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QE II Centre

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 14 May 2002, Official Report, column 516W on the QE II Centre, if the relevant Government policies include the climate change policy; and whether the financial assessment will be on the basis of the whole life costs including energy efficiency of the air conditioning chiller. [58262]

Dr. Whitehead: Yes.

Housing Estates

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will list the deprived local authority housing estates and the local authority and local authority wards that those estates fall into, referred to in DETR, Housing Research Summary No. 65 (1997); [57568]

(2) which of the deprived local authority housing estates referred to in DETR Housing Research Summary No. 65 (1997) have subsequently been part of a stock transfer to housing associations. [57569]

Mr. Byers [holding answer 20 May 2002]: The publication referred to in these questions is the DoE report on "Mapping Local Authority Estates Using the Index of Local Conditions" No.65 (1997).

The study was designed to show the probable distribution and concentration of deprived local authority estates at the regional level. The main report explains that the Department cannot publish the list of estates on which the study was based, or provide specific details on the particular local authority wards which they are in.

There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the analysis was based on one specific definition of deprived estates. It used the 5 per cent. of Census Enumeration Districts with the highest scores on the Index of Local Conditions which had more than 50 per cent. of households renting from the local council. The report stressed that the study did not produce a definitive list of deprived estates. Alternative definitions could be used, based on other data, which could produce different lists. Secondly, the Department wanted to avoid creating or contributing to the stigmatisation of estates.

Both these reasons for non-disclosure are still valid and therefore DTLR cannot provide a list of the estates.

Public Information

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what right of access members of the public have to information on (a) building control, (b) environmental health, (c) drainage and (d) highways from local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [57705]

Mr. Byers [holding answer 20 May 2002]: The Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) Regulations 2000, gives the public significant general rights of access to local authority meetings and related papers.

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There are also certain service specific rights, including for

(a) building control

the right under the Town and County Planning Act 1990 to inspect an authority's planning register;

(b) environmental health

the right for the public, under the Environmental Regulations 1992, to have access to environmental information held by a local authority;

(c) drainage

a right pursuant the Water Industry Act 1991, for the public to inspect drainage maps held in local authority offices; and for

(d) highways

the right for the public, under the Highways Act 1980, to inspect a list of highways in the area which are maintainable at the public expense, and under the New Road and Street Works Act 1991, a register of street works executed or proposed to be executed in the streets in the area.

Crown Immunity

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had on the removal of Crown immunity from prosecution for health and safety offences; and if he will make a statement. [58036]

Dr. Whitehead: I have had discussions with external bodies and officials on this matter from time to time.

Union Health and Safety Representatives

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had on improving the effectiveness of union health and safety representatives; and if he will make a statement. [58037]

Dr. Whitehead: Union safety representatives play a vital role in securing improved health and safety in the workplace. I hold regular meetings with trade unions, where the role of safety representatives is discussed.

Airport Policing Costs (Bristol)

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to change the designation of Bristol airport so that the extra costs of policing the airport since 11 September 2001 are met by the airport authorities rather than Avon and Somerset police; and if he will make a statement. [56536]

Mr. Jamieson: I have no plans to designate Bristol airport at present. My Department is currently reviewing its policy on designation, specifically as regards what criteria to use to decide whether an airport should be designated where the airport operator and police authority are unable to agree.

Independent Rail Accident Investigation Body

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the consultation exercise on the establishment of an independent rail accident investigation body will begin; and what the deadline is for (a) completion of the exercise and (b) the report to his Department. [58174]

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Mr. Byers: We expect to consult this summer on proposals for the establishment of an independent rail accident investigation branch. The consultation exercise will run for 12 weeks from the date of publication, as set out in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on written consultation. Responses to the consultation will be carefully analysed following this period, and in advance of primary legislation.

Local Government White Paper

Ms Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on implementing the Local Government White Paper. [55544]

Mr. Raynsford: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State published an implementation plan on the Department's website on 10 April setting out the key milestones and planned dates for completion. It is updated monthly.

