House of Commons Hansard Debates for 8 Jul 1992

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for each of its main categories of work during 1992-93. In addition, the agency will continue to ensure that its expenditure is covered by fees and other income.

The agency's chief executive, the keeper of the registers, is accountable to me for the achievement of these targets, and the agency's record of performance against its targets is reported in the keeper's annual report.

Scottish National Heritage

Mr. Maclennan : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names and emoluments of the members of the north-western regional board of Scottish Natural Heritage.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 26 June 1992] : It is for Scottish Natural Heritage to appoint the members of its committees. I have asked SNH to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

Regional Assistance

Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a table of expenditure on regional financial assistance since the 1984 revision of the assisted areas at (a) current prices and (b) 1984 prices in the travel-to-work areas of Arbroath, Bathgate, Cumnock and Sanquhar, Dumbarton, Dundee, Glasgow, Greenock, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Lanarkshire, Alloa, Ayr, Campbeltown, Dunfermline, Dunoon and Bute, Falkirk, Forres, Girvan, Invergordon/Dingwall, Kirkcaldy, Lochaber and Newton Stewart.

Mr. Stewart [holding answer 29 June 1992] : The available information, which relates to regional selective assistance, regional enterprise grants and revised regional development grant, is given in the tables. Corresponding information on original regional development grant could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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European Community Bathing Standards

Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to assist financially the local authorities adjacent to the River Clyde to clean up the foreshore and meet EC bathing standards.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 3 July 1992] : The aggregate external finance settlement takes full account of district councils' responsibility for clearing litter, including that from areas of foreshore to which the public have access.

Bathing water improvement depends on investment in effluent treatment by sewerage authorities and others. For 1992-93 Strathclyde regional council's capital allocation of £83 million for its water and sewerage programme fully meets its planned expenditure and is more than double the level for 1988-89. In addition, over £17 million has already been offered to the council under the Government's sewerage improvement grant scheme which provides assistance towards approved programmes of works to reduce pollution and improve environmental standards.

Mortgage Defaults

Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many former Scottish Special Housing Association tenants, now Scottish Homes tenants, have had their homes repossessed because of mortgage default.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 3 July 1992] : This information is not held by the Scottish Office.

Free Tuition (Vocational Courses)

Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what rights a 16 or 17-year-old school leaver has to free tuition on a vocational course in a college of further education.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 3 July 1992] : The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

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recommends fee levels for courses in further education colleges. No fees are charged for under-18s on full-time non- advanced courses. After 1 April 1993, when the colleges are incorporated, it will be a condition of funding that this policy shall continue for courses falling within the Secretary of State's duty for further edcuation.

Woodlands

Mr. Ancram : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what publicity has been given to the community woodland supplement which he introduced in April ; and what take-up there has been.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 6 July 1992] : "The Community Woodland Supplement" was launched by my right hon. Friend in September 1991 and a press release was issued at the same time. Baroness Trumpington, the then Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, also publicised the supplement in January at the launch of the Forestry Commission's "Community Woodland Design Guidelines". Further publicity was given at the forestry expansion conference organised by the Forestry Commission in March, and in speeches by Ministers and by Forestry Commissioners on several other occasions. The supplement has been promoted in the technical press and Forestry Commission staff have publicised it at seminars with local authorities, farmers and landowners. Information about the supplement is included in the applicant's pack for the woodland grant scheme.

The Forestry Commission has received 63 applications for the supplement, of which 10 have so far been approved.

