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Rain Forest

Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has had from Dr. John Houghton, director general of the Meteorological Office, about his request for information about the climatological consequences of the destruction of the Brazilian rain forest.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : The Department will continue to keep in touch with the work led by Dr. John Houghton which I described in my reply to the hon. Member on 17 March, Official Report, column 367.

Sewage Discharges

Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sewerage outlets discharge untreated raw sewage into the sea.

Mr. Ridley : I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave today to the Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye (Mr. Kennedy).

Construction Aggregates

Sir Trevor Skeet : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to publish new guidance on the supply of construction aggregates.

Mr. Chope : Planning guidelines for aggregates provision in England and Wales are being published today in mineral planning guidance note 6 and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library. It updates and replaces advice issued previously in DOE circular 21/82 and Welsh Office circular 30/82 and has been prepared following a public consultation exercise in 1988. The guidelines recognise that there is a need to ensure continuity of supplies to the construction industry of basic raw materials, and to meet demand. However, it is very important to strike the best balance of social, environmental and economic costs, and the guidelines demonstrate the burden of responsibility on mineral planning authorities in deciding applications for aggregate mineral extraction.


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Aggregates working is often noisy, dusty and visually intrusive and the Government believe that industry, in consultation with local planning authorities, should make every effort to reduce these damaging effects. There is also a need to apply the national and regional guidelines at the mineral planning authority level and the Government believe that this important work should be treated as a priority task by the planning authorities and the regional aggregates working parties. In addition this recent review of the guidelines and the public consultation exercise have highlighted a number of long-term supply issues and these will be addressed by the Government through the Department of the Environment's mineral planning research programme.

London Residuary Body (Superannuation Fund)

Mr. Robert G. Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has received from the London residuary body in respect to the transfer of its superannuation fund ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer : My right hon. Friend has received proposals from Sir Godfrey Taylor, chairman of the London residuary body (LRB), under section 67 of the Local Government Act 1985 for the transfer to a new corporate body on 1 April 1990 of the superannuation fund and associated functions, rights and liabilities which it inherited on the abolition of the former Greater London council.

My right hon. Friend is minded to accept the LRB's proposals, with certain modifications, and will shortly be commencing consultations with the London boroughs, including the City, and other interested parties over an outline for the transfer of these responsibilities. The scheme proposes the establishment of a new "London Pensions Fund", a corporate body with a membership of between seven and 11 members appointed by my right hon. Friend. It would have an independent chairman, with the remaining board members being drawn equally from London local government and independent sources. It is proposed that the London Pensions Fund would be brought within the scope of local government legislation.

My right hon. Friend will also be seeking views on the establishment of a voluntary consultative committee which he might consult over appointments to the London Pensions Fund.

Transferred Property (Sales)

Mr. Patnick : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what his policy will be in relation to requests for his consent under sections 105 and 133 of the Housing Act 1988 to sales of transferred property by a mortgagee or chargee in possession.

Mr. Trippier : Subject to certain exceptions (notably sales under the right to buy), sections 105 and 133 of the Housing Act 1988 require my consent to be obtained before property which has been transferred by local authorities under section 32 or 43 of the Housing Act 1985 or by public sector landlords under part IV of the 1988 Act ("tenants' choice") may be disposed of by its new owners. We understand that some prospective acquirers of property under these powers have it in mind to apply, at the time when a mortgage or other charge is granted on transferred property as security for a loan, for my consent


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to subsequent disposals should certain defined circumstances arise. My right hon. Friend will, of course, consider all applications for consent under sections 105 and 133 on their merits. Subject to that, however, my right hon. Friend will be prepared in principle to consider sympathetically applications at the time when such mortgages and charges are to be granted for my consent under either section 105 or section 133 to subsequent disposals of transferred dwellings by named mortgagees and chargees in the exercise of a power of sale, provided :

that the dwellings to be disposed of are vacant when the power of sale is exercised ;

that the sales are to individuals intending to use the dwellings as their only or principal homes ; that the sales are at the best price that can reasonably be obtained ; and

that the sales are by the mortgagee or chargee in exercise of the power of sale contained in the original mortgage or charge.

