| Previous Section | Home Page |
Mr. Lang : In addition to the very substantial additional resources, already announced, through Scottish Enterprise, for Lanarkshire development agency, formal notification was made to the European Commission on 23 January of the United Kingdom Government's proposals to designate an enterprise zone in North Lanarkshire.
Column 621
29. Mr. McAvoy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has as to the effect of the closure of Ravenscraig on the unemployment rate in adjacent areas.Mr. Allan Stewart : My Department's current best estimate of the local impact of the closure, and associated job losses announced by British Steel on 8 January 1992, is that an increase of less than one percentage point, on a work force basis, in the Lanarkshire travel-to-work area unemployment rate could be anticipated in the medium term. This increase is additional to the impact associated with the earlier steel job loss announcements made in 1991.
Housing
21. Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet representatives of Scottish local authorities to discuss the current housing situation in Scotland.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I met representatives of the housing committee of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 6 December 1991. Further meetings with the convention to discuss housing matters will be arranged later this year.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
22. Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland to discuss environmentally sensitive areas.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : My right hon. Friend has not met the chairman of the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland to discuss the environmentally sensitive areas scheme as such. He has, however, recently obtained the council's views on candidates for designation as new ESAs and these are currently being considered with officials of the council.
Nurses
23. Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of nurses in training in each of the Scottish health boards.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : As the answer is lengthy I will, with permission, circulate the information in the Official Report. However, between 1980 and 1991 the number of qualified nurses in the NHS in Scotland rose by 30 per cent. to over 36,400.
Qualified nurses: Changes in demand and supply
Scotland: 1980 to 1991<1>
|1980 |1991 |Percentage
|change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Qualified nurses (WTE) |28,028 |36,442 |+30
Nurses in training<2> |12,414 |10,005 |-19
Basic students<3> |6,998 |7,940 |+13
Pupils<4> |3,287 |236 |-93
Basic students and pupils |10,285 |8,176 |-21
Net leaving rate - RGN<5> |14.0 |10.6 |-24
Net leaving rate - EN<5> |14.5 |9.9 |-32
<1> These data are derived from the annual 30 September census of NHS
staff. Data for 1991 are provisional.
<2> Includes post registration/enrollment training.
<3> Excludes post registration students. Note that students become
registered nurses when qualified.
<4> Note that pupils become enrolled nurses when qualified.
<5> Net rates refer to nurses in post at one annual census who have
left by the next (1991 refers to leavers between 30 September 1990
and 30 September 1991; 1980 refers to leavers between 30 September
1980 and 30 September 1981). These rates include only nurses who have
left the NHS in Scotland. Interboard transfers are excluded.
Nurses in training in Scotland as at 30
September 1991
(Provisional)
Health Board |Number
|of nurses
------------------------------------------------
Argyll and Clyde |672
Ayrshire and Arran |459
Borders |168
Dumfries and Galloway |286
Fife |505
Forth Valley |494
Grampian |754
Greater Glasgow |2,712
Highland |347
Lanarkshire |782
Lothian |1,778
Tayside |991
Orkney |17
Shetland |10
Western Isles |30
Scotland |10,005
Between 1980 and 1991 the number of qualified nurses in the national health service in Scotland rose by 30 per cent. to over 36, 400.
Textile Industry
24. Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the specific steps he proposes to take to assist the Borders textile industry and promote diversification in the local economy in the region.
Mr. Allan Stewart : The Government recognise the importance of the textile industry to the economy and employment in the Borders and through Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Borders Enterprise are supporting initiatives designed to assist the industry in a variety of ways and to encourage economic diversification in the area. Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Borders Enterprise are in receipt of substantial Government funds.
The Scottish Office continues to examine ways of obtaining European Community funds for economic development in the Borders.
Power Lines
25. Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with Scottish Power about the construction of power lines in Scotland.
Mr. Allan Stewart : Before Scottish Power can construct any overhead power lines, it is required to receive the consent of the Secretary of State under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. In the current financial year, 130 such applications have been received from the company and 93 applications have received consent.
Health Services
26. Mr. Ernie Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends meeting the chairmen of health boards to discuss the provision of health services.
Column 623
Mr. Michael Forsyth : I will be meeting health board chairmen on Friday.Steel Industry
27. Mr. Salmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made to meet the Dalzell shop stewards to discuss their investment proposals which would establish a viable Scottish steel industry safeguarding the future of their plant and Ravenscraig.
Mr. Allan Stewart : I would be happy to meet the Dalzell shop stewards again to discuss the future of the plant.
New Towns
28. Mr. Ingram : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the proposed wind-up of the Scottish new towns.
Mr. Allan Stewart : Following careful consideration of the responses to the recent consultation exercise, my right hon. Friend has decided to proceed with the wind-up of East Kilbride and Glenrothes development corporations.
