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Court Procedures
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to remove the need for witnesses in a trial, including police officers, to provide oral evidence to prove facts where the facts have been included in a statement submitted to the defence and the defence has served no counter-notice challenging their validity ; and if he will estimate the saving in police time consequent on such a provision.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 1 February 1993] : A similar proposal was made in part VI of the Scottish Law Commission's number 137--"Evidence : Report on Documentary Evidence and Proof of Undisputed Facts in Criminal Proceedings". We are considering that proposal as well as seeking to identify other means of minimising unnecessary court attendance by witnesses. The time saved by such a proposal would depend on the use made of counter-notices and it is not possible to predict that.
Hospitals
Mrs. Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many applications have been received from units or hospitals seeking trust status ; and if he will make a statement ;
(2) how many expressions of interest have been received from units or hospitals seeking trust status ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart [holding answer 1 February 1993] : Two trusts are currently operational. These will be joined by a further 15 in April 1993. Twenty-three other hospitals/units have expressed an interest in trust status and are currently developing possible applications.
MV Braer
Mr. Wallace : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the duration, frequency and geographical coverage, of monitoring activity undertaken by or on behalf of his Department in Shetland or coastal waters around Shetland, following on from the grounding of the MV Braer on 5 January ; and if he will make a statement.
Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 1 February 1993] : Extensive monitoring and sampling is being carried out covering sea and fresh water, sediments, fish, air, livestock and wildlife. Wherever appropriate, studies include control samples elsewhere in Shetland as well as from areas potentially affected by the oil spill. The information already available is copious : for example, on 28 January the marine laboratory in Aberdeen made available to local interests an 11-page bulletin reporting on seawater, sediments and fish monitoring, of which I have sent a copy to the hon. Member. Longer-term monitoring will be co-ordinated by the ecological steering group, which is to be chaired by Professor William Ritchie.
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Health Service Expenditure
Mr. Kynoch : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of capital expenditure in the national health service in the years 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93 ; and what was the split between hospital building and equipment.
Mr. Stewart [holding answer 1 February 1993] : Expenditure on capital in the national health service in each of these years was as follows :
Year |£ thousands ------------------------------------ 1990-91 |183.065 1991-92 |254.300 1992-93 |<1>262.360 <1>Estimate.
Information on the split between hospital building and equipment is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Paisley Pattern
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote the Paisley pattern ; what steps he intends to take to encourage the development of the industrial manufacture of Paisley pattern goods in the town ; and what resources are currently available to propagate the importance of the town's role in the worldwide commercial heritage of textiles.
Mr. Stewart [holding answer 20 January 1993] : The local enterprise company, Renfrewshire Enterprise, is involved in a number of ways in the promotion and development of Paisley pattern. I consider that the actions which it has taken and is taking are likely to have a useful impact. If the hon. Member wishes details of Renfrewshire Enterprise's activities in this respect I know that the company will be pleased to provide further information.
The resources which Renfrewshire Enterprise and other interested bodies choose to devote to the propagation of the importance of Paisley's role in the worldwide commercial heritage of textiles is a matter for those bodies.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Reform
Mr. Allen : To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will make a statement on progress towards improving the working of the House of Commons ;
(2) what proposals he has to reform the House of Commons.
Mr. Newton : Reform of the working of the House of Commons is being taken forward by following up the recommendations of the Select Committee on Sittings of the House.
Discussions through the usual channels are seeking to identify an acceptable basis as to when the House can take decisions on the Select Committee's report.
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