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Column 175
Wives and children applying for entry clearance for settlement in the United Kingdom<1>
Number of persons
Applications
Post |Newly received |Granted<2> |Refused initially |Referred or deferred<3> |Withdrawn or lapsed |Awaiting first interview
|at end of period
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dhaka
1988 2nd quarter |1,370 |1,290 |280 |640 |250 |3,500
3rd quarter |1,290 |1,110 |350 |580 |360 |3,500
Islamabad
1988 2nd quarter |1,150 |920 |50 |690 |100 |2,300
3rd quarter |1,020 |930 |50 |690 |90 |2,300
<1> Including persons considered for a certificate of entitlement to, or confirmation of, the right of abode in the United Kingdom.
<2> Granted initially or on appeal.
<3> Referred to Home Office for decision or deferred for further inquiries.
Mr. Darling : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry clearance as (a) wives, (b) husbands, (c) fiance s and (d) fiance es in each British post in (1) Kingston, Jamaica, (2) Manila, (3) Hong Kong, (4) Washington DC, (5) Ghana and (6) Nigeria were (i) granted and (ii) refused in each quarter since January 1987 ; how many such applications in each category, at each post and in each quarter were refused (a) wholly and (b) partly because of the primary purpose rule ; what was the refusal rate at each post ; and what percentage of those refusals were (x) wholly and (y) partly on primary purpose grounds.
Mr. Renton : The only data available centrally relate to Hong Kong and information up to the first quarter of 1988 was published in the Official Report on 20 July 1987 at column 649 in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden). Corresponding information for the second and third quarters of 1988 is given in the table.
Applications in Hong Kong for entry clearance to
the United Kingdom
Number of persons
Applications
|Granted<1> |Refused initially
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wives
1988
2nd quarter |40 |<3>-
3rd quarter |50 |<4>-
Husbands, fiances<2>
1988
2nd quarter |20 |<3>-
3rd quarter |20 |<4>-
Fiancees
1988
2nd quarter |10 |<4>-
3rd quarter |<3>- |<4>-
<1> Granted initially or on appeal.
<2> Data for husbands and fiances separately are not available.
<3> Five or fewer.
<4> Nil.
Mr. Darling : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry clearance from (a) wives, (b) husbands, (c) fianc es and (d) fianc ees made at British posts in (1) New Delhi, (2) Bombay, (3) Calcutta, (4) Madras, (5) Dhaka, (6) Islamabad, (7) Karachi and (8) Colombo for each quarter since January 1987 were (a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused ; how many refusals at each post were (a) wholly and (b) partly because the visa officer was not satisfied that the primary purpose of the marriage was not immigration ; how many refusals at each post were (a) wholly and (b) partly because the visa officer was not satisfied that the couple could support and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds ; what was the refusal rate at each post ; and what percentage of those refusals were (x) wholly and (y) partly on primary purpose grounds.
Mr. Renton : The information available up to the first quarter of 1988 was published in the Official Report, columns 886-88 in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 19 October 1988. Corresponding information for the second and third quarters of 1988 is in the table. Information on refusal rates which take account of successful appeals is not available quarterly.
Column 175
Husbands, finances, wives and fiancees in the Indian sub-continent applying for entry clarance for settlement in the United Kingdom
Number of persons
Husbands Finances Wives Fiances
1988 1988 1988 1988
|2nd quarter|3rd quarter|2nd quarter|3rd quarter|2nd quarter|3rd quarter|2nd quarter|3rd quarter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Delhi (including Calcutta)
Applications received<1> |60 |50 |60 |60 |160 |130 |70 |60
Applications granted<2> |40 |30 |30 |20 |110 |150 |60 |40
Applications refused initially |20 |40 |50 |50 |<3> |10 |20 |10
Bombay (including Madras)
Applications received<1> |60 |60 |50 |50 |230 |200 |50 |30
Applications granted<2> |70 |50 |40 |50 |270 |300 |30 |50
Applications refused initially |30 |30 |50 |40 |<3> |10 |10 |10
Dhaka
Applications received<1> |60 |70 |<3> |<3> |340 |300 |10 |<3>
Applications granted<2> |20 |20 |<3> |<3> |290 |260 |<3> |10
Applications refused initially |20 |20 |<3> |<3> |50 |80 |<3> |<3>
Islamabad (including Karachi)
Applications received<1> |380 |320 |180 |140 |720 |680 |60 |60
Applications granted<2> |70 |60 |50 |40 |710 |640 |80 |40
Applications refused initially |90 |100 |80 |90 |30 |20 |<3> |-
<1> Including applications subsequently withdrawn or lapsed.
