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Poverty
23. Mr. David Marshall:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policies to reduce the number of people in Scotland who are living in poverty, as defined by his Department. [76328]
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Mr. Macdonald:
The Government are taking forward a wide-ranging and well-resourced programme of action to tackle poverty and social exclusion in Scotland. Our programme is described in detail in the report "Social Inclusion: Opening the door to a better Scotland", published on 1 March. Further action will be taken forward under our social inclusion strategy, published on the same day.
24. Mr. McAllion:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Trades Union Congress relating to the performance of the Scottish manufacturing industry. [76329]
Mr. Macdonald:
My right hon. Friend's last formal meeting with the Scottish Trades Union Congress was on 18 January, during which a range of issues affecting the Scottish manufacturing industry were discussed. Ministers and officials are, of course, also in regular informal contact with the STUC.
25. Mr. St. Aubyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities have banned the use of genetically modified foods in schools. [76330]
Mrs. Liddell:
The information requested is not collected centrally.
26. Sir Sydney Chapman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland will be at Westminster following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Executive. [76331]
Mr. Dewar:
The Government set out their proposals for the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland after devolution in the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" (cm 3658). The Secretary of State will focus on promoting communication between the Scottish Parliament and Ministers on the one hand and the UK Parliament and Government on the other on matters of mutual interest; and on representing Scottish interests in reserved areas.
27. Mr. Jim Murphy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the numbers of young people entering (a) full-time jobs and (b) further education, as a result of the new deal. [76332]
Mr. Macdonald:
Figures to the end of December 1998 show that 5,700 young people had secured jobs, the vast majority of which were full-time and a further 2,549 had entered the full-time education or training option.
Mrs. Laing:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people (a) entered and (b) completed the New Deal scheme in (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998. [77832]
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Mr. Dewar:
The New Deal programmes for young people and those aged 25 and over began in 1998. Figures to the end of December 1998 show that 22,700 young people and 6,900 people aged 25 and over entered the programmes.
By the end of December 1998, 8,500 young people and 1,200 people aged 25 and over had left the New Deal programme, 44 per cent. of whom had moved into jobs.
Mrs. Laing:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have obtained full-time employment as a result of the New Deal scheme. [77833]
Mr. Dewar:
Figures to the end of December 1998 show that 5,700 young people and 470 long-term unemployed people aged 25 and over had secured jobs, the vast majority of which were full-time.
28. Mr. Moore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the next programme for European Union structural funds. [76333]
Mr. Macdonald:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been closely involved with ministerial colleagues developing and agreeing the UK negotiating priorities on Structural Funds reform. In addition, the Secretary of State has met with the German Minister responsible for Structural Funds reform in January. I have met with the appropriate Swedish Minister twice and the Finnish Minister once in recent months. The Secretary of State discussed Structural Funds reform with Commissioner Wulf-Mathies early last year and I have followed that up with a further meeting in January.
29. Mr. Brady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress he has made in promoting Scottish beef. [76334]
Mr. Macdonald:
The Government are making every effort in conjunction with the industry to re-establish the market for Scotch beef in Europe. My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries in Scotland led a successful industry mission to Italy earlier this month. Italy was one of the best markets for Scotch beef before the export ban.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what stocks of (a) wine, (b) spirits and (c) beer and other alcoholic beverages are held by his Department; what is their value in each case; and if he will make a statement. [74244]
Mr. Dewar
[holding answer 3 March 1999]: The following represents the total stocks of wines, spirits and beers and other alcoholic beverages held in the hospitality cabinets of all 7 Scottish Office Ministers in St. Andrew's House, Victoria Quay, Meridian Court and Dover House:
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| Ministerial drinks cabinets | Stocks held centrally for dinners and receptions | |
|---|---|---|
| Wines | 27.75 | 1,225.90 |
| Spirits | 265.28 | 776.59 |
| Beers and other alcoholic beverages | 56.83 | 286.34 |
These costs are part of the provision of £75,000 made for hospitality in The Scottish Office for the current financial year. That provision, of course, also covers the other more significant costs associated with hospitality, i.e. food, catering staff costs, venue hire, flowers, etc., of all official receptions, lunches and dinners hosted by The Scottish Office during 1998-99. I consider this to be reasonable provision for maintaining acceptable standards of hospitality for official visitors and guests, including representatives of foreign Governments.
Timber Industry
Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures his Department has taken to assist the UK timber industry since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [77202]
Mr. Macdonald: Scottish Office support to assist the timber industry in Scotland is channelled through the Enterprise Network. I have asked the Chairmen of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to write to the hon. Member.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
Primary Class Sizes
Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of children in primary 1 classrooms in Scotland who will benefit from the extra funding to reduce class sizes to 30 pupils or under from summer 1999. [76314]
Mrs. Liddell: This Government have already reduced by more than 5,000 the number of primary 1, 2 and 3 children educated in classes with more than 30 pupils. By working together with authorities and providing new money--£4 million this year and a further £48 million over the next three years--we will meet our commitment that no 5, 6 or 7 year old will be educated in a class of more than 30 by August 2001.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
Sentencing Policy
Ms Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the members of the committee established under Lord MacLean to review the sentencing and treatment of serious violent and sexual offenders. [78296]
Mr. McLeish
[pursuant to his reply, 19 March 1999, c. 841]: The membership details in the previous reply were incorrectly reproduced.
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The following have accepted my invitation to serve on Lord MacLean's Committee:
Mr. Andrew Brown, Chief Constable, Grampian Police
Mr. David Burns QC, Advocate
Dr. Derek Chiswick, Consultant Psychiatrist, Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust
Professor David Cooke, Professor of Forensic Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University
Mr. David Crawford, Head of Operations, Social Work Department, Renfrewshire Council
Ms Jeane Freeman, Parole Board member, Chief Executive, APEX
Professor Christopher Gane, Professor of Scots Law, University of Aberdeen
Mr. William Gilchrist, Regional Procurator Fiscal, North Strathclyde
Mr. Roger Houchin, Governor, Barlinnie Prison
Mr. Murray Macara, Solicitor Advocate, Beltrami and Co.
Mr. Jamie Malcolm, Nursing Officer, Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
Arrangements for taking evidence will be announced later.
Dr. Linda Treliving, Consultant Psychotherapist, Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust
Sheriff Charles Stoddart, Director of Judicial Studies.
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