Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:22 pm on 21 March 2017.
Jane Hutt
Labour
2:22,
21 March 2017
I thank Julie Morgan for that question. This issue has been discussed and brought forward, in fact, to cross-party groups over the years. We did establish, as a result, indeed, of a petition from the public and disability groups in particular, a framework for action on independent living—it was mentioned earlier on in response to a question to the First Minister—and it is about ensuring that we can, across Government, act on and take forward those important issues that have such an impact on people’s lives, rooted, of course, in the social model of disability. As the First Minister said earlier on, we’re actually taking the opportunity to develop a refreshed framework for action by the summer, and we have a disability equality forum, and I think these questions, particularly looking at the opportunities that we have to move forward with British Sign Language, will be—both the consultation and the forum will provide an opportunity for this to be considered again.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.