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State Pension
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) of 27 October 1999, Official Report, column 876, on the state pension, what rates of increase in average earnings were assumed in calculating the cost of uprating the basic pension in line with earnings. [97555]
Mr. Rooker: The assumed annual rate of increase in average earnings is 4.3 per cent. throughout the period.
- Note:
- Average earnings growth is based on a DSS assumption which is broadly consistent with the average of independent (non- Government) forecasts.
Observatory on Family Matters
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what function is performed by, the Observatory on Family Matters, appointed by the European Commission; what are its (a) terms of reference and (b) annual cost; and who represents Her Majesty's Government on it. [97955]
Angela Eagle: The European Observatory on National Family Policies is the responsibility of the European Commission. I understand that its membership involves academics who produce annual reports monitoring family policy in each member state at a cost to the European Commission of £400,000 annually. The Government are not represented on the Observatory but the current UK national expert is Ceridwen Roberts of the Family Policy Study Centre.
SCOTLAND
European Structural Funds
9. Ms Squire: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the criteria for eligibility for EU structural funds in Scotland. [96353]
Mr. Wilson: The framework for the new round of Structural Funds was set by decisions at the Berlin Summit in March 1999. As elsewhere in Great Britain, the criteria relate to industrial decline, urban deprivation, declining rural areas and fisheries dependency.
20. Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the recent list of areas eligible for European structural funding in Scotland, compiled by UK ministers and sent to the European Commission for approval; and if he will make a statement. [96365]
Mr. Wilson:
The detailed proposals for Scotland were based on recommendations by the Scottish Executive, prepared in close consultation with my department. Both I and the Scottish Executive have received a number of representations from different parts of Scotland, including from the North East. The Scottish Executive has made it clear that in implementing Structural Funds it will want to see transitional support concentrated on the highest priority areas which were not included in the proposals for full Objective 2 coverage.
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27. Mr. Browne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the prospects for the Scottish economy following the publication of the Government proposals on assisted areas and Objective 2 funds. [96372]
Mr. Wilson:
Proposed new assisted areas announced in July provide continuing coverage for locations which account for a very high proportion of regional selective assistance awarded over recent years. Proposals for Objective 2 coverage put forward in October represent a fair balance between pressing needs in urban and rural Scotland, while transitional funding will be available for areas no longer covered by Objective 2 and Objective 5b. In each case the outcome should minimise any economic impact of the overall reduction in coverage being imposed for the period from January 2000.
10. Dr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, when he last met the First Minister, they discussed the memorandum of understanding and the implementation of concordats. [96354]
Dr. Reid:
The First Minister and I have frequent meetings at which we discuss matters of mutual concern and interest. The Memorandum of Understanding and the overarching concordats, reinforce the principle of devolution which is that we have a Partnership of Parliaments. That is why the First Minister and I launched them jointly on 1 October.
11. Mr. Ernie Ross:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the operation of the new deal in Scotland. [96355]
Dr. Reid:
Thanks to the New Deal, 38,000 young people in Scotland so far have better prospects of long term employability and the self respect which comes from participation in work and society.
12. Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding the competitiveness of small firms in Scotland. [96356]
Mr. Wilson:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry published a consultation paper about the Small Business Service in June. 98 per cent. of businesses in Scotland employ less than 50 people and they account for around 45 per cent. of non-Government jobs. I, with my right hon. Friend, will consider how any measures within reserved competence can be applied most effectively in Scotland.
14. Mr. St. Aubyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what preparations his Department is making for the possible effects of entry of the UK into the eurozone on inward investment in Scotland. [96359]
Mr. Wilson:
International investors look keenly at the stability of economies in making their decisions. This Government's commitment to lasting economic stability
9 Nov 1999 : Column: 508
will ensure that, in or out of the single currency, Scotland and the UK offer the best possible climate for business investment and growth.
15. Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made through the Government task force on investment in the Scottish coalfield communities. [96360]
Mr. Wilson:
The Coalfields Task Force is a UK wide initiative and an announcement on the allocation of the Coalfield Regeneration Trust's funding for Scotland will be made on 22 November.
16. Mr. Jack:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the First Minister on the representation of Scottish agricultural issues at UKREP. [96361]
Dr. Reid:
I have had a number of recent discussions with the First Minister on concordats in general and on the EU concordat in particular.
17. Mr. Stephen O'Brien:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Executive concerning meat exports and imports to the European Union. [96362]
Mr. Wilson:
My right hon. Friend has had no formal representations from the Scottish Executive on this issue but I am fully aware of how important it is to Scotland.
18. Mr. Connarty:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of business and trade unions to discuss employment in the clothing industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [96363]
Mr. Wilson:
My right hon. Friend has had the opportunity on a number of recent occasions to discuss, formally and informally, employment in the clothing industry in Scotland.
19. Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on prospects for the Scottish beef industry. [96364]
Mr. Wilson:
This is a matter for the Scottish Executive.
21. Mr. Alexander:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the granting of city status to Scottish towns. [96366]
22. Mrs. Irene Adams:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations he has made to the Home Secretary regarding Scottish towns bidding for city status. [96367]
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Dr. Reid:
The competition for city status has attracted bids from four Scottish towns. Each of the towns has put in a good bid and each is deserving of further consideration. They all have unique qualities, including rich histories and Royal connections. I was particularly struck by their quality and the degree of local support they have each generated. I think it right that all four bids should have the opportunity to compete in the final stages, and I have therefore, indicated my support, to the Home Secretary, for all Scottish bids.
23. Mr. Savidge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the number of people in Scotland who will be able to benefit from the working families tax credit; and if he will make a statement. [96368]
Dr. Reid:
I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Chancellor on the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit, which could benefit up to 140,000 families in Scotland. People who think they may be eligible can ring a freephone number--0800 597 5976--to check eligibility and get application forms. 24,000 Scots have already done so. Those currently receiving Family Credit will automatically be sent an application form.
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