Badgers

Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to discuss the problem of badger baiting with the law enforcement authorities ;

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(2) what plans he has to improve surveillance of cross-border activity in badger baiting ;

(3) what evidence he has of badger baiting being practised in the borders ; and if he will make a statement ;

(4) what powers are currently available in Scotland to prosecute and sentence those convicted of badger baiting ; and what plans he has to review the sentences available ;

(5) what current resources are devoted to the prevention of badger baiting ; and what plans he has to increase the amount of money available.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 6 July 1992] : Badgers receive a level of protection in law which is unique for an unendangered animal. The baiting of any animal, including badgers, is prohibited in Scotland under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912. The maximum penalty for an offence is six months' imprisonment and/or a level 4 fine--currently £1,000, but to be increased to £2,500 on 1 October 1992. It is proposed to increase the maximum fine at the next suitable legislative opportunity to level 5 on the standard scale-- currently £2,000, but set to rise to £5,000 on 1 October 1992. Badgers are also protected under the Badgers Act 1973, as amended by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to ill-treat, kill, injure, or take--or attempt to kill, injure or take--or to dig for any badger except in certain specified circumstances. The Badgers Act 1991, which amends the 1973 Act and came into force on 25 October 1991, also makes it an offence intentionally or recklessly to damage, destroy or obstruct access to or any entrance of a badger sett ; to cause a dog to enter a sett ; or to disturb a badger which is in a sett. Such offences apply in Scotland and attract a maximum penalty of a level 5 fine-- £5,000 with effect from 1 October 1992. A maximum custodial sentence of six months' imprisonment was introduced for offences under section 1 or 2 of the Badgers Act 1973 by the Criminal Justice Act 1991 on 9 December 1991.

The Badgers (Further Protection) Act 1991, which came into force on 25 September 1991, provides courts with new powers in dealing with the above offences. The courts may order the destruction of other disposal of a dog used in the commission of such offences and disqualify an offender from keeping a dog for such time as it considers fit. A Bill to consolidate badgers legislation is currently before the House of Commons.

Detailed information on the incidence of offences involving cruelty to badgers in Scotland is not separately identifiable within the Scottish Office Home and Health Department's classification of crimes and offences, but I am not aware of any evidence to suggest that badger baiting is widespread in the borders or that cross-border activity has developed. The allocation of police resources for animal protection purposes is a matter for the chief constable to decide in the light of local priorities.

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Tree Preservation

Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the statutes and regulations governing tree presevation orders in Scotland and when they took effect.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 6 July 1992] : The principal provisions are contained in part IV of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972--C. 52--sections 57 to 60, and in part V, sections 98 and 99. These provisions have been amended in minor detail. This Act came into force on 27 August 1972, but sections 58(5) and 59(1) to (3) came into force on 17 July 1975. The powers of enforcement are extended and amended by section 54 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991, which came into force on 26 March 1992.

The relevant regulations are :

The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 1975,

SI 1975 No. 1,204 (S.183), which came into operation on 1 September 1975.

The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1981 , SI 1981 No. 1,385 (S.134), which came into operation on 27 October 1981.

The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1984, SI 1984 No. 329 (S.36), which came into operation on 11 April 1984.

Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the rights available to members of the public who seek to protect trees by means of a tree preservation order.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 6 July 1992] : Under sections 57 to 60 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972, it is the duty of planning authorities, in the interests of amenity, to make such provision as may to them appear expedient, for the preservation of trees or woodlands in their district.

These powers have been used effectively by local authorities but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I should be happy for him to write to me.

Pupils (Expenditure)

Mr. Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the actual capital expenditure per pupil and per capita for every Scottish region since 1979.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 6 July 1992] : The tables provide information about capital expenditure (a) per pupil, and (b) per head of population on local authority schools. They have been derived from local authority capital expenditure returns, the annual school census of pupil numbers and annual estimates of population.

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The figures in both tables relate to expenditure on nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

Schools (Noise)

Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what sums he has made available, to which regional councils and for which schools, for noise insulation in the last 10 years for which information is available ;

(2) if he will request Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools to make an assessment of the current effects on education in the primary schools at Balmullo, Guardbridge and Leuchars of noise nuisance from aircraft operating from RAF Leuchars ;

(3) what steps he intends to take to see that Fife regional council complies with the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967 to 1979 in relation to accoustic conditions and insulation in the primary schools at Balmullo, Guardbridge and Leuchars respectively ;

(4) what sanctions are available to him in the event that a regional authority declines to comply with the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967 to 1979.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 6 July 1992] : Substantial resources are available to local authorities for capital expenditure on their educational building stock. Authorities are free to determine their own spending priorities within the total resources available to them.

