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Irish Sea
Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to increase funding for monitoring radioactive sewage and chemical waste dumping into the Irish sea and research into the environmental implications.
Mr. Curry : I have been asked to reply.
My Department undertakes a substantial programme of environmental monitoring and research covering the
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Irish sea. We have no current plans to increase the resources committed to this work but the programme is kept under continuous review.Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a comparative study of levels of radiation in the Irish sea and in other seas.
Mr. Curry : I have been asked to reply.
We have no plans to do so. Such a study has been carried out by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. The results were published in July last year as "The Radioactivity of the Sea", by M. I. Walker and K. S. B. Rose, AERE R 13365.
Flood Prevention
Mr. Hoyle : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes have been made by the National Rivers Authority on finance available for flood prevention ; and if he will list these areas by area.
Mr. Curry [holding answer 5 March 1990] : I have been asked to reply.
The flood defence expenditure of the National Rivers Authority is primarily funded by means of grants towards capital expenditure from my Department and the Welsh Office and by levies on local authorities. The table provides estimates for 1989-90 and 1990-91 by flood defence district :
£'000
Flood Defence Districts |1989-90 Total |1990-91 Total
|(Maintenance and |(Maintenance and
|capital)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northumbria |2,028 |2,613
North West |15,212 |17,338
Severn Trent |16,588 |21,125
South West |5,972 |7,122
Thames |46,882 |50,255
Yorkshire |13,060 |14,081
Anglian |42,231 |46,742
Southern |17,207 |18,776
Wessex |9,370 |10,805
Welsh |9,164 |9,939
------- |------- |-------
Total |177,714 |198,796
SCOTLAND
Law Reform
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland by what means he will determine whether prospective members of the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board possess each of the required attributes prescribed in paragraph 4 of schedule 1 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill ; and whether prospective members will be required to sit an examination or other written test.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : There will be no examination or written test for prospective members of the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board. The membership will be selected with regard to the areas of expertise or knowledge set out in paragraph 4 of schedule 1.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff will be employed in each of the
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first five years of operation by the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board in terms of paragraph 8 of schedule 12 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill ; and what is the estimate of the total remuneration to be paid to them including employers' national insurance contributions, taxation, pensions and allowances.Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Such matters will be for the board to determine.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that there is always a certain minimum number of qualified solicitors on the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I do not propose any such permanent quotas, although I fully expect solicitors to be represented in the initial appointments.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what bodies he proposes to consult prior to making appointments to the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : At the least I expect to consult bodies representing the interests referred to in schedule 1, paragraph 4 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the amount of funds the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board will be required to establish and maintain in terms of paragraph 16 of schedule 1 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : This will be a matter for the board.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what revenue the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board will be entitled to receive and from what sources ; what is the estimate of the annual revenue of the board at the end of each of the first five years of operation ; and what is his estimate of the total expenditure of the board in each of the first five years of operation.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to clause 14(2) and schedule 1, paragraph 11(2) (c) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill as regards sources of revenue. It is not yet possible to forecast the revenue and expenditure of the board.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he anticipates that the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board will be established.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Subject to proceedings on the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, during 1991.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responses he has received to the proposals for multi-disciplinary practices.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) on 26 February 1990.
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Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many times and on what dates he has met representatives of the Law Society of Scotland with regard to part II of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill ; and if he has sought their detailed views with regard to clause 15(5) and clause 15(9) thereof ;(2) when he last met with members of the Scottish Law Society to discuss legal reform ; and on how many occasions since he has met with representatives of the Scottish Law Society.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South on 26 February 1990. I am aware of views expressed by the Law Society on the subsections referred to, notably that the powers there should be duties.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will confer upon the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board powers to suspend the business of any qualified conveyancer, prior to such person having been formally found guilty of professional misconduct.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Such a situation would not arise since the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill does not provide for a qualified conveyancer, as such, to offer conveyancing services.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy to publish prior to the commencement of the Committee stage of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill a code of conduct to govern the manner in which conveyancing practitioners conduct the provision of conveyancing services, and the matters referred to in paragraphs (b) to (e) inclusive of clause 15(9) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill ;
(2) when he first drafted a code of conduct to apply to persons other than solicitors permitted to carry out conveyancing services.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : An annex showing what a code of conduct on conveyancing might provide for was published in my right hon. and learned Friend's consultation paper, "The Legal Profession in Scotland", in March 1989. There is room for further refinement of what the code should contain before any attempt is made to draft regulations--a process on which I do not propose to embark before the Bill is enacted.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the public will be entitled to inspect the register of confirmation practitioners to be set up in terms of clause 17(1) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, any conditions attached against the applicant's name in the register in terms of clause 17(5)(a) of said Bill.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Yes.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if there are to be conferred upon the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board disciplinary powers analogous to those possessed by the Scottish solicitors disciplinary tribunal.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : There are many parallels between the disciplinary powers proposed for the board and those of the Scottish solicitors disciplinary tribunal.
