Siambr · Andrew RT Davies
Written questions
214 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 3 of 5.
WQ99130 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline any discussions that he or his officials have had with members of Digital Health and Care Wales's board since taking office?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
My officials engage regularly with Digital Health and Care Wales, including senior representatives and Board members, through established governance and oversight arrangements such as escalation boards, programme reviews and routine performance discussions.
WQ99126 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm how many patients are known to have been affected by an outage in the enterprise master patient index since 2021, broken down by year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The information you requested is not held centrally.
WQ99125 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm what protocol the NHS has in place for if the Welsh clinical communications gateway fails?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
All NHS bodies will have business continuity plans in place to ensure the safe and continued delivery of services in the event of business system failure.
WQ99124 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm how much the Welsh Government has spent on the Welsh clinical communications gateway since 2021, broken down by year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The information you requested is not held centrally. The maintenance of the Welsh Clinical Communications Gateway falls within core funding allocated to Digital Health and Care Wales.
WQ99123 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm how many times the Welsh clinical communications gateway has crashed since 2021, broken down by year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The information you requested is not held centrally.
WQ99108 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to protect Welsh mountain ponies, in light of Natural England's proposed destocking of Dartmoor?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Welsh mountain ponies are an integral part of our landscape, culture, and heritage. They also deliver significant conservation benefits, helping to maintain and enhance the ecology of their environments.
The Welsh Government does not directly manage semi-feral pony populations; responsibility for their day-to-day management rests primarily with commoners, landowners, and grazing organisations.
The hill pony improvement derogation, which allows semi-feral ponies to remain within defined areas without the need for individual passports or microchipping, enables these animals to continue thriving in extensive environments while still meeting legislative requirements in a proportionate and practical way. This approach reflects the unique management systems under which these ponies are reared and supports their long-term sustainability.
We recognise the important role that hardy native breeds, including Welsh mountain ponies, play in supporting biodiversity, landscape management, and sustainable land use. Through ongoing engagement with stakeholders, such as commoners, breed societies, and land managers, we are working to ensure that regulatory frameworks and future agricultural support schemes continue to underpin these systems and the landscapes they help to sustain.
WQ99106 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether the 2027 local elections will go ahead without any alteration to the current voting laws and without any deferments?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
I have no plans to alter voting laws or to defer the local government elections scheduled for May 2027.
WQ99105 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to secure the return of Qatar Airways to Cardiff Airport as a priority?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Cardiff Airport executive team is leading on the commercial negotiations with the airline regarding the resumption of the Cardiff - Doha service. They are supported as needed by the Welsh Government’s International Relations team based in the Middle East.
WQ99104 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm the amount of renumeration that panel members of the independent review into red tape on Welsh farms will receive, and the time commitment they are expected to provide?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The role of Chair of the independent review into the bureaucratic burden on Welsh farms will be remunerated at a rate in line with agreed Welsh Government practices. The time commitment is expected to be 8-12 days per month for a period of around 9 months.
WQ99103 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm the terms of reference for the independent review into red tape on Welsh farms?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Terms of Reference for the independent review into the bureaucratic burden on Welsh farms will be published imminently on the Welsh Government website.
WQ99102 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm the membership of the independent review into the bureaucratic burden on Welsh farms, announced at the Royal Welsh Grassland event?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I have appointed John Davies to undertake the independent review into the bureaucratic burden on Welsh farms.
WQ99076 · Tabled · Answered
What are the implications for Cardiff Airport of European Cargo going into administration?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The closure has no impact on Cardiff Airport's operations, financial position, or strategic plans.
WQ99075 · Tabled · Answered
Does Transport for Wales produce any advertisements in Welsh only?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
In certain circumstances Transport for Wales (TfW) will produce Welsh-only marketing or advertising, for example focused around Welsh language cultural events such as the Eisteddfod, and certain television and podcast placements such as on S4C, though these may have English subtitles.
