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Disadvantaged Communities

26. Mr. Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what policies his Department has developed to address the needs of the most disadvantaged communities. [143991]

Ms Armstrong: The Government are committed to tackling deprivation and the needs of disadvantaged communities through the Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. Main spending programmes, which are seen as the key for achieving the greatest impact, have been set new targets to improve the outcomes they achieve in

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disadvantaged areas and have also received substantial increases for the next three years. Targeted programmes, such as the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, the Single Regeneration Budget and New Deal for Communities, will also play their part. The Action Plan for implementing the Strategy, which was launched yesterday, sets out further proposals for tackling deprivation wherever it occurs, in line with our objective of narrowing the gap between disadvantaged areas and the rest of the country.

Regeneration (Falmouth and Camborne)

27. Ms Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for regeneration programmes within the Falmouth and Camborne constituency. [143992]

Ms Beverley Hughes: The Government are fully committed to working in partnership with communities in Falmouth, Camborne and Redruth to deliver regeneration. We welcome the proposed integrated area Plans, the RDA partnership with local communities in Camborne and Redruth, proposals for increased higher education activity in Cornwall through the Combined Universities in Cornwall project and look forward to supporting other developments under Objective 1, and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund which is available in Kerrier.

Multiple Occupation

28. Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to license houses in multiple occupation. [143993]

Mr. Mullin: As we indicated in our Housing Policy Statement, we remain committed to introducing a compulsory licensing system for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.

National Rail Inquiry Service

29. Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure that information provided by the National Rail Inquiry Service on timetables and fares is accurate. [143994]

Mr. Hill: The Rail Regulator ensures that the National Rail Enquiry Service (NRES) provides accurate and impartial information through the use of mystery shopper exercises, and has powers to take enforcement action against the operators who fund NRES if obligations are not met.

Further work is in progress on improving the quality of advice provided by NRES.

M4 Bus Lane

30. Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his assessment is of the impact of the bus lane on the M4; and if he will make a statement. [143995]

Mr. Hill: The Transport Research Laboratory's (TRL) report of their independent monitoring of the bus lane during the first year has been received. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. I have accepted the

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Highway Agency's recommendation that in the light of the results, the initial accident data and feedback from the relevant emergency services the scheme should continue. The Highways Agency will carry on monitoring the scheme and the effect on accident patterns.

Regional Development Agencies

31. Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost of regional development agencies in England in the financial year 2000-01. [143996]

Ms Beverley Hughes: The most recent estimate of the total administration costs of the nine regional development agencies in 2000-01 is £76.9 million, to manage an overall budget of £1,149 million.

Congestion Charging

32. Mrs. Gorman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met the Road Haulage Association to discuss the introduction of urban congestion charges. [143997]

Mr. Hill: Our meetings with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) are frequent and cover a range of issues. Present DETR Ministers have not discussed urban congestion charging with the RHA. However, the RHA responded in writing to our consultation paper "Breaking the Logjam" on the introduction of congestion charges, and their views have contributed to the development of our policies.

Glass Recycling

33. Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to promote the recycling of glass. [143998]

Mr. Meacher: We are setting local authorities in England and Wales new statutory targets which will double recycling of household waste in three years and triple it in five. We have increased statutory requirements in the packaging Regulations on businesses to recover glass packaging. We have also set up the Waste and Resources Action Programme which will foster markets for recyclable materials.

Aviation Fuel

34. Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to minimise the environmental impact of the use of aviation fuel. [143999]

Mr. Mullin: Aviation is a global business and effective action needs international agreement. We are working, in co-operation with our European partners, within the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on a range of measures, including tighter standards, better operating practices, and market-based incentives. We are also supporting research and discussing voluntary measures with UK airlines.

Heathrow Terminal 5

35. Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the proposed timetable is for his decision on Heathrow terminal 5. [144000]

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Ms Beverley Hughes: The report of the independent Inquiry Inspector, Roy Vandermeer QC, was delivered on 20 December 2000. The decision will be issued as soon as possible after full and careful consideration of the Inspector's report.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to BAA concerning the proposed height of buildings for terminal 5 at Heathrow. [144750]

Ms Beverley Hughes: None.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what impact the proposed terminal 5 at Heathrow will have on air traffic control and the availability of runways. [144748]

Ms Beverley Hughes: The proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow was the subject of a Public Inquiry which closed in March 1999 with the report of the independent Inquiry Inspector, Roy Vandermeer QC, being delivered on 20 December 2000. The report now requires full and careful consideration in accordance with the relevant statutory procedures. Consequently, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the issues raised at this stage because of the possibility of prejudicing, or of appearing to prejudice, a full and proper consideration of that report.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what surveys have been undertaken to assess the turbulence which will be caused by the proposed terminal 5 buildings at Heathrow Airport. [144749]

Ms Beverley Hughes: Such surveys are not a matter for this Department.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what distinction he makes between an environmental impact assessment and an environmental statement in relation to terminal 5. [145852]

Ms Beverley Hughes: The term "Environmental Impact Assessment" describes a procedure that has to be followed for certain types of project before they may be granted development consent. The procedure requires the developer to compile detailed information about the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed project. The information prepared by the developer is presented in a written report to the body responsible for deciding whether to grant development consent. This report is the "Environmental Statement". The term "Environmental Statement" is defined, for the purposes of those Regulations, in regulation 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988.

The proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow was the subject of a Public Inquiry which closed in March 1999, with the report of the independent Inquiry Inspector, Roy Vandermeer QC, being delivered on 20 December 2000. The report now requires full and careful consideration in accordance with the relevant statutory procedures. Consequently, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the issues raised at this stage because of the possibility of prejudicing, or of appearing to prejudice, a full and proper consideration of that report.

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