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Youth Unemployment

Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on youth unemployment in (a) Wales, (b) Flintshire and (c) Deeside. [124424]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Youth unemployment in Wales, specifically North East Wales, has been declining since the General Election. Between April 1997 and April 2000 youth unemployment for Wales as a whole declined by 32.5 per cent., while in Flintshire youth unemployment declined by 23 per cent. over this period. Statistics are not collated on an area basis for Deeside, but for the unitary authority of Alyn and Deeside, youth unemployment declined by 16 per cent. between April 1997 and April 2000.

PRIME MINISTER

Criminal Assets (Compensation)

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 4W, on confiscation of criminal assets, what decisions have been taken following the Performance and Innovation Unit's report on the pursuit and seizure of criminal assets; how the decisions are to be (a) made public and (b) reported to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [123776]

The Prime Minister: No decisions have yet been taken. The report is being finalised and will be published shortly. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

5 Jun 2000 : Column: 49W

Stella Rimington

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 17 May 2000, Official Report, columns 327-28, if, as incoming Prime Minister, he was informed of Mrs. Stella Rimington's CV; and if he will make a statement. [123625]

The Prime Minister (holding answer 25 May 2000): No. As Dame Stella had retired as Director General a full year before I took office there would have been no reason for me to see it.

Laptops

Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister since May 1997 how many laptop computers used by officials in his Office have been (a) lost and (b) stolen. [123667]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 25 May 2000]: None.

Parliamentary Questions

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons he has provided no answers to questions due for answer on 28 February (Ref. 112048 and 112049) to the hon. Member for Lewes. [124375]

The Prime Minister: I have done so today. My answers appear below.

Ministerial Residences

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the residences made available to Ministers in the course of their duties, indicating in each case the location of the residence, the council tax banding and the Minister to whom each residence is allocated; [112048]

(2) if he will list for each residence currently made available to Ministers the sum spent in 1999 on (a) council tax, (b) rent, (c) repairs and maintenance and (d) redecoration. [112049]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 28 February 2000]: The cost to the Government in 1999-2000 of the routine maintenance and rent of Ministers' official residences is estimated at £1 million. In the last year of the previous administration expenditure was £1.2 million.

Numbers 10 and 11 Downing street and Carlton gardens have traditionally been the residences of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Foreign Secretary. The flats in Admiralty House and the Government House in Pimlico, which have in the past been assigned to a variety of Ministers, are currently occupied by the Deputy Prime Minister, President of the Council, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

All these properties are in council tax banding H. The level and responsibility for payment of council tax is determined on whether the property is the Minister's main or secondary residence. If a main residence, the responsibility for payment of the tax falls to the Minister. If the property is a secondary residence, responsibility for payment falls to the responsible Department. Two Ministers occupying flats in Admiralty House met their

5 Jun 2000 : Column: 50W

own council tax payments, as did I. Departments met the other payments, which were £350 for each property in 1999-2000.

Rent and capital charges in 1999-2000 on each property were: 10 Downing street (£204,000), 11 Downing street (£287,000), Admiralty House flats (£75,185, £91,013, £94,091), Carlton gardens (£27,300) and Government House in Pimlico (£100,219).

The cost of routine maintenance and repairs in 1999-2000 were: 10 Downing street (£3,664), 11 Downing street (£32,189), Admiralty House flats (£38,442), Carlton gardens (£24,561) and Government House in Pimlico (£2,055).

In addition, during 1999-2000 as part of a repair, maintenance and replacement programme, agreed with English Heritage, £341,000 was spent on the roof, windows and external features of Admiralty House, a Grade 1 listed building.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and other Northern Ireland Ministers have use of accommodation in Hillsborough Castle while on duty in Northern Ireland. In 1999, £12,941 was spent on maintenance and minor works on these properties. Other costs are not separately identifiable.

In addition, the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland also have the use of Chequers, Dorneywood, Chevening and Bute House. None of these is owned by the Government.

The Lord Chancellor has an official residence in the House of Lords which is provided in his capacity as Speaker of the House of Lords. The running costs are met by the House of Lords authorities and do not fall to the Government.

Committee on Standards in Public Life

Mr. Norman: To ask the Prime Minister when he will respond to the recommendations of the Sixth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement. [124626]

The Prime Minister: The Sixth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which was published on 12 January, concluded that the process of reform of standards of ethical behaviour in public life that had been set in train following publication of its First Report had been a success.

