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PRIME MINISTER
Engagements
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 22 April. [38039]
The Prime Minister: This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. I will have further such meetings later today.
WALES
National Assembly
8. Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the concordats between the national assembly and UK Government Departments. [38006]
Mr. Ron Davies: I have received a number of representations about concordats since the White Paper was published.
Concordats are intended to preserve the good working relationships that exist between my Department and Whitehall so that the work of the Assembly will be conducted effectively. My officials are currently discussing concordats with other departments and as I have told the House previously, the drafts will be published when they are ready although I do not expect them to be available until after the Government of Wales Bill has completed its passage through Parliament.
22 Apr 1998 : Column: 652
21. Mr. Fabricant:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the site of the National Assembly for Wales from people in north Wales. [38022]
Mr. Ron Davies:
On 3 February, in response to a question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams), I placed in the Library of the House a list of all those who responded during the public consultation exercise.
9. Ms Julie Morgan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce a child care strategy in Wales. [38007]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
We hope to publish a strategy soon.
10. Mr. Brady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on council tax discounts in Wales. [38008]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
Local authorities estimate that 34 per cent. of persons liable for council tax will qualify for discounts in 1998-99.
11. Mr. Hanson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the new deal in Wales. [38009]
Mr. Hain:
Excellent progress is being made in implementing the New Deal for young people in the South-West Wales Pathfinder area. Three hundred and fifty employers have signed New Deal agreements, pledging over 1,500 jobs.
17. Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new jobs he plans to fund under the new deal in Wales. [38016]
Mr. Hain:
Funding for the New Deal in Wales is provided by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. Of those entering a New Deal option, 45 per cent. are expected to go into a subsidised job. As the programme is demand led, no numerical targets have been set.
12. Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the future of European regional funds for Wales. [38010]
Mr. Hain:
We have received many representations, both from hon. Members and from representatives of the wider partnership.
13. Mrs. Spelman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Welsh businesses regarding a minimum wage. [38011]
22 Apr 1998 : Column: 653
Mr. Hain:
Since 1 May last year, the Welsh Office has received 14 representations on the National Minimum Wage. Of these, one was from an individual business, 7 were from umbrella organisations and the remainder were from members of the public.
14. Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the allocation of extra resources to public transport. [38013]
Mr. Hain:
Later in the spring the Government will publish a UK Transport White Paper, together with a complementary transport policy statement for Wales. These documents will set out our integrated transport policy as well as how we intend to ensure that public expenditure on transport is directed towards meeting our policy objectives, including the promotion of public transport.
15. Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the level of inward investment attracted to Wales since 1 May 1997. [38014]
Mr. Ron Davies:
From 1 May 1997 to 31 March 1998 the Welsh Development Agency has recorded 114 inward investment projects forecasting 12,114 new and safeguarded jobs and capital investment of over £632 million. I am confident that Wales will maintain its excellent record of inward investment.
16. Mr. Edwards:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on NHS trust reconfiguration in Gwent. [38015]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
I announced on 30 March that my right hon. Friend and I wish to consult on the creation of a new single NHS Trust in Gwent. Consultation on this, and our other proposals for the reconfiguration of NHS trusts in Wales, will take place over the summer.
18. Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the prospects for manufacturing industry output in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [38019]
Mr. Hain:
The Welsh office has made no such assessment.
19. Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on reform of the common agricultural policy and its impact on Wales. [38020]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
The European Commission has now published its proposals and the Government have given them a broad welcome. I attended the Agriculture Council meeting on 31 March at which the proposals were discussed. These discussions will continue and we will continue to work closely with farming unions in Wales to identify and argue for the needs of Welsh agriculture as the process goes forward.
22 Apr 1998 : Column: 654
20. Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the composition and record of the corporation of Gwent tertiary college. [38021]
Mr. Hain:
Gwent Tertiary College Further Education Corporation comprises:
24. Mr. Touhig:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the number of inquiries currently being conducted into the running of Gwent tertiary college. [38026]
Mr. Hain:
There are currently three external inquires underway at Gwent Tertiary College. These are being conducted by the National Audit Office, the Welsh Funding Councils' Audit Service, and the European Court of Auditors together with the Verification and Audit Section of the Department for Education and Employment. In addition, Ernst and Young, the College's internal auditors, are conducting an audit.
22. Mr. Caton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the problem of street homelessness in Wales. [38023]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
We are committed to ensuring that no-one needs to sleep rough in Wales. I will consider the information provided by local authorities in their Housing Strategy and Operational Plans for 1998-99 before deciding what more needs to be done to achieve this objective.
23. Mrs. Betty Williams:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the renegotiation of the European structural funds. [38024]
Mr. Hain:
Since Welsh GDP per capita is extremely low by comparison with both the EU and GB average, the Government believe that Wales is entitled to secure the maximum benefit from the Structural Funds after 1999.
22 Apr 1998 : Column: 655
Mr. Chris Hughes: Chairman of Governors
Mr. Brian Bird: Vice Chairman, Independent member
Mr. Anthony Atherton: Independent member
Mr. Philip Curzon: Independent member
Mr. John Davidson: Independent member
Mr. Tudor Griffiths: Independent member
Mr. David Mason: Principal
Mr. David Jones: Independent member
Cllr. Mrs. Anita Lloyd: Co-opted member
Mr. Tom Mulcahy: Independent member
Ms Heulwen Pritchard: Independent member
Mrs. Anne Ransome: Staff member
Mr. John Rogers: Staff member
Mrs. Kate Walker: Independent member
Mr. Shaun Walters: Independent member
Mr. Neville Waters: Independent member
Mr. Malcolm Cox: Student member.
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