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Nuclear Co-operation (France)
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions were held on co-ordinating the patrols of Trident and the French Triomphant submarines at the Anglo-French summit in Bordeaux. [3616]
Mr. Soames: No such discussions were held.
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of occasions in the last four years that members of the French armed forces have visited the United Kingdom to discuss the furtherance of nuclear co-operation. [3604]
Mr. Soames: Members of the French armed forces regularly visit the United Kingdom to discuss matters related to defence nuclear co-operation.
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the number of occasions in the last four years that representatives or contractors of the Delegation Generale pour l'Armement, and the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique have visited the atomic weapons establishments at Aldermaston, Burghfield, Cardiff and Foulness; [3606]
- (2) if he will list the number of occasions in the last four years that representatives or contractors of the Delegation Generale pour l'Armement, and the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique have visited the United Kingdom to discuss the furtherance of nuclear co-operation. [3605]
Mr. Soames: There have been 28 visits by representatives or contractors of the DGA and CEA to UK atomic weapon establishments in the period. There have also been four visits by French officials to the UK for discussions on nuclear technical and scientific matters.
Armed Forces (Beef)
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 31 October, Official Report, column 195, for what reasons British frozen beef is not readily available for use by the armed forces. [3821]
Mr. Arbuthnot: For commercial reasons the British market deals predominantly in fresh beef.
13 Nov 1996 : Column: 221
SCOTLAND
Ministerial Visit
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the purpose of the visit by the Under-Secretary of State, the Earl of Lindsay, to Middleshot square, Prestonpans, on 6 November. [3411]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 11 November 1996]: My noble Friend visited Prestonpans on 6 November to see at first hand the damage to the homes in Middleshot square and the efforts of the local authority and emergency services in dealing with the situation. He also took the opportunity to visit Preston Lodge school, where the local authority had provided rest centre facilities for the families who had been evacuated from their homes.
Earth Tremors (Musselburgh)
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many earth tremors have been recorded in the Musselburgh area in recent weeks; what was the magnitude of the tremors; and if he will make a statement on possible connections with current and historic coal mining operations in the neighbourhood. [3086]
Mr. Kynoch: The British Geological Survey reported on 6 November that 79 tremors have been detected in the Musselburgh area; 19 of which have been recorded as being felt by residents. The tremors have been of varying magnitude; the largest, with a magnitude of 2 on the Richter scale, was recorded on 25 October. Precise records of old workings in the area do not exist. It is difficult therefore to determine precisely the relationship between the tremors and previous and current mining operations. However, in the 25 years of the British Geological Survey's seismic monitoring programme, there have been no reports of structural damage or injuries caused by mining-induced earthquakes.
Research and Development
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those companies which have established plants in Scotland in each of the past 10 years which have created research and development centres within those plants. [3210]
Mr. Kynoch: Information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Child Witnesses
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many cases at (a) the High Court and (b) the sheriff court have been abandoned because of the inability of child witnesses to give evidence in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement; [3211]
- (2) in respect of how many cases at (a) the High Court and (b) the sheriff court closed circuit television has been employed in the examination of child witnesses in each of the past four years; [3212]
(3) if he will list the courts which (a) currently have closed circuit television and (b) are to have such equipment installed within the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [3213]
13 Nov 1996 : Column: 222
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: Statistics regarding the abandonment of such cases are not available, but indications are that the numbers are not substantial. A range of measures contribute to this. To assist those children whom it is anticipated may have difficulty giving evidence in a conventional court setting, applications may be made before the trial for the use of screens, closed circuit television or evidence on commission. Since 1 April 1996, prior statements of witnesses, including children, may be admissible in terms of the new exceptions to the hearsay rule contained in sections 259 to 262 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. There have been a number of instances where prosecutors have had recourse to these provisions, which allow for the introduction of prior statements by a child, providing at the time a statement was made, the child would have been a competent witness.
CCTV has been employed in the examination of child witnesses on the following occasions:
| Year | Sheriff Court cases | High Court cases |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 2 | 5 |
| 1994 | 6 | 5 |
| 1995 | 6 | 5 |
| 1996 (to 30 September) | 0 | 6 |
CCTV equipment is available in the High Court in Edinburgh and in each sheriffdom. It can be made available for all High Court sittings at which it is required. For the sheriff courts, equipment is based at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Aberdeen, Airdrie and Falkirk sheriff courts. Installation of CCTV equipment is included in the plans for the refurbishment of the High Court buildings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Extra-contractual Referrals
Mr. Chisholm: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to simplify the procedure for extra-contractual referrals; and when he plans to implement them. [3518]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: Measures to simplify the procedures for extra-contractual referrals were introduced on 1 October 1996. From that date, it is no longer necessary for NHS trusts to notify purchasers in advance of emergency and tertiary extra-contractual referrals, unless a patient's stay is expected to exceed 28 days or where the costs are likely to be in excess of £6,000. Similar procedures have been introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We will consult the health service in Scotland about any future proposals further to simplify the procedure for extra-contractual referrals.
13 Nov 1996 : Column: 223
TREASURY
Cross-channel Shopping
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the loss of (a) excise and (b) VAT revenue during the last 12 months due to consumers crossing the English channel to avoid United Kingdom taxation on (i) alcohol, (ii) cigarettes and tobacco and (iii) perfumes; what is the equivalent figure for the previous 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [2787]
Mr. Oppenheim: Customs' latest estimate of excise duty and VAT revenues lost from legitimate personal importation of duty-paid alcohol and tobacco products is for the calendar year 1995, and is given in the table. Equivalent figures for calendar year 1994 are given in brackets.
| Product type | Excise duty | VAT | Total revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol products | 145 (145) | 65 (60) | 210 (205) |
| Tobacco products | 65 (55) | 15 (15) | 80 (70) |
| Total | 210 (200) | 80 (75) | 290 (275) |
Figures have been independently rounded to £5 million. Figures assume that 50 per cent. of alcohol purchased is additional consumption.
| Product type | Excise duty | VAT | Total revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol products | 145 | 65 | 210 |
| Tobacco products | 445 | 115 | 560 |
| Total | 590 | 180 | 770 |
Figures have been independently rounded to £5 million.
There is no official estimate of revenue losses from cross-border shopping in perfumes.
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