| Previous Section | Home Page |
Mr. Hanley : The defence costs study into training has examined staff training at all three service staff colleges. The study has completed its work and has made a number of formal recommendations which are now under consideration by Ministers. No decisions have yet been taken. We hope to announce the broad outcome of the defence costs study as a whole before the House rises for the summer recess.
Defence Satellites
Mr. Eric Clarke : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much it cost to send into orbit the two defence satellites recently launched by a French ballistic rocket.
Mr. Aitken : Details of the cost of sending into orbit the two small defence technology research satellites launched by an Ariane 4 commercial launcher on 17 June 1994 are subject to commercial confidentiality.
Russian Nuclear Submarines
Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessments have been made by the nuclear-powered warships safety committee of the safety record, and conformity with United Kingdom nuclear safety standards, of the Russian Typhoon class submarine.
Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Russian authorities concerning visits by Russian nuclear-powered submarines to British ports during 1994.
Mr. Hanley : My right hon. and learned Friend has had no such discussions.
Clyde Submarine Base
Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names, countries of origin and dates of all foreign naval vessel visits to the Clyde submarine base since 1990.
Mr. Hanley : The information requested is as follows :
Date |Vessel |Nationality
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990
16-20 February |HNLMS Isaac Sweers|Netherlands
11-13 March |HNLMS Potvis |Netherlands
22 September |HMCS Ojibwa |Canada
1-5 October |FS Rubis |France
6-12 October |HMCS Ojibwa |Canada
20 October |HNLMS Tijgerhaai |Netherlands
20 October |HNLMS Haarlem |Netherlands
26-29 October |HNLMS Tonjin |Netherlands
3-5 November |HMCS Ojibwa |Canada
8 November |HNLMS Zeeleeuw |Netherlands
21-22 November |BNS Westdiep |Belgium
1991
8-10 February |HNLMS Potvis |Netherlands
18-21 May |HNLMS Walrus |Netherlands
26 May |HNLMS Walrus |Netherlands
7-10 June |HNLMS Zwaardvis |Netherlands
14-18 June |HNLMS Zwaardvis |Netherlands
23-27 September |USS Groton |USA
6-7 October |HNLMS Potvis |Netherlands
8-12 November |FS Beveziers |France
22 November |BNS Wielengen |Belgium
27 November to
1 December |HNLMS Tijgerhaai |Netherlands
1992
3 March |HMCS Ojibwa |Canada
6 March |HMCS Ojibwa |Canada
17-18 April |HNLMS Zeeleeuw |Netherlands
1 May |HNLMS Zeeleeuw |Netherlands
15-18 May |HNLMS Walrus |Netherlands
22-27 May |HNLMS Walrus |Netherlands
29 May |NHLMS Walrus |Netherlands
13 June |HNLMS Walrus |Netherlands
29-31 July |USS Newport News |USA
25-31 August |FS Emeraud |France
31 August to
3 September |USS Albany |USA
14-23 September |USS Sturgeon |USA
16-18 November |USS Finback |USA
1993
8-9 January |USS Baltimore |USA
19-22 February |HNLMS Zeeleeuw |Netherlands
6-13 April |HNLMS Tijgerhaai |Netherlands
19-20 April |HNLMS Tijgerhaai |Netherlands
21-23 April |HNLMS Tijgerhaai |Netherlands
10-17 May |USS San Juan |USA
21-24 May |HNLMS Zwaardvis |Netherlands
25-28 May |HNLMS Dolfijn |Netherlands
27-29 May |HNLMS Bruinvis |Netherlands
31 May to 1 June |HNLMS Zwaardvis |Netherlands
31 May to 2 June |HNLMS Dolfijn |Netherlands
2-3 June |HNLMS Zwaardvis |Netherlands
3 June |HNLMS Dolfijn |Netherlands
3-7 June |HNLMS Bruinvis |Netherlands
4 June |HNLMS Dolfijn |Netherlands
20-22 August |USS Alexandria |USA
30 August |FS Amethyste |France
13 September to
5 October |FS Agosta |France
14-16 October |USS Dallas |USA
14-18 October |HNLMS Dolfijn |Netherlands
19-22 October |USS Dallas |USA
25-28 October |HNLMS Dolfijn |Netherlands
29 October to
1 November |SNS Andalucia |Spain
31 October to
1 November |USS Dallas |USA
23-30 December |USS Albany |USA
1994
18-22 February |HNLMS Tijgerhaai |Netherlands
18-22 February |HNLMS Mercuur |Netherlands
24-25 February |HNLMS Mercuur |Netherlands
13-17 March |USS Phoenix |USA
31 March to 1 April |HNLMS Walrus |Netherlands
11-12 April |HNLMS Walrus |Netherlands
23-27 May |HNLMS Zeeleeuw |Netherlands
3-6 June |KNM Utsira |Norway
10-13 June |KNM Utsira |Norway
23-25 June |USS Whale |USA
Column 712
Peace Operations
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much in cash terms and in constant prices the Government spent in 1980, 1990, 1991 and 1992 on peace operations in east and central Europe involving British military personnel.
