Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest. [W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the First Minister

Questions to the Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport

Questions to the Minister for Economic Development and Transport

Questions to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside

Questions to the Finance Minister

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration

Questions to the First Minister

Janet Davies: What method of transport did the First Minister and the Cabinet use to travel to and from north for the question and answer session in Bangor on 12 September 2005? (WAQ44040)

The First Minister (): No Ministers travelled to north Wales exclusively for the Q&A session, as it was followed by a media editors’ reception, a lengthy meeting of the Cabinet and other public engagements prior to return.

John Marek: What communications has the First Minister had with Graham Rogers of AMICUS in Mold relating to the transfer of Arvin Meritor jobs from north Wales to south Wales? (WAQ44084)

The First Minister: Neither I nor my officials have had communications with Graham Rogers of the AMICUS Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

Mold office concerning the Arvin Meritor Wrexham site closure situation and neither I nor my officials are aware of such a transfer, but are aware of a regional selective assistance package for axle manufacture at Arvin Meritor Cwmbran, applied for and approved subsequent to the Arvin Meritor Wrexham closure decision.

Questions to the Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport

Eleanor Burnham: Will the Minister make a statement on the statutory functions of the Welsh Language Board once it is absorbed by the Assembly Government? (WAQ44055)

The Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport (Alun Pugh): The Welsh Language Board will cease to exist once it has been merged with the Assembly Government, at which point its functions will be exercised by the Assembly Government.

Ann Jones: Will the Minister make a statement on the development of cinema subtitling in Wales? (WAQ44066)

Alun Pugh: I am meeting the chief executive of the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association in October to discuss how sight subtitling and audio description in cinemas can be taken forward in Wales.

Nick Bourne: Will the Minister make a statement on his policies to promote the rich cultural heritage of Wales? (WAQ44067)

Alun Pugh: Wales has a rich and unique cultural heritage of which we are enormously proud. Welsh Assembly Government policies have resulted in millions of pounds being spent directly, as well as through our Assembly sponsored public bodies, to enable the people of Wales to celebrate their cultural heritage. One of our most successful policies has been the introduction of free entry to the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, which has enabled all Welsh people and visitors to Wales to appreciate, enjoy and learn from our national collections. Other policies have demonstrated our continuing commitment to the development of local libraries, museums and archive services, the promotion of the Welsh language and the arts, and the protection and preservation of our built historic environment.

Nick Bourne: Will the Minister identify his budget priorities for the next six months? (WAQ44068)

Alun Pugh: I set out my budget priorities to you in answer to your written question (WAQ43476) on 23 June. The Assembly Government tabled its budget for 2005-06 on 27 September.

Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

William Graham: Will the Minister make a statement concerning horse racing in Wales? (WAQ44069)

Alun Pugh: Horse racing is enjoyed by many thousands of people across Wales and makes an important contribution in cultural, sporting and economic terms.

William Graham: Will the Minister make a statement concerning Booktown Blaenafon? (WAQ44070)

Alun Pugh: Most of the bookshops in Blaenafon deal with second-hand books or remainders. However, the Welsh Books Council has made contact with the bookshops in Blaenafon and informed them of what books council services are available to them. Book orders are being supplied to Browning Books through the books council. Browning Books also organised an event as part of the World Book Day activities—co-ordinated by the books council in 2004.

Peter Black: What discussions has the Minister held with the national eisteddfod regarding its future funding? (WAQ44071)

Alun Pugh: I have regular discussions with the national eisteddfod regarding its future funding. I am pleased that the national eisteddfod continues to modernise and make itself more appealing to a wider audience, and that the recent Eryri eisteddfod was a success—financially as well as culturally.

Peter Black: Will the Minister make a statement on any discussions he has had regarding the future of the National Eisteddfod? (WAQ44072)

Alun Pugh: I have had, and continue to have, regular discussions with the national eisteddfod, the Welsh Language Board, the Welsh Local Government Association and other organisations with an interest in the continued future success of the national eisteddfod.

