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Departmental Publications
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what means his Department makes available its publications in (a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1689]
Angela Eagle: The provision of information in alternative formats is decided on an individual project or campaign basis, taking into account communication objectives, intended audience, and the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
The availability of information for the blind and partially sighted is publicised in a variety of ways including:
public advice centres, such as local authorities, libraries, and Citizens' Advice Bureaux;
specialist events, conferences and exhibitions, such as NAIDEX;
joint publicity initiatives with the RNIB;
audio tape distribution, including the Central Office of Information (COI) Sound Advice network;
individual requests and orders to the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport;
the Internet.
Plutonium Waste
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research proposals he has developed in order to develop a technically feasible and economically viable strategy for plutonium disposal. [1790]
Mr. Meacher: No specific research proposals on this issue have been developed, but a current study of the requirements for a research strategy for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel will be considering the possible implications of co-disposal of surplus plutonium.
Transmitter Masts
Mrs. Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to give local planning authorities greater powers to restrict the inappropriate siting of transmitter masts for mobile phone networks. [1527]
Mr. Raynsford: The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for certain telecommunications masts providing:
the mast is erected by a telecommunications code system operator licensed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984;
the mast does not exceed 15 metres in height;
the mast is not erected in a protected area such as National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty or conservation area; and
the mast is not refused prior approval by the local planning authority within the 28 day period specified in the Order. The authority must be given the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of the mast's siting and appearance, and are able to refuse approval if they consider there to be a serious threat to amenity.
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Compulsory Competitive Tendering
Mr. Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to replace compulsory competitive tendering with a duty on local authorities to achieve best value. [1775]
Ms Armstrong: Well run local authorities which deliver high standard services are vital to the quality of people's lives. We are therefore very keen to press ahead with our Manifesto commitment to replace Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) with a duty on local authorities to achieve best value and we will make this change as soon as Parliamentary time allows. We are using the interim period to talk to local government, the business community and others to ensure that the new framework is efficient and imaginative, but realistic, and makes the most of what local authorities, the private sector and the local community can contribute.
Achieving best value will not just be about economy and efficiency, but also about effectiveness and the quality of local services. The new framework will be a demanding challenge to local authorities, seeking continuous improvements in service costs and quality. It will be a permissive framework which emphasises local choices and local accountability. But it will also ensure that every local authority makes improvements. I am today writing to the Local Government Association to consult them on a draft statement of principles about best value which encapsulate these points. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library.
We intend to encourage authorities to develop the principles of best value and pursue innovative approaches to service delivery in advance of primary legislation on best value. We have therefore agreed with the Local Government Association that Government will seek, where possible and within the existing statutory framework, to relax CCT for a selected number of authorities on condition that they follow a best value regime. We will set out shortly criteria against which authorities' bids will be considered--including a requirement to publish the authority's plans for improving the quality of services, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs to the taxpayers. The criteria will also reflect our view that competition will be an important management tool and test of best value, but that it will not be the only such tool.
Because the bulk of local authorities will continue to be subject to the existing CCT regime, we will also carry out an urgent review of existing regulations and guidance to make it work better and, to the extent that it is consistent with existing CCT legislation, introduce elements of best value. The Review, which will take 4-6 weeks, will be carried out in consultation with the LGA and other interested parties. Among other matters we will specifically be considering the question of timetables, including those for authorities who are subject to recent reorganisation. The Government will then consult on proposals with a view to laying new regulations and
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guidance in the summer. In the meantime, local authorities must continue to plan for meeting existing statutory obligations.
We have an open mind on whether services are delivered by the private sector or directly within the public sector. Either way there needs to be an effective partnership, and fair and open competition where this is called for. To achieve this, we accept that direct service organisations should be able to compete for work where it makes sense to do so. So we are reviewing the framework within which local authorities carry out work for others. We are also to review the restriction on factors which local authorities can take into account in awarding contracts consistent with our obligations under European Community rules.
These proposals should leave no doubt that Government intends to pursue a rigorous alternative approach to the improvement of local services, confident of its success in partnership with local government and the private sector.
Mr. Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a further response to the Second report of the Environment Committee on the burning of secondary liquid fuels in cement kilns (HC 497, Session 1994-95).[1514]
Angela Eagle:
The previous Government responded, in June 1996, to the Environment Committee's report on the burning of secondary liquid fuels in cement kilns. We plan no further response. The Government will respond shortly, however, to the Committee's report on the environmental impacts of cement manufacture, published in March this year.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the total available capital receipts for each London borough; and when they will be available for capital housing spending.[1754]
Mr. Raynsford:
Information about the usable capital receipts available in each London borough was given in my answer to my hon. Friend on 20 May 1997 [Official Report, column number 48]. The table below provides further information the total of housing receipts set aside by these authorities between 1990-91 and 1995-96. Individual authorities may have used these receipts to repay debt or in lieu of further borrowing, however, and so may no longer retain them in the form of cash and investments.
Source:
Housing Revenue Account subsidy claim forms.
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