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Household Growth Green Paper
Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a statement on the outcome of the consultation on last year's Green Paper on Household Growth. [16400]
Mr. Caborn: The Government are considering the question of household growth not just in isolation but within the wider context of policies to promote sustainable development, including integrated transport policy and regional planning. We will make a statement in due course.
Wheelchairs
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made by his officials in relation to discussions with wheelchair manufacturers on establishing a marking protocol to indicate the suitability of manual and powered wheelchairs for use on public transport. [16443]
Ms Glenda Jackson: Officials from my Department have established a working group with representatives of the wheelchair manufacturing industry and the Medical Devices Agency. The purpose of the working group is twofold: to develop a testing protocol for new wheelchairs to assess their suitability for use in vehicles and secondly, to work towards a marking system that indicates the transport "compatibility" of manual and powered wheelchairs.
The work is progressing well. As a first step towards the marking protocol, the Group is drawing up an information leaflet for wheelchair users and those advising on wheelchair choice, which will help them to choose an appropriate wheelchair for their lifestyle. We hope that the leaflet will be finalised by the beginning of next year.
On the testing protocol, the Group has agreed to use as a base the proposed requirement in a draft International Standards Organisation standard for new products. The Group will be producing a leaflet to inform wheelchair users and transport operators about the testing protocol and the role of wheelchair tie downs and occupant restraints in vehicles. Again, we hope that that leaflet will be available early in the new year.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the faxing of press releases on the day of release to Opposition party spokesmen; what changes have been introduced since 1 May; and if he will make a statement. [16311]
Angela Eagle:
My Department will provide press releases to Opposition party spokesman by fax on the day of release if requested to do so. This standardises the policy of the former Departments of the Environment and of Transport, which operated different systems prior to the Election and before their
19 Nov 1997 : Column: 201
subsequent merger. The Department also issues press releases on the day of release via the Internet at address http://www.detr./gov.uk/. and copies are placed in the Library of the House of Commons.
Mr. Dafis:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the air quality in the United Kingdom's main urban centres on (a) 31 October and (b) 4 November; and what warnings were given to the public concerning air quality on those days. [16413]
Angela Eagle:
On 31 October 1997 air quality in a number of UK urban centres was poor. High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were measured in Birmingham, Bristol, London, Lincoln and Reading. Nitrogen dioxide levels were highest on 31 October, peaking at 257 parts per billion at Camden Roadside. A table summarising the highest hourly nitrogen dioxide concentrations that occurred on that day is shown below. On 4 November 1997 there were no occurrences of poor or very poor air quality at any national UK monitoring site.
| Monitoring site location | Maximum hourly NO2 levels (parts per billion) |
|---|---|
| Bromley Roadside | 110 |
| Camden Roadside | 257 |
| Southwark Roadside | 185 |
| Sutton Roadside | 172 |
| Tower Hamlets Roadside | 110 |
| West London | 213 |
| London A3 Roadside | 117 |
| London Bridge Place | 194 |
| London Eltham | 124 |
| London Hackney | 100 |
| London Lewisham | 131 |
| London Marylebone Road | 153 |
| London North Kensington | 142 |
| London Southwark | 237 |
| London Teddington | 114 |
| London Wandsworth | 216 |
| Birmingham Centre | 151 |
| Birmingham East | 115 |
| Bristol Old Market | 102 |
| Lincoln Roadside | 170 |
| Reading | 105 |
On both 31 October and 4 November hourly air pollution information and air quality forecasts were available on CEEFAX (pages 410-417), TELETEXT (page 106), the Department's free phone information line (0800 556677) and through the Department's Internet site. In addition, air quality forecasts and information on pollutant levels were sent to national and regional newspapers, television, radio stations, Government agencies, local authorities and environmental groups.
Local Government Finance
Dr. Iddon:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions pursuant to his answer of 31 July 1997, Official Report, column 548, if he will list the percentages of management and maintenance allowances for council-owned homes for 1990-91 to 1997-98 inclusive. [16476]
19 Nov 1997 : Column: 202
Mr. Raynsford:
I have placed in the House of Commons Library a list showing for each local authority the percentage increase in their HRS Subsidy Management and Maintenance Allowance year by year from 1990-91 to 1997-98.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those landfill sites which are unlined and permitted to receive low-level radioactive waste. [16453]
Angela Eagle:
The Environment Agency advise that disposal of low-level radioactive waste is authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 at the following sites in England and Wales:
| Landfill site | Operator and location | Engineered containment status |
|---|---|---|
| Arpley Quarry | 3C Waste Ltd., Arpley, Warrington | Engineered containment |
| Lamby Way | Cardiff County Council | Clay based engineered containment |
| Milton Landfill | Milton Cambridgeshire | Clay based engineered containment |
| Cowpen Bewley | ICI Ltd., Billingham, Cleveland | No engineered containment |
| Clifton Marsh | Lancashire Waste Services, Preston Lancashire | Current phase unlined, next phase will include an engineered containment |
| Stanford Quarry | Oxfordshire County Council, Stanford in the Vale | No engineered containment |
| Beighton Tip | Sheffield Waste Disposal Authority | No engineered containment, closure early 1998 |
| Asham Quarry | East Sussex County Council, Beddingham, East Sussex | Opened 1979, old phases unlined. From 1995, fully engineered lining for new phase |
| Hilts Quarry | Rolls Royce Ltd., Crich, Derbyshire | No engineered containment |
| Magnesium Elektron Swinton | Magnesium Elektron, Swinton, Greater Manchester | No engineered containment |
| Millennium Inorganic Chemicals Ltd. | Millennium Inorganic Chemicals, Grimsby, Humberside | No engineered containment |
| Cilgwyn Quarry | Cwmni Gwastraf Mon Arfon cyf, Caernorfon, Gwynedd | No engineered containment |
19 Nov 1997 : Column: 203
| Landfill site | Operator and location | Engineered containment status |
|---|---|---|
| Dargan Road | Belfast City Council | Lined |
| Culmore Point | Derry City Council | Unlined |
| Letterloan | Coleraine Borough Council | Unlined |
| Mayboy Road | Coleraine Borough Council | Unlined |
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