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HOUSE OF COMMONS
Serjeant at Arms Department
Ms. Walley : To ask the hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many of the Officers of the House employed in the Serjeant at Arms Department are women ; what measures are in hand to increase these numbers ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Beith : The only Officers of the House in the Serjeant at Arms Department are the Serjeant at Arms, the
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Deputy Serjeant at Arms, the Assistant Serjeant at Arms, and the two Deputy Assistant Serjeant at Arms, all of whom are men. The House of Commons Commission is, however, an equal opportunities employer and women are encouraged to apply for vacancies when they occur, on the same basis as men.WALES
Local Government Finance
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any proposals to reduce the level of the poll tax in Wales.
Mr. Peter Walker : The community charge is set by local authorities and not by the Government. The generous revenue settlement I provided for 1990-91 gave councils a realistic opportunity to budget for an average charge of £173. They chose instead to budget for expenditure increases which have resulted in an average charge of £232. Community charge payers, and particularly those on low and fixed incomes will expect local authorities in 1991-92 to budget in line with my plans and to achieve community charge levels commensurate with those plans.
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to introduce new legislation concerning the poll tax ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Walker : The Government will review the operation of the community charge system. It is too early to say what changes might be made or whether legislation will be needed.
Afforestation
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what area was approved for afforestation by (a) coniferous planting and (b) broadleaved planting for each county of Wales for each year since 1980.
Mr. Peter Walker : This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Manor Lane Industrial Estate
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to visit residents in Manor lane, Hawarden, to discuss plans concerning changes in the Manor lane industrial estate.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Eastern Europe
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to increase consular and commercial representation in eastern Europe ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Sainsbury : I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave him on 5 March 1990 to a question on the same subject.
Since then, an additional three commercial posts have been created at embassies in eastern Europe. Consular and visa staffing levels are being monitored continuously. Reinforcement will be provided where necessary.
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Staff Qualifications
Mr. John Garrett : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers and percentages of his staff in grades 1 to 7 who have each (a) arts, (b) science and (c) technical degrees, (d) who are qualified accountants, (e) have post graduate qualifications in management and (f) who were educated in (i) local authority and (ii) private schools.
Mr. Sainsbury : The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Paul Ashwell
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations are being made to the Greek authorities regarding the detention of Mr. Paul Ashwell.
Mr. Sainsbury : We have made a number of representations to the Greek authorities on Mr. Ashwell's behalf. The Prime Minister spoke to the Greek Prime Minister about this in Dublin on 28 April. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Athens has an appointment to see the Greek Minister of Justice on 2 May 1990. We shall continue to follow the case closely and keep under review the possibility of making further representations.
Council of Ministers
Mr. Anthony Coombs : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.
Mr. Maude : The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 7 and 8 May. The Council will discuss follow up to the special meeting of the European Council in Dublin on 28 April, and prepare for the meeting which member states will hold later in May with the European Parliament on the IGC. The Commission is expected to present views on the institutional aspects of EMU. The Council will discuss the Commission's communication on audiovisual policy, and their proposal for measures to encourage the development of the audiovisual industries (MEDIA) 1990-95. Ministers will discuss a draft negotiating mandate for a trade and co-operation agreement with Romania, and the Tempus programme for eastern Europe and the European training foundation both called for by the Strasbourg European Council. Ministers will also discuss visas for East and Central Europe, and may receive a Commission Statement on Asia and Latin America. Ministers may also discuss preparations for the negotiations with EFTA on a comprehensive EC/EFTA agreement to complete the European Economic Space. The Council will endorse the Community's position for the thirteenth meeting of the EC/Cyprus Association Council, which will take place in the margins. Also in the margins, Ministers will sign trade and cooperation agreements with Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and the GDR.
At the Internal Market Council on 14-15 May Ministers will discuss a number of measures relevant to completion of the single market, including the motor vehicle insurance directive, computer software, European company statute, pharmaceutical patents and the Third Motor Vehicle Liability Directive which contains further
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provisions on the level and content of compulsory insurance cover and on procedures for claiming from member states guarantee funds. Barriers to takeovers may also be discussed.The Health Council will meet on 17 May. Ministers will consider maximum tar yields, the implementation of the Cancer programme and advertising of tobacco products. The Council will also discuss youth and health issues, the fight against AIDS and the use of medicinal products.
