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Water Meters
Mr. O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate how many people will financially (a) benefit and (b) be worse off as a result of the introduction of water meters; if he will provide this information (i) for the population as a whole and (ii) for the population over state retirement age; and if he will make a statement. [66382]
Mr. Meale: The following estimates are taken from the report, "Incidence Effects of Charging for Domestic Water and Sewerage Services" published by my Department in July 1998. This reported the results of modelling work undertaken on behalf of the Department by Maxwell Stamp Plc. The figures relate to households in England and Wales where there is a choice between measured and unmeasured options. The estimates assume no consequent reduction in consumption or tariff rebalancing. The outcome depends on the tariffs adopted by companies for unmeasured and for measured charging.
(i) Under the current tariffs of water undertakers: 40 per cent. of households would pay less on a measured than they would on an unmeasured basis of charging. 55 per cent. of pensioner households would pay less on a measured than unmeasured basis of charging.
(ii) Assuming a measured basis without standing charge: 44 per cent. of households would pay less on a measured than they would on an unmeasured basis of charging. 63 per cent. of pensioner households would pay less on a measured than unmeasured basis of charging.
The Government's policy, reflected in the Water Industry Bill, is that domestic consumers presently charged on an unmeasured basis should have the option of requesting a measured basis of charging. The Bill would also give new rights to customers paying an unmeasured charge, to continue paying on an unmeasured basis on their present homes where they are using water only for essential household use.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many valuation appeals have been lodged since 11 March 1998 in which the appellant cites the decision in the Benjamin vs Anston Properties Ltd. case. [66511]
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Ms Armstrong:
A total of some 135,000 proposals to alter the rating list were made during the period 1 April to 31 December 1998. It is not possible to say how many of these proposals will rely on the Lands Tribunal decision in Benjamin vs Anston Properties in support of their proposals.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 11 January 1999, Official Report, column 71, if he will publish the evidence and working papers on which he based his estimate of the number of properties which might be in a sufficient state of disrepair to encourage owners to appeal against their valuation for rating purposes. [66513]
Ms Armstrong:
It is not possible to say with any accuracy how many properties are in disrepair at any one time. However, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) believe that most non-domestic properties will require routine repairs to be carried out within a 3 to 5 year cycle, and it is likely that some properties would not have such work carried out within this normal repair cycle.
The VOA estimate that a maximum of 15 per cent. of the total of 1.7 million non-domestic properties may fall into this category at any one point in time, and that their condition may be such that the occupiers may seek to obtain a reduction in their rate liability as a result.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information an appellant must supply in order to lodge a valuation appeal. [66512]
Ms Armstrong:
The information to be provided in making a proposal to alter the rating list is specified in regulation 5A of the Non-Domestic Rating (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/291 as amended). A proposal should include the name and address of the proposer and the capacity in which he makes the proposal; the identity of the property, and the respects in which it is proposed that the list be altered. The proposal should also include a statement of the grounds on which the proposal is made, although this does not restrict the grounds on which an appeal can be argued at a Valuation Tribunal.
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects negotiations with the United States towards a new air services agreement to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [66640]
Dr. Reid:
Negotiation with the US broke off last November. It is not known at this stage when formal negotiations will resume or be completed.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which categories of traffic he proposes to ban from the A1 corridor between Lobley Mill and North Brunton, Newcastle; if that ban will extend to the New Tyne Crossing; over what hours the ban will be in force; what alternative routes he
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proposes; when the ban is to be introduced; and what consultation he proposes to have with local residents and schools that may be affected. [66600]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 19 January 1999:
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the letter of 22 September 1998 (IYR/PSO/16123/98) from the Minister for the Environment to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, if he will give examples of what has been achieved in making progress towards clean development mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol. [65394]
Mr. Meacher:
In Buenos Aires, Parties agreed to give priority to the clean development mechanism (CDM) within the wider work programme on the Kyoto Protocol. The aim is to have all the modalities and procedures established by the sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6--which will probably be in late 2000). The UNFCCC secretariat will convene two technical workshops on the CDM, and the other Kyoto mechanisms, before April of next year.
The EU will submit further proposals on the CDM to the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change by the end of March as input to these workshops.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from Sir Crispin Tickell on comparisons of cost in carrying (a) air freighted
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vegetables and (b) other air freight between (i) Scotland and London and (ii) Asia/Africa/Caribbean/South America and London. [66495]
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from Sir Crispin Tickell on the concept of a World Environment Organisation. [66494]
Mr. Meale:
I have not received any direct representations from Sir Crispin Tickell on this matter. I am aware, however, that he has spoken publicly on a number of occasions about such an initiative as a counterweight to the World Trade Organisation.
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked Lawrie Haynes, the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. I am replying in Lawrie's absence from the office. You asked "Which categories of traffic he proposes to ban from the A1 corridor between Lobley Hill and North Brunton, Newcastle; if that ban will extend to the New Tyne Crossing; over what hours the ban will be in force; what alternative routes he proposes; when the ban is to be introduced; and what consultation he proposes to have with local residents and schools that may be affected".
You will know of the considerable peak hour congestion that occurs on the A1 in Tyneside. It is felt that slow moving vehicles exacerbate this problem and we propose to introduce a ban, by means of an experimental Temporary Traffic Order this Spring.
It is proposed that any vehicle which cannot attain a speed of 30mph on the level in free-flowing conditions will be prohibited from entering the A1 Gateshead and Newcastle Western By-Passes. This will include the sections between Lobley Hill, the Tyne Crossing at Blaydon and North Brunton. The ban, when introduced, will be in force between the hours of 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm from Monday to Friday and is expected to be introduced this Spring.
Consultations will be held with local authorities and other representative bodies with the issue or alternative routes being discussed before the ban is introduced. This temporary scheme will be implemented under the powers of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order. During this time we will monitor the impact on traffic movements and views of any interested individuals or organisations will be welcomed. Any comments received will be taken into account before deciding whether to make the ban permanent.
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