<2> Granted initially or on appeal.
<3> Five or fewer.
Mr. Darling : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for (a) single entry and (b) multiple entry visit visas were (x) received, (y) granted and (z) refused at each post in the Indian subcontinent, Ghana and Nigeria in each quarter of 1987 and the first quarter of 1988 ; and what was the delay between application and interview for those whose applications were felt to need a second or long interview at each of the above posts in (i) January 1987, (ii) June 1987, (iii) January 1988 and (iv) the nearest available date.
Mr. Renton : Information up to the first quarter of 1988 was published in the Official Report , columns 42-44, in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 25 July 1988. Applicants for a visit visa who required a lengthy interview at the end of September 1988 had waited two days in Bombay, 12 days in Accra and one day in Lagos ; in other posts the interview was carried out on the day the application was received.
Immigration Vouchers
Mr. Darling : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were waiting for special quota vouchers in (i) India and (ii) East Africa in (a) May 1987 and (b) December 1987 ; when those issued with vouchers on those dates had applied ; how many vouchers were issued in (1) India and (2) East Africa in : (A) 1987 and (B) the first quarter of 1988 ; when those applying can now expect ot receive vouchers in (a) India and (b) East Africa in (x) 1987 and (y) the first half of 1988.
Mr. Renton : Information up to the first quarter of 1988 was published in the Official Report , columns 645-48 in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 20 July 1988. Corresponding information on voucher applications received in the second quarter of 1988 and expected waiting times at the end of September 1988 is give in the table.
Column 178
Persons applying for a special voucher for entry to the United
Kingdom
Country |Applications newly |Expected waiting time to
|received second quarter |main interview for
|1988 (number of persons)|persons applying at end
|September 1988 (number
|of months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
India |80 |less than 30<1>
Kenya |80 |2"
Tanzania |<2> |1
Malawi |10 |"
Zambia |40 |1
Elsewhere |10 |n/a
|-------
Total |220
<1> Figure relates to non-property applicants. Priority applicants (ie widows with child in the
United Kingdom, heads of household aged 65 or over, and special compassionate cases) are
interviewed within three months.
<2> Five or fewer.
n/a not avilable.
Immigration Queues
Mr. Darling : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men, (b) women and (c) children were waiting in each queue at each post in the Indian subcontinent on 31 March.
Mr. Renton : The information requested was published in the Official Report, columns 645-46 in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 20 July 1988.
Roberto Fiore
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Italian authorities about the continued presence in the United Kingdom of Roberto Fiore ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton : I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 15 December at column 721.
Column 179
Television Companies
Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his written answer of 15 December to the hon. Member for Southend, East, Official Report, column 705, if he will list those Community rules which prevent Her Majesty's Government from discriminating between United Kingdom and other European Economic Community television companies ;
(2) pursuant to his written answer of 15 December to the hon. Member for Southend, East, Official Report, column 705, why Her Majesty's Government do not consider it desirable for non-European Economic Community companies to be eligible to have the control of television channels in the United Kingdom ;
(3) pursuant to his written answer of 15 December to the hon. Member for Southend, East, Official Report, column 705, what information he has as to how many television channels or stations in other member states of the European Economic Community are controlled by United Kingdom companies.
Mr. Renton : A restriction on control of United Kingdom television companies by other EC companies would conflict with obligations under the treaty of Rome such as those relating to freedom to provide services (articles 59-66) and to participate in the capital of companies (article 221). Subject to this, the Government consider that foreign control of services using United Kingdom broadcasting frequencies should be prevented because of the power and cultural influence of those services. Information on shareholdings by United Kingdom companies in television channels in other EC countries is not held centrally.
Peacetime Emergencies
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reasons were given to his Department by the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority for the closure of London's peacetime emergency control and communications centre ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : No specific reasons were given to the Home Office by the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority for its decision to close the greater London emergency co-ordination centre. The Government's position was set out in the reply given to a question from the hon. Member on 31 March 1988 at column 682.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to promote legislation to impose a duty upon local authorities to prepare plans for peacetime disasters ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) on 15 December at column 699.
