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Sudan
Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 May 1999, Official Report, column 241, if the United States has informed him that it remains its position that chemical weapons materials related to international terrorism were being produced at the pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum in Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [85460]
Mr. Hoon: The US Government have not informed us of a change in their position on this issue.
Balkan Conflict (Legality)
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the charges made against the British Government by the Government of Yugoslavia in the International Court of Justice at the Hague in respect of the conflict in Yugoslavia; what has been his response; and if he will make a statement. [85341]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: The application instituting proceedings and the request for interim measures in the case brought by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia against the United Kingdom at the International Court of Justice will be placed in the Library of the House, together with the oral statements made on behalf of the FRY and the UK at the hearing on the request for interim measures which was held from 10 to 12 May.
SCOTLAND
Tuition Fees
9. Mr. Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the National Union of Students in Scotland to discuss tuition fees. [84135]
Dr. Reid: Scottish Office Ministers meet representatives of the higher education sector, including the National Union of Students in Scotland, from time to time. A range of issues are discussed.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
14. Mr. Syms:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the vice-chancellors of Scottish universities to discuss tuition fees. [84140]
25 May 1999 : Column: 125
Dr. Reid:
Scottish Office Ministers meet representatives of the higher education sector, including the Vice Chancellors of Scottish Universities, from time to time to discuss a range of issues.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
17. Mrs. Laing:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of students attending Scottish universities to discuss tuition fees. [84144]
Mr. Macdonald:
Scottish Office Ministers meet representatives from the higher education sector, including students, from time to time. A wide range of issues are discussed.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
10. Mr. Ernie Ross:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking in response to the pathfinder report published in late March. [84136]
Mr. Macdonald:
The Pathfinders to the Parliament report has been widely disseminated. The report has allowed business to generate ideas for early consideration by the Scottish Parliament and it is now for the Parliament and Scottish Executive, in partnership with business and industry, to consider and, if appropriate, to take forward the recommendations in the report.
11. Mr. Sarwar:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the prospects for shipbuilding and related industries on Clydeside. [84137]
Dr. Reid:
Three of the four shipyards on the Clyde have healthy order books. A Task Force has been appointed by the Under-Secretary, my noble Friend Lord Macdonald to help identify potential purchasers for the fourth yard, Kvaerner Govan, and has achieved real progress towards this end.
From 1 July 1999, economic development will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
13. Mr. Savidge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's social inclusion strategy. [84139]
Mr. Macdonald:
The Government are taking forward a wide-ranging and well resourced programme of action to promote social inclusion in Scotland. Our social inclusion strategy was published on 1 March this year. The work taken forward under the strategy will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
15. Mr. David Davis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the system for elections to the Scottish Parliament. [84141]
25 May 1999 : Column: 126
Dr. Reid:
I have no plans to review the system of elections to the Scottish Parliament.
16. Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to provide RSA funding for the development of clusters of industrial and biotechnology institutions. [84143]
Mr. Macdonald:
Regional Selective Assistance is available for qualifying investment projects carried out in the Assisted Areas, including projects in the biotechnology sector.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
18. Mr. Russell Brown:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in reducing the number of beds which are blocked in Scottish hospitals. [84145]
Mr. Macdonald:
Health Boards in Scotland continue to work with their local authority partners in addressing all avenues to reduce delays in discharge from NHS care.
From l July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
19. Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress being made to determine the boundaries for Objective 2 status funding by the European Union. [84146]
Mr. Macdonald:
We are currently consulting on this and will submit to the European Commission proposals for eligible areas for Objective 2.
20. Mr. Alexander:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's anti-drug abuse strategy. [84147]
Mr. Macdonald:
The Government recently enhanced the approach to tackling drug misuse in Scotland with the publication of "Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership". This document establishes a new framework of co-operation across agencies and communities in the implementation of a programme of comprehensive action throughout Scotland.
From 1 July 1999, it will be for the Scottish Parliament to consider the strategy set out in "Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership" and continue the task of reducing drug misuse in Scotland.
Mrs. Ann Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator to discuss the implementation of Her Majesty Government's anti-drugs strategy in Scotland. [84131]
Mr. Macdonald:
The Secretary of State has not met formally with the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator, but the former Minister for health and the arts in Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for
25 May 1999 : Column: 127
Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Galbraith), has discussed Scotland's contribution to the UK Government's drugs strategy with Mr. Hellawell. This is set out in "Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership", which was launched in March 1999.
From 1 July 1999, it will be for the Scottish Parliament to consider the strategy set out in this document.
21. Mr. Tom Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet Lanarkshire Development Agency to discuss the industrial and jobs potential at Gartcosh. [84148]
Mr. Macdonald:
I have no immediate plans to meet with Lanarkshire Development Agency to discuss the industrial and jobs potential at Gartcosh. The previous Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Anniesland (Mr. Dewar), and the Prime Minister met with Lanarkshire Development Agency on 8 April to discuss inward investment and the opening of a new call centre at Cumbernauld. North Lanarkshire Council and Lanarkshire Development Agency have formed a Partnership to promote the regeneration of the Gartcosh site as a strategic industrial location capable of being marketed throughout the UK and internationally. The partnership is investing £11.6 million to transform the site into a fully-serviced 200 acre industrial park, which will be capable of accommodating up to 5,000 jobs and attracting substantial new investment into Lanarkshire.
22. Mr. Doran:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the work of the oil industry task force. [84149]
Mr. Macdonald:
The Oil and Gas Industry Task Force is examining a number of key areas vital to the long term future of the UK oil and gas industry. The priorities for action are Competitiveness, Skills and Training, Innovation and Technology, Fiscal Administration, Regulation and Licensing, Sustainable Development, and Long Term Vision. As a result of the work undertaken in the Task Force so far, a number of measures to boost oil and gas exploration and development were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry on 31 March.
The Task Force is expected to make final recommendations by the summer.
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