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Child Care Facilities
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6455]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The Scottish Office provides child care facilities for its employees in two workplace nurseries. The first nursery opened in 1992 and 12 full-time places were made available. In 1995 we opened the second, which offers an additional 36 full-time places. At present, 63 employees use these facilities on a full and part-time basis. We do not hold statistics about the cumulative number of staff using the facilities each year.
Mental Health Guidance
Dr. Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to issue the revised code of practice for the guidance of medical practitioners and others in accordance with the requirements of the Mental Health Act (Scotland) 1984, referred to in his answer of 24 May 1995, Official Report, column 638; and which persons and organisations are being consulted. [6660]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: A revision of the current code of practice is now about to begin. This will take account of experience of recent legislation, including the new provisions relating to community care orders introduced by the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995. There will be wide consultations with all relevant interests, including voluntary and professional organisations, before the new code is laid before Parliament.
Beaufort's Dyke
Mr. Gallie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the outcome of the recent survey work at Beaufort's dyke. [7162]
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Copies of the final survey report produced by the Scottish Office marine laboratory at Aberdeen have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses today. The report confirms that there is no evidence of munitions having an adverse effect on the quality of the marine environment, or the living resources that it supports. It also confirms the results of the earlier survey which found that concentrations of munitions had been deposited outwith the Beaufort's dyke munitions disposal area. The main results of the survey are as follows:
The levels of heavy metals throughout the survey area were within the ranges reported in sea bed sediments from other Scottish coastal areas, and similar to the levels previously reported in sediments from the Irish sea.
There was no evidence of the chemical warfare agents phosgene or mustard gas. Analysis for munition-related determinands confirmed that the samples did not contain nitroglycerine, 2,4,6 trinitrotoluene, RDX or tetryl.
Analysis of the edible flesh of commercially exploited fish and shellfish samples confirmed that the levels of heavy metals were within prescribed public health standards.
Analysis of the edible flesh of commercially exploited fish and shellfish species collected from the northern end of the Beaufort's dyke trench confirmed that the samples did not contain nitroglycerine, 2,4,6, trinitrotoluene, RDX or tetryl.
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- Side-scan sonar, underwater television and pulse induction surveys confirmed that the centre of distribution of dumped munitions and munitions-related materials is located within, and immediately adjacent to, the north-east sector of the Beaufort's dyke explosives disposal site.
Low to high densities of dumped munitions, munitions-related materials and unidentified man-made debris were found in areas outside the charted explosives disposal ground.
The presence of low to high densities of dumped munitions, munitions-related materials and unidentified man-made debris at a number of discrete points in the area crossed by the proposed routing corridor for submarine electricity cables linking Scotland and Northern Ireland was confirmed.
Dumped munitions and munitions-related materials were not found in the area crossed by the submarine gas pipeline installed between Wigtown bay and the Republic of Ireland.
The hydrographer of the Navy will arrange for the relevant Admiralty charts to be updated as appropriate. Government Departments with regulatory responsibilities for marine engineering works will take full account of the survey's findings.
Scottish Natural Heritage
Mr. Gallie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will respond to the recommendations of the joint study group report which examined Scottish Natural Heritage; and if he will make a statement. [7163]
Mr. Kynoch: The report of the joint study group which examined Scottish Natural Heritage made a number of recommendations relating to its remit and operation. The most significant of these was that a revised statement of aims and objectives should be prepared for SNH. The statement, "Natural Priorities", has been published today. Copies are available in the Library of the House. A number of other recommendations were also made and have been considered. Those recommendations concerned with SNH's expenditure commitments and priorities will be taken into account during the Government's annual public expenditure survey. The recommendation that the joint study report should be the starting point for part 2 of the quinquennial review of SNH in 1997 will be addressed nearer the time of the quinquennial review itself. The remainder of the recommendations have been addressed, either in "Natural Priorities" itself or within SNH's own recently completed review of decision-making processes and organisational structures.
NATIONAL HERITAGE
National Lottery (Northern Ireland)
Ms Mowlam: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what is the average amount of money spent per week on the national lottery in Northern Ireland (a) overall and (b) per capita; [3842]
- (2) what is the average amount of money spent per week on the national lottery in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland, (i) overall and (ii) per capita. [3844]
Mr. Sproat: This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have, therefore, asked the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Library of the House.
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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Computers
Mr. Hoon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many lines of computer code there are in his Department's computer systems. [5523]
Mr. Hanley: Most of my Department's computer code is contained in commercially obtained software applications, operated under licence. The number of lines of such code is known only to suppliers.
We estimate that our bespoke software contains up to 10 million lines of code. We are analysing this to determine how much will be affected by the century date change, and the cost involved.
Mr. Hoon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many separate computer programs his Department operates. [5522]
Mr. Hanley:
The diplomatic wing and the Overseas Development Administration use a total of 326 software applications; at least 90 per cent. are based on commercial packages, which are regularly replaced as new versions become available.
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the United States draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples; and if he will make a statement. [5820]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor:
We are aware of public and parliamentary interest in this draft declaration. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has answered questions in the House and letters from colleagues on the matter.
Ms Church:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 November, Official Report, column 20, what were the proposed annual savings for the 12 IT projects in the bands above and including £1 million to £2 million undertaken since 1992; and what have been the realised annual savings. [6709]
Mr. Hanley:
Investment is agreed only if it represents value for money. This can include cash savings and additional costs avoided, which are quantifiable, and quality improvements, which are not.
Quantifiable annual savings expected were £23.2 million largely in additional costs avoided rather than cash. Three projects are finished. but have not been operational long enough for full savings to be realised.
Ms Church:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 November, Official Report, column 20, what are the proposed annual savings for the seven IT projects in the £1 million to £2 million band planned for 1997-98. [6708]
28 Nov 1996 : Column: 343
Mr. Hanley:
Planning of these projets is still at an early stage and expected savings have not yet been fully quantified.
Mrs. Roche:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6452]
Mr. Hanley:
This Department provides 38 nursery places for children aged from three months to five years. In addition, holiday playschemes are available during school holidays. In 1992, we provided 26 nursery places and additional holiday playscheme facilities.
The number of staff who used both types of child care facilities between 1992 and November 1996 is:
| Year | Number of staff |
|---|---|
| 1992 | (11)34 |
| 1993 | 136 |
| 1994 | (11)142 |
| 1995 | 164 |
| 1996 | 155 |
(11) Does not include figure for ODA.
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