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Will the Minister confirm that he will not be watering down the powers of the GLA in any way? Does he agree that it could be strengthened if it was given the power to deal with matters using civil penalties, rather than through a lengthy court process?
Will the Minister confirm that he will not be watering down the powers of the GLA in any way? Does he agree that it could be strengthened if it was given the power to deal with matters using civil penalties, rather than through a lengthy court process?
Asked by
Nia Griffith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 February 2012
That is a good point because we do think that the civil process could play a more enhanced role in the GLA. On the hon. Lady’s first comment, we are not planning to water anything down but, as I said, we are looking at how we can better target the GLA’s work on areas where there is a real problem. For several years, there has been concern that the GLA was spreading its wings into areas in which there was no problem to be addressed, such as the forestry sector. We need to refocus its efforts on the areas in which there is exploitation, and we, like her and everyone in the House, are determined to get on top of that.
Subjects
Conditions of employment; Wales; Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
The Minister and I have debated this subject at some length but, specifically for Welsh farmers, one of the things that is causing great anxiety is the possible transfer from historical payments to flat-rate payments. What discussions has the Minister had? Will he give the Committee and Welsh farming communities an assurance that they will not be left behind because of the anomalous UK position? Does he have their best interests at heart?
The Minister and I have debated this subject at some length but, specifically for Welsh farmers, one of the things that is causing great anxiety is the possible transfer from historical payments to flat-rate payments. What discussions has the Minister had? Will he give the Committee and Welsh farming communities an assurance that they will not be left behind because of the anomalous UK position? Does he have their best interests at heart?
Asked by
Huw Irranca-Davies
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 February 2012
I can repeat the assurance that I gave the hon. Gentleman in Committee last week. We fully understand that point, although we support—I think that this is widely accepted—the need for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to move from a historical to an area-based system over a period of time. We cannot go on subsidising people on the basis of what they were paid in 2001, but the Commission’s proposals for a 40% shift in year one is far too high. We have agreed with all the devolved legislatures in the UK that we will press for a smoother transition of 20% a year over five years.
Subjects
Agriculture; Reform; Wales; Subsidies; Common agricultural policy
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c4-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
Will the Minister assist us by saying which Minister is responsible for the English Government policy?
Will the Minister assist us by saying which Minister is responsible for the English Government policy?
Asked by
Elfyn Llwyd
(Plaid Cymru)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 February 2012
Obviously, all DEFRA Ministers accept full responsibility, but the individual Minister who handles this is the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury.
Subjects
Agriculture; Wales; Waste disposal
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I welcome the Minister to the Committee. Will he assure us that exports of Welsh premium lamb—the best lamb in the world—are clearly labelled? Are he and his fellow Ministers looking seriously at the country-of-origin issue so that meat that comes from abroad but is packaged in this country has the country of origin labelled on it? There should be a Welsh dragon on it if it is produced in Wales, and information telling us otherwise if it is not.
I welcome the Minister to the Committee. Will he assure us that exports of Welsh premium lamb—the best lamb in the world—are clearly labelled? Are he and his fellow Ministers looking seriously at the country-of-origin issue so that meat that comes from abroad but is packaged in this country has the country of origin labelled on it? There should be a Welsh dragon on it if it is produced in Wales, and information telling us otherwise if it is not.
Asked by
Albert Owen
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 February 2012
I entirely share the hon. Gentleman’s demand and desire for accurate country-of-origin labelling. No doubt Welsh lamb for export is properly labelled when it leaves Wales. The precise labelling in the country to which it is going will be the responsibility of that country’s Government, because they will have their own labelling regulations. I assure him that we have taken two important actions on imports into the UK. First, we have a voluntary code, to which all supermarkets, major retailers and the hospitality sector have signed up, stating that all fresh meat will be labelled with the country of origin, which means the animal’s true origin and not just where it was processed. Secondly, the food information regulations in Europe have completed their progress and will apply, certainly initially, to all fresh meat. They stipulate that all fresh meat has to advertise its country of origin, which means where the animal originated. Those are two major steps towards meeting the hon. Gentleman’s objective.
Subjects
Exports; Meat; Wales
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c11-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
There have been no specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effect of rural poverty in Wales were the Agricultural Wages Board abolished. However, the Government believe that the proposed abolition of the board will reduce administrative burdens on the agricultural industry and enable it to adopt modern flexible employment practices, which will increase employment opportunities and benefit employers and workers in both England and Wales. As is required by the Public Bodies Act 2011, the future of the Agricultural Wages Board will be subject to public consultation, and we are currently discussing that consultation process with Welsh Government Ministers.
