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Column 370
SCOTLAND
Special Educational Needs
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appeals have been made to him against the terms of records of needs for children with special needs under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 in the last four years ; what are the average and maximum times taken to process such appeals ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : In the four-year period from 1989 to 1992, 13 appeals were referred to the Secretary of State under section 64(1)(a) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Of these, six appeals received in 1992 are still under consideration. The other seven appeals were determined on average within eight months but in one case processing took 12 months. The considerations involved in the appeals process are invariably complex, but steps are being taken to bring outstanding appeals to a conclusion as quickly as possible.
Dentistry
Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce a scheme in Scotland similar to that operating in England and Wales giving financial assistance towards the setting up or expansion of dental practices within family health service authorities.
Mr. Stewart : There are no plans at present to introduce a similar scheme in Scotland.
Forth Road Bridge
Mr. Charles Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what forecast he has made of the likely level of tolls for the new Forth road bridge ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : As the Government reported in February in our response document to the setting forth consultation, preliminary indications suggest that the additional bridge and associated roadworks identified in that consultation could be supported by a toll comparable in real terms to the toll on the present bridge when it opened in 1964. The 2/6d toll then would compare to around £1.25p now. The precise level of toll on any new bridge will not be known until the completion of a full competitive tender process should the Government decide to proceed with the project following the feasibility studies currently under way.
Skye Bridge
Mr. Charles Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what force of impact the caissons on the Skye bridge are being constructed to withstand.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The caissons on the Skye bridge have been designed to withstand the impact from a 10,000 tonne dead weight vessel. This allows for all known shipping movements. This 10,000 tonne limit was agreed with Marine Directorate of the Department of Transport.
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Caledonian MacBrayne
Mr. Charles Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland under what statutory provisions he can override the commercial decisions of the directors of Caledonian MacBrayne.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. Friend's powers and obligations in respect of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. are defined in the terms of the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act 1960 and the undertaking of 15 August 1975 between the Secretary of State and the company. As controlling shareholder of the company, my right hon. Friend has certain other powers and responsibilites, which are defined in the company's articles of association.
Kyle-Kyleakin Ferry
Mr. Charles Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the construction of the Skye bridge and its approach roads will result in any physical obstruction to the use of the Kyle-Kyleakin ferry slipways.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The construction of the Skye bridge and its approach roads will not result in any physical obstruction to the use of the Kyle-Kyleakin ferry slipways. HRC's complementary Kyle prospect enhancements, made possible by the bridge, take advantage of the released ferry marshalling area.
Mr. Clarles Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what Scottish Office grant aid was made available for the construction of the piers and slipways presently used by the Kyle-Kyleakin ferry ; and what provisions cover the refund of such money.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : None.
White Fish
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what quantities of white fish were withdrawn from the market under intervention in each of the past 12 months at
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each port ; what was the total sum paid to fishermen in respect of these landings ; and what quantities of this fish have gone for human consumption (a) abroad or (b) via domestic charities.Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 23 April 1993] : None of the white fish withdrawn from the market under intervention has gone for human consumption either abroad or to charities. Full settlement to the producers organisations of compensation payable for fish withdrawn under the European Community's price support system for the year to end December 1992 has yet to take place, though advance payments have been made. Information on the quantities of white fish withdrawn from the market in Scotland under intervention in each of the 12 months to end March 1993, on the ports of landing and on the intervention sums paid so far is set out in the tables.
Compensation paid to
producers organisations in
each of the 12
months to end March 1993
following the withdrawal of
whitefish
from the market
|£
----------------------------
1992
April |12,900
May |68,700
June |166,600
July |51,200
August |168,100
September |160,400
October |45,600
November |121,300
December |13,800
1993
January |-
February |-
March |-
Compensation paid to
producers organisations in
each of the 12
months to end March 1993
following the withdrawal of
whitefish
from the market
|£
----------------------------
1992
April |12,900
May |68,700
June |166,600
July |51,200
August |168,100
September |160,400
October |45,600
November |121,300
December |13,800
1993
January |-
February |-
March |-
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|C|Withdrawals of whitefish (tonnes) by port of landing during the period 1 March 1992 to 31 March 1993|C|[TITRE]
!Port!April 1992!May 1992!June 1992!July 1992!August 1992!September 1992!October 1992!November 1992!December 1992!January 1993!February 1993!March 1993!
