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ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
Rail Services (Cycles)
Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in respect of the provision of carriage of cycles on trains; and if he will make a statement. [8502]
Ms Glenda Jackson: I have received 36 representations about the carriage of bicycles on trains.
The Government are encouraging operators to improve provision for the carriage of cycles on trains. Some operators have implemented or propose improvements in respect of their services. The Government welcome these initiatives.
Mr. Colvin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he is making in encouraging rail operators to adopt the code of practice, "Providing for Cyclists"; and if he will make a statement. [8534]
Ms Jackson:
The Government are continuing to encourage rail operators to adopt the voluntary code of practice, "Providing for Cyclists", which has been developed by the cyclists' Public Affairs Group, the Cyclists' Touring Club and Sustrans, which I was delighted to have the opportunity to launch in June. Anglia Railways has been awarded the Cycle Mark under the code of practice for its Bikes on Trains initiative. A number of other operators are also making improvements in facilities for cyclists who wish to take their cycle on the train or park it at the station. We welcome these developments.
Mr. Ainger:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the report of the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents into the grounding and subsequent salvage of the tanker 'Sea Empress' at Milford Haven in February 1996. [9308]
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Mr. John Prescott:
I am publishing the report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch on the grounding and subsequent salvage of the tanker Sea Empress at Milford Haven between 15 and 21 February 1996 today. A copy has been placed in the Library and will be distributed by the Stationery Office. The report is open for public comment for a period of six weeks. Thereafter, the Government will issue a detailed response to the report. In the meantime, I have asked my officials to begin a review of the 1987 Pilotage Act. I have also asked Lord Donaldson of Lymington to conduct an independent review of salvage and intervention operations and their command and control, having satisfied himself that the Marine Accident Investigation Branch's report provides a reasonable basis for his review. Lord Donaldson's review will form part of the Government's ongoing review of the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution. The detailed terms of reference of these reviews will be announced later.
Mr. Fabricant:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the annual water leakage rate likely to arise from permitting the importation of non-syphonic lavatory cisterns; and if he will make a statement. [7897]
Angela Eagle:
I understand that the Water Regulations Advisory Committee is proposing that the use of non-siphonic flushing systems should be allowed in order to encourage the development of WCs with lower flush volumes. The committee is also proposing that such devices, whether manufactured in the United Kingdom or abroad, should be required to meet stringent performance specifications so that any possible leakage will be greatly outweighed by water savings from the considerable lower flush volumes that can be achieved.
The committee is currently consulting on these and other proposals to reduce the use and waste of water.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the health risks posed to farmers of exposure to organophosphate in sheep dip; and if he will make a statement. [8554]
Angela Eagle:
All applications for marketing authorisations for veterinary medicine products must be supported by data relating to their safety, quality and efficacy. Assessments of the data are scrutinised by the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC), which advises Ministers and has twice reviewed OP sheep dips in the last five years. On both occasions the VPC advised that, provided they are used safely and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, there is no scientific justification for withdrawing them from the market. Any reports of human suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicines (including sheep dips) are monitored through a surveillance scheme run by the Government's Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
In assessing the risk from the use of a product, the potential exposure must be taken into account as well as the inherent toxicity of the substance being considered. Studies have shown the principal sources of exposure
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during dipping and the steps that can be taken to control it and are described in leaflet AS29 "Sheep dipping". The Government have also commissioned both epidemiological and toxicological research, which continues. From the information available, it is clear that taking a large dose of OP sheep dip into the body will almost certainly result in immediate ill-health, but that it can be avoided if the proper control measures are adopted. It has also been suggested that prolonged, low-level exposure without immediate symptoms can cause chronic ill-health but scientific studies have so far revealed scant evidence for this. A major research project is however underway to investigate effects of this kind.
Mrs. Ellman:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he is considering to introduce a new rural business use class. [8922]
Mr. Caborn:
A consultation paper was issued in July 1996 seeking views on the possible introduction of a new rural business use class. There were 291 responses, copies of which have now been placed in the Department's library. The majority of those responding felt that the new class would be very difficult to operate in practice. In particular, a wide range of concerns were expressed about the feasibility of using traffic levels to assess business intensification. Doubts were also expressed about the need for the new use class and a majority of respondents expressed support for existing planning mechanisms such as planning conditions in balancing the needs of rural businesses with environmental considerations. In the light of these comments, the Under-Secretary of State for Wales and I have decided not to proceed with this proposal or with the working group set up in February to take it forward.
In England, PPG7 explains how the existing provisions of the planning system can assist rural businesses. In Wales, equivalent guidance is provided in the first revision of "Planning Guidance (Wales): Planning Policy", which is being finalised for publication. Our manifesto outlines a range of wider measures which we will be taking to promote both rural and urban enterprise. The Government attach particular importance to the encouragement of sustainable development in rural areas. We want a healthy rural economy that creates employment opportunities but also respects the countryside.
Mr. Tyler:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what projections have been made by his Department of the long-term effects of the interaction of genetically modified organisms with their environment. [8040]
Angela Eagle
[holding answer 14 July 1997]: The purpose of part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is to prevent or minimise damage to the environment from the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In considering applications for consent to release GMOs, the risks to human health and the environment, including long term effects, are assessed before a decision is made. A consent is granted only if the risks of the proposed release are low or effectively zero.
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The Department funds a research programme to identify potential risks, to monitor particular existing releases to confirm that the risk assessment is correct, and to support decision making in granting consents.
Mr. Gale:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure the continuation of EU Objective 2 funding (a) for the United Kingdom and (b) for Thanet at its current levels in real terms after 1999; and if he will make a statement. [8583]
Mrs. Roche
[holding answer 15 July 1997]: The European Commission's proposals for reform of the European Structural and Cohesion Funds after 1999 are due to be published on 16 July. Detailed proposals for amending the regulations will come at a later date and will be the basis for negotiation. This may lead to substantial changes to the current structure, including the system of objectives. It will be a Government priority to secure reform which delivers a system that is affordable, efficient, durable and fair. It is too early to estimate the likely effect on specific regions.
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