Plenary Contributions 06/05/15

QUESTIONS TO MINISTER FOR EDUCATION & SKILLS

Reforming the National Curriculum
Janet Finch-Saunders
Minister, from visits to schools in my constituency, and indeed during many of the debates that we’ve heard coming up to the general election, more and more young people are asking for a youth assembly here, but also other young people are asking for more information and knowledge of the democratic process here in Wales to be added to the curriculum. What changes to the curriculum do you have in regard of this?
Huw Lewis
Well, it’s right there within the four basic purposes of the curriculum that Professor Donaldson has put before us. As I say, I’ve yet to respond to the Great Debate consultation that we’ve gone through, but I can tell Members that we’ve had a record response in terms of numbers of people and organisations that have responded in terms of that call for a great debate. I’m not aware of any individual organisation within those responses that would disagree with you—with the Member—in terms of the imperative of improving the system of making our young people active and informed citizens. Citizenship forms the basis of one of those key, bedrock four purposes that Professor Donaldson has outlined for us. Now it is for us to construct a curriculum that answers that basic call in terms of what happens in various subject areas, what happens across the curriculum, and what happens between the school and the wider community.

QUESTIONS TO MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TRANSPORT

Public Transport
Janet Finch-Saunders
Minister, I have received several representations about the quality of rolling stock from north to south and vice versa. Quite often, direct trains have to stop off at Chester to be changed, and it is fair to say that I receive many representations from constituents about a much-needed way of commuting from north to south. What actions are you actually taking with regard to this? I know that rolling stock technically isn’t devolved, but what representations are you making?
Edwina Hart
Right, I think we’ve got to recognise the issue around rolling stock across the whole of the UK and what’s going on with ageing stock. We will have the opportunity with the new franchise to look at issues around rolling stock, but I can assure you that it’s not a north-south issue. It’s a west Wales to Cardiff issue as well when it comes to the standard of rolling stock. Rolling stock is one of the key issues we’ll have to look at when we look at the franchise, about the quality. It was envisaged that we’d be having old stock from somewhere, but I don’t think that’s good enough for Welsh citizens. As far as I’m concerned, we need to have the best up-to-date stock and we need to get on with it. This is one of the primary considerations and, when I meet rail user groups, this is one of their principal concerns