House of Commons Hansard Debates for 2 Jul 1992

Mr. Key [holding answer 1 July 1992] : I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Paice) on 22 June 1992, Official Report, column 102.

WALES

Youth Training Scheme

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many young people in Wales have been on weekly bridging allowances awaiting YTS placements in the last three years.

Sir Wyn Roberts : The number of young people in Wales in receipt of bridging allowances is provided on a monthly basis from January 1989 to December 1991 in the table.


|c|Numbers in     

receipt of        

bridging          

allowances (      

Wales)|c|         

{TITRE]           

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

1989              

January   |767    

February  |832    

March     |774    

April     |671    

May       |569    

June      |583    

July      |621    

August    |630    

September |514    

October   |526    

November  |476    

December  |460    

                  

1990              

January   |563    

February  |763    

March     |704    

April     |585    

May       |526    

June      |577    

July      |599    

August    |585    

September |591    

October   |575    

November  |582    

December  |550    

                  

1991              

January   |656    

February  |919    

March     |977    

April     |890    

May       |804    

June      |703    

July      |724    

August    |747    

September |613    

October   |562    

November  |564    

December  |492

Rural Initiative

Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a breakdown of the spending so far on his rural initiative.

Sir Wyn Roberts : Full expenditure details for work undertaken in 1991-92 under the rural initiative are not yet available. Allocations for 1991-92 under the rural initiative comprised : an increase of £6 million to £32 million in Housing for Wales' support for housing in rural areas ; an increase in provision from £1 million to £3 million in reserve to assist local authorities with rural housing, supplemented by an additional in-year allocation of £4.5 million. These allocations, together with core and other allocations to local authorities will mean that total investment in rural housing is expected to be over £85 million.

In addition to the £20 million Welsh Development Agency expenditure in support of mainstream activities in rural areas, a further £5 million was allocated to the agency for specific measures in rural areas and related core activities.

Funding totalled £1.2 million under the projects of regional or national importance--PRNI--scheme, for leisure and sports centre development at Rhayader and Llandrindod Wells ; and £5 million was allocated to support projects put forward by local authorities likely to be of most benefit to rural communities.

Allocations for 1992-93 under the initiative are £35 million for Housing for Wales for rural housing ; £4 million for local authorities from the rural housing reserve ; £6 million for local authorities from other central reserves which will benefit rural areas. This, together with the £4 million for local authority rural housing and £2 million of the Housing for Wales provision, makes up the £12 million on top of core allocations announced by the Secretary of State in December 1991.

These allocations, together with core allocations to local authorities are expected to bring total investment in rural housing to over £112 million.

There has been an increase of £3 million in funding of the Countryside Council for Wales, to £17 million. Some £0.5 million of this has been provided to develop a new pilot scheme, "Tir Cymen", for management of rural landscapes and habitats.

Some £400,000 has been directed by the Wales tourist board to new rural tourism marketing and project programmes.

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The Welsh Development Agency's expenditure in rural areas will increase by £7.5 million to £32.5 million.

There will also be a £6 million programme of local authority capital projects designed specifically for the benefit of rural communities.

This package is in addition to the extra £2.2 million provision for the Development Board for Rural Wales, announced in December 1991 ; and to the extra £1.4 million for the three Welsh national parks, also announced in December 1991.

Local Government Finance

Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that district and borough councils in Wales received sufficient cash from central Government to enable them to meet their responsibilities for refuse disposal ; and if he will make a statement ;

(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that Welsh district and borough councils received sufficient cash from central

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Government to enable them to meet their responsibilities concerning economic development ; and if he will make a statement ;

(3) what steps he has taken to ensure that Welsh district and borough councils received sufficient central Government cash to enable them to meet their responsibilities concerning environmental health ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt : The local government finance settlement for 1992- 93, approved by the House on 12 February, enables local authorities in Wales to maintain and develop services for which they are responsible to an acceptable standard.

Nurses' Grading

Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many nurse clinical grading appeals are outstanding in each health authority in Wales ; and what percentage this is of the total number of appeals submitted in each county in Wales.

