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21 July 2009 : Column 1651W—continued
Departmental Procurement
Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress his Department has made in implementing the recommendations of the Glover Report in its procurement processes. [287134]
Mr. Malik: The Department is currently developing its strategy for small and medium enterprise engagement and has started to collect small and medium enterprise (SME) expenditure data.
Departmental Responsibilities
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the responsibilities are of each Minister in his Department. [282737]
Mr. Malik: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds overall responsibility for the business of the Department and its policies.
My right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning (John Healey) leads on housing, planning, climate change and sustainable development.
My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government (Ms. Winterton) leads on local government, regions, regeneration and worklessness. She is also a Minister for the Department of Business Innovation and Skills and Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber.
I lead on the fire service, community cohesion, race and migration, preventing extremism, the Thames Gateway and the Olympic legacy.
My hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, North (Mr. Austin) supports on housing, planning, climate change and sustainable development. He is also Minister for the West Midlands.
My noble Friend Lord McKenzie of Luton supports on local government, and covers the Department's business in the House of Lords.
Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Minister in his Department is responsible for (a) Travellers, (b) Pathfinder Housing Market Renewal and (c) the QE2 Conference Centre. [288322]
Mr. Malik: The ministerial responsibilities are as follows:
(a) I am responsible;
(b) My right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning (John Healey) supported by my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley North (Mr. Austin);
(c) I am responsible.
Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the Ministerial responsibilities relating to local government are of Lord McKenzie of Luton as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in his Department. [288323]
Mr. Malik: My noble Friend supports my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government (Ms Winterton) on such local government policies as the business of the Department demands.
Eco-Towns
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what guidance has been published by his Department on waste policy in eco-towns; [288103]
(2) what guidance has been published by his Department on transport policy in eco-towns; [288106]
(3) what guidance has been published on the planning process for eco-town travel plans. [288107]
John Healey: As set out in my written statement on 16 July 2008, Official Report, column 42WS, my Department published 'Planning Policy Statement: Eco-towns' (PPS), which sets out the standards that eco-towns will have to meet, including standards for transport and waste. I have placed copies of the PPS in the Library of the House.
As part of their work with us on eco-towns, the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have produced a series of best practice guidance worksheets to support those taking forward eco-towns. This includes worksheets on waste and transport, and these are available on the TCPA's website
The transport worksheet supplements the initial guidance produced by the Department for Transport, 'Building Sustainable Transport into New Developments: A Menu of Options for Growth Points and Eco-towns', and looks at travel planning and implementing sustainable transport approaches.
Eco-Towns: Middle Quinton
Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 July 2009, on eco-towns and zero carbon homes, if he will withdraw the proposal for an eco-town at Long Marston from the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy review process; and if he will make a statement. [288637]
John Healey: I will make a decision on the proposal for an eco-town at Long Marston after the Department has received the report of the panel on the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. Any decision will also take into account any further representations on any new or additional matters which may arise in relation to the proposed Middle Quinton eco-town at Long Marston.
Empty Dwelling Management Orders
Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department has issued on the use of empty dwelling management orders in respect of empty dwellings occupied by (a) squatters and (b) Travellers. [288522]
John Healey: No guidance has been issued on this point.
EU Law
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what estimate he has made of the proportion of statutory obligations provided for by legislation on matters for which his Department is responsible which were introduced as a consequence of obligations arising from EU legislation in the latest period for which figures are available; [281869]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the statutory obligations upon it provided for in legislation introduced as a consequence of obligations arising from EU legislation in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available. [283480]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold this information.
It is very difficult to provide precise figures for the proportion of UK legislation that stems from the European Union. The important consideration is not the origins of a piece of legislation, but the quality of the regulation. All regulations, irrespective of their origins, should comply with the principles of better regulation. The Government continue to work with European partners to ensure that EU regulations meet these standards.
Fire Services: Industrial Disputes
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which fire authorities have entered into contracts with private sector companies to provide fire cover in the event of industrial action. [288161]
Mr. Malik: The provision of fire cover within a fire and rescue authority in the event of industrial action, is the responsibility of that fire and rescue authority. The Department does not collect information from fire and rescue authorities as to whether they have engaged private sector companies to provide emergency fire cover in the event of industrial action.
However, we understand that London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority have entered into a contract for the provision of an Emergency Fire Crew Capability Service to the London Fire Brigade. We are not currently aware of any other similar contracts.
Fires: Domestic Waste
Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) of 3 July 2009, Official Report, column 454W, on fires: waste, if he will commission research into the scope and frequency of household arson attacks involving wheeled refuse containers. [288381]
Mr. Malik: There are currently no centrally held data on the number of wheeled refuse container fires. The recently implemented electronic Incident Recording System (IRS) records all incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services. From the data held on IRS it will be possible to identify deliberate fires as well as the number and location of wheeled refuse container fires attended by Fire and Rescue Services. These data will be available for 2009-10 and so should provide information on the frequency of fires in wheeled refuse containers and their involvement in household arson attacks.