Mr. Hanley : British military personnel were not involved an any peacekeeping operations in east and west Europe in 1980, 1990 or 1991. During 1992, the cost of the United Kingdom contribution to the UN protection force in the former Yugoslavia was £64,310,000.
Air Training Corps
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Air Training Corps, with particular reference to units in Renfrewshire.
Mr. Hanley : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 21 February 1994, Official Report , columns 67-68 . Those apply equally to the units in Renfrewshire.
Public Bodies
Mr. Kilfoyle : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (1) those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required to consult before legislation proposals ; and in respect of which bodies the Government must publish their response to advice supplied by them ;
(2) his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to publish their advice to Government.
Mr. Hanley : There is no statutory requirement for the Government to consult any of MOD's advisory non-departmental public bodies before legislation proposals or to publish any advice that might be provided, or responses to that advice. More recently, however, in line with our commitment to greater oppenness, my Department has placed the report by the National Employer Liaison Committee on the subject of consultation with employers on the future of the armed forces, and a summary of the response by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, in the Libraries of both Houses.
South Georgia
Mr. Barry Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assistance military personnel have given to the refurbishment of the church on South Georgia ;
(2) what funds are available for a grant towards the replacement of the windows and painting of the church in South Georgia.
Mr. Hanley : The work to refurbish the church at Grytviken, South Georgia was undertaken by tradesmen of the Royal Engineers who are part of the Falkland Islands field squadron. It was undertaken under the standard rules for military aid to the civil community and no charge was therefore raised for labour. No grant was available to defray the costs of materials used in the refurbishment--£3,100--nor was this sum provided from the defence budget.
Column 713
Kirkcudbright Test Site
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the reply by the Minister of State for Defence Procurement to the Member of the European Parliament for South of Scotland on 24 August 1993 regarding depleted uranium testing at the Kirkcudbright test site.
Mr. Aitken : Yes. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Test Ranges
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has reviewed the future of the Defence Research Agency and the proof and experimental establishment at Dundrennan and Eskmead test ranges in regard to work conducted for his Department's testing programme on depleted uranium shells.
Mr. Aitken : The future of all our test and evaluation establishments was recently reviewed by the Director General of Test and Evaluation. Options arising from this are still being considered, but I hope that an announcement can be made in the not-too-distant future. This will be followed by a period of consultation with interested parties.
Volunteer Services
Mr. Brazier : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated total cost of (a) the Territorial Army and (b) the total volunteer services during the current financial year.
Mr. Hanley : The full cost of maintaining the reserve forces, including such things as equipment development, fuel, ammunition, accommodation and utilities, food or transport, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The figures for pay, allowances, earnings-related national insurance contributions and training bounties are as follows :
|1994-95 estimates
|£ million
-------------------------------------------------------------
Territorial Army |114.2
Total Volunteer Services |129.8
Those figures exclude the home service part-time element of the Royal Irish Regiment, and the TA non-regular permanent staff.
