Written Assembly Questions tabled on 3 April 2014 for answer on 10 April 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 Economy, Science and Transport

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): What is the Welsh Government’s position on non-domestic rating of holiday cottages and self-catering units in Wales? (WAQ66675)

Answer received on 9 April 2014

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Following consultation on this issue, I am currently considering what action should be taken in relation to any potential changes in the legislation for this area.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister detail what options are being considered in her official's review of pedestrian and cyclist access on the A4042 Llanellen Bridge in Monmouthshire and provide a timetable for when the findings of this review will be made public? (WAQ66681)

Answer received on 16 April 2014

Edwina Hart: There are currently three options:

• A new footbridge separate to the existing road bridge.

• A new footbridge attached to the existing road bridge.

• Installation of traffic signals on the existing road bridge, to halt traffic and allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross.

A feasibility study of these options will be available after Easter.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the cost of advertising individual Enterprise Zones in (a) Wales and (b) the rest of the UK, and provide a breakdown by (a) print media, (b) broadcast media and (c) billboard advertising? (WAQ66682)

Answer received on 9 April 2014

Edwina Hart:

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister detail how many adverts have been purchased for each of the Welsh Enterprize Zones for display in (a) Wales and (b) the rest of the UK, and provide a breakdown by (a) print media, (b) broadcast media and (c) billboard advertising? (WAQ66683)

Answer received on 9 April 2014

Edwina Hart:

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister detail how many Enterprise Zone adverts have been withdrawn over the last 18 months and for what reason? (WAQ66684)

Answer received on 20 May 2014

Edwina Hart: One Enterprise Zone billboard advertisement was withdrawn over the last 18 months at Manchester Airport. Manchester Airport Group (MAG) requested its media partner had the advertisement removed due to a conflict of interest with Airport city.

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What steps has the Minister taken to safeguard jobs in the Murco oil refinery in Milford Haven? (WAQ66685)

Answer received on 9 April 2014

Edwina Hart: The recent announcement is very disappointing and we recognise the impact this will have on the employees, contractors and businesses in the area. We have been working with the company and the UK Government to discuss how we can support the employees and the company through this difficult time.

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister provide an update regarding mobile phone signals in the village of Cwmduad following your letter to me on the subject, dated 28 April 2013, ref. EH/00810/13? (WAQ66686)

Answer received on 16 April 2014

Edwina Hart: A team from the DCMS led Mobile Infrastructure Project are meeting with Carmarthenshire County Council this week to discuss the project in the county.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What assessment has the Minister made of the potential impact of the UK Government’s Early Access to Medicines Scheme on Wales? (WAQ66676)

Answer received on 9 April 2014

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The early access to medicines scheme will apply across the UK.  The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will provide a scientific opinion on promising new unlicensed or off-label medicines that will treat, or prevent life threatening or seriously debilitating condition that do not have adequate treatment options. The medicine will be available free of charge from the company until a marketing authorisation is granted.  Once this has been obtained, ongoing use in Wales will be determined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) or the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG).

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on the action the Welsh Government is taking to improve awareness of ovarian cancer amongst clinicians and the general public? (WAQ66677)

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on the action the Welsh Government is taking to improve outcomes for ovarian cancer patients? (WAQ66678)

Answer received on 16 April 2014 (WAQ66677/8)

Mark Drakeford: Tackling cancer remains one of the Welsh Government’s top priorities for NHS Wales.  The Cancer Delivery Plan sets out our plans for improving cancer survival rates.  The latest annual report, published in January 2014, highlights the progress made in cancer services in Wales over the past 12 months and identifies areas for future improvement. The report can be accessed here;

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/reports/cancer-plan/?lang=en

Wales has shown the biggest improvement in cancer survival in  the UK in the last 20 years.

Whilst the Welsh Government has not undertaken specific ovarian cancer awareness programmes. A number of our health programmes  have a role in raising awareness of risk factors for a number of health conditions, including cancer. Local Health Boards need to raise awareness amongst the public and health professionals about the risks and symptoms of cancer, and how to act promptly and appropriately on this knowledge.

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on the action the Welsh Government is taking to improve access to modern cancer treatments for ovarian cancer patients? (WAQ66679)

Answer received on 16 April 2014

Mark Drakeford: All medicines approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG), regardless of cost, are made routinely available for patients in Wales. Where NICE or AWMSGdo not recommend a medicine, a patient’s clinician can make an application for funding to an Individual Patient Funding Request panel.

We have also agreed to adopt all Highly Specialised Technologies where appropriate and on the advice of AWMSG, and have confirmed our commitment to supporting the UK Early Access to Medicines Scheme, which will apply across the UK.

To ask the Minister for Natural Resources and Food

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister provide an update on his policies for flood defences on the Gwent levels? (WAQ66680)

Answer received on 16 April 2014

The Minister for Natural Resources and Food (Alun Davies): My policies for flood defences on the Gwent Levels are highlighted in the Welsh Government’s National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management.

The Gwent Levels have not experienced significant flooding this winter thanks to our continued maintenance and investment in flood risk management. Following my decision last year to transfer the functions, assets and staff of the Powysland, Lower Wye and Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels Internal Drainage Boards to Natural Resources Wales, it is my intention that operational work will continue at a high standard.

Improvements to the sea defences at two locations are also currently being considered. These are Portland Grounds (on the Caldicot Levels) and Tabbs Gout (Wentlooge Levels).