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ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Jackie Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the proposed date for implementation of Section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [98631]
Ms Beverley Hughes: We are fully committed to implementing Section 37 at the earliest opportunity and intend to consult on the provisions by March next year.
Fluoridation
Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to replace the current Code of Practice on Technical Aspects of the Fluoridation of Water Supplies. [98666]
Mr. Mullin: None at present. In the White Paper, "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation", which was published on 6 July, the Government announced that they had commissioned an up-to-date, expert scientific review of the evidence on the fluoridation of water. The Government expect to receive the review report in March, and will not be considering any legislative changes until it is received. It is not proposed to update the Code of Practice ahead of the review report.
Transport Consultation Documents
Mr. Day: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many transport consultation documents have been issued since May 1997; and how many are currently in consultation. [98629]
Mr. Hill: We have issued 237 consultation papers with deadlines for responses since May 1997. Sixteen of these remain open.
Local Authority Planning
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department (a) gives and (b) proposes to give to local authorities on the basis for (i) the use of windfall calculations in residual requirements and (ii) the role of flexibility allowances in the preparation of structure plans. [98581]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The issues are currently dealt with in Annexes B and C of Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing, issued in 1992. However, they are under review as part of the revision of PPG3.
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Mr. Paul Marsden:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many complaints have been received each year by the Rail Regulator against Central Trains; and if he will make a statement. [98504]
Mr. Hill:
The information is not available in the format requested. In 1998-99, the Rail Regulator received 2,321 complaints on a range of issues. However, as the Regulator does not have a formal role in dealing with complaints from rail passengers, complaints are not recorded against individual train operators.
Mr. Paice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the source is of the traffic figures used in calculating highway standard spending assessment; and what action he takes if they are disputed by the local authority concerned. [98723]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The traffic figures used in calculating the highway maintenance standard spending assessment are those that are provided by Highway Authorities or contractors on behalf of the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions. Highway Authorities may sub-contract the work. The traffic figures proposed for use in the 2000-01 local government finance settlement are based on data relating to 1998 and earlier years. For Cambridgeshire in 1998 and earlier years, the County Council was contracted by the Department to provide the traffic figures.
All matters where authorities dispute the figures that are proposed for use in the calculation of standard spending assessments are investigated and the findings taken into account when final decisions are taken on the local government settlement. Authorities are advised of the relevant deadlines for making representations and the circumstances in which changes are usually made.
Mr. Jenkin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning (i) low emission zones and (ii) the National Air Quality Strategy from (a) road haulage organisations, (b) motoring organisations and (c) motor manufacturers; and if he will make a statement. [99107]
Mr. Hill
[holding answer 22 November 1999]: My Department has not received representations on low emission zones, as they are not a Government policy proposal. It is for local authorities, rather than central Government, to decide whether to implement such zones in order to improve local air quality.
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We have received approximately 80 responses to the consultation draft of the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which we published on 25 August. Most of these were from local authorities, but we did receive a response from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT). Copies of the non-confidential responses received will be made available in the libraries of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive and the Department of Environment (Northern Ireland). A list of responses will also be placed in the House Libraries when the final version of the Strategy is published in January next year. A summary of the responses will also be made available in January on the Department's Website. The objectives proposed in the draft Air Quality Strategy have also been discussed at meetings of the Air Quality Forum, at which the AA, SMMT and the Freight Transport Association were present.
Road transport is one of the major sources of air pollution, especially in our towns and cities. However, we have made clear within the Strategy and in our guidance to local authorities that the relative contribution of transport, and all other sectors, to the achievement of meeting the new air quality objectives has to be cost effective and proportionate.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to introduce legislation to protect SSSIs; what plans he has to legislate for the protection of peat reserves; what plans he has to encourage the commercial production of peat alternatives; and if he will make a statement. [99228]
Mr. Meacher:
The Countryside Amenity and Conservation Bill will be brought forward in the current session. The legislative proposals to provide better protection for SSSIs will benefit all sites, including those notified for their peatland interests. In addition, the best examples of those peatland sites will be designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and Ramsar Convention, affording them additional protection. We will consider the commercial production of peat alternatives in the light of the findings of the Peat Working Group, which will be publishing its report shortly.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to introduce the system of commonhold for leaseholders in blocks of flats. [99217]
Mr. Mullin:
As was announced in the Gracious Speech given on 17 November 1999, Official Report, columns 4-7, the Government will be publishing a draft joint Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill for consultation during this session. The Commonhold aspects of the draft Bill are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review his policy on denying insulin-dependent diabetic sufferers
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occupational driving licences; and if he will take into account in doing so the current inquiry by the Science and Technology Committee. [99278]
Mr. Hill:
The driving licence treatment of those with diabetes treated by insulin is based on European legislation--the Second Driving Licence Directive (91/439/EEC). This, and its predecessor Directive (80/1263/EEC), provided for licensing restrictions on those with insulin-treated diabetes, in particular in respect of driving heavier vehicles, based on risks associated with insulin treatment. I cannot anticipate the report of the Science and Technology Committee.
Mr. Todd:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many heavy goods vehicles Vehicle Excise Duty was paid in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99. [99418]
Mr. Hill:
Only the end of year detailed licensed stock figures are readily available; this is a good approximation to the number of vehicles for which Vehicle Excise Duty was paid in each of the given years. The number of heavy goods vehicles in Great Britain licensed at the end of each year was as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 417,900 |
| 1996 | 420,600 |
| 1997 | 422,400 |
| 1998 | 421,200 |
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