Written Assembly Questions for answer on 25 July 2007

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 and Transport

David Melding (South Wales Central) What strategies are being developed to attract senior managerial positions to Wales so that this sector of the Welsh job market corresponds more closely to the UK average. (WAQ50249) David Melding (South Wales Central) What measures are in place to attract more tourists to Welsh towns and cities given that only 15% of visitors currently visit urban areas. (WAQ50250) David Melding (South Wales Central) What estimates have been made for the number of jobs created under the Objective One programme in the following sectors: a) social enterprises; b) finance and banking and c) manufacturing. (WAQ50251)

To ask the Minister for Education, Culture and the Welsh Language

Alun Cairns (South Wales West) What investigations has the Minister conducted to ensure that funding made available for Early Years Initiatives is sufficient to meet demand by schools and Local Education Authorities. (WAQ50247) Alun Cairns (South Wales West) What monitoring is in place to ensure that funding made available under the Early Years grant is being used for that purpose by Local Education Authorities. (WAQ50248)

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the Minister detail the Welsh Assembly Government's response to NICE's Appraisal Consultation Document on the use of Lucentis for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). (WAQ50244) Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What consideration has the Minister given to reviewing NICE's recent guidance on osteoporosis, to expand the range of treatments included. (WAQ50245) Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on NICE's decision to include only one treatment (Alendronate) in its new guidance on Osteoporosis. (WAQ50246) Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the Minister confirm that pay protection arrangements would apply in Agenda for Change so that staff salaries would not be worse on assimilation. (WAQ50254) Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the Minister detail the number of appeals to the Business Services Centre regarding concerns over changes in pay resulting from Agenda for Change assimilation, and will she detail the number awaiting a review. (WAQ50255) Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): For each health body; will the Minister detail the percentage of staff not assimilated to Agenda for Change as at (i) September 2005 (ii) June 2007. (WAQ50256)

To ask the Minister for Social Justice and Public Service Delivery

Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): What was the outcome of the Social  Enterprise Joint Working Group’s investigation into options for financing the social enterprise sector and what use of such options has been made to date. (WAQ50258) Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): What strategies are being developed to encourage more social enterprises to move from grant dependence and toward sustainability. (WAQ50259)

To ask the Minister for Sustainability and Rural Development

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the minister make a statement on the possibility of designating the Cambrian Mountains as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (WAQ50252) Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (WAQ50253) Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Assembly Government's policy on introducing 500 metre buffer zones between opencast mines and housing in Wales. (WAQ50257)