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Railways (Advice Costs)
Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his current estimate of the cost in 1996-97 of bought in advice for (a) the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and (b) the Office of the Rail Regulator. [15404]
Mr. Watts:
My current estimate of these costs is (a) £32.2 million and (b) £1.2 million.
11 Feb 1997 : Column: 131
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the preferred bidder for the west coast main line franchise. [14896]
Mr. Watts:
The franchising director announced the choice of the Virgin Rail Group as the preferred bidder on 7 February.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the west coast main line franchise to be let. [14895]
Mr. Watts:
The franchising director's target date for the commencement of franchised operations is March 1997.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the passenger service requirements for the west coast main line franchise; what plans he has for the modernisation of the line; and if he will make a statement. [14897]
Mr. Watts:
The franchising director published the passenger service requirement on 11 February. He has entered into an infrastructure investment agreement with Railtrack which will allow for the operation of tilting trains and dramatically reduced journey times from 2002. This route represents an excellent opportunity for all parties. There are strong commercial incentives for the franchisee and Railtrack to build on it and develop an efficient, fast and competitive railway.
Mr. Chidgey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to seek to amend the European Commission's current proposals in its emissions 2000 directive, so as to ensure that the tools and electronic codes relating to on-board diagnostics for motor vehicles are available to members of the public; and what information he has as to the public availability of such codes in other OECD countries. [15156]
Mr. Bowis:
The Government are seeking to ensure that all diagnostic fault codes, electronic communication protocols and connector sockets are standardised to enable interrogation by standard off-board instruments used by the repair industry. We are working closely with other member states and the Commission to achieve this objective.
There is general agreement between member states that the fault codes should be based on a new ISO standard which will be publicly available. This standard is in turn based on a Society of Automotive Engineers standard which is already generally available in the United States.
Mr. Harvey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to increase the number of emergency towing vessels which patrol the southern English coast. [15001]
Mr. Bowis:
The Coastguard agency has no plans to increase the number of emergency towing vessels which patrol this length of coast.
11 Feb 1997 : Column: 132
Mr. Lewis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the DSS allowances which qualify the recipients for vehicle excise duty exemption. [14388]
Mr. Bowis:
The following DSS allowances currently qualify for vehicle excise duty exemption:
In the case of 2(b) and 3, however, only where the application for exemption was approved before 13 October 1993, and in the case of 3, only to those unable or virtually unable to walk.
1. War pensioners mobility supplement;
2. Disability living allowance--
a. for recipients of the higher rate of the mobility component;
b. in respect of the care component;
3. Attendance allowance.
Parkhead Hospital
Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he plans to respond to the recent report of the Scottish health advisory service on Parkhead hospital; and if he will make a statement. [13212]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The Greater Glasgow health board and the Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services NHS trust have developed a comprehensive action plan to address the issues highlighted in the SHAS report. Many of the required service improvements had been addressed by the trust before the report was published. The health board is monitoring progress on all the recommendations.
Mr. Ian Dutton
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on its contract with Thompson Partners in relation to the eventual recruitment of Mr. Ian Dutton; and what is the projected expenditure on the contract. [14151]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson [holding answer 5 February 1997]: Five thousand pounds was paid to Thompson Partners in respect of its work to identify persons who might be suitable to carry out the consultancy relating to self-governing schools matters.
The projected expenditure on this consultancy is between £30,000 and £45,000.
Skye Toll Bridge
Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has issued a report in respect of the Skye toll bridge in accordance with section 41 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991; and if he will make a statement. [14627]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
Yes. Reports were laid before the House on 16 July 1992, 20 July 1993 and 28 June 1996.
11 Feb 1997 : Column: 133
Mr. Macdonald:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the crofting townships which have applied to plant woodland on common grazing in each year since 1992, indicating in each case the number of hectares. [14644]
Mr. Kynoch
[holding answer 6 February 1997]: The townships which have applied to plant woodland are listed. Not all of these areas have been approved for grants.
