Written Assembly Questions for answer on 10 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 Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning

David Davies (); Has there been any investigation into the feasibility of provision of a Unit in Abergavenny for children with complex problems and special needs. (WAQ27930)

David Davies (Monmouth); How many special needs children from Abergavenny attend Overmonnow Special Needs unit, including those due to transfer in September. (WAQ27931)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West ); Is the Minister planning to revise the 1999 School Premises Regulations (the More Open Enrolment formula) and what guidance has the Minister given to Local Education Authorities in Wales in interpreting MOE. (WAQ27943)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); What guidance has the Minister given to Local Education Authorities in considering school closures, does the guidance include advice on the criteria to be used by LEAs in determining proposals for closure, and are these criteria different where Voluntary Aided Schools are being considered. (WAQ27944)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); What discretion is exercised by Local Education Authorities in applying MOE and is the Minister aware of any particular interpretation of MOE by Powys LEA. (WAQ27945)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); What is the estimated total cost of implementing the Workload Agreement in Wales. (WAQ27946)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); What is the estimated total cost of implementing the Workload Agreement in Powys. (WAQ27947)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); How much money has been allocated by the Minister to Powys County Council for implementation of the Workload Agreement. (WAQ27948)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Apart from ALGs, what other plans has the Minister got to help students cope with the burden of tuition fees. (WAQ27956) Mike German (South Wales East); When does the Minister expect to be able to announce the decision she has made on the schools reorganisation in the Abergavenny area of . (WAQ27964)