Territorial Army
Mr. Brazier : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated recruited strength of the Territorial Army at the most recent available date.
Mr. Hanley : The recruited strength of the Territorial Army as at 1 May 1994 was 63,204.
Mr. Brazier : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the established strength, including overbearing, of the Territorial Army at the present time.
Mr. Hanley : The estimated strength of the Territorial Army in peacetime is 63,500. We would, however, expect this figure to rise to around 78,000 in times of war.
Column 714
SCOTLAND
Playing Fields
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers he has to call in any planning application which relates to or includes the change of use of playing fields ; what steps may be taken by the local community and by the district council to ensure that zoning for recreational purposes in the urban area local plans and the district local plans is adhered to ; what powers are enjoyed by regional councils in relation to their role as strategic planning authorities as distinct from their role as property owners ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : My right hon. Friend is empowered by section 32 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 to call in any planning application for his own determination. These powers are exercised sparingly.
As far as district and community interests are concerned, section 18A of the 1972 Act provides that any planning authority must determine planning applications in accordance with the relevant development plans unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Sections 10 and 26 also provide that district authorities must take into account any representations made in their preparation of local plans and in their determining of particular planning applications. As far as regional interests are concerned, sections 5 to 8 of the 1972 Act provide powers for the preparation of structure plans by the relevant planning authorities, and for their approval by the Secretary of State. Similarly, section 179 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 provides such regional authorities with powers to call in planning applications which are contrary to their approved structure plans or which raise major planning issues of general significance to the districts in question.
Infertility
Mr. Ernie Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the provision for infertility treatment in the Tayside health board area ;
(2) what provision is made for infertility investigation in the Tayside health board area ;
(3) whether Tayside health board has sought advice from this Department as to the most cost-effective and cost-efficient means of providing for infertility investigation and treatment in its area.
Mr. Stewart : A full range of infertility investigation and treatment is provided in Tayside health board through General Medical Services and at Perth royal infirmary and Ninewells hospital. Following the publication of the National Medical Advisory Committee report on infertility services in Scotland in March 1993, Tayside health board is examining the needs of its population in relation to infertility services.
Fire Services
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the salary range of each rank of fire service officer in Scotland ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Relevant information is as follows :
Column 715
Salary range
Rank |Minimum<2>|Maximum
|£ |£
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Whole-time operational personnel)<1>
Firefighter |12,705 |15,300
Leading firefighter |17,046 |17,745
Sub-officer |17,724 |18,852
Station officer |20,559 |21,864
Assistant divisional officer |21,669 |23,691
Divisional officer III |23,211 |24,885
Divisional officer II |24,645 |27,318
Divisional officer I |27,219 |29,178
Senior divisional officer |29,301 |31,608
Assistant firemaster |38,673 |<3>-
Firemaster<4> |38,960 |68,124
(Whole-time control room personnel)
Fire control operator |9,876 |15,501
Leading fire control operator |13,824 |16,548
Senior fire control operator |14,178 |17,571
Fire control officer |18,924 |20,391
Group fire control officer |21,351 |22,872
Principal fire control officer |23,565 |25,683
<1> Retained personnel receive an annual retaining fee of from £1,314
to £2,184 together with turn-out and attendance fees. Volunteer
personnel receive an hourly fee for authorised duty.
<2> Incremental stages between minima and maxima at most ranks are
related to both years of service in rank and total years of service.
<3> The salary scale for an Assistant Firemaster is at 75 per cent. at
all points of the scale of the Firemaster except where an Assistant
Firemaster is appointed as Deputy Firemaster, in which case the salary
scale is at 80 per cent. at all points of the scale of the Firemaster.
<4> The salary range for Firemasters has a minimum and a maximum for
each of 9 population bands. The minimum shown is that for the lowest
population band of up to 240,000. The maximum is that for the highest
band in Scotland of 1,700,001 to 2,300,000.