[DATA]
!Eyemouth!-!-!-!-!-!6!1!-!-!-!3!-!
!Pittenweem!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!
!Arbroath!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!6!
!Aberdeen!4!5!25!97!46!48!-!-!-!-!57!29!
!Peterhead!2!89!277!493!355!309!84!-!-!30!357!113!
!Fraserburgh!-!18!3!73!58!51!32!-!-!57!119!34!
!Macduff!-!4!1!4!2!6!-!-!-!-!4!-!
!Buckie!-!1!4!2!-!1!-!-!-!1!1!10!
!Lossiemouth!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!
!Wick!-!19!8!10!16!12!1!-!3!9!21!19!
!Shetland!-!1!2!13!16!15!3!-!-!9!166!54!
!Kinlochbervie!-!23!44!58!69!19!1!-!-!-!11!20!
!Stornoway!-!-!1!-!1!2!1!1!25!7!8!1!
!Ullapool!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!1!2!-!
!Mallaig!-!5!6!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!4!-!
!Oban!-!-!-!2!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!
!Campbeltown!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!
!Ayr!-!-!1!2!2!5!3!3!-!-!1!5!
!Lochinver!2!7!27!29!27!7!4!-!-!3!8!13!
Forestry
Mr. Maclennan : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 March, Official Report, column 477, what comments his Department
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made to the Highland regional council on their draft indicative forestry strategy concerning Caithness ; what consideration he has given to the Highland regional council's Economic Review Issue No. 19, published in January ; if the comments on page 15 accurately reflect his Department's views ; and if he will make a statement.Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 20 April 1993] : The comments in the Economic Review relate to a letter of 23 October 1992 from the Scottish Office environment department to the regional council commenting that some of the agreements in the council's land use strategy for Caithness and Sutherland were not fully reflected in its draft indicative forestry strategy. The letter also pointed out that the draft omitted reference to the continuing programme of designation of sites of special scientific Interest in the area by Scottish Natural Heritage.
These comments were made as technical assistance to the council's professional officers and were not formal
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comments on an alteration or review in relation to the existing structure plan. No such alteration or review has been submitted to my right hon. Friend for his approval.Fisheries (Bird Killing Licences)
Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many licences were applied for, and issued, under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to permit the killing of (a) cormorant, (b) goosander and (c) red-breasted merganser in Scotland for each year since 1988, to prevent serious damage to fisheries.
Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 26 April 1993] : The information is as follows :
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|1988 |1989 |1990 |1991 |1992 |1992
|(February-April) |(February-April) |(February-April) |(February-April) |(February-April) |(September-December)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cormorants only
applications |6 |5 |12 |16 |12 |6
licences granted |6 |5 |12 |16 |12 |6
Goosander and/or
mergansers only
applications |12 |9 |12 |13 |2 |-
licences granted |12 |9 |12 |10 |2 |-
Cormorants and
goosander/mergansers
applications |23 |23 |18 |32 |20 |3
licences granted |23 |23 |18 |24 |20 |-
Total number of
applications
submitted |41 |37 |42 |61 |34 |9
Total number of licences
granted |41 |37 |42 |50 |34 |6
Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) cormorants, (b) goosander and (c) red-breasted merganser were killed under licence in (i) Scotland and (ii) the Tweed catchment, for each year since 1988, to prevent serious damage to fisheries.
Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 26 April 1993] : The details are as follows for the period 1988-1992.
1. Birds reported killed under licence in Scotland (excluding the
River Tweed)
|Cormorants|Goosanders|Mergansers
------------------------------------------------------------------
1988 (February-April) |221 |429 |204
1989 (February-April) |112 |383 |247
1990 (February-April) |335 |673 |421
1991 (February-April) |381 |504 |235
1992 (February-April) |141 |412 |148
1992 (September-
December) |46 |- |-
2. Birds reported killed under licence in
the River Tweed catchment
|Cormorants|Goosanders
--------------------------------------------
1988 |50 |258
1989 |5 |30
1990 |17 |264
1991 |26 |164
1992 |28 |124
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No application has been received to shoot mergansers in the Tweed catchment during this period.Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what analysis has been carried out on the diet of (a) cormorants, (b) goosander and (c) red-breasted merganser killed under licence in (i) Scotland and (ii) the Tweed catchment ; and what proportion of their diet was salmon ; and what proportion was assessed to constitute serious damage to salmon fisheries.
Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 26 April 1993] : The Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department (SOAFD) commissioned research from the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE) in 1987. The programme has been extended to 1994 and is designed to investigate the predatory activities of sawbill ducks (goosanders and mergansers) and other piscivorous birds, and their impact on salmonid populations in Scottish rivers, including the River Tweed. A major element of the programme is an analysis of the gut of birds shot under licence to determine the nature of their diet. Results of this research programme are expected to be available in 1994.
Community Care
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for the issuing of guidelines to social work departments in relation to the discharging from
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hospitals of psychiatric patients into the community by way of the community care programme ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Stewart [holding answer 22 March 1993] : Guidance was issued to local authorities, health boards and others in February 1992. My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State is aware of the current review of treatment in the community for people with a mental disorder in England and will consider the need for any changes in Scotland arising from that review.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Third World Debt
Sir David Steel : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the United Kingdom will implement the Trinidad terms on remission of debt for the poorest countries as indicated by the Prime Minister in October 1991.
Mr. Nelson : The United Kingdom conduct their policy with regard to developing country debt issues through the Paris Club. This multilateral approach is shared by our creditor colleagues, and works to the benefit of both creditors and debtors. The United Kingdom Government have an excellent record on initiatives and action on developing country debt-including the Prime Minister's Trinidad terms. For full details, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave recently to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 26 April 1993, Official Report, c. 293.
Bitumen (Tax)
Mr. Conway : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how a natural bitumen (CN2714) would be taxed in accordance with EC Council directive 92/81/EEC if such hydrocarbon is used as a fuel for power generation with a price and role similar to that of coal.
Sir John Cope : Natural bitumen classified under CN2714 is not specified in EC Council Directive 92/81/EEC and therefore not subject to mineral oils duty under the directive, whereas mixtures based on natural bitumen are classified under CN2715 and when used as a fuel for power generation are subject to duty under the Directive. Clause 10 of the current Finance Bill gives effect to this aspect of the directive.
Company Cars
Mr. Beith : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue regards as business use cases where an employee is provided with a company car and uses it to drive, or to be driven, from home to the normal place of employment.
Mr. Dorrell : Home-to-work travel in a car made available by an employer is normally regarded as private use.
PRIME MINISTER
Sellafield
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what representations he received on the dangers of plutonium proliferation from the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield during his most recent visit to Washington DC.
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Visually Impaired People
Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Prime Minister what action Government Departments have taken, or will be taking, to improve official communications with people who are visually impaired by providing more information in large print, braille or on tape ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : A number of Government publications have already been produced for people who are visually impaired. Examples are given in the following table :
Braille--
Cabinet Office
The Citizen's Charter First Report : A Guide (also available in audio cassette version)
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
New Microwave Labels (to be issued shortly-also available in audio cassette and large print versions)
Employment
Jobseeker's Charter
P.A.C.T. (Placing, assessment and counselling teams)
Environment
Council Tax : A Guide to the New Tax for Local Governments (also available in audio cassette and large print versions)
Council Tax : Liability, Discounts and Exemptions (also available in audio cassette and large print versions)
Council Tax : Valuation and Banding (also available in audio cassette and large print versions)
Council Tax : How to Appeal (also available in audio cassette and large print versions)
Council Tax : Transitional Deduction Scheme (also available in audio cassette and large print versions)
Health
Patient's Charter (also available in audio cassette version) NHS Reforms and You (also available in Moon and audio cassette versions)
Northern Ireland
HPSS Charter for Patients and Clients
Social Security
Parents Who Live Apart (also available in audio cassette version) Guide for the Disabled
Audio cassette--
Cabinet Office
The Citizen's Charter : A Guide
Education
Special Education Needs Charter
Parent's Charter
Your Child and the National Curriculum : A Parent's Guide Grants and Loans
Testing 7 Year Olds
Testing 14 Year Olds
Children with Special Needs : A Guide for Parents
Environment
Council Tenant's Charter
Health
Health of the Nation
While You Are Pregnant--Safe Eating
Elderly Health
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