Forest Proposal (Midlands)

Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has considered and responded to the Countryside Commission's proposal for the creation of a new forest in the midlands ; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 21 March 1989] : I understand that the Countryside Commission intends to submit proposals for the creation of a new forest in the midlands to the Department later this year, after considering a feasibility study by consultants and carrying out consultations with the Forestry Commission and other interests.

Docklands (Tourism)

Mr. Leighton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to develop tourism in docklands.

Mr. David Trippier [holding answer 16 March 1989] : The LDDC fully recognises the tourism potential of docklands. It has responsibility for tourism and leisure, projects to improve information to tourists and the tourism industry, projects to conserve and improve the environment and restore historic buildings, and it is attracting imaginative private sector developments, including proposals likely to bring in visitors. Public transport improvements are also helping.

Mr. Leighton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what tourist facilities are being built into Canary wharf.

Mr. Trippier [holding answer 16 March 1989] : Canary wharf is planned to include 500,000 sq ft of retailing and other leisure facilities and extensive public places.

Air Pollution

Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to introduce new limits for diesel engine pollutants emissions.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : I have been asked to reply.

We shall be consulting shortly on regulations which will apply limits on gaseous emissions from diesel engined vehicles for the first time.

For cars we shall apply European standards in two stages. The first stage (directive 83/351/EEC) sets


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standards identical to those which currently apply to petrol-engined vehicles. It will take effect on 1 October 1990. The second stage (directive 88/76/EEC) will apply the same limits that will mean the general fitment of catalysts to petrol-engined cars. It will take effect by 1 October 1993.

On 1 October 1990 we shall also apply the European particulate limits for diesel-engined cars (directive 88/436/EEC). Special arrangements in line with all these directives will be made for direct injection diesel-engined cars.

For all other diesel-engined vehicles we shall apply the recently agreed European standard on gaseous emissions (directive 88/77/EEC) at the earliest date permitted,1 October 1990.

Discussions are continuing in the European Community on a tightening of the 88/77/EEC standards and on the introduction of particulate limits for these other categories of vehicle.

UN Environment Programme

Dr. Cunningham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who represented Her Majesty's Government at the latest United Nations environment programme conference in Basle on the international trade and regulation of hazardous and toxic wastes ; what proposals were made at the conference by Her Majesty's Government ; and if he will make a statement about the outcome of the conference.

Mr. Ridley : My noble Friend the Minister for Housing, Environment and Countryside led the United Kingdom delegation at the diplomatic conference in Basle. I will make a statement about the conference as soon as possible.

SCOTLAND

Regional Assistance

Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the projected residual regional develpment grant expenditure for Scotland for 1988-89 and 1989-90.

Mr. Rifkind : Estimated gross expenditure on regional development grant, including both the original and revised schemes, in 1988-89 is expected to be around £76 million. Planned net provision for 1989-90 is £61.2 million--details are published in the supply estimates.

Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the projected regional selective assistance expenditure in Scotland for 1989- 90, 1990-91 and 1991-92.

Mr. Rifkind : Planned net provision for regional selective assistance and related schemes (including regional enterprise grants), consistent with the figures published in "Public Expenditure to 1991-92, A Commentary on the Scotland Programme," for 1989-90, 1990-91 aand 1991-92 is £63 million, £80 million and £80 million respectively.

Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total expenditure on regional development grant for each of the years 1983-84 to 1987-88 inclusive, and the estimated expenditure for 1988- 89, 1989-90, 1990-91 and 1991-92.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 20 March 1989] : Total gross expenditures on regional development grant under both


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the original and revised schemes in the years 1983-84 to 1987-88 inclusive are £143 million, £109.2 million, £107.5 million, £170.2 million and £78 million respectively. Estimated gross expenditure in 1988-89 is expected to be around £76 million. Planned provision for 1989-90 is published in the Supply estimates. Planned net provision, consistent with the figures published in "Public Expenditure to 1991-92, A Commentary on the Scotland Programme", for each of the years 1990-91 and 1991-92 is approximately £30 million.

Scottish Development Agency

Mr. Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Development Agency about its future.

Mr. Lang : My right hon. and learned Friend and I have regular meetings with the board of the Scottish Development Agency about its future plans. Most recently, my right hon. and learned Friend met the Chairman, Sir David Nickson, on 7 March.

