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Written Answers to Questions
Friday 26 November 1999
ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
MOT Test
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the MoT test to include checks on (a) the safety and security of children's restraints and children's seats when fitted in motor vehicles and (b) the suitability of such devices for their purported purpose; and if he will make a statement. [98514]
Mr. Hill: It would not be practical to require such checks during MoT tests on items which are not permanent fittings in vehicles. There is a wide range of child restraints available which are suitable for children of different sizes and ages and which meet prescribed standards of design and performance. Parents can be confident about safety provided they use a restraint marked as complying with the relevant standards and also follow the manufacturer's fitting instructions. It is for parents to determine the suitability of child restraint systems for the size and age of their children.
The Department's leaflet "Seat Belts and Child Restraints" already advises on restraint systems and reminds that fitting instructions must always be followed. The content of the leaflet is kept under review and we are always willing to add to the advice where it is appropriate.
Land Development
Mr. Michael J. Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what area of land was developed on (a) greenfield sites and (b) brownfield sites, in the City of Worcester, in the years 1979 to 1998. [99394]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The information is not currently available. The Department's Land Use Change Statistics provide estimates of the proportion of development that took place on land that was previously developed, but at present results are available only for counties, not for local authority districts or cities. This source is currently under review, and will be developed to provide more detailed, timely information.
Fuel Poverty
Mrs. Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the Government's definition of fuel poverty; [99110]
- (2) if he will set a target year by which fuel poverty in the UK will be eliminated. [99114]
Mr. Meacher
[holding answer 22 November 1999]: As announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for
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Energy on 11 November 1999, an inter-ministerial group is being set up, jointly chaired by her and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to examine the way ahead on fuel poverty.
The commonly applied definition of a fuel poor household is one that needs to spend more than 10 per cent. of income to achieve a satisfactory heating regime. The inter-ministerial group will consider this definition in light of the comments received on the recent consultation, as set out in the answer given on 19 October 1999, Official Report, columns 491-92.
From our latest data, we estimate that in 1996 there were at least 4.3 million fuel poor households. Since that time we have introduced programmes to tackle low income and poor energy efficiency, which are the main causes of fuel poverty, as well as the liberalisation of the energy markets which has led to significant falls in the cost of keeping warm. The inter-ministerial group will consider the impact of these programmes to develop a more accurate picture of the extent of the problem and how quickly it can be addressed, so that a target date can be set for the elimination of fuel poverty in England.
Some of the policy initiatives in this area, such as the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, are devolved functions. Therefore a target date for Scotland and Wales would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly.
Mr. Luff:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what sources of public finance are available to assist in the scheme to re-open the Droitwich Junction and Droitwich Barge canals. [99463]
Mr. Mullin:
There are a number of sources of public finance available to assist canal restoration projects. These include the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Environmental Action Fund, the Single Regeneration Budget, and the New Opportunities Fund as well as local authorities, regional development agencies and landfill tax rebate. To qualify for a grant from any of these sources the Droitwich canal project would of course have to meet with the requirements and aims of the grant provider.
Detailed information on the sources of funding for canal restoration projects is contained in the DETR-sponsored Technical Restoration Handbook, published by the Inland Waterways Association (IWA). Copies of the Handbook can be obtained from the IWA (Tel: 01923 711114).
Caroline Flint:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding he has made available for community-based projects (a) to tackle drug abuse and (b) to promote safer communities since May 1997. [99529]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The Department operates two major community-based regeneration programmes, the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) and the New Deal for Communities (NDC).
The SRB's multiple objectives, designed to tackle poverty and social exclusion, include a specific objective
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of tackling crime and drug abuse and improving community safety. It is not possible to identify funding made available specifically for projects tackling drug abuse or promoting safer communities. However, since May 1997, 213 out of 284 successful bids under rounds 4 and 5 gave crime prevention or community safety as key objectives. Anti-drug proposals would be covered by these objectives. Details of the successful bids were placed in the Library of the House.
The first round of the NDC was launched in September 1998 and the second round on 10 November 1999. Anti-drug measures feature in all of the plans of the first round partnerships and are likely to feature in second round plans too. However, it is not possible to identify how much NDC funding will be used specifically for anti-drug and community safety activities.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish for (a) Merseyside, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) Cornwall, the amount of Objective 1 finance which he expects each area will get by way of commitment in the year 2000-01 from the European Union; how much of these committed project costs he expects to be spent during that year; how much will carry over to subsequent financial years; and how much match funding will be made available to each of these areas for the financial year 2000-01. [99546]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The Single Programming Documents for the Objective 1 areas for the period 2000-06 have not yet been agreed but the proposals are:
| million euro | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area | EC funding 2000-01 | Match funding |
| Merseyside | 405.5 | 597.7 |
| South Yorkshire | 356.6 | 432.9 |
| Cornwall | 151.0 | 245.0 |
It is too early to say how much of these allocations will actually be committed and spent during these years. All depends on when the European Commission approve the single programming documents, how quickly projects get under way and when applicants submit their grant claims. The responsibility for identifying match funding from the many sources available in the public and private sectors is a matter for project applicants in these areas.
Supermarkets (Planning Regulations)
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the definition of a cluster used in planning regulations relating to supermarkets. [99745]
Mr. Raynsford:
The changes in policy in respect of planning for the development of clusters of knowledge- based industry, foreshadowed in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's pre-Budget Report, do not apply to supermarkets. The Government's policy in respect of planning for supermarkets is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 6, "Town Centres and Retail
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Developments", which seeks to focus new retail and leisure development in town centres. The Government have no plans to review PPG6.
Mr. Green:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the special advisers to Ministers in his Department; and by whom each of the advisers is paid. [100072]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has appointed five special advisers (two of whom are part-time): Paul Hackett, Joan Hammell, Joe Irvin, Adrian Long and David Wilson, all of whom are paid by the Department.
Mr. Green:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the draft guidelines on the Groundwater Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [100073]
Mr. Mullin:
The Groundwater Regulations 1998 came into effect on 1 April this year. Guidance on the Regulations was available at that time from the Environment Agency, and further guidance has been drawn up in the light of experience during the first months of practical implementation. A draft of this further guidance, which explains the operation and application of the Regulations, is now being sent out for public consultation to a wide range of consultees. Comments are invited by 29 February 2000. Copies of the draft guidance have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
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