HC Deb 10 June 1986 vol 99 cc113-4W
Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the estimated costs to his Department of carrying out the accepted recommendations of Select Committee reports for the year March 1985 to March 1986.

Mr. Rifkind

There are no costs involved for either the Scottish Office or the Highland and Islands development Board in implementing the accepted recommendations of the Scottish Affairs committee report on the HIDB other than the administrative costs of assessing the recommendations, and these are not readily quantifiable. Those recommendations of the Scottish Affairs Committee report on fisheries protection accepted by the Government

for babies weighing (a) under 1,500 g, (b) 1,500 to 2,499 g, (c) 2,500 g plus and (d) babies with unstated birthweight in Scotland and each health board.

Mr. John MacKay

The available data are as follows:

called for changes in emphasis rather than new developments and therefore the associated costs are likely to be very small.

It is not possible to quantify the costs involved in assessing and, where appropriate, implementing the recommendations of other Select Committee reports in so far as they have a bearing on my responsibilities.