Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 3 September 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 Finance and Public Service Delivery
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Kirsty Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): What action does the Welsh Assembly Government take to ensure all Government reports, press releases and strategies are written in clear and accessible language? (WAQ54727)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
The Welsh Assembly Government's Communications Directorate is affiliated to the UK Government Communications Network on a professional basis and is fully signed up to the promotion of the highest possible standards in providing up to date information about public services and government policies that affect people's daily lives. This includes a commitment to producing clear and accessible communication, championing the use of plain English and ensuring quality and consistency.
The Welsh Assembly Government offers a number of training courses to staff on improving writing skills and producing clear briefings and reports.
The Assembly Government’s Statistical Directorate has won three national plain English awards from the Plain English Campaign (in 2003, 2004, and 2006), and is currently developing a one-day course on plain English.
The Assembly Government have an online style guide which specifies all web content should be clear and concise. The Assembly Government also use globally acknowledged website accessibility standards that have specific requirements with regard accessible content. All web authors undergo training on these standards before they are allowed to publish content to the website. The Assembly Government also has a quality assurance process in place where web content is measured against content and accessibility standards.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister provide a breakdown, per department, of how many Freedom of Information requests have been turned down, in whole or in part, for each year since 2000, giving the reasons for each? (WAQ54729)
Answer issued on 3 September 2009
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 was commenced on 1 January 2005. The Assembly Government has published on its internet site reports on the implementation of open government legislation and policies for each year from 2005 to 2008. The reports for 2005, 2006 and 2007 do not include aggregate information on request completion categories and the use of legal exemptions to the requirement to release information because this was not available. However, responses to requests for information are published on our Disclosure Log and, where information was exempted from disclosure, a full explanation is included. Aggregate information on request completion categories and the use of legal exemptions is available for 2008 following the development of our internal monitoring system. This is provided for the whole of the Assembly Government in the report for 2008 and is included in the following tables for each Assembly Government department as they existed in 2008.
Table 1: Number of instances of requests received by Assembly Government departments during 2008 falling into completion categories
Completed Category |
||||||||
Department |
All Information Provided |
Some Information Provided |
No Information Provided |
No Information Held |
Withdrawn |
Exceeded Appropriate Limit |
Vexatious |
Repeated |
Business Development |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Constitutional Affairs, Equality & Communication |
11 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Corporate Information & Services |
13 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Children, Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills |
20 |
7 |
1 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Environment, Sustainability & Housing |
35 |
2 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
Health & Social Services |
49 |
3 |
0 |
9 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Public Health & Health Professions |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Public Services & Performance |
13 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Department for Rural Affairs & Heritage |
45 |
19 |
8 |
16 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
17 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Economy & Transport |
99 |
16 |
5 |
18 |
14 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
Department of the First Minister |
11 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Finance |
9 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Human Resources |
33 |
13 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Legal Services Department |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Office of the Permanent Secretary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Table 2: Use of exemptions/exceptions to the requirement to release information by Assembly Government departments during 2008
2a: Exceptions used under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004
Exception |
|||||||
Department |
Reg 12(4)(b) |
Reg 12(4)(d) |
Reg 12(4)(e) |
Reg 12(5)(a) |
Reg 12(5)(e) |
Reg 12(5)(f) |
Reg 13 |
Business Development |
|||||||
Constitutional Affairs, Equality & Communication |
|||||||
Corporate Information & Services |
|||||||
Children, Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills |
|||||||
