Written Assembly Questions tabled on 8 October 2014 for answer on 15 October 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

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister present a list of programmes aimed at supporting SMEs? (WAQ67835)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Through our Business Wales service we offer SMEs a single point of entry to information, guidance and support, through a dedicated website, helpline and "one stop shop".

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Does the Minister have any statistics on the number of SMEs that access programmes aimed at helping their business grow? (WAQ67836)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

Edwina Hart: In 2013/14 the Business Wales service provided direct advice to over 11,000 entrepreneurs and over 6,500 SMEs, which resulted in the creation of over 3300 new SME’s, the creation of almost 4500 new jobs whilst safeguarding a further 1349. At the same time the helpline dealt with over 33,000 enquiries.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister make a statement on the impact that programmes aimed at supporting and helping SMEs have on businesses across Wales? (WAQ67837)

Answer received 15 October 2014

Edwina Hart: In 2013/14 the Business Wales service provided direct advice to over 11,000 entrepreneurs and over 6,500 SMEs, which resulted in the creation of over 3300 new SME’s, the creation of almost 4500 new jobs whilst safeguarding a further 1349. At the same time the helpline dealt with over 33,000 enquiries.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What is the Minister's strategy on supporting SMEs for the next financial year? (WAQ67838)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): We continue to enhance, develop and provide a broad range of information, advice and support to small businesses in wales through the Business wales service 

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Does the Minister have a strategy for supporting SMEs that operate in the tourism industry? (WAQ67839)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): In addition to support delivered through the Business Wales Service, we also offer sector specific support through a dedicated tourism sector team and the Tourism Investment Support Scheme. EST Tourism and Marketing offer a range of other support including our Quality Advisory team.  We are also in regular contact with the industry via our newly formed regional engagement team which provides a closer one to one interface with tourism businesses.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister consider involving SMEs that operate in the tourism industry in her strategy for promoting Wales? (WAQ67840)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): Partnership for Growth: The Welsh Government Strategy for Tourism 2013-2020 sets the vision for the industry and Welsh Government to work in partnership to increase visitor spend to Wales. The strategy can be found at: 

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/Tourism/130613partnershipforgrowthen.pdf

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Does the Minister have a strategy that involves SMEs in the promotion of Wales as a tourist attraction? (WAQ67841)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

Ken Skates: Partnership for Growth: The Welsh Government Strategy for Tourism 2013-2020 sets the vision for the industry and Welsh Government to work in partnership to increase visitor spend to Wales. The strategy can be found at: 

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/Tourism/130613partnershipforgrowthen.pdf

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister make a statement on her collaboration with SMEs operating in the tourism sector? (WAQ67842)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

Ken Skates: Partnership for Growth: The Welsh Government Strategy for Tourism 2013-2020 sets the vision for the industry and Welsh Government to work in partnership to increase visitor spend to Wales. The strategy can be found at: 

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/Tourism/130613partnershipforgrowthen.pdf

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): How is the Minister supporting SMEs that play a part in tourism services? (WAQ67843)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): In addition to support delivered through the Business Wales Service, we also offer sector specific support through a dedicated tourism sector team and the Tourism Investment Support Scheme. EST Tourism and Marketing offer a range of other support including our Quality Advisory team.  We are also in regular contact with the industry via our newly formed regional engagement team which provides a closer one to one interface with tourism businesses.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister provide a list of Welsh Government programmes that involve SMEs in the promotion of Welsh tourism? (WAQ67844)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

Ken Skates: Partnership for Growth: The Welsh Government Strategy for Tourism 2013-2020 sets the vision for the industry and Welsh Government to work in partnership to increase visitor spend to Wales. The strategy can be found at: 

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/Tourism/130613partnershipforgrowthen.pdf

Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister provide an breakdown of funding for grassroots sport in 2014/15 and 2015/16? (WAQ67845)

Answer received 15 October 2014

Ken Skates: In the 2014-15 financial year, Sport Wales is investing £29.1m of Welsh Government and National Lottery funding in community sport in Wales. A detailed breakdown is not held centrally but Welsh Government funding represents some £16m of the total investment. The funding is invested through partners such as local authorities, National Governing Bodies of Sport, the Third Sector and in the case of grants, directly to clubs and organisations at the grassroots.

There are some one hundred stakeholders that receive funding from Sport Wales for Community Sport and it is provided in various forms, from direct funding to National Governing Bodies to one-off grants to sports clubs and other organisations. Not all of the funding will be Welsh Government funding; it will in some cases be National Lottery grants e.g. under the Community Chest scheme that is administered at local authority level.

Investment priorities for 2015-16 are still being considered.    

Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What guidance is in place to support local authorities in their promotion of community and grassroots sport? (WAQ67846)

Answer received 15 October 2014

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Technology (Ken Skates):  Sport Wales work closely with local authorities across Wales so that people of all ages can take part in range of sporting programmes. These programmes are supported by a number of Sport Wales strategies such as the Community Sport strategy which sets out our aims and promotes effective planning, co-ordination and connectivity across the whole community sport sector.

My officials are also working closely with the Welsh Local Government Association and Sport Wales to ensure that information and advice is available to local authorities when considering future delivery models involving sport and physical activity services.  To assist in this process, I have also asked my officials, to develop a toolkit to aid the transfer of local authority assets to community groups and the voluntary sector. 

