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Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will estimate how much it would cost to extend the home energy efficiency scheme to all pensioners and people with disabilities ;
(2) if he will estimate how much it would cost to extend the home energy efficiency scheme to all people aged 60 years or over.
Mr. Atkins : An extra £35 million per year is to be made available for the home energy efficiency scheme from 1 April 1994, when the scheme is to be extended to those receiving disability living allowance and those aged 60 and over.
Water Disposal Areas
Mr. Tyler : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to designate new areas as high natural water dispersal areas ;
(2) how many areas are designated as high natural water dispersal areas in other EU member states ;
(3) when those areas currently designated as high natural water dispersal areas were given that designation ;
(4) how many areas in the United Kingdom are designated as high natural water dispersal areas under the EC urban waste waters directive ; and if he will list them ;
(5) what criteria are used for designating areas as high natural water dispersal areas ;
(6) what research is currently being conducted into high natural water dispersal areas.
Mr. Atkins : High natural dispersion areas will be identified on the basis of criteria adopted following a public consultation exercise in the United Kingdom in March 1992.
No areas have yet been formally identified in the United Kingdom. An announcement will be made in due course. We do not have any information on other member states' intentions.
Once the high natural dispersion areas have been identified, the comprehensive studies required by the directive will be carried out to demonstrate that primary treatment will have no adverse environmental effect in these areas.
Council Tax
Mr. Austin-Walker : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities where persons in a lower council tax band may be paying a higher level of council tax than equivalent persons in a higher band due to the operation of the transitional relief scheme ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baldry : On the basis of information received so far it appears that some cases of this kind may arise in 1994-95 in Blyth Valley, Derwentside, Greenwich, Wakefield and Wandsworth, as a result of the decisions of these authorities to reduce headline levels of council tax considerably compared with 1993-94.
Isle of Dogs
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total amount of capital and any other allowances claimed by companies in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone ; and how much of that total had been claimed by the time the deadline was extended after Canary Wharf went into administration.
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Mr. Baldry : The total cost of capital allowances for all enterprise zones in Britain, estimated at 31 March 1993, was approximately £1 billion in 1993-94 prices. No information on the cost of capital allowances is available for individual enterprise zones or developments within them.
The total cost of rate relief on the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone, up to its expiry on 25 April 1992, was £113 million in 1993-94 prices.
Civil Servants
Mrs. Clwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each civil service grade in his Department (a) the total number of persons employed and (b) the percentage of this figure that are women.
Mr. Gummer : The following information covers non-industrial staff in my Department, excluding PSAS ;
Grade |Total |Women
|(percentage)
----------------------------------------------------------
Grade 1 |1 |0
Grade 2 |7 |43
Grade 3 |34 |12
Grade 4 |7 |0
Grade 5 |140 |14
Grade 6 |322 |9
Grade 7 |788 |17
SEO and equivalent |759 |19
HEO and equivalent |979 |32
EO and equivalent |1,244 |44
AO and equivalent |1,569 |63
AA and equivalent |732 |67
|--- |--
Totals |6,582 |41
London : Making the Best Better"
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what (a) proportion and (b) number of the responses to the questionnaire accompanying the document "London : Making the Best Better", were from people with addresses outside London ; (2) if he will publish a table giving the top 10 suggestions for how to improve London contained in the responses to the questionnaire accompanying the document "London : Making the Best Better" ; (3) what stage has been reached in assessing the responses to the questionnaire accompanying the document "London : Making the Best Better" ; by what date the assessment will be complete ; and when he will publish the full results ;
(4) what (a) proportion and (b) number of responses to the questionnaire accompanying the document "London : Making the Best Better", referred to a need for greater investment in London's transport system, on the basis of his preliminary assessment.
Sir George Young [holding answer 11 March 1994] : The analysis of the replies to the consultation document "London : Making the Best Better" is complete, and we will publish a digest of the responses later this month.
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a full list of all organisations, individuals and Government Departments sent details of his preliminary assessment of the responses
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to the questionnaire accompanying the document "London : Making the Best Better", together with the date on which details were sent.Sir George Young [holding answer 11 March 1994] : In accordance with normal practice my right hon. Friend is consulting ministerial colleagues on a draft text of a digest of the responses to the London questionnaire which will be published shortly. No other organisations or outside individuals have been consulted.
TRANSPORT
Rail Privatisation
Mrs. Dunwoody : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funds he has made available to the franchise director to implement privatisation in 1993-94 ; and what is his current estimate for 1994-95.
Mr. Freeman : Around £2 million has been provided in 1993-94 to cover the running costs of the office of passenger rail franchising. Estimated running costs in 1994-95 are £10 million.
Government support for passenger services will continue to be provided. The estimated level of support in 1994-95 is £1,825 million, the greater proportion of which will be paid via the Franchising Director.
