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Flight Restrictions (Heathrow)
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received in the last year on night flight restrictions at Heathrow; and if he will make a statement. [74029]
Ms Glenda Jackson: My Department has received a large number of representations expressing a range of different views on the subject of aircraft noise in general over the last year. It would involve disproportionate cost to calculate how many referred specifically to night flight restrictions at Heathrow Airport. On February 12, we concluded the second stage of a two stage consultation on Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Responses to the first stage are available for inspection by appointment at the DETR Information Centre, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1, telephone 0171 676 2002. The responses to the second stage are currently being logged and analysed. The Government will reach a decision after careful consideration of the responses.
Genetically Modified Organisms
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many complaints have been received concerning possible breaches of licence in respect of the growing of GMOs. [73219]
Mr. Meacher:
Further to my answers to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 17 December 1998, Official Report, column 630, and 4 February 1999, Official Report, column 720, no complaints have been received about possible breaches of consent to grow GMOs, but some have been detected by Health and Safety Executive Inspectors.
2 Mar 1999 : Column: 624
Mr. Drew:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls other than the prosecution of offenders are available to the licensing authorities in respect of GMO research. [73220]
Mr. Meacher:
The controls available are contained in Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and associated regulations. In summary no person may release any GMO without the express permission of the Secretary of State. The consent holder must comply with the conditions and limitations set by the consent, which may be revoked or varied at any time. There are also powers to serve a prohibition notice to terminate or prevent any activity.
Mr. Drew:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people employed by the Environment Agency have (a) worked in and (b) had direct experience of the nuclear industry. [73213]
Mr. Meale:
Of the Agency's key staff and those involved with Radioactive Substances regulation, (a) forty six; and (b) fourteen.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have been held between his Department and officials from bus and coach operating companies regarding (a) disabled access to buses and (b) facilities available at bus stops; and what guidelines have subsequently been issued. [74059]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
We have had extensive discussions with bus and coach operators on our proposals for accessibility regulations under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to ensure that in future new vehicles will be fully accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. We will be publishing draft regulations for public consultation around Easter. We shall be seeking the further views of the bus and coach industry on these draft regulations.
In collaboration with the Passenger Transport Executives, guidelines were published by the Department several years ago on the design of accessible public transport infrastructure, including bus stops. We have recently commissioned consultants to review that material and to draw up comprehensive guidance for transport operators and local authorities to help them to introduce good practice in making infrastructure accessible both to optimise the transport provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act and to prepare for the full introduction of Part III of the Act which covers access to goods, services and facilities.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have been held between his Department and officials from Railtrack and the rail operating companies regarding disabled access to trains and railway station facilities; and what guidelines have subsequently been issued. [74051]
2 Mar 1999 : Column: 625
Ms Glenda Jackson:
We had extensive and regular discussions with both Railtrack and the rail operating companies in developing the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 which were introduced on 1 November 1998. Those regulations, which apply to new rolling stock coming into service from 1 January this year, will ensure new trains and trams are accessible to disabled people, including those who need to travel in a wheelchair. We remain in regular contact with the rail operating companies, working with them to ensure their new design of vehicles meet the regulations.
