HC Deb 13 June 1990 vol 174 cc246-7W
Mr. Andrew Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money his Department has spent on publicising the effects of lead in water in Scotland annually between 1979 and 1990; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

In 1983, £76,000 was spent on a publicity campaign in Scotland to inform the public about the hazards of lead in the environment, including the effects of lead in water. A leaflet was sent to all households in Scotland and newspaper and radio advertisements were placed to publicise the distribution of the leaflet. There is now an adequate degree of public awareness of these hazards.

Mr. Andrew Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been allocated by his Department for the provision of lead replacement grants by local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Capital allocations to local authorities in 1990–91 on the non-housing revenue account block total £124.635 million, of which £22.250 million is earmarked to clear the backlog of pre-1984 repairs grant applications in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Within these allocations resources are not earmarked centrally for particular programmes such as lead replacement. It is the responsibility of each local authority in the light of local circumstances to decide on the priority which should be attached to particular programmes such as lead replacement within the block allocation made available.

Mr. Andrew Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of Scottish Office spending plans in the area of water and sewerage over the next three years; how much of this allocation will be spent on dealing with the problem of lead in water; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

For 1990–91, capital expenditure provision for authorities' water and sewerage

1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90
Board Gross allocation £ million Distance from parity Per cent. Gross allocation £ million Distance from parity Per cent. Gross allocation £ million Distance from parity Per cent. Gross allocation £ million Distance from parity Per cent. Gross allocation £ million Distance from parity Per cent.
Greater Glasgow 360.607 + 4.78 383.516 + 4.16 411.541 + 404 457.513 + 3.95 484.025 + 4.2
Highland 51.044 -2.13 55.520 -1.18 59.945 -0.70 66.684 -1.27 73.532 -1.35
Tayside 126.932 + 7.17 135.633 +4.44 146.535 + 2.27 162.924 + 2.30 174.143 + 0.68
Forth Valley 63.788 -2.74 68.391 -3.32 74.820 -1.70 82.441 -1.38 90.525 -1.26
Borders 20.211 -6.71 21.903 -4.85 24.648 -3.90 27.421 -3.32 30.521 -2.95
Dumfries and Galloway 35.535 -3.05 37.547 -1.46 40.898 -2.07 45.258 -1.62 50.229 -1.61