Neighbourhood and Street Wardens

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what effect neighbourhood and street wardens are having on curtailing antisocial behaviour in towns and cities. [55545]

Ms Keeble: Since 2001, 84 Neighbourhood Warden schemes have become active. This year we are bringing forward 123 Street Warden schemes.

Most schemes have curtailing antisocial behaviour as one of their key objectives. Wardens are having an increasing effect on curtailing antisocial behaviour through their deterrent value, their relationship with local communities and enabling the relevant agencies to respond to incidents.

Green Belt

Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to change planning law with regard to the green belt. [55547]

Ms Keeble: None. Planning Policy Guidance note 2: "Green Belts" continues to require that local authority development plans include a strict presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt.

Grant Clawback (Newcastle)

Mr. Clelland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made to meet the request by Newcastle city council to identify situations where clawback of grant in relation to past regeneration schemes will be waived; and if he will make a statement. [58820]

Ms Keeble: On 1 May 2001, my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Local Government and the Regions (Hilary Armstrong), announced the signing of a local public service agreement with Newcastle city council, Official Report, column 594.

One of the Government commitments made in that local PSA, in return for a commitment from the council to increase the level of regeneration, was to have discussions

21 May 2002 : Column 224W

about alterations to the arrangements for clawback of regeneration grants on change of use or disposal of an asset.

The council have argued that for some older regeneration schemes, where any clawback which might apply would be small, that the costs of delay—administratively and in terms of starting valuable projects—would be disproportionate to the sums that might be recovered. The Government have concluded that for regeneration schemes that are now closed, in respect of transactions where receipts are relatively low (and thus the maximum potential level of clawback is also low), and where Government can have confidence that any receipt which might have been due to the Government is recycled into further regeneration consistent with the Government's regeneration objectives, it can offer value for money to offer a waiver of clawback.

In view of the council's undertaking to achieve the enhanced regeneration objectives set out in the local PSA, the Government undertook to consider what scope there is to assist and encourage the council to achieve its targets by waiving the council's contingent liability to repay grant under certain discontinued grant regimes.

The council was seeking a waiver of my Department's right to clawback in both situations where a liability to repay grant can arise, namely (1) where there is a change of use of an asset constructed or acquired wholly or partly out of funds paid under a relevant grant scheme; and (2) where there is a disposal of such an asset. It was the Council's intention to use any proceeds that might have arisen from the waiver to further its regeneration objectives in the East End and West End Going for Growth areas of Newcastle.

After careful consideration, I have concluded that my Department can waive its entitlement to claw back grant under the terms of the former Urban Programme and City Challenge grant schemes:

in order to assist and encourage the council to deliver its regeneration targets under the local PSA;


in relation to assets constructed or acquired using grant given for regeneration activities in the East End and West End Going for Growth areas of Newcastle, as defined in the respective regeneration plans published by the council in July 2001;


so far as liability to repay grant can arise from a disposal of an asset, including land, only where the potential for grant clawback derived from a disposal is £100,000 or less;


so far as liability to repay grant can arise from a change of use of an asset, including land, only where a new use of an asset continues to further the objectives of the grant scheme or wider Government regeneration objectives 2, 3, 4 and 5 published in the DTLR Business Plan 2001; and


for disposals agreed or changes of use effected on or after the date that the Council accepts the terms of the waiver and before 31 March 2004 (the date on which the local PSA expires), unless the waiver is withdrawn before that date on the grounds that it is not being applied properly.

Accordingly, my Department has written to the council today.

For transactions in which potential clawback could exceed £100,000, a full analysis of whether any clawback is due will continue to be required from the council, together with a calculation of the amount due, and waivers will be considered on a case by case basis.

21 May 2002 : Column 225W

The Government are prepared to consider requests for similar treatment from other local authorities who might propose local PSA targets for regeneration, where it is appropriate in the circumstances of the authority.

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