Landfill Sites (Inspectors)

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inspectors responsible for landfill sites are currently employed in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : The authorities responsible for landfill sites are the district and islands councils. The hazardous waste inspectorate of the Scottish Development Department, which examines the management of hazardous waste by the responsible authorities, employs six staff for a part of their time equivalent to about two full-time officers.

Illegal Dumping

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's policy towards central Government subsidy of incinerators as a means of removing the cost incentive for illegal dumping.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : Government policy is that the full costs of disposal and treatment should be met by waste producers. The Government have proposed strengthened and extended controls, including a duty of care on producers and holders of waste to ensure its legal disposal.

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's policy towards the imposition of heavier fines on people convicted of illegal waste-dumping.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : Fine levels are set against a five point standard scale, which is subject to periodic review. The penalty imposed in any individual case is for the court to determine.

Re-Chem Incinerator (Bonnybridge)

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the closure of the Re-Chem incinerator at Bonnybridge.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : The Government received four representations in 1984, two from industry, one from the industrial


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waste panel (Scotland) and one from Glasgow college of technology expressing concern about the closure. None has been received since then.

Hazardous Waste

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's policy towards the compilation of a register of hazardous waste producers, with information relating to the means of waste disposal in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : The disposal of controlled waste in Scotland is governed by the Control of Pollution (Licensing of Waste Disposal) (Scotland) Regulations 1977 and the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980. All waste must be disposed of at a site which is being used in accordance with a licence issued by the waste disposal authority for the area, and the waste disposal authority must keep available at its principal office a register of these licences. The special waste regulations make provision for a system of consignment notes to be used by those who produce, transfer for disposal or dispose of special waste so that the waste disposal authority concerned is properly informed.

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make it his policy to give statutory powers of enforcement to the hazardous waste inspectorate in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : The proposals for amendments to waste disposal law, which were announced by the Scottish Development Department on 14 February, including the placing of the inspectorate on a statutory footing.

Waste Disposal

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are proposed for giving citizens in Scotland greater access to information about the transportation and disposal of waste in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : Under the Control of Pollution (Licensing of Waste Disposal) (Scotland) Regulations 1977, every waste disposal authority keeps a register of site licences, which is available for public inspection at its principal office. Some of the Government's proposals to strengthen and extend the controls on waste disposal, including the registration of waste handlers, will result in greater public access to information.

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take in order to deter illegal waste dumping in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] ; The Government support the proposals in the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Bill to deter illegal waste dumping. The Scottish Development Department will shortly be issuing a follow-up consultation paper on waste disposal law amendment, which will address the subject.

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has about the transportation of waste from Scotland to Third world countries in exchange for foreign currency.


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Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : This information is not held centrally, but the hazardous waste inspectorate of the Scottish Development Department is not aware of any traffic of this kind.

Landfill Sites

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of landfill sites by district in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 16 March 1989] : Our latest information on the number of landfill sites where an operating licence or council resolution is in force is as follows :


                          |Number         

------------------------------------------

Borders                                   

  Berwickshire            |3              

  Ettrick and Lauderdale  |5              

  Roxburgh                |3              

  Tweeddale               |1              

                                          

Central                                   

  Clackmannan             |6              

  Falkirk                 |19             

  Stirling                |8              

                                          

Dumfries and Galloway                     

  Annandale and Eskdale   |5              

  Nithsdale               |6              

  Stewartry               |10             

  Wigtown                 |9              

                                          

Fife                                      

  Dunfermline             |20             

  Kirkcaldy               |17             

  North East Fife         |9              

                                          

Grampian                                  

  Aberdeen                |16             

  Banff and Buchan        |19             

  Gordon                  |14             

  Kincardine and Deeside  |8              

  Moray                   |11             

                                          

Highland                                  

  Badenoch and Strathspey |2              

  Caithness               |7              

  Inverness               |1              

  Lochaber                |8              

  Ross and Cromarty       |5              

  Skye and Lochalsh       |3              

  Sutherland              |8              

                                          

Lothian                                   

  East Lothian            |9              

  Edinburgh               |12             

  Midlothian              |11             

  West Lothian            |15             

                                          

