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ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
Military Convoys (A696)
Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received about the effect of military convoys on road safety on the A696; and if his Department and the Highways Agency have had discussions with the police authority about the future escorting of convoys to and from the Otterburn Range. [132915]
Mr. Hill: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. A. J. Beith, dated 27 July 2000:
- The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the effect of military convoys on road safety on the A696, and the possibility of the future escorting of convoys to and from the Otterburn Range.
- The Highways Agency has received a number of representations from Parish Councils, other community groups and individuals about military convoys on the A696. Officers from the Agency have discussed this on a number of occasions with Northumbria Police. While this is a matter of operational concern to the Agency, at present the movements of the convoys along the highway are largely the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and the Police. The Police involvement depends upon the size and weight of the vehicles in the convoy. The Agency has had a number of meetings with the MOD and the Police in an attempt to ensure safety and minimise disruption due to the movements of convoys and their timing.
- Should you require any further information, please contact the Area Manager, Neil Taylor at our Leeds office, on 0113 283 5481.
Pavements (Wheelchair Access)
Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average amount spent by highway authorities in England
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in each of the last five years on pavement alterations to enable wheelchair access; and how much each authority spent in that time. [132918]
Mr. Hill: This information is not collected centrally.
My Department does, however, encourage local authorities to make provision for wheelchair users, as well as other disabled people, in the pedestrian environment. This is a central theme in the Local Transport Plan guidance.
We have also announced in the 10 year Transport Plan that we will be developing measures for evaluating accessibility in transport systems, and in streets and public places, to check that investment is delivering real improvements in the day to day mobility of disabled people.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on recent developments in the uptake of LPG as a road fuel, with reference to the number and cost of Powershift grants and other incentives, and the number of vehicles of different types converted to duel fuelling. [132909]
Mr. Hill: The demand for LPG vehicles, in particular for LPG dual fuel cars, is growing strongly thanks in large part to Government fuel duty incentives for road gas fuels and the Powershift programme, which is sponsored by my Department. In recognition of this increasing demand, my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Macdonald of Tradeston announced earlier this year an increase in the Powershift budget to £10 million--almost a threefold increase on last year.
Between 1 April and 30 June, Powershift grants totalling £2.5 million were offered towards the purchase of 2,077 LPG vehicles. Over the course of this financial year, Powershift expects to support the purchase of over 5,000 LPG vehicles. This is in addition to the 17,000 gas powered vehicles already registered with the DVLA at the end of 1999.
Housebuilding (South-East)
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by each local authority area in the county of Essex and the unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock the most recent estimates of the number of houses to be built under the SERPLAN recommendations in each local authority area. [132828]
Ms Beverley Hughes: SERPLAN made no estimates of the number of homes to be built in each local authority within Essex. The regional housing provision is distributed below county level by the strategic planning authorities through the preparation of structure and unitary development plans. In the case of Essex, Essex county council and Southend unitary authority are responsible for keeping the Essex and Southend on Sea structure plan up to date and Thurrock unitary authority is responsible for preparing a unitary development plan for its area.
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North West Development Agency
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost has been to the North West Development Agency of consultancy work allocated to outside bodies in the last 12 months. [132039]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The total cost for consultancy work allocated to outside bodies during the financial year 1999-2000 was £1,946,000.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the annual report of the North West Development Agency includes in future information which has been sought by hon. Members on the operations of the North West Development Agency. [132043]
Ms Beverley Hughes: There are no plans to change the requirements for Regional Development Agencies to publish reports and accounts on the breadth of activities during the year. The North West Development Agency's annual report and accounts for 1999-2000 have now been certified by the National Audit Office and will be laid before the House today. If there are questions that my hon. Friend feels are unanswered by the report he can address them to the Agency or the Secretary of State.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost of printing publications from the North West Development Agency was in the last 12 months. [131545]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The cost of printing publications for the North West Development Agency in the financial year 1999-2000 was £135,000.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many board meetings of the North West Development Agency were attended by each member of the North West Development Agency in the last 12 months. [131547]
Ms Beverley Hughes: During the period June 1999 to July 2000 12 Board meetings of the North West Development Agency took place. The number of attendances by individual board members at board meetings were:
- Maggie Chadwick--10
Councillor Mike Doyle--11
John Dunning--12
Felicity Goodey--10
Clive Jeanes, OBE--10
Councillor Richard Leese--10
Alan Manning--12
Dennis Mendoros--12
Kath Reade--11
Councillor Dr. Fred Ridley--11
Judy Robinson--11
James Ross--9
Lord Thomas of Macclesfield--10.
