Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Government Publications Review, Vol. 13, pp. 743-750, 1986 0277-9390/86 $3.00 + .OO Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. Copyright 0 1986 Pergamon Journals Ltd

GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

GEOFFREY HAMILTON Head of the Official Publications Library, The British Library, Great Russell Street,

London WClB 3DG, United Kingdom

The news about official publications is not always good; in the interests of efficiency and giving bet- ter value for the taxpayer, publishing programmes are curtailed and less official information appears. This has happened to some extent, but British official publications continue to emerge in quantity from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO) and directly from government bodies, conveying information to meet the needs of almost every sector of the community.

Some of this rich variety is seen in the publications chosen for this year’s Notable Documents issue. Several items selected deal with problem areas in contemporary British society: law enforcement, al- coholism, prison accommodation, and ethnic minorities. Information in official publications on these

and similar topics is potentially an important factor in dispelling ignorance and prejudice, as well as constituting in some cases (e.g., the reports on the Chinese community in Britain and on the education

of ethnic minorities’ children) major reservoirs of information. It is particularly to be regretted that neither of the reports just mentioned is provided with an index, the lack of which significantly restricts the usability of these important documents.

Even official bodies love anniversaries it seems, particularly if they are centenaries. The celebratory

publications that are issued are often useful contributions to the history of the bodies concerned, as is the case with the volumes commissioned to mark the centenary of the Scottish Office and the two-hun-

dredth anniversary of the reconstitution of the Board of Trade. Another bicentenary, that of HMSO, is celebrated here rather obliquely by a facsimile of a Statistical Abstract from 1885; a history of HMSO has also been published and will receive a full review in GPR.

A final point that deserves comment is the high standard of design and visual attractiveness that many of these publications exhibit. Reports from Parliamentary Committees are necessarily very practical and workmanlike documents, but most of the other titles included in this selection can stand comparison with commercial publications. The Wildlife Rangers Handbook and New Directions in Prison

Design are outstanding in this respect. On the evidence of this year’s output, there is a lot of life and colour in official publications yet, as HMSO enters its third century.

All publications shown with a “London, HMSO” imprint are available from HMSO Books, P.O.

Box 276, London SW8 5DT, or through HMSO’s overseas agents. In all other cases, an address for or- dering appears in the entry. The following people helped the column to appear, not least by contribut- ing annotations that carry their initials: Tim Cullen, Librarian, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Slough Laboratory; Stephanie Kenna, British Library Preservation Service; Liz May, Biblio- graphic Services Manager, HMSO; and Andrea Singer, Documents Librarian, Indiana University Library, Bloomington, U.S.A. Peter Gutteridge, HMSO, helped greatly by facilitating access to several publications.

389. The Arts of Ethnic Minorities: Status and Funding. A Research Report, by Walter V. Baker. London, Commission for Racial

Equality, 1985. 62~. With abbrev., app., introd., ref., tab. ISBN O-907920-51-9; fl.00. [Available from: Commission for Racial

743

744 GEOFFREY HAMILTON

Equality, Elliot House, lo/l2 Allington Street, London SWlE 5EH].

Coming 10 years after Naseem Khan’s The Arts Britain Ignores (Community Relations Commission, 1976 and reprinted by the CRE in 1978 and 1981), this report examines the progress made since then in the encourage- ment of and assistance to ethnic minority arts by the various bodies set up in Britain to encourage and assist the arts in general. Five hundred fifty-one people from a variety of ethnic groups and funding agencies were in- terviewed to assess the present situation mainly in the visual and performed arts and among non-European minorities as representative of the overall situation, although views of European ethnic groups are also noted. It was generally found that facilities and financial assistance were inadequate, and a programme is put forward to create equality of opportunity for all minority groups. (SK)

390. Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis, by G.M. Dunnet, D.M. Jones, and J.P. McInerney. London, HMSO, 1986. 73~. With app., graphs, maps, tab. ISBN O-l l-242761-8; f7.20.