Strathclyde                               

  Argyll and Bute         |1              

  Clydebank               |1              

  Clydesdale              |7              

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth |8              

  Cumnock and Doon Valley |3              

  Cunninghame             |16             

  Dumbarton               |5              

  East Kilbride           |6              

  Eastwood                |3              

  Glasgow                 |12             

  Hamilton                |10             

  Inverclyde              |4              

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun  |4              

  Kyle and Carrick        |4              

  Monklands               |6              

  Motherwell              |8              

  Renfrew                 |17             

  Strathkelvin            |14             

                                          

Tayside                                   

  Angus                   |11             

  Dundee                  |7              

  Perth and Kinross       |21             

                                          

Islands                                   

  Orkney                  |18             

  Shetland                |6              

  Western Isles           |7              

                          |-------        

Total                     |469            

Labour Statistics

Mr. Jack : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what change there has been in the level of employment in Scotland since 1979.


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Mr. Lang : Between June 1979 and June 1988 the civilian work force in employment in Scotland is provisionally estimated to have fallen by 77,000, but in the most recent five years there was an increase of 106,000. These estimates are subject to revision when the results of the 1987 census of employment become available.

Wildlife Poisoning

Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the last five years the number of cases of wildlife poisoning in Scotland caused by the illegal use of pesticides or poisoning ; and if he will identify the species involved and if possible the poison or pesticide involved.

Mr. Michael Forsyth : The numbers of incidents and affected species involving the illegal use of pesticides or misuse of poisons against wildlife in Scotland, as confirmed by the wildlife incident investigation service, in each of the years from 1984 to 1988, are given in the table.


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                          Number of incidents                                                                                                                                                           

Year                     |Wildlife                |Domestic animals        |Number of victims (baits|Species involved        |Number of species       |Pesticides involved                              

                                                                           |only)                                                                                                                       

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1984                     |10                      |12                      |2                       |Eagles                  |2                       |Aldrin                                           

                                                                                                    |Buzzards                |4                       |Chloralose                                       

                                                                                                    |Peregrine Falcon        |1                       |Mevinphos                                        

                                                                                                    |Tawny Owl               |1                       |Strychnine                                       

                                                                                                    |Corvids                 |10                                                                        

                                                                                                    |Gulls                   |4                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Pigeons                 |4                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Song birds              |8                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Domestic animals        |17                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

1985                     |20                      |8                       |4                       |Eagles                  |3                       |Chloralose                                       

                                                                                                    |Buzzards                |9                       |Mevinphos                                        

                                                                                                    |Sparrow Hawk            |1                       |Strychnine                                       

                                                                                                    |Corvids                 |12                                                                        

                                                                                                    |Gulls                   |18                                                                        

                                                                                                    |Pigeon                  |1                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Foxes                   |2                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Domestic animals        |13                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

1986                     |19                      |6                       |2                       |Eagle                   |1                       |Chloralose                                       

                                                                                                    |Buzzards                |10                      |Mevinphos                                        

                                                                                                    |Sparrow Hawks           |2                       |Strychnine                                       

                                                                                                    |Kestrel                 |1                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Herons                  |6                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Corvids                 |4                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Gull                    |1                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Pigeons                 |2                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Fox                     |1                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Domestic animals        |13                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

1987                     |23                      |8                       |7                       |Eagles                  |2                       |Chloralose                                       

                                                                                                    |Buzzards                |9                       |Fenthion                                         

                                                                                                    |Corvids                 |40                      |Mevinphos                                        

                                                                                                    |Gulls                   |3                       |Strychnine                                       

                                                                                                    |Pigeons                 |2                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Song birds              |3                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Domestic animals        |9                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

1988                     |20                      |9                       |6                       |Eagles                  |4                       |Bendiocarb                                       

                                                                                                    |Buzzards                |7                       |Carbofuran                                       

                                                                                                    |Tawny Owls              |2                       |Chloralose                                       

                                                                                                    |Corvids                 |27                      |Metaldehyde                                      

                                                                                                    |Gulls                   |6                       |Mevinphos                                        

                                                                                                    |Pigeons                 |4                       |Strychnine                                       

                                                                                                    |Song birds              |10                                                                        

                                                                                                    |Fox                     |1                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Hen Harrier             |1                                                                         

                                                                                                    |Domestic animals        |11                                                                        


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Conservation

Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is Forestry Commission policy on leaving unplanted areas of archaeological, scientific or wildlife value on Forestry Commission land ; and whether the commission has a rule of thumb as to the percentage of unplanted land it will maintain in its operational forests ;

