Answers issued to Members on 6 May 2009

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

Contents

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

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs

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

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): How does the Welsh Assembly Government log visits to the Llanbedr Airfield site in Gwynedd, and can they give an account of all visits to the site since it came into its ownership? (WAQ53968)

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What system does the Welsh Assembly Government have in place for monitoring visits to the Llanbedr Airfield site in Gwynedd? (WAQ53969)

The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): My Officials grant permission for visits to the site, and they have logged all site inspection visits since the site was purchased in 2006. One hundred and twenty three of such visits have taken place as of 30th April 2009. Other visits to the site are not logged.

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What is the Welsh Assembly Government doing to help protect public houses from closure? (WAQ54016)

The Deputy First Minister: There is a scheme known as 'Pub is the Hub’ run by an independent advisory trust. This has been established to improve the community value of pubs by funding additional uses for them.

The Welsh Assembly Government awarded a grant of £16,000 to the 'Pub is the Hub’ to undertake a research project to identify the potential for introducing the scheme in Wales.

So far in Wales, Pub is the Hub has part financed part of a project that will enable communities in rural Denbighshire to look for innovative ways to ensure rural pubs remain relevant to the needs of their local communities.

In addition, Welsh Assembly Government funding is available to support post offices including those located within pubs.

The Welsh Assembly Government has also enhanced the rates relief available for small independent public houses. Those with a rateable value up to £9k get 25% relief.

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What assessment has been made about the closure of public houses and the likely rate of future closures? (WAQ54017)

The Deputy First Minister: I am unaware of any assessment having been made.

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): What is the Welsh Assembly Government doing to publicise any schemes that may be available to public houses to help keep them open? (WAQ54019)

The Deputy First Minister: The Welsh Assembly Government produced a leaflet explaining the rates relief that was available. Sufficient copies were sent to all local authorities so that they could be passed on to businesses. Details are also available on the Welsh Assembly Government website.

The Post Office Diversification Fund is also advertised on the Welsh Assembly Government website. The newest scheme, which started on the 1st January, was launched by the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery. In addition, letters were sent out to all Post Offices in Wales to keep them informed.

David Melding (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide information on the number of applications, number of offers, and the total value of offers made under Regional Selective Assistance in Wales, for each year since 1972 and will he make a statement? (WAQ54048)

The Deputy First Minister: Regional Selective Assistance was launched in 1984 and information on applications received, offers accepted and their values is published each year in the Industrial Development Act 1982 Annual Report. For ease of reference, information on activity since 1999 is contained in the following table.

Notes:

1. Offers made in any one year may relate to applications received in a previous year.

2. Regional Selective Assistance was phased out for new applications in Wales during the course of 2008, following the launch of the Single Investment Fund in April 2008. Support previously available through Regional Selective Assistance is now offered via the Single Investment Fund.

3. The information relating to 2008-09 is provisional and will be finalised in the Industrial Development Act 1982 Annual Report which will be published later this year.

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Peter Black (South Wales West): What plans does the Welsh Assembly Government have to improve access to appropriate foot care (to include social nail cutting) which will address some of the problems identified in Age Concern Cymru’s report—'Little Steps can make a big difference’? (WAQ54039)

The Deputy Minister for Social Services (Gwenda Thomas): Provision of NHS chiropody and podiatry services is a matter for local determination. All health services, including NHS chiropody and podiatry, are at present the responsibility of Local Health Boards (LHB). Basic nail care for individuals with no specific foot pathology is not normally provided by NHS chiropody and podiatry services. Their clinical resources are targeted toward patients with a medical need. Such needs will include people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disorders and other similar conditions. I have asked health service planners across Wales to make improvements to the delivery of therapy services including chiropody and podiatry.

I have asked officials to undertake a scoping exercise to identify the extent of unmet need for social foot care in the community and to identify potential solutions to meet that need. This work has been undertaken on a collaborative basis with a range of interests. This report is near to completion and will be made available.

Sandy Mewies (Delyn): Has the Welsh Assembly Government identified mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the directives set out in the service development and commissioning directives for chronic respiratory conditions? (WAQ54055)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): We are monitoring and evaluating the implementation of Service Development and Commissioning Directives (SDCDs) for Chronic Respiratory Conditions. In September 2008, the Welsh Assembly Government undertook a review of progress.

Questionnaires were sent out to every Local Health Board (LHB) in Wales, requesting an update on progress made against each key action set out in the SDCDs and the results were compiled into a report. The majority of LHBs have made good progress so far. A letter was subsequently sent out by my officials, asking LHBs to make further progress by September 2009, when NLIAH will be undertaking the next review.

Sandy Mewies (Delyn): What has the Minister done to ensure that responses to respiratory emergencies are improving? (WAQ54056)

Edwina Hart: The Welsh Assembly Government published its Service Development and Commissioning Directives for Respiratory Conditions in October 2007, setting out our clear strategic direction for improving respiratory services in Wales. In September 2008 all LHBs were required to report on progress against these actions. Results indicate that 15 out of 22 Local Health Boards (LHBs) have improved responsiveness to medical respiratory emergencies in line with modernisation plans for the Ambulance Service. In addition, 19 LHBs have improved access to respiratory specialists for acute respiratory emergencies. NLIAH will be undertaking a repeat of this audit to ensure full compliance with the Directives in September 2009.

Sandy Mewies (Delyn): Are LHB commissioners utilising the provisions of the General Medical Services Contract to help ensure the maximum achievement of quality indicators for asthma? (WAQ54057)

Edwina Hart: In 2007/08 98.46% of the Quality and Outcomes Framework indicators for Asthma were achieved. 433 practices have already achieved the maximum points available.

