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SSA Review
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the objectives of the standard spending assessment review. [84968]
Mr. Meale: The broad objectives of the review of revenue grant distribution are set out in paragraph 5.16 of the White Paper, "Modern Local Government--In Touch with the People". These are:
to investigate thoroughly whether there is a better way of determining the distribution of revenue support grant which is simpler, more stable, more robust and fairer than the present arrangements for SSAs.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what meetings he has had with Ministers of other Departments in connection with the review of standard spending assessments. [84969]
Mr. Meale: Details of meetings between Ministers are not disclosed in line with exemption 2 of part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Local Authorities (West Midlands)
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department has taken to develop mechanisms for sharing (a) information and (b) best practice between local authorities in the West Midlands. [85273]
Mr. Meale:
The Government have established the Beacon Council Scheme to spread best practice among all local authorities. Beacon councils will host a nationwide programme of open days and other events which will enable all councils to share their experiences and learn from the best. Applications for beacon council status, to
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be made by 31 July, have now been invited with publication of the brochure, "The Beacon Council Scheme: How to apply".
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government are taking to increase walking and cycling in urban areas. [85260]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
My Department is supporting the implementation of the National Cycling Strategy and we are about to publish a national strategy for encouraging walking.
We have made it clear to local highway authorities that we expect to see local cycling strategies and local walking strategies included in their Local Transport Plans. We have already issued detailed guidance to authorities on the features to be covered in Local Transport Plans.
We shall continue to publish technical advice for local authorities on measures and designs which will benefit cyclists and pedestrians.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will make a decision on London Transport's proposals for changes in their byelaws concerning busking. [85319]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
London Regional Transport and the train operating companies are in the process of making new byelaws. The majority of operators have submitted new byelaws to the Secretary of State. Once those from the remaining companies are received, the Secretary of State will consider all the representations from affected persons made in connection with the byelaws. In due course he will make a decision to approve, modify or refuse the byelaws.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to consult buskers on the proposed London Transport byelaw changes relating to busking; and if he will make a statement. [85321]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
There are no provisions in the legislation requiring the Secretary of State to consult interested parties before he makes his decision to approve, modify or refuse London Regional Transport's new byelaws. This was an issue for London Regional Transport to consider before they made their new byelaws. London Regional Transport were required to advertise the byelaws and invite persons affected to make representation to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will consider any representations, including those from buskers, before he makes his decision.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria London Transport intends to apply when giving permission for individuals to busk on London Underground. [85320]
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Ms Glenda Jackson:
London Regional Transport have submitted new byelaws to the Secretary of State for his approval which would allow them to give written permission to buskers. The criteria to be applied would be a matter for London Regional Transport.
Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what regulations exist concerning the frequency with which air is circulated in planes; and what changes there have been to these in the past three years; [84790]
(3) what health risks are associated with inadequate air circulation on planes; and what monitoring activity he undertakes. [84792]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
We regularly receive correspondence from Members of Parliament and the public on this issue.
The standards for the ventilation of the passenger compartments of aircraft form part of the requirements under which individual aircraft types are certificated. The standard for new types of aircraft being placed on the UK register is contained in Joint Aviation Requirement 25--Large Aeroplanes. These requirements have not been changed in the last three years. However, they are in the process of being amended to reduce the maximum permitted amount of carbon dioxide to bring them into line with the equivalent US requirement.
The degree of re-circulation is determined by the aircraft designer and in some cases may be adjusted by the crew. Even when the air conditioning is set at its lowest level, the air in a modern aircraft cabin is changed every three minutes on average. The oxygen used by passengers is a small proportion, approximately 5 per cent. of the oxygen supplied at the minimum flow rate. The oxygen level in the cabin therefore remains at around 20 per cent. for the duration of a flight, which is almost the same as normal atmospheric oxygen levels.
There is no evidence of links between air quality, flow rates and the spread of disease. The filters used in most modern aircraft are similar to those used in critical wards of hospitals, operating theatres and burns units, and provide protection against the circulation of biological agents such as viruses. However, the spread of disease is facilitated when large numbers of people gather in close proximity. This has nothing to do with air quality but is a matter of personal contact.
While the re-circulation of air poses no risk, the air pressure in aircraft in flight, which is roughly equivalent to the atmospheric pressure at 8,000 feet above sea level, can affect people with respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema and bronchiolitis. Those affected are advised to consult their own doctor and the airline before travelling.
We have no plans to seek further changes to the JAR-25 requirements on air quality.
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Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress being made on banning the importation, sale and use of white asbestos. [84877]
Mr. Meacher:
On 25 May the Health and Safety Commission will consider draft Regulations to restrict further importation, supply and use of white asbestos. I expect to receive their recommendations by the end of the month.
Mr. Burden:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the levels of harassment and nuisance caused by misuse of fireworks. [84694]
Mr. Boateng:
I have been asked to reply.
Fireworks, provided they are used sensibly and safely, can provide pleasant entertainment. I am, however, aware that the thoughtless misuse of fireworks by a small element of the population, mostly unsupervised children, can result in local disturbance, nuisance and harassment.
(2) what representations he has received about air circulation in planes; and what proposals he has to change the regulations relating to the circulation of air on planes; [84791]
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