At the Culture Council on 18 May Ministers will discuss the circulation of national art treasures, training, the European City of Culture, and co- operation between Libraries on information. The Council is also expected to have a first discussion of cultural aspects of the Commission's communication on audiovisual policy and on the MEDIA programme 1991-95, and may discuss European artists residence.
The Agriculture Council will meet on 21 and 22 May and may discuss non-food uses of agricultural products, organic farming, beef balance sheets, foot and mouth disease, the veterinary fund, trade in live animals, poultry and hatching, and the trade in horses.
The Energy Council will meet on 21 May. Ministers are expected to adopt the resolution on transparency of prices and to reach agreement on gas and electricity transit. The Council will also discuss notification of investments, energy and the environment, Thermie, and the registration of crude oil imports.
At the Industry Council on 28 May the Commission will submit proposals for a replacement for the Council Directive of 28 January 1987 on aid to shipbuilding which expires at the end of this year. Ministers will discuss the impact of developments in eastern Europe on the shipbuilding industry in the EEC. There is general concern about the effect that the state-owned eastern European shipyards could have on the Community market and the work in the OECD to eliminate subsidies. German unification and the absorption of an industry the size of the United Kingdom's into the Community have implications for the new directive. Ministers will be asked to consider a Commission communication on the Community's
semi-conductors industry, which is expected to address the economic importance of the industry, as well as the respective roles of producers and users of semi-conductors. The Council is expected to endorse the recommendation for administrative simplification of SME's which has been amended to take into account some of the changes suggested by the European Parliament, in particular a number of issues concerning member states' domestic arrangements for assessing and minimalising the impact of regulations on business, especially SME's. Ministers may also hold a first discussion on industrial aspects of the Commission's communications on audiovisual policy. The Social Affairs Council will meet on 29 May. In the field of health and safety the Council will discuss draft directives on exposure to biological agents, the manual handling of heavy loads, and visual display units. The Council is expected to consider resolutions on long-term unemployment, racism and xenophobia, and on the protection of the dignity of women and men at work. Action programmes on continuing training and on the elderly are also likely to be discussed.
The Development Council will meet on 29 May when Ministers will adopt conclusions arising from a Commission paper on environment and development and
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conclusions on the development aspects of the conservation of tropical forests. The Council may consider a Commission paper on cooperation with the developing countries of Asia and Latin America in the 1990's, and will adopt conclusions on the integration of food aid with other forms of development assistance and multiannual programming, and conclusions on a Commission work programme for the integration of women into the development process. Ministers will also approve conclusions arising from a Commission paper on evaluation of development cooperation.At the Education Council on 31 May Ministers will be invited to adopt a draft resolution on the integration of children and young people with disabilities into mainstream educational institutions. They will also be invited to agree conclusions on equality of educational opportunity in the initial and in-service training of teachers ; meetings of senior officials in the education sector ; and on the preparation of a new convention for European schools. There will be discussions about distance education and training and education for enterprise.
Iraq
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role was played by the trade section of the British embassy in Baghdad in securing the contract cover for the seized equipment, destined for Iraq.
Mr. Waldegrave [holding answer 25 April] : In the light of the arrest of an individual on 25 April, and in the light of the continuing investigations by Customs and Excise, it would be wrong to comment further on these matters.
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Office of Technology Assessment
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contacts his Department has had with the Netherlands Office of Technology Assessment in the Hague.
Mr. Jackson : The Department has not had any official contact with the Netherlands Office of Technology Assessment.
Grant-maintained Schools
Mrs. Gorman : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have now been given grant-maintained status ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Rumbold : My right hon. Friend has so far approved 37 of the 48 proposals for grant-maintained status which have reached him for decision.
Special Needs Education
Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the provision of education for those with special needs ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Alan Howarth : Representations have been received recently on a range of subjects relating to the provision of
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education for those with special educational needs. In particular, representations continue to be received in respect of the Department's draft circular "Staffing for pupils with special educational needs" and on in-service training for teachers specialising in special needs subject areas. The closing date for comments on the circular is 27 July 1990. My right hon. Friend set out in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire South-East (Mr. Paice) on 18 April, Official Report, column 850 the funds available for the training of teachers in special needs areas.School Discipline
Mr. Bowis : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a further statement on the recommendations of the committee of inquiry into discipline in schools.
Mr. MacGregor : When the committee's report was published in March last year, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced immediately his acceptance in principle of a number of its recommendations. I am now able to report the following developments :
1. The management of pupil behaviour has been designated a national priority area under the local education authority training grants scheme with £1.7 million of expenditure being supported in 1990-91. 2. Two new education support grant categories, to improve support services in respect of difficult pupils and to raise attendance levels in designated schools, were introduced on 1 April. In both categories, expenditure of around £2.5 million is being supported in 1990-91.