This table reflects in summary form salary scales agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades and the National Joint Council for Chief and Assistant Chief Officers of Local Authorities' Fire Brigades.
Local Government Finance
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the identifiable (a) capital and (b) revenue or current expenditure by Strathclyde regional council by regional council electoral division, or on any other geographical basis on which the data is collated or accounted, in each year since 1990 ; how much in both expenditure categories is (i) legally committed and (ii) planned for fiscal years 1994-95 and 1995-96 ; what is the pro-rata expenditure in each category for each regional council electoral division, expressed as a percentage of the total capital and revenue budgets measured against their respective populations ; if he will rank the regional council electoral divisions in decending order by level of expenditure in both categories ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : Information about the geographical breakdown of expenditure by Strathclyde regional council is not held by the Scottish Office.
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the identifiable (a) capital and (b) revenue or current expenditure by Renfrew district council by regional council electoral division, or on any other geographical basis on which the data is collated or accounted, in each year since 1990 ; how much in both expenditure categories is (i) legally
Column 716
committed and (ii) planned for fiscal years 1994-95 and 1995-96 ; what is the pro-rata expenditure in each category for each regional council electoral division, expressed as a percentage of the total capital and revenue budgets measured against their respective populations ; if he will rank the regional council electoral divisions in descending order by level of expenditure in both categories ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Stewart : Information about the geographical breakdown of expenditure by the Renfrew district council is not held by the Scottish Office.
Arthritis Care
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of Arthritis Care to discuss needs and concerns of its members ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : Arthritis Care has not sought a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and he therefore currently has no plans to meet its representatives.
Renfrewshire Enterprise
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his most recent estimate of the population of (a) the area covered by Renfrewshire Enterprise, (b) each of its three constituent district councils and (c) each regional council electoral division within the area.
Mr. Stewart : The Registrar General's latest estimates for (a) and (b) are as follows. I regret that population estimates are not available for regional council electoral divisions.
Mid-1993 population estimates
|Estimate
---------------------------------------------------
(a) Renfrewshire Enterprise area |352,070
(b) Eastwood District |60,930
Inverclyde District |89,990
Renfrew District |201,150
Trespass
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the laws relating to trespass in Scotland.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Simple trespass is not an offence under the criminal law of Scotland. However, the Trespass (Scotland) Act 1865 provides that it is an offence to lodge in private premises or occupy or encamp on private land, without the owner's consent. In addition, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill contains provisions which extend to Scotland and which address certain types of disruptive behaviour often associated with trespass.
As regards the civil law, if someone intrudes on land without permission and without any other legal right to do so then this will constitute trespass under Scots civil law. There are two possible civil remedies open to the owner of the land. An action of ejection would secure the removal of a person from occupying heritable property without right or title hitherto. An action of interdict would seek to prevent a person from doing something, such as returning
Column 717
to the property. The two processes can be combined in one action, namely an action of ejection of a trespasser and interdict against his or her return.Dog Registration
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the fee that would be required to be charged to fund a self-financing dog registration scheme in Scotland ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : The Government do not believe that a registration scheme would address the main problems associated with dogs. No estimate of the fee which would be required to fund a self-financing scheme in Scotland has been made.
Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of implementation of sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 in Scotland ; what would be the total annual cost to (a) central Government, (b) local authorities and (c) other bodies of full implementation, what would be the total cost expressed in (i) annual and (ii) weekly terms for each (1) council tax payer and (2) taxpayer--including and excluding indirect taxation--when he plans to fully implement the Act ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : Information on the estimated cost of implementation of sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 in Scotland is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. There are no plans at present to implement sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Act. Most of the major provisions of the Act have been implemented bringing substantial benefits to disabled people and their carers. The requirements of the sections of the Act which have not been implemented are now, to a very large extent, reflected in the new and wide-ranging community care arrangements which demonstrates our commitment to high quality care responsive to the needs and wishes of service users and their carers. We intend to review the situation once we have some years' experience of the community care arrangements.