There have been no specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effect of rural poverty in Wales were the Agricultural Wages Board abolished. However, the Government believe that the proposed abolition of the board will reduce administrative burdens on the agricultural industry and enable it to adopt modern flexible employment practices, which will increase employment opportunities and benefit employers and workers in both England and Wales. As is required by the Public Bodies Act 2011, the future of the Agricultural Wages Board will be subject to public consultation, and we are currently discussing that consultation process with Welsh Government Ministers.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effects in Wales of the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board.
Subjects
Wales; Agricultural Wages Board
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
DEFRA has the key priority to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production to help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, and to help to ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. I regularly meet ministerial colleagues right across Whitehall to discuss a wide range of issues related to that priority.
DEFRA has the key priority to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production to help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, and to help to ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. I regularly meet ministerial colleagues right across Whitehall to discuss a wide range of issues related to that priority.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Hywel Francis
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the contribution of the farming sector to economic growth and green jobs in Wales.
Subjects
Agriculture; Wales
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
DEFRA has the key priority to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production to help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, and to help to ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. I regularly meet ministerial colleagues right across Whitehall to discuss a wide range of issues related to that priority.
DEFRA has the key priority to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production to help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, and to help to ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. I regularly meet ministerial colleagues right across Whitehall to discuss a wide range of issues related to that priority.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Mark Tami
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the contribution of the farming sector to economic growth and green jobs in Wales.
Subjects
Agriculture; Wales
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
We have not undertaken a separate assessment of the effectiveness of the GLA in tackling worker exploitation in Wales, but its activities have been the subject of detailed consideration as part of the employment theme under the Government’s red tape challenge. The red tape challenge ministerial star chamber has endorsed the need for the GLA to enforce protections for vulnerable workers, subject to better targeting of non-compliant operators and reducing burdens on the compliant ones. The GLA will continue to be monitored under the Government’s ongoing reviews of public bodies and enforcement agencies. We will make further announcements on the GLA in due course.
We have not undertaken a separate assessment of the effectiveness of the GLA in tackling worker exploitation in Wales, but its activities have been the subject of detailed consideration as part of the employment theme under the Government’s red tape challenge. The red tape challenge ministerial star chamber has endorsed the need for the GLA to enforce protections for vulnerable workers, subject to better targeting of non-compliant operators and reducing burdens on the compliant ones. The GLA will continue to be monitored under the Government’s ongoing reviews of public bodies and enforcement agencies. We will make further announcements on the GLA in due course.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Geraint Davies
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority in tackling worker exploitation in Wales.
Subjects
Conditions of employment; Wales; Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
There have been no specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effect of rural poverty in Wales were the Agricultural Wages Board abolished. However, the Government believe that the proposed abolition of the board will reduce administrative burdens on the agricultural industry and enable it to adopt modern flexible employment practices, which will increase employment opportunities and benefit employers and workers in both England and Wales. As is required by the Public Bodies Act 2011, the future of the Agricultural Wages Board will be subject to public consultation, and we are currently discussing that consultation process with Welsh Government Ministers.
There have been no specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effect of rural poverty in Wales were the Agricultural Wages Board abolished. However, the Government believe that the proposed abolition of the board will reduce administrative burdens on the agricultural industry and enable it to adopt modern flexible employment practices, which will increase employment opportunities and benefit employers and workers in both England and Wales. As is required by the Public Bodies Act 2011, the future of the Agricultural Wages Board will be subject to public consultation, and we are currently discussing that consultation process with Welsh Government Ministers.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Sian C James
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the effect on rural poverty in Wales of the closure of the Agricultural Wages Board.
Subjects
Wales; Agricultural Wages Board
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c8-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
The creation of the canal and river trust in England and Wales will ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the waterways. It will further liberate the potential of the waterways and provide benefits for the public. It will offer the users of waterways the opportunity to play a role in their governance and to bring their passion and expertise to the waterways. It will also enable local communities to have a greater say in how their canal or river is run.
The creation of the canal and river trust in England and Wales will ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the waterways. It will further liberate the potential of the waterways and provide benefits for the public. It will offer the users of waterways the opportunity to play a role in their governance and to bring their passion and expertise to the waterways. It will also enable local communities to have a greater say in how their canal or river is run.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Alun Michael
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effects in Wales of the creation of the Canals and Rivers Trust.
Subjects
Inland waterways; Wales; Canal and River Trust
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c3
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
This Government, and indeed those of several other member states, believe that many of the Commission’s current proposals require significant change. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I, with senior departmental officials, are working hard to explain the UK’s views, to build relationships and to engage with fellow Ministers from Governments across the European Union, including those in the devolved Administrations throughout the UK.
This Government, and indeed those of several other member states, believe that many of the Commission’s current proposals require significant change. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I, with senior departmental officials, are working hard to explain the UK’s views, to build relationships and to engage with fellow Ministers from Governments across the European Union, including those in the devolved Administrations throughout the UK.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Jonathan Edwards
(Plaid Cymru)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress she has made on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if she will make a statement.
Subjects
Agriculture; Reform; Wales; Subsidies; Common agricultural policy
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c4
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
There have been no specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effect of rural poverty in Wales were the Agricultural Wages Board abolished. However, the Government believe that the proposed abolition of the board will reduce administrative burdens on the agricultural industry and enable it to adopt modern flexible employment practices, which will increase employment opportunities and benefit employers and workers in both England and Wales. As is required by the Public Bodies Act 2011, the future of the Agricultural Wages Board will be subject to public consultation, and we are currently discussing that consultation process with Welsh Government Ministers.
There have been no specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effect of rural poverty in Wales were the Agricultural Wages Board abolished. However, the Government believe that the proposed abolition of the board will reduce administrative burdens on the agricultural industry and enable it to adopt modern flexible employment practices, which will increase employment opportunities and benefit employers and workers in both England and Wales. As is required by the Public Bodies Act 2011, the future of the Agricultural Wages Board will be subject to public consultation, and we are currently discussing that consultation process with Welsh Government Ministers.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Jessica Morden
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effects on the rural economy in Wales on the closure of the Agricultural Wages Board.
Subjects
Wales; Agricultural Wages Board
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c8-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
With permission, Mr Havard, I shall answer Questions 7 and 9 together.
We recently published the action plan on farming, food and drink exports. DEFRA will continue to work closely with Welsh and other stakeholders to implement that plan, especially to reduce animal health barriers to trade in beef and lamb, with regard not only to China and the USA, but to developing new markets such as in India.
With permission, Mr Havard, I shall answer Questions 7 and 9 together.
We recently published the action plan on farming, food and drink exports. DEFRA will continue to work closely with Welsh and other stakeholders to implement that plan, especially to reduce animal health barriers to trade in beef and lamb, with regard not only to China and the USA, but to developing new markets such as in India.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Roger Williams
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to promote Welsh meat exports.
Subjects
Exports; Meat; Wales
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c10
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
DEFRA has the key priority to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production to help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, and to help to ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. I regularly meet ministerial colleagues right across Whitehall to discuss a wide range of issues related to that priority.
DEFRA has the key priority to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production to help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, and to help to ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. I regularly meet ministerial colleagues right across Whitehall to discuss a wide range of issues related to that priority.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Owen Smith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the contribution of the farming sector to economic growth and green jobs in Wales.
Subjects
Agriculture; Wales
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
We have not undertaken a separate assessment of the effectiveness of the GLA in tackling worker exploitation in Wales, but its activities have been the subject of detailed consideration as part of the employment theme under the Government’s red tape challenge. The red tape challenge ministerial star chamber has endorsed the need for the GLA to enforce protections for vulnerable workers, subject to better targeting of non-compliant operators and reducing burdens on the compliant ones. The GLA will continue to be monitored under the Government’s ongoing reviews of public bodies and enforcement agencies. We will make further announcements on the GLA in due course.
We have not undertaken a separate assessment of the effectiveness of the GLA in tackling worker exploitation in Wales, but its activities have been the subject of detailed consideration as part of the employment theme under the Government’s red tape challenge. The red tape challenge ministerial star chamber has endorsed the need for the GLA to enforce protections for vulnerable workers, subject to better targeting of non-compliant operators and reducing burdens on the compliant ones. The GLA will continue to be monitored under the Government’s ongoing reviews of public bodies and enforcement agencies. We will make further announcements on the GLA in due course.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Chris Evans
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority in tackling worker exploitation in Wales.
Subjects
Conditions of employment; Wales; Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
With permission, Mr Havard, I shall answer Questions 7 and 9 together.
