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Mr. Lang : The new book values of industrial, commercial properties and land at 31 March 1989 for each of the five development corporations are set out in the following table.
:
£'000s
|Industrial|Commercial|Land
----------------------------------------------------------
Cumbernauld |26,005 |6,497 |14,100
Glenrothes |16,872 |12,268 |4,580
East Kilbride |40,705 |30,245 |8,040
Irvine |19,603 |6,522 |8,084
Livingston |60,633 |27,598 |347
------- |------- |-------
Total |163,818 |83,130 |35,151
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give an estimate of the amount of debt of industrial and commercial properties and land, in each of the new towns, to be written off as part of the wind-up proposal as agreed to in July 1987 ;
(2) if, pursuant to paragraph 9.4, page 17, of "Scottish New Towns--The Way Ahead", he will give the estimated value of writing off loans not represented by asset value in each of the five new towns.
Mr. Lang : The amount of debt to be written off will be derived from a calculation of the amount of debt which the corporations' industrial and commercial activities will be able to service and repay until wind-up. The precise amount of debt to be written off has yet to be determined.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that the industrial and commercial assets in each of the five new towns will be sold at market value as part of the wind up process.
Mr. Lang : Yes, other than in exceptional cases which will be treated strictly on their merits.
Development Agency
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if any discussions have taken place with the chief executive of the Scottish Development Agency regarding the sale of the equity investments in Scottish companies.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if companies renting factory space from the Scottish Development Agency will retain the right to buy.
Mr. Lang : Detailed arrangements for the disposal of agency properties, including any conditions relating to existing tenants, have yet to be determined. In the meantime, requests to purchase particular properties will be considered by the agency on their individual merits, having due regard to the agency's duty to make the best use of public assets within its control.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate how much factory space, owned by the Scottish Development Agency, has been sold in each of the years 1979-80 to 1988-89 inclusive.
Column 308
Mr. Lang : Factory space sold by the Scottish Development Agency in each of the years 1980-81 to 1988-89 inclusive is shown in the table. No information is available for 1979-80.
|Factory Space Sold
---------------------------------------------------------
1980-81 |286,664
1981-82 |269,000
1982-83 |1,016,271
1983-84 |1,217,684
1984-85 |2,110,043
1985-86 |1,779,481
1986-87 |1,996,000
1987-88 |1,821,000
1988-89 |1,536,009
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the value of (a) factory space, (b) land and (c) commercial property owned by the Scottish Development Agency.
Mr. Lang : The estimated value of industrial property, land and commercial property owned by the Scottish Development Agency as at 31 March 1988 (latest available date) is shown in the table.
Property Type Owned |Value (£ million)
------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial property |130.1
Land |20.9
Commercial property |1.4
|---
|152.4
The industrial property shown includes business centres which in some cases may include office accommodation. The commercial property shown is confined to the agency's own offices.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the value of the Scottish Development Agency investment portfolio in each of the years 1982-83 to the latest year for which information is available.
Mr. Lang : The cumulative total of the Scottish Development Agency's investment portfolio is published each year in the agency's annual accounts. In accordance with the agency's accounting policies, the investments are stated at cost and consist of secured loans, unsecured loans, loan stocks, preference shares and equity shares. Funding for these investments comes from grant-in-aid, public dividend capital, the National Loans Fund and the European Coal and Steel Community. The net cumulative total of agency investments (after provisions) for each year from 1982-83 to 1988-89 is set out in the table.
-
|£,000
------------------------------
1982-83 |29,988
1983-84 |37,259
1984-85 |43,077
1985-86 |42,032
1986-87 |47,306
1987-88 |52,065
1988-89 |<1>48,654
<1> Unaudited.
Column 309
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the average rental per square foot of factory space owned by the Scottish Development Agency and what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the sale of those assets on rents.