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Does the Welsh Government collate data relating to the number of missed GP appointments in Wales each year, including the cost to the NHS, and if not has the Welsh Government previously undertaken any studies into its impact on the Welsh NHS? (WAQ67833)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Government does not collate data relating to the number or cost of missed GP appointments in Wales. No previous studies have been undertaken into the impact of missed GP appointments.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Does the Welsh Government collate data relating to the number of missed outpatients appointments in Wales each year, including the cost to the NHS, and if not has the Welsh Government previously undertaken any studies into its impact on the Welsh NHS? (WAQ67834)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government publishes statistics showing the number of missed outpatient appointments[1]. There are no previously published studies into the impact of missed outpatient appointments in Wales.

[1] https://statswales.wales.gov.uk/Catalogue/Health-and-Social-Care/NHS-Hospital-Activity/Outpatient-Activity

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve public awareness of lung cancer and its symptoms? (WAQ67847)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

Mark Drakeford: In recognition of the need to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients, the Cancer Implementation Group have prioritised a programme of work to drive activity in this area.

The programme of work has three strands:

Cancer Intelligence - exploring what the data is telling us about lung cancer in Wales and supply new information to support the programme;

Public awareness and earlier diagnosis - improving how we engage the public in a targeted way to encourage an earlier appointment with their GP if they have concerns;

Clinical Pathway - improving skills among health professionals in being aware of and dealing with lung cancer; improve current priority areas across the lung cancer clinical pathway.

We do not at this stage have any plans for a national public awareness campaign as we initially need to explore what the data is telling us about access to diagnosis in Wales. We are also awaiting the review of the "Be Clear on Cancer" campaign in England to better understand the impact of national campaigns.

In addition, the changes to the GP contract for 2014/15 requires GP contractors to review the care of all patients newly diagnosed  with lung and digestive system cancers between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014 using a Significant Event Analysis Tool. The learning and actions from this review will be shared with the GP cluster networks and local health boards. The outcomes of the GP cluster analysis will be included in the GP cluster network annual report to be published by 31 March 2015.   

The UK National Screening Committee advises all four UK countries on all matters related to screening, using the latest available evidence. When the UK NSC last reviewed their policy on lung cancer screening in adult cigarette smokers they advised against a national population screening programme. This policy is due for review in 2015/16

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the introduction of a national screening programme in Wales to detect early signs of lung cancer? (WAQ67848)

Answer received on 15 Hydref 2014

Mark Drakeford: In recognition of the need to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients, the Cancer Implementation Group have prioritised a programme of work to drive activity in this area.

The programme of work has three strands:

Cancer Intelligence - exploring what the data is telling us about lung cancer in Wales and supply new information to support the programme;

Public awareness and earlier diagnosis - improving how we engage the public in a targeted way to encourage an earlier appointment with their GP if they have concerns;

Clinical Pathway - improving skills among health professionals in being aware of and dealing with lung cancer; improve current priority areas across the lung cancer clinical pathway.

We do not at this stage have any plans for a national public awareness campaign as we initially need to explore what the data is telling us about access to diagnosis in Wales. We are also awaiting the review of the "Be Clear on Cancer" campaign in England to better understand the impact of national campaigns.

In addition, the changes to the GP contract for 2014/15 requires GP contractors to review the care of all patients newly diagnosed  with lung and digestive system cancers between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014 using a Significant Event Analysis Tool. The learning and actions from this review will be shared with the GP cluster networks and local health boards. The outcomes of the GP cluster analysis will be included in the GP cluster network annual report to be published by 31 March 2015.   

The UK National Screening Committee advises all four UK countries on all matters related to screening, using the latest available evidence. When the UK NSC last reviewed their policy on lung cancer screening in adult cigarette smokers they advised against a national population screening programme. This policy is due for review in 2015/16

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve the five year lung cancer survival rate in Wales? (WAQ67849)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): In recognition of the need to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients, the Cancer Implementation Group have prioritised a programme of work to drive activity in this area.

The programme of work has three strands:

Cancer Intelligence - exploring what the data is telling us about lung cancer in Wales and supply new information to support the programme;

Public awareness and earlier diagnosis - improving how we engage the public in a targeted way to encourage an earlier appointment with their GP if they have concerns;

Clinical Pathway - improving skills among health professionals in being aware of and dealing with lung cancer; improve current priority areas across the lung cancer clinical pathway.

We do not at this stage have any plans for a national public awareness campaign as we initially need to explore what the data is telling us about access to diagnosis in Wales. We are also awaiting the review of the "Be Clear on Cancer" campaign in England to better understand the impact of national campaigns.

In addition, the changes to the GP contract for 2014/15 requires GP contractors to review the care of all patients newly diagnosed  with lung and digestive system cancers between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014 using a Significant Event Analysis Tool. The learning and actions from this review will be shared with the GP cluster networks and local health boards. The outcomes of the GP cluster analysis will be included in the GP cluster network annual report to be published by 31 March 2015.   

The UK National Screening Committee advises all four UK countries on all matters related to screening, using the latest available evidence. When the UK NSC last reviewed their policy on lung cancer screening in adult cigarette smokers they advised against a national population screening programme. This policy is due for review in 2015/16

To ask the Minister for Public Services

Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister make a statement detailing the total amount of reserves being held by local authorities in Wales, broken down by local authority? (WAQ67850)

Answer received on 15 October 2014

The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Anderws): The following table provides provisional information on the amounts of earmarked, general and schools reserves. These figures are based on Local Authorities’ audited accounts for 2013-14.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make clear whether or not local authorities in Wales will be expected to use their reserves to fund voluntary mergers? (WAQ67851)

Answer received 15 October 2014