This document continues the review of a controversial, emotive, and complicated topic reported on in an earlier report by Lord Zuck- erman- the involvement of badgers infected with TB in passing the disease to cattle. A useful historical review of the problem is provided and current policy and practice of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food outlined. Scientific evidence linking the disease in cattle to infected badgers is discussed at some length and appendices provide a large amount of relevant data. Economic questions concerning the disease eradication program are asked, and the role of the media in the continuing controversy is discussed. The authors make 29 recommendations divided into eight headings that include the operation of an interim strategy for badger control, action to reduce risk of disease transmission, research needs, and relations with the public. One conclusion is that for the time being some form of badger control is unavoidable. However, it is recommended that the circumstances under which badgers are captured and destroyed should be altered to avoid possible unnecessary killing of the animals. (TC)

391. Broad Gauge: an Account of the Origins and Development of the Great Western Broad Gauge System, with a Glance at Broad Gauges in Other Lands, by Lance Day. London,

HMSO, 1985. 44~. With ill., ref. ISBN O-l l- 290437-8; f2.75.

In 1985 numerous events and publications celebrated the 150th anniversary of the legislation under which the Great Western Rail- way Company was incorporated to construct a line between London and Bristol. This short monograph from the Science Museum is devoted to the GWR’s most notable char- acteristic in its early years: the adoption by its engineer, Brunel, of a 7-foot track gauge, compared to the 4 foot 8% inch gauge that became “standard” in Britain, North Amer- ica, and most European Countries. By 1846, following Parliamentary scrutiny, the Battle of the Gauges had been won by the narrower gauge, although it was not until 1892 that the last Great Western broad gauge train ran. As well as recounting the story of the broad gauge in Britain, broad gauge lines in other countries, including North America, are briefly surveyed.

392. Burdens on Business: Report of a Scrutiny of Administrative and Legislative Require- ments, by Department of Trade and Indus- try. London, HMSO, 1985. 71~. With app. ISBN O-l 1-513820-X; g5.25.

This report examines restrictions placed on small businesses in meeting administrative and legislative requirements of central and local governments. Ten priority areas for further investigation are established, cover- ing financial matters, such as VAT, PAYE, and National Insurance systems, and en- vironmental and safety factors. The report makes various practical recommendations to increase awareness of the “compliance cost” of government regulations that apply to small business. (LM)

393. Chinese Community in Britain: Second Re- port from the Home Affairs Committee, Session 198485. London, HMSO, 1985. 3v. With app., ftn., tab. (HC 102-1, 102-11, 102- 111, session 1984-85) ISBN o-10-273085-7 (vol. 1), ISBN 01-10-273685-5 (vol. 2), ISBN 0-10-273785-l (vol. 3); g28.45.

The Chinese community is Britain’s third largest ethnic minority, but it has figured very little in discussions concerning race relations and ethnic minorities. Serious diffi- culties facing the Chinese community had gone unnoticed. The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee’s Sub-committee on Race Relations and Immigration gath- ered evidence from the Chinese community and a wide range of official and voluntary organisations, partly during visits to areas of

Great Britain and Northern Ireland 745

394.

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3%.

Britain with substantial Chinese populations and to Hong Kong. Recommendations cover many topics, including provision of official information in Chinese, library provision, employment, careers, and higher education. Some evidence was taken in private, and is therefore not published. The report as a whole gives a comprehensive picture of life in a normally very secluded community.

Cinema and State: the Film Industry and the Government 1927-84, by Margaret Dickin- son and Sarah Street. London, British Film Institute, 1985. 280~. With bibliog., ill., ind., ref., tab. ISBN O-85170-160-4; f18.00; ISBN O-85170-161-2 (paperback); f8.95. [Available from BFI Publishing, 81 Dean Street, London WlV 6AA].

Using Board of Trade records from 1925- 1951 at the Public Record Office as their main source the authors trace the development of the British film and cinema industry during the twentieth century. Because of its great popular appeal during the first half of the century, official interest in the cinema has taken several forms. This study explores the policy and role of the British government in protecting and subsidizing the industry in the face of foreign competition and domi- nance. It examines the background to the relevant legislation from the Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 and shows how it affected the nature of the industry. (SK)

Computer Fraud Survey, by the Audit Com- mission. London, HMSO, 1985. 55~. With app., tab. ISBN O-11-701281-5; 1Z3.30.

