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Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for legislation to strengthen the protection given to sites of special scientific interest. [2081]
Angela Eagle: The Government are currently considering the options for strengthening the protection of wildlife and sites of special scientific interest.
Green Ministers
Mr. Dafis:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings of Green Ministers have taken place since 1 May; and what plans there are for further meetings. [2085]
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Angela Eagle:
In fulfilling our commitment to put the environment at the heart of Government we are currently reviewing all the existing and potential machinery for effective delivery of our goal, including the network of Green Ministers that was established by the previous Administration. Final decisions have not yet been taken but one of the outputs of that review will be to ensure that every Department plays its full part and that Ministers in every Department are fully involved in the process.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will be in a position to decide on the inspector's recommendations relating to Merry Hill. [2162]
Mr. Raynsford:
A decision will be issued shortly.
Mr. John Cryer:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications for new drift or deep mines have been submitted in England, Scotland and Wales in each of the past five years; which companies have submitted the applications; and what are the localities to which the applications relate. [2028]
Mr. Raynsford
[holding answer 6 June 1997]: The number of planning applications for new deep mines in England in each of the past five years are as shown in the table. It is not possible to separate applications for deep and drift mines. Information concerning the companies who submitted the applications is not held centrally. The information relating to Scotland and Wales are matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales.
| Location | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Warwickshire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Durham | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| North Yorkshire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Humberside | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Council Tax
Mr. David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received from council tax payers in Somerset complaining about the level of the council tax levied by Somerset county council for 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [2201]
Mr. Raynsford [holding answer 6 June 1997]: None.
Planning Application (South Yorkshire)
Mr. Barron:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish his decision on whether to allow Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to determine the planning application for a site at Catcliffe, South Yorkshire, to be called Waverley Leisure Park; and if he will make a statement. [2303]
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Mr. Raynsford:
I have discussed this case with ministerial colleagues; and, as a result of these discussions, we shall be seeking from the local planning authority further information. When we have this information, we will be able to decide whether the application should be called in or left to the authority to determine.
Cones Hotline
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of the cones hotline; how many calls were received; how many raised issues that resulted in remedial actions; and what was the cost of each of these calls as a percentage of the total costs. [1932]
Ms Glenda Jackson: The cones hotline operated from June 1992 until September 1995 when it was replaced by the Highways Agency information line. The cost of establishing and running the cones hotline prior to March 1994 is not available as, until then, calls were routed through the Department of Transport's general inquiry number. In the Financial year 1994-95, the cost of the dedicated service line was approximately £5,000. Staffing costs were met from within existing establishment and budgets. In the period April to September 1995 the cost of running the cones hotline is estimated at £20,000, including staff and call charges. The total number of calls received between June 1992 and September 1995 was 19,500. Approximately half the calls concerned traffic management (although only a small proportion were about traffic cones), and half were requests for information about road works or general queries about roads, planning policy and so on. Where appropriate, the Department took steps to alter the layout of road traffic cones, improve signposting at roadworks, review diversion routes, re-paint road markings and investigate road lighting at roadworks as a result of comments and complaints from hotline callers. The cost of each of these calls as a percentage of the total costs is not available.
Rail Services
Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he requires the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising to notify him of any instances where permission is given to train operators not to run services set out in the Passenger Services Requirement; and if he has been notified by OPRAF that such permission to withdraw services has been given to GNER in respect of the east coast main line franchise. [2428]
Ms Glenda Jackson: No. The Franchising Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with franchise agreements, including the conditions of Passenger Service Requirements. I understand that, in the case of GNER, no permission has been given to withdraw services specified in the PSR. I understand that the hon. Gentleman has written to the Franchising Director who will no doubt provide him with a full explanation of the position.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidelines for the improvement of rail services on Sundays. [2455]
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Ms Jackson:
The Government want to see improvements to rail services generally, and is particularly keen to see enhancements made to off peak services including Sunday services. The Franchising Director is currently developing Criteria for the Appraisal of Support for Passenger Rail Services which will be used to assess, among other things, proposals for new subsidised services. The criteria will assist those bringing forward initiatives to enhance services. A number of franchisees--for example, Connex Rail and M40 Trains--have introduced new Sunday services as they committed to do in their franchise plans.
Mrs. Brinton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is Government Policy concerning up-grading the Felixstowe-Liverpool-Holyhead rail link. [2178]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I understand that Railtrack, in consultation with Freightliner, is considering options for investment which would permit greater utilisation of the cross-country route between Felixstowe and the west coast main line, primarily for the transport of container freight traffic.
The Government have made it clear that they expect higher levels of investment in the railway network and is considering whether the current regulatory regime is strong enough to secure that.
Ms Atherton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the long term for emergency towing vessels in Falmouth. [2176]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I have asked the Coastguard Agency to carry out an assessment of the trials of Emergency Towing Vessels over the last three winters. These results are expected by the end of July 1997. Meanwhile, the Coastguard Agency has extended the present contracts for all three Emergency Towing Vessels to provide cover during the coming winter in the Dover Strait, North West Scotland and the Western Approaches from October 1997 to March 1998.
Mr. Pike:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the present regulations regarding bicycle bells; what representations he has received on the subject; and if he will make a statement. [2288]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
At present there are no requirements for bells on bicycles.
As part of a public consultation exercise on proposals to update the Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations, general views were requested on the fitment of bells on pedal cycles. Strong support was shown for the mandatory fitment of bells on pedal cycles at the point of sale, and as stated in a reply to a question in another place--Official Report, House of Lords, 21 May 1997 column 1--we are looking at the issues as a matter of priority.
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