Oral answers round-up from Wales

Herewith some recent questions from Conservative Members of the Welsh Assembly. Answers to oral questions not reached in Plenary are recorded in written form.

Nick Bourne (right), who leads the Conservatives in the Assembly, received a rather tepid response from First Minister Rhodri Morgan about business:

"Will the First Minister outline his policies to support Welsh businesses? OAQ(3)1593(FM)

The First Minister: Flexible Support for Business is the key policy for delivering support for businesses as part of our 'One Wales’ commitment. It transforms the way in which we help and support businesses by providing a single access point, enhanced relationship management and a single investment fund."

The multi-tasking William Graham is European Affairs spokesman, chief whip and group chairman. He asked about public services:

"Will the Minister make a statement on the delivery of public services in South Wales East? OAQ(3)0541(FPS)

Andrew Davies: As I said in reply to Mick Bates, in every part of Wales we are working to ensure that we have public services that are high-performing, efficient, ambitious and innovative, which put the citizen at the centre of all that they do, represent excellent value for money and work together well."

(Andrew Davies is Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery).

Mark Isherwood is Shadow Minister for Social Justice, Equality and Housing.

"What consideration does the Minister give to small business rate relief when allocating funding to the social justice and local government portfolio budget? OAQ(3)0531(FPS)

Andrew Davies: The Assembly Government’s budget for 2009-10 provides for the small business rate relief scheme, as announced previously by the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government."

These answers aren't exactly verbose, are they?

English-born Darren Millar is Shadow Minister for Environment and Planning. He asked about special needs education:

"Will the Minister make a statement on resources for pupils with special educational needs? OAQ(3)0714(CEL)

Jane Hutt: The Welsh Assembly Government provides support within the revenue support grant to local authorities to meet the needs of all pupils with SEN. Total expenditure on SEN by LEAs is budgeted to be £321 million for 2008-09, with further specific funding of £13.7 million having been allocated."

Jane Hutt is Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills. The vogue for immensely long job titles is unappealing, and the Conservatives would do well to quash it.

Nick Bourne also asked a question about rural education:

"Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of education in rural Wales? OAQ(3)0708(CEL)

Jane Hutt: The Welsh Assembly Government believes that pupils in rural areas deserve access to as wide a range of educational opportunities as that provided for other children. The distribution of funding for education takes account of the extra costs of delivery in rural areas."