Laura Anne Jones: What discussions has the Minister had regarding the provision of facilities in Wales for the 2012 Olympics? (WAQ44073)

Alun Pugh: Initial round table discussions including the Sports Council for Wales, the Wales Tourist Board and the Welsh Development Agency have already taken place. We will be working closely with the UK Government and the London organising committee to maximise the benefits in Wales, in terms of business opportunities, increased tourism and sporting success. This will be a key agenda item when I meet Tessa Jowell on 2 November at the UK sports Ministers’ Cabinet.

Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

Ann Jones: Will the Minister make a statement on the future of first-class county cricket in north Wales? (WAQ44074)

Alun Pugh: First-class cricket fixtures in north Wales are played in Colwyn Bay, which remains an extremely popular venue for players and supporters. While responsibility for future scheduling of fixtures is a matter for the relevant cricketing authorities, led by Glamorgan County Cricket Club, I am certainly keen to see that first- class cricket continues to thrive in north Wales.

Carl Sargeant: Will the Minister make a statement on the impact of the London Olympics Bill on sports funding and sports provision in Wales? (WAQ44085)

Alun Pugh: The London Olympics Bill was introduced on 14 July 2005. One of the main measures provides for the establishment of the Olympic Delivery Authority to deliver the necessary venues and infrastructure for the games. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to an increased investment in sport and physical activity, to create a healthier Wales. From a £12 million per annum base in 2003-04 we will be investing more than £24 million by 2007-08.

Questions to the Minister for Economic Development and Transport

Peter Law: What action is the Welsh Assembly Government taking to develop the rail network in Wales? (WAQ44047)

The Minister for Economic Development and Transport (Andrew Davies): The Welsh Assembly Government remains committed to delivering improvements to the rail services in Wales. Since May 2000 we have funded north-south Wales train services. We have funded, and continue to fund, station improvements throughout Wales, as well as providing a £50 million programme of support for additional rolling stock on the Cardiff Valley lines and cross-country networks. We have funded the reopening of the Vale of Glamorgan line for regular passenger services for the first time since 1964 with a shuttle bus link to Cardiff International Airport and supported the extension of platforms on the Aberdare line to accommodate four coach trains. We are providing funding of £2 million for on board CCTV on trains throughout Wales. We are also providing support for the opening of the Ebbw Vale railway line in 2006-07.

William Graham: What action is the Welsh Assembly Government taking to increase awareness among young people in Wales of the potential dangers of driving? (WAQ44051)

Andrew Davies: The road safety strategy for Wales aims to reduce casualties involving young people and improve driving standards. We are working in partnership with the Department for Transport, the police and local authorities in Wales to highlight key road safety messages via media and advertising campaigns, and the Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005 production of bilingual literature.

Kirsty Williams: Have any decisions been made regarding the future funding of the Xenos initiative? (WAQ44094)

Kirsty Williams: What discussions have taken place regarding the future of the Xenos initiative? (WAQ44095)

Andrew Davies: Xenos forms part of the current network of business support and its role will be taken forward within the new structures of my department post-merger.

Nick Bourne: How many jobs were lost in Wales during the Assembly’s summer recess? (WAQ44101)

Andrew Davies: The latest available employment statistics from the labour force survey are for May to July 2005. These show total employment in Wales at 1,321,000, up 3,000 on the previous three months and up 2,000 on the same period in 2004.

Nick Bourne: How many people have used the mini bus link from Rhoose railway station to and from Cardiff International Airport since the service began? (WAQ44103)

Andrew Davies: Following the resumption of passenger rail services on the Vale of Glamorgan line in June, I understand that some 3,300 passenger journeys have been undertaken on the bus link from Rhoose Cardiff international airport station to the airport.

Lisa Francis: Will the Minister make a statement on the effect of business on businesses in Wales? (WAQ44128)

Andrew Davies: We are continually monitoring the effect of business rates on businesses. We have just completed some research into the effectiveness of current rate relief. Once that has been considered we will consult more widely on options for future rate relief arrangements in Wales.

Questions to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning

Mark Isherwood: Will the Minister make a statement on discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education regarding teachers’ pay? (WAQ44049) Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning (Jane Davidson): I have not held discussions on teachers’ pay with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. Teachers’ pay is not devolved, and decisions for Wales and England are the responsibility of the Secretary of State. I provided written evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body in May, and on 8 September gave oral evidence to the STRB on proposals for teachers’ pay to the extent that they might affect education in Wales.

