch mewn perfformiad. Rhai o’r materion yr ymdrinnir â hwy yw cymorth i ysgolion mewn ardaloedd difreintiedig, lefelau cyllido priodol, y fframwaith ar gyfer datblygu proffesiynol parhaus i athrawon, hyrwyddo rôl yr ysgol yn ei chymuned, rhannu arferion da a dathlu llwyddiant.

I launched the report on 16 October at Sandfields school, in Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, which was one of the 12 schools that were studied. The report has been issued to all schools, local education authorities and education partners. A conference has been arranged at Merthyr Vale on 21 November to disseminate the findings. I hope that the report’s findings will contribute towards the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee’s policy review on the school of the future, which has just started.

Lansiais yr adroddiad ar 16 Hydref yn ysgol Sandfields, yng Nghyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell-nedd Port Talbot, a oedd yn un o’r 12 ysgol a astudiwyd. Rhoddwyd yr adroddiad i’r holl ysgolion, yr awdurdodau addysg lleol a’r partneriaid addysg. Trefnwyd cynhadledd yn Ynysowen ar 21 Tachwedd i ledaenu’r canfyddiadau. Gobeithiaf y bydd canfyddiadau’r adroddiad yn cyfrannu at adolygiad polisi’r Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes o ysgol y dyfodol, sydd newydd ddechrau.

The partnership council has approved the second phase of the project, focusing on the performance of primary schools. The intention is to complete it by October 2003.

Mae’r cyngor partneriaeth wedi cymeradwyo ail ran y prosiect, sy’n canolbwyntio ar berfformiad ysgolion cynradd. Bwriedir ei gwblhau erbyn Hydref 2003.

As I said when I launched the report, one of the aspirations shared by the National Assembly and local authorities in Wales is to offer our children true equality of opportunity in their education. We do not achieve that at present. The challenge now for the Assembly, local authorities and schools is to share the good practice that has been identified, so that all our children have excellent opportunities, and no child is disadvantaged because of where they grow up. I commend the report to Members.

Fel y dywedais wrth lansio’r adroddiad, un o’r dyheadau a rennir gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ac awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru yw cynnig cyfle cyfartal gwirioneddol i’n plant yn eu haddysg. Nid ydym yn cyflawni hynny ar hyn o bryd. Yr her yn awr i’r Cynulliad, yr awdurdodau lleol a’r ysgolion yw rhannu’r arferion da a ganfuwyd, fel y caiff ein holl blant gyfleoedd rhagorol, ac fel na fydd yr un plentyn dan anfantais oherwydd y man y cafaodd ei fagu. Cymeradwyaf yr adroddiad i’r Aelodau.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 29

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Plaid Cymru welcomes the work that has been done through the narrowing the gap project. It is valuable and it acknowledges the current situation, which, as the Minister has said, is unacceptable. The education system is failing the children and young people from our most deprived communities who, arguably, need it most.

Mae Plaid Cymru yn croesawu’r gwaith a wnaed drwy brosiect cau’r bwlch. Mae’n werthfawr ac mae’n cydnabod y sefyllfa sydd ohoni, sydd, fel y dywedodd y Gweinidog, yn annerbyniol. Mae’r system addysg yn siomi’r plant a’r bobl ifanc yn ein cymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig sef y rhai, gellid dadlau, y mae arnynt ei hangen fwyaf.

I have a few questions arising from the statement. The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning’s statement mentions, in passing, the need for appropriate funding. I press the Minister to acknowledge that there is a strong link between disadvantaged communities and school performance. As we have heard, it is not a determinant—there are schools in deprived communities that perform well—but we must acknowledge the link. Does the Minister share my concern that Assembly funding streams, such as grants for education support and training, do not effectively tackle disadvantage and inequality between schools and that, in some cases, the funding streams may perpetuate those inequalities? Will she tell us what she is doing to address the funding issue and to support the narrowing the gap project’s work? Also, will the Minister act urgently to remove competition between schools? The bulk of funding follows individual pupils, which often acts to further weaken schools in disadvantaged communities, and thus serves to widen the achievement gap.

Mae gennyf ychydig o gwestiynau sy’n deillio o’r datganiad. Mae datganiad y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes yn sôn, wrth fynd heibio, am yr angen am gyllido priodol. Pwysaf ar y Gweinidog i gydnabod bod cysylltiad cryf rhwng cymunedau difreintiedig a pherfformiad ysgolion. Fel y clywsom, nid yw’n benderfynydd—ceir ysgolion mewn cymunedau difreintiedig sy’n perfformio’n dda—ond rhaid inni gydnabod y cysylltiad. A yw’r Gweinidog yn rhannu fy mhryder nad yw llifoedd ariannu’r Cynulliad, megis grantiau cynnal addysg a hyfforddiant, yn ymdrin yn effeithiol ag anfantais ac anghydraddoldeb rhwng ysgolion ac, mewn rhai achosion, y gallai’r llifoedd ariannu barhau’r anghydraddoldebau hynny? A wnaiff ddweud wrthym beth y mae’n ei wneud i ymdrin â mater ariannu ac i gynorthwyo gwaith prosiect cau’r bwlch? Hefyd, a wnaiff y Gweinidog gymryd camau ar frys i ddileu cystadlu rhwng ysgolion? Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r cyllid yn dilyn disgyblion unigol, ac effaith hynny’n aml yw gwanhau ysgolion ymhellach mewn cymunedau difreintiedig, ac felly yn lledu’r bwlch mewn cyrhaeddiad.

I am glad that this work will be extended to include primary education, as that will be valuable. However, we should also consider performance gaps between further and higher education institutions. Does the Minister share my concern that the proposed introduction of top-up fees for some universities may serve either to create new gaps in attainment, or to widen existing ones between different higher education institutions? Will she assure us today that she will resist any attempt to impose top-up fees here?

Yr wyf yn falch y caiff y gwaith hwn ei ehangu i gynnwys addysg gynradd, gan y bydd hynny’n werthfawr. Fodd bynnag, dylem hefyd ystyried y bylchau mewn perfformiad rhwng sefydliadau addysg uwch ac addysg bellach. A yw’r Gweinidog yn rhannu fy mhryder y gallai’r bwriad i gyflwyno ffioedd ychwanegol ar gyfer rhai prifysgolion fod yn fodd i naill ai greu bylchau newydd mewn cyrhaeddiad, neu i ledu’r rhai presennol rhwng gwahanol sefydliadau addysg uwch? A wnaiff ein sicrhau hefyd y bydd yn gwrthsefyll unrhyw ymgais i orfodi ffioedd ychwanegol yma?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 30

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

I am grateful for your comments. The link between disadvantage and school performance is borne out by the report, but it is not a necessary indicator. That is one of this report’s most important lessons. Many schools in Wales perform well according to anybody’s standards and many operate in areas of deprivation. It is important that we take what works in those schools and ensure that it is disseminated across Wales.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am eich sylwadau. Mae’r adroddiad yn cadarnhau’r cysylltiad rhwng anfantais a pherfformiad ysgolion, ond nid yw’n ddangosydd angenrheidiol. Dyna un o wersi pwysicaf yr adroddiad hwn. Mae llawer o ysgolion yng Nghymru’n perfformio’n dda yn ôl unrhyw safon ac mae llawer ohonynt yn gweithredu mewn ardaloedd difreintiedig. Mae’n bwysig inni gymryd yr hyn sy’n gweithio yn yr ysgolion hynny a sicrhau y caiff ei ledaenu ledled Cymru.

You also referred to the grants for education support and training. We have had a long discussion on that issue—last year we discussed how we wanted the whole programme to more accurately reflect Members’ commitment to tackling deprivation. I presented proposals to the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee on how we might do that. This year we have delivered on those proposals and a number of programmes within GEST contained deprivation factors. However, once again, the Committee thought that we should go further; that will mean a fundamental review of GEST. We will focus on how we might get the right kind of grant to deliver the Assembly’s agenda for expanding education opportunities within the principles of sustainable development and equal opportunities, and in partnership with local government. That review will be carried out in March.

Gwnaethoch gyfeirio hefyd at y grantiau cynnal addysg a hyfforddiant. Cawsom drafodaeth hir ar y mater hwnnw—y llynedd bu inni drafod sut yr oeddem am i’r rhaglen gyfan adlewyrchu’n fwy manwl ymrwymiad yr Aelodau i fynd i’r afael ag amddifadedd. Cyflwynais gynigion i’r Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes ar y modd y gallem wneud hynny. Eleni yr ydym wedi cyflawni’r cynigion hynny ac yr oedd nifer o’r rhaglenni yn y grantiau cynnal addysg a hyfforddiant yn cynnwys ffactorau amddifadedd. Er hynny, unwaith eto, credai’r Pwyllgor y dylem fynd ymhellach; bydd hynny’n golygu adolygiad sylfaenol o’r grantiau cynnal addysg a hyfforddiant. Byddwn yn canolbwyntio ar y modd y gallwn gael y math iawn o grant i gyflawni agenda’r Cynulliad ar gyfer ehangu cyfleoedd addysg yn unol ag egwyddorion datblygu cynaliadwy a chyfle cyfartal, ac mewn partneriaeth â llywodraeth leol. Cynhelir yr adolygiad hwnnw ym mis Mawrth.

It is important to say that the report also identified that schools must be a part of the community to be as successful as possible. Once again, it gives us a chance to confirm the importance of the comprehensive school system and to say that having local schools for local communities is the most effective way of tackling the disadvantage gap. One key recommendation from the wide range of partners involved in the report—you will see that wide range in the annex to the report—concerns strengthening existing partnerships between the Welsh Assembly Government, local authorities and the General Teaching Council for Wales. That includes using partnerships to develop the right kind of continuous professional development framework, to help meet national, local, school and individual practitioner needs, to promote the sharing of good practice across Wales, to encourage visits to schools that are making significant progress, to promote and highlight success, and to develop the local education authority and school partnerships, provided for in the Education Act 2002. All these points—including funding—are identified and addressed in the report. The report suggests that we should review the funding formula in terms of the proportion that is allocated according to pupil numbers. We agreed to do that many months ago when this report was in progress, and the consultation document will be issued shortly.

Mae’n bwysig dweud bod yr adroddiad wedi canfod hefyd fod rhaid i ysgolion fod yn rhan o’r gymuned er mwyn llwyddo cymaint â phosibl. Unwaith eto, mae hyn yn rhoi cyfle inni gadarnhau pwysigrwydd y system ysgolion cyfun a dweud mai cael ysgolion lleol ar gyfer cymunedau lleol yw’r dull mwyaf effeithiol o fynd i’r afael â’r bwlch anfantais. Mae un o’r argymhellion allweddol gan yr amrywiaeth eang o bartneriaid a oedd yn gysylltiedig â’r adroddiad—gwelwch yr amrywiaeth eang honno yn yr atodiad i’r adroddiad—yn ymwneud â chryfhau’r partneriaethau presennol rhwng Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, awdurdodau lleol a Chyngor Addysgu Cyffredinol Cymru. Mae hynny’n cynnwys defnyddio’r partneriaethau i ddatblygu’r math iawn o fframwaith datblygu proffesiynol parhaus, i helpu i ddiwallu anghenion cenedlaethol a lleol a rhai ysgolion ac ymarferwyr unigol, i hyrwyddo rhannu arferion da ledled Cymru, i hybu ymweliadau ag ysgolion sy’n gwneud cynnydd sylweddol, i hyrwyddo a thynnu sylw at lwyddiant, ac i ddatblygu’r partneriaethau awdurdod addysg lleol ac ysgol, a ragamodir yn y Ddeddf Addysg 2002. Mae’r holl bwyntiau hyn—gan gynnwys ariannu—wedi’u nodi a’u trafod yn yr adroddiad. Mae’r adroddiad yn awgrymu y dylem adolygu’r fformiwla ariannu gan roi sylw i’r gyfran a ddyrennir yn ôl niferoedd disgyblion. Cytunasom i wneud hynny fisoedd lawer yn ôl pan oedd yr adroddiad hwn ar y gweill, a chyhoeddir y ddogfen ymgynghori cyn hir.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 32

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

I was pleased at your reference to Sandfields Comprehensive School in my constituency, which is one of the most improved comprehensive schools in Wales. Equally, Cymer Afan Comprehensive School, of which I am a governor, achieved the honour of being the second most improved comprehensive school in Wales last year. The experience of both those schools demonstrates that if there is good leadership and a commitment to the students—which means that they are entitled to and are able to achieve academic success—it is possible to deliver excellent education. Do you agree that we must learn from the experiences of Sandfields and Cymer Afan comprehensives? Our education system in Wales continues to improve dramatically, despite what the Conservatives have been saying about education performance in Wales during recent months.

Yr oeddwn yn falch o’ch clywed yn cyfeirio at Ysgol Gyfun Sandfields yn fy etholaeth i, sy’n un o’r ysgolion cyfun sydd wedi gwella fwyaf yng Nghymru. Yn yr un modd, Ysgol Gyfun Cymer Afan, yr wyf fi’n llywodraethwr arni, a gyflawnodd y gamp o ddod yn ail ymhlith yr ysgolion cyfun y bu’r gwelliant mwyaf ynddynt yng Nghymru y llynedd. Dengys profiad y ddwy ysgol hynny, os oes arweinyddiaeth dda ac ymrwymiad i’r myfyrwyr—sy’n golygu bod ganddynt hawl i lwyddiant academaidd ac yn gallu ei gyflawni—fod modd darparu addysg ragorol. A gytunwch fod rhaid inni ddysgu o brofiadau ysgolion cyfun Sandfields a Chymer Afan? Mae ein system addysg yng Nghymru’n dal i wella’n drawiadol, er gwaethaf yr hyn a ddywedodd y Ceidwadwyr am berfformiad addysg yng Nghymru yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 32

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

It is true that our results are improving year on year, and that is also true for those schools performing least well, which is pleasing. However, one of the reasons for drawing up this report was that, although everybody’s performance was improving, we were not closing the gap. However, in those schools that have demonstrated a commitment over and above the cohort achievement, the gap has closed much more. Schools that delivered a wider range of vocational opportunities—and there are graphs in the report to demonstrate this—closed the gap quicker and their achievement was much greater. That underpins the proposals that I outlined in the Chamber a few weeks ago about how we will re-examine the education provision for 14 to 19-year-olds and widen opportunities, including vocational ones, for the children of Wales.

Mae’n wir bod ein canlyniadau’n gwella flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn, ac mae hynny’n wir hefyd am yr ysgolion hynny sy’n perfformio’n lleiaf da, sy’n beth braf. Fodd bynnag, un o’r rhesymau dros lunio’r adroddiad hwn oedd nad oeddem yn cau’r bwlch, er bod perfformiad pawb yn gwella. Er hynny, yn yr ysgolion hynny a amlygodd ymrwymiad uwchlaw cyrhaeddiad y garfan, mae’r bwlch wedi cau’n fwy o lawer. Mae ysgolion a gynigiodd amrywiaeth ehangach o gyfleoedd galwedigaethol—ac mae graffiau yn yr adroddiad i ddangos hyn—wedi cau’r bwlch yn gynt ac wedi cyflawni mwy o lawer. Mae hynny’n ategu’r cynigion a ddisgrifiais yn y Siambr ychydig wythnosau’n ôl ynghylch y modd y byddwn yn ailedrych ar y ddarpariaeth addysg ar gyfer rhai rhwng 14 a 19 mlwydd oed ac ehangu’r cyfleoedd, gan gynnwys rhai galwedigaethol, ar gyfer plant Cymru.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 33

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 33

We are pleased with today’s announcement and with this report’s focus on our secondary schools. It demonstrates, as you have said, the huge achievements of our secondary schools in Wales, which has been against difficult backgrounds at times. However, we know that we have a professional and capable teaching profession in Wales, which is delivering on this agenda.

Yr ydym yn falch o’r cyhoeddiad heddiw a ffocws yr adroddiad hwn ar ein hysgolion uwchradd. Mae’n dangos, fel y dywedasoch, gyflawniadau aruthrol ein hysgolion uwchradd yng Nghymru, a sicrhawyd mewn cyd-destun anodd ar brydiau. Fodd bynnag, gwyddom fod gennym athrawon proffesiynol a galluog yng Nghymru, sy’n llwyddo i gyflawni’r agenda hon.

I would like you to consider a few points relating to the report. The first relates to how we monitor the performance and progress of pupils leaving primary school and entering secondary school. We know that key stage 2 tests can be seen as key indicators in assessing the progress of primary school pupils just before they leave to pursue their secondary school studies. Will you consider refusing to bow to pressure from other quarters to abolish key stage 2 tests? I know that we supported your abolition of the key stage 1 tests, but there is an argument for maintaining key stage 2 tests because of the indicators that they are able to provide in terms of monitoring progress.

Byddai’n dda gennyf pe byddech yn ystyried ychydig o bwyntiau mewn cysylltiad â’r adroddiad. Mae’r cyntaf yn ymwneud â’n dull o fonitro perfformiad a chynnydd disgyblion sy’n gadael ysgol gynradd ac yn mynd i ysgol uwchradd. Gwyddom y gellir ystyried profion cyfnod allweddol 2 yn ddangosyddion allweddol wrth asesu cynnydd disgyblion ysgol gynradd yn union cyn iddynt adael i dderbyn eu haddysg uwchradd. A wnewch ystyried gwrthod plygu i bwysau o gylchoedd eraill i ddiddymu profion cyfnod allweddol 2? Gwn ein bod wedi cefnogi’ch penderfyniad i ddiddymu profion cyfnod allweddol 1, ond mae dadl dros gadw profion cyfnod allweddol 2 oherwydd y dangosyddion y gallant eu rhoi yng nghyd-destun monitro cynnydd.

Secondly, Helen Mary Jones commented on top-up fees. Although that is not directly related to this particular statement, there is an issue of participation and access in the education system. Top-up fees will become a huge issue. I hope that you will consider making the views of the Assembly known to the Westminster Government. We would all be concerned about the introduction of top-up fees and the damage that it would do to participation and access, not only for students wishing to attend higher education institutions in Wales, but also for Welsh students wishing to study throughout the United Kingdom.

Yn ail, gwnaeth Helen Mary Jones sylw am ffioedd ychwanegol. Er nad yw hynny’n ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â’r datganiad penodol hwn, mae mater yn codi o ran cyfranogiad a mynediad yn y system addysg. Bydd ffioedd ychwanegol yn destun trafod mawr. Gobeithiaf y gwnewch ystyried hysbysu Llywodraeth San Steffan am farn y Cynulliad. Byddem oll yn bryderus ynghylch cyflwyno ffioedd ychwanegol a’r niwed a wnâi hynny i gyfranogiad a mynediad, nid yn unig yn achos myfyrwyr sy’n dymuno mynd i sefydliadau addysg uwch yng Nghymru, ond hefyd yn achos myfyrwyr o Gymru sy’n dymuno astudio ledled y Deyrnas Unedig.

On schools being used as community resources, I know, through my consultation with headteachers in south Wales, that they are open to the idea of their schools being used as community resources, particularly in relation to information and communications technology. Do you believe that current budgets are sufficient to enable schools to develop ICT suites, for example, which can be used to enhance adult learning and to develop the exciting idea of using schools as a community resource?

Ynghylch defnyddio ysgolion fel adnoddau cymunedol, yr wyf yn gwybod, gan fy mod wedi ymgynghori â phenaethiaid ysgol yn y De, eu bod yn barod i ystyried y syniad o ddefnyddio eu hysgolion fel adnoddau cymunedol, yn enwedig mewn cysylltiad â thechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu. A gredwch fod y cyllidebau presennol yn ddigon i alluogi ysgolion i ddatblygu ystafelloedd TGCh, er enghraifft, y gellir eu defnyddio i hybu dysgu ymysg oedolion a datblygu’r syniad cyffrous o ddefnyddio ysgolion fel adnodd cymunedol?

My final point is hugely important with regard to schools in Cardiff. You will be aware that the local education authority is reviewing its funding formula, and this could result in a major redistribution of planned budgetary resources from certain schools to other schools in the city. I know that we all agree with additional resources being allocated to schools that face particular challenges, but we do not want that to happen at the expense of other schools that are delivering and are successful and popular. Helen Mary Jones also raised the issue of mainstream funding, and how we ensure that any funding allocated for tackling the issues you have highlighted are mainstreamed and built into school budgets, so that it can be used effectively. If Cardiff’s education authority proceeds with its proposed changes—although it is also considering other recommendations—it could seriously damage many of the city’s schools; for example, one primary school could lose as much as £100,000 per year from its budget. How can you raise standards in all schools in Wales if local education authorities are proceeding with these ideas? It will be difficult to raise standards if LEAs rob Peter to pay Paul.

Mae’r pwynt olaf sydd gennyf yn bwysig tu hwnt mewn cysylltiad ag ysgolion yng Nghaerdydd. Byddwch yn ymwybodol bod yr awdurdod addysg lleol yn adolygu ei fformiwla ariannu, a gallai hynny arwain at ailddosbarthu helaeth ar adnoddau cyllidebol cynlluniedig o rai ysgolion i ysgolion eraill yn y ddinas. Gwn ein bod i gyd yn cyd-weld â dyrannu adnoddau ychwanegol i ysgolion sy’n wynebu heriau penodol, ond nid ydym am i hynny ddigwydd ar draul ysgolion eraill sy’n mynd â’r maen i’r wal ac yn llwyddiannus a phoblogaidd. Gwnaeth Helen Mary Jones hefyd godi mater ariannu prif ffrwd, a sut yr ydym yn sicrhau bod unrhyw gyllid a ddyrennir at fynd i’r afael â’r materion yr ydych wedi tynnu sylw atynt yn cael ei roi yn y brif ffrwd a’i gynnwys yng nghyllidebau ysgolion, fel y gellid ei ddefnyddio’n effeithiol. Os bydd awdurdod addysg Caerdydd yn bwrw ymlaen â’i newidiadau arfaethedig—er ei fod hefyd yn ystyried argymhellion eraill—gallai wneud niwed difrifol i lawer o ysgolion y ddinas; er enghraifft, gallai un ysgol gynradd golli cymaint â £100,000 y flwyddyn o’i chyllideb. Sut y gallwch godi safonau yn yr holl ysgolion yng Nghymru os yw awdurdodau addysg lleol yn bwrw ymlaen â’r syniadau hyn? Bydd yn anodd codi safonau os yw awdurdodau addysg lleol yn dwyn o’r naill law i dalu’r llall.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 34

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34

I am grateful for your comments. The former Chair of the Committee, Cynog Dafis, was also a member of the narrowing the gap taskforce, which was concerned with consensually delivering on an agenda in Wales. One of the report’s key recommendations centres on using assessment data effectively. I know that you set a great deal of store by key stage 2 tests, but they are only part of a panoply of assessment and test material—it is important to say that. New powers on transition are included in the Education Act 2002 and we must consider how we can most effectively deliver the highest possible standard of achievement in primary schools and then maintain that in secondary schools. Therefore, I will not say that we will never abolish key stage 2 tests because we have taken specific powers in the Education Act 2002 to improve achievement between key stages 2 and 3 in Wales, and any changes to the system would be predicated on the outcome of that agenda. We would only make that change if we could demonstrate that we were improving standards at key stage 3.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am eich sylwadau. Yr oedd cyn Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor, Cynog Dafis, hefyd yn aelod o dasglu cau’r bwlch, a oedd yn ymwneud â chyflawni agenda yng Nghymru drwy gonsensws. Mae un o argymhellion allweddol yr adroddiad yn ymwneud â defnyddio data asesu’n effeithiol. Gwn fod gennych feddwl mawr o brofion cyfnod allweddol 2, ond nid ydynt ond yn un o gasgliad mawr o ddefnyddiau asesu a phrofi—mae’n bwysig dweud hynny. Ceir pwerau newydd ar drawsnewid yn y Ddeddf Addysg 2002 a rhaid inni ystyried sut y gallwn sicrhau’r cyflawniad gorau posibl mewn ysgolion cynradd a pharhau â hynny wedyn mewn ysgolion uwchradd. Felly, ni ddywedaf na wnawn byth ddiddymu profion cyfnod allweddol 2 oherwydd yr ydym wedi ymgymryd â phwerau penodol yn y Ddeddf Addysg 2002 i hybu cyrhaeddiad rhwng cyfnodau allweddol 2 a 3 yng Nghymru, a byddai unrhyw newidiadau i’r system yn seiliedig ar ganlyniad yr agenda honno. Ni fyddem ond yn rhoi’r newid hwnnw ar waith pe gallem ddangos ein bod yn gwella safonau yng nghyfnod allweddol 3.

On top-up fees—I should have responded to Helen Mary Jones on this—we have never had a debate on this subject in the Assembly and it was not discussed in this review. However, I am opposed to top-up fees for two reasons. First, I do not believe that they will benefit our education sector in Wales, as one of our most important agendas is to widen participation. Secondly, the Rees report, which was based on evidence from our independent group, unequivocally concluded that up-front student fees did not just deter those who would have to pay them, but also those who did not have to pay them. Therefore, I have already told the Assembly that I do not believe that we should demand that students pay fees in advance of receiving higher education because that is a disincentive and we want to create incentives. Assembly learning grants act as incentives, and we are delighted that, because of our partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, people’s benefits will not be affected by receiving these grants.

Ynghylch ffioedd ychwanegol—dylwn fod wedi ymateb i Helen Mary Jones ar hynny—nid ydym erioed wedi cael dadl ar y pwnc hwn yn y Cynulliad ac nis trafodwyd yn yr adolygiad hwn. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn erbyn ffioedd ychwanegol am ddau reswm. Yn gyntaf, ni chredaf y byddant o fudd i’n sector addysg yng Nghymru, gan mai un o’n hagendâu pwysicaf yw ehangu cyfranogiad. Yn ail, casgliad digamsyniol adroddiad Rees, a oedd yn seiliedig ar dystiolaeth gan ein grŵp annibynnol, oedd bod ffioedd myfyrwyr o flaen llaw nid yn unig yn rhwystro’r rhai a fyddai’n gorfod eu talu, ond hefyd y rhai nad oeddent yn gorfod eu talu. Gan hynny, yr wyf eisoes wedi dweud wrth y Cynulliad na chredaf y dylem fynnu bod myfyrwyr yn talu ffioedd cyn derbyn addysg uwch am fod hynny’n wrthanogaeth a’n bod yn dymuno creu anogaethau. Mae grantiau dysgu’r Cynulliad yn gweithredu fel anogaethau, ac yr ydym wrth ein bodd, oherwydd ein partneriaeth â’r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau, na fydd derbyn y grantiau hyn yn effeithio ar y budd-daliadau y mae pobl yn eu cael.

Using schools as a community resource is important, and ICT is part of that. There are some 400 ICT centres for learning at present, and I want that number to expand. This is about the ways in which adults can use school premises. We are keen for schools to expand their community role, and this is an important part of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee’s debate on the school of the future. The power that we have taken in the Education Act 2002, which allows governing bodies to determine a far wider range of activities in school premises than has hitherto been possible, will be helpful in this regard. The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 restricted governing bodies’ powers in relation to school premises. They are powers, not duties. It is appropriate that schools grow this in their own time, with their governing bodies and in communities, to develop the right kind of community resources.

Mae’n bwysig defnyddio ysgolion fel adnodd cymunedol, ac mae TGCh yn rhan o hynny. Mae tua 400 o ganolfannau TGCh ar gyfer dysgu ar hyn o bryd, ac yr wyf am weld y nifer hwnnw’n codi. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â’r moddau y gall oedolion ddefnyddio adeiladau ysgol. Yr ydym yn awyddus i ysgolion ehangu eu rôl gymunedol, ac mae hyn yn rhan bwysig o ddadl y Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes ar ysgolion y dyfodol. Bydd y pŵer yr ydym wedi ymgymryd ag ef yn y Ddeddf Addysg 2002, sy’n caniatáu i gyrff llywodraethu bennu amrediad ehangach o lawer o weithgareddau mewn adeiladau ysgol na’r hyn a fu’n bosibl hyd yn hyn, yn gymorth yn hyn o beth. Yr oedd y Ddeddf Safonau a Fframwaith Ysgolion 1998 yn cyfyngu ar bwerau cyrff llywodraethu mewn cysylltiad ag adeiladau ysgol. Pwerau ydynt, nid dyletswyddau. Mae’n briodol bod ysgolion yn meithrin hyn wrth eu pwysau, gyda’u cyrff llywodraethu ac mewn cymunedau, i ddatblygu’r math iawn o adnoddau cymunedol.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 36

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36

Thank you for your statement and your comments on top-up fees. That is an important matter for all Members. Equally, thank you for this interim report. We would all endorse the aim of ensuring equality of opportunity regardless of a pupil’s background by narrowing the gap in performance. I have four issues with regard to this report. The first concerns data, for which there are various starting points. However, how do we move forward to ensure that an individual school’s efforts are recognised through the added-value measurement of performance rather than just the raw results of examination at the end of a particular key stage or at 16 or 18 years of age?

Diolch i chi am eich datganiad a’ch sylwadau am ffioedd ychwanegol. Mae hynny’n fater o bwys i’r holl Aelodau. Diolchaf i chi’n llawn cymaint am yr adroddiad interim hwn. Byddem oll yn cymeradwyo’r nod o sicrhau cyfle cyfartal, beth bynnag fo cefndir y disgybl, drwy gau’r bwlch mewn perfformiad. Mae gennyf bedwar mater i’w codi mewn cysylltiad â’r adroddiad hwn. Mae’r cyntaf yn ymwneud â data, y mae amryw o fannau cychwyn ar eu cyfer. Fodd bynnag, sut y symudwn ymlaen i sicrhau cydnabyddiaeth i ymdrechion ysgol unigol drwy fesur y gwerth ychwanegol yn eu perfformiad yn hytrach na chanlyniadau crai arholiadau ar ddiwedd cyfnod allweddol penodol neu’n 16 neu’n 18 mlwydd oed?

Secondly, personnel have a particularly important leadership role to play in schools. For teachers—and many of us became teachers as the result of a meritocracy, by passing exams rather than going through a comprehensive system—the leadership aspect is important. How can we assist teachers to fulfil that leadership role when they not only face the pressures of the classroom but also an added bureaucratic burden? How will you ensure that the good work in this report does not increase the bureaucratic burden on the teacher or the school?

Yn ail, mae gan y staff rôl arweinyddiaeth arbennig o bwysig i’w chwarae mewn ysgolion. Yn achos athrawon—a daeth llawer ohonom yn athrawon o ganlyniad i feritocratiaeth, drwy lwyddo mewn arholiadau’n hytrach na mynd drwy system ysgolion cyfun—mae arweinyddiaeth yn agwedd bwysig. Sut y gallwn helpu athrawon i gyflawni’r rôl arweinyddiaeth honno a hwythau nid yn unig yn wynebu pwysau’r ystafell ddosbarth ond baich biwrocrataidd ychwanegol hefyd? Sut y gwnewch sicrhau nad yw’r gwaith da yn yr adroddiad hwn yn ychwanegu at y baich biwrocrataidd ar yr athro neu’r ysgol?

Thirdly, placing the school at the centre of the community is fundamental to my belief that education is part of the community. However, how does that reconcile with our views on school closures and the fight for survival facing many small rural schools where language and cultural issues are strong? Will you reinforce the view that we are taking every possible step to retain schools in all communities? I am equally concerned that the school community should encompass ages 11 to 18, rather than lose those vital years—in a community sense—to further education.

Yn drydydd, mae rhoi’r ysgol ar ganol y gymuned yn rhan hanfodol o’m cred bod addysg yn rhan o’r gymuned. Fodd bynnag, sut y cysonir hynny â’n barn ar gau ysgolion a’r frwydr am barhad sy’n wynebu llawer o ysgolion bach gwledig lle y mae materion ieithyddol a diwylliannol yn bwysig? A wnewch ategu’r farn ein bod yn cymryd pob cam posibl i gadw ysgolion ym mhob cymuned? Mae yr un mor bwysig i mi fod y gymuned ysgol yn cwmpasu’r oedran o 11 i 18, yn hytrach na cholli’r blynyddoedd hollbwysig hynny—o ran y gymuned—i addysg bellach.

