Answers issued to Members on 3 June 2009

[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 Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the First Minister

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Has the Minister had any discussion regarding the viability of Anglesey Aluminium? (WAQ54253)

The First Minister (Rhodri Morgan): Both before and since consultation notices have been issued, I have been in discussions with various organisations, in collaboration with the UK Government, regarding the future of Anglesey Aluminium.

Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the extension of the Concessionary Fares Scheme to Community Transport and what new eligibility criteria, if any, are to be applied to users? (WAQ54226)

The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): In March 2009 I announced plans to extend the Concessionary Fares Scheme on Community Transport. I have decided to continue with the existing criteria for 2009-10. This will be a transition year and will allow us to work with CTA Cymru to develop a more sustainable scheme for the public.

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the Cardiff/Ynys Mon air link? (WAQ54252)

The Deputy First Minister: The current Intra Wales Air Service contract runs until May 2010. My officials are currently reviewing the options for the air service and this will inform my decision on the way forward.

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): How many manufacturing jobs have been lost in Wales in each month since May 2007? (WAQ54254)

The Deputy First Minister: There are no official monthly estimates of jobs in Wales by sector. The official employee jobs series, published quarterly, is shown in the table below. The most recent available data relate to the period June 2007 to December 2008. The data show that over this period, the total number of employee jobs in Wales decreased from 1,185,600 to 1,145,400. The total number of employee jobs in manufacturing decreased from 160,800 to 151,700 over the same period.

Employee Jobs by Industry, Wales (thousands)

Source: Employers Surveys, ONS.

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): How many public service jobs have been lost in Wales in each month since May 2007? (WAQ54255)

The Deputy First Minister: There are no official monthly estimates of jobs in Wales by sector. The only official source of public sector employment is published annually. The latest data are shown in the table below.

Public and Private Sector employment, Wales

Source: Regional Public Sector Employment, ONS.

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister outline how and when he expects Welsh GVA to reach 90 per cent of UK GVA. (WAQ54256)

The Deputy First Minister: No official forecasts are made for Welsh GVA.

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Lorraine Barrett (Cardiff South and Penarth): What discussions has the Minister had with both the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Welsh Office concerning the consultation into the conclusions of the Rugg review into the Private Rental Sector? (WAQ54296)

The Deputy Minister for Housing (Jocelyn Davies): Assembly Government officials are working closely with the Department of Communities and Local Government to consider the extent to which the conclusions of the Rugg review may offer benefits to Wales, especially where there is scope for a joint approach.

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): What is the average age of retirement of midwives in each NHS Trust in Wales? (WAQ54235)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): This information is not centrally held.