| Home Page |
Column 401
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 28 November 1990
NORTHERN IRELAND
Public Spending
Mr. Bellingham : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the allocation to individual programmes in Northern Ireland of the public expenditure totals announced on 8 November.
Column 402
Mr. Brooke : In his autumn statement on 8 November, my right hon. Friend the former Chancellor of the Exchequer announced total public expenditure planning figures for the Northern Ireland programme. I have now decided on the allocations to individual programmes shown in the table : copies of a more detailed statement have been placed in the Library. These allocations reflect my assessment of how best to distribute the Northern Ireland public expenditure totals in response to local needs and circumstances.
Column 401
£ million
Programme |1991-92 |1992-93 |1993-94
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Ireland Office:
Law, Order Protective and Miscellaneous
Services |762 |810 |860
Northern Ireland Departments:
Northern Ireland Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry Services and Support |116 |120 |120
Industry Trade and Employment |466 |430 |420
Energy |-72 |0 |0
Transport |165 |170 |180
Housing |259 |270 |270
Environmental and Miscellaneous Services |167 |200 |210
Law, Order and Protective Services
(Fire Service) |35 |40 |40
Education |1,120 |1,180 |1,230
Health and Personal Social Services |1,160 |1,220 |1,270
Social Security Administration |128 |140 |130
Other Public Services |70 |80 |80
Total Northern Ireland Block
(excluding Social Security Benefits) |4,377 |4,650 |4,820
Social Security Benefits |1,960 |2,120 |2,270
Total Northern Ireland Block |6,337 |6,770 |7,090
National Agriculture and Fishery Support |85 |90 |90
Total Northern Ireland Programme |6,422 |6,860 |7,170
Notes to Table:
(1) Figures are rounded to nearest £1m for 1991-92 and to the nearest £10m for
1992-93 and 1993-94 (thus "£0m" means "less than £5m"). Figures may not sum to
totals due to roundings.
(2) As announced in 8 November, the plans reflect the reclassification of the
water and sewerage element of the Regional Rate as negative PE. Allowing for
this technical change, the overall level of resources represented by the public
expenditure plans overall, and the Environmental and Miscellaneous Services
programme in particular, are effectively some £110m a year higher than the
figures in the table.
(3) The figure for the Energy programme for 1991-92 is negative because it is
anticipated NIE will be repaying loans to Government in that year. The PE plans
for the Energy Programme for 1992-93 and 1993-94 have been adjusted to reflect
Government's intention that NIE should be privatised early in 1992. This
produces total plans for NI for those years which are some £120m higher than
would otherwise be the case.
(4) Figures for social security administration also include district councils'
share of rate rebates.
(5) The figures are now net of VAT refunds to the Government of Northern Ireland:
this is a classification change which does not affect the spending power of
departments nor the year on year comparisons.
(6) The planning figures for 1991-92 form the basis for preparation by Northern
Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office of Main Estimates for the
coming year. These will be presented to Parliament in due course.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Anti-Jewish Leaflets
Mr. Janner : To ask the Attorney-General whether he will institute proceedings in respect of the anti-Jewish leaflet, "The Snides of March."
The Attorney-General : I am not yet in possession of all the material that I need to enable me to make a decision concerning the institution of proceedings. I shall make my
Column 402
decision when I have considered the results of further related police inquiries which have been requested by the Director of Public Prosecutions.Commonhold
Mr. Fishburn : To ask the Attorney-General whether he will make a statement about the publication of draft legislation to implement a commonhold scheme.
Column 403
The Attorney-General : The Government are today publishing a document entitled "Commonhold : A Consultation Paper"-- Cm. 1345. It includes a draft Bill. Comments are invited on this draft legislation and also on certain important policy issues, in particular whether provision should be made enabling the conversion to commonhold of residential long leasehold flats and other developments against the wishes of the landlord. The consultation paper is also available in a version without the draft Bill attached--Cm. 1346.SOCIAL SECURITY
Claim Forms (Verification)
Mrs. Wise : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has of failure by local authorities to verify details on claim forms for housing benefit and community charge benefit ; how many local authorities have failed so to verify ; and if he will list them in the Official Report.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : It is the responsibility of local authorities to decide what information it is reasonable to ask for in order to determine an individual's entitlement to housing benefit or community charge benefit. Administrative practices vary from authority to authority and information is not collected centrally on the detail of these practices.
