§ 6. Mr. HindTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the numbers of representations he has received from the people of Wales on the implementation of the citizens charter in Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettSo far we have had more than 70 representations, we have published 28,000 copies of the citizens charter in Wales and we have already published the education charter for parents. Shortly, we hope to publish the tenants and patients charters.
§ Mr. HindWill my hon. Friend take every opportunity to remind the parents of Wales that through the parents charter they will have greater choice, a vastly increasing flow of information from schools and a much-improved say in the running of those schools and the education of their children? That contrasts with what the Labour party would give them: a reduction in say and choice and a great reduction in the powers that they as parents would enjoy.
§ Mr. BennettI could not agree more. Not only would the Labour party ensure that parents did not get information about exam results—it opposed the idea when the relevant Bill was passing through the House—but it would abolish city technology colleges, do away with grant-maintained schools and get rid of the assisted places scheme. The whole policy of the Labour party is to scrap, demolish and oppose. It has no constructive suggestions on education.
§ Mr. AndersonWill the aggrieved private citizen in Wales be able to complain about evasions and delay by the Welsh Office? The aggrieved people of west Wales have been waiting three years since they were promised that the second cardiac unit would be sited in west Wales. Will they be able to complain about that delay in spite of the Welsh Office promise?
§ Mr. BennettIf the people of Wales have a complaint about the Welsh Office they can complain to the parliamentary ombudsman. My job is to ensure that all the policies of the Welsh Office are put forward as speedily as possible for the people of Wales.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileWill the Welsh Office publish a railway sufferers charter for Wales pointing out that the considerable investment in industry between Shrewsbury and Aberystwith has been met by British Rail by the withdrawal of all InterCity services west of Wolverhampton? Will that railway sufferers charter also ensure that people can not only complain, satisfying though that is, but can see some improvement in the abominable rail services west of Shrewsbury?
§ Mr. BennettI have considerable sympathy with what the hon. and learned Gentleman says about British Rail, and I have recently had cause to complain about the west Wales lines. The best thing that can happen to British Rail for the passengers is a move towards privatisation so that passengers can have more say and more control over their services.