London Underground (Policing)
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on whether any plans exist to use officers from the Metropolitan police on the London Underground system during the Christmas period ; and if he will make a statement.
Column 180
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The London Underground is policed by British Transport police, who are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. There is close liaison between British Transport police and the Metropolitan police and I understand from the commissioner that, as at other times of the year, officers of the Metropolitan police will be available over the Christmas period to assist British Transport police officers on the Underground if the need arises.
Firearms (Amendment) Act
Mr. Bright : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to implement the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988.
Mr. Hurd : I made a commencement order on 19 December 1988 which will bring into effect on 1 February 1989 the following provisions :
Section |Provision ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 |Prohibited weapons and ammunition 7(1) |Converted prohibited weapons 8 |De-activated weapons 9 |Photographs on certificates 10 |Statements in support of certificate applications 12 |Revocation of certificates 13(2)(3)(4)(5) |Firearms dealers 14 |Auctioneers, carriers and warehousemen 16 |Borrowed rifles on private premises 21 |Payments in respect of prohibited weapons 22 |Firearms consultative committee 23(1)(2)(3) and (7) |Minor and consequential amendments 24(1) |Expenses 25 |Interpretation and supplementary provisions
Transitional arrangements have been made to allow owners of newly prohibited weapons a period of three months--from 1 February to 30 April 1989--in which to dispose of their weapons. They may do so by sale to a registered firearms dealer, by transfer to such a dealer for the purpose of having the gun de-activated or, if the gun was legitimately held before 23 September 1987, by surrender to the police under the Government's buy-in scheme. Full details of the scheme together with an application form will be included in a leaflet which will be available from police stations in January. Transitional arrangements have also been made to allow registered firearms dealers to continue to handle newly prohibited weapons for the purpose of their disposal for a period of nine months until 31 October 1989.
A second order to be made next year will bring into effect the remaining provisions.
Warning and Monitoring Arrangements
Mr. Brazier : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the outcome of the review of warning and monitoring arrangements in the United Kingdom ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Hurd : I have received the report of the review. With the agreement of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Northern ireland and for Defence, I have today placed in the Library of the House a summary of the principal findings. The review has been conducted with great thoroughness and amounts to the most comprehensive analysis of our warning and monitoring arrangements for many years.
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The review took account of current planning assumptions, technological advances and wider developments in civil protection. It made proposals for the development of a new warning system and for the automation of functions associated with monitoring. It also assessed the extent to which the warning and monitoring arrangements might usefully be applied to certain peacetime emergencies. The programme of change proposed will require detailed scrutiny. In particular, the financial and operational implications will need further consideration by means of a number of detailed studies in key areas. No decisions have been taken about the review at this stage. Officials will now consult widely on its findings.Blasphemy
Mr. David Young : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to extend the ambit of the offence of blasphemy to include non-Christian religions.
Mr. John Patten [holding answer 19 December 1988] : In its "Report on Offences against Religion and Public Worship", published in 1985, the Law Commission recommended by a majority that the existing common law offence of blasphemy should be abolished. A minority took the view that the existing offence should be repealed and replaced with a criminal offence which applied to all religions. This view was supported by the bishop of London's group on blasphemy, which reported earlier this year. There is therefore no consensus for reform in this difficult and sensitive area of the law and we have no present plans for legislation.
Mr. Errol Codling
Mr. Bernie Grant : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much it cost to send two Scotland Yard detectives to accompany Mr. Errol "Ranking Dread" Codling to Jamaica recently ; how long the detectives spent in Jamaica ; and where they were accommodated ;
(2) pursuant to his reply of 1 December, Official Report, column 400, why it was necessary to send two Scotland Yard detectives to accompany Mr. Errol "Ranking Dread" Codling to Jamaica on 8 November.
Mr. Douglas Hogg [holding answers 1 December and 8 December 1988] : Mr. Codling was removed from the United Kingdom as an illegal entrant on 9 November following his earlier deportation from the United States of America to the United Kingdom under a false name and using a United Kingdom passport which he had obtained fraudulently. As he was also wanted in Jamaica in connection with a crime of violence, he was accompanied by two police officers.
