Answers issued to Members on 10 June 2008
[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 Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the latest developments to the Defence Academy proposed for the Vale of Glamorgan? (WAQ51822)
The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed on 31 January 2008 its commitment to Package 1 (engineering and ICT training) being located at St Athan. Planning and design work is currently underway between the MoD, its private sector partner, the Metrix consortium and the Welsh Assembly Government to agree the site layout for both the proposed Defence Training Academy and the Assembly Government’s Aerospace Business Park.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on any discussion he and his department have had regarding the existing or any newly proposed access onto the A40 at Glangrwney from the Cwrt Y Gollenn development? (WAQ51830)
The Deputy First Minister: Initial discussions between Transport Wales and the planning authority Powys County Council concerned proposals for a third access to the site located between the two existing ones. Transport Wales was not content with this proposal on highway safety grounds. Following discussions, amended plans were submitted proposing the closure of the existing main access to the camp and the provision of a new alternative access to the east. This will provide a safer junction arrangement which Transport Wales is content with in principle subject to greater detail being provided.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement about progress in delivering one hourly services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury? (WAQ51832)
The Deputy First Minister: A decision on further services will be made when the infrastructure improvements have been completed.
Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on WAG support for people exiting the New Deal Self-Employment Trading Scheme? (WAQ51827)
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Jane Hutt): The Welsh Assembly Government offers a range of support to help people who are pursuing the option of self-employment. Information, advice and direction on relevant business support provision is available through the Assembly Government's Flexible Support for Business Service (FS4B) on 03000 603000, or via the website www.business-support-wales.gov.uk. Additionally, our new business start up service, provided by contractors, is commencing on 16 June. The service, accessed via the FS4B number, will include advice surgeries, taster seminars, workshops, mentoring support for growth starts and graduate start-up support.
In addition, the joint Assembly Government and Jobcentre Plus Wales Want2Work project provides self-employment assistance, and has to date helped around 200 people into self-employment, some 9 per cent of the total number of beneficiaries on the initiative.
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): What action is the Assembly Government undertaking to highlight the dangers of people becoming stranded by the tide during the summer months? (WAQ51829)
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (Jane Davidson): The responsibility for maritime safety is not a devolved issue, as it rests with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. However, the Welsh Assembly Government, the Royal Life Saving Society, HM Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have produced a guide for beach users to promote safe enjoyment of the beach and seaside as part of the Sea Smart campaign (www.mcga.gov.uk/seasmart).
In addition, the Welsh Assembly Government continues to support the Green Seas Initiative, a partnership of over 40 bodies that encourages the safe use of coastal areas. Last month I presented the 2008 Blue Flag awards to 42 beaches and 5 marinas in Wales. As well as the stringent water quality and land based standards required under the Blue Flag award, these beaches also have to satisfy safety related criteria, such as the provision of life saving equipment and beach safety information.
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Jenny Randerson (Cardiff Central): What plans does the Minister have to develop a community nursing strategy and if so, when will it be published? (WAQ51828)
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): I have asked for a Ministerial Task and Finish Group to be set up to develop a community nursing strategy.
The group will be chaired by Richard Jones, Interim Director of the RCN.
The scope of the Community Nursing Strategy is to be agreed and reported back to me by the end of July.
The Strategy should be completed by the end of the year.