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

David Davies (Monmouth); Why is the treatment Forsteo not available via General Practitioners. (WAQ27937)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); What occupational health services are provided for General Practitioners and their staff across Wales, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27936)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); How does the provision of occupational health services in Wales for General Practitioners and their staff compare to provision in: a) , and b) the rest of the United Kingdom. (WAQ27934)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Of the occupational health services provided for General Practitioners and their staff, are these services uniformly available throughout Local Health Boards across Wales. (WAQ27935)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister follow the example set by the Secretary of State for Health and organise a programme of Ministerial visits to NHS Wales hospitals in the near future. (WAQ27938)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on the feelings of the majority of General Practitioners surveyed by the Institute of Healthcare Management and Developing Patient Partnerships that patients who miss their appointment should be made to cover the cost. (WAQ27941)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Following the appointment of the Chief Executive Designate of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, will the Minister clarify the responsibilities of the position with reference to Wales. (WAQ27942)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Why has the number of people in Wales waiting over 18 months for an outpatient appointment increased from 951 in May 1999 to 9,141 at the end of July 2003, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27966)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Why has the number of people in Wales waiting over 18 months to be admitted as an inpatient and daycase patient increased from 605 in May 1999 to 5,846 at the end of July 2003, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27967) Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Can the Minister explain why outpatient hospital waiting list figures across Wales have increased from 114,878 in May 1999 to the current figure of 222,223 at the end of July 2003, and will she make a statement. (WAQ27968)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Is an increase of 107,345 patients waiting for an outpatient appointment in Wales since May 1999 in line with Welsh Assembly Government targets, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27969)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Is an increase of 24,412 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase hospital treatment in Wales since May 1999 in line with Welsh Assembly Government targets, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27970)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Can the Minister explain why inpatient and daycase hospital waiting list figures have increased from 53,014 in May 1999 to the current figure of 77,418 at the end of July 2003, and will she make a statement. (WAQ27971)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); What reasons can the Minister give for: a) the 187 NHS patients in Wales waiting over 18 months for urological treatment procedures, and b) the 4,988 NHS patients in Wales awaiting these procedures. (WAQ27972)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Is the figure of 187 NHS patients in Wales waiting over 18 months for urological treatment procedures in line with Assembly Government targets, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27973)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); What reasons can the Minister give for: a) the 78 NHS patients in Wales waiting over 18 months for gynaecological treatment procedures, and b) the 5,084 NHS patients in Wales awaiting these procedures. (WAQ27974)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Is the figure of 78 NHS patients in Wales waiting over 18 months for gynaecological treatment procedures in line with Assembly Government targets, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27975)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); What reasons can the Minister give for: a) the 3,361 NHS patients in Wales waiting over 18 months for ear, nose and throat treatment procedures, and b) the 12,270 NHS patients in Wales awaiting these procedures. (WAQ27976)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Is the figure of 3,361 NHS patients in Wales waiting over 18 months for ear, nose and throat treatment procedures in line with Assembly Government targets, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27977)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); What reasons can the Minister give for: a) the 1,721 NHS patients in Wales waiting over 18 months for general surgical procedures, and b) the total number of 17,289 NHS patients in Wales awaiting these procedures. (WAQ27978) Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Is the figure of 1,721 NHS patients in Wales waiting over 18 months for general surgical procedures in line with Assembly Government targets, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27979)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); a) What reasons can the Minister give for the discernible difference in hospital inpatient waiting times reported by the North Regional NHS Office and the South Regional NHS Office, and b) is proportional demographic provision for health services the same for both regions. (WAQ27980)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Why are hospital waiting lists in Wales still rising overall, whilst comparable statistics for England point to a decrease in waiting times, and will the Minister make a statement. (WAQ27981)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on why 4 patients in Wales are waiting over 6 months for an angiography. (WAQ27982)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 493 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in the Vale of Glamorgan Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 3,364 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27983)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 253 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Torfaen Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,682 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27984)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 475 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 5,790 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27985)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 350 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Newport Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 3,908 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27986)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 170 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Monmouthshire Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,354 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27987)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 141 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 1,470 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27988)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 1,163 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Cardiff Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 7,729 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27989)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 501 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Caerphilly Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 4,827 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27990)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 256 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,109 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27991)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 33 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Wrexham Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,962 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27992)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 18 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in the Isle of Anglesey Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 1,345 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27993)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 42 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Gwynedd Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,387 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27994)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 32 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Flintshire Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 3,149 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27995)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 55 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Denbighshire Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,399 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27996)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 50 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Conwy Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,825 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27997)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 97 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Powys Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,976 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27998)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 636 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Swansea Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 6,641 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ27999)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 81 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Pembrokeshire Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 4,171 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ28000)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 287 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 3,960 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ28001)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 126 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Ceredigion Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 2,103 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ28002)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 256 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Carmarthenshire Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 4,263 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ28003)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on: a) the reasons why 331 patients are waiting over 18 months for inpatient and daycase treatment in Bridgend Local Health Board, b) why there are a total of 3,600 patients waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment in this Local Health Board, and c) what specific plans does she have to reduce this number as a matter of urgency. (WAQ28004)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister list the voluntary organisations: a) she intends to include, and b) those who have expressed an interest in being included during the formulation of her strategy for the treatment of diabetes. (WAQ28005)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); What proportion of NHS patients admitted to hospital in Wales are emergency cases, and how does this compare to: a) England, and b) the United Kingdom. (WAQ28006)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Has the Director of NHS Wales yet established a team to examine the recommendations contained in the review of Health and Social Care in Wales. (WAQ28007)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); At what stage is the implementation plan for recommendations contained in the Review of Health and Social Care in Wales, currently being established by the Director of NHS Wales, and will the Minister give an update on its progress. (WAQ28008)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister provide an update on the progress of the Advisory group set up to consider the role and responsibilities of the Commissioner for Older People. (WAQ28009)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); Will the Minister make a statement on what she is doing to tackle age discrimination in the workplace. (WAQ28010)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); What initiatives in Wales has the Minister taken to mark the European Year of Disabled People, and will she make a statement. (WAQ28012)

Jonathan Morgan (South Wales Central); What statutory powers will the Commissioner for Older People have, especially in relation to human rights legislation. (WAQ28013) Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); Has any research been carried out into the effects of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak on the health and wellbeing of the people in Wales affected by it and if research has been carried out when is this research due to be published. (WAQ27965)

Alun Cairns (South Wales West); Would the Minister make statement on her policies aimed at supporting ME and CFS patients. (WAQ28020)

Alun Cairns (South Wales West); What guidance is in place to support Local Health Boards in commissioning treatment for ME and CFS patients. (WAQ28021)

