| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Farming and Rural Conservation Agency
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the 1999-2000 Annual report for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency. [138656]
Mr. Nick Brown: The 1999-2000 Annual report and accounts for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
Hedges
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 5 October, reference 142881, if he will make a statement on hedges, field margins and area-linked payments. [136222]
Mr. Morley: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 7 November 2000, Official Report, column 150W.
PRIME MINISTER
Road Fuel
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Prime Minister what assurances were (a) exchanged and (b) discussed with the oil companies at his meeting with them on Thursday 14 September concerning (i) petroleum revenue tax on North Sea oil producers, (ii) future levels of road fuel duties and (iii) measures to ensure continued delivery of road fuel; and if he will make a statement. [138280]
The Prime Minister: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.
Special Advisers
Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what were the reasons for the increase in the number of Government special advisers from 53 in June 1997 to 79 in June 2000. [136564]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 6 November 2000]: The Government believe that experience over the last quarter of a century has shown that special advisers have a useful role to play. It also made no secret of its
14 Nov 2000 : Column: 627W
intention to strengthen the centre of Government. The reason for the lower number in June 1997 is that a number of appointments had yet to be made.
TREASURY
Aviation Fuel (Taxation)
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding the taxation of aviation fuel. [137749]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 13 November 2000]: This subject was discussed at a meeting of Finance Ministers in June where it was agreed that the European Union should pursue negotiations on the international taxation of aviation fuel in the forum of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Diesel Fuel
Mr. Davidson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conditions apply to the supply of diesel fuel to farmers at a reduced rate of duty. [137778]
Mr. Timms: The use of diesel charged at the 3.13p per litre rate of duty (red diesel) is restricted by schedule 1 to the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979. This usually means that farmers can use red diesel only in agricultural vehicles, including tractors, that are used solely for purposes relating to agriculture.
Independent Petrol Retailers
Jackie Ballard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to provide additional tax relief for small independent petrol retailers. [137635]
Mr. Timms: There are currently no plans for introducing additional tax relief for petrol retailers.
ADVOCATE-GENERAL
Devolution Issues
29. Mr. Browne: To ask the Advocate-General how many devolution cases have been referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. [136349]
The Advocate-General for Scotland: Thus far, seven cases raising devolution issues have been referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
SCOTLAND
International Criminal Court
5. Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive about giving effect in Scotland to the Rome treaty relating to the setting up of the International Criminal Court. [136325]
Mr. Wilson: I understand that the Scottish Executive will be introducing a Bill on the International Criminal Court next year.
14 Nov 2000 : Column: 628W
Border Transport
6. Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the new First Minister on the impact of the pre-Budget report on transport between Scotland and England. [136326]
Dr. Reid: I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a wide range of issues including the benefits to Scotland from the Government's economic policies. In this context my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recent pre-Budget report contains further measures of benefit to all transport users.
Vehicle Fuel Tax
7. Mr. Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of vehicle fuel tax on the economy in Scotland. [136327]
Dr. Reid: Vehicle fuel tax is only one of many factors that have an impact on Scotland's economy and needs to be seen in the context of overall UK fiscal policy.
The measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his pre-Budget report to reduce fuel duties for cleaner fuels and vehicle excise duty will all bring significant financial benefits to Scotland's economy.
Dounreay
10. Mr. Maclennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will discuss the future of the Dounreay site in Caithness with the Atomic Energy Authority. [136330]
Dr. Reid: The UK Atomic Energy Authority published their Dounreay Site Restoration Plan on 9 October. The Authority's plans will require approval by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Industries Inspectorate, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. I will be keeping in close touch with the progress of these considerations.
Petrol Prices
11. Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of petrol prices on the Scottish rural economy. [136331]
- 17. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of vehicle fuel duties on rural communities in Scotland. [136337]
Mr. Wilson: Fuel prices are only one element that determines the effectiveness of the rural economy in Scotland. The impact of any individual item of taxation can only sensibly be seen within the overall context of fiscal policy.
The measures announced by the Chancellor in his pre-Budget report to raise the limit for the lower rate of Vehicle excise duty for cars of up to 1500cc, to remove vehicle excise duty for tractors and other agricultural vehicles, rebates of up to 50 per cent. of vehicle excise duty for heavy goods vehicles and the proposed reform of the VED system for HGVs will all bring significant financial benefits to Scotland's rural economy.
14 Nov 2000 : Column: 629W
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the First Minister on the impact of fuel prices on the Scottish economy. [136334]
Mr. Wilson: My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the First Minister on a number of issues relevant to all aspects of the Scottish economy.
Govan Shipyard
12. Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Govan shipyard. [136332]
Dr. Reid: Following the announcement made by the Secretary of State for Defence that BAE Systems Govan would build two ALSLs, I visited the yard on 26 and 27 October to meet management, union officials and workers. This order is expected to secure jobs at the yard and sustain it for the future.
Scottish Executive
13. Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the arrangements for liaison between his Department and the Scottish Executive. [136333]
Mr. Wilson: Effective liaison arrangements are in place at all levels, both ministerial and official.
Rosyth Dockyard
15. Ms Squire: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for Defence about repairing Trafalgar and Swiftsure class submarines at the Rosyth dockyard. [136335]
Dr. Reid: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on a range of issues. The Ministry of Defence expect that the repair of Trafalgar and Swiftsure class submarines will be carried out at the submarines' home bases: Devonport or Faslane.
Rail Access (Wheelchair Users)
16. Miss Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has made on the provision by rail operators of full access arrangements for wheelchair-using passengers in Scotland. [136336]
Mr. Wilson: All new trains being introduced into service by operators in Scotland are subject to the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations, which require them to be fully accessible to wheelchair users. These regulations are underpinned by the Rail Regulator's Code of Practice, "Meeting the Needs of Disabled Passengers" which is currently being re-drafted.
I understand that Scotrail have recently introduced into service new "Turbostar" trains which are fully accessible to wheelchair users. Scotrail will also shortly be introducing new fully accessible "Juniper" trains which will be used on Strathclyde PTE services.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |