House of Commons Hansard Debates for 15 May 1992

Debt

Mr. Denham : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the estimated reduction in debt service payments in 1992 on official bilateral debt, from those countries which have received Trinidad terms compared with actual payments made on official bilateral debt by those countries in 1991.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The Prime Minister's 1990 Trinidad terms initiative has so far benefited five of the poorest, most heavily indebted countries. The terms reduce the amount of debt service due over the length of the debtor's current International Monetary Fund programme--usually three years--by around 50 per cent.

Figures for debt owed by or cancelled for any country are confidential. After a framework agreement is reached at the Paris Club, each creditor negotiates a separate bilateral agreement with the debtor. We would need the consent of the authorities in both debtor and creditor countries before we could provide any figures.

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Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining the response to the comments made by the World Commission of Environment and Development representatives in London on 24 April on the subject of third world debts ; and what action is currently undertaken by his Department to encourage the write-down of third world debts by commercial banks.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The Government believe that for those poorest countries whose efforts to achieve economic growth have been hampered by the heaviest debt burdens, debt relief has an important role to play. Five countries have so far benefited from the Prime Minister's Trinidad terms initiative, which the Paris Club began implementing in December. We continue to press for an extension of the terms offered, along the lines of the Prime Minister's original proposals, and for all creditors to participate in debt reduction.

It is true to say that financial flows to developing countries fell during the 1980s. But the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 1990 survey "Financing and External Debt of Developing Countries", confirmed the recovery in financial flows initiated in 1988-89. Recent experience in Latin America shows that determined adjustment and policy reform efforts--in Mexico and Chile, for example--can quickly attract considerable amounts of external private funds and export credits. Provisional OECD figures show that, when all financial flows are considered, developing countries received $46.4 billion more in 1990 than they paid out.

Arrangements for dealing with commercial bank debt must be a matter for the parties to the loans to negotiate between them, but we continue to urge comparability of treatment between official and commercial debt. The Government fully support decisions to allow the IMF and World bank to provide some of their resources directly in support of commercial bank debt reduction, through the Brady plan and the International Development Association's debt reduction facility. The United Kingdom is financing its share of IMF and World bank resources involved.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Maxwell Pensioners

Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the assistance given by his Department to pensioners of the Maxwell group of companies.

Miss Widdecombe : I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney (Mr. Porter) on 12 May at column 95.

Respite Care

Mr. Butcher : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the levels of funding for respite care.

Mr. Burt : People receiving respite care are entitled to claim the higher income support limit appropriate to those in residential care or nursing homes. These limits are reviewed regularly.

Mr. Butcher : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are in receipt of respite care.

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Mr. Burt : This information is not available in the form requested.

Income support is available to temporary residents in residential care and nursing homes in the same way as for permanent residents and no distinction is made in the collection of data.

Residential Homes

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total expenditure on income support payments to residents of (a) private nursing homes, (b) private residential homes, (c) voluntary nursing homes and (d) voluntary residential homes during the last financial year.

Mr. Burt : Expenditure is available only for all residential care homes and nursing homes.


                 |£ billion          

-------------------------------------

Residential care |0.9                

Nursing homes    |1.0

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants for income support in private or voluntary residential care or nursing homes had claims amended from the higher rate for nursing care to the lower rate for residential care during the previous financial year.

Mr. Burt : The information requested is not available.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of (1) the number of claimants of income support payments in (a) private nursing homes, (b) private residential homes, (c) voluntary nursing homes and (d) voluntary residential homes and (2) the proportion of the overall number of residents in each category that this represents.

Mr. Burt : Information is available only for all residential care homes and nursing homes.

It is estimated that 60 to 70 per cent. of residents in residential care and nursing homes are in receipt of income support.


                 |£ billion          

-------------------------------------

Residential care |1.1                

Nursing homes    |1.3

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants for income support in private or voluntary residential care or nursing homes had amended claims for the higher nursing care provision met during the previous financial year.

Mr. Burt : The information requested is not available.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the likely expenditure during the current financial year on income support payments to members of (a) private nursing homes, (b) private residential homes, (c) voluntary nursing homes and (d) voluntary residential homes.

Mr. Burt : Estimated expenditure in the current financial year is available only for all residential care homes and nursing homes.

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                 |£ billion          

-------------------------------------

Residential care |1.1                

Nursing homes    |1.3

NATIONAL FINANCE

Retail Prices Index

Mr. David Atkinson : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to reform the retail prices index to bring it in line with other countries in the exchange rate mechanism ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lamont : I informed the House on 6 February 1992, Official Report, column 256, that I have reconvened the Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee to consider the treatment of the council tax in the index and other matters. I have asked the committee in forming its recommendations to take account of the practices in other European Community countries. The Central Statistical Office will also be involved in discussions on harmonising consumer price indices with the Statistical Office of the European Community and statistical offices of other member states.

Sustainable Living

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to relate economic policy to potential environmental carrying capacity.

Sir John Cope : A healthy economy is essential if the country is to be able to afford the cost of measures to protect the environment. The Government will continue to pursue policies designed to minimise environmental damage, while ensuring that industry remains internationally competitive.

Bank of Credit and Commerce International

49. Mr. Vaz : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Ministers have given evidence to the Bingham inquiry.

Mr. Nelson [holding answer 14 May 1992] : The Prime Minister assured the House on 22 July 1991, Official Report, column 759, that all Ministers and officials would co-operate fully with Lord Justice Bingham's inquiry, and we have done so. A number of Ministers have given evidence.

50. Mr. Vaz : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times he has met the governor of the Bank of England since 5 July 1991 to discuss the Bank of Credit and Commerce International ; and if he will state the dates of such meetings and what was discussed.

Mr. Nelson [holding answer 14 May 1992] : My right hon. Friend meets the Governor of the Bank of England from time to time to discuss a variety of matters.

SCOTLAND

Rents-to-mortgages Scheme

Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) expressions of interest there have been and (b) applications have been received from tenants under

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the Government's rents-to-mortgages scheme in Scotland ; and what this figure is as a percentage of the total number of tenants eligible to participate in the scheme.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 13 May 1992] : Over 20,000 expressions of interest and 1,159 applications have been made under the rent-to-mortgage scheme. Those figures represent 5.4 per cent. and 0.3 per cent. respectively of the 370,000 tenants estimated to be eligible for the scheme.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Common Fisheries Policy

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are currently being undertaken by his Department to ensure that the common fisheries policy takes environmental protection fully into account.

Mr. Curry : We have already endorsed the view expressed in the Commission's recent report on the common fisheries policy, which is forming the basis of the mid-term review of that policy, that environmental aspects of fisheries should be taken into account. The discussion on future action under the CFP is still in progress.

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to press for the amendment of the common fisheries policy to ensure that all decisions taken under the policy take into account the prevention of effects on ecosystems and marine wildlife.

Mr. Curry : I agree that the common fisheries policy should take into account effects of fishing on the marine environment and whilst the CFP is primarily based on article 43 of the original treaty of Rome, Fisheries Ministers now must have regard to article 130R of the revised treaty which provides for the consideration of environmental matters.

Fishing Gear Selectivity

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much is currently spent by his Department on studies concerning fishing gear selectivity ; and if he has any plans to announce an increase in funding.

Mr. Curry : Fisheries departments currently spend about £1.5 million per year on fishing gear and a significant proportion of this relates to gear selectivity. Most recently, we have implemented measures introducing square mesh panels following such research, and further work on those and other aspects of fishing gear selectivity are in hand. Gear selectivity continues to be a high priority in our research programmes.

TRANSPORT

London Taxi Fares

Mr. Bendall : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about London taxi fares and fees.

Mr. Norris : The Secretary of State has made an order increasing London taxi fares by about 6.1 per cent. on average with effect from Saturday, 30 May 1992. The new tariff will incorporate a minimum fare of £1, including an

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unchanged hire charge of 40p, for the first 873 yards or three minutes. The rate will then be 20p for every 291 yards or 60 seconds up to 6 miles and 20p for each 194 yards or 40 seconds thereafter. The Secretary of State has decided that the calculations for any future increases should be based on the average earnings for the whole economy rather than the figure for transport and communication workers in Greater London which was used for the past two years. The Secretary of State has also increased the fees for licensing London taxi drivers from £70 to £81 and for vehicles from £65 to £78. The increase will take effect on Monday 15 June 1992.

Healey Mills Marshalling Yard

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department have had with British Rail concerning the future of the Healey Mills marshalling yard, Wakefield.

Mr. Freeman : My Department's regional office in Leeds is discussing with British Rail one of the options for improved connections between the M1 and M62. This involves part of the land area occupied by Healey Mills marshalling yard. The Department's published consultation document makes it clear that this option will be pursued only if it does not affect railway operations.

A21

Mr. Speed : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give a time scale for further improvements to the A21 trunk road.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : There are six schemes in the national roads programme with an estimated works cost of some £70 million for the improvement of the A21 trunk road. They are at varying stages of preparation. The timetable for each scheme will depend on the progress that can be made with the design, statutory and other procedures and the availability of funds.

There are also a number of smaller scale works in the regional programme, mostly aimed at improving safety and traffic flow.

M1-M62 Link

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will add to the available public information concerning his proposal for an M1-M62 motorway link a detailed assessment of the noise implications.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : No. It is too early a stage to carry out a detailed assessment of the noise implications of the M1-M62 link road.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake a full environmental impact assessment of his M1-M62 motorway link proposals before his announcement of a preferred route.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : An environmental assessment has been undertaken, appropriate to this early stage of option development.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be in a position to make public an analysis of the opinions expressed during the public consultation process on his proposed M1-M62 motorway link.

