HC Deb 16 May 1980 vol 984 cc704-26W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Horse Race Betting Levy Appeal Tribunal for Scotland, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The Appeal Tribunal for Scotland is financed by the Horserace Betting Levy Board. It is not possible to distinguish separate expenditure on the Scottish Appeal Tribunal from that of the other appeal tribunals. The three members of the Scottish tribunal are fee-paid on a sessional basis and the tribunal has a secretary on a part-time fee-paid basis.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Independent Schools Tribunal Panel (Scotland), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

Members of the panel are unpaid and it has no staff, so that expenditure is incurred only when a tribunal is appointed. This has occurred only once, in 1978, when travelling and subsistance expenses totalling £42 were paid to two members of the panel.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Joint Consultative Organisation for Research and Development in Agriculture and Food, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for,

Members
Year Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved Salaries or equivalent Expenses
£ £ £ £
1979–80 … … 6,398 Nil 22 350 6,048
1978–79 … … 8,429 Nil 22 350 8,079
1977–78 … … 6,008 Nil 22 350 5,658
1976–77 … … 5,804 Nil 22 350 5,454
1975–76 … … 8,361 Nil 22 350 8,011

The animals board of the Joint Consultative Organisation is an advisory body. It employs no staff. Secretarial services are provided by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland.

The financing and servicing of the food science and technology and horticulture boards of the organisation come within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Arable Crops and Forage Board and the Engineering and Buildings Board are financed and serviced by the Agricultural Research Council.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the justice of the peace advisory committees, the amount disbursed by those bodies, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with those bodies, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of those bodies by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

There are 56 justice of the peace advisory committees appointed

respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information for the animals board of the Joint Consultative Organisation is as follows:

by me—one for each district and islands area. Each has a chairman and a number—in most cases five or six—of other members; each also has a secretary. None of these appointments is salaried. The following are the total amounts paid by the Scottish Office in the past five years in respect of (a) expenses of members, and (b) secretarial expenses:

Members expenses Secretarial expenses
£ £
1979–80 20.47 26.50
1978–79 88.24 45.08
1977–78 64.00 52.19
1976–77 41.70 20.09
1975–76 9.99 15.74

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

Members Staff
Year Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved Salaries or equivalent Expenses Salaries Expenses
£ £ £ £ £ £
1979–80 … … 152,218‡ Nil 18.5* 19,429† 1,660 88,571 108
1978–79 … … 137,028‡ Nil 19.5* 13,626† 1,215 77,328 102
1977–78 … … 125,715‡ Nil 20* 12,821† 1,340 65,601 85
1976–77 … … 109,337‡ Nil 18* 9,810† 1,550 60,819 90
1975–76 … … 86,6145‡ Nil 16 7,875 1,400 47,105 110
* Plus 6 assistant commissioners as required —paid on sessional basis.
† Includes assistant commissioners' fees.
‡ Accommodation costs calculated at 1979–80 current market rents and these figures include vote for general expenses.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Lay Observer for Scotland, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The annual salary of the lay observer, appointed by the Secretary of State under section 7 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1976, is £2,400. The lay observer operates on a part-time basis; and secretarial services, provided to him by the staff of other public bodies sharing the same office building, are not separately costed.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Legal Aid Central Committee (Scotland), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

In terms of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1967, the accounts (including detailed information about administration costs) are published annually along with the annual report of the Law Society of Scotland on the Legal Aid Scheme. The report for 1978–79 was published on 6 May. There is a full-time staff of 188.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the licensing planning committees, the amount disbursed by those bodies, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with those bodies, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of those bodies by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

Details are not held centrally, but the cost of new town licensing planning committees, over and above the normal day to day running costs of a development corporation are minimal. They relate only to travelling expenses for attendance at one or two meetings a year, by those members who do not live locally.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Local Authority Housing Finance Working Party (Scotland), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The Housing Finance Working Party is composed of 10 senior local authority officials, two representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Scottish Office staff who attend as required. The only cost incurred is for coffee and tea during meetings, and occasionally lunch during all-day meetings. The total for 1979–80 was approximately £140. The figures for earlier years could not be calculated without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the