The first U.K. computer fraud survey, carried out by the Audit Inspectorate, was published in 1981. The Audit Commission for Local Authorities in England and Wales, successor to the Inspectorate, repeated the exercise in central and local government, health authorities, and commercial organisations to identify aspects of computing that pose the greatest risks and to provide an authoritative survey for the benefit of management and auditors generally. As with similar surveys in other countries, fraudulent data manipulation during input predominated, followed by misuse of computer resources. Only two out of 77 cases reported involved output frauds, though one of these had spectacular results. An appendix describes each reported case.

Costs and Benefits of the Heart Transplant Programmes at Harefield and Papworth Hos- pitals, by Martin Buxton, Roy Acheson, and

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398.

others. London, HMSO, 1985. 171~. With app., fig., tab. (Department of Health and Social Security, Office of the Chief Scientist Research Report, No. 12) ISBN O-l l-321033-7; f7.50.

This report summarises the findings of a three-year study by a research team from Brunel and Cambridge Universities. The team carried out co-ordinated studies intended to identify and analyse the resource requirements and thus the costs of the heart transplant programmes at Papworth and Harefield Hospitals (part of Britain’s Na- tional Health Service), and to relate these costs to appropriate indicators of patient benefits. The report is structured in four sections: background information on the two programmes, the patients involved and the overall use of resources; costing concepts and conventions and data on patient costs; benefits to patients in terms of survival and quality of life; a presentation of costs and benefits so that they can begin to be related to alternative uses of resources. Each chapter ends with a non-technical summary.

The Court of Star Chamber and its Records to the Reign of Elizabeth I, by J.A. Guy. London, HMSO, 1985. 112~. With app., bibliog., fig., ind., tab. (Public Record Of- fice Handbooks, No. 21) ISBN @ll-440191-8; f7.95.

Star Chamber records are an important source for the legal, political, administrative, social, economic, and local history of England and Wales from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Much material is in the Public Record Office (PRO), but this must be sup- plemented by documents deposited else- where in Britain and the United States. This handbook explains the history and signifi- cance of Star Chamber records to 1558, and provides a guide to the most important sur- viving documents in the PRO and other Brit- ish and U.S. libraries, and also outlines the historical background and organisation of the Star Chamber court to 1603. Appendices listing misplaced, misdated, or previously unavailable Star Chamber documents to 1558 in the PRO will be particularly useful to researchers.

Education for All: the Report of the Com- mittee of Inquiry into the Education of Chil- dren from Ethnic Minority Groups. Lon- don, HMSO, 1985. 851~. With app., ftn., tab. (Cmnd. 9453) ISBN O-10-194530-2; f24.00.

399. Education for All: a Brief Guide to the Main HMSO Books, P.O. Box 276, London SW8 Issues of the Report, by Lord Swann. Lon- 5DT; also available through HMSO overseas don, HMSO, 1985. 14~. ISBN O-l l-270570-7; agents]. El.50 if purchased separately. (Free to pur- This is a new quarterly publication on mi- chasers of Cmnd. 9453). crofiche (48 x reduction) containing biblio-

The origins of this Committee lie in con- graphic details of all HMSO publications in cern expressed by the West Indian co~u~ty print, except Northern Ireland publi~tions, in England about the academic performance which are only available from HMSO Belfast. of their children. The government felt that an There are approximately 15 fiche in each inquiry should be concerned with the needs of issue. Entry points are provided under cor- pupils from all ethnic minority groups. The porate body, personal author, title, and series Committee was appointed in 1979, under the title, unlike HMSO’s monthly and annual chairmanship of Lord Swann, to review the catalogues, which only provide entry points educational needs and attainment of children under issuing department. The entries are also from ethnic minority groups and to consider cumulated so that it is unnecessary to know if arrangements should be made for keeping the year of publication. The fiche has been under review their educational performance. produced by matching a tape from HMSO’s The report discusses the relationship between stock file against HMSO’s bibliographic data- the education system and Britain’s multi- base. (LM) racial society; policies and practices in the field of “multicultural education”; language 402. Making Things Happen: a Report on the Im- education and religious education; and the plementation of Government Efficiency Scru- needs of children from ethnic minorities other tinies, by Cabinet Office Efficiency Unit. than West Indian and Asian. Finally, con- London, HMSO, 1985. 15~. With app., in- clusions and recommendations are stated. trod., supp. ISBN O-11-430009-7; f3.50. The report contains a great deal of informa- In her introduction to this volume, the tion and should be of interest to anyone con- Prime Minister states that value for money cerned with the education of ethnic minori- from government spending is vital to the na- ties. The separately pub~sh~ booklet by tion and that scrutinies are a powerful way of Lord Swann provides a guided tour to the improving it, The document seems to have main issues in the report. been written to discover why, when scrutinies