TfW marketing and advertising in Wales is delivered bilingually, while in England it is produced in English only. However, the language used in advertisements is generally dependent on the context of the advertisement.
TfW comply with Welsh Government communications and marketing guidelines, alongside their own Welsh language strategy.
WQ98997 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government commit to undertaking a review to identify areas where Hybu Cig Cymru could increase joint working and/or resource sharing with other levy boards?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I recognise the important role Hybu Cig Cymru plays in promoting Welsh red meat, representing levy payer interests and supporting sector resilience. I recently met the Chair and Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru and heard about the work underway and positive operational changes made. I will continue to support and constructively challenge Hybu Cig Cymru to deliver Vision 2030 and contribute to a productive, sustainable and competitive Welsh red meat sector.
My officials engage with Hybu Cig Cymru through established sponsorship and governance arrangements to oversee performance, value for money, levy payer representation and wider industry involvement.
Hybu Cig Cymru is funded primarily through the statutory red meat levy, which must be used in accordance with the Red Meat Industry (Wales) Measure 2010 and for the benefit of levy payers.
WQ98993 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to prevent a reduction in Welsh livestock numbers?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Welsh Government’s goal is to support a thriving, resilient and sustainable livestock sector that continues to produce high-quality Welsh food, underpins rural communities and contributes to our climate and nature objectives. Through the Sustainable Farming Scheme, we are supporting farmers to improve productivity, animal health and welfare, soil health and wider environmental outcomes, while ensuring the sector remains well placed to respond to future market, climate and biosecurity challenges.
WQ98992 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline his goals for the future of Welsh livestock farming?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Welsh Government’s goal is to support a thriving, resilient and sustainable livestock sector that continues to produce high-quality Welsh food, underpins rural communities and contributes to our climate and nature objectives. Through the Sustainable Farming Scheme, we are supporting farmers to improve productivity, animal health and welfare, soil health and wider environmental outcomes, while ensuring the sector remains well placed to respond to future market, climate and biosecurity challenges.
WQ98991 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Welsh Government support Hybu Cig Cymru to produce and maintain a healthy corporate culture?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I recognise the important role Hybu Cig Cymru plays in promoting Welsh red meat, representing levy payer interests and supporting sector resilience. I recently met the Chair and Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru and heard about the work underway and positive operational changes made. I will continue to support and constructively challenge Hybu Cig Cymru to deliver Vision 2030 and contribute to a productive, sustainable and competitive Welsh red meat sector.
My officials engage with Hybu Cig Cymru through established sponsorship and governance arrangements to oversee performance, value for money, levy payer representation and wider industry involvement.
Hybu Cig Cymru is funded primarily through the statutory red meat levy, which must be used in accordance with the Red Meat Industry (Wales) Measure 2010 and for the benefit of levy payers.
WQ98990 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm how the Welsh Government expects Hybu Cig Cymru to operate financially?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I recognise the important role Hybu Cig Cymru plays in promoting Welsh red meat, representing levy payer interests and supporting sector resilience. I recently met the Chair and Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru and heard about the work underway and positive operational changes made. I will continue to support and constructively challenge Hybu Cig Cymru to deliver Vision 2030 and contribute to a productive, sustainable and competitive Welsh red meat sector.
My officials engage with Hybu Cig Cymru through established sponsorship and governance arrangements to oversee performance, value for money, levy payer representation and wider industry involvement.
Hybu Cig Cymru is funded primarily through the statutory red meat levy, which must be used in accordance with the Red Meat Industry (Wales) Measure 2010 and for the benefit of levy payers.
WQ98989 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline how the Welsh Government intends to fund Hybu Cig Cymru?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I recognise the important role Hybu Cig Cymru plays in promoting Welsh red meat, representing levy payer interests and supporting sector resilience. I recently met the Chair and Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru and heard about the work underway and positive operational changes made. I will continue to support and constructively challenge Hybu Cig Cymru to deliver Vision 2030 and contribute to a productive, sustainable and competitive Welsh red meat sector.
