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EU Finances
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the criteria for calculating the United Kingdom's contribution to European Union finances; and if he will estimate the Scottish contribution to the European Union based on these criteria. [13798]
Mr. Kynoch [holding answer 31 January 1997]: The arrangements for financing the EC budget are set out in the Community's "Own Resources Division" Council decision 94/729/EC, Euratom, adopted by the Community in 1994. A copy of the ORD is held by the Library. The most significant effect of the ORD is to increase the Community's own resources ceiling from 1.2 per cent of Community GNP in 1994 to 1.27 per cent. in 1999. Because the data used to determine own resources contributions are collated for the UK as a whole, it would only be possible to estimate a disaggregated contribution for Scotland at disproportionate cost.
3 Feb 1997 : Column: 446
Algrade Trust
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the progress of the investigation by the Scottish charities office into allegations about the Algrade trust raised in an Adjournment debate by the hon. Member for East Lothian on 16 January 1996. [13705]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The investigation under the supervision of charities legislation uncovered evidence of maladministration, but not dishonesty, on the part of the former trustees. This took the form of inefficiencies in management brought about by their advancing years and a reluctance to adapt to changing ideas for and approaches to the care of those with learning difficulties. The former trustees resigned following the intervention of the charities office and were replaced by trustees experienced in management and in the care of those with learning difficulties.
Lyme Disease
Sir Russell Johnston: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the incidence of Lyme disease in the highlands of Scotland and in each of the other health board areas in each of the last three years; and what steps are being taken to prevent its spread. [13911]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: Lyme disease has been a notifiable disease in Scotland since January 1990. The number of statutory notifications, by health board area, for 1994, 1995 and 1996 is as follows:
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| Year | Argyll and Clyde | Ayrshire and Arran | Fife | Grampian | Greater Glasgow | Highland | Lothian | Tayside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994(4) | 2 | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 1995(4) | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | 1 | 2 | -- | -- |
| 1996(5) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 1 | -- | -- |
Source:
(3) NHS Information and Statistics Division.
(4) Confirmed notifications
(5) Provisional notifications subject to amendment where a revised diagnosis is subsequently received
(6) There were no statutory notifications from 7 Health Boards.
3 Feb 1997 : Column: 445
Lyme disease is transmitted from animals to man by the bite of the adult female tick. It is not a common condition in Scotland, but the notification requirements introduced in 1990 enable monitoring of its incidence to be maintained.
The Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage have issued guidance to their field staff on precautions that should be taken to avoid tick bites.
Asbestos
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to impose a ban on the import and use of asbestos products in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [13561]
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Mr. Clappison: The United Kingdom takes the view that prohibitions on the marketing and use of asbestos should be based on agreements within the European Union. The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 and the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 implement directive 91/659/EEC and prohibit the importation and use of many forms of asbestos. Efforts will continue within the United Kingdom to find suitable alternatives to the remaining uses of asbestos, and to encourage the use of substitute products, but a total ban will not be instituted without EU agreement.
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what current research his Department has commissioned on the safe removal of asbestos from buildings in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [13560]
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Sir Paul Beresford: None, but the Health and Safety Executive has commissioned such research in the past. HSE keeps under review the available techniques for asbestos removal and issues guidance as appropriate.
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the most recent review was undertaken of the asbestos licensing scheme in the United Kingdom; how many companies have been grated such licences; what are the criteria for granting such a licence; and if he will make a statement. [13562]
Sir Paul Beresford: The Health and Safety Commission last reviewed the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 in 1988.
The Health and Safety Executive does not distinguish in its records between licences granted to companies and those granted to individuals or partnerships. On 28 January 1997, a total of 730 licences were in force.
Applicants for licences are required to demonstrate during a formal interview a good theoretical and practical knowledge of the requirements of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987, the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and the approved code of practice for work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and asbestos insulating board published by the Health and Safety Commission.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of his Department on the labelling of asbestos installed in buildings; and if he will make a statement. [13559]
Mr. Clappison:
The Asbestos Products (Safety) Regulations 1985, as amended, require that any products containing asbestos are labelled in accordance with the schedule to the regulations. The label serves as a warning that asbestos is present and gives details of precautions to be taken in handling the product.
The Department of the Environment's guidance on asbestos, "Asbestos Materials in Buildings", recommends that the presence of an asbestos material should be noted on plans or other records, and that building owners should make known the existence of asbestos to workers or others who may be affected.
Mr. Timms:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the gross value of reserved capital receipts held by local authorities; how much of the total relates to housing benefit receipts; and to what extent receipts are supported by cash. [13397]
Sir Paul Beresford:
Figures for the value of reserved capital receipts held by local authorities, and the amount relating to housing receipts, are not available. These form part of the provision for credit liabilities, which is reported the Department, but which also includes amounts set aside from revenue.
The provision for credit liabilities may be held as cash or investments, or may be used temporarily to finance expenditure as a substituted for new borrowing. Information on the extent to which the provision for credit liabilities is supported by cash is not available.
3 Feb 1997 : Column: 448
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide (a) his Department's budgeted expenditure on (i) advertising, (ii) publicity and (iii) public information campaigns for the period January to March 1997 and (b) the actual expenditure on (1) advertising, (2) publicity and (3) public information campaigns in the period January to March in each of the past five years. [13460]
Sir Paul Beresford:
Total expenditure by my Department on paid publicity initiatives in each of the periods requested is in the table. Paid publicity campaigns usually involve a variety of multimedia elements and disaggregating expenditure into the categories requested is not possible except at disproportionate cost. The figures exclude expenditure by Departmental agencies and on central recruitment advertising.
| £000 | |
|---|---|
| Budgeted expenditure for January to March 1997 | 4,400 |
| Actual expenditure for January to March 1992 | 1,597 |
| 1993 | 9,999 |
| 1994 | 3,410 |
| 1995 | 4,107 |
| 1996 | 2,950 |
Local Authority Assets
Mr. Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department collates on the gross capital value of assets shown on the balance sheets of local authorities in England and Wales. [13396]
Sir Paul Beresford: The total value of fixed assets, at 31 March 1996, for local authorities in England, was about £130 billion. A list of figures for each local authority has been placed in the Library of the House.
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