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Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : The response to public consultation has been very large so far. It will be some time before a thorough analysis has been completed and I am able to make an announcement.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of his Department's proposals for the junction between the M1 motorway and the A636 at Calder Grove, Wakefield under the suggested yellow route for the M1-M62 motorway link, with particular reference to whether it is planned to divert the A636.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : No. It is too early to confirm such detailed junction arrangements.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what means his Department has estimated the number of properties likely to be demolished as a result of the proposed M1-M62 motorway link.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : The estimation of property demolition was that judged to be required for each option, at this preliminary stage.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of changes in levels of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and low level ozone during the development of his proposals for an M1-M62 motorway link.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : No detailed assessment has been undertaken at this early stage.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the extent and implications of farm severance in the development of his proposals for an M1-M62 motorway link.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : At this early stage no assessment has been carried out into the effects of farm severance.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions his officials have met representatives of local authorities and parish or community councils to discuss proposals for an M1-M62 motorway link, detailing the public bodies concerned and the dates upon which such meetings have taken place.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : I will write to the hon. Member with information about meetings with my officials.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend his Department's consultation documents and exhibitions relating to the proposals for a M1-M62 motorway link so as to include information regarding the possibility of alternative methods of improving the transport system, including developing the rail and waterway networks and bus services.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : No. The consultation document has been issued in considerable numbers and cannot be amended now. It is considered that alternative methods of improving the transport system would not obviate the need for this link road.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the wider effects on woodland areas in the development of his proposals for an M1-M62 motorway link.

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Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : The areas of woodland directly affected by the proposed options have been assessed. In addition, woodland with ecological interest has been identified.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department's proposed yellow route for the M1-M62 link road includes a flyover above Cliff road, Great Cliffe, Wakefield, or an elevated road necessitating the removal of the current bridge at Great Cliffe, at the point where the southernmost access road would join the M1.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : It is too early to be specific about the connection between the link road and the M1.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given to the increased use of the existing rail network as an alternative to the construction of an M1-M62 motorway link.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : The Government aim to achieve a balance between the various forms of transport so that each can make its proper contribution. It is considered that increased use of the existing rail network will not alter the need for the road significantly.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those properties within the Wakefield constituency which may be demolished as a result of the construction of an M1-M62 motorway link along (a) the proposed yellow route and (b) the proposed purple route.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : As far as is possible to judge at this early stage, within the Wakefield constituency, the yellow route could require 11 commercial properties and the purple route one residential property.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the implications of contaminated soil movement and dumping during the development of his proposals for an M1-M62 motorway link.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : In developing route options, areas of land known to be contaminated have been identified. Any decision to develop a route across such land would involve a full assessment of all the implications.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects his Department will have completed its assessment of the implications of surface temperature inversion for visibility on sections of the proposed yellow route of the M1-M62 motorway link in the Calder valley.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : Detailed consideration of the implications of surface temperature inversion would be given after the decision on whether any of the options should be progressed further.

New Motorways

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what means environmental impacts are taken into account in his cost-benefit assessment of new motorway proposals.

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Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : Decisions on motorway and other trunk road schemes are based on full assessment of all the relevant effects. Some of the effects, including construction costs, time and accident savings, and changes in vehicle operating costs, are valued in monetary terms. Environmental effects are not give monetary values, but a comprehensive assessment is made, covering noise, visual, ecological, air quality and other relevant effects. The techniques used are described in the Department's "Manual of Environmental Appraisal".

Transport Spending

Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of his Department's spending on transport is allocated in the current financial year to each of the following sectors : (a) highways, (b) railways, (c) water transport and (d) other ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor : In 1992-93, the proportions are expected to be about :

(a) Highways, 45 per cent.

(b) Public Transport, 49.5 per cent.

(d) Other, 5 per cent.

Inland water transport is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment and is not included in (c). (d) includes air transport as well as expenditure which cannot be allocated by mode. Further details are available in "The Government's Expenditure Plans for Transport, 1992-93 to 1994-95 : Department of Transport Report 1992", Command 1907.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Renewable Energy

Mr. Dafis : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to abolish the 1988 deadline under the non-fossil fuel obligation for the development of renewable source energy.

Mr. Eggar : My Department is in discussion with the European Commission about the 1998 limitation.

Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of Her Majesty's Government's target for renewable energy he expects to originate from Northern Ireland ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar : The Government are currently working towards a figure of 1,000 MW of new electricity generating plant from renewable energy sources by the year 2000. There is no separate figure for Northern Ireland at present. A study is being carried out on the potential for renewable energy in Northern Ireland and the results will assist with setting a renewable target within the overall United Kingdom figure.

Mrs. Ann Taylor : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates the Government have made of the contribution that sources of renewable energy could make to achieving the United Kingdom's stabilisation target for CO emissions by the year 2000.

Mr. Eggar : I refer the hon. Lady to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) on 14 May, Official Report, column 170-71 .

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