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Comprehensive Spending Review
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when (a) he last met and (b) he plans next to meet the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss the Welsh Block for 2000-01. [94173]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I see the Chancellor of the Exchequer regularly when we discuss a number of issues.
Election Reform
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Electoral Reform Society regarding measures to increase the turnout for elections in Wales. [94181]
Employment Concordats
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with, and when he next intends to meet, the First Secretary and the Economic Development Secretary, regarding concordats relating to employment in Wales. [94175]
Mr. Paul Murphy: Concordats will set out the administrative arrangements between the Assembly and each Whitehall Department. That dealing with the management of issues relating to employment is for the Assembly to discuss with the Department for Education and Employment.
Beef Exports
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to discuss assistance for Welsh beef farmers to export their beef; and if he will publish the minutes of these meetings. [94177]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I am in regular contact with my right hon. Friend and we discuss a range of issues. However, assistance to Welsh beef farmers is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales, which is discussing related matters direct with my right hon. Friend.
Milk Marque
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and (b) the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the implementation of the findings of the Milk Marketing Council's report on the future of Milk Marque. [94179]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
None. The National Assembly for Wales is pursuing this directly with my right hon. Friend.
19 Oct 1999 : Column: 578
Mr. Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions concerning measures to reduce traffic congestion between London and Cardiff; and if he informed the Economic Development Secretary in the National Assembly for Wales of the outcome. [94182]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
While I take a keen interest in transport issues in Wales and value the importance of good communications, the development of an integrated transport policy for Wales is the responsibility of the National Assembly. I understand that Assembly officials are in direct contact with officials in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Mr. Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that the Welsh Assembly complies with section 76(3) of the Government of Wales Act 1998. [94180]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
Under Standing Order 6.7. of the Assembly, documents relating to plenary sessions are made available to me at the same time as they are to Assembly Members.
Mr. Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of running his Private Office each year since 1995-96; and what estimate he has made of the cost of running the office in (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01 and (iii) 2001-02. [94176]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The cost of Ministerial Private Offices in the Welsh Office was as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1995-96 | 724,230 |
| 1996-97 | 720,625 |
| 1997-98 | 758,763 |
| 1998-99 | 820,240 |
Estimated costs of the Ministerial Private Offices are:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1999-2000 | 672,837 |
| 2000-01 | 682,930 |
| 2001-02 | 693,022 |
Abattoirs
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the number of EU export-approved abattoirs in Wales; and if he has informed the Agriculture and Rural Economy Secretary of the Welsh Assembly of the outcome. [94178]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I have held a number of discussions with my right hon. Friend on a variety of issues concerning Welsh Agriculture and I have met representatives of the NFU and FUW. The specific issue of EU export-approved abattoirs in Wales is, however, a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.