Mr. Lang : The agency does not produce a figure for average rent for its properties, because the variations in rent between different locations, for different types of property and for other reasons render such a figure meaningless. On the impact of any sale on rents, tenants will continue to occupy their premises in accordance with the terms of their existing leases, which include provisions for rent reviews. Any change in rents will take place as a result of these reviews. These will take place over an extended period as they fall due, and it is not possible to anticipate what the effect might be.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the estimated value to be realised by the sale of factory space, land and commercial property owned by the Scottish Development Agency.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by constituency factories, land and other commercial properties owned by the Scottish Development Agency.
Mr. Lang : This information is not available in the form requested and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the institutions being consulted regarding the take-over of the Scottish Development Agency's investment portfolio.
Mr. Lang : I have received advice from Quayle Munro Ltd. in connection with the possible disposal of the agency's investment portfolio. The agency has also sought professional advice as appropriate. There has otherwise been no formal consultation with financial institutions.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the Scottish companies which have shown an interest in the purchase of total land and property assets of the Scottish Development Agency.
Mr. Lang : No. This information is commercial in confidence.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that all factory space, land or commercial property sold by the Scottish Development Agency will be sold at market value.
Mr. Lang : Yes, other than in exceptional cases which will be treated strictly on their merits.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the date on which all land and factories owned by the Scottish Development Agency are to be sold.
Mr. Lang : I expect to announce my decision on the sale of the agency's property portfolio, including the timing and nature of any such disposal, shortly.
Column 310
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Development Agency or the Scottish Office has consulted (a) those who have leased land or property and (b) local authorities over the possible sale of industrial and commercial assets owned by the Scottish Development Agency.
Labour Statistics
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was (a) the long-term unemployment total for each month January 1987 to June 1989 and (b) the percentage change of long-term unemployment for each month over the same period.
Mr. Lang : The information requested is available only on a quarterly basis.
The number of claimants unemployed for one year or more in Scotland in each quarter from January 1987 to April 1989 (the latest date for which information is available) and the percentage of the total unemployed claimants this represents are set out in the table.
Scotland
Date |Claimants unemployed for|Percentage of total
|one year or more |unemployed claimants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1987
January |148,957 |39.2
April |146,702 |40.4
July |142,212 |41.5
October |136,185 |41.8
1988
January |131,213 |39.3
April |123,873 |40.1
July |117,173 |40.3
October |110,846 |41.8
1989
January |106,190 |39.5
April |98,248 |40.0
Due to a change in the compilation of the count in September 1988 these figures are not directly comparable.
This information is available in the Library.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was (a) the seasonally adjusted unemployment total for each of the months January 1987 to June 1989 and (b) the percentage change for each month over the same period.
Mr. Lang : The information requested is set out in the table which shows for Scotland for each month since January 1987 the level of seasonally adjusted unemployment, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate and the change in the rate compared with the previous month.
Column 311
Seasonally adjusted unemployment, Scotland, January 1987 to June 1989
|Level |Rate-Workforce Basis|Change in Rate from
|previous month
|(000's) |Per cent |(percentage points)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1987
January |340.6 |13.7
February |337.8 |13.6 |-0.1
March |336.0 |13.5 |-0.1
April |337.6 |13.6 |+0.1
May |329.3 |13.2 |-0.4
June |326.6 |13.1 |-0.1
July |323.2 |13.0 |-0.1
August |318.7 |12.8 |-0.2
September |313.6 |12.6 |-0.2
October |309.4 |12.4 |-0.2
November |305.1 |12.3 |-0.1
December |302.3 |12.1 |-0.2
1988
January |299.7 |12.0 |-0.1
February |296.6 |11.9 |-0.1
March |293.3 |11.7 |-0.2
April |288.4 |11.5 |-0.2
May |284.8 |11.4 |-0.1
June |279.7 |11.2 |-0.2
July |275.9 |11.0 |-0.2
August |273.4 |10.9 |-0.1
September |272.3 |10.9 |-0.0
October |270.1 |10.8 |-0.1
November |266.5 |10.7 |-0.1
December |260.2 |10.4 |-0.3
1989
January |256.6 |10.3 |-0.1
February |253.4 |10.1 |-0.2
March |250.5 |10.0 |-0.1
April |243.3 |9.7 |-0.3
May |239.5 |9.6 |-0.1
June<1> |234.9 |9.4 |-0.2
<1>Provisional.
Mr. Sillars : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the reduction in unemployment in Govan constituency in the past two years; what are the numbers who have found employment in the age ranges (a) 16 to 20 years, (b) 21-30 years, (c) 31-40 years, (d) 41-50 years, and (e) 51-60 years; and how many in each age range went into part-time employment.
Mr. Lang : Between June 1989 and June 1987 unemployment in the Govan constituency fell by 1,529. Information on numbers going into employment by age ranges is not available.
Electricity Privatisation
Mr. Wallace : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the Scottish members of the Association of Independent Electricity Producers with regard to the Government's proposals to privatise the electricity industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lang : I met representatives of the Association of Independent Electricity Producers on 8 June. A number of issues related to the present operation of the electricity supply industry in Scotland and the proposed arrangements for privatisation were discussed.
Column 312
Sports Clubs (Rates)
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the system of rate relief for non-profit-making sports clubs from local authorities in place in Scotland.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The decision whether to give rate relief to sports clubs, and if so how much, is at the discretion of local authorities. Where an authority does give relief, it is compensated for the lost rate income by a corresponding increase in revenue support grant.
Fishing
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken by his Department to notify fishing vessels not registered under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 to stop fishing.
Mr. Lang : The fishing licenses issued by fisheries departments make it clear that only registered vessels are entitled to fish against United Kingdom quotas. Where necessary, appropriate enforcement action will be taken to ensure compliance with this condition.
Nursery School Places
Mr. Sillars : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the annual revenue cost of creating and maintaining a nursery school place.
Column 313
Mr. Lang : Most children attend nursery school on a part-time basis. In 1987-88, the last year for which figures are available, the average annual revenue cost per child was £781 and the whole-time equivalent cost £1,488.
Hospital Service Capital Programme
Mr. Sillars : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will express in real terms, using 1966 as base, the expenditure within Scotland on the hospital service capital programme for each of the past 22 years; what is his estimate for the current year; and if he will also give the figures in real terms for revenue expenditure over the same period.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The expenditure by health boards on hospital services for the past 22 years and the estimated expenditure for the current year at 1966 prices is as follows :
Year |Revenue |Capital
|£'000s |£'000s
--------------------------------------------
1966-67 |84,631 |12,439
1967-68 |89,098 |13,835
1968-69 |92,918 |13,849
1969-70 |97,341 |12,198
1970-71 |107,111 |13,091
1971-72 |115,441 |14,464
1972-73 |122,141 |16,295
1973-74 |134,342 |17,523
1974-75 |156,944 |16,570
1975-76 |167,402 |16,867
1976-77 |167,021 |14,029
1977-78 |166,779 |12,698
1978-79 |171,560 |15,363
1979-80 |175,265 |14,905
1980-81 |190,361 |12,924
1981-82 |194,342 |16,334
1982-83 |193,326 |17,091
1983-84 |195,269 |17,040
1984-85 |198,333 |17,655
1985-86 |198,559 |18,869
1986-87 |204,499 |15,330
1987-88 |210,782 |15,182
1988-89 |218,912 |15,945
1989-90 |<1>220,987|<1>18,833
<1> Estimated.
Notes:
1. The above figures apart for those for
1989-90 were taken from Health Boards
annual accounts.
2. The capital expenditure is total
expenditure on hospital and community
health services. Hospital services are not
shown separately in the annual accounts.
Child Care
Mr. Sillars : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will show central Government financial support for child care services in each of the past five years ; and if he will make a statement on Government policy.
