House of Commons Hansard Debates for 15 Jun 1992

Endangered Species

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what efforts have been made by his Department to encourage greater adherence to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species by other countries.

Mr. Maclean : The convention's secretariat bears the primary responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the convention are met. Within the European Community, the European Commission is responsible for ensuring adherence to the EC regulation which implements the convention. We draw evidence of any apparent problems to the attention of the country concerned and either the secretariat or commission as appropriate. We introduce any trade restrictions which the secretariat recommends to encourage compliance. We are also very active in promoting improvements in the quality of implementation. We asked the European Commission last October to propose substantially stricter controls within the Community and this they have done. Further, with our EC partners, we have taken 1,400 decisions since 1984 to suspend trade in particular species from particular countries because we were not satisfied with their assessments of its impact. At the conference of the parties to the convention in March, we pressed successfully for similar action to be taken world wide. Further, we played a leading part at the conference in

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introducing measures to ensure compliance with the convention's transport requirement by providing for suspensions of trade in birds suffering high mortality in transit.

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to encourage the special protection of endangered species travelling on migration routes which are not included in officially designated protected areas.

Mr. Maclean : The Government already support the protection of endangered migratory species, both nationally and internationally. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 gives strict protection to endangered migratory birds and mammals in Great Britain. The United Kingdom has participated actively since 1985 as a party to the international convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals, known as the Bonn convention. At present the United Kingdom holds the chairmanship of the standing committee of the convention.

In addition, the United Kingdom sponsored negotiations under the Bonn convention of an agreement on the conservation of bats in Europe. The agreement was concluded during the third conference of the parties to the convention in Geneva in September 1991. The United Kingdom signed the bats agreement when it was opened for signature in London on 4 December 1991 and my Department is providing its secretariat.

The United Kingdom delegation played a leading role in the conclusion at the same conference of an agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North seas. The agreement was signed by the United Kingdom on 16 April this year and my Department is financing its interim secretariat, based at the sea mammals research unit in Cambridge.

The EC birds directive makes specific provision for the protection of migratory birds and their feeding grounds and the Government are implementing this by the designation of special protection areas (SPAs), now 52 in number, and through the indentification of potential SPAs, both of which receive protection under the planning system.

Pollution

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by his Department in implementing (a) the polluter pays principle and (b) the user pays principle.

Mr. Maclean : The polluter pays principle is at the centre of the Government's approach to environmental policy. If the polluter pays the cost of meeting environmental controls, the user will also pay through the resulting increase in prices and charges.

Public Inquiries

Mr. Robert Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many public inquiries, both public and with written representations, were held during the past year to the nearest convenient date and for each of the previous 10 years respectively.

Mr. Baldry : This is a matter for the chief executive and I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

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EC Proposals

Mr. Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the experts his Department consults on European Community proposals relating to environmental matters.

Mr. Maclean : My Department consults as widely as necessary to ensure that European Community proposals are given full consideration.

Departmental Environment Policies

Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who is the Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of all of his Department's policies ; when that person was appointed ; what actions his Department has taken since the appointment of a responsible Minister ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard : The Government are again appointing a Minister within each Government Department to take particular responsibility for environmental aspects of that Department's policies and programmes. The list will be announced shortly.

Mineral Planning

Mr. Byers : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to amend mineral planning guidance note 3.

Mr. Baldry : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 May 1992 to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms. Walley), Official Report, column 269.

Orimulsion

Mr. Hardy : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to discourage the use of orimulsion for the purposes of steam-raising in Britain and the rest of the EC.

Mr. Maclean : Any proposed use of orimulsion is likely to arise within processes subject to integrated pollution control by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Such processes cannot be carried out without an authorisation. Authorisations must include conditions to ensure that the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost will be used to prevent or minimise the release of prescribed substances and for rendering any such releases harmless. My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans for other action in relation orimulsion.

Mr. Hardy : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what levels or proportion of (a) sulphur and (b) other toxic or harmful substances are estimated to be released as a result of the combustion of orimulsion for the purposes of electricity generation according to the current proposals for its use.

Mr. Maclean : Although the burning of orimulsion produces significantly more sulphur dioxide and particulate matter than does, for example, that of heavy fuel oil, the quantities of pollutants ultimately released to the environment depend not only on the type of fuel used, but on the abatement techniques used to control releases.

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The operation of combustion processes in which orimulsion is burnt require authorisation by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In granting an authorisation, HMIP requires the best available tech-niques not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC) to be used by the operator to prevent or reduce emissions from the process. Guidance on what constitutes BATNEEC together with the levels of releases achievable are set out in the chief inspector's guidance note to inspectors "Combustion Processes, Large Boilers and Furnaces 59MW(th) and Over", copies of which have been placed in the Library. Details of applications for, and any subsequent authorisations granted for all processes controlled by HMIP, are placed on the public registers held at HMIP regional offices which may be inspected by anyone, free of charge.

Waste Management

Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to decide on certificates of technical competence for the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board ; what representations he has received on the matter ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean : The proposal for certificates of technical competence for waste managers forms part of the new waste management licensing system under part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Powers exist in section 74 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for the Secretary of State to prescribe the qualifications and experience required of a person for the purposes of deciding whether the management of a waste site is to be in the hands of a technically competent person. As the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Blatch, announced in another place on 10 October 1990-- Official Report, columns 289-90--the Department of the Environment commissioned the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB) to prepare a system of waste management qualifications that might be so prescribed. WAMITAB delivered its report on these proposals in April this year.

The only representations made to my Department about the WAMITAB proposals since they were submitted have come from WAMITAB itself. The proposals are being examined and will be further discussed with WAMITAB. When Ministers have reached a view on the suitability of WAMITAB's proposals, this will be announced and will form part of a wider public consultation on waste management licensing later this summer. Final decisions on certificates of technical competence will then be made, in the light of that public consultation, so that regulations giving effect to the decisions may be laid before Parliament. Subject to the emerging timetable for the proposed environment agency, it is intended to bring these regulations into force in April 1993.

Earth Summit

Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, East of 5 June, Official Report, column 665, if he will set out (a) the number of officials from each Government Department in attendance at the Earth

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summit, (b) the representation from the British diplomatic posts in Brazil and the Forestry Commission respectively, (c) the names of individuals and organisations holding observer status with the United Kingdom delegation and (d) the cost of supporting the United Kingdom delegation to the Rio conference and related events in Brazil.

Mr. Maclean : The United Kingdom delegation consisted of the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for the Environment, the Minister for Overseas Development, myself and 24 officials from the Department of the Environment, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Overseas Development Administration and the Department of Trade and Industry. In addition, there were five representatives from our diplomatic posts in Brazil and one official from the Forestry Commission. Eight junior support staff also attended the conference. The staff involved were needed to service not only the plenary sessions of the conference but the specialised sectoral working groups that were set up and where much of the detailed negotiating was done. Other staff were required to provide office support facilities and to liaise with the local authorities over such matters as transport and security. The 13 observers attached to the United Kingdom delegation were : Ann Clwyd Opposition overseas aid spokespersonRichard Sandbrook International Institute on Environment and DevelopmentBarry Coates World Wide Fund for NatureVicky Johnson Action AidSir John Chatfield Association of County CouncilsJohn Harman Association of Metropolitan AuthoritiesRod Aspinwall Advisory Committee on Business and the EnvironmentPeter Bright International Chamber of Commerce UKDavid Lea Trade Union CongressClare Ramsaran United Nations Conference on Environment and Development for YouthProfessor Iain Thornton Imperial college

The estimated cost of the delgation's travel and subsistence, including hotel costs will be about £190,000. Non-governmental organisations were responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.

The estimated total administrative cost of the conference, including office facilities, transport and communications will be about £500,000.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Mr. Raynsford : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 9 June, Official Report, column 189, what steps are being taken by his Department to implement the recommendations of the report by Warren Spring Laboratory on nitrogen dioxide levels in the United Kingdom, and specifically the recommendations for more detailed monitoring using diffusion tubes and chemiluminescent monitors in London where the heaviest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were found.

Mr. Maclean : My Department will be arranging, through Warren Spring Laboratory and with the help of the local authorities concerned, to continue national

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nitrogen dioxide monitoring with diffusion tubes on a permanent basis, and to enhance the level of detail in London and some other urban areas.

