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1 May 2003 : Column 474W—continued
Waste Disposal
Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ask the Environment Agency to examine the operation of Crabbe Yard, Wadborough, Worcestershire, for compliance with regulations relating to the disposal of waste. [109856]
Mr. Meacher: I have been assured that the Environment Agency has visited the site on several occasions this year and is working in cooperation with other organisations to regulate this site and the company operating from it. At present, there is no evidence to suggest that any waste activities are being carried out on the site that would require a waste management licence from the Agency, although the site has registered an exemption from waste management licensing for the storage of road planings. The Agency will continue to monitor the site to ascertain whether activities being carried out come within the scope of Waste Management Licensing.
Waste Recycling
Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of household waste was recycled in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 1997. [102356]
Mr. Meacher: Household waste recycling figures are not collected for individual constituencies. The following figures show household recycling rates (including composting) from 1997 onwards for South Tyneside, the North East and England. This is a devolved matter, so figures are shown for England only. The data are available on the Defra website.
| Area | 1997–98 | 1998–99 | 1999–2000 | 2000–01 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Tyneside | n/a | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| The north east | 4.4 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 4.1 |
| England | 8.2 | 9.0 | 10.3 | 11.2 |
Water Industry
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about the Water Industry (Charges) (Vulnerable Group) (Amendment) Regulations. [109959]
Mr. Morley: None. The Water Industry (Charges) (Vulnerable Group) (Amendment) Regulations, which came into force on 31 March 2003, were technical amendments to reflect changes to the benefits and tax credits system.
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The consultation paper, "Reductions for Vulnerable Groups", issued by my Department on 25 February 2003 explained these changes and invited comments on proposed extensions of the regulations. The consultation period will end on 9 May after which we shall publish a response to consultation including a list of all those organisations and individuals who responded.
Wild Mammal Trials
Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what trials the Department is engaged in with the Central Science Laboratory; and whether such trials relating to wild mammals involve the use of (a) repellants, (b) electric fencing and (c) condition taste aversion. [108141]
Mr. Morley: The Department has commissioned the Central Science Laboratory to carry out a range of studies of wild mammals and birds with the aim of developing effective, humane and environmentally sensitive approaches to wildlife management. Ongoing work with wild mammals includes the potential use of repellents and conditioned taste aversion as non-lethal means of resolving conflicts between wildlife and other interests. There are no current trials on electric fencing although previous studies have developed effective methods to manage some problems posed by rabbits, foxes and badgers. Advisory leaflets on these methods are available from the National Wildlife Management Team of Defra's Rural Development Service www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/leaflets.htm.
Wildlife Rescue Services
Mr. Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support her Department has given to wildlife rescue services in each of the past 10 years; and what recent representations she has received about the funding of such services. [109725]
Mr. Morley: The Department welcomes the activities of groups who seek to rehabilitate wildlife. We do not give financial assistance to these organisations. We are not aware of specific representations made concerning the funding of such services.
While the Government cannot see a case for extending the use of public money to directly fund their wcrk, it has policies in place to increase the value of these gifts by generous tax concessions, thereby supporting the work of all charities without compromising their independence.
As part of the Government's policy to encourage more people to give to charity, the tax incentives for charitable giving were improved from 6 April 2000. There are now no limits on the amounts that individuals can give through the Gift Aid and Payroll Giving Schemes. In addition, for the first time, there is a new income tax relief for gifts to charity of listed shares and securities. Businesses can also get tax relief when they donate money, stock or equipment to charities in general.
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WALES
Accountancy Services
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in 2002–03. [109492]
Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 March 2003, Official Report, column 249W.
Aerospace Industry (North Wales)
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the aerospace industry in North Wales. [97547]
Peter Hain: I remain positive about the prospects for this sector in North Wales, which, happily, provides employment opportunities for the hon. Gentleman's constituents. I continue to support extensions to services across Wales, which of course benefit local support industries.
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales recently visited Airbus Industries in Broughton. He has also met Aerospace Wales, who have a clear and ambitious vision, representing an exciting future for the industry throughout Wales.
Building Supplies
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of UK (a) aluminium, (b) tin-plate, (c) steel and (d) timber supply originated in Wales in the last three years. [107513]
Peter Hain: (a) There are no output figures available for Welsh aluminium supply. However, in both 1999 and 2000 the number of employees in aluminium production at Welsh based firms was 22 per cent. and in 2001 19 per cent. as a proportion of GB figures.
- Source:Annual Business Inquiry, Office for National Statistics.
(b) There are no employees in tin manufacturing in Wales, as recorded on the Annual Business Inquiry.
(c) In 1999, Wales accounted for 42 per cent. of UK crude steel production, 45 per cent. in 2000 and 34 per cent. in 2001.
Source:Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau.
Employment Relations Act
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in his Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999. [108346]
Peter Hain: My Department does not keep records of staff who take time off work under the Employment Relations Act 1999. Staff are granted 5 days paid special
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leave to deal with short-term domestic incidents and special leave without pay may be granted for longer periods according to circumstances.
Grants
Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what scale of funding was offered to LG Electronics in seeking to attract the firm as an inward investor for their operations in Newport, South Wales; [105607]
- (2) if he will list each grant given to (a) LG Electronics and (b) LG Semiconductors from public funds for their operations in Newport, South Wales, and the dates on which they were given. [105608]
Peter Hain: In 1997, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Hague) co-ordinated offers to LG Electronics Wales Ltd. and LG Semicon Wales Ltd., public sector funding packages of £129.5 million and £117.5 million respectively. The combined package of £247 million comprised:
- Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) of £69.5 million;
£10 million infrastructure work funded by the WDA;
WDA property grants of £118.9 million;
Site development support of £17 million;
Land to the value of £14.2 million;
Training support of up to £17.6 million;
With regard to payments made, companies dealing with the Welsh Assembly Government expect such details to be handled confidentially.
Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much funding was (2) how much funding was (a) offered and (b) provided to LG Semiconductors following the offer aimed at attracting the firm as an inward investor for their operations in Newport, South Wales. [105609]
Peter Hain: In 1997, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Hague) co-ordinated offers to LG Electronics Wales Ltd. and LG Semicon Wales Ltd., public sector funding packages of £129.5 million and £117.5 million respectively.
With regard to payments made, companies dealing with the Welsh Assembly Government expect such details to be handled confidentially.
Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on grant aid given to LG for their operations in Newport, South Wales. [105610]
Peter Hain: Following the announcement of the Welsh Office's intentions by the then Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Hague), a package of support to LG Semicon Wales Ltd. and LG Electronics Wales Ltd. was approved by the European Commission in 1997. However, responsibility for administrating RSA in Wales has now passed to the Welsh Assembly Government. Since then, I understand that considerable private sector investment has gone into the Newport site in terms of infrastructure, buildings and equipment with assistance from the public sector. A significant number of jobs were created by LG Electronics Wales Ltd. and subsequently the joint
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venture LG Philips Displays, but the volatility of the semiconductor sector and issues in the Korean economy, meant that the semiconductor plant has not proceeded into production.
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