Finally, in terms of continuous professional development, you must consider contract flexibility to ensure that good teacher performance is always retained. In connection with leadership, teachers sometimes face too much pressure to be either full time teachers or supply teachers. Could allowing more flexible job-sharing arrangements in schools narrow the performance gap? I am keen on that, Minister, as it will improve the quality of teaching and therefore narrow the gap.

Yn olaf, yng nghyd-destun datblygu proffesiynol parhaus, rhaid ichi ystyried hyblygrwydd mewn contractau i sicrhau y cynhelir perfformiad da gan athrawon bob amser. Mewn cysylltiad ag arweinyddiaeth, mae athrawon yn wynebu gormod o bwysau weithiau i fod un ai’n athrawon llawn amser neu’n athrawon llanw. A fyddai caniatáu trefniadau rhannu swydd mwy hyblyg mewn ysgolion yn fodd i gau’r bwlch mewn perfformiad? Yr wyf yn frwd dros hynny, Weinidog, gan y bydd yn gwella ansawdd yr addysgu ac felly’n cau’r bwlch.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 37

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 37

Obtaining data is crucial. Those schools that use data well are able to identify anomalies, for example, in a child’s performance in the early part of his or her secondary education and can also predict how well children might perform and work to such an agenda. The best examples of good use of key stage 2 pupil data were often accompanied by a sophisticated and consistent approach to transition. It is in these kinds of schools that you see curricular and pastoral interaction between the primary and the secondary sectors on transition issues. It is an important message for us, and that is why we have taken the powers in the Education Act to make this kind of practice common across Wales.

Mae’n hollbwysig cael data. Mae’r ysgolion hynny sy’n defnyddio data’n dda’n gallu canfod anomaleddau, er enghraifft, ym mherfformiad plentyn ar ddechrau ei addysg mewn ysgol uwchradd a gallant ragddweud hefyd pa mor dda y gall plant berfformio a dilyn agenda o’r fath. Yr oedd yr enghreifftiau gorau o ddefnydd da o ddata am ddisgyblion cyfnod allweddol 2 yn mynd law yn llaw yn aml ag ymagwedd soffistigedig a chyson at drawsnewid. Yn y mathau hyn o ysgolion y gwelwch ryngweithio cwricwlaidd a bugeiliol rhwng y sectorau cynradd ac uwchradd ar faterion trawsnewid. Mae’n neges bwysig i ni, a dyna pam yr ydym wedi ymgymryd â’r pwerau yn y Ddeddf Addysg i wneud y math hwn o ymarfer yn beth cyffredin ledled Cymru.

On job share, despite the fact that local education authorities employ teachers and place them in a particular school, I promote the idea that there is nothing to prevent a teacher from working in more than one school. I recently visited a local authority where this happens, because it is considered a particularly effective means of ensuring successful transition. In that particular case, a science teacher works part time in a secondary school and part time in partner primary schools. Consequently, a relationship is established between children in the final year of primary school and the science teacher who teaches them in secondary school. They have considered the most effective approach. Using this agenda, schools are now actively considering that approach. Of course, now that we will have unique pupil numbers, we will be able to track performance far more effectively to enable us to address those issues. Value-added data is extremely important but must come through prior to pupil transfer so that we can see what the data means for the pupil and the school. Prior attainment is so important in the secondary school environment. We know from the evidence that there are gaps at primary school level. That must be explored further—hence the introduction of a second phase. The gap grows incrementally in secondary schools and during key stage 3, which is why we must focus hard on key stages 1 and 3.

Ynghylch rhannu swyddi, er mai’r awdurdodau addysg lleol sy’n cyflogi athrawon ac yn eu lleoli mewn ysgol benodol, yr wyf yn hyrwyddo’r syniad nad oes dim i atal athro rhag gweithio mewn mwy nag un ysgol. Yn ddiweddar, ymwelais ag awdurdod lleol lle y mae hyn yn digwydd, am y credir ei fod yn ddull arbennig o effeithiol o sicrhau trawsnewid llwyddiannus. Yn yr achos penodol hwnnw, mae athro gwyddoniaeth yn gweithio’n rhan amser mewn ysgol uwchradd ac yn rhan amser mewn ysgolion cynradd sy’n bartneriaid. O ganlyniad i hynny, sefydlir perthynas rhwng y plant ym mlwyddyn olaf yr ysgol gynradd a’r athro gwyddoniaeth sy’n eu dysgu yn yr ysgol uwchradd. Maent wedi ystyried y dull mwyaf effeithiol. Gan ddefnyddio’r agenda hon, mae ysgolion wrthi bellach yn ystyried y dull gweithredu hwnnw. Wrth gwrs, gan fod gennym rifau unigryw ar gyfer disgyblion bellach, byddwn yn gallu dilyn eu perfformiad yn llawer mwy effeithiol fel y gallwn ymdrin â’r materion hynny. Mae data â gwerth ychwanegol yn bwysig dros ben ond rhaid eu cael cyn trosglwyddo disgyblion fel y gallwn weld beth y mae’r data yn ei olygu i’r disgybl ac i’r ysgol. Mae cyrhaeddiad blaenorol yn bwysig iawn yn amgylchedd yr ysgol uwchradd. Gwyddom ar sail y dystiolaeth fod bylchau ar lefel yr ysgolion cynradd. Rhaid ymchwilio ymhellach i hynny—dyna pam y cyflwynwyd yr ail ran. Mae’r bwlch yn ehangu’n gynyddol mewn ysgolion uwchradd ac yn ystod cyfnod allweddol 3, a dyna pam y mae’n rhaid inni ganolbwyntio’n galed ar gyfnodau allweddol 1 a 3.

Leadership is crucial. However, the report clearly points out, and I know this from practice on the ground, that the project does not have to be led by a senior management team. It can be led by other people as a school improvement team, provided that it is embraced fully by the senior management team as well. Any real school improvement must be embraced across the board by those working in the school. That is why initiatives such as Investors in People are important—many schools that perform above expectations have received recognition from Investors in People for their delivery of team work.

Mae arweinyddiaeth yn hollbwysig. Fodd bynnag, mae’r adroddiad yn nodi’n glir, ac yr wyf yn gwybod hyn ar sail yr ymarfer yn y maes, nad oes rhaid i’r prosiect gael ei arwain gan dîm rheoli uwch. Gall eraill ei arwain ar ffurf tîm gwella ysgol, ar yr amod ei fod wedi’i goleddu’n llwyr gan y tîm rheoli uwch hefyd. Rhaid i unrhyw welliant gwirioneddol mewn ysgol gael ei goleddu’n gyffredinol gan y rhai sy’n gweithio yn yr ysgol. Dyna pam y mae mentrau fel Buddsoddwyr mewn Pobl yn bwysig—mae llawer o’r ysgolion sy’n perfformio’n well na’r disgwyl wedi cael cydnabyddiaeth gan Buddsoddwyr mewn Pobl am gyflawni gwaith tîm.

The Government has taken several measures to emphasise the partnership collaboration between schools. We have given additional money to rural areas for federation. I have seen examples of good practice with regard to federation of small primary schools and that enables an effective agenda to be delivered.

Mae’r Llywodraeth wedi cymryd sawl cam i bwysleisio’r cydweithio mewn partneriaeth rhwng ysgolion. Rhoesom arian ychwanegol i ardaloedd gwledig ar gyfer ffederasiynau. Gwelais enghreifftiau o arfer da o ran ffederasiwn o ysgolion cynradd bach ac mae hynny’n hwyluso’r gwaith o gyflawni agenda effeithiol.

As regards your points about 11 to 18-year-olds, we have a range of schools in Wales. They are all different, and they all have their strengths. It is not for me as an Assembly Minister to determine relative strength. If we want schools to play a greater part in their community, that option should be as available to the smallest nursery school as it is to the largest comprehensive. The powers that are now available to governing bodies to widen their scope of activities can be exercised with local discretion in a way that meets local needs—that is what is so exciting about the new agenda.

Ynghylch eich pwyntiau am ddisgyblion 11 i 18 mlwydd oed, mae gennym amrywiaeth o ysgolion yng Nghymru. Maent i gyd yn wahanol, ac mae cryfderau gan bob un ohonynt. Nid fy lle i fel Gweinidog Cynulliad yw pennu eu cryfder cymharol. Os ydym yn dymuno i ysgolion chwarae mwy o ran yn eu cymuned, dylai’r dewis hwnnw fod ar gael i’r ysgol feithrin leiaf fel y mae i’r ysgol gyfun fwyaf. Mae’r pwerau sydd ar gael yn awr i gyrff llywodraethu i ehangu cwmpas eu gweithgareddau’n rhai y gellir eu harfer fel y gwelir orau’n lleol mewn modd sy’n diwallu anghenion lleol—dyna sydd mor gyffrous am yr agenda newydd.

Datganiad ar Fenter Hawliau Lles

Statement on the Welfare Rights Initiative

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 39

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

I am pleased to report on the encouraging progress of the ‘Better Advice: Better Health’ initiative. As you know, I launched the consultation document ‘Wellbeing in Wales’ in September. That reinforces our efforts to improve health and to reduce inequalities in health through action across all Assembly Government policy areas. ‘Better Advice: Better Health’ is a good example of our commitment to developing an integrated approach to policies and programmes. It aims to improve the availability of welfare rights advice through the network of GP surgeries. The Assembly has allocated almost £2 million to the programme over three years, beginning in October 2001. It is a partnership between the Assembly and citizens advice bureaux. As you know, the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux is a highly skilled organisation that aims to ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available to them or through an inability to express their needs effectively.

Yr wyf yn falch o adrodd ar gynnydd calonogol y fenter ‘Cyngor Gwell: Iechyd Gwell’. Fel y gwyddoch, lansiais y ddogfen ymgynghori ‘Lles yng Nghymru’ ym Medi. Mae hynny’n ategu ein hymdrechion i wella iechyd ac i leihau anghydraddoldebau iechyd drwy weithredu ym mhob un o feysydd polisi Llywodraeth y Cynulliad. Mae ‘Cyngor Gwell: Iechyd Gwell’ yn enghraifft dda o’n hymrwymiad i ddatblygu ymagwedd integredig at bolisïau a rhaglenni. Ei nod yw gwella argaeledd cyngor am hawliau lles drwy’r rhwydwaith o feddygfeydd meddygon teulu. Mae’r Cynulliad wedi dyrannu ymron i £2 filiwn i’r rhaglen dros dair blynedd, gan ddechrau yn Hydref 2001. Mae’n bartneriaeth rhwng y Cynulliad a’r canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth. Fel y gwyddoch, mae Cymdeithas Genedlaethol y Canolfannau Cyngor ar Bopeth yn gorff tra medrus sy’n ceisio sicrhau nad yw unigolion yn dioddef oherwydd diffyg gwybodaeth am eu hawliau a’u cyfrifoldebau neu am y gwasanaethau sydd ar gael iddynt neu oherwydd anallu i fynegi eu hanghenion yn effeithiol.

Free, impartial and confidential advice is provided by CAB trained staff through 125 outlets. Informally, the bureaux had already begun to deliver advice from healthcare settings and had noted that certain vulnerable groups were more likely to access their services in that way. By the provision of general and welfare rights advice in primary care settings across Wales, it is hoped that benefits take-up will be improved. Also, GPs must deal with many clinical problems, the solutions to which are not medical but dependent on improving the patient’s quality of life. This initiative is designed to help such patients. The schemes enable GPs to refer patients to expert advisers for benefits and welfare advice. The objectives of the initiative are to improve the take-up of unclaimed benefits and the income levels of those with the lowest standard of living and to reduce the time that GPs spend resolving non-medical problems. The projects are based in primary healthcare settings. When health professionals are presented with non-medical problems, they can refer patients directly to the CAB. A GP referral helps remove the stigma of using such services and the service is provided in an immediately accessible location. The scheme was piloted in seven areas between October 2001 and March 2002 and the initial assessment is that it has resulted in increased benefits take-up totalling £180,000. Seventy-seven per cent of all inquiries were benefits-related, but there were significant numbers of inquiries relating to debt—one in six of all inquiries in Caerphilly and Wrexham.

Darperir cyngor sy’n ddiduedd, yn amhleidiol ac yn rhad ac am ddim gan staff a hyfforddwyd gan CAB drwy 125 o ganolfannau. Yr oedd y canolfannau eisoes wedi dechrau darparu cyngor mewn lleoliadau gofal iechyd yn anffurfiol ac wedi nodi bod rhai grwpiau a oedd yn agored i niwed yn fwy tebygol o ddefnyddio eu gwasanaethau yn y modd hwnnw. Drwy ddarparu cyngor cyffredinol a chyngor ar hawliau lles mewn lleoliadau gofal sylfaenol ledled Cymru, gobeithir y bydd mwy o ymgeisio am fudd-daliadau. Hefyd, mae meddygon teulu yn gorfod delio â llawer o broblemau clinigol nad ydynt yn galw am atebion meddygol ond yn dibynnu ar wella ansawdd bywyd y claf. Dyfeisiwyd y fenter hon i helpu cleifion o’r fath. Mae’r cynlluniau’n galluogi meddygon teulu i atgyfeirio cleifion i ymgynghorwyr arbenigol ar gyfer cyngor ar fudd-daliadau a lles. Amcanion y fenter yw sicrhau bod mwy o ymgeisio am fudd-daliadau sydd heb eu hawlio a gwella lefelau incwm y rhai sydd â’r safon byw isaf a lleihau’r amser y mae meddygon teulu’n ei dreulio ar ddatrys problemau anfeddygol. Mae’r prosiectau wedi’u lleoli mewn lleoliadau gofal iechyd sylfaenol. Pan gyflwynir problemau anfeddygol i weithwyr iechyd proffesiynol, gallant atgyfeirio cleifion yn uniongyrchol i’r ganolfan cyngor ar bopeth. Mae atgyfeiriad gan feddyg teulu’n gymorth i ddileu’r gwaradwydd o ddefnyddio gwasanaethau o’r fath a darperir y gwasanaeth mewn man y gellir ei gyrraedd yn syth. Rhagbrofwyd y cynllun mewn saith ardal rhwng Hydref 2001 a Mawrth 2002 a’r asesiad cychwynnol yw ei fod wedi arwain at ymgeisio am £180,000 o fudd-daliadau’n ychwanegol. Yr oedd 77 y cant o’r holl ymholiadau’n ymwneud â budd-daliadau, ond yr oedd nifer sylweddol o’r ymholiadau’n ymwneud â dyled—un ym mhob chwech o’r holl ymholiadau yng Nghaerffili a Wrecsam.

Since April, the scheme has been rolled out across Wales and has now been introduced in 17 council areas and in over 90 healthcare settings. These are mostly GP surgeries, but also include some community hospitals. Some services are built around home visits by the advisers. Services will start in the remaining five areas shortly. The location of the services was in some way determined by the accommodation available in GP practices. Priority has been given to areas of social, economic and health deprivation. However, some practices are too small for use by these projects and their location there would hamper the delivery of primary healthcare, therefore other primary care sites were used.

Ers Ebrill, mae’r cynllun wedi’i ehangu ledled Cymru ac mae wedi’i gyflwyno bellach mewn 17 o ardaloedd cyngor a thros 90 o leoliadau gofal iechyd. Meddygfeydd meddygon teulu yw’r rhain gan mwyaf, ond mae rhai ysbytai cymunedol hefyd. Mae rhai gwasanaethau’n seiliedig ar ymweliadau â’r cartref gan yr ymgynghorwyr. Bydd y gwasanaethau’n dechrau yn y pum ardal sy’n weddill cyn bo hir. Pennwyd lleoliad y gwasanaethau i raddau yn ôl y lle a oedd ar gael ym mhractisiau meddygon teulu. Rhoddwyd blaenoriaeth i ardaloedd o amddifadedd cymdeithasol, economaidd ac iechyd. Fodd bynnag, mae rhai practisiau’n rhy fach i’w defnyddio gan y prosiectau hyn a byddai eu lleoli yno’n llesteirio darparu gofal iechyd sylfaenol, felly defnyddiwyd safleoedd gofal sylfaenol eraill.

The full project will be evaluated by John Borland of the University of Wales, Bangor, and interim assessments will be presented in February and May next year, with a final evaluation in November. The agreed evaluation is based on the data collected and collated by the CAB weekly. The information and statistics is in an agreed format that can be produced in monthly all-Wales reports. The National Assembly for Wales receives quarterly reports.

Gwerthusir y prosiect llawn gan John Borland o Brifysgol Cymru, Bangor, a chyflwynir asesiadau dros dro yn Chwefror a Mai y flwyddyn nesaf, a bydd y gwerthusiad terfynol ym mis Tachwedd. Mae’r gwerthusiad a gytunwyd yn seiliedig ar y data a gaiff eu casglu a’u cymharu gan CAB bob wythnos. Mae’r wybodaeth a’r ystadegau mewn fformat a gytunwyd y gellir ei gynhyrchu mewn adroddiadau misol am Gymru gyfan. Mae Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru yn cael adroddiadau chwarterol.

From feedback already received, the early indications are that this project has been greatly welcomed. In particular, Conwy has been approached by the social services ‘Supporting People’ team with a view to funding additional services and the scheme in Gwynedd has received additional funding from the local authority. District nurses in Denbighshire have included briefing on the project as part of their induction for new staff. The Vale of Glamorgan and Ynys Môn have prioritised mental health service users—a group that often has difficulty accessing benefits. Anecdotal evidence is that GPs are becoming increasingly aware of how to use the CAB advisers to help their patients. All this is most encouraging and I note that CAB in England has approached the Department of Health with the intention of introducing similar schemes across the border.

Yn ôl yr adborth a gafwyd eisoes, yr arwyddion cyntaf yw bod y prosiect hwn wedi’i groesawu’n fawr. Yn benodol, mae tîm ‘Cefnogi Pobl’ y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol wedi cysylltu â Chonwy gyda golwg ar ariannu gwasanaethau ychwanegol ac mae’r cynllun yng Ngwynedd wedi derbyn cyllid ychwanegol oddi wrth yr awdurdod lleol. Mae nyrsys ardal yn sir Ddinbych wedi cynnwys briffio ar y prosiect yn rhan o’r drefn o sefydlu staff newydd. Mae Bro Morgannwg ac Ynys Môn wedi rhoi blaenoriaeth i ddefnyddwyr gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl—grŵp sy’n aml yn ei chael yn anodd cael budd-daliadau. Y dystiolaeth anecdotaidd yw bod meddygon teulu’n dod yn fwyfwy ymwybodol o’r modd i ddefnyddio ymgynghorwyr CAB i helpu eu cleifion. Mae hyn i gyd yn galonogol iawn a nodaf fod CAB yn Lloegr wedi cysylltu â’r Adran Iechyd gyda’r bwriad o gyflwyno cynlluniau tebyg dros y ffin.

The ‘Better Advice: Better Health’ scheme has started well. I thank those citizens advice bureaux across Wales for making this scheme a success. I also thank those GPs who host the services. This is an example of how the Assembly can bring its partners together imaginatively to improve the health and wellbeing of the population.

Mae’r cynllun ‘Cyngor Gwell: Iechyd Gwell’ wedi dechrau’n dda. Diolchaf i’r canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth hynny ledled Cymru am wneud y cynllun hwn yn llwyddiant. Diolchaf hefyd i’r meddygon teulu hynny sy’n rhoi cartref i’r gwasanaethau. Mae hon yn enghraifft o sut y gall y Cynulliad ddod â’i bartneriaid at ei gilydd mewn modd llawn dychymyg i wella iechyd a lles y boblogaeth.

David Lloyd spoken in English p. 41

David Lloyd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

We are all aware of the link between deprivation and ill health. Situating bureaux in GP practices has been a welcome initiative. A CAB has been located in my old practice in Fforest Fach for many years. It has worked well. In its first year of operation, around eight years ago, it succeeded in highlighting £71,000 worth of unclaimed benefits in that area of Fforest Fach. The work of the citizens advice bureaux is about improving benefits uptake and the advice available to people because, clearly, GPs are not all-seeing and all-knowing.

Gwyddom oll am y cysylltiad rhwng amddifadedd ac iechyd gwael. Mae lleoli canolfannau ym mhractisiau meddygon teulu’n fenter i’w chroesawu. Mae canolfan CAB yn fy hen bractis yn Fforest Fach ers blynyddoedd lawer. Gweithiodd yn dda. Yn ei blwyddyn gyntaf o weithredu, tuag wyth mlynedd yn ôl, llwyddodd i dynnu sylw at werth £71,000 o fudd-daliadau a oedd heb eu hawlio yn y rhan honno o Fforest Fach. Mae gwaith y canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth yn ymwneud â hybu’r ymgeisio am fudd-daliadau a’r cyngor sydd ar gael i bobl oherwydd nid yw meddygon teulu’n gweld popeth ac yn gwybod popeth, wrth gwrs.

Determinants of ill health include poverty, unemployment, low pay and poor housing or not being able to afford to live in a house. I wish to address the inadequacy of housing benefit, particularly for young people under 25. It drives many into seeking poor accommodation or even forces them to sleep rough, with obvious implications for their health. Why does the single room rent restriction continue to be in place? It means that the amount of housing benefit that a person under 25 can receive is limited to the estimated cost of renting a single room in that locality. What about young people with families? What is the Welsh Assembly Government doing to abolish the single room rent restriction for young people in Wales? What is it doing about backing a national benefits uptake initiative in Wales? I end by commending the work of the citizens advice bureaux.

Rhai o benderfynyddion iechyd gwael yw tlodi, diweithdra, tâl isel a thai gwael neu’r anallu i fforddio byw mewn tŷ. Dymunaf roi sylw i annigonolrwydd budd-dal tai, yn enwedig ar gyfer pobl ifanc dan 25 oed. Mae’n gorfodi llawer i geisio llety gwael neu’n eu gorfodi i gysgu allan, hyd yn oed, ac mae goblygiadau amlwg yn hynny i’w hiechyd. Pam y mae’r cyfyngiad rhent ystafell sengl yn dal i fod ar waith? Mae’n golygu bod swm y budd-dal tai y gall rhywun dan 25 oed ei dderbyn yn gyfyngedig i’r amcangyfrif o gost rhentu un ystafell yn yr ardal honno. Beth am bobl ifanc sydd â theuluoedd? Beth y mae Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru’n ei wneud i ddiddymu’r cyfyngiad rhent ystafell sengl i bobl ifanc yng Nghymru? Beth y mae’n ei wneud ynghylch cefnogi menter derbyn budd-daliadau genedlaethol yng Nghymru? Terfynaf drwy ganmol gwaith y canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 42

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 42

I am grateful for your positive response. Improving the health of people on low incomes is a key objective of this initiative. Seventy-seven per cent of the inquiries have been benefit-related, as I noted in my statement. This is a national benefit take-up scheme, and the whole population can access it. Housing benefits are not part of my portfolio, but I will raise those issues with the Minister responsible for local government and communities. Many of the issues that you raised are non-devolved matters. I am sure that you have also raised these issues in the Local Government and Housing Committee.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am eich ymateb cadarnhaol. Gwella iechyd pobl sydd ar incwm isel yw un o brif amcanion y fenter hon. Yr oedd 77 y cant o’r ymholiadau’n ymwneud â budd-daliadau, fel y nodais yn fy natganiad. Cynllun hawlio budd-daliadau cenedlaethol yw hwn, a gall yr holl boblogaeth ei ddefnyddio. Nid yw budd-daliadau tai’n rhan o’m portffolio, ond codaf y materion hynny gyda’r Gweinidog sy’n gyfrifol am lywodraeth leol a chymunedau. Mae llawer o’r materion y gwnaethoch eu codi’n rhai na ddatganolwyd. Yr wyf yn siŵr eich bod wedi codi’r materion hyn yn y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai hefyd.

Gwenda Thomas spoken in English p. 42

Gwenda Thomas siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 42

I welcome today’s statement and your commitment to the welfare rights teams. Of the 4,145 incapacity benefit appeals cleared for the Cardiff regional centre between 1 January and 30 September this year, 1,685 appeals—40.7 per cent—was found in favour of the appellant. Will you join me in congratulating the various welfare rights teams for their contribution towards achieving this high success rate?

Croesawaf y datganiad heddiw a’ch ymrwymiad i’r timau hawliau lles. O’r 4,145 o apelau ar fudd-daliadau analluogrwydd a drafodwyd ar gyfer canolfan ranbarthol Caerdydd rhwng 1 Ionawr a 30 Medi eleni, dyfarnwyd o blaid yr apelydd yn 1,685—40.7 y cant—o’r apelau. A wnewch ymuno â mi i longyfarch y gwahanol dimau hawliau lles ar eu cyfraniad at sicrhau’r gyfradd llwyddiant uchel hon?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 43

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43

I am grateful to you for bringing that to the Assembly’s attention. The number of appeals that were found in favour of the appellant demonstrates the importance of the welfare rights advice given, not only by the CAB, which, as Dai Lloyd said, play an important role in Wales, but also by local authority welfare rights advisers and those who work in the voluntary sector. It also demonstrates that more work must be done across Wales, particularly in terms of incapacity benefits, which are vital to improving the health and wellbeing of people with disabilities and those who cannot work. I strongly endorse your comments.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i chi am ddod â hynny i sylw’r Cynulliad. Mae’r nifer o apelau lle y dyfarnwyd o blaid yr apelydd yn dangos mor bwysig yw’r cyngor ar hawliau lles a roddir, nid yn unig gan CAB, sydd, fel y dywedodd Dai Lloyd, yn chwarae rhan bwysig yng Nghymru, ond hefyd gan ymgynghorwyr hawliau lles awdurdodau lleol a’r rhai sy’n gweithio yn y sector gwirfoddol. Mae hefyd yn dangos bod yn rhaid gwneud mwy o waith ledled Cymru, yn enwedig o ran budd-daliadau analluogrwydd, sy’n hollbwysig er mwyn gwella iechyd a lles pobl sydd ag anableddau a’r rhai na allant weithio. Cymeradwyaf eich sylwadau’n fawr.

David Melding spoken in English p. 43

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43

This seems to be a good initiative, and I hope that it succeeds on an all-Wales basis. I note the focus on vulnerable groups, which we all agree is a priority. Many benefits are insurance-based, and many people on relatively low incomes have a right to income support. It is important that those people access all the benefits to which they are entitled. Carers, in particular, often do not claim the benefits to which they are entitled, and this group of people can be easily overlooked. Doctors and those giving advice via the CAB and other organisations should ask themselves who is looking after their patients, as well as whether their patients are also carers.

Mae hon yn ymddangos yn fenter dda, a gobeithiaf y bydd yn llwyddo ledled Cymru. Nodaf y ffocws ar grwpiau sy’n agored i niwed, yr ydym oll yn cytuno ei fod yn flaenoriaeth. Mae llawer o fudd-daliadau’n seiliedig ar yswiriant, ac mae gan lawer o bobl ar incwm cymharol isel hawl i dderbyn cymhorthdal incwm. Mae’n bwysig bod y bobl hynny’n cael yr holl fudd-daliadau y mae ganddynt hawl i’w derbyn. Mae gofalwyr, yn enwedig, yn rhai nad ydynt yn hawlio’r budd-daliadau y mae ganddynt hawl i’w derbyn yn aml, a hawdd y gellir anghofio’r grŵp hwn. Dylai meddygon a’r rhai sy’n rhoi cyngor drwy CAB a chyrff eraill ystyried pwy sy’n gofalu am eu cleifion, a hefyd a yw eu cleifion yn ofalwyr hefyd.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 43

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43

As you said, carers are often not aware of the insurance-based benefits to which they are entitled. We must link this to our carers’ strategy. Carers should be able to access this information by way of the new opportunities for carers’ assessments. Local authorities should also provide the information. My officials and I will consider this in terms of the carers’ strategy. I will also feed your point back to the citizens advice bureaux, as this information must be provided to carers, in terms of their own healthcare and that of the person for whom they are caring.

Fel y dywedasoch, mae gofalwyr heb fod yn ymwybodol yn aml o’r budd-daliadau sy’n seiliedig ar yswiriant y mae ganddynt hawl i’w derbyn. Rhaid inni gysylltu hyn â’n strategaeth i ofalwyr. Dylai gofalwyr allu cael yr wybodaeth hon drwy’r cyfleoedd newydd i gael asesiadau i ofalwyr. Dylai awdurdodau lleol ddarparu’r wybodaeth hefyd. Bydd fy swyddogion a minnau’n ystyried hyn yng nghyd-destun y strategaeth i ofalwyr. Rhoddaf wybod i’r canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth am y pwynt a wnaethoch hefyd, gan fod yn rhaid darparu’r wybodaeth hon ar gyfer gofalwyr, o ran y gofal iechyd ar eu cyfer hwy a’r sawl y maent yn gofalu amdano.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 43

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43

I am grateful to the Minister for the update, and I welcome the work already carried out throughout Wales. I am pleased that the issue of debt—the problems that it creates for families and its effect on a person’s mental and physical health—is being drawn out. Living in debt or having financial difficulties can be a huge strain, especially at this time of the year. As Christmas approaches, people feel under even more pressure to spend money that they may not have. I note that the project is based on a three-year funding stream. Will you give a commitment that, following the evaluation, which, it seems, will be positive, we will mainstream the funding for this project, so that it will become a continuing service? Too often in the past, funds have been set up to develop innovative projects, but the work stops when the funding stream ends because the funding is not then included in the mainstream provision.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i’r Gweinidog am yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf, a chroesawaf y gwaith a gyflawnwyd eisoes ledled Cymru. Yr wyf yn falch bod mater dyled—y problemau y mae’n ei chreu i deuluoedd a’i heffaith ar iechyd meddyliol a chorfforol rhywun—yn cael ei ddwyn i’r golwg. Mae byw mewn dyled neu brofi anawsterau ariannol yn gallu bod yn straen mawr iawn, yn enwedig ar yr adeg hon o’r flwyddyn. Wrth i’r Nadolig nesáu, mae pobl yn teimlo eu bod dan bwysau mwy byth i wario arian nad yw ganddynt o bosibl. Nodaf fod y prosiect yn seiliedig ar ffrwd ariannu dair blynedd. A wnewch ymrwymo, ar ôl y gwerthusiad, a fydd, mae’n debyg, yn gadarnhaol, y byddwn yn rhoi’r cyllid ar gyfer y prosiect hwn yn y brif ffrwd, fel y bydd yn wasanaeth parhaus? Yn rhy aml yn y gorffennol, sefydlwyd cronfeydd i ddatblygu prosiectau arloesol, ond daw’r gwaith i ben pan ddaw’r ffrwd ariannu i ben gan nad yw’r cyllid yn cael ei gynnwys wedyn yn y ddarpariaeth brif ffrwd.

Secondly, do you agree that this project’s success highlights the fact that GPs, as Dai said, do not necessarily know about everything that is happening in their community, and it is important that they can refer to external bodies in order to advise their patients on welfare benefits? An official should also be appointed in each local health board area to direct patients to a range of organisations that may be able to assist them with the social problems that affect their health, for example, support groups for particular conditions, experts on welfare rights, or the local government advice services that tackle issues arising from poor housing, poor environment or problem neighbours.