The wind-up orders will be made next month and the target date for completion will be 31 December 1995.
Investment
30. Mr. Simon Coombs : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the value of inward investment in Scotland since 1979.
Mr. Allan Stewart : Figures prior to the establishment of Locate in Scotland in 1981 are not available.
From April 1981 to March 1991, Locate in Scotland has recorded planned inward investment in Scotland by companies, totalling some £4.2 billion.
RETEX Programme
31. Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what approaches he has made to the European Commission regarding the RETEX programme.
Mr. Allan Stewart : On 20 December the European Commission agreed a draft proposal for a RETEX scheme designed to assist areas dependent on the textiles industry. Member states and the European Parliament will be invited formally to comment on the draft proposal in the coming weeks, although Scottish Office and other United Kingdom officials had already made representations to the Commission in earlier discussions. The United Kingdom Government will naturally seek to ensure the most effective coverage of United Kingdom textile areas while avoiding any unfair competition against United Kingdom producers.
Lanarkshire Economy
32. Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his plans for the regeneration of the Lanarkshire economy.
Mr. Allan Stewart : I look to Lanarkshire development agency, supported by Scottish Enterprise, to take the lead in implementing economic development measures, building on the early action programme recommended by the Lanarkshire working group.
Column 624
In addition, the Government have formally notified the European Commission of proposals for an enterprise zone in north Lanarkshire.Land Use
33. Mr. Maclennan : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding land use in Caithness and Sutherland.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Land use in Caithness and Sutherland is primarily a matter for Highland regional council as the planning authority for the area. My right hon. Friend understands that the director of planning for Highland region proposed to the chairman designate of Scottish Natural Heritage the preparation of an integrated land use and development strategy for Caithness and Sutherland jointly by both bodies and, possibly, Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This proposal has been accepted in principle and will be taken forward as resources permit.
The Government welcome this initiative, which will build on work already done, such as the preparation of the land use strategy published by Highland regional council in 1989.
Rail Network
34. Mr. Stephen : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the electrification of the Scottish rail network and the provision of inter-city services north of the central belt.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. Friend has from time to time received representations from individuals, organisations and Members of Parliament on a variety of rail matters including further electrification. None however has been specifically concerned with inter- city services north of the central belt.
Council House Sales
35. Mr. Knox : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants in Scotland since May 1979.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Since April 1979 nearly 234,000 public sector houses in Scotland have been sold to sitting tenants. Included in that figure are nearly 173,000 sales by local authorities.
40. Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses in Scotland have been sold under the right-to-buy legislation.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Between October 1980 and September 1991, over 221,000 public sector houses have been sold under the right-to- buy legislation.
Dunbartonshire Enterprise
36. Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last had discussions with Dunbartonshire Enterprise on the latest developments in the Scottish economy.
Mr. Allan Stewart : Communications between my right hon. Friend and me and the local enterprise companies take place chiefly through Scottish Enterprise ; and we
Column 625
have frequent discussions with the chairman and board members of Scottish Enterprise to discuss a range of matters, including developments in the Scottish economy.New Forth Bridge
37. Mr. Harry Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the proposal to construct a further road bridge over the River Forth.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I have already met Fife regional council and most recently with Lothian regional council to discuss with them the various transportation issues concerning future travel requirements west of Edinburgh and across the Forth estuary in Fife. I now propose to prepare a consultation document which will set out the options for measures to meet the growing traffic demands in this area which I hope to be in a position to issue in early spring.
Lockerbie
38. Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary ofState for Scotland what action the Lord Advocate has taken in connection with the Lockerbie investigations since 20 January.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The Lord Advocate has taken note of Security Council resolution 731 (1992) adopted unanimously on 21 January 1992 and looks for the early surrender by the Libyan authorities of the two accused persons for trial in Scotland or the United States. The Lord Advocate has continued to be kept informed of progress in the investigation.
Firearms
39. Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what initiatives he intends to take to stop the increase of murder and serious assaults by the use of firearms.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Very strict controls are imposed on the acquisition and possession of firearms, one purpose of these measures being to restrict the ability of criminals to obtain firearms. Detecting illegally held firearms is a matter for the police who make strenuous efforts to prevent criminals acquiring firearms which they may subsequently use in committing crimes. The Government continue to provide substantial resources to assist the police in maintaining law and order : since 1979, police expenditure has risen by more than 50 per cent. in real terms. The Government will also continue to ensure that an adequate range of penalties is available to the courts to deal with crimes and offences involving firearms. With the assistance of the firearms consultative committee, the Government keep firearms control under continual review.
Toxic Waste (Glasgow)
Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Hamilton road route construction between Daldowie and Fullarton in the Glasgow, Shettleston constituency has unearthed any evidence of toxic waste material having been dumped in the area.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Toxic material has been excavated and handled under controlled conditions within and arising from the activities of the former Cambuslang steel works adjacent to Fullarton road.
