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Countryside Agency (Funding)
Mr. Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much money was allocated to the Countryside Agency last year; and how much of this money was spent on (a) transport, (b) community development, (c) planning, (d) social exclusion, (e) economic regeneration and enterprise, (f) access and (g) special areas; [139064]
- (2) and the Regions how much of the money allocated to the Countryside Agency for use on rural transport schemes has been spent; [139031]
(3) what proportion of the total budget for the Countryside Agency went to each of its regional offices in the last financial year; [139033]
(4) what the staff costs were of the Countryside Agency in the last financial year. [139032]
Mr. Mullin: The Countryside Agency was allocated £48.735 million last financial year (1999-2000). Programme expenditure was as follows:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| (a) Transport | 3.579 |
| (b) Community development | 5.051 |
| (c) Planning | 0.341 |
| (d) Social exclusion | 0.263 |
| (e) Economic regeneration and enterprise | 0.471 |
| (f) Access | 4.692 |
| (g) Special areas | 3.758 |
A further £1.336 million has been spent on rural transport schemes this year, with £2.26 million spent in 1998-99 by the former Rural Development Commission.
The staff costs for the Agency in the last financial year totalled £9.871 million.
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Of the total budget allocated to regions in the last financial year, expenditure per region in percentage terms was as follows:
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| North East | 12 |
| North West | 13 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 12 |
| East Midlands | 8 |
| West Midlands | 10 |
| East of England | 11 |
| South East and London | 18 |
| South West | 16 |
Integrated Transport Policy
Mr. McWalter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account his integrated transport policy takes of the ease of transfer between use of cars and railways; and if he will make a statement. [138894]
Mr. Hill: Both our integrated transport White Paper published in 1998, and Transport 2010--The 10 Year Plan, published in July 2000, recognise the importance of improving interchange between different modes of transport. The 10 Year Plan includes among its target outcomes (paragraph 6.62)
"better integration and co-ordination between transport modes through local transport plans and improved interchanges".
The 10 Year Plan also recognises the importance of well designed and located, safe and secure park and ride facilities which can be linked to both light and heavy rail services and sets out the need to develop longer distance schemes, such as "parkways" linked to rail services.
Our guidance to authorities on local transport plans stressed the role of interchange as well as the development of local strategies for improving interchange between passenger rail and other modes.
Non-powered Craft
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further action he is taking to improve access to water for non-powered craft. [139003]
Mr. Mullin: Following discussion with interested organisations earlier this year, I announced last month that the Government would be undertaking research to establish the current state of access to water for sport and recreation in England and Wales.
The research is being jointly funded by my Department, Sport England, the Environment Agency, British Waterways, the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales. An Inter-Departmental Group including the sponsors, the National Assembly for Wales,
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the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will oversee the research. Interested organisations will also be involved.
The Government will decide what further action, if any, is needed to improve access for non-powered watercraft in the light of the findings of the research, expected towards the end of next year.
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the locations where methyl tertiary butyl ether has been detected in groundwater as a result of the study into oxygenate occurrence; [138848]
- (2) pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000, Official Report, column 192W, on methyl tertiary butyl ether, what the outcome was of the draft risk assessment, and if he will make a statement; [138849]
(3) when the study into the incidence of methyl tertiary butyl ether in groundwater will be complete; and if he will publish its findings. [138847]
Mr. Mullin: The Environment Agency expects to publish their report on oxygenate occurrence later this week. I have deposited an advance copy in the Library of the House. The report was carried out to review the presence and behaviour of MTBE in England and Wales. It does not contain a definitive list of all sites where MTBE has been detected in groundwater, but provides supporting statistics and tables, and concludes that current usage does not pose a major threat to public water supplies.
Finland is to resubmit the draft risk assessment for further discussion by EU technical experts in December 2000 and for consideration by the EU Competent Authorities for existing substances in February 2000. Final agreement on the risk assessment, and, if necessary, any proposals for risk reduction are not expected to be published before the end of 2001. The draft conclusions do not indicate any significant risk of adverse effects for human health or the environment from current levels of exposure to MTBE; but there is concern about the implications of taste and odour of MTBE at low levels.
Channel Tunnel
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has held with operators of the Channel Tunnel about the carriage of motor vehicles powered by LPG. [139335]
Mr. Hill: Eurotunnel's original applications for operating certificates excluded the carriage of LPG and dual-fuelled vehicles. At one of its regular meetings with the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission in September, the company confirmed that it is keeping its policy on the carriage of these vehicles under review. Eurotunnel will need the agreement of the Intergovernmental Commission, acting on the advice of the independent Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, before it can extend the scope of its services to include these vehicles.
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Rail Track
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much the Government will receive in divided payments arising from its 0.2 per cent. equity stake in Railtrack. [139141]
Mr. Hill: Dividend payments will amount to just under £300,000 in the current financial year.
Ancient Woodlands
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further action he is taking to protect ancient woodlands. [139260]
Mr. Mullin: The planning system continues to take account of ancient woodlands and the habitats they provide for a wide range of flora and fauna. PPG9 on nature conservation is to be revised once the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill receives Royal Assent. Recommendations on how best to replace the existing advice on trees and woods contained in Circular 36-78 will be made as part of the work of the Forestry Forum chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for Fisheries and the Countryside.
Starter Homes Initiative (Key Workers)
Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the introduction of the Starter Homes Initiative for key workers into north-west Kent. [139458]
Mr. Mullin: We announced in July that £250 million would be available over the next three years to fund the Starter Home Initiative. We will be announcing further details of the scheme and inviting bids for funding, in the near future.
GoVia
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the South Central rail franchise will be handed over by Connex to GoVia. [139422]
Mr. Hill: A new franchise agreement will be signed with GoVia once detailed negotiations and funding plans have been developed and terms have been agreed between them and Connex Transport UK Ltd. for the early transfer of the existing South Central franchise.
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