HC Deb 16 July 1997 vol 298 cc204-5W
12. Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the additional public expenditure needed each year to fund a Welsh Assembly. [7006]

Mr. Ron Davies

The White Paper, which will be published on 22 July, will include costings of our proposals.

13. Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation exercise he plans in respect of the establishment of an assembly for Wales. [7007]

Mr. Davies

A referendum in September.

15. Mr Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from residents in south Wales relating to an assembly for Wales. [7009]

Mr. Davies

My hon. Friends and I have received a number of representations from people all over Wales, both in favour and against the establishment of a Welsh Assembly.

17. Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the total cost to be incurred in the research, preparation, publication and distribution of the summary of the White Paper on a Welsh Assembly. [7011]

Mr. Davies

The work has not yet been completed and our estimated budget remains commercially confidential at this stage. However, we estimate that the total costs for information and publicity associated with the Referendum will be £700,000. Parliamentary approval for this expenditure will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for Class XIV, vote 3. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £700,000 is being met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

19. Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will invite the Prime Minister to accompany him during his campaign in respect of the referendum on a Welsh Assembly. [7013]

Mr. Davies

Yes.

25. Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the annual cost of the proposed Welsh Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [7019]

Mr. Davies

My Hon. Friends and I have received representations, both for and against a Welsh Assembly, which have referred to its annual costs.

27. Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has in respect of the number of hon. Members from Wales who will sit at Westminster if an assembly is established. [7021]

Mr. Davies

None. Hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies will continue to be involved in considering new legislation that applies to Wales, and to represent their constituents on all matters.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of jobs which will be created as a result of the establishment of a Welsh Assembly. [7014]

Mr. Hain

It would be unrealistic to attempt to make detailed forecasts but I am confident that a democratically elected and responsive Assembly would give a significant boost to the competitiveness of the Welsh economy.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reasons the Welsh Assembly referendum will be held after the Scottish Parliament referendum; and if he will make a statement. [7575]

Mr. Davies

Our proposals for Wales are quite different from those for Scotland. We need to give people a chance to focus on the distinctive Welsh plans without being deflected by the Scottish debate.