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12 Feb 2003 : Column 851—continued
CAP Reform
3. Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): What recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary on the impact of reforms of the common agricultural policy on Wales. [96345]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Don Touhig): My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with the First Secretary, the Assembly's Agriculture Secretary and Ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss a variety of issues, including reform of the common agricultural policy.
Miss McIntosh : With Welsh farmers still reeling from the effects of the foot and mouth crisis, what assurance can the hon. Gentleman give that their interests will be looked after in the mid-term review of the CAP, as opposed to those of part-time French and German farmers in particular, with whom they are competing?
Mr. Touhig: It is recognised that we need reform of the CAP in order to obtain a better balance between agricultural support and rural development. That will mean more money for environmental and rural development, and less direct subsidies. Currently, the CAP costs Euro40 billion. The Government are working in partnership with our colleagues in the Assembly actively to ensure that the interests of Welsh farmers are protected. It is also important to get the message out to Welsh farmers—the Farmers Union of Wales was here recently, and I attended one of its events—that a range of measures exists to give them support in coping with changes to environmental, food safety and animal welfare matters. I am certainly happy to work with them in any way to make sure that they get all the help and support that they need.
Gareth Thomas (Clwyd, West): Is my hon. Friend aware of the serious problems caused in the farming community due to late payments under the integrated administration and control scheme? What progress is being made to sort out those problems, which cause real hardship?
Mr. Touhig: I am aware of the point that my hon. Friend makes; there have been some problems with the payment scheme. They resulted from the introduction of a new computer system, which had difficulty in coping with the volume of payments. It would of course be inappropriate to make payments unless the necessary controls were in place. Despite those short-term difficulties, however, I am given to understand, through discussions with Assembly colleagues who are responsible for the matter, that that major change will benefit farmers in the long term.
Mr. Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): The proposed modulation system in the mid-term review will have an unfair impact on British farmers, because of the reluctance of Governments in the past to claim funds for pillar 2. Welsh farmers in the less favoured areas will be particularly badly affected. Will the Minister hold discussions with the Liberal Democrat Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Assembly to ensure that Welsh farmers are not treated so badly?
Mr. Touhig: I am happy to discuss anything with Ministers in the Labour-led Assembly—[Interruption.]—that will be in place after 1 May.
Modulation and digression will not affect all farmers evenly, as the hon. Gentleman may be aware. Farmers receiving a single payment of less than Euro5,000 will be exempt. Initial estimates suggest that about 40 per cent. of farmers in Wales would be exempt from modulation.
Miners' Compensation
4. Mr. Martyn Jones (Clwyd, South): What progress has been made on miners' compensation payments in Wales. [96346]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Don Touhig): On the most recent figures I have available, in Wales we have paid £185 million under the respiratory disease scheme and £82 million under the vibration white finger scheme. Full and final payments have been made to 12,786 and 8,343 claimants respectively. That is significant and welcome progress, but the Government recognise that much more remains to be done. We intend to keep up the pressure to ensure that justice is delivered to our miners, their widows and their families. As chair of the monitoring group in Wales, I shall certainly play my part in that process.
Mr. Jones : I thank the Minister for that reply, which shows a sharp contrast to the lack of progress under 18 years of Tory government. However, a couple of cases are still outstanding, mainly due to the fact that the handling agreement between various employers of miners—British Coal, Wimpey and so on—does not work. Will my hon. Friend speak to the Department of Trade and Industry to move things along for the few people who are still experiencing problems with the agreement? [Interruption.]
Mr. Speaker: Order. Will the House come to order? It is unfair to hon. Members.
Mr. Touhig: Since January 2002, the number of full and final offers has increased from 2,800 to 18,700, and the number of full and final payments made has increased from 2,400 to 12,800. That is significant progress. I shall take on board, however, the point that my hon. Friend made. If he brings the details of those cases to my attention, I shall, as chair of the monitoring group, undertake to investigate the matter and get back to him.
Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley): As my hon. Friend knows, miners in all our constituencies are still dying before they receive their compensation. I have to keep explaining to my constituents that the reason for that is the fact that the Conservatives fought the NUM in the courts and refused miners the compensation to which they were entitled. It was only when Labour Government came to power that the compensation was paid. We cannot make that point too often.
Mr. Touhig: I take my hon. Friend's point. There is no doubt that many miners who are no longer alive would have received their compensation had not the Conservative Government collaborated with British Coal to resist their justified claims. What is important is that last year we more than surpassed our target of 15,000 full and final offers. The monitoring group has
decided to press IRISC—the Government's claims handlers—to make sure that the oldest miners, those most ill and widows are given top priority in receiving the next batch of payments. We will concentrate on that over the next six months, which I am sure right hon. and hon. Members welcome.Research Establishments
5. Adam Price (East Carmarthen and Dinefwr): What proportion of Government research establishments are located in Wales. [96347]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Don Touhig): There are no figures available on the number of establishments. I recognise that, historically, Wales's share of research spend has been low—3 per cent. or about £65 million. The Government are taking steps to seek to redress that situation.
Adam Price : I am a little surprised at the Minister's answer. A figure is available for the number of Government research establishments in Wales—one. South-east England has a hugely disproportionate share. Why is not taxpayers' money used to counteract the existing concentration of the science base in the south-east?
Mr. Touhig: The Government, working in partnership with the National Assembly, are taking steps to improve the situation. The spending review announced the largest sustained increase in the science budget for more than a decade. The Government have announced a new tax credit aimed at boosting research and development. The National Assembly is about to launch its innovation action plan and has already established the economic research advisory panel to identify Wales's future research needs. We should contrast those developments with the policies of the hon. Gentleman's party, which, were it to come to power, would separate Wales from the United Kingdom, so there would be no investment from the UK. He will get that message on 1 May.
Firefighters' Dispute
6. Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North): What discussions he has had with the First Minister about the impact of the firefighters' dispute in Wales. [96348]
The Secretary of State for Wales (Peter Hain): I have regular discussions with the First Minister. I know that he shares my desire to see a just and affordable pay settlement for the firefighters to bring to an end to the current dispute.
Julie Morgan : Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in the last five months of 2002, firefighters from Whitchurch fire station in my constituency made 648 home visits to vulnerable and elderly people to fit smoke alarms or replace batteries? Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating them and looking forward to a fair and just settlement?
Peter Hain: I will certainly do that. Firefighters do a marvellous job on behalf of us all, risking their lives to save ours. We want a settlement that is fair to them, other public service employees and the public whom firefighters serve.
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