Written Assembly Questions tabled on 4 February 2014 for answer on 11 February 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)
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many public houses/pub restaurants in Wales qualify for any level of business rate relief? (WAQ66381)
Answer received for publication on 10 February 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The granting of relief and the associated day to day administration of the various reliefs on offer is the responsibility of local government.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Has the Minister or any of her officials issued any advice to local authorities relating to the disclosure of information or statistical reporting on Enterprise Zones? (WAQ66382)
Answer received for publication on 10 February 2014
Edwina Hart: I have been informed by my Officials that requests for information relating to Enterprise Zones have been received by a number of local authorities. If asked, Officials have advised that requests for information to a Local Authority for information that the Authority holds is a matter for them and not a matter for the Welsh Government.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to the First Minister’s comments during plenary (4th February 2014), will the Minister confirm what proportion of the 2000 jobs related to Enterprise Zones are new jobs and how many are ‘safeguarded’ jobs? (WAQ66383)
Answer received for publication on 10 February 2014
Edwina Hart: Enterprise Zones are supporting the creation of almost 1800 out of the 2,000 jobs previously reported. Further progress will be published in May alongside our other Enterprise Zone performance indicators.
Kristy Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on business rates for empty properties that have been genuinely marketed but are unable to find tenants? (WAQ66388)
Answer received for publication on 10 February 2014
Edwina Hart: We are trying to encourage re-occupation of long term vacant properties through the Open for Business scheme. The scheme provides 50% relief on business rates for up to 12 months for re-occupied properties that have been vacant for 12 months or longer.
Kristy Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): When does the Minister expect a re-evaluation exercise to be carried out for the purposes of setting business rates? (WAQ66389)
Answer received for publication on 10 February 2014
Edwina Hart: I have announced my intention to postpone business rates revaluation in line with England and Scotland. The exercise will be undertaken during 2015 and 2016 for implementation on the 1 April 2017
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Is the budget of CILT Cymru being cut, and if so, by how much? (WAQ66379)
Answer received for publication on 10 February 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): Yes, by £414,000 to £200,000 in 2014-15. With cuts in our budgets we’ve had to make some very tough decisions. It’s regrettable that we’ve had to cut the CILT Cymru grant for 2014-15, but, we have to ensure that funding in 2014-15 continues to support literacy, numeracy and our closing the gap agenda.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Kristy Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister provide a timetable for his response to the review into the orphan and ultra-orphan medicines appraisal process? (WAQ66380)
Answer received for publication on 17 February 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The report has been published and can be accessed at
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/reports/orphan/?lang
Some of the report’s recommendations need to be considered in the context of the review into the All-Wales Independent Patient Funding Request process which is due to report to me in March. I anticipate responding on both reviews by April. No orphan or ultra-orphan medicine is scheduled for appraisal by AWMSG before June 2014.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources and Food
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Given that around 2000 farmers are expected to sign Glastir entry contracts with a starting date of 1 January 2014, will the Minister confirm the number of farmers who had signed 2014 Glastir entry contracts on or before 1 January 2014? (WAQ66384)
Answer received for publication on 11 February 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources and Food (Alun Davies): Glastir contracts issued to farmers are still being received by the Welsh Government. The final number of signed contracts will be available in March
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Given that around 800 farmers are expected to sign Glastir advanced contracts, including common land contracts, with a start date of 1 January 2014, will the Minister confirm the number of farmers who had signed 2014 Glastir advanced contracts on or before 1 January 2014? (WAQ66385)
Answer received for publication on 14 February 2014
Alun Davies: Glastir Advanced contracts issued to farmers for signing are still being received by the Welsh Government. The final number of signed contracts will be available in March.
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister confirm when those farmers who have been offered Glastir entry and Glastir advanced contracts will have an opportunity to sign their 2014 contracts? (WAQ66386)
Answer received for publication on 14 February 2014
Alun Davies: All Glastir contracts are being dealt with as a priority. All farmers who have been offered a Glastir contract will have an opportunity to sign.
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Given that farmers who are still waiting for their Glastir entry and advanced contracts to be processed have received a letter noting that they have to comply with the scheme’s rules, including management options, from 1 January 2014, and that many of those farmers have not received their contracts and have not completed their management options, how does the Welsh Government expect them to comply with the detailed prescription rules and Glastir’s management options, when those farmers have not yet confirmed their options and have not received a Glastir contract? (WAQ66387)
Answer received for publication on 14 February 2014
Alun Davies: The aim of the letter issued to farmers was to remind them that they were due to be entering into a Glastir Contract and of the need to follow the scheme requirements. As contracts were still be issued, farmers need to consider the impact of the options forming part of their contract when undertaking their daily farming practices and when planning practices for the year ahead.