Yn ail, a ydych yn cytuno bod llwyddiant y prosiect hwn yn tynnu sylw at y ffaith nad yw meddygon teulu, fel y dywedodd Dai, yn gwybod pob peth o reidrwydd am yr hyn sy’n digwydd yn eu cymunedau, a’i bod yn bwysig eu bod yn gallu cysylltu â chyrff allanol er mwyn cynghori eu cleifion ar fudd-daliadau? Dylid hefyd benodi swyddog yn ardal pob bwrdd iechyd lleol i gyfeirio cleifion i amrediad o gyrff a allai eu helpu gyda’r problemau cymdeithasol sy’n effeithio ar eu hiechyd, er enghraifft, grwpiau cefnogi ar gyfer anhwylderau penodol, arbenigwyr ar hawliau lles, neu wasanaethau cyngor llywodraeth leol sy’n mynd i’r afael â materion sy’n codi oherwydd tai gwael, amgylchedd gwael neu gymdogion trafferthus.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 44

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44

As you say, the first six months’ evaluation has shown that 10 per cent of the inquiries and the support given were related to debt. The evaluation of the three-year project will be important in informing us on the best way to take this initiative forward. In order to mainstream it, we need to understand, through evaluation, which organisations are best placed to provide this advice and guidance. That may be specialist voluntary sector organisations that work closely with particular client groups; local government, which, particularly with the new domiciliary care guidance that we are now issuing, has a responsibility for its clientele; or the local health boards, which will include voluntary sector members and carer representatives, and will be working closely with local voluntary sector organisations as a result of our ‘Building Strong Bridges’ project. The evaluation must enable us to find the best way forward. The key message from the first six months, and from many of the projects that are already up and running and delivering in GPs’ surgeries, in community hospitals, and in the home, is that there is a link between health and wellbeing and income levels, particularly in relation to debt and benefit take-up. We must ensure that this is closely scrutinised and monitored throughout the evaluation process.

Fel y dywedwch, mae’r gwerthusiad o’r chwe mis cyntaf wedi dangos bod 10 y cant o’r ymholiadau a’r cymorth a roddwyd yn ymwneud â dyled. Bydd y gwerthusiad o’r prosiect tair blynedd yn bwysig o ran ein goleuo ynghylch y ffordd orau i fwrw ymlaen â’r fenter hon. Er mwyn ei rhoi yn y brif ffrwd, rhaid inni ddeall, drwy werthuso, pa gyrff sydd yn y sefyllfa orau i allu darparu’r cyngor a’r cyfarwyddyd hwn. Efallai mai cyrff arbenigol yn y sector gwirfoddol sy’n cydweithio’n agos â grwpiau cleientiaid penodol fyddant; llywodraeth leol, sydd, yn enwedig yng ngolwg y canllawiau newydd ar ofal yn y cartref yr ydym yn eu cyhoeddi’n awr, yn gyfrifol am ei chleientiaid; neu’r byrddau iechyd lleol, a fydd yn cynnwys aelodau o’r sector gwirfoddol a chynrychiolwyr gofalwyr, ac yn cydweithio’n agos â chyrff lleol yn y sector gwirfoddol o ganlyniad i’n prosiect ‘Codi Pontydd Cadarn’. Rhaid i’r gwerthusiad ein galluogi i ddod o hyd i’r ffordd orau ymlaen. Y neges allweddol ar ôl y chwe mis cyntaf, ac oddi wrth lawer o’r prosiectau sydd eisoes ar waith ac yn llwyddo ym meddygfeydd meddygon teulu, mewn ysbytai cymunedol, ac yn y cartref, yw bod cysylltiad rhwng iechyd a lles a lefelau incwm, yn enwedig mewn cysylltiad â dyled a derbyn budd-daliadau. Rhaid inni sicrhau y caiff hyn ei archwilio a’i fonitro’n fanwl drwy gydol y broses werthuso.

Brian Hancock spoken in English p. 45

Brian Hancock siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

In Islwyn, the citizens advice bureau and Cancercareline, both voluntary services, were operating in poor conditions from portakabins in car parks. The Plaid Cymru-led Caerphilly County Borough Council provided them with premises. Will you congratulate Caerphilly County Borough Council on ensuring that these services continue to provide for the people of Islwyn?

Yn Islwyn, yr oedd y ganolfan cyngor ar bopeth a Cancercareline, sydd ill dau’n wasanaethau gwirfoddol, yn gweithredu dan amgylchiadau gwael mewn portakabins mewn meysydd parcio. Gwnaeth Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili dan arweiniad Plaid Cymru ddarparu adeiladau ar eu cyfer. A wnewch longyfarch Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili ar sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau hyn yn dal i ddarparu ar gyfer pobl Islwyn?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 45

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

Clearly the election campaign is once again upon us. What is happening in Caerphilly, as a result of the ‘Better Advice: Better Health’ scheme, is positive and encouraging. As a result of working with the local health group and the National Association of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux, advice is now being delivered in five GP surgeries. The National Association of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux is providing support and direct involvement with local GPs. I am sure that this is working in tandem with the support provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council for citizens advice bureau services in that community.

Mae’n amlwg bod yr ymgyrch etholiadol ar ein gwarthaf eto. Mae’r hyn sy’n digwydd yng Nghaerffili, o ganlyniad i’r cynllun ‘Cyngor Gwell: Iechyd Gwell’, yn gadarnhaol ac yn galonogol. O ganlyniad i weithio gyda’r grŵp iechyd lleol a Chymdeithas Genedlaethol y Canolfannau Cyngor ar Bopeth, darperir cyngor yn awr mewn pum meddygfa meddyg teulu. Mae Cymdeithas Genedlaethol y Canolfannau Cyngor ar Bopeth yn rhoi cymorth ac yn ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â meddygon teulu lleol. Yr wyf yn siŵr bod hyn yn gweithio law yn llaw â’r cymorth a roddir gan Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili i wasanaethau canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth yn y gymuned honno.

John Griffiths spoken in English p. 45

John Griffiths siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

This is, as you say, an impressive example of lateral thinking as it links welfare rights with health and wellbeing in an imaginative way. Will you consider how similar lateral-thinking schemes could be developed for the benefit staff?

Fel y dywedwch, mae hon yn enghraifft drawiadol o feddwl ochrol gan ei bod yn cysylltu hawliau lles ag iechyd a lles mewn modd llawn dychymyg. A wnewch ystyried sut y gellid datblygu cynlluniau meddwl ochrol tebyg ar gyfer staff budd-daliadau?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 46

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46

I began by talking about the wellbeing strategy, which I launched in September. This is about integrating our policies, and several Members, including Dai Lloyd and David Melding, have mentioned specific benefit schemes on which we must focus in terms of take-up and delivery. That requires consideration of housing, carers’ strategies and health issues. This will lead to the kind of lateral thinking and innovation that the Welsh Assembly Government can take forward.

Dechreuais drwy sôn am y strategaeth lles, a lansiais ym Medi. Mae hyn yn ymwneud ag integreiddio ein polisïau, ac mae sawl Aelod, gan gynnwys Dai Lloyd a David Melding, wedi cyfeirio at gynlluniau budd-dal penodol y mae’n rhaid inni ganolbwyntio arnynt o ran eu derbyn a’u darparu. Mae hynny’n gofyn am ystyried tai, strategaethau i ofalwyr a materion iechyd. Bydd hyn yn arwain at y math o feddwl ochrol ac arloesi y gall Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru fwrw ymlaen ag ef.

Datganiad Busnes

Business Statement

Carwyn Jones The Business Minister spoken in English p. 46

Carwyn Jones Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46

There are no changes to this week’s business. On the next three weeks’ business, the draft statement is as shown on the Chamberweb under supporting documents. Following the Business Committee meeting this morning, the Deputy Presiding Officer determined that, under Standing Order No. 22.5, the Non-Domestic Rating Contributions (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 need not be referred to a subject Committee for extended consideration.

Nid oes newidiadau i fusnes yr wythnos hon. Am fusnes y tair wythnos nesaf, mae’r datganiad drafft fel y’i dangosir ar we’r Siambr dan ddogfennau ategol. Ar ôl y cyfarfod o’r Pwyllgor Busnes y bore yma, penderfynodd y Dirprwy Lywydd, o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 22.5, nad oes angen cyfeirio Rheoliadau Cyfraniadau Ardrethu Annomestig (Cymru) (Diwygio) 2002 i Bwyllgor pwnc i’w hystyried yn helaethach.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 46

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 46

A oes sylwadau ar y datganiad busnes?

Are there any comments on the business statement?

David Davies spoken in English p. 46

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46

I have asked the Government on several occasions to clarify its policy on aggregate extraction. I received a reply from the Minister for Environment on 15 November in which she stated that she would issue a policy statement shortly that will make the Government’s views on this matter more transparent. This issue is causing enormous concern, not only in my constituency, but along the south Wales coast. Will the Business Minister make room in the timetable as soon as possible for a full statement on this subject, as room has been made for statements on any number of rather trivial matters?

Yr wyf wedi gofyn ar sawl achlysur i’r Llywodraeth egluro ei pholisi ar gloddio graean. Cefais ateb gan y Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd ar 15 Tachwedd lle y dywedodd y byddai’n rhoi datganiad polisi cyn hir a fydd yn gwneud barn y Llywodraeth ar y mater hwn yn fwy eglur. Mae’r mater hwn yn peri pryder mawr iawn, nid yn unig yn fy etholaeth i, ond ar hyd arfordir y De. A wnaiff y Trefnydd wneud lle yn yr amserlen mor fuan ag y bo modd ar gyfer datganiad llawn ar y pwnc hwn, gan fod lle wedi’i neilltuo ar gyfer datganiadau ar nifer dirifedi o faterion eithaf dibwys?

Also, why is the Business Minister continuing to prevent the Conservative group from taking up the Committee place that is ours by right? What is he afraid of?

Hefyd, pam y mae’r Trefnydd yn dal i atal y grŵp Ceidwadol rhag cymryd y lle ar y Pwyllgor y mae gennym hawl iddo? Beth sydd ganddo i’w ofni?

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 47

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 47

I ask the Business Minister and the Business Committee to give urgent consideration to scheduling a debate on the issue of top-up fees for certain so-called elite universities, an issue that has already been mentioned in the Chamber today. I know that that request was not made in the Business Committee meeting this morning; I have not had a chance to raise it with Plaid Cymru’s party business manager. It is in that spirit that I make the request. The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning has just reminded us that the Assembly supported the Rees report, which called for the abolition of up-front fees. Given that the Assembly does not currently have the power to do that, I had understood that the Minister and the Government would make representations to the Westminster Government with a view to securing its support for the abolition of tuition fees. The current tenor of the debate in London suggests that those representations, if indeed they have been made, have fallen on deaf ears. It is vital that the Assembly has an opportunity to debate as soon as possible the proposal to add additional fees to the existing ones so that we can strengthen the Minister’s hand in resisting any imposition of top-up fees on universities in Wales and so that we can get answers to key questions, such as whether the Assembly has any power to prevent a system of top-up fees being imposed and, if they are not imposed, how the Minister proposes to address the long-term underfunding of the higher education sector in Wales. If the Business Minister is not prepared to consider making time for a debate, the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning should, at the very least, make a statement setting out what she proposes to do about the opposition to top-up fees that she has made clear today.

Gofynnaf i’r Trefnydd a’r Pwyllgor Busnes ystyried ar frys amserlennu dadl ar fater ffioedd ychwanegol ar gyfer rhai o’r prifysgolion gorau fel y’u gelwir, sy’n fater a grybwyllwyd eisoes yn y Siambr heddiw. Gwn na wnaed cais yng nghyfarfod y Pwyllgor Busnes y bore yma; ni chefais gyfle i’w godi gyda rheolwr busnes plaid Plaid Cymru. Yn yr ysbryd hwnnw yr wyf yn gwneud y cais. Mae’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes newydd ein hatgoffa bod y Cynulliad wedi cefnogi adroddiad Rees, a alwodd am ddiddymu ffioedd a godir o flaen llaw. O gofio nad yw’r Cynulliad yn meddu ar y pŵer i wneud hynny ar hyn o bryd, yr oeddwn wedi deall y byddai’r Gweinidog a’r Llywodraeth yn cyflwyno sylwadau i Lywodraeth San Steffan gyda golwg ar sicrhau ei chefnogaeth i ddiddymu ffioedd dysgu. Mae cyfeiriad presennol y ddadl yn Llundain yn awgrymu mai clust fyddar a drowyd at y sylwadau hynny, os cyflwynwyd rhai mewn gwirionedd. Mae’n hollbwysig bod y Cynulliad yn cael cyfle i drafod mor fuan â phosibl y cynnig i roi ffioedd ychwanegol ar ben y rhai presennol fel y gallwn roi nerth bôn braich i’r Gweinidog wrth iddi wrthsefyll unrhyw orfodi ar ffioedd ychwanegol ar brifysgolion yng Nghymru ac fel y gallwn gael atebion i gwestiynau allweddol, fel a oes gan y Cynulliad unrhyw bŵer i atal gorfodi system o ffioedd ychwanegol ac, os na chânt eu gorfodi, sut y mae’r Gweinidog yn bwriadu ymdrin â thanariannu tymor hir y sector addysg uwch yng Nghymru. Os nad yw’r Trefnydd yn barod i ystyried neilltuo amser ar gyfer dadl, dylai’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes wneud datganiad, o leiaf, gan nodi beth y mae’n bwriadu ei wneud ynghylch y gwrthwynebiad i ffioedd ychwanegol y rhoddodd wybod amdano heddiw.

Carwyn Jones spoken in English p. 47

Carwyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 47

We do not know at present what proposals may be made on top-up fees. It is therefore premature to consider a debate on the subject. If those proposals are strengthened, that will be the time to consider them. I am aware of the situation but, at the moment, it appears to be a one-line proposal without any detail. The Assembly needs as much detail as possible in order to consider the situation fully. When and if the situation changes, I will consider what needs to be done in that regard.

Ni wyddom ar hyn o bryd pa gynigion y gellid eu gwneud ynghylch ffioedd ychwanegol. Cynamserol felly yw ystyried dadl ar y pwnc. Os cryfheir y cynigion hynny, dyna fydd yr adeg i’w hystyried. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol o’r sefyllfa ond, ar hyn o bryd, ymddengys ei fod yn gynnig un llinell heb fanylion. Mae ar y Cynulliad angen cymaint o fanylion ag y bo modd er mwyn ystyried y sefyllfa’n llawn. Os a phryd y bydd y sefyllfa’n newid, ystyriaf beth fydd angen ei wneud mewn perthynas â hynny.

The Minister for the Environment has indicated to me that she will make a statement on aggregate extraction. When that statement is ready, I will make time available for it.

Mae’r Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd wedi dweud wrthyf y bydd yn gwneud datganiad ar gloddio graean. Pan fydd y datganiad hwnnw’n barod, neilltuaf amser ar ei gyfer.

Regarding Committee membership, I do not accept that the Conservative group is entitled to an extra Committee place. This issue has been debated at length and I have made suggestions as to how the situation might be rectified. I understand that there are difficulties with the suggestion that I made. Therefore, I propose that no change should be made at present; the situation is sustainable.

Ynghylch aelodaeth o Bwyllgorau, ni dderbyniaf fod gan y grŵp Ceidwadol hawl i le ychwanegol ar Bwyllgorau. Mae’r mater hwn wedi’i drafod yn faith a gwneuthum awgrymiadau ynghylch y modd y gellid cywiro’r sefyllfa. Deallaf fod anawsterau ynghylch yr awgrym a wneuthum. Gan hynny, cynigiaf na ddylid newid dim ar hyn o bryd; gellir goddef y sefyllfa.

Derbyniwyd y datganiad busnes.

Business statement adopted.

Pwyntiau o Drefn

Points of Order

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 48

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 48

Point of order. I raise this in relation to paragraph 1.5 of the Ministerial Code, which refers to inadequate or inaccurate information from Ministers. My point relates to the chaos that is currently being experienced in communities across Wales with regard to payments under the sheep annual premium scheme. In the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee meeting last Wednesday, the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Rural Development and Wales Abroad undertook that if any farmers were in severe financial difficulties because they had not been paid under the scheme—which is contrary to what English, Scottish and Irish farmers have already received—he would ensure that cheques could be processed manually and paid immediately in order to alleviate such problems. The bank accounts of many of farmers have been frozen. I received a letter from a farmer about a letter faxed to his bank on 31 October promising that a payment would be made into his account the following week. It is now 19 November and the money has still not been transferred to that account.

Pwynt o drefn. Codaf hyn mewn cysylltiad â pharagraff 1.5 y Cod i’r Gweinidogion, sy’n cyfeirio at wybodaeth annigonol neu anghywir gan Weinidogion. Mae’r pwynt sydd gennyf yn ymwneud â’r anhrefn a brofir ar hyn o bryd mewn cymunedau ledled Cymru o ran taliadau dan y cynllun premiwm blynyddol defaid. Yn y cyfarfod o’r Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig ddydd Mercher diwethaf, ymgymerodd y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Gwledig a Chymru Dramor y byddai’n sicrhau, os oedd unrhyw ffermwyr mewn anawsterau ariannol difrifol am nad oeddent wedi’u talu dan y cynllun—sy’n wahanol i’r hyn y mae ffermwyr Lloegr, yr Alban ac Iwerddon wedi’i gael eisoes—y byddai’n sicrhau y gellid prosesu sieciau â llaw a’u talu ar unwaith er mwyn lliniaru problemau o’r fath. Mae cyfrifon banc llawer o ffermwyr wedi’u rhewi. Cefais lythyr gan ffermwr am lythyr a oedd wedi’i ffacsio i’w fanc ar 31 Hydref yn addo y byddai taliad i’w gyfrif yr wythnos ddilynol. Mae bellach yn 19 Tachwedd ac nid yw’r arian byth wedi’i drosglwyddo i’r cyfrif hwnnw.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 49

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

Order. This is not a matter for me. You are seeking to make a speech on a point of policy and the administration. Although I have great sympathy with regard to the issue that you raised, this is not the time to raise it.

Trefn. Nid yw hyn yn fater i mi. Yr ydych yn ceisio traddodi araith ar bwynt o bolisi a’r weinyddiaeth. Er fy mod yn cydymdeimlo’n fawr â’r mater y gwnaethoch ei godi, nid hon yw’r adeg i’w godi.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 49

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

He is only a poor farmer.

Nid ydyw ond yn ffermwr tlawd.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 49

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

Order. Whatever he may be, he is entitled to raise these matters. This is not a point of order for me.

Trefn. Pwy bynnag ydyw, mae ganddo hawl i godi’r materion hyn. Nid pwynt o drefn i mi yw hwn.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 49

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 49

Pwynt o drefn. Codaf hyn mewn perthynas â paragraph 1.5 (iii) o’r Cod i’r Gweinidogion, sy’n nodi ei bod yn ofynnol i Weinidogion roi gwybodaeth fanwl-gywir a gwir i’r Cynulliad. Pan ofynnais gwestiwn ar driwantiaeth i’r Prif Weinidog yr wythnos diwethaf, fe’m cyhuddodd o gamarwain y Cynulliad yn anfwriadol gan i mi honni bod triwantiaeth ar gynnydd yng Nghymru. Gwrthododd ateb fy nghwestiwn ar y sail hwnnw. Adroddwyd yn rhifyn yr wythnos flaenorol o The Times Educational Supplement, o dan y pennawd ‘Truancy in Wales continues to increase’ bod triwantiaeth ar gynnydd yn wir. Ffynhonnell y datganiad hwnnw oedd adroddiad a gyhoeddwyd gan grŵp a gomisiynwyd gan Llywodraeth y Cynulliad a oedd ym meddiant y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes ac a ddaeth gerbron y Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes ar 24 Hydref. Mae’r adroddiad yn datgan yn glir bod cynnydd mewn absenoldebau heb eu hawdurdodi—sy’n golygu triwantiaeth i bawb ond y Prif Weinidog. Yng ngoleuni hyn, a wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ymddiheuro am iddo gamarwain y Cynulliad, am iddo fy nghamgyhuddo o gamarwain y Cynulliad ac am iddo beidio ag ateb cwestiwn a oedd, yn fy nhyb i, yn un teg a dilys?

Point of order. I raise this in relation to paragraph 1.5 (iii) of the Ministerial Code, which notes that Ministers are required to give the Assembly accurate and truthful information. When I asked a question on truancy to the First Minister last week, he accused me of unintentionally misleading the Assembly as I alleged that truancy was on the increase in Wales. He refused to answer my question on that basis. In the previous week’s edition of The Times Educational Supplement, under the heading ‘Truancy in Wales continues to increase’, it was reported that truancy was indeed on the increase. The source of this statement was a report from a group commissioned by the Assembly Government, which was in the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning’s possession and which came before the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee on 24 October. The report clearly states that there has been an increase in unauthorised absences—which means truancy to everyone apart from the First Minister. In the light of this, will the First Minister apologise for misleading the Assembly, for wrongly accusing me of misleading the Assembly and for not answering a question that was, in my opinion, a fair and valid one?

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 49

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 49

Nid yw cynnwys atebion yn fater i mi, ond mae’n bwysig y dilynir y Cod i’r Gweindogion. Mae’r Prif Weinidog wedi clywed y sylwadau a wnaed.

The content of answers is not a matter for me, but it is important that the Ministerial Code is adhered to. The First Minister has heard the comments made.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 49

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

Point of order. I raise this under Standing Order No. 6.31. I would like to give the First Minister an opportunity to correct his answer to a question from Jocelyn Davies today. He suggested that there is not a block on officials communicating with Assembly Members. At a recent meeting called by an Assembly body, at which I was the only Member representing the Assembly, I was the only person that the official responsible had been unable to contact by e-mail. Ironically, it would have been possible for that official to send data to my e-mail address in Aberystwyth but not to my Assembly address. I have mentioned this issue before following a similar event because it seemed to me then, as it does now, that this is a flagrant breach of the protocol for relationships between Assembly Members and Assembly staff as it prevented an official from supporting me in my legitimate work as an Assembly Member. In this recent case, the role that I adopted was purely technical, and I felt that I was representing all 60 Members in a non-party capacity. Clearly, there has been no improvement in the situation since I raised this matter previously. If anything, the gap between officials and Assembly Members has widened. I appeal to the Presiding Officer, who represents the interests of all Assembly Members, to consider the matter and to persuade the Government to remove the block, which is not only absurd and unnecessary, but which may also be breach the protocols agreed by the Assembly.

Pwynt o drefn. Codaf hyn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.31. Hoffwn roi cyfle i’r Prif Weinidog gywiro ei ateb i gwestiwn gan Jocelyn Davies heddiw. Awgrymodd nad oes dim i rwystro swyddogion rhag cyfathrebu ag Aelodau’r Cynulliad. Mewn cyfarfod diweddar a alwyd gan un o gyrff y Cynulliad, a minnau yno fel yr unig Aelod a oedd yn cynrychioli’r Cynulliad, myfi oedd yr unig un nad oedd y swyddog cyfrifol wedi gallu cysylltu ag ef drwy e-bost. Yn eironig, buasai’n bosibl i’r swyddog hwnnw anfon data i’m cyfeiriad e-bost yn Aberystwyth ond nid i’m cyfeiriad yn y Cynulliad. Yr wyf wedi sôn am y mater hwn o’r blaen ar ôl digwyddiad tebyg gan ei bod yn ymddangos i mi bryd hynny, fel y mae’n awr, yn doriad amlwg ar y protocol ar gyfer cysylltiadau rhwng Aelodau’r Cynulliad a staff y Cynulliad gan ei fod yn atal swyddog rhag fy nghynorthwyo yn fy ngwaith dilys fel Aelod o’r Cynulliad. Yn yr achos diweddar hwn, yr oedd y rôl a fabwysiedais yn un gwbl dechnegol, a theimlais fy mod yn cynrychioli pob un o’r 60 o Aelodau mewn cymhwyster amhleidiol. Mae’n amlwg nad yw’r sefyllfa wedi gwella ers imi godi’r mater hwn o’r blaen. Os rhywbeth, mae’r bwlch rhwng y swyddogion ac Aelodau’r Cynulliad wedi ymledu. Apeliaf ar y Llywydd, sy’n cynrychioli buddiannau holl Aelodau’r Cynulliad, i ystyried y mater a darbwyllo’r Llywodraeth i ddileu’r rhwystr hwn, sydd nid yn unig yn hurt ac yn ddiangen, ond a allai fod yn groes hefyd i’r protocolau a gytunwyd gan y Cynulliad.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 50

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

How the Government operates its ICT system is not a matter for me. However, the interface between ICT systems, as they affect the work of Members and Committees, and the use of ICT by the Cabinet, is a matter for me. Therefore, I will ensure that the House Committee takes another look at this. Over the weekend we have had a change in our ICT domain and our systems, and I think it is appropriate for us to review the resulting situation to ensure that the protocols that we have already approved are adhered to.

Nid mater i mi yw’r modd y mae’r Llywodraeth yn gweithredu ei system TGCh. Fodd bynnag, mae’r rhyngwyneb rhwng systemau TGCh, fel y maent yn effeithio ar waith yr Aelodau a’r Pwyllgorau, a’r defnydd o TGCh gan y Cabinet, yn fater i mi. Gan hynny, gofalaf y bydd Pwyllgor y Tŷ yn ailedrych ar hyn. Dros y penwythnos bu newid yn ein parth TGCh a’n systemau, a chredaf ei bod yn briodol inni adolygu’r sefyllfa sy’n dilyn hynny er mwyn sicrhau y glynir wrth y protocolau yr ydym eisoes wedi’u cymeradwyo.

Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Erthylu (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2002

Approval of the Abortion (Amendment)(Wales) Regulations 2002

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 50

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services (continued) spoken in English p. 51

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services (continued) spoken in English p. 51

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

The present regulations controlling abortions in Wales have been in place since 1991. It has become apparent that the existing regulations contravene the Human Rights Act 1998, as they only allow women to see the notification form sent to the Chief Medical Officer of their termination if the request is sent via a registered medical practitioner. I therefore propose amending the regulations to allow the notification to be made available to women on receipt of proof of their identity, thereby complying with article 8 of schedule 1 to the Human Rights Act, namely the right to privacy and family life.

Mae’r rheoliadau presennol sy’n rheoli erthyliadau yng Nghymru ar waith ers 1991. Daeth yn amlwg bod y rheoliadau presennol yn groes i Ddeddf Hawliau Dynol 1998, gan nad ydynt ond yn caniatáu i fenywod weld y ffurflen hysbysu a anfonir at y Prif Swyddog Meddygol ynghylch eu herthyliad os anfonir y cais drwy ymarferwr meddygol cofrestredig. Cynigiaf felly y dylid newid y rheoliadau i ganiatáu rhoi’r hysbysiad i fenywod ar ôl derbyn prawf o bwy ydynt, a thrwy hynny gydymffurfio ag erthygl 8 o atodlen 1 i’r Ddeddf Hawliau Dynol, sef yr hawl i breifatrwydd a bywyd teuluol.

I have also decided to take the opportunity to amend the abortion notification form itself. Registered medical practitioners are legally required to notify the Chief Medical Officer of every abortion performed in Wales, whether it is performed by the national health service or in the independent sector, and whether the woman is a UK resident or not. I propose that the form should be available in an electronic format in future and should be sent to the Chief Medical Officer over the Government’s secure internet. It has therefore been necessary to redesign the form to permit the information to be scanned. I am also proposing to include the collection of data about self-reported ethnicity and whether chlamydia screening was offered. Similar amendments have been introduced in England. I commend the motion to you.

Yr wyf hefyd wedi penderfynu achub ar cyfle i newid y ffurflen hysbysu erthyliad ei hun. Mae’n ofynnol dan y gyfraith i ymarferwyr meddygol cofrestredig hysbysu’r Prif Swyddog Meddygol am bob erthyliad a gyflawnir yng Nghymru, pa un a gyflawnir ef gan y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol neu yn y sector annibynnol, a pha un a yw’r fenyw’n preswylio yn y DU ai peidio. Cynigiaf y dylai’r ffurflen fod ar gael ar ffurf electronig yn y dyfodol ac y dylid ei hanfon at y Prif Swyddog Meddygol drwy ryngrwyd ddiogel y Llywodraeth. Gan hynny, bu’n rhaid ailddylunio’r ffurflen fel y gellir sganio’r wybodaeth. Yr wyf hefyd yn cynnig cynnwys casglu data am ethnigrwydd a adroddir gan bobl eu hunain ac a gynigiwyd sgrinio clamydia ai peidio. Mae newidiadau tebyg wedi’u cyflwyno yn Lloegr. Cymeradwyaf y cynnig i chi.

David Davies spoken in English p. 52

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

I appreciate that these reforms are administrative in nature and will not impact on the number of abortions that take place in this country each year. Nevertheless, I have never understood why the state is prepared to condone the killing of a child that lies in its mother’s womb, while it is a serious criminal offence to kill a child outside the womb. It is a tragedy that thousands of lives are deliberately terminated in this fashion each year. It is particularly sad for the mothers involved and for the medical staff who have to perform these unpleasant procedures. The photographs of aborted children on the website of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children should be enough to make anyone think twice about compromising on abortion. Therefore, as a matter of principle, I will vote against these regulations.

Gwerthfawrogaf fod y newidiadau hyn yn rhai o natur weinyddol ac na fyddant yn effeithio ar nifer yr erthyliadau sy’n digwydd yn y wlad hon bob blwyddyn. Er hynny, nid wyf erioed wedi deall pam y mae’r wladwriaeth yn barod i oddef lladd plentyn yng nghroth ei fam, tra bo lladd plentyn y tu allan i’r groth yn drosedd ddifrifol. Mae’n drychineb bod miloedd o fywydau’n cael eu terfynu’n fwriadol fel hyn bob blwyddyn. Mae’n arbennig o drist i’r mamau dan sylw ac i’r staff meddygol sy’n gorfod cyflawni’r gweithdrefnau annymunol hyn. Dylai’r lluniau o blant a erthylwyd ar wefan y Gymdeithas er Gwarchod Plant heb eu Geni fod yn ddigon i beri i rywun feddwl ddwywaith ynghylch cyfaddawdu ar erthylu. Felly, fel mater o egwyddor, pleidleisiaf yn erbyn y rheoliadau hyn.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 52

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

As the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, I welcome the changes proposed by the Minister for Health and Social Services. It is entirely right and proper that women should not have to apply for information about their health status and healthcare via a general practitioner. They should have the right to apply for that information as individuals. It is appropriate that the right to privacy and a family life, enshrined in the Human Rights Act, is being enacted in Wales in this way. Contrary perhaps to what some people think, it is difficult for most women when they are faced with a decision of this kind. It is not a question of murder; it is a question of women’s right to determine how they should live their lives. I understand that it is an issue of individual conscience and I know that feelings run high on this issue. I am sorry that David Davies has chosen this opportunity, of the proposal of reforms which are administrative in nature, to make points that I regard as provocative and emotional in not a very sensible way.

Fel llefarydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol ar iechyd, croesawaf y newidiadau a gynigir gan y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol. Mae’n hollol iawn a phriodol na ddylai menywod orfod gwneud cais am wybodaeth am eu statws iechyd a’u gofal iechyd drwy ymarferwr cyffredinol. Dylent gael yr hawl i ymgeisio am y wybodaeth honno fel unigolion. Mae’n briodol bod yr hawl i breifatrwydd a bywyd teuluol, a ymgorfforir yn y Ddeddf Hawliau Dynol, yn cael ei orchymyn yng Nghymru fel hyn. Yn groes i’r hyn y mae rhai’n ei dybio o bosibl, mae’n anodd i’r rhan fwyaf o fenywod pan yn wynebu penderfyniad o’r math hwn. Nid yw’n fater o lofruddiaeth; mae’n fater o hawl menywod i benderfynu sut y dylent fyw. Deallaf fod hyn yn fater o gydwybod unigol a gwn fod teimladau cryf ynghylch y mater hwn. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf fod David Davies wedi dewis y cyfle hwn, sef cynnig newidiadau o natur weinyddol, i wneud pwyntiau a ystyriaf fi’n rhai herfeiddiol ac emosiynol mewn modd sydd heb fod yn synhwyrol iawn.