British Transport Police
Mr. Trotter : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legislative steps the Government intend to take in connection with the jurisdiction of the transport police.
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what change will take place on Railtrack's vesting day to powers of pursuit or arrest by the British transport police constables ; (2) what change to powers of pursuit or arrest will be experienced by British transport police constables on the vesting day of any rail franchise ;
(3) what plans he has to introduce legislation relating to the powers of the British transport police ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he now intends to take to protect the powers and scope of jurisdiction of the British transport police after 1 April.
Mr. Freeman : The Government will introduce at the earliest possible opportunity a short Bill to clarify the jurisdiction of the British Transport police following discussions with British Rail and the chief constable.
Vehicle Inspectorate
Mr. Dunn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has come to a firm conclusion on the future of vehicle inspectorate testing functions.
Mr. MacGregor : I have decided, in the light of responses to the proposals outlined last May, and taking account of the work I subsequently commissioned from consultants Price Waterhouse, not to transfer the vehicle inspectorate's testing activities to the private sector.
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The consultants concluded that while privatisation was feasible a number of my main objectives, including, in particular, the development of significant competition in the provision of testing services and the transfer of the freeholds of the testing sites to the purchasers, would not be possible if a successful sale was to be achieved. Moreover, their analysis drew attention to the possibility that privatisation might limit the scope for innovation in the future provision of testing services, a concern shared by the road transport industry. The consultants also confirmed the views previously expressed to me that most customers believe that they are well served by the vehicle inspectorate.In deciding that the whole of the inspectorate should remain an executive agency of the Department of Transport I have instructed the chief executive to develop plans which will build substantially on the organisation's current levels of efficiency and quality of service. I have asked the chief executive to report quickly to me on the scope for substantial future savings. I will also be taking forward an initiative to facilitate a significant expansion of the arrangements for on site testing by the inspectorate's staff at operators' own, suitably equipped premises. This featured in the industry's own response to my original proposals.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
British Aerospace
Mr. Cousins : To ask the President of the Board of Trade during what periods since 1990 there has been a Government appointed director on British Aerospace's main board ; who were the nominees ; and if they receive payment for their services.
Mr. Sainsbury : There has been a Government-appointed director throughout the period since 1990. The appointee is Mr. Keith Brown. He is a director of the company and has, therefore, received no payment from Government for his services.
Mr. Cousins : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what golden share provisions have continued to exist with British Aerospace since 1992 ; when the terms on which such shares were varied ; and what golden shares provisions could apply to British Aerospace subsidiaries, after their disposal by that company.
Mr. Sainsbury : The Government have held a special share in British Aerospace public limited company throughout the period since 1992. The rights attaching to the special share are set out in the company's articles of association. There has been no amendment to the articles to which these rights relate in this period. The Government do not hold a special share in any of British Aerospace's subsidiary companies, so no special share provisions apply to such companies.
Manufacturing Trade
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the import/export ratio for trade in manufactures with Brazil in 1993 to the latest available date and what was the corresponding surplus or deficit ; what were the figures for 1970, 1979 and 1985 and the
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corresponding level of the real exchange rate compared to 1993 ; and if he will list the principal surpluses or deficits in 1993 together with the reasons therefore ;(2) what was the import/export ratio for trade in manufactures with Switzerland in 1993 to the latest available date and what was the corresponding surplus or deficit ; what were the figures for 1970, 1979 and 1985 and the corresponding level of the real exchange rate compared to 1993 ; and if he will list the principal surpluses or deficits in 1993 together with the reasons therefore ;
(3) what was the import/export ratio for trade in manufactures with Austria in 1993 to the latest available date and what was the corresponding surplus or deficit ; what were the figures for 1970, 1979 and 1985 and the corresponding level of the real exchange rate compared to 1993 ; and if he will list the principal surpluses or deficits in 1993 together with the reasons therefore ;
(4) what was the import/export ratio for trade in manufactures with Finland in 1993 to the latest available date and what was the corresponding surplus or deficit ; what were the figures for 1970, 1979 and 1985 and the corresponding level of the real exchange rate compared to 1993 ; and if he will list the principal surpluses or deficits in 1993 together with the reasons therefore ;
(5) what was the import/export ratio for trade in manufactures with Sweden in 1993 to the latest available date and what was the corresponding surplus or deficit ; what were the figures for 1970, 1979 and 1985 and the corresponding level of the real exchange rate compared to 1993 ; and if he will list the principal surpluses or deficits in 1993 together with the reasons therefor.
Mr. Needham : Information on United Kingdom trade in manufactures, defined as sections 5 to 8 of the Standard International Trade Classification, is published regularly by the Central Statistical Office in the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom. Since the beginning of 1993, the publication appears in two parts : overseas trade statistics of the United Kingdom with countries outside the European Community, extra-EC trade ; and overseas trade statistics of the United Kingdom with countries within the European Community, extra-EC trade : Intrastat. These publications are available from the Library of the House.