1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80
Number of members* … … … … 4 4 4 4 4
Number of staff† … … … … 5 5 5 5 5
Total … … … … … 9 9 9 9 9

£ £ £ £ £
Salaries of members and staff … … … 44,948 46,420 46,324 44,162‡ 54,380‡
Administration costs … … … … 4,663 4,785 4,960 4,914 5,200
Total … … … … … £49,611 £51,205 £51,284 £49,076 £59,580
* 1 full-time, 3 part-time.
†All full-time, including Secretary (Clerk)
‡ Excludes in part in 1978–79 and wholly in 1979–80 the salary of the president, who has been remunerated from the Consolidated Fund since entering joint appointment in October 1978 as Chairman of the Scottish Land Court.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Manpower Services Committee for Scotland, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The Manpower Services Committee for Scotland was set up in November 1977 to advise the Manpower Services Commission on its activities in Scotland and does not disburse any funds. It has 10 members. The chairman is salaried and other members receive retainers. The costs of members' salaries and expenses since the Committee was established are as follows:

latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The following is the information readily available in relation to completed financial years:

Members' Salaries or Equivalent and Expenses

£
1979–80 10,651
1978–79 8,761
1977–78 (part year) 3,017

The committee is serviced by staff of the Manpower Services Commission office for Scotland as part of wider duties. It is not precisely possible to quantify the staff time or costs involved, but they are small.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Meat and Livestock Commission, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

Staff Members
Year Total financial costs* Amount disbursed† Number of persons involved Salaries or equivalent Expenses Year Salaries Expenses
£'000 £'000 £'000 £ £
April 1978–March 1979 … … 13,078 N. A. 1,311 6,493 953 April 1978–March 1979 … … 30,725 10,778
April 1977–March 1978 … … 12,563 N. A. 1,368 6,076 1,017 April 1977–March 1978 … … 25,392 8,351
September 1976–March 1977 … 5,321 N. A. 1,382 2,796 1,915 April 1976–March 1977 … … 27,264 16,827
September 1975–August 1976 … 10,402 N. A. 1,357 5,207 824 April 1975–March 1976 … … 27,758 8,330
September 1974–August 1975 … 7,769 N. A. 1,330 4,512 703 April 1974–March 1975 … … 27,415 5,859
* Total financial costs includes both those on development work (paid for by the meat and livestock industry) and on agency services (paid for by the Governmen
† The amount disbursed is included in the figures column (1). Separate information is not readily available and could only be separately identified at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Meat and Livestock Commission Consumers' Committee the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively,

Members
Year No. of Persons involved Salaries (Chairman only) Expenses
£ £
April 78—March 79 … … 7 2,960 381
April 77—March 78 … … 7 2,960 628
Sept. 76—March 77 … … 7 2,390 725
Oct. 75—Sept. 76 … … … 7 2,390 293
Oct. 74—Sept. 75 … … … 7 2,390 200

The other costs of the consumer committee are stock included in the general costs of the Meat and Live- stock Commission and could be separately identified only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for. respectively,

Members Staff
Year Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved Staff or equivalent Expenses Salaries* Expenses†
£ £ (wte) £ £ £ £
1979–80 … … 185,263‡ — 18 40,985‡ 4,318‡ 134,453 5,507
1978–79 … … 153,936 — 18 30,799 2,495 120,642 —
1977–78 … … 115,178 — 17 29,393 2,343 83,442 —
1976–77 … … 119,248 — 18½ 25,825 2,228 91,195 —
1975–76 … … 115,248 — 18½ 27,527 1,948 86,284 —
1974–75 … … 99,588 — 18 22,187 1,481 75,920 —
NOTES:
* Figures include basic salary plus cost of accommodation and services.
† Figures for 1978–79 and earlier years are not available and are not included in the first column.
‡ Provisional.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Management Committee, Common Services Agency for Scottish Health Service, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

Members
Year Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved Salaries or equivalent Expenses
£ £ £ £
1978–79 … … 8,000 27,703,000 13 —* 8,000
1977–78 … … 4,000 24,089,000 13 — 4,000
1976–77 … … 3,000 22,155,000 13 — 3,000
1975–76 … … 2,000 18,874,000 13 — 2,000
1974–75 … … 2,000 14,708,000 13 — 2,000
* The chairman of the management committee is entitled to, but does not draw, an honorarium.

members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The available information is as follows:

members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Milk Appeals Tribunal, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The Milk Appeals Tribunal, which has a membership of three, has not incurred expenditure in any of these categories.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the National Panel of Specialists (Scottish Office), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members,

Members
Year Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved Salaries or equivalent Expenses
£ £ £ £
1979–80 … … 1,036 — 27 — 1,036
1978–79 … … 1,277 — 27 — 1,277
1977–78 … … 1,217 — 27 — 1,217
1976–77 … … 238 — 27 — 238
1975–76 … … 220 — 27 — 220

Secretarial services are provided by Departmental officers in the course of their normal duties.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the National Galleries of Scotland (Trustees), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past live years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The National Panel of Specialists consists at present of some 165 consultants who may be called upon by health boards when constituting committees to appoint hospital consultants. Expenses are paid by health boards and records are not kept centrally.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the National Committee for In-Service Training of Teachers, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

Mr. Younger

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (Trustees), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

Members Staff
Year Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved* Salaries or equivalent Expenses Salaries Expenses
£ £ £ £ £ £
1979–80 … … 812,070 Nil 87 Nil 1,089 324,770 7,623
1978–79 … … 623,314 Nil 81 Nil 1,106 252,793 4,346
1977–78 … … 510,993 Nil 79 Nil 1,304 228,535 3,778
1976–77 … … 435,596 Nil 71 Nil 697 198,688 3,520
1975–76 … … 343,610 Nil 72 Nil 544 184,261 1,884
* Including 23 members of the Board of Trustees, full-time staff and the full-time equivalent of part-time staff.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the National Medical Consultative Committee (Scotland), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively,

Members(3) Staff(4)
Year(1) Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved(2) Staff or equivalent Expenses Salaries Expenses
£ £ £ £ £ £
1979–80 … … 21,776 — 180 — 9,798 11,978 —
1978–79 … … 21,632 — 180 — 10,183 11,449 —
1977–78 … … 20,394 — 180 — 10,435 9,959 —
1976–77 … … 17,072 — 180 — 7,085 9,987 —
1975–76 … … 12,055 — 180 — 5,540 6,515 —
1974–75 … … 6,247 — 180 — 1,195 5,052 —

Notes:

The National Medical Consultative Committee has an Executive Sub-Committee and 11 standing specialty sub-committees.

(1) Figures for 1979–80 are provisional.

(2) Persons involved are

54 members of the NMCC

106 additional members of the specialty sub-committees

6 officers of the Planning Council Secretariat, whose work in servicing the NMCC and its sub-committees is currently assessed at 1 .8 whole time equivalents

2 members of the BMA staff, who assist in servicing the NMCC and its Executive Sub-Committee.

In addition 12 members of the Medical Services staff of the Scottish Home and Health Department provide professional support to the NMCC and its Specialty Sub-Committees.

The NMCC normally holds 2 one day meetings per year. The Executive Sub-Committee and the Specialty Sub-Committees each meet on average 3 times annually, meetings normally being of one half day's duration.

(3) Members of the NMCC and its sub-committees are unpaid. Reimbursement is limited to expenses incurred in attending meetings.

