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Isocyanate Compounds
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to review the safety precautions for the use of isocyanate compounds; if he will instruct them to (a) review the use of isocyanate by Scottish Power employees in the depots in (i) Kilmarnock and (ii) Motherwell and (b) evaluate other recent experience and research; and if he will make a statement. [11927]
Sir Paul Beresford: Control of exposure to isocyanates is regulated by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988. These regulations are kept under constant review by the Health and Safety Executive. The HSE also produces guidance on implementing these regulations with respect to isocyanates.
In 1993 the HSE investigated a report of occupational asthma in an employee of Scottish Power in Motherwell. As a result, controls by Scottish Power were improved. A review of those controls at both the Kilmarnock and Motherwell depots by the HSE is currently under way.
The HSE's enforcement activities and links to industry and trade unions ensure that any new evidence and research is identified and addressed for any regulatory implication.
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Mr. Simon Coombs:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce the outcome of his recent consultation exercise on possible changes to the permitted development rights for satellite and other antennas. [12303]
Mr. Robert B. Jones:
Last year, we consulted on some possible minor amendments to the present rights to install satellite dishes and other antennas without the need to submit a planning application. The changes were intended to keep the legislation up to date with developments in telecommunications. They attracted considerable support and we have therefore decided to proceed with them.
The main change is bringing the permitted size of satellite dishes in the south and east of the country into line with the rest of the country. The slight increase in permitted dish size in the south and east will then enable householders in these areas to access more readily the choice of satellite channels currently enjoyed by the rest of the UK and allow the different satellite TV companies to compete on a more equal basis.
We will also be giving a new freedom to telephone users who wish to change to a radio fixed-link service enabling them to install a small antenna on their building--or two in the case of a large building. This will widen the choice of telephone services available to the consumer. And finally, there will be a new flexibility to install a satellite antenna rather than a terrestrial antenna on large buildings, helping businesses to communicate more easily.
These changes will increase consumer choice and promote further competition in the telecommunications industry, but will have a minimal impact on the appearance of towns and the countryside. Planning applications will continue to be required in a range of circumstances in conservation areas, national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty. We are now preparing the necessary order.
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what access (a) the public and (b) tenants are allowed to the minutes of housing associations; and if copies of those minutes are provided to Scottish Homes. [11330]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson:
The publication and circulation of minutes are matters for individual housing associations and practice varies between associations. As the regulating body for housing associations, Scottish Homes has access to minutes of association meetings and requires associations to provide copies of these for all meetings held in the six months prior to a monitoring visit.
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers Scottish Homes has to monitor the operation of housing associations in Scotland. [11331]
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Mr. Robertson:
The Housing Associations Act 1985 and the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 give Scottish Homes a range of regulatory responsibilities, including the maintenance of a register of housing associations and the supervision and control of registered housing associations in Scotland. Scottish Homes publishes an annual report of its monitoring activities.
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will request the registration and monitoring section in Scottish Homes to investigate delays by the Irvine Housing Association in giving its tenants membership of the association. [11703]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson:
Responsibility for the supervision and control of registered housing associations in Scotland lies with Scottish Homes. I have asked its chairman, Mr. John Ward, to investigate the matter and respond directly to the hon. Member.
I have asked to see a copy of the report.
Mr. Stewart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had concerning plans for the establishment of a Scottish science centre; and if he will make a statement. [11659]
Mr. George Kynoch:
My right hon. Friend and I have had various discussions on this matter. The Scottish Science Trust and the associated network of science centres are the subject of applications for funding by the Millennium Commission. Decisions on those applications are a matter for the commission.
Mrs. Ray Michie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the (a) profit-related pay and (b) bonus given to the chief executive of each Government research institution currently being considered under the prior options review in 1996 and 1995; and if he will make a statement. [11941]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson:
Prior option reviews were conducted on the five Scottish agricultural and biological research institutes--SABRIs--the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency--SASA--and the Scottish Office Fisheries Research Services--FRS.
The SABRIs are non-profit-making organisations. The pay of the directors is determined within the terms and conditions of service applying to staff at the institutes. Pay is performance-related but bonuses are not paid.
The SASA and FRS are parts of the Scottish Office. The pay of the directors of each is determined within the standard pay arrangements for the senior civil service and is neither profit-related nor in the form of a bonus.
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the alternative proposals for the funding of the East Ayrshire community hospital; what discussions have taken place between his Department and officers of the Ayrshire and Arran Community NHS trust about the plans; what
21 Jan 1997 : Column: 527
recommendations have been made to him by the trust; when he expects to decide on the proposals; and if he will make a statement. [11926]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
Further negotiations between the trust and the preferred private finance initiative bidder are currently under way and are covered by commercial confidentiality. Once the outcome of the negotiations is known an announcement will be made.
Mr. Stewart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will link the home fee status classification of students and the rules of eligibility that may be adopted for awards specified in the Education (Fees and Awards) (Scotland) Regulations 1983, as amended, to those who are settled in the United Kingdom under the immigration laws. [12351]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson:
Revised Education (Fees and Awards) (Scotland) Regulations will be laid before Parliament to consolidate the 1983 regulations. An amendment will be laid thereafter to the consolidated regulations to add a requirement of being settled in the United Kingdom under the immigration laws to the existing criteria for establishing a "relevant connection" for the purpose of student fee classifications by institutions and to the rules of candidate eligibility for certain awards which may be adopted under the regulations.
Mr. Spellar:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if her Department will assess the advantages of making millennium fund money available for preparations for the commemoration of the battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson. [10866]
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Miss Virginia Bottomley:
The Millennium Commission is currently inviting proposals for activities which will unite and inspire people throughout the United Kingdom in celebration of the millennium. A proposal to commemorate the battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson could be made in that context, although it would be for the commission to determine whether such a scheme was appropriate for its funding. It may also be possible for such a proposal to be put to the heritage lottery fund, which would assess it against its published criteria.
Mr. Rooker:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement in her capacity as Secretary of State on the role of public finance and management in the proposed London exhibition at Greenwich in 2000. [10766]
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
[holding answer 13 January 1997]: The exhibition at Greenwich will be a national exhibition, sited in London, forming the focal point of a national festival which will last throughout the year 2000. It will be funded by a combination of a national lottery grant from the Millennium Commission, private sector sponsorship and revenue generated by the exhibition itself.
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