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Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if there are to be conferred upon the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board powers to levy fines.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : This question is under consideration.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the Director General of Fair Trading on regulations referred to in clause 15(5) and clause 15(9) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill ; and whether these and other regulations under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill will be available before the Bill passes through Committee stage in the House.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The making of regulations under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) (Bill) and consultation on their terms is dependent on the passage of the Bill.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what disciplinary powers are to be conferred upon the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board, other than suspension or revocation of registration.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to clause 18(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he will give to the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board with regard to (a) educational qualifications and (b) practical training necessary before any person applying for registration as a qualified conveyancer has his application granted.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Responsibility for rules on these matters will be with the board, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. The board will be able to seek whatever guidance it requires.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated salary to be paid to (a) the chairman and (b) the members of the proposed Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board in its first year of operation.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : These matters have not been decided.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated total annual cost from public funds of the proposed Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board to be set up in accordance with clause 14 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, for each of the first five years of its operation.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : This will depend on how quickly the board becomes self-financing.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he received to the consultation paper, "The Legal Profession in Scotland", from the Society of Scottish Conservative Lawyers.
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Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend received one response from the Society of Scottish Conservative Lawyers, dealing with solicitors' rights of audience before the Court of Session and the House of Lords.Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has initiated into the impact upon the provision of legal aid services in Scotland of the proposals contained in the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill to allow non-solicitors to carry out conveyancing services.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : None. The Scottish Home and Health Department has however commissioned a study of the geographical distribution and accessibility of solicitors' offices in Scotland. This work should provide the basis for a follow-up study after the proposals contained in the Bill have been implemented.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what research was carried out to assess how the fees charged by solicitors for conveyancing services varied as from region to region ; and what research was carried out prior to the publication of the paper, "The Legal Profession in Scotland", with regard to the downward effect on the level of fees of the abolition of scale fees and permission to advertise ;
(2) what market research the Government carried out prior to publication of the paper, "The Legal Profession in Scotland" and what market research has been carried out as to the level of fees charged by solicitors in Scotland for conveyancing services.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : A research project is currently under way to compare fees charged for conveyancing before and after the abolition of scale fees in 1985. A further project nearing completion has examined the impact of advertising by solicitors on their fee-charging practices. Both projects use data drawn from a number of market areas of different sizes throughout Scotland.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps will be taken to ensure that solicitors undertaking work under the legal aid schemes compete on level terms with non-solicitors solely undertaking conveyancing and confirmation services.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Hardly any legal aid expenditure is on conveyancing and confirmation but I intend that clients should have the same access to legal advice and assistance for such matters whether they use a solicitor or an appropriate practitioner. The basis of remuneration will also be the same.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether premises have been identified to be used by the proposed Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : No.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the public will be entitled to inspect the register of conveyancing practitioners referred to in clause 15 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Yes.
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Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, under clause 19 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, qualified conveyancers and other non-solicitors will be empowered to carry out conveyancing services and be entitled to carry out commercial conveyancing.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : No.
Leukaemia
Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what action he has taken following the publication of the Gardner report into leukaemia and pre-conceptual radiation at Sellafield ; (2) what plans he has in the light of the Gardner report suggesting a direct link between parental exposure to radiation at nuclear installations and childhood leukaemia to establish further case control studies along the lines of Gardner in Scotland ;
(3) when the results of the case control study at Dounreay into possible leukaemia clusters will be published.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The results of the case control study at Dounreay are expected by the summer. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment is currently assessing the evidence relating to leukaemia incidence around all the other Scottish nuclear sites and Scotland as a whole.
Statistical Divisions
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department ; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts ; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990-91.