Environment, Sustainability & Housing |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Health & Social Services |
|||||||
Public Health & Health Professions |
|||||||
Public Services & Performance |
|||||||
Department for Rural Affairs & Heritage |
1 |
2 |
6 |
||||
Social Justice & Local Government |
|||||||
Economy & Transport |
1 |
2 |
1 |
||||
Department of the First Minister |
|||||||
Finance |
1 |
1 |
1 |
||||
Human Resources |
|||||||
Legal Services Department |
|||||||
Office of the Permanent Secretary |
2b: Exemptions used under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Exemption |
||||||||||||||
Department |
S.1(3) |
S.14 |
S.21 |
S.22 |
S.27 |
S.28 |
S.29 |
S.35 |
S.36 |
S.38 |
S.40 |
S.41 |
S.42 |
S.43 |
Business Development |
||||||||||||||
Constitutional Affairs, Equality & Communication |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
||||||||||
Corporate Information & Services |
1 |
2 |
||||||||||||
Children, Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
||||||||||
Environment, Sustainability & Housing |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
Health & Social Services |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|||||||||||
Public Health & Health Professions |
||||||||||||||
Public Services & Performance |
3 |
1 |
||||||||||||
Department for Rural Affairs & Heritage |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
1 |
4 |
|||||||
Social Justice & Local Government |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
Economy & Transport |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
|||||
Department of the First Minister |
1 |
|||||||||||||
Finance |
2 |
|||||||||||||
Human Resources |
1 |
11 |
||||||||||||
Legal Services Department |
1 |
|||||||||||||
Office of the Permanent Secretary |
2c: Exemptions used under the Data Protection Act
Exemption |
|
Department |
Schedule 7, Paragraph 10 |
Business Development |
|
Constitutional Affairs, Equality & Communication |
|
Corporate Information & Services |
|
Children, Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills |
1 |
Environment, Sustainability & Housing |
|
Health & Social Services |
|
Public Health & Health Professions |
|
Public Services & Performance |
|
Department for Rural Affairs & Heritage |
|
Social Justice & Local Government |
|
Economy & Transport |
|
Department of the First Minister |
|
Finance |
|
Human Resources |
1 |
Legal Services Department |
|
Office of the Permanent Secretary |
|
Other |
Notes:
The exemptions/exceptions listed are all those that have been applied by Assembly Government departments during 2008. Exemptions/exceptions not listed have not been used. A description of the matter to which each exemption/exception relates is provided in Annex A of the Assembly Government’s Code of Practice on Access to Information which can be viewed at
http://wales.gov.uk/publications/accessinfo/code/?lang=en
As more than one exemption/exception would have been used in relation to some individual requests, the total figure does not indicate the number of requests that have had an exemption/exception applied to them.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister provide a breakdown, per department, of how much has been spent on chauffeur services using Welsh Assembly Government cars in each year since 2000? (WAQ54730)
Answer issued on 7 September 2009
My Department [DoFM] is responsible for the Welsh Assembly Government cars used primarily by Cabinet Ministers, the Counsel General, Deputy Ministers and the Permanent Secretary for official travel. Complete information on chauffeur salary costs is only available from financial year 2004/05 and is shown in the table below. Figures for individual Ministerial portfolios are not held.
An adjustment in resources was required in the latter part of 2007/8 and in 2008/9 to meet the additional Ministerial complement and responsibilities brought forward under provisions made in the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Financial Year |
Total Salary Costs (£) |
2008/09 |
216,461 |
2007/08 |
144,190 |
2006/07 |
123,647 |
2005/06 |
120,064 |
2004/05 |
111,693 |
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister provide a breakdown, per department, of how much mileage has been undertaken by Welsh Assembly Government cars for each year since 2000? (WAQ54731)
Answer issued on 3 September 2009
My Department [DoFM] is responsible for the Welsh Assembly Government cars used primarily by Cabinet Ministers, the Counsel General, Deputy Ministers and the Permanent Secretary for official travel. Complete mileage information is only available from 2005 and is shown in the table below. Mileage figures for individual Ministerial portfolios are not held.
An adjustment in resources was required in the latter part of 2007/8 and in 2008/9 to meet the additional Ministerial complement and responsibilities brought forward under provisions made in the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Calendar Year |
Total Mileage |
2009 |
130,403* |
2008 |
214,376 |
2007 |
127,866 |
2006 |
136,345 |
2005 |
132,286 |
* as at 30 June 2009
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister provide a breakdown, per department, of how much has been spent on taxis for each year since 2000? (WAQ54732)
Answer issued on 3 September
Information on expenditure on taxis is not captured or collated in Welsh Assembly Government management information systems and is therefore unavailable.
