| Previous Section | Home Page |
Bottlenose Dolphins
Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to undertake a census and research programme into the bottlenose dolphin population in United Kingdom waters.
Mr. Maclean : The Government are financing several research projects intended to provide information on what further measures may be needed to conserve populations of small cetacean species present in the United Kingdom coastal waters, including bottlenose dolphins. But much of the fundamental work--including population surveys--needs to be undertaken on a European scale.
On 6 November 1992, my colleague, Lord Strathclyde, announced that the Government would contribute £110,000 over two years towards the costs of an international survey of the populations of small cetaceans in the North sea. This will establish authoritative baseline information upon which further research and conservation efforts can be built.
Ozone Layer
Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the draft EC proposal for a regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer.
Mr. Maclean : My Department has received a number of
representations about the draft proposal from the European Commission for a regulation, including ones from green groups and from industry. We have not yet received the draft proposal.
Radioactive Inventory
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the joint DOE/Nirex United Kingdom radioactive inventory will be published ; whether it will include full details of radioactive waste generated by the military nuclear programme ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maclean : The 1991 United Kingdom radioactive waste inventory was published on 7 May 1993. It gives full details of radioactive waste arising in the United Kingdom, including Ministry of Defence sites. A copy of the inventory is in the House Library.
Fanfare for a New World Concert
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 10 May, Official Report, column 348, on the Fanfare for a New World concert, when the Merseyside development corporation met Janet and Nic Corke, representing creditors ; what was discussed ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Robin Squire : A meeting was held with Merseyside development corporation on Tuesday 17 November 1992. This meeting was at the request of Mr. Corke, who asked for an informal discussion. Mrs. Corke informed the MDC of her concern with regard to the financial situation of the promoter of the Fanfare event and Mr. Corke explained the large financial losses incurred by himself which had affected his business adversely. While expressing sympathy, MDC stressed that it had no legal
Column 178
power to intervene in the situation. Neither Mr. Corke nor Mrs. Corke indicated they were representing the creditors as a body.Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 10 May, Official Report, column 384, on the Fanfare for a New World concert, what was known about the proven track- record of Rod Gunner, associate producer of Fanfare for a New World ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Robin Squire : MDC was aware at an early stage that Mr. Gunner had been the director of a company which had previously suffered financial difficulties. In relation to the Fanfare event, however, Mr. Gunner was to act as technical producer only and without involvement in the financial affairs of Carroll Promotions Ltd. Inquiries had revealed that Mr. Gunner had a successful track record in technical matters and it was known that he had successfully produced the Symphony for a Spire attended by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as well as a number of other complex outdoor events.
Greenhouse Gases
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the scope and predicted magnitude of the additional administrative costs that will be incurred in implementing the European Commission proposal for a monitoring mechanism for Community carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, COM(93)125 as set out in the paragraph on financial implications of his departmental memorandum 5705/93 of 23 April on the Commission proposal.
Mr. Maclean : Once adopted, the proposed Council decision would require member states to submit periodically to the Commission details of their greenhouse gas emissions and programmes for limiting these. Since the framework convention on climate change already contains similar requirements, this should not represent a significant additional administrative burden for the United Kingdom.
United Nations Commission on Human Settlements
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom proposals to the matters discussed and decisions taken at the 14th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements in Nairobi, 26 April to 5 May ; and if he will place a copy of the conclusions in the Library.
Mr. Maclean : The 14th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements identified the issues to be taken up by the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) to be held in June 1996 and provided guidance for member states to follow in their preparations for the Conference.
The Commission adopted a resolution that recommended that Habitat II should focus on two major themes :
(a) Sustainable Human Settlements in an Urbanising World (
(b) Adequate Shelter for All.
The United Kingdom supported this resolution and played a leading role in its drafting. The United Kingdom delegation also contributed to debate on the two special themes discussed at the session on appropriate,
Column 179
intermediate, cost-effective building materials, technologies and transfer mechanisms for housing delivery, and the improvement of municipal management.A set of the resolutions adopted by the Commission will be placed in the Library when printed.
Water Systems, Germany
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance United Kingdom experts have given the eastern Lander in Germany to improve the environmental standards of water systems in their region.
Mr. Maclean : United Kingdom water companies and environmental consulting engineers are making major efforts to increase their business in the new Lander. To publicise this country's experience in the water industry and the role of private capital, the British Water Industries Group has held seminars in Halle, Dresden and Berlin. I found the interest in the British water industry very encouraging when I attended the Berlin seminar and in meetings with German Environment Ministers I have drawn their attention to the wide-ranging expertise the industry has to offer.