3. My Department has introduced a national exclusions reporting system for a two-year period from the beginning of the summer term this year. Heads, governors and local education authorities, as appropriate, are being asked to provide information on the background to cases of permanent exclusion from LEA-maintained primary, secondary and special schools and from grant- maintained schools. Individual pupils will not be identified. In the light of the information provided we shall be deciding on the future of the existing statutory provisions on exclusion.
4. The criteria for the approval of courses of initial teacher training which I published last November give practical effect to the committee's recommendations that such courses include specific training in group management, and that lecturers providing training in teaching skills should regularly update their classroom experience.
The Government have also considered, as the committee recommended, whether legislation should be introduced in respect of the legal basis of teachers' authority and of parental liability for their children's civil wrongs committed while in school. We have concluded, after very careful examination of the issues, that legislative action would not be appropriate in either case.
The Government have now completed their consideration of the report. Its publication, and its circulation by my Department to local education authorities and all maintained schools, have a most useful and important impact on discussion and action by the education service in a difficult area. For its part, and apart from the specific measures my predecessor and I have announced, the Government will continue to take careful account of the committee's advice and recommendations as they develop their education policies, particularly in respect of the implementation of the national curriculum.
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SCOTLAND
COSLA
16. Mr. Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities ; and what matters were discussed.
Mr. Rifkind : With my hon. Friend the Minister for Home Affairs and the Environment, I met the president and other senior office-bearers of the convention on 6 April. This was the first of this year's meetings to discuss Government support for local authority current expenditure in 1991- 92.
Local Government Finance
17. Mrs. Fyfe : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people he expects to qualify for ex-gratia poll tax rebates covering the year 1989-90 under his recently announced scheme for such payments.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I expect between 15,000 and 20,000 people to qualify for special payments under the scheme.
18. Mr. Galloway : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has had on the subject of the community charge in Scotland ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend continues to receive a number of representations on different aspects of the community charge.
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25. Mr. Andrew Welsh : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes to bring forward any changes to the poll tax legislation in the present Session.
29. Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes to bring forward any changes to the poll tax legislation in the present Session.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend keeps all aspects of the community charge arrangements under review. He has made it clear that he is prepared to make changes if they are required.
41. Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the highest and lowest community charge in Scotland in 1990-91 ; and what were the comparable charges for 1989-90.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The highest and lowest community charges in Scotland in 1990-91, at taxpayer level, excluding the community water charge, are £419 and £87.26. Corresponding figures for 1989 -90 are £374 and £100.60.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a list of numbers of Statutory Instruments issued under the Abolition of Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 1987, the dates on which these came into force and the dates on which any Statutory Instrument referred to above ceased to be in force.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 23 April 1990] : The information requested is as follows :
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Statutory instrument |Statutory |Date of coming into force
|instrument
|number
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act |1987/1489 |18 August 1987
1987 Commencement Order 1987
The Non-Domestic Rates and Community Charges |1987/2167 |7 January 1988
(Timetable) (Scotland) Regulations 1987
The Non-Domestic Rates and Community Charges |1989/2436 |22 January 1990
(Timetable) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations
1989-these revoked part of Schedule 2 to SI
1987/2167
The Abolition of Domestic Rates (Domestic and Part |1987/2179 |8 January 1988
Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Regulations 1987-
now revoked
The Abolition of Domestic Rates (Domestic and Part |1988/1477 |15 September 1988
Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Regulations 1988-
these revoked and replaced SI 1987/2179
The Community Charges (Registration) (Scotland) |1988/157 |26 February 1988
Regulations 1988-now revoked
The Community Charge (Registration) (Scotland) (No. |1988/1539 |1 October 1988
2) Regulations 1988-these revoked and replaced SI
1988/157
The Community Charges (Registration) (Scotland) (No. |1988/1611 |1 October 1988
2) Amendment Regulations 1988
The Standard and Collective Community Charges |1988/631 |20 April 1988
(Scotland) Regulations 1988-regulations 3 and 4
now revoked
The Standard and Collective Community Charges |1988/1540 |1 October 1988
(Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 1988-now
revoked
The Standard and Collective Community Charges |1989/1004 |1 July 1989
(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1989-now
revoked
The Standard Community Charge (Scotland) |1989/2437 |22 January 1990
Regulations 1989-these revoked and replaced
regulation 3 of SI 1988/631, SI 1988/1540 and SI
1989/1004.
