| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
PPG3
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether the target in draft PPG3 of 60 per cent. of homes on brownfield sites is a target for (a) each planning authority, (b) each planning region and (c) the country as a whole; and how he intends to ensure that authority and regional targets will achieve the national target. [109013]
Ms Beverley Hughes
[holding answer 8 February 2000]: The Government's target is that by 2008, 60 per cent. of additional housing in England should be provided on previously developed land or by re-using existing buildings.
9 Feb 2000 : Column: 158W
Forthcoming guidance on Planning for Housing (PPG3) will advise Regional Planning Bodies to set appropriate regional and sub-regional targets taking account of the national target, the amount of land available for recycling and their assessment of the capacity of their areas to accommodate additional dwellings. Local planning authorities will wish to set targets consistent with the regional targets as confirmed by the Secretary of State in Regional Planning Guidance.
Mr. Willis:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff were seconded from the private sector to his Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the companies from which staff have been seconded. [109071]
Ms Beverley Hughes
[holding answer 8 February 2000]: Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and seconding more of our people out.
From May 1997 to April 1998, there were 19 secondees to the Department. Four of these secondees were from the private sector, and came from the following companies:
9 Feb 2000 : Column: 159W
Mr. Chaytor:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Montreal conference on the Biosafety Protocol. [109081]
Mr. Meacher:
The Montreal conference, at which I represented the United Kingdom Government, was a success. Countries throughout the world agreed by consensus on 29 January to adopt the Biosafety Protocol to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. We achieved our goal of securing a Protocol that is robust in protecting biodiversity, and effective and workable for those who have obligations under it.
The Protocol will ensure that developing and developed countries alike will be able to take informed decisions, on the basis of scientific information including a risk assessment, about whether to import certain living (genetically) modified organisms (LMOs) that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. In the absence of scientific certainty, due to insufficient scientific information and knowledge, and consistent with Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration, countries will be able to take such decisions on import on a precautionary basis in order to avoid or minimise any potential adverse effects, and to take into account the impact of LMOs on the value of biodiversity to indigenous and local communities.
Where importing countries lack a domestic regulatory framework for taking decisions on the import of LMOs, they will be able to do so under the Protocol. In the case of LMOs intended for intentional introduction into the environment, this will be on the basis of information provided in advance by the exporter. In the case of LMOs intended for direct use as food or feed, or for processing, importing countries without domestic legislation will be able to take decisions on the basis of information provided through a clearing-house mechanism established under the Protocol.
Further provisions in the Protocol lay down minimum documentation requirements for LMOs moving between countries. These requirements are categorised according to whether the LMO is intended for intentional introduction into the environment, for contained use, for direct use as food or feed, or for processing, or for other purposes. The Protocol also requires work to be undertaken on the options for a regime for liability and redress to be completed within four years of its entry into force.
The effectiveness of the Protocol in achieving its objective of contributing to biosafety is strengthened by specific recognition that trade and environment agreements should be mutually supportive with a view to achieving sustainable development.
9 Feb 2000 : Column: 160W
The Protocol is a significant step forward in ensuring proper evaluation of any risk to biodiversity from the transboundary movement of LMOs that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. It will complement national and regional law in many parts of the world and enable other countries to benefit from experience elsewhere, including the United Kingdom and Europe, and to protect their biological diversity.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if draft PPG3 contains a presumption against approval of large suburban housing estates, predominantly of high-priced housing. [109297]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The consultation draft of PPG3 states that any substantial new development should be planned as a community with mixed land uses, including adequate shops and services. It also advises that local planning authorities should adopt policies to secure an appropriate mix of dwelling size, type and affordability in new developments to meet the changing composition of households in their areas. The final version of PPG3 will be issued shortly.
Mr. Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what circumstances schools may receive grants for environmental projects from the proceeds of the landfill tax; and if he will make a statement. [108781]
Mr. Timms:
I have been asked to reply.
Operators of landfill sites who are registered for landfill tax may claim for tax credits for contributions that they make to support environmental projects. These may include research and education for the purpose of encouraging the use of more sustainable waste management and the provision and maintenance of public amenities in the vicinity of landfill sites. Landfill site operators may choose to support schools as part of such projects.
Further information regarding the scheme can be obtained from the regulatory body, ENTRUST Ltd., at the following address:
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of fitting the British Army units in Kosovo with platform level digitisation systems; and how many units will be refitted. [99414]
Mr. Spellar:
We have no immediate plans to fit British Army platforms in Kosovo with digitised systems.
9 Feb 2000 : Column: 161W
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has carried out into the failure rate of cluster bomb sub-munitions used by Her Majesty's armed forces. [107427]
Mr. Spellar:
Information on the failure rate of cluster bomb sub-munitions used by UK armed forces is collected during regular in-service trials and from field data. Recent statistics show a failure rate of approximately 5 per cent. in line with expectations.
Mr. Hepburn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the costs per minute of telephone calls to the United Kingdom by service men based in (a) Belize, (b) the Falklands and (c) Cyprus; and what assessment he has made of the impact of such costs on recruitment and retention in the armed forces. [107862]
Mr. Spellar:
We recognise the importance to personnel serving overseas of keeping in touch with family and friends by being able to telephone home. The standard cost of telephone calls per minute to the United Kingdom is:
CRE Group Ltd.
Bank of Scotland
Unilever
District Audit.
Between May 1998 to April 1999, there were 40 secondees to the Department. 21 of these secondees were from the private sector, and came from the following organisations:
Kvaerner Construction
OVE Arup
Crown House Engineering
British Gas
Bovis Construction
Kvaener Cementation Foundations
Geoffrey Reid Associates
Marks and Spencer
Bellway Urban Renewal
KPMG
Buildings Research Establishment
IPPR
ABROS
Boots the Chemist Ltd.
College of North East London
D. A. Dawson and Associates
National Grid
Hider
Waters Ltd.
OPM
From May 1999 to December 1999, there were 20 secondees to the Department. Five of these secondees were from the private sector, and came from the following companies:
Buro--Happold
Christiani and Nielsen
Development Trust Association
Building Research Establishment
Homeless Network.
ENTRUST
Acre House
2 Town Square
Sale
Cheshire
M33 7WZ.
Belize: £2
Falkland Islands costs can be reduced by 15 per cent. by purchasing telephone cards from Service sources on the island.
Cyprus: Peak 33p Off-peak 28p
Falkland Islands: Peak 99p Off-peak 80p.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |