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ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
Macpherson Inquiry
Mr. Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson Inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80520]
Mr. Meale: I refer to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave my hon. Friend on 14 April 1999, Official Report, column 239-40.
In addition, the British Transport Police Service is currently studying Sir William Macpherson's report. It will be implementing any appropriate recommendations in a process of consultation with the rest of the police service. A team headed by Chief Officers has already been appointed to identify areas from the report that can be taken forward.
Vehicle Registration
Mr. Fearn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of vehicles below 1100cc were first registered before 1992. [79929]
Ms Glenda Jackson: At the end of September 1998--the latest date for which information is available--72 per cent. of vehicles licensed in the Private and Light Goods class at or below 1100cc were first registered before 1992.
Vehicle Emissions
Mr. Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to increase the fixed penalty levied on vehicles which fail to pass MOT emissions standards; [81050]
- (2) what progress he has made on the implementation of roadside vehicle testing schemes; [81049]
(3) what plans he has to allow (a) environmental health officers and (b) traffic wardens to undertake roadside emission testing without a police officer present. [81051]
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Dr. Reid: The trial scheme involving seven local authorities in roadside emissions testing has been running for just over a year. I am currently evaluating the results of their work and hope to make an announcement in due course about whether the scheme might continue.
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average level of emissions per mile from cars of (a) under 1100 cc, (b) 1101-1500 cc, (c) 1501-2000 cc, (d) 2001-3000 cc and (e) over 3000 cc. [81257]
Ms Glenda Jackson: The Department does not calculate the average emissions per mile for cars by engine size. Emissions of local air pollutants from all cars, regardless of their engine size, are regulated by the same mandatory emission standards.
| Engine size | Average CO 2 emissions (g/km) |
|---|---|
| up to 1100cc | 139 |
| 1101-1500cc | 160 |
| 1501-2000cc | 193 |
| 2001-3000cc | 241 |
| over 3000cc | 301 |
Air Quality
Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has issued to local authorities on the use of equipment to monitor compliance with national air quality objectives for particles. [80783]
Mr. Meale: Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 requires every local authority periodically to review air quality in its area. The Air Quality Regulations 1997 prescribe air quality objectives for seven pollutants, including particles (PM 1 Monitoring for air quality reviews and assessments" LAQM.TG1(98), includes guidance on monitoring particles.
The Government recently published their proposals for review of the National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS), and, in particular, their proposals for revised and additional objectives for the pollutants. During the review process, as a result of the better understanding of the sources and types of particles in the UK provided by the work of the Airborne Particles Expert Group, it became apparent that the current PM 1 0 objective would not be achievable in a number of local authority areas with any measures that are currently practicable. The Group's work also revealed
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the importance of non-UK sources and the limit to which local authority action could control levels of PM 1 0 . The Government are therefore consulting on a proposal to replace the objective with the Stage 1 limit values in the EC Air Quality Daughter Directive, while retaining it as an indicative level. Discussions are also in progress with the UK's EC partners to explore ways of reducing the transboundary particle problem.
Should the Government decide to proceed with their proposal, such a change would have significant implications for the scale of work local authorities would need to undertake on the review and assessment of PM 1 0 and the conclusions they reach. To help local authorities, and without prejudice to the outcome of the consultation process, my officials have written to local authorities with further information on how they might proceed with the review and assessment process ahead of a decision on the Strategy review.
Copies of the Secretary of State's guidance note and the further information provided by officials, both mentioned above, have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has received from (i) English Nature and (ii) other agencies regarding the cull of the Ruddy Duck; what advice he has received as to the cost of the cull; if he has put the contract for the cull out to tender; and what plans he has to take powers of compulsory access to enforce the cull. [80796]
Mr. Meacher:
In July 1998, I set up a Task Force to advise on the action required in the United Kingdom to conserve the globally threatened white-headed duck. This Task Force included representation from English Nature, other conservation agencies and non- Governmental organisations. In January this year I accepted the recommendations of the Task Force that a control trial should be undertaken to test the feasibility of eradicating the UK's population of ruddy duck.
The cost of the control trial is approximately £800,000 over 4 financial years. The Central Science Laboratory has been contracted to undertake the work. An assessment of whether or not compulsory access would be required to ensure success in any future eradication programme is a key objective of the control trial.
Mr. Sanders:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the criteria which will be used to determine for capping purposes whether council tax rises are unjustifiable. [80788]
Ms Armstrong:
My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 13 April 1999, Official Report, columns 50-51, that most local authorities have set sensible budgets this year and that we will not be capping any councils.
Mr. Alan Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what
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steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendation of the Bates report on the PFI that it should conduct an urgent review into planning procedures. [81122]
Mr. Raynsford:
In the light of the conclusions of the Bates report in June 1997, the Department discussed with the Treasury Taskforce and other Departments, the instances that had led to the Report's recommendation. The conclusion reached was that review of the planning system was not required but that my Department would work with other Departments sponsoring PFI projects as necessary to seek to resolve any difficulties that might arise in respect of the planning process. We will keep under review the need for guidance to clarify how PFI schemes can be taken forward efficiently within the existing planning system.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to be completed in its entirety; and if he will make a statement. [81352]
Dr. Reid:
I understand from London & Continental Railways, the company contracted to build the whole of the Rail Link under the terms of the CTRL Development Agreement, that the first section (from the Channel Tunnel to Fawkham Junction near Gravesend) should be completed in 2003. They expect the second section (from Fawkham Junction to St. Pancras) to be completed in 2007.
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