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NHS Internal Market
Mr. Denzil Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the steps which are being taken by his Department to end in Wales the internal market of the national health service. [5874]
Mr. Win Griffiths: I have deferred approval of the eighth wave of GP fundholding until July 1998 to allow breathing space to develop alternative commissioning models. I recently announced that I would be inviting proposals to pilot new arrangements for locality commissioning, supported by some of the savings generated by the postponement.
Officials have notified health authorities and GP fundholders that revised budgetary arrangements will be developed to remove some of the disadvantages experienced by patients of non-fundholding practices. Detailed guidance will issue shortly.
I have also asked the Welsh Association of Fundholding Practices (WAFP) and the General Medical Services Council (GMSC) for Wales to work with me to determine the direction of health care in the principality, building on current best practice.
On 25 June the Government announced a White Paper on the National Health Service's internal market. It will be the subject of extensive consultation throughout Wales in the autumn.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that, in reviews of the common agricultural policy (a) the future of hill livestock compensatory allowances is safeguarded and (b) such allowances are at adequate levels to sustain the agricultural activity of the less favoured areas. [6388]
8 Jul 1997 : Column: 393
Mr. Win Griffiths:
The Government will take account of the interests of sheep and suckler cow producers in less favoured areas during its negotiations on common agricultural policy reform in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers; and in setting the annual rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average market price of beef in Wales in the months of April and May; what were the corresponding figures for April and May in (a) 1995 and (b) 1996; and if he will make a statement on the impact of these facts on Government policy in relation to the beef sector in Wales. [6389]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
The average market prices were as follows (in pence per kg liveweight for steers, heifers and young bulls):
| April | May | |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 121.03 | 119.44 |
| 1996 | 103.80 | 102.43 |
| 1997 | 95.01 | 89.75 |
The Government will take account of all relevant facts in developing its policy towards the beef industry, and will negotiate positively with the European Commission and other member states in order to secure removal of the export ban.
Velindre Hospital
Ms Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his statement to the Welsh Grand Committee of 30 June, Official Report, column 25, in relation to the replacement of radiotherapy machines at Velindre hospital, if he will list (a) the date on which the business case for replacement was sent to his Department by the Trust, (b) the date on which the PFI proposal is to be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities, (c) the approximate capital cost of the scheme, (d) the indicated length of contract for the PFI proposal and (e) the date on which he expects work to commence. [7211]
- (a) 21 April 1996
(b) 12 October 1996
(c) £4 million
(d) Not less than 10 years
(e) Date unknown as yet. A business case is being prepared for submission to the Welsh Office in the Autumn.
Old Documents
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the date and title of the oldest document or archival unit retained by his Department which has not been passed on to the Public Record Office for release for public inspection. [7198]
Mr. Ron Davies:
Safeguarding of Airfield Site plan 1945.
8 Jul 1997 : Column: 394
Ms Lawrence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for raising educational standards in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [7644]
Mr. Ron Davies:
I have today laid before the House a White Paper, the first in modern times to focus exclusively on education in Wales. Called 'Building Excellent Schools Together', it sets out our vision of improving standards through co-operation to create an education system designed to benefit the many, not the few.
Central to the White Paper are our key principles. We have promised to make education and training the cardinal priority of government in Wales. We shall work with teachers, recognising their efforts and encouraging them to succeed in lifting achievement and attainment across the board. We shall focus on standards, rather than a damaging concentration on structures-and we will not tolerate underperformance. We shall also ensure that government policy is applied in a way that reflects the distinctive needs and circumstances of Wales.
Raising standards of literacy and numeracy will be at the heart of our programme of reform. Following my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement to the House on 2 July, substantial extra funding will be allocated to education in Wales and we shall use this where we can achieve the best results. We shall also provide leadership and support to all those who have a contribution to make in the drive to raise standards overall. This will draw in the help of everyone with a stake in excellent education for all pupils at school in Wales; teachers, parents, governors, education authorities and business people alike.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the date and title of the oldest document or archival unit retained by her Department which has not been passed on to the Public Record Office for release for public inspection. [7205]
Clare Short:
The oldest archival unit held in DFID, which will be eligible for eventual release to the Public Record Office, dates from June 1961, and is titled "Security Arrangements". The papers have been retained because of their Security significance.
Mr. Luff:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will visit the offices of WaterAid to discuss the funding and activities of the charity; and if she will make a statement. [6771]
Clare Short:
We welcome an active dialogue with WaterAid. We are currently co-funding 12 WaterAid projects with a total cost of £950,000 this financial year. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for International Development met WaterAid's Director on 3 July. My officials are in regular contact. I have made it clear that access to safe water and sanitation is a priority
8 Jul 1997 : Column: 395
in combating poverty. I certainly intend to meet WaterAid, and the other NGOs active in developing countries as soon as possible.
Mr. David Atkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's timetable for dealing with the Year 2000 Computer Problem; who is in charge of the project; how many staff are working on it; what is the projected cost of resolving the problem; and whether the project is on schedule. [7138]
Clare Short:
We expect to have resolved problems relating to the year 2000 on information systems critical to the business of the Department by the end of 1998. We are working in parallel on smaller systems established by various sections within the DFID, and expect to resolve them by mid-1999. The identifiable cost of dealing with Year 2000 issues is around £200,000 although this figure is an underestimate of the total since other Year 2000 costs have been subsumed within the costs of rewriting critical systems for a new operating environment. The official in overall charge of dealing with the Year 2000 is the head of the Information Systems Department. The number of staff working on the project is around five, supplemented by resources brought in from consultants.
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the total value of exports receiving aid and trade provision assistance over the past three years by country. [6883]
Clare Short:
The following table lists by country the ATP projects with their total export value agreed during the last three years:
| Country | £ million |
|---|---|
| Chile | 2.37 |
| China | 104.57 |
| Ghana | 23.80 |
| Indonesia | 125.75 |
| Lesotho | 6.55 |
| Pakistan | 7.23 |
| Philippines | 41.48 |
| Sri Lanka | 0.09 |
| Thailand | 15.02 |
| Zimbabwe | 3.96 |
| Total | 330.82 |
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