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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 16 July 1996
NORTHERN IRELAND
Taxi Fares
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent in meeting the costs of taxi cab fares in the 1995-96 financial year. [36015]
Sir John Wheeler: In the departments of economic development, education, finance and personnel and the Northern Ireland Office a total of £81,959 was spent in meeting the costs of taxi cab fares in the 1995-96 financial year. To provide this information for the departments of the environment, health and social services and agriculture would incur disproportionate cost.
Mr. Colin Duffy
Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 3 July, Official Report, columns 477-78, what payments have been made by the RUC to Mr. Colin Duffy; and on what dates. [36264]
Sir John Wheeler: The RUC has made no payments to Mr. Colin Duffy.
PRIME MINISTER
National Debt
10. Mr. Wilson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on trends in the level of national debt since 1990. [35821]
The Prime Minister: There are a number of different measures of public debt. On the measure used for the European Union excessive deficits procedure, the general Government gross debt--GGGD/GDP--ratio remains lower than any other EU member state apart from Luxembourg and France.
Since 1991, the GGGD/GDP ratio has averaged 44 per cent. Under the last Labour Government, the GGGD/GDP ratio averaged 62 per cent.
European Court of Justice
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister what assessments he has made of the (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages to the United Kingdom of the European Court of Justice. [37734]
The Prime Minister: The advantages and disadvantages to the United Kingdom of the European Court of Justice were set out in the White Paper, "A Partnership of Nations".
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Engagements
Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 16 July. [36062]
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 16 July. [36063]
The Prime Minister: This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.
Berlin Bombing 1986
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor) of 24 June, Official Report, column 14, what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with (a) the German, (b) the Lebanese and (c) the United States authorities about the activities of Yassar al-Shuraidi alias Yousef-Salam; and if he will make a statement. [36926]
The Prime Minister: We have had occasional contact with the German and United States' authorities about the activities of Yassar al-Shuraidi alias Yousef Salam, but not with the Lebanese authorities, with whom there is no reason to do so.
Bilateral discussions are conducted on the basis of confidence and trust between interlocutors. The substance of such discussions cannot be made public.
ENVIRONMENT
Sewage Treatment, Isle of Wight
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the deadline for an application from Southern Water for the transfer of flows from Woodvale, Cowes, Ryde and Norton to Sandown; and what alterations to the treatment of sewage for these outfalls would be required to comply with the EC urban wastewater treatment directive if they are not so transferred. [36820]
Mr. Clappison: The urban waste water treatment directive requires appropriate treatment to be provided by the end of 2000. If the discharges form Woodvale, Cowes, Ryde and Norton are transferred out of the Solent then an application will have to be submitted in order to meet this deadline. If the discharges remain in the Solent secondary treatment will be required for each of them and they will have to comply with the same timescale.
Sandown Bay
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies the Environment Agency is undertaking of the sub-surface current in Sandown bay. [36845]
Mr. Clappison: All studies relevant to the assessment of continual high natural dispersion area status at Sandown bay are being undertaken by Southern Water Services. These are comprehensive in accordance with national guidelines and include modelling of water
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movement. The Environment Agency will assess these studies and will not certify that HNDA status can continue unless it is satisfied that the results justify this response.
Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the difference in the designation of the waters of the Solent and Sandown bay so far as future treatment requirements are concerned. [36821]
Mr. Clappison: Sandown bay is designated as a high natural dispersion area. The directive allows for a minimum of primary treatment for discharges into high natural dispersion areas, subject to comprehensive studies, currently being conducted, demonstrating that primary treated discharges will not adversely affect the environment. If this is not demonstrated by the studies, secondary treatment will be required. The Solent is not designated as a high natural dispersion area. Sewage discharges into the Solent serving a population equivalent of greater than 2,000 would be subject to secondary treatment.
Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the four-yearly review of the designation of Sandown bay as a high natural dispersion area to be completed. [36819]
Mr. Clappison: In accordance with the deadline stipulated in the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994, the first four yearly review of the designation of Sandown bay as a high natural dispersion area is proposed to be completed by the end of 1997.
Eye Tests
Mr. Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations the Health and Safety Executive has received in each of the last five years from employees concerned that their employer has not ensured that they have their eyes tested in accordance with regulations; how many of these inquiries have led to prosecutions; and if he will make a statement. [37079]
Sir Paul Beresford: Information on representations from employees concerning eye tests is not readily available in the form requested. No prosecutions have been brought by the Health and Safety Executive concerning the provision of eye tests.
Isle of Wight (Expenditure)
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total annual expenditure of his Department on the Isle of Wight, including the cost of administration. [36914]
Sir Paul Beresford: The annual expenditure of my Department on the Isle of Wight during the year 1995-96 was over £69 million.
The indicative or planned expenditure for 1996-97 is over £71 million.
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| 1995-96 | 1996-97 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Housing investment programme allocation | 1,797,000 | 1,616,000 |
| Revenue support grant | 40,369,000 | 39,880,000 |
| Non-domestic rates | 26,855,000 | 30,019,000 |
| Regional innovation grant (approximately) | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| SRB challenge fund | Nil | 169,000 |
River Thames Working Party
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members of the River Thames working party indicating who appointed them; and what salary and expenses they are paid. [37197]
Sir Paul Beresford: The Thames advisory group provides advice to the Secretary of State for the Environment on a range of issues relating to the River Thames. It is chaired by the Secretary of State and its members are: the Minister for Transport in London, Alan Baxter, Michael Cassidy, Sir Philip Dowson, Paul Finch, Councillor Nicky Gavron, Christopher Howes, Simon Jenkins, Stuart Lipton, Richard MacCormac, Christopher Moran, Sir Richard Rogers, Eric Sorensen, Stewart Steven and Kim Wilkie. Members are appointed by invitation of the Secretary of State and receive no salary or expenses.
The River Thames working group considers transport issues related to the Thames. It is chaired by the Minister for Transport in London and its members are: David Bayliss, Robin Clement, David Jeffery, Fred Manson, Eric Sorensen and Irving Yass. Members are appointed by invitation of the Minister and receive no salary or expenses.
Parliamentary Questions
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 March, Official Report, column 694 about parliamentary questions, what method would be used by his Department in collating the information requested. [37540]
Sir Paul Beresford: The examination of about 36,542 1 files dating back to 1987-88.
1 Source: POLIS.
Sir Paul Beresford: The examination of about 30,774 1 files dating back to 1988-89.
1 Source: POLIS.
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