To ask the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Jenny Randerson (Cardiff Central): Will the Minister provide details of the total number of incidents when passengers have been left behind due to full trains on the Rumney Valley line for each of the last 12 months? (WAQ54738)
Answer issued on 4 September 2009
This information is not readily available in the format that you have requested. My officials are obtaining the information from Arriva Trains Wales and will write to you separately
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the amount of interns working in his department; the terms of reference that apply to their appointment; the remuneration they receive; and how long on average an intern appointment lasts? (WAQ54740)
Answer issued on 4 September 2009
As at 28 August 2009 the Department for the Economy and Transport have five undergraduate placements (including one Windsor Fellowship). The average appointment is for forty weeks. All are on WAG terms and conditions and are employed at the minimum of the Team Band, for which the salary is currently £17,000 per annum.
There are other placement schemes available which are not restricted to undergraduates/interns.
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): How many staff in the Minister’s department are on "gardening leave”? (WAQ54742)
Answer issued on 4 September 2009
The Welsh Assembly Government does not sanction 'gardening leave’.
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): How many employees of the former WDA are still on temporary contracts with the Welsh Assembly Government? (WAQ54743)
Answer issued on 4 September 2009
None.
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement about WDA pension deficit and how the Welsh Assembly Government plans to balance payments? (WAQ54744)
Answer issued on 4 September 2009
The pension deficit of the former WDA, which transferred to the Assembly Government in April 2006, is currently being met by additional annual stepped payments as well as the usual employer contributions. The deficit position applicable to former Welsh Development Agency scheme members will be subject to further review at the next valuation of the RCT Pension Fund in 2010 to take effect in 2011 when the revised deficit position will be known. We continue to review the position and make appropriate provision to meet the continuing liability.
To ask the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Nick Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister advise what specific scientific evidence is there, other than theoretical predictions, that the development of wind generated electricity in Wales will reduce our carbon footprint? (WAQ54722)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
There have been a number of scientific reports produced by various bodies which have reviewed the carbon emission savings of wind farms; for example:
• "Guidelines for the Measurement and Reporting of Emissions” DEFRA 2005
• "The Costs and Impacts of Intermittency: An assessment of the evidence on the costs and impacts of intermittent generation on the British electricity network” UK Energy Research Centre 2006
A figure of 430g/kWh is generally accepted, as the level of carbon dioxide emissions saved during wind generation. This is the average level of carbon dioxide emitted by electricity produced in the UK, the figure being derived from DEFRA’s 2005 report mentioned above.
The 2004 World Energy Council report, "Comparison of Energy Systems Using Life Cycle Assessment” compares the carbon emissions at every stage of development and operation of various generating types. This showed that over the course of its life, including construction, wind generates 6.9-14.5 grams of CO2 equivalent per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. When compared to the 430g/kWh figure shown previously for average grid electricity it can be seen that wind energy saves substantial amounts of carbon emissions.
Peter Black (South Wales West): Will the Minister be placing a copy of the 'Acceptable Cost Guidelines’ for Affordable Housing in the Members’ Library? (WAQ54726)
Answer issued on 4 September 2009
A copy of the "Acceptable Cost Guidance/On Costs for use with SHG Funded Housing in Wales” (October 2007) will be placed in the Members’ Library. Future revised editions of this document will also be placed in the Members’ Library when published.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the amount of interns working in his department; the terms of reference that apply to their appointment, the remuneration they receive; and how long on average an intern appointment lasts? (WAQ54741)
Answer issued on 3 September 2009
As at 28th August 2009 the Department for Finance and Public Service have 3 undergraduate placements. The average appointment is for fifty weeks. All are on Welsh Assembly Government terms and conditions and are employed at the minimum of the Team Band for which the salary is currently £17,000 per annum. There are other placement schemes available which are not restricted to undergraduates/interns.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What campaigns has the Minister’s Department undertaken to raise public awareness of male breast cancer in the last two years? (WAQ54719)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
No campaigns have been run to specifically raise awareness of male breast cancer. However, through the ongoing Health Challenge Wales campaign, advice has been provided about what people can do to reduce their risk of developing cancer. This advice exists as a leaflet (Cancer: reduce the risk) and on the Health Challenge Wales website under the 'Conditions’ section at www.wales.gov.uk/healthchallenge.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): How many armed forces veterans have received priority NHS care in Wales in each of the last 10 years? (WAQ54721)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
This information is not collected centrally. Information is collected by clinical diagnosis and not other criteria.