The Government fund research on fire and resilience matters through several routes, one of which is the annual Fire and Resilience Research and Statistics Programme. Potential research projects for the Programme are discussed and prioritised based on the Department's policy needs and also in close consultation with Fire and Rescue Service stakeholders, such as the Chief Fire Officers Association. The Programme for 2009-10 has been finalised. A potential research project on the scope of fires in wheeled refuse containers will be included in this process for 2010-11 and we will ensure engagement with the Arson Control Forum as key stakeholders.
Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) of 3 July 2009, Official Report, column 454W, on fires: waste, what guidance (a) his Department and (b) the Fire Service College has issued to firefighters and fire services on tackling fires deliberately set in wheeled refuse containers. [288453]
Mr. Malik: Neither my Department nor the Fire Service College has issued guidance to firefighters and the fire and rescue service in relation to tackling fires which have been deliberately set in wheeled refuse containers. Individual Fire and Rescue Authorities may, however, have developed operational procedures or policy on the issue.
Gardens
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department and its agencies hold on the proportion and number of households with access to private gardens. [288102]
John Healey: The Department does not hold information on the proportion and number of households with access to private gardens.
Gardens: Helicopters
Mr. Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what planning provision he intends to make to regulate the use of back gardens for the landing of helicopters; [287788]
(2) what guidance he has provided to local authorities on the application of legislation relating to neighbour behaviour which might be used in relation to the landing of helicopters in confined spaces. [287789]
John Healey: The planning system exists to control development and protect the amenity of others. Where use of a garden to land helicopters involves development of some kind existing regulations would apply. The Government have no plans to amend the law in this respect.
The Government have not issued any guidance in relation to the landing of helicopters in confined spaces by neighbours.
Glasgow
John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to visit Glasgow on official business during the summer adjournment. [288910]
Mr. Malik: My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Glasgow.
Green Belt
Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what locations the regional spatial strategies submitted to his Department propose a review of green belt protection with a view to reducing the present level of protection. [288509]
John Healey: The level of protection afforded to green belt would not be affected by any regional spatial strategy-this is set out in National Planning Policy. Policies in regional spatial strategies may recommend that, in a particular area, there should be a review of which areas should be designated as green belt.
Green Belt: Cambridgeshire
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to protect (a) green belts and (b) green open spaces in (i) Huntingdonshire and (ii) Cambridgeshire. [287202]
John Healey: National and regional planning policy (Planning Policy Guidance Note 2 and the East of England Plan) both contain policy to protect Green Belt land and there remains a strong presumption against development.
The East of England Plan, published in May 2008 confirmed that the broad extent of green belts in the East of England, including around Cambridge, is appropriate and should be maintained.
Government Planning Policy (Policy Guidance Note 17) sets out the Government's approach to the provision of open space. The East of England Plan (Policy ENV1) also includes policy on creation and maintenance and creation of networks of green infrastructure. The Local Development Plans of Cambridge City Council and Huntingdonshire district council will then make provision for open green space, including the setting of open space standards.
Home Information Packs
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of home condition reports that were completed in each of the last three years. [286432]
John Healey: The full year figures for the number of voluntary home condition reports (HCRs) which have been lodged on the HCR register are 1680 in 2007 and 120 in 2008. Figures for 2009 will be available after the year end.
Homelessness
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of people of no fixed abode in each region in England. [287509]
John Healey: Information about the total number of people in England with no fixed abode is not held centrally.
Homes and Communities Agency: Pay
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the salary is of each (a) board member and (b) executive team member of the (i) Homes and Communities Agency and (ii) Tenant Services Authority. [280295]
John Healey: The remuneration for the HCA chair was previously detailed in the Department's press notice of 27 June 2008, and for the TSA chair in the press notice of 13 May 2008. Information on the remuneration for the HCA and TSA's other board members was included in the Department's press notice of 17 October 2008.
The remuneration for the HCA and TSA's board, chief executive and other key senior executives will be published in the relevant 2008-09 annual report and accounts later this year.
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many (a) board members and (b) employees of (i) the Homes and Communities Agency and (ii) the Tenant Services Authority received a bonus in the last 12 months; and what the average bonus payment was; [280299]
(2) how many (a) board members and (b) employees of the (i) Homes and Communities Agency and (ii) Tenant Services Authority are paid more than (A) £50,000, (B) £75,000 and (C) £100,000 per annum; [280301]
(3) how much the (a) Homes and Communities Agency and (b) Tenant Services Authority has paid in staff bonuses in the last 12 months. [280302]
John Healey: Information on pay and bonuses for the Homes and Communities Agency and the Tenant Services Authority will be included in their annual report and accounts. Additional details will be published by both the HCA and TSA later this year.
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