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Rail Property Ltd: Property Sales
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What was the amount budgeted for sales of land by Rail Property Ltd for the financial years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99; and what amount was, or is expected to be, achieved for each of those years.[HL1832]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman): Details of Rail Property Ltd's budgets are a matter for the British Railways Board. However, the board's annual report and accounts 1996-97 show that the BR Property Board achieved property sales of £46.3 million that year. We understand from the British Railways Board that Rail Property Ltd achieved property sales of £72.7 million in 1997-98 and their present expectation is to achieve property sales of £57.3 million in 1998-99.
London: Referendum and Council Elections
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many valid votes were cast:
(a) in the referendum on the government of London;
(b) in the council elections for the London boroughs;
and what percentage of those eligible to vote this represents in each case.[HL1849]
Baroness Hayman: A total of 1,709,128 valid votes were cast in the London referendum, representing
34.1 per cent. of those eligible to vote.
Information on the number of votes cast in elections in the London boroughs is not collated centrally.
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Hayman: A total of 26,188 votes were rejected as void in the London referendum, representing 0.53 per cent. of those eligible to vote.
Information on rejected votes in London borough elections is not collated centrally.
Lord Mason of Barnsley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Hayman: The Coalfields Task Force will shortly be publishing its report. I understand that it has taken evidence from the Environment Agency and other relevant organisations with a view to making recommendations on the issue of minewater pollution.
I am not aware that the Clean Rivers Trust and the Anglers Conservation Association have submitted evidence, and I will suggest to the Task Force that they might be consulted.
Lord Mason of Barnsley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Hayman: The Environment Agency has discussed this issue with many organisations, including the Clean Rivers Trust and the Anglers Conservation Association.
Under the "polluter pays" principle, the issue of whether or not pumps should be kept working to avoid a potential pollution incident when a mine is abandoned is a matter for the operator or former operator of a mine to consider alongside other options to prevent or treat any resulting water pollution. The Environment Agency is able to help operators to decide if this is the most appropriate environmental outcome for a particular mine, but would not expect to assist financially in keeping the pumps working. New regulations come into force on 1 July requiring mine operators to give the Environment Agency six months' notice of their intention to abandon a mine, to allow steps to be taken to prevent minewater pollution.
The Government are taking steps to clean up contaminated minewaters from long-abandoned mines on a priority basis. The Coal Authority has undertaken 21 detailed feasibility studies on the most environmentally significant overflows from abandoned coal mines, and works commenced on four of these priority sites in 1997-98. In addition, the Coal Authority has, in collaboration with the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, identified further priority sites for study. The Coal Authority spent £3 million in 1997-98 in tackling water pollution from abandoned coal mines, and this is anticipated to rise to £3.9 million in 1998-99.
In addition, the Environment Agency also carries out measures to reduce water pollution from abandoned mines. To reduce pollution from the Wheal Jane tin mine alone, the agency has spent £9.5 million since 1990 on pumping, research and treatment.
Lord Monkswell asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Hayman: Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions have had several meetings with pressure groups and unions about the construction industry over the last 12 months. Although the high level of accidents in the construction industry has been discussed at many of these, the specific issue of deaths on building sites in Greater London has not been raised. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Field Operations Directorate, London and South East Region is responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation on building sites in Greater London. No formal representations on this specific issue have been received by HSE's London and South East Region. In the course of carrying out their duties, HSE Inspectors may well have had discussions with union representatives and others on this topic, but records of such discussions are not recorded.
Lord Monkswell asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Hayman: We are advised by the Health and Safety Executive that seven fatal accidents to construction workers on construction sites were reported to HSE's construction teams in the Greater London area between 6 April 1997 and 4 April 1998.
Lord Colwyn asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many ballot papers were spoiled:
(a) in the referendum on the government of London; and
(b) in the council elections for the London boroughs;
and what percentage of those eligible to vote this represents in each case.[HL1850]Whether the Coalfields Task Force has consulted the Clean Rivers Trust and the Anglers Conservation
14 May 1998 : Column WA136Association with a view to examining and making recommendations about tackling the problem of abandoned minewater from closed coal mines polluting rivers and streams.[HL1838]
Whether the Environment Agency has been liaising with the Clean Rivers Trust and the Anglers Conservation Association to examine the problems of environmental damage to lakes, rivers and streams caused by polluted minewater from closed coal mines; and what financial steps the agency intends to take to assist in keeping the pumps working.[HL1839]
How many representations have been made to government agencies in the last 12 months by trades unions about the deaths of workers on building sites in the Greater London area; and how many representations have been made by other organisations and individuals during the same period.[HL1778]
How many deaths of construction workers have occurred on building sites in the Greater London area in the last 12 months.[HL1780]
When the construction work at the junction of Park Lane and Upper Brook Street will be completed and
14 May 1998 : Column WA138
- what importance they attach to restoring the Park Lane bus lane and normal traffic flow through Brook Gate.[HL1812]
Baroness Hayman: These works are a matter for the highway authority, the City of Westminster. The closure of part of the southbound bus lane in Park Lane was to facilitate the demolition and redevelopment of Brook House. We understand that the outstanding works should be completed by the end of May. Westminster City Council then intend to reinstate the southbound bus lane in Park Lane and the carriageway in Brook Gate and Upper Brook Street.
Independent and State Schools: Partnerships
Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they expect to respond to the interim report of the Advisory Group on Independent/State School Partnerships.[HL1913]
Lord Whitty: My honourable friend the Minister for School Standards is writing today to the chairman welcoming the interim report of the advisory group. The full report, including the Minister's response, will be published tomorrow. Copies will be placed in the Library.
My honourable friend is also laying before Parliament tomorrow the Education (Partnership Grant) Regulations 1998 and announcing the allocation of grant for 1998-99.
Scottish Parliament: Standing Orders
Lord Selkirk of Douglas asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they anticipate publication of the proposed Standing Orders for the new Scottish Parliament.[HL1770]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel): I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer which I gave him on 19 November 1997 (WA 82).
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