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Gibraltar

Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the Government of Gibraltar concerning the enfranchisement of Gibraltarians for European elections; and if he will make a statement. [81426]

Ms Quin [holding answer 20 April 1999]: We have kept the Government of Gibraltar fully informed at each stage of the steps we are taking to secure the EP vote for Gibraltarians. We tabled the text of our proposed amendment to the 1976 EC Act on Direct Elections in the General Affairs Group on 16 March. Our proposal is to add the words "and Gibraltar" to Annex II of the Act.

21 Apr 1999 : Column: 570

SCOTLAND

Residential Care Homes

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland were in residential care homes in the most recent year for which figures are available aged (a) 60 to 64 years, (b) 65 to 74 years, (c) 75 to 84 years and (d) 85 years of age and over; and in each of those categories how many were funded by (i) the local authority on a means tested basis, (ii) the individuals themselves and (iii) the Department of Social Security through preserved rights. [77138]

Mr. Galbraith [holding answer 22 March 1999]: The numbers, by age, in residential care homes are given in Table A. The figures relate to 1996-97 and are provided by residential care homes on a statistical return to The Scottish Office.

Information on source of financial support is available only for residents in private and voluntary sector homes. The figures given in Table B relate to 1996-97 and are provided by residential care homes on a statistical return to The Scottish Office.

Table A: Number of people in residential care homes in Scotland by age (over 60 only) as at 31 March 1997

Age	Local authority run residential care homes	Private and voluntary run residential care homes	Total
60-64	128	434	562
65-74	806	1,103	1,909
75-84	2,411	2,558	4,969
85+	3,344	4,289	7,633
Total	6,689	8,384	15,073

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Table B: Financial support to residents in private and voluntary run residential care homes in Scotland by age (over 60 only) as at 31 March 1997

Age	Number funded by private means	Number retaining right to higher level of income support (pre 1 April 1993) and balance of charges met by private means	Number retaining right to higher level of income support (pre 1 April 1993) and balance of charges met by LA	Number receiving standard level of income support (post 1 April 1993) and balance of charges met by private means or LA	Number funded by Health Board	Total
60-64 years	16	141	126	122	1	406
65-74 years	134	348	159	369	7	1,017
75-84 years	676	584	115	1,011	18	2,404
85+ years	1,517	991	179	1,295	44	4,026
Total	2,343	2,064	579	2,797	70	7,853

Note:

The financial support of 531 residents aged 60 or over in private/voluntary run residential care homes is unknown.

21 Apr 1999 : Column: 569

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Timber Industry

Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures his Department has taken to stabilise the price of softwood timber in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [77206]

21 Apr 1999 : Column: 570

Mr. Macdonald [holding answer 23 March 1999]: None.

EU Grants

Mr. Gorrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims for the payment of (a) European Regional Development Fund and (b) Social Fund grants in Scotland

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dating from (i) before 1994, (ii) 1994, (iii) 1995, (iv) 1996, (v) 1997 and (vi) 1998 are still unpaid; and what is the total sum involved for each year. [79919]

Mr. Macdonald [holding answer 20 April 1999]: At 31 March 1999, the unpaid ERDF and ESF claims with my Department were as set out in the table:

	Number	Amount (£)
ERDF
Pre-1994	23	318,087
1994	5	275,768
1995	20	1,048,450
1996	66	908,310
1997	18	552,735
1998	268	8,513,577
ESF
Pre-1994	0	0
1994	0	0
1995	0	0
1996	32	7,234,989
1997	48	5,465,446
1998	651	25,826,251

Of the ERDF claims, some 173 have been delayed because the claims are subject of queries, or where the applicants are due to refund payments or other grants to the Department, or where there are other technical reasons why the claims are currently invalid for payment. In addition, the 28 claims from pre-1994 and 1994 relate to old pre-1994 programmes which became liable for payment only in February of this year. They will of course be paid as soon as possible. Most of the unpaid ESF claims for 1996 and 1997 relate to Government sector training programmes final payments for which, in terms of the appropriate European Regulations, are not due until after 31 March 1999. The unpaid 1998 claims largely comprise final claims, which could be submitted only after 31 December 1998, and are currently being processed by the Department in the normal way.

From 1 July 1999, the administration of European Structural Funds will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

Pharmacists' Remuneration

Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what categories of expenditure are included under (a) general pharmaceutical services and (b) non-cash limited pharmacists' remuneration for the year 1999-2000. [80665]

Mr. Galbraith [holding answer 20 April 1999]: Pharmaceutical Services consist primarily of the supply of drugs and appliances prescribed by general practitioners. Reimbursements for drugs and appliances account for over 80 per cent. of the gross cost of the services. Fees to pharmacists and other dispensing practitioners make up most of the remainder. Income from prescription charges collected from patients is offset against these costs.

Non cash-limited pharmacists' remuneration comprises the fees paid to community pharmacists for dispensing prescriptions and most other pharmaceutical services. Some expenditure on locally managed pharmaceutical services is cash-limited.

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In 1999-2000, expenditure on drugs and appliances is covered by Health Boards' cash-limited allocations. Health Boards do not receive a pre-determined allocation for non cash-limited expenditure.

Food and Agriculture Organisation

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his Department's contribution to the Food and Agriculture Organisation meeting in Rome; and if he will deposit ministerial speeches made in the forum in the Library. [80450]

Mr. Macdonald: Lord Sewel attended the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Ministerial meeting on forestry on 8 and 9 March. He reiterated the UK's commitment to sustainable forest management and outlined the measures we have implemented and are planning to implement on sustainable forestry. He also suggested steps that the international community should take, in preparation for the UN Commission on Sustainable Development next year, to promote sustainable management of forests throughout the world. I have arranged for a copy of Lord Sewel's statement to be placed in the Library along with a copy of the 'Rome Declaration on Forestry' which was adopted at the meeting.

Infectious Salmon Anaemia

Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list up to the latest available date (a) each instance of Infectious Salmon Anaemia, (b) its location, (c) the date reported to his Department and (d) if in wild or farmed salmon, in seatrout or other salmonoid; and what measures he has taken, or is taking, to (i) control and (ii) eliminate the condition; and if he has determined how ISA was introduced to Scottish waters. [80872]

Mr. Macdonald: To date, Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) has been confirmed on 10 seawater farmed salmon sites, as follows:

Site	Date of ISA confirmation
Loch Nevis B, Argyll	15 May 1998
Loch Greshornish, Skye	16 May 1998
Loch Nevis A, Argyll	9 June 1998
Loch Creran A, Argyll	9 June 1998
Loch Creran C, Argyll	9 June 1998
Loch Creran B, Argyll	17 June 1998
Shuna, Argyll	24 July 1998
Lismore A, Argyll	24 July 1998
Mangaster Voe, Shetland	27 August 1998
Loch Nevis C, Argyll	18 September 1998

Confirmation of the presence of ISA is based on clinical signs and laboratory tests. The current outbreak is the first in the European Community and legislation requires its elimination from our waters. The measures taken include clearance of the fish from infected farms, disinfection of equipment and fallowing for at least 6 months. In conjunction with official monitoring and sampling of fish, permission is required for movements of fish, equipment etc, into and out of farms in the same water catchment area as infected farms and fish

21 Apr 1999 : Column: 573

movements are regulated in surrounding surveillance areas. An investigation into the source of the outbreak continues.

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

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