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Greenmeadow Inn (Demolition)

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set up a public inquiry into the manner in which decisions were taken within the Cadw organisation to facilitate the demolition of the Greenmeadow inn. [18570]

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Mr. Hague: The case for listing the Greenmeadow inn, Rudry was carefully considered in the light of available evidence and with reference to policy guidance on listing. Criteria for the selection of listed buildings have been set out in Welsh Office circular 61/96, and before that in circular 61/81. My decision not to list the Greenmeadow inn was taken because it did not meet these criteria.

Gastroschisis

Mr. Austin-Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the incidence of gastroschisis per 1,000 births for each health authority for the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [17279]

Mr. Gwilym Jones [holding answer 24 February 1997]: The available information is given in the following table. Data refer to anomalies of abdominal wall which include exomphalos, gastroschisis and prune belly (syndrome). Data for gastroschisis alone are available only at disproportionate cost. Data are shown from 1979, as before this date they were not available on a comparable basis. Rates are calculated per 10,000 live or still births. It should be noted that notification of congenital abnormalities is on a voluntary basis and, therefore, data may underestimate the true position. Terminations are not included.

Abdominal wall defects(30)

Number notifiedRate
197992.5
198071.9
198171.9
1982113.1
198392.5
198451.4
198541.1
1986102.7
198761.6
198871.8
198982.1
199071.8
199192.4
199261.6
1993:
Clwyd12.0
East Dyfed14.0
Gwent11.6
Gwynedd----
Mid Glamorgan56.9
Pembrokeshire----
Powys17.1
South Glamorgan11.8
West Glamorgan----
Wales102.7

(30) International Classification of Diseases 9th revision code 756.7.


Research and Development

Dr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the Welsh Office Agriculture Department's research and development expenditure in each year from 1980 to the present in (a) cash and (b) constant prices; [18028]

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Mr. Jonathan Evans: None.

Dr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the scientific establishments receiving funding from his Department other than the Central Science Laboratory, the Central Veterinary Laboratory and the Institute of Food Research; and the number of scientists employed at these establishments on projects funded by his Department on (a) the most rent date for which figures are available, and (b) 31 March, (i) 1995, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1985 and (iv) 1980. [18162]

Mr. Evans: The number of scientists in each establishment working on research commissioned and funded specifically by the Welsh Office, at the end of March for the particular years, is as follows:

1985199019951997
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology6688
Institute of Hydrology5457
Institute of Arable Crop Research0033
National Radiological Protection Board0101010

No comparable figures are available for 1980.


In addition, the Welsh Office contributes towards the cost of work relevant to Wales in these and other establishments where the lead is taken by other Government Departments.

Dr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many food and agriculture scientists were employed by his Department (a) in Government-funded food and science establishments, (b) on Government funded projects at ADAS establishments and (c) on Government-funded projects at Agriculture and Food Research Council and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council establishments at the most recent date available; and how many were employed at 31 March (i) 1995, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1985 and (iv) 1980. [18029]

Mr. Evans: None. Work by food and agriculture scientists on behalf of the Welsh Office is carried out under contract or memoranda of understanding.

Dr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many scientists were employed by his Department and each of his Department's agencies at the most recent date available; how many were in each year since 1979 on research on matters within the responsibility of the

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Agriculture Department; and if he will list each agency, service and central laboratory employing such scientists.[18032]

Mr. Evans: The Welsh Office employs a number of scientific experts. There are no staff working in scientific grades with Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments, the only agency for which the Department has sole responsibility. The Department has not employed scientists to work on agricultural research matters since 1979.

Veterinary Surgeons

Dr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many veterinary surgeons were employed by his Department and on projects funded by his Department at the most recent date available; and how many at 31 March in each year since 1979. [18030]

Mr. Jonathan Evans: None. Veterinary surgeons working on behalf of the Welsh Office are employed by MAFF.

Meat Hygiene Inspectors

Dr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many meat hygiene inspectors were employed by his Department, at the most recent date available; and how many were employed in each year since 1979. [18031]

Mr. Jonathan Evans: No meat inspectors have been employed by the Welsh Office.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Research and Development

Dr. Strang: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his Department's research and development expenditure was for each year from 1980 to the present in (a) cash and (b) constant prices. [18026]

Mr. Douglas Hogg: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 27 February 1997, Official Report, column 325.

BSE

Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the full economic cost to the United Kingdom of the BSE crisis, excluding the cost to the Government. [18033]

Mr. Baldry: The Ministry is commissioning an independent study to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of BSE across the whole UK economy and within particular regions. The study is expected to be completed during September 1997.

British Agrochemicals Association

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 19 February, Official Report, column 636, regarding the British Agrochemicals Association, if the representations from the association included any relating to the taxation of (a) pesticides and (b) fertilisers; and if he will make a statement. [18449]

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Mrs. Browning: The British Agrochemicals Association's representations to my Department have included the fees and levy which fund the control and monitoring of pesticides but they have not related to the taxation of pesticides. No representations have been received from the association on the taxation of fertilisers.

Drug-resistant Parasites

Mr. Morley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has evaluated on the incidence of drug-resistant nematode worms in sheep. [17817]

Mrs. Browning [holding answer 27 February 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 27 February 1997, Official Report, column 328. In addition, no veterinary medicine is authorised for use unless it meets stringent statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Information submitted in support of applications for authorisation of products intended for the prevention or treatment of infectious diseases or parasitic infestations must include data on the emergence of resistant organisms. Information relating to the authorisation of specific products, however, is subject to the confidentiality requirements of section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968.


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