Nick Bourne: How many members are there in the public relations team at Education and Learning Wales? (WAQ44088)

Jane Davidson: ELWa does not have a public relations team. It employs one person who is responsible for external relations management and other work. ELWa contracts with an external public relations agency to promote learning in the media.

Nick Bourne: How many members are there in the communications and corporate affairs team at ELWa? (WAQ44089)

Jane Davidson: ELWa employs 14 people in its communications team which is responsible for all internal and external communications. ELWa does not have a corporate affairs team.

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside

Nick Bourne: Will the Minister update us on his discussions with local authorities regarding the progress of Technical Advice Note (Wales) 8: ‘Planning for Renewable Energy’? (WAQ44038)

The Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside (): Meetings were held with a number of local planning authorities prior to the publication of Technical Advice Note (Wales) 8: ‘Planning for Renewable Energy’. A seminar is also being held at , to which all authorities were invited, to discuss the implementation of TAN 8.

Peter Black: Will the Minister make a statement on the progress of the implementation of technical advice notes in Wales (WAQ44039)

Carwyn Jones: Two technical advice notes, Technical Advice Note (Wales) 8: ‘Planning for Renewable Energy’ (2005) and Technical Advice Note (Wales) 15: ‘Development and Flood Risk’ have been fully revised and issued. Technical Advice Note (Wales) 1: ‘Joint Housing Land Availability Studies’ and Technical Advice Note (Wales) 2: ‘Planning and Affordable Housing’ are out for public consultation. Work is also underway Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005 reviewing five other TANs, which will be issued for public consultation in due course. Where technical advice notes introduce significant changes, active engagement with key stakeholders, including local planning authorities, is undertaken to ensure that policy is implemented.

Ann Jones: Will the Minister make a statement on waste management in Wales? (WAQ44053)

Carwyn Jones: ‘Wise about Waste: the National Waste Strategy for Wales’ seeks to ensure that, in Wales, waste is managed in an increasingly sustainable manner, and that Wales meets its obligations under international, European and legislation.

In particular, the Assembly Government is seeking to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill, the least sustainable means of waste management. There is evidence that less waste from both industrial and municipal sources is being sent to landfill, e.g. municipal waste landfilled in 2003-04 was lower than for any year since 1998-99.

The implementation of the Assembly Government’s policies for waste management and the substantial additional resources made available to local authorities, which will total £93,000,000 between now and 2007-08, has resulted in local authority recycling and composting reaching 16 per cent in 2003-04, exceeding the 15 per cent National Assembly for Wales performance indicator target. Data for 2004-05 will be published in December 2005.

Kirsty Williams: Will the Minister make a statement on environmentally sensitive areas payments? (WAQ44090)

Carwyn Jones: ESA payments were put on hold for a few weeks over the summer in order to carry out a necessary technical update of the computer system. Payments resumed earlier this month and officials are currently working through a very small backlog of claims.

Helen Mary Jones: Does the Minister have any plans to change the permitted time period for the cutting and laying of hedges, and, if so, can he give reasons for those changes? (WAQ44099)

Carwyn Jones: Officials have consulted members of the Economic Development and Planning Committee and Rural Payments Division stakeholders and partnership groups on amending the dates for hedge cutting and hedge laying. The consultation period closed on 9 September. I will consider all the responses received and my decision will be published.

Lisa Francis: Will the Minister make a statement on the price that Welsh farmers receive for beef? Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

(WAQ44122)

Carwyn Jones: Cattle prices are significantly lower than in 2004 due to market imbalance. The result is that (pre-farm-gate) prices have dropped by £50 to £60 per head compared to 2004 prices. I am aware that autumn is a particularly crucial time when farmers are making decisions for the year ahead. This is why Hybu Cig Cymru has increased marketing activity for Welsh beef.

Lisa Francis: What recent discussions has the Minister had regarding proposals for windfarms in Pembrokeshire? (WAQ44123)

Carwyn Jones: I have had no discussions regarding proposals for wind farms in Pembrokeshire.

Nick Bourne: Will the Minister give an assurance that farmers’ new single farm payment entitlements due in December will not be delayed? (WAQ44137)

Carwyn Jones: The implementation of the single payment scheme in Wales is on schedule and we are endeavouring to make payments to as many farmers as possible as soon as possible after the opening of the payment window (1 December).

