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GM Crop Trials

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of genetically modified crop trials in the United Kingdom. [117740]

Mr. Meacher: Following my announcement about the Farm Scale Evaluations on 17 March, my Department has been notified of 42 proposed field sites. This information is available on our website, which is regularly updated.

During the spring, GM maize, beet and spring oil seed rape will be planted in part of each field involved in the programme, and the rest of the field will be planted with the equivalent non-GM crop. Independent researchers will then study what effects, if any, growing and managing the GM crops has on wildlife.

Demonstrating the Government's commitment to openness and transparency on GM issues, my Department has arranged a series of public meetings across England, about the research programme. These meetings provide local people living near to the trial sites an opportunity to hear a series of presentations about the Evaluations and to put questions to a panel consisting of an official from my Department, one of the scientists from the independent researchers, a representative from an environmental group and a representative from the biotechnology industry.

Flooding (Planning Guidance)

Mr. Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made with the revision of planning guidance on flooding. [119334]

Mr. Raynsford: A consultation paper on a new Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 "Development and flood risk" is published today and has been placed on the Department's website.

The Government recognise the importance of flooding and the effects it can have on people's lives. While there is no quick and easy solution, in the longer term a more precautionary and risk-based approach will ensure that new development is not exposed to risk unnecessarily or itself add to flood risk in other areas. Taken together with MAFF and Environment Agency initiatives on flood warning and flood defence, this new guidance will assist in reducing the potential impact of flooding.

The draft guidance published today takes account of the developing knowledge of the likely impacts of climate change, but recognises the inherent uncertainties. Planning decisions should apply the precautionary principle to avoid inappropriate development in flood-risk areas. Where other material considerations outweigh flood risk in favour of proceeding with development, the draft guidance emphasises the need to design and defend such development to an adequate level to ensure the safety of

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people and minimise property damage. It also emphasises the need for developers to contribute towards the cost of flood defences that may be required as a result of implementing their project.

The draft guidance advises that it is necessary to look at development and flood management on a wider scale and to ensure that run-off from new development is controlled as near the source as possible through the use of sustainable drainage systems. This mitigates the problems caused when additional run-off from extensions to built-up areas increases flood risk downstream.

Thaumasite

Ms Rosie Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the review of the conclusions of the report of the Expert Group on Thaumasite. [119400]

Mr. Raynsford: I am today publishing, on my Department's website, the review undertaken by Professor Leslie Clark of the conclusions of the report of the Expert Group on Thaumasite which he chaired and which reported in January 1999. When I announced the publication of the report last year I said that I had asked Professor Clark to review its conclusions in a year's time in the light of the findings of further research and monitoring which was then being commissioned.

The review found that the recommendations of the Thaumasite Expert Group's report were robust and continue to minimise the risk of the thaumasite form of sulphate attack in new construction. The report has been generally well received by the construction industry and is viewed as sound and well balanced.

There have been 20 new cases of the thaumasite form of sulphate attack identified in the last year. All of these have taken place in conditions that were anticipated in the report. None have posed any threat to public safety.

The new data available do not permit relaxation at present of the report's recommendations with one exception. There is a majority view within the Expert Group that the report's very conservative procedure for assessing the sulphate class of sulphide bearing ground can now, with safety, be relaxed somewhat in respect of pyritic clays. The review has also suggested the need for clarification of some aspects of the guidance given in the relevant BRE Digests and British Standards.

Local Government Bill

Dr. Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many replies were received in response to consultation on draft guidance and regulations under Part II of the Local Government Bill [Lords]. [119403]

Ms Armstrong: 176 written responses have been received to consultation to date. None of these have asked to remain confidential. A list has today been placed in the Library of the House and full copies of these have been made available in my Department's library for public scrutiny.

We will consider carefully all these responses before publishing a revised draft for further consultation after Easter.

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Water Industry (Competition)

Mr. Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made with the review of competition in the water industry. [119431]

Mr. Meacher: The Government are today publishing, jointly with the National Assembly for Wales, a consultation paper entitled "Competition in the Water Industry in England and Wales". Copies of this paper have been placed in the Libraries of the House and it is available on the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' website.

The Government believe that the properly managed development of effective competition in the water industry in England and Wales is desirable. It should benefit consumers by promoting greater efficiency, lower prices, innovation and better services--as it has in other utilities. This consultation paper seeks views on how increased competition can be arranged in ways that safeguard, in particular, public health, the environment and wider social objectives. We are keen to receive a wide range of responses to inform policy decisions. We expect that some of these will be taken forward in a future water Bill.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Mr. Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when regulations providing for the phasing out and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls will be laid before Parliament. [119432]

Mr. Meacher: The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 were laid before Parliament today.

They require holders of PCB contaminated equipment to register with the Environment Agency and, subject to certain specific exemptions, for PCBs and associated equipment to be disposed of by the end of December this year. The agency will also have responsibilities in relation to monitoring and enforcement.

The Regulations will have the effect of curtailing release of PCBs, and so lowering their concentrations in the environment, including in relation to sea mammals, in which PCBs have been found in significant quantities.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Green Park

Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on (a) the landscaping being undertaken in Green Park and (b) when the fountains will be turned on. [118291]

Mr. Alan Howarth: Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency and I have asked for a reply to be given.

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Letter from Viviane Robertson to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 13 April 2000:

A new Chief Executive has not yet been appointed and, because it is an operational matter which is the responsibility of the Agency, I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the nature of the landscaping work in Green Park, and when the fountains are to be turned on.
We are re-seeding the area behind the Canada Gate in Green Park following remedial work to problems associated with flooding in the past. The seeding is due to be completed by the end of the month and the grass should begin to appear during May. The area will remain fenced because it is usually heavily used and the new grass needs to be protected until it is well established.
The Canadian memorial water feature is usually operational. When it fails, as it occasionally does, it is repaired and brought back into service as soon as possible. The Constance Fund fountain is on the route of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walkway and is being restored in time for the official opening of the walkway in June this year.

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