HC Deb 18 February 1998 vol 306 cc664-5W
12. Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress in setting up the Welsh assembly. [28410]

Mr. Ron Davies

Excellent progress is being made.

13. Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which locations in Wales have applied to house the Welsh assembly. [28411]

28. Mrs. Lait

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from organisations based in Wales regarding the siting of the Welsh assembly. [28426]

Mr. Ron Davies

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley).

18. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to broaden the background of candidates for the Welsh assembly. [28416]

Mr. Ron Davies

The selection of candidates for the elections to the National Assembly for Wales is a matter for the political parties. I would expect the parties to ensure through their selection processes that people of ability and from the widest possible range of interests are chosen to stand in the elections.

22. Sir Sydney Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the venue and estimated cost of the Welsh assembly. [28420]

Mr. Ron Davies

I have not yet come to a decision on the venue of the National Assembly for Wales. Any decision needs to provide good value for money and be affordable within the resources available.

25. Mr. St. Aubyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from hon. Members regarding the siting of the Welsh assembly. [28423]

Mr. Ron Davies

I have received representations both in response to my consultation paper and prior to its issue. They were both in the form of correspondence and questions in the House and came from:

  • Llanelli: The right hon. Denzil Davies
  • Swansea West: The right hon. Alan Williams
  • Delyn: David Hanson
  • Swansea East: Donald Anderson
  • Clwyd West: Gareth Thomas
  • Cardiff North: Julie Morgan
  • Gower: Martin Caton
  • Wrexham: Dr. John Marek
  • Vale of Clwyd: Chris Ruane
  • Alyn and Deeside: Barry Jones
  • Cardiff West: Rhodri Morgan
  • Caernarfon: Dafydd Wigley
  • Ribble Valley: Nigel Evans
  • Lichfield: Michael Fabricant
  • Worthing East and Shoreham: Tim Loughton
  • Shropshire North: Owen Paterson
  • Ashford: Damian Green
  • Ruislip Northwood: John Wilkinson
  • New Forest East: Julian Lewis
  • Chipping Barnet: Sir Sydney Chapman
  • Cambridgeshire South: Andrew Lansley
  • Guildford: Nick St Aubyn
  • Beckenham: Jaqui Lait.