Answers issued to Members on 13 July 2009
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
Contents
Questions to the First Minister
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 Finance and Public Service Delivery
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Questions to the First Minister
Michael German (South Wales East): What discussions has the First Minister had regarding the need for a Forensic Science Service laboratory based in Wales? (WAQ54526)
The First Minister (Rhodri Morgan): The FSS announced on the 8th June 2009 that a 90 day consultation period would commence across its UK sites. The consultation process is due to end in early September. Decisions have not yet been made and suggestions that redundancies and the closure of any centre, including Chepstow, have already been decided are inaccurate.
Nevertheless, there is a potential threat to the Chepstow FSS Laboratory I have discussed the case for retention with the Secretary of State for Wales with a view to a further discussion with the Home Secretary.
We will do our utmost to protect the high quality jobs that this valuable asset provides.
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): What recent discussions has the Minister held with (i) port owners (ii) rail freight operators and (iii) rail freight concerning improving rail access to Welsh ports? (WAQ54471)
The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): I met port operators in March and have established a Wales Ports Group to discuss regularly a range of issues including rail access. My officials regularly meet rail freight operators to discuss a wide range of issues, including access to ports, and I am kept informed of these discussions.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): How many of the Minister’s department staff are working on improving linkages within Wales between the north and south by road? (WAQ54474)
The Deputy First Minister: Staff members within Transport work on a cross section of projects that address issues across a range of initiative across modes and geographical areas. It is not possible to give a definitive (i.e. Full Time Equivalent) figure as to the number of individuals working on improving linkages between north and south Wales.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): What assessment has the Minister make of the cost to (i) site owners and (ii) the Welsh Assembly Government of converting park and ride sites for use as overnight lorry parking? (WAQ54478)
The Deputy First Minister: To date I have made no such assessment.
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): What target timescales are in place for the consideration and turnaround of applications made under the Single Investment Fund? (WAQ54498)
The Deputy First Minister: Target timescales for different elements of the new scheme have still to be finalised, but will typically vary from between 10 and 40 working days from the date of receipt of a fully completed application and supporting evidence addressing all of the necessary criteria. Not all applications will be determined within those timescales as it is not uncommon for investment proposals to change following receipt of the application. For example, the capital expenditure profile and project finance might change fundamentally. In addition, delays can occur if the due diligence process should throw up any particular issues that might require further investigation to ensure the proper stewardship of public funds.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the availability of grants for tourism facilities in Wales? (WAQ54525)
The Deputy First Minister: Tourism grants are available via the Single Investment Fund. Further details can be obtained by contacting 03000 6 03000 or visiting the Flexible Support for Business website at www.business-support-wales.gov.uk.
Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Brynle Williams (North Wales): Will the Minister detail, separately, how many individuals and businesses in North Wales have successfully accessed ProAct funding in each month since its introduction? (WAQ54500)
The Deputy Minister for Skills (John Griffiths): I attach a breakdown of the funding that has been provided to companies in North Wales, broken down monthly and detailing the individuals who will benefit from this funding.
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Janet Ryder (North Wales): When was the last time the Welsh Assembly Government reviewed the role of school governing bodies in cases where complaints are made against the school? (WAQ54519)
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Jane Hutt): All governing bodies are required, under Section 29 of the Education Act 2002, to have a complaints procedure in place and to publicise it.
The Welsh Assembly Government does not routinely consider complaints about schools. In cases in which the complainant has pursued the complaint with the governing body and there appear to be irregularities in procedures or serious issues unaddressed, the Welsh Assembly Government will draw the matter to the attention of the Local education authority to consider and/or take action. LEAs may intervene if they judge that the governance or management of a school is poor.
The Assembly Government is committed to improving the way in which complaints are handled and intends publishing fresh guidance for governing bodies which will include a model procedure. This has been developed in partnership with Governors Wales (an umbrella organisation of school governors), local authorities and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. Currently, each governing body can decide whether to adopt the model procedure.
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the First Minister provide a list of publication for which the Welsh Assembly Government has paid a subscription in each of the last 5 years, listing them by (a) publication and (b) amount paid? (WAQ54470)
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery (Andrew Davies): The information requested is not held centrally but I will write to you with a list of publications for which the Assembly Library and Publications Service has paid a subscription in each of the last 5 years, listing them by (a) publication and (b) amount paid. The information will be provided when it is received from the appropriate suppliers.
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How many vacancies are there currently in pharmacies in Wales? (WAQ54520)
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): Data on the number of NHS staff vacancies are published on the Assembly Government website (see link below). Community pharmacists are contracted by Local Health Boards to provide specific pharmaceutical services within their local areas and are individually responsible for staffing their own premises. Data, therefore, on the number of vacant jobs in community pharmacies in Wales are not held centrally.
http://www.statswales.wales.gov.uk/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=1304
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How many oscillatory ventilators are there in Welsh hospitals and will the Minister provide a breakdown by NHS Trust? (WAQ54521)
Edwina Hart: This information is not centrally held.
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How much money is the Welsh Assembly Government spending on its commitment to ensure there is at least one school nurse per secondary school in Wales and will the Minister provide a breakdown by LEA? (WAQ54522)
Edwina Hart: This information is not yet available.
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide an update on progress towards ensuring there is at least one school nurse per secondary school in Wales? (WAQ54523)
Edwina Hart: The Framework for a School Nursing Service for Wales will be published at the end of July.
Janet Ryder (North Wales): Will the Minister explain the rationale for plans to move the NHS Direct Wales service for the North from Bangor to St Asaph given that the service in Bangor is well established and telephone based? (WAQ54529)
Janet Ryder (North Wales): Will the Minister state how many existing NHS Direct staff, who are skilled and experienced, will transfer to the new NHS Direct centre in St Asaph and what options are available to them in Bangor, if they do not choose to transfer or are not allowed to? (WAQ54530)
Janet Ryder (North Wales): Will the Minister give assurances that there are sufficient staff available at NHS Direct Wales to deal with enquiries in both languages when it moves to St Asaph? (WAQ54531)
Janet Ryder (North Wales): Will the Minister tell me what the financial implications will be for both the taxpayer and staff transferring NHS Direct work to St Asaph from Bangor, e.g. in terms of travel costs and how these costs were arrived at? (WAQ54532)
Edwina Hart: The rationale for this proposal is that the current accommodation at Llanfairfechan, which houses the North Wales control room is no longer fit for purpose and the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust are considering as part of their Estate Strategy the re-location of this service.
As part of the development of the business case and identification of options, the Trust will need to consider a number of issues, including the potential for re-locating with other emergency services, cost, value for money and following its merger with NHS Direct, the potential and feasibility of co-locating both services and the impact on the staff and the services.
If any major changes, such as re-location for one or both services are recommended, I would expect there to be a full appraisal of the options and a formal consultation with the staff.
I cannot pre-empt the outcome of this process but expect to be kept fully informed of progress and recommendations and ultimately expect to receive a business case for my approval, which will be required to show how all of the issues will have been considered and their outcomes.
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the duration of waiting times in corridors for NHS patients in transit between ambulances and A & E departments? (WAQ54533)
Edwina Hart: This information is not held centrally.
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Michael German (South Wales East): What assessment has the First Minister made of the impact on Welsh communities of the proposed closure of the Forensic Science Service in Chepstow? (WAQ54527)
The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government (Brian Gibbons): Please see the First Minister’s answer to WAQ54526.