Carl Sargeant: Will the Minister make a statement on recycling targets in Flintshire? (WAQ44138)

Carwyn Jones: Flintshire had a recycling rate of 16 per cent, equal to the all-Wales total for 2003-04. This comprised 10 per cent recycling and 6 per cent composting. The new high-capacity recycling plant run by Recyclo at Sealand will help to continue this upward trend in recycling.

Local authorities throughout Wales can call on advice and support a number of complementary projects, supported by funding from the Assembly Government:

● from materials experts and market development staff in the Wales Environment Trust and the waste and resources action programme (WRAP) ● from Cylch (the community recycling network for Wales) providing advice on best practice and working with the voluntary sector, and ● from Keep Wales Tidy, which run the eco-schools scheme to educate future citizens environmentally.

There are also strong partnership initiatives in place, such as the strategic recycling scheme, funded by the Assembly Government, and run by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, has provided extra funding for waste projects that has been accessed by authorities across Wales, and the Waste Awareness Wales campaign, again supported by Assembly funding, which is run under the aegis of the Welsh Local Government Association and aims to support local authority recycling by influencing public perception and behaviour. Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

Questions to the Finance Minister

Jonathan Morgan: What recent discussions has the Minister had with UK Government Ministers regarding the security arrangements for Welsh Assembly Government buildings throughout Wales? (WAQ44048)

The Finance Minister (Sue Essex): I have had no recent discussions with UK Government Ministers concerning security arrangements at Welsh Assembly Government buildings. The UK Government guides our overall policy on security issues. Assembly Government officials are in regular contact with their Whitehall counterparts on security matters.

Lisa Francis: Will the Minister make a statement on business rates in Wales? (WAQ44129)

Sue Essex: Every five years, as laid down in primary legislation, business properties are revalued for the purposes of calculating business rates by the Valuation Office Agency. This is to ensure that rate liability is spread fairly between ratepayers. The latest revaluation took effect from 1 April 2005 and reflects changes in rateable value that have taken place during the five-year period from 1 April 1998 to 1 April 2003.

Figures from the VOA show that, on average, rateable values have risen by 12.46 per cent across Wales. The overall increase in England is 17.9 per cent.

I adjusted the multiplier for 2005-06 downwards by 7 per cent to 42.1p to reflect changes to the average rateable value increases across Wales following the revaluation.

This is good news for businesses in Wales. The Assembly has kept a multiplier lower than that in England and this, combined with average rateable values increasing by some 5 per cent less than in England, will ensure the competitiveness of Welsh businesses.

Peter Black: What discussions has the Minister had with the Secretary of State for Wales about the revaluation of in Wales? (WAQ44139)

Sue Essex: I have regular meetings with Ministers at the Wales Office. Council tax revaluation has been one of a number of issues discussed.

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Karen Sinclair: Will the Minister give a progress report on Welsh Assembly Government initiatives to support Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005 carers in Wales? (WAQ44028)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Brian Gibbons): We continue to implement our carers strategy, advised by the carers strategy review panel. Since 2000-01, we have made available more than £28.6 million in carers grant to local authorities to help develop local services for carers. We have also allocated £1.3 million over the next three years to support the core costs of all-Wales voluntary organisations working with carers. In addition, we have issued new practice guidance to authorities on undertaking carers’ assessments, bringing these fully within the unified assessment process. In April 2005, we commenced the provisions of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 and hosted a ‘carers summit’ to raise awareness of the Act among the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors. We plan to publish a report of this summit in the autumn. In August, we funded a Wales young carers’ festival in Powys, which I attended.

Our work priorities for 2005-06 include assessing the implementation by authorities of our good-practice guidelines for black and minority ethnic carers and assessing the impact of our young carers’ training pack that was issued to all schools in Wales. We are also working with the carers strategy panel to see whether our carers strategy needs updating/refocusing.

Peter Law: What support is the Minister giving the United Brain Tumour Campaign? (WAQ44030)

Brian Gibbons: I understand that the United Brain Tumour Campaign is a group of UK charities working to raise public awareness of brain tumours. I have not been asked to support the campaign and any future approach would need to be considered in the normal way.