HEALTH
Residential Care Homes
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that nursing and residential homes are fully licensed to care for patients before the patient is sent there upon release from the hospital.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : Department of Health guidance asks health authorities to ensure that appropriate plans are made for the continuing care of patients as necessary on their discharge from hospital. These plans should include ensuring that a nursing or residential care home placement is suitable and acceptable in all respects.
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that owners of a residential home who are deemed unfit to run a home will not later open another similar facility.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : It is for local authorities to satisfy themselves, by making thorough inquiries, of the suitability of applicants for registration of residential care homes. The Department assists by acting as a channel of information between authorities about people who have had their registration cancelled and provides a consultancy service to authorities seeking information about applications for homes with children and young people under age 18.
Ashworth Hospital, Mayhill
Mr. Alex Carlile : To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement concerning staffing levels at Ashworth hospital, Mayhill, on 19 November ;
Column 404
(2) if he will institute a public inquiry into the death of Derek Anthony Williams at Ashworth hospital, Mayhill, on 19 November ; and if he will make a statement ;(3) if he will make a statement on the death of Derek Anthony Williams at Ashworth hospital, Mayhill, on 19 November.
Mr. Dorrell : I am writing to the hon. and learned Member about this tragic incident and would like to record here how I very much regret the sad death of Mr. Williams and offer my sympathy to his parents.
The Special Hospitals Service Authority, which is responsible for the management of Ashworth hospital, is urgently setting up an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Williams' death.
The management of Ashworth hospital have already launched their own internal inquiry. An early finding is that on the morning of 19 November, with the exception of one ward designated to the care of mentally handicapped female patients, all wards in Ashworth hospital, including that in which Mr. Williams died, were fully manned. During the afternoon and night shifts all wards were fully manned.
ENVIRONMENT
Homelessness
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the number of registered homeless people in each of the 32 London boroughs on 17 November ;
(2) what was the known number of homeless people in the United Kingdom on 16 November.
Mr. Michael Spicer : Local authorities have a statutory duty to secure accommodation for households who have been found to be homeless or threatened with homelessness, under part III of the Housing Act 1985. The numbers of households accepted and found accommodation are reported quarterly to the Department. Latest estimates for England, and figures reported by the London boroughs, appear in tables 1(a) and 7, respectively, of "Local authorities' action under the homeless provisions of the 1985 Housing Act : England. Results for the second quarter 1990. Supplementary Tables". A copy is in the Library.
For information about other parts of the United Kingdom, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.
Local Government Finance
Mr. Ken Hargreaves : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about unpaid community charges in Lancashire ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Key : I am not aware of any such representations.
The Department's information is that the proportion of residents who had made payments by the end of September varied from 80.4 per cent. in Burnley and 81 per cent. in west Lancashire to 96 per cent. in Hyndburn and 97.2 per cent. in Fylde. This range suggests that some authorities perform more efficiently than others and I look to all authorities to minimise arrears in the four months that remain of this financial year.
Column 405
Ministerial Committee
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the first meeting of the new standing ministerial committee on the environment will take place ; which Ministers will sit on this committee ; what matters will be discussed ; and through whom it will be accountable to Parliament.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : It is not the practice to disclose the detailed arrangements for Cabinet committees.
Pollution Inspectorate
Mrs. Ann Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report of the National Audit Office into the organisation of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will be published.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : This is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Bathing Beaches
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is available to him if water companies are unable to bring the designated beaches within their area into compliance with the EEC 1976 bathing waters directive by 1995.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : A number of actions are available to the Secretary of State under the Water Act 1989 including, ultimately, termination of the company's appointment as a sewerage undertaker. In addition, if the company were in breach of discharge consent conditions set by the National Rivers Authority it could be liable to prosecution by the authority.