| Township/common grazing | Area |
|---|---|
| (hectares) | |
| 1993 | |
| None | |
| 1994 | |
| Allt-Nan-Subh | 59 |
| Camusluinie 1 | 72 |
| Marybank/Maryhill | 15 |
| Sandwick (East Street) | 100 |
| Scallasaig | 49 |
| Tong/Aird | 114 |
| 1995 | |
| Borve/Annishader | 20 |
| Calligary | 10 |
| Camusluinie 2 | 48 |
| Culvid Wood | 30 |
| Doire-Aonar | 52 |
| Galson | 30 |
| Kylerhea | 6 |
| Sandwick (North Street) | 100 |
| Toscaig | 122 |
| 1996 | |
| Achorn | 4 |
| Allt-Nan-Subh | 59 |
| Ardmore | 16 |
| Ardvourlie | 100 |
| Backies | 64 |
| Borve and Annishadder 2 | 64 |
| Creag Dharaich | 167 |
| Heather Parks | 20 |
| Feorlig | 100 |
| Fideach | 10 |
| Garrabost and New Garrabost | 74 |
| Glen | 25 |
| Luskentyre | 4 |
| Penifiler | 6 |
| Upper Coll | 100 |
| Strathcannaird | 9 |
| Vatten | 61 |
| 1997 (to date) | |
| Camusluinie 3 | 25 |
| Halladale | 6 |
| Laxay | 48 |
| Loch Crocach | 136 |
| Melbost and Branahuie | 65 |
| Modsarie | 9 |
| Satran | 3 |
| Scoraig | 104 |
| Shieldaig | 1 |
| Tarvie | 155 |
Mr. Macdonald:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of Government grant paid to support woodland planting on common grazing in crofting townships in each year since 1992. [14643]
11 Feb 1997 : Column: 134
Mr. Kynoch
[holding answer 6 February 1997]: The information is set out in the table:
| Year ending 31 March | Grants paid (£000) |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Nil |
| 1994 | 106 |
| 1995 | 106 |
| 1996 | 260 |
| 1997 (to date) | 309 |
Algrade Trust
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make the Scottish Charities Office report on the affairs of the Algrade Trust available for inspection by legal representatives of the families of residents formerly at the Humbie home. [14938]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: I refer the hon. Member to the Adjournment debate on 3 February 1997 before the Scottish Grand Committee, Official Report, Scottish Grand Committee, 3 February 1997, columns 41-50. It is not the practice of the Crown Office to make public reports on confidential inquiries into charities for the reasons set out in that speech.
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what payments have been made by the Algrade Trust to Lothian regional council or the East Lothian council for repairs, redecoration and furnishing at Wedderburn house at Inveresk. [14940]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: This information is not known to the Charities Office and was not necessary for the purposes of the investigation. It is a matter for the present trustees.
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the plans of the Algrade Trust for the application of its £1.2 million accumulated profit. [14942]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: These funds are already being used to fund the facilities at Wedderburn. The detailed application of funds is a matter for the present trustees.
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the properties bequeathed to the Algrade Trust, or to one or more individual trustees of that body, by residents or relatives of residents who were at the Humbie home. [14937]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: I am advised by my noble Friend the Lord Advocate that there are no known heritable properties which have been bequeathed to the Algrade Trust or to one or more individual trustees of that body by residents or relatives of residents who were at the Humbie home.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what payments have been made by the Algrade Trust to the Church of Scotland board of social responsibility for the care of residents at and from the Humbie home in 1995 and 1996. [14939]
11 Feb 1997 : Column: 135
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
This information is not known to the Charities Office and was not necessary for the purposes of the investigation. It is a matter for the present trustees.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what profits were generated by the Algrade Trust in each year between 1969 and 1995. [14941]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The accumulated surplus income over expenditure is £1.2 million, as explained in my speech at the Adjournment debate. The further information sought is not readily available and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost. The information comes within the confidentiality of the investigation.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the instances of maladministration at the Algrade Trust which have been identified by the Scottish Charities Office. [14926]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The accounts were not up to the standard required by the supervision legislation. There was an inability on the part of the trustees to cope with management responsibilities owing to their advancing years. The trustees had the benefit of remuneration from the trust. There was a reluctance over many years to work with the supervisory social work department.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision has been made by the Algrade Trust for residents from the Humbie home following their transfer to the care of the Church of Scotland board of social responsibility. [14927]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The responsibility for the residents remains with the Algrade Trust and not with the Church of Scotland board of social responsibility, which acts as the agent of the Algrade Trust in the day-to-day management of the premises and is paid for its services.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the charitable works and responsibilities undertaken by the Algrade Trust since the beginning of 1996. [14928]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The charitable works and responsibilities of the trust remain as they have always been. That is principally the provision of care for residents.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown of the staffing costs of the Algrade Trust of £2.2 million from 1969 to 1995 to show the number of staff and the expenditure in each year expressed in total and per resident. [14929]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The information comes within the confidentiality of the investigation. The information is not readily available and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown of the food and household costs of the Algrade Trust of £0.8 million between 1969 and 1995 to show the expenditure each year expressed in total and per resident. [14930]
11 Feb 1997 : Column: 136
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The information comes within the confidentiality of the investigation. The information is not readily available and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown of the property maintenance costs of the Algrade Trust of £0.86 million between 1969 and 1995 to show the expenditure in each year expressed in total and per resident. [14931]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The information is not readily available and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost. The information comes within the confidentiality of the investigation.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown of the transport and administration costs of the Algrade Trust of £1.2 million between 1969 and 1995 to show the expenditure each year expressed in total and per resident.[14932]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The information comes within the confidentiality of the investigation. The information is not readily available and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown of the spending of the Algrade Trust of £0.24 million on pocket money for residents between 1969 and 1995 to show the expenditure in each year expressed in total and per resident. [14933]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
The information is not readily available and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost. The information comes within the confidentiality of the investigation.
Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the 14 properties acquired by the former Algrade trustees, giving (a) the dates of acquisition and purchase prices, (b) where relevant, the dates of disposal and sale price, and (c) the valuation in 1996 of those still owned by the trust. [14934]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
There were 13 properties purchased by the trustees. A further property, the Good Templar hall, known as the Gospel hall, was a gift. The value of these properties in 1996 is not known. So far as the 14 properties referred to in the Adjournment debate are concerned, the dates of acquisitions and purchase prices and the dates of disposal and sale are set out in the following schedule:
| Date of property | Date of acquisition | Price | Sale | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 9 Upper Keith Cottage, Humbie | 18 May 1979 | £18,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2. 1-2 Cockburn Square, Pathhead | 28 October 1983 | £36,000 | 2 June 1990 | £36,000 |
| 3. Browseat (Maranatha), Humbie | 2 December 1983 | £46,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 4. Good Templar Hall, Pathhead (known as The Gospel Hall) | 20 April 1984 | No consideration | 16 June 1990 | No consideration |
| 5. Algrade school | 21 September 1988 | £300,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 6. 10 Upper Keith Cottage, Humbie | Constructed by Algrade Trust | Not applicable | 21 July 1989 | £26,000 |
| 7. 11 Upper Keith Cottage, Humbie | Constructed by Algrade Trust | Not applicable | 21 July 1989 | £26,000 |
| 8. 29 Oxenfoord Drive, Pathhead | 4 June 1990 | £99,500 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 9. 44 Main Street, Pathhead | 10 December 1992 | £67,162 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 10. 46 Main Street, Pathhead | 10 December 1992 | £67,162 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 11. 34 Main Street, Pathhead | 16 March 1993 | £17,500 | 1993--No disposition followed conclusion of missives, although the price was paid | £17,500 |
| 12. 1 Chapel Close, Pathhead | 12 October 1994 | £110,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 13. 40 Main Street, Pathhead | 25 November 1994 | £69,500 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 14. 42 Main Street, Pathhead | 25 November 1994 | £69,500 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
11 Feb 1997 : Column: 137
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on property transactions between the Algrade Trust and trustees of that body, showing the date of conveyance and the price received or paid for each property. [14935]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: In the first five undernoted transactions, the trust transferred the properties to the trustees. In the final case, the property was acquired by the trust by way of gift:
| Property | Date | Price |
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| 10 Upper Keith Cottage, Humbie | 21 July 1989 | 26,000 |
| 11 Upper Keith Cottage, Humbie | 21 July 1989 | 26,000 |
| 1/2 Cockburn Square, Pathhead | 2 June 1990 | 36,000 |
| 34 Main Street, Pathhead 1993(5) | £17,500 | -- |
| The Good Templar Hall, Pathhead | 16 June 1990 | No consideration |
| Copsewood, Shore Road, Tighnabruaich | 30 October 1974 | No consideration |
(5) No disposition followed conclusion of missives although the price was paid.
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the value of the property of the Algrade Trust at the former Humbie home; what conditions affecting the sale of that property are included in its title deeds; and if the trust has plans to sell it. [14936]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The current value of the property is not known. The sale of the property is a matter for the trustees. The exact conditions attached to sales are not readily available and cannot be ascertained except at disproportionate cost. They are contained within the title deeds of the property which are publicly available at the Registers of Scotland.
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