§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received advocating the setting up of a rural affairs department in the Welsh Office; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsNo statistics are kept of representations on this subject, but I am aware of a small number of representations over recent years.
28Wbuildings occupied by his Department, expressing the figures in (a) cash terms, (b) 1990–91 money terms and (c) units of consumption for electricity in kilowatt hours, gas in therms, liquid fuel in litres and solid fuel in tonnes; and if he will give the square footage of accommodation to which these figures relate.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 3 June 1991]: The energy information requested for the years prior to 1983–84 and the square footage information prior to 1986–87 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. From 1983–84 onwards, the energy consumption and costs for the Northern Ireland Government office estate, broken down by fuel together with the square footage of accommodation to which it relates, is as follows:—
Because of the multi-functional nature of my right hon. Friend's responsibilities, the Welsh Office is well placed to take an overview of different policies as they affect rural affairs. There is also a great deal of collaboration between the various parts of the Welsh Office and between the Department and other agencies and bodies concerned with rural affairs.