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report for each designated bathing beach in England sampled in the summer of 1990 (i) the E. Coli and (ii) the total coliform level of each sample taken, together with the date that the sampling took place.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : No. This information is already held in the public registers maintained by the National Rivers Authority.
Disabled Facilities Grants
Mr. Hannam : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has issued to social services departments regarding the new system of disabled facilities grants.
Mr. Key : A departmental circular 10/90 on "House Adaptations for People with Disabilities" was issued jointly with the Department of Health on 18 June 1990. Copies were sent to all local housing and social services authorities.
Mr. Hannam : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to monitor the impact of the system of disabled facilities grants and the impact of the means test on disabled people.
Mr. Key : The Department is undertaking a sample survey of 40 local authorities in England to monitor activity under the new house renovation grants system. All
Column 406
aspects of the system are covered by the review including the impact of disabled facilities grants and the test of resources.Pollution Inspectorate
Sir Thomas Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to increase the powers available to Her Majesty's inspectors of pollution.
Mr. Trippier : The Environmental Protection Act 1990 strengthens the powers available to Her Majesty's inspectorate of
pollution--HMIP--for controlling all major emissions to air, land and water from the processes with most potential to cause pollution ; for policing the storage and disposal of radioactive substances and wastes ; and for overseeing local authorities' performance of their waste regulation functions. Our White Paper on the environment, published in the summer, proposes that HMIP's powers could be further strengthened by making it a candidate to become a "next steps" agency. This would give them an enhanced status and a clearly separate identity, which should strengthen their authority in controlling pollution.
Rivers, Derbyshire
Mr. Oppenheim : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give figures for the number of rivers classed 1A, 1B and 2 in Derbyshire and those classed 3and 4.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : The latest available information is in the form of maps showing the classification of all rivers included in the 1985 river quality survey of England and Wales. Copies are available in the Library of the House. The National Rivers Authority is conducting another national survey this year.
Planning Permission
Dr. Cunningham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those occasions since 1971 on which he or his predecessors have used section 276 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 to revoke planning permission ; and if he will indicate any compensation that was awarded.
Mr. Michael Spicer : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, East (Sir G. Vaughan) on 27 November, Official Report, column 333.
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Mr. Burns : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish a timetable for implementation of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Trippier : I have today placed in the Library copies of our target timetable for implementation of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Part A of the timetable sets out for each subject area of the Act target dates for key tasks such as consultation on draft regulations, the laying of regulations and the ultimate target commencement dates. Part B lists the key tasks in chronological order.
The timetable covers implementation plans for the whole Act with the exception of the regulatory system
Column 407
under part II--waste on land. This brings a complete overhaul of our existing waste management systems and we are presently working on the timetable for this. A further announcement will be made on part II as soon as possible.The Environmental Protection Act is a landmark in environmental legislation. It brings with it valuable opportunities to enhance our domestic environment and contribute significantly to the development of international environmental policy. We must all be prepared to seize these opportunities so that future generations can benefit from a cleaner, healthier and greener world.
Sewage Discharges
Mr. Carrington : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost of providing treatment for sewage discharges to estuarial and coastal waters.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : The cost of providing primary treatment for coastal discharges and secondary treatment for estuarial discharges for populations above 10,000 was estimated at around £1.5 billion by Consultants in Environmental Sciences Ltd. A copy of its report "Study of Coastal Sewage Discharges" is available in the Library. CES Ltd. has recently completed a further study to refine its earlier estimate and to include the cost of providing secondary treatment for discharges to estuaries for populations between 2,000 and 10,000 as required by the draft municipal waste water directive. The revised estimate of costs is now put at some £2.16 billion. Copies of the latest study by CES are being placed in the Library.