Environmental Legislation
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the methods adopted by the European Commission to assess compliance with EC environmental legislation ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maclean : It is for the European Commission to decide, within the framework of the relevant regulation or directive, how best to assess compliance with EC legislation. During our presidency the Commission agreed to present an annual report on implementation and enforcement to the Council of Environment Ministers ; the first such report was produced in December. We continue to wish to see the European Environment Agency established as soon as possible and to press for the establishment of an audit inspectorate.
Environmental Pollution
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which European Community member states have a formal provision for consultation with other EC member states on trans-border impacts of environmental pollution.
Mr. Maclean : Certain multilateral treaties and some Community directives on environmental issues contain provisions requiring formal consultation between the parties concerned where there are potential trans- border impacts. We do not hold records of bilateral arrangements between other member states.
Bromley
Mr. Dowd : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports he has received from the district auditor concerning financial irregularities by the London borough of Bromley between 1988 and 1991 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Robin Squire : None. District auditors are independent of central Government ; they make their
Column 180
reports to the bodies which they audit, and to the Audit Commission. I understand that the district auditor for Bromley is working closely with the police who are currently investigating an alleged fraud within the borough. He will decide what action he should take, if any, when the investigation is complete.Biological Diversity Convention
Ms Short : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is Her Majesty's Government's current timetable for the United Kingdom ratification of the biological diversity convention agreed in Rio.
Mr. Maclean : We are aiming to establish the basis for the ratification of the convention on biological diversity by the end of this year.
International Oceanographic Council
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the ecological results of the 1992 International Oceanographic Council cruise in the Gulf.
Mr. Maclean : The results of the cruise are summarised in the report of the United Nations Environmental Programme executive director to the governing council on 10 to 21 May 1993 (UNEP/GC 17/1/9 : 26 April 1993).
Homelessness
Mr. Jim Cunningham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest figures for homelessness in (a) the west midlands area and (b) the Coventry area.
Mr. Baldry : Local authorities in England report the number of households for whom they accept responsibility to secure permanent accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985 in their quarterly PI return.
The latest estimate for the west midlands appears in table 1 of "Households found accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act 1985 : England. Statistics for the fourth quarter 1992" ; the latest reported figure for Coventry appears in the supplementary table of the same publication, a copy of which is in the Library.
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the (a) causes and (b) level of homelessness within ethnic minority communities.
Sir George Young : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 26 April 1993, Official Report, columns 317-18. Two current research projects--one on single homelessness and one on the causes of homelessness among ethnic minorities.
Standard Spending Assessments
Mr. Jim Cunningham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how far the review of the system of standard spending assessments calculation has progressed ; and when the review of SSAs will be completed.
Mr. Robin Squire : We have so far received replies from 112 local authorities responding to our invitation to make
Column 181
repesentations on the review of standard spending assessments and to provide evidence to support any proposed changes.There have been three meetings between my officials and representatives of the local authority associations to discuss technical issues.
The review of SSAs will be completed in time for any changes to be incorporated in the revenue support grant settlement for 1994-95.
Stock Transfers
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he took to satisfy himself that each authority to which he gave his approval on 20 April to proceed with stock transfer proposals could demonstrate that ultimately its proposal would be likely to be acceptable to the tenants affected.
Sir George Young : In deciding on the likely acceptability of an authority's transfer proposals to tenants, I considered the evidence given by the authority in its application for the programme and also its record in tenant involvement and consultation. Where tenants of particular local authorities had written to express their views on the proposals, these were also taken into account. Stock transfers will, of course, only go ahead where the ballot shows the majority of tenants to be in support of the idea.
Housing Management Contracts
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities have recently let, or propose to let, contracts for the management of part or all of their housing ; and if he has been asked to give his consent as required by section 27 of the Housing Act 1985.
Sir George Young : Apart from cases of delegation of housing management to tenant management organisations, there is no reason why the Department should be informed that a local authority is working towards letting a management agreement or contract. Before an authority enters into a management agreement, the Secretary of State's approval is required under section 27 of the Housing Act 1985. Wandsworth borough council has recently asked the Secretary of State to give his approval to a management agreement.
Housing Corporation
Sir James Spicer : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Housing Corporation's latest estimate of the output from its approved development programme in 1992-93.
Mr. Baldry : The Housing Corporation estimates that in the last financial year its approved development programme will have funded the provision of at least 60,000 new homes. Final figures will be available next month. Together with the 6,000 homes which the corporation estimates have been provided by local authority housing association grants, this means that
Column 182
public funds enabled housing associations to make an estimated 66, 000 extra homes available to new tenants last year.I regret that in recent answers to the House and in the Adjournment debate on 26 April, my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning and I said that the Housing Corporation's estimate was 80, 000 homes. The corporation has since informed me that in making this estimate it miscalculated the output from its programme. I am grateful for the opportunity to inform the House of this correction. I have written separately to the hon. Members concerned.
