| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
SCOTLAND
Driving (Tranquillisers)
Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research the Government have evaluated into driving whilst prescribed (a) anxiolytic benzodiazepines and (b) the sleeping tablet Zopiclone. [62682]
Ms Glenda Jackson: I have been asked to reply.
The Government have not commissioned specific research about the drugs mentioned, but a full evaluation of relevant research is being undertaken by the Medicines Control Agency.
The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is presently conducting a three-year survey, which started in October 1996, into the incidence of drugs (legal or illegal) in fatal road accident victims. A report on interim results to 7 January 1998 was published on 11 February 1998. My written answer of that date, Official Report, column 306, explained that a copy was being placed in the Library.
This survey will not provide evidence of accident causation but it will help to establish the extent of drug use among road users. The interim results show that medicinal drugs were present in some 6 per cent. of road accident fatalities (drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists).
Mr. David Stewart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures the Government have taken to encourage GPs to issue warnings concerning the danger of driving when using (a) Valium, (b) Librium, (c) Ativan and (d) other types of tranquilliser. [62683]
Mr. Galbraith:
Where there is the possibility that certain medicinal products may cause deterioration of the skills required for driving, the product information provided to doctors and pharmacists recommends that patients should be warned that they may suffer side-effects which may impair their ability to drive. Although these side-effects may wear off, the patient should ensure that they are not affected before driving.
In addition, the British National Formulary (BNF), which provides doctors, pharmacists and other health-care professionals with sound up-to-date information about the use of medicines, advises prescribers to warn patients if treatment is likely to affect their ability to drive. It also recommends that pharmacists provide cautionary and advisory labels with certain medicinal products.
The Medicines Control Agency is aware of public concern that the side-effects of some medicines may be causing road traffic accidents. In response to recent publications they are currently reviewing all available evidence to determine whether there may be a case for strengthening product information, ensuring that Patient Information Leaflets and packaging are updated if necessary.
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Registers of Scotland are
14 Dec 1998 : Column: 333
prohibited from providing copies of documents relating to registered interests other than those referred to in the title sheet; if he plans to reform the Land Register so that land certificates disclose information about previous proprietors and the prices paid by them; if the rights of access of members of the public and firms of private searchers to all information contained in the Land Register of Scotland, the Register of Sasines and the Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications are to be maintained; and if he will make a statement. [63117]
Mr. McLeish:
Section 6(5) of the Land Register (Scotland) Act 1979 requires the Keeper to issue to any person applying, a copy, authenticated or otherwise, of any Title Sheet or part thereof or of any document referred to in a Title Sheet. There are no plans at present to reform the Land Register so that Land Certificates disclose information about previous proprietors and the prices paid by them.
The existing statutory rights of access to the Land Register, the Register of Sasines and the Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications will continue to be maintained. The ability to exercise these rights will be enhanced by remote electronic access to be provided early in 1999.
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations the Scottish Law Commission has made regarding the abolition of the diligence of inhibitions on the dependence of Court actions; what was the total sum (a) paid by Registers of Scotland in respect of legal expenses of the petitioners and (b) incurred by Registers of Scotland to the Scottish Officer in relation to the action of Judicial Review raised by Millar & Bryce Ltd. and two other firms against Registers of Scotland. [63118]
Mr. McLeish:
The Scottish Law Commission recently published its Report on Diligence on the Dependence and Admiralty Arrestments (Scot. Law Com. No. 164). This Report contains the Commission's recommendations for reform of the diligence of inhibition on the dependence of actions.
The total sums paid by Registers of Scotland in relation to the action of Judicial Review raised by Millar & Bryce Ltd. and 2 other firms of private searchers were as follows: (a) an agreed settlement of £25,000 in respect of the judicially awarded expenses of the petitioners and (b) £36,807.21 in respect of Registers of Scotland expenses.
14 Dec 1998 : Column: 334
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the registration counties in Scotland for the purpose of registration of deeds are currently operational; and when the remainder are to become operational. [63119]
Mr. McLeish:
There are currently 14 countries operational under the Land Register of Scotland. These are: Renfrew, Dumbarton, Lanark, Glasgow, Clackmannan, West Lothian, Stirling, Fife, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Ayr, Dumfries, Wigtown and Kirkcudbright. The programme for the completion of the extension of the Land Register programme is as follows:
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial return is required to be made by the executive agency Registers of Scotland in terms of percentage return on capital, taking account of the average cost of first registration under the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 and the average income for registration due in respect of each transaction; if the report of the quinquennial review currently being carried out by KPMG Consultants will be made available for consultation with those interests affected by its conclusions; and if he will make a statement. [63120]
Mr. McLeish:
In terms of its status as a Trading Fund under the Government Trading Funds Act 1973, the Agency is required to make a 6 per cent. return on capital employed across the range of its activities. This target will be reviewed from time to time.
The final report resulting from the Quinquennial Review of the Registers of Scotland Executive Agency will be made available to interested parties once the Secretary of State has announced the outcome of the review.
Mr. Robert Jackson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in his Department are currently on secondment from private companies; and if he will list them, their companies and their current responsibilities within Government. [62823]
Mr. Dewar:
There are currently seven people on secondment from private companies in The Scottish Office. Their names, companies and current responsibilities within government are detailed as follows:
14 Dec 1998 : Column: 333
1 April 1999: Perth, Angus, Kinross
1 October 1999: Berwick, East Lothian, Roxburgh, Selkirk, Peebles
1 April 2000: Argyll and Bute
1 April 2001: Midlothian
1 April 2002: Inverness and Nairn
1 April 2003: Banff, Moray, Ross and Cromarty, Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, Zetland.
| Name | Company | Current responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Barrie Allison | Balfour and Manson Solicitors | Solicitors Office |
| Lorna Fleming | Balfour and Manson Solicitors | Solicitors Office |
| Julia Jamieson | Fife Careers Ltd. | Education Department--Skills and Life Long Learning |
| Valerie Mathieson | Shepherd and Wedderburn Solicitors | Solicitors Office--participating in reciprocal trainee scheme |
| Douglas Middleton | Bank of Scotland | Department of Health--Private Finance Unit |
| Martin Mustard | Project Management International PLC | Parliament Building Division |
| Terry Kirchin | British Petroleum PLC | Personnel Division--Devolution Planning |
14 Dec 1998 : Column: 333
The Scottish Office is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of its interchange activity, in all its
14 Dec 1998 : Column: 334
forms, and this year saw a good deal of activity, both at Senior Civil Servant level and below.
14 Dec 1998 : Column: 335
Mr. David Stewart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures his Department will take to encourage the insurance industry to develop alternative options for those applicants whose genetic status makes it difficult to purchase standard products. [62684]
Mr. Galbraith:
The Government recently published their response to the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC) "Report on the Implications of Genetic Testing for the Insurance Industry", and are currently in discussions with the insurance industry and others on the necessary follow-up action.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |