Written Assembly Questions for answer on 17 September 2003

R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest. W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)

To ask the First Minister

Owen John Thomas (South Wales Central); What representations have you made to the Italian authorities in response to the abuse and violence inflicted upon Welsh supporters during Saturdays Euro 2004 qualifier at the San Siro Stadium. (WAQ28032)

Leanne Wood (South Wales Central); During the last four years, have there been any complaints from civil servants involving bullying by any Ministers. (WAQ28047)

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister confirm the number of NHS posts that have been vacant for three months or more. (WAQ28026)

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales); How many private nursing homes are there in Wales according to the latest figures. (WAQ28030)

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales); How many beds in private nursing homes are there in Wales according to the latest figures. (WAQ28031)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Further to WAQ27834, would the Minister make a statement on the implications for NHS patients of private patients using NHS beds. (WAQ28035)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Further to WAQ27834, would the Minister confirm the amount paid for the use of NHS beds. (WAQ28042)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Further to WAQ27834, would the Minister make a statement on the financial implications of private patients using NHS beds (WAQ28043)

David Davies (Monmouth); Will the Minister make a statement on the reason for the withdrawal of promised funding from voluntary hospices. (WAQ28044)

Leanne Wood (South Wales Central); Will the Minister supply a breakdown of previously supplied statistics on NHS compensation pay-outs over the last 4 years (WAQ27767) to show the proportion spent annually on legal fees and court costs. (WAQ28046)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Does the Minister intend to develop a new pharmacy contract for Wales, and if so, will she outline the timescale and process the Welsh Assembly Government intends to adopt. (WAQ28048)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister state whether the Assembly Government intends to adopt the new pharmacy contract that is currently being developed and negotiated or if the Welsh Assembly Government intends to develop its own version. (WAQ28049)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister acknowledge the concerns raised by various health stakeholders, including Ministerial Advisory Bodies, on the recent Audit Committee recommendations on the Auditor Generals Report on the Procurement of Primary Care Medicine, and will she make a statement. (WAQ28050)

To ask the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning

Janet Ryder (North Wales); Have all Higher Education Institutions and Further Education Institutions now been fully compensated for the additional costs of the Teachers' Pension Scheme. (WAQ28028)

Owen John Thomas (South Wales Central); Can the Minister confirm that any proposals to establish Welsh medium schools which she has approved following statutory objections would have met the minimum consultation requirements specified in the letter from the Head of the National Assembly's Schools Management Division to the Caerffili County Borough Council of 19 August 2003. (WAQ28033)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Further to WAQ27956, will the Minister make a statement on students in Wales not reaching their full potential in university study due to the financial burden of tuition fees. (WAQ28034)

To ask the Minister for Economic Development and Transport

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales); What research or assessment has been made into the success of Hay-on-Wye as a book town and how that success might be replicated in other parts of Wales. (WAQ28029)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on the state of roads in South Wales East and any plans he may have to improve them. (WAQ28037)

To ask the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services

Janet Ryder (North Wales); When does the Minister intend opening consultation on the date of the next Local Government elections. (WAQ28027)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister confirm the source of funding for advertising the 'Golden Goodbye' payments to Councillors. (WAQ28038)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on the planned cost of advertising the 'Golden Goodbye' payments to Councillors. (WAQ28039)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on how retiring Councillors will be made aware of the 'Golden Goodbye' payments. (WAQ28040)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on plans for the current Debating Chamber from September 2005. (WAQ28036)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Further to WAQ27836, would the Minister make a statement on the procurement process for furnishing the Debating Chamber and Committee Rooms in the new Assembly building. (WAQ28041)

Brynle Williams (North Wales); Will the Minister make a statement on the Mwrog Street Drainage Scheme in Rhuthun, including i) the initial cost and any additional costs, ii) if the Welsh Assembly Government is funding any additional costs, and iii) an estimated completion date for the scheme. (WAQ28054)

To ask the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration

Leanne Wood (South Wales Central); Were the normal procedures of fair and open competition followed in the appointment of the former Head of the Financial Planning Division to the new post of Director of the Social Justice and Regeneration Department. (WAQ28045)

To ask the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside

Brynle Williams (North Wales); Will the Minister make a statement on the reasons why many farming subsidy payments are still outstanding. (WAQ28051)

Brynle Williams (North Wales); What action is the Minister taking to alleviate severe hardships affecting people in the farming industry waiting for outstanding farming subsidies. (WAQ28052)

Brynle Williams (North Wales); Will the Minister make a statement on the problems with the computer system relating to the late payments of farming subsidies. (WAQ28053)

Janet Ryder (North Wales); What was the tendering process carried out to place the contracts for the veterinary work done as part of the Welsh Sheep Strategy and the Welsh Beef Strategy, how was this tender advertised and how were veterinary practices advised they could tender or apply for this work. (WAQ28056)

Janet Ryder (North Wales); How much funding has been allocated to the veterinary part of the Welsh Sheep Strategy and the Welsh Beef Strategy programmes, and how much has already been allocated or paid to veterinary practices for this work. (WAQ28057)

Janet Ryder (North Wales); Which veterinary practices have been allocated contracts for the veterinary work done as part of the Welsh Sheep Strategy and the Welsh Beef Strategy, are they up to date with the work required, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ28055)