§ 35. Mr. Gowasked the Lord President of the Council what is his latest estimate of the number of additional civil servants who will be required to implement the Government's devolution proposals.
§ Mr. John SmithAs the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum to the Scotland and Wales Bill indicates, the Government's proposals involve an estimated increase of about 2,290 staff, of whom about 2,050 will be civil servants.
§ 37. Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Lord President of the Council whether there has been any change in the Government's policy about devolution for Wales since the last White Paper.
§ Mr. John SmithNo.
§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Lord President of the Council which aspects, if any, of devolution in Wales fall within the Secretary of State for Wales' sphere of official responsibility.
2W
§ Mr. John SmithThe following matters covered by the subject groups proposed for devolution to the Welsh Assembly in Schedule 7 to the Scotland and Wales Bill fall within the present responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales: primary and secondary education, the Welsh language, the arts, crafts, cultural and recreative activities, libraries, museums and art galleries; health and social services; water and land drainage; most aspects of local government; ancient monuments and historic buildings; tribunals and inquiries; envirornent; agricultural land and fisheries; landlord and tenant matters and housing; tourism; forestry; roads and bridges; certain aspects of transport; road traffic; countryside; certain aspects of superannuation.