Information on real exchange rates is not available.
Civil Servants
Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number, grade and destination of civil servants in his Department who were seconded to manufacturing industry in 1993 and in 1994 to date.
Mr. Eggar : The numbers of DTI staff who were on long-term secondment to business organisations, including manufacturing industry, in calendar year 1993 and in 1994 to date are as follows :
|Number
----------------------
1993 |54
<1>1994 |34
<1>to date
Additional details on each of these secondments cannot be provided other than at disproportionate cost.
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Wind Farms
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the membership of the working group set up by his Department to consider what lessons might be learned from the operating experience now being accumulated on wind farms ; and on what dates the group has met.
Mr. Eggar : The working group is concerned only with wind turbine noise. Its membership is :
Mr. R. A. Meir
Chairman
Department of Trade and Industry.
Dr. D. I. Page
ETSU.
Dr. M. B. Anderson
Renewable Energy Systems.
Dr. A. Bullmore
Hoare Lea and Partners.
Mr. M. Jiggins
Carrick District Council.
Dr. J. Warren
National Wind Power.
Mr. H. A. Thomas
Isle of Anglesey Borough Council.
Dr. M. L. Legerton
Secretary ETSU.
Dr. H. G. Parkinson
ETSU.
Mr. B. F. Berry
National Physical Laboratory.
Mr. M. Hayes
The Hayes McKenzie Partnership.
Dr. P. Musgrove
National Wind Power.
Mr. D. J. Spode
North Cornwall District Council.
Ms Emily Tomalin
EcoGen Ltd.
Mr. M. Trinick
Bond Pearce Solicitors.
It has met on 27 May 1993, 9 August 1993, 11 October 1993 and 10 January 1994.
Nuclear Review
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish the terms of reference of the nuclear review ; and if it will include a review of the disposal of waste and the merits of dry storage versus reprocessing.
Mr. Eggar : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 December 1993 to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mr. Merchant), Official Report, columns 759-60.
British Shipbuilders
Mr. Matthew Banks : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on British Shipbuilders' external financing limit for 1993-94.
Mr. Sainsbury : British Shipbuilders' external financing limit for 1993-94 was set at minus £7.8 million as recorded in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1993-94 to 1995-96" published in February 1993, Cm 2204. The planned EFL has increased slightly due to a decrease of £0.6 million in British Shipbuilders' income on interest. However, this effect has been offset by the transfer to BS of £0.32 million residual balance from its now-dormant subsidiary Sunderland Enterprise and Training Ltd. The net effect is a small increase in the EFL to minus £7.5 million.
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Regional Development
Mr. Hendry : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the business plans of the English regional development organisations ; and what level of financial support he proposes to offer for 1994-95.
Mr. Sainsbury : I have studied the current performance and future plans of the six English regional development organisations. I am pleased to say that they continue to make a significant contribution to the work of my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, to the overall success of the United Kingdom in attracting inward investment, and in particular to the performance of their region. In recognition of this, I have today offered £5.605 million of grant in aid for their inward investment promotion activities for 1994-95. In total this is an increase of £50,000 on last year. Last year was an increase of £550,000 on 1992-93. I have allocated the grant aid as follows :
RDO |1994-95 grant |Per cent. share
|£'000 |of total grant
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Development Company
(NDC) | 1,461,5 |26.0
INWARD Ltd
(in the North West) |1,173 |20.9
Yorkshire and Humberside
Development Association
(YHDA) |1,088 |19.4
West Midlands Development
Agency (WMDA) | 818,25 |14.6
East Midlands Development
Company Ltd (EMD) |400 |7.1
Devon and Cornwall Development
Bureau (DCDB) | 664,25 |11.8
These individual grants are very slightly smaller than last year except for the East Midlands Development Company Ltd., and reflect in part the need to respond to changes in assisted area coverage within the total available funding provision for all the English regions. Grant is offered on an annual basis according to past performance, ability to absorb additional funding effectively, and for an agreed programme of future activities, with proper regard to value for money. It is Government policy to encourage direct inward investment to the United Kingdom because it contributes significantly to economic growth. Inward investment brings benefits both to the country as a whole and more specifically to the assisted areas.
New-fossil Fuel Obligation
Mr. Martlew : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications he has received for energy projects under each type for the third tranche of the non-fossil fuel obligation ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar : I understand that the non-fossil purchasing agency has received around 230 applications in respect of the wind band ; 100 in respect of the hydro band ; 140 in respect of the landfill gas band ; 100 in respect of the municipal and industrial waste band ; and 100 in respect of the energy crops band.
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