Mr. Lang : The Scottish Office has provided support for expenditure on social work services by local authorities, including child care, through successive increases in rate support grant. It is for individual local authorities to decide on their spending priorities according to their own needs and available resources. In addition, we have made available grants under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to a wide range of voluntary organisations concerned with child care services.
Column 314
Community Charge
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people whose main place of residence in the United Kingdom is in Scotland, but who are exempt from payment of income tax as they work overseas and are resident in the United Kingdom for 90 days or less each year, have been exempted from payment of (a) all and (b) part of their community charge ; and if he will make a statement on his Department's advice to local authorities in these circumstances.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : There is no provision which exempts a person from any of the community charges by reason of his being exempt from income tax in the United Kingdom through living abroad. A person's liability for the personal community charge in Scotland depends upon whether that person is solely or mainly resident in Scotland. This is determined by the community charges registration officer for the appropriate regional or islands council area on the basis of the facts and circumstances of each case. A person has a right of appeal against the registration officer's decision. A person who is resident abroad may be liable for the standard community charge if he owns or is the long-term tenant of a property which is nobody's sole or main residence. The decision about whether a standard community charge liability arises is again for the registration officer and again there is a right of appeal. My right hon. and learned Friend has not issued guidance to registration officers on how they should act in respect of particular cases, nor would it be appropriate for him to do so. It is for individuals to appeal against the registration officer's decisions if they disagree with those decisions.
Basking Sharks
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what instructions he has issued to district fisheries inspectors about the recording of basking sharks that are landed ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lang : The basking shark fishery has been carried out in recent years by a single vessel based in the firth of Clyde. The sea fisheries inspectorate obtains details of any landings.
Scottish Consumer Council
Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list members of the Scottish Consumer Council and indicate the method of appointing those members.
Mr. Forth : I have been asked to reply.
The chairman and members of the Scottish Consumer Council are as follows :
Mrs. Barbara Kelly (Chairman)
Mrs. Joan Aitken
Mrs. Patricia Bolton
Mrs. Patricia Cooper
Mr. Cowan Ervine
Mr. Kenneth Gilbert
Mr. Christopher Harley
Mrs. Deirdre Hutton
Father Matthew McManus
Mrs. Winifred Sherry JP
Mr. Gordon Smith
Mr. Mark Steiner
Dr. Douglas Williamson
Members of the SCC are appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
Column 315
Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the salaries and remunerations paid to members of the Scottish Consumer Council including the director.
Mr. Forth : I have been asked to reply.
The chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council receives a salary of £3,770 per annum as a member of the National Consumer Council. Other members of the SCC receive no salary but can currently claim a fee of £44 for attendance at council meetings. The salary of the director of the SCC is within the range of £13,318 to £17,149, which is equivalent to a senior executive officer post in the Civil Service.
Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Consumer Council ; and whether he discussed the problem of alcohol abuse among young people in Scotland.
Mr. Forth : I have been asked to reply.
I attended the SCC's council meeting on 19 May and discussed a number of topics of particular concern to Scottish consumers. The problem of alcohol abuse among young people in Scotland was not discussed.
Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what qualifications are required to be a member of he Scottish Consumer Council.
Mr. Forth : I have been asked to reply.
Although no specific qualifications are required, prospective members would be expected to have an active interest in, and knowledge of, matters relevant to consumers in Scotland.
Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who is responsible for the appointment of the director of the Scottish Consumer Council.
Mr. Forth : I have been asked to reply.
The appointment is made by the Scottish Consumer Council, in consultation with the director of the National Consumer Council.
Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what qualifications are required for the post of Director of the Scottish Consumer Council.
Mr. Forth : I have been asked to reply.
It is a matter for the two bodies concerned with the appointment to decide what qualifications are appropriate for the post.
Greater Glasgow Health Board
Mr. Galbraith : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) on what date authorisation was given for the Greater Glasgow health board laboratory services and records department to be let out to competitive tendering ; and who gave the authorisation ;
(2) who was consulted before Greater Glasgow health board put its laboratory services and records department out to competitive tendering.
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