Written Assembly Questions tabled on 24 September 2014 for answer on 1 October 2014

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

(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)

Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.

To ask the Minister for Natural Resources

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister confirm when the terms of reference for the governance review of national parks will be announced? (WAQ67735)

Answer received on 1 October 2014

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): The governance review of national parks and its terms of reference were announced on 25 September.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Does the Welsh Government have intentions to make pest control a statutory service for local authorities? (WAQ67737)

Answer received on 1 October 2014 

Carl Sargeant: No.

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Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the Welsh Government's response to the interim findings from the review into the beef industry in Wales? (WAQ67738)

​Answer received on 1 October 2014

The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): The review into the beef industry in Wales was independently commissioned by HCC. I am due to meet with representatives from the beef sector later in the month to discuss the final recommendations of the report.

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): When will the Welsh Government make an announcement on changes to bovine TB compensation payments? (WAQ67739)

Answer received on 1 October 2014

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): When will the Welsh Government announce the outcomes of the consultation on EIDCymru? (WAQ67740)

Answer received on 3 October 2014

Rebecca Evans:  A Written Statement detailing the outcome of the consultation and the way forward, including the timescale for delivery, will be issued later in the year

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Can the Welsh Government confirm that a woodland planting scheme will be available for the 2014/15 and 2015/16 planting seasons? (WAQ67741)

Answer received on 1 October 2014

Rebecca Evans: It has not proved possible to deliver a woodland creation grants scheme for this coming planting season, 2014/15. The next Rural Development Programme includes proposals for the creation of new woodland under Glastir and I expect to have that scheme open for applications in the spring of 2015.

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): When will the Welsh Government announce details of the next Rural Development Plan? (WAQ67742)

Answer received on 6 October 2014

Rebecca Evans: Our proposals for the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 are based on the consultation document "Common Agricultural Policy Reform:  Wales Rural Development Programme 2014-2020" which was published in February. The European Commission is currently studying our proposals and there will then be a process of discussion and negotiation.  

I have commissioned a review of the proposed approach to knowledge transfer, advice and innovation under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme with the aim of receiving the findings and recommendations by the end of October 2014.

I will announce details once I have considered the outcome of these two actions

To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister outline how many additional enquiries, referrals and members have been received by credit unions as a direct result of the national marketing campaign for Welsh credit unions? (WAQ67736)

Answer received on 3 October 2014

The Minister for Comminities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths): As a result of the recent national marketing campaign, more than 2,500 new members joined Credit Unions during the period April to June. As at August 2014, the campaign had generated 6,372 additional enquiries, and 606 referrals to local Credit Unions, monitored via a dedicated website and telephone number. In October, we will have information on new members recorded during July to September.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Aled Roberts (North Wales): Does the Welsh Government have any plans to review the supplementary guidance to 'the National Assistance Act 1948 (Choice of Accommodation) Directions 1993' which deals specifically with procedures to follow when discharging patients from hospital to a care setting? (WAQ67734)

Answer received on 1 October 2014

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): A review and update of the supplementary guidance will be undertaken as part of the work to revise and update guidance due to the repeal of existing legislation when the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 is implemented.

The updated guidance will reflect recent policy direction in relation to integration and partnership working. The guidance will also retain its positive features in terms of enabling individuals and their families to make informed decisions and ensuring they have access to timely and high quality care and support.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm whether the Welsh Government plans to introduce a constitutional right to mental health treatment on the Welsh NHS, similar to that proposed by Shadow Health Minister Andy Burnham MP? (WAQ67743)

Answer received on 1 October 2014

Mark Drakeford: Health is a matter devolved to Wales. The Welsh NHS provides individuals who require mental health services with evidence-based, clinically-appropriate treatments according to clinical need.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on current and future use of private hospitals or clinics within the Welsh NHS, and will he confirm the total number and percentage of overall procedures undertaken on the Welsh NHS by private hospitals or clinics for each of the last 3 financial years? (WAQ67744)

Answer received on 3 October 2014

Mark Drakeford: We will continue to use the independent sector as and when necessary.

Attached is a table that shows the number of Welsh patients treated in private facilities in Wales and England over the last three years, and so far this year:

This equates to less than 0.5% of all procedures carried out on Welsh patients. Usage of the private sector fell by 39.2%per cent between 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm the aggregate cost to the Welsh NHS of procedures undertaken by the private sector in each of the last three financial years? (WAQ67745)

Answer received on 3 October 2014

Mark Drakeford: Information about the aggregate costs to the Welsh NHS of procedures undertaken by the private sector in the last three financial years is not held by the Welsh Government. Health boards hold information about expenditure on healthcare provided by the private and independent sector.