As regards the schools in question, I understand that monitoring of the situation is taking place and I have asked my officials to keep in touch with developments.

My right hon. Friend has powers, after consultation with the authority, to issue a direction under section 19(3) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 requiring that premises be brought into conformity with the appropriate standards or requirements of the regulations.

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Community Enterprises

Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the contracts of local enterprise companies require them to show that they have developed community enterprises.

Mr. Stewart [holding answer 6 July 1992] : Local enterprise companies' contracts are with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the detailed contents of these contracts, and their interpretation, are operational matters for these two bodies. I have asked the chairmen of the two bodies to write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has that Scottish Enterprise and local enterprise companies are fulfilling their responsibility to develop community enterprises.

Mr. Stewart [holding answer 6 July 1992] : Scottish Enterprise has no specific statutory responsibility for developing community enterprise ; and it is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise whether it chooses to impose any specific contractual

responsibilities in relation to community enterprise on local enterprise companies. I do not seek information from Scottish Enterprise, which distinguishes its support for community enterprise from its activities to encourage enterprise in general.

Quarrying

Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are taken to assess the likely environmental impact of quarrying operations ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stewart [holding answer 6 July 1992] : For individual quarrying applications, planning authorities should take account of the likely environmental impact of a particular operation. To assist in this process, we will shortly be issuing for consultation additional guidance covering the assessment and control of quarrying's

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environmental effects. Regulations already provide that, in coming to their decisions on planning applications, planning authorities should seek from the applicant a formal environmental assessment if there are likely to be significant environmental effects. The results of the environmental assessment will be an important consideration in the determination of an application. Where an application is granted permission, planning authorities have a statutory duty to review periodically the operation of mining sites, including quarrying. We are currently consulting on possible options for strengthening this review procedure.

More generally, research into the environmental impact of quarrying operations has been commissioned by the Government. A research report entitled "Environmental Effects of Surface Mineral Workings" was published earlier this year and will inform the guidance to be issued.

Civil Servants

Mr. Ian Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants in his Department are paid at a rate exceeding that of a Cabinet Minister.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 7 July 1992] : The total annual salary--including reduced parliamentary salary--of most Cabinet Ministers is £63,047. The number of civil servants in the Scottish Office whose pay currently exceeds this figure is two.

Contaminated Land

Mr. Wallace : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has prepared a timetable for the introduction and establishment of a register of potentially contaminated land in Scotland ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stewart [holding answer 7 July 1992] : It was originally proposed that the duty for local authorities to compile registers of land which is, or has been, subject to contaminative use would commence in April 1992. The registers would have been available to the public in April 1993. Regulations together with guidance on various aspects of the registers were to have been published in early 1992. In the light of representations received from local authorities, further consideration will be given to the detail of the proposals and further consultation to be undertaken. An announcement on the revised timetable will be made in due course.

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Employers and Careers Service Partnerships

Mr. Wallace : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the response from each local education authority in Scotland to the invitation of his Department to them to consider how they might promote partnerships in their areas between employers and the local education authority careers service ; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 7 July 1992] : Seven bids have been received for financial assistance towards the establishment of careers service partnerships. These are currently being evaluated and decisions will be announced shortly. Disclosure of information about bids is a matter for those who submitted them and it would not be appropriate to place copies in the Library.

Water Disconnections

Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the number of water disconnections in Scotland in each year since 1979.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 7 July 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.

Cockle Surveys

Mr. Morley : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish the 1991 Solway cockle survey by the Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, referred to in the consultation paper on Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984, "Proposals for the Amendment of the Existing Prohibitions on Fishing in Scottish Inshore Waters" ; and if he will indicate how a member of the public can obtain a copy of the cockle survey report.

Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 7 July 1992] : A copy of the conclusions of the 1991 Solway cockle survey has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Copies are also available on request from my Department.

A fuller report of the survey will be published later in the year.

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