11 Mar 1997 : Column: 117
Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 11 March 1997
ENVIRONMENT
Sewage (UV Disinfection)
Mrs. Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the locations of sewage plants with ultra violet light disinfection treatment, indicating the relevant water and sewerage company. [18777]
Mr. Clappison: The Environment Agency has provided the following list of the locations of sewage plants with ultra violet light disinfection treatment:
| Location | |
|---|---|
| South West Water | Lyme Regis |
| Exmouth | |
| Menagwins (St. Austell) | |
| St. Columb Major | |
| Southern Water | New Romney (Littlestone) |
| Dymchurch | |
| Camber | |
| Anglian Water | Cleethorpes (Newton Marsh) |
| Mablethorpe | |
| Wells-next-to-the-Sea | |
| Heacham | |
| West Mersea | |
| North West Water | Newbiggin |
| Askham-in-Furness | |
| Silloth | |
| Welsh Water Dwr Cymru | Newgale |
| Aberystwyth | |
| Llanelli (Bynea) | |
| Tywyn/Aberdyfi | |
| Criccieth |
Mrs. Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the percentage of sewage treated by ultra violet light disinfection for each water and sewerage company. [18778]
Mr. Clappison: The Environment Agency has provided the following estimates of the percentage of sewage treated by ultra violet light disinfection for each water and sewerage company:
South West Water, 2.9 per cent.; Southern Water, 0.3 per cent.; Anglian Water, 2.9 per cent.; North West Water, less than 0.1 per cent.; and Welsh Water Dwr Cymru, 4.7 per cent.
Sewage Discharge
Mrs. Helen Jackson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines govern the prosecution of breaches in discharge consents. [18780]
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Mr. Clappison:
The Environment Agency follows the code for Crown prosecutors and the Attorney-General's guidelines on criteria for prosecutions. Specific prosecution policies are under development. Currently, in respect of prosecution for breaches of discharge consents, the agency follows procedural guidance adopted by the National Rivers Authority.
Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department established its Internet site; what representations he has received and what data he has collated on the use and utility of the site; and what steps he is taking to increase the amount of information available via the site. [19149]
Sir Paul Beresford:
The Department of the Environment's Internet site was established in late 1994. The average weekly accesses are 8,500 from a wide cross-section of users both at home and overseas. My Department has received no representations on its use of the Internet. We view the Internet as an important means of augmenting the provision of information in all areas of the Department's responsibilities. My Department is looking at increasing the availability of information on the Internet as part of its normal publishing procedures.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that in each water company area in England the water is safe to drink. [19305]
Mr. Clappison:
The main task of the drinking water inspectorate is to check that water companies supply wholesome drinking water and in doing so comply with the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989, as amended. The results of the inspectorate's checks are published in its annual reports. The inspectorate also investigates incidents which adversely affect, or threaten to affect, drinking water supplies. Local authorities can also carry out their own monitoring.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the current remuneration of the chief executive of the QEII Conference Centre; and what was the figure in (a) March 1996 and (b) March 1995; [19577]
Sir Paul Beresford:
I have asked the chief executive of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre to write to the hon. Member.
11 Mar 1997 : Column: 119
Letter from M. C. Buck to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 10 March 1997:
Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) which organisations he consults on the effectiveness of his Department's policies to encourage greater provision of art in open spaces; [19655]
Sir Paul Beresford:
These are matters essentially for local decision. Only exceptionally would the Secretary of State be asked to comment.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the findings of the Health and Safety Executive, following its visit to the port of Tilbury in February to examine the unloading and storage of ammonium nitrate. [19853]
Sir Paul Beresford:
The port of Tilbury was visited by two inspectors form the HSE's chemical and hazardous installations division on 4 February 1997. Ammonium nitrate was being stored in bulk in a dedicated warehouse towards the centre of the port complex. No unloading was taking place at the time of the visit. The storage arrangements were considered satisfactory and in accordance with published HSE guidance.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 3 March, Official Report, column 467, if he will list the changes he is making to the consultants' report to the Countryside Commission before placing it in the Library. [19734]
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Mr. Clappison:
The Countryside Commission has amended the original report on the A36 Salisbury bypass, prepared by the consultants Novell Tullett. The two changes are:
A copy of the final report has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigation the Health and Safety Executive is considering into the scale of hazard and the circumstances surrounding the roll-over of a fuel tanker at West Thurrock shopping park on Monday 3 March. [19851]
Sir Paul Beresford:
The fuel tanker in question shed part of its load when it overturned at West Thurrock shopping park on 3 March 1997. The HSE is aware of the incident and is making inquiries with the operator and manufacturers of the tanker.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 6 March, what were the findings of the HM specialist inspector of biosafety, from the Health and Safety Executive, following his visits to the experimental site at Wytham Woods in June 1994 and September 1995; and if he will place the reports in the Library. [19901]
Sir Paul Beresford:
The HSE inspectors concluded that there were no concerns for either human health and safety or environmental safety as a result of this work, and the release had been carried out in accordance with the terms of the consent.
(2) if the remuneration of the (a) chief executive and (b) senior management of the QEII Conference Centre will be linked to the profitability of the centre following the change to trading fund status; and who is responsible for determining remuneration levels and benefits packages. [19576]
1. Current: £50,000 per annum + up to 15% bonus based on performance, paid in a lump sum, not pensionable.
2. March 96: £46,588 per annum + up to 10% bonus based on performance, paid in a lump sum, not pensionable.
3. March 95: £45,764 per annum + up to 10% bonus based on performance, paid in a lump sum, not pensionable.
The Chief Executive is a member of the Senior Civil Service, and his pay is not linked to the profitability of the Centre. The Chief Executive is not a member of the Centre's Pay and Grading Scheme, or entitled to receive any bonus earned by all Centre staff.
The DOE is responsible for determining the Chief Executive's pay and bonus, under the terms of his contract.
The Directors' are members of the Centre's Pay and Grading scheme, as are all staff with exception of the Chief Executive.
They therefore are linked to the profitability of the Centre. However the amounts payable are capped by the constraints of the Centre's Pay and Grading Scheme.
The Chief Executive is responsible for the operation of this scheme.
The total amount payable to the Centre's staff is subject to approval from the Secretary of State.
(2) whom he consults when evaluating the provision of (a) fountains, and (b) other types of sculptures using water in public open spaces. [19656]
(i) Report summary (Page 1, paragraph 1.2)--the words "with its" have been added to the second sentence, between "the Avon Valley" and "Conservation Area";
(ii) Appendix 2 to the report--the summary of the draft report by English Nature to the Highways Agency has been replaced by a summary of their final report.
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