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EU Directives (Water Standards)
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the costs to the water industry of complying with EU directives on environmental and water quality standards for the period 2000 to 2005. [89445]
Mr. Meale:
The Government announced on 1 March decisions on environmental and water quality improvement programmes which should be included in
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water company business plans for 2000-05. These programmes were largely comprised of investment required to meet the requirements of EC Directives, although they also included, in a fully integrated manner, significant programmes to improve compliance with domestic quality objectives.
We consider that these proposals can be delivered for around £8 billion. Companies' draft strategic business plans are now being considered by the Director General of Water Services, who will reach a provisional view later this month on the costs of these obligations for the purposes of the Periodic Review of water company price limits between 2000 and 2005.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress the Government have made in producing guidelines for water companies on alternative payment arrangements to water metering. [89205]
Mr. Meale:
We are considering with water companies and other groups with an interest in water charging how any alternative to the present system of unmeasured charging, such as the use of Council Tax bands, could be designed to provide for fair charges and to avoid significant losses for some groups.
There is no statutory bar on water companies introducing alternative unmeasured charging systems. Under the Water Industry Act 1999, companies will be obliged to include in charges schemes details of the basis on which they wish to charge for water and sewerage services to homes. Schemes will be subject to approval by the Director General of Water Services. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will issue guidance to the Director General on the approval of schemes. We shall be consulting on draft guidance shortly.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to review water rates, with particular reference to help for pensioners. [89206]
Mr. Meale:
The Director General of Water Services' periodic review of prices for the period 2000-05 may be expected to offer reductions in average water and sewerage bills in April 2000.
The Water Industry Act 1999 will, for the first time, require water companies to give householders a measure of choice in the method by which they are charged for water. Many pensioners, if they make comparatively small demands on the water system, will be able to benefit from the new statutory right to be charged on a measured basis free of initial cost. We propose to make regulations under the Act to provide protection for households who are particularly vulnerable to high measured charges because of unavoidable high water use, such as those with certain medical conditions.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure long-term reductions in water charges to domestic consumers. [89701]
Mr. Meale:
Under the Water Industry Act 1991 the regulation of water and sewerage undertakers' price limits is for the Director General of Water Services. Changes
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in average charges for water and sewerage services must remain within limits set by the Director General for each company for each year. The Director General is currently conducting his periodic review of prices for the period 2000 to 2005. The Government have given guidance to the Director General on the environmental and water quality improvements to be delivered by 2005. We believe that these can be secured while offering reductions in average water and sewerage bills. The Director General expects to announce draft price limits for each undertaker later this month.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department has taken to reduce the level of energy inefficiency in pensioner households. [89440]
Mr. Meale:
The Government have developed a wide range of measures to improve domestic energy efficiency.
The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is currently the main programme for insulating the homes of the neediest householders. The Scheme provides grants (up to a maximum of £315) for energy efficiency improvements in the homes of people on benefits, the disabled and the over-60s. Those aged 60 or over but not on a qualifying benefit are entitled to a 25 per cent. grant.
On 11 May I launched our consultation proposals for revising and expanding HEES. With a budget of some £300 million for the first two years, New HEES will provide comprehensive packages of heating and insulation improvements. The programme will provide substantial help for over-60s on low income, including central heating systems, with a revised grant maximum of £1,800.
The Government have also increased the annual Winter Fuel Payment to £100 for every eligible pensioner household. Pensioners can put this money towards the cost of their fuel bills, or to help fund energy efficiency improvements.
In addition to a broad range of Government energy efficiency programmes, the Director General for Electricity has, since 1994, set Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance requiring the public energy suppliers to encourage and assist customers with energy efficiency measures. Around two thirds of this help has gone to pensioner and low-income families.
Mr. Lidington:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about applications to erect telecommunication masts in the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. [89867]
Mr. Raynsford:
My Department received two representations about a proposed mast at Chisley Wood, Buckmoorend.
Mr. Stringer:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost to the local economy of his Department's traffic census on the M56 in May. [89441]
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Ms Glenda Jackson:
The relationship between delays to traffic and their impact on the local economy is complex and cannot be estimated for a one-off incident of this nature.
Mr. Stringer:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost to his Department of the traffic census carried out on the M56 in May. [89444]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The census point on the M56/Princes Parkway site was one of 70 sites being surveyed for DETR, to monitor the effect of the completion of the Manchester Outer Ring Road (M60) Denton to Middleton. The average cost per site was about £4,000.
Mr. Stringer:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will bring into force the commencement order for the remand provisions associated with section 152(2)(b) of and Schedule 15 to the Housing Act 1996. [89443]
Mr. Raynsford:
My Department is aware that some local authorities take the view that non-implementation of certain provisions in Part V of the Housing Act 1996 (Conduct of Tenants) is hampering their efforts to deal with anti-social behaviour on estates. My Department is actively considering this issue and is discussing with the Lord Chancellor's Department the best way forward. I will write to my hon. Friend when we have reached a decision.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cars are available for the use of (a) his Department's Ministers, (b) his Department's officials and (c) executives and officials of his Department's non-Governmental bodies and agencies. [88087]
Mr. Prescott
[pursuant to his reply, 2 July 1999, c. 288]: The position at March 1999 was as follows:
| Number of cars | |
|---|---|
| (a) Ministers | (7)9 |
| (b) DETR (Central) | (8)5 |
| (c) Agencies | 181 |
(7) leased from GCDA
(8) one leased from GCDA
In addition, the Department owns or leases 25 cars at the MAVIS (Mobility Advice Vehicle Information Service) Mobility Unit at Crowthorne. These cars are specially adapted for disabled assessment and although this is their primary purpose some are occasionally used by DETR officials on official business.
Information is not kept centrally for non-Government bodies.
My Department also has a shared responsibility (with DTI and DfEE) for the operational management of the Government Offices for the Regions. As at March 1999, there were 79 cars available for use of officials of these three departments.
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