Nick Ainger: I hear what the Minister is saying. However, there is something I cannot accept, and which the PHA and the British Lung Foundation certainly cannot accept. A number of airlines already accept small oxygen cylinders in the cabin for the personal use of patients. Why on earth can we not say that, if it is good enough for those airlines, it applies across the board? The practical issue of...
Nick Ainger: I accept everything that the Minister is saying, but EC regulation 1107/2006 is being reviewed. Is that not an opportunity to use the regulation itself, or an addendum to it, to make it absolutely clear that airlines are expected to allow people to bring on board their own personal oxygen cylinders or concentrators for use in the cabin? Surely that is an issue that can be cleared up this year.
Nick Ainger: We are talking, again, about relatively small cylinders and concentrators. Transport for London is proposing that there should be a proviso whereby somebody should have a letter or other confirmation to show that their cylinder or concentrator is kosher and has been checked for security purposes. In such circumstances, why should people have to give 24 hours' notice to use a train? If we are...
Nick Ainger: I begin by declaring an interest. I am a trustee of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. I am grateful to have the opportunity to raise this important subject, on which the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the British Lung Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and other lung health organisations have been campaigning for some time. Disabled passengers, like anyone else, should have the...
Nick Ainger: Will my hon. Friend join me in welcoming the creation of the new Trinity St. David university, based in my constituency, which will act as a strategic hub in the regional framework, linking with Swansea Metropolitan university, Coleg Sir Gâr and Pembrokeshire college, and thereby creating a dynamic learning and skills powerhouse for post-16 education in south-west Wales? Also, is this not...
Nick Ainger: rose-
Nick Ainger: The hon. Gentleman is doing the Governor a disservice. The Treasury Committee looked at these matters in great detail, and we found that there were major problems with regulation not only in this country but in every other developed country, despite the model being used.
Nick Ainger: It is always interesting to follow the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), who always aims to entertain, if not to inform us about Liberal Democrat policy. I am reminded of a story about the late Lord Howells. When he was the Member for Ceredigion, he announced at a public meeting that Liberal Democrat policy on water was that it should all be free. Afterwards he was challenged...
Nick Ainger: My right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy) referred to his first contribution to the Wales day debate back in 1988, which reminded me of my first such contribution in 1993. I am not sure whether it was on 1 March, but it was close to it. I could not make a very positive contribution, because of the situation that my constituency was in. The second recession under the...
Nick Ainger: Indeed. My hon. Friend makes his point very well. We can be incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the past 12 years or so. We have seen real improvements in the quality of the services that are provided to our constituents, including in health and education, and we have been able to encourage employment. That we have maintained relatively low interest rates has been a huge assistance...
Nick Ainger: Well, the Lobby briefing was wrong then. Those earning less than £39,000 will receive their bonus in cash. Those earning more will receive their substantial bonuses in the form of shares paid over three years, but if their performance over that time is deemed to have fallen off, the bonus will be clawed back. The overall performance of the institution will also be taken into account. Those...
Nick Ainger: I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman is suggesting that we should take the axe to the financial services sector. I am sure that his friend Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, would take serious exception to that. To be fair, we have seen a significant expansion of financial services in Wales, and Admiral is a very good example of that. I am arguing not that the financial services sector...
Nick Ainger: The Secretary of State will be well aware of the major contribution, certainly over the past few months, of the two LNG import terminals in Pembrokeshire and the Isle Of Grain in Kent. Up to 27 per cent. of annual consumption is provided through those terminals. Bearing in mind the future reduction of North sea capacity, and the possible risks of the continental connection, will the Secretary...
Nick Ainger: My right hon. Friend will know that the construction industry in Wales has suffered during the recession and that this is partly due to the banks' restricting lending in this sector-despite there being a significant demand for housing and despite the fact that the banks have received billions in taxpayers' support. Will my right hon. Friend raise this issue at tomorrow's economic summit in...
Nick Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers have received a fixed penalty fine for speeding in the 50 mph limit area approaching the Severn Bridge toll booths on the M4 in each of the last four years.
Nick Ainger: I was interested to hear what the hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Jones) said about wind energy, in particular. As one who also represents a rural constituency, I understand the concerns that many residents have about the impact of wind turbines on the landscape. However, we have to accept that this is a proven technology and that many other countries have developed their wind industries in...
Nick Ainger: My hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Paddy Tipping) referred to the sectors that are not covered by the social tariff. My right hon. Friend said that the issue would be debated in Committee, but would he like to comment now on the fact that although approximately 4 million-plus consumers are not on the gas network, but are instead dependent on liquefied petroleum gas and heating oil, they...
Nick Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle have been slaughtered having tested positive for bovine TB in each of the last five years; how many of those slaughtered did not show signs of TB at post mortem in each year; and how many of those slaughtered had cultures taken at post mortem which subsequently did not confirm the presence of TB in each year.
Nick Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department has issued to police forces on the publication of information on the number of fixed penalty notices issued in respect of offences committed upon a particular part of the highway; and if he will make a statement.
Nick Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask South Wales Police Force to review its decision on publication of the number of fixed penalty notices issued for speeding in the 50mph limit area on the approach to the Severn Bridge toll booths on the M4.