We also work closely with Railtrack on a wide range of issues affecting the needs of disabled rail travellers. Access to stations and other transport infrastructure will be covered by Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which covers access to goods, facilities and services. My Department (in collaboration with representative bodies of local authorities and the professional institutions) is producing advice for service providers in the transport sector on best practice in meeting the needs of disabled people. That guidance will be available later this year.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance is issued by his Department to local authorities regarding the issuance of orange disabled parking permits. [74049]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Guidance was issued in the Local Authority Circular 3/91, 'The Orange Badge Scheme of Parking Concessions for Disabled and Blind People'.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many disabled orange parking permits are currently in circulation in (a) the UK, (b) the Adur district, (c) Worthing Borough and (d) West Sussex. [74050]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
As at 31 March 1998, the total number of oranges badges on issue in the UK was 2,047,041. The figure for West Sussex was 33,426. We do not compile separate figures for the Adur district or Worthing Borough.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what schemes he has made available to encourage greater use of insulation materials in existing homes. [74068]
Mr. Meale:
The Department's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) encourages the installation of insulation materials in the homes of those on benefits and the elderly. HEES now accounts for nearly half of the cavity wall insulation market in the UK. The Energy Saving Trust has five schemes, funded by my Department, which promote the installation of insulation in existing homes. Three of these promote cavity wall insulation, fund schemes run by local authorities under the HECAction programme and promote energy services, which often include the provision of insulation. The remaining two, the Energy Efficiency Advice Centres and Energy Efficiency marketing project, provide advice and information to householders on energy efficiency, including the installation of insulation.
2 Mar 1999 : Column: 626
Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with local authorities regarding the provision of taxi vouchers for the elderly and disabled; what financial assistance the Government gives to local authorities to enable them to provide such a service; what plans he has to review the system; and if he will make a statement. [73820]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Local authorities outside London are enabled by the Transport Act 1985 to provide concessionary travel schemes for resident pensioners and disabled people, which may include travel by taxi. The details of these schemes are a matter for individual local authorities and no central record is kept of the provision made. Financial assistance is provided through the overall support given to local authority expenditure in general. I have no plans to change these arrangements.
Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the proposed inspection charges under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999 are higher in England and Wales than in Scotland. [73810]
Mr. Meale:
The proposed charges of the Environment Agency, which is to carry out environmental inspection under the proposed Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) in England and Wales are higher than those of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which carries out the same functions in Scotland. This is because the relevant input costs, such are accommodation, differ. The charges have been calculated in accordance with HM Treasury's Fees and Charges Guide.
Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received alleging inadequacies in consultations with small businesses in the fuel supply and distribution industry over the possible impact of the proposed charging regimes for the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999; and if he will make a statement; [73819]
Mr. Meale:
One letter has been received making such representations. Copies of this same letter have also been forwarded by six Members of Parliament. The Health and Safety Commission initiated an eight-week consultation on 24 November 1998 on proposals to charge for activities conducted under the proposed Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH). The consultation document included details of the charging proposals, chargeable activities, the methodology used for calculating charges, the likely impact of charging on industry and illustrative examples of charges for a range of COMAH establishments.
2 Mar 1999 : Column: 627
Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what analysis of compliance costs was undertaken in respect of (a) the fuel supply and distribution industry and (b) the liquified petroleum gas industry in the preparation of the proposed charging regime for the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999; [73817]
Mr. Meale:
Two letters have been received making such representations. Copies of one of these have also been forwarded by six Members of Parliament. The current projection is that the overall charges to industry, for the performance of the functions placed on the Competent Authority under the proposed Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH), will amount to approximately £6 million in 1999-2000, and £6.6 million in 2000-01 and 2001-02. It is not possible at this stage to separate out the costs of charging likely to be borne by the fuel supply and distribution and liquefied petroleum gas industries from those of other industries. The COMAH charging consultative document provided illustrative examples of the likely charges for different, typical types of establishment to enable operators to estimate their costs.
Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received criticising (a) the suitability of the proposed flat rate inspection charge and (b) the adequacy of efforts to ensure that these charges relate directly to actual work undertaken under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999. [73811]
Mr. Meale:
Four letters have been received making such representations, of which two raised only first issue. Copies of one of these letters, which raised both issues, have also been forwarded by six Members of Parliament.
(2) what representations he has received alleging inadequacies in (a) identifying and (b) estimating compliance costs for the fuel supply and distribution industry in the preparation of the proposed charging regime for the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999. [73818]
(2) what (a) representations he has received on and (b) assessment he has made of competitive disadvantages for sections of the fuel supply and distribution industry arising from the proposed charging provisions under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999; and if he will make a statement. [73809]
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