The police officers took hotel accommodation in Jamaica and arrived back in this country on 13 November. During their stay they carried out a number of inquiries relating to crimes in this country. The travel and subsistence costs of the officers totalled £3,724.
Solvent Abuse
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) schoolchildren and (b) others are estimated to have been involved
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in solvent abuse in each of the last five years ; what further measures he proposes to eliminate this ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Mellor : I regret that information on the extent of solvent misuse is not available in the form requested. A number of limited studies have estimated prevalence among selected samples of young people but it would not be valid to extrapolate from these to national figures. As regards measures taken to reduce solvent misuse, I refer to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) on 6 December at column 131. We are reviewing the scope for further action in this area.
ENVIRONMENT
Planning Applications
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for each of the years since 1983, how many planning applications specifically concerning water authority land and rejected by local authorities or other planning bodies in England and Wales, have been called in by the Secretary of State ; and, of those called in, how many have ultimately been successful on appeal.
Mr. Chope : The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Newmarket (Boundary Transfer)
Sir Eldon Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a public statement was made by an official of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to the effect that Newmarket should be transferred to Suffolk.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : A misleading newspaper article published on 7 December indicated that the commission had reached firm conclusions about the boundary between Cambridgeshire and Suffolk in the Newmarket area. The commission's spokesman made it quite clear that this was not the case and that they would look at all the options again in the light of representations received in response to its draft proposals, including the option of no change. The secretary of the commission has asked the editor to publish a letter to correct the false impression given by the article.
Property Services Agency
Sir Eldon Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to refurbish the canteen at the Property Services Agency offices at Brooklands avenue, Cambridge ; how much this refurbishment is expected to cost ; what are the implications of this refurbishment for staff currently at Newmarket ; and for what purpose.
Mr. Chope : Plans are being prepared to rationalise and refurbish the canteen serving the 1,100 staff of all Departments at Brooklands avenue. The estimated cost is £450,000. The space released will be converted to offices for the remaining PSA staff at Newmarket. This move will complete PSA eastern region's reorganisation proposals which my right hon. Friend approved in March 1987.
Column 183
Sports Clubs
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is taking steps to bring England and Wales into line with Northern Ireland with regard to mandatory rate relief for non-profit making sports clubs.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : No. We intend to continue with the present system whereby local authorities in England and Wales can grant up to 100 per cent. rate relief to non-profit making sports clubs. The mandatory 65 per cent. rate relief given to sports clubs in Northern Ireland under the Rates Amendment (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (SI 1979 No : 297 (NI.4) reflects the average level of discretionary rate relief given at the time to similar bodies by local authorities in England and Wales.
Land (Newham)
Mr. Leighton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to (a) the area and (b) the value of land at (i) Abbey Mills pumping station and (ii) the Mill Head site, in the London borough of Newham.
Mr. Trippier : A site of 21.6 acres, which is part of the Abbey Mills pumping station (32 acres overall), is entered on the Newham statutory register of vacant public land. No information on either site value or the Mill Head site is held on the register.
EC (Birds)
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those United Kingdom sites which qualify as important bird areas under the European Economic Commission birds directive, indicating those listed as special protection areas.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : Details of those sites which, in the opinion of the Nature Conservancy Council, are important bird areas and which may meet the criteria for designation as special protection areas under the EC birds directive are set out below. Those sites already formally designated, either wholly or in part, as SPAs have been marked with an asterisk.
