§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will be seeking Crown immunity from prosecution for the institutions which are the responsibility of his Department when the anticipated new controls on emissions come into operation.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI refer to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply on Tuesday 29 November. The Scottish Office has no plans to seek a general removal of Crown immunity in relation to the proposed air pollution regulations. But it does not seek to alter the position whereby National Health Service premises, under the National Health Service (Amendment) Act 1986, automatically lose Crown immunity in respect of any matters which are the subject of regulations under the Health and Safety Act 1974.