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Local Government Elections
Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider postponing the third statutory review of local government electoral arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [11217]
Mr. Chisholm: Parliament has required the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland to review the electoral arrangements for all local government areas as soon as practicable after 1 April 1996. The Secretary of State has no power to postpone that review. The Secretary of State will, however, be giving very careful consideration to the proposals which the Local Government Boundary Commission make as a result of that review.
Keelylang Site of Special Scientific Interest
Mr. Wallace:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how long negotiations have been continuing between Scottish Natural Heritage and the owner of the land covering the Keelylang site of special scientific
31 Jul 1997 : Column: 602
interest, Orkney, regarding the conclusion of a management agreement in respect of the site of special scientific interest. [11842]
Mr. Chisholm:
I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he will ensure that legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament is compatible with European Union or other international obligations of the UK. [11808]
Mr. McLeish:
The Government's proposals are set out in paragraphs 4.18-4.21 of "Scotland's Parliament" --Cm 3658--in respect of international obligations and in paragraph 5.8 in respect of European Union obligations.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the distinction between the specification of (a) devolved and (b) reserved powers for the Scottish Parliament. [11810]
Mr. McLeish:
In order to ensure maximum clarity and stability, the Government have proposed that the legislation establishing the Scottish Parliament should list the matters to be reserved to the UK Parliament rather than specify devolved matters.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Ponsonby rule will be applied in the Scottish Parliament. [11807]
Mr. McLeish:
The Ponsonby rule applies to the ratification of international treaties. Since under the Government's proposals international relations would be reserved to Westminster, the Ponsonby rule would not apply to the business of the Scottish Parliament.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the role of the Lord Advocate in respect of advice given to (a) the Scottish Parliament and (b) the United Kingdom Parliament;[11798]
(3) if he will make a statement on the role and responsibilities of the Lord Advocate in respect of (a) law reform issues, (b) the Scottish prosecution service, (c) the administration of Scottish criminal matters in England and (d) the appointment of judges following the introduction of a Scottish Assembly. [11800]
Mr. McLeish:
I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Wallace:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to designate new special protection areas, declared under the EU birds directive, to protect (a) the hen harrier, (b) the golden plover and (c) the corncrake; and what percentage of the United
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Kingdom breeding population of each of these species is currently protected by special protection areas in Scotland. [11924]
Mr. Chisholm:
I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11891]
Mr. Donald Dewar:
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 10 July, Official Report, column 546.
Mr. Wallace:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what are the actual or estimated totals for Scottish Natural Heritage's expenditure on the operation of the sites of special scientific interest system in Scotland in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99; and what proportion of Scottish Natural Heritage's total expenditure these sums represent;[11843]
(3) what was the actual or estimated expenditure by Scottish Natural Heritage on its statutorily required nature conservation functions in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99. [11923]
Mr. Chisholm:
My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Mr. Wallace:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussion his Department has had with Scottish Natural Heritage regarding the negotiation of a management agreement in respect of the Keelylang site of special scientific interest in Orkney; and if he will make a statement. [11841]
Mr. Chisholm:
I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what mechanism will be used to ensure agreement between United Kingdom and Scottish Executive departments in reaching a common negotiating position on European issues. [11809]
Mr. McLeish:
The Government's proposals on the subject are set out in paragraphs 5.4 to 5.6 of the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament", Cm3658.
31 Jul 1997 : Column: 604
Mr. Wallace:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to support Scottish local authority initiatives in respect of local agenda 21; and if he will make a statement. [11845]
Mr. Chisholm:
Local agenda 21 is primarily a matter for local authorities to advance. The Scottish Office provides financial support to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to co-ordinate a strategic approach by Scottish local authorities to local agenda 21. My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries in Scotland is meeting COSLA on 3 September to discuss the role of authorities in the promotion of sustainable development. Later this year, he plans to convene a conference on local agenda 21 for councillors and senior local authority staff.
Mr. Swinney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what actions his Department is taking to proceed with (a) the export certified herds scheme and (b) the date-based scheme. [12200]
Mr. Malcolm Chisholm:
The Government are pursuing both schemes with the EU Commission with equal vigour. Further clarification is to be provided on the date-based scheme. In line with the Florence agreement, the Commission will be putting both schemes to their scientific advisory committees.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will produce a video version of his proposals for Scottish devolution carrying subtitles and sign language interpretation; [12003]
Mr. McLeish:
I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Beggs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made with the review of the case of Mr. Brendan Callaghan; and if he will make a statement.[12102]
Mr. McLeish:
We are presently conducting a detailed examination of the papers submitted on behalf of Mr. Callaghan and of other material that has been obtained in order to establish what issues require further investigation before a decision can be reached on his petition. Depending on the results of that examination, the Crown Office will be requested to conduct detailed investigation of the matter at issue.
(2) if he will make a statement on the nature of the Lord Advocate's accountability to the Westminster Parliament following the introduction of a Scottish Parliament;[11799]
(2) what are the actual or estimated totals for Scottish Natural Heritage's expenditure in relation to the designation and protection of sites notified under the birds directive and habitats and species directive in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99; and what proportion of Scottish Natural Heritage's total expenditure these sums represent;[11844]
(2) if he will ensure that all publicly broadcast information in relation to the forthcoming referendum in Scotland carries subtitles and sign language interpretation.[12000]
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