Liverpool Projects
Mr. Parry : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the Project Rosemary in Liverpool.
Mr. Robin Squire [holding answer 17 May 1993] : Much has been achieved since the project began in 1990. The new women's hospital and Renshaw's factory expansion are the biggest developments of their type in inner Liverpool. Family housing for sale and rent is being built on four different sites, with local people closely involved in their layout and design. Eyesores are being removed and roads improved. The park at Crown street is soon to be extended and improved.
As well as transforming the appearance of the area, new investment is being used to provide training opportunities, full-time jobs, and subcontracting work for local people and businesses. More will follow as the project proceeds.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Dean of Liverpool on his enterprising role in initiating this considerable success story alongside the other agencies involved, especially Liverpool city council, the Liverpool area health authority and the Housing Corporation.
Dogs
Mr. Jamieson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to widen the scope of byelaws for the control of dogs in public places.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 18 May 1993] : There are currently three main types of dog control byelaw--removal of dog mess, dogs on leads and dog bans--which local authorities can seek to apply to most types of public area, using a variety of enabling powers. Byelaws cannot be used to regulate matters which are addressed in primary legislation. Powers to control ferocious and dangerous dogs are already the subject of a number of statutes, including the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Mr. Jamieson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to establish pilot schemes for the licensing of dogs.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 18 May 1993] : None.
Column 183
SOCIAL SECURITY
Self-employed People
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the total number of self-employed people in Wales ; and what estimate he has of the number claiming (a) sickness benefit, (b) invalidity benefit, (c) severe disablement allowance, (d) income support, (e) attendance allowance, (f) mobility allowance, (g) invalid care allowance, (h) maternity allowance, (i) child benefit, (j) one-parent benefit, (k) widow's payment, (l) basic pension, (m) family credit and (n) housing benefit.
Mr. Scott : The administration of social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 18 May 1993 :
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security, asking what are the total number of self-employed people in Wales ; and what estimate he has of the number claiming (a) Sickness Benefit, (b) Invalidity Benefit, (c) Severe Disablement Allowance, (d) Income Support, (e) Attendance Allowance, (f) Mobility Allowance, (g) Invalid Care Allowance, (h) Maternity Allowance, (i) Child Benefit, (j) One Parent Benefit, (k) Widow's payment, (l) Basic Pension, (m) Family Credit and (n) Housing Benefit.
It is not possible to give a valid estimate for the complete range of information requested. For several of these benefits self-employed status is not relevant to the determination of entitlement. Nor are relevant statistics routinely collected from which estimates of other benefits claimed by self-employed people in Wales could be devised. However, estimates are available for Sickness Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Family Credit. These were based on a sample collected from the Social Security Management Information Statistics. The sample also included Housing Benefit, but the figures obtained do not provide a basis for a reasonable estimate. The available estimates are appended.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
Estimated number of self-employed recipients in Wales Benefit |Estimated number -------------------------------------------------------------- Sickness benefit |<1>3,700 Invalidity benefit |<1>9,300 Severe disability allowance |<1>300 Family credit |<2>4,000 <1> 1 per cent. sample taken on 30 March 1991. <2> 5 per cent. sample taken on 31 October 1992.
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what efforts have been undertaken by his Department to conduct publicity campaigns aimed at the self-employed in Wales to publicise (a) their obligation to pay national insurance contributions and (b) their social security benefit entitlements.
Miss Widdecombe : The provision of publicity and information on social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Column 184
Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 18 May 1993 :As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what efforts have been undertaken by his Department to conduct publicity campaigns aimed at the self-employed in Wales to (a) publicise their obligation to pay National Insurance contributions and (b) publicise their social security benefit entitlements.
I have consulted with my colleague Ann Chant, Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, for the details on the National Insurance contribution aspect of your question and include this aspect in my reply.
The Benefits Agency, in line with the Department of Social Security's bilingual policy for Wales, has set up a Welsh Language Unit which has responsibility for implementing the policy. All the leaflets giving information on social security benefits and NI contributions are available in Wales and there is a continuing programme to produce them in bilingual versions. Many of the most widely used leaflets (such as Which benefit? ) are already in bilingual form and there are a number of widely used claim forms in Welsh. A bilingual poster advising customers of the new Quarterly Billing system for payment of NI contributions has been displayed recently in district offices.