England |County
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irthinghead Mires |Cumbria/Northumberland
*Upper Solway Flats and
Marshes |Scotland)
Duddon Estuary |Cumbria
Morecambe Bay |Cumbria/Lancashire
*Leighton Moss |Lancashire
Bowland Fells |Lancashire
*Ribble and Alt Estuaries |Lancashire
Thorne and Hatfield Moors |South Yorkshire/Humberside
*Martin Mere |Lancashire
Lindisfarne |Northumberland
*Farne Islands |Northumberland
Northumberland Coast |Northumberland
*Coquet Island |Northumberland
Muggleswick, Stanhope and
Wolsingham Commons |Durham
*Holburn Moss |Northumberland
Bollihope and Middleton
Commons |Durham
*Upper Teesdale and Moor |Durham, North Yorkshire,
House | Cumbria
Bowes Moor |Durham
Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast |Cleveland
Spaunton, Wheeldale, Egton
and Glaisdale Moors |North Yorkshire
Abbotside, Askrigg and
Mallerstang Commons |North Yorkshire/Cumbria
*Derwent Ings |North Yorkshire/Humberside
Flamborough Head and
Bempton Cliffs |Humberside
Hornsea Mere |Humberside
Humber Flats, Marshes and
Coast |Humberside/Lincolnshire
Mersey Estuary |Merseyside/Cheshire
Peak District Moors |Derbyshire/South
| Yorkshire/Staffordshire
Walmore Common |Gloucestershire
Rutland Water |Leicestershire
Nene Washes |Cambridgeshire
Ouse Washes |Cambridgeshire/Norfolk
*The Wash |Lincolnshire/Norfolk
North Norfolk Coast |Norfolk
Upper Thurne Broads and
Marshes |Norfolk
Ant Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Bure Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Yare Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Breckland Heaths |Norfolk/Suffolk
Minsmere-Walberswick |Suffolk
*Orfordness-Havergate |Suffolk
Stour and Orwell Estuary |Suffolk/Essex
Hamford Water |Essex
Abberton Reservoir |Essex
Blackwater, Colne and Dengle |Essex
River Crouch Marshes |Essex
Foulness and Maplin Sands |Essex
Benfleet and Southend
Marshes |Essex
Isles of Scilly Coastal Habitats |Cornwall
Exe Estuary |Devon
Taw and Torridge Estuary |Devon
Somerset Levels and Moors |Somerset
*Chew Valley Lake |Avon
Poole Basin |Dorset
*Chesil Beach and The Fleet |Dorset
Horton Common and Holt
Heath |Dorset
Porton Down |Wiltshire/Hampshire
Windsor Forest and Great
Park |Berkshire
Avon Valley |Hampshire
New Forest |Hampshire
West Solent Marshes and
Southampton Water |Hampshire/Isle of Wight
Woolmer Forest |Hampshire
*Chichester and Langstone
Harbours |Hampshire/West Sussex
Lee Valley |Greater London
Chobham to Yateley
Commons |Surrey/Hampshire/Berkshire
Thursley, Hankley and
Frensham Commons |Surrey
*Pagham Harbour |West Sussex
Pavensey Levels |East Sussex
Dungeness-Pett Levels |Kent/East Sussex
Stodmarsh |Kent
South Thames Marshes |Kent
Medway Estuary and Marshes |Kent
*The Swale and South Sheppey |Kent
Thanet Coast |Kent
*Dee Estuary |Clwyd, Cheshire, Merseyside
Shap Fells |Cumbria
Tamar Complex |Devon
Bodmin Moor |Cornwall
England |County
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irthinghead Mires |Cumbria/Northumberland
*Upper Solway Flats and
Marshes |Scotland)
Duddon Estuary |Cumbria
Morecambe Bay |Cumbria/Lancashire
*Leighton Moss |Lancashire
Bowland Fells |Lancashire
*Ribble and Alt Estuaries |Lancashire
Thorne and Hatfield Moors |South Yorkshire/Humberside
*Martin Mere |Lancashire
Lindisfarne |Northumberland
*Farne Islands |Northumberland
Northumberland Coast |Northumberland
*Coquet Island |Northumberland
Muggleswick, Stanhope and
Wolsingham Commons |Durham
*Holburn Moss |Northumberland
Bollihope and Middleton
Commons |Durham
*Upper Teesdale and Moor |Durham, North Yorkshire,
House | Cumbria
Bowes Moor |Durham
Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast |Cleveland
Spaunton, Wheeldale, Egton
and Glaisdale Moors |North Yorkshire
Abbotside, Askrigg and
Mallerstang Commons |North Yorkshire/Cumbria
*Derwent Ings |North Yorkshire/Humberside
Flamborough Head and
Bempton Cliffs |Humberside
Hornsea Mere |Humberside
Humber Flats, Marshes and
Coast |Humberside/Lincolnshire
Mersey Estuary |Merseyside/Cheshire
Peak District Moors |Derbyshire/South
| Yorkshire/Staffordshire
Walmore Common |Gloucestershire
Rutland Water |Leicestershire
Nene Washes |Cambridgeshire
Ouse Washes |Cambridgeshire/Norfolk
*The Wash |Lincolnshire/Norfolk
North Norfolk Coast |Norfolk
Upper Thurne Broads and
Marshes |Norfolk