Mr. Gwilym Jones : The information requested on outstanding appeals is as shown in the table :

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                  Appeals at employing authority levAppeals at all-Wales level        Appeals at national level                         

Health authority |Number          |Percentage of   |Number          |Percentage of   |Number          |Percentage of                    

                 |outstanding     |total appeals   |outstanding     |total appeals   |outstanding     |total appeals                    

                                  |submitted                        |submitted                        |submitted                        

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

Clwyd            |0                                |99              |62              |12              |100                              

East Dyfed       |42              |7               |79              |72              |11              |92                               

Gwent            |5                                |294             |71              |26              |96                               

Gwynedd          |0                                |134             |42              |47              |100                              

Mid Glamorgan    |510             |38              |208             |83              |13              |81                               

Pembrokeshire    |0                                |56              |100             |0                                                 

Powys            |0                                |151             |70              |1               |20                               

South Glamorgan  |0                                |252             |86              |20              |100                              

West Glamorgan   |0                                |86              |64              |29              |100                              

Wales            |557             |9               |1,359           |70              |159             |95

House Repair Grants

Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will up- date by the appropriate percentage the level of those means-tested house repair grants based on 1991 benefit rates ; and make equivalent adjustment to renovation and disabled facilities grants.

Mr. Gwilym Jones : The uprating of allowances and premiums for house renovation grants is being considered along with other adjustments to the test of resources following the recent review of the grant system. We expect to make a further announcement shortly.

Brymbo Site

Dr. Marek : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in securing the Brymbo steelworks site ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt : This site is still in the ownership of United Engineering Steels Ltd. Its future is under active consideration.

A-level and GCSE

Dr. Marek : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he envisages of A-level and GCSE courses in Wrexham following the termination of their provision at the North East Wales institute.

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Sir Wyn Roberts : The provision of A-level and GCSE courses in schools and further education colleges is the responsibility of the local education authority. As from 1 April 1993 a new independent further education sector will be established, comprising further education colleges, tertiary colleges and sixth form colleges. The Further Education Funding Council for Wales will be responsible for securing the provision of adequate facilities for post-16 education in the new sector, including the provision of A-level and GCSE courses. Clwyd LEA will retain responsibility for the provision of A-level and GCSE courses in its schools.

Forensic Psychiatric Service

Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money is being made available to the forensic psychiatric service in Wales to fund the capital costs of developing medium secure accommodation and to support its essential manning costs in the initial period until its development has been secured.

Mr. Gwilym Jones : In 1991-92, the Welsh Office fully funded the capital and revenue costs of developing the Caswell clinic at Glanrhyd hospital, Bridgend. Revenue support will continue to be available in 1992- 93 to help the clinic move to a contractual relationship with purchasing health authorities.

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Community Councils

Mr. Richards : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his proposals for the role of community councils following the reorganisation of local government in Wales.

Mr. David Hunt : I am publishing today a consultation paper on the future role of community and town councils under the unitary authority structure which I will be putting in place. My earlier statements to the House have made clear the importance I attach to the work of these councils and the advantages I see in enhancing their representational role as the voice of their communities. My consultation paper invites views on how this may be achieved. The consultation paper will be circulated widely. I am inviting responses by 30 September 1992, and I propose to take account of the comments received in preparing the White Paper which I shall be publishing later this year.

Health and Social Care Research

Mr. Richards : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has received to the consultative document "Health and Social Care Research, Wales".

Mr. Gwilym Jones : We have received 33 responses from a range of research institutions and other interested bodies. The majority were broadly in favour of the approach recommended in the document, which was to maintain the current arrangements for supporting health and social care research and development in Wales, within the context of a more clearly defined strategy and closer co-ordination at all levels. While some respondents called for a separate Welsh research and development function, most favoured continued participation in the joint England and Wales programme although all wished Welsh interests to be clearly and properly represented. We intend therefore to proceed in line with the recommendations made in the consultative document, including the drawing up of a formal agrement between the Welsh Office and the Department of Health regarding activity under the joint programme. The NHS Wales research and development strategy which is being developed during this year will be a core element of the overall strategy for health and social care research in Wales.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Sea Fish Conservation

Mr. McGrady : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what considerations have taken place with the fish producers organisations in Northern Ireland in relation to the Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill.

Mr. Hanley : The Northern Ireland fishing industry has been included in the consultation on the implementation of a package of measures which includes effort control, and its views will be considered carefully. The purpose of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill is to provide the necessary enabling powers for the effort control element of the package.

