HC Deb 10 December 1998 vol 322 cc269-70W
Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is spent annually by his Department on research programmes in Scotland; and what proportion of this funding will be transferred to the Scottish Parliament after devolution. [63290]

Mr. Straw

The principal responsibilities of the Home Office in respect of the police, probation, fire and prison services, and in respect of the criminal justice system, relate only to England and Wales. Almost all the research conducted by the Home Office concerns, in one way or another, the operation in future of these services and systems in England and Wales. In view of the separate Scottish legal system, research in these areas has been the responsibility of the Scottish Office and the question of a transfer does not arise.

Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) by programme over £50,000 and (b) the total spending by his Department in Scotland on the identifiable spending areas detailed in Table 7.6A of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1997–98 (Cmnd 3601); which of these programmes will fall solely or jointly under the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament; and what arrangements are in place to transfer control of funds for these projects to the Scottish Executive or Parliament. [63291]

Mr. Straw

Work is in train to identify areas in which it might be appropriate to effect a transfer of funds. I will make a statement in theOfficial Report when this work has been completed.

Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the programmes which it will be ultra vires for his Department to fund or have sole responsibility for after devolution; if he will list these programmes; and if he will make a statement. [63292]

Mr. Straw

The position is being examined in the light of the Scotland Act 1998 and work is in train to identify cases where it may be appropriate to transfer functions. I will make a statement in theOfficial Report when the work reaches a conclusion.