asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of total European regional development fund grants to the United Kingdom has gone to Scotland since the inception of the fund in 1975.

Since the European regional development fund was set up in 1975, approximately 25 per cent. of the grant-aid allocated to the United Kingdom has related to projects in Scotland.

Does not that suggest that Scotland is doing very well out of the European regional development fund? What steps is my hon. Friend taking to publicise the grants?

I am grateful for the consistency with which my hon. Friend provides the opportunity to publicise these excellent arrangements. I am sure that he will be interested to know that the total of grants and loans allocated to Scotland from Community sources is now more than £1,000 million.

Can the Minister confirm that the EEC has now offered funds for agricultural development in the Highlands and Islands? If that is so, what is the amount of the offer, and are the Government accepting it?

The right hon. Gentleman may be aware that there is an EEC project in the Western Isles. I think that the total sum amounts to about £20 million. The right hon. Gentleman might wonder why the right hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Stewart), whose constituency is receiving that aid, has so far been unable to express some gratitude to the EEC for that.

Will my hon. Friend confirm that if we had not joined the EEC we would not be receiving the grants, and that many projects would not have been started in Scotland?

My hon. Friend is correct. The Labour Party's policy of withdrawal from the European Community, if put into practice, would severely damage exports, reduce inward investment and, as a result, increase unemployment in Scotland.

Does the Minister accept that the awarding of the regional grants, as distinct from the loans, depends entirely on the Government giving aid to the various assisted areas? Does the Minister further accept that, once the Government's policy of abolishing the assisted area status of many areas in Scotland, including parts of the Central region, is fully implemented, those areas will no longer qualify for the regional aid about which he is boasting?

I agree with the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question. With regard to the second part, he will be aware that it is Government policy to ensure that regional aid is given to those parts of the United Kingdom that are in most need, and that that relates our own regional development areas to the EEC regional development fund. He will also know that, since the Government came into office, Scotland has had a larger share of development area regions than any other part of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the prospects for employment in the Scotch whisky industry.

I expect that, after a period of necessary adjustment in stocks, production will rise again in the medium term, and that should help to sustain employment prospects in the industry.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Scotch whisky industry, because of the world recession, is facing severe problems, especially in the United States, and that it is trying to combat them by a promotional effort in that country? Will my hon. Friend give every support to that effort?

I am aware that, as my hon. Friend says, the Scotch whisky industry is suffering from the world recession. He will know that it is suffering from the fact that difficulties are being caused, for example, in the United States, where there is at present a preference towards lighter drinks such as vodka. We shall do all we can to assist the Scotch whisky industry to promote exports overseas. We are encouraged by some noises from Japan in recent days that there may be a more helpful attitude in that country towards further imports of Scotch whisky.

Has the hon. Gentleman read the report in today's Financial Times that the French are having considerable success in promoting brandy in Hong Kong because of the belief there that brandy has strong aphrodisiac qualities, whereas whisky is alleged to reduce the libido? Will the hon. Gentleman do his best to ensure that that scurrilous claim is denied?

I must confess that I would have preferred the hon. Gentleman to have written to me about that entirely false allegation. The publicity that he has given it makes it a little more difficult for us to deny it.

Is my hon. Friend aware that at the beginning of this year the distilling sector was operating at only 55 per cent. of full capacity, and the bottling and blending sector at no more than 72 per cent. of capacity? Is he also aware that the situation is generally recognised to have worsened since then, and the industry hopes that the Government will give it all possible support at this critical time?

I agree that the industry is going through a difficult time, for the reasons that we have discussed. In our export promotion effort and in other ways we shall do all that we can to make sure that the industry soon returns to its leading position in the world drinks league.

Does the Minister agree that the sums being made available by the Scotch Whisky Association are totally inadequate to meet the challenge of white spirit, and that, if the Scottish industry is to be protected, more will have to be done to shake people out of their complacency?

The hon. Gentleman is wrong to measure the effort being made by the industry merely in terms of the money made available by the Scotch Whisky Association. He must also take into account brand promotions, which must run into millions of pounds a year at home and abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest unemployment figures for the Bothwell area; and if he will visit the jobcentres in the Bothwell constituency.

On 12 November 1981, 3,788 people were registered as unemployed in the Bellshill and Uddingston unemployment office areas, which between them cover the major part of the Bothwell constituency. My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to visit the jobcentres in the Bothwell constituency.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that Bothwell is part of the North Lanarkshire area, where we have a 20·4 per cent. unemployment rate? Is he aware that that figure does not include this year's school leavers who are not yet on the register, and that the redundancies that I announced to the House a fortnight ago have also not yet been added to the unemployment figures? Since the steel industry is also under severe pressure, will the hon. Gentleman visit the Bothwell jobcentres to discover the facts for himself? If he has any thoughts for Scotland, will he visit Scotland to find out what is happening there?

