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Beef Premium Claims
Mr. Terry Lewis: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken to recover overpayments of aid to beef producers based on premium claims in 1996. [2690]
Dr. John Cunningham:
Regulation (EC) No.1357/96, the subject of Explanatory Memorandum 7811/96 of 3 June 1996, was cleared by the Select Committee on European Legislation on 5 June 1996 and adopted by the Council of Ministers on 8 July 1996. It contained a range of special measures to assist beef producers and included provision for supplementary payments to producers pro rata to their entitlement to subsidies under the Beef Special Premium and Suckler Cow Premium schemes in the 1996 scheme years. Provisional payments could however be based on 1995 claims so as to provide urgent financial support. At the time of payment if was made clear to producers that adjustment would follow to reflect
5 Jun 1997 : Column: 229
the position relating to 1996 subsidy claims. Beef producers who are being paid these subsidies on fewer animals in 1996 than in 1995 will be required to repay the supplement relating to the difference in numbers. Wherever possible, such overpayments will be deducted from balance payments due under the 1996 beef schemes. All monies recovered under this exercise will be re-distributed to those beef producers who qualified for subsidies on more animals in the 1996 scheme years than in 1995.
Departmental Computer Systems
Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1242]
Mr. Dewar: A year 2000 project compliance programme is underway within The Scottish Office with the objective of identifying and ensuring the correct operation of all critical systems by 31 December 1998.
Disability
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [1676]
Mr. Galbraith: I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on 4 June 1997.
I will ensure that the views of disability organisations in Scotland are sought during the consultation process and that policies, including the definition of disability, are developed in partnership with interested parties.
Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the value of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments (a) in the last financial year and (b) in 1993. [1372]
Mr. Chisholm: The total value of Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance (HLCA) payments made in Scotland for (a) and (b) above was as follows:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| (a) 1996-97 financial year | 40.131 |
| (b) 1993 calendar year | 50.862 |
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| Scheme year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 £ | 1996 £ | 1997 £ | |
| Severely disadvantaged LFA land | |||
| Non-HIE | |||
| Specially qualified flock | 6.50 | 5.75 | 5.75 |
| Qualified flock | 3.60 | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Hill cow | 63.30 | 47.50 | 97.50 |
| HIE | |||
| Specially qualified flock | 7.14 | 6.39 | 6.39 |
| Qualified flock | 3.60 | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Hill cow | |||
| 'A' grade land | 66.35 | 50.55 | 103.76 |
| 'B' grade land | 74.89 | 59.09 | 121.29 |
| 'C' grade land | 79.16 | 63.36 | (4)130.05 |
| Disadvantaged LFA land | |||
| Sheep | 2.86 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Cow | 31.65 | 23.75 | 69.75 |
(4)Awaiting EU approval.
Highlands and Islands University
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what initiatives he plans to progress the development of a Highlands and Islands university; and what funding will be given by the Scottish Office. [1373]
Mr. Wilson: Good progress has already been made towards the creation of a University of the Highlands and Islands. Planned provision for the UHI Project in 1997-98 is £5 million. This is in addition to the £1.3 million which was made available last year. I shall keep under review the general requirements for the Project in future taking account of any implications arising from the report of the Dearing Committee on Higher Education when it is published.
Consultant Post Vacancies
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vacancies for consultants there are in the NHS in Scotland; how many of these posts have been vacant for six months or more; and if he will indicate these per NHS trust. [1374]
Mr. Galbraith: The latest available information is contained in the table:
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Mrs. Ewing:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown, by specialist field, of the current vacancies for consultants in the NHS in Scotland. [1375]
5 Jun 1997 : Column: 232
Mr. Galbraith:
The latest available information is contained in the table:
| Specialty | All vacancies |
|---|---|
| Accident and Emergency | 10 |
| Anaesthetics | 27 |
| Haematology | 2 |
| Histopathology | 1 |
| Dermatology | 2 |
| Cardiology | 3 |
| Endocrinology and diabetes | 1 |
| Gastroenterology | 4 |
| General medicine | 2 |
| Nephrology | 3 |
| Respiratory medicine | 1 |
| Rheumatology | 1 |
| Genito-urinary medicine | 1 |
| Geriatric medicine | 4 |
| Medical paediatrics | 7 |
| Neurology | 2 |
| Palliative medicine | 1 |
| Rehabilitation medicine | 5 |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 7 |
| Occupation health | 2 |
| Child and adolescent psychiatry | 8 |
| Forensic psychiatry | 1 |
| General psychiatry | 32 |
| Mental handicap | 5 |
| Old age psychiatry | 7 |
| Psychotherapy | 1 |
| Diagnostic radiology | 12 |
| ENT surgery | 5 |
| General surgery | 8 |
| Ophthalmology | 5 |
| Orthopaedic surgery | 10 |
| Plastic surgery | 2 |
| Urology | 6 |
| Oral surgery | 1 |
| Orthodontics | 2 |
| Restorative dentistry | 1 |
| 192 |
New Homes (Energy Rating)
Mr. Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has, and over what time scale, to include in the Building Standards Scotland Regulations a standard assessment procedure for the energy rating of new homes. [2094]
Mr. Chisholm: The Scottish Office Development Department is preparing amendments to the Building Standards Regulations which will include a revision of Part J, Conservation of Fuel and Power. The revision will require the Government standard assessment procedure energy rating to be calculated for all new dwellings and for all dwellings created by conversion. The amending Statutory Instrument will be laid in July or August to come into force three months later.
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