The Standard and Collective Community Charges |1989/1476 |4 September 1989
(Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1989-
these revoked regulation 4 of SI 1988/631
The Personal Community Charge (Students) (Scotland) |1988/632 |20 April 1988
Regulations 1988-now revoked
The Personal Community Charge (Students) (Scotland) |1989/32 |3 February 1989
Regulations 1989-these revoked and replaced SI
1988/632
The Housing Benefit (Social Security Act 1986 |1988/1483 |21 September 1988
Modification) (Scotland) Regulations 1988
The Community Water Charges (Scotland) Regulations |1988/1538 |1 October 1988
1988
The Community Water Charges (Scotland) Amendment |1989/2362 |15 January 1990
Regulations 1989
The Personal Community Charge (Exemption for the |1988/1541 |1 October 1988
Severely Mentally Impaired) (Scotland) Regulations
1988-now revoked
The Personal Community Charge (Exemptions) |1989/63 |9 February 1989
(Scotland) Regulations 1989-these revoked and
replaced SI 1988/1541
The Community Charges (Levying, Collection and |1988/1880 |22 November 1988
Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 1988
The Community Charges (Levying, Collection and |1990/684 |18 April 1990
Payment) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1990
The Community Charges (Information Concerning |1988/1889 |23 November 1988
Social Security) (Scotland) Regulations 1988-these
lapsed on 31 March 1990
The Community Charges (Information Concerning |1989/476 |1 April 1990
Social Security) (Scotland) Regulations 1989-these
replaced SI 1988/1889 on 1 April 1990
The Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Regulations 1988 |1988/1904 |24 November 1988
The Local Government (Non Domestic District Rates |1988/1963 |2 December 1988
and District Community Charge) (Scotland)
Regulations 1988
The Revenue Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1988 |1989/69 |12 January 1989
-now revoked
The Revenue Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1989- |1990/130 |26 January 1990
this revoked and replaced SI 1989/69
The Abolition of Domestic Rates (Domestic and Part |1989/241 |20 March 1989
Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Regulations 1989-
now revoked
The Abolition of Domestic Rates (Domestic and Part |1990/630 |1 April 1990
Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Regulations 1990-
these revoked and replaced SI 1989/241
The Community Charges (Deductions from |1989/507 |8 April 1989
Income=Support) (Scotland) Regulations 1989
The Community Charges (Deductions from Income |1990/113 |1 April 1990
Support) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 1990
The Abolition of Domestic Rates (Domestic and Part |1989/1477 |4 September 1989
Residential Subjects) (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations
1989
The Personal Community Charge (Exemption for the |1989/2234 |29 December 1989
Severely Mentally Impaired) (Scotland) Regulations
1989
The Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Regulations 1989 |1989/2462 |24 January 1990
The Revenue Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1990 |1990/131 |26 January 1990
The Personal Community Charge (Relief) (Scotland) |1990/421 |28 March 1990
Regulations 1990
The Personal Community Charge (Relief) (Scotland) |1990/625 |28 March 1990
Amendment Regulations 1990
Homelessness
19. Sir David Steel : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current estimates of homelessness in Scotland ; what steps he proposes to take to reduce homelessness ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Rifkind : During 1988-89 local authorities assessed 9,300 households as being homeless and 5,850 as being threatened with homelessness. Local authorities have a good record in finding accommodation for homeless applicants.
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EC Regional Fund
20. Sir Russell Johnston : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he takes to ensure that in regard to European Community regional fund projects in Scotland the additionality rule is applied.
Mr. Lang : The Government ensure compliance with requirements on additionality in the relevant European structural fund regulation throughout the United Kingdom.
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Lothian Council Staff (Self-defence Courses)
21. Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was his advice to Lothian regional council before that council introduced the offer of self-defence courses in certain martial arts for council employees who have to deal directly with the public in matters affecting the poll-tax ; if he will specify which forms of karate were considered ; what payments he will offer the council ; what lists he has received of cases in which officials have been threatened with violence ; what consultation he has had with relevant trade unions on the matter ; and what figures of poll-tax-related assault he has received from Sir William Sutherland QPM.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : This is entirely a matter for Lothian regional council and my right hon. and learned Friend has neither offered advice nor sought consultation with the trade unions. I understand, however, that the question of self-defence training for certain staff is still under consideration by the council and is not confined to staff dealing with the community charge. Any costs involved would need to be met in the normal way from the resources available to the authority. We have received no lists of cases where officials in Lothian region have been threatened with violence nor have we received from Sir William Sutherland any figures relating to the kind of assault described.
