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ENVIRONMENT
Domestic Waste Recycling
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with local authorities and private waste contractors on the expansion of the blue bag scheme for the increased use of recycling domestic waste. [21739]
Mr. Clappison: Provision of local recycling facilities, including the choice between the many different practical approaches which are available, is a matter for local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors, in the light of local circumstances. My Department has regular contact with the local authority associations, individual local authorities and the waste management industry on matters related to recycling household waste, including practical approaches.
Filton Commercial Airport
Mr. Stern: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is able to announce the result of the planning industry into the application for Filton commercial airport. [22950]
Mr. Gummer: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I have considered the report of the planning inspector, Mrs. Jean Brushfield, and have accepted her recommendation to dismiss the appeal.
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
Mr. Congdon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on finalising the nitrate-vulnerable zone designations in England and Wales following the recommendations in the report by the independent review panel published in October last year. [22982]
Mr. Clappison: Environment and Agriculture Ministers have considered the report of the independent review panel. In the light of the panel's recommendations
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and following consultation with the National Rivers Authority, we have finalised the boundaries of the nitrate-vulnerable zones in England and Wales. Today we have placed in the Library of the House a set of maps showing the 68 zones we have identified, and we have laid before the House the regulations which transpose the formal requirements of the EC nitrates directive into domestic law and designate the zones.
We have also issued the decision document setting out the Government's final decisions on the zone designations following the panel's report. It presents our considered response to the panel's specific recommendations for boundary changes or for the further review of a small number of zones, and to their findings on issues of principle. In most cases we have accepted or acted on the panel's recommendations. The decision document is being sent to each farmer in the designated zones, and to other consultees who made submissions to the panel. I am placing a copy of the document in the House Library.
The measure that farmers will be required to take in the designated zones have been the subject of a recent consultation. Regulations will be drafted taking account of the responses received, and following further consultation these regulations will be laid before the House, and implemented in the zones by the end of 1999.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture will shortly be making an announcement on the re-introduction, in the designated zones, of grants for waste handling facilities.
The maps of the 68 designated zones will be available for inspection at MAFF regional services centres and Welsh Office agriculture departmental divisional offices.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many socially rented houses have been built in rural areas in each year since 1989. [20979]
Mr. Clappison:
Between 1989-90 and the end of December 1995, more than 11,000 new social homes for rent and shared ownership were approved in rural
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settlements with a population of 3,000 or less through the Housing Corporation's rural programme. Figures for the number of completions arising from these scheme approvals are as follows:
| Year | Rent | Shared ownership | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-91 | 137 | 14 | 151 |
| 1991-92 | 518 | 4 | 522 |
| 1992-93 | 1,601 | 109 | 1,710 |
| Housing market package | 201 | 201 | |
| 1993-94 | 2,129 | 227 | 2,356 |
| 1994-95 | 1,503 | 391 | 1,894 |
| 1995-96, to the end of December 1995 | 1,270 | 240 | 1,510 |
The completions figures for 1993-94 and earlier years are higher than those previously quoted following improvements in data collection procedures.
In addition, local authorities also provide finance for new social housing in rural and non-rural areas.
Alan and Michael Guy
Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his written answer of 15 January, Official Report, column 374, regarding Alan and Michael Guy, when the hon. Member may expect to receive a substantive reply to his letter of 7 August 1995 and subsequent letter of 24 November. [22131]
Mr. Kirkhope: We have nearly completed our consideration of these alleged wrongful convictions, but one point is still being checked with the police. I will send the hon. Member a substantive reply as soon as possible.
CS Gas
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what information he has evaluated in respect of the rejection in other countries of the CS spray type currently under trial in the United Kingdom; [21991]
- (2) which police forces declined to be included in the current trial period for CS sprays; [21993]
(3) What type of CS spray is currently under test by police forces in Britain; what is its country of origin; and what is the projected length of the trial period. [21992]
Mr. Maclean [holding answers 21 March 1996]: So far as my right hon. and learned Friend is aware, no other country has, in considering police use of incapacitant sprays, rejected the CS equipment currently being trialled by police forces in England and Wales. The forces participating in the trials volunteered to do so as a result of a general invitation by the Association of Chief Police Officers. The type of spray being trialled is a five per cent. CS solution dispensed in a stream from a small hand-held aerosol. It is manufactured in France. The trials will last for six months.
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Firearms Control
Ms Armstrong: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria for membership of the Firearms consultative committee; and how many members of the Firearms consultative committee are (a) holders of firearms certificates, (b) members of a gun club and (c) holders of shotgun licences. [21881]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 21 March 1996]: The criteria for membership of the Firearms Consultative Committee is set out in section 22(1) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. Seven members of the Firearms Consultative Committee are firearms certificate holders, seven are members of a gun club and eight are holders of shotgun certificates.
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to strengthen current gun legislation. [21990]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 21 March 1996]: A Government review of the existing firearms controls has begun. This will provide evidence to the inquiry to be conducted by Lord Cullen into the tragic events in Dunblane and will enable early decisions to be taken on any recommendations for changes in the controls which might be made by the inquiry.
South Wales Police Authority
Mr. John Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what increase is proposed in the establishment of the South Wales police authority following the announcement made by him in autumn 1995. [21700]
Mr. Maclean: It is for the chief constable and police authority to determine the number of police officers in the force. The South Wales police authority's spending power for 1996-97 effectively increases by £7.7 million or 5.3 per cent. This includes £450,000 as its share of the additional funding to allow 5,000 extra officers to be recruited in the next three years. This would be sufficient to recruit 24 constables in 1996-97. Over the three years, South Wales' share of the 5,000 could total 118 constables.
Arrests (Durham)
Mr. Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made by Durham constabulary in the latest year for which figures are available; and (a) how many of these arrests resulted in criminal prosecutions, (b) how many of those arrested received police cautions and (c) how many resulted in no further action being taken. [21236]
Mr. Maclean: The information requested is published in the annual report of the Durham constabulary for 1994-95, a copy of which is available in the Library.
Criminal Injuries Compensation
Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of criminal injury compensation claims made by people who have suffered injury from violence in the home in each year since 1990; how many were successful; and what was the average award. [22404]
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Mr. Maclean: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board advises that these data are not recorded separately and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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