Disability Living Allowance

Mr. McGrady : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average time taken to process an application form for disability living allowance.

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Mr. Hanley : Social security operational matters are the responsibility of the chief executive of the Social Security Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman and copies of his reply will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

Disabled Employees

Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively and overall in his Department are registered disabled people.

Mr. Mates : At 1 January 1992 there were 1,262 staff in the Northern Ireland civil service--4.3 per cent. of the service--who reported themselves as having a disability. Of these, 431--1.5 per cent. of the service--were, or had been, registered as disabled. In addition, 45 registered disabled poeple are working in the Northern Ireland civil service under the sheltered placement scheme. The number and percentage of staff with disabilities in each grade 1 to 7 were :


Grade         |Number who   |Percentage   |Number       |Percentage                               

              |reported a   |SRD          |registered as|RD                                       

              |disability                 |disabled                                               

              |(SRD)                      |(RD)                                                   

                                                                                                  

1                                                                                                 

2                                                                                                 

3             |1            |2.4          |1            |2.4                                      

4                                                                                                 

5             |5            |2.6                                                                  

6             |13           |3.7          |3            |0.9                                      

7             |22           |2.6          |3            |0.4

NHS Expenditure

Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the expenditure per head in Northern Ireland of (a) hospital and community health services, (b) general practitioner services, excluding the cost of prescriptions, (c) dental services, gross and net of charges and (d) general practitioner-prescribed prescriptions, in 1991-92.

Mr. Hanley : The information requested will not be available until 31 August 1992.

ENVIRONMENT

City Challenge

Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment When he intends to make an announcement on the results of the city challenge ; how many local authorities will receive such funding ; and what is the planned total amount over the next five years.

Mr. Redwood : The results of the second round of the city challenge competition will be announced on 16 July 1992. The planned total amount for the 20 authorities in the second round over the next five years is £750 million.

Radioactive Waste

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences for the storage of radioactive waste have been issued since 1979 for the Blaenau Gwent constituency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and its successor Acts.

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Mr. Maclean : There are currently no authorisations under section 7(1) of the Act in force for the accumulation of radioactive waste at premises in Blaenau Gwent. A study of available records has not revealed that any authorisations have been issued since 1979 in respect of premises in this district.

Organotin Products

Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect (a) the EC marketing and use directive and (b) the treaties and protocols signed at the United Nations conference on environment and development will have on the use of all organotin products.

Mr. Maclean : (a) The eighth amendment to the EC marketing and use directive prohibits the use of organotin-based antifouling products on boats less than 25 m and on aquaculture equipment. It exends to other member states controls which have operated in the United Kingdom since 1987. The directive also prohibits the use of organotins for treatment of industrial waters and this provision was implemented in the United Kingdom in February 1992. This use has not been identified in the United Kingdom, but has caused environmental problems in other member states.

(b) UNCED "Agenda 21", although not a binding convention, sets out a broad programme for improvement of the oceans including a reference to reducing pollution caused by organotin compounds used in antifouling paints. This is in line with a resolution adopted in 1990 by the International Maritime Organisation which aims to reduce the impact of the use of such paints on large vessels and to encourage the development of environmentally safe substitutes.

Rent Arrears

Mr. George Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide, in relation to rent arrears for each metropolitan borough and district council in England and Wales for 1987-88 and each succeeding year for which the information is available, (a) the number of tenants in rent arrears and this figure as a percentage of all local authority tenants, (b) the average and total amounts due and (c) the total amount as a percentage of local authorities' revenue from rents.

Mr. Baldry : I have today placed in the Library a table showing the total amount of rent arrears due to each local authority in England, at the end of financial years 1987-88 to 1990-91 inclusive, and the percentage this represents of total rent due. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy publication "Housing Rents Statistics at April" contains information about the number of tenants in arrears with rents, rates and other charges in England and Wales ; copies are available in the Library. For information on total rent arrears in Wales, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Methane

Mr. Jon Owen Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment from how many active sites in England and Wales the estimate of methane emissions from landfills in the "Digest of Environmental Protection and

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Water Statistics" No. 14 is derived ; how many other landfills in England and Wales are estimated to emit methane ; and what is their total annual contribution.

