Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 28 September 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 Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Questions to the Minister for Heritage
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Nick Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the First Minister detail the cost of hotels (a) within Wales, (b) within the UK excl. Wales, (c) overseas, for Welsh Assembly Government staff in each year since 2000, broken down by Ministerial portfolio/department. (WAQ54821)
Answer
issued on 01 October 2009
Information on expenditure on hotels is not collated centrally and is therefore not available without incurring disproportionate cost.
Nick Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the First Minister detail the cost to the Welsh Assembly Government for the use of Ministerial chauffeurs, breaking this down by employment costs and motoring costs and for each Ministerial portfolio/department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54822)
Answer
issued on 01 October 2009
These costs are not available by Ministerial portfolio/department.
Nick Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the First Minister detail the
cost of external lawyers used by his department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54825)Transferred for answer by the First Minister.
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009
The First Minister (Rhodri Morgan): I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
To
ask the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Jenny Randerson (Cardiff Central): How much funding will be allocated by the Welsh Assembly Government to the proposed National Bursary Scheme for HE and in what financial year will the scheme start. (WAQ54809)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
The National Bursary and Scholarship Framework is one of the four policy priorities for Higher Education in Wales announced in my statement to Plenary on 23 June. The revised Framework will build on the existing Welsh Bursary Scheme and enable consistency, transparency and targeting of resources to those in most financial need in line with our national ambitions to help ensure that higher education experience transforms the lives and prospects of all who are able to benefit from it in Wales, regardless of their background or financial status.
Arrangements for funding the components of the National Bursary and Scholarship Framework is being developed in partnership with the National Union of Students, HEFCW and the higher education sector in Wales.
Nick
Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of external lawyers used by her department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54831)Transferred for answer by the First Minister
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009
The First Minister I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
David Melding (South Wales Central): Will the Minister detail (a) how many companies in Wales have received assistance from ProAct, (b) how many jobs have been safeguarded and (c) at what cost. (WAQ54819)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
ProAct figures as at 22nd September 2009 are:
(a) 118 companies have been approved for ProAct funding
(b) This number covers approximately 6000 individuals.
(c) Total funding committed is approximately £15m
As new applications are processed everyday, the above figures are constantly changing.
To ask
the Minister for the Economy and Transport
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the progress of the scheme for free travel for pensioners on the Heart of Wales Line for 2009/10. (WAQ54811)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
The concessionary fares rail pilot scheme on the Heart of Wales Line is being reviewed. The review is at an advanced stage and I will make a further announcement shortly.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on what plans the Welsh Assembly Government has to encourage through-ticketing on bus and train services in Wales across all service operators. (WAQ54818)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
There are already good examples in Wales of joint ticketing arrangements between bus and train operators such as the North Wales Rover and the more widely available PlusBus ticket.
I am keen to build on this good practice and that is why I have set out in my National Transport Plan proposals to introduce a Welsh Transport Entitlement card for bus and train services by 2014. Our scheme should look to make the best use of advanced technologies and innovative solutions such as mobile phones. We are investigating plans for a pilot to test an electronic integrated ticketing scheme.
Nick
Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the First Minister detail the cost of external lawyers used by his department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54826) Transferred for answer by the First Minister
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009
The First Minister: I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister list the members of the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board, the date of their appointments, and the length of their terms. (WAQ54835)
Answer
issued on 24 September 2009
The information that you requested is below. Each member will usually serve for a period of three years. Following a satisfactory personal appraisal Members may be invited to serve further terms up to a maximum of ten years.
Name of Member |
Date of appointment |
Ms Valerie Barrett (chair) |
15th June 2004 |
Mr Jim Driscoll |
1st March 2000 |
Mr Daniel Fellows |
1st October 2002 |
Mr Annesley Wright OBE |
1st May 2000 |
Ms Kerry Diamond |
21st March 2005 |
Mr David Williams |
21st March 2005 |
To ask the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Nick
Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the First Minister detail the cost of external lawyers used by his department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54827) Transferred for answer by the First Minister
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009
The First Minister: I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
To
ask the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery
Nick Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of hotels utilised by Welsh Assembly Government civil servants in each year since 2000, broken down by Ministerial portfolio/department. (WAQ54820)
Answer
issued on 15 October 2009
I write in response to your written assembly question in which you asked about details of the costs of hotels, broken down by Ministerial portfolios/departments used by Welsh Assembly Government civil servants in each year since the year 2000.
I have been informed by my officials that information of this nature is not collated centrally and unfortunately the information is not available without incurring disproportionate costs.
Nick Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of employing agency staff by the Welsh Assembly Government in each year since 2000, broken down by Ministerial portfolio/department. (WAQ54823)
Answer
issued on 15 October 2009
I write in response to your written assembly question in which you asked about details of the cost of employing agency staff by the Welsh Assembly Government in each year since the year 2000, broken down by Ministerial portfolio/department.
Please find attached the figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Agency Staff Costs by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.1 |
Economy and Transport |
0.6 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.0 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.5 |
Health & Social Services |
0.7 |
Heritage |
0.1 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.2 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.4 |
Total |
2.7 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
Nick Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of external courses for the Welsh Assembly Government staff in each year since devolution, broken down by Ministerial portfolio/department. (WAQ54824)
Answer
issued on 15 October 2009
I write in response to your written assembly question in which you asked about details of the costs of the external courses for Welsh Assembly Government staff for each year since devolution, broken down by Ministerial portfolio/department.
Please find attached the figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Training Costs by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.2 |
Economy & Transport |
0.4 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.0 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.4 |
Health & Social Services |
0.2 |
Heritage |
0.1 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.1 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments* |
4.6 |
Total Training |
6.1 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister and the costs of the corporate training contract which provides courses for staff across the Welsh Assembly Government
This information is available following recent enhancements to the financial managements systems; regrettably information for earlier years is not available.
Nick
Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of external lawyers used by his department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54828) Transferred for answer by the First Minister
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009.
The First Minister: I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
To
ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): Following the statement on IVF treatment in Wales on July 1 2009, will the Minister outline the steps she is taking to calculate the cost of increasing the number of cycles of IVF/ICSI treatment for inclusion in the health budget 2010-2011. (WAQ54812)
Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister provide more details on how the All Wales Specialist Fertility Advisory Group will audit the impact of single embryo transfer on the success rates of fertility treatment and on the number of multiple births. (WAQ54813)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
The All Wales Specialist Fertility Advisory Group will receive reports from all units on the use of elective single embryo transfer and rates of twin births. Twinning rates are already collected by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and data will be compared with previous years to identify changes as a result of the introduction of elective single embryo transfer.
Peter Black (South Wales West): Will the Minister confirm whether all NHS staff are routinely being issued with e-mail addresses. (WAQ54814)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
Those staff who have access to a computer to do their jobs are issued with e-mail addresses.
Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): Will the Minister give the total number of people treated at alternative providers in each financial year since 2003, broken down, where possible, by form of treatment or specialism. (WAQ54815)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
The only information held centrally on the number of patients treated at alternative providers is on patients treated through the Second Offer Scheme since April 2004. I refer you to the table below:
Patients Treated Through the Second Offer Scheme at Alternative Providers, April 2004 - August 2009
04-05 |
05-06 |
06-07 |
07-08 |
08-09 |
09-10* |
|
Orthopaedics |
n/a |
2,449 |
2,143 |
687 |
866 |
265 |
Gen Surgery |
n/a |
229 |
0 |
0 |
55 |
9 |
ENT |
n/a |
38 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
32 |
Gynaecology |
n/a |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Urology |
n/a |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Other |
n/a |
3 |
0 |
0 |
33 |
60 |
Total |
4,381 |
2,737 |
2,143 |
687 |
977 |
366 |
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Will the Minister confirm whether the North Wales, Mid and South Wales Neurosciences Implementation Group reports will be sent to her or the Local Health Boards for consideration. (WAQ54816)
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Will the Minister confirm at what point are the North Wales, Mid and South Wales Neurosciences Implementation Group due to publish their work. (WAQ54817)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
Although I expect to see copies of the regional implementation plans for neurosciences shortly, these are plans for the new Local Health Boards to take forward.
