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Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the total amount of money made available to Wales for the home energy efficiency scheme in each of the last two years; how much will be available in the next year; and if he will make a statement. [10243]
- (2) what was the average home insulation grant provided to eligible households in Wales in each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement. [10244]
Angela Eagle:
In 1995-96 a total of £5.2 million was spent under the home energy efficiency scheme in Wales on grants with an average individual value of £167. The figures for 1996-97 were £3.4 million and £184. This year, I estimate that £3.8 million will be invested through this scheme in improving the energy efficiency of Welsh
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homes occupied by the most vulnerable families. The 1998-99 allocation for the scheme, which I intend to review to make sure that it meets the needs of its customers, will be decided after completion of the Government's comprehensive expenditure review.
Mr. Ennis:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise circular 13/96: "Planning and Affordable Housing". [10866]
Mr. Caborn:
Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 "Housing" (PPG3) states that local planning authorities may seek to negotiate an element of affordable housing in respect of new housing developments on a substantial scale. The intention behind this policy was that a site should be large enough to accommodate a range and mix of types of housing. The site thresholds were introduced in circular 13/96 as a way of defining what the Department considered to be a substantial site for the purposes of the policy.
Since the circular was issued, the Department has been hearing from many local authorities and registered social landlords who argue that the threshold has had the effect of restricting the amount of affordable housing they are able to secure via the policy. I have given careful consideration to the views that have been expressed and, although I accept the principle of the use of thresholds, I have come to the conclusion that there is a case for looking again at the levels at which they were set.
I can announce today that my Department has issued for consultation proposed revisions to circular 13/96. In particular, we are proposing to lower the thresholds below which local authorities should not seek an element of affordable housing, and to clarify the way in which financial or other contributions should be secured through planning obligations where the parties consider that such contributions towards the provision of affordable housing on a different site are preferable.
Mr. Chidgey:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes in inner-city areas; and what consultations he has held with local authorities on pilot projects. [9303]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Nothing in law prevents local traffic authorities from permitting motorcycles to use bus lanes, although the necessary traffic signs require departmental approval. The Government are interested in experimental projects such as those which have been implemented in Bristol and Reading but are aware that they have generated concerns from cyclists on safety grounds. We will study the evidence from such schemes carefully to assess advantages and disadvantages for motor cyclists and other vulnerable road users, as well as their implications for balanced transport planning.
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I would expect a local authority wishing to undertake a trial scheme to discuss its proposals with the Department at an early stage, and I would look to the authority to make adequate arrangements for before and after monitoring of the effects.
Mr. Edwards:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the safety of seat belts designed for car application being fitted to coaches; and what estimate he has made of the prevalence of such practices in the United Kingdom. [10238]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Provided that seat belts are approved to recognised standards and installed correctly, those approved for use on cars may be safely used on other types of vehicle. No information is available on how many coach owners or operators have chosen to fit car seat belts in their vehicles.
Mr. Edwards:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessments he has made of the safety aspects of loop-around seat belts not requiring fixed anchorage to seating. [10237]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Loop type seat belts can offer the same level of protection as a seat belt bolted to a fixed anchorage if they are approved to a recognised standard and properly fitted. Such belts should be secured to a part of a seat or the vehicle structure which is strong enough to take a high accident loading, has no sharp edges and positions the belt so that it can be worn properly.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the major maintenance scheme to be undertaken on the trunk road and motorway network during the financial year 1997-98, indicating the likely cost, start and completion dates for each scheme. [10130]
Glenda Jackson:
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1997:
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Mr. Beard:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure adequate standards of railway inspection, maintenance and investment to take account of the findings of Railtrack's inquiry into the derailment at Sidcup station in February. [10233]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Railtrack plc is responsible for inspecting and maintaining its railway infrastructure. It has prepared and had accepted by the Health and Safety Executive a railway safety case, in accordance with the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994. As part of its commitment to its RSC, Railtrack plc has undertaken to comply with Railway Industry Group standards which include standards for inspection and maintenance. HSE'S railway inspectorate monitors Railtrack plc's compliance with Its accepted RSC and enforces health and safety legislation.
The HSE is aware of Railtrack plc's internal inquiry into the derailment near Bexley station in February. HSE'S own independent technical investigation into the cause of the incident is continuing and its findings will be made public by the HSE in due course.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 June, Official Report, columns 276-77, if he will publish the sensitivity analyses which were made for each of the alternatives for the third Dartford crossing with regard to variations in the base assumptions for the capital cost of the facility and the whether public sector cost of capital; the overrun in capital costs in (a) actual and (b) percentage terms for each of the alternative options would have eliminated the difference between the privately and publicly financed options for each alternative; and what increase in the public sector cost of capital would have eliminated the difference between the privately and publicly financed options for each alternative. [9764]
Glenda Jackson:
In 1986 the assessment of the Dartford bids was essentially concerned with establishing the extent to which they offered value for money on specified assumptions. The economic costs of the various
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options were established so as to compare the net benefits of publicly financed and privately financed schemes. So far as can be established sensitivity tests of the kind postulated in the question were not carried out.
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