I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's main points. I visited factories in his constituency recently. He will know that workers are being taken on by companies in the area, such as Levi-Strauss, which is operating successfully, and two high-technology companies, Pye TMC and Ferranti, which are both in Bellshill. They are taking on a considerable number of new workers. The hon. Gentleman will also know that all the unemployed 1981 school leavers will have been offered places on the youth opportunities programme by the end of this year.

Has the creation of the "Locate in Scotland" unit been successful in constituencies such as Bothwell in attracting inward investment with a view to reducing unemployment?

My hon. Friend is right in his assumption that the "Locate in Scotland" unit is performing encouragingly, and we look forward to seeing the results of its success in the new year.

Why does the hon. Gentleman persist in making optimistic speeches about Scottish industry being on the upturn when the Chancellor of the Exchequer's figures for unemployment published last week show that next year unemployment in the United Kingdom will rise by 300,000 and while the figure for industrial production in Scotland during the second quarter of this year shows a further reduction of 4 per cent. in a single quarter?

Neither my right hon. Friend nor I make any effort to dodge the difficulties involved in the level of unemployment in Scotland or in closures and redundancies that take place. However, it is right that on the occasions—and the right hon. Gentleman knows that there are some—when substantial export orders, shipbuilding orders or inward investment opportunities come to Scotland my right hon. Friend and I should take the opportunity to spread such encouraging news throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to amend the law relating to the property of mentally disordered patients in Scotland in line with the suggestions made in the 1975 publication of the Mental Welfare Commission "No Place to Go".

The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1980 extended the powers of the sheriff court in this field. These changes have been welcomed by the commission. My Department is considering what further improvements need to be introduced, but I am not persuaded that an independent body as proposed by the commission would be appropriate.

The hon. Gentleman has no doubt read the latest report from the Mental Welfare Commission entitled "Does the Patient come first?", which is highly critical of the activities of the curators responsible for the estates of mentally disordered patients. Is he aware of the case in my constituency of a youth who had a serious car accident that left him a physical and mental wreck? He was awarded £75,000 compensation, but the curator allows the family, which is receiving supplementary benefit, the princely sum of £12 a week and even asks for receipts for the money spent on sweets that the family takes to the youth in hospital. Is it not an absolute disgrace that we have such inquisitors in Scotland, and should they not be put in their place?

I should be grateful if the hon. Gentleman would write to me with details of the case.

I have already written to the Scottish Office.

On the more general point, the Scottish Law Commission is reviewing the law relating to the appointment of curators bonis.

On the question of mentally disordered patients, does my hon. Friend intend to introduce legislation to take account of the recent ruling of the European Courts of Human Rights on this matter? If so, when does he intend to bring forward the legislation?

My hon. Friend has raised an important point. As a result of the judgment of the European Court, a change in the law will be required to give patients detained under restriction orders a periodic right of appeal. My right hon. Friend proposes to introduce amending legislation on that matter in due course.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is more than 20 years since the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1960 was passed, and that the Mental Welfare Commission is expressing serious disquiet about the way that some curators regard their function as being merely to conserve a ward's estate? My hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) has raised a serious point, and I ask the Minister to accept that the time has come for a wider look at how curators, once appointed, carry out their functions.

On the hon. Gentleman's general point about the 1960 Act, the commission acknowledges, in general, that it is still an effective piece of legislation, though it has suggested amendments. On the specific point, I have said that the Scottish Law Commission is reviewing the law. The hon. Gentleman will agree that it is a complex area, but I assure him that I will draw his point to the attention of the commission.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the grossly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how per capita public expenditure in areas for which he is responsible compares with similar public expenditure for the United Kingdom as a whole.

Identifiable public expenditure per head, which includes some expenditure not within my direct responsibility, remains about 20 per cent. higher in Scotland than in the United Kingdom as a whole.

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on that answer. Does he agree that it shows clearly the great concern of the Government for the people of Scotland and gives the lie to the protestations of the Opposition that the Government have neglected Scotland for the past two and a half years?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend.

I bet you are!

I continue to do everything that I can to ensure that public expenditure in Scotland matches the needs of Scotland. I claim that this very much does that.

Does the Secretary of State realise that Scotland is subsidising England hand over fist by exporting to the Treasury this year alone £4,000 million of oil revenue? In view of the terrifically high rate of unemployment in Scotland, does he think that this money, or a good part of it, should be deployed on the regeneration of the economy of Scotland and the provision of jobs for young and old?