Council Services (Contracting Out)
Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he or officers of his Department have had with councillors or officers of Kyle and Carrick district council regarding contracting out of council services ; which services were the subject of these discussions ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : The Scottish Office provides advice to Scottish local authorities regarding the legal context of public procurement. Kyle and Carrick district council has sought general advice about the compulsory competitive tendering legislation and the European Community public procurement directives. Responsibility for placing individual contracts rests entirely with local authorities, who must satisfy themselves that their actions are within the law.
Column 718
Evening Primrose Oil
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has funded into the efficacy of evening primrose oil as a treatment for arthritis ; in what circumstances evening primrose oil is available on prescription ; if he Department intends to fund further research into the value of evening primrose oil for treatment or illness and disease ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : Two evening primrose oil products, Epogam and Efamast, are licensed by the Medicines Control Agency and are prescribable on the NHS. Epogam is prescribable for use in the treatment of atopic eczema, and Efamast for use in the treatment of mastalgia. No evening primrose oil preparation has satisfied the licensing requirements of safety and efficacy for any other medical condition.
The Scottish Office Home and Health Department has not funded, and has no present plans to fund, any research into the value of evening primrose oil for the treatment of arthritis or any other medical condition. However, the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Office Home and Health Department is always willing to consider any applications for the funding of soundly based reasearchable projects related to health and health services.
Mr. Andrew Freemantle
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the posts held by Mr. Andrew Freemantle before his appointment to his current position in the Scottish ambulance service.
Mr. Stewart : Prior to his appointment three yeas ago as general manager of the Scottish Ambulance Service Mr. Freemantle served for a number of years as a member of Her Majesty's forces, latterly with the rank of brigadier. Details of his career can be found in "Who's Who in Scotland".
Local Authority Direct Service Organisations
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what restrictions apply to the sale of products to the general public from factories which are wholly or mainly owned by local authorities ; if he will bring forward measures to allow local authority direct service organisations to sell manufactured goods designed for house improvement to owner-occupiers who wish to purchase these goods ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : It is for local authorities, in the first instance, to satisfy themselves that, in the individual circumstances of a particular case, their actions are within the law. The Government have no plans to bring forward measures in relation to direct service organisations and owner occupiers.
Disabled People (Voting Rights)
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he takes to ensure that all disabled people are able to exercise their right to vote in elections for which he is responsible ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Section 18(3)(a) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, as amended by
Column 719
the Representation of the People Act 1985, provides that returning officers should designate as polling places, so far as is reasonable and practicable, places which are accessible to disabled voters. The Government also provide financial assistance towards the cost of providing temporary ramps for polling stations to assist access by disabled voters. Guidance on this matter is issued from time to time to returning officers.Local Enterprise Companies
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) adults and (b) young people on average participated in local enterprise company-sponsored training schemes in each month in the past two years ; if he will break down these figures into local enterprise company areas ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart : Questions relating to the numbers of adults and young people participating in each local enterprise company area are a matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked the chairmen of these bodies to write to the hon. Member with the figures requested for each local enterprise company and totals for each of their networks.
Police
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the latest estimate of the (a) normal and (b) overtime hours spent by police officers giving evidence and waiting to give evidence in each constabulary in Scotland ; what was the total cost of this ; what is the estimated burden on (i) normal payroll and (ii) overtime budgets expressed in cash terms and as a percentage of each budget ; what was the effect of these duties on the ability of officers to be relieved of duties on scheduled rest days ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Current information is not available. The most recent estimate of which the Government are aware is that contained in the report by the Commission for Local Authority Accounts in Scotland entitled "Police Waiting Time at Court". A copy of the report, which was published in November 1992, is in the Library.
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the police service and the procurators fiscal service to discuss initiatives to reduce the amount of time police officers spend waiting to give evidence in courts ; what was the outcome of these discussions ; and what new initiatives he intends to introduce.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The Government's White Paper--"Firm and Fair--Improving the Delivery of Justice in Scotland" published, following consultation with a wide range of interests, on 27 June contains proposals which should contribute positively to reducing the time all witnesses have to spend in court.
Low Moss Prison
Mr. Galbraith : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to extending Low Moss prison ; and if he will make a statement.
Column 720
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I have no plans to extend Low Moss prison, but the Scottish Prison Service's estates strategy does anticipate that a feasibility study will be carried out at a future date to examine the possibility of replacing the existing hutted prisoner accommodation by the construction of new houseblocks, adjacent to the present site. The study has not yet been commissioned and if, in the light of it, a project were to proceed, planning consent would be necessary and decisions on financing, which have not yet been taken, would be required.
Obscene Publications Branch
Mrs. Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to future national co-ordination between police forces in Scotland, England and Wales on matters relating to pornography and obscenity following the proposed disbanding of the obscene publications branch at Scotland Yard.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 29 June 1994] : Each chief constable in Scotland is responsible for the investigation of crime in his force area. Where cross-force crime occurs, collaborative arrangements can be established to deal with it. These arrangements work satisfactorily, and there are no proposals to change existing procedures.
Metropolitan police headquarters functions and specialist units fall within the scope of a restructuring exercise, which aims to make the best possible use of resources and to place functions where they are most appropriate. I understand that no proposals about the future of the Metropolitan police's obscene publications branch have yet been made.
Sandeel Fishing
Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what measures he intends to take to protect the livelihoods of East Neuk of Fife fishermen affected by the sandeel fishing of Danish vessels over traditional Fife fishing grounds ;
(2) what representations he has made on behalf of East Neuk of Fife fishermen to the Danish Government about the extent of sandeel fishing over traditional Fife fishing grounds.
Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 29 June 1994] : Sandeels are normally caught with only minimal by-catches of other species. By-catches of whitefish species will typically comprise around 1 per cent. of total catch. The European Union also sets maximum levels for by-catches of protected species, such as cod and haddock. Inspectors from the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency regularly board sandeel vessels to ensure that these by-catch limits are observed. In 1993, there were over 150 such boardings and no cases were found of a breach of the EC by-catch regulations. This year, up to 24 June, 38 boardings had been made of 36 vessels, again without any evident breach of by-catch limits.
All the available evidence indicates that sandeel vessels are operating within the terms of EC regulations. Even so, I recognise the concern in the industry at the possible impact which current levels of sandeel fishing may be having on other fish stocks and on the marine eco-system in general. At last December's Fisheries Council, the United Kingdom persuaded the Council to call for an investigation of the broader effects of industrial fishing. A
Column 721
working group consisting of fisheries biologists and marine ecologists from all relevant member states is expected to report later this year.Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost to date of implementing the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in Scotland ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Stewart [holding answer 24 June 1994] : Information on the costs to the police, local authorities, the prosecution and courts of operating the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is not held centrally.
Column 722
Regional Enterprise Grants
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the REG awards in Fife on a six-monthly basis from start-up of the scheme specifying the company location, industrial sector, level of award and whether the award was REG (Investment) or REG (Innovation).
Mr. Stewart [holding answer 27 June 1994] : The information requested is given in the table.
Column 721
Type of grant |Travel to work area |Standard Industrial |Grant
|Classification
|(1980)
|offered
|£
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Period in which offer accepted: 1 April 1988 to 30 September 1988
Investment |Dundee |Pulp, paper and board |3,900
Period in which offer accepted: 1 October 1990 to 31 March 1991
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Textile finishing |14,700
Period in which offer accepted: 1 April 1991 to 30 September 1991
Investment |Dunfermline |Construction and earth moving equipment |10,050
Investment |Dunfermline |Retail distribution of household goods, etc. |3,263
Investment |Dunfermline |Soft furnishings |1,652
Investment |Dunfermline |Bacon curing and meat processing |3,008
Investment |Dunfermline |Professional and technical services not
| elsewhere specified |4,200
Investment |Dunfermline |Household textiles |8,519
Investment |Dunfermline |Metal doors, windows, etc. |1,238
Innovation |Dunfermline |Computer services |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Computer services |22,981
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Machinery for working wood, rubber, etc. |25,000
Period in which offer accepted: 1 October 1991 to 31 March 1992
Investment |Dunfermline |Other printing and publishing |5,325
Investment |Dunfermline |Wholesale distribution of household goods |4,050
Investment |Dunfermline |Electric instruments and control systems |11,182
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Bread and flour confectionery |15,000
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Steel tubes |12,939
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Metal storage vessels (non industrial) |4,500
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Engineers' small tools |13,900
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Female light outer-ware, lingerie, etc. |6,300
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Computer services |13,448
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Hosiery and other weft knitted goods |9,000
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Working of stone and non-metal minerals
| not elsewhere specified |6,600
Innovation |Dunfermline |Optical precision instruments |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Production and distribution of other forms
| of energy |17,500
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Electronic data processing equipment |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Radio and electronic capital goods |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Business services not elsewhere specified |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Shop and office fitting |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Plastics products not elsewhere specified |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Caravans |25,000
Period in which offer accepted: 1 April 1992 to 30 September 1992
Investment |Dunfermline |Ceramic goods |3,990
Investment |Dunfermline |Hiring out other moveables |13,503
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Other printing and publishing |15,000
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Other printing and publishing |12,561
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Production and distribution of electricity |15,000
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Plastics packaging products |14,546
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Engineers' small tools |8,600
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Other printing and publishing |1,000
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Electronic data processing equipment |15,000
Innovation |Dunfermline |Computer services |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Mechanical lifting and handling equipment |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Electronic equipment not elsewhere
| specified |11,250
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Radio and electronic capital goods |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Alarms and signalling equipment |24,971
Period in which offer accepted: 1 October 1992 to 31 March 1993
Investment |Dunfermline |Medical and surgical equipment |11,250
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Bread and flour confectionery |10,050
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Other wholesale distribution |15,000
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Production and distribution of electricity |15,000
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Finished metal products not elsewhere
| specified |15,000
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Compressors and fluid power equipment |15,000
Innovation |Dunfermline |Medical and surgical equipment |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Alarms and signalling equipment |22,659
eriod in which offer accepted: 1 April 1993 to 30 September 1993
Investment |Dunfermline |Retail distribution of books, stationery, etc. |6,409
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Finished metal products not elsewhere
| specified |9,677
Innovation |Dunfermline |Electronic data processing equipment |25,000
Innovation |Dunfermline |Telegraph, telephone apparatus |25,000
Innovation |Dunfermline |Refrigerating and ventilating equipment |25,000
Innovation |Dunfermline |Wholesale distribution of machinery, etc. |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Other industrial and commercial machinery |25,000
Period in which offer accepted: 1 October 1993 to 31 March 1994
Investment |Dunfermline |Computer services |15,000
Investment |Dunfermline |General construction/demolition work |15,000
Investment |Dunfermline |Finished metal products not elsewhere specified |1,733
Investment |Dunfermline |Installation of fixtures and fittings |3,747
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Professional and technical services not elsewhere
| specified |11,250
Innovation |Dundee |Measuring and checking instruments |25,000
Innovation |Dunfermline |Alarms and signalling equipment |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Computer services |22,800
Period in which offer accepted: 1 April 1993 to 23 June 1994
Investment |Kirkcaldy |Wooden containers |12,559
Innovation |Dunfermline |Optical precision instruments |25,000
Innovation |Kirkcaldy |Sports goods |25,000
Skin Cancer
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have died from skin cancer in Scotland in each year since 1979.
Mr. Stewart [holding answer 28 June 1994] : The information is given in the table :
| Next Section
| Home Page |