David Melding spoken in English p. 52

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

The Conservative group has a free vote, as is appropriate. I will vote in favour of these measures, as they are administrative in nature and seek to make the current system more user-friendly, discreet and effective. I accept the Minister’s right to propose them. However, I want to record my personal feelings: I have a moral objection to abortion on demand. I do not believe that the Abortion Act 1967 permits abortion on demand, but that it is effectively the public policy that has evolved over the last 35 years. That is much to be regretted and, indeed, causes me fundamental sorrow. I believe that there are cases in which abortion is permissible and is the lesser of two evils, specifically in cases of acute medical need. Therefore, I will vote in favour of these measures but with those qualifications.

Mae pleidlais rydd gan y grŵp Ceidwadol, a phriodol hynny. Pleidleisiaf o blaid y mesurau hyn, gan eu bod o natur weinyddol a’u bod yn ceisio gwneud y system bresennol yn haws i’w defnyddio ac yn fwy diffwdan ac effeithiol. Derbyniaf hawl y Gweinidog i’w cynnig. Er hynny, yr wyf am gofnodi fy nheimladau personol: mae gennyf wrthwynebiad moesol i erthylu ar alwad. Ni chredaf fod y Ddeddf Erthylu 1967 yn caniatáu erthylu ar alwad, ond i bob pwrpas dyna’r polisi cyhoeddus a ddatblygodd dros y 35 mlynedd diwethaf. Mae hynny’n destun gofid mawr ac, yn wir, mae’n peri tristwch sylfaenol i mi. Credaf fod achosion lle y gellir caniatáu erthylu a lle mai hwnnw yw’r lleiaf o ddau ddrwg, a hynny’n benodol mewn achosion o angen meddygol difrifol. Felly, pleidleisiaf o blaid y mesurau hyn ond dan yr amodau hynny.

David Ian Jones spoken in English p. 53

David Ian Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53

One matter that concerns me is the proposal that this highly confidential and sensitive information be transmitted electronically via the internet. The internet is not always secure, as I learned to my cost only this week, when I discovered that my credit card had fraudulently been debited with $5,250 over the internet. Fortunately, that can be remedied and, at the end of the day, it is only money. However, this is a matter of information that is sensitive and important for women, and I wonder whether any electronic means of communication can be devised that is secure enough to satisfy the stringent requirements of confidentiality.

Un mater sy’n peri pryder i mi yw’r cynnig y dylid trosglwyddo’r wybodaeth dra chyfrinachol a sensitif hon yn electronig drwy’r rhyngrwyd. Nid yw’r rhyngrwyd yn ddiogel bob amser, fel y dysgais er gofid imi yr wythnos hon, pan ddarganfûm fod $5,250 wedi’i ddebydu drwy dwyll ar fy ngherdyn credyd drwy’r rhyngrwyd. Yn ffodus, gellir cywiro hynny ac, yn y diwedd, nid yw’n ddim ond arian. Fodd bynnag, mae hwn yn fater o wybodaeth sy’n sensitif ac yn bwysig i fenywod, a thybed a ellir dyfeisio unrhyw ddull cyfathrebu electronig sy’n ddigon diogel i fodloni’r gofynion cyfrinachedd caeth.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 53

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53

David has just raised an important point. However, we have the innovative new intranet for the NHS in Wales, which is leading the way in Europe. I attended a conference last night where there were people from Europe who had come to learn about our excellent progress in this regard. It is a legitimate concern that needs to be addressed but, of all the health services in Europe, that in Wales is probably leading the way in this.

Mae David newydd godi pwynt pwysig. Er hynny, mae gennym fewnrwyd newydd arloesol ar gyfer y GIG yng Nghymru, sy’n arwain y ffordd yn Ewrop. Bûm yn bresennol mewn cynhadledd neithiwr lle’r oedd rhai o Ewrop wedi dod i ddysgu am ein cynnydd rhagorol yn hynny o beth. Mae’n bryder dilys y mae’n rhaid rhoi sylw iddo ond, o’r holl wasanaethau iechyd yn Ewrop, mae’r un yng Nghymru’n arwain y ffordd ar hyn yn ôl pob tebyg.

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 53

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53

Any debate on this issue is emotive for some Members and it is a matter of conscience for them as to how they respond. However, this is a technical amendment of regulations relating to the existing Abortion Act 1967. I thank Kirsty and David for their recognition of the basis of this regulation. It is important in the context of the Human Rights Act 1998. Abortion is legally permissible in certain prescribed circumstances. We are not asked to judge the morality of the issue but to agree changes to ensure that the necessary administrative procedures connected with terminations of pregnancy comply with the Act and use modern technology to ensure maximum efficiency.

Mae unrhyw ddadl ar y pwnc hwn yn emosiynol i rai Aelodau ac mae’n fater o gydwybod iddynt o ran y modd y maent yn ymateb. Fodd bynnag, newid technegol yw hwn i reoliadau sy’n gysylltiedig â’r Ddeddf Erthylu 1967 bresennol. Diolchaf i Kirsty a David am gydnabod sail y rheoliadau hyn. Mae’n bwysig yng nghyd-destun y Ddeddf Hawliau Dynol 1998. Gellir caniatáu erthylu o dan y gyfraith o dan rai amgylchiadau a ragnodwyd. Ni ofynnir inni farnu ynghylch moesoldeb y pwnc ond cytuno ar newidiadau i sicrhau bod y gweithdrefnau gweinyddol angenrheidiol sy’n gysylltiedig â therfynu beichiogrwydd yn cydymffurfio â’r Ddeddf ac yn defnyddio technoleg fodern i sicrhau’r effeithlonrwydd mwyaf posibl.

David and Brian’s points relate to confidentiality, which is important. Medical practitioners must complete abortion notification forms for each termination of pregnancy performed. The forms are then sent, in confidence, to the Chief Medical Officer. Only staff personally authorised by her are allowed access to the forms to ensure that terminations have been performed in accordance with legal requirements. That data is then anonymised and used to compile national statistics. That also covers the point about security in relation to technology.

Mae’r pwyntiau a wnaeth David a Brian yn ymwneud â chyfrinachedd, sy’n bwysig. Rhaid i ymarferwyr meddygol lenwi ffurflenni hysbysiad erthylu ar gyfer pob terfyniad ar feichiogrwydd. Anfonir y ffurflenni wedyn, yn gyfrinachol, at y Prif Swyddog Meddygol. Dim ond staff a awdurdodir ganddi’n bersonol a gaiff weld y ffurflenni i sicrhau bod yr erthyliadau wedi’u cyflawni’n unol â’r gofynion cyfreithiol. Tynnir yr enwau priod o’r data hynny wedyn ac fe’u defnyddir i gasglu ystadegau gwladol. Mae hynny’n ateb y pwynt ynghylch diogelwch mewn perthynas â thechnoleg hefyd.

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 46 YmatalAbstain 2 Yn erbynAgainst 2

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (46)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • Val Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (2)
  • Alison Halford
  • David Ian Jones
Yn erbynAgainst (2)
  • David Davies
  • William Graham

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 44 YmatalAbstain 2 Yn erbynAgainst 2

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (44)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • Val Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams
YmatalAbstain (2)
  • Alison Halford
  • David Ian Jones
Yn erbynAgainst (2)
  • David Davies
  • William Graham

Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Awdurdodau Lleol (Gweithredu Trefniadau Gweithredol neu Amgen Gwahanol) (Cymru) 2002

Approval of the Local Authorities (Operation of Different Executive or Alternative Arrangements) (Wales ) Regulations 2002

Edwina Hart The Finance Minister spoken in English p. 56

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 56

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Edwina Hart The Finance Minister (continued) spoken in English p. 56

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog Cyllid (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 56

These regulations make it possible for local authorities to change the arrangements that were included in their submissions to the Assembly earlier this year. There are two important caveats to that. Local authorities will not be able to change the basic model that they are operating. In other words, the 19 authorities that are operating a leader and cabinet model will not be able to move to a different model, such as the fourth option or a mayoral model. The same will apply to the three alternative arrangements operating.

Mae’r rheoliadau hyn yn ei gwneud yn bosibl i awdurdodau lleol newid y trefniadau a gynhwyswyd yn eu cyflwyniadau i’r Cynulliad yn gynharach eleni. Mae dau gafeat pwysig i hynny. Ni fydd awdurdodau lleol yn gallu newid y model sylfaenol y maent yn ei weithredu. Mewn geiriau eraill, ni fydd y 19 awdurdod sy’n gweithredu model arweinydd a chabinet yn gallu symud at fodel gwahanol, fel y pedwerydd dewis neu fodel maerol. Bydd yr un peth yn berthnasol i’r tri threfniant amgen a weithredir.

The second caveat is that authorities will be unable to change the role or responsibilities of the executive or council, or the role and structure of overview and scrutiny committees, without obtaining the Assembly’s approval first. Other changes can be introduced by resolution of the council.

Yr ail gafeat yw na fydd awdurdodau’n gallu newid rôl neu gyfrifoldebau’r weithrediaeth neu’r cyngor, neu rôl a strwythur pwyllgorau arolygu ac archwilio, heb gael cymeradwyaeth gan y Cynulliad yn gyntaf. Gellir cyflwyno newidiadau eraill drwy benderfyniad y cyngor.

In his amendment to the motion to approve the regulations, Jonathan Morgan has proposed that all arrangements made under these regulations should be debated in full council. That is highly ambiguous. If he is proposing that the full council should have its say on approving any changes to the council’s constitution made under these regulations, that is already provided for in regulation 7, which states that a resolution of the authority is required. In that case the amendment is superfluous.

Yn ei welliant i’r cynnig i gymeradwyo’r rheoliadau, mae Jonathan Morgan wedi cynnig y dylai’r holl drefniadau a wneir dan y rheoliadau hyn gael eu trafod gan y cyngor llawn. Mae hynny’n dra uchelgeisiol. Os yw’n cynnig y dylai’r cyngor llawn gael datgan ei farn ar gymeradwyo unrhyw newidiadau i gyfansoddiad y cyngor a wneir dan y rheoliadau hyn, darperir ar gyfer hynny eisoes yn rheoliad 7, sy’n datgan bod angen penderfyniad yr awdurdod. Os felly, mae’r gwelliant yn ddiangen.

If Jonathan Morgan is proposing that the full council should debate any matter that is affected by these regulations, that could result in the full council having to debate matters in relation to functions that have been re-allocated under these regulations. That would be a recipe for chaos as the full council might not have decision-making powers on the matter in question. I sense that this amendment is an attempt to turn the clock back to the days before the Local Government Act 2000 and I urge Members not to support it.

Os yw Jonathan Morgan yn cynnig y dylai’r cyngor llawn drafod unrhyw fater y mae’r rheoliadau hyn yn effeithio arno, gallai hynny beri bod y cyngor llawn yn gorfod trafod materion sy’n ymwneud â swyddogaethau sydd wedi’u hailddyrannu dan y rheoliadau hyn. Byddai hynny’n sicr o achosi anhrefn gan ei bod yn bosibl na fyddai’r cyngor llawn yn meddu ar bwerau penderfynu ar y mater dan sylw. Synhwyraf fod y gwelliant hwn yn ymgais i droi’r cloc yn ôl i’r dyddiau cyn Deddf Llywodraeth Leol 2000 ac anogaf yr Aelodau i beidio â’i gefnogi.

These provisions will allow councils the flexibility they need to fine-tune their constitutional arrangements without allowing them to make fundamental changes so soon after public consultation and the approval of new structures.

Bydd y darpariaethau hyn yn rhoi i’r cynghorau yr hyblygrwydd y mae arnynt ei angen i gyweirio eu trefniadau cyfansoddiadol heb ganiatáu iddynt wneud newidiadau sylfaenol mor fuan ar ôl yr ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus a chymeradwyo’r strwythurau newydd.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 57

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 57

I call Janet Ryder.

Galwaf ar Janet Ryder.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 57

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 57

I was expecting the amendment in the name of Jonathan Morgan to be proposed first.

Yr oeddwn yn disgwyl y câi’r gwelliant yn enw Jonathan Morgan ei gynnig yn gyntaf.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 57

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 57

The amendment is not to the motion on the principle of the regulations.

Nid yw’r gwelliant yn un i’r cynnig ar egwyddor y rheoliadau.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 57

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 57

We all know the history behind this. These changes were introduced to create a quicker and clearer system of decision-making. There have been many debates about whether there should be politically balanced boards or leader and cabinet systems. Whatever those arguments have been—and they have been long and protracted—we have now arrived at the point where we will approve these proposals.

Yr ydym oll yn gwybod yr hanes y tu ôl i hyn. Cyflwynwyd y newidiadau hyn i greu system penderfynu gyflymach a chliriach. Bu llawer o ddadleuon ynghylch a ddylid cael byrddau â chydbwysedd gwleidyddol neu systemau arweinydd a chabinet. Beth bynnag oedd y dadleuon hynny—a buont yn rhai hir ac estynedig—yr ydym bellach wedi dod i’r fan lle y byddwn yn cymeradwyo’r cynigion hyn.

As the Minister highlighted, there is the problem that, once the structures are in place, it is difficult to alter them. Regulation 6 is constrictive and raises the question of how we envisage the role of local government and of how much freedom we should allow it to adapt and change its own structures. These regulations are so prescriptive that, should local authorities even want to change their overview and scrutiny committees, written permission from the Minister is required. Under what circumstances does the Minister envisage not giving permission? What framework will she operate or will we operate a paper framework whereby we agree to every change a council wants? Under what circumstances would the Minister not give permission?

Fel y nododd y Gweinidog, mae problem o ran y ffaith ei bod yn anodd newid y strwythurau ar ôl eu sefydlu. Mae rheoliad 6 yn gyfyngol ac yn codi cwestiwn ynghylch y modd y gwelwn rôl llywodraeth leol a faint o ryddid y dylem ganiatáu iddi addasu a newid ei strwythurau ei hun. Mae’r rheoliadau hyn mor orchmynnol fel bod rhaid i awdurdodau lleol gael caniatâd ysgrifenedig gan y Gweinidog hyd yn oed os ydynt am newid eu pwyllgorau arolygu ac archwilio. O dan ba amgylchiadau y mae’r Gweinidog yn rhagweld y bydd yn peidio â rhoi caniatâd? Pa fframwaith y bydd yn ei weithredu neu a fyddwn yn gweithredu fframwaith papur lle y byddwn yn cytuno ar bob newid y mae cyngor am ei gael? O dan ba amgylchiadau y byddai’r Gweinidog yn peidio â rhoi caniatâd?

I agree with the Minister on the amendment. Every council has fully debated these changes. Whether we like the decisions or not, they have been reached by full council. Increasingly, we see, in councils where there are party groups that are not large enough to hold an outright majority, the pattern set in the Assembly being followed and Liberal/Labour coalitions emerging. That, frankly, confirms everyone’s view that the Liberal/Labour Party is one party now. Some may not like the decisions that have been reached under some of these constitutions. Conwy County Borough Council is a prime example. Many councillors and residents are still unhappy about the arrangements there. However, the Liberal/Labour group has taken them through and, unfortunately, we will now approve them. I ask the Minister to clarify what is meant under regulation 6, and to say under what circumstances she would not approve an application for change.

Cytunaf â’r Gweinidog ynghylch y gwelliant. Mae pob cyngor wedi trafod y newidiadau hyn yn llawn. Pa un a ydym yn hoffi’r penderfyniadau ai peidio, fe’u gwnaed gan y cyngor llawn. Yr hyn a welwn fwyfwy, mewn cynghorau lle y mae grwpiau plaid nad ydynt yn ddigon mawr i fod â mwyafrif dros bawb, yw dilyn y patrwm a osodwyd yn y Cynulliad a chlymbleidiau Rhyddfrydol/Llafur yn dod i’r golwg. Mewn gwirionedd, mae hynny’n cadarnhau barn pawb mai un blaid yw’r Blaid Ryddfrydol/Llafur bellach. Efallai na fydd rhai’n hoffi’r penderfyniadau a wnaed dan rai o’r cyfansoddiadau hyn. Mae Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy yn enghraifft ragorol. Mae llawer o’r cynghorwyr a’r trigolion yn dal i fod yn anfodlon ynghylch y trefniadau yn y fan honno. Er hynny, mae’r grŵp Rhyddfrydol/Llafur wedi bwrw ymlaen â hwy a, gwaetha’r modd, byddwn yn eu cymeradwyo’n awr. Gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog egluro beth a olygir dan reoliad 6, a dweud o dan ba amgylchiadau na fyddai’n cymeradwyo cais am newid.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 59

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 59

As reference has been made to the amendment in the name of Jonathan Morgan, I confirm that there is no amendment to the motion on the principle of the regulations. However, there is an amendment to the motion to approve the draft Order in accordance with Standing Order No. 22.10. A motion under Standing Order No. 22.10 and, by implication, any amendment to that motion, should be voted on immediately without debate. On this occasion, in the spirit of pre-Advent generosity that is already taking over, I have decided to allow discussion on that motion and amendment. However, the amendment will be formally proposed later with the motion to approve the Order. In future, when Members are considering whether to table amendments to a motion to approve an Order under Standing Order No. 22.10, they should not take this generosity on my part as setting a precedent.

Gan fod cyfeiriad wedi bod at y gwelliant yn enw Jonathan Morgan, cadarnhaf nad oes gwelliant i’r cynnig ar egwyddor y rheoliadau. Fodd bynnag, mae gwelliant i’r cynnig i gymeradwyo’r Gorchymyn drafft yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog Rhif 22.10. Dylid pleidleisio ar unwaith heb ddadl ar unrhyw gynnig o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 22.10 a, drwy oblygiad, unrhyw welliant i’r cynnig hwnnw. Y tro hwn, yn gydnaws â’r haelioni cyn yr Adfent, sydd eisoes yn amlwg, yr wyf wedi penderfynu caniatáu trafodaeth ar y cynnig hwnnw a’r gwelliant. Fodd bynnag, cynigir y gwelliant yn ffurfiol yn ddiweddarach gyda’r cynnig i gymeradwyo’r Gorchymyn. Yn y dyfodol, pan yw Aelodau’n ystyried cyflwyno gwelliannau i gynnig i gymeradwyo Gorchymyn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 22.10, ni ddylent gymryd bod yr haelioni hwn ar fy rhan yn gosod cynsail.

William Graham spoken in English p. 59

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 59

I am grateful for your generosity on this occasion. I speak to the principle of the regulations. The Local Government Act 2002, which was designed to increase the transparency of local government decision-making and therefore to allow wider public scrutiny, ordered councils to adopt new decision-making structures. They had to give up the traditional committee system and instead put power in the hands of an elected mayor or a leader ruling through a cabinet. Most councils in Wales opted for the leader and cabinet model. Councillors now feel disenfranchised. The Labour-dominated parliamentary Select Committee on Transport, Local Government and the Regions has concluded that the Act has failed on almost all counts.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am eich haelioni ar yr achlysur hwn. Siaradaf ar destun egwyddor y rheoliadau. Yr oedd Deddf Llywodraeth Leol 2002, a fwriadwyd i gynyddu tryloywder y penderfynu gan lywodaeth leol ac felly i ganiatáu archwilio helaethach gan y cyhoedd, yn mynnu bod cynghorau’n mabwysiadu strwythurau penderfynu newydd. Yr oedd yn rhaid iddynt roi’r gorau i’r system bwyllgorau draddodiadol a rhoi pŵer yn lle hynny yn nwylo maer etholedig neu arweinydd sy’n rheoli drwy gabinet. Dewisodd y rhan fwyaf o’r cynghorau yng Nghymru fodel yr arweinydd a’r cabinet. Mae cynghorwyr bellach yn teimlo eu bod wedi’u difreinio. Mae’r Pwyllgor Dethol seneddol ar Drafnidiaeth, Llywodraeth Leol a’r Rhanbarthau, sy’n cael ei lywio gan Lafur, wedi dod i’r casgliad bod y Ddeddf wedi methu ar bron bob cyfrif.

We do not need to look to Labour Members of Parliament to realise that the cabinet structure introduced under this legislation is undemocratic and fails to widen transparency, increase accountability or broaden the scrutiny of local authorities. The majority of political analysts and commentators agree that Labour bullied councils into adopting the mayoral and cabinet system at a local level, thereby succeeding in cutting councillors out of the decision-making process. The increase that this has caused in voter apathy will not be arrested until real power is returned to local communities. I will now formally propose the amendment.

Nid oes rhaid inni ddibynnu ar Aelodau Seneddol Llafur i sylweddoli bod y strwythur cabinet a gyflwynwyd dan y ddeddfwriaeth hon yn annemocrataidd ac yn methu ag ehangu tryloywder, cynyddu atebolrwydd neu ehangu’r archwilio ar awdurdodau lleol. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o ddadansoddwyr a sylwebyddion gwleidyddol yn cytuno bod Llafur wedi gorfodi cynghorau i fabwysiadu systemau’r maer a’r cabinet ar lefel leol, a thrwy hynny lwyddo i dorri cynghorwyr o’r broses penderfynu. Ni fydd y cynnydd yn nifaterwch y pleidleiswyr a achoswyd drwy hyn yn dod i ben hyd nes yr adferir pŵer gwirioneddol i gymunedau lleol. Cynigiaf y gwelliant yn ffurfiol yn awr.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 60

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 60

Order. We will come to that later.

Trefn. Deuwn at hynny’n ddiweddarach.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 60

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 60

We will not support the amendment for the reasons previously cited: that is, what it proposes is already covered by the regulations. These regulations are enabling measures that will allow improvements to local government structures. There is hardly a county councillor whom I meet these days who does not complain about the restrictive process that the Act placed upon them. They feel excluded rather than included in local government. I am pleased that Liberal Democrats in both Houses of Parliament fought to introduce the fourth option. Powys County Council, in its wisdom, adopted that option. I am sure that more councils will follow suit once the Labour barons realise the error of their ways. In supporting these regulations, I welcome the greater transparency that they will bring to councils.

Ni chefnogwn y gwelliant am y rhesymau a grybwyllwyd eisoes: sef bod y rheoliadau eisoes yn gofalu am yr hyn a gynigir. Mae’r rheoliadau hyn yn fesurau galluogi a fydd yn caniatáu gwelliannau yn strwythurau llywodraeth leol. Prin bod yr un cynghorydd sir y cyfarfyddaf ag ef y dyddiau hyn nad yw’n cwyno am y broses gyfyngol y mae’r Ddeddf hon wedi ei chreu iddynt. Teimlant eu bod wedi’u hallgáu yn hytrach na’u cynnwys mewn llywodraeth leol. Yr wyf yn falch bod y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn nau Dŷ’r Senedd wedi ymladd i gyflwyno’r pedwerydd dewis. Mae Cyngor Sir Powys, yn ei ddoethineb, wedi mabwysiadu’r dewis hwnnw. Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd rhagor o gynghorau’n gwneud yr un peth wedi i’r barwniaid Llafur weld eu camgymeriad. Wrth gefnogi’r rheoliadau hyn, croesawaf y tryloywder mwy y byddant yn ei ddwyn i’r cynghorau.

Edwina Hart The Finance Minister spoken in English p. 60

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 60

I do not accept William Graham’s points as I believe that the system has bedded down and worked well in Wales. Local government will welcome these regulations because they will allow councils to address the minor problems that have come to light during the process of bedding down the new structures. Local authorities have approached me on this issue and I have tried to help them with the system as much as possible. I say to Janet that I would like to do the same in terms of the restrictions that now exist.

Nid wyf yn derbyn pwyntiau William Graham gan y credaf fod y system wedi ymsefydlu ac wedi gweithio’n dda yng Nghymru. Bydd llywodraeth leol yn croesawu’r rheoliadau hyn gan y byddant yn caniatáu i’r cynghorau ymdrin â’r mân broblemau a ddaeth i’r golwg wrth i’r strwythurau newydd ymsefydlu. Mae awdurdodau lleol wedi dod ataf ynghylch y mater hwn ac yr wyf wedi ceisio eu helpu â’r system gymaint ag yr oedd modd. Dywedaf wrth Janet yr hoffwn wneud yr un peth o ran y cyfyngiadau sy’n bod yn awr.

It is only right and proper that local authorities should not be able to change their model or make fundamental changes without my consent. However, if necessary, we could consider including in future regulations a power of direction to force authorities to consult before deciding on a change to their constitutions. Despite the protests from some directions, I am satisfied with the structural changes that we have introduced; they give the system a degree of flexibility. It is important to recognise that local government has worked well within the new arrangements put in place in Wales. I urge Members to reject the amendment and support the motions.

Mae’n gwbl briodol na ddylai awdurdodau lleol allu newid eu model neu wneud newidiadau sylfaenol heb fy nghydsyniad i. Er hynny, os bydd angen, gallem ystyried cynnwys pŵer cyfarwyddo mewn rheoliadau yn y dyfodol i orfodi awdurdodau i ymgynghori cyn penderfynu ar newid i’w cyfansoddiad. Er gwaethaf y protestiadau o rai cyfeiriadau, yr wyf yn fodlon ar y newidiadau strwythurol a gyflwynasom; maent yn rhoi rhywfaint o hyblygrwydd i’r system. Mae’n bwysig cydnabod bod llywodraeth leol wedi gweithio’n dda o fewn y trefniadau newydd a sefydlwyd yng Nghymru. Anogaf yr Aelodau i wrthod y gwelliant a chefnogi’r cynigion.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 61

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 61

I call on the Minister to propose the motion to approve the regulations.

Galwaf ar y Gweinidog i gynnig y cynnig i gymeradwyo’r rheoliadau.

Edwina Hart The Finance Minister spoken in English p. 61

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 61

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 61

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 61

I have selected amendment 1 in the name of Jonathan Morgan to NDM1217 and call on William Graham to propose it.

Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliant 1 yn enw Jonathan Morgan i NDM1217, a galwaf ar William Graham i’w gynnig.

William Graham spoken in English p. 61

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 61

I propose amendment 1 in the name of Jonathan Morgan. Add a third point:

Cynigiaf welliant 1 yn enw Jonathan Morgan. Ychwanegu trydydd pwynt:

Cynnig NDM1216 Edwina Hart t. 61

Motion NDM1216 Edwina Hart p. 61

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 30 YmatalAbstain 12 Yn erbynAgainst 8

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (30)
  • 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
  • Huw Lewis
  • Val Lloyd
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
YmatalAbstain (12)
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • Janet Ryder
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (8)
  • Nick Bourne
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • David Ian Jones
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers

Gwelliant 1 William Graham t. 62

Amendment 1 William Graham p. 62

GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 9 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 42

Gwthodwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment rejected.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (9)
  • Nick Bourne
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • William Graham
  • David Ian Jones
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
Yn erbynAgainst (42)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • Val Lloyd
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Cynnig NDM1217 Edwina Hart t. 63

Motion NDM1217 Edwina Hart p. 63

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 28 YmatalAbstain 12 Yn erbynAgainst 9

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (28)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Peter Black
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • 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
  • Huw Lewis
  • Val Lloyd
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
YmatalAbstain (12)
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • Janet Ryder
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (9)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Alun Cairns
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • David Ian Jones
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers

Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair am 4.07 p.m.

The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair at 4.07 p.m.

Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Y Blaid Geidwadol)

Minority Party Debate (The Conservative Party)

Ysbytai Sefydledig y Gwasanaeth Iechyd Gwladol

National Health Service Foundation Hospitals

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 64

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 64

I have selected amendments 1 and 2 in the name of Carwyn Jones.

Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliannau 1 a 2 yn enw Carwyn Jones.

David Melding spoken in English p. 64

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 64

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

David Melding (continued) spoken in English p. 64

David Melding (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 64

Members will know that the establishment of foundation hospitals was a key element of the Queen’s Speech delivered last week. It is important that this policy development be extended to Wales, either in Mr Milburn’s measures or via the NHS (Wales) Bill. Some Members may ask why we should follow England. That is a fair question, as it would be perfectly legitimate to develop a different policy in Wales. However, any difference between England and Wales in such a major policy area has to be fully justified and the people of Wales must be told why the course we are following in Wales is different from that to be followed in England. The course to be taken in England is regarded as fundamental to the delivery of effective NHS hospital care in the twenty-first century.

Bydd yr Aelodau’n gwybod bod sefydlu ysbytai sefydledig yn elfen allweddol yn Araith y Frenhines a draddodwyd yr wythnos diwethaf. Mae’n bwysig estyn y datblygiad polisi hwn i Gymru, un ai drwy fesurau Mr Milburn neu drwy Fesur GIG (Cymru). Efallai y bydd rhai Aelodau’n gofyn pam y dylem ddilyn Lloegr. Mae hwnnw’n gwestiwn teg, gan y byddai’n gwbl gyfiawn datblygu polisi gwahanol yng Nghymru. Fodd bynnag, rhaid llwyr gyfiawnhau unrhyw wahaniaeth rhwng Cymru a Lloegr mewn maes polisi mor bwysig a rhaid dweud wrth bobl Cymru pam y mae’r llwybr yr ydym yn ei ddilyn yng Nghymru’n wahanol i’r un sydd i’w ddilyn yn Lloegr. Ystyrir bod y llwybr a ddilynir yn Lloegr yn hanfodol i ddarparu gofal effeithiol mewn ysbytai GIG yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain.

Members may gain a better understanding of the issue if I explain the status of foundation hospitals. The foundation hospital model is different to the current model under classic Labour, or whatever the First Minister now calls the Labour Party in Wales. Foundation hospitals would be financially autonomous, non-profit-making organisations that would have to use all their finances for the delivery of NHS healthcare. They would also be independent of Government interference. It is important to acknowledge that the hospitals would be licensed and regulated. I had hoped that the hospitals would have the right to borrow, but it seems that Mr Milburn did not quite win that argument with the Chancellor. Perhaps the Chancellor is the last person who can save the Labour Party in Wales, as I fear that the Prime Minister is already condemning Labour Party policy in Wales and its highly centralised, socialist approach.

Efallai y bydd yr Aelodau’n deall y pwnc yn well os egluraf statws ysbytai sefydledig. Mae model yr ysbyty sefydledig yn wahanol i’r model presennol dan Lafur clasurol, neu beth bynnag y mae Prif Weinidog Cymru’n galw’r Blaid Lafur yng Nghymru’n awr. Byddai ysbytai sefydledig yn gyrff ariannol ymreolus nad ydynt yn gwneud elw a fyddai’n gorfod defnyddio eu holl gyllid i ddarparu gofal iechyd y GIG. Byddent yn annibynnol hefyd ar ymyrraeth y Llywodraeth. Mae’n bwysig cydnabod y câi’r ysbytai eu trwyddedu a’u rheoleiddio. Yr oeddwn wedi gobeithio y câi’r ysbytai yr hawl i fenthyca, ond ymddengys nad oedd Mr Milburn wedi llwyr ennill y ddadl honno â’r Canghellor. Efallai mai’r Canghellor yw’r un olaf a all achub y Blaid Lafur yng Nghymru, oherwydd mae arnaf ofn bod y Prif Weinidog eisoes yn collfarnu polisi’r Blaid Lafur yng Nghymru a’i hymagwedd sosialaidd, dra chanoledig.

Dafydd Wigley spoken in English p. 65

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 65

You said that all resources would have to be used for the delivery of NHS healthcare. Does that rule out the use of facilities in such institutions for private practice?

Dywedasoch y byddai’n rhaid defnyddio’r holl adnoddau i ddarparu gofal iechyd GIG. A yw hynny’n dileu’r posibilrwydd o ddefnyddio cyfleusterau mewn sefydliadau o’r fath ar gyfer ymarfer preifat?

David Melding spoken in English p. 65

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 65

I do not want to discuss private practice. It is probably better if that is not confused with what we are proposing. If private practice were delivered in NHS facilities, we could compromise the principle involved. It could only ever be justified if NHS care would stand to gain significantly from the resources generated. I emphasise that foundation hospitals would follow partnership with the private sector. For instance, in the provision of effective elective care, hospitals could enter into contracts with the private sector and deliver such care locally using such facilities. That would be an important aspect of provision. The foundation hospital model offers a different way of proceeding from the socialist model that currently has free rein in Wales. New Labour has at least returned to the old concept of autonomous trusts, which were being developed under the Conservative Party when it was in Government, and moved forward in the early 1990s.