Nick Bourne: Will the Minister outline his priorities for improving the NHS in Wales? (WAQ44031)

Brian Gibbons: I set out my priorities for health and social care in the Health and Social Services Committee in May 2005. Since then, we have issued ‘Designed for Life’, which sets out a new vision of what the people of Wales can expect by 2015. This includes action to improve health, social care and wellbeing for all, and transform health and social care services. The strategy will specifically focus on the first three years on improving coronary heart disease, cancer, mental health services to older people and children and services for those with chronic diseases and awaiting elective treatment.

William Graham: Will the Minister make a statement on the ambulance service in Wales? (WAQ44032)

Brian Gibbons: The latest available quarterly performance statistics show that nearly 88 per cent of responses to all emergency calls in Wales arrived within the target times for attendance by a fully-equipped ambulance.

Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust is continuing to work with Health Commission Wales and with local health boards to explore opportunities for improving performance in LHB areas. Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

William Graham: Will the Minister make a statement on cardiac surgery in Wales? (WAQ44033)

Brian Gibbons: Health Commission Wales is the commissioner of cardiac surgery for Wales. The current maximum waiting time target for cardiac surgery is eight months, reducing to six months at 31 March 2006. The latest available waiting times statistics show that, at 31 July 2005, only one patient in the whole of Wales had been waiting over eight months for cardiac surgery.

Lorraine Barrett: Will the Minister make a statement on smoking cessation services in Cardiff and the Vale? (WAQ44034)

Brian Gibbons: Smokers in Cardiff and the Vale wishing to give up can access community or hospital-based smoking cessation services. The former are provided by the national public health service under a service level agreement with the Welsh Assembly Government and can be accessed by ringing 0800 085 2219. The latter are the responsibility of the Cardiff Local Health Board and can be accessed at Llandough Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales.

In addition, the Assembly Government is currently funding a pilot hospital-based smoking cessation programme in Prince Phillip Hospital in Llanelli and West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen. This seeks to integrate community and hospital-based smoking cessation services, providing seamless support for a patient to quit. Initial findings from the pilot are due in the autumn. If successful, it could lead to further discussions with local health boards across Wales about the implementation of secondary cessation services and, with respect to Cardiff Local Health Board, how the existing service could be further developed.

Laura Anne Jones: Will the Minister make a statement on transport arrangements for hospital outpatients in Wales? (WAQ44035)

Brian Gibbons: Patient transport services provide planned transportation to and from hospitals for those patients considered to have a medical need for ambulance transport. For patients who do not have a medical need, but cannot meet the cost of travel to hospital, financial help may be available through the hospital travel costs scheme. Where patients do not qualify through the HTCS, but have to travel frequently or over long distances, they can make a case to their local health board for help with travel costs. Any agreement to provide financial assistance would be at the discretion of the individual LHB.

Laura Anne Jones: Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of convalescent care in Wales? (WAQ44036) Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

Brian Gibbons: Convalescent care may be provided in a number of settings, for example, in a hospital, in a care home or in a person’s own home, depending on the needs of the individual concerned and the type of health care required. Where there are significant healthcare needs, convalescent care may be provided in alternative hospital settings or purchased in a care home with nursing, funded by the NHS. Continuing NHS healthcare would normally apply to longer-term needs, and convalescence is by implication relatively short term.

Patients would not be expected to fund their own healthcare in a care home setting. Depending on individual circumstances, intermediate care arrangements may cover such situations.

Decisions on how to provide and fund such care are the responsibility of NHS trusts and local health boards to manage.

In 2004-05, the Assembly provided £11.05 million for the joint working special grant, of which, £2,839 million was spent on intermediate care and reablement packages. This grant is set to continue until 2008.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Will the Minister make a statement on any discussions he has had in relation to the establishment of a further urology diagnostic centre in north Wales? (WAQ44041)

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: What assessment has the Minister made in relation to the need for a further urology diagnostic centre in north Wales? (WAQ44042)

Brian Gibbons: There is currently no urology diagnostic centre in north Wales. Urology diagnostics is available in each of the north Wales secondary care providers as part of their standard urology service.