(2) whether the Forestry Commission has examined the wildlife conservation value of its properties in the lowlands of England and Wales ; what is the policy of the commission on leaving areas in such properties unplanted if this is seen to be in the best interests of nature conservation ; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The wildlife conservation value of the Forestry Commission's properties throughout Great Britain has been carefully examined in the course of drawing up conservation plans for each of its forest districts. These plans contain environmental management policies for the forests as a whole and prescriptions for sites of particular conservation value. All well-designed forests have a proportion of open space within them for environmental as wel as practical reasons. These include not only roads and rides needed for operational purposes, but open spaces left for the protection of sites of archaeological value, the provision of deer glades, the needs of particular flora and fauna, and the development of recreation. Open spaces near water are of particular value. Since each conservation plan is tailored to the circumstances of individual sites, there is no fixed percentage of land to be left unplanted, but it is often of the order of 15 per cent. Where open space is lacking in existing forests opportunities are sought to create it at the earliest practical opportunity. Further information is given in the four environment leaflets published recently by the Forestry Commission, copies of which are in the Library. In addition, the commission is preparing a more comprehensive booklet giving guidelines on nature conservation in forests.

Woodland Grant Scheme

Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names, locations and areas of woodland grant scheme applications in excess of 100 hectares submitted since the start of the scheme in Scotland, showing for which of these an environmental assessment has been requested by the Forestry Commission ; and if he will give reasons why environ-mental assessment has not been requested for any remaining applications.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Those applications received under the woodland grant scheme for more than 100 hectares of new planting in Scotland are listed in the tables. Environmental assessments have been requested for nine of these applications. An environmental assessment was not requested for the others, either because the applications were received before the environmental assessment provisions took effect or because they did not meet the criteria specified in the Forestry Commission booklet "Environmental Assessment of Afforestation Projects". A copy of this booklet is in the Library.

In addition, environmental assessments have been requested for six applications of less than 100 hectares.


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Name                     |Region               |Area (ha)                                  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applications for which an Environmental Assessment was requested                           

Auchenroy and Dalcairnie |Strathclyde          |419                                        

Brabster farm 2          |Highland             |564                                        

Corrielair               |Highland             |458                                        

Cnoc Nan Gall            |Highland             |231                                        

Gorteneorn               |Highland             |296                                        

Gulls Nest               |Grampian             |298                                        

The Hope                 |Highland             |233                                        

Pitcarmick               |Tayside              |160                                        

Turbiskill Farm          |Strathclyde          |207                                        

                                                                                           