Alun Cairns (South Wales West); What timescale is in place for the delivery of policy for ME and CFS patients. (WAQ28022)

Alun Cairns (South Wales West);Would the Minister please list the capital sums invested into hospital building programmes for each of the last 5 years and the projected expenditure for the forthcoming 5 years. (WAQ28023)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on waiting times for inpatient and outpatient treatment in Gwent. (WAQ28024)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on plans to slash waiting times for inpatient and outpatient treatment in Gwent. (WAQ28025)

Brynle Williams (North Wales); Will the Minister list the total number of elderly mentally infirm (EMI) beds there are between Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay (please list figures in the NHS and private sector). (WAQ27932)

Brynle Williams (North Wales); How many elderly mentally infirm (EMI) beds are currently available (unused) and ready for occupancy between Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay - please list figures in NHS and private sector. (WAQ27933)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister explain the powers and functions of community health councils. (WAQ27954)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Further to WAQ27826, would the Minister confirm which 4 NHS trusts failed to achieve the target and the respective percentages by which that target was exceeded. (WAQ27955)

To ask the Minister for Economic Development and Transport

Janet Davies (South Wales West); Has the Minister had any discussions with the SRA, Network Rail or Arriva, about planning signalling upgrades in the Port Talbot area of the Cardiff-Swansea main rail line. (WAQ27939)

Lisa Francis (Mid and West Wales); Can the Minister confirm that changes are now to be made to the current plans to upgrade the A470 Maes yr Helmau to Cross Foxes road at Dolgellau. (WAQ27940)

To ask the Minister for Local Government and Public Services

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); Does the Minister anticipate that One Voice Wales will be inaugurated, as planned on 1 April 2004. (WAQ27949)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); When will the 'Scoping Study' into Community Councils, now being prepared by the University of Wales, be presented to the Minister and be published. (WAQ27950)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); When does the Minister expect to approve the One Voice Wales Business Plan. (WAQ27951)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); What is the estimated total annual cost to the public sector of making the salary payments to councillors pensionable. (WAQ27952)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); How many councillors in Wales are eligible to benefit under the proposed severance scheme and what would be the estimated total cost if they all decided to accept the payments to which they were entitled. (WAQ27953)

Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales); How many of the four organisations, which signed the 'One Voice Wales' Protocol at the National Assembly on 2 April 2003, are still fully committed to its implementation. (WAQ28011)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister confirm the process by which Councillors become eligible for 'golden goodbye' payments. (WAQ27957)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); How much money has the Minister allocated for the 'golden goodbye' payments to Councillors scheme. (WAQ27958)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); How have financial resources for the 'golden goodbye' payments to Councillors scheme been raised. (WAQ27959)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); According to the Minister's estimate, approximately how many councillors will take advantage of the 'golden goodbye' payments at the 2004 Local Government elections. (WAQ27960)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); What measures are in place to prevent Councillors who accept the 'golden goodbye' payment standing for election in the future. (WAQ27961)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Will the Minister announce her decision later this month whether to hold the 2004 Local Government Elections on 10 June. (WAQ27962)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister explain how payments to Councillors of up to £20,000 to encourage them to stand down represent good value for money. (WAQ28014)

To ask the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Further to WAQ27786, would the Minister confirm the powers, responsibilities and functions of the Community Safety Partnerships. (WAQ27963)

To ask the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on his discussions regarding the proposed plans for a new Stadium for Cardiff City. (WAQ28017)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister explain his delay in announcing whether he supports plans for a new Stadium for Cardiff City. (WAQ28018)

Alun Cairns (South Wales West); When a planning application is the subject of a Public Enquiry, what impact, if any, can letters from the public to the Minister, whether for or against the application, have on the outcome. (WAQ28019)

To ask the Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on any discussions he has been involved in or informed about regarding any plans to alter the set- up of the Six Nations Rugby Tournament. (WAQ28015)

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East); Would the Minister make a statement on any discussions he has been involved in or informed about regarding the proposed plans for a new Stadium for Cardiff City. (WAQ28016)