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Ms Beverley Hughes: Regional Development Agencies are accountable to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for all their delegated functions. Regional accountability is outlined in section 18 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost of running the North West Development Agency was in its last financial year; and if he will estimate the cost for the Agency's current financial year. [131551]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The cost of running the North West Development Agency in the financial year 1999-2000 was £13,524,400, and the estimated cost for the current year is £13,771,000.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on moving North West Development Agency facilities from Cockermouth to Penrith. [131553]
Ms Beverley Hughes: Lease negotiations with the proposed developer of the new premises at Penrith are expected to be concluded shortly with an anticipated availability for occupation early in the new year.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the last negotiated rental charge per foot secured on premises on the North West Development Agency English Partnership estate at Homewood in Cockermouth. [131555]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The last negotiated letting at the Lakeland Business Park was secured at a principal rental of £7.11 per square foot plus a service charge/ maintenance rent of £1.57 per square foot. This letting commenced on 20 March 2000 and was in respect of premises of 817 square feet.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions in the last 12 months members of the Board of the North West Development Agency have stood aside from consideration of North West Development Agency Board business due to conflict of interest. [132041]
Ms Beverley Hughes: Board Members of the North West Development Agency declared an interest and stood aside (left the boardroom) from consideration of North West Development Agency Board business on 9 occasions in the last 12 months:
- Maggie Chadwick--2
John Dunning--2
Clive Jeanes--2
Alan Manning--1
Dennis Medoros--2
Felecity Goodey--1
Richard Leese--2
Judy Robinson--1.
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projects the North West Development Agency is supporting in Cumbria where the total project cost exceeds £3 million. [132045]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The North West Development Agency is supporting in Cumbria the following projects whose costs exceed £3 million.
- Development work:
- Workington Town Centre
- Maryport Endowment
- Dovenby Hall, Allerton
- Hills of the North, Eden
- Westlakes Science Park
- Kingmoor Park, Carlisle
- Lillyhall Partnership
- Alston Foundry
- SRB projects:
- Heart of Barrow--a five year regeneration project in which capital projects designed to maximise retail investment in the town centre are linked to programmes of business and community support.
- Cumbria Credits--Adult Education and Training scheme, which uses advanced information technology to overcome distance and physical barriers.
- Guided steps to lifetime learning--a five year scheme to provide careers and employment guidance and counselling to adults countywide.
- Regeneration of Maryport, Allerdale--a five year scheme to tackle the decline of the town by upgrading retail space in the town centre and renovating and creating new housing.
- Barrow-Building Bridges--a six year scheme targeting five of the most disadvantaged wards in Barrow.
- Cleator Moor Regeneration--A six year scheme which aims to provide support for new and existing businesses, develop tourism and community infrastructure.
- Cumbria Rural Regeneration--A six year scheme, which aims to break down local resistance to tourism employment through improved training and skills.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the value of assets held by the North West Development Agency is by (a) freehold and (b) leasehold, indicating the locations. [131557]
Ms Beverley Hughes: (a) The valuation of freehold investment assets on 31 March 2000 was £91.7 million.
(b) The valuation of leasehold investment assets on 31 March 2000 was £316,000.
