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Euratom
Mr. Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the consultation document on the regulatory changes required to implement the Basic Safety Standards Directive 96/29/ on Euratom. [110303]
Mr. Meacher: After consultation with interested parties last year, I have today published the proposals on the regulatory changes required to implement aspects of the Basic Safety Standards Directive 96/29/Euratom concerned with the control of radioactive waste. The proposals involve the minimum of change to the existing regulatory framework under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA 93) and fulfil the Government's commitment that implementation of the Directive would not lead to a weakening of existing controls. Copies of the document, entitled "The Proposals for the Radioactive Substances (Basic Safety Standards) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 and the Radioactive Substances (Basic Safety Standards) (England and Wales) Direction 2000" can now be found in the Library.
The proposed Regulations made under Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 will provide controls on the disposal of certain types of old clocks and watches using radioactive luminising material, which are currently
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exempt from regulation. The proposed Direction to the Environment Agency made under Section 40 of the Environment Act 1995 will put a number of their existing administrative practices, in discharging their duties under RSA 93, into legally binding obligations.
Parallel measures are to be taken in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which will be the subject of separate consultations in due course.
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Mr. McLoughlin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the council tax payable in the area of Derbyshire Dales District Council for bands A-H for the last five years. [110078]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The table shows the gross council tax liability on properties in the bands A-H over the last five years.
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| Council Tax Band | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | 437.95 | 457.72 | 489.43 | 541.91 | 585.04 |
| Band B | 510.94 | 534.01 | 571.00 | 632.22 | 682.55 |
| Band C | 583.93 | 610.29 | 652.57 | 722.54 | 780.05 |
| Band D | 656.92 | 686.58 | 734.14 | 812.86 | 877.56 |
| Band E | 802.90 | 839.15 | 897.28 | 993.50 | 1,072.57 |
| Band F | 948.88 | 991.73 | 1,060.42 | 1,174.13 | 1,267.59 |
| Band G | 1,094.87 | 1,144.30 | 1,223.57 | 1,354.77 | 1,462.60 |
| Band H | 1,313.84 | 1,373.16 | 1,468.28 | 1,625.72 | 1,755.12 |
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Mr. McLoughlin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the council tax payable in Amber Valley for bands A-H for the last five years. [110077]
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Ms Beverley Hughes:
The table shows the gross council tax liability on properties in the bands A-H over the last five years.
| Council Tax Band | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | 437.03 | 453.27 | 487.78 | 539.31 | 581.71 |
| Band B | 509.86 | 528.81 | 569.08 | 629.20 | 678.67 |
| Band C | 582.70 | 604.36 | 650.37 | 719.08 | 775.62 |
| Band D | 655.54 | 679.90 | 731.67 | 808.97 | 872.57 |
| Band E | 801.22 | 830.99 | 894.26 | 988.74 | 1,066.47 |
| Band F | 946.89 | 982.08 | 1,056.86 | 1,168.51 | 1,260.38 |
| Band G | 1,092.57 | 1,133.17 | 1,219.45 | 1,348.28 | 1,454.28 |
| Band H | 1,311.08 | 1,359.80 | 1,463.34 | 1,617.94 | 1,745.14 |
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Paper and Timber Products
Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source. [110187]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The FSC label is accepted by buyers as demonstrating that timber and timber products have come from sustainably managed sources. However, it is not practicable to require that all paper and timber products purchased by the Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council because this might discriminate against any equally valid schemes and therefore be against public procurement rules. It might also result in us failing to meet our full requirements as currently only a tiny percentage of timber products are FSC certified. This is why DETR's Greening Operations policy statement suggests that evidence of sustainability might take the form of a certificate issued under a credible, preferably independent, verification scheme; or other documents which demonstrate the operation of an environmental management system incorporating forest management criteria that conform with internationally recognised principles such as the Helsinki Guidelines.
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Mr. Reed:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. [110186]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
Among the key aims of DETR's Greening Operations policy statement are: to conserve resources and minimise waste by reducing our reliance on virgin materials and ensuring that any products derived from wildlife--such as paper and timber--are from sustainable sources and comply with EU and international trading rules such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The Department's policy statement also requires the purchase of 100 per cent. recycled paper for non-specialist use comprising at least 80 per cent. genuine post consumer waste with any virgin pulp coming from sustainably managed woodlands. It also promotes the purchase of sustainably produced timber and timber products by, for example, requiring buyers to specify in orders and contracts that:
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monitors its performance on these and other aspects of its operations and publishes an annual report showing progress made. It has also set up an inter-departmental buyers' timber group to raise awareness and promote best practice across Government.
Mrs. Roe:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne of 19 July, 1 September, 6 October, 3 November, 30 November, 4 January and 8 February relating to Mrs. Antonia Skielharn, a constituent. [109960]
Mr. Hill:
My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State replied to the hon. Member for Broxbourne's letters on 10 February, expressing his apologies for the delay in so doing.
Mr. Salmond:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will issue the Government's response to the consultation paper entitled "Fishing Vessel Accidents and the Recovery of those Lost at Sea", published on 23 July 1998; and if he will make a statement. [109567]
Mr. Hill:
The analysis of the responses to the consultation paper was published on 9 February 1999. The Government's response to the paper has been delayed because we are awaiting the results of Roger Clarke's investigation into why no search was made for the fishing trawler Gaul, following her disappearance in 1974. Mr. Clarke's investigation examines a number of issues raised in the consultation paper and we wish to take his findings into account before we issue the response.
Mr. Salmond:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the allocations made under the marine freight facilities grant over the last five years, (b) their amount and (c) to whom the awards were made. [109566]
Mr. Hill:
Inland Waterway Freight Facilities Grants awarded under section 36 of the Transport Act 1981 and section 140 of the Railways Act 1993 over the past five years are:
"suppliers provide documentary evidence (which has been, or if necessary can be, independently verified) that the timber has been lawfully obtained from forests and plantations which are managed to sustain their biodiversity, productivity and vitality, and to prevent harm to other ecosystems and any indigenous or forest-dependent people".
More guidance is given to buyers on these and other options in DETR's Green Guide for Buyers which is readily available on the Internet. The Department
| Year | Grants awarded | £ |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | -- | -- |
| 1996 | Medway Shipping Ltd. | 71,563 |
| 1997 | J. J. Prior (Transport) Ltd. | 105,210 |
| 1998 | RMC (London) Ltd. | 118,500 |
| Aram Resources plc | 1,057,900 | |
| Bayford & Co. | 223,790 | |
| 1999 | K. D. Marine (UK) Ltd. | 126,000 |
| J. R. Rix & Sons Ltd. | 884,917 | |
| Baldwins Industrial Services Ltd. | 1,500,000 | |
| Pioneer Willment/ | 38,828 | |
| Medway Bulk Powders | 46,693 | |
| Waterflow Transport Systems | 9,785 | |
| RMC (London) Ltd. | 1,105,811 | |
| Barking Stone Ltd. | 3,636,316 | |
| Waste Oil Services Ltd./ | 20,752 | |
| T. & S. Rix Ltd. | 100,746 |
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