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Lobster Fisheries

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to amend the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 in respect of the creation of enhanced lobster fisheries in Scotland ; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 22 June 1992] : My Department has recently been considering the results of research on the creation of enhanced lobster fisheries and whether any legislative changes should be introduced to facilitate such developments in Scotland. This raises complex issues which I am considering. I would consult Scottish fishery interests before bringing forward any proposals.

Ozone-depleting Chemicals

Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's policy on purchasing ozone-depleting chemicals and goods manufactured with these substances ; and in which year his Department expects to cease using, purchasing or releasing ozone-depleting substances, controlled by the Montreal protocol, and hydrochlor ofluorocarbons.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 22 June 1992] : Government policy on purchasing ozone-depleting chemicals and goods manufactured with these substances is set out in the 1990 environment White Paper, the first-year report following the White Paper and the environmental action guide for building and purchasing managers issued by the Department of the Environment in 1991. The Scottish Office follows this guidance. As yet there is no time scale for ceasing use or purchase of ozone-depleting substances, controlled by the Montreal protocol, and HCFCs, but the Scottish Office intends to do so as soon as possible.

Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount in tonnes of ozone-depleting chemicals used or purchased by his Department for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, and estimates of usage for the next year ; what is the estimated bank of ozone- depleting chemicals contained within his Department ; and how many months' supply of ozone-depleting chemicals have been ordered by his Department.

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Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 22 June 1992] : The information required could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Dounreay

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions of the Paris convention apply to the discharges for the proposed extra storage capacity at Dounreay.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 22 June 1992] : The proposed extension to the existing facility will not be subject separately to the provisions of the Paris convention. Radioactivity in the drainage water will be disposed of through the liquid effluent discharge pipe and will be included in the regular returns to the Paris commission of radioactive discharges to sea.

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans Her Majesty's Government have to make available to Governments of nations bordering the North sea and north Atlantic copies of the environmental statement prepared in support of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority technology proposals to extend its storage capacity for low-level radioactive waste at its Dounreay plant.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 22 June 1992] : The Government have no plans to make available copies of the environmental statement.

Water Supply

Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of water supply disconnections in each of the past five years for each regional and island council area.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 23 June 1992] : Water supplies to domestic consumers in Scotland may be disconnected only for short-term operational reasons, for example, to undertake repairs, make connections or plumbing alterations. Supplies to non-domestic consumers may also be disconnected for other reasons, including those arising from non- payment of water charges. Information on the number of disconnections is not held centrally.

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