It is a matter for local health boards to determine the future service needs of their population in partnership with NHS trusts and other local partners.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Further to his answer to WAQ43784, can the Minister detail how much of the £9 million for general practitioner premises has been spent and where? (WAQ44043)

Brian Gibbons: A number of premises developments have been approved by the primary care estate forum under the £9 million development fund. The total amount approved so far for major schemes is £545,000 plus VAT. In addition to this, under the same scheme, £41,000 has been approved for small improvement projects. We expect the bids for funding under the scheme to accelerate over the next few months.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Will the Minister publish the annual mortality statistics for each of the last five years? (WAQ44044)

Brian Gibbons: The total numbers of deaths for 2004 (provisional) and for each of the previous five years are in Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005 the Wales in Figures, Births and Deaths table at: http://www.wales.gov.uk/keypubstatisticsforwalesfigures/content/population/births.htm

Mortality data by cause, gender and age are available for 2001, 2002 and 2003 on StatsWales, Population and Migration, Vital Statistics (with the equivalent data for 2004 expected to become available from the Office for National Statistics to be added in December) at: http://www.statswales.wales.gov.uk/ReportFolders/ReportFolders.aspx and for earlier years in the Digest of Welsh Statistics 2003 at: http://www.wales.gov.uk/keypubstatisticsforwales/ content/publication/compendia/2003/dws2003/dws2003-ch1/dws2003-ch1.htm and in previous editions at: http://www.wales.gov.uk/keypubstatisticsforwales/content/public-archive.htm

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: With reference to WAQ42325, will the Minister make a progress report on the national service framework for long-term conditions and can he provide a date for its release? (WAQ44045)

Brian Gibbons: The national service framework for long-term conditions, produced by the Department of Health, applies predominately to the development of services for neurological conditions in England.

We are currently making plans in Wales to improve care for people living with chronic and long term conditions. This work supports the recommendations of ‘Designed for Life: Creating world class health and social care services for Wales in the 21st century’ and will focus on a wide range of long-term and chronic conditions. It will also be informed by the results of the strategic review of neuroscience services in Wales and will take account of the broader principles and recommendations of the NSF for long-term conditions in England.

Nick Bourne: Will the Minister make a statement on NHS waiting times in Wales? (WAQ44050)

Brian Gibbons: Nobody should wait longer than 12 months for a first out-patient appointment or in-patient/day- case treatment by the end of March 2006. Further targets have been set to reduce the maximum total waiting time from referral by the GP to treatment to six months, including waiting times for any diagnostic tests required by December 2009.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Will the Minister make a statement on how many physiotherapy students qualifying from Cardiff University this summer have yet to find employment, and what steps he is taking to ensure that Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005 they all find employment in Wales? (WAQ44076)

Brian Gibbons: The most recent information I received identified 28 physiotherapists who graduated from Cardiff this July who have not yet secured employment. My officials have written to all NHS trusts and local health boards in Wales to inform them of the situation. We have asked for details of junior physiotherapy workforce numbers and for an explanation as to why the posts do not reflect the requirements identified in previous year’s workforce plans. Information was also sought on their plans to ensure that they utilise these skills appropriately. Officials are currently analysing the responses and are in contact with physiotherapy managers with a view to improving ways that their departments can employ and support newly qualified therapists and so improve recruitment for these grades.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: Will the Minister make a statement on the amount of bird flu vaccine the Welsh Assembly Government has stockpiled available for Welsh patients? (WAQ44077)

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: What preparations has the Minister made for an outbreak of bird flu? (WAQ44078)

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: What was the stock of bird flu vaccine on: a) 1 January 2003: b) 1 January 2004: c) 1 January 2005 and d) 30 August 2005 available for use by Welsh patients? (WAQ44079)

Brian Gibbons: Experts believe that events affecting both human and animal health have brought the world closer to an influenza pandemic than at any time since the last one in 1968-69. We have worked closely with the other home countries on the development of a UK influenza contingency plan that provides the overall framework for the UK’s response to a pandemic. This can be viewed at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/ assetRoot/04/10/44/37/04104437.pdf

Vaccines are an essential component of seasonal flu management and they are manufactured to an annual specification from the World Health Organization that takes account of the circulating strains. A pandemic vaccine cannot be manufactured until the strain has been identified, and so we are unable to build a stockpile in advance.