The following is a list of both freehold and leasehold (long and short term leases) belonging to the NWDA:
- Taylors Lane, Pilling
Clayhill Industrial Park, Neston
Prestwich Industrial Estate, Manchester
Parr Industrial Estate, St. Helens
Lamberhead Industrial Estate, Wigan
Wilson Road Industrial Estate, Huyton
Love Lane (Tate and Lyle's) Liverpool
Mercury Court, Liverpool
Knowsley Industrial Park South, Liverpool
Lea Green Industrial Estate, St. Helens
Speke Hall Industrial Estate, Speke
Gillmoss Industrial Estate, Gillmoss
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Moor Park, Blackpool
Martland Mill Industrial Estate, Wigan
- Farrier Way Industrial Estate, Netherton
Pilsworth Road Industrial Estate, Bury
Croft Business Park, Bromborough
St. Michaels Industrial Esate, Widness
Sandon House, Liverpool
West Float Industrial Estate, Wallasey
Wavertree Tech Park, Liverpool
Bolton Technology Exchange, Bolton
Salford University Business Park, Manchester
Hampton Heath Industrial Estate, Hampton Heath
Skypark, Speke
St. Chad's Court Rochdale
Willow Mill, Caton
St. Helens Technology Campus, St. Helens
Greenheys Business Centre, Manchester
Altham Business Park, Altham
Greenbank Industrial Estate, Blackburn
Rossmore Road, Ellesmere Port
Wingates South Industrial Park, Bolton
- Sefton Business Park, Liverpool
Classic Couverture, The Estuary Business Park
Glacier Building, Brunswick Business Park
CMDC Residual portfolio
Hooton Business Park
- Monsall Hospital
Martland Park, Wigan
Ancoats Urban Village, Manchester
Kingsway, Rochdale
- Twelve Quays, Birkenhead
Austin Trading Estate, Knowsley
Portland Basin
Estuary Commerce Park, Speke
Edwards Lane, Speke
Boulevard Industry Park, Speke
Bickershaw Colliery, Leigh
Agecroft Colliery, Salford
Cronton Colliery, Cronton
Lea Green, St. Helens
Ashton Fields, Walkden
Kings Court/HQ Warrington
Giants Basin, Manchester
Winckley Street, Preston
Penrith 40 Business Park
Muirhhead House, Warrington
Solway Estate, Maryport
Leconfield Estate, Cleator Moor
Cleator Mills Estate, Cleator
Lillyhall Estate (East), Workington
Devonshire Road, Millom
Lillyhall Estate (West), Workington
Western Bank Estate, Wigton
Townfoot Estate, Brampton
Brough Industrial Estate, Brough
The Sidings, Tebay
Crosscroft Estate, Appleby
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Park Road, Aspatria
Lakes Road, Coniston
George Moore Estate, Fletchertown
Lakeland Business Park, Cockermouth
Bridge End Estate, Egremont
Sneckyeat Road, Whitehaven
Cross Lane Industrial Estate, Ulverston
Daltongate Business Centre, Ulverston
St. Helens Business Park, Workington
Station yard, Coniston
Derwent Mills Commercial Park, Cockermouth
Moor Lane Estate, Flookburgh
Whitehaven Commercial Park, Moresby Parks
Furness Business Park, Barrow in Furness
Skelgillside Workshops, Nenthead, Alston
The Old Brewery, Craw Hall, Brampton
Kirkby Thore Industrial Estate
Borders Business Park, Longtown
Cross Lane Workshops, Seascale
Station Road Industrial Estate, Silloth
Workington Town Centre, St. Johns Precinct.
Ms Beverley Hughes: Alan Manning attended three meetings of the TUC's Cumbria Forum held in Keswick as an RDA Board member.
- West Cumbria College twice;
Cumbria TEC HQ events in Keswick, Wigton and Cockermouth;
Meeting representatives of local authorities (Allerdale and Copeland) and West Cumbria Partnership;
The Cumbria Assembly (Policy Group),
Non-local authority group to meet residents of Allerdale and Copeland.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements have been made for the redeployment of staff from the offices of the North West Development Agency English Partnership at Homewood, Cockermouth to Penrith. [131556]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The number of staff currently employed at the North West Development Agency's office at Cockermouth is 12.
Of these, it is currently expected that eight will transfer to the North West Development Agency's office at Penrith, with four to remain in West Cumbria, probably at Lillyhall, to manage the predominantly West Cumbrian based estate.
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Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who owns the title to property (a) owned, (b) held on leasehold and (c) rented by the North West Development Agency. [131558]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The information is as follows:
- (a) Owned
The North West Development Agency (as a body corporate) can itself hold freehold land.
(b) Held on leasehold
Kings Court, Warrington--owned by Burford Investments Ltd.
Muirfield House, Birchwood, Warrington--owned by Wellcome Trust Ltd.
Penrith--owned by F W Allen
(c) Rented
None.
Ms Beverley Hughes: The Chief Executive visited the Copeland and Allerdale areas on one occasion in the last 12 months.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his latest estimate is of efficiency gains and financial benefits that arise out of moving the North West Development Agency English partnership offices from Homewood, Cockermouth to Penrith. [131539]
Ms Beverley Hughes: Decisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what visits were made by which (a) officers and (b) board members of the North West Development Agency to countries overseas in the last 12 months. [131543]
Ms Beverley Hughes: (a) The following officers of the North West Development Agency visited overseas in the past 12 months.
