HC Deb 07 December 1989 vol 163 cc350-1W
Sir Russell Johnston

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what delays have been experienced in meeting demands for Gaelic medium education in Scotland; what steps are being taken to deal with this; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

The inter-authority standing group on gaelic education has pointed to teacher supply problems as a source of occasional delay for education authorities wishing to meet local demand for Gaelic medium education. The Northern college of education offers a module in bilingual education as part of its primary teaching degree course and is able to accommodate the small number of students who wish to take it. I understand that other colleges of education are considering the introduction of similar modules. As the total number of teachers being trained increases substantially over the next few years, it is hoped that a greater number will opt to study bilingual education.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what account he has taken of public feeling, as expressed in a recent referendum, when deciding his current and future policy on borehole drilling at Dounreay; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I set out the Government's position on radioactive waste disposal in my reply of 9 November to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) column740. Public concern locally is certainly one of the factors which my right hon. and learned Friend will take into account when making his decision on the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's appeal against Highland regional council's refusal to grant planning permission for test boring at Dounreay.

Yorkshire Humberside North South East
Inclusion Liquidation Inclusion Liquidation Inclusion Liquidation Inclusion Liquidation
1981 1,800 120 310 30 800 110 20,000 1,600
1987 4,200 180 820 50 2,500 170 71,200 2,200
1988 3,800 140 680 60 2,000 170 62,300 1,980
1989 (Q1) 770 60 120 1— 300 20 22,000 600
1— nil or negligible.

Regional analysis of voluntary liquidations not available.

More information about companies is available in "Companies in 1988–89" published by HMSO.