Marine Environment, North Sea
Dr. Kim Howells : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government have measured the effects on sensitive marine environments from discharges of nitrates and phosphates into the North sea ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory [holding answer 27 November 1990] : A substantial part of the marine research budgets of several Government Departments is devoted to work on nutrients and there is extensive monitoring of nutrient levels around our coasts.
Monitoring of nutrient levels in coastal and estuarial waters has taken place since 1960 and is now the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority. While nutrient inputs from rivers may have increased, there is no evidence of an increase in nutrients offshore. Monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland has led to the same conclusion.
Beach Pollution
Mr. John Garrett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department will produce its observations on the fourth report of the Select Committee on the Environment, on pollution of beaches.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory [holding answer 27 November 1990] : The Government's response will be published next month.
Column 408
Building Control Fees
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next intends to review local authority building control fees.
Mr. Key [holding answer 27 November 1990] : Regulations will be laid before the House shortly which will propose increases in building control fees in respect of the erection of small domestic buildings, garages, carports and small extensions and alterations to domestic buildings by, on average, 7 per cent, to take effect from 1 February 1991.
My officials are discussing with the relevant local authority associations a restructuring of the fees regulations, with a view to preparing the way for allowing local authorities to set their own levels of fees. I hope to issue a consultation paper early next year.
Urban Programme
Mr. Gould : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will show for each authority currently entitled to apply for urban programme funding and in summary for all such authorities, for each year from 1981-82 to the latest year for which figures are available, at constant prices (a) the amount of rate support grant or revenue support grant received and (b) total grants received under the urban programme.
Mr. Chris Patten [holding answer 19 November 1990] : The total amounts of (a) rate support grant or revenue support grant received and (b) urban programme expenditure allocated to the 57 authorities currently entitled to apply for urban programme funding, for each year from 1981-82 to 1990-91, at 1990-91 prices, were as follows :
|Revenue |Urban
|support grant|programme
|£ billion |£ billion
--------------------------------------------------------
1981-82 |4.232 |0.238
1982-83 |3.642 |0.317
1983-84 |3.591 |0.318
1984-85 |3.431 |0.320
1985-86 |3.339 |0.316
1986-87 |3.622 |0.297
1987-88 |3.653 |0.321
1988-89 |3.667 |0.295
1989-90 |3.611 |0.268
1990-91 |4.592 |0.259
I shall send the hon. Gentleman tables showing details for all the authorities. Copies of these tables will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
TRANSPORT
Public Transport
Mr. Trotter : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement about the funding of local public transport schemes in England.
Mr. Freeman : We are providing resources for the £120 million Manchester metrolink light rail scheme, including more than £50 million of grant. Construction is well advanced, and operations should begin late next year.
Subject to my receiving assurances from the South Yorkshire passenger transport authority about costs,
Column 409
contributions to be made by the parties involved, and transfer in due course to the private sector, the £230 million supertram project proposed for Sheffield will be the next light rail scheme to go ahead. Substantial Government grant suppport will be provided. As I announced on 26 November, we are reserving resources for a start on the electrification of the railway infrastructure in the Bradford area.Light rail schemes are being actively considered in other areas. Parliament has granted powers for a number of lines, including the proposed midland metro line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The appraisal of that scheme is currently in progress, and we hope that it will be completed as soon as possible. If it proves satisfactory, we will be ready to consider paying grant next year towards the cost of developing the scheme in detail. We will consider other proposals on the same basis, subject to the availability of resources. We also remain committed to taking full advantage of the important contribution which the bus can make to improving the quality of public transport in urban areas. We are examining urgently the proposals put forward by the Bus and Coach Council, including the possibility of earmarking resources for measures to promote bus use, and hope to respond in the new year.
Transport Deaths
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in tabular form the number of rail deaths for each year from 1970 to 1989, inclusive, showing (a) total figures and (b) by category of (i) British Rail drivers, (ii) other British Rail staff and (iii) passengers.
Mr. McLoughlin : The table shows fatalities in accidents on all railway premises. The staff figures include all railway employees ; no separate figures are available for British Rail staff fatalities. Similarly, I am unable to provide a breakdown between drivers and other railway employees.
