Written Assembly Questions tabled on 26 September 2014 for answer on 3 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 Communities and Tackling Poverty

Peter Black (South Wales West): How does the cost per acquisition achieved by the Welsh Credit Union campaign compare with industry standards? (WAQ67755)

Answer received on 3 October 2014

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths): We have information on new members joining Credit Unions between April and June this year.  My officials are continuing to monitor and assess the targets for this campaign, which have been set over an initial twelve month period, until June 2015. We will then be in a better position to comment on the outcomes of the marketing campaign, including the cost per acquisition.

Peter Black (South Wales West): Will your officials speak to the WLGA as part of their deliberations on admitting Welsh Credit Unions to the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation network, as was suggested to your predecessor? (WAQ67756)

Answer received on 3 October 2014.

Lesley Griffiths: My officials have not spoken to the WLGA with regards to Credit Unions and the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation network. Discussions are being held within Welsh Government on Credit Unions' eligibility to join the network. As previously outlined, participation in the Welsh Public Sector Broadband Aggregation project is limited to public sector organisations carrying out public functions.

Peter Black (South Wales West): What deadline have you given your officials for concluding their deliberations concerning the admitting of Welsh Credit Unions to the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation network? (WAQ67757)

Answer received on 3 October 2014.

Lesley Griffiths: You will be aware that participation in the Welsh Public Sector Broadband Aggregation is restricted to public sector organisations carrying out public functions. My officials are seeking advice on the inclusion of Credit Unions with relevant departments within Welsh Government. No deadline has been set for these considerations.

To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What activity has the Welsh Government undertaken to publicise the details of relief schemes to small businesses? (WAQ67758)

Answer received on 3 October 2014.

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The schemes have been publicised through a number of channels and networks and we continue to do this.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Has the Minister made an assessment of how public houses are valued for the purposes of business rates and does she have any plans to change the current valuation arrangements? (WAQ67759)

Answer received on 3 October 2014.

Edwina Hart: I have decided to bring together an Expert Panel so that I am in a position to consult broadly on business rates proposals prior to the devolution of this tax to Wales. I will ask them to consider the current arrangements.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on how festivals that take place on agricultural land are liable to pay business rates? (WAQ67760)

Answer received on 3 October 2014.

Edwina Hart: The Valuation Office Agency is responsible for assessing rateable values.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Following the devolution of business rates, does the Minister intend to introduce business rates on land and buildings used for agricultural activities? (WAQ67761)

Answer received on 3 October 2014.

Edwina Hart: I have decided to bring together an Expert Panel so that I am in a position to consult broadly on business rates proposals prior to the devolution of this tax to Wales.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm the total annual Welsh Government spend for each of the last three years (plus the year to date) on marketing of apprenticeship schemes in Wales, broken down for each financial year by: a) direct Welsh Government spend; and b) spend through external marketing agencies or consultants? (WAQ67762)

Answer received on 3 October 2014.

The Minister for Education and Skills (Julie James): The Marketing and Communications budget for Apprenticeships is broken down as follows:

The budget for communications and engagement is part funded via ESF this allows us to potentially draw down 62 per cent of expenditure. So the cost of communications activity over the above period is £373k once income is drawn back in from Europe.