Applications for which no Environmental Assessment was requested                           

Ashkirktown              |Borders              |228                                        

Lumsdane                 |Borders              |130                                        

Philogar                 |Borders              |161                                        

Shankend II              |Borders              |154                                        

Bannockburn              |Central              |223                                        

Castlewood               |Central              |117                                        

Albierigg and Barascroft |Dumfries and Galloway|178                                        

Archbank and Pirnierig   |Dumfries and Galloway|209                                        

Breckonside              |Dumfries and Galloway|189                                        

Drumhumphrie             |Dumfries and Galloway|127                                        

Ericstane                |Dumfries and Galloway|168                                        

High Muir                |Dumfries and Galloway|105                                        

Knockower Plann A        |Dumfries and Galloway|278                                        

Knockower Plann B        |Dumfries and Galloway|215                                        

Ballindalloch            |Grampian             |214                                        

Ben Rinnes the Convals   |Grampian             |596                                        

Berryley                 |Grampian             |164                                        

Berrymoss                |Grampian             |129                                        

Boghead of Inverkeithley |Grampian             |107                                        

Chraad farm              |Grampian             |160                                        

East Side Glendye        |Grampian             |1,077                                      

Hillpark                 |Grampian             |110                                        

Hillside                 |Grampian             |203                                        

Jocks Hill               |Grampian             |309                                        

Parkmore                 |Grampian             |170                                        

Shians                   |Grampian             |245                                        

West Touxhill            |Grampian             |161                                        

Achany                   |Highland             |147                                        

Coishletter              |Highland             |602                                        

Corrary                  |Highland             |163                                        

Dundreggan               |Highland             |107                                        

Glentruim                |Highland             |365                                        

Knoydart                 |Highland             |681                                        

Limekiln and Whitewell   |Highland             |1,072                                      

Lochluichart (1)         |Highland             |253                                        

Lochluichart (2)         |Highland             |218                                        

Lochluichart (3)         |Highland             |211                                        

Lochluichart (4)         |Highland             |250                                        

Loubcroy                 |Highland             |202                                        

Maol Donn                |Highland             |272                                        

Moll                     |Highland             |101                                        

Sciberscross             |Highland             |790                                        

Strathvaich              |Highland             |360                                        

Trien plantation         |Highland             |164                                        

Tulchan                  |Highland             |373                                        

Wyvis Estate             |Highland             |317                                        

Craigshiel Block A       |Strathclyde          |176                                        

Crossaig                 |Strathclyde          |142                                        

Darbyburn Forest         |Strathclyde          |657                                        

Kilwhannel               |Strathclyde          |115                                        

Lambhill                 |Strathclyde          |554                                        

Lambhill                 |Strathclyde          |619                                        

Lennox                   |Strathclyde          |255                                        

Lochorodale              |Strathclyde          |259                                        

Mosslingal               |Strathclyde          |530                                        

North Carse              |Strathclyde          |359                                        

Pennyghael               |Strathclyde          |105                                        

Upper Beoch              |Strathclyde          |582                                        

Brerachan                |Tayside              |189                                        

Fossoway                 |Tayside              |165                                        

Glen Sherup              |Tayside              |123                                        

Kinnaird                 |Tayside              |214                                        

North Hill               |Tayside              |103                                        


Column 659

Forestry

Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of the Forestry Commission's planting operations in 1987-88, in terms of (a) direct costs of the planting in the year and (b) supervisory costs and overheads related to that planting.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information is as follows :


£ million                                                 

                                |New planting             

----------------------------------------------------------

Direct (forest) costs           |4.37                     

Supervisory costs and overheads |1.53                     

                                |-----                    

Total costs                     |5.90                     

Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names, locations and purchase dates of the blocks of land of areas greater than 100 hectares which were newly planted by the Forestry Commission in 1987-88.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information is as follows :


Name                   |Location<1>           |Area (hectares)       |Year of purchase                             

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glenforsa              |Mull (North)          |160                   |1977                                         

Dyke                   |Dornoch (North)       |163                   |1976                                         

Dalnessie              |Dornoch (North)       |243                   |1957                                         

Invershin              |Dornoch (North)       |171                   |1978                                         

Achormlarie            |Dornoch (North)       |257                   |1983                                         

Dunans                 |Cowal (Mid)           |129                   |1980                                         

Skipness               |Kintyre (Mid)         |182                   |1972                                         

Camusericht            |Perthshire (Mid)      |243                   |1975                                         

Glassie Hill           |Perthshire (Mid)      |298                   |1982                                         

Kinnelhead             |Nithsdale (South)     |121                   |1965                                         

Dalwyne                |Ayrshire (South)      |323                   |1984                                         

Drumlamford            |Newton Stewart (South)|164                   |1983                                         

Laggish                |Newton Stewart (South)|147                   |1983                                         

<1>All the land was in Scotland. The locations shown are by Forestry Commission forest districts, with the         

conservancy indicated in brackets.                                                                                 

Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what areas of land the Forestry Commission proposed to newly plant in the year 1988-89 ; and if he will list, by Forestry Commission conservancies, the total area to be planted and the names and locations of the blocks over 100 hectares.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information is as follows :


|c|Areas proposed for planting|c|               

Conservancy     |Area (hectares)                

------------------------------------------------

North England   |81                             

East England    |16                             

West England    |17                             

Wales           |81                             

North Scotland  |1,929                          

Mid Scotland    |1,092                          

South Scotland  |955                            

                |-------                        

Total           |4,171                          


|c|Areas over 100 hectares|c|                                                               

Name                   |Location<1>           |Area (hectares)                              

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scotsburn              |Easter Ross (North)   |199                                          