Chemiluminescent monitoring is a much more expensive technique and is therefore less well suited to examining the patterns of nitrogen dioxide distribution within cities. Some expansion of nitrogen dioxide monitoring using this technique is none-the-less already planned and will be taken forward with the benefit of advice from the air quality of urban air review group, taking account of the report's recommendations.

Coastal Zone

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is currently being undertaken by his Department in preparation for forthcoming EC legislation on coastal zone planning.

Mr. Maclean [holding answer 2 June 1992] : The Environment Committee of the House of Commons for the Session 1991-92 has issued a report on coastal zone protection and planning. This includes recommendations for United Kingdom involvement in development of EC coastal policies. The Government will respond to that report in due course.

Territorial Waters (Planning)

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment is he will make it his policy to extend planning controls to the 12-nautical mile limit of territorial waters around the United Kingdom.

Mr. Baldry [holding answer 2 June 1992] : The Environment Select Committee made several recommendations in their second report of last Session on the issue of extending harmonisation landward planning control and seaward regulations as far as the 12-nautical mile limit of territorial waters. We are considering the report and will respond in due course.

Coastal Zone

Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to consolidate legislation relating to activities in the coastal zone.

Mr. Baldry [holding answer 2 June 1992] : The Environment Committee of the House of Commons for the Session 1991-92 has issued a report on coastal zone protection and planning. This included recommendations for the consolidation of legislation relating to activities in the coastal zone. The Government will respond to that report in due course.

SCOTLAND

Scottish Economic Council

Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the present membership of the Scottish Economic Council, the dates on which it has met in the last two years and its terms of reference.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 11 June 1992] : Following is the information :

Membership

The membership of the Scottish Economic Council is as follows :

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Chairman

Rt. Hon. Ian Lang, MP

Vice Chairman

Mr. Allan Stewart, MP

Members

Dr. James G. Adamson

Mr. David A. Berridge

Baroness Carnegy of Lour

Mr. Campbell Christie

Sir Robert Cowan

Mrs. Christine Davis

Sir Robin Duthie

Mr. Ron Garrick

Sir Matthew Goodwin

Mr. Ian Grant

Mr. James Gulliver

Professor Michael Hamlin

Mr. Alan F. Hodgson

Mr. William Y. Hughes

Mr. J. Raymond Johnstone

Mrs. Barbara Kelly

Mr. J. Clive Lewis

Mr. Douglas MacDiarmid

Professor Donald MacKay

Dr. Christopher Masters

Mr. James Miller

Councillor John Mullin

Sir David Nickson

Mr. David M. Paterson

Mr. Peter Runciman

Mr. Alan Tripp

Professor William A. Turmeau

Mr. Christopher Wilkins

Mr. Ian C. Wood

Meetings

The council has met over the past 2 years on the following occasions :

16 February 1990

8 June 1990

19 October 1990

22 February 1991

7 June 1991

25 October 1991

21 February 1992

Terms of Reference

The council provides a forum for discussion and advice to Ministers by people prominent in industrial and economic life in Scotland, on a variety of issues affecting the Scottish economy. Members are appointed in an individual capacity and not as representatives of any particular organisation or interest.

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Ethnic Minorities

Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively, and overall in his Department are members of ethnic minorities.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 15 May 1992] : At 1 April 1992 the total number of staff employed in the Scottish Office and associated Departments who have described themselves as belonging to an ethnic minority was 27, or 0.4 per cent. Of that number, one grade 7 is so described, or 0.2 per cent.

Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 15 May 1992] : My Department does not conduct recruitment for top grades.

Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department last conducted a survey of the ethnic origin of its employees ; when it next plans to do so ; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang [holding answer 15 May 1992] : My Department conducted a voluntary survey of the ethnic origins of staff in 1987, a reminder exercise in 1989, and thereafter all new entrants have been invited to complete questionnaires. I have no plan to conduct a further survey.

We achieved an 87 per cent. response rate from the exercise, and 0.4 per cent. of staff have described themselves as belonging to an ethnic minority. The economically active ethnic minority population in the Lothian area is 0.6 per cent.

HEALTH

Bowel Complaints

Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by regional health authority for each year for the last five years, and for this year to date, the number of new cases diagnosed of patients suffering from cancer of the rectum and colon ; and if she will show in her answer the number who have since died from the complaint.

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