Nick
Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of external lawyers used by her department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54830) Transferred for answer by the First Minister
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009
The First Minister: I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister list the number of cases of children in care per local authority for each of the last 5 years. (WAQ54834)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
The Deputy Minister for Social Services (Gwenda Thomas): The table below lists the number of children in care per local authority as at 31 March in each of the last 5 years:
Local Authority |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
Isle of Anglesey |
65 |
70 |
75 |
75 |
70 |
Gwynedd |
140 |
135 |
155 |
165 |
160 |
Conwy |
135 |
140 |
145 |
160 |
160 |
Denbighshire |
145 |
145 |
140 |
130 |
140 |
Flintshire |
135 |
145 |
155 |
155 |
150 |
Wrexham |
115 |
115 |
120 |
120 |
130 |
Powys |
130 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
Ceredigion |
70 |
60 |
65 |
70 |
70 |
Pembrokeshire |
160 |
145 |
160 |
145 |
140 |
Carmarthenshire |
155 |
175 |
180 |
190 |
225 |
Swansea |
360 |
405 |
390 |
395 |
430 |
Neath Port Talbot |
255 |
260 |
275 |
285 |
290 |
Bridgend |
225 |
265 |
290 |
275 |
255 |
Vale of Glamorgan |
195 |
200 |
190 |
180 |
175 |
Cardiff |
520 |
530 |
540 |
520 |
520 |
Rhondda Cynon Taf |
370 |
445 |
440 |
450 |
440 |
Merthyr Tydfil |
170 |
155 |
175 |
175 |
160 |
Caerphilly |
300 |
290 |
290 |
285 |
315 |
Blaenau Gwent |
195 |
155 |
145 |
130 |
125 |
Torfaen |
175 |
175 |
195 |
205 |
205 |
Monmouthshire |
70 |
75 |
65 |
75 |
110 |
Newport |
295 |
305 |
310 |
300 |
290 |
Total |
4,380 |
4,530 |
4,640 |
4,635 |
4,705 |
Source: SSDA 903 Returns, Data Unit Wales - (Note figures rounded to nearest five for disclosure reasons)
To
ask the Minister for Heritage
Nick
Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of external lawyers used by his department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54833) Transferred for answer by the First Minister
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009
The First Minister: I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
To
ask the Minister for Rural Affairs
Nick
Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of external lawyers used by her department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54832) Transferred for answer by the First Minister
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009.
The First Minister: I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.
To
ask the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on supporting women with no recourse to public funds, who are victims of domestic and / or sexual violence. (WAQ54810)
Answer
issued on 29 September 2009
This is a reserved matter for the UK Government. In my 11 February 2009 response to the Communities and Culture Committee Inquiry into domestic abuse I explained that the UK Government is working on the details of a new support scheme. That work is continuing.
Nick
Bourne (Mid & West Wales): Will the Minister detail the cost of external lawyers used by his department in each year since 2000. (WAQ54829) Transferred for answer by the First Minister
Answer
issued on 05 October 2009
The First Minister: I am responding on behalf of all Ministers to the above questions. The figures for 2008-2009 by Ministerial Department are set out in the table below.
Legal Fees by Ministerial Department
Ministerial Department |
2008-2009 £m |
Children Education Lifelong Learning & Skills |
0.0 |
Economy & Transport |
1.3 |
Environment Sustainability & Housing |
0.2 |
Finance & Public Service Delivery |
0.0 |
Health & Social Services |
1.8 |
Heritage |
0.0 |
Social Justice & Local Government |
0.0 |
Rural Affairs |
0.1 |
Corporate Departments |
0.5 |
Total Legal Advice |
3.9 |
Note: the Corporate Departments total includes the Department for the First Minister.
It is only possible to provide the above information following recent enhancements to our financial management systems. It follows that equivalent information for earlier years is not available.