Antivirals will therefore be a key part in the management of pandemic flu cases. While we do not know how effective they will be against a pandemic virus, they have been demonstrated as effective in preventing and treating seasonal flu. Unlike pandemic vaccines, they can be stockpiled in advance. Alongside the other UK countries, we have therefore taken steps to secure a sufficient supply of antivirals to treat those of the population who may develop clinical symptoms (cumulative clinical attack rate is estimated to be 25 per cent). Deliveries of supplies are being made between August 2005 and December 2006. We can access our proportion of the stock received at any time should that be necessary, but have made arrangements to receive a bulk delivery in spring 2006.

Lisa Francis: By how much has NHS spending risen since 1999 a) in percentage terms b) in real terms? (WAQ44082) Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

Brian Gibbons: Expenditure on health in Wales increased to £4.7 billion in 2004-05 from the health budget of £2.8 billion which the Assembly inherited in 1999. This is an increase of 67 per cent. The general retail prices index increase in this period was 16 per cent.

Sources

(i) Health Statistics Wales 1999.

(ii) National Statistics—retail prices index.

Notes:

(i) Health expenditure includes the following: LHBs and NHS trusts; education and training; family health services; health improvement; food standards; welfare foods.

David Davies: What information does the Minister have on the number of children suffering from autism, attention deficit disorder and Asperger’s syndrome in Monmouthshire? (WAQ44091)

Brian Gibbons: This information is not held centrally.

David Davies: Does the Minister have any plans to allocate extra funding to local health boards in order to implement provisions contained within the Welsh autism strategy? (WAQ44092)

David Davies: Will the Minister make a statement on progress on producing the Welsh autism strategy? (WAQ44093)

Brian Gibbons: The autistic spectrum disorders strategy for Wales is currently being drafted. I would not wish to pre-empt the content of the document, or to anticipate the results of the consultation, which, we hope, will be in the forthcoming months.

It is for local health boards to assess the health service needs of the local area and, working in partnership with the NHS trusts, the voluntary sector and others, plan and prioritise their health services to meet that need from within the resources available.

Ann Jones: Will the Minister make a statement on the number of prosecutions arising from assaults on NHS staff in Wales by trust for each of the last five years? (WAQ44096)

Brian Gibbons: No data on prosecutions is held centrally. However, information on the number of incidents of Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005 verbal abuse and physical assaults reported by staff at NHS trusts and Powys LHB between 2001-02 and 2003- 04 will be contained in the Auditor General for Wales’s report on protecting NHS staff from violence and aggression, to be published on 22 September 2005. The Assembly is committed to providing a safe environment for patients and NHS staff. In July we published a security framework for NHS trusts, which sets new standards.

Lisa Francis: Are there any plans within the south Pembrokeshire area to reduce the overnight district nurse service? (WAQ44118)

Brian Gibbons: This information is not centrally held. The level of overnight district nurse service provided in South Pembrokeshire is a matter for Pembrokeshire Local Health Board and the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust to manage.

Lynne Neagle: Will the Minister provide a breakdown of MRI scan waiting times in Wales by NHS trust? (WAQ44131)

Brian Gibbons: Comprehensive data are not available at this time. Welsh health circular (2005)078, issued on 1 September, gave notice of the intention to publish the October to December quarterly figures in February 2006.

Lynne Neagle: Will the Minister provide a breakdown of CT scan waiting times in Wales by NHS trust? (WAQ44132)

Brian Gibbons: Comprehensive data are not available at this time. Welsh health circular (2005)078, issued on 1 September, gave notice of the intention to publish the October to December quarterly figures in February 2006.

Leighton Andrews: What have been the main drivers on inflation in the health and social services budget since 1999? (WAQ44134)

Brian Gibbons: Approximately 70 per cent of the health and social services budget is used to fund staff costs in the NHS, primary care, and other agencies involved in provision of health and social care services. Annual staff pay awards represent the main inflation driver against the health and social services budget.

Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration

Ann Jones: What discussions has the Minister had with senior management in North Wales Fire and Rescue Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

Service regarding the change in the method of recording injuries to which they ascribed an 18 per cent rise in fire injuries in north Wales last year? (WAQ44046)

The Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration (Edwina Hart): I have not had any direct discussions with senior management in North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on this matter.