I disagree totally with the hon. Gentleman. Scotland has much larger sources of supply through being part of the United Kingdom. Spending is higher per head in Scotland than in any other part of the United Kingdom. I thought that the hon. Gentleman would have welcomed that.

What efforts has the Secretary of State made to ensure that Scotland gets a high percentage of public purchasing by Government Departments and nationalised industries?

We watch this matter all the time. It is an extremely important point. In regard to North Sea oil related expenditure, United Kingdom firms get between 70 and 80 per cent. of the associated business. Of that, roughly half goes to Scottish firms. We do our best to maximise this at all times.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is time that the myth about oil was destroyed? Is it not the case that if the median line were extended out to sea there would be considerable doubt whether Scotland could claim the oilfields? Could not the Orkneys and Shetlands claim a substantial part of them as theirs?

I agree with my hon. Friend. The vast majority of Scots people regard themselves as part of Great Britain and are glad to take part in the exploitation of oil as part of Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the South of Scotland Electricity Board and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board on the implementation of schemes, based on the announcement made in the Budget on 10 March to help large industrial users of electricity in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

At the time of the Chancellor's announcement it was made clear that the concessionary scheme applied only to England and Wales. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland said then that the Scottish electricity boards expected their tariffs for industrial consumers to remain competitive with those in the rest of the United Kingdom and that they would review their terms to ensure that this was achieved. Discussions on these matters have taken place with the boards and there is no indication that industrial consumers in Scotland are paying more than their counterparts south of the border.

How does the Minister explain the fact that Cape Insulation in my constituency wrote to me complaining bitterly that the SSEB had alleged that the Scottish Office was stopping it implementing a scheme for industry in Scotland? Has the Minister received a copy of that letter, which I sent to him? If he has received the letter, will he answer the allegation that the Scottish Office is frustrating the SSEB in implementing a scheme to help industry in Scotland pay less for its electricity?

I think that there must be a misunderstanding. I have written to the hon. Gentleman today replying to the copy of the letter that he sent me. I assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that the Scottish Office is not interfering with the SSEB' s tariffs. At a meeting with the chairman yesterday, I discussed this, among other matters. The hon. Gentleman's constituent may be referring to the NEDC office's work on comparisons between United Kingdom and EEC prices, which is a different matter.

As the United Kingdom continues to lag behind its main European industrial competitors in the generation of a higher proportion of electricity by nuclear power, is there any chance that the SSEB and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board will break out of this United Kingdom stricture and create a higher proportion of nuclear energy?

My hon. Friend is correct in saying that the United Kingdom has a lower proportion of nuclear energy than some EEC countries, particularly France, where the proportion is very much to France's industrial advantage. Within the United Kingdom, Scotland has a higher proportion of nuclear energy than England and Wales.

I recognise that the industrial success of this country is of paramount importance, but will the Minister say whether he has had any discussions with the chairman of the SSEB about adopting a more sympathetic approach to disconnections and so enable the board to project a better public image based on its record and assist it to wipe off debts?

We have discussed these matters with the board, but the subject comes up again on question No. 11.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is frustration in some of the continuous process industries, such as the paper industry, over the fact that the continuous use of electricity throughout 24-hour and longer cycles gives considerable economic benefit to the electricity boards, which should be recognised in improved tariffs?

The boards have a responsibility, to make sure that each user of electricity meets the cost of that electricity; in other words, to ensure that the spread of costs is even. My hon. Friend is correct in saying that other factors must be taken into account where large users are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were convicted for a breach of the peace during the past 12 months.

The latest available information is for 1979, when 31,659 persons were convicted of breach of the peace.

Will the Minister explain why one case was dropped? I refer to the shameful incident earlier this year when Councillor Tony Lester attacked a member of the public in Lothian regional chambers. Was a special deal done to permit this leading member of the Tory Party to escape prosecution? Is the Tory Party justifying extra-parliamentary activities? It is obvious to me that there is one law for the Conservative Party and another for the Labour Party. Will the Minister answer that question? Was a special deal done for Councillor Tony Lester, because that is what is being said in Scotland?

Questions of prosecution are for the procurator fiscal to consider. I am not aware of any such deal as that suggested by the hon. Gentleman. One can think of a number of examples of public figures indulging in unruly behaviour without being prosecuted.

How many Members of Parliament or ex-Members of Parliament feature in the statistics that the Under-Secretary gave?

