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Commission for the New Towns
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has decided upon the future of the Commission for the New Towns; and if he will make a statement. [20010]
Mr. Curry:
On 15 May last, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Sir S. Chapman) Official Report, column 489, I explained our intention to establish a residuary body to deal with any assets and liabilities of urban development corporations and housing action trusts that remained at wind up, and to dispose of the remaining new town land holdings. I said that, subject to parliamentary approval of powers given in the then Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Bill, we intended to base this body on the Commission for the New Towns. We believed it made sense to build on the CNT's expertise and experience in order to maximise the return to the Exchequer.
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Following enactment of the Bill, we appointed consultants to consider whether it would be better to retain the CNT as a legal entity and reform it for this residuary role, or to set up a new body that would draw largely on the skills of former CNT staff. We also asked them to advise on the optimal size, structure and locations for the residuary body.
The consultants have advised that better value for money would be achieved by retaining the CNT, albeit in a slimmed-down form with a revised structure and focus, than by starting afresh with a new body. The Government agree with this advice and have therefore decided to extend the life of CNT for a number of years so as to enable it to continue to dispose of its assets and liabilities in an orderly and cost-effective manner. We intend, however, to undertake a fundamental review in 2000 of future strategy options and to determine in the light of conditions prevailing at that time how soon the commission could be closed.
From 1 April 1998, therefore, a revamped CNT will concentrate on selling the remaining new towns land and on disengaging from the residual assets and liabilities of the eight urban development corporations which wind up at the end of March 1998. It will also be able to act as a residuary body for those housing action trusts which wind up during its lifetime.
I have every confidence that the CNT will continue to maintain its excellent track record, which has led to receipts of over £2.3 billion in the last 15 years as well as resulting in additional private investment, good quality development and economic growth in the new towns. We shall expect it to meet challenging performance targets, but without resorting at any stage to firesales of its assets, since that would not achieve value for money and would be likely to disrupt local property markets. The CNT will also be expected to continue to take account of the interests of the local community when disposing of assets or settling liabilities.
Sir Kenneth Carlisle:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 3 March. [20067]
Mr. Gummer:
I represented the United Kingdom at the Environment Council on 3 March. The Council agreed conclusions to establish the Community's negotiating position for the preparatory meetings for the third conference of the parties to the framework convention on climate change, in Kyoto, Japan, in December of this year. They agreed that the EU should propose that developed countries should reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent. below 1990 levels by the year 2010. They identified current commitments from member states, including a commitment from the United Kingdom for a reduction of 10 per cent. that would enable EU countries as a whole to reduce their emissions by 10 per cent. by the year 2010. They also agreed to identify further policies and measures to enable EU countries to deliver an overall reduction of 15 per cent. by 2010, should developed countries agree to that target at the Kyoto conference.
The Council discussed the draft council resolution on the implementation and enforcement of Community environmental law but agreed to defer a final decision
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until the views of the European Parliament become available; a common position was agreed on the funding of European non-governmental organisations subject to a UK parliamentary scrutiny reserve.
In the Council discussion on the two directives on proposed fuel quality and car emission standards by 2000 (Auto-Oil Stage 1). I welcomed the progress being made on these important proposals and emphasised the need for agreement to be reached as soon as possible. I also supported the majority view that it was important for the Commission to bring forward by the end of 1998 its proposals for mandatory fuel and car emissions standards for 2005.
Over lunch, the Council discussed the position of the negotiations on the proposed framework agreement on leghold traps. I reiterated my concerns that the existing proposals were inadequate and emphasised the need for a much stronger agreement. Further negotiations with the third countries are expected to begin shortly.
There was a presentation by the Commission on its recently adopted proposals for the reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds; the Dutch presidency hopes to secure political agreement on this at the June Environment Council. The water framework directive was also presented. In the discussion on the use of environmental agreements, I welcomed the Commission's recent communication and highlighted the importance of these measures as an alternative or complement to a regulatory approach.
The Council also adopted a directive amending the directive 85/337 on environmental impact assessment. This is to be implemented by March 1999 and the Government will be consulting on its implementation later this year.
I also took part in the structured dialogue meeting with Environment Ministers from the countries from central and eastern Europe in which we had a useful exchange of views on climate change and energy efficiency issues.
Sir Kenneth Carlisle:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in response to the 1995 recommendation by the Environment Committee concerning the introducing of petrol vapour recovery for vehicle refuelling (stage II). [20114]
Mr. Clappison:
In response to a recommendation from the House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment, we undertook to consider the case for implementation of the stage II petrol vapour recovery system at service stations once the results of further research into its costs were available. Stage II is designed to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds. These can be harmful in their own right and also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone which can have adverse effects on human health and on the environment.
Research has demonstrated that stage II offers better value for money than alternative methods for reducing emissions arising from vehicle refuelling at petrol stations. Stage II also compares favourably with abatement techniques used in other industry sectors. The
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Government therefore intend to consult later this year on proposals for the introduction of stage II controls at certain petrol stations.
In so doing, we shall be seeking to involve the petroleum industry and other interested parties as fully as possible. The final adoption of the proposals will be based on consideration of the overall costs and benefits. Our research has shown that the cost per tonne of volatile organic compounds abated rises rapidly at smaller stations and this will obviously influence our proposals. We are particularly aware of the need to avoid imposing any necessary costs and regulatory burdens on small stations, especially those in rural areas where availability of supply can be a problem.
Preliminary research undertaken for my Department has shown that evaporative emissions during vehicle refuelling may also contribute to ambient levels of benzene around some petrol stations which exceed the proposed national air quality standard. Over the coming year, we shall be carrying out further research to evaluate the extent of this problem and to consider the potential abatement options.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment he has made of the letter from the Parishes Protection Group of 11 February, to the Church Commissioners; if he will place a copy of the reply in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [19029]
Mr. Alison:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 February, column 14.
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