My officials engage with Hybu Cig Cymru through established sponsorship and governance arrangements to oversee performance, value for money, levy payer representation and wider industry involvement.
Hybu Cig Cymru is funded primarily through the statutory red meat levy, which must be used in accordance with the Red Meat Industry (Wales) Measure 2010 and for the benefit of levy payers.
WQ98988 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government review the governance of Hybu Cig Cymru with the aim of enhancing representation of levy payers' views and increasing wider industry involvement within the organisation?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I recognise the important role Hybu Cig Cymru plays in promoting Welsh red meat, representing levy payer interests and supporting sector resilience. I recently met the Chair and Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru and heard about the work underway and positive operational changes made. I will continue to support and constructively challenge Hybu Cig Cymru to deliver Vision 2030 and contribute to a productive, sustainable and competitive Welsh red meat sector.
My officials engage with Hybu Cig Cymru through established sponsorship and governance arrangements to oversee performance, value for money, levy payer representation and wider industry involvement.
Hybu Cig Cymru is funded primarily through the statutory red meat levy, which must be used in accordance with the Red Meat Industry (Wales) Measure 2010 and for the benefit of levy payers.
WQ98964 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Cabinet Minister given to a centralised digital system for school websites to enable efficiencies and savings to be made across Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Welsh Government offers a centralised cloud-based service, within the national digital ecosystem Hwb, to allow schools in Wales to easily create and manage their websites. Schools and local authorities can choose to use the services provided or seek alternative solutions; this provides the flexibility to select what works best for individual schools.
WQ98962 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Cabinet Minister ensure that institutions in Wales that collect data accurately record a person’s biological sex rather than gender identity?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Work is underway across NHS Wales to improve the way sex, and gender data are recorded. This work has identified that “sex” and “gender identity” are distinct concepts and should not be conflated within a single data field.
The emerging approach is to develop clear standards for the recording of both sex and gender data, informed by clinical, operational, legal and equality considerations. This aligns with wider commitments under the Welsh Government’s Digital and Data Strategy to ensure that data systems are both accurate for clinical purposes and respectful of individuals
WQ98952 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions will the Cabinet Minister have with the UK Government to ensure that there is no risk to the provision of Coastguard services in Wales following the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's decision not to pay volunteer coastguards for responding to emergency callouts after a court ruling?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Substantive response
WQ98951 · Tabled · Answered
When will the guidance document "Setting Local Speed Limits in Wales" from 2009 be updated?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
My officials are working with local authority officers to develop updated guidance and their feedback on the latest draft is currently being considered.
WQ98876 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government scrap its Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
No. The Welsh Government remains committed to delivering the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan.
WQ98874 · Tabled · Answered
Why do official Welsh Government documents use the term white privilege, such as the Race Equality Action Plan for Wales?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government uses terms such as “white privilege” to reflect well-established evidence and language used in equality research and policy.
WQ98864 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government list all of the anti-racist performance objectives assigned to senior civil servants?
Answered by First Minister
Workforce related questions are a matter for the Permanent Secretary.
Substantive response
WQ98851 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government outline the kind of policies it considers to constitute indirect discrimination that can result in a disproportionate number of ethnic minority children being excluded from schools?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Welsh Government’s exclusion from schools and pupil referral units (PRUs) guidance clearly specifies that all exclusion decisions must comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty, requiring schools and local authorities to promote equality of opportunity for all learners. The guidance is clear that race is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
The guidance also explicitly states that exclusion should be the last resort, with schools required to consider individual circumstances, explore preventative and supportive alternatives, and ensure decisions are fair, proportionate and justified.
WQ98850 · Tabled · Answered
What specific actions is the Welsh Government taking to end discrimination against white people in Wales?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government is committed to tackling all forms of discrimination in Wales and to ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and with respect. Through our policies, legislation and public services, we work to ensure that people are treated fairly and with dignity, regardless of their race, ethnicity or background.