Column 410
Year |Total |Railway |Passengers|Other
|staff |persons
------------------------------------------------------------------
1970 |143 |67 |55 |21
1971 |125 |60 |47 |18
1972 |99 |48 |30 |21
1973 |97 |42 |42 |13
1974 |78 |38 |26 |14
1975 |127 |46 |69 |12
1976 |97 |46 |30 |21
1977 |84 |34 |30 |20
1978 |114 |45 |47 |22
1979 |107 |43 |52 |12
1980 |69 |32 |26 |11
1981 |76 |27 |39 |10
1982 |57 |27 |20 |10
1983 |69 |28 |29 |12
1984 |76 |25 |39 |12
1985 |74 |25 |33 |16
1986 |97 |16 |32 |24
1987 |104 |16 |68 |20
1988 |97 |16 |69 |12
1989 |69 |18 |33 |18
Notes:
1. Includes contractors' staff from 1984 onwards.
2. Excluding trespassers, suicides and attempted suicides.
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in tabular form the death rate per thousand miles travelled for each year from 1970 to 1989 (inclusive) for (a) car, (b) rail, (c) air (United Kingdom airlines), (d) air (within United Kingdom airspace), (e) bicycle, (f) motor bike, (g) lorry, (h) bus, (i) ship (United Kingdom- registered vessels) and (j) ship (within United Kingdom waters).
Mr. McLoughlin : The readily available information is set out in the table.
An article concerning fatality rates by mode of transport appears in the Department's publication "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1979-1989", pages 1 to 5, which is available in the Library. Further information is either unavailable or could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
Column 409
Passenger fatality rates by mode 1975-89
Per billion passenger kilometres
|Air<1> |Rail |Water<2> |Bus |Car<3> |Two-wheeled|Pedal cycle|Pedestrian
|or coach |motor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1975 |0.0 |2.0 |0.5 |1.9 |7.6 |153.3 |62.8 |93.8
1976 |1.3 |0.9 |2.6 |1.1 |7.4 |144.6 |60.0 |93.4
1977 |0.0 |0.8 |0.0 |1.1 |7.0 |176.0 |59.3 |92.5
1978 |0.0 |1.3 |0.5 |1.0 |6.9 |175.1 |61.8 |97.1
1979 |0.2 |1.4 |1.8 |0.6 |6.5 |168.1 |69.9 |84.7
1980 |2.0 |0.7 |1.3 |0.6 |5.8 |140.0 |59.2 |77.6
1981 |0.2 |1.0 |0.4 |0.4 |5.7 |117.7 |56.8 |75.0
1982 |0.0 |0.6 |0.9 |0.7 |6.0 |109.1 |45.9 |74.8
1983 |0.3 |0.8 |0.9 |0.8 |4.9 |107.3 |50.5 |76.6
1984 |0.0 |1.1 |0.0 |0.8 |5.0 |109.7 |53.8 |74.7
1985 |0.7 |0.9 |3.5 |0.7 |4.7 |100.0 |47.0 |71.6
1986 |0.5 |0.8 |0.5 |0.6 |4.8 |99.8 |49.5 |74.4
1987 |0.0 |1.0 |69.8 |0.4 |4.4 |99.8 |48.8 |68.1
1988 |0.0 |1.7 |0.5 |0.3 |4.1 |114.0 |45.7 |70.1
1989 |0.0 |0.8 |22.8 |0.5 |4.4 |100.1 |56.8 |68.2
Notes:
<1>World passenger carrying services of United Kingdom airlines for fixed and rotary wing craft over 2,300 kilograms.
Passenger kilometres relate to revenue passengers only.
<2>Domestic and international passenger services of United Kingdom-registered vessels.
<3>Drivers and passengers in Great Britain.
Column 411
Motor Cycle Driving Licence
Mr. Beith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities will be available by 1 December within (a) the borough of Berwick upon Tweed, (b) Alnwick district and (c) Castle Morpeth district for the basic training necessary for obtaining a provisional motor cycle driving licence after 1 December.
Mr. Chope : Sites have been approved for basic training at Berwick upon Tweed and Belford in the borough of Berwick upon Tweed and at Alnwick in Alnwick district. No sites have been approved within Castle Morpeth district, but sites have been approved nearby at Ashlington and Cramlington. I expect the operators of all these sites to be offering basic training courses from 1 December. Completion of basic training is not a requirement for the issue of a provisional licence, but a licence issued on or after 1 December will not be valid for riding on the road, unaccompanied by an instructor, until a certificate of completion of basic training has been obtained.
Rail Links
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to use the rate of return criteria used to sanction investment in the east-west underground rail link through London for proposals for electrification of lines in Scotland.
Mr. Freeman : The east-west cross rail link was approved on the basis that reduced road congestion and other benefits to non-users more than justified the cost to the public sector. My right hon. Friend stated in his 1989 objectives for BR that where, exceptionally, investment in Network SouthEast or provincial services is needed to meet growth in demand but cannot meet the required financial return, cost-benefit analysis can be used.
Carbon Monoxide Emissions
Mrs. Ann Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what technical basis was the proposed standard of 4.5 per cent. carbon monoxide for emission testing in the MOT test determined ; what proportion of the current car fleet is technically capable of meeting an emission standard of (a) 4 per cent. carbon monoxide and (b) 3 per cent. carbon monoxide at idle ; and what levels of carbon monoxide are typically produced by new models of car at idle.
Mr. Chope : The proposed 4.5 per cent. carbon monoxide standard derives from EC directive 78/665, which lays down maximum levels of emissions permitted from new vehicles. There is no detailed information available on the number of vehicles that should be able to meet more rigorous carbon monoxide standards, but most modern cars should be capable of achieving lower levels provided they are tuned in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations.
M4
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the nature and function of the works unit off the eastbound carriageway of the M4 between junctions 14 and 13 ; what was the cost of erecting the "works unit only" signs for the works unit ; when the road between the works
Column 412
unit and the motorway was completed ; what was the cost of the road between the works unit and the motorway ; and from which subheads of which votes this money was taken.Mr. Chope : The works unit referred to is RAF Welford which is made available to the United States air force for conventional munitions storage. The "works unit only" signs which are to the conventional red, white and black design as used for MoD establishments cost £6, 634.83 to provide and erect. The entry and exit slip roads, to and from the motorway, were completed on 17 December 1982 and 2 July 1985 respectively. The final cost of the construction of the slip roads was £377,081.84. All the works costs were funded by United States air force, which also contributed towards administration expenses.
Diesel Smoke
Mrs. Ann Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations control the emission of diesel smoke from railway engines ; which agency is responsible for enforcement ; and what action has been taken to control such emissions.
Mr. Freeman : Emission of dark smoke from railway engines is subject to regulations under section 1 of the Clean Air Act 1956. Enforcement is a matter for local authorities. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, railway engines other than steam locomotives could become subject to statutory nuisance action by local authorities or individuals. Action to control emissions is a matter for operators and the enforcement authorities.
M6 (Gravelly Hill Interchange)
Mr. Rooker : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement outlining reasons for the delay in repairs to the Gravelly hill interchange of the M6 motorway following the accident of 26 August.
Mr. Chope : The accident resulted in severe structural damage requiring the closure of two slip roads.
An urgent investigation began into the effects of the fire damage and possible remedial works including the possibility of demolishing and reconstructing the existing structure.
There are a number of technical matters still to be resolved, but I hope that work on a replacement structure will commence before the end of the year.
Disabled Drivers
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning unlawful wheelclamping of orange badge holders.
Mr. Chope : Orange badge holders are exempt from wheelclamping on the street in areas where wheelclamping is authorised. The exemption does not, however, extend to private car parks or other private land.
Railway Inspectorate
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the railway inspectorate will be transferred to the Health and Safety Executive ; and if he will make a statement.
| Next Section
| Home Page |