Mr. Maclean : The landfill gas methane emissions estimate in the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" No. 14 is derived from data on 453 sites in England and Wales.

There are many additional landfill sites in which methane may be generated to some extent, but biological conditions in these sites are much less favourable for methane generation and it is thought unlikely that they constitute a significant additional source.

Mr. Jon Owen Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment at the sites where gas control and capture measures are in place, what are the realistic figures from field studies of (a) the efficiency of capture and (b) the escape of methane through leaky pipeworks, valves and burners.

Mr. Maclean : Field studies suggest that methane capture efficiencies of between 50 and 90 per cent. are achieved by landfill gas control and capture measures. The escape of methane from leaky pipe work, valves and burners is likely to be negligible.

Urban Programme

Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what eligibility criteria are applied to select local authorities for urban programme status ;

(2) if he will make a statement on the reasons for his decision not to confer urban programme status on Pendle.

Mr. Robin Squire : In 1986, urban programme resources were concentrated on 57 local authority areas which had the greatest needs in terms of scale and intensity of deprivation as measured mainly by unemployment and 1981 census data. At that time, Pendle did not show either the scale or intensity of deprivation to justify urban programme status. The criteria for assessing urban needs will be reviewed towards the end of the year in the light of data derived from the 1991 census.

Sefton Park Palm House

Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the future of Liverpool's Sefton Park palm house ; what grants are available for its renewal ; and what consideration his Department and the Merseyside development corporation have given to its role in developing environmental awareness.

Mr. Robin Squire : In the last 12 months the Department has received very few representations on Sefton Park palm house. Liverpool city council is exploring all avenues for the eligibility of grants for the restoration of Sefton Park palm house, including possible grants from English Heritage or the urban programme. The original application by Liverpool city council envisaged a restored palm house as an integral part of a wider concept for a Victorian heritage trail in south Liverpool. We will give careful consideration to proposals that meet these wider aims and objectives of environmental awareness and are consistent with the relevant grant regimes.

Column 673

Although Liverpool city council has held discussions with Merseyside development corporation, the palm house lies outside MDC's designated area and due to other priorities the corporation is unable to consider support.

Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in processing the application made to his Department by Liverpool city council in connection with Liverpool palm house ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Robin Squire : The application has been deferred, pending the outcome of a study being undertaken by English Heritage. When this is known Liverpool city council will re-assess its proposals before resubmitting them to my Department.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Mr. Illsley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Barnsley qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme ; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

Mr. Maclean : In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits : housing benefit, income suport, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,492 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Leyton qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme ; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

Mr. Maclean : In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits : housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disablilty working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 238 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

Mr. Mike O'Brien : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in North Warwickshire qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme ; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

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Mr. Maclean : In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits : housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,066 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Burnley are estimated to qualify for grant aid under the home efficiency scheme ; and how many houses have been improved in Burnley under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 245 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Coventry, North-East qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme ; and how many houses have been improved under this scheme since 1991.

Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,066 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Lewisham, Deptford, qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme ; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

Mr. Maclean : In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her

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spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits : housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 106 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in the Manchester, Wythenshawe constituency qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme ; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

Mr. Maclean [holding answer 1 July 1992] : In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits : housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the right hon. Member's constituency, 986 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

Business Rate

Mr. Harvey : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the methods of business rate evaluation of small businesses which operate for only part of the year.

Mr. Robin Squire : No. Rents for property, which are the basis for rateable value assessments, take into account local seasonal use, which is therefore already reflected in annual rates bills.

Council Tax

Mr. Terry Davis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to publish the regulations for the procedure for an appeal against the valuation of a property for the purpose of the council tax.

Mr. Robin Squire : I expect to issue draft regulations for consultation later this month.

Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make the banded valuations for the purposes of the council tax the basis for assessment of water charges, where (a) new properties are being built and (b) properties were incorrectly valued in the last available valuation under the rating system.

Mr. Maclean : It is for individual water companies to decide on their preferred future system of charging for

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their services, subject to the overriding requirement, contained in their licence of appointment, that their charges do not show undue preference to, or unduly discriminate against, any class of customers or potential customers. The Director General of Water Services has recently issued guidance to the companies on the suitability of the available alternatives.

Energy Conservation

Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce grants for energy conservation in the domestic sector, including grants for cavity wall insulation.

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