§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce, further 573W (a) non-governmental departments, (b) arms-length bodies, (c) trusts and (d) executive agencies in Scotland.
§ Mr. LangThe three new water authorities are expected to be public corporations. In 1996, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and the Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council, all of which will be non-departmental public bodies, will come into operation. No decisions have yet been taken on the establishment of bodies under section 18, residuary bodies, or section 19, property commission, of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. There are no plans at present to create further NHS trusts. Forest Enterprise, which has a Great Britain-wide remit and for which I am lead Minister, will be established as an executive agency within the Forestry Commission later this year. In addition, the Scottish Office fisheries research services is a potential candidate for agency status.