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WALES
Abattoirs
Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to safeguard the future of small abattoirs in Wales. [66157]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones: The slaughtering industry has been going through a substantial period of change. There is still over capacity in the industry and it is principally for commercial operators to consider how they respond to these changes.
However, the Government's decision to cover the costs of Specified Risk Material (SRM) Inspections for this financial year will benefit the industry in Wales by an estimated £2.8 million in 1998-99.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the timescale for the conclusion of his review of the regional assistance map of Wales; and what is his anticipated timescale for legislative changes arising from the review. [67100]
Mr. Hain:
The Commission has asked Member States to submit their map proposals for scrutiny by 31 March 1999. The new maps will come into force on 1 January 2000.
28 Jan 1999 : Column: 397
Laying the statutory instrument to bring the new Assisted Areas into operation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial provision his Department has made for the expected growth in the number of farmers converting to organic farming through the organic aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on whether the organic aid scheme budget is expected to cope with the current level of demand and expected growth in Wales. [67747]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
Decisions on the funding of the Organic Aid Scheme have not yet been made.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the amount of farmland (a) converted, (b) under conversion and (c) considering conversion to organic; what assessment he has made of future trends in this area; and if he will make a statement on the geographical spread of such land. [67764]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
As at 31 December 1998, there were 3,182 h.a. of converted organic land and 2,149 h.a. of land in conversion in Wales. It is not possible to estimate reliably the amount of farmland being considered for conversion. However, there has been a substantial increase in the number of inquiries received from prospective organic farmers. The majority of organic producers are in West Wales.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's strategy for helping Welsh farmers to become organic; and if he will list his Department's current initiatives in this area. [67762]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
Our aim is to encourage an expansion of organic farming. The current initiatives are as follows:
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what rent the Welsh Health Common Services Authority is paying for 1998-99 for those parts of Crickhowell House which are currently being refurbished in preparation for the National Assembly; and from what budget those payments are made. [67467]
Mr. Michael:
None. The Welsh Office will meet the rental costs of those parts of Crickhowell House which have been made available for Assembly purposes.
28 Jan 1999 : Column: 398
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those local authorities in Wales which have a designated mobility officer to assist blind and visually handicapped people. [67447]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
The provision of assistance to blind and visually handicapped people is now through Rehabilitation Workers.
I understand that the following local authorities directly employ Rehabilitation Workers:
In addition, some local authorities have contracts with other organisations such as the North Wales Society for the Blind; the Gwent Association for the Blind; the Guide Dogs for the Blind or Vision Enhancement Services, to provide services similar to those of Rehabilitation Workers. These local authorities are:
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those district general hospitals in Wales which offer specific services for partially sighted people; and which hospitals outside Wales provide such services for people resident in Wales. [67449]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
Information relating to specific services for partially sighted people is not held centrally. Ophthalmology services are provided in the following district general hospitals in Wales:
28 Jan 1999 : Column: 399
Details for hospitals outside Wales are not held by the Department.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives have been taken by him and his Department to help identify young children who may suffer from visual impairment or potential visual impairment; and what guidelines he has issued to education, health and social services departments in Wales to ensure proper co-ordination of assistance for such children. [67450]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
All babies are offered routine physical examinations at birth, 6 to 8 weeks, and at about 18 months, which will include vision screening. Mothers are encouraged to ask for advice if they have concerns at any time. Vision is also screened at school entry.
Local authorities and schools are responsible for identifying a child's special educational needs (SEN) and for ensuring that appropriate provision is made to meet those needs. The Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of SEN [ISBN 0 85522 444 4] includes guidance on the assessment of children with sensory impairment and on the duties of local authorities and health authorities to co-operate on service provision.
In 'Shaping the Future for Special Education--An Action Programme for Wales', published on 26 January we recognise the need for strong regional collaboration between statutory agencies in planning SEN provision, particularly in relation to low-incidence disabilities including visual impairment. We will be making additional resources available under the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) Programme from 1999-2000 to fund regional SEN planning pilot projects in Wales aimed at establishing best practice in this particular field.
The 1997 'Health of Children in Wales' report also provides guidance on child health including visual impairment and the importance of effective multi-agency co-operation.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
28 Jan 1999 : Column: 400
Ms Lawrence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to promote the principles of the Compact between the Government and the Voluntary Sector in Wales to other public bodies. [68692]
Mr. Michael:
I have today written to the Leaders of local authorities, to the Chairs of Health Authorities and Trusts and to the Chairs of NDPBs in Wales drawing their attention to the Compact between Government and the Voluntary Sector in Wales which I launched in November at the annual conference of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
The Compact is an agreement about the ways in which Government and the voluntary sector will work together for mutual benefit. It paves the way for the future and is intended to form the basis for the National Assembly's Voluntary Sector Scheme. The Compact is based on the principles of integrity, trust and mutual respect. While the agreement is between Central Government and the voluntary sector, I believe that these principles are equally applicable to relationships between other public bodies and the voluntary sector. I am very pleased that the Welsh Local Government Association has responded very positively indeed. I have agreed with the Association and the Wales Council for Voluntary action on a target of having a local compact in place for every part of Wales by September.
I believe that similar compacts, agreed between each public body in Wales and the voluntary organisations in its field of activity or geographical area will be a powerful way to recognise and improve their relationships.
I will therefore wish to see all other public bodies in Wales meeting the same target as that agreed with the Welsh Local Government Association.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
The Organic Aid Scheme which provides direct support for conversion.
The Organic Conversion Information Service which provides free advice to prospective organic farmers.
An industry-led working group has been set up to develop an action plan for the organic sector.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Cardiff
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Merthyr Tydfil
Monmouthshire
Pembrokeshire
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taff
Swansea
Value of Glamorgan.
Anglesey
Caerphilly
Cardiff
Conway
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Gwynedd
Newport
Torfaen
Wrexham.
Inpatient, day case and outpatient services
Bronglais General
East Glamorgan General
Prince Charles
Princess of Wales
Singleton
University Hospital of Wales
West Wales General
Ysbyty Gwynedd
Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor
Day Case and Outpatient Services
Neath General
Nevill Hall
Prince Philip
Withybush
Outpatient Services
Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
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