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Water Disconnections
19. Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards water disconnections to domestic properties. [464]
Mr. Prescott: At the "Water Summit" on 19 May, we announced the Government's intention to review the system of charging for water. That review will include the water companies' debt recovery arrangements, including disconnection.
Derelict Land
20. Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a central register of derelict land. [465]
Ms Angela Eagle: A survey of derelict land in England was carried out in 1993 and published in 1995. My Department is currently exploring the possibility of establishing a national land use information system, which would include information on derelict land.
Poverty
21. Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to reduce poverty in the English regions. [466]
Mr. Caborn: Reducing poverty across the nation is one of the Government's key policy objectives. Our policies for the regions are aimed at tackling the root causes of deprivation and promoting economic growth. New regional development agencies will provide the means of securing effective, properly co-ordinated action at the regional and sub-regional level, to underpin our wider economic and social agenda.
Air Pollution
22. Mr. Butterfill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to reduce air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels. [467]
Mr. Meacher: The Government are committed to tackling global warming, acid rain and ambient air pollution by reducing emissions from the burning of fossils fuels. We are examining options for policies and measurers, their costs and other consequences, which will enable us to meet our challenging manifesto commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. Strategies to achieve these goals will include the development of an integrated transport system, and the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
In this context the Government are considering carefully the proposals in the European Commission's draft Acidification strategy for strict new targets for emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and ammonia and those in the proposed Auto Oil Directives for proposed fuel and vehicle standards.
3 Jun 1997 : Column: 160
23. Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to expand housebuilding. [468]
Ms Armstrong:
The Government's Capital Receipts initiative will support the priority schemes of local authorities which meet key objectives. It will be for local authorities to decide how to use any resources within the general objectives set.
24. Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy in respect of the control of the capital receipts by debt-free local authorities. [469]
Mr. Raynsford:
Debt-free local authorities have the freedom to reinvest capital receipts from the sale of their assets, according to their own priorities.
25. Mr. Gunnell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to carry out a review of MPG3; and what plans he has to enhance the role of local communities in the granting of permission for opencasting. [470]
Mr. Caborn:
I refer my hon. Friend to the response I gave in an Adjournment Debate on this issue on Monday 19 May, Official Report, columns 483-88. I have asked my officials to prepare urgently a plan of action to review the present stance of MPG3 on opencast coal.
Mr. Stunell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister of state on 19 May, Official Report, column 488, if he will set out the timetable for the departmental plan of action relating to opencast coal mining; and how he plans to deal with planning appeals currently outstanding. [1211]
Mr. Raynsford:
My officials are currently preparing a plan of action as a matter of urgency. Any outstanding appeals will be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
26. Mr. Pickthall:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will undertake discussions with Lancashire county council about proposals to tip household waste in Round "O" Quarry, West Lancashire. [471]
Mr. Meacher:
It would not be appropriate for me to discuss the plans for Round "O" Quarry with Lancashire County Council at this stage. Proposals relating to the quarry are contained within the draft Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which will be the subject of a public inquiry next year. The inquiry will provide objectors and supporters with an opportunity to put their views to the Inspector.
3 Jun 1997 : Column: 161
27. Mrs. Ann Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on trends in household growth. [472]
Mr. Raynsford:
The latest household projections for England were published in March 1995. The projections showed an increase of 4.4 million households from 1991 to 2016. Since these projections were published they have been subjected to considerable public scrutiny and are generally regarded as the best assessment that can be made with the currently available information. We are currently considering the responses to last November's Green Paper on the implications of the latest figures.
28. Mr. Timms:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for the introduction of a strategic authority and mayor in London. [473]
Mr. Prescott:
Subject to a referendum and the necessary legislation being enacted by Parliament, I expect that the new mayor and authority will be elected in May 2000.
Mr. Simon Hughes:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set up, support and fund an all party organisation to campaign in favour of a yes vote in respect of a referendum on proposals to set up a strategic authority for London; and if he will make a statement. [1498]
Mr. Raynsford:
None. We are intending to issue a consultations paper on the establishment of a directly elected mayor and strategic authority in London by the end of July. We will subsequently introduce legislation to make provision for a referendum in London on this matter and subject to parliamentary approval it is our intention to hold the referendum in May 1998.
Mr. Heseltine:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many appointments to his Department he has approved since 2 May; and if he will list them, setting out their responsibilities and stating their remuneration. [1091]
Sir George Young:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of political appointments made in the departments for which he is accountable. [1502]
Mr. Denzil Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the names of the political and special advisers who have been appointed to his Department since the General Election. [1745]
Mr. Prescott:
With the Prime Minister's approval, we have appointed 2 Special Advisers, Joe Irvin acts as my Special Adviser and Kate Davies acts as Special Adviser to the Minister for Transport.
Salaries for the Special Advisers are being negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings, within a pay range which is presently £24,349 rising to £73,484.
3 Jun 1997 : Column: 162
Progression up the range will be entirely performance related. Pension contributions are also paid in addition to salary.
David Taylor, who is on temporary leave of absence from Lancashire Enterprises plc, is acting as an unpaid Special Adviser for a limited period.
Mr. Nigel Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to issue advice to local authorities that are in the process of considering the large scale voluntary transfer of their housing stock, pending the Government's review of the law; and if he will make a statement; [1270]
Mr. Raynsford:
We are reviewing the policy on housing stock transfers. We are aiming to issue revised procedural guidance for housing transfers in the near future. My officials provide advice and guidance on housing transfers through their regular contact with local authorities.
(2) what plans he has to review the law regarding the large scale voluntary transfer of housing stock; and if he will make a statement. [1271]
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