Column 626
Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has of chromium dumping or other dumping of potentially harmful material in the Baillieston, Carmyle, Broomhouse and Mount Vernon areas of the Glasgow, Shettleston constituency.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Chromium waste may have been deposited at four sites in the area. Glasgow district council has undertaken a detailed investigation and has confirmed that there is no surface contamination. Industrial, commercial and household wastes have been deposited at 10 sites in the area.
Mesothelioma
Mr. Watson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of deaths in Scotland from mesothelioma during each of the last five years for which figures are available.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The figures requested are given in the table :
Deaths with any
mention of
mesothelioma on the
death certificate,
Scotland, 1986-90
|Number
---------------------
1986 |67
1987 |93
1988 |103
1989 |113
1990 |110
Population Statistics
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will register the latest estimates by the Registrar General of (a) total populations and (b) populations aged 18 years and over for each district council area in Scotland.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The information requested is given in the table. For clarity of presentation, the table includes figures for regions, island areas and the whole of Scotland.
Estimated population,
30 June 1990
|Total |Aged 18
|and over
-----------------------------------------------------------
Scotland |5,102,400|3,943,370
Borders Region |103,500 |81,779
Berwickshire |19,070 |15,034
Ettrick and Lauderdale |34,270 |26,906
Roxburgh |34,990 |27,906
Tweeddale |15,170 |11,933
Central Region |272,100 |209,617
Clackmannan |47,470 |35,879
Falkirk |143,270 |110,232
Stirling |81,360 |63,506
Dumfries and Galloway Region |148,400 |115,840
Annandale and Eskdale |36,580 |28,802
Nithsdale |57,820 |44,850
Stewartry |23,520 |18,494
Wigtown |30,480 |23,694
Fife Region |345,900 |265,701
Dunfermline |129,910 |98,424
Kirkcaldy |147,070 |112,647
North East Fife |68,920 |54,630
Grampian Region |506,100 |389,867
Aberdeen City |211,080 |168,299
Banff and Buchan |85,020 |64,336
Gordon |74,600 |54,625
Kincardine and Deeside |50,920 |38,259
Moray |84,480 |64,348
Highland Region |204,300 |154,740
Badenoch and Strathspey |11,190 |8,733
Caithness |26,790 |20,212
Inverness |63,090 |48,102
Lochaber |19,030 |14,236
Nairn |10,420 |7,913
Ross and Cromarty |48,910 |36,293
Skye and Lochalsh |11,820 |8,993
Sutherland |13,050 |10,258
Lothian Region |749,600 |592,175
East Lothian |85,480 |67,790
Edinburgh City |434,520 |350,606
Midlothian |81,310 |62,508
West Lothian |148,290 |111,271
Strathclyde Region |2,306,000|1,771,676
Argyll and Bute |66,150 |50,427
Bearsden and Milngavie |40,900 |32,220
Clydebank |46,920 |36,568
Clydesdale |58,560 |44,526
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth |63,100 |46,837
Cumnock and Doon Valley |43,030 |32,915
Cunninghame |137,530 |103,611
Dumbarton |79,750 |59,679
East Kilbride |83,060 |64,516
Eastwood |61,010 |47,443
Glasgow City |689,210 |537,732
Hamilton |106,560 |80,166
Inverclyde |93,470 |72,019
Kilmarnock and Loudoun |81,110 |61,693
Kyle and Carrick |113,730 |89,166
Monklands |104,460 |77,900
Motherwell |146,760 |111,141
Renfrew |201,030 |155,032
Strathkelvin |89,660 |68,085
Tayside Region |394,000 |307,497
Angus |95,370 |73,196
Dundee City |172,860 |135,060
Perth and Kinross |125,770 |99,241
Orkney Islands Area |19,570 |14,935
Shetland Islands Area |22,270 |16,328
Western Isles Islands Area |30,660 |23,215
Higher Education : A New Framework"
Mr. Bill Walker : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the outcome of consultation on proposed changes to institutional financial years, made in paragraph 94 of the White Paper "Higher Education : A New Framework", Cm 1541.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Representative bodies, following consultation, have confirmed their agreement to adopt a financial year of 1 August to 31 July. Subject to the passage of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill, I can therefore confirm that those institutions which are to receive funding from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council will operate on a financial year of 1 August to 31 July. This means that the financial year for
Column 628
universities will not change, and that grant -aided colleges of higher education will move from their present financial year which runs from 1 April to 31 March. The 1992-93 financial year for those institutions in receipt of funding from the council will, therefore, end on 31 July 1993 ; the 1993-94 financial year will operate from 1 August 1993 to 31 July 1994 and subsequent financial years shall be each successive period of 12 months.Regional Development Assistance
Mr. Maxton : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total regional development assistance to Scotland, in constant terms in each year since 1973-74.
Mr. Allan Stewart [holding answer 28 January 1992] : The information requested is given in the table.
Gross expenditure on
regional preferential
assistance
|Constant
|1990-91
|prices
£ million
---------------------------
1973-74 |595.8
1974-75 |653.6
1975-76 |820.1
1976-77 |680.1
1977-78 |401.2
1978-79 |396.8
1979-80 |305.9
1980-81 |363.8
1981-82 |392.7
1982-83 |577.5
1983-84 |341.5
1984-85 |266.4
1985-86 |265.6
1986-87 |316.4
1987-88 |189.7
1988-89 |174.7
1989-90 |156.9
1990-91 |159.2
Note: Includes gross
expenditure in Scotland on
Regional Selective
Assistance, Regional
Development Grants,
Regional Enterprise Grants,
Scottish Development
Agency and Highlands and
Islands Development Board
expenditure on grants and
land and factory building.
The figures also include a
number of forms of
assistance in the years up
to 1982 which have been
discontinued.
Part-time Workers
Mr. Wallace : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will estimate the percentage of all women part-time workers in (a) Scotland and (b) the regions and islands areas of Scotland earning less than (i) £2.50 per hour, (ii) £3 per hour, (iii) £3.60 per hour, (iv) £4 per hour, (v) £4.50 per hour and (vi) £5 per hour ; (2) if he will estimate the percentage of women part-time manual workers in (a) Scotland and (b) the regions and islands areas of Scotland earning less than (i) £2.50 per hour, (ii) £3 per hour, (iii) £3.60 per hour, (iv) £4 per hour, (v) £4.50 per hour and (vi) £5 per hour ;
(3) if he will estimate the percentage of women part-time non-manual workers in (a) Scotland and (b) the regions and islands areas of Scotland earning less than (i) £2.50 per hour, (ii) £3 per hour, (iii) £3.60 per hour, and (iv) £4 per hour, (v) £4.50 per hour and (vi) £5 per hour.
Mr. Allan Stewart [holding answer 27 January 1992] : Information at the level of detail requested is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member giving the
Column 629
requested information, where sample sizes allow, as soon as possible. A copy of the letter will be placed in the library.Skye Bridge
Mr. Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the EC guidelines governing the carrying out of an environmental impact assessment for major infrastructure projects ; if he will make a statement on the relationship of the proposed Skye bridge public local inquiry proceedings to the guidelines ;l and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 27 January 1992] : The requirements for an environmental impact assessment on major infrastructure projects are set out in EC directive No. 85/337/EEC and the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1988: The relevant guidance is contained in Scottish Office circular 13/88. A comprehensive environmental statement on Skye bridge has been published and will be fully considered at the public local inquiry.
Mr. Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what restrictions there are on whether the proposed Skye bridge public local inquiry can commence in the absence of an environmental impact assessment having been submitted ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 27 January 1992] : The Scottish office has published a comprehensive environmental statement which addresses the various issues involved. The environmental statement is the result an environmental impact assessment and has been published under part VI of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1988, in accordance with EC council directive No. 85/337/EEC.
Criminal Injuries Compensation
Mrs. Fyfe : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the threshold below which the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board will not entertain a claim ; and what were the lower limits in each year since 1986.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 28 January 1992] : The current minimum level of criminal injuries compensation is £1, 000. The lower limits applying in each year since 1986 can be derived from the following table :
Column 630
Date of increase |Minimum
|limit
|£
---------------------------------------------------
February 1983 |400
November 1986 |550
February 1990 |750
January 1992 |1,000
Mrs. Fyfe : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many victims of crimes of violence received compensation under the criminal injuries compensation scheme in 1991-92 ; and what was the total amount awarded.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 28 January 1992] : Figures for 1991-92 are not yet available, but it is estimated that outturn expenditure by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board on compensation to victims of crimes of violence committed throughout Great Britain will be of the order of £144.6 million. In 1990-91, £109.3 million was paid to 35,190 victims.
Victim Support Groups
Mrs. Fyfe : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much funding he gave victim support groups in 1991-92 ; and how much is planned for 1992-93.
Mr. Michael Forsyth [holding answer 28 January 1992] : For the financial year 1991-92 the Scottish Office initially awarded the Scottish Association of Victim Support Schemes (SAVSS) a total grant of £442,000.
I hope to announce the grant for 1992-93 shortly.
Maternity Units, Glasgow
Mr. Galbraith : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future provision of maternity units in Greater Glasgow.
Mr. Michael Forsyth [holding answer 28 January 1992] : This is a matter for greater Glasgow health board. In announcing my approval to the provision of a new maternity unit at Glasgow royal infirmary, I asked the board to develop a long-term strategy for maternity services in Glasgow.
|
| Home Page |