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WALES
"New Labour's Public Expenditure Plans"
Mr. Derek Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what costs quoted in the document, "New Labour's Public Expenditure Plans", were prepared in his Department; what detailed assumptions and interpretations were provided to officials in his Department to enable preparation of each cost; and what was the total cost to public funds of preparing each estimate. [6347]
Mr. Hague: The estimate of the cost of establishing the Welsh Assembly published in "New Labour's Public Expenditure Plans" was made by me. It is not the normal practice to keep a record of the time spent in providing factual information to Ministers and it is not therefore possible to offer a reliable estimate of the costs involved.
Energy Advisers
Mr. Alan W. Willians: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in meeting the commitment laid down in the energy plan for Wales published in 1989 of establishing a network of energy advisers over the Principality. [8696]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: The Welsh Office's Energy and Environment Office has a network of five energy advisers across Wales who provide free, impartial advice during site visits. The advisers are continually trained and developed to provide businesses and other organisations with effective advice on the efficient use of energy.
Prescribed Drugs (Adverse Effects)
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people (a) were prescribed and (b) took the steroid Prednisolone in Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [9643]
Mr. Gwilym Jones: Information collected centrally relates to the number of prescription items dispensed. Available information shows that there were 610,750 prescriptions, excluding drugs used in hospitals, dispensed for Prednisolone between June 1994 and July 1996. This does not, however, indicate the number of people being prescribed or taking the drug as one person can have more than one prescription dispensed during the period in question.
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have (a) become crippled and (b) died from taking the steroid Prednisolone in Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [9642]
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Mr. Jones: Information on the number of people crippled by taking Prednisolone is not available centrally. There were no deaths, as a result of taking Prednisolone, recorded in Wales between 1993 and 1995--the only years for which these data are readily available.
Medical Procedures (Complications)
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate (a) how many people and (b) the percentage of people who have been admitted to hospital as a direct result of complications after (i) surgery and (ii) medicinal treatment in Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [9644]
Mr. Gwilym Jones: Due to the complexity of the data analysis required, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.
St. David's Medical Centre, Cardiff
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what official engagement the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) had with Mr. Dusan Bako and Dr. Angelina Bako and others at the St. David's Medical Centre, Pentwyn drive, Pentwyn, Cardiff on Monday 9 December. [9505]
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date his Department (a) set and (b) informed the parties of the date of the oral hearing into the inclusion of Triocare in the list at the St. David's Medical Centre, Pentwyn drive, Pentwyn, Cardiff under the NHS Pharmaceutical Regulations 1992. [9504]
Mr. Hague: My officials are presently in the process of setting the date of the oral hearing and informing all parties.
Objective 2 Status
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent consultations he has had with the member of
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the European Commission responsible for regional affairs concerning objective 2 status for industrial south Wales.[9506]
Mr. Hague: My hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North met the European Commissioner responsible for Regional Affairs on 6 December when they discussed the successor objective 2 single programming document for industrial south Wales.
Public Expenditure Statement Leak
Mr. Ron Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the outcome of the inquiry that he has set up into the leaking to the press on Tuesday 10 December of the contents of his statement on the 1997-98 Welsh Office budget. [9507]
Mr. Hague: I refer the hon. Member to the statement that I made to the House on Thursday 12 December, Official Report, column 412. I will keep him informed about the progress of the inquiry and will let him know the outcome when the investigation is complete.
Legislation
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many items of legislation relating to his Department have been repealed since January 1994; how many statutory instruments were introduced during the same period; and how many of the latter were (a) deregulatory and (b) fee orders. [9372]
Mr. Hague: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
New Health Authorities
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his 1996 departmental report, Cm 3215, page 79, if he will make a statement on progress in achieving the savings of £8 million arising from the setting up of the five new health authorities. [9508]
Mr. Hague: The savings targets of the five unified health authorities, established on 1 April this year, are linked to full implementation of all related charges and I expect to see savings achieved in 1998-99. Progress towards the targets will be monitored through the health authority annual accounts.