Ant Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Bure Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Yare Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Breckland Heaths |Norfolk/Suffolk
Minsmere-Walberswick |Suffolk
*Orfordness-Havergate |Suffolk
Stour and Orwell Estuary |Suffolk/Essex
Hamford Water |Essex
Abberton Reservoir |Essex
Blackwater, Colne and Dengle |Essex
River Crouch Marshes |Essex
Foulness and Maplin Sands |Essex
Benfleet and Southend
Marshes |Essex
Isles of Scilly Coastal Habitats |Cornwall
Exe Estuary |Devon
Taw and Torridge Estuary |Devon
Somerset Levels and Moors |Somerset
*Chew Valley Lake |Avon
Poole Basin |Dorset
*Chesil Beach and The Fleet |Dorset
Horton Common and Holt
Heath |Dorset
Porton Down |Wiltshire/Hampshire
Windsor Forest and Great
Park |Berkshire
Avon Valley |Hampshire
New Forest |Hampshire
West Solent Marshes and
Southampton Water |Hampshire/Isle of Wight
Woolmer Forest |Hampshire
*Chichester and Langstone
Harbours |Hampshire/West Sussex
Lee Valley |Greater London
Chobham to Yateley
Commons |Surrey/Hampshire/Berkshire
Thursley, Hankley and
Frensham Commons |Surrey
*Pagham Harbour |West Sussex
Pavensey Levels |East Sussex
Dungeness-Pett Levels |Kent/East Sussex
Stodmarsh |Kent
South Thames Marshes |Kent
Medway Estuary and Marshes |Kent
*The Swale and South Sheppey |Kent
Thanet Coast |Kent
*Dee Estuary |Clwyd, Cheshire, Merseyside
Shap Fells |Cumbria
Tamar Complex |Devon
Bodmin Moor |Cornwall
England |County
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irthinghead Mires |Cumbria/Northumberland
*Upper Solway Flats and
Marshes |Scotland)
Duddon Estuary |Cumbria
Morecambe Bay |Cumbria/Lancashire
*Leighton Moss |Lancashire
Bowland Fells |Lancashire
*Ribble and Alt Estuaries |Lancashire
Thorne and Hatfield Moors |South Yorkshire/Humberside
*Martin Mere |Lancashire
Lindisfarne |Northumberland
*Farne Islands |Northumberland
Northumberland Coast |Northumberland
*Coquet Island |Northumberland
Muggleswick, Stanhope and
Wolsingham Commons |Durham
*Holburn Moss |Northumberland
Bollihope and Middleton
Commons |Durham
*Upper Teesdale and Moor |Durham, North Yorkshire,
House | Cumbria
Bowes Moor |Durham
Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast |Cleveland
Spaunton, Wheeldale, Egton
and Glaisdale Moors |North Yorkshire
Abbotside, Askrigg and
Mallerstang Commons |North Yorkshire/Cumbria
*Derwent Ings |North Yorkshire/Humberside
Flamborough Head and
Bempton Cliffs |Humberside
Hornsea Mere |Humberside
Humber Flats, Marshes and
Coast |Humberside/Lincolnshire
Mersey Estuary |Merseyside/Cheshire
Peak District Moors |Derbyshire/South
| Yorkshire/Staffordshire
Walmore Common |Gloucestershire
Rutland Water |Leicestershire
Nene Washes |Cambridgeshire
Ouse Washes |Cambridgeshire/Norfolk
*The Wash |Lincolnshire/Norfolk
North Norfolk Coast |Norfolk
Upper Thurne Broads and
Marshes |Norfolk
Ant Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Bure Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Yare Broads and Marshes |Norfolk
Breckland Heaths |Norfolk/Suffolk
Minsmere-Walberswick |Suffolk
*Orfordness-Havergate |Suffolk
Stour and Orwell Estuary |Suffolk/Essex
Hamford Water |Essex
Abberton Reservoir |Essex
Blackwater, Colne and Dengle |Essex
River Crouch Marshes |Essex
Foulness and Maplin Sands |Essex
Benfleet and Southend
Marshes |Essex
Isles of Scilly Coastal Habitats |Cornwall
Exe Estuary |Devon
Taw and Torridge Estuary |Devon
Somerset Levels and Moors |Somerset
*Chew Valley Lake |Avon
Poole Basin |Dorset
*Chesil Beach and The Fleet |Dorset
Horton Common and Holt
Heath |Dorset
Porton Down |Wiltshire/Hampshire
Windsor Forest and Great
Park |Berkshire
Avon Valley |Hampshire
New Forest |Hampshire
West Solent Marshes and
Southampton Water |Hampshire/Isle of Wight
Woolmer Forest |Hampshire
*Chichester and Langstone
Harbours |Hampshire/West Sussex
Lee Valley |Greater London
Chobham to Yateley
Commons |Surrey/Hampshire/Berkshire
Thursley, Hankley and
Frensham Commons |Surrey
*Pagham Harbour |West Sussex
Pavensey Levels |East Sussex
Dungeness-Pett Levels |Kent/East Sussex
Stodmarsh |Kent
South Thames Marshes |Kent
Medway Estuary and Marshes |Kent
*The Swale and South Sheppey |Kent
Thanet Coast |Kent
*Dee Estuary |Clwyd, Cheshire, Merseyside
Shap Fells |Cumbria
Tamar Complex |Devon
Bodmin Moor |Cornwall
Housing