(4) The estimated attributable staff salaries include accommodation and common services. The sum paid to the BMA in respect of its servicing responsibility is also included.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the National Optical Consultative Committee (Scotland), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with

members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

Members Staff
Year(*) Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved(†) Salaries or equivalent Expenses Salaries(‡) Expenses
£ £ £ £ £ £
1979–80 … … 2,423 — 25 — 882 1,541 —
1978–79 … … 1,760 — 25 — 461 1,299 —
1977–78 … … 1,554 — 25 — 355 1,199 —
1976–77 … … 1,476 — 25 — 368 1,108 —
1975–76 … … 1,506 — 25 — 520 986 —
Notes:
(*) Figures for 1979–80 are provisional.
(†) There are 22 members of the National Optical Consultative Committee, which meets, on average, for two half days each year. Three officers of the Secretariat of the Scottish Health Service Planning Council are responsible for servicing the Committee, although the work is assessed at considerably less than the whole time equivalent of one member of staff.
(‡) The estimated salary costs include accommodation and common services.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the nursing training committees (Scotland), the amount disbursed by those bodies, the number of persons including secretaries, involvd with those bodies, the amount of payment, for respectively, members of those bodies by way of salary or quivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

There are seven area nurse training committees, with a total membership of ninety-one. Members receive travel and subsistence expenses, but no salary. The committees are serviced by health board staff, and the costs of administration cannot be accurately assessed. The amounts disbursed and the expenses claimed by members are given below.

Members Staff
Year Total financial costs Amount disbursed Number of persons involved Salaries or equivalent Expenses Salaries Expenses
£ £ £ £ £ £
1979–80 … … 26 Nil 4 Nil Nil 26 Nil
1978–79 … … 334 Nil 4 101 19 86 128
1977–78 … … 26 Nil 4 Nil Nil 26 Nil
1976–77 … … 26 Nil 4 Nil Nil 26 Nil
1975–76 … … 520 Nil 4 374 Nil 146 Nil

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Secretary of State's Advisory Panel of Economic Consultants; and what action he has taken as a result.

Year Amount disbursed including administrative costs Members' expenses
£000's £
1979–80 5,373 Not available
1978–79 5,231 2,539
1977–78 4,519 1,818
1976–77 3,785 107
1975–76 2,862 253

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the National Health Service Tribunal (Scotland), the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Mr. Younger

The information is as follows:

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The Secretary of State's Advisory Panel of Economic Consultants normally meets some three or four times a year as appropriate. Advice from members is given in confidence.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Valuation Advisory Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Younger

In July 1979 on the question of access to assessors' valuation records. In my current consideration of this question I am taking into account the council's advice together with other relevant matters.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Studentship Selection Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The committee met in July 1979 to select the postgraduate students who should receive assistance during the 1979–80 academic session under the Scottish studentship scheme.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Standing Committee for the Calculation of Residual Manurial Values; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Younger

The committee last reported to me in September 1979 and its findings were published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The values which the committee determines are used extensively in the course of agricultural valuations and arbitrations in Scotland.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Records Advisory Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Rifkind

During the last year the council has continued to advise on arrangements for the custody and preservation of earlier Scottish local authority records, and for their transmission from the Scottish Record Office to local authority regional and other appropriate archives; and on similar arrangements for Church of Scotland Presbyterial records. As a result I have authorised appropriate agreements for transmission of various classes of records accordingly.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Police College Board of Governors; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Rifkind

The advice which is provided by the board on the discharge of my functions in relation to police training in Scotland and the management of the Scottish Police College is recorded in the minutes of its meetings, the most recent of which was held in November 1979. This advice is acted on as appropriate by officers of my Department, by the staff of the college, and by members of the police service.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Manpower Services Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The primary responsibility of the Manpower Services Committee for Scotland is to advise the Manpower Services Commission. My right hon. Friend however finds its views of much value in exercising his manpower responsibilities, and has recently consulted it on proposals to improve the supply of teachers in shortage subjects by attracting recruits from industry. He took note of the committee's views when writing to industrialists about the proposals.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Younger

The Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board meets monthly to advise me on applications for selective financial assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972, and its recommendations are recorded. The board last met on 12 May and assistance has been offered in accordance with its recommendations.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Food Hygiene Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Fairgrieve