Nid wyf am drafod ymarfer preifat. Mae’n debyg ei bod yn well peidio â’i gymysgu â’r hyn yr ydym yn ei gynnig. Os câi ymarfer preifat ei ddarparu mewn cyfleusterau GIG, gallem beryglu’r egwyddor dan sylw. Ni ellid ond ei gyfiawnhau os gallai gofal GIG elwa’n sylweddol ar yr adnoddau a gynhyrchid. Pwysleisiaf y byddai ysbytai sefydledig yn dilyn partneriaeth â’r sector preifat. Er enghraifft, wrth ddarparu gofal dewisol effeithiol, gallai ysbytai wneud cytundeb â’r sector preifat a darparu gofal o’r fath yn lleol gan ddefnyddio cyfleusterau o’r fath. Byddai hynny’n agwedd bwysig ar ddarparu. Mae model yr ysbyty sefydledig yn cynnig dull gwahanol o weithredu i’r model sosialaidd sy’n cael rhwydd hynt yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd. Mae Llafur Newydd o leiaf wedi mynd yn ôl at yr hen gysyniad o ymddiriedolaethau ymreolus, a oedd yn cael eu datblygu dan y Blaid Geidwadol pan oedd mewn Llywodraeth, ac wedi symud ymlaen ddechrau’r 1990au.

I give New Labour two cheers, but it has not gone far enough. A problem with the Labour Party’s proposals in England is that they will only be extended to a limited number of hospitals in the first instance. However, since the criticism was made that a two-tier system could occur because foundation status would not be universal and open to all NHS hospitals, the Department of Health has said that it expects all hospitals in England to go down this route and have foundation status within five to 10 years. That is what will be done in England. In Wales, the concept of foundation hospitals will not be followed, now or in future, if the Labour Party remains in control.

Rhoddaf ddwy floedd i Lafur Newydd, ond nid yw wedi mynd yn ddigon pell. Un broblem ynghylch cynigion y Blaid Lafur yn Lloegr yw na fyddant ond yn cynnwys nifer fach o ysbytai yn y lle cyntaf. Fodd bynnag, oherwydd y feirniadaeth y gallai system ddwy haen godi am na fyddai statws ysbyty sefydledig yn gyffredin ac yn agored i’r holl ysbytai GIG, mae’r Adran Iechyd wedi dweud ei bod yn disgwyl y bydd yr holl ysbytai yn Lloegr yn dilyn y llwybr hwn ac yn meddu ar statws ysbyty sefydledig o fewn pump i 10 mlynedd. Dyna a wneir yn Lloegr. Yng Nghymru, ni ddilynir y cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig, yn awr nac yn y dyfodol, os bydd y Blaid Lafur yn dal i reoli.

The concept of foundation status has been backed by the British Medical Association and the NHS federation. Naturally, the BMA wants more details, which is a fair point. Dr Ian Bogle welcomed

Cefnogwyd y cysyniad o statws ysbyty sefydledig gan y Gymdeithas Feddygol Brydeinig a ffederasiwn y GIG. Wrth gwrs, mae’r gymdeithas am gael rhagor o fanylion, ac mae hynny’n bwynt teg. Yr oedd Dr Ian Bogle yn croesawu

‘the escape from unnecessary bureaucracy, and an unfettered ability to develop new ways of delivering better patient care. These freedoms ought to be available to all hospitals’.

y ddihangfa oddi wrth fiwrocratiaeth ddiangen, a gallu dilyffethair i ddatblygu dulliau newydd o ddarparu gofal gwell ar gyfer cleifion. Dylai’r rhyddid hwn fod ar gael i’r holl ysbytai.

The Welsh Conservatives’ policy is that the freedoms would be available to all hospitals. That is an important difference. The Conservative Party is united in wanting to extend this principle to all hospitals, whereas the Labour Party in England will limit it in the first instance and, as far as we know, the Labour Party in Wales will not go down this route at all. The Labour/Liberal Democrat Government is determined to preserve what I consider to be a highly centralised, bureaucratic and socialist model. We are not being pejorative about this, as many people would argue that a socialist model is the best model to deliver universal NHS healthcare. However, it must be justified. In our view, this model is not succeeding and neither is it the best way to secure universal healthcare, which, I assume, is the ultimate objective for every Member. Plaid Cymru seems to agree with a socialist model but it is likely to propose a different structure. I say ‘likely’ because, for Plaid Cymru, this is work in progress, which is slightly bizarre in the run up to Assembly elections. However, it seems that it will propose a system using 15 of the old-style health authorities that existed before the reforms of the late 1980s. I do not think that that will work, but Plaid Cymru will have to justify its policy to the electorate.

Polisi Ceidwadwyr Cymru yw y byddai’r rhyddid hwnnw ar gael i’r holl ysbytai. Mae hynny’n wahaniaeth pwysig. Mae’r Blaid Geidwadol yn unfryd yn ei dymuniad i estyn yr egwyddor hon i’r holl ysbytai, tra bydd y Blaid Lafur yn Lloegr yn cyfyngu arni yn y lle cyntaf a, hyd y gwyddom, ni fydd y Blaid Lafur yng Nghymru yn dilyn y llwybr hwn o gwbl. Mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur/Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn benderfynol o gadw’r hyn a ystyriaf fi’n fodel sosialaidd, biwrocrataidd a thra chanoledig. Nid ydym yn siarad yn ddifrïol am hyn, gan y byddai llawer yn dadlau mai model sosialaidd yw’r un gorau i ddarparu gofal iechyd GIG ar gyfer pawb. Fodd bynnag, rhaid ei gyfiawnhau. Yn ein barn ni, nid yw’r model hwn yn llwyddo ac nid hwn ychwaith yw’r dull gorau o sicrhau gofal iechyd i bawb, sef y prif amcan sydd gan bob Aelod, yr wyf yn tybio. Ymddengys fod Plaid Cymru’n cyd-fynd â model sosialaidd ond ei bod yn debygol o gynnig strwythur gwahanol. Dywedaf ‘yn debygol’ oherwydd, yn achos Plaid Cymru, mae’n rhywbeth sydd ar y gweill, sydd braidd yn rhyfedd ac etholiadau’r Cynulliad yn dynesu. Fodd bynnag, mae’n ymddangos y bydd yn cynnig system sy’n defnyddio 15 o’r awdurdodau iechyd hen ffasiwn a fodolai cyn y diwygiadau ddiwedd y 1980au. Ni chredaf y bydd hynny’n gweithio, ond bydd yn rhaid i Blaid Cymru gyfiawnhau ei pholisi i’r etholwyr.

It is good that the Welsh electorate will have clear alternatives from which to choose when they vote in the Assembly election in May 2003. The Conservative Party will propose a full foundation hospital model, taking the policy even further than New Labour will take it in England.

Mae’n beth da y bydd gan etholwyr Cymru ddewisiadau pendant wrth bleidleisio yn etholiad y Cynulliad ym Mai 2003. Bydd y Blaid Geidwadol yn cynnig model ysbytai sefydledig llawn, gan fynd â’r polisi ymhellach byth nag a wnaiff Llafur Newydd yn Lloegr.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in English p. 67

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 67

It is always difficult to react when David proposes such ideas, as this is the ‘David Melding caring-sharing’ form of Conservative philosophy, which is the almost-acceptable face of the Conservative Party in Wales. Unfortunately, we remember what the Conservative Party did to the health service in Wales. The Minister for Health and Social Services and the current Labour administration have, unfortunately, continued that trend. Why will you not invest in a health service that everyone can access on the basis of need, rather than move towards a two-tier system under which some people will receive an excellent service while others will be left with no service whatsoever?

Mae bob amser yn anodd ymateb pan yw David yn cynnig syniadau o’r fath, gan mai ffurf ofalgar gyfrannog David Melding ar athroniaeth Geidwadol yw hon, sef wyneb bron yn dderbyniol y Blaid Geidwadol yng Nghymru. Gwaetha’r modd, cofiwn yr hyn a wnaeth y Blaid Geidwadol i’r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru. Yn anffodus, mae’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a’r weinyddiaeth Lafur bresennol wedi parhau â’r tuedd hwnnw. Pam na wnewch fuddsoddi mewn gwasanaeth iechyd y gall pawb ei ddefnyddio ar sail angen, yn hytrach na symud tuag at system ddwy haen lle y bydd rhai’n cael gwasanaeth rhagorol ac eraill yn cael eu gadael heb wasanaeth o gwbl?

David Melding spoken in English p. 67

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 67

I deny that it would be a two-tier system. The challenge facing us is how we can deliver effective, universal and timely hospital care, a system which people can be confident will provide them with a service when they need it. The current system is failing people, and I believe that a new system, based on the foundation hospital concept, would have a good chance of succeeding. It would, unfortunately, be compromised under a Labour Government. However, under a Welsh Conservative Government it would regenerate the NHS, thus leading to the preservation of universal healthcare, which is the fundamental principle in which we believe.

Gwadaf y byddai’n system ddwy haen. Yr her a wynebwn yw sut y gallwn ddarparu gofal ysbyty effeithiol, amserol ar gyfer pawb, system y gall pobl fod yn ffyddiog y bydd yn rhoi gwasanaeth iddynt pan fo arnynt ei angen. Mae’r system bresennol yn siomi pobl, a chredaf y byddai system newydd, yn seiliedig ar gysyniad yr ysbyty sefydledig, yn debygol o lwyddo. Gwaetha’r modd, byddai dan fygythiad o dan Lywodraeth Lafur. Fodd bynnag, dan Lywodraeth Geidwadol yng Nghymru byddai’n adfywio’r GIG, gan arwain at gadw gofal iechyd i bawb, sef yr egwyddor hanfodol y credwn ynddi.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 68

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 68

Gadewch inni fod yn ymarferol ynglŷn â hyn, ac ystyried y De-orllewin, lle y ceir tair ymddiriedolaeth a phedwar ysbyty cyffredinol—yn Llanelli, Caerfyrddin, Hwlffordd ac Aberystwyth. Pe gwneid un o’r ysbytai hynny yn ysbyty sefydledig, beth fyddai’r effaith ar yr ysbytai eraill?

Let us view this in practical terms, and consider south-west Wales, where there are three trusts and four general hospitals—in Llanelli, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Aberystwyth. If one of those hospitals were to be designated a foundation hospital, what would be the effect on the other hospitals?

David Melding spoken in English p. 68

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 68

It is vital that the current structure of general hospitals, which I define as a hospital with an accident and emergency department, is maintained. There is no agenda to cut the number. I state that absolutely. The number of acute general hospitals with accident and emergency facilities will be the same under this system—

Mae’n hollbwysig cadw’r strwythur presennol o ysbytai cyffredinol, sef ysbyty ag adran ddamweiniau ac achosion brys, yn ôl fy niffiniad i. Nid oes bwriad i gwtogi’r nifer. Yr wyf yn datgan hynny’n ddiamod. Bydd y nifer o ysbytai cyffredinol aciwt â chyfleusterau damweiniau ac achosion brys yr un peth o dan y system hon—

Cynog Dafis a gododd—

Cynog Dafis rose—

David Melding spoken in English p. 68

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 68

I am not giving way again. I have spoken for eight and a half minutes. If you speak in this debate, Cynog, I will try to intervene and address this issue further.

Nid wyf am ildio eto. Yr wyf wedi siarad am wyth munud a hanner. Os siaradwch yn y ddadl hon, Cynog, ceisiaf ymyrryd ac ymdrin â’r mater ymhellach.

Is the current system working under Labour? Can we have confidence in this highly bureaucratic, socialist model? Despite the rapid increase in health expenditure—and it has been rapid, unprecedented even—fewer patients are treated now than before the advent of the Assembly. That is a terrible condemnation of the performance of the Assembly Government to date. In-patient activity during the last year has fallen by 1 per cent and new out-patient activity in the last year has fallen by 1.5 per cent, despite the record levels of expenditure. Productivity in the NHS is now at its lowest level for a decade.

A yw’r system bresennol yn gweithio o dan Lafur? A allwn ymddiried yn y model sosialaidd, tra biwrocrataidd hwn? Er gwaethaf y cynnydd sydyn yn y gwariant ar iechyd—bu’n sydyn, ac yn ddigyffelyb hyd yn oed—caiff llai o gleifion eu trin yn awr na chyn dyfodiad y Cynulliad. Mae hynny’n gondemniad ofnadwy ar berfformiad Llywodraeth y Cynulliad hyd yn hyn. Mae’r gweithgaredd cleifion mewnol yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf wedi gostwng o 1 y cant ac mae gweithgaredd cleifion allanol newydd yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf wedi gostwng o 1.5 y cant, er gwaethaf y gwariant mwyaf erioed. Mae cynhyrchiant yn y GIG ar ei isaf ers degawd yn awr.

Labour has succeeded in one area: the number of bureaucrats has vastly increased at three times the rate of doctors and nurses. There are 9 per cent more bureaucrats under the Labour Party compared with 3 per cent more front-line staff. At least there has been some increase, but nothing like the level of increase for bureaucrats. However, there is a high vacancy rate among front-line staff, which is at record levels and is a running problem.

Mae Llafur wedi llwyddo mewn un maes: mae nifer y biwrocratiaid wedi cynyddu’n aruthrol, dair gwaith yn gyflymach na nifer y meddygon a’r nyrsys. Mae 9 y cant yn fwy o fiwrocratiaid o dan y Blaid Lafur o’i gymharu â 3 y cant yn fwy o staff rheng flaen. Bu rhywfaint o gynnydd o leiaf, ond dim byd tebyg i’r cynnydd yn nifer y biwrocratiaid. Er hynny, mae cyfradd uchel o swyddi gwag yn y staff rheng flaen, sydd ar ei huchaf erioed ac yn broblem barhaus.

Waiting lists, as we know, have soared under the Labour Party. The Minister for Health and Social Services proposed to reduce in-patient waiting lists to 65,500 by March 2001. Currently, that figure is 72,400. Long after March 2001, she has failed to deliver on her commitment—waiting list figures are now running at way over her promise. Out-patient waiting lists have increased from 101,000 in 1997 to 238,000 today. That is a staggering increase.

Fel y gwyddom, mae’r rhestrau aros wedi codi i’r entrychion o dan y Blaid Lafur. Cynigiodd y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol leihau’r rhestrau aros i gleifion mewnol i 65,500 erbyn Mawrth 2001. Ar hyn o bryd, y ffigur hwnnw yw 72,400. Ymhell ar ôl Mawrth 2001, mae wedi methu â chyflawni ei hymrwymiad—mae ffigurau’r rhestr aros yn uwch o lawer na’r hyn a addawodd. Mae’r rhestrau aros i gleifion allanol wedi codi o 101,000 yn 1997 i 238,000 heddiw. Mae hwnnw’n gynnydd syfrdanol.

What about the way forward? Some people suggest that we should not have foundation status in Wales because we could do things differently and that you cannot go down this route if you want an effective universal service. Foundation hospitals are popular in Europe where there is universal healthcare. They are used in Denmark and Sweden—Denmark is a small country and Sweden is smallish. They are also used in Spain, so this model has been endorsed across Europe. It is the only way to regenerate the effectiveness of hospital NHS healthcare in this country. Not only is the NHS safe in the hands of the Welsh Conservative Party, but only in our hands can we have effective NHS hospital care for the twenty-first century. Ours is the only party with the vision to secure this outstanding public policy priority.

Beth am y ffordd ymlaen? Mae rhai’n awgrymu na ddylem gael statws ysbyty sefydledig yng Nghymru am y gallem wneud pethau’n wahanol ac na allwch ddilyn y llwybr hwn os ydych am gael gwasanaeth effeithiol i bawb. Mae ysbytai sefydledig yn boblogaidd yn Ewrop lle y ceir gofal iechyd i bawb. Fe’u defnyddir yn Nenmarc a Sweden—mae Denmarc yn wlad fechan ac mae Sweden yn eithaf bach. Fe’u defnyddir hefyd yn Sbaen, felly mae’r model hwn wedi’i gymeradwyo ledled Ewrop. Hwn yw’r unig fodd i ail-greu effeithiolrwydd gofal iechyd y GIG mewn ysbytai yn y wlad hon. Nid yn unig y mae’r GIG yn ddiogel yn nwylo Plaid Geidwadol Cymru, ond dim ond yn ein dwylo ni y gallwn gael gofal ysbyty GIG effeithiol ar gyfer yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Ein plaid ni yw’r unig un a chanddi’r weledigaeth i sicrhau’r flaenoriaeth polisi cyhoeddus eithriadol hon.

Our policy is to have 15 foundation hospitals; to answer Cynog’s question about whether we would cut the number of trusts—we would not. We would have 22 primary care trusts. Primary care continues to be an effective service in this country, thankfully, although it needs careful nurturing to ensure that it does not encounter the kind of crisis that we have recently experienced in hospital care. We would also have an all-Wales independent health body, giving new hope to the patients of Wales. The only hope for an effective NHS at hospital level is to implement this sort of dramatic change in terms of moving away from the socialist model of the Minister for Health and Social Services—a change that will secure effective care for the people of Wales.

Ein polisi ni yw cael 15 ysbyty sefydledig; er mwyn ateb cwestiwn Cynog ynghylch a fyddem yn torri’r nifer o ymddiriedolaethau—ni fyddem. Byddem yn cael 22 ymddiriedolaeth gofal sylfaenol. Mae gofal sylfaenol yn dal i fod yn wasanaeth effeithiol yn y wlad hon, diolch byth, er bod angen ei feithrin yn ofalus i sicrhau nad yw’n profi’r math o argyfwng a gawsom yn ddiweddar mewn gofal ysbyty. Byddem hefyd yn cael corff iechyd annibynnol i Gymru gyfan, gan roi gobaith newydd i gleifion Cymru. Yr unig obaith i gael GIG effeithiol ar lefel yr ysbytai yw newid trawiadol o’r math hwn yng nghyd-destun symud oddi wrth fodel sosialaidd y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol—newid a fydd yn sicrhau gofal effeithiol i bobl Cymru.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 70

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

While you are in full sail, will you confirm that the NHS under your scheme will be fully funded through general taxation?

Tra yr ydych yn yr hwyl, a wnewch gadarnhau y caiff y GIG dan eich cynllun chi ei ariannu’n llawn drwy drethiant cyffredinol?

David Melding spoken in English p. 70

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

Absolutely. I am glad you have given me the opportunity to address that issue. The NHS needs to be funded fully through taxation and any talk of different funding streams would only confuse matters at the moment and raise all sorts of spectres. We do not want that to happen. We want to reform the structure of the NHS so that it is an effective service.

Yn hollol. Yr wyf yn falch eich bod wedi rhoi cyfle imi ymdrin â’r mater hwnnw. Rhaid ariannu’r GIG yn llawn drwy drethiant ac ni fyddai unrhyw sôn am wahanol lifoedd ariannu ond yn drysu pethau ar hyn o bryd ac yn codi pob math o fwganod. Nid ydym am i hynny ddigwydd. Yr ydym am ddiwygio strwythur y GIG fel ei fod yn wasanaeth effeithiol.

The amendments are slightly timid. I suspect that there is a lingering respect from the Business Minister for our motion. If those amendments are carried, we will abstain. I will not give the Business Minister the opportunity to say that we voted against the current structure of general hospitals. We would preserve that. However, it needs to be reformed and based on the foundation hospital basis.

Mae’r gwelliannau braidd yn ddifenter. Yr wyf yn amau bod parch oediog gan y Trefnydd at ein cynnig. Os derbynnir y gwelliannau hynny, byddwn yn ymatal rhag pleidleisio. Ni roddaf gyfle i’r Trefnydd ddweud ein bod wedi pleidleisio yn erbyn strwythur presennol yr ysbytai cyffredinol. Byddem yn cadw hwnnw. Serch hynny, rhaid ei ddiwygio a’i seilio ar ysbytai sefydledig.

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 70

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

I propose amendment 1 in the name of Carwyn Jones. Delete ‘endorses’, in the first line after ‘Assembly’ and replace with ‘notes’.

Cynigiaf welliant 1 yn enw Carwyn Jones. Dileu ‘cymeradwyo’ yn y llinell gyntaf ar ôl ‘Cynulliad’ a rhoi ‘nodi’ yn ei le.

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services (continued) spoken in English p. 70

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

I propose amendment 2. At the end of the motion add:

Cynigiaf welliant 2. Ar ddiwedd y cynnig, ychwanegu:

David Lloyd spoken in English p. 70

David Lloyd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

As we have all been so keen to read each other’s policies and manifestos in recent weeks, I begin with a quote:

Gan y buom oll mor awyddus i ddarllen polisïau a maniffestos ein gilydd yn yr wythnosau diweddar, dechreuaf â dyfyniad:

‘The Government believes that self-government for hospitals will encourage a stronger sense of local ownership and pride, building on the enormous fund of goodwill that exists in local communities. It will stimulate commitment and harness the skills of those who are directly responsible for providing services.’

Mae’r Llywodraeth yn credu y bydd hunanlywodraeth i ysbytai’n hybu ymdeimlad cryfach o berchnogaeth a balchder lleol, gan adeiladu ar sail y stôr enfawr o ewyllys da a geir mewn cymunedau lleol. Bydd yn ysgogi ymrwymiad ac yn harneisio sgiliau’r rhai sy’n uniongyrchol gyfrifol am ddarparu gwasanaethau.

Guess who said that. Tony Blair? Alan Milburn on foundation hospitals? Could be. It sounds so much like New Labour. It is, in fact, from ‘Working for Patients’—the solid, squalid Conservative document, which inaugurated the discredited internal market in the NHS in 1989. Clearly, the Tories endorse the concept of foundation hospitals because it has been one of their aims for over a decade. Now New Labour are putting old Tory thought into effect. The Tories are clear: foundation hospitals are a step along the road to the break-up and privatisation of the NHS.

Dyfalwch bwy a ddywedodd hynny. Tony Blair? Alan Milburn wrth sôn am ysbytai sefydledig? Efallai. Mae’n swnio mor debyg i Lafur Newydd. Mewn gwirionedd, daw o ‘Working for Patients’—y ddogfen Geidwadol ddisigl a gwael, a gychwynnodd farchnad fewnol ddigredyd y GIG yn 1989. Mae’n amlwg bod y Torïaid yn cymeradwyo’r cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig gan y bu yn un o’u hamcanion ers dros ddegawd. Bellach mae Llafur Newydd yn rhoi hen syniadau’r Torïaid ar waith. Mae’r Torïaid yn glir: mae ysbytai sefydledig yn gam ar y ffordd at chwalu a phreifateiddio’r GIG.

We, in Plaid Cymru, are clear. We oppose the concept of foundation hospitals because we agree with the Tories that it will result in exactly what they state. Plaid Cymru will vote against this motion because the concept of foundation hospitals is the antithesis of everything that we believe the health service should be. Foundation hospitals are stand-alone, self-financing institutions. They will be outside the control of the Department of Health and semi-detached from the NHS. Their financial and clinical guidelines will be set by the powerful lobbies within them. They will fragment care, hamper strategic regional planning and concentrate on quicker, easier, cheaper surgery to keep their privileged status. If you live near a foundation hospital, do not have a complicated illness, do not be elderly and do not be mentally ill. Foundation status will only be given to the best hospitals, laying the foundations for a two-tier system of healthcare. Poor you if you find yourself in one of the poor hospitals if this is implemented. We have been here before in health, education and the economy. The strong get stronger at the expense of the weak: redistribution that is most perverse—Robin Hood in reverse.

Yr ydym ni, ym Mhlaid Cymru, yn glir. Gwrthwynebwn y cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig am ein bod yn cytuno â’r Torïaid y bydd yn arwain at yr union beth y maent yn ei ddatgan. Bydd Plaid Cymru yn pleidleisio yn erbyn y cynnig hwn gan fod y cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig yn groes i bopeth y credwn y dylai’r gwasanaeth iechyd fod. Mae ysbytai sefydledig yn sefydliadau annibynnol sy’n eu hariannu eu hun. Byddant y tu hwnt i reolaeth yr Adran Iechyd ac yn lled-wahanedig oddi wrth y GIG. Pennir eu canllawiau ariannol a chlinigol gan y grwpiau lobïo pwerus oddi mewn iddynt. Byddant yn rhoi gofal tameidiog, yn llesteirio cynllunio rhanbarthol strategol ac yn canolbwyntio ar lawdriniaeth gyflymach, haws a rhatach er mwyn cadw eu statws breintiedig. Os ydych yn byw ger ysbyty sefydledig, peidiwch â bod â salwch cymhleth, peidiwch â bod yn hen a pheidiwch â bod yn sâl eich meddwl. Dim ond i’r ysbytai gorau y rhoddir statws sefydledig, gan osod y sylfaen i system ddwy haen o ofal iechyd. Druan ohonoch os cewch eich hun yn un o’r ysbytai tlawd os gweithredir hyn. Gwelsom hyn o’r blaen ym meysydd iechyd, addysg a’r economi. Mae’r cryf yn ymgryfhau ar draul y gwan: yr ailddosbarthu mwyaf gwrthnysig—Twm Siôn Cati o chwith.

Therefore, our case is clear. We will not endorse the concept or the practice—we oppose it completely. What about New Labour in Wales? Where does it stand and what does it make of foundation hospitals? It notes foundation hospitals—what wonderful clarity of vision, what depth of principles, what admirable responsibility. What an unedifying spectacle, hopping from one foot to the other, trying to brush the issue under the carpet and get away with noting the concept of foundation hospitals as if it were trivial and unimportant. It tries to run with the hare and the hounds—a lesson it is learning from Alun Michael in his new job. It tries to please Millbank, knowing that its supporters here will not wear it. It is caught. Imagine the debate in the New Labour group this week—which way do we go? What do we say? How do we get out of this?

Felly, mae ein dadl yn un glir. Ni wnawn gefnogi na’r cysyniad na’r arfer—yr ydym yn ei wrthwynebu’n llwyr. Beth am Lafur Newydd yng Nghymru? Beth yw ei safbwynt ef a beth yw ei farn am ysbytai sefydledig? Mae’n nodi ysbytai sefydledig—am weledigaeth ryfeddol o eglur, am egwyddorion cadarn, am gyfrifoldeb rhagorol. Am olygfa ddinistriol, sefyll ar y naill droed ar ôl y llall, ceisio rhoi’r mater o’r golwg a dianc drwy nodi’r cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig fel pe bai’n fater dibwys. Mae’n ceisio rhedeg gyda’r cadno a hela gyda’r cŵn—gwers y mae’n ei dysgu gan Alun Michael yn ei swydd newydd. Mae’n ceisio bodloni Millbank, gan wybod na fydd ei gefnogwyr yma’n ei oddef. Mae wedi’i ddal. Dychmygwch y ddadl ymysg y grŵp Llafur Newydd yr wythnos hon—i ba ffordd yr awn? Beth a ddywedwn? Sut y gwnawn ddianc rhag hyn?

I challenge the Government: is the concept of foundation hospitals a good or bad one? I want straight answers. However, I am sure I will not get them. After all, what can you expect from a Government whose answer to the worst health statistics is to press for lock, stock and barrel restructuring? Eighty-three thousand people have been waiting over six months to see a consultant. What is the answer to that? The creation of 54 new bodies. Over 250,000 people are on waiting lists in a country with a population of barely 3 million. What is the answer? Local partnership quangos. How my poor, suffering patients love it—the list of poor, suffering patients continues to grow.

Heriaf y Llywodraeth: a yw’r cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig yn un da neu’n un drwg? Yr wyf am gael atebion di-lol. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn siŵr na fyddaf yn eu cael. Wedi’r cwbl, beth y gallwch ei ddisgwyl gan Lywodraeth sy’n ymateb i’r ystadegau iechyd gwaethaf drwy bwyso am ailstrwythuro o’r bôn i’r brig? Bu 83,000 o bobl yn aros dros chwe mis i weld ymgynghorydd. Beth yw’r ateb i hynny? Creu 54 o gyrff newydd. Mae dros 250,000 o bobl ar restrau aros mewn gwlad sydd â phoblogaeth o brin 3 miliwn. Beth yw’r ateb? Cwangos partneriaeth leol. Mor hoff yw fy nghleifion truan, dioddefus o hynny—mae’r rhestr o gleifion truan, dioddefus yn dal i dyfu.

The waiting list increases by 1,000 people a month, every month that this Government is in office. Talk about not sticking to your manifesto: in May 1999, we were promised that waiting lists would be down to zero. What a mess Plaid Cymru will inherit in May. We are clear about what needs to be done. If the 54 pieces are in place, it will be our job to try to get them working together again. Our big idea is capacity. We have just listened to 14 minutes of David Melding. Whatever structure exists will be refocused to deliver more doctors, nurses, health workers and equipment as its main priority.

Mae’r rhestr aros yn cynyddu o 1,000 o bobl bob mis, bob mis y mae’r Llywodraeth hon mewn grym. Sôn am beidio â chadw at eich maniffesto: ym Mai 1999, cawsom addewid y byddai’r rhestrau aros wedi disgyn i sero. Am lanast y bydd Plaid Cymru yn ei etifeddu ym mis Mai. Yr ydym yn glir ynghylch yr hyn y mae angen ei wneud. Os yw’r 54 darn yn eu lle, ein gwaith ni fydd ceisio eu cael i gydweithio eto. Ein syniad mawr ni yw capasiti. Yr ydym newydd wrando ar 14 munud o David Melding. Newidir ffocws pa strwythur bynnag sy’n bodoli fel mai ei brif flaenoriaeth fydd rhoi rhagor o feddygon, nyrsys, gweithwyr iechyd ac offer.

The Tories obviously endorse the concept of foundation hospitals. They are clear, consistent and wrong. Plaid Cymru condemns the concept of foundation hospitals. We are clear, consistent but right. Where does New Labour in Wales stand? It is time to climb off the fence. Tell us—do you agree with the concept of foundation hospitals or not?

Mae’n amlwg bod y Torïaid yn cefnogi’r cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig. Maent yn glir, yn gyson ac yn anghywir. Mae Plaid Cymru’n collfarnu’r cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig. Yr ydym yn glir, yn gyson ond yn gywir. Ym mhle y saif Llafur Newydd yng Nghymru? Mae’n bryd dod oddi ar y gamfa. Dywedwch wrthym—a ydych yn cytuno â’r cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig neu beidio?

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 73

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 73

A very good friend of mine is a GP in mid Wales. Our friendship has survived my awareness that, politically speaking, he is a man of the nationalist-left, and has probably always voted Liberal—that sort of thing happens in mid Wales. Despite that, he enthusiastically supported fundholding and tells me that it changed his attitude towards healthcare management. In Powys, fundholding was very successful—ask GPs if you do not believe me. Before fundholding, my GP friend had been wedded to the command and control philosophy that seems to permeate every utterance from our Minister for Health and Social Services and from our First Minister.

Mae cyfaill da imi’n feddyg teulu yn y Canolbarth. Yr ydym yn dal i fod yn ffrindiau er fy mod yn gwybod ei fod, o ran ei wleidyddiaeth, yn un o genedlaetholwyr y chwith, a’i fod yn pleidleisio dros y Rhyddfrydwyr erioed, yn ôl pob tebyg—mae pethau felly’n digwydd yn y Canolbarth. Er gwaethaf hynny, yr oedd yn frwd o blaid dal cronfeydd a dywed wrthyf fod hynny wedi newid ei agwedd at reoli gofal iechyd. Ym Mhowys, yr oedd dal cronfeydd yn llwyddiannus dros ben—gofynnwch i’r meddygon teulu os nad ydych yn fy ngredu. Cyn dal cronfeydd, yr oedd fy nghyfaill o feddyg teulu wedi ymrwymo i’r athroniaeth gorchymyn a rheoli y mae’n ymddangos ei bod yn hydreiddio pob datganiad gan ein Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a chan ein Prif Weinidog.