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list showing the extent and locations of foam slag and no fines houses in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Trippier : The Department estimates that some 300,000 system- built poured concrete houses and flats have been built since 1920 : and that over two thirds are of no fines constuction. The Building Research Establishment's forthcoming technical guidance, on the number of different no fines types, will include information on numbers and locations. One hundred and ninety-four poured concrete houses using formed slag aggregate have been identified in north-east Derbyshire ; a similar material was also used for the precast concrete blocks and wall panels in the 850 Duplex foam slag and 1,622 Glasgow foamed slag houses in Scotland.
Mr. Amos : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline his Department's initiatives since 1979 to improve housing provision in rural areas ; and what further initiatives he plans.
Mr. Trippier [holding answer 16 December 1988] : Since 1979 the Government have taken a number of initiatives to improve housing provision in all parts of the country. These include measures to encourage owner occupation and to stimulate choice and competition in the rented sector.
In addition there have been the following initiatives aimed specifically at rural areas :
1979-88
From June 1984 to March 1988 the Rural Development Commission encouraged housing association schemes in rural areas by providing funds to cover extra costs incurred as a result of their rural location, (the topping up scheme).
Funding has been provided through the Housing Corporation and the Rural Development Commission for the national agricultural central rural trust, to help the trust set up and support rural housing associations.
The Rural Development Commission sponsors an advance land purchase fund which is administered by the national agricultural centre rural trust to purchase sites on behalf of housing association prior to Housing Corporation funding being made available.The Rural Development Commission has been involved in the provision of 14 craft houses with integral workshops.
From 1982 to 1987 the Rural Development Commission ran an experimental scheme to encourage the building of shared equity houses in rural areas.
1988
On 5 July this year the Secretary of State published a statement outlining the Government's policy towards housing in rural areas and our proposals for increasing the supply of low-cost housing in such areas. The statement outlined the roles housing associations, the private sector and local authorities can play in meeting needs for low cost housing.
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The proposals included :An increase in the Rural Development Commission's funding of the national agricultural centre rural trust this year to nearly treble last year's level,
Adoption by the Housing Corporation of more flexible criteria for the selection of housing association schemes in rural areas, An increase in the number of housing association homes for rent funded by the Housing Corporation in rural areas. The number of new homes approved was due to double to 300 this year and double again over the next two years to reach 600 units by 1990-91.
Following the Secretary of State's announcement on 1 November of a substantial increase in the Housing Corporation's programme over the next three years we announced on 14 December that the corporation has agreed to bring forward to 1989-90 its target of approving 600 new rented homes in the special rural programme. It will also be targeting more of its increased programme of housing for sale to rural areas. A further announcement will be made in due course on targets for later years and on the Housing Corporation's investment in rural areas generally.
Planning and Housing in Rural Areas
Since 1979 we have issued a number of circulars and planning policy guidance notes giving advice to local planning authorities on the provision of an adequate supply of housing land and the need to balance the requirements for development with the continuing need to protect their countryside.
On 5 July this year the Secretary of State published a discussion paper on the planning aspects of housing in rural areas. This included discussion of the possibility of new villages in certain circumstances.