I am not immediately aware of that information. Part of the explanation might be that Members of Parliament, quite apart from councillors, sometimes indulge in anti-social behaviour which is tolerated by the community as a whole.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the banning of alcohol at football and rugby matches has brought an immense improvement in behaviour? Will he consider recommending this legislation to the Spanish Government?

It is not one of my responsibilities to make representations of that or any other kind to foreign Governments. My hon. Friend is, of course, correct. We can be greatly heartened by the extremely encouraging evidence from football grounds throughout Scotland that since the ban on alcohol was introduced there has been a significant improvement in behaviour. All involved in these activities recognise this welcome improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for the reform of local government finance in Scotland.

My proposals for amending the statutory provisions relating to determination of rates are contained in clause 1 of the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Bill, which received its Second Reading earlier this week. The wider question of domestic rating will be considered in a Green Paper to be published shortly, as indicated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 2 December.

Will the Secretary of State acknowledge that the question referred to the reform of local government finance, while his answer referred to his decimation of democracy in local government and to direct interference that will enable him, in effect, to set local rate levels? Will he undertake to give as soon as possible a clear indication of the exact nature of clause 3 of the Bill to which he has referred? This is a matter of pressing importance to local authorities such as Fife.

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's second point. I am aware of his interest in the matter. We are discussing the issue with COSLA, and we shall announce as soon as possible what is to happen.

Will my right hon. Friend give some indication of the number of representations that he has received from ratepayers organisations and ratepayers that ratepayers should be adequately protected against excessive rate rises?

My hon. Friend may know that I have had between 30,000 and 40,000 such representations. I have had no additional representations since the debate on Monday when the new alterations were approved by the House.

How can the Secretary of State justify his written answer to me yesterday that he plans to discontinue the capital grants scheme for local youth and voluntary organisations in favour of transferring money into projects in cities? How can he justify taking money from rural areas and giving it to the cities in this way? What is the connection between the two?

I stress that this is not the final decision. These are proposals for discussion. I note what the right hon. Gentleman says, and we shall of course take that into account in deciding whether to proceed in that way.

Will the Secretary of State now answer the question that was put to him on Monday, but which he did not answer then? What does the cash limit for 1982–83 mean in terms of a real reduction in expenditure for Scottish local authorities?

The matter will be discussed in the annual consultations with COSLA. That is how it is always presented to local government associations, and that is what we shall do next week.

We have been told the figures for England and Wales. Why cannot we be told the figure for Scotland?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it has always been the practice to reveal that information at the rate grant settlement meeting. That is how he always did it, and I do not know why he wants me to change the practice now.

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the promised consultative document on rating reform will deal with the considerable imbalance between those who pay for local government services through rates and the number of people who vote in local elections?

I appreciate what my hon. Friend said. He will have to wait until he sees the Green Paper, but I think that he will find that his point is fully covered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to increase the public sector building programme and in particular the construction of council houses.

I recently announced that an extra £38 million would be available to housing authorities in Scotland for house building and improvement in the current year, largely because of the additional receipts earned following the success of the Government's policy on the sale of public sector houses.

Does the Minister accept that this is hopelessly inadequate, in view of the scale of the problem in Scotland and the fact that more than 48,000 construction workers in Scotland are unemployed? Does he agree that the time has come for more money to be spent on new house construction and modernisation schemes?

The hon. Gentleman is right if he is implying that more of our resources should be concentrated on capital expenditure and less on current expenditure. If he will do his best to encourage local authorities to reduce their current expenditure so that more is available for capital investment in housing and so on, he will help to overcome the problem that he has identified.

Does the Minister accept that housing in Scotland is critical, particularly in the cities? Will he give this matter urgent priority? Unless we have more houses, especially sheltered housing for the elderly, there will be many difficulties, including much longer housing lists in cities.

I accept what the hon. Gentleman said. He will appreciate that the local district council of the city that he represents would have had several million pounds more available for capital expenditure on housing, including sheltered housing, if it had taken a responsible decision on rents.

Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the problems is the large number of empty council properties? Does he accept that an imaginative scheme is needed so that these houses may be occupied or sold? We require more sheltered housing, not the large housing schemes that we have had in the past.

My hon. Friend is right about the priorities. There are many empty houses in cities such as Glasgow and other urban areas. I compliment the Glasgow district council on its homesteading experiments, which have been conspicuously successful in Easterhouse and elsewhere. I am sure that in all those areas there is a great interest, particularly among young married couples, in buying surplus property that the council cannot persuade people to rent. I hope that experiments of that kind will be tried in many parts of Scotland.

