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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 9 March 2006
WALES
Air Services
Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made to establish (a) inter-Wales air services and (b) scheduled air services from Swansea Airport. [56131]
Mr. Hain: The Welsh Assembly Government announced plans for an air service linking north and south Wales in December 2004. It is working to start the service towards the end of 2006 or early in 2007.
When the Assembly first announced plans for an intra-Wales air service, it supported, in principle, a Swansea-Cardiff-Valley route. I understand that it has not proved possible to include Swansea in the network in a way which would ensure a reliable service. In the circumstances, the Assembly has decided to focus on the Cardiff to Valley service but will keep the situation at Swansea under review.
Carers
Mr. Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Torfaen constituency are (a) paid carers and (b) unpaid carers for relatives. [55829]
Mr. Hain: The number of unpaid carers in the Torfaen constituency recorded at the 2001 census is 10,114. There is no recorded data on the number of paid carers.
The Government recognise the tremendous personal commitment of people who are prepared to care for a severely disabled relative, friend or neighbour and has introduced significant improvements in the benefits available to them, such as the carers' allowance. By 2005, there were approximately 1,000 claims for carers' allowance in the Torfaen constituency.
Community Legal Service
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment his Department has made of (a) the services the Community Legal Service provides to rural Welsh communities and (b) the likely effect on rural Welsh communities of the proposed termination of the service. [55684]
Mr. Hain: The Community Legal Service (CLS) in Wales is improving. Between April and November 2005, 8 per cent. more clients were helped than in the same period for the previous year.
People living in rural communities in Wales can access legal advice and assistance not only via face-to-face services but also through the Community Legal Service Direct website and helpline.
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There are no plans to terminate the CLS in Wales.
Council Tax
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 894W, on council tax, how many photographs were taken of domestic properties for the council tax revaluation in Wales. [54759]
Mr. Hain: The Valuation Office Agency holds no record of how many external photographs, of domestic properties, were taken for the purpose of council tax revaluation in Wales.
Departmental Expenditure
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent by his Department on media training in each year since 1997–98. [55218]
Health Funding
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will write to Rhodri Morgan, the Leader of the Welsh Assembly, to express concerns about the effects on the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital of the level of funding by Welsh health authorities for patients crossing the border to use the hospital. [55943]
Mr. Hain: As my hon. Friend made clear to you in a response to an oral question, from you on 15 February 2006, Official Report, column1441, an agreement for treating Welsh patients during 2005–06 is in place between the Royal Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust and Powys Local Health Board. The terms of a new contractual arrangement for 2006–07 are currently being negotiated. Both bodies are working to ensure that the best quality health care is provided.
However, I also understand that you have written to the Welsh Assembly urging the case for more Welsh patients to be treated in Shrewsbury, in the interests of sustaining the service.
Licensing
Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the level of (a) applications for and (b) grants of licences for the sale of alcohol over 24 hours in Wales. [56589]
Mr. Hain: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues about matters affecting Wales. Despite numerous ill-founded predictions in the run up to implementation of the Licensing Act 2003, relatively few premises applied for permission to sell alcohol over 24hours and only a minority of these have been pubs, nightclubs or bars.
Figures provided by DCMS indicate that an estimated 80 per cent. of applications made by pubs, nightclubs or bars, to vary licences resulted in the imposition of conditions (eg restriction of opening times, use of plastic glasses). In over 95 per cent. of cases that led to a hearing, Licensing Committees responded to residents' concerns by adding conditions and/or adjusting hours.
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Early indications show that we are moving towards a genuine pattern of variety in opening and closing hours.
Ministerial Activities
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) public speeches and (b) official visits he has made since 5 May 2005; and how many letters he sent in this period. [55708]
Mr. Hain: This information can be provided only atdisproportionate cost. With regard to letters, the Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The Report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 137–140WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. The report for 2005 will be published in due course.
Pathways to Work Pilots
Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on pathways to work pilot schemes in Wales. [56132]
Mr. Hain: I have regular discussions with the Cabinet Colleagues on a range of issues, including Pathways to Work.
The Pathways to Work pilot in Bridgend-Rhondda Cynon Taf has been a real success, helping almost 4,000 people into work. Pathways to Work will be extended to Swansea and West Wales from April 2006 and the Eastern Valleys from October 2006.
In addition, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions recently confirmed that Pathways to Work will be extended across the country by the end of 2008, an investment of a further £360 million.
Police Restructuring
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he plans to meet the Welsh police authorities to discuss the proposed restructuring of Welsh police forces; and if he will make a statement. [55146]
Mr. Hain: Following the recommendations of Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary, last week my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave notice of his intention to merge the existing police forces in Wales, creating a single strategic force. In accordance with sections 32 and 33 of the Police Act 1996 these police authorities, local authorities and chief constables have until 2 July to raise objections.
It is imperative that there is full and open dialogue between the Government and key stakeholders. Negotiations on amalgamation will continue and I trust that the authorities will use this statutory period to agree the best deal possible for Wales. I will of course continue to discuss these issues with police authority members in Wales as appropriate.
Private Office Costs
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost of his private office was in the last year for which figures are available. [55729]
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Mr. Hain: The Wales Office Annual Report was published in June 2005 as Cm6545, instead of a Departmental Report. It is available in the Library and gives information on Wales Office running costs. Private Office costs are not separately identified.
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