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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 10 July 2001
TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND
THE REGIONS
Local Authority Boundaries
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received proposing local authority boundary changes in Merseyside; and if he will make a statement. [2105]
Dr. Whitehead: We are not aware of any such representations. Boundaries in Merseyside were last looked at in 1997 when the Local Government Boundary Commission for England was directed to carry out a review of Sefton. No changes to boundaries were recommended at that time. Under the current programme of periodic electoral reviews being carried out by the Local Government Commission, a change to local authority boundaries cannot be considered.
Harbourside, Tewkesbury
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what factors underlay his Department's inspector's recent decision to allow an appeal to build eight houses at Harbourside, Tewkesbury. [1851]
Ms Keeble [holding answer 3 July 2001]: The decision to grant planning permission was made by a Planning Inspector. I have therefore asked the Planning Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Chris Shepley to Mr. Laurence Robertson, dated 10 July 2001:
- The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about the planning appeal decision to allow housing on land at Bredon Road, Tewkesbury (the "Harbourside" site).
- The Inspector issued her decision on 17 May and I am enclosing a copy of her decision that explains her reasons for allowing the development. As you will see, Tewkesbury Borough Council did not object to the principle of housing on the site and the Environment Agency confirmed that the development did not prejudice its Floodplain Management Policies. The Inspector's main issue was the effect of the dwellings on the existing development around the marina site.
- It is clear from paragraphs 7–13 of the decision, that there are already two existing residential developments, along the south-western and south-eastern sides of the marina basin. The Inspector had to consider whether the proposed development, to be sited alongside the north-eastern boundary, would fit in with the existing housing and environment. The Inspector found that, in her view, the proposals would enhance the existing sense of enclosure, and produce a lively and balanced composition around the marina,
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- integrating satisfactorily into the existing housing and the surrounding area. She concludes, in paragraph 13, that the proposal would not conflict with the Council's development plan, and subsequently granted permission, subject to a number of conditions designed to protect the sensitivity of the site and to ensure the scheme complies with the development plan.
North Circular Road
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the North Circular Road improvement programme to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [2722]
Mr. Jamieson: The North Circular Road is now the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London.
Fuel Duty Rebate System
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the rules which apply to bus and coach operators over the payment of fuel duty and the eligibility for the fuel duty rebate system. [2516]
Ms Keeble: Under the current rules, fuel duty rebate may be claimed for bus services which are registered with the Traffic Commissioner as a local bus service and which are available to the general public.
We shall be extending eligibility to claim rebate to the operators of a wide range of community transport services during this financial year.
We shall be replying shortly to a recent recommendation from the Commission for Integrated Transport that the rebate should also be available for the operators of long-distance scheduled coach services in return for the provision of half-fare concessionary fares for elderly and disabled passengers.
Housing
Mr. Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to introduce new target rents for newly built or procured properties on first lettings; and if he will make a statement. [3068]
Ms Keeble: My Department's "Guide to Social Rent Reforms" which was issued last December stated that:
- "Newly-provided housing funded through Social Housing Grant, and approved for funding from 2002–03 onwards, will normally have rents set immediately at the target levels given by the restructuring formula."
Departmental Staff Secondments
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many staff from his Department and its predecessor were seconded to private sector companies in (a) May 1999 to April 2000 and (b) May 2000 to the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will list in each case
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the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secondment. [3240]
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Dr. Whitehead: (a) 1 May 1999 to April 2000: none; (b) 1 May 2000 to 31 May 2001:
| Staff Rank | Duration | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 X Pay Band 6(G7) | To Capita RAS | February 2001 to November 2001 |
| 1 X Pay Band 6 (G7) | To Shell International | August 2000 to October 2002 |
| 1 X Pay Band 4 (HEO) | To Arthur Andersen | January 2001 to January 2002 |
| 1 X Pay Band 4 (HEO) | To Carillion Ltd. | March 2001 to June 2001 |
| 1 X SCS (Grade 5) | To Carbon Trust | April 2001 to October 2001 |
| 2 X Pay Band 6(G 7) | To Carbon Trust | April 2001 to October 2001 |
| 1 X Pay Band 5 (SEO) | To Carbon Trust | April 2001 to July 2001 |
| 1 X Pay Band 2 (AO) | To Carbon Trust | May 2001 to November 2001 |
Informal Public Spaces
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2001, Official Report, columns 158–59W, what his definition is of "surplus to requirements" in the context of building on open space; and if he will make a statement. [3173]
Ms Keeble: The consultation draft of PPG17 (paragraph 15) lists the range of valuable functions that open space can perform within urban areas. If individual areas of open space no longer fulfil any of these functions, then they may be "surplus to requirements" and local authorities may consider whether they should be made available for development. Development may also be allowed on areas of open space where an exchange of land takes place to compensate for the lost open space. In particular, this may be appropriate where it will allow the release of a site for development needed to meet other economic and social objectives identified locally.
We are currently considering the responses made to the consultation draft of PPG17. We hope to publish the final version by the end of this year.
Speed Limit (Schools)
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he plans to introduce a statutory 20 mph speed limit outside schools. [2585]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 9 July 2001]: The Government have given local authorities the power to introduce 20 mph zones. Our Road Safety Strategy encourages their use in the areas where the most vulnerable are present, like the areas around schools. Where 20 mph zones would not be appropriate, local authorities are encouraged to look for alternative measures to ensure child safety.
Passenger Capacity (Commercial Airlines)
Mr. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to regulate the passenger seating capacity of commercial airlines. [2863]
Mr. Jamieson: The Civil Aviation Authority has had mandatory minimum standards for seat spacing on UK registered aircraft since 1989. These are contained in Airworthiness Notice No. 64 and were introduced to ensure the safe evacuation of an aircraft during an emergency. There is also a limit on the number of seats in each row, which determines the minimum width of the seats.
In its response to the House of Lords Select Committee Inquiry into Air Travel and Health, the Government referred to some research which is being funded by the Civil Aviation Authority to look into the relationship between aircraft seat dimension and passenger size. This study, which is being carried out on behalf of the Joint Aviation Authorities, looks at the changing size of air passengers, but also includes a review of recent research into deep vein thrombosis, and indicates additional areas where further research may be necessary. The study (and any subsequent follow-on study) will provide the Government with the information necessary to review the current regulations on seat spacing. It is due to be presented to the Joint Aviation Authorities shortly.
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