WQ98849 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government scrap the Aspiring Board Members programme within the Welsh NHS?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Aspiring Board Members Programme has run from June 2025 to June 2026 and is currently undergoing evaluation. The results of the evaluation will inform decisions on the programme’s future.
WQ98848 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government end the practice of providing unconscious bias training to its staff?
Answered by First Minister
Staffing and workforce issues are matters for the Permanent Secretary.
Substantive response
WQ98847 · Tabled · Answered
Has the Welsh Government ever shortlisted BAME candidates over similarly qualified white candidates on the basis of their race for the purposes of increasing the number of ethnic minorities within its workforce?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Staffing and workforce issues are matters for the Permanent Secretary, who will respond to you directly in due course.
Substantive response
WQ98846 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government scrap its commitment to embed anti-racist culture and practices in every further education institution and adult learning provider in Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
The Welsh Government remains fully committed to embedding an anti-racist culture and practices across further education institutions and adult learning providers in Wales. Our Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan makes it clear that racism has no place in any part of our society in Wales.
WQ98845 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government scrap its commitment within the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan to leverage Welsh Government's specific powers to embed anti-racism within the criminal justice system?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Racism remains a structural issue and it requires a cross-government approach. I am proud of Plaid Cymru’s role in delivering the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan and this Government will work to embed it and build on it.
This plan represents a shared commitment with criminal justice partners to deliver fairer outcomes for all, across reserved services, including policing, courts, prisons and rehabilitation services, to ensure that people from all backgrounds are treated fairly and according to their different needs, including through every stage of the criminal justice system.
WQ98844 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government end the practice of positive action within its recruitment processes?
Answered by First Minister
Staffing and recruitment are a matter for the Permanent Secretary.
Substantive response
WQ98815 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government ensure Vegan Day is not celebrated in Welsh schools?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Decisions about how food education and activities are delivered, including any themed days or events, are local matters.
However, all local authorities and governing bodies of maintained schools must comply with the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013. These set out the type of food and drink which may be provided during the school day.
WQ98745 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline all elements within the devolution analysis undertaken by the 2021-26 Government with which the current Government disagrees?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
The recommendations of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales set out the immediate priorities for constitutional reform. This Government has an ambitious agenda for change, including ensuring that we have the powers we need to deliver for the people of Wales. I shall set out my thinking on further devolution in the near future.
WQ98784 · Tabled · Answered
Are visitors permitted to bring the kirpan onto the Senedd estate?
Answered by Senedd Commission
Llywydd on behalf of the Senedd Commission:
Visitors must deposit their Kirpans with security. This is set out in Annex D: Kirpans _ para 80-83 of the Visitors Code of Conduct.
WQ98783 · Tabled · Answered
Have Senedd security staff ever been instructed to allow knives or other artefacts to be brought onto the premises for religious purposes when they would otherwise have been prohibited?
Answered by Senedd Commission
Llywydd on behalf of the Senedd Commission:
Senedd Security staff have not been instructed to allow knives or other prohibited artefacts to be brought onto the premises for religious purposes.
WQ98782 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Senedd operate any religious exemptions to its rules prohibiting visitors from bringing knives onto its premises?
Answered by Senedd Commission
Llywydd on behalf of the Senedd Commission:
Senedd security does not operate any religious exemptions to its rules prohibiting visitors from bringing knives or other sharp or bladed objects onto its premises.
WQ98781 · Tabled · Answered
Are visitors to the Senedd permitted to bring knives onto the premises for religious purposes, as of 28 May 2026?
Answered by Senedd Commission
Llywydd on behalf of the Senedd Commission:
Under the Visitors’ Code of Conduct, visitors to the Senedd estate are not allowed to bring knives or other sharp or bladed objects onto the premises for religious reasons.
WQ98780 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government ban the kirpan in schools?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring best practice related to safely attending school is shared consistently locally and nationally, and that any incidents are dealt with, recorded and reported in a consistent way. All related issues will be considered in that context, as this work progresses.
