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M80

Mr. Norman Hogg : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Cumbernauld development corporation on the line of route for the M80 extension between Stepps and Haggs ; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 30 March 1993] : Discussions have taken place with Cumbernauld development corporation over a number of years on the line of route for the M80 extension. A formal presention of the road proposals was made to members and officials in August 1992 and shortly afterwards the corporation expressed its strong support for the route through the Kelvin valley.

Legal Aid

Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland concerning the proposed changes to the contributary schemes for legal aid and legal advice and assistance ; and if he will make a statement ;

(2) what representations he has received from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland concerning the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for legal aid and legal advice and assistance ; and if he will make a statement ;

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : [holding answer 30 March 1993] : The social work commissioner of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland wrote to the Scottish Office Home and Health Department on 15 March about the effect on the mentally disordered of the Government's proposed changes in eligibility for civil legal aid and advice and assistance.

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The Government's intention is to ensure, in the face of considerable rises in expenditure on legal aid, that legal aid will continue to be available to the most needy. The financial circumstances of mentally disordered people will vary considerably, but it is likely that the great majority will remain eligible for civil legal aid or advice and assistance, either free of charge or with an income-related contribution.

NHS Pay Review

Sir David Steel : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made towards the pay review for national health service workers due to take effect on 1 April ; and if he will make a statement of Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the review.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 30 March 1993] : The Government's policy on pay in the public sector including the national health service was set out in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement in the House on 12 November 1992.

Doctors and dentists have accepted an offer of a 1.5 per cent. increase in pay and allowances with effect from 1 April 1993. Representatives of all other staff groups except clinical scientists, clinical psychologists and pharmacists are consulting their members about similar offers. Staff representatives are aware that these are final offers.

Smoke Alarms

Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Paisley, south, (Mr. McMaster) on 19 January, Official Report, column 238 , if he will bring forward regulations to require smoke alarms to be fitted to existing dwellings ; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 30 March 1993] : Under the Building (Scotland) Act 1959, building control operates on the principle that a warrant must be obtained before work is carried out. The Building Standards Regulations and the technical standards which support them cannot therefore be applied retrospectively. Under amendments to the regulations and standards which my right hon. Friend intends shortly to lay before Parliament the fitting of mains-operated smoke alarms will become compulsory in all new dwellings.

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