in central government since 1979 have identi- 400. The Future of the Science Budget: First Re- fied possible savings of E600 million per year,

port from the Education, Science and Arts implementation can take as long as five years. Committee Session 1984-85, together with the Seven pages form the real core of this report Proceedings of the Committee relating to the with only two (the “What needs to be done” Report, the Minutes of Evidence and Appen- chapter) making tough rules to be followed to dices. London, HMSO, 1985. 2v. With app., ensure that results of changes made as a result tab. (House of Commons 46-1, 46-11 Session of scrutinies can be reported to top manage- 1984-85) ISBN O-10-008775-2 (vol. l), O-lO- ment within two years. A document that tells 0088058 (vol. 2); f12.70. Permanent Secretaries where their duties lie

This is the first report by a House of Com- and how to go about fulfilling them. (TC) mons Select Committee to deal with government expenditure devoted specifically to the 403. New Directions in Prison Design: Report of support of civil scientific research (the Science a Home Office Study of New Generation Budget). Most of the money is distributed to Prisons in the USA, by the Home Office. the five Research Councils. Evidence from London, HMSO, 1985. 118~. With app., scientists stressed the urgent need to examine bibliog., fig., ill. ISBNO-11-340814-5; f.19.95. research funding and the distribution of those An official report to the Home Office in funds if the United Kingdom’s research posi- 1984 on managing the long-term prison sys- tion was not to be seriously damaged. The tem drew attention to recent developments evidence contains detailed info~ation about in the design and management of prisons in the organisation and activities of the Research the United States. The present study is the Councils. consequence of a direction from the Home

Secretary to carry out a detailed appraisal of 401. HMSO in Print on Microfiche. London, these developments. Terms of reference for

HMSO, 198%. Quarterly. Annual subscrip- the Working Group set up to undertake the tion &80 + VAT: airmail surcharge f5 per an- study were to examine and evaluate current num. [Orders to Subscriptions Department, U.S. prison design concepts and to consider



404.

these in relation to the design of prisons in England and Wales, particularly those used for high-security prisoners. The report describes and illustrates (in colour) eight “new generation” prisons, provides a design an- alysis of planning principles observed, and states some conclusions. Annexes include information on the functions of the U.S. Fed- eral Bureau of Prisons and the American Correctional Association and descriptions of two recently constructed Youth Custody Centres in England.

Non-departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments, by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) and the Treasury. London: HMSO, 1985. 2nd edition. 106~. ISBN 0-11-430007-O; f5.40.

A non-departmental public body is de- fined as a body that has a role in the pro- cesses of national government, but is not a government department and is thus not under such direct ministerial control. In 1984 there were over 1600 such bodies in the United Kingdom. The guide is intended pri- marily for those involved directly in NDPB management. It explains how to set up new bodies, how to abolish them, and gives ad- vice on financial and personnel management, record keeping, disclosure of information, and the relationship between NDPBs and their sponsor departments. (LM)

405. Northern Ireland Assembly Report [on] the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology (The Warnock Report). Belfast, HMSO, 1985. 2v. With app., introd. (Northern Ireland As- sembly Report, NIA 179-1,II). ISBN 0-337- 20296-6 (vol. l), E6.75; ISBN o-337-20297-4 (vol. 2), f7.50. [Available from HMSO, 80 Chichester Street, Belfast BTl 4JY].