I knew that the NHS in Wales faced difficulties, but even I was shocked when my GP friend told me last week that, since the end of fundholding, morale in the NHS—in which he has spent his lifetime working—has fallen so far that he believes that the whole NHS structure will have to be dismantled. I responded that the Conservatives believe in evolution rather than revolution, and want to modernise the NHS by making it more effective without damaging it. Unfortunately, Wales has a First Minister so consumed with encyclopedic detail of people and events in Welsh history that he seems totally unable to cope with any modernising agenda.

Gwyddwn fod y GIG yng Nghymru’n wynebu anawsterau, ond fe’m syfrdanwyd i hyd yn oed pan ddywedodd fy nghyfaill o feddyg teulu wrthyf yr wythnos diwethaf fod y morâl yn y GIG—lle y gweithiodd ar hyd ei oes—wedi disgyn cymaint, ers terfynu dal cronfeydd, fel ei fod yn credu y bydd yn rhaid datgymalu holl strwythur y GIG. Atebais fod y Ceidwadwyr yn credu mewn datblygu yn hytrach na chwyldro, a’n bod am foderneiddio’r GIG drwy ei wneud yn fwy effeithiol heb wneud niwed iddo. Gwaetha’r modd, mae gan Gymru Brif Weinidog sydd wedi ymgolli gymaint mewn manylion hollgynhwysfawr am bobl a digwyddiadau yn hanes Cymru fel ei fod yn gwbl analluog i ymdopi ag unrhyw agenda o foderneiddio.

The position in Wales is deteriorating. I have received a rather ironic letter from the National Blood Service inviting me to give blood; I have been a regular donor for 25 years. The letter thanks me for my support, and informs me that only with my help can the service ensure that patients receive the treatment they need. It states that the National Blood Service is now treating patients within shorter waiting times, and that the supply of blood is essential to this success. Of course, the letter came from Liverpool in England. It could not, accurately, have been written in Wales.

Mae’r sefyllfa yng Nghymru’n dirywio. Cefais lythyr eironig braidd oddi wrth y Gwasanaeth Gwaed Cenedlaethol yn fy ngwahodd i roi gwaed; bûm yn rhoi’n rheolaidd ers 25 mlynedd. Mae’r llythyr yn diolch i mi am fy nghefnogaeth, ac yn fy hysbysu mai dim ond drwy gael fy nghymorth y gall y gwasanaeth sicrhau bod cleifion yn cael y driniaeth y mae arnynt ei hangen. Dywed fod y Gwasanaeth Gwaed Cenedlaethol yn trin cleifion o fewn amseroedd aros byrrach erbyn hyn, a bod y cyflenwad o waed yn hollbwysig i’r llwyddiant hwn. Wrth gwrs, daeth y llythyr o Lerpwl yn Lloegr. Ni allai fod wedi’i ysgrifennu yng Nghymru a bod yn fanwl gywir.

A few weeks ago, I called at a local GP surgery, just after one of the GPs had read his mail. He was so outraged by one letter that he gave me a copy of it, with the patient’s name blacked out, of course. It was from an orthopaedic surgeon at the world-famous Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowen in Shropshire, brutally informing him that his patient could not be treated because he lived in Wales. He would have been treated if he lived in England. This hospital serves the whole of north and mid Wales. I met with the chief executive of the hospital—which is not to be criticised in any way—and it appears that the hospital is contracted to supply a much poorer service in Wales than it is in England and the position is getting worse. The only response that we hear from the Minister for Health and Social Services and from the First Minister is repetition of their unshakeable belief that higher levels of spending in health demonstrates their good faith and commitment. I do not doubt their good faith and commitment, but growing evidence suggests that something should be done to change the approach to healthcare delivery in Wales. To make matters worse, we in Wales can observe the Labour Government at Westminster doing just that. It is beginning to look at ways to introduce patient and consumer-led practices into the NHS and to pluralise the provision of healthcare. Next month we expect to see the first foundation hospital named in England.

Ychydig wythnosau’n ôl, galwais heibio i feddygfa deulu leol, pan oedd un o’r meddygon teulu newydd fod yn darllen ei bost. Yr oedd wedi’i wylltio gymaint gan un llythyr fel y rhoddodd gopi ohono i mi, ac enw’r claf wedi’i dywyllu, wrth gwrs. Yr oedd wedi dod oddi wrth lawfeddyg orthopedig yn yr Ysbyty Orthopedig Robert Jones ac Agnes Hunt byd-enwog yn Gobowen yn sir Amwythig, ac yn ei hysbysu’n greulon na ellid trin ei glaf am ei fod yn byw yng Nghymru. Byddai wedi’i drin pe bai’n byw yn Lloegr. Mae’r ysbyty hwn yn gwasanaethu gogledd a chanolbarth Cymru i gyd. Cyfarfûm â phrif weithredwr yr ysbyty—na ddylid ei feirniadu mewn unrhyw fodd—ac mae’n ymddangos bod yr ysbyty dan gytundeb i ddarparu gwasanaeth gwaelach o lawer yng Nghymru nag y mae yn Lloegr ac mae’r sefyllfa’n gwaethygu. Yr unig ymateb a glywn gan y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a chan y Prif Weinidog yw ailadrodd eu cred ddisigl bod lefelau uwch o wariant ar iechyd yn dangos eu diffuantrwydd a’u hymrwymiad. Nid wyf yn amau eu didwylledd a’u hymrwymiad, ond mae mwy a mwy o dystiolaeth yn awgrymu y dylid gwneud rhywbeth i newid y dull o ddarparu gofal iechyd yng Nghymru. Mae’n gwneud pethau’n waeth ein bod ni yng Nghymru’n gallu gweld y Llywodraeth Lafur yn San Steffan yn gwneud yn union hynny. Mae’n dechrau edrych ar ddulliau o gyflwyno arferion a arweinir gan y claf a’r defnyddiwr yn y GIG ac o luosogi’r ddarpariaeth o ofal iechyd. Y mis nesaf disgwyliwn weld enwi’r ysbyty sefydledig cyntaf yn Lloegr.

Peter Black a gododd—

Peter Black rose—

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 74

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 74

In a second, Peter. The Secretary of State for Health who, at one time seemed terminally infected by the command and control mentality, is now repenting and putting patients before dogma. A lot more patients in Wales will feel better because of it.

Ymhen eiliad, Peter. Mae’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Iechyd, yr ymddangosai ar un adeg ei fod wedi’i heintio y tu hwnt i wella gan y meddylfryd gorchymyn a rheoli, yn syrthio ar ei fai’n awr ac yn rhoi cleifion o flaen dogma. Bydd llawer mwy o gleifion yng Nghymru’n teimlo’n well o’i herwydd.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 75

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

I am interested in your impassioned plea on behalf of NHS patients. Clearly, we all strongly believe that they should not have to wait too long. Surely one of the biggest problems facing the NHS in Wales is its lack of capacity to deal with patients. That was particularly damaged by the fact that, when the Tories were in Government, 70 hospitals in Wales were closed, and 7,000 hospital beds were lost.

Ymddiddoraf yn eich apêl angerddol ar ran cleifion y GIG. Wrth gwrs, yr ydym oll yn credu’n gryf na ddylent orfod disgwyl yn rhy hir. Siawns nad un o’r problemau mwyaf sy’n wynebu’r GIG yng Nghymru yw ei ddiffyg capasiti i ddelio â chleifion. Amharwyd yn arbennig ar hynny, pan oedd y Torïaid yn llywodraethu, drwy gau 70 o ysbytai yng Nghymru, a cholli 7,000 o welyau ysbyty.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 75

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

I have heard that remark so often from Peter, and yet the waiting lists position has deteriorated since we left office. You seem to completely forget this point, as do other Assembly Members, whenever you start attacking the Conservatives. The position is much worse since we left office.

Clywais y sylw hwnnw mor aml gan Peter, ac eto mae’r sefyllfa o ran y rhestrau aros wedi dirywio ers inni adael llywodraeth. Ymddengys eich bod yn llwyr anghofio’r pwynt hwnnw, fel y mae Aelodau Cynulliad eraill, pryd bynnag yr ydych yn dechrau ymosod ar y Ceidwadwyr. Mae’r sefyllfa’n waeth o lawer ers inni adael llywodraeth.

Brian Gibbons a gododd—

Brian Gibbons rose—

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 75

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

I will not give way yet, I want to make some progress on my argument.

Nid ildiaf eto, yr wyf am symud ymlaen rywfaint â’m dadl.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 75

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

Order. You have a minute or so left.

Trefn. Mae tua munud ar ôl gennych.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 75

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

We also want to see our hospitals freed from stultifying bureaucracy and all hospitals given the freedom to borrow and innovate and set their own priorities. I agree with the Prime Minister, when he says:

Yr ydym hefyd am weld rhyddhau ein hysbytai oddi wrth fiwrocratiaeth seithug a rhoi rhyddid i bob ysbyty gael benthyca ac arloesi a phennu ei flaenoriaethau ei hun. Cytunaf â’r Prif Weinidog, pan ddywed:

‘Why shouldn’t our best hospitals be free to develop their services within the NHS as foundation hospitals?…It means power in the hands of the professionals.’

Pam na ddylai’n hysbytai gorau fod yn rhydd i ddatblygu eu gwasanaethau o fewn y GIG fel ysbytai sefydledig? Golyga hynny bŵer yn nwylo’r gweithwyr proffesiynol.

That is the principle that inspired fundholding. The British Prime Minister is right, and the First Minister of Wales has got it badly wrong. The people of Wales will pay through physical pain and mental anguish. I agree with the Westminster Labour Secretary of State for Health, who says that:

Honno yw’r egwyddor a oedd yn ysbrydoliaeth i ddal cronfeydd. Mae Prif Weinidog Prydain yn iawn, ac mae Prif Weinidog Cymru’n methu’n arw. Bydd pobl Cymru’n talu drwy boen corfforol a gofid meddwl. Cytunaf ag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Llafur dros Iechyd yn San Steffan, a ddywed:

‘NHS healthcare no longer always needs to be delivered exclusively by line-managed NHS organisation…The task of managing the NHS becomes one of overseeing a system, not running an organisation.’

Nid oes angen bellach i weithredu gofal iechyd y GIG yn gyfan gwbl drwy gyrff GIG dan reolaeth linell. Y dasg briodol wrth reoli’r GIG yw goruchwylio system, nid rheoli corff.

Amen to that. It is a tragedy for the sick in Wales that our own Government cannot or will not see it. Of course, foundation hospitals would not suddenly end every problem faced by the NHS but they would create new thinking and innovation, and make the professionals, who have always given so much to the NHS in Britain, feel involved in the service in which they work.

Amen i hynny. Trychineb i gleifion yng Nghymru yw na all, neu na wnaiff, ein Llywodraeth sylweddoli hynny. Wrth gwrs, ni fyddai ysbytai sefydledig yn datrys yn syth bob problem y mae’r GIG yn ei hwynebu ond byddent yn creu syniadau newydd ac arloesedd, ac yn peri i’r gweithwyr proffesiynol, sy’n rhoi cymaint erioed i’r GIG ym Mhrydain, deimlo bod ganddynt ran yn y gwasanaeth lle y maent yn gweithio.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 76

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 76

This is an important debate, and we should not be misled by some of the comments that we have heard. This is a Tory party nominated debate, and I will be happy to address them in a moment. I listened to Dai Lloyd’s well-rehearsed speech. He has practised well since his destabilisation last week. However, we will not have foundation hospitals in Wales because we have devolution, and because the Labour Government gave us a National Assembly—

Mae hon yn ddadl bwysig, ac ni ddylem gael ein camarwain gan rai o’r sylwadau a glywsom. Dadl a ddewiswyd gan y blaid Dorïaidd yw hon, a byddaf yn falch o’u hannerch ymhen eiliad. Gwrandewais ar araith Dai Lloyd a oedd wedi’i hymarfer yn dda. Mae wedi ymarfer yn dda ers iddo gael ei ansefydlogi yr wythnos diwethaf. Fodd bynnag, ni chawn ysbytai sefydledig yng Nghymru gan fod datganoli gennym, a chan fod y Llywodraeth Lafur wedi rhoi Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i ni—

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 76

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 76

You seem to forget, Peter, that the National Assembly does not have legislative powers. The Bill to introduce foundation hospitals will include Wales.

Ymddengys eich bod yn anghofio, Peter, nad yw’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn meddu ar bwerau deddfwriaethol. Bydd y Mesur i gyflwyno ysbytai sefydledig yn cynnwys Cymru.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 76

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 76

I take every confidence from my friend, the First Minister, who has announced publicly that we will not have foundation hospitals in Wales. I am sure that you will hear something from my friend, the Minister for Health and Social Services, in future. We can do it differently under devolution—that is what it is all about. It is touching to hear Plaid Cymru Members’ concern for foundation hospitals in England—half of them do not recognise England’s existence most of the time. We can do it differently now in Wales, thanks to a Labour Government and to record funding from a Labour Chancellor. That is an important point.

Mae gennyf bob ffydd yn fy nghyfaill, y Prif Weinidog, a ddatganodd yn gyhoeddus na chawn ysbytai sefydledig yng Nghymru. Yr wyf yn siŵr y clywch rywbeth gan fy ffrind, y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, yn y dyfodol. Gallwn wneud hyn yn wahanol o dan ddatganoli—dyna’i holl ddiben. Teimladwy yw clywed pryder Aelodau Plaid Cymru ynghylch ysbytai sefydledig yn Lloegr—nid yw eu hanner yn cydnabod bodolaeth Lloegr y rhan fwyaf o’r amser. Gallwn wneud pethau’n wahanol yn awr yng Nghymru, diolch i Lywodraeth Lafur ac i’r ariannu mwyaf erioed gan Ganghellor Llafur. Mae hynny’n bwynt pwysig.

To turn to the Conservatives—they are the champions of privilege and inequality. They put David Melding up to speak first as a charm offensive. I would much rather if they had put up a real, rough right-winger such as William Graham first so that we could have had a real go at him.

Gan droi at y Ceidwadwyr—hwy sy’n bleidiol i fraint ac anghydraddoldeb. Rhoddant David Melding i siarad yn gyntaf mewn ymdrech i’n swyno. Byddai’n well o lawer gennyf pe byddent wedi rhoi un caled, go iawn o’r asgell dde fel William Graham yn gyntaf fel y gallem ymosod yn iawn arno.

I was touched when Glyn Davies said that he was a blood donor. I will extract blood from a Tory any time, so come on, let us talk about it. The fact is that we do not forget the 18 years of Conservative rule and the difficulties that we faced. We are still trying to sort them out. Every Tory in Wales ought to be branded, as an NHS health warning, so that people know who they are, because we will never forget that. We must never go back to those days. When they talk—

Cyffyrddwyd â’m calon pan ddywedodd Glyn Davies ei fod yn rhoi gwaed. Tynnaf waed o Dori ryw dro, felly dewch yn eich blaen, gadewch inni sôn am hynny. Y gwir amdani yw na wnawn byth anghofio’r 18 mlynedd o lywodraeth Geidwadol a’r anawsterau a wynebwyd gennym. Yr ydym yn dal i geisio eu datrys. Dylid llosgnodi pob Tori yng Nghymru, fel rhybudd iechyd gan y GIG, fel bod pobl yn gwybod pwy ydynt, oherwydd ni anghofiwn fyth mo hynny. Rhaid inni beidio byth â mynd yn ôl i’r dyddiau hynny. Pan siaradant—

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 77

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

Peter talks about the dark Tory years. However, would he not be glad to return to the waiting list figures that were left by the last Conservative Government, rather than the figure of 83,000 people on the waiting lists that this Labour Government will leave?

Mae Peter yn sôn am flynyddoedd tywyll y Torïaid. Serch hynny, oni fyddai’n falch o fynd yn ôl at ffigurau’r rhestrau aros a adawyd gan y Llywodraeth Geidwadol ddiwethaf, yn hytrach na’r ffigur o 83,000 o bobl ar restrau aros y bydd y Llywodraeth Lafur hon yn eu gadael?

Peter Law spoken in English p. 77

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

I am certain that the Minister for Health and Social Services, with the record resources available to her under this Government, is positively pursuing the best interests of all patients in Wales. I will remind you of a few issues under Tory rule. Dai Lloyd briefly referred to the discrimination that the Tories operated. We all remember the fundholding practices. I remember them well, because in Blaenau Gwent there was one fundholding practice and every one else had to wait. If you were in a fundholding practice you received priority, and if you were not, you were at the back of the queue. That was the Tory philosophy. We all remember—

Yr wyf yn sicr bod y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, a’r adnoddau mwyaf erioed ar gael iddi o dan y Llywodraeth hon, yn gweithredu’n gadarnhaol er budd holl gleifion Cymru. Fe’ch atgoffaf am ychydig o faterion dan lywodraeth y Torïaid. Cyfeiriodd Dai Lloyd yn fyr at y gwahaniaethu a weithredwyd gan y Torïaid. Yr ydym oll yn cofio’r practisiau dal cronfeydd. Yr wyf yn eu cofio’n dda, oherwydd ym Mlaenau Gwent yr oedd un practis yn dal cronfa ac yr oedd pawb arall yn gorfod disgwyl. Os oeddech mewn practis a oedd yn dal cronfa, caech flaenoriaeth, ac os nad oeddech, chi oedd yr olaf yn y ciw. Dyna oedd athroniaeth y Torïaid. Yr ydym oll yn cofio—

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 77

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

I accept the position in Blaenau Gwent, Peter. However, do you accept that in other parts of Wales, in Powys for example, every GP practice was fundholding except for one, and they were a huge success?

Yr wyf yn cydnabod y sefyllfa ym Mlaenau Gwent, Peter. Er hynny, a ydych chi’n cydnabod bod pob practis meddyg teulu mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, ym Mhowys er enghraifft, yn dal cronfa heblaw am un, a’u bod yn llwyddiant mawr?

Peter Law spoken in English p. 77

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

That is a much better-off area, where people have at least five years more life expectancy than anyone in Blaenau Gwent, so the doctors were happy to go to those places—their pockets were lined with gold.

Mae honno’n ardal fwy cefnog o lawer, lle y gall pobl ddisgwyl byw o leiaf bum mlynedd yn hwy na neb ym Mlaenau Gwent, felly yr oedd y meddygon yn fodlon mynd i’r mannau hynny—llanwyd eu pocedi.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 78

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 78

Do you also agree, Peter, that if you considered the geographical distribution of fundholding, not just in Wales, but throughout the United Kingdom, by and large it was concentrated in suburban, middle class areas, which were given preferential treatment? The inverse care law of fewer services and less funding to the most needy areas continued under fundholding. That is consistent with Conservative policy. That was the reality: those who had, got more, those who had least got less.

A ydych hefyd yn cytuno, Peter, pe byddech yn ystyried dosbarthiad daearyddol dal cronfeydd, nid yn unig yng Nghymru, ond ledled y Deyrnas Unedig, fod y rhan fwyaf ohono mewn ardaloedd dosbarth canol, maestrefol, a gafodd ffafriaeth? Yr oedd y ddeddf gofal gwrthgyfartal o lai o wasanaethau a llai o gyllid ar gyfer yr ardaloedd mwyaf anghenus yn parhau o dan y trefniant dal cronfeydd. Mae hynny’n gyson â pholisi Ceidwadol. Dyna sut yr oedd hi: yr oedd y sawl a oedd â digon yn cael mwy, a’r sawl a oedd â’r lleiaf yn cael llai.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 78

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 78

You are right. I have heard you say that before, and I have acknowledged it. They did not prioritise the people who needed care the most. That is how the Tories have always dealt with things. It is ‘them’ and ‘us’—as long as we are all right, never mind about them. That is how it has always been. We now have, as David Melding put it, a socialist model in Wales, of which I am proud. That is how we want to go forward. The public is happy with public services provided by good, professional, public staff. It is confident about that.

Yr ydych yn iawn. Fe’ch clywais yn dweud hynny o’r blaen, ac yr wyf wedi’i gydnabod. Ni roesant flaenoriaeth i’r sawl yr oedd arnynt angen gofal fwyaf. Dyna sut y bu i’r Torïaid ddelio â phethau erioed. ‘Ni’ a ‘hwy’ ydyw—cyn belled â’n bod ni’n iawn, nid oes ots amdanynt hwy. Felly y bu erioed. Bellach mae gennym fodel sosialaidd, fel y disgrifiodd David Melding ef, yng Nghymru, ac yr wyf yn falch ohono. Dyna sut yr ydym am fynd ymlaen. Mae’r cyhoedd yn fodlon ar y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a ddarperir gan staff cyhoeddus, proffesiynol, da. Mae’n ffyddiog am hynny.

Let us consider some of the things that the Tories introduced, such as grant maintained schools and the division that that caused—I mentioned other matters earlier—the internal market, where managers used to meet each other every year coming back from negotiating contracts when resources used to run out, and no operations were being carried out. When we consider the structure of the health service we remember how the Tories surreptitiously parachuted in 30 plus trusts over night without consultation. I had to listen to that last week. The Minister for Health and Social Services’ proposals for reorganising the health service structure in Wales are revolutionary as far as empowering communities in deprived areas is concerned. At last, people in my community will not be told, ‘that will do’—they can decide their choices with a board made up of all the professionals and democratically elected people. That is what democracy is about. It is not the command and control of potential—

Gadewch inni ystyried rhai o’r pethau a gyflwynodd y Torïaid, fel yr ysgolion a gynhelir â grant a’r rhaniadau a barodd hynny—cyfeiriais at faterion eraill yn gynharach—y farchnad fewnol, lle yr arferai rheolwyr gwrdd â’i gilydd bob blwyddyn wrth ddod yn ôl ar ôl negodi contractau pan arferai adnoddau ddod i ben, a phan nad oedd llawdriniaethau’n cael eu cyflawni. Pan ystyriwn strwythur y gwasanaeth iechyd, cofiwn sut y cyflwynodd y Torïaid 30 a mwy o ymddiriedolaethau’n llechwraidd dros nos heb ymgynghori. Bu’n rhaid imi wrando ar hynny yr wythnos diwethaf. Mae cynigion y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ar gyfer ad-drefnu strwythur y gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru’n chwyldroadol o ran galluogi cymunedau mewn ardaloedd difreintiedig. O’r diwedd, ni ddywedir wrth bobl yn fy nghymuned i. ‘gwnaiff hynny’r tro’—gallant benderfynu ar eu dewisiadau gyda bwrdd sy’n cynnwys yr holl weithwyr proffesiynol a phobl a etholwyd yn ddemocrataidd. Dyna ddiben democratiaeth. Nid gorchymyn a rheoli potensial—

Cynog Dafis spoken in English p. 79

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

You were opposed to the introduction of health trusts, Peter. What do you think about them now, and why is Jane Hutt leaving them in place?

Yr oeddech yn erbyn cyflwyno’r ymddiriedolaethau iechyd, Peter. Beth yw’ch barn amdanynt yn awr, a pham y mae Jane Hutt yn eu gadael fel y maent?

Peter Law spoken in English p. 79

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

I was opposed to how health trusts were brought in. In fact, I chaired a health trust for a while, before Members throw that back at me. The future for us is not with foundation hospitals, as has been suggested. There should be no more discrimination. Everyone should have an opportunity to play a part in their community. We should go forward positively with a vibrant NHS that is in the interest of all the people of Wales. That is why we do not need foundation hospitals, and why the Minister’s proposals will be right.

Yr oeddwn yn erbyn y modd y cyflwynwyd yr ymddiriedolaethau iechyd. Mewn gwirionedd, bûm yn gadeirydd ymddiriedolaeth iechyd am ychydig, cyn i Aelodau daflu hynny ataf. Nid mewn ysbytai sefydledig y mae ein dyfodol, fel yr awgrymwyd. Ni ddylid cael mwy o wahaniaethu. Dylai pawb gael cyfle i chwarae rhan yn eu cymuned. Dylem fynd ymlaen yn gadarnhaol gyda GIG egnïol sydd er budd holl bobl Cymru. Dyna pam nad oes angen ysbytai sefydledig arnom, a dyna pam y bydd cynigion y Gweinidog yn gywir.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 79

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

I listened with interest to Peter Law. He is always great value, but the trouble with his thesis is that everything that Labour does is always right. However, you must make a choice today. Peter. You must either go with Labour at Westminster, or with Labour here. I suspect from the absence of most Ministers, that you would be better off going with Labour at Westminster on this one.

Gwrandewais gyda diddordeb ar Peter Law. Mae bob amser yn rhoi gwerth da am arian, ond y drafferth ynglŷn â’i ddadl yw bod popeth a wnaiff Llafur yn iawn bob amser. Fodd bynnag, rhaid ichi ddewis heddiw, Peter. Rhaid ichi un ai ochri â Llafur yn San Steffan, neu gyda Llafur yn y fan hon. Yr wyf yn amau, oherwydd absenoldeb y rhan fwyaf o’r Gweinidogion, y byddai’n well arnoch pe baech yn ochri â Llafur yn San Steffan ar y mater hwn.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 79

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

The Conservatives did not understand the concept of devolution: you all voted ‘no’ to it, but you are in here on the sinecure of enjoying the full privileges of Assembly Members. However, devolution means that you do things differently—do you not acknowledge that?

Nid oedd y Ceidwadwyr yn deall y cysyniad o ddatganoli: pleidleisioch oll yn ei erbyn, ond yr ydych yma mewn swyddi segur gan fwynhau holl freintiau Aelodau Cynulliad. Fodd bynnag, mae datganoli’n golygu gwneud pethau’n wahanol—onid ydych yn cydnabod hynny?

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 79

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

Like many people in Blaenau Gwent, not least your Member of Parliament, I was not convinced of the virtue of the Assembly, but we have moved on since then, as you would be the first to acknowledge, I am sure.

Fel llawer o bobl ym Mlaenau Gwent, a’ch Aelod Seneddol yn anad neb, ni’m hargyhoeddwyd o werth y Cynulliad, ond yr ydym wedi symud ymlaen ers hynny, a byddech ymhlith y cyntaf i gydnabod hynny, yr wyf yn siŵr.

You have been preaching about a system of state control that was old hat in ancient Greece. The sort of socialist dogma that is put forward by the Minister for Health and Social Services has not served the people of Wales well. The Labour Party in Wales is scared of foundation hospitals because they take power away from politicians. That is the plain and simple truth. They grant independence to all hospitals in Wales—it is not a question of cherry picking. That is where we would part company with Labour at Westminster, because it wants to give it to the so-called best foundation hospitals. That is a two-tiered system. We want all of Wales’s hospitals to have foundation status. That would give power to patients and communities, and would take it away from politicians. The Minister for Health and Social Services is against that, never mind that it will engender greater innovation, greater diversity, and better services reflecting local needs, or that it will assist in the fight to cut waiting lists and improve patient care as it has done in Spain, Sweden and Denmark. It is genuine decentralisation and depoliticisation but it is a threat. It is a threat to the socialist dogma of command and control, which means that the people of Wales will be forced to make do with a system of healthcare that was dismantled by the countries in eastern Europe as soon as the communist regimes were swept aside.

Buoch yn pregethu am system o reolaeth wladol a oedd yn hen ffasiwn yn yr hen Roeg. Nid yw’r math o ddogma sosialaidd a gyflwynwyd gan y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol wedi bod o fudd i bobl Cymru. Mae ar y Blaid Lafur yng Nghymru ofn ysbytai sefydledig am eu bod yn mynd â phŵer oddi wrth wleidyddion. Dyna’r gwir plaen amdani. Maent yn rhoi annibyniaeth i holl ysbytai Cymru—nid mater o ddethol y goreuon ydyw. Byddem yn anghytuno â Llafur yn San Steffan ar hynny, oherwydd mae ef am ei rhoi i’r ysbytai sefydledig gorau fel y’i gelwir. System ddwy haen yw honno. Yr ydym am i holl ysbytai Cymru gael statws sefydledig. Byddai hynny’n rhoi pŵer i gleifion a chymunedau, ac yn ei gymryd oddi ar wleidyddion. Mae’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn erbyn hynny, er y bydd yn creu mwy o arloesi, mwy o amrywiaeth, a gwell gwasanaethau sy’n adlewyrchu anghenion lleol, ac er y bydd o gymorth yn y frwydr i dorri rhestrau aros a gwella’r gofal am gleifion fel y bu yn Sbaen, Sweden a Denmarc. Dyma wir ddatganoli a dadwleidyddoli ond mae’n fygythiad. Mae’n fygythiad i’r dogma sosialaidd o orchymyn a rheoli, sy’n golygu y bydd pobl Cymru yn gorfod ymdopi â system gofal iechyd a ddatgymalwyd gan y gwledydd yn nwyrain Ewrop cyn gynted ag yr ysgubwyd y llywodraethau comiwnyddol o’r neilltu.

We are sometimes accused of being old fashioned but the kind of remedies being presented by the Minister were discredited in the days of ancient Rome and ancient Greece. Why should we tolerate a healthcare system that delivers today’s waiting lists? We know that it is not because of a lack of resources. The Secretary of State for Health correctly stated that there is no automatic correlation between tax-funded healthcare and healthcare run simply by central Government, and that extra spending alone is insufficient to deliver improvements in public services. I hope that he has passed that on to the Assembly’s Minister for Health and Social Services. It is a shame that she has not been listening. If Labour were on certain territory here, we would have heard much crowing and braying from them. We are about to hear from one of the old people of the ancient Greece philosophy—

Fe’n cyhuddir weithiau o fod yn hen ffasiwn ond taflwyd amheuaeth ar y math o feddyginiaethau a gyflwynir gan y Gweinidog yn nyddiau’r hen Rufain a’r hen Roeg. Pam y dylem oddef system gofal iechyd sy’n arwain at y rhestrau aros sydd gennym heddiw? Gwyddom nad diffyg adnoddau yw’r achos. Dywedodd yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Iechyd yn gywir nad oes cydberthynas awtomatig rhwng gofal iechyd a ariannir drwy drethi a gofal iechyd sy’n cael ei redeg gan Lywodraeth ganolog, ac nad yw gwariant ychwanegol yn ddigon ar ei ben ei hun i beri gwelliannau mewn gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Gobeithiaf ei fod wedi rhoi gwybod am hynny i Weinidog y Cynulliad dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol. Mae’n drueni na fu’n gwrando. Os oedd Llafur ar dir cadarn yn hyn o beth, byddem wedi clywed llawer o glochdar a brefu ganddynt. Yr ydym ar fin clywed gan un o hen athronwyr yr hen Roeg—

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 81

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 81

Do you not agree that the essential problem is that for the last three or four years of Conservative Government, the number of staff in the NHS decreased? As Peter Black said, the number of hospitals closed has increased, the number of beds has decreased and the number of people in training has decreased. It is only when we rectify these basic problems, which we are in the process of doing by dramatically increasing staff in the NHS, will the problems that we inherited be put right. This is your legacy—

Oni chytunwch mai’r broblem hanfodol yw, yn nhair neu bedair blynedd olaf y Llywodraeth Geidwadol, y bu gostyngiad yn nifer staff y GIG? Fel y dywedodd Peter Black, caewyd mwy o ysbytai, yr oedd llai o welyau a llai o bobl dan hyfforddiant. Dim ond wedi inni gywiro’r problemau sylfaenol hynny, a wnawn ar hyn o bryd drwy gynyddu nifer y staff yn y GIG yn drawiadol, y bydd y problemau a adawyd i ni’n cael eu datrys. Chi sydd wedi gadael hyn—

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

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 81

Order. This is an intervention, not a speech.