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister make a statement on any improvements noted in the uptake of the MMR vaccine in Wales, following the launch of the recent Welsh Assembly Government "take-up” campaign? (WAQ54724)
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister provide a detailed statement, citing figures where possible, on the full impact of the Welsh Assembly Government’s campaign to improve the take-up of the MMR vaccine in Wales? (WAQ54725)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
The latest immunisation uptake statistics for April to June 2009 shows a positive trend in MMR uptake.
Uptake of the first dose of MMR by age 2 years has continued to increase and now stands at 90.5% - the highest proportion since 1997. Two LHBs exceeded the 95% target, with fifteen above 90%.
Uptake of the second dose of MMR by 5 years of age increased to 84.7%.
The National Public Health Service (NPHS) have reported that nearly 6,500 parents in Wales have arranged catch-up vaccinations for their children since April 2009, when the NPHS announced a Wales-wide outbreak of measles.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What progress has the Welsh Assembly Government made in meeting its One Wales commitment to eliminate the use of private sector hospitals in the NHS by 2011? (WAQ54733)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
I refer you to my answer to WAQ54656, 54657, 54658 and 54659 to Jonathan Morgan which I answered on 12 August 2009.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much funding has the Welsh Assembly Government spent on palliative care in Wales in each year since 2003? (WAQ54734)
Answer issued on 3 September 2009
In 2003, the Welsh Assembly Government announced that it was making available a total of £20 million to support hospice services and facilities. This funding was allocated to a number of projects at hospices across Wales over the period 2003-04 to 2006-07. In 2007-08, the Assembly Government provided a total of £2 million for hospice service costs and this funding has been made recurrent. In 2008-09, a further £1 million was provided to support palliative care as part of our One Wales manifesto commitment and this was increased to £2m in 2009-10.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How is the Welsh Assembly Government monitoring its progress towards achieving improved hospital cleanliness? (WAQ54735)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
I have announced a package of measures to improve the situation and give nurses greater power on hospital wards to deal with ward cleanliness and infection control. These include:
• refreshing existing national standards of hospital cleanliness
• ward sisters and infection control teams to have access to rapid response cleaning teams in each NHS Trust
• rigorous new proficiency requirements for cleaners and time protected for cleaning
• dedicated ward cleaners and a housekeeper working to a ward sister or charge nurse in every ward
• new nurses’ uniforms with improved laundry and staff changing facilities, and Trusts to have enough uniforms to enable frequent changing.
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales are undertaking unannounced hospital cleanliness spot checks to ensure that standards are being adhered to.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What measures has the Minister taken to improve access to telephones and televisions for hospital patients? (WAQ54736)
Answer issued on 3 September 2009
The Welsh Assembly Government has a commitment in the 'One Wales’ document to 'reform charges for patients’ access to telephones and televisions whilst in hospital’. Officials have sought the views of nurses and patients on the use of telephones and bedside pay phones/TVs and I am expecting a report shortly.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister list the reviews she has received from Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust in the past 12 months and clarify whether the findings of each are now publicly available? (WAQ54737)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
I have received a review of Orthopaedic Services which was published and is available on the Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust website.