Glenforsa              |Mull (North)          |150                                          

Corriemonie            |Fort Augustus (North) |139                                          

Loch an Doire          |Lochaber (North)      |114                                          

Invershin              |Dornoch (North)       |183                                          

Achormlarie            |Dornoch (North)       |193                                          

Tannach Hill           |Dornoch (North)       |120                                          

Skipness               |Kintyre (Mid)         |387                                          

Carron                 |Loch Awe (Mid)        |127                                          

Kinharvie              |Nithsdale (South)     |126                                          

Lamdoughty             |Ayrshire (South)      |259                                          

Whiteknowe/Badrochat   |Newton Stewart (South)|388                                          

<1> All the land was in Scotland. The locations shown are by Forestry Commission Forest     

Districts, with the Conservancy indicated in brackets.                                      

Sir Hector Monro : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will expand his response to "Forestry in Scotland" by the Countryside Commission and "Forestry in Scotland : Planning the Way Ahead" by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

Mr. Rifkind : My letters to the chairman of the Countryside Commission for Scotland and the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities provide a full response to the reports by the commission and the convention respectively. I have placed copies in the Library of the House.

Roads

Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for 1989-90, 1990-91, and 1991-92, the provision for value- added tax liability on new construction within the budgets given for capital expenditure on roads by his Department and the local authorities in Scotland in chapter 17 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989-90 to 1991-92."

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The relevant provision for trunk roads is £13.9 million, £19 million and £20.7 million respectively for the years in question. Allocations to local authorities for capital expenditure on road construction do not include provision for VAT liabilities. Local authorities are able to reclaim VAT where supply is not for the purpose of business activities.

Drinking Water (Contamination)

Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all water supplies in Scotland that are in breach of the EEC directive on water quality in respect of safety limits in lead in drinking water ; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The water supplies concerned are listed in the table. Improvement work is in hand for all these supplies and in most cases will be completed by the end of this year. Of the remaining 17 supplies, all in Strathclyde and Lothian regions, 15 are expected to comply with the EC limit not later than mid-1991 and two major schemes, of which lead remedial work is only a part, will extend into 1992.

Authority and Supply

Dumfries and Galloway Region

Areeming (Springholm)

Auchneel (Stranraer)


Column 661

Black Esk (Annandale/Eskdale)

Carsphairn

Creetown

Euchan (Kirkconnel)

Glengap (Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse)

Kettleton (Central Nithsdale)

Killylour (Dumfries)

Landheads (Annan)

Langholm

Lochfoot

Lochinvar (Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie)

Loch Roan (Castle Douglas)

Millburn (Palnure)

Moffat

New Abbey (South-West Nithsdale)

Newton Stewart

Penwhirn (Wigtown District)

Sanquhar

Wanlockhead

Winterhope (South-East Annandale, Eskdale)

Grampian Region

Aberlour, Dufftown, Tomintoul

Black Hills (Lossiemouth)

Craigmill (Forres)

Cullen

Forehill (Peterhead, St. Fergus)

Fortrie (Macduff, Gardenstown)

Herricks (Keith)

Hillhead (Fraserburgh)

Newbigging (Inverurie)

Terpersie (Strathdon, Strathbogie)

Upper Deeside (Aboyne, Ballater)

Wrack (Banff)

Highland Region

Ardnamurchan

Calder and Hoy (Thurso)

Corpach/Caol

Fort William

Helmsdale

North Speyside

Oldtown (Inverness)

South Speyside

Lothian Region

Fairmilehead/Alnwickhill

(parts of Edinburgh)

Strathclyde Region

Afton (Cumnock and Doon Valley)

Bradan (North Ayrshire)

Camphill (North Ayrshire, Paisley)

Camps (parts of Clydesdale, Hamilton, Motherwell districts) Garshake (Dumbarton)

Loch Ascog (Rothesay)

Loch Eck (Dunoon area)

Loch Lomond (bulk) (North Glasgow)

Loch Lomond (Dumbarton, Leven)

Loch Sloy (Arrochar, Gareloch)

Luss

Millglen (Ardrossan)

Muirdykes (Paisley, Johnstone, etc.)

Overton (Leven)

Picketlaw (Eaglesham, Clarkston)

South Moorhouse (Newton Mearns, Giffnock, etc)

Spallander (Kyle and Carrick)

Tayside Region

Aberfeldy

Acharn

Alyth

Burnhead (Blairgowrie)

Camserney

Clash (Kirriemuir)

Grandtully

Kenmore

Kinloch Rannoch

Lintrathen (Coupar Angus)


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