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Written Answers to Questions

Wednesday 22 June 2005

WALES

NHS Waiting Lists

10. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales about NHS waiting lists in Wales. [5069]

Mr. Hain: I regularly meet the Assembly First Minister and the health service in Wales is one of the topics that we frequently discuss.

Older People

11. Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Government plans to take to improve the quality of life of older people in Wales. [5070]

Nick Ainger: The Government is taking a number of steps to improve the quality of life of older people in Wales.

I am proud that this month the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill was introduced into the other place, and received its Second Reading on 14 June.

Child Care

12. Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales Government on the effects of tax credits on the take-up of childcare in Wales. [5071]

Nick Ainger: I regularly meet with Ministers from the Welsh Assembly Government to discuss a range of issues, including the effects of tax credits on the take-up of childcare in Wales.

Hospitals

13. Mr. David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has met the National Assembly for Wales Minister for Health to discuss the provision of new hospitals in Wales. [5072]

Mr. Hain: I have regular meetings with the Assembly First Minister and we regularly discuss health matters.

Over the last year, 12 new major hospital development schemes have begun in Wales. These include the building of a number of new hospitals and the renovation and modernisation of a significant proportion of existing hospitals.
 
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Digital Signals

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on measures to improve digital signals in the South Wales valley communities. [4039]

Mr. Hain: Current levels of digital terrestrial coverage are not indicative of the situation post-switchover. Coverage is, at present, limited to only nine of the 200 transmitters in Wales to prevent interference being caused to viewers of analogue television services. At the time of switchover, these restrictions can be removed and the power and coverage of digital services will increase to match that currently achieved by analogue. Planning for switchover is making provision for all of the existing transmitters to broadcast digital services.

We are committed to achieving digital switchover between 2008 and 2012 ensuring universal access to high quality digital television through a mix of terrestrial, cable and satellite services. This will happen region by region, and we will make sure that the interests of elderly people and other vulnerable groups are protected.

Laptop Computers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost was of the use of laptops in that period; and if he will make a statement. [4114]

Mr. Hain: The Wales Office was established July 1999, and during this time there have been no losses or thefts of laptops. The Wales Office is currently issued with two laptops, one allocated to the Minister and an official. The laptops are provided to the Wales Office under the DCA PFI Contract since April 2004 at an annual cost of £4,055.

Railways

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the inclusion of Newport as a through destination on the planned Cardiff to Ebbw Vale passenger railway. [4035]

Mr. Hain: The Ebbw Vale railway project is being delivered in two phases. Phase 1 comprises an hourly service from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff starting in 2007; phase 2 will be an hourly service from Ebbw Vale to Newport.

I understand that the Newport service cannot begin before 2009 because of the need for major re-signalling works in the Newport area by Network Rail.

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the Strategic Rail Authority on improving the main line passenger service from London to South Wales. [4037]

Mr. Hain: The Strategic Rail Authority has recently invited detailed bids for the Greater Western Franchise. One of the authority's objectives is to improve operational performance and sustain a level of service quality consistent with meeting customer needs. The
 
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authority has also launched a public consultation on the specification for the franchise. Where appropriate, revised instructions can be given to bidders in the light of consultees' responses.

Smoking

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on legislation relating to smoking and its impact in Wales. [5068]

Nick Ainger: My right hon. Friend has had regular discussions over the last few months with the Secretary of State for Health on this matter.

Earlier this week the Government published consultation on proposals for introducing smoke free environments in England and Wales.

South Wales Valleys

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the regenerative potential for towns in the South Wales valleys of a scheme similar to the Market Towns Initiative. [5059]

Mr. Hain: Regenerating the South Wales valleys is a major priority for this Government. We secured Objective 1 funding for West Wales and the valleys, and this successful programme is having a huge impact on towns and communities across the valleys. In the South Wales valleys, £154.9 million of Objective 1 grant has been committed to 313 local projects, representing more than £308 million of total project investment.

As part of its sustainable communities agenda, the Assembly also runs the Communities First programme, which is a comprehensive approach to area-based regeneration. The programme applies to many of the most deprived areas in the South Wales valleys. It was launched on 31 March 2000 and has a budget of £150 million until 2006.

CADW also operate the Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme, which is a Heritage Lottery Fund run scheme aimed to promote urban regeneration but biased towards heritage conservation by improving town centres, through the restoration of historic architecture.

There are currently 14 Townscape Heritage Initiatives ongoing around Wales, with a further two proposed in South Wales valleys areas (Maesteg in Bridgend and Rhymney in Caerphilly).

In addition, the Assembly operate a range of measures to assist rural towns, for example the £1.8 million a year Rural Community Action programme which covers nine local authority areas and is benefiting rural towns in places such as Flintshire, Wrexham and the Vale of Glamorgan. Over 100 projects are also being supported under a £8.7 million programme in rural areas to support basic services, renovation of villages and supporting local tourism and craft sectors. A Rural Retail Scheme is also in operation designed to help encourage the retention of retail facilities in rural areas.
 
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DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Construction (Litchfield)

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will meet the directors of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Limited to discuss the route that the restored canal will take with respect to Planning Policy Guidance 13, and its progress to date. [4176]

Yvette Cooper: This is a local issue for Staffordshire county council, Lichfield district council and the Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. Outline Planning Permission for the development including the Lichfield Southern Bypass has already been granted by Lichfield district council and a legal agreement entered into with the developers. It is therefore inappropriate for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministers to enter into discussion about these matters.

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