§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies he has had made available to him during the past five years on the infestation of sewers by rats; what plans he has to accelerate the elimination of rats from sewers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector MonroNo studies have been made available to my right hon. Friend in the last five years on the infestation of sewers in Scotland by rats. Any evidence of such infestation would be dealt with by the regional and islands councils' drainage departments and it is for the authorities to determine the appropriate action. Any incidents in recent years have been of a minor nature and dealt with promptly by the authorities.
Average available staffed acute1 beds Accident and Emergency3 New Out-Patient attendances Number Rate per 1.000 population2 Number Rate per 1,000 population2 Argyll and Clyde 1,211 2.8 113,313 261 Ayrshire and Arran 1,111 2.9 81,158 216 Borders 350 3.3 15,840 151 Dumfries and Galloway 407 2.8 31,235 211 Fife 782 2.2 64,031 183 Forth Valley 591 2.2 55,907 205 Grampian 1,899 3.6 104,326 200 Greater Glasgow 3,954 4.3 308,450 336 Highland 736 3.6 40,121 195 Lanarkshire 1,603 2.9 110,817 197 Lothian 2,486 3.3 142,429 190 Orkney 91 4.6 1,930 98 Shetland 46 2.0 4,601 203 Tayside 1,653 4.2 99,493 252