We recently published the action plan on farming, food and drink exports. DEFRA will continue to work closely with Welsh and other stakeholders to implement that plan, especially to reduce animal health barriers to trade in beef and lamb, with regard not only to China and the USA, but to developing new markets such as in India.
With permission, Mr Havard, I shall answer Questions 7 and 9 together.
We recently published the action plan on farming, food and drink exports. DEFRA will continue to work closely with Welsh and other stakeholders to implement that plan, especially to reduce animal health barriers to trade in beef and lamb, with regard not only to China and the USA, but to developing new markets such as in India.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
China; Exports; Wales; USA; Sheep meat
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c10
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
DEFRA has the key priority to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production to help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, and to help to ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. I regularly meet ministerial colleagues right across Whitehall to discuss a wide range of issues related to that priority.
DEFRA has the key priority to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production to help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, and to help to ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. I regularly meet ministerial colleagues right across Whitehall to discuss a wide range of issues related to that priority.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Albert Owen
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the contribution of the farming sector to economic growth and green jobs in Wales.
Subjects
Agriculture; Wales
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
There have been no specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effect of rural poverty in Wales were the Agricultural Wages Board abolished. However, the Government believe that the proposed abolition of the board will reduce administrative burdens on the agricultural industry and enable it to adopt modern flexible employment practices, which will increase employment opportunities and benefit employers and workers in both England and Wales. As is required by the Public Bodies Act 2011, the future of the Agricultural Wages Board will be subject to public consultation, and we are currently discussing that consultation process with Welsh Government Ministers.
There have been no specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effect of rural poverty in Wales were the Agricultural Wages Board abolished. However, the Government believe that the proposed abolition of the board will reduce administrative burdens on the agricultural industry and enable it to adopt modern flexible employment practices, which will increase employment opportunities and benefit employers and workers in both England and Wales. As is required by the Public Bodies Act 2011, the future of the Agricultural Wages Board will be subject to public consultation, and we are currently discussing that consultation process with Welsh Government Ministers.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Nick Smith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the effect on rural poverty in Wales of the closure of the Agricultural Wages Board.
Subjects
Wales; Agricultural Wages Board
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC 9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
The principal purpose of legislation on the construction and use of slurry storage facilities is environmental protection, so it is entirely a devolved matter. I understand that the Welsh Government are consulting on whether the rules that first came into place more than 20 years ago should now come into force, rather than the derogation that has existed, and whether all farms should have to comply with the standards set out in those regulations.
The principal purpose of legislation on the construction and use of slurry storage facilities is environmental protection, so it is entirely a devolved matter. I understand that the Welsh Government are consulting on whether the rules that first came into place more than 20 years ago should now come into force, rather than the derogation that has existed, and whether all farms should have to comply with the standards set out in those regulations.
Answered by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Hart of Tenby
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the (a) number and (b) volume of slurry stores, silage clamps and fuel tanks installed more than 20 years ago which have been found to be unsafe.
Subjects
Agriculture; Wales; Waste disposal
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I agree with the Minister about the trust’s virtues—that was why we argued for it—so I hope that he will join me in paying tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore, who was the Minister when the process to create it was started, and the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for Newbury (Richard Benyon), who has steered through the process. Will the Minister comment on what the question was about: the benefits of such an arrangement for Wales? Will he ensure that the trust becomes a fully representative elected body within a reasonable period, although that will take a little time, and that sight is not lost of the necessity of the trust engaging the public?
I agree with the Minister about the trust’s virtues—that was why we argued for it—so I hope that he will join me in paying tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore, who was the Minister when the process to create it was started, and the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for Newbury (Richard Benyon), who has steered through the process. Will the Minister comment on what the question was about: the benefits of such an arrangement for Wales? Will he ensure that the trust becomes a fully representative elected body within a reasonable period, although that will take a little time, and that sight is not lost of the necessity of the trust engaging the public?
Asked by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 February 2012
I entirely endorse the right hon. Gentleman’s words. As he rightly says—I am glad to recognise this—the policy is bipartisan, so I assume that he is aware of all the background. On the benefits for Wales, I specifically referred to the fact that the trust is in England and Wales. The benefits will be similar, in that it is difficult to identify specific benefits that might be attributed to Wales but not England, or vice versa. The trust is for both those parts of the UK. It will become a representative body, and the right hon. Gentleman is right to ask us to ensure that all the areas that it covers are represented on it.
Subjects
Inland waterways; Wales; Canal and River Trust
Date
8 February 2012
Reference
WGC c3-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons