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Barnet Health Authority
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on the waiting list in Barnet Health Authority's area on 31 March 1998. [77578]
Mr. Denham: Barnet Health Authority's waiting list as at 31 March 1998 was 7,571.
Barnet Hospital
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the construction of Phase 1b of Barnet Hospital is expected to (a) commence and (b) be completed. [77585]
Mr. Denham: Work on site on the Phase 1b development at Barnet General Hospital began in February 1999. It is due to be completed in spring 2002.
Anaesthetists
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultant anaesthetists posts are currently vacant in each NHS trust in the North West Region. [77360]
Mr. Denham: The information requested is not available. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health indicated to the Health Committee recently, a survey of National Health Service staff shortages will be conducted shortly. The results of this survey will be discussed with interested organisations.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent anaesthetists are employed by each NHS trust in the North West Region; and what is the average number of clinical sessions scheduled per week by each trust. [77361]
Mr. Denham: The latest available information about the numbers of whole-time equivalent anaesthetists employed by each National Health Service trust in the North West Region is shown in the table. Information about the number of clinical sessions scheduled per week by each trust is not available.
Notes:
1. Figures rounded to nearest ten
2. '0' denotes 5 or less
3. Totals may not equal sum of components due to rounding
Source:
Department of Health Annual Medical and Dental Workforce Census
18 Mar 1999 : Column: 746
Operating Department (Staff)
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into the possible benefits of multi-skilling for operating department practitioners and theatre nurses; and if he will make a statement. [77359]
Mr. Denham: The Department has not commissioned any specific research on this topic. National Health Service employers are encouraged to develop multi- skilled employees where this is the best way to meet health service needs.
WALES
Fur Farming
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of fur farming. [76997]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones: There are no fur farms in Wales.
The Government support the Private Member's Bill to prohibit fur farming which received its Second Reading on 5 March, and is now proceeding to Committee Stage.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for organic farming in Wales. [76993]
18 Mar 1999 : Column: 747
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
The Welsh Organic Food Sector Action Plan was launched by Mr. Gareth Rowlands, Chairman of the Organic Working Group, Mr. David Rowe-Beddoe, Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, and by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, on 8 March.
| £ per hectare | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| APPS eligible land | Ineligible land | Unimproved grassland/ rough grazing | |
| Year 1 | 225 | 175 | 25 |
| Year 2 | 135 | 105 | 10 |
| Year 3 | 50 | 40 | 5 |
| Year 4 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| Total | 450 | 350 | 50 |
In future, following the transfer of functions, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assistance he will give to beef farmers to switch into (a) organic beef and (b) other products; and if he will make a statement. [76994]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones: The Welsh Lamb and Beef Sector Action Plan was launched by Mr. John Lloyd Jones, Chairman of the Lamb and Beef Working Group, Mr. David Rowe-Beddoe, Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales, on 8 March. The industry-led Plan sets out an agenda for developing the Lamb and Beef sector in Wales, and the assistance that will be available to farmers.
Subject to agreement by the European Commission, the payment rate available under the Organic Aid Scheme for beef farmers converting to organic production will be increased to £350 per hectare paid over five years. The current rate is £250 per hectare in non Less Favoured Areas and £50 in Less Favoured Areas.
In future, following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the Assembly.
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the effect of the CAP Reform, on environmental improvement. [76996]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
The new integrated rural development regulation, part of the Agenda 2000 CAP reform package agreed last week, makes it mandatory to introduce new agri-environmental schemes in all parts of all member states. In Wales, this is already in place in the form of Tir Gofal.
18 Mar 1999 : Column: 748
The regulation will also allow the UK to introduce a new scheme to replace Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances and deliver support to hill farmers more effectively while taking account of environmental protection requirements. The new scheme can be tailored to cater for differences and priorities in different areas within member states.
The creation of the new integrated rural development regulation creates a good basis on which future reforms will be able to implement a switch from supporting agricultural production to environmental measures. The current reforms have not moved very far in this regard and the significant shift to environmental measures is a matter which will have to be pressed further in reform of the CAP in future.
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the recently announced Reform of the CAP and its effect on the farming community of Alyn and Deeside. [76995]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
The provisional agreement reached by the Agriculture Council represents a significant change in the direction of the CAP-- a direction for which the UK Government have been strongly pressing. The Welsh Office is assessing how the proposed reforms will affect farmers in Wales.
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