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Ferris Wheel (South Bank)
Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to call in the millennium wheel planning application. [5545]
Mr. Gummer: I have no plans to call in the application for the millennium wheel. The wheel is an inspired idea and an imaginative way to mark the millennium, providing unparalleled, once-in-a-lifetime views of the heart of the capital. It has caught people's imaginations and created a sense of excitement about the millennium, not least among children.
It will be a boost to the economy of the south bank and will bring visitors and new life to this important stretch of the River Thames.
Lambeth has consulted widely. I have no reason to believe it has not considered the application thoroughly and taken into account the range of opinion held on the wheel. I am satisfied that it will not be a permanent feature; to ensure that, I have today issued directions to the council to inform me of any future applications affecting the site of the wheel.
Mr. Tim Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress his Department is making with
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the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting; and in respect of which financial year he expects to publish the first set of resource accounts. [4983]
Sir Paul Beresford:
The Department of the Environment will be introducing its resource accounting system during 1997-98. The Department, in common with others, is preparing to implement resource budgeting in time to form the basis of the 2000 survey. As set out in Cm 2929, the first published resource accounts for the Department will be in respect of 1999-2000.
Ms Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of training is currently required of employees providing services under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how he proposes to ensure an appropriate level of skills training in relation to any new measures incorporated into the scheme. [5373]
Mr. Robert B. Jones:
This well regarded scheme has achieved high standards of workmanship and customer care through the efforts of the scheme's managers, Eaga Ltd., and the network of installers providing local delivery of the service. I expect these standards to be maintained or improved on in the future, whether or not any new measures are made available. The specification of any appropriate training requirements for employees working within the scheme is a matter for Eaga Ltd. At present, it requires anyone who gives householders energy advice under the scheme to obtain a specified qualification.
Ms Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has completed its review of the home energy efficiency scheme; and if he will make a statement. [5371]
Mr. Jones:
I hope to make a statement about the future structure of the scheme shortly.
Ms Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the additional financial resources needed to fund any new measures introduced as a result of the review of the home energy efficiency scheme; and if he will make a statement. [5372]
Mr. Jones:
Any changes which may be made in future to the home energy efficiency scheme will be structural, intended to make it even more effective and give better value for money. They would not be linked to any particular level of annual financial allocation. We remain fully committed to helping the most vulnerable people to keep warm and use energy more efficiently, and this successful scheme, on which we have spent nearly £350 million since it started some six years ago, has now made over 2 million households more comfortable.
Sir John Stanley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the public inquiry into the proposal by Tesco for a retail store at Cannon lane, Tonbridge, is due to commence; and to whom and at what address representations about this proposal, including requests to give oral evidence at the inquiry, should be sent. [5444]
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Sir Paul Beresford:
The local public inquiry into the proposal by Tesco for a retail store at Cannon lane, Tonbridge is due to commence at 10.00 am on Tuesday 25 February 1997 at the council offices, the air station, West Malling. Representations and requests to give oral evidence at the inquiry should be addressed to Mrs. Christine Kavanagh at the Government Office for the South East, Bridge house, 1 Walnut Tree close, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4GA.
Mr. Andrew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to change the status of the British Waterways Board as a nationalised industry. [5255]
Mr. Robert B. Jones:
I have no plans to change the status of the British Waterways Board as a nationalised industry, but as part of the normal process of reviewing policy options I am continuing to consider jointly with the British Waterways Board whether there are options which would allow the board greater flexibility in generating additional income for the development of its canal network.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 November, Official Report, column 323, on proposals for development near Henlow, Bedfordshire, if he will list the representations he has received from individuals and organisations in respect of the development; what acreage of vacant industrial and commercial development land there is in Bedfordshire; and when he hopes to make a decision on a public inquiry about this matter. [5298]
Mr. Robert B. Jones:
We received a number of representations about the proposal, and those people and organisations will now have the opportunity to express their views at a public inquiry, the date of which has yet to be arranged. The availability of alternative locations for the proposed development will be an issue for the inquiry.
Mr. Waterson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in establishing an independent housing ombudsman service for dealing with complaints against social landlords in England; and if he will make a statement. [5865]
Mr. Curry:
The Housing Act 1996 provides for the first time that the Secretary of State may approve a scheme for the establishment of an independent housing ombudsman service for dealing with complaints against social landlords--the definition in the Act does not include local authorities. Earlier in the year we invited the current non-statutory housing association tenants' ombudsman to consult widely on a draft scheme for England which could be in place in time for 1 April 1997.
Following consultation, the ombudsman has submitted a scheme which I have approved. In considering the scheme, I have been concerned to ensure continuity with the existing non-statutory service. But I have also been keen to ensure that the new service is soundly based and able to achieve value for money for members, that its administration is straightforward and accountable, that its
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procedure for dealing with complaints is accessible and fair, and that it has suitable and effective arrangements for safeguarding the independence of the ombudsman. The scheme will be administered by a company limited by guarantee, with equal representation on the board for member landlords, tenants and the public interest.
All social landlords must subscribe to the independent housing ombudsman service. This scheme should meet their needs and those of others involved. It should also prove attractive to other landlords who may wish to join.
I have placed a copy of the approved scheme in the Library.
Mr. Waterson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his proposals for paying tax relief grant to non-charitable housing associations in 1997-98 and future years. [5866]
Mr. Curry:
We published a consultation paper on 31 July setting out our proposals for the progressive reduction in tax relief grant payments to non-charitable housing associations. Eighty-eight responses were received.
Many associations said they needed more time to plan how to respond to the progressive reduction of tax relief grant and to effect any necessary changes. I accept this concern and recognise that associations need adequate time to accomplish a smooth change. I therefore propose that we continue to pay tax relief grant claims at the current norm of 100 per cent. during 1997-98 in respect of associations' tax liabilities up to and including 1996-97.
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