Oral Answers to Questions

Jonathan Evans Excerpts

Wednesday 11th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

We are certainly moving in that direction. Since taking office, we have introduced a rule that no Minister or official should travel first class. That has saved us nearly £92,000 and more than halved our rail costs this year. We have achieved 36% savings under a new Government contract for booking hotel accommodation, and we have halved the number of ministerial cars. From this month, we will no longer have the Jaguar in Wales that the Secretary of State’s predecessor ordered.

[Jonathan Evans (Cardiff North) (Con)]

5. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Assembly Government on big society initiatives in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

I have discussed a range of issues concerning the big society in Wales with the Minister for civil society, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd) and the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for social justice. I am due to have a further discussion concerning the big society bank with my hon. Friend next week.

[Jonathan Evans]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that response. Will he share with us his anticipation of when the big society bank will be up and running in Wales?

[Mr Jones]

We are certainly moving in that direction. My hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for civil society announced this week that the big society bank is being established; £200 million of moneys in that bank will be available on a wholesale basis for charities in Wales.