Whilst recognising that performance against the QOF indicators is high, LHBs continue to work with individual practices to improve services where needed and to maintain good practice using a range of expertise such as prescribing advice and continuing professional development courses.

Sandy Mewies (Delyn): Chronic respiratory conditions specify that by September 2008 patients with chronic respiratory conditions including asthma and COPD will have individual care plans in place. What is the progress on this? (WAQ54059)

Edwina Hart: Local Health Boards (LHBs) were required to report upon progress against the actions specified in the Directives during September 2008. Results indicate that 16 out of 22 LHBs have ensured that individual care plans are in place for all patients with chronic respiratory conditions. The National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare will be undertaking a repeat of this audit to ensure full compliance with the Directives in September 2009.

Sandy Mewies (Delyn): How many LHBs have appropriate information and support on chronic respiratory conditions signposting services provided by the voluntary sector and local user-led self-help groups as specified in service development and commissioning directives? (WAQ54060)

Edwina Hart: In September 2008, the Welsh Assembly Government undertook a review of progress of the implementation of the Service Development and Commissioning Directives (SDCDs) for Chronic Respiratory Conditions. The results of that review showed that 17 out of 22 LHBs have met the key action to provide appropriate information and support for people with chronic respiratory conditions.

Information and support is widely available and services provided by the voluntary sector and local user-led self-help groups are clearly signposted.

The remaining LHBs have partially met this objective and will be expected to fully achieve it by the next audit to be undertaken by NLIAH in September 2009.

Sandy Mewies (Delyn): By September 2008 LHBs, NPHS, NHS Trusts, Social Services and the Voluntary sector should have appropriate and evidence based primary and secondary measures for chronic respiratory conditions. What progress has the Welsh Assembly Government made on this? (WAQ54061)

Edwina Hart: In September 2008, we undertook a review of progress of the implementation of the Service Development and Commissioning Directives (SDCDs) for Chronic Respiratory Conditions. Progress by each LHB identified that 15 of the 22 LHBs have taken measures to improve the integration of evidence-based primary and secondary prevention measures into mainstream services. For example access to smoking cessation services for people with chronic respiratory conditions in Wales has improved by 95%.

The remaining LHBs are expected to make significant improvements and update us on their progress in the next review to be undertaken by NLIAH in September 2009.

Sandy Mewies (Delyn): Chronic respiratory conditions specify that by April 2008 essential life-saving equipment and simple diagnostic facilities for respiratory emergencies will be available at emergency facilities supported by training. Will the Minister give an update? (WAQ54062)

Edwina Hart: Local Health Boards (LHBs) were required to report upon progress against the actions specified in the Directives during September 2008. Results indicate that 21 out of 22 LHBs had provided essential life-saving equipment and training for medical emergencies in acute emergency admitting facilities.

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales): When did the Minister last visit the SWALEC stadium and will he provide details of that visit? (WAQ54025)

The Minister for Heritage (Alun Ffred Jones): I last visited the SWALEC stadium on 4th March this year, to attend the launch of a 50-50 cricket tournament hosted by Glamorgan Cricket Club and the Urdd. I was very pleased to support the event which is aimed at pupils from years 3 and 4 and is a great opportunity to get children from all over Wales participating in sport.

Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs

Brynle Williams (North Wales): What plans does the Welsh Assembly Government have to use the combination BTV 1 and BTV 8 vaccine in Wales? (WAQ53990)

The Minister for Rural Affairs (Elin Jones): The Welsh Assembly Government currently has no plans to enable the use of a combined BTV 1 and BTV 8 vaccine. BTV 8 vaccine is the only vaccine presently authorised for use in the UK. We understand that vaccine manufacturers are working with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) for licensing of a BTV 1 vaccine which is not likely to be available until the late summer/early autumn.

Current indications are that a combined vaccine for both BTV 1 and BTV 8 will not be available before 2010. Once a combined vaccine has been proven to be effective against both strains and gained approval for use within the EU the vaccine would have to be authorised for use within the UK by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. A BTV 1 Protection Zone would have to be declared in addition to the BTV 8 Protection Zone in order for vaccination to proceed as use of vaccine outside a zone is illegal. A new zone would also require animal movement controls restricting access to free areas and would enable animals to move from similarly designated areas in Europe.

Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on scallop fishing in Cardigan Bay? (WAQ53977)

Elin Jones: Further to my cabinet written statement in February I can confirm that fisheries and marine nature conservation officials are working closely with key stakeholders including the Countryside Council for Wales, the local Sea Fisheries Committees and Welsh Fishing Industry representatives to consider the management and sustainability of the Scallop fishery in Wales and the implications of associated dredging activity within European marine sites in Wales.

This working group is considering whether the management of scallop fishing in Welsh waters can be further improved and if there is a need to bring forward more effective controls for this fishery in the future. Any new measures introduced would be subject to public consultation with all stakeholders, and the intention is for the review of the current management arrangements to be ready for the next season on 1 November 2009.

My aim is to support the development of viable and sustainable fisheries in Wales as an integral part of coherent policies for safeguarding the environment through a proactive approach to fisheries management.

Brynle Williams (North Wales): Will the Minister detail, to date, the cost to the Welsh Assembly Government of storing bluetongue vaccine? (WAQ54066)

Elin Jones: No costs have or will be incurred by the Welsh Assembly Government for storing bluetongue vaccine. The only costs which the Welsh Assembly Government has agreed to underwrite are those for any unused expired vaccine held by the manufacturer, payable after August 2009, when stocks are due to expire.