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Food Labelling
6. Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive about proposals to require special country-of- origin labelling for UK meat products originating in Scotland. [104932]
Mr. Wilson: None. Product labelling is an issue for the Scottish Executive devolved under Section 5 of the Scotland Act 1998.
Post Office
7. Mr. Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the Government's plans for the Post Office in Scotland. [104933]
Mr. Wilson: I am in contact with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry over a range of issues including post offices. This Government are committed to maintaining a nationwide network of post offices, and to enabling the Post Office to develop to its full business potential.
Public Safety
11. Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Health and Safety Executive to discuss public safety in Scotland. [104937]
Dr. Reid: I shall meet the Director General and Director Scotland of the Health and Safety Executive on 14 February to update myself on health and safety matters generally in Scotland.
Air Passenger Duty
12. Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the effects of air passenger duty in the highlands and islands. [104938]
Dr. Reid: I welcome the announcement by the Chancellor to consult on changes to Air Passenger Duty that recognise the particular dependence of the Highlands and Islands' on air transport. My hon. Friend the Minister of State and I have encouraged a wide response to the consultation exercise. I know that the Chancellor will consider carefully the responses he receives and the effect of any changes he may make.
19. Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the consultation exercise on the future of air passenger duty; and if he will make a statement. [104946]
Dr. Reid: I am in regular contact with the Chancellor on a range of issues. I welcome the consultation that has taken place on changes to Air Passenger Duty that recognise the particular dependence of the Highlands and Islands on air services.
Defence-related Employment
14. Ms Squire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the First Minister on the level of defence-related employment in Scotland. [104940]
25 Jan 2000 : Column: 177W
Dr. Reid:
I am in regular contact with the First Minister on a range of issues including defence-related matters. Total defence-related employment in Scotland, on the most recently available figures, stands at 61,000. Clearly Scotland benefits greatly from defence-related employment.
15. Mr. Savidge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to establish the Strategic Rail Authority; and what its impact will be in Scotland. [104941]
Dr. Reid:
The Transport Bill makes provision for the establishment of the Strategic Rail Authority. In Scotland it will administer all passenger rail franchises including the making of franchise payments to the relevant train operating companies. The Authority will also receive directions and guidance for Scottish passenger rail services from the Scottish Ministers together with financial provision from the Scottish Consolidated Fund to help meet the costs of these services.
16. Mr. Jim Murphy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on low pay in Scotland. [104942]
Mr. Wilson:
The Government are committed to tackling low pay through the national minimum wage. The Low Pay Commission found, in their First Report, that low pay occurs throughout the country and there is often much variation within different parts of the country as there is between one part of the country and another. Latest figures indicate that some 40,000 low paid workers in Scotland had already benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage at the time of implementation (March-May 1999). The second report of the Low Pay Commission will be published soon, and we expect this to give more detail about low pay by region.
18. Mrs. Ray Michie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to discuss with the Deputy Prime Minister the proposed closure of the Oban coastguard station and matters relating to maritime safety in the area. [104945]
Mr. Wilson:
My right hon. Friend is in regular contact with the Deputy Prime Minister on a wide range of issues including matters relating to maritime safety and coastguard stations. Substantial investment in new digital technology will allow a more responsive service to be provided from fewer centres. Oban will not close until October 2000 and Pentland will not close until December 2000 when the new equipment will be installed and the staff trained. There will be no compulsory redundancies.
20. Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with the (a) Home Secretary and (b) Scottish Executive on the number of asylum seekers and refugees placed in Scotland. [104947]
25 Jan 2000 : Column: 178W
Mr. Wilson:
My right hon. Friend has been fully involved in the development of the Government's policies relating to asylum seekers and refugees, and recently discussed the implementations of these policies in Scotland with the First Minister.
21. Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received in relation to health and safety and repairs to the rail bridge across the Forth. [104948]
Dr. Reid:
On this matter I have received representations only from my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell).
22. Mr. Cash:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the First Minister regarding the impact on the Scottish economy of the European single currency. [104949]
Dr. Reid:
I have had no such discussions recently.
23. Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in tackling poverty among children and pensioners in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [104950]
Mr. Wilson:
The UK Government have a range of initiatives to alleviate poverty among children and pensioners in Scotland: the Working Families Tax Credit, increases in child benefit, the restoration of free eye tests for pensioners, the Minimum Income Guarantee for pensioners, cutting VAT on domestic fuel and increasing the winter fuel allowance. In addition, the Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty met last month and will ensure that the UK Government and the devolved administrations work effectively in partnership to alleviate poverty.
Dr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the STUC; and if they discussed matters relating to the shipbuilding industry on the Clyde. [104943]
Dr. Reid:
I last met representatives of the STUC on 1 November and discussed a broad range of industrial issues. I very much welcome the recent positive development for the Govan shipyard following its sale by Kvaerner.
25. Mr. Hood:
To ask the Advocate-General what powers she has to refer Bills of the Scottish Parliament to the judicial committee of the Privy Council before they are finally enacted. [104952]
25 Jan 2000 : Column: 179W
The Advocate-General for Scotland:
I have the power to refer Bills of the Scottish Parliament, before they are finally enacted, to the Judicial Committee so that they can decide whether the Bill, or any provision of it, would be within the legislative competence of the Parliament.
26. Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Advocate-General what representations she has received from the Prison Officers Association on matters pertaining to the European convention on human rights. [104953]
The Advocate-General for Scotland:
I have not received any representations from the Prison Officers Association on such matters.
28. Mr. Kirkwood:
To ask the Advocate-General what steps she is taking to monitor the impact of the European convention on human rights on the Scottish legal system. [104955]
The Advocate-General for Scotland:
The Scottish legal system is a devolved matter. It is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive to administer it and to take account of the impact of the Convention on it. Under the Scotland Act 1998 I receive notices of all devolution issues raised in the Scottish courts, including all those which raise human rights questions, and seek more information where appropriate.
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