Written Questions Answered from 1 to 8 February 2001
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Written Questions answered from 1 to 8 February 2001 [R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest. [W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh. Contents 2 Questions to the First Minister 3 Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economic Development 4 Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs 4 Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services 14 Questions to the Minister for Environment 15 Questions to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning 16 Questions to the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities 22 Questions to the House Committee Questions to the First Minister Special Advisers to the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Members (Advertising Costs) Glyn Davies: What are the total costs involved in advertising for the two special advisers to the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Members? (WAQ9363) The First Minister: In line with standard practice, the placement of advertisements is tailored to the specific requirements of the post. In taking decisions on publications to use, due regard is paid to value for money considerations. In the case of the special adviser posts it was decided that they would be advertised in The Guardian, The Western Mail, the Liverpool Daily Post, Y Cymro, Golwg and the Liberal Democrat News. The total cost for this, excluding value added tax, is £10,387.40. Special Advisers to the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Members Glyn Davies: Under what authority, and when was it given, for the advertisement of the two special advisers to Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member posts? (WAQ9541) The First Minister: The Civil Service Order in Council 1995, as amended on 16 November 2000, makes provision for the appointment of six special advisers for the purpose of providing advice to the Assembly First Secretary or an Assembly Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales. The advertisement for the two special advisers to the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Members was approved by the Deputy First Minister on 19 January 2001. Government Special Advisers (Annual Costs) Glyn Davies: What is the annual cost of all Government special advisers once posts are filled? (WAQ9542) The First Minister: The cost of the existing special advisers, who were appointed at different dates during 2000-01, will be around £115,000. This figure includes gross salary and pension contributions. Full year costs can be calculated when the current recruitment exercise is concluded. Number of Special Advisers Being Sought Glyn Davies: How many special advisers are being sought? (WAQ9543) The First Minister: Two Liberal Democrat special advisers are being sought in the current recruitment exercise and the two current temporary Liberal Democrat special adviser appointments will end. Special Advisers in Post Glyn Davies: How many special advisers to the Cabinet are in post? (WAQ9544) The First Minister: There are currently five special advisers to the Cabinet in post. There are three substantive appointments advising the Labour members of the Cabinet. The other two are temporary appointments advising the Liberal Democrat members of the Cabinet. The two temporary appointments will end once appointments are made from the current recruitment exercise. The Concordat with the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Nick Bourne: Will the First Minister outline how the concordat with the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales has assisted the National Assembly for Wales with regard to devolved policy areas? (WAQ9583) 2 The First Minister: The concordat has been in force for less than a month, so it is far too early to evaluate it. It will provide a sound basis for continued close working between the Cabinet and the Secretary of State for Wales on a wide range of devolved and non-devolved issues. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economic Development Finance Wales Alun Cairns: Will young farmers be allowed to apply to Finance Wales? (WAQ9308) The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economic Development (Michael German): Agriculture Department officals are discussing with Finance Wales how it can help young entrants into farming. This is a matter that I am anxious to encourage. Grants for the Forestry Industry from the Wales Tourist Board Nick Bourne: Are there any grants available for the forestry industry from the Wales Tourist Board? (WAQ9310) Michael German: The Wales Tourist Board provides grant assistance for projects that it considers will provide or improve tourist amenities and facilities. The forestry industry may be eligible for grant assistance from the board for tourism related projects. Projects need to comply with the board’s terms and conditions for assistance. Grants are available from the Forestry Commission through the woodland grant scheme for the development of woodland access and recreation. There is a special project, WIG 1, under the woodland improvement grant, specifically for public access and the provision of facilities to enjoy that access. There is also a special community woodland supplement for creating new woodlands with public access. The Concordat with the Department of Trade and Industry Nick Bourne: Will Michael German outline how the Concordat with the Department of Trade and Industry has assisted the National Assembly for Wales with regard to economic development? (WAQ9587) Michael German: The concordat has provided a sound framework for co-operation between the Assembly and the Department of Trade and Industry on matters of mutual interest. For instance we have agreed the appointment of a Welsh co-ordinator and a Welsh service delivery plan for the UK-wide Envirowise programme. Arena Network: Wales Environment Centre is the Welsh co-ordinator for Envirowise, which aims to help companies improve their environmental performance via waste minimisation programmes, clean technology and so on. We have a Welsh representative on the Small Business Council which was set up to advise the Small Business Service, while we are represented at senior level on the board of British Trade International. There has been increased co-operation in the provision of international business support services. We are also represented on the enterprise policy group, involving the devolved administrations and DTI/SBS, to discuss policy initiatives throughout the UK, and progress on major issues. There was close collaboration and consultation over the drafting of the White Paper on science and innovation, the review of the assisted areas map, and joint working with DTI and the Scottish Executive to bring the regional selective assistance scheme in line with the full flexibility provided by the regional national aid guidelines. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs 3 The Concordat with the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Nick Bourne: Will the Minister for Rural Affairs outline how the Concordat with the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has assisted the National Assembly for Wales with regard to agricultural policy areas? (WAQ9589) The Minister for Rural Affairs (Carwyn Jones): The concordat has provided a sound framework for co-operation between the Cabinet and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on matters of mutual interest. We have been able to influence the direction of the policy taken by the UK Government. For example, the Assembly led the way in calling for the abolition of dairy hygiene charges; we campaigned successfully for help for the smaller abattoirs and negotiated an important safeguard for Welsh producers in changes to the beef special premium scheme. We continue to work closely with the UK Government and with the European Commission on reform proposals for the sheep annual premium. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services GPs Employed in South Wales West Alun Cairns: Further to WAQ8601, would the Minister for Health and Social Services please list the number of general practitioners employed at each surgery for every practice throughout South Wales West? (WAQ9297) The Minister for Health and Social Services (Jane Hutt): The information is given in the table below. SOUTH WALES WEST HEALTH MEDICAL LIST AS AT 1 OCTOBER 2000 Surgery Name and Address Total No. of Patients No. of GPs at Practice Health Centre, Pontardawe 10,063 6 Newcastle Surgery, Llangewydd Rd, 4,538 2 Bridgend 88 Mynydd, Garnlwyd Rd, Clase 4,536 2 Princess Street, Gorseinon 7,919 5 Medical Centre, Queens Rd, Skewen 7,618 4 Heathbridge House, The Old Bridge, 6,860 4 Kenfig Hill The Surgery, Llangyfelach Rd, 5,735 4 Brynhyfryd The Surgery, De La Beche Rd, Sketty 18,279 11 Health Centre, Cwmavon 3,451 2 4 Nicholl Street, Medical Centre, Swansea 5,719 3 125 Port Tennant Rd, Swansea 4,355 2 3 Frederick Place, Llansamlet 8,058 5 Ysgol Street, St Thomas 8,710 6 Health Centre, Glyncorrwg 1,576 1 Health Centre, Blaengwynfi 1,767 1 Tal-y-Bont Surgery, Station Rd, 5,379 5 Pontarddulais Surgery, Margam Rd, Port Talbot 9,344 5 108 Penygraig Rd, Mayhill 4,490 3 New Surgery, Victoria Street, Pontycymer 8,273 4 Scurlage, Reynoldston, Gower 6,194 4 151 St Helens Rd, Swansea 6,873 4 Health Centre, Aberavon 8,105 4 Health Centre, Briton Ferry 6,056 4 Princess Street, Gorseinon 2,913 2 The Mumbles Medical Practice, 10 West 8,466 5 Cross Avenue, Norton, Mumbles The Medical Centre, Heol-yr-Onnen, Pen- 5,200 5 coed 139/140 St Helens Rd, Swansea 7,889 5 Church Rd, Seven Sisters, Neath 4,983 4 The New Surgery, 3 New Street, 3,955 2 Aberkenfig The Surgery, Sway Rd, Morriston 8,805 5 Castle Surgery, 1 Prince of Wales Drive, 9,816 5 Neath The Surgery, Woodlands Terrace,