Does the Minister accept that the so-called concern of the Government for Scotland, which was mentioned a few minutes ago in a particularly lickspittle way by the chairman of the Conservative Party in Scotland, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Ancram), has resulted in a tragic combination of the lowest number of public sector starts since the war and the highest unemployment in the construction industry since figures were started? That will not do. Is not the Minister filled with a feeling of black despair as he contemplates the dreary deflationary package unveiled by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week, which holds out no help whatsoever for people who hope to live in council houses in Scotland or for those in the construction industry who wish to provide those houses?

The hon. Gentleman should acknowledge that the policy of reducing capital expenditure on housing was advocated in the Labour Government's Green Paper on housing and has been continued by this Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce measures to control the use of disconnection by electricity boards in Scotland, in view of the hardships caused by current restrictions imposed by the South of Scotland Electricity Board.

No. The South of Scotland Electricity Board carries out disconnections in accordance with the industries' code of practice on the payment of domestic gas and electricity bills. The operation of the code of practice has been examined by the Policy Studies Institute and its report, which was published recently, is being urgently considered by the Scottish electricity boards and their consultative councils. They have agreed to consider changes in the operation of the code in the light of the report, and the aim is to introduce any changes to the code and its operation by March 1982.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that when the amount owed is more than £150 the South of Scotland Electricity Board will not accept a direct payment for fuel from the social security department on behalf of the recipient and that, as a consequence, unemployed families with young children have been disconnected? Will he review the situation because, south of the border, payments are taken up to £300? Does the Minister agree that consumers in the North are entitled to the same fair and just consideration as consumers south of the border?

I am aware of the problem that the hon. Gentleman has raised. I understand that, as a result of a recent meeting between the chairman of the board and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security, more flexible arrangements are likely to be introduced. I discussed the matter recently with the chairman of the board. However, the percentage of consumers in the board's area who have been disconnected has remained virtually unchanged over the past three years.

Does the Minister agree that one of the problems in the area is the tremendously high cost of electricity? Would there not be fewer problems if there were rationalisation of the costs of gas and electricity? What steps is he taking to make equalisation possible?

I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's premise. He will know that the most significant factor in the cost of electricity is fuel. On a United Kingdom basis, coal is the basic fuel that is used to produce electricity. Therefore, the price of coal is important in this connection.

Does the Minister accept that there is widespread concern because it appears that the South of Scotland Electricity Board is operating a much tougher policy on disconnections than almost any other generating board in the United Kingdom? Does he further accept that recently some alarming cases of disconnection have come to light? Will the Minister raise this matter with the board and discuss with it a more flexible approach to what is becoming a serious problem?

I am aware of the seriousness of the problem. However, it tends to be exaggerated, and the board tends to be lambasted with accusations that cannot be justified. As I have already said, the board has undertaken to respond to the PSI report by March next year. I have asked the chairman to keep me informed of progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the progress of his negotiations with Caledonian MacBrayne on ferry services on the West Coast.

In company with my hon. Friend, I recently visited Dunoon and heard the views of various local interests on the future of the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service. My right hon. Friend is now considering these views and hopes to make a statement soon. Caledonian MacBrayne continues to provide satisfactory ferry services throughout the West Coast of Scotland.

Does "soon" mean before the Christmas Recess? Will my hon. Friend confirm that the passenger service will continue from pier to pier? Will he further confirm that the current discussions revolve round the continued use of the "Juno" as the passenger ship and allowing her to carry vehicle traffic at the same time?

I cannot give my hon. Friend a specific date for the announcement of the decision, but I can confirm that it is intended that a proper service for passengers will continue between the two terminals. Until any further announcement is made, the service between Gourock and Dunoon will continue in the same way as has operated till now.

Can the Minister now tell us—he could not last month—whether the car docking facility at Gourock will remain if the Caledonian MacBrayne service is withdrawn from Dunoon, in view of the problems that would result for other ferry services on the Clyde if that facility were withdrawn?

The hon. Gentleman will have to await the final decision before judging all the detailed implications. I confirm that that is one of the factors that we shall take into account before reaching a final decision.

Will my hon. Friend persuade the Scottish Transport Group to produce individual accounts for ferry runs on the West Coast of Scotland so that islanders may know how much subsidy is being paid on each run?

I accept the basis of that question. When public subsidies are provided to support services, it is not unreasonable that the subsidies—whether or not subsidies are popular or justified—should be identified for each service.

Has there not been a sorry tale of administrative indecision and political prejudice? Does the Minister accept that priority should be given to having a good service for pedestrian as well as vehicular traffic between Gourock and Dunoon and that any scheme should be tested against that criterion? Does he further accept that the Opposition and many people in the area served by the ferry will oppose any scheme that creates a monopoly for any private outfit?

From the beginning the Government's approach has been based on the criterion of a proper service to meet the requirements of local people. The hon. Gentleman should appreciate that there is already a monopoly in virtually every service in Scotland. Obviously, it is desirable to avoid that if it can be done without massive public subsidy. The hon. Gentleman should appreciate that the Gourock-Dunoon service is the one service in Scotland that should not require a subsidy. Yet it receives the highest subsidy—£500,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current size of the Scottish dairy herd.

The provisional results of the 1981 June census show a dairy cow herd of 278,000.

Given those interesting figures, does my right hon. Friend agree that it is essential for the Government to do all in their power to protect Scottish producers from any measures that might discriminate against well-established and efficient methods of production?

I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the efficiency of our producers, who have a fine record of keeping up milk production—which is going well—despite a reduction in the size of the herd. As my hon. Friend will know, we do not like the co-responsibility levy, and we shall argue strongly against any proposal that discriminates against our producers.

Does the Secretary of State imagine that it helps milk production to appoint a member of the Social Democratic Party from my constituency to the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, especially as her knowledge of milk and milk production is as negligible as her knowledge of politics?

It is beyond me to say whether it helps any organisation to have a member of the Social Democratic Party appointed to it. However, if a person is capable of doing a good job for a public body, that ability is not necessarily affected by his or her allegiance to a particular party.

Will the Secretary of State lay aside his political prejudice for a minute and tell us whether he is satisfied with the downturn in the size of the milk herd?

I do not have any political prejudices about these matters, as I have shown by appointing one of the hon. Gentleman's friends to such a position. Given the production level and performance of the Scottish dairy herd, I am satisfied that a good job is being done in difficult circumstances. If production continues at its present rate, there is every prospect that this will be a record year for milk production in Scotland

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the decision of the Scottish Agriculture Department to require the pasteurisation of all milk by 1983 is wise in view of the recent outbreak of salmonella in the Keith area?

I agree with my hon. Friend. I was sorry to hear about the recent incident in Banffshire in which an outbreak of salmonella poisoning affected more than 400 people, including 100 children. That confirms that my decision was right.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many agricultural workers were registered unemployed in each of the last three years in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

In August 1981—the latest date for which informtion is available—4,748 people who last worked in the agriculture and horticulture industries were registered as unemployed in Scotland. The corresponding figures for 1980 and 1979 were 3,365 and 2,505 respectively. We are well aware of the implications of the decline in agricultural employment for rural communities and this is, of course, taken into account in our wider economic and social policies for these areas.

How do those figures break down? To what extent is it possible to blame the lack of profitability in the hill and upland sector of farming for the increase in the figures? I suspect that that is the cause.

A great deal is probably due to improved productivity in agriculture. I have no doubt that the series of bad years that Scottish farming has suffered has had some effect on the number of those employed in the industry. Even the right hon. Gentleman would not accuse the Government of failing to help the farming industry. We have devalued the green pound three times and provided the highest ever hill livestock compensatory amounts.

As a significant number of those made redundant by Scottish farmers have been put out of their houses, will the Secretary of State consider reviewing the tied housing law in Scotland, particularly in view of the opinions recently expressed by both sides of the Scottish farming industry?

I pay tribute to the work that the farming industry, the National Farmers Union and others have done on this subject. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would know better than most people that if someone who is required to work on a farm leaves his job, it is essential that someone else should be employed to do the work. Otherwise, farming cannot continue.

Was my right hon. Friend as surprised as I was to read that the Scottish National Party's Member of the European Parliament representing the Highlands and Islands allied herself with the Fianna Fail party in signing a motion to the great detriment of British agriculture? That motion, if adopted, would diminish the benefits that flow to British agriculture from the Common Market.

I share my hon. Friend's mystification about the activities of that Member of the European Parliament, who seems to be part of the Gaullist group in the EEC. However, her reading cannot have been effective if she thinks that the Government have neglected farming, because the reverse is true.

Will the Minister and the hon. Member for Argyll (Mr. MacKay) bring their knowledge up to date by reading the newspapers? If they had been up to date, they would have known that Mrs. Winifred Ewing did not sign that motion.

I am fascinated to hear what Mrs. Ewing has not signed, and I am also interested to see what she has signed. They are often in conflict with one another.

Did the Secretary of State miss the point about tied houses? We understand the legitimate needs of farmers, but those who are displaced also have needs. The English legislation seems to be working satisfactorily. I understand that the National Farmers Union in Scotland is now persuaded that similar legislation could operate in Scotland. Why cannot the Minister consider that?