To ask the Minister for Rural Affairs
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): How many (a) dairy, (b) arable, (c) beef and (d) sheep farmers there are in each Welsh Unitary Authority area? (WAQ54718)
Answer issued on 7 September 2009
There are a number of Welsh Unitary Authorities where agriculture is scarce (eg South Wales Valleys). For this reason agricultural statistics are reported at a regional level. With this in mind, table 7.1 of the annual publication Welsh Agricultural Statistics provides a breakdown of the number of holdings in Wales by region and farm type. A link to this table is provided below:
Welsh Agricultural Statistics 2008 Chapter 7
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): How many dairy farmers were there in Wales in each of the last three years, and (a) how many entered and (b) how many left the sector in each year? (WAQ54720)
Answer issued on 7 September 2009
The annual June Agricultural Survey reports on the number of principal farmers, their spouses and other business partners and directors as a collective group. These are split into full-time and part-time. The numbers of these individuals on holdings classed as dairy in the last three years are as follows:
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Full-time |
4,303 |
3,632 |
3,574 |
Part-time |
1,320 |
1,178 |
1,193 |
Total |
5,623 |
4,810 |
4,767 |
(1) Cattle data for 2006 was taken from the June Survey whilst cattle data in 2007 and 2008 was taken from the Cattle Tracing System.
(2) Does not include people on holdings with dairy animals but where dairy farming is not the predominant activity of the holding.
The Survey only measures absolute numbers of people each year and does not attempt to measure migration in any way.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on measures she intends to take that prohibit protests to the proposed badger cull? (WAQ54728)
Answer issued on 7 September 2009
There is no intention to prohibit lawful public protests; however, you will note that a number of offences were included in the recent consultation on the Tuberculosis Eradication (Wales) Order 2009 under the Animal Health Act 1981.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm what arrangements are in place to support farmers whose Tir Gofal agreements finish prior to the start of the Glastir scheme? (WAQ54739)
Answer issued on 7 September 2009
My Written Statement of 14 July 2009 detailed the Glastir transitional arrangements within Axis 2 of the Rural Development Plan 2007-13 for Tir Gofal agreement holders. I can confirm that existing agreement holders in both Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal will be offered an extension of their annual management payments until the end of 2013.
To ask the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): How many and what proportion of (a) men and (b) women were diagnosed as alcohol-dependent and of those diagnosed as alcohol dependant how many were under 18 year old and (a) males and (b) females in Wales in each of the last five years? (WAQ54717)
Answer issued on 2 September 2009
The number of people who are diagnosed as alcohol dependent is not available. However, the numbers of hospital admissions for patients with a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependency are shown below:
All admissions for mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol (1)
Aged under 18 |
Aged 18 and over |
All ages |
|||||||
Female |
Male |
Total |
Female |
Male |
Total |
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
2004/05 |
7 |
4 |
11 |
259 |
532 |
791 |
266 |
536 |
802 |
2005/06 (2) |
5 |
6 |
11 |
289 |
620 |
909 |
295 |
626 |
921 |
2006/07 |
19 |
16 |
35 |
338 |
621 |
959 |
357 |
637 |
994 |
2007/08 |
11 |
7 |
18 |
280 |
544 |
824 |
291 |
551 |
842 |
2008/09 |
7 |
8 |
15 |
245 |
478 |
723 |
252 |
486 |
738 |
(1) principal diagnosis code either F10.1 Harmful use or F10.2 dependence syndrome
(2) includes one female of unknown age in 2005/06
The numbers of people who were referred to substance misuse treatment providers for alcohol misuse with co-abuse of drugs and as lone substance for 2007-08 are given in Table 1 in the Substance Misuse Annual Report which can be accessed through the link below:
http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dsjlg/publications/commsafety/081215smframework0708.pdf
The Substance Misuse Annual Report for 2008-09 will be published in October 2009.
You may also find the publication on the Profile on Alcohol and Health useful - it can be accessed through the attached link:
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=568&pid=36782
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on WAG financial support for small voluntary groups under the Grass Roots initiative? (WAQ54723)
Answer issued on 7 September 2009
In October 2007 a Pilot Grass Roots grant scheme was launched. The fund was designed to build capacity in small voluntary and community groups. £100,000 was distributed between the 22 County Voluntary Councils who administered the pilot on the Welsh Assembly Government’s behalf.
Following the pilot an evaluation of the scheme took place. Given the limited success of the pilot it was decided not to develop the scheme further.