This report from the Northern Ireland As- sembly summarizes committee and public recommendations and reactions to the War- neck Report (HMSO, 1984, Cmnd 9314, included as No. 489 in November-Decem- ber 1985 (Vol. 12, No. 6) of Government Publications Review, p. 605). The Warnock Report examined “social, ethical and legal implications of recent and potential developments in the field of human assisted repro- duction.” Here views on subjects such as sur- rogacy and research on human embryos are presented in minutes of oral evidence and written evidence from churches, health and social services boards and associations, private associations, and individuals. (AS)

406.

407.

408.

409.

Northern Ireland Tourism: A Discussion Paper. Belfast, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Department of Economic De- velopment, [1985] 33~. With app., charts, graphs, introd., tab.

Northern Ireland Tourism: A Discussion Paper; A Summary of Responses and Re- port from Tourism Seminar, 14 June 1985. Belfast, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Department of Economic Development, [1985] 74~. With app.

The first paper cited above provides information about the present state of the tourist industry in Northern Ireland, sum- marizing visitor numbers, revenue and in- vestment figures, employment, and the structure of organizational responsibility for tourism. It also suggests areas offering scope for expansion. It was circulated widely within the government and tourism industry, and the main issues arising from resulting responses were considered at a seminar. The second paper above contains the text of papers presented at the seminar, along with a summary of the main points emerging from discussion sessions. (AS)

Policing Today, edited by Kevin Heal, Roger Tarling, and John Burrows. London, HMSO, 1985. 181~. With bibliog., ind., ref., tab. ISBN O-11-340800-5; f7.55.

Twelve separate studies on police matters produced in recent years by the Home Office Research and Planning Unit are here brought together for the first time. The papers are organised in four groups: management issues; particular aspects of police work (community policing, detection, re- sponse to calls from the public); police tac- tics against crime; relations between police and the public, including a survey of the U.S. literature on civilian review of com- plaints against the police. Overall, the papers provide the interested general reader with a considerable insight into the British system of policing. An appendix provides a complete list of Home Office Research and Planning Unit publications from 1955.

Polygamous Marriages: Capacity to Con- tract a Polygamous Marriage and Related Is- sues, by the Law Commission and the Scot- tish Law Commission. London, HMSO, 1985.66~. With app., ftn. (Cmnd 9595; Law Corn. No. 146; Scot. Law Corn. No. 96) ISBN o-10-195950-8; f5.40.

This report deals with the legal position of polygamous marriages in the United King-

74& GEOFFREY HAMILTON

dom, where polygamy is illegal. As usual when problems of private international laa are being examined, the report comes from a joint exercise between the Law Commission (for England and Wales) and the Scottish Law Commission. The report recommends that men and women domiciled in Britain should be able to contract a marriage that is in fact monogamous even though it is celebrated in a form that would permit polygamy, and indicates some problems to which actualty polygamous marriages may give rise. A draft Polygamous Marriages Bill, with explanatory notes, is appended.

time allowed for comment, and put forward 42 recommendations. It took evidence from ministers and officials of the DHSS, After considering these and other recommendations received during the consultation period, the government published a Programme for Action before introducing legislation.

413. Retail Price Indices 1914-1984, by the De- partment of Employment. London, HMSO, 1985. 42~. With introd., tab. lSI3N O-ll- 361246-X; f4.50.

410.

411.

412.

Reform of Social Security, by the Depart- ment of Health and Social Security. Lon- don, HMSO, 1985. 3v. With app., fig., tab. (Cmnd. 9517,9518,9519) ISBN @1@19517~1 (vol. I), ISBN O-10-195180-9 (vol. 2), ISBN O-10-195190-6 (vol. 3); f20.10.

The Government’s Green Paper ‘Reform of Social Security’: Seventh Report from the Social Services Committee, Session 1984-85. London, HMSO, 1985. 1543. With app., tab. (HC 451 Sess. 1984-85) ISBN O-lO- 245185-O; flO.lO.

Reform of Social Security: Programme for Action, by the Department of Health and Social Security. London, HMSO, 1985. 54~. With app. (Cmnd. %91) ISBN OlO-1%910-4; f5.00.

