, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
1. How does the Welsh Government monitor the standard of mental health services in north Wales? OQ61183
, Plenary
Debate: The Infected Blood Inquiry Report
Oh, I'm speaking. Thank you. The damning findings of the infected blood inquiry published on 25 May shone a light on one of the biggest treatment scandals in NHS history. An estimated 3,000 people infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting
So, committee as a whole, at this point, I propose, in accordance with Standing Order 17.42(ix), that we resolve to meet in private for the remainder of today's meeting. Are all Members content? I see that Members are content. Therefore, I'd be grateful if we…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Okay. Mike Hedges, are you content with—? Thank you very much indeed. If Members have no further questions, that brings our questions to a conclusion. As you'd expect, a draft transcript of this meeting will be sent to you for you to check for accuracy before…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Mike Hedges.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
I was aware that you might be setting dangerous precedents.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Adam.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Well, I would state on a personal basis, for example, I get a huge amount of constituent casework relating to failures to understand or implement the requirements of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014, which is something that this committee…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Okay, thank you. And the last question I've got, unless any Members have any further thoughts, is following on from a comment, I think, from Rachel Garside-Jones about monitoring and milestones and the roles you take in that. Because this is an issue that…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Thank you very much. Perhaps, again, in your written response, in terms of the question asked in relation to whether an inquiry would incorporate looking at Members' private communications, even if you can't specify in this case whether such an inquiry could…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
It would appear to be a request for just factual information, but in your written response, will you be able to give factual answers to those specific questions without commenting on the subject matter of the inquiry?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Thank you. Yes, Adam.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Thank you. Peter Fox, can I bring you in, please?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
One other thought before I bring Peter Fox in. Given the earlier discussion with Adam Price around leaks, information and whistleblowing—and you may not be able to comment, but this is in very general terms, with no specific party or Government in mind—to…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
To be relevant, wherever the Cabinet manual sits, to what extent would this need to be a living document? I believe that the current UK document was published in 2010 and hasn't had material changes since, although we have an evolving constitution and all the…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Thank you very much indeed, Adam. Mike Hedges, I believe you have some questions.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Thank you. Adam Price.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Can I just ask you to clarify? I think I heard correctly that you're not aware of a set process for leak inquiries. Is there a formal process?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Can I bring in Mike Hedges, Adam, before you continue?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Thank you. You have made a number of references to the UK Government Cabinet manual. I believe Adam Price has some questions for you on this.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
And a final question from me at this point: how does the Welsh Government ensure that civil servants themselves understand what is permitted, particularly around information sharing? And what, if any, benefit does the Welsh Government see in establishing…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
And just for the record, were similar letters sent in 2016 and 2021?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Thank you. You've indicated that a letter goes to the party leaders as part of the now-established convention. We note that, in the run-up to the 2007 elections in Wales, the then Permanent Secretary wrote to all the party leaders offering meetings on matters…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
I think it was a year after, if I remember.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Session on the Cabinet Manual and Access Talks
Thank you. We note that, when negotiating the coalition agreement in 2000, the Liberal Democrats were granted informal access to officials to obtain advice on their policy proposals. In the absence of guidance, how does the convention you describe, the…