Mr. Rifkind : The figures for the Scottish Office are :
|Staff in post at|Vacant |Proposed staff
|1 March 1990 |Posts |1990-91
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional Grades:
Grade 5 |2 |- |2
Grade 7 |16 |- |16
Asst/Senior Asst Statistician |10 |3 |13
Administrative Grades:
Higher Executive Officer |10 |- |10
Executive Officer |23 |- |23
Administrative Officer |46 |- |46
Administrative Assistant |16 |3 |18
Personal Secretary |2 |- |2
|------- |------- |-------
Total |125 |6 |130
Public Relations
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department ; and what is the proposed complement for 1990-91.
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Mr. Rifkind : At 1 March 1990 the number of staff employed in the information officer grades in the Scottish information office was 31 . At that date there were no vacancies.Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979- 80 and in each following year ; and what is his estimate for the current year and budget for 1990-91.
Mr. Rifkind : The running costs of the Scottish information office for each year from 1985-86 are as follows :
|£ million
-------------------------------
1985-86 |0.9
1986-87 |1.0
1987-88 |1.1
1988-89 |1.2
<1>1989-90 |1.4
<2>1990-91 |1.6
<1> Estimated outturn.
<2> Plans.
These figures exclude expenditure on information campaigns. Directly comparable figures for years prior to the introduction of new Scottish Office budgetary arrangements in 1985-86 are not available.
Privatisation
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979-80 and in each subsequent year ; and what is his estimate for 1990-91.
Mr. Rifkind : No expenditure was incurred between the years 1979-80 and 1986-87 inclusive. Expenditure since then has been :
|£
-------------------------------
1987-88 |615,648
1988-89 |2,314,775
<1>1989-90 |5,205,000
<1> Estimated outturn.
The provision for 1990-91 will be contained in the supply estimates to be published on 20 March.
Advertising Expenditure
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the figures for the spending by his Department on (a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional materials in 1979-80 and in each following year ; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990-91.
Mr. Rifkind : The latest estimates of expenditure by the Scottish Office in the current financial year on television ; radio ; newspaper advertising ; and printed and other material are £957,000, £73,000, £1,080,000 and £913,000 respectively. The corresponding figures for 1988-89 were £591,000, £36,000, £422,000 and £1,064,000 respectively.
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Prior to 1988-89 an analysis of expenditure was not maintained in the form requested. Total expenditure on information publicity for 1979-80 and subsequent years to 1988-89 was :
|£
------------------------------
1979-80 |263,000
1980-81 |362,000
1981-82 |393,000
1982-83 |386,000
1983-84 |360,000
1984-85 |704,000
1985-86 |677,000
1986-87 |857,000
1987-88 |1,094,000
Proposed provision for expenditure by the Scottish Office on information campaigns in 1990-91 is £2.5 million. Detailed decisions on expenditure by media have not yet been taken. None of these figures includes the running costs of the Scottish information office.
Management Consultants
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979 -80 and in each following year ; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990-91.
Mr. Rifkind : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave him on 13 March 1989 at column 35. Additional information is as follows :
|£
-------------------------------
<1>1988-89 |1,162,108
<2>1989-90 |289,276
<2>1990-91 |408,000
<1>Out-turn.
<2>Estimated figure.
Caledonian MacBrayne
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the names of the chairman and directors of Caledonian MacBrayne ; what are their periods of office and their annual remuneration ; and what were the organisations, voluntary associations and political parties from which they were recruited, selected or appointed to their posts.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The names of those who have accepted the Secretary of State's invitation to form the new board of Caledonian MacBrayne Limited, along with relevant initial periods of appointment, are shown in the table :
(Chairman) A. J. Struthers 3 years
(Chief Executive) C. S. Paterson --
W. G. Cochrane 3 years
A. Gilchrist 2 years
K. H. MacKenzie 3 years
G. MacLeod 2 years
D. Martin 3 years
Mrs. E. Sillars 3 years
The chairman will be paid £15,000 per annum and all board members will be paid £4,500 per annum. In considering appointments to the board, the Secretary of State took care to strike a balance between commercial expertise and first-hand knowledge both of the islands which the company's vessels serve and of the needs of the
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company's customers. No one has been invited to join the board on the basis of links with any organisation, voluntary association or political party. All appointments were made on merit.New Towns
Mr. Norman Hogg : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints he has received against Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district council's administration of grants for the improvement or modernisation of private homes in Cumbernauld new town in each of the past three years.
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