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English Partnerships
Mr. Love:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the expenditure of English Partnerships in Greater London in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [93590]
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Mr. Meale:
Expenditure by English Partnerships within Greater London over the last five years is set out in the following table. The vast majority of this has been targeted at designated assisted areas.
| Total expenditure | £000 |
|---|---|
| 1994-95 | 13,582 |
| 1995-96 | 20,888 |
| 1996-97(42) | 43,331 |
| 1997-98(42) | 65,162 |
| 1998-99(43) | 127,113 |
| Total | 270,076 |
(42) Includes expenditure on the Greenwich Peninsula.
(43) Includes expenditure on the Royal Docks inherited from the London Docklands Development Corporation on 1 April 1998.
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the expenditure of English Partnerships in (a) the Objective 2 Area in Lee Valley, (b) Park Royal and (c) other assisted areas in Greater London in each year since their inception; and if he will make a statement. [93591]
Mr. Meale: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Child Safety (Cars)
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that children are carried safely in cars. [93600]
Ms Glenda Jackson: The surveys of seat belt/child restraint wearing carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory on my Department's behalf, show that wearing rates by all passengers in the front are as high as 94 per cent. Since the Department's rear seat belt wearing advertising campaign in the Summer of 1998, which was repeated at Easter 1999, seat belt wearing rates have been climbing and for children in the rear of vehicles now stands at 91 per cent. as at April 1999. The campaign is continuing with a version of the advert presently running in cinemas and on local radio stations. We also promote the use of child restraints in my Department's leaflet "Seat Belts and Child Restraints", copies of which were placed in the Library of the House.
Trans-Pennine Rail Communications
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further steps he is taking to improve trans-Pennine rail communications. [93599]
Ms Glenda Jackson: Under the terms of their franchise agreement Northern Spirit, which operates Trans-Pennine services, are planning to increase services on the route from May 2000 to at least four trains per hour for twelve hours a day Mondays to Saturdays. This commitment is subject to Railtrack approval.
The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA) has been established to bring strategic focus to the railways and will be placed on a statutory basis if the Railways Bill attains Royal Assent.
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The SSRA will be given the power to penalise train operators financially for poor performance much faster than at present and we have also announced that we are willing to re-negotiate some franchises in return for guarantees of better services for passengers.
Mr. Stringer:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed timetable for bringing into force the commencement order for the remand provisions associated with section 155(2)(b) of and Schedule 15 to the Housing Act 1996. [91639]
Mr. Raynsford:
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 5 July 1999, Official Report, column 381. My Department is discussing with the Lord Chancellor's Department the best way forward on these provisions, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as we have reached our decision.
Mr. David Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the charging of council tax on residential moorings for narrowboats; what estimate he has made of the number of such individual moorings in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [92524]
Mr. Meale:
A mooring occupied by a boat which is somebody's sole or main residence is deemed to be a "dwelling" for council tax purposes and will therefore attract a council tax liability in the same way as other domestic types of property. The amount of council tax payable in respect of a mooring occupied by a boat will depend primarily on the valuation band to which the dwelling is assigned. We do not hold information on the number of moorings occupied by boats which are somebody's sole or main residence.
Mr. Wallace:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the report from Lord Donaldson on the review of future proposals of the Coastguard Service; and if he will make a statement. [93340]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has now received Lord Donaldson's advice and is considering it.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what alternative methods of fox control he recommends to replace that provided by hunting. [93489]
Mr. Meacher:
The fox is not a protected species and may be killed or taken by owners and occupiers of land using any method, for example, shooting or trapping, which is not prohibited by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
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Mr. Hoyle:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the Planning Inspectorate's Annual Report and Accounts for 1998-99. [93697]
Mr. Caborn:
The Planning Inspectorate's Annual Report and Accounts for 1998-99 was published yesterday. Copies have been placed in the Library.
Overall, the Inspectorate met seven out of 10 targets set for its work in England. Handling times for hearing and inquiry cases, although much improved, missed the target. For inquiries, this is partly due to an increase in refusals by parties of dates offered by the Inspectorate. It is important that all parties co-operate and observe the deadlines set to enable the Inspectorate to deliver further improvements in performance.
The unit cost for written representation cases has increased. This is mainly due to a programme of investment in IT--upgrading PCs, and developing systems to improve performance and customer service. The Inspectorate continues to meet its efficiency target.
The Inspectorate has also maintained the programme of development plan inquiries to a high standard, helping to create greater certainty for all involved in the planning process as more areas are covered by up to date development plans.
The Inspectorate's quality target was met and exceeded, with reduced numbers of justified complaints against decisions issued. Surveys continued to show that its decisions are widely respected. It has also produced an
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outstanding financial performance during the year. The Inspectorate is very much involved in initiatives to develop the Government's proposals for the modernisation of the planning system. In the climate of a rapidly changing environment it is always ready to take on new areas of work in dispute resolution.
Mr. Leslie:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in designating regional chambers. [93698]
Mr. Caborn:
I am pleased to announce that we have today issued a direction to Yorkshire Forward--the development agency for the Yorkshire and the Humber region--designating the Regional Chamber for Yorkshire and Humberside as its regional chamber.
Regional chambers provide a mechanism through which the Regional Development Agencies can take account of regional views and account for their activities. We expect that each RDA will have regard to the chamber's view in preparing its strategy, consult the chamber on its corporate plan and give an account of its performance to the chamber. Working together through the regional chambers local authorities, business and other partners can provide a focused voice for their region.
There is now a designated regional chamber in each of the English regions outside London. This marks the completion of another stage of the Government's regional agenda. The full list of regional chambers (some of which call themselves regional assemblies) and development agencies is as follows:
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| Regional chamber | Regional Development Agency |
|---|---|
| North West Regional Assembly | North West Development Agency |
| North East Regional Assembly | One North East |
| Regional Chamber for Yorkshire and Humberside | Yorkshire Forward |
| West Midlands Regional Chamber | Advantage West Midlands |
| East Midlands Regional Assembly | East Midlands Development Agency |
| East of England Regional Assembly | East of England Development Agency |
| South West Regional Chamber Agency | South West of England Regional Development |
| South East England Regional Assembly | South East England Development Agency |
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