| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
9 Feb 2006 : Column 1416W—continued
Rates Revaluation
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate the Government have made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of households in Northern Ireland whose bills will (i) increase, (ii) decrease and (iii) not change under the planned rates revaluation and shift to discrete capital values. [49562]
Angela E. Smith: This cannot be determined until the Valuation and Lands Agency completes the revaluation process in the spring of 2006. A study published by the university of Ulster in 2003, using sales information, suggested that the proportion whose bills would decrease following the move to discrete capital based rating would be 61 per cent., while 39 per cent. would face an increased bill. The Department's own analysis supports these estimates and indicates that the proportion of properties which will experience a decrease in bill of more than 5 per cent. is 52 per cent., the proportion that will face an increase in bill of more than 5 per cent. is 35 per cent. and the proportion with no change in bill (that is, between + /- 5 per cent.) is 13 per cent.
This assumes overall revenues remain static. Furthermore the estimates do not allow for households which may qualify for housing benefit nor does it take into account the moderating impact of a three year transition scheme and any interim arrangements that may be considered for the treatment of district rates.
Road Accident Prevention
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent in each of the last 10 years on measures to prevent road traffic accidents in the Province. [49386]
Mr. Woodward: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 9 February 2006:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how much has been spent in each of the last 10 years on measures to prevent road traffic accidents in the Province.
I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
Improving road safety is a significant factor in developing the vast majority of schemes that are funded from Roads Service's capital budget. Within that budget the programmes that are specifically targeted at reducing road traffic collisions are the collision remedial and traffic calming programmes.
Expenditure in each of the last 10 financial years on collision remedial and traffic calming across Northern Ireland was:
(18) Anticipated expenditure in this financial year
Unemployment
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the percentage unemployment rates are for each ward in Northern Ireland listed in descending order and indicating in which constituency each ward lies. [44601]
Angela E. Smith: A copy of this information has been placed in the Library of the House.
WALES
Objective One
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the total Welsh block figures set out in annex 1 of the Wales Office annual report 2005 (Cm 6545) include the above Barnett formula additions for objective one in Wales. [45353]
Statutory Instruments
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the statutory instruments introduced by his Department since 6 May 2005. [46202]
The Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (Relaxation of Restriction on Disclosure) Order 2004.
Tourism Accommodation
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the costs of introducing a statutory registration scheme for providers of tourism accommodation in Wales. [47645]
Mr. Hain: The Welsh Assembly Government are committed to ensuring that regulatory approaches conform to the best principles of proportionality, and will seek to ensure that the benefits of statutory registration should be achieved whilst minimising and, if possible, reducing the overall regulatory burden and compliance costs.
The Welsh Assembly Government have, however, decided that further work is required to ensure that its policy of driving up the overall quality of tourism
9 Feb 2006 : Column 1418W
facilities in Wales is taken forward in a fully collaborative way, so is no longer seeking to introduce a draft Bill in this session as was originally planned.
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the economic impact of introducing a statutory registration scheme for providers of tourism accommodation in Wales. [47646]
Mr. Hain: The clear policy aim is to generate a positive economic impact for the tourism industry in Wales. Boosting quality standards should ensure that visitors to Wales enjoy good standards of accommodation and service, hopefully increasing the number of repeat visits, and greatly assisting in marketing Wales as a tourist destination.
The Welsh Assembly Government have decided that further work is required to ensure that its policy of driving up the overall quality of tourism facilities in Wales is taken forward in a fully collaborative way, so is no longer seeking to introduce a draft Bill in this session as was originally planned.
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received about a statutory registration scheme for providers of tourism accommodation in Wales. [47647]
Mr. Hain: I have regular meetings with representatives of the business community to discuss various issues of interest to them, including tourism.
Vandalism
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the acts of vandalism which have been perpetrated (a) inside and (b) on the outside of his Department's buildings in the last 12 months. [49512]
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Building Regulations
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps the Government plan to take to amend building regulations to take account of further environmental initiatives. [49757]
Yvette Cooper: On 13 September 2005, I announced improvements to the energy efficiency standards set out in part L of the Building Regulations. The part L changes come into effect in April 2006 and will make a major contribution to the UK's commitment to combat climate change delivering increased energy standards of up to 27 per cent. for new buildings. In total this all means an increase of 40 per cent. since 2000.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department is taking to encourage the construction of more energy efficient buildings above minimum Part L building regulations requirements; and if he will make a statement. [49535]
Yvette Cooper:
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently proposing a new Code for Sustainable Homes, which goes further than building regulations. Building Regulations will continue to set
9 Feb 2006 : Column 1419W
out the minimum legal standards for buildings. The Code could also provide an indication of the future direction of standards in building regulations.
Council Tax
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1500W, on council tax revaluation, when the collection of value significant codes is forecast to be complete. [47452]
Mr. Woolas: The collection of value significant codes is an ongoing task, as it has been since the onset of the council tax.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |