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Ms. Eagle : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify those features of the Mersey estuary which are of nature conservation importance, and provide an indication of the main factors necessary to maintain their conservation importance.
Mr. Maclean : I will arrange for the hon. Member to be sent a copy of the site of special scientific interest notification which gives details of the important nature conservation interests of the Mersey estuary. Many complex inter-related ecological factors operate in the estuary which help to maintain these interests. The features of the estuary are already afforded firm protection under the SSSI notification and through local planning policies and procedures. The Estuary Group of the Mersey Campaign Basin (supported by my Department's Mersey campaign unit) have commissioned a management plan which is intended shall give a good framework to all interested bodies facing the many difficult issues that arise in the planning and conservation of such a vital area.
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Unitary Local Government
Mrs. Lait : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment he has made of the potential organisational benefits of moving to a unitary system of local government where appropriate ;
(2) what estimates he has made of potential savings in the long and the short term of a unitary system of local government.
Mr. Robin Squire : It will be for the Local Government Commission to assess the costs and benefits of changes to the structure of local government.
Grace and Favour Apartments
Mr. Prentice : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate how many grace and favour apartments are situated in crown properties and list the criteria used for allocating the tenancies.
Mr. Baldry : This information is no longer held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Local Government Boundaries
Mr. Wilshire : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons it has been decided to carry out the review of local government boundaries in Surrey at a different time from its neighbours.
Mr. Robin Squire : The programme of reviews of local government structure and boundaries to be carried out by the Local Government Commission is designed to give priority to areas where there is a history of dissatisfaction with the existing local government structure, and to produce a balanced and manageable workload for the new commission.
Opencast Mining
Mr. Trotter : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reach his conclusions following the review of the operation of Mineral Planning Guidance 3 into opencast mining.
Mr. Baldry : I expect to be in a position to announce my conclusions shortly.
Humberside Structure Plan
Mr. Cran : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what evidence the examining panel for the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 based its conclusions on the opportunities for residential development in the city of Hull ;
(2) what assessment has been made by the examining panel for the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 of the capacity of the infrastructure to accommodate growth in the areas they designate ;
(3) if he will make a statement on the reasoning behind the view of the examining panel for the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 that market demand cannot be switched from one part of the wider Hull area to another ;
(4) what factors led to the examining panel for the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 to conclude that the scope for development on the periphery of the larger settlements in the borough of Beverley had not been fully explored ;
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(5) what methodology the examining panel for the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 used to distribute the target housing figure between the nine Humberside districts ;(6) what was the methodology used by the examining panel to arrive at the flexibility allowance in the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 ;
(7) what was the source of the housing provision figure produced by the examining panel for the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 ;
(8) what consideration the examining panel for the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 gave to the desirability of waiting for the outcome of the 1991 census results before reaching conclusions about the housing provision figures ;
(9) if he will make a statement on the proposals in the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 to relax policy S9 in the existing structure plan ;
(10) what were the range of factors aside from marketability used by the examining panel to determine housing provision figures for each of the Humberside districts in the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 ;
(11) in considering the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1, what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the examining panel's recommendations are in accord with recent departmental advice on sustainability ;
(12) for what reasons the error in policy 39(ii) concerning the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1, referred to by the borough of Beverley, was not corrected ;
(13) for what reasons the examining panel for the Humberside county structure plan decided to limit itself to two tours of inspection of the county before recommending alterations to the plan ;
(14) in considering the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1, what weight he attached to the strength of existing policies and, in particular, policy S9 in the existing Humberside county structure plan in reaching the conclusion that there was no need for a green belt because pressures could be controlled by means of these existing policies ;
(15) if he will specify the grounds on which he reached the conclusion that the examining panel's recommendations concerning additional housing in the borough of Beverley in relation to the Humberside county structure plan alteration no. 1 were in accord with the recent departmental advice that the best and most versatile land should be protected ;
(16) for what reasons the objection submitted in writing by the borough of Beverley was not taken into account by the examining panels in their statement concerning the Humberside county structure plan alteration No. 1 that policy S7(a) was not the subject of objection at the examination in public ;
(17) in considering the Humberside county structure plan alteration No. 1, for what reasons he decided to support the proposals recommended by the examining panel which will join together by future development the city of Hull and the presently distinct urban areas of the borough of Beverley ;
(18) in considering the Humberside county structure plan alteration No. 1 on what factors he based his conclusions that the examining panel's recommendations are in accord with his recent departmental advice
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concerning the placing of increased emphasis on re-using urban land as a means of relieving pressure on the countryside ;(19) in relation to the Humberside county structure plan alteration No. 1, for what reasons the examining panels decided that 29 per cent. of the increase in housing provision should be placed in the borough of Beverley rather than in other districts in the county ; (20) for what reasons he decided to be site specific in the alterations to the existing Humberside county structure plan rather than follow the previous practice of being non -site specific in the structure plan.
Mr. Baldry : The panel's reasons for its recommendations are set out in its published report, and it would be inappropriate for my right hon. and learned Friend to elaborate on those. Similarly, his reasons for proposing the published modifications are contained in his statement relating to those modifications, which has also been published.
When the period for representations ends, my right hon. and learned Friend will consider all those received before deciding whether to proceed straight to approval of the alteration, or whether to propose further modifications.
Ozone-depleting Chemicals
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline his Department's policy on recovery and recycling of ozone-depleting chemicals.
Mr. Maclean : The Department encourages industry and local authorities to recycle CFCs. The Department has invited bids from local councils for supplementary credit approvals for new recycling projects. About 80 per cent. of local authorities now run or take part in such schemes. We have also produced a consumer leaflet which includes advice on how to ensure CFCs and halons are recycled. As a further measure, we intend to ban the supply of refrigerant in disposable containers. These containers lead to unnecessary emissions of CFCs and act as a disincentive to good practice, including recycling.
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's poliicy on purchasing ozone-depleting chemicals and goods manufactured with these substances ; and in which year his Department expects to cease using, purchasing or releasing ozone- depleting substances, controlled by the Montreal protocol, and HCFCs.
Mr. Maclean : My Department's policy in respect of the purchase of ozone-depleting chemicals and goods manufactured by these substances is to eliminate the use of all such products, if possible, in advance of the phase out dates set by EC regulations and the Montreal protocol and to ensure that chemicals are properly recovered. HCFCs are needed in some areas if users are to move away rapidly from CFCs. The United Kingdom, together with the EC, is playing an active role in discussions to control HCFCs under the Montreal protocol. The Department will consider its own use of HCFCs once these discussions are completed.
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the amount in tonnes of ozone-depleting chemicals used or purchased by his
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Department for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, and estimates of usage for the next year ; what is the estimated bank of ozone-depleting chemicals contained within his Department ; and how many months' supply of ozone-depleting chemicals have been ordered by his Department.Mr. Maclean : Figures on the amounts of ozone-depleting chemicals used by my Department since 1989 are not available. My Department is fully committed to eliminating the use of these products as soon as it is practicable to do so. Since 1989 considerable progress has been made towards this objective by the inclusion of a requirement in departmental contracts for supplies and services that products containing ozone- depleting chemicals must not be used where acceptable alternatives exist. Other departmental initiatives have included the replacement of all hand- held halon fire extinguishers with environmentally acceptable alternatives.
Business Rates
Mr. Dover : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to abolish the 50 per cent. business rate on non- productive empty premises ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Robin Squire : No. Empty property benefits from local services and it is right that it should contribute to the cost. We estimate that abolition would cost £600 million a year. We are already providing £1.25 billion of help to businesses over the next three years under the Non-Domestic Rating Act 1992.
Charging authorities have discretion to grant rate relief to businesses in cases of hardship provided it is in the interests of their community chargepayers to do so.