Trefn. Ymyriad yw hwn, nid araith.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 81

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 81

Hans Christian Andersen stuff. When you cannot contribute to the debate, you bring up the same old nostrums about our time in power. We treated more people than are being treated now, and with more money. As somebody with some medical experience and knowledge, it should cause you serious concern. Why on earth do you not apply that knowledge to help patients rather than helping politicians? I am fed up with having to stand here and find that the Minister is not open to argument, is unwilling to reconsider, wants to spend more money on more bureaucracy and fewer patients—

Hen chwedlau plant yw’r rheini. Pan na allwch gyfrannu i’r ddadl, yr ydych yn codi’r un hen storïau am ein cyfnod ni mewn grym. Yr oeddem yn trin mwy o bobl nag a drinnir yn awr, a chyda mwy o arian. Fel un a chanddo rywfaint o brofiad a gwybodaeth feddygol, dylai hynny beri pryder difrifol i chi. Pam ar y ddaear na wnewch ddefnyddio’r wybodaeth honno i helpu cleifion yn hytrach na helpu gwleidyddion? Yr wyf wedi hen alaru ar orfod sefyll yma a chael nad yw’r Gweinidog yn barod i wrando ar ddadl, ei bod yn amharod i ailystyried, ei bod yn dymuno gwario mwy o arian ar fwy o fiwrocratiaeth a llai o gleifion—

Gareth Jones a gododd—

Gareth Jones rose—

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 81

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 81

I am not giving way. It is high time that the Minister listened to somebody other than the same old tired Labour politicians with the same old answers. If Alan Milburn can learn the lesson, why cannot Jane Hutt?

Nid ildiaf. Mae’n hen bryd i’r Gweinidog wrando ar rywun heblaw yr un hen wleidyddion Llafur blinedig sydd â’r un hen atebion. Os gall Alan Milburn ddysgu’r wers, pam na all Jane Hutt?

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 81

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 81

I welcome the opportunity to debate a different aspect of the NHS this week. The debate throws up some interesting paradoxes. The Conservative Party, both in London and in the National Assembly, wholeheartedly support a Labour Government policy. Alarm bells should ring immediately. In addition, Labour in London is proposing a paradoxical argument. One of its first actions in Government was to get rid of fundholding, by getting rid of the GP fundholding practises, to dismantle the two-tier system that has been embedded in the NHS throughout the UK. Yet, today, we are faced with a Labour Government, which is introducing fundholding not for GPs, but for hospitals. There are genuine concerns that what is being proposed in London will develop into a two-tier health service system in Wales. I acknowledge that David Melding has now clarified the Conservatives’ position by saying that he would give all hospitals in Wales fundholding status. There are problems with that, which I will discuss later.

Yr wyf yn croesawu’r cyfle i drafod agwedd wahanol ar y GIG yr wythnos hon. Mae’r ddadl hon yn codi rhai paradocsau diddorol. Mae’r Blaid Geidwadol, yn Llundain ac yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, yn llwyr gefnogi polisi Llywodraeth Lafur. Dylai’r clychau larwm ganu ar unwaith. Yn ogystal â hynny, mae Llafur yn Llundain yn cynnig dadl baradocsaidd. Un o’i gamau cyntaf mewn Llywodraeth oedd cael gwared â dal cronfeydd, drwy gael gwared â phractisiau dal cronfeydd meddygon teulu, er mwyn datgymalu’r system ddwy haen a oedd wedi’i sefydlu yn y GIG ledled y DU. Eto, heddiw, mae gennym Lywodraeth Lafur, sy’n cyflwyno dal cronfeydd, nid ar gyfer meddygon teulu, ond ar gyfer ysbytai. Mae pryderon gwirioneddol y bydd yr hyn a gynigir yn Llundain yn datblygu’n system gwasanaeth iechyd ddwy haen yng Nghymru. Cydnabyddaf fod David Melding bellach wedi egluro safbwynt y Ceidwadwyr drwy ddweud y byddai’n rhoi statws dal cronfeydd i bob ysbyty yng Nghymru. Mae problemau ynglŷn â hynny, ac fe’u trafodaf yn ddiweddarach.

The policy being proposed by Labour in London will see the best hospitals receiving additional resources. When there are hospitals performing well and other hospitals not so well, the priority should be to address the needs of those that are not performing well enough. These policies will be introduced via a dubious star system, which they have in England. I am grateful that we do not have it in Wales. Labour in London is proposing a system that might allow hospitals that are performing well to enhance their performance at the expense of hospitals that need the additional resources and assistance.

O ganlyniad i’r polisi a gynigir gan Lafur yn Llundain bydd yr ysbytai gorau’n cael adnoddau ychwanegol. Pan fo ysbytai sy’n perfformio’n dda ac ysbytai eraill nad ydynt yn gwneud cystal, dylid rhoi blaenoriaeth i ymdrin ag anghenion y rhai nad ydynt yn perfformio’n ddigon da. Cyflwynir y polisïau hyn drwy system sêr amheus, sydd ganddynt yn Lloegr. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar nad ydyw gennym ni yng Nghymru. Mae Llafur yn Llundain yn cynnig system a allai ganiatáu i’r ysbytai sy’n perfformio’n dda gael gwella eu perfformiad ar draul ysbytai y mae arnynt angen adnoddau ychwanegol a chymorth.

We will not overcome the problems by making all hospitals foundation hospitals. We must consider carefully what kind of atmosphere that would engender within the national health service in Wales. I believe—and the Royal College of Nursing and Unison have also raised this issue—that it will cause a mad scramble and competition between institutions for resources and staff. That will not engender the spirit of co-operation across the national health service that we are trying to develop and promote in Wales. That individual, fragmented system can lead to some patients and staff winning, but it can also lead, as it has done in Powys over recent years, to some nurses being paid less than nurses in other parts of Wales. We are still trying to tackle that problem. Nurses in Powys receive less pay than nurses in other parts of Wales because they tend to stay in their native communities, and do not have the resources to move around and cherry pick the best paid positions.

Ni wnawn oresgyn y problemau drwy wneud pob ysbyty’n ysbyty sefydledig. Rhaid inni ystyried yn ofalus y math o awyrgylch a greai hynny o fewn y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol yng Nghymru. Credaf—ac mae’r Coleg Nyrsio Brenhinol ac Unison wedi codi’r mater hwn hefyd—y bydd yn achosi brys gwyllt a chystadlu rhwng sefydliadau am adnoddau a staff. Ni fydd hynny’n meithrin y sêl gydweithredol ym mhob rhan o’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol yr ydym yn ceisio’i meithrin a’i hyrwyddo yng Nghymru. Gall y system ddarniog, unigol honno arwain at enillion i rai cleifion a staff, ond gall arwain hefyd, fel y gwnaeth ym Mhowys dros y blynyddoedd diweddar, at dalu llai i rai nyrsys nag i nyrsys mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru. Yr ydym yn dal i geisio mynd i’r afael â’r broblem honno. Mae nyrsys ym Mhowys yn cael llai o dâl na nyrsys mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru gan eu bod yn tueddu i aros yn eu cymunedau genedigol, ac nid ydynt yn meddu ar ddigon o adnoddau i symud o gwmpas a dethol y swyddi sydd â’r tâl gorau.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 83

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83

Do you accept that that issue, important as it is, and I agree with your campaign and the point you have made, is separate from the foundation hospital issue? Foundation hospitals would be spread across the country, and Powys would not be excluded from that.

A ydych yn derbyn bod y mater hwnnw, er ei bwysiced, a chytunaf â’ch ymgyrch a’r pwynt a wnaethoch, yn wahanol i fater yr ysbytai sefydledig? Byddai ysbytai sefydledig ar wasgar drwy’r wlad, ac ni fyddai Powys wedi’i heithrio o hynny.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 83

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83

This is fundamental to the issue of foundation hospitals because you would be allowing individual hospitals to compete for business, trade and the staff that deliver the services to people. Areas such as Powys will become ghettoised as the staff there will be paid less for delivering similar services to other parts of Wales because they cannot move around the country to look for the better paid opportunities,

Mae hyn yn rhan hanfodol o fater ysbytai sefydledig gan y byddech yn caniatáu i ysbytai unigol gystadlu am fusnes, masnach a’r staff sy’n rhoi’r gwasanaethau i bobl. Bydd ardaloedd fel Powys yn cael eu troi’n getoau gan y bydd y staff yno’n cael llai o dâl am ddarparu gwasanaethau tebyg i’r rhai mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru am na allant symud o gwmpas y wlad i chwilio am gyfleoedd â thâl gwell.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 83

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83

Is this issue not similar to the Assembly Government’s policy on recruiting teachers in needy areas and general practitioners in some of the Valleys communities where it is prepared to offer an additional £5,000 in salary? These GPs are being paid £5,000 extra but GPs in Powys are not because they are happy staying where they are.

Onid yw’r mater hwn yn debyg i bolisi Llywodraeth y Cynulliad ar recriwtio athrawon mewn ardaloedd anghenus ac ymarferwyr cyffredinol yn rhai o gymunedau’r Cymoedd lle y mae’n barod i gynnig £5,000 o gyflog yn ychwanegol? Telir £5,000 yn ychwanegol i’r meddygon teulu hyn ond nid yw meddygon teulu ym Mhowys yn cael hynny am eu bod yn fodlon aros lle y maent.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 83

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83

Given that you represent some extremely deprived areas such as Port Talbot, and the fact that it is difficult to get GPs into the upper Swansea valley, I am surprised that you would knock the plans that are getting vital clinical staff into your constituency. I am amazed. It is obvious that if you vote for the Tories in South Wales Central, you can say goodbye to recruiting doctors in those areas.

O ystyried eich bod yn cynrychioli rhai ardaloedd difreintiedig iawn fel Port Talbot, a’r ffaith ei bod yn anodd denu meddygon teulu i gwm Tawe uchaf, yr wyf yn synnu eich bod yn beirniadu cynlluniau sy’n dod â staff clinigol hanfodol i’ch etholaeth. Yr wyf yn rhyfeddu. Mae’n amlwg, os pleidleisiwch dros y Torïaid yng Nghanol De Cymru, y gallwch anghofio am recriwtio meddygon yn yr ardaloedd hynny.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 83

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83

Order. You are running out of time, Kirsty.

Trefn. Mae’ch amser yn dod i ben, Kirsty.

David Melding spoken in English p. 83

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83

Do you agree with Evan Harris, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson in the UK Parliament, who, in debating last week’s Queen’s Speech, said on the issue of foundation hospitals, that more patients will benefit if every hospital could be run locally?

A ydych yn cytuno ag Evan Harris, llefarydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol ar iechyd yn Senedd y DU, a ddywedodd ar fater ysbytai sefydledig, yn y ddadl ar Araith y Frenhines yr wythnos diwethaf, y byddai mwy o gleifion yn elwa pe gellid rhedeg pob ysbyty’n lleol?

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 84

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 84

I spoke to Evan on Monday morning as we visited pharmacies across Wales to examine the benefits that the National Assembly has brought. We are a truly federal party and do not take our instruction from London, unlike you who obviously has to follow the party line and what London says. As a federal party, members are allowed to form and develop our own policies in Wales for the benefit of Welsh patients. I am sorry that you do not have the opportunity to do that in the Conservative Party, David.

Siaredais ag Evan fore Llun wrth inni ymweld â fferyllfeydd ledled Cymru i archwilio’r manteision a gyflwynodd y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Yr ydym yn blaid wirioneddol ffederal ac nid ydym yn cael ein cyfarwyddo o Lundain, yn wahanol i chi gan ei bod yn amlwg eich bod yn gorfod dilyn safbwynt y blaid a’r hyn a ddywed Llundain. A ninnau’n blaid ffederal, caniateir i’r aelodau ffurfio a datblygu ein polisïau ein hunain yng Nghymru er budd cleifion Cymru. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf na chewch gyfle i wneud hynny yn y Blaid Geidwadol, David.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 84

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 84

Order. You have 10 seconds.

Trefn. Mae gennych 10 eiliad.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 84

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 84

London is imposing this policy from the top down, rather than allowing it to come from the bottom up. Communities should decide about the delivery of their health services, and it should not be imposed upon by them by Labour London.

Mae Llundain yn gorfodi’r polisi hwn o’r brig i’r bôn, yn hytrach na chaniatáu iddo godi o’r gwaelod. Cymunedau a ddylai benderfynu ynghylch darparu eu gwasanaethau iechyd, ac ni ddylai gael ei orfodi arnynt gan Lundain Lafur.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 84

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 84

I can understand the reluctance of Labour Members to debate the health service, after all, they have created the worst record on health matters in Wales for a long time. One must only consider the waiting list position for evidence of the series of broken promises over which the Labour Government, happily assisted by the Liberal Democrats, has presided. It is worrying and saddening that until a few moments ago the Minister for Health and Social Services was the only Minister in the front row listening to this debate. The Cabinet, which is responsible for public policy in Wales—

Gallaf ddeall amharodrwydd Aelodau Llafur i drafod y gwasanaeth iechyd, wedi’r cwbl, maent wedi creu’r record waethaf ar faterion iechyd yng Nghymru ers amser maith. Nid oes ond rhaid ystyried y sefyllfa o ran rhestrau aros i gael tystiolaeth i’r gyfres o dor-addewidion y mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur, gyda chymorth bodlon y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, wedi llywyddu drostynt. Testun gofid a thristwch yw mai’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, tan ychydig eiliadau’n ôl, oedd yr unig Weinidog yn y rhes flaen a oedd yn gwrando ar y ddadl hon. Mae’r Cabinet, sy’n gyfrifol am bolisi cyhoeddus yng Nghymru—

Jenny Randerson The Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language spoken in English p. 84

Jenny Randerson Y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a'r Iaith Gymraeg siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 84

I have been here all along.

Bûm i yma gydol yr amser.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 84

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 84

I said that I was talking about the front row. If you want to intervene, Jenny, please do so while standing. The front row Labour Cabinet, which is responsible for health policy and public expenditure in Wales, until a few moments ago could not be bothered to be present in the Chamber for a debate on a matter of huge importance. I suspect that, if the Minister for Health and Social Services had her way, she would not be present either.

Dywedais fy mod yn sôn am y rhes flaen. Os ydych am ymyrryd, Jenny, byddwch cystal â sefyll i wneud hynny. Tan ychydig o eiliadau’n ôl, nid oedd rhes flaen Cabinet Llafur, sy’n gyfrifol am bolisi iechyd a gwariant cyhoeddus yng Nghymru, yn ymdrafferthu i fod yn bresennol yn y Siambr ar gyfer dadl ar fater o bwys aruthrol. Yr wyf yn amau, os câi’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ei dymuniad, na fyddai hithau’n bresennol ychwaith.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 85

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85

Do you not accept that the issues of real importance are those of capacity and investment in the national health service, not this side issue with which you are trying to distract us, and which would lead to suffering in deprived communities across Wales?

Onid ydych yn derbyn mai’r materion sydd o wir bwys yw capasiti a buddsoddi yn y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, nid yr eilbeth hwn yr ydych yn ceisio tynnu ein sylw ag ef, ac a fyddai’n arwain at ddioddefaint mewn cymunedau difreintiedig ledled Cymru?

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 85

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85

As always, the Labour Party must rely on the Liberal Democrats to help it out, albeit unsuccessfully. The people of Wales will see the Government’s response to this debate in terms of who was present in the Chamber. They will see that the First Minister, once again, is running scared from the major public policy issues.

Rhaid i’r Blaid Lafur ddibynnu, fel y gwnaeth erioed, ar y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol i’w helpu, er yn aflwyddiannus. Bydd pobl Cymru’n cloriannu ymateb y Llywodraeth i’r ddadl hon yng nghyd-destun pwy a oedd yn bresennol yn y Siambr. Byddant yn gweld bod y Prif Weinidog, unwaith eto, yn ofni trafod y materion polisi cyhoeddus pwysig.

I understand why the Labour Party does not want to discuss this issue, given the huge split between Labour in Wales and Labour in Westminster. We welcome the road-to-Damascus conversion of Labour politicians in Westminster; I am sorry that Labour in Wales has not been quick enough to catch up. We are undoubtedly experiencing the development of a Welsh NHS based—

Yr wyf yn deall pam nad yw’r Blaid Lafur yn dymuno trafod y pwnc hwn, o ystyried y rhaniad mawr rhwng Llafur yng Nghymru a Llafur yn San Steffan. Croesawn dröedigaeth ddramatig y gwleidyddion Llafur yn San Steffan; mae’n ddrwg gennyf nad yw Llafur yng Nghymru wedi bod yn ddigon cyflym i’w dal. Nid oes dwywaith nad ydym yn gweld datblygu GIG yng Nghymru sy’n seiliedig—

Eleanor Burnham spoken in English p. 85

Eleanor Burnham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85

Will you give way?

A wnewch ildio?

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 85

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 85

No. I may do so in a few minutes’ time, when I have developed the argument. We are undoubtedly seeing the development of a national health service in Wales based on the socialist model of command and control, with doctors and nurses subjected to an increasing amount of daily interference by the Minister for Health and Social Services. We have a health commissar who believes that she knows better than GPs, health practitioners and patients what is best for health in Wales.

Na wnaf. Efallai y gwnaf ymhen rhai munudau, pan wyf wedi datblygu’r ddadl. Nid oes dwywaith nad ydym yn gweld datblygu gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol yng Nghymru sy’n seiliedig ar fodel sosialaidd gorchymyn a rheoli, a meddygon a nyrsys yn profi mwy a mwy o ymyrraeth o ddydd i ddydd gan y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol. Mae gennym gomisâr iechyd sy’n credu ei bod yn gwybod yn well na meddygon teulu, ymarferwyr iechyd a chleifion am yr hyn sydd orau i iechyd yng Nghymru.

Lorraine Barrett and Eleanor Burnham rose—

Lorraine Barrett a Eleanor Burnham a godasant—

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 86

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86

I will give way in a few moments.

Ildiaf ymhen ychydig eiliadau.

We want a Government in Wales that is more concerned with the delivery of patient care and less concerned with structural and bureaucratic changes, and other such ideas thought up by the Minister. That is what the people of Wales need and deserve. They need a Government that is less concerned with gloss and spin, and more concerned with addressing the needs of the 83,000 people currently on waiting lists. The Labour administration, assisted by the Liberal Democrats, has created that waiting list position.

Yr ydym am gael Llywodraeth yng Nghymru sy’n ymboeni’n fwy ynghylch darparu gofal ar gyfer cleifion ac yn ymboeni’n llai am newidiadau strwythurol a biwrocrataidd, a syniadau eraill tebyg a ddaw i feddwl y Gweinidog. Dyna’r hyn y mae ar bobl Cymru ei angen a’r hyn y maent yn ei haeddu. Mae arnynt angen Llywodraeth sy’n ymboeni’n llai ynghylch sglein a sbin, ac yn ymboeni’n fwy am ymateb i anghenion y 83,000 o bobl sydd ar y rhestrau aros ar hyn o bryd. Y weinyddiaeth Lafur, gyda chymorth y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, sydd wedi creu sefyllfa’r rhestrau aros.

Eleanor Burnham spoken in English p. 86

Eleanor Burnham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86

It is interesting to hear the Tories mention road-to-Damascus conversions. They are suddenly telling us that they want a bottom-up approach, which is the exact opposite of their usual approach. It is fascinating to hear them advocating foundation hospitals and local control.

Mae’n ddiddorol clywed y Torïaid yn sôn am dröedigaethau dramatig. Maent yn dweud wrthym yn fwyaf sydyn eu bod am gael dull gweithredu o’r gwaelod i fyny, sy’n gwbl groes i’w dull gweithredu arferol. Diddorol iawn yw eu clywed yn dadlau dros ysbytai sefydledig a rheolaeth leol.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 86

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86

I understand the Liberal Democrats’ position. Their spokesman in London says that local control is good for local need while the Liberal Democrats in the Assembly convey a different message. I understand why they may be embarrassed that they must support—

Yr wyf yn deall sefyllfa’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Dywed eu llefarydd yn Llundain bod rheolaeth leol yn beth da ar gyfer angen lleol tra bo’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn y Cynulliad yn cyfleu neges wahanol. Deallaf pam y gallent deimlo’n annifyr o orfod cefnogi—

Eleanor Burnham a gododd—

Eleanor Burnham rose—

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 86

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86

I will not give way again. I can understand the Liberal Democrats’ embarrassment when they must do exactly as the Labour Party’s chief whip tells them. They cannot develop their own approach to health in Wales; they must do exactly what Labour wants them to do. Do not talk to us about devolution. You should address the needs of the 83,000 people on waiting lists—people who your party have ignored and neglected—

Nid ildiaf eto. Gallaf ddeall annifyrrwch y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a hwythau’n gorfod gwneud yn union fel y dywed prif chwip y Blaid Lafur wrthynt. Ni allant ddatblygu eu hymagwedd eu hunain at iechyd yng Nghymru; rhaid iddynt wneud yn union beth y mae Llafur am iddynt ei wneud. Peidiwch â sôn wrthym ni am ddatganoli. Dylech ymdrin ag anghenion y 83,000 o bobl ar y rhestrau aros—rhai y mae’ch plaid chi wedi’u hanwybyddu a’u hesgeuluso—

Gareth Jones a gododd—

Gareth Jones rose—

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 86

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86

I do not have time to give way. These people have been ignored and neglected, and their needs are not being met.

Nid oes gennyf ddigon o amser i ildio. Anwybyddwyd y bobl hyn a’u hesgeuluso, ac ni ddiwellir eu hanghenion.

Foundation hospitals are innovative and exciting, and the Labour Party in Wales should consider this model. However, it seems to think that throwing money at the service will solve the problems in terms of patient care. It will not, and that does not show commitment. The Labour Party should show that it is committed to solving problems in the health service by using the money to treat more patients. It is not treating any more patients than were being treated five years ago. That is the legacy that the Minister will leave behind when she vacates her office on 1 May 2003.

Mae ysbytai sefydledig yn arloesol ac yn gyffrous, a dylai’r Blaid Lafur yng Nghymru ystyried y model hwn. Fodd bynnag, ymddengys ei bod yn credu y bydd taflu arian at y gwasanaeth yn datrys y problemau o ran gofal am gleifion. Ni wnaiff hynny, ac nid yw hynny’n dangos ymrwymiad. Dylai’r Blaid Lafur ddangos ei bod wedi ymrwymo i ddatrys problemau yn y gwasanaeth iechyd drwy ddefnyddio’r arian i drin mwy o gleifion. Nid yw’n trin mwy o gleifion yn awr nag a gâi eu trin bum mlynedd yn ôl. Dyna waddol y Gweinidog pan edy ei swydd ar 1 Mai 2003.

I will refer to a worrying incident that recently occurred in my constituency. A constituent wrote to me about issues relating to breast cancer. She was recovering from breast cancer and was awaiting her regular check-up at the University of Wales Hospital. While I have the utmost respect for the clinical practitioners at the University Hospital of Wales, who do a fantastic job, the incident that was raised with me a few weeks ago highlighted deep concerns about the health service. She was due for a check-up in August, but received a letter saying that it had been delayed until September. She then received another letter delaying it until November and it has since been delayed until January. For goodness’ sake, we are trying to develop a twenty-first century healthcare system. People recovering from serious clinical conditions are not receiving the treatment that they deserve. The reason that was given for those delays was that the hospital could not recruit people to do the job. That, I am afraid, will be the Labour Party’s legacy to Wales.

Cyfeiriaf at ddigwyddiad diweddar yn fy etholaeth i sy’n peri gofid. Ysgrifennodd etholwr ataf ynghylch materion sy’n ymwneud â chanser y fron. Yr oedd yn ymadfer ar ôl canser y fron ac yn disgwyl ei harchwiliad rheolaidd yn Ysbyty Athrofaol Cymru. Er bod gennyf y parch mwyaf at yr ymarferwyr clinigol yn Ysbyty Athrofaol Cymru, sy’n gwneud gwaith gwych, yr oedd y digwyddiad a dynnwyd i’m sylw ychydig wythnosau’n ôl yn amlygu pryderon dwys ynghylch y gwasanaeth iechyd. Yr oedd i fod i gael archwiliad yn Awst, ond cafodd lythyr yn dweud ei fod wedi’i ohirio tan fis Medi. Wedyn cafodd lythyr arall yn ei ohirio tan fis Tachwedd ac mae bellach wedi’i ohirio tan fis Ionawr. Er mwyn popeth, yr ydym yn ceisio datblygu system gofal iechyd i’r unfed ganrif ar hugain. Nid yw pobl sy’n ymadfer ar ôl anhwylderau clinigol difrifol yn cael y driniaeth y maent yn ei haeddu. Y rheswm a roddwyd am yr oedi hwnnw oedd na allai’r ysbyty recriwtio pobl i wneud y gwaith. Dyna, mae arnaf ofn, fydd gwaddol y Blaid Lafur i Gymru.

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 87

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 87

Although the Welsh Conservative Party has decided to use its debate to highlight the concept of foundation hospitals, I get the impression that it is more interested in embarrassing the Labour Party than in making its case. I have not heard any Conservative Member making a clear, strong case for foundation hospitals. With May looming, they must try to embarrass the Labour Party, but where was the speech in favour of foundation hospitals?

Er bod Plaid Geidwadol Cymru wedi penderfynu defnyddio’i dadl i dynnu sylw at y cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig, yr argraff a gaf yw ei bod yn ymddiddori’n fwy mewn codi cywilydd ar y Blaid Lafur na chyflwyno ei hachos. Nid wyf wedi clywed yr un Aelod Ceidwadol yn cyflwyno dadl glir a phendant dros ysbytai sefydledig. A mis Mai’n dynesu, rhaid iddynt geisio codi cywilydd ar y Blaid Lafur, ond ym mhle’r oedd yr araith o blaid ysbytai sefydledig?

David Melding refused to respond to Cynog Dafis’s point. What would happen to those three hospitals in south-west Wales that would not be given foundation hospital status? As David well knows, the truth is that one hospital would become specialist—getting all the investment and the best nurses and doctors—and the other three would be reduced to a rump, with no facilities and no investment. You will have created the two-tier system that David says he does not want.

Gwrthododd David Melding ymateb i bwynt Cynog Dafis. Beth a ddigwyddai i’r tri ysbyty hynny yn y De-orllewin na chaent statws ysbyty sefydledig? Fel y gŵyr David yn iawn, y gwir yw y bydd un ysbyty’n mynd yn un arbenigol—a chael yr holl fuddsoddi a’r nyrsys a’r meddygon gorau—a byddai’r tri arall wedi’u diraddio, heb gyfleusterau a heb fuddsoddi. Byddwch wedi creu’r system ddwy haen y dywed David nad yw am ei chael.

David Melding spoken in English p. 88

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 88

Those three hospitals only have a prospect of long-term survival if we give them foundation status, if they were autonomous and if they could succeed as innovators—I know that they could if they were given those powers. A socialist command and control system would close them down, with a pathetic consultation process that would not be allowed to determine anything that goes on in that locality.

Yr unig obaith sydd gan y tri ysbyty hynny i barhau yn y tymor hir yw i ni roi statws ysbyty sefydledig iddynt, pe baent yn ymreolus ac yn gallu llwyddo fel arloeswyr—gwn y gallent wneud hynny pe rhoddid y pwerau hynny iddynt. Byddai system gorchymyn a rheoli sosialaidd yn eu cau, gyda phroses ymgynghori druenus na chaniateid iddi benderfynu dim sy’n mynd ymlaen yn yr ardal honno.

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 88

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 88

If David believes that every hospital should be a foundation hospital, what is the point of having them? He has made a poor effort to imitate Alan Milburn today. In his speech, Alan Milburn said that the best hospitals would become foundation hospitals. What about the average hospitals? What about those hospitals that will not have the ability to ensure that they have the full range of services available?

Os yw David yn credu y dylai pob ysbyty fod yn ysbyty sefydledig, pa bwrpas eu cael? Gwnaeth ymdrech wael i ddynwared Alan Milburn heddiw. Yn ei araith ef, dywedodd Alan Milburn mai’r ysbytai gorau a fyddai’n troi’n ysbytai sefydledig. Beth am yr ysbytai gweddol dda? Beth am yr ysbytai hynny na fyddant yn gallu sicrhau bod yr amrediad llawn o wasanaethau ar gael ganddynt?

For the Labour Party Peter Law tried to give the impression that foundation hospitals will not happen in Wales. Let it say that on the face of the Bill. If the Westminster Bill says that foundation hospitals will only be established in England, I will accept his point. However, the Queen’s Speech makes it clear that we will have an England and Wales Bill. The Labour Party in England is driving forward the possibility of Wales having foundation hospitals. We want the Minister’s response to the concept of foundation hospitals. Is Labour in favour of them or not? They must answer that question. The Tories are clear on where they stand; it is clear where we stand, but the Labour Party wants to sit on the fence. Let it come out today and declare whether or not it is in favour. Is it in favour of having a two-tier health service in Wales?

Ar ran y Blaid Lafur ceisiodd Peter Law roi’r argraff na fydd ysbytai sefydledig yng Nghymru. Gadewch inni weld hynny ar glawr y Mesur. Os dywed mesur San Steffan mai dim ond yn Lloegr y sefydlir ysbytai sefydledig, derbyniaf ei bwynt. Fodd bynnag, mae Araith y Frenhines yn rhoi ar ddeall mai mesur i Gymru a Lloegr a gawn. Mae’r Blaid Lafur yn Lloegr yn hybu’r posibilrwydd y caiff Cymru ysbytai sefydledig. Yr ydym am gael ymateb gan y Gweinidog i’r cysyniad o ysbytai sefydledig. A yw Llafur o’u plaid ai peidio? Rhaid iddynt ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw. Mae’r Torïaid wedi dweud yn bendant ym mhle y maent hwy’n sefyll; mae’n amlwg lle’r ydym ni’n sefyll, ond mae’r Blaid Lafur am eistedd ar y gamfa. Boed iddi ddatgan heddiw a yw o’u plaid ai peidio. A yw o blaid cael gwasanaeth iechyd dwy haen yng Nghymru?

The Conservatives have let the Labour Party off the hook on the real issue today, which is the Labour Party’s failure to deliver a proper health service for the people of Wales. One of the most important statements made in this Chamber was that by the Finance Minister in her budget statement, when she said that she was calling Derek Wanless in to review the health service. Why do that? Is it because we have an excellent health service in Wales? Is it because all the money has been well spent in Wales? Is it because we have great delivery of healthcare in Wales? It was precisely because we do not.

Mae’r Ceidwadwyr wedi achub croen y Blaid Lafur ar y gwir bwnc heddiw, sef methiant y Blaid Lafur i ddarparu gwasanaeth iechyd priodol ar gyfer pobl Cymru. Un o’r datganiadau pwysicaf a wnaed yn y Siambr hon oedd yr un gan y Gweinidog Cyllid yn ei datganiad cyllideb, pan ddywedodd ei bod yn galw ar Derek Wanless i adolygu’r gwasanaeth iechyd. Pam gwneud hynny? Ai am fod gennym wasanaeth iechyd rhagorol yng Nghymru? Ai am fod yr holl arian wedi’i wario’n dda yng Nghymru? Ai am fod gennym ddarpariaeth wych o ofal iechyd yng Nghymru? Gwneir hynny’n benodol am nad yw hynny gennym.

The fact that she has called in Derek Wanless underlines the failure of the Labour Government in Wales to deliver proper healthcare. What is she doing with Mr Wanless? She has asked him to review how money is spent on the delivery of services in Wales. She is also withholding money from the budget, for two years, until that review is published. She does not trust the Government to deliver proper healthcare with the current system, and has called in an outsider to run the system on its behalf. Those are the depths to which the Labour Government has sunk in terms of the crisis in the health service in Wales.

Mae’r ffaith ei bod wedi galw Derek Wanless i mewn yn pwysleisio methiant y Llywodraeth Lafur yng Nghymru i ddarparu gofal iechyd priodol. Beth a wnaiff â Mr Wanless? Mae wedi gofyn iddo adolygu’r modd y caiff arian ei wario ar ddarparu gwasanaethau yng Nghymru. Mae hefyd yn gwrthod arian i’r gyllideb, am ddwy flynedd, hyd nes y cyhoeddir yr adolygiad hwnnw. Nid yw’n ymddiried yn y Llywodraeth i ddarparu gofal iechyd priodol drwy’r system bresennol, ac mae wedi galw ar rywun o’r tu allan i redeg y system ar ei rhan. Dyna pa mor bell y mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur wedi suddo yng nghyd-destun yr argyfwng yn y gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru.

