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Centre for European Reform
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total funds available from the European Community in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999 to date to the Centre for European Reform. [86644]
Ms Quin: I have been asked to reply.
We are not aware of any funds being made available from the European Community to the Centre for European Reform in 1998 or 1999. The relevant budget lines--established by the Council and the European Parliament--are administered by the Commission headquarters in Brussels.
"Britain in Europe"
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what European Communities moneys have been provided to the "Britain in Europe" organisation in each of the last three years. [86453]
Ms Quin: I have been asked to reply.
We are not aware of any funds being made available from the European Community to the "Britain in Europe" organisation in the last three years. The relevant budget lines--established by the Council and the European Parliament--are administered by the Commission headquarters in Brussels.
European Movement
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what funds were made available from the European Communities in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999 to date to the European Movement; and for what purposes. [86455]
Ms Quin: I have been asked to reply.
We are not aware of any funds being made available from the European Community to the European Movement in 1998 or 1999. The relevant budget lines--established by the Council and the European Parliament--are administered by the Commission headquarters in Brussels.
ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
Departmental Accommodation
14. Mr. Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages which the new offices of his Department have over those in Marsham Street. [85792]
Mr. Meale: I never had the joy of working in 2 Marsham Street. Staff now have the advantage of a modern working environment and better team working as a result.
National Rail Summit
18. Mr. John Cryer:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to convene a further National Rail Summit. [85796]
15 Jun 1999 : Column: 77
Mrs. Liddell:
The next National Rail Summit will be held in Spring 2000. The Summit will be used to review progress and maintain the momentum created by the Summit on 25 February.
19. Helen Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to introduce proposals to implement new ethical standards in local government. [85797]
Ms Armstrong:
We have recently consulted on draft legislation, the Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill, putting in place a new ethical framework for local government. The draft Bill is also being considered by a Joint Committee that is due to report before the summer recess. We will be considering any issues raised during this scrutiny process with the aim of introducing new legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.
20. Jackie Ballard:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to safeguard rural train services. [85798]
Mrs. Liddell:
Train operators are required to provide the minimum service level set out in the Passenger Service Requirement. Where services are heavily dependent on subsidy, for example in rural areas, PSRs reflect closely the level of services operated by British Rail at the time of franchising.
21. Mr. Garnier:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the benefits of introducing proportional representation for local government elections in England. [85800]
Ms Armstrong:
Other than our proposals in the paper, "Local leadership, local choice" (Cm 4298, March 1999) for the introduction of the Supplementary Vote system for the election of directly elected mayors, we do not intend now to make any assessment of local government voting systems for England.
22. Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the new sub-regional household projection figures for Gloucestershire, with particular reference to the figure contained in the county's structure plan. [85801]
Mr. Caborn:
The Secretary of State has made the 1996-based household projections available to the regional planning bodies to assist them with the preparation of regional planning guidance. The House would not expect me to comment on the Gloucestershire Structure Plan because of the Secretary of State's quasi-judicial role in planning matters.
15 Jun 1999 : Column: 78
23. Mr. Stringer:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what actions he intends to take in order to improve the competitiveness of regional airports. [85802]
Mrs. Liddell:
We have freed four major regional airports from borrowing controls; we have liberalised international access to regional airports; and we are conducting a series of studies of the opportunities for the development of the regional airports.
24. Mr. Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on the current local government settlement for Southend. [85803]
Ms Armstrong:
Following approval by this House of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 1999-2000, we have received three letters about the settlement for Southend on Sea Borough Council.
25. Mr. Sawford:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the revised traffic flow projections on the A14 (A1-M1 link road) for the years 1999 to 2007. [85804]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Traffic flow projections for the A14 (A1-M1 link road) were produced during the 1980's planning stages of the road. Whilst those original forecasts would not normally be revised as a matter of course, our planned multi-modal study for London-South midlands, due to start next year, will include this section of the A14 and consider projected traffic flows on it.
26. Mr. John Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage rail operators to provide new passenger services on under-utilised sections of the freight network. [85805]
Mrs. Liddell:
The Director of Rail Passenger Franchising recently published Bidding Guidance for the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme announced in the Government's Integrated Transport White Paper. The scheme will encourage innovative new rail passenger services at the local and regional level.
27. Dr. Naysmith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the bodies with which he has held consultations on the review of local government finance; and if he will make a statement. [85806]
Ms Armstrong:
The Local Government Association, including representatives from the various Treasurers' societies, and the Association of London Government have both been closely involved in discussions on the review of revenue grant distribution since the review began earlier this year.
15 Jun 1999 : Column: 79
28. Mr. Chaytor:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the survey of radioactive material transport packages which he commissioned from Nukem Nuclear Ltd. [85807]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The survey commissioned by my right hon. Friend the former Minister for Transport (Dr. Reid), has been completed and the report has been made freely available. The survey indicates that, while low levels of contamination exists on the surface of fuel flasks, there is no evidence of the high levels of contamination found elsewhere in Europe and there is no significant hazard presented to public safety by the levels of contamination found. Copies of the report will be placed in the Commons Library.
29. Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he next intends to meet members of the North-west development agency to discuss their use of public money. [85808]
Mr. Caborn:
Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, nor I have any plans at present to meet members of the North-west Development Agency. However, I hold regular meetings with the chairmen of the regional development agencies to discuss matters of mutual interest.
(Local Government)
(Gloucestershire)
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