Peter Black: Will the Minister make a statement on the funding of affordable housing in Wales? (WAQ44052)

Edwina Hart: Following the 2004 spending review the budget for the social housing grant programme is being increased to provide the following annual sums:

2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

£76.4 million £86.4 million £96.4 million

These figures compare with a budget of £59.4 million in 2004-05 and will be supplemented by private finance, which should ensure that the total spending during the three-year period amounts to somewhere in the region of £400 million.

Lorraine Barrett: What action is the Welsh Assembly Government taking to improve community facilities in St Mellons? (WAQ44054)

Edwina Hart: The Welsh Assembly Government has awarded £577,867 of structural funds Objective 2 funding, together with £50,000 from the community facilities and activities programme, towards the £1,176,332 cost of the Beacon Centre in St Mellons. This multi-purpose community facility, opened by the First Minister on 9 September 2005, provides a community cafe, youth drop-in centre, advice and counselling surgeries, nursery and crèche facilities, a community laundrette, community offices, education and training rooms, an IT suite and conference facilities. Activities at the centre will help remove barriers to employment and improve skills through the provision of a meeting place, education and training, advice and other opportunities.

Ann Jones: Will the Minister make a statement on the reason for a change in recording methods given by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service for a rise in fire injuries? (WAQ44056)

Edwina Hart: I have been advised that anomalies in the recording of non-fatal casualty data were identified following a review by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service of local interpretation of nationally used definitions.

The review, which revealed a degree of over-reporting, included enquiries to other fire and rescue services in respect of their reporting methods to identify any differences. It has resulted in control staff being provided with Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005 additional guidance to support them in achieving more consistent reporting and determine whether or not persons involved at incidents should be classified as ‘injuries’. The change in interpretation and recording in April 2005 did not constitute a change in definitions—these remain as set out in the FDR guidance issued to all fire and rescue services in 1994.

Ann Jones: Will the Minister state the criteria used to classify fire injuries? (WAQ44097)

Edwina Hart: The criteria used to classify fire injuries is set out in the FDR guidance issued to all fire and rescue services in 1994.

Lisa Francis: Will the Minister make a statement on the rights of council house tenants to buy their homes? (WAQ44130)

Edwina Hart: Since 1980, secure tenants of local authorities and some other social landlords have had the right to purchase their home under the right to buy scheme.

Leighton Andrews: What is the next phase of the initiative on scrambler bikes in Wales, and will the Minister make a statement? (WAQ44133)

Edwina Hart: The Wales off-road motorcycling steering group, which has representatives from the Assembly, the fire service and Forestry Commission Wales and other interested organisations, continues to actively seek ways to reduce motorcycle trespass in the countryside through enforcement, education and the provision of off road facilities.

Initiatives include a seconded police officer working with the Forestry Commission to undertake a scoping exercise of rural crime and anti-social activity including off road issues: the production of a procedural booklet to assist those applying for planning permission for off-road facilities and the provision of an off-road facility at Swansea.

Leighton Andrews: What has been the outcome of the revised application for funding by Teen Challenge? (WAQ44136)

Edwina Hart: The current consideration does not constitute consideration of a funding application, but of an application for accreditation as a support provider under the Supporting People initiative. Accreditation allows a provider to receive Supporting People revenue grant direct from the Assembly Government. The existing arrangement is that Carmarthenshire County Council is the accredited provider for the projects administered by Teen Challenge U.K., and the authority effectively ‘sub-contracts’ delivery of the service. Written Questions answered between 22 and 29 September 2005

The Assembly Government is currently considering an appeal from TCUK against a decision not to accredit. The matter is being considered by senior officials, and at present officials are awaiting confirmation of a convenient date for a presentation by TCUK in respect to that appeal.

In a separate consideration Carmarthenshire County Council submitted a proposal to have funding for three of the seven projects provided by TCUK withdrawn as part of the authority’s handling of the reduction in the Supporting People budget. These projects were identified by the authority on the grounds that they were the least strategically relevant to the authority’s Supporting People operational plan. This proposal was approved by the First Minister and funding for the projects ceased as of April of this year.