Council House Sales
Mr. Alex Carlile : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to invest moneys raised from the sales of councils houses into expansion of the rented sector of accommodation ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baldry : Local authorities must set aside 75 per cent. of capital receipts from the sale of council houses (and 50 per cent. of most other receipts) to meet outstanding debt. They are free to use the remainder of those receipts to finance new capital investment. This arrangement has enabled a greater proportion of capital receipts to be recycled in the form of new credit approvals to those local authorities where housing needs are greatest and where best value for money may be obtained.
Housing associations are now the main providers of new social housing.
Housing Association Ombudsman
Mr. Nigel Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to establish the ombudsman for housing association tenants.
Mr. Baldry : We are considering at present what form the ombudsman service should take, and we shall be working with the Housing Corporation to get progress under way as quickly as possible.
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Drinking Water
Mr. Cran : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the report of the drinking water inspectorate's investigation into the outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in North Humberside ; and if he will state the reasons for the present delay.
Mr. Maclean : This case has raised a number of new and complex issues, and necessarily continues to involve external advisers as well as the drinking water inspectorate. It is being taken forward as quickly as possible and I shall make a statement as soon as there is progress to report.
Building Material Sales
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the value of building material sales in each region of the United Kingdom, and in the country as a whole, in the latest quarter for which figures are available ; what was the comparable figure for the same quarter in the previous years ; and what the percentage change is in each region over the period in question.
Sir George Young : The available regional information relates to quantity sold or delivered of certain building materials. This is published in tables 5, 6, 10 and 12 of the Department's "Monthly Bulletin of Building Materials and Components", a copy of which is in the Library. It is not possible to aggregate different products expressed in different units.
Sales by value are only available for the country as a whole and this information is published by industry in the Central Statistical Office Business Monitor series, copies of which are in the Library. However, it is not possible to identify on a comprehensive basis how much is sold for use as building materials.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Livestock Testing Stations
Mr. Trimble : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he intends (a) to sell or otherwise dispose of or (b) to discontinue the service provided by Loughgall beef testing station and Antrim pig testing station.
Mr. Hanley : It has been decided that the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland should cease to provide livestock recording and testing services to pedigree cattle, sheep and pig breeders. The Department is consulting the relevant interests in the livestock industry about future requirements for such services and, if they are to continue, how they would be organised and financed by the industry. The future of the test stations at Loughgall and Antrim will be decided later in the light of the response from the industry.
Agencies
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the Compensation Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and Ordnance Survey as agencies ; and whether the cost in each case was borne by the parent department or the new agency.
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Mr. Mates : A total of £1,230 was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the Compensation Agency, the cost of which was met by the agency ; £2,820 on the launch of the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency, with all costs being met by the parent Department, except £365 which was paid by the agency, and £249 on the launch of the Ordnance Survey Executive Agency, the cost of which was borne by the Ordnance Survey.
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum salary payable, including performance-related element, and the length of time of the contract of each of the chief executives of the Compensation Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and Ordnance Survey.
Mr. Mates : The maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency, including the
performance-related element is £38,134. His contract is for a period terminating three years after 1 April 1992, with the possibility of renewal for a further period.
The maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the Ordnance Survey (NI) Agency is £46,122 which includes a performance-related element. Arrangements in respect of a special performance bonus have not yet been finalised. His contract is for a period terminating four years after 1 April 1992, with the possibility of renewal for a further period.
The maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the Compensation Agency, including a performance-related element is £45, 000. His contract is for a period of three years, terminating on 31 March 1995, with the possibility of renewal for a further period.
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the first degree obtained by the chief executives of each of the Compensation Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and Ordnance Survey ; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded in each case.
Mr. Mates : The chief executives of the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and the Compensation Agency do not have a first degree. The first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Ordnance Survey (NI) Agency was BA (Hons) in Geography from the university of Leeds.
Ozone Depleting Chemicals
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will outline his Department's policy on recovery and recycling of ozone-depleting chemicals.
Mr. Atkins : Our policy is to encourage measures relating to the recovery and recycling of these chemicals. Schemes for the removal of chlorofluorocarbons from redundant refridgerators and freezers are available in most district council areas of Northern Ireland.
