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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Win Griffiths): Following local government reorganisation, the assets, rights and liabilities of Rhuddlan borough council were transferred to Denbighshire county council. The district auditor, in his public interest report, which was published in July last year, confirmed that the debt that was transferred from Rhuddlan borough council was significantly higher than anticipated. For that reason, the Welsh Office provided additional financial help to mitigate the potential effects of that debt on services and council tax payers in the area.
Mr. Ruane: I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he consider a public inquiry onto Rhuddlan borough council debts? I ask that for two reasons. First, the people of Denbighshire deserve and should have a public inquiry so that a full explanation of what went on can be given. Secondly, the people of Wales need to learn the lessons from that fiasco, which involved the misuse of European grants, before the advent of objective 1 status for Wales in 2000.
Mr. Griffiths: When the district auditor first looked at the accounts he did not pick up the problem. However, it was picked up soon afterwards, and, as a result, we asked the Audit Commission to undertake a quality control review of the auditor's role. That was done by an independent auditor from the private sector, who found that the district auditor had acted in accordance with the code of practice laid down by Parliament. I am aware that a Mr. Gwynn Clague, who has set up a new party called the Democratic Alliance of Wales, has made allegations concerning European funding. The district auditor has asked Mr Clague to meet him to discuss the allegations, but he has yet not come for that meeting or produce the evidence for the district auditor. I do not see any value at this stage in a public inquiry, but if further evidence were presented to suggest that there had been even greater mismanagement than of the other funding, I would consider it.
Mr. Gareth Thomas (Translation): I endorse the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Clwyd (Mr. Ruane). I also emphasise the seriousness of the financial situation in Denbighshire. Will the Welsh Office keep a close eye on that situation, which is of grave concern to my electorate because it tends to undermine confidence in the system of local government in Wales?
Mr. Griffiths: I assure my hon. Friend that we are keeping a close eye on the developing situation in Denbighshire. We have asked for twice-yearly reports on the management of capital spending in the area, and the Welsh Office has already made provision to help Denbighshire with the problems of Rhuddlan that arose from the successor authority's taking over. My hon. Friend can be absolutely reassured that, as the story unfolds, we will take whatever steps are necessary in terms of the debts of Rhuddlan borough council and the management of the various European funds.
Anti-smoking Education
5. Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport West): What research he has evaluated on the impact of anti-smoking education on the numbers of (a) female and (b) male teenagers smoking in the years 1988 to 1996.[48383]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Win Griffiths): Primary responsibility for evaluating the impact of anti-smoking education in Wales rests with Health Promotion Wales. It has a programme of surveys and research aimed at informing the development of anti-smoking education measures and evaluating their impact. Since 1988, it has produced numerous reports based on this research programme,[Mr. Win Griffiths]
many of which focus on the impact of anti-smoking education on teenagers of both sexes. A further two research projects have been grant aided directly by the Wales Office of Research and Development. Those are helping to inform action on future anti-smoking education measures, including the development of the Government's forthcoming White Paper on tobacco control.
Mr. Flynn: I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. It was full and informative, which is not always the case with parliamentary answers not even from this enlightened Government. Can my hon. Friend explain why, although the sums spent in Scotland and Wales are virtually comparable, smoking among teenage girls has remained static in Scotland but has risen by 50 per cent. in Wales since 1988? Although the number of deaths from illegal drugs is distressing any death is a tragedy and there have been 19 deaths too many during the past four years there have been 29,000 deaths from legal drugs. Does not my hon. Friend think that we should constantly reassess the value of the anti-smoking and the anti-drug education that we offer young people?
Mr. Griffiths: Again, I reassure my hon. Friend that, among other things, I have asked Health Promotion Wales to review the effectiveness of its work. Although the education programmes on smoking show that 95 per cent. of youngsters are aware of the dangers of smoking, I am concerned that there has been a rise in smoking, particularly among 15 and 16-year-old girls. We are currently reassessing matters, to find out whether we are failing to get the message across. That could have an impact on the smoking habits of teenage girls.
When the White Paper on tobacco control is published, I know that my hon. Friend will be active in suggesting ways to help tackle the tobacco question. Like my hon. Friend, on the wider question, I am mindful of the number of deaths that have resulted from both illegal and legal drugs, and we shall certainly take steps in both fields to try to minimise the possibility of further tragedies.
Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): In a spirit of good will, I shall not go down the route of Bernie Ecclestone or Formula One [Interruption.] Do hon. Members wish me to?
Despite the fact that I own a convenience store that sells tobacco products, I can only wish the Government well in their strategy to reduce tobacco consumption. The European Union still subsidises tobacco growing to the tune of 1 billion ecu a year, which is wrong. Does not the Minister agree that that sends the wrong signal to people, whether they are young or old? What action will the British Government take to get rid of the subsidies for tobacco products throughout Europe?
Mr. Griffiths: Effective action will be taken at European Union level on tobacco advertising, which will limit it and eventually abolish it altogether. On the wider issue of subsidies for the production of tobacco plants, it is one of the matters being considered within the Agenda 2000 proposals and the reform of the common agricultural policy. The Government want action on those subsidies.
NHS Trusts (Gwent)
7. Mr. Huw Edwards (Monmouth): What assessment he has made of the advantages of establishing separate NHS trusts to serve north and south Gwent.[48385]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Win Griffiths): Gwent health authority evaluated options including the establishment of separate trusts for north and south Gwent. After extensive local discussions, it recommended the single trust option. Following careful consideration of all the options, I concluded that this proposal had the best potential to offer improved patient care and secure value for money. The public consultation period lasts until 21 September and I shall consider all responses before reaching a decision.
Mr. Edwards: I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. On the Government's own tests, the current proposal for a single mega-trust for the whole of Gwent fails. It fails on the principle of local autonomy for local health groups because it is the primary care providers who are most opposed to it; it fails on the principle of collaboration between health and social services because the campaign for separate trusts has been spearheaded by the chairs of social services in Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire; and it fails on the principle of accountability because the local authority and the community health council in north Gwent believe that accountability can be improved if there is a separate trust in north Gwent.
Mr. Griffiths: All those arguments have been put forward in the consultation period. I shall consider all the arguments and I am happy to consult on the evidence of Gwent health authority and the group that I put together to consider the proposal. If it can be shown that a two-trust option would provide a better service to patients and a saving of more money to put directly into patient care, I shall obviously consider it.
A470 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Betws-y-Coed
8. Mr. Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): When the final section of the A470 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Betws-y-Coed road improvement scheme will be completed, and if he will make a statement.[48386]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Hain): The Dolwyddelan to Pont yr Afanc scheme is subject to the current review of the trunk road programme due to be published later this month, as are the further stages between Cancoed and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Mr. Llwyd (Translation): On reading the document "Pathway to Prosperity", it is obvious that improvements from north to south will be treated as important, which is to be welcomed. Will the Under-Secretary confirm that the final section of the A470 will be finished immediately? The new section has improved the situation substantially, but the older part is dangerous because of the rush of traffic from the new section. Will the Under-Secretary assure us that that matter will be given priority?
Mr. Hain: I understand the hon. Gentleman's passion about the issue and share his desire to upgrade the A470. We shall be making clear our priorities for the road network when we publish our review of the roads programme before the end of this month. I accept that the existing sections of the road to which the hon. Gentleman refers are extremely substandard, and in view of the recent upgrading of the A470, we shall be giving priority to the schemes to which I referred.
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