The Welsh Government’s Safe and Effective intervention: use of reasonable force and searching for weapons guidance sets out the existing powers and approaches available to schools on this issue.
WQ98779 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government stop funding Stonewall?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
We are committed to protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Wales and ensuring everyone can live free from prejudice, intolerance and hate; Stonewall is receiving a grant from Welsh Government in 26/27.
WQ98778 · Tabled · Answered
Does Hope Not Hate influence or have input into Welsh Government policy?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
This Welsh Government has not engaged with Hope Not Hate.
Information on meetings held by me and other Ministers will be published and publicly accessible on gov.wales.
Our manifesto set out commitments to reject division in our communities and I will outline my priorities in due course.
WQ98777 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government permit Black Lives Matter to influence its Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government is committed to engaging with communities affected by racism across Wales to inform delivery of the Plan.
WQ98776 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government end all religious exemptions that permit pupils to carry knives in schools?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring best practice related to safely attending school is shared consistently locally and nationally, and that any incidents are dealt with, recorded and reported in a consistent way. All related issues will be considered in that context, as this work progresses.
The Welsh Government’s Safe and Effective intervention: use of reasonable force and searching for weapons guidance sets out the existing powers and approaches available to schools on this issue.
WQ98775 · Tabled · Answered
How many days were lost in the Welsh NHS by staff on Health and Care Worker visas on long-term sickness absence in each of the past five years?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government does not hold this data centrally.
WQ98774 · Tabled · Answered
How many medical professionals working in the Welsh NHS on Health and Care Worker visas are currently on long-term sickness absence?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government does not hold this data centrally.
WQ98762 · Tabled · Answered
What guidance will the Cabinet Minister provide to health boards to ensure infection prevention and cleanliness always meets national standards in neurosurgical wards?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government has issued robust guidance that sets clear expectations to ensure the effective prevention and control of infection across all health and social care settings in Wales. This applies to all wards in all hospitals.
This includes the ‘Infection Prevention and Control Quality Statement’, published in early 2026, which sets national expectations for health boards, NHS trusts and commissioned services. It requires our NHS organisations to prevent avoidable healthcare-associated infections, deliver care in clean and safe environments, and implement infection prevention and control practices, supported by robust governance and continuous improvement arrangements.
The Welsh Government’s ‘Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections’ established the statutory standards that all NHS organisations must meet. The Code emphasises that infection prevention and control is the responsibility of all staff and requires organisations to embed effective systems, policies and procedures to minimise infection risk.
These overarching requirements are supported by a range of national standards and guidance, including the ‘NHS Wales National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness’, which set out approaches to environmental cleaning and decontamination.
Wales has adopted the ‘National Infection Prevention and Control Manual’, which provides standardised, evidence-based procedures for healthcare settings, including standard infection control precautions and transmission-based precautions. This ensures consistent practice across NHS Wales.
Further supporting guidance, such as ‘Welsh Health Technical Memoranda’ and related estate and facilities guidance, ensures that healthcare environments are designed and maintained to minimise infection risks, including through appropriate ventilation, isolation facilities and decontamination processes.
Together, these measures provide a clear national framework to support safe, high-quality care and to reduce the risk of infection for patients, staff and the public.
All standards and guidance are subject to continuous review, in accordance with best practice.
WQ98761 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions will the Cabinet Minister have with health boards to ensure effective coordination between accident and emergency, neurosurgery, ear, nose and throat, and ophthalmology services when symptoms overlap across specialties?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I expect health boards to have effective arrangements in place to ensure patients receive safe, timely and coordinated care. Health boards are responsible for ensuring that appropriate clinical pathways, referral arrangements and professional collaboration support the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients, particularly where care may involve more than one specialty or service. This includes ensuring effective communication between clinical teams and clear processes for accessing specialist advice when required.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.