Today, the Conservatives should have nailed the Government on that issue, rather than going after the red herring of foundation hospitals, which they know will never be established in Wales. I ask the Minister, in her contribution to this debate—

Heddiw, dylai’r Ceidwadwyr fod wedi hoelio’r Llywodraeth ar y mater hwnnw, yn hytrach na mynd ar ôl ysgyfarnog yr ysbytai sefydledig, y gwyddant na chânt eu sefydlu yng Nghymru byth. Gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog, yn ei chyfraniad i’r ddadl hon—

Peter Law spoken in English p. 89

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 89

You have just said that foundation hospitals will never be established in Wales. That answers your question about the overall England and Wales legislation that gives us the secondary powers to establish them.

Yr ydych newydd ddweud na chaiff ysbytai sefydledig byth eu sefydlu yng Nghymru. Mae hynny’n ateb eich cwestiwn am y ddeddfwriaeth gyffredinol i Gymru a Lloegr sy’n rhoi inni’r pwerau eilaidd i’w sefydlu.

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 89

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 89

The point is that the next Government to be established here will ensure that there will be no foundation hospitals in Wales. I ask the Minister, in her contribution to this debate, to tell us—with no more fudging, no more sitting on the sidelines—does she support foundation hospitals or not.

Y pwynt yw y bydd y Llywodraeth nesaf a sefydlir yma’n sicrhau na fydd ysbytai sefydledig yng Nghymru. Gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog, yn ei chyfraniad i’r ddadl hon, ddweud wrthym—heb ragor o osgoi a heb ragor o sefyll ar y cyrion—a yw o blaid ysbytai sefydledig ai peidio.

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 90

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

This debate is a distraction from the real issues with which the Assembly should be concerned. We should be debating our reforms of the NHS in Wales, laid out in our plans and in our legislation. We are here to discuss policies being pursued in Wales. That is why the Welsh Assembly Government’s amendment 2 makes it clear that the foundation hospital initiative is a policy being pursued in England, and not in Wales.

Mae’r ddadl hon yn tynnu sylw’r Cynulliad oddi ar y materion y dylai ymboeni’n wirioneddol yn eu cylch. Dylem drafod ein diwygiadau i’r GIG yng Nghymru, a nodir yn ein cynlluniau ac yn ein deddfwriaeth. Yr ydym yma i drafod polisïau a ddilynir yng Nghymru. Dyna pam y mae gwelliant 2 Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru’n egluro bod menter yr ysbytai sefydledig yn bolisi a ddilynir yn Lloegr, ac nid yng Nghymru.

It is astonishing, David, that you do not acknowledge that the key element of the Queen’s Speech for us in Wales was the Health (Wales) Bill. We got that piece of legislation into the Queen’s Speech to deal with the reforms that we are taking forward. Ieuan, this is the health Bill that you should be concerned with because this is the Bill that we will take forward, reforming and retaining our community health councils. As you know, that is a popular Welsh development, based on Welsh opinion and Welsh policies.

Mae’n syfrdanol, David, nad ydych yn cydnabod mai’r elfen allweddol yn Araith y Frenhines i ni yng Nghymru oedd y Mesur Iechyd (Cymru). Cawsom y ddeddfwriaeth honno i mewn i Araith y Frenhines er mwyn delio â’r diwygiadau yr ydym yn bwrw ymlaen â hwy. Ieuan, hwn yw’r Mesur iechyd y dylech ymboeni yn ei gylch oherwydd hwn yw’r mesur y byddwn yn bwrw ymlaen ag ef, gan ddiwygio a chadw ein cynghorau iechyd cymunedol. Fel y gwyddoch, mae hwnnw’n ddatblygiad poblogaidd Cymreig, sy’n seiliedig ar farn a pholisïau yng Nghymru.

David Davies spoken in English p. 90

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

I do not doubt that the Minister would rather discuss play policy, or another similar issue. However, this is the Conservative Party’s nominated debate and we wanted to discuss foundation hospitals.

Nid wyf yn amau na fyddai’n well gan y Gweinidog drafod polisi chwarae, neu fater tebyg arall. Fodd bynnag, dadl a ddewiswyd gan y Blaid Geidwadol yw hon ac yr oeddem am drafod ysbytai sefydledig.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 90

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

If you need to hear it said again, I can assure you that foundation hospitals are not part of our reforms here in Wales, and I will tell you why. This debate gives me the opportunity to tell David, Glyn and Dai again about the key principles that underpin our approach to health service reform in Wales, and which concern the national health service that we want to build. It is a health service based on co-operation—not competition—between hospitals. Our clinical networks in cardiac and cancer services are proving themselves by supporting teams of health professionals that work in hospitals and in the community, to deliver accessible, high quality services in partnership.

Os oes arnoch angen ei glywed eto, gallaf eich sicrhau nad yw ysbytai sefydledig yn rhan o’n diwygiadau yma yng Nghymru, ac egluraf ichi’r rheswm am hynny. Mae’r ddadl hon yn rhoi cyfle imi sôn wrth David, Glyn a Dai unwaith eto am yr egwyddorion allweddol sy’n sail i’n hymagwedd at ddiwygio’r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru, ac sy’n ymwneud â’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol yr ydym am ei adeiladu. Mae’n wasanaeth iechyd sy’n seiliedig ar gydweithredu—nid cystadlu—rhwng ysbytai. Mae ein rhwydweithiau clinigol mewn gwasanaethau cardïaidd a chanser yn eu profi eu hunain drwy gynnal timau o weithwyr iechyd proffesiynol sy’n gweithio mewn ysbytai ac yn y gymuned, i ddarparu gwasanaethau hygyrch o ansawdd da mewn partneriaeth.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 91

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91

You say that you want to build a national health service. Are you suggesting that Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, and the Prime Minister want to do otherwise?

Dywedwch eich bod am adeiladu gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol. A ydych yn awgrymu bod Alan Milburn, yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Iechyd, a’r Prif Weinidog am wneud fel arall?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 91

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91

We are here to discuss the reforms for Wales, which are based on principles of co-operation and collaboration. I remind Members of our report, ‘Access and Excellence’, which was published in July 2000.

Yr ydym yma i drafod y diwygiadau yng Nghymru, sy’n seiliedig ar egwyddorion cydweithredu a chydweithio. Yr wyf yn atgoffa’r Aelodau am ein hadroddiad, ‘Mynediad a Rhagoriaeth’, a gyhoeddwyd yng Ngorffennaf 2000.

Cynog Dafis spoken in English p. 91

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91

The question remains unanswered. Why does the Bill not differentiate between England and Wales? I point out to the Minister that Labour has been known to change its mind on issues. It used to believe in public ownership and now it is prejudiced against public ownership. How can we be confident that a future Labour administration will not think differently from Jane Hutt? It may decide that it wants to introduce foundation hospitals, and the legislation would allow it to do so.

Nid atebwyd y cwestiwn. Pam nad yw’r mesur yn gwahaniaethu rhwng Cymru a Lloegr? Tynnaf sylw’r Gweinidog at y ffaith nad yw’n beth anarferol i Lafur newid ei feddwl ar faterion. Arferai gredu mewn perchnogaeth gyhoeddus ac yn awr mae ganddo ragfarn yn erbyn perchnogaeth gyhoeddus. Sut y gallwn fod yn ffyddiog na fydd gweinyddiaeth Lafur yn y dyfodol yn meddwl yn wahanol i Jane Hutt? Gallai benderfynu ei bod am gyflwyno ysbytai sefydledig, a byddai’r ddeddfwriaeth yn caniatáu iddi wneud hynny.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 91

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91

I am amazed at the number of times the basic business of devolution must be restated. I am surprised at such remarks from Plaid Cymru. We have devolution in Wales precisely to allow policy solutions to be crafted here that will meet our needs. That is why we should be discussing the NHS (Wales) Bill, Cynog, and not a Bill that does not apply to Wales. I have expressed my opinion clearly.

Mae’n syndod i mi gynifer o weithiau y mae’n rhaid ailddatgan busnes sylfaenol datganoli. Synnaf at sylwadau o’r fath gan Blaid Cymru. Mae datganoli gennym yng Nghymru yn unswydd i ganiatáu dyfeisio atebion polisi yma a fydd yn diwallu ein hanghenion. Dyna pam y dylem drafod Mesur GIG (Cymru), Cynog, ac nid Mesur nad yw’n berthnasol i Gymru. Yr wyf wedi datgan fy marn yn eglur.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 91

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91

Will you give way?

A wnewch ildio?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 91

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91

I want to get my points across first. ‘Access and Excellence’ was published in July 2000. We had a good debate on it in Plenary. It was about support for district general hospitals in Wales and I am pleased to restate, in amendment 1, our commitment to our network of district general hospitals in Wales. That report came from a committee chaired by Dr Hall, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales. In the foreword she wrote that:

Yr wyf am gyfleu’r pwyntiau sydd gennyf yn gyntaf. Cyhoeddwyd ‘Mynediad a Rhagoriaeth’ yng Ngorffennaf 2000. Cawsom ddadl dda arno yn y Cyfarfod Llawn. Yr oedd yn ymwneud â chymorth i ysbytai dosbarth cyffredinol yng Nghymru ac yr wyf yn falch o ailddatgan, yng ngwelliant 1, ein hymrwymiad i’n rhwydwaith o ysbytai dosbarth cyffredinol yng Nghymru. Daeth yr adroddiad hwnnw oddi wrth bwyllgor a gadeirwyd gan Dr Hall, Prif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru. Yn y rhagair ysgrifennodd:

‘it will be predominantly through the development of integrated networks of care that we will be able to address the two seemingly incompatible objectives contained in the title of this report’—

‘trwy gyfrwng datblygu rhwydweithiau cyfun gofal medrwn, yn bennaf, ddelio gyda’r ddau amcan—anghydnaws yn ymddangosiadol—a nodir yn nheitl yr adroddiad hwn’—

that is, access and excellence—

sef mynediad a rhagoriaeth—

‘the maintenance of high levels of local access to services at the same time as ensuring excellence in the quality of the clinical services provided.’

‘cynnal lefelau uchel o fynediad lleol i wasanaethau ar yr un pryd â sicrhau rhagoriaeth yn safon y gwasanaethau clinigol a ddarperir.’

That is what we should be discussing today. That is the way forward to protect and support our network of hospitals and community services in Wales. Dai, you helpfully drew attention to the Tory days that gave us the bleak days of the internal market, when hospitals were encouraged to compete with one another and to put other hospitals out of business. Peter also drew attention to that.

Dyna’r hyn y dylem ei drafod heddiw. Dyna’r ffordd ymlaen i ddiogelu a chynorthwyo ein rhwydwaith o ysbytai a gwasanaethau cymunedol yng Nghymru. Dai, gwnaethoch gymwynas drwy dynnu sylw at ddyddiau’r Torïaid a roddodd inni ddyddiau du’r farchnad fewnol, pan oedd anogaeth i ysbytai gystadlu â’i gilydd a dwyn gwaith ysbytai eraill. Tynnodd Peter sylw at hynny hefyd.

On the Welsh Assembly Government’s record, we have doubled the amount of funding and investment for the health service. That is guaranteed for the next three years. Our reforms include an additional 8,000 staff—who have been in the system since 1997—new buildings, more equipment, improving standards and fostering innovation in all parts of Wales. David, it is interesting that you began to unravel your manifesto. I am delighted that you recognise that our local health boards are the way forward. I am astonished that Plaid Cymru should reject decentralisation.

Ynghylch record Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, yr ydym wedi dyblu’r gwariant a’r buddsoddiad ar gyfer y gwasanaeth iechyd. Gwarentir hynny am y tair blynedd nesaf. Mae ein diwygiadau’n cynnwys 8,000 o staff ychwanegol—sydd yn y system ers 1997—adeiladau newydd, mwy o offer, gwella safonau a meithrin arloesedd ym mhob rhan o Gymru. David, mae’n ddiddorol eich bod wedi dechrau datod eich maniffesto. Yr wyf wrth fy modd eich bod yn cydnabod mai ein byrddau iechyd lleol yw’r ffordd ymlaen. Yr wyf yn rhyfeddu bod Plaid Cymru’n gwrthod y datganoli hwnnw.

Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 92

Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 92

I would like to share with you, Minister, a comment that was made to a friend of mine by an off-duty paramedic in Cardiff whom she met while travelling from London today. When he realised that she was visiting the Assembly, he said words to the effect that ‘Jane Hutt is a brilliant Minister’. [ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Oh.’] As a paramedic working in the health service—[Interruption.]

Hoffwn roi gwybod i chi, Weinidog, am rywbeth a ddywedwyd wrth ffrind i mi gan barameddyg nad oedd ar ddyletswydd y cyfarfu ag ef tra oedd yn teithio o Lundain heddiw. Pan sylweddolodd ei bod yn ymweld â’r Cynulliad, dywedodd rywbeth i’r perwyl bod ‘Jane Hutt yn Weinidog gwych’. [AELODAU CYNULLIAD: ‘O.’] Ac yntau’n barameddyg a oedd yn gweithio yn y gwasanaeth iechyd—[Torri ar draws.]

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 92

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 92

Order. The Assembly will come to order.

Trefn. Galwaf y Cynulliad i drefn.

Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 93

Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

I share with you, Minister, those comments from someone who works in the health service on the ground. That off-duty paramedic said, this lunchtime, that there are real improvements in the health service.

Rhannaf â chi’r geiriau hynny, Weinidog, gan un sy’n gweithio yn y gwasanaeth iechyd yn y maes. Amser cinio heddiw, dywedodd y parameddyg hwnnw, a oedd heb fod ar ddyletswydd, fod gwelliannau gwirioneddol yn y gwasanaeth iechyd.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 93

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

The important issue for us in Wales is that our reforms devolve and decentralise power to our local health boards. They are best placed to develop and deliver health and social care. That provides local flexibility. There has been much talk of centralisation, but power has been placed in the hands of those local health boards. There is local flexibility within a framework of national standards. Members recognise the importance of national standards such as our national service frameworks for coronary heart disease and mental health, backed up by unprecedented additional investment. That additional investment, and the national standards and local flexibility is what Derek Wanless wants to see. That is why we have invited him to come to Wales to help us. I shall announce the terms of reference for his health and social care review tomorrow at the Health and Social Services Committee meeting, in which I am sure we will have a good discussion on capacity and how to take this forward.

Y mater pwysig i ni yng Nghymru yw bod ein diwygiadau’n datganoli pŵer i’n byrddau iechyd lleol. Hwy sydd yn y sefyllfa orau i ddatblygu a darparu gofal iechyd a chymdeithasol. Mae hynny’n rhoi hyblygrwydd lleol. Bu llawer o sôn am ganoli, ond rhoddwyd pŵer yn nwylo’r byrddau iechyd lleol hynny. Mae hyblygrwydd lleol mewn fframwaith o safonau cenedlaethol. Mae’r Aelodau’n cydnabod mor bwysig yw safonau cenedlaethol fel ein fframweithiau gwasanaeth cenedlaethol i glefyd coronaidd y galon ac iechyd meddwl, a ategir gan fuddsoddi ychwanegol digyffelyb. Y buddsoddi ychwanegol hwnnw, a’r safonau cenedlaethol a’r hyblygrwydd lleol yw’r hyn y mae Derek Wanless am ei weld. Dyna pam y gwnaethom ei wahodd i Gymru i’n helpu. Byddaf yn cyhoeddi’r cylch gorchwyl i’w adolygiad o ofal iechyd a chymdeithasol yfory yng nghyfarfod y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, ac yr wyf yn siŵr y cawn drafodaeth dda yno ar gapasiti a sut i fwrw ymlaen â hyn.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 93

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

You talk about a health service for all of Wales. When will you recognise the needs of north Wales and the problems there? I met you in September and gave you the names and addresses of people who have waited for over 18 months. When I wrote to you again, you said that nobody is waiting longer than 18 months in north Wales. Jane, you know that the orthopaedic service in my area is a catastrophe. When will you recognise that and start treating all of Wales fairly? Also, when will you address the problems with residential homes in this country?

Yr ydych yn sôn am wasanaeth iechyd i Gymru gyfan. Pa bryd y gwnewch gydnabod anghenion y Gogledd a’r problemau sydd yno? Cyfarfûm â chi ym mis Medi a rhoi enwau a chyfeiriadau pobl sydd wedi aros dros 18 mis. Pan ysgrifennais atoch eto, dywedasoch nad oes neb yn disgwyl yn hwy na 18 mis yn y Gogledd. Jane, gwyddoch fod y gwasanaeth orthopedig yn fy ardal i’n drychinebus. Pa bryd y gwnewch gydnabod hynny a dechrau trin pob rhan o Gymru’n deg? Hefyd, pa bryd y gwnewch ymdrin â’r problemau sy’n gysylltiedig â chartrefi preswyl yn y wlad hon?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 93

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

The healthcare delivered in north Wales is among the best in Wales. I am proud to acknowledge the work of the trusts in north Wales.

Mae’r gofal iechyd a ddarperir yn y Gogledd ymysg y gorau yng Nghymru. Yr wyf yn falch o gydnabod gwaith yr ymddiriedolaethau yn y Gogledd.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 94

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94

You referred to additional resources, and we have seen the budget lines. However, given that, can you explain to my constituents and me why Carmarthenshire NHS Trust is in such a financial state that it must produce yet another recovery plan? That may affect front-line services such as accident and emergency and maternity services. If funding is going so well, why is no-one sorting that out?

Gwnaethoch gyfeirio at adnoddau ychwanegol, ac yr ydym wedi gweld llinellau’r gyllideb. Fodd bynnag, yng ngolwg hynny, a allwch egluro i’m hetholwyr ac i mi pam y mae Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Sir Gaerfyrddin yn y fath gyflwr ariannol fel ei bod yn gorfod cynhyrchu cynllun adfer arall eto? Gallai hynny effeithio ar wasanaethau’r rheng flaen fel gwasanaethau damweiniau ac achosion brys a mamolaeth. Os yw’r ariannu’n mynd cystal, pam nad oes neb yn datrys hynny?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 94

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94

We are sorting it out. That will be done through local flexibility, extra investment and national standards. An important point about our staff is that I want to motivate our doctors, nurses and health professionals and our best managers to work in those hospitals and communities with the greatest health needs and reward them for that. We want a universal, national health service. I must correct Alun Cairns because all medical students who decide to go into general practice, wherever that may be in Wales, will be eligible for our £5,000 golden hello. That is important. All medical students will be eligible for that.

Yr ydym yn ei ddatrys. Gwneir hynny drwy hyblygrwydd lleol, buddsoddi ychwanegol a safonau cenedlaethol. Un pwynt pwysig ynghylch ein staff yw fy mod yn dymuno symbylu ein meddygon, ein nyrsys a’n gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol a’n rheolwyr gorau i weithio yn yr ysbytai a’r cymunedau hynny sydd â’r anghenion iechyd mwyaf a’u gwobrwyo am wneud hynny. Yr ydym am gael gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol i bawb. Rhaid imi gywiro Alun Cairns oherwydd bydd yr holl fyfyrwyr meddygol sy’n penderfynu mynd i ymarfer cyffredinol, ym mha le bynnag yng Nghymru, yn gymwys i dderbyn ein £5,000 o dâl croeso. Mae hynny’n bwysig. Bydd yr holl fyfyrwyr meddygol yn gymwys i’w dderbyn.

Jonathan, this is your party’s debate. We have a legacy of 18 years of under-investment. Would we have a clinical school at Swansea, £21 million for another clinical school in north Wales, a clinical school in Gwent and 4,300 nurses qualifying by 2004, under your party? We would have none of that. If your party were still in power, we would face a phenomenal crisis. We are taking matters forward to ensure a universal, fair national health service that is accessible by all in Wales and serves Welsh interests.

Jonathan, dadl eich plaid chi yw hon. Yr ydym wedi etifeddu 18 mlynedd o danfuddsoddi. A fyddai gennym ysgol glinigol yn Abertawe, £21 miliwn ar gyfer ysgol glinigol arall yn y Gogledd, ysgol glinigol yng Ngwent a 4,300 o nyrsys yn ymgymhwyso erbyn 2004, o dan eich plaid chi? Ni chaem ddim o hynny. Pe byddai’ch plaid chi’n dal i fod mewn grym, byddem yn wynebu argyfwng syfrdanol. Yr ydym yn bwrw ymlaen i sicrhau gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol teg i bawb sy’n agored i bawb yng Nghymru ac yn gwasanaethu buddiannau Cymru.

David Melding spoken in English p. 94

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94

Mastodon Labour has run riot this afternoon. Listening to this debate, you would think that ‘if the system ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing’. However, hospital care is grossly deficient for many people in Wales. We can anticipate that demands on the service and the level of innovation in medicine will increase. Pressures will also increase, and we do not have a system that we can confidently expect to deliver patient care in a timely manner. Our situation is currently worse than England’s. England will reform its hospital care fundamentally. We are doing worse in Wales on hospital reforms yet we are returning to a system that is increasingly based on command and control.

Mae mastodoniaid Llafur wedi rhedeg yn wyllt y prynhawn yma. Wrth wrando ar y ddadl hon, byddech yn meddwl ‘os nad yw’r system wedi torri, nid oes angen ei thrwsio’. Fodd bynnag, mae gofal ysbyty yn ddiffygiol iawn i lawer o bobl yng Nghymru. Gallwn ddisgwyl cynnydd yn y galwadau ar y gwasanaeth ac yng ngraddau’r arloesi mewn meddygaeth. Bydd y pwysau’n cynyddu hefyd, ac nid oes gennym system y gallwn ddisgwyl yn ffyddiog iddi ddarparu gofal am gleifion yn amserol. Mae ein sefyllfa’n waeth nag un Lloegr ar hyn o bryd. Bydd Lloegr yn diwygio ei gofal ysbyty’n sylfaenol. Yr ydym ni’n gwneud yn waeth yng Nghymru ar ddiwygio ysbytai ac eto yr ydym yn mynd yn ôl at system sy’n fwyfwy seiliedig ar orchymyn a rheoli.

I thought Dai’s contribution this week was much better than last week; he was not encumbered by having to sell Plaid Cymru’s policies. That would be an incubus that none of us could carry off effectively.

Credais fod cyfraniad Dai yr wythnos hon yn well o lawer na’r wythnos diwethaf; nid oedd o dan y baich o orfod gwerthu polisïau Plaid Cymru. Byddai hynny’n fwrn na allai’r un ohonom ei ddwyn yn effeithiol.

David Lloyd a gododd—

David Lloyd rose—

David Melding spoken in English p. 95

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

I am not giving way. Peter Law reflected on our party’s record, and he has every right to suggest that the Labour Party is doing better. He is obviously paid to say that. However, are you really convinced, Peter, that current performance is adequate?

Nid ildiaf. Gwnaeth Peter Law fwrw sen ar record ein plaid, ac mae ganddo bob hawl i awgrymu bod y Blaid Lafur yn gwneud yn well. Mae’n amlwg y caiff ei dalu i ddweud hynny. Fodd bynnag, a ydych wedi’ch argyhoeddi’n wirioneddol, Peter, fod y perfformiad presennol yn ddigonol?

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 95

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

Order. Please rephrase your comments. Nobody is paid to say anything in this Chamber. I am sure that it was inadvertent, but please withdraw the remark.

Trefn. Byddwch cystal ag aralleirio’ch sylwadau. Ni thelir i neb i ddweud dim yn y Siambr hon. Yr wyf yn siŵr mai amryfusedd ydoedd, ond tynnwch y sylw’n ôl, os gwelwch yn dda.

David Melding spoken in English p. 95

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

I am sorry, I am not sure what was out of order in what I said. However, I certainly withdraw any remarks that were inadvertently out of order.

Mae’n ddrwg gennyf, nid wyf yn sicr beth a oedd allan o drefn yn yr hyn a ddywedais. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn sicr yn tynnu’n ôl unrhyw sylwadau a oedd allan o drefn drwy amryfusedd.

Lorraine Barrett a gododd—

Lorraine Barrett rose—

David Melding spoken in English p. 95

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

I am not giving way.

Nid ildiaf.

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 95

Rhodri Morgan Y Prif Weinidog siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

You should refer it to the Standards Committee.

Dylech gyfeirio hynny i’r Pwyllgor Safonau.

David Melding spoken in English p. 95

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

Indeed. The system is not working, Peter, and it needs radical surgery to get it into a fit state. Kirsty said that the Welsh Conservative Party is supporting a New Labour policy. It is actually the other way round. However, New Labour does not go far enough for the Conservative Party. You are right to say that we could have a different system in Wales, but we must justify a different system. That is the point. Have we had that justification this afternoon? No. Have we given the patients of Wales any hope that our system, as reformed under Jane Hutt, will deliver more effective hospital care? No, we do not have confidence in that. Ieuan claimed that, basically, all we need is more socialism. I am glad that he said that. The people of Wales must choose next May. They can have fairly old-fashioned socialism from the Labour Party, now supported, rather oddly, by the Liberal Democrat Party, or they can return to a most incredibly socialist system—one perhaps not seen in this country since the 1940s and 1950s. It is a system that does not exist in the rest of Europe. Sweden and Denmark are hardly the most socialist countries in Europe, but they have reformed hospital care, and we should emulate their sort of system.

Yn wir. Nid yw’r system yn gweithio, Peter, ac mae arni angen llawdriniaeth sylfaenol i’w hadfer i gyflwr iach. Dywedodd Kirsty fod Plaid Geidwadol Cymru’n cefnogi polisi o eiddo Llafur Newydd. Fel arall y mae mewn gwirionedd. Fodd bynnag, nid yw Llafur Newydd yn mynd yn ddigon pell i’r Blaid Geidwadol. Yr ydych yn iawn wrth ddweud y gallem gael system wahanol yng Nghymru ond rhaid inni gyfiawnhau system wahanol. Dyna’r pwynt. A gawsom y cyfiawnhad hwnnw y prynhawn yma? Naddo. A ydym wedi rhoi unrhyw obaith i gleifion Cymru y bydd ein system, fel y’i diwygir dan law Jane Hutt, yn darparu gofal ysbyty mwy effeithiol? Nac ydym, nid oes gennym ffydd yn hynny. Honnodd Ieuan mai’r cwbl y mae arnom ei angen, mewn gwirionedd, yw rhagor o sosialaeth. Yr wyf yn falch iddo ddweud hynny. Rhaid i bobl Cymru ddewis fis Mai nesaf. Gallant gael sosialaeth eithaf hen ffasiwn gan y Blaid Lafur, a gefnogir yn awr, yn eithaf rhyfedd, gan Blaid y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, neu gallant fynd yn ôl at system sy’n anhygoel o sosialaidd—un nas gwelwyd yn y wlad hon efallai ers y 1940au a’r 1950au. Mae’n system nad yw’n bod yng ngweddill Ewrop. Prin y gellir dweud mai Sweden a Denmarc yw’r gwledydd mwyaf sosialaidd yn Ewrop, ond maent wedi diwygio gofal ysbyty, a dylem efelychu’r math o system sydd ganddynt hwy.

The Minister said that we should discuss the NHS (Wales) Bill. We would have liked to have a long discussion on that, if it could deliver the reforms needed in the health service in Wales. However, the Bill has been stripped of its original function and purpose, which was a great defeat for Labour. We would gladly have spent time discussing it, had it deserved such attention. It contains some good measures, which we have taken seriously. Indeed, the Conservatives will try to amend the Bill so that we have a provision for foundation hospitals.

Dywedodd y Gweinidog y dylem drafod Mesur GIG (Cymru). Byddem wedi hoffi cael trafodaeth faith ar hynny, pe fedrai ddarparu’r diwygiadau angenrheidiol yn y gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru. Fodd bynnag, mae’r Mesur wedi’i amddifadu o’i swyddogaeth a’i bwrpas gwreiddiol, ac yr oedd hynny’n fethiant mawr i Lafur. Buasem yn falch o dreulio amser yn ei drafod, pe byddai wedi haeddu sylw o’r fath. Mae rhai mesurau da ynddo, yr ydym wedi’u cymryd o ddifrif. Yn wir, bydd y Ceidwadwyr yn ceisio newid y Mesur fel y cawn ddarpariaeth ar gyfer ysbytai sefydledig.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 96

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 96

Order. There is no time left.

Trefn. Nid oes amser ar ôl.

David Melding spoken in English p. 96

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 96

I have overrun; I am grateful that I have been indulged in that.

Yr wyf wedi siarad yn rhy hir; yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am gael gwneud hynny.

Gwelliant 1 Jane Hutt t. 96

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt p. 96

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 32 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 23

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment accepted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (32)
  • 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
  • Huw Lewis
  • Val Lloyd
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (23)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Alun Cairns
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • David Ian Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams

Gwelliant 2 Jane Hutt t. 97

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt p. 97

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 32 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 22

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment accepted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (32)
  • 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
  • Huw Lewis
  • Val Lloyd
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (22)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Alun Cairns
  • Cynog Dafis
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • David Ian Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 32 YmatalAbstain 8 Yn erbynAgainst 14

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (32)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Christine Chapman
  • 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
  • Huw Lewis
  • Val Lloyd
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Alun Pugh
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams
YmatalAbstain (8)
  • Nick Bourne
  • Alun Cairns
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • William Graham
  • David Ian Jones
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
Yn erbynAgainst (14)
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Brian Hancock
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • David Lloyd
  • Janet Ryder
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Phil Williams

Pwyntiau o Drefn

Points of Order

David Melding spoken in English p. 99

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

Point of order. [Interruption.]

Pwynt o drefn. [Torri ar draws.]

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

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

Order. Plenary is sitting. Will Members please either sit down or leave the Chamber.

Trefn. Mae’r Cyfarfod Llawn yn parhau. A wnaiff yr Aelodau eistedd, os gwelwch yn dda, neu adael y Siambr.

David Melding spoken in English p. 99

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

I was carried away in a flood of hyperbole earlier, and what I said has since been explained to me. I now understand the inference drawn and apologise unreservedly to the Member. I withdraw that statement.

Aeth y llif o ormodiaith yn drech na mi’n gynharach, ac eglurwyd imi’r hyn a ddywedais ers hynny. Yr wyf yn deall yn awr y casgliad a dynnwyd ac yn ymddiheuro’n ddiamod i’r Aelod. Tynnaf y gosodiad yn ôl.

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

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

That is much appreciated.

Gwerthfawrogir hynny’n fawr.

Jenny Randerson The Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language spoken in English p. 99

Jenny Randerson Y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

Point of order. This relates to remarks made by Jonathan Morgan, which I am sure he does not wish to be included in the Record of Proceedings without correction, as they would gravely mislead its readers. He said that no member of the Cabinet, other than Jane Hutt, was present throughout the debate, yet I was. This relates to the accuracy of the Record.

Pwynt o drefn. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â sylwadau gan Jonathan Morgan, yr wyf yn sicr nad yw’n dymuno iddynt gael eu cynnwys yng Nghofnod y Trafodion heb eu cywiro, gan y byddent yn camarwain y darllenwyr yn ddirfawr. Dywedodd nad oedd yr un aelod o’r Cabinet, heblaw Jane Hutt, yn bresennol drwy gydol y ddadl, ac eto yr oeddwn i. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â chywirdeb y Cofnod.

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

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

Order. Will Members please leave the Chamber or sit down; it is not in order to stand about when the Assembly is in session. Jenny, your comment is on the record.

Trefn. A wnaiff yr Aelodau adael y Siambr neu eistedd, os gwelwch yn dda; nid ydyw mewn trefn sefyllian pan of’r Cynulliad yn cwrdd. Jenny, mae’ch sylw wedi’i gofnodi.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 99

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

Point of order. I pressed the wrong button when voting.

Pwynt o drefn. Pwysais y botwm anghywir wrth bleidleisio.

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

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99

That is noted. That brings today’s proceedings to a close.

Nodwyd hynny. Daw hynny â chyfarfod heddiw i ben.

Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 5.19 p.m.

The session ended at 5.19 p.m.