BISF Properties (Nottingham)
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met owners of BISF properties in Bilsborough, Nottingham, to discuss mortgagability and designation ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Trippier : Together with the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) I met owners of BISF properties at Bilborough on 15 December. We discussed the progress being made, with Nottingham city council and local lending institutions, on measures to remove blight and help owners finance improvement work.
Heritage
Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many applicantions for grants for rescue archaeology were made to English Heritage in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 ; what was the total sum applied for in each of these years ; how many grants were approved and at what total cost in each of these years ; and how much money in each year was for post-excavation projects ;
(2) whether he will make a statement on the English Heritage central excavations unit and its ro le in rescue archaeology ;
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(3) how many applications were received for grants from county sites and monuments records ; what amount these totalled ; how many awards were made ; and for what total, in the years 1985-86, 1986-87 and 1987-88 ;(4) how many applications were received in the year 1986-87 by English Heritage for grants for the repair of individually outstanding secular buildings ; how many grants were offered ; what was the total of such grants ; and if he will provide equivalent figures for 1987-88 ;
(5) how many prosecutions have been taken by English Heritage against landowners for carrying out work on schedule sites without consent ; and what have been the results of such prosecutions.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : This is a matter for English Heritage.
Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the role of English Heritage in conserving field monuments, and on the employment of field monument wardens ; how many there are ; and if there are plans to increase their numbers and use.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : English Heritage has a general duty, among other things, to secure the preservation of ancient monuments and historic buildings in England. It is my right hon. Friend's statutory adviser on scheduling of ancient monuments and on applications for scheduled monument consent. It also has powers to provide financial assistance to owners for the preservation of field and other monuments (whether scheduled or not). I have sent the hon. Member a copy of English Heritage's latest annual report and I am sure the chairman would be happy to provide further information on their activities.
Scheduled Monument Consent
Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications were received in 1987 for the scheduled monument consent ; and what expertise exists within his Department to deal with such applications.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : A total of 781. English Heritage advise my right hon. Friend on scheduled monument consent cases.
Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many recommendations for scheduled monument consent have been prepared for the Salisbury plain training area ; and how long it will take to process these applications.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : I understand that, subject to current discussions with the Ministry of Defence, English Heritage expects to recommend between 250 and 300 monuments for scheduling early in the new year. They will be processed as quickly as possible.
Ancient Monuments
Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications were made during 1987 by English Heritage for the repair, acquisition or analysis of ancient monuments ; and how many have been granted.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : The majority of English Heritage's repair grant cases and works projects do not
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require my right hon. Friend's consent. The Department has details of only a small proportion of the cases. There is no central record.Archaeology
Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has received from English Heritage on forestry policy as it affects archaeology.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : No formal advice has been received. English Heritage works closely with the Forestry Commission on forestry matters which may affect sites of archaeological interest.
English Heritage
Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current level of funding for English Heritage ; and what is the planned level for each of the next three years, to enable it to complete its scheduled monument programme.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : English Heritage's grant in aid for 1988- 89 is £65.863 million ; the provision for the next three years is £72.3 million, £74.5 million, £76.3 million. There is no specific allocation within these figures for the scheduled monument programme : English Heritage is responsible for the allocation of its overall resources between individual programmes.
Tinsley Park
Mr. Barron : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many representations he has received about the proposed opencast coal mining and airport plans on Tinsley park in south Yorkshire ; and if he will make a statement ;
(2) if he has had any representations from the Sheffield urban development corporation about the proposed opencast coal mine and STOL airport at Tinsley park in south Yorkshire ;
(3) how many representations he has received about a public inquiry into the plans for an opencast coal mine and a STOL airport at Tinsley park in south Yorkshire ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received 32 representations about the proposed open cast coal mining at Tinsley park, 16 about the proposed airport and seven about possible public inquiries into these proposed developments. No formal representations have been received from the Sheffield development corporation about either proposal.
I understand that planning applications for both developments have recently been considered by the relevant local planning authorities, Sheffield MBC and Rotherham MBC. They have both resolved to refer the airport application to the Secretary of State as a departure from the approved development plan. We shall consider the matter carefully when the full details of the proposal are received.
So far as the application for opencast mining is concerned, I understand that detailed discussions are underway between the parties to establish an acceptable planning framework for open-casting.
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