Evidently, the process of producing further bilingual material is a gradual one and we are committed to making continued progress in this work. One of the leaflets currently in bilingual production is FB 30 Self Employed? Also, there will shortly be bilingual material available on the Contributions Agency's charter and the service they provide.
In addition, there is the Welsh Freeline telephone number--providing general information on benefits in Welsh to all customers, including the self employed.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
Immigrants and Refugees
Mr. Burt : This information is not available. No separate departmental records are kept of benefit payments to immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers.
Benefits Agency Staff
Mr. Burden : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the monthly budget for staffing of the Benefits Agency for each month since April 1992 ; and how much of this budget was spent in each month.
Mr. Burt : The management of the Benefits Agency budget is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 18 May 1993 :
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what was the monthly budget for staffing of the Benefits Agency for each month since April 1992 ; and how much of this budget was spent in each month. The Agency has to manage within a total allocation and it allows its managers the flexibility to move resources between
Column 185
staff and other running costs in order to achieve their objectives in the most cost effective way. The attached table compares provisional expenditure on staff with managers' own plans. When accounts close, we expect to have spent about £6 million less than managers' plans over the year (0.6 per cent.). Individual monthly figures are significantly affected by factors such as the dates of pay awards and the processing of pay adjustments.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
£ million
Salaries |Managers' monthly|Monthly spend |Monthly variance
|plans
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April |72.136 |72.136 |0.000
May |69.210 |70.350 |1.140
June |78.003 |77.894 |-0.109
July |73.049 |75.624 |2.575
August |81.657 |77.719 |-3.938
September |79.770 |78.286 |-1.484
October |81.135 |79.469 |-1.666
November |95.264 |88.570 |-6.694
December |83.108 |83.455 |0.347
January |85.307 |82.645 |-2.662
February |90.521 |88.060 |-2.461
March |94.039 |102.725 |8.686
|------- |------- |-------
Total |983.199 |976.933 |-6.266
Column 186
Missing Giro Cheques
Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many giro cheques were issued by his Department in each year since 1987 ; how many and what percentage were reported stolen or missing in each of those years ; what was the value of the stolen or missing giro cheques in cash terms and at constant prices ; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures for each of his Department's offices.
Miss Widdecombe : The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Marshall, dated 18 May 1993 :
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many girocheques were issued by his Department in each year since 1987 ; how many and what percentage were reported stolen or missing in each of those years ; what was the value of the stolen or missing girocheques in cash terms and at constant prices ; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures for each of his Department's offices. The number of girocheques reported missing or stolen, after being issued by the Department of Social Security, in the years since 1987 are :
Column 185
|1987-88 |1988-89 |1989-90 |1990-91 |1991-92
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number issued (million) |32.056 |30.884 |34.484 |34.470 |36.190
Value of issues (£ million) |2,184 |2,366 |2,752 |3,083 |3,432
Number reported missing/stolen |104,854 |84,901 |89,176 |83,849 |86,004
Percentage |0.327 |0.275 |0.259 |0.243 |0.238
Value of missing/stolen girocheques based on an average of |(a) Issues each year (£ million)|7.144 |6.504 |7.117 |7.499
(b) 1987-88 issue value (£ million) |7.144 |5.783 |6.075 |5.712 |5.859
The figures of missing or stolen girocheques are collated nationally ; it is not possible to supply the information in a form relating to individual Benefit Offices or Benefit Groups. Additionally, the Employment Agency acts as our agent in the provision of girocheques to those who are unemployed and claiming Income Support. Data relevant to those issues cannot be separately identified and are, therefore, not included in the tables above. I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.
Benefits (Automatic Credit Transfer)
Mr. John Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding the proposal to cease to pay pensions at post offices, and pay them instead into bank accounts or building society accounts ; and what account he has taken of the effect of his proposal on the viability of smaller post offices.
Miss Widdecombe : We have made no such proposal.
Mr. Hain : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which geographical areas are covered by the trial currently being undertaken on payment of benefits and pensions by automatic credit transfer ; how many
Column 186
payments have so far been made by ACT ; how many of these payments were for retirement pensions ; what is the expected cost of the exercise ; and what consultations he has had with the chief executive of the Post Office about this project.Miss Widdecombe : The payment of social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Peter Hain, dated 18 May 1993 :
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking which geographical areas are covered by the trial currently being undertaken on payments of benefits and pensions by automated credit transfer (ACT) ; how many payments have so far been made by ACT ; how many of these payments were for retirement pensions ; what is the expected cost of the exercise ; and what consultations he has had with the Chief Executive of the Post Office about this project.
Trial versions of the Retirement Pension claim form were issued between 1 and 11 March 1993. These forms were issued to people throughout the United Kingdom. The cost of the
| Next Section
| Home Page |