The monthly Index of Retail Prices published in the E~p~oy~~~t Gnzette is com- piled by the Department from regular mea- surements of the price movements of a large selection of goods and services in over 200 towns. It is kept up to date by taking account of changes observed in the Fatnil,> Expendi- ture Survey and is mainly used to calculate percentage changes in prices between any two months. This useful publication, which first appeared in 1984, presents in one source, with an explanation of how the figures can be used, the monthly RPI for all items from 1947 for the broad groups of items measured such as food, housing, and clothing from 1956, and for a more detaiIed breakdown of these groups from 1974. It also shows the annual percentage changes in the Index or the “rate of inflation” from 1948 and includes a table of monthly index numbers from 1914 to 1947. (SK)

The three-volume “Green Paper” opens with a statement that the British social security system has lost its way. Piecemeal development, complexity, and uncertainty over the system’s aims have contributed to this. The Green Paper aims to define a system that is founded on public understanding of the purposes and the workings of social security, stated to be a partnership between the individual and the state. The emphasis is on the structure of social security; changes in the design of each main kind of benefit are planned to be carried out alongside a major computer strategy. Volume 1 contains the proposals; volume 2 examines each area of the social security system (the historical background sketches are a useful feature) and describes the programme for change; volume 3 contains six background papers, including an historical perspective of social security and a survey ot public attitudes towards it.

The House of Commons Social Services Committee undertook a swift inquiry into the Green Paper’s implications, within the

414.

415.

Shakespeare in the Public Records, by David Thomas. Sections on the will and signatures by Sane Cox. London, HMSO, 1985. 39~. With bibliog., ill. ISBN C-l l-440192-6; f2.95.

In the absence of personal papers, Shakes- peare’s life and the authorship of his works have intrigued scholars for centuries. Apart from the evidence of his contemporaries though, records of the state, the Church, and of local government do exist, and this booklet identifies, examines, and lists all known references to him and to his family that have been discovered over the years among the records of central government and the law courts. Besides throwing light on Shakespeare himself as, among other things, a taxpayer, property owner, and will maker, it also serves to show some of the sources at the Public Record Office that may assist researchers engaged in other biographical work. (SK)

Shoes and Ships and Sealing-wax: an Illus- trated History of the Board of Trade 1786- 1986, by Susan Foreman. London, HMSO,


416,

417.

1986. 153~. With app., bibliog., ill., ind. ISBN O-l 1-513825-o; E.5.95.

This attractively produced volume celebrates the bicentenary of the reconstituted Board of Trade, though the Board’s ancestry goes back to 1621. The Board’s present man- ifestation is the Department of Trade and Industry, whose Secretary of State is also the President of the Board of Trade. At various times the Board of Trade has been responsible for railways, waterways, merchant ship- ping, and civil aviation, while all aspects of commerce, trade, and industry have been a continuing responsibility. Several major departments of government, including Em- ployment, Energy and Transport, originated as divisions of the Board of Trade. These multifarious activities are clearly summar- ised, and many of them are depicted in a well-selected range of illustrations. Appen- dices include lists of ministers and permanent secretaries since 1786, of headquarters build- ings occupied, and a chronology.

Stage hy Stage: the Making of the Theatre Museum, by Jean Scott Rogers. London, HMSO, 1985. 72~. With app., bibliog., ill., ind., introd. ISBN 0-11-290419-X; f6.95.

The idea of a British museum of the theatre has a long history, but it is oniy during the twentieth century that any real progress has been made. Gabrielle Enthoven chose the Victoria and Albert Museum as the home for her collection of playbills and London theatrical memorabilia, and when this was finally accepted in 1924 it gave a focus and inspiration to the movement to form a separate museum. It was realised 60 years later when work began to convert the old Flower Market at Covent Garden to form the Thea- tre Museum as a part of the Victoria and Albert. The illustrations give a sample of the treasures it wilI house. (SK)

Statistical Abstract for the United Kingdom in each of the last Fifteen Years from 1871 to 1885. London, HMSO, I986. Unp. with tab. (Accompanies the Annual Abstract of Statistics. 1986 Edition (No. 122), by the Central Statistical Office. London, HMSG, 1986. ISBN 0-11-6201525-S; f17.50).

