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English Nature
Mr. Patrick Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on the financial, management and policy review of English Nature. [17265]
Mr. Clappison: The financial management and policy review of English Nature has been completed. The intention of the review was to see whether English Nature's system of internal control over both administrative and programme expenditure were reliable and effective. Today, the report was presented to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and to the chairman of English Nature, and I have arranged for copies of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.
The review by my Department has made more than 50 recommendations. As a result of the review, there will be a major change in the relationship between the Department and English Nature, which will include the introduction of single running cost control, a revised financial memorandum, and a management statement.
Single running cost control is an annual cash limit for a non-departmental public body running costs which replaces more detailed item scrutiny. It enables a non-departmental public body to manage its own administration expenditure within that limit, subject to such overall constraints as Government policy on pay. The establishment of single running costs control emphasises that primary responsibility for both financial control and value for money rests with the non-departmental public body's own management.
For a non-departmental public body to be able to follow such an approach requires the support, encouragement and co-operation of its sponsoring Department. English Nature and the Department will work together to achieve this aim.
I consider all the recommendations important. Together, they constitute a package which will enable English Nature to continue to ensure that it is operating in an efficient and effective manner.
Mr. David Nicholson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his response to the first report of the Environment Committee on water conservation and supply (HC 42, 1996-97) published on 20 November 1996. [17475]
Mr. Gummer:
The Government have today published their response to the conclusions and recommendations of the Environment Committee's first report on water conservation and supply. We welcome the report, which
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broadly mirrors the views expressed in our own paper "Water Resources and Supply: Agenda for Action" which we published last October. In that, we set out a framework of policy and strategy to ensure that the water we need in the longer term is provided effectively, efficiently, and in an environmentally sustainable way.
The Government agree with the Committee that leakage reduction must be a top priority for the water companies in relation to water conservation, and notes a recent report from the Director General of Water Services that water companies' revised targets--which he may enforce--aim to reduce losses from their pipes in aggregate to around 15 per cent. of distribution input by the turn of the century. Moreover, the Government consider that it is sensible for water companies to offer their customers free or significantly discounted leakage detection and repair services for supply pipes, particularly where the supply system is stressed.
In 1996, the Government placed water companies under the statutory duty to promote the efficient use of water by their customers. The Director General of Water Services has reviewed companies' draft plans for doing this and is seeking improvements in some cases. As the Government pointed out in "Water Resources and Supply: Agenda for Action," and as the Committee states in its report, it is important for all organisations which are in a position to influence water usage by their employees or by the greater public to set an example, and for water consumers to be responsive.
In promoting water conservation, the Government will be bringing forward in 1998 new regulations to replace the existing water byelaws as a means of preventing wasteful use and undue consumption of water. Through their environmental technology best practice programme, the Government have already provided advice to industry and commerce on reducing water use and will be continuing their initiatives in this field. The Government provide advice to the agricultural sector on storage and efficient use of water, supported by research and development.
The Government share the Committee's concern about the impact of climate change on water resources and demand for water. The work of the Government's climate change impacts review group has focused attention on this issue, and has been made possible in large measure by continuing Government-funded research into climate prediction. The Government are encouraging water companies and the Environment Agency in taking full account of the implications of climate change scenarios for their duties. The Government note the private sector ability of the water companies, under the economic regulation of the Director General of Water Services, to put in place measures to strengthen supplies by making rapid improvements to the existing water supply system, and the investment of more than £400 million for that purpose since 1995.
Our response emphasises the role of water companies, their regulators, the wider water industry and water consumers in contributing to the sustainable management of water resources through water conservation. With the continuing dry weather over much of England and Wales, these issues must remain at the forefront of our attentions. The Government have been monitoring the water resources position since the onset of this dry period in the
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spring of 1995. We have commissioned the Environment Agency to produce in March a report on the prospects for water supplies, based on the position at the end of February as the likely winter recharge period draws to a close, and on the actions water companies have in hand to fulfil their duty to maintain supplies.
Mr. Hargreaves:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to change the 1996-97 external finance limits for the urban development corporations. [17478]
Mr. Gummer:
Grant in aid to Teesside development corporation is being increased by £2,000,000 to allow it to bring forward regeneration projects. This will be funded by a transfer from city challenge. There will be an associated increase in the external financing limits for urban development corporations by £2,000,000 from £207,817,000 to 209,817,000.
Mr. Madden:
To ask the Prime Minister how many times over the last three years, he has addressed the Millennium Club in his official capacity; and if he will list the names of those present and the companies they represented on each occasion; and if he will make a statement. [15696]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 13 February 1997]: None.
Mr. Wilson:
To ask the Prime Minister what reports he has received on the offer made to prospective members of the Millennium Club by Mr. Alan Lewis, concerning access to Ministers of Her Majesty's Government and influence over Government policy; and if he will make a statement. [15661]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 13 February 1997]: None.
Mr. Harry Greenway:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 20 February. [15459]
Sir Peter Tapsell:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 20 February.[15460]
The Prime Minister:
This morning, I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
Mr. Milburn:
To ask the Prime Minister what monitoring takes place by his Department of the use of external consultants by non-departmental public bodies.[16752]
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The Prime Minister:
For this purpose, my Department is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 January, Official Report, columns 13-14.
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many housing associations registered in Scotland are registered with Scottish Homes; and how many of these have elected members of local authorities on the management boards or committees; [16595]
(3) under what rules housing associations are obliged by Scottish Homes to operate in relation to their housing allocation systems; and if Scottish Homes has approved the current housing allocation system operated by the Irvine housing association; [16597]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson:
The information requested relates to operational matters which are the responsibility of Scottish Homes. I have asked the chairman, Mr. John Ward, to write to the hon. Member with the relevant information.
(2) when Scottish Homes expects the Irvine housing association to have drawn up and implemented new membership rules for the association; [16596]
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