The Committee made a number of detailed recommendations across a range of issues which the Government are considering. We will present our full response to Parliament in due course.

Staff (Overseas Travel)

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister on what dates members of the Policy Unit have travelled overseas on official business since 3 March 1999. [124126]

The Prime Minister: Since 3 March 1999 members of the No.10 Policy Unit have travelled overseas on official business on 71 occasions. All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

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In addition, members of the No.10 Policy Unit have accompanied me on several of my official visits abroad.

These arrangements follow the practice of successive administrations.

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions his (a) Chief of Staff and (b) Chief Press Secretary formed part of the official party accompanying him on overseas visits since 28 February 1999. [124125]

The Prime Minister: Since 28 February 1999 my Chief Press Secretary has accompanied me on all my overseas visits. My Chief of Staff accompanied me on seven occasions.

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 2 June 1999 special advisers of the Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [124124]

The Prime Minister: None.

Lord Levy

Mr. Maude: To ask the Prime Minister what representations Lord Levy has received from Israeli Governmental organisations, indicating the officials and dates concerned. [119675]

The Prime Minister: Lord Levy has a range of contacts with members of the Israeli government, and with officials in Israeli government organisations.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

Rothwell/Desborough Bypass

Mr. Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to invite tenders for the construction of the A6 Rothwell/Desborough Bypass. [122325]

Mr. Hill: The Highways Agency will shortly be appointing consultants to complete the final stages of preparation and then oversee the construction of the bypass. Subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures, the Agency expects to invite tenders for the construction contract in Spring 2001.

Waste Incineration

Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which the application of the EU waste incineration directive complies with the Government's Better Regulation Guide. [122947]

Mr. Hill: The Better Regulation Guide was published four years after the waste incineration directive was first proposed by the European Commission. The cost-benefit analysis undertaken on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to underpin the required Regulatory Impact Assessment by Entec UK Ltd. was carried out in accordance with Part II of the Better Regulation Guide, and the structure of the Entec report (copies of which are in the House Library) reflects this.

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Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the (a) average cost of a small incinerator and (b) increase in this average cost consequent upon the application of the EU waste incineration directive; [122951]

(2) what assessment he has made of the average cost to a farm with a small incinerator of the steps needed to comply with the implementation of the EU waste incineration directive. [122950]

Mr. Hill: Full information on the purchase cost of small incinerators is not held, but we believe the cost of a new animal carcase incinerated under 50kg/hr capacity is of the order of £2,000-£10,000. Entec UK Ltd., who undertook cost-benefit analysis work on behalf of my Department in respect of the proposed waste incineration directive (copies of which are in the House Library), have estimated on the basis of a 100kg/hr unit that the capital compliance cost in respect of combustion requirements, abatement plant, monitoring equipment and spillage control for incinerators in the under 50kg/hr capacity category would be approximately £230,000 with annual operating costs of approximately £12,000.

Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the EU waste incineration directive on UK compliance with the proximity principle of waste disposal. [122948]

Mr. Hill: Our policy on waste is set out in the Waste Strategy 2000, published on 25 May. This emphasises the priority the Government place on tough environmental standards for all types of incineration. It also makes clear that wastes should be disposed of as close to the point of production as possible, consistent with the need for effective environmental controls.

We are looking at ways of complying with the proposed directive which will minimise the burden on small-scale animal carcase incinerators and pet crematoriums while ensuring that there are appropriate environmental safeguards.

Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the number of small incinerators on farms that will close as a result of the application of the EU waste incineration directive; [122952]

(2) what plans he has to introduce a compensation scheme for farmers who may have to close their small incinerators following implementation of the EU waste incineration directive. [122949]

Mr. Hill: As matters stand, the proposed waste incineration directive will not have effect for existing incinerators until autumn 2005. We are currently looking at ways of complying with the proposed directive which will minimise the burden on small-scale animal carcase incinerator operators, including farmers and others, while ensuring that there are appropriate environmental safeguards.

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Mr. Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's target is for the amount of residential and commercial waste disposed of through incinerators by 2005. [123501]

Mr. Meacher [holding answer 23 May 2000]: The Government have not set targets for waste disposal by incineration. The waste strategy sets a target to recover value from 40 per cent. of municipal waste through recycling, composting or energy from waste by 2005.

