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20 Nov 2003 : Column 1188W—continued
Gun Crime
Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many incidences of gun crime there were in Wales in 2002; how many there were in 1997; and if he will make a statement. [139295]
Mr. Touhig: There were 85 recorded crimes in Wales in 1997 involving a firearm other than an air weapon; the figure was 106 in 2002.
Although the incidence of firearms offences is relatively low in Wales, too many people are still being killed or injured by firearms. This is unacceptable and is being addressed on a number of fronts, including:
- reducing the supply and availability of firearms, and
effective police operations to drive down firearm offences.
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Manufactured Imports
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary on the level of imports of manufactured goods into Wales. [136383]
Mr. Touhig: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales regularly meets the First Minister. In addition, I have regular bi-lateral meetings with the National Assembly for Wales's Economic Development Minister and discuss a wide range of issues, including trade levels of manufacturing goods in Wales.
The level of exports for manufacturing goods in Wales since May 1997 to the quarter ending 2002 has been consistently higher than the level of imports to Wales.
Current available statistics point to a continuation of this trend.
- Source:
- Her Majesty's Customs and Excise?UK Regional Trade Statistics.
NHS (Capital Expenditure)
Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much capital expenditure there has been in the NHS in Wales in each of the last five years; and how much of that was attributable to private finance initiative projects. [137090]
Mr. Touhig [holding answer 10 November 2003]: In the 2002 Spending Review, the Government allocated an additional £251 million in 2003–04, £925 million in 2004–05 and £1,765 million in 2005–06 to Wales in accordance with the long standing Barnett formula. This included the allocations for health of £140/516/931 million announced by the Chancellor in his spring 2002 Budget.
The allocation of public expenditure on services such as health is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.
Top-up Fees
Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on higher education top-up fees in Wales. [139292]
Mr. Touhig: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales announced in his written statement of 17 July 2003, Official Report, column 84WS, we propose, subject to parliamentary approval, to transfer to the National Assembly for Wales full responsibility for the tuition fee regime, including powers over new policy as regards variable fees.
Waiting Times
Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for reducing waiting times for NHS treatment in Wales. [139280]
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Mr. Touhig: I have regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Health and Social Services, at which we discuss a range of health issues including waiting times.
I am aware that the Assembly has very recently announced a new initiative to tackle long waiting times in Wales. Setting priorities for the Health Service in Wales, including waiting times, is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Rural Bodies
9. Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) Countryside Agency and (b) Rural Development Service employees will transfer to other government employment following the implementation of the Haskins Review; how many job losses she estimates there will be; and if she will make a statement. [139838]
Margaret Beckett: In my statement on 11 November, I announced my intention to create an integrated agency that would incorporate elements of the work of English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service where those functions will most enable the agency to reflect its new remit. Plans for how this agency will be set up, including arrangements for transferring staff, are now being developed. I would hope to give more details in the spring.
22. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how she proposes that the independent role played by English Nature will be maintained under the proposals of the rural delivery review. [139851]
Alun Michael: The intention is to strengthen the independent role currently played by English Nature, not merely to maintain it. In her statement on 11 November, the Secretary of State announced her intention to create an integrated agency to incorporate elements of the work of English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. The integrated agency will use the experience and expertise of its constituent parts. English Nature's worldwide reputation on biodiversity matters provides a strong foundation for this work. The integrated agency will provide independent policy advice to Government and will implement policy within the framework of the Government's approach to sustainable development.
The exact status of the agency will be considered as part of the Government's full response and implementation plan, as my right hon. Friend made clear.
Recycling
13. Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether the UK will meet its recycling targets for 2005. [139842]
Mr. Morley: National targets for England are to recycle and compost 17 per cent. of household waste in 2003–04 and 25 per cent. in 2005–06. Our current
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assessment of local authority performance is that we expect to meet the 2003–04 target and that, although challenging, the 2005–06 target is achievable.
Dairy Industry
14. Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the dairy industry. [139843]
Alun Michael: The Government recognise the difficulties caused by low farmgate prices and the challenges of adjusting to the new conditions faced by the reformed CAP, but we also believe that the UK dairy sector has a sustainable future. The UK has a comparative advantage in terms of climate and farm efficiency and size over many of its competitors and if the industry can work together to maximise its potential then there is no reason why it cannot succeed.
17. Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she will take to increase the farmgate price of milk for British dairy farmers. [139846]
Alun Michael: The reasons for the low farmgate prices over the last few years are complex and cannot be reduced to a single factor. Many of these reasons require action by the industry itself. However, the Government can and have taken action in line with their strategy for sustainable farming and food to facilitate and promote the industry's efforts to become more competitive.
18. Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the dairy industry. [139847]
Alun Michael: Ministers frequently meet representatives from all parts of the dairy supply chain and are therefore aware of the issues affecting the sector. Matters affecting the whole supply chain are regularly discussed at the Dairy Supply Chain Forum chaired by my noble Friend, the Lord Whitty.
21. Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the dairy industry. [139850]
Alun Michael: The Government recognise the difficulties caused by low farmgate prices and the challenges of adjusting to the new conditions faced by the reformed CAP, but we also believe that the UK dairy sector has a sustainable future. The UK has a comparative advantage in terms of climate and farm efficiency and size over many of its competitors and if the industry can work together to maximise its potential then there is no reason why it cannot succeed.
Transport (Environmental Impact)
15. John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Department for Transport on the environmental impacts from transport. [139844]
Mr. Morley: My ministerial colleagues and I have regular discussions with the ministerial team in the Department for Transport on many matters including environmental issues.
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