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George Green Tunnel (Wanstead)
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the Highways Agency staged the mock accident in the George Green Tunnel, Wanstead; what the results were; and if he will make a statement. [87278]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
A limited staged incident was held on 28 May 1999 in the George Green Tunnel. It was arranged to give the London Fire Brigade the opportunity to react to and deal with a mock accident within the tunnel, before it is opened to traffic. In addition a smoke generator was employed to confirm that smoke from an incident would dissipate from the tunnel. Both
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exercises were carried out successfully and the Highways Agency is expecting to receive a copy of the fire brigade's report on the exercise in due course.
A full staged incident, involving all the emergency services, will be undertaken after the whole of the A12 Hackney to M11 Link Road works are completed in the autumn. Staged incidents are carried out as a normal part of the Highways Agency's safety procedures and in this tunnel, are likely to be repeated every few years.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what events were organised by his Department to mark World Environment Day on 5 June. [87495]
Mr. Meale:
We ran special adverts, referring to World Environment Day, on TV and Radio as part of the 'Are You Doing Your Bit?' campaign which was launched on 17 June. The theme of the campaign--the impact individuals can make to improve the environment--is closely linked with the World Environment Day theme, 'Our Earth--Our Future--Just Save it!'.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals (a) originating from and (b) relevant to United Kingdom environmental policy are due for discussion at the Environment Council in Luxembourg on 25 June. [87503]
Mr. Meacher:
The Environment Council will take place in Luxembourg over two days on 24-25 June. The following proposals will be discussed and will be relevant to United Kingdom environmental policy;
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Mr. Snape:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average period of time taken by his Department to process applications for orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992 following submission of an Inspector's report. [87581]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
For those Transport and Works Act applications that have been decided following a public inquiry, the average time taken from receipt of the Inspector's report to decision has been 11 months.
Mr. Snape:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions applications for orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992 have been opened up to further consultation with objectors following an interim decision letter from him. [87580]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Three Transport and Works Act applications have been subject to further consultation following an interim letter from the Secretary of State. These cases related to the East London Line extension; the proposed international station at Sratford on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link; and the Welsh Highland Railway.
Mr. Snape:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the working of the Transport and Works Act 1992. [87579]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The operation of the Transport and Works Act 1992 is constantly kept under review. Although we have no immediate plans to amend the Act itself, we do intend shortly to revise the Rules governing the procedures for dealing with applications for orders under Part I of the Act. The new Rules will implement the revised EC Directive on environmental impact assessments and will make a number of improvements based on experience of operating the existing Rules.
Dr. Cable:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how oil and grease will be classified under the new landfill directive. [87623]
23 Jun 1999 : Column: 407
Mr. Meale:
The Special Waste Regulations 1996, implementing the Hazardous Waste Directive, classify certain difficult to handle wastes as special. In general all mineral oils, for example hydraulic oils and lubricating oils, are likely to be special wastes. The Landfill Directive is not expected to have any impact on waste classification.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the climate change levy is being imposed on timber-based industries. [87682]
Mr. Meale:
All sectors will need to play their part in achieving our climate change targets, including the legally binding Kyoto target of a 12.5 per cent. reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the period 2008 to 2012 compared with 1990. By changing relative prices, the climate change levy will help stimulate the implementation of further measures to improve energy efficiency in all sectors of business. These measures are expected to lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 1.5 million tonnes carbon per annum by 2010. The revenue from the levy will be recycled in full to business, principally through a 0.5 per cent. cut in employers' NICs.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to transfer responsibility for Taxicard to Transport for London; [87657]
Ms Glenda Jackson
[holding answer 21 June 1999]: We will honour the commitment made in the White Paper, "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897) to transfer Taxicard to Transport for London (TfL). However, we have also indicated that the precise timing of the transfer will be for the Mayor to decide, in the context of his or her overall transport strategy. That is the most sensible way forward, given the current complexity of the scheme, which is operated, on a discretionary basis, by only 29 boroughs with differing levels of funding and services.
Subject to the passage of the Greater London Authority Bill, the Mayor will have the necessary powers to effect the transfer of the Taxicard scheme, or to operate a similar scheme. I made clear on 25 February 1999, Official Report, Standing Committee A, column 865, that the GLA Bill provisions concerning London boroughs' Local Implementation Plans will be able to deal with Taxicard. The Mayor will be required to include in his or her transport strategy proposals for the provision of transport which is accessible to persons with mobility problems. Those proposals will doubtless include measures on how Taxicard and services like it should be operated. The Mayor will be able to require the boroughs to reflect those proposals in their Local Implementation Plans. Each borough will be required to submit these plans to the Mayor for his or her approval.
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Mr. Paul Marsden:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the benefits of abolishing the void days rule that allows rail companies to exclude certain performance data from their published figures. [87862]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
No days are excluded from the Opraf financial incentive/penalty schemes on the grounds of failure to provide an effective service. Neither are days taken out of the Opraf contractual threshold for cancellations on these grounds.
Proposal for a Council Directive on incineration of Hazardous waste
Common Position
Amended Proposal for a Council Regulation on a revised Community eco-label award scheme
Common Position
Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms
Common Position
Proposal for a Council Regulation allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a community eco-management and audit system
Common Position
Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the financial instrument for the environment (LIFE)
Common Position
Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to the noise emission by equipment used outdoors
Common Position
Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on action to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants by engines intended to power agricultural or forestry tractors and amending Council Directive 74/150/EEC
Proposal for a Council Directive on end-of-life vehicles
Common Position
Amended proposal for a Council Directive on the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment
Policy Debate
Situation in the negotiations with automobile manufacturers which are not members of the EAMA (JAMA/KAMA)
Council Conclusions
Preparation for the 5th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
Council Conclusions
Development of the European Community's policy on chemical products
Council Conclusions.
(2) what powers he has to transfer responsibility for Taxicard from London boroughs to the Greater London Authority. [87658]
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