- Chris Koral--Chicago
Ian Cordon--Copenhagan
Nigel Wilcock--Paris
Nigel Wilcock--Brussels
Nigel Wilcock--Hanover
Klaus Gruell--Brussels
Klaus Gruell--Munich/Dusseldorf
Martin Toomey--Vienna
Martin Toomey--Osaka
Anne Samson--Verona
Rae Brooke--Chicago/Boston/New York
John Kelly--Brussels
Paul Ferguson--Brussels
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Peter White--Brussels
Sue Adams--Chicago
Bill Skilkie--Boston
- I. B. Vine--Madrid
Lynne Taylor--Brussels
Lynne Taylor--Stuttgart
Margaret Carr--Helsinki
Baron Isherwood--Warsaw
John Cunliff--Boston/Chicago
Robert Lane--Boston
Simon Parker--Boston
Ian Lawrence--Boston
Linda Magee--Boston
John Burrows--Germany.
- Kath Reade--Verona
Kath Reade--Helsinki
Mike Doyle--Brussels
Ms Beverley Hughes: The cost to the North West Development Agency for overseas visits during the financial year 1999-2000 was £36,314.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultancy work has been allocated to outside bodies by the North West Development Agency over the last 12 months by project. [132040]
Ms Beverley Hughes: Consultancy costs for the last 12 months--1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000--are as follows:
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Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what occasions in the last 12 months the Board or officers of the North West Development Agency have considered matters which relate to the commercial activities of individual members of the Board of the North West Development Agency. [132044]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The North West Development Agency have not considered any matters which relate to the commercial activities of individual members of the Board of the North West Development Agency.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what expenses were paid to each member of the Board of the North West Development Agency in each of the last 12 months. [131546]
Ms Beverley Hughes: Expenses paid to North West Development Agency Board Members in financial year 1999-2000 are set out in the analysis.
The amounts are commensurate with the distance Board Members travel and their participation in other Agency related activities such as Sub Groups and Conferences.
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Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are in place to secure accountability by the North West Development Agency to the North West Regional Assembly. [131548]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The North West Development Agency is not accountable to the North West Regional Assembly. However, the Assembly is designated as a Regional Chamber under the provision of the regional Development Agencies Act 1998 which requires the NWDA to consult the Assembly in the exercise of its functions and to have due regard to any views expressed by the Assembly. The NWDA has also entered into a Concordat with the Assembly and the Government Office for the North West, which refers to the Assembly's role in scrutinising the NWDA's Corporate Plan and monitoring its activity. The role is facilitated through twice yearly meetings between the NWDA and the Assembly at member level, regular meetings at officer level and the NWDA formally consults the Assembly on its Corporate Plan and other key documents.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost of the North West Development Agency was in each quarter since the agency was formed. [131550]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The cost of running the North West Development Agency in the financial year 1999-2000 was as follows:
- Quarter 1--£2,425,000
- Quarter 2--£3,249,000
- Quarter 3--£3,553,000
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Ms Beverley Hughes: It is expected that 15 staff of the North West Development Agency will be based at the agency's office in Penrith with "hot desk" provision for two or three others to work there when necessary.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to reverse the decision to consolidate North West Development Agency office premises in Penrith. [131554]
Ms Beverley Hughes: My right hon. Friend has no such plans. Location of office premises is a matter for the North West Development Agency to decide.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the current arrangements are for the registration and declaration of interests by members of the Board of the North West Development Agency. [132042]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The Chairman and other Board Members of the North West Development Agency are required to declare any personal or business interests that may conflict with their responsibilities as Board Members and to make and maintain a public register of such interests.
The Register of Interests is available for public inspection at the Head Office of the North West Development Agency in Warrington. Significant interests are also shown in the North West Development Agency's Annual Report.
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Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what issues the North West Development Agency officials expect to be consulted by DTI officials in relation to economic and industrial development in the North West Region. [132046]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The Department of Trade and Industry is now consulting the North West Development Agency on all key programmes which relate to economic industrial development, particularly where they relate to the implementation of the Regional Strategy. Some current examples are:
- Cluster development
- Regional Centres of Manufacturing Excellence
- The development of the Small Business Service
- The Regional Innovation Strategy.
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