I shall be glad to consider that. I should be particularly interested to know whether the right hon. Gentleman lends his support to it. I have another good reason for taking a careful look at the situation, and I shall do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take further initiatives together with the Scottish Development Agency in areas of exceptionally high unemployment.

Those areas in Scotland facing the most severe economic problems will continue to benefit to the fullest extent from regional policy measures. In addition, a number of special local initiatives have already been taken involving the Scottish Development Agency and others, and I am considering the potential for further such initiatives.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that unemployment in Annan is very high and that in Sanquhar it stands at 21 per cent., which is about the highest level in Scotland? Will he consider special incentives along the lines of a mini enterprise zone in areas of special difficulty?

I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern about those areas in his constituency, which I have visited with him on several occasions. There are particular problems there. The enterprise zone programme is essentially experimental. If we are to evaluate the experiments properly, it is not sensible to scatter a whole lot of new enterprise zones round the country before we have seen how the first ones work. However, we are always ready to look at the most appropriate measures for areas. No doubt my hon. Friend will get in touch with me if he has any special suggestions for his area.

Is the Secretary of State aware that many people believe that the SDA should adopt a more adventurous role in its difficult task of creating new jobs in Scotland? How will the guidelines issued recently assist the SDA to do that job and be more adventurous than last year?

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's wishes, but I am not certain what he means by "adventurous". The SDA thinks that the new guidelines are suitable and a great improvement. No viable industrial project in Scotland has been unable to go ahead because of shortage of funds to back it. I attach a great deal of importance to that, and so does the SDA.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will meet the procurator fiscal for Perth to discuss the number of prosecutions for illegal parking of caravans.

My noble and learned Friend and I regularly meet procurators fiscal. As recently as last month I met the procurator fiscal at Perth. Although the unauthorised parking of caravans was not discussed at this meeting, my noble and learned Friend and I are in correspondence with him about this matter.

I thank my hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Does he acknowledge that a large number of travelling families are illegally parking in my constituency and that the apparent collusion between national and local government officials and the discredited travelling families advisory committee to delay the opening of the Tulloch site is bringing the rule of law in that part of Scotland into disrepute?

I hope that there will be no delay in the provision of sites for traveling people. Grants of 100 per cent. are available. If there are bureaucratic difficulties, it is up to everybody concerned to get rid of them.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman note that there appears to be unauthorised parking of caravans in my constituency at the east end of Blantyre? I should certainly not be party to the prosecution of travelling families, but could not his Department, together with local authorities, clean up sites and make them available to travelling families?

With respect, it is not my Department's duty to clean up sites for travelling people. They have 100 per cent. grants. Where there is a problem local authorities should get on with solving it and providing sites.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many prosecutions for offences related to solvent abuse have been initiated by his Department in the last six months.

As solvent abuse itself is not illegal, no separate register is kept of prosecutions arising out of this social evil.

Does my hon. and learned Friend accept that there may be instances in which another crime related to solvent abuse might arise and where prosecution might be considered? In the light of the consultative document issued by the Scottish Home and Health Department, will my hon. and learned Friend assure the House that he will consult the Minister responsible for health in Scotland before such prosecutions are taken?

The basis upon which a prosecution is taken when a crime is committed, regardless of what the stimulus to it might be, is whether that prosecution is justified. I am in constant consultation with my colleagues about this abuse. The whole House shares the concern about it.

In view of the low-key approach to this big problem, is there not some justification for requiring the police to investigate any offences committed by someone who is under the influence of solvents? After all, the consumption of alcohol alone is not an offence. Why should it be difficult to obtain the information?

I share the hon. Gentleman's concern. Alcohol consumption is not registered—perhaps fortunately. In all cases in which solvent abbuse is part of a complaint, the police do a marvellous educational job in advising parents, local authorities and teachers of the appalling dangers, which a recent case demonstrated.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what criteria are used for deciding whether to prosecute people for incidents arising from fox-hunting.

The same criteria are used to decide whether to prosecute in any such case as are used in any other case—namely, whether there is prima facie corroborated evidence that a criminal offence has been committed and, if so, whether a prosecution is merited.

Has an investigation been made of the activities of the Linlithgow and Stirling hunt following my recent letter to the Lord Advocate? Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the blatant discrimination against some of my constituents who were arrested after a nonviolent, anti-hunt protest, such as blowing hunting horns, whereas members of the hunt and their supporters were allowed to use obstruction and violence? Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that a mounted policeman, who took part in the hunt, seemed to be taking orders from the master of the hunt? Is it not time that something was done to stop police protection being given to upper-class thugs and hooligans who take part in such a cruel blood sport?

Tally ho! Tail him.

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the foxes. There is no prejudice in any prosecution on any basis. I am sure that the House can well understand the hon. Gentleman's fellow feeling for the red fox.

If my hon. and learned Friend intends to proceed along the devious lines outlined by the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan), should he not include people involved in fishing and shooting?

It might interest the House to know that in the incident, which is still sub judice, solvent was sprayed on dogs.

Order. I did not know that the matter was sub judice.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland when next he will meet the chairman of the Scottish Law Commission.

Neither I nor my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Advocate has at present any plans to meet the Scottish Law Commission, but meetings are held as and when necessary.

Has not the Law Commission produced a substantial report on divorce and the division of matrimonial property? Is it not time that the Government held meetings to discuss that report? Are the Government prepared to accept the report, and, if so, what date has been set for legislation?

According to your ruling, Mr. Speaker, if the hon. Gentleman wants an answer to that question, he can table a question and I shall answer it.

In view of the increasing number of cases of anti-social behaviour by neighbours, will my hon. and learned Friend suggest to the Law Commission that it should re-examine the law of nuisance to see whether it meets present circumstances?

I am always in favour of anything that gets rid of nuisances.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland must not brush off serious questions in that way. He answers for divorce law matters in the House, and the Law Commission is involved in them. Can he confirm that there will be a statement or a consultative document from the Government early in the new year on the structure of divorce law in Scotland, not necessarily on the grounds for divorce? What will the statement or document cover?

I assure the House that I treat the matter with great responsibility. I also treat your rulings, Mr. Speaker, with great responsibility. I am in some difficulty whether to render to God or to Caesar in this matter.

Which is which?

Order. Perhaps the Solicitor-General will explain his priorities.

In accordance with your ruling, Mr. Speaker, when somebody tables a question about my priorities I shall answer it.

I apologise to the Solicitor-General for Scotland for intervening when I did, but he made such a good remark that I gave in to temptation.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many sittings of the High Court have taken place in Glasgow to date in 1981.

There have been 12 sittings of the High Court in Glasgow in 1981, including the current sitting, which began on 30 November.

Is my hon. and learned Friend satisfied that he has the balance right between the amount of time that he spends performing his duties in the House and the amount of time that he spends appearing in the High Court in Glasgow?

I undertake the duties of prosecuting in Glasgow High Court and other places according to what I judge to be in the public interest in demonstrating the serious view of violent crime taken by hon. Members on both sides of the House.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland when he expects to receive the report from the procurator fiscal concerning his inquiries into the fire at the nurses' home at the Victoria hospital, Kirkcaldy on 13 November.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my previous reply to him on 26 November 1981.

In view of the considerable public anxiety about the matter, would it not have been better to have had a public inquiry at which all the facts could have been seen to be brought out in public? Will the report, together with the evidence that was adduced, be published, so that we may read it?

Without giving anything away, I can say that the report, when it reaches my noble and learned Friend, will be considered with a view to seeing whether there should be a public inquiry under the Act. I do not give anything away if I say that an inquiry is likely. I might even he responsible for conducting it.

rose—

Order. It is time for the statements, but I shall allow one question from each side.

I am grateful to my hon. and learned Friend for his last words. Will he ensure that in the meantime there is an inquiry into how long the fire may

I assure my hon. Friend that all inquiries into this serious and worrying accident will be investigated. It is a matter for my noble and learned Friend to decide, but it is more than likely that there will be a public inquiry.

May we take it that the public inquiry, when it takes place, will be of a wide-ranging character and that, as the hon. Member for Fife, East (Mr. Henderson) said, every aspect of that tragic fire will be taken into account? Will the Solicitor-General draw to the attention of his hon. Friend the Minister for Health the condition in which the building has been left? The fire-damaged windows have not been boarded up and loose curtains are blowing all over the place. It is a disgraceful sight for people going in and out of the hospital and a constant reminder of the horrors suffered by the nurses.

I am sure that my hon. Friend the Minister for Health will have heard those remarks. Between him and the local authority perhaps something will be done about it. If an inquiry is ordered by my noble and learned Friend, I assure the House that it will be wide ranging. There has been a delay because of the immense amount of investigation that has gone on in preparation for any inquiry.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. After midnight last night, during the Adjournment debate initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-East (Mr. Edwards), the Department of Industry agreed to open its files and provide access to the Comptroller and Auditor General in his preliminary inquiries into British Leyland.

I have received no request.