Scottish TUC
23. Mr. Eadie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he received an invitation to address the annual conference of the Scottish Trades Union Congress.
36. Mr. Ron Brown : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Scottish Trades Union Congress : and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lang : I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 20 December 1989.
Councillors (Allowances)
24. Mr. Norman Hogg : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made in determining a new scheme for local authority councillors' allowances ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : In a paper issued on 19 December 1989, the Government put proposals for a revised scheme of councillors' allowances to the local authority associations for comment. My right hon. and learned Friend subsequently met COSLA on 9 February when he stressed his willingness to be flexible on the distribution of the Scottish quantum and to consider alternatives for the definition of approved duties. Comments and views have been received from a number of interested parties. These are being carefully considered and my right hon. and learned Friend expects to announce his decisions shortly. The intention is that the revised scheme should operate from 1 July 1990.
Speech Impediments
26. Mr. Robert Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy for the provision of educational facilities for children with speech impediments.
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Mr. Lang : Education authorities are statutorily required to make appropriate educational provision for all children of school age in their area. This will include provision for special educational needs, such as those of children who have difficulties with speech.
National Health Service Trusts
27. Mr. McKelvey : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from hospitals in the Ayrshire and Arran area regarding opting out.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : An expression of interest in self-governing status has recently been made on behalf of the South Ayrshire unit comprising the hospitals at Ayr and Ballochmyle.
A1
28. Mr. Beith : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made in setting up arrangements between his Department and highway authorities to discuss the future of the A1 beyond the proposals in the roads south of Edinburgh study.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Representatives from the roads departments of Lothian and Borders regional councils, and of Northumberland county council, will be invited to join with officials from my Department and the Department of Transport to form the A1 steering group described in our "Routes South of Edinburgh : Report on Public Consultation and the Government's Decisions", copies of which are in the Library. Detailed terms of reference for the group are currently being drafted by my Department in liaison with the Department of Transport.
Primary Schools (Testing)
30. Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to review his plans to introduce testing in Scottish primary schools.
Mr. Lang : No, Sir. It remains the intention to test performance in English and mathematics at P4 and P7, and information about piloting will be issued shortly.
Offensive Weapons
31. Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to make it an offence to sell or supply knives and other offensive weapons to young persons under 16 years of age ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The sale or hire of flick knives and gravity knives is an offence under the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959. The sale or hire of a further range of spiked, bladed and other offensive weapons specified in the Offensive Weapons Order 1988 is an offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1988. These provisions apply irrespective of the age of the buyer, and my right hon. and learned Friend sees no need for further legislation.
Steel Industry
32. Mr. Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to meet trade union representatives of the work force in the Scottish steel industry.
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Mr. Lang : My right hon. and learned Friend met representatives of the Ravenscraig work force last November. I met representatives of the Clydesdale work force in January and will be meeting representatives of the Dalzell work force in the near future.50. Dr. Reid : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet British Steel to discuss investment in Scottish steel plants ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lang : My right hon. and learned Friend expects to meet the chairman of British Steel in the relatively near future to discuss matters of current interest concerning the Scottish steel plants, including the company's investment strategy. At the end of the day, investment decisions are a matter for the commercial judgment of British Steel, in the light of their assessment of market conditions. However, it is clearly important that the company should be in a position to consider carefully all the options, including that of investment in Scotland, before reaching their decisions.
Childhood Immunisation
33. Dr. Moonie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for improving the uptake of childhood immunisations against infectious diseases.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : I announced on 26 April an accelerated schedule for childhood immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and poliomyelitis. The new schedule, which will be introduced on 1 October 1990, provides for the course of immunisation against these diseases to be carried out between two months and six months of age as compared with three months and 11 months at present. The shortened programme, to which appropriate publicity will be given, is expected to lead to higher uptake levels.
Violent Crime
34. Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the number of violent crimes reported in Scotland each year since 1979 where firearms were involved ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 5 April.
Nirex
35. Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of the nuclear industry radioactive waste executive ; and what matters were discussed.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend and the Secretary of State for the Environment met the then chairman and senior officials of the Executive on 15 March 1989 to discuss its report on sites for investigation for the deep disposal of low and intermediate level radioactive wastes.
Fishing Industry
37. Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received regarding the fishing industry on the west coast of Scotland.
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