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ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
Local Government Finance
Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the percentage changes in (a) standard spending assessments and (b) revenue support grants for (i) shire counties and (ii) shire districts between the settlement for 1998-99 and the proposals for 1999-2000, ranked and numbered in descending order; [63074]
- (2) if he will list for 1999-2000 the proposed (a) revenue support grants and (b) standard spending assessments for (i) district councils and (ii) shire counties as a sum per head of their populations, ranked and numbered in descending order. [63073]
Ms Armstrong: The information requested has been placed in the library.
Mr. Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the real terms percentage difference is between the SSAs for North Somerset Council for 1998-99 and 1999-2000. [63069]
Ms Armstrong: The real terms percentage difference between the SSAs for North Somerset Council for 1998-99 and 1999-2000 is 1.6 per cent. i.e. 4.1 per cent. deflated by the GDP deflator.
Mr. Cotter:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amount, per capita, is allotted in external support grants for 1998-99 and 1999-2000 (a) as a national average and (b) for North Somerset Council. [63071]
9 Dec 1998 : Column: 193
Ms Armstrong:
The two main external support grants covering services provided by unitary authorities are redistributed national non-domestic rates (NNDR) and revenue support grant (RSG). The table shows the per capita amounts for 1998-99 for England and for North Somerset, and the provisional amounts for 1999-2000
.
| 1998-99 | Provisional 1999-2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | North Somerset | England | North Somerset | |
| NNDR | 225/hd | 236/hd | 276/hd | 255/hd |
| RSG | 397/hd | 240/hd | 403/hd | 234/hd |
| Total | 652/hd | 475/hd | 680/hd | 489/hd |
Mr. Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the real terms difference between the education spending in 1998-99 by North Somerset Council and the Education SSA for the same authority in 1999-2000 is, expressed as (a) cash and (b) a percentage. [63070]
Ms Armstrong: The 1999-2000 Education SSA (Expressed at 1998-99 prices) for North Somerset Council was £4.957 million (7.0 per cent.) less than the 1998-99 budgeted Net Revenue Expenditure. The Net Revenue Expenditure was £6.705 million (10.4 per cent.) more than the 1998-99 SSA. The actual SSAs and NRE used are shown.
- 1998-99 SSA for Education: £64.601m
- 1998-99 NRE 1 for Education: £71.306m
- 1999-2000 SSA for Education (adjusted using the GDP deflator to 1998-99 prices): £66.349m.
- 1 Includes an apportionment of Capital Expenditure charged to Revenue Account but excludes specific and special grants.
Mr. Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the 1999-2000 SSA for North Somerset Council would be if the real terms percentage increase were the same as the national average. [63068]
Ms Armstrong: Applying the national average real terms percentage increase to the 1998-99 SSA for North Somerset would give £133.853 million.
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority, the 1999-2000 standard spending assessment (a) per five to 10 year old pupil and (b) per 11 to 15 year old pupil. [62887]
Ms Armstrong [holding answer 8 December 1998]: A table showing the Primary Education SSA per pupil aged 5 to 10 and the Secondary Education SSA per pupil aged 11 to 15 for each local education authority has been placed in the library.
Driving Instructors
Mr. Barnes:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he takes to ensure that those qualifying as driving instructors will be equipped in most cases to meet the standards later operating in their check-tests; and if he will introduce an appeals system for those who fail their check-tests. [63072]
9 Dec 1998 : Column: 194
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The standards established when passing the qualifying examinations are the same as those needed subsequently to pass the periodic check-tests. Advice and assistance is available to instructors at any time from local supervising examiners. Also, the system of check-tests is operated in an educational rather than a punitive way. Following an unsatisfactory check-test, an examiner will offer to discuss performance, so the instructor can consider what action is needed, possibly involving re-training, before a further check-test takes place. We have no plans currently to introduce an appeals system to review the examiner's judgment where a check- test is failed. It would be difficult for an independent adjudicator to pass judgment on a text without having been present.
The Registrar seeks to remove the instructor's certificate only after a third consecutive unsatisfactory performance. A statutory mechanism already does exist to protect any instructor who wishes to appeal against the Registrar's decision to take removal action.
Mr. Barnes:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many driving instructors who have been removed from registration during the last four years following check-test failures have then sought re-qualification by taking the appropriate examinations; how many of these have been successful; and if he will make a statement. [63075]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
In the last four years, 254 instructors have been removed from the Register of Approved Driving Instructors following check-test failure. But information about how many have subsequently sought re-qualification, and how many have been successful, is not held in a retrievable form.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government will appoint a commission to re-examine standards for, and design of, family dwellings. [62283]
Mr. Raynsford:
I have no plans to do so. The Building Regulations set minimum standards for the health and safety of people in and around dwellings, as well as making requirements for energy efficiency and access for disabled people. Housing warranty providers also set their own standards over and above the requirements of the Building Regulations.
In addition, my Department has commissioned a set of detailed Housing Quality Indicators, which can be used to evaluate all aspects of housing design, from internal and external layout and space standards to energy efficiency and sustainable construction. The Indicators will be published early in the New Year, and the Housing Corporation has recommended their use by all Registered Social Landlords.
Mr. Jack:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the criteria used by the Highways Agency to determine the basis of need for a new motorway service area to be built. [62902]
9 Dec 1998 : Column: 195
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Decisions on the need for new motorway service areas (MSAs) are not matters for the Highways Agency. Its role is to advise on the impact of MSA proposals on the operation and safety of the motorway and trunk road network. Need is a matter for planning authorities to consider in the light of that and other relative advice. Guidance on the criteria to be used in determining need issues was contained in my answer of 31 July 1998, Official Report, columns 611-12. Copies are in the House Libraries.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) what representations he has received concerning the 24 October 1998 incident involving the 'Pacific Crane' vessel in the Irish Sea, (b) what assessment he has made of the environmental issues raised and (c) what (i) correspondence and (ii) meetings have taken place with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. since the incident; and if he will make a statement. [61969]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 7 December 1998, Official Report, column 47.
Mr. Blizzard:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he is taking on the responses to the consultation paper on the new waste strategy for England and Wales "Less Waste: more value". [63604]
Mr. Meacher:
My Department is examining all the comments that were made, both by individuals and by organisations in response to "Less waste: more value". Where further elucidation seems necessary, they are discussing points with a number of experts selected on a personal basis, as well as continuing to hold regular liaison and ad hoc meetings with representative bodies from local government, the community sector and industry. The aim of this consultation is to produce a draft waste strategy next spring for further consultation with a view to adopting a final strategy before the end of 1999.
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