HC Deb 24 May 1994 vol 244 c93W
Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the interested parties he proposes to consult in relation to his review of the role, membership and functions of the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Scotland's Travelling People;

(2) if he will make a statement concerning his review of the work of the advisory committee on travellers in Scotland;

(3) what proposals he has to provide financial assistance to bona fide travellers' organisations to provide and develop sites where local authorities or landowners have been, or are, unable to offer such facilities during the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The review of the work of the advisory committee on Scotland's travelling people, to be undertaken before the committee's three-year term of office expires at the end of 1994, is in its very early stages, and no decisions have yet been taken about external consultation. The review will include consideration of grant assistance for the provision of sites.

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the capital budget and actual spend on the provision of grant aid for the establishment and modernisation of travellers' sites in(a) 1991–92, (b) 1992–93 and (c) 1993–94 and the estimated expenditure in the year 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The information requested is as follows:

(1) Vote provision £ million (2) Outturn £ million
1991–92 2.327 1.850
1992–93 2.385 2.372
1993–94 2.445 11.060
1994–95 2.506 22.506
1 Provisional
2 Estimated outturn.

The figures in column 1 represent the Department's best estimate in advance of each year of the value of work in progress during the year, or completed in previous years which will be subject to claims for payment by local authorities.

The figures in column 2 represent actual claims met during the year. Claims for payment can be affected by delays in the completion of work, in the submission of claims, in audit certification, and by agreed contractual retention moneys.