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Home Zones

Mr. Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the average cost of establishing a home zone. [153577]

Mr. Hill: The cost of establishing a home zone will vary greatly with the size of the zone and the extent of works involved. Information from the pilot projects now being monitored suggests that, in very preliminary estimates, it would be reasonable to use an indicative range of £500-£2,000 per household. But the costs of individual schemes could be slightly less or substantially more than these figures. These are early days, and we shall keep the estimates under review in the light of increasing experience.

A27

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2001, Official Report, column 630W, on the A27, what the aggregated expenditure was on the two schemes between 1 January 1989 and 31 March 1994. [153443]

Mr. Hill [holding answer 12 March 2001]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 15 March 2001:

I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Keith Hill to reply to your question about the amount spent on work relating to the possible improvements of the A27 Lewes to Polegate and the A27 Polegate bypass between 1 January 1989 and 31 March 1994.

As John Kerman explained in his letter of 27 February, unfortunately financial records maintained prior to the establishment of the Highways Agency in April 1994 do not allow us to readily identify details of spend on individual schemes. We cannot therefore isolate sufficient information to give you an aggregate figure for spend before that date.

Climate Change

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what policy he has to implement the proposals in respect of hydrofluorocarbons in "Climate Change: The UK Programme". [153617]

Mr. Meacher: Industry was given a clear signal on the continued use of hydrofluorocarbons in the UK Climate Change Programme. Policies and measures taken to implement the proposals outlined in the programme include the development of a new voluntary agreement with the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, the introduction of a mandatory scheme to train and certify refrigerant handlers, and encouragement of the use, where appropriate, of alternative substances.

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to discourage the use of hydrofluorocarbons in air conditioning equipment; and if he will make a statement. [153616]

Mr. Meacher: Industry was given a clear signal on the continued use of hydrofluorocarbons in the UK Climate Change Programme. Policies and measures taken to implement the proposals outlined in the programme

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include the development of a new voluntary agreement with the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, the introduction of a mandatory scheme to train and certify refrigerant handlers, and encouragement of the use, where appropriate, of alternative substances.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the estimated cost is of administering the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in England in 2000-01; and what the average cost is of administration for each grant paid. [153531]

Mr. Meacher: The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is managed by Eastern HEES Ltd. in the East of England, and by the Eaga Partnership in the rest of England. The two scheme managers are responsible for marketing the scheme to eligible households; carrying out independent surveys of properties; advising and agreeing with householders the most appropriate measures for their home; recruiting heating and insulation contractors through open competition; and managing payments to contractors for work completed.

The fees paid to the scheme managers consist of a fixed monthly element and a variable amount paid for each household where work has been completed and invoiced. In addition the Department paid start up costs of £2,485,000 in the period between award of contract in March 2000 and the start of the new scheme on 1 June 2000.

Excluding these one-off costs, the total scheme management costs between 1 June 2000 and 31 March 2001 are estimated to be £18,906,000 (excluding VAT). This is based on the 134,555 households for whom work orders have been placed with installers during the year. This equates to an average cost per household of £141.

This estimate does not allow for profit clawback clause included within the contract with the Eaga Partnership, and the not-for-profit basis of Eastern HEES. These two factors will reduce the actual fees paid by the Department this year.

The average cost per household figure reflects the relatively slow start to the scheme during the period June-August 2000. The coming financial year will represent the first full year of operation for the new scheme. The total number of homes improved is expected to increase substantially, thereby reducing the average cost per household.

Walton Group plc

Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on (a) obtaining the return of the £4.4 million grant made to the Walton Group plc in respect of Exchange Flags Liverpool and (b) matters referred to Merseyside Police in respect of this grant. [153546]

Ms Beverley Hughes: Police investigations are still in progress, and therefore I am unable to make any further statement at this time.

Driving Licences (Pensioners)

Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the

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Government have to abolish the payment for driving licence renewals for pensioners aged over 70 years; and if he will make a statement. [153538]

Mr. Hill: There are no plans to abolish the three yearly driving licence renewal fee for the over-70s. Fees are required to cover the costs of issuing licences. Abolishing the fee for renewing licences from age 70 would result in an unacceptable level of cross-subsidisation, which would have to be borne by other drivers through the fees they pay.

The fee was reduced from £8.50 to £6.00 in November last year, returning it to its 1992 level. A consultation document issued in February this year proposes a freeze in the over-70s licence renewal fee.

Environmental Management Policies

Mr. Anthony D. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanism the Government plan to put in place to require publicly funded institutions to introduce formal environmental management policies. [153518]

Mr. Meacher: The Government have already put mechanisms in place for requiring Government Departments to establish formal environmental management policies. Details are given in the second annual report of the Green Ministers' Committee, which I chair, with chapter 5 covering the progress that has been made in establishing environmental management systems on the Government estate. A copy is on my Department's website. The Government have not so far put mechanisms in place for requiring local authorities to establish environmental management systems, though we have provided encouragement and are pleased that a number of local authorities have established environmental management systems certified to ISO 14001 and EMAS.

London Underground

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to conclude negotiations on the PPP for the London Underground. [153947]

Mr. Hill: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced last month that he had agreed to work together with the Commissioner of Transport for London, Bob Kiley, and with London Underground, on developing mutually acceptable modifications to the Public Private Partnership. Discussions on these modifications are continuing and have made some real progress. If we can reach agreement then the PPP bidders will be asked to submit revised proposals.

The Government have not, and will not, set an artificial timetable for completion of the PPP, as this would weaken our ability to ensure that it delivers the best deal for London.

Railtrack plc

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to acquire (a) a stake in and (b) additional powers over Railtrack plc. [153943]

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Mr. Hill: The Transport Act 2000 has strengthened the regulation and accountability of Railtrack. The Rail Regulator rigorously enforces Railtrack's network licence obligations and has proposed new licence conditions.

Ports of Canada Police

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2001, Official Report, column 276W, if he will assess the role and experience of the Ports of Canada police as a model for the future policing of United Kingdom ports; and if he will make a statement. [153610]

Mr. Hill: Yes. As I told my hon. Friend in my letter of 4 January, I am happy to consider any information that he considers relevant to our review of ports police forces.

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