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Channel Tunnel Rail Link
Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the current situation is in respect of providing a Channel Tunnel rail interchange at Stratford, East London, to serve East Anglia. [90708]
Ms Glenda Jackson: A new international and domestic station at Stratford remains integral to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project, with construction planned as part of Section 2. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 provides powers for an open box over which the station is to be built. An Order providing powers for the station itself has been sought by London and Continental Railways (LCR) under the Transport and Works Act 1992. Following a public inquiry, the Secretary of State announced on 8 September 1998 that he was minded to approve the Order with modifications. But before reaching a final decision he required further information from LCR and other parties on pedestrian access, which is presently awaited.
Regional Development Agencies
Mr. Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whom he plans to consult before approving draft Regional Development Agency strategies. [91050]
Mr. Meale: The Regional Development Agencies are currently drafting their regional strategies which will be issued for public consultation over the summer. They intend to submit their strategies to Ministers in late October. There is no formal approval process but we aim to respond to the strategies by the end of the year.
Energy Efficiency
Mr. Alan W. Williams:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the actual and planned Government expenditure on the home energy efficiency scheme in each of the years from 1990-91 to 2001-02. [91475]
14 Jul 1999 : Column: 193
Mr. Meale:
The total expenditure on the Government's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) in each year from the start of the scheme in 1991 is as follows.
| Year | Expenditure |
|---|---|
| 1990-91(1) | 1.5 |
| 1991-92 | 26.1 |
| 1992-93 | 33.6 |
| 1993-94 | 41.5 |
| 1994-95 | 83 |
| 1995-96 | 107.2 |
| 1996-97 | 76.1 |
| 1997-98 | 76.1 |
| 1998-99 | 76.2 |
| 1999-2000(2) | 76.1 |
| 2000-01(3) allocated new HEES | 125.0 |
| 2001-02(3) allocated new HEES | 175.0 |
(1) Expenditure in 1990-91 was for 3 months only.
(2) Estimated
(3) The Government have allocated a total of £300 million over 2000-01 and 2001-02 to tackling fuel poverty through energy efficiency improvements. Since this is a devolved function, the most appropriate method of dividing the moneys between the proposed New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) in England and the separate programmes in Scotland and Wales will be considered shortly, taking account of the extent of fuel poverty in each.
Voluntary and Community Transport
Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the report commissioned by his Department on voluntary and community transport. [91548]
Ms Glenda Jackson: The report is being published today and copies of both the summary and full report will be placed in the Library of the House.
The report contains a wide range of detailed information about the valuable role of voluntary and community transport operators and I very much welcome it as a focus for debate by all those involved in the funding and operation of this important area of transport.
We will be circulating the report to all stakeholders in this area and inviting comment from them on its findings and recommendations.
Mr. Reed:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to improve the arrangements for control of outdoor advertisements. [91549]
Mr. Raynsford:
I have today issued a consultation paper with proposals to update, clarify and improve the arrangements for controlling outdoor advertisements. Comments are invited no later than Thursday 14 October 1999.
The amendments which are proposed as part of the Government's drive to modernise the planning system also seek to make the current system more responsive to the rapidly changing nature of outdoor advertising. They would benefit business without spoiling the appearance of our towns and cities.
Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library.
14 Jul 1999 : Column: 194
Mr. Burgon:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish proposals for improving the rights of way system in England and Wales. [91759]
Mr. Meacher:
I shall be publishing a consultation paper tomorrow setting out the Government's proposals for improving the rights of way system as part of legislation to provide a statutory right of access to open countryside for people on foot. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Mr. Stephen Twigg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the Equal Opportunities Commission's proposals for changes to the sex equality legislation. [91643]
Ms Hodge:
We have today placed in the Library copies of the Government's response on some of the issues addressed by the EOC in their proposals for changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equal Pay Acts. In reaching our conclusions, the Government have taken into account the Better Regulation Task Force's report on anti-discrimination legislation and the Commission for Racial Equality's proposals for changes to the Race Relations Act 1976, on which we are also responding today.
In considering the EOC's proposals, our guiding principle has been to identify measures that will have the greatest practical impact on the lives of men and women. We will therefore: consult on changes in the way equal pay cases are dealt with to make them clearer and simpler; update the law to take account of developments in Europe on equal treatment; bring the functions of all public authorities within the scope of the Sex Discrimination Act; explore both legislative and non-legislative options to ensure public bodies promote equal opportunities between women and men; encourage the EOC to work with equality bodies and others to help employers and service providers meet their obligations under the current law by producing clear and accessible guidance and examples of good practice; and bring the EOC's powers in line with the Disability Rights Commission. At this stage we do not consider that undertaking a major legislative overhaul, in the way the EOC suggests, will of itself achieve the practical changes that are needed.
The Government are taking concrete steps to tackle key issues that affect women and men's lives. For example, the National Childcare Strategy created over 65,000 new child care places last year, enabling men and women to choose to work or study. The National Minimum Wage is benefiting women in particular, as they make up the highest proportion of those on low pay. Measures under the Employment Relations Bill on maternity and parental leave will help people to balance their working and home lives.
14 Jul 1999 : Column: 195
Mr. Chaytor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the EMAG arrangements for those local authorities which have taken on significant responsibility for the education of the children of refugees from Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [90788]
Mr. Charles Clarke:
We are grateful for the positive way Local Authorities have responded in providing for the needs of evacuees from Kosovo and for securing school places for the children concerned. A meeting has been arranged on 20 July between the Local Government Association, the Home Office and other interested parties to discuss the costs incurred by Local Authorities.
The Department's Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant is able to provide specialist support for refugee education. However, all allocations of the Grant for 1999-2000 were announced on 4 March, and we have no present plans to review these.
Dr. Fox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of statutory instruments introduced by his Department into Parliament in (a) 1998, (b) 1992, (c) 1985 and (d) 1973 had the European Union as their legislative source. [89162]
Mr. Mudie:
The total number of all Statutory Instruments (SIs) registered as General Instruments in 1998, 1992, 1985 and 1973 are shown in the following table.
| Year | Number of SIs |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 1,565 |
| 1992 | 1,692 |
| 1985 | 1,204 |
| 1973 | 1,260 |
Source:
Statutory Publications Unit. Stationery Office: Statutory Instruments are classified as General Instruments if they are in the nature of a General Public Act. SIs may also be registered as Local Instruments in the nature of local or private Acts. SIs implementing EC legislation will always be classified as General Instruments.
It is not possible, without incurring disproportionate cost, to determine how many of these SIs were introduced to comply with European Community obligations.
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