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Garden Extensions
Mr. Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a new permitted development right for householders to extend their gardens. [4977]
Mr. Raynsford:
A consultation paper was issued last November on a proposal that householders should in future be able to extend their gardens onto adjacent land, without needing to submit a planning application. The Department received 425 replies, copies of which have now been placed in the Department's library. Three hundred and sixty-one expressed opposition and only 34
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offered support. Many objections concentrated on the damage impact that such a proposal could have on the open countryside with the creeping suburbanisation of specially protected areas such as the National Parks and the Green Belt. Concern was also expressed about the resulting lack of control over the erection of ancillary buildings and the absence of any size limit on the land which could be added to a garden.
The Government's view is that the impact of a proposed garden extension is best considered, as at present, through the normal planning process and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Wales and I have therefore decided to withdraw this proposal.
Housing Benefit
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the impact of the £27.50 limit on the amount of rent which can be covered by housing benefit for single under-25 people; and if she will make a statement. [2237]
Mr. Bradley: There is no national limit on the amount of rent which can be covered by Housing Benefit for single people under 25. The single room rent is determined by independent Rent Officers for the locality in which the claimant lives. The single room rent restriction was introduced by the previous administration in October 1996. They initiated a monitoring exercise and we will look at the results carefully. The Government has also commissioned research to gauge the impact of this, and other measures. The results are expected next year.
Conferences (Disabled Access)
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department takes to make the conferences and public meetings which it sponsors accessible to disabled people, with particular reference to (a) the availability of hearing induction loops, (b) the availability of sign language facilities and (c) the use of accessible buildings for wheelchairs. [3976]
Mr. Field: An increasing number of the Department of Social Security buildings are accessible to disabled people, including those in wheelchairs, and have induction loop facilities for those with a hearing disability. Where accommodation outside the DSS estate is being used, organisers of events make every effort to take into account the needs of the people attending. Sign language interpreters are provided where a need is identified.
The Department has also provided training for its staff on the Disability Discrimination Act which includes reference to the provision of services to disabled people. We will continue to make progress on this important issue.
Child Support Agency
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 3 June, Official Report, columns 143-44, on the level of compliance with CSA maintenance assessments, what plans she has to review the operational effectiveness of
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the Child Support Agency; if she will undertake an investigation into (a) the types of case which are most likely to result in zero compliance and (b) the methods employed by the CSA to enforce compliance against those absent parents who have only ever made limited or zero contributions to their children's maintenance; what assessment she has made into the proportion of full compliance cases in which there was an existing maintenance agreement between the parents; and if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of the system of interim maintenance assessments adopted by the CSA. [4231]
Mr. Bradley:
We intend to look closely at all aspects of the Child Support Agency to ensure that it provides an efficient and effective service. Children are entitled to the support of both parents wherever they live.
We expect the Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients.
Cattle Slaughter Scheme
14. Mr. Alan W. Williams: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle have been slaughtered in (a) the over-30-months scheme and (b) the accelerated slaughter programme. [2904]
Mr. Rooker: As at 13 June 1997, 1,494,040 cattle had been slaughtered under the over-30-months scheme, and 6,478 cattle under the Selective Cull Scheme.
Mr. Dawson: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy that relevant hon. Members and local authorities will be consulted over future proposals to store carcases or rendered material from the over-30-months scheme in their constituencies or areas. [2830]
Mr. Rooker: Commission Regulation 716/96, under which the over-30-months scheme (OTMS) operates, expressly prohibits the purchase of animals showing any clinical signs of BSE. BSE suspects are being sent for direct incineration under entirely separate arrangements. Nevertheless, it is now the practice of the Intervention Board, which has executive responsibility for the day to day operation of the OTMS, to consult the Environment Agency and the local authority about the suitability of any dry or tallow storage facilities offered to it for OTMS material. The local Member of Parliament is also informed that these consultations are taking place. Contracts would be let only for stores which comply with the waste management provisions of Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and related Regulations and which have, or where appropriate, are likely to be granted, local authority planning approval which would allow for the storage of meat and bone meal or tallow. No new cold storage facilities for OTMS carcases are under consideration.
Fruit Farming Industry
15. Mr. Rowe:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to assist the fruit farming industry in the aftermath of the frosts in May.[2905]
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Mr. Rooker:
The European Commission has the matter under review but I have no plans to provide any further specific assistance to the fruit farming industry. It is, in any event, too early to assess the economic consequences of the recent frosts.
16. Mr. Macdonald:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress there has been on developing regional fisheries management at the intergovernmental conference. [2906]
Mr. Morley:
In the context of negotiations on the Common Fisheries Policy the European Commission has committed itself to exploring ways of developing greater involvement of local fishing interests in the decision making process. This is a welcome step forward.
17. Mr. Tipping:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking against slaughterhouse owners who fail to implement adequate standards of hygiene. [2907]
Dr. John Cunningham:
My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has instructed the Meat Hygiene Service to enforce the Regulations vigorously. Ministers will not hesitate to revoke the licences of slaughterhouses which fail to maintain adequate hygiene standards.
18. Mr. Paul Marsden:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he is making with the implementation of a cattle traceability system. [2908]
Dr. John Cunningham:
I am considering responses to proposals for a computerised cattle traceability system. I intend to bring this system into effect in Great Britain as soon as possible.
19. Mr. Lawrie Quinn:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his discussions with the European Commission on quota-hopping. [2909]
Mr. Morley:
I refer my hon. Friend to the statement that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food made on 18 June 1997, Official Report, columns 331-44.
20. Dr. Gibson:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria will be used to determine the location of the Food Standards Agency. [2910]
Mr. Rooker:
The Food Standards Agency will need to be located where it can carry out its tasks most effectively, having regard to the costs involved. We shall consider this issue further in the light of the responses to Professor James's Report.
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21. Mr. Bennett:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to prevent risk material from sheep affected by scrapie entering the food chain. [2911]
Mr. Rooker:
Sheep with scrapie and the heads of all sheep are prohibited from being used for food. On 5 June my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced that he intends to extend the controls to cover the spleen and for older sheep the spinal cord and to require compulsory slaughter with compensation for sheep with scrapie.
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