On 8 May 1980, the chairman of the Scottish Food Hygiene Council submitted comments on proposed amendments to the Imported Food (Scotland) Regulations 1968. These comments are at present under consideration and will be taken into account, along with those of the other bodies consulted, in the making of the amendment regulations.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Economic Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The Scottish Economic Council does not produce written advice.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Council for Post Graduate Medical Education; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Fairgrieve

The council, which includes representatives of my Department, meets four times a year; advice following these meetings is therefore received from the council continuously throughout the year. One recent example is the preparation of the NHS (Vocational Training) (Scotland) Regulations 1980 on which the council has on several occasions provided written advice which has been reflected in the Regulations and in my Department's guidance to health boards on implementation.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Council for Community Education; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

Following its last meeting on 30 April the council submitted a report on relationships between the main bodies involved in community education in Scotland; this report is being considered.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State, for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Centre Fire Brigades Advisory Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Rifkind

The advice which is provided by the council on matters affecting fire brigades in Scotland is recorded in the minutes of its meetings, the most recent of which was held in December 1979. My Department normally acts on this advice by notifying it to fire authorities or firemasters for their information or action as appropriate.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Agricultural Statistics Consultative Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Younger

Early this year, when the committee fully endorsed minor changes proposed to the June 1980 agricultural census form.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Agricultural Development Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Younger

The most recent written advice received from the Scottish Agricultural Development Council related to grassland improvement and was given on 27 February 1980. The council's views are being taken into account in the current review of the research and development work commissioned in that sector.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Agricultural Consultative Panel; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Younger

The main function of this panel is to consider appeals from farmers who disagree with my Department's decisions about the eligibility of their holdings for assistance under the European Community's directive on farming in less-favoured areas (75/268). The panel, which is chaired by a senior official in my Department, deals with an average of twelve cases each year.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Advisory Committee on Top Grade Scientific Posts; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Fairgrieve

Advice was received from the committee following its meeting on 25 February. In the light of this advice my right hon. Friend approved the creation of two top-grade physicist posts and authorised the payment of revised responsibility allowances to certain top-grade scientists.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Advisory Committee of the Council for the Education and Training of Health Visitors; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Fairgrieve

This committee does not advise my right hon. Friend. In terms of the Health Visiting and Social Work (Training) Act 1962 its role is to advise the Council for the Education and Training of Health Visitors on matters relating to the exercise of the council's functions so far as they concern Scotland.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Scottish Advisory Committee to the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Fairgrieve

The function of this committee is to advise the Central Council on the exercise of its functions so far as they concern Scotland. Its duties do not include advising my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mir. Rifkind

The commission advises central and local government regularly. The commission's last written advice to my Department was given on 26 March 1980 and related to the design of Dalnabo bridge. A9. The bridge design is being modified to take account of the commission's advice.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the National Committee for the In-Service Training of Teachers; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

On 18 April 1980. This committee was one of the bodies invited by my Department to consider proposed changes in the organisation of the consultative committee on the curriculum and of the Scottish curriculum development service. The written advice received from the committee is being considered together with the comments received from other bodies.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last received written advice from the National Panel of Specialists; and what action he has taken as a result.

Mr. Fairgrieve

The National Panel of Specialists is a list of consultants on whom health boards may draw for appropriate specialty expertise when constituting committees to appoint hospital consultants. The panel has no corporate advisory function and in fact never meets as a body.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Medicines Commission, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

Dr. Vaughan

I have been asked to reply.

Costs for the year ended 31 March 1980 totalled about £44,000, consisting of fees (£2,000) and expenses (£3,000) of 19 members, and salaries and overheads (£39,000) of five staff substantially involved as secretariat. The corresponding costs for 1978–79 amounted to about £60,000 for 19 members, six staff, and more frequent meetings. Expenditure for preceding years was comparable. The Medicines Commission does not disburse funds.

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