This facsimile of the 1886 Statistical Ab- stract of the United Kingdom has been produced to mark both the bicentenary of HMSG and over 100 years publication of the invaluable and authoritative Annuaf Ab- stracts. Direct comparison with 1986 is diffi- cult because of changing format and defini- tions, but the reprint helps to form a picture

418.

419.

420.

of social conditions and economic activity in Great Britain and Ireland during the years 1871-85 and draws attention to the far- reaching economic, political, and social changes that have occurred since then. (SK)

The Thistle and the Crown: a History of the Scottish Office, by John S. Gibson. Edin- burgh, HMSO, 1985. 198~. With ftn., ill., ind., ref. ISBN O-11-492396-5; f5.95. [Available from HMSO, 13A Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3AR or through HMSO’s overseas agents].

The Scottish Office is the U.K. government that deals with matters relating specifically to Scotland. The Office came into being in 1885, when the ministerial post of Secretary for Scotland was created. This history, by a retired official, celebrates the centenary, though the first chapter summarises the arrangements made for governing Scot- land from the union of the Kingdoms of En- gland and Scotland in 1603. The 1885 Scot- tish Office was in London (the same building is still the Secretary of State for Scotland’s London base), and the name did not come into use until much later for the various departments in Scotland for which the Secre- tary of State is responsible. The author makes good use of the personal recollections of former ministers and officials as we11 as material in the Scottish Record Office and else- where to produce a volume with a distinctive Scottish flavour.

Who Needs Kneetops? A Report on Porta- ble Computers, by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. London, HMSO, 1985. 41~. With app., gloss. (IT Ser- ies No. 10) ISBN O-11-330001-8; 25.50.

Within the British government, the Cen- tral Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) has the responsibility for promoting the best use of information tech- nology. This is the tenth in a series of occas- ional papers arising from CCTA’s work. The report records the findings of the trials of “kneetop” micros run by CCTA over a nine- month period, involving 44 users in seven government departments. Only truly portable machines, weighing about four pounds, were evaluated. CCTA concluded that use of such highly portable machines could lead to time-saving by all types of staff, but particularly those working outside the office. (LM)

WiIdIife Rangers Handbook, by G.D. Spring- thorpe and N.G. Myhill. Edinburgh, Fores-


try Commission, 1985. 130~. With bibliog., fig., gloss., ill. ISBN O-85538-186-8; f8.50. [Distributed by HMSO].

The work of the Forestry Commission’s wildlife rangers is of immense importance in protecting forests and helping their development into richer and more varied habitats for wild life. The need for good training for this highly skilled work has long been recog- nised, but not until now provided for. The handbook had its origins in training mater- ials produced by Gerald Springthorpe, to which have been added text and illustrations by other rangers. The book is intended as a training aid and reference work for working rangers, but the factual information provided about forest wildlife, the insight given into the ranger’s work, and the high standard of design should earn this attractive book a wider readership among those interested in nature conservancy. The appended glossary of collective names for groups of birds and animals is a useful source of out-of-the-way information.

421. Women and Drinking: an Enquiry Carried out on Behalf of the Department of Health and Social Security, by Elizabeth Breeze. London, HMSO, 1985. 176~. With app., fig., ftn., gloss., ind., introd., ref., tab. ISBN O-l 1-6911446-8; E14.10.

Alcohol misuse among women has notice- ably increased during the last 15-20 years and is reflected in the growing numbers of women with drink-related illnesses and con- victions. All alcohol misuse is of interest to the DHSS as associated problems affect family, friends and colleagues, and make de- mands on the health and social services, and its aim is to promote a sensible attitude towards alcohol through health education. Previous surveys have looked almost entirely at the behaviour, problems, and attitudes of men. This survey of 1,994 women aged 18-54, mostly living in private households in En- gland and Wales and conducted in the au- tumn of 1982, is the first study of the pattern of drinking behaviour among women and of their attitudes towards alcohol. (SK)

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