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the amount in tonnes of ozone-depleting chemicals used or purchased by his Department for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, and estimates of usage for the next year ; what is the estimated bank of ozone- depleting chemicals contained within his Department ; and how many months' supply of ozone-depleting chemicals have been ordered by his Department.
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Mr. Atkins : The information requested is not available.International Agreements
Mr. David Shaw : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the bilateral and multilateral agreements directly or indirectly negotiated by his Department or a body acting on behalf of his Department with (a) Switzerland and (b) Liechtenstein.
Mr. Mates : There are no such agreements.
EMPLOYMENT
Ozone-depleting Chemicals
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her Department's policy on purchasing ozone-depleting chemicals and goods manu-factured with these substances ; and in which year her Department expects to cease using, purchasing or releasing ozone-depleting substances controlled by the Montreal protocol and hydrofluorocarbons.
Mr. McLoughlin : It is part of the Department's environmental policy to eliminate where possible the use of non-renewable resources or toxic materials.
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will outline her Department's policy on recovery and recycling of ozone -depleting chemicals.
Mr. McLoughlin : The use by the Department of ozone-depleting chemicals is minimal but we pay due regard to proper disposal methods.
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the amount in tonnes of ozone-depleting chemicals used or purchased by her Department for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, and estimates of usage for the next year ; what is the estimated bank of ozone- depleting chemicals contained within her Department ; and how many months' supply of ozone-depleting chemicals have been ordered by her Department.
Mr. McLoughlin : The Department is not a major user of ozone- depleting chemicals. There are no records of the quantities used, held or ordered for future use. Such information would be available only at disproportionate cost.
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Training
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement on the skills offered to those on employment training in relation to those necessary to help them obtain jobs in the current labour market.
Mr. McLoughlin : I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 16 June at column 493.
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether she will make publicly available the range of management and evaluation information which is collected by her Department about employment training.
Mr. McLoughlin : A great deal of information about employment training is already available. The Department produces an annual report on research. The 1992 report will be published shortly. This contains summaries of research and evaluation projects carried out on employment training in 1991-92 and lists those to be carried out in 1992-93. A copy will be placed in the Library. A regular monthly report containing information about the success of employment training trainees in obtaining employment and qualifications is placed in the Library. The Department also produces a Labour Market Quarterly Report which includes employment training management information.
Wage Statistics
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will give from the new earnings survey the number of employees in Scotland, broken down by age and sex, in each of the categories : paid less than £2 per hour, £2 to £2.99, £3 to £3.99, £4 to £4.99, and £5 to £9.99 and over £10 per hour.
Mr. McLoughlin : It is estimated, based on the 1991 New Earnings Survey and estimates of the number of employees in employment from other Departmental enquiries, that the number of employees in each category are as given in the table. The figures are not available broken down by age.
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Employees in Scotland March/April 1991
|c|Numbers with hourly earnings excluding overtime|c|
|less than £2.00|£2.00-£2.99 |£3.00-£3.99 |£4.00-£4.99 |£5.00-£9.99 |over £10.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Males |25,000 |50,000 |150,000 |175,000 |475,000 |175,000
Females |25,000 |125,000 |275,000 |175,000 |275,000 |50,000
Note:The estimates have been rounded to the nearest 25,000.
Wages Councils
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans she has to increase the number and extend the scope of wages councils in Scotland.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will give for each of the years 1979-80
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to 1991-92 the number and names of employers in Scotland prosecuted under wages council legislation for making illegal underpayments.Mr. McLoughlin : From 1 January 1979 to date, there have been five prosecutions in Scotland for illegal underpayment of wages ; they are as follows :
1991 :
Allardyce Cafe (Stonehaven) Ltd., Stonehaven ;
Snooker Masters Ltd., Wishaw.
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1992 :J. & M. Beattie, Banchory ;
Nursery World, Inverness ;
Pattie Skelton, Glasgow.
Mr. McLeish : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she has any plans to abolish the remaining wages councils ; and if she will make a statement.
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