Answers issued to Members on 5 November 2007

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

Contents

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Has the Welsh Assembly granted any licences to release grey squirrels into the wild in the last 3 calendar years and if so to whom? (WAQ50578)

The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (Jane Davidson): In the last 3 calendar years the Welsh Assembly has granted 3 licences to Dr Sarah Cartmel to release grey squirrels for research purposes at Clocaenog Forest.

Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): What is the timeline for the review of TAN 20: The Welsh Language, and has there been any progress on language impact assessments? (WAQ50603)

Jane Davidson: I intend to commission a research project in 2008 to evaluate the experience of local planning authorities and other stakeholders in taking the Welsh Language into account in the planning system. Language impact assessments are part of that process. The outcome of the evaluation will provide part of the evidence base for the review of TAN 20. I expect that a draft revised TAN will issue for public consultation in 2009.

Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): Has Carmarthenshire County Council submitted its Local Development Plan delivery agreement and, if so, what is the timetable for agreement by the Welsh Assembly Government? (WAQ50604)

Jane Davidson: The Delivery Agreement for Carmarthenshire County Council’s Local Development Plan was received by the Welsh Assembly Government on 31 July 2007. The Welsh Assembly Government confirmed its agreement to the document on 28 August 2007, and suggested several changes for clarification, which were subsequently agreed on 25 October 2007.

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What plans does the Minister have to increase the number of cycle paths in urban areas? (WAQ50593) Transferred for answer by the Deputy Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport.

The Deputy Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): The provision of cycling facilities in urban areas is the responsibility of local highway authorities. From 1 April 2008 I am making up to £10 million available to local authorities to develop and implement new safe routes in communities projects.

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What action is the Welsh Assembly Government taking to help community organisations protect children? (WAQ50612)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): The Welsh Assembly Government is currently working with the NSPCC on the development and piloting of 'Safe Communities’ a toolkit to protect children and young people in voluntary and community groups. The toolkit, which is funded through the Big Lottery Fund, is currently being piloted in three local authority areas in England and Wales: Denbighshire, Birmingham and Brent.

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): Will the Minister detail any advice she received before making her statement on neurosurgery to plenary on 4 July 2007? (WAQ50632)

Edwina Hart: Prior to my announcement I held discussions on this issue with various parties and I reviewed the evidence that has accumulated in relation to this subject over nearly four years.

Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales): With regard to post offices receiving money from the Post Office Development Fund upon closure, which party is liable to pay back the money received from this fund? (WAQ50590)

The Deputy Minister for Regeneration (Leighton Andrews): The terms and conditions of a grant under the Post Office Development Fund Scheme stipulate that, upon closure within 2 years (for the first 2 bidding rounds) or 5 years (for the third and fourth bidding rounds) of receipt of the final grant payment, the grant recipient (or where applicable a person to whom the obligations contained in the grant offer are transferred), may be required to repay the grant.

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What legal rights does the Welsh Assembly Government have to reclaim money given to post offices from the Post Office Development Fund that subsequently close? (WAQ50592)

Leighton Andrews: The Terms and Conditions attached to a grant under the Post Office Development Fund scheme and accepted by the grant recipient make clear that the Welsh Ministers are entitled to require part or all of the grant to be repaid if there is a closure of the branch premises to which the funding relates within 2 years (for the first 2 bidding rounds) or 5 years (for grants exceeding £15,000 in the third and fourth bidding rounds) of the date of the final grant payment.

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What consideration has the Minister given to the impact of the Postal Services Directive on Post Office and Royal Mail services in Wales? (WAQ50601)

Leighton Andrews: This is a non-devolved issue and the responsibility rests with the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.