Mr. Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's policy is on the importation of rubbish from outside the United Kingdom to be disposed of in incinerators. [123486]

Mr. Meacher [holding answer 23 May 2000]: Existing policies on exports and imports of waste are set out in the United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste, which came into effect on 1 June 1996.

The Plan does not permit imports of municipal waste for final disposal. However, to be consistent with the EC Waste Shipment Regulation (EEC No.259/93), the Plan cannot prohibit imports for genuine recovery, which could include incineration where the prime purpose was energy recovery. Any such imports of municipal waste would, though, be subject to a prior informed consent procedure; and the available data for 1996-98 show that no such imports occurred over that period.

Mr. Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the place of incineration in the Government's hierarchy of waste management options. [123517]

Mr. Meacher [holding answer 24 May 2000]: The waste strategy set out the Government's view that reduction and re-use of waste should be considered before recovery. It emphasised that recycling and composting should be considered before energy recovery through incineration.

Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on farm costs of the implementation of the proposed EU waste incineration directive. [123652]

Mr. Hill: No assessment has be made of the impact of the proposed waste incineration directive on farm costs in general. The cost implications of the proposed waste incineration directive for the sort of small-scale animal carcase incinerators which may be operated on farms was considered by Entec UK Ltd. as part of the cost-benefit analysis work undertaken on behalf of my Department (copies of which are in the House Library). They have estimated on the basis of a 100 kg/hr unit that the capital compliance cost in respect of combustion requirements, abatement plant, monitoring equipment and spillage control for incinerators in the under 50 kg/hr capacity category would be approximately £230,000 with annual operating costs of approximately £12,000. We would expect farmers to look for alternative options rather than paying such sums. We recognise that this will involve some cost, but nowhere near £230,000.

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Mr. Prior: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed EU waste incineration directive. [124136]

Mr. Hill: The Government are committed to tough standards for incinerators and therefore welcome the proposed waste incineration directive.

The Council of Ministers is currently considering the European Parliament's amendments to the Common Position agreed in June 1999, including those affecting the scope, at official level. Council's rules of procedure do not allow me to comment on the detail of those discussions. No decisions have yet been taken by the Council in relation to the European Parliament's amendments, and we will keep the House informed in the usual way.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek a derogation from the EU waste incineration directive for small incinerators. [124321]

Mr. Hill: We have explored during negotiations on the waste incineration directive proposal various issues concerning the scope. The Common Position text includes an exemption for small experimental plant but it is clear that an absolute derogation for small plant is not available.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the likely shift in consumption of fuels in incinerators as a result of the application of the EU waste incineration directive, with particular reference to LPG and small incinerators. [124318]

Mr. Hill: No assessment has been made of the implications of the proposed waste incineration directive for the consumption of potential incinerator support fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the compliance with the better regulation test of proportionality of the application of the EU waste incineration directive to small incinerators; [124319]

(2) what assessment he has made of the compliance with the small business litmus test of the application of the EU waste incineration directive to small incinerators; [124320]

(3) what assessment he has made of the likely change in emission of pollutants as a result of the application of the EU waste incineration directive to small incinerators. [124317]

Mr. Hill: A Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed waste incineration directive was undertaken in accordance with the Better Regulation Guide. Copies of the assessment and the consultants' reports underlying that assessment, undertaken for the Department by Entec UK Ltd., are in the House of Commons Library. Entec carried out small business litmus tests for incineration sectors containing small firms.

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Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from pet crematoriums in relation to the proposed EU waste incineration directive. [123777]

Mr. Hill: I have received representations originating from six pet crematoriums and one representative organisation expressing concerns about the impact of the proposed directive on their businesses.

As matters stand, the proposed waste incineration directive will not have effect for existing incinerators (including pet crematoriums) until autumn 2005. We are currently looking at ways of complying with the proposed directive which will minimise the burden on small-scale animal carcase incinerator operators, including pet crematoriums, while ensuring that there are appropriate environmental safeguards.

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investigations the Environment Agency has made into irregular emissions from the incinerator at Northwick Park Hospital; and if enforcement action has been commenced. [123581]

Mr. Meacher: Several complaints were made between 1993 to 1995, all of which were investigated by the Environment Agency. Following a complaint in July 1995 the Environment Agency issued an enforcement notice. The operator complied by introducing controls on the blending and checking of waste. These modifications were carried out in November 1998. The Environment Agency is currently investigating a complaint made in April 2000 and will consider appropriate action in line with its Enforcement and Prosecution Policy when the investigation is complete.

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