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Building Act 1984
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend section 113 of the Building Act 1984. [78307]
Mr. Raynsford:
I have no plans to amend section 113 of the Building Act 1984.
24 Mar 1999 : Column: 248
Mr. Spring:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding section 113 of the Building Act 1984 in the last two years. [78308]
Mr. Raynsford:
There has been correspondence with one of the hon. Member's constituents about the procedures for prosecutions under section 57 of the Building Act, which are subject to section 113 of that Act.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what matters were discussed, what conclusions were reached and which Departments were represented by officials at the meeting of Green Ministers on 22 March; and if he will make a statement. [76519]
Mr. Meacher
[holding answer 23 March 1999]: The Green Ministers Committee met on 22 March. This is the first of three meetings planned for 1999.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Deputy Prime Minister attended the Committee's meeting and we were able to have a very positive discussion of environmental tax reforms in the light of the measures announced in the Budget on 9 March 1999, Official Report, columns 173-90. The meeting also heard that the Government would shortly be able to take another important step forward on sustainable development when the sustainable development strategy for the UK is published shortly.
The Green Ministers Committee also considered and agreed next steps on a number of other important issues. In particular, it agreed:
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the job description, (b) the contract, (c) the terms of reference and (d) the letter of appointment of the new Chairman of the British Railways Board. [78344]
24 Mar 1999 : Column: 249
Dr. Reid:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is already required by statute to lay before each House a statement of the salary, any allowances, and any pension arrangements of British Railways Board Members, as soon as possible after they are first appointed. In the case of the new Chairman, he will at the same time place copies of the job description, contract and letter of appointment in the Library of each House. The Chairman's terms of reference will be reflected in new formal objectives for the British Railways Board, to be published in due course.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what functions the Chairman of the British Railways Board will have between 1 April and the establishment through legislation of a Strategic Rail Authority other than those functions which presently are performed by the Chairman of the British Railways Board; what budget will be available to him; and if he will make a statement. [78261]
Dr. Reid:
The Chairman will lead the shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), working with the new Franchising Director to develop a shadow SRA capability. He will advise Ministers on the strategic development of the railway network within our integrated transport policy, including advice on galvanising investment and on franchising issues. The Government have set a budget of £93 million for the British Railways Board in 1999-2000.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the financial (a) incentives and (b) disincentives to (i) local authorities and (ii) Railtrack in respect of (1) the reopening of disused lines and stations and (2) the creation of new lines and stations. [78265]
Dr. Reid:
None. The Rail Regulator has started a comprehensive reappraisal of the level and structure of access charges. He has made it clear that he wants to use his review to promote investment and growth in rail services, and to improve the performance of the railway network. We have endorsed those objectives. We expect the Rail Regulator to put in place a charging structure which imposes incentives on those in the industry to invest properly in the network.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average cost charged by (a) British Rail and (b) Railtrack for (i) station reopenings and (ii) reopening track for passenger use expressed on a cost, per mile, for each year from 1980 to date. [78264]
Dr. Reid:
This information is not readily available in the form requested.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the substitution of rail services by bus services; and if he will make a statement. [78260]
24 Mar 1999 : Column: 250
Dr. Reid:
The Objectives, Instructions and Guidance which we issued to the Franchising Director in November 1997 require him to secure that minimum service levels remain at least broadly comparable to those specified in the current Passenger Service Requirements. Discontinuation of rail services could occur only after comprehensive closure procedures have been exhausted. These powers have been used very rarely and we do not expect that to change.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the relationship between the level of rail fares and passenger numbers. [78267]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
No research has been either commissioned or evaluated in this area.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the implementation of the Highways Agency scheme for the A63 Melton junction improvement. [78256]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 24 March 1999:
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for service levels in excess of PSR franchise requirements of the annual decline in subsidy levels contained in those franchise agreements. [78259]
Dr. Reid:
The Secretary of State has made no such assessment.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the generic quality improvements he plans to require to be introduced to existing rail franchises when the opportunity for renegotiation of franchises occurs. [78262]
24 Mar 1999 : Column: 251
Dr. Reid:
At the National Rail Summit last month, we announced that all requests for franchise renegotiations will be judged against the following six criteria: the train operator's current performance; proposed accelerated or new investment; a willingness to commit to a more demanding enforcement regime and higher quality standards; a willingness to give passengers a greater say in the level and standard of services; and value for the taxpayer.
on the format and outline for its first published report due to be issued in the summer. The report will cover progress in promoting sustainable development across Government; developments in the use of environmental appraisals as part of the policy making process; and, the further progress made across departments to green their operations.
to report to the Cabinet Committee on the Environment on how sustainable development is being reflected in the aims and objectives of departments and their associate bodies. This will also be covered in the published report in the summer.
that an early dialogue should be initiated with the new devolved administrations when they are all up and running to agree on the most effective and appropriate mechanisms for links between the Committee and those administrations.
that departments should take forward work on developing new energy efficiency targets for the public sector to replace the one set for March 2000. The Committee will consider this further later in the year.
15 of the 18 departments were represented by Ministers. The Department of Social Security and the Home Office were represented by officials and the Scottish Office was not represented.
The next meeting of Green Ministers will be held on Tuesday 6 July 1999.
I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, to answer your recent Parliamentary Question about the A63 Melton junction improvement.
The Report which Ministers published in July following the Roads Review, "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England", said that preparation work would continue on the scheme so that if, after full appraisal and statutory procedures, it were eventually endorsed, it could be taken forward without delay. Ministers announced last December that the next step would be to publish the draft Orders for the scheme in the financial year 2000/01.
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