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Judicial Reviews
Ms Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each Parliamentary session since 1994-95; and if he will list in how many cases (a) the Department's decision was upheld, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [7845]
Mr. McLeish: During Session 1994-95, 10 decisions were challenged by judicial review in the Court of Session; and (a) four decisions were upheld by the Court; (b) and (c) the Court did not find for the applicant in any case; and (d) none were appealed by the Department. Of the remaining six cases, four judicial review petitions were withdrawn and two are yet to be decided by the Court.
During Session 1995-96, 10 decisions were challenged by judicial review in the Court of Session; and (a) five decisions were upheld by the Court; (b) and (c) one decision was not defended by the Secretary of State and accordingly the judicial review petition was successful;
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and (d) none were appealed by the Department. Of the remaining four cases, three judicial review petitions were withdrawn and one has yet to be decided by the Court.
During Session 1996-97, four decisions were challenged by judicial review in the Court of Session; and (a) one decision was upheld by the Court; (b) and (c) one decision was settled in such a way that the judicial review petition was successful; and (d) none were appealed by the Department. Of the remaining two cases, two are yet to be decided by the Court.
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions since 1994-95 legislation has been introduced by the Department (a) to remove effects of judicial review decisions and (b) to implement them. [7844]
Mr. McLeish:
On no occasion since 1994-95 has legislation been introduced by the Scottish Office (a) to remove the effects of judicial review decisions and (b) to implement them.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were convicted of (a) murder and (b) manslaughter in each year since 1967; and in each case what proportion this represented of the population. [8126]
Mr. McLeish:
The following table sets out the number of persons with a charge proved for a main charge of murder and common law culpable homicide in Scotland in each of the years 1967 to 1995. Convictions for statutory culpable homicide (causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs) are excluded from the table.
(6) Persons aged 8 and over.
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Catholics (Education)
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on what guarantees have been given to the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland in relation to the devolution proposals on the right of Catholics to a separate education enshrined in the 1918 Act. [8135]
Mr. McLeish [holding answer 11 July 1997]: The Government's detailed proposals, including those for education, will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper.
Departmental Budgets
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if, following the recent Budget, he will give his estimate of the total real level of his Department's budget, in 1995-96 prices, in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 1998-99; if he will estimate what such figures were for (1) 1997-98 and (2) 1998-99 following the November 1996 Budget on the basis of the estimates of the GDP deflator contained in that Budget; and if he will make a statement. [8299]
Mr. Dewar [holding answer 14 July 1997]: The figures requested for my Department's spending plans within the Control Total are as follows: (a) £13,578 million (b) £13,475 million (1) £13,707 million (2) £13,523 million.
In addition Scotland will benefit from part of the expenditure outside the Control Total which was announced in the Budget, for Welfare to Work and spending under the Capital Receipts Initiative.
Mr. Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new plans he has to introduce cuts and savings in his Department as a result of the effect on his Department's budgets for 1997-98 and 1998-99 of the upward revisions to the GDP deflators in the Budget on 2 July; and if he will make a statement. [8300]
Mr. Dewar
[holding answer 14 July 1997]: All Departments are reallocating spending within their Departmental ceilings as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Mr. Connarty:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Home Office ministers regarding the contents of the planned bill relating to crime and disorder. [6698]
Mr. McLeish:
There is regular contact between the two Departments, at both Ministerial and official level, on this and other matters of mutual interest.
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In Scotland we have announced our commitment to introducing Community Safety Orders, after proper consultation with the relevant agencies, and to consulting on the introduction of new offences of racial harassment and racially motivated violence.
Mr. Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to review the Barnett formula in the event of a Welsh Assembly being created. [8493]
Mr. Ron Davies:
The Government believes that the Barnett formula has played a very important part in the allocation of public expenditure. I shall set out the financial arrangements for the proposed Welsh Assembly fully in the White Paper.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what mechanisms other than the White Paper and its summary information relating to the Welsh Assembly will be disseminated prior to the Referendum; and if he will make a statement. [8587]
Mr. Davies:
A telephone helpline will be established to answer queries from the public about the Government's proposals. In addition, I am considering making available summary information on particular aspects of the Government's proposals.
Mr. Opik:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's funding for Welsh sport in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97 and (c) 1997-98. [8431]
Mr. Ron Davies:
Central Government funding for Welsh sport is channelled through the Sports Council for Wales. Welsh Office grant in aid to the Council over the three years has been as follows:
The Sports Council also receives income from the National Lottery as the body responsible for distributing Lottery proceeds to sport in Wales. Since the Council started distributing Lottery grants in April 1995 almost £24 million has been awarded to support 246 projects throughout Wales.
1995-96: £6.624 million
1996-97: £6.624 million
1997-98: £6.596 million.
Obesity
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new initiatives his Department is planning in respect of obesity; and if he will make a statement. [8743]
Win Griffiths: Action in pursuit of the new Health Gain Targets for Wales published on 11 June 1997 is likely to include programmes to reduce the incidence of obesity.
In addition, the Health Promotion Authority for Wales' current strategic framework provides specifically for work to be undertaken to combat obesity by increasing physical activity in both adults and children and encouraging healthy eating in the population.
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