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Single Vehicle Approval
Ms Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the arrangements for single vehicle approval due to come into effect on 1 May will be modified; and if he will make a statement. [38916]
Dr. Strang:
I am laying regulations today that will amend the procedures for importing cars and light goods vehicles that have not been built (type approved) to
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British or European standards. The new measures, which modify those already in place, will ensure that safety and environmental standards appropriate for use in Britain are met.
The changes start to take effect from 1 May 1998. The main points are:
Safety and environmental standards appropriate to British conditions will be determined by an inspection of the vehicle's design and construction prior to first registration in Britain--"Single Vehicle Approval" (SVA).
The current definition of "personal import" will remain for the time being--ie where
(a) the vehicle has been purchased outside the United Kingdom for the personal use of the individual importing it or his dependants;
(b) the vehicle has been so used by that individual or his dependants on roads outside the UK before it is imported;
(c) the vehicle is intended solely for such personal use in the UK, and
(d) the individual importing the vehicle intends to remain in the UK for not less than twelve months from the time when application is made for a first licence for the vehicle under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.
Vehicles up to 3 years old that are personally imported by individuals will have to pass the SVA test before they can be registered. There will be a 2 month transitional period during which individuals who have made arrangements to import vehicles under the existing personal import conditions may continue to do so.
Manufacturers and independent dealers will be able to import and sell cars and light goods vehicles from outside Europe up to a cumulative maximum total of 50 examples of any one model in any one year. In such cases, vehicles up to 10 years old will be subject to SVA.
I will consult on options for future arrangements for vehicle imports under the SVA scheme, in particular the question of numbers. This will be undertaken by 1 January 1999.
From 1 May 1998, SVA will recognise overseas approvals if they are broadly equivalent to SVA requirements.
Any motor caravan or ambulance may be imported by anyone and will not have to undergo SVA, although such vehicles (and any other light passenger car or light goods vehicle) may be volunteered for inspection. Similarly, the scheme will, from 1 May, be available to manufacturers of vehicles constructed using parts from a previously registered vehicle.
Vehicles kept by members of Visiting Forces will be exempt from SVA; they will undergo comparable inspections by the Visiting Force.
Cars that have been type-approved in Europe are not affected by these measures, nor is any vehicle that has been licensed and registered before 1 July 1998.
SVA will apply to amateur-built vehicles registered on or after 1 July 1998.
Freedom of Information
Sir Raymond Powell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he intends to publish the Freedom of Information Bill; and what factors underlie the length of time taken over its preparation. [38123]
Dr. David Clark:
I expect to publish a draft Bill later in the year, which will continue the consultation process started with the White Paper "Your Right to Know". In
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the light of comments on this, a Bill will be introduced into Parliament as soon as the legislative timetable permits.
The consultation period on the White paper formally ended on 28 February, although a significant number of responses came in after this date. I am now considering the main points arising from the consultation, and how we should best take account of them in preparing the draft Bill. Naturally, the exercise has added time to the overall process, however I strongly believe that it is time well spent, since consultation is vital if we are to develop legislation which is to make a genuine and lasting contribution to opening up government.
Mr. Cotter:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the new guidance on market testing and contracting out will be published. [38304]
Dr. David Clark:
In the early summer.
Mr. Breed:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the options which will be included in the prior options review of Government agencies. [38308]
Dr. David Clark:
During the prior options reviews of their Next Steps agencies and agency candidates, departments must thoroughly examine the case for abolition; privatisation; contracting-out; market testing; rationalisation or merger with other areas of government; and agency or NDPB status. All of these options are available and there is no presupposition that any outcome is more favoured than another. The decision on future status is made with the aim of achieving the most appropriate and cost effective way of carrying out the functions so as to deliver best value for money and best service.
Steel Industry
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for the steel industry in Wales. [36462]
Mr. Hain: The British Steel industry as a whole, like other parts of the manufacturing sector, is affected by the current strength of sterling. However, the Welsh steel industry, which is among the most competitive in the world is well placed to take advantage of the stable business environment which is being created by current Government policies aimed at securing low inflation and sound public finances. I am confident that it will continue to make a major contribution to the Welsh economy through exports and the provision of quality jobs.
Road Surfaces
Sir Raymond Powell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many miles of road surface have been laid with (a) whisper concrete and (b) porous asphalt since 18 May 1997. [37030]
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Mr. Hain:
Nearly 14 miles of porous asphalt has been laid in Wales in the last five years although none since 18 May 1997.
A contract for the first "whisper concrete" carriageway has been let, to be 7.5 miles in length, which will start to be laid next month.
Mr. Llwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many complaints his Department has received relating to landfill sites in the last three years, separately identifying those relating to health hazards. [37058]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
Complaints relating to landfill sites over the last three years have been received by a number of Welsh Office Divisions. Some of these have raised concerns relating to health issues. It is not possible to identify all these representations or those which specifically raise health issues.
In the light of recent representations concerning the Nantygwyddon landfill site, my ministerial colleagues and I are considering commissioning research on levels of ill-health around landfill sites in the UK. Officials are currently considering the scientific feasibility of such a study.
Mr. Llwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers in Wales have committed suicide in the last five years. [37457]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
The number of cases among farm owners and managers registered with the Office for National Statistics as occurring in the last five calendar years was:
1993: 11
1994: 12
1995: 7
1996: 5
1997: 6 (provisional).
Information Technology
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money is being provided by his Department to improve IT facilities for businesses in rural areas. [37373]
Mr. Hain: The information requested is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.
Rural Transport
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much the Government intend to spend on improving public transport facilities in rural areas of Wales during the next year. [37371]
Mr. Hain:
Local authorities have powers to promote public transport using the resources allocated to them. The level of support, which is a matter for local authorities, is currently running at around £18 million per annum, much of which will benefit rural areas. In addition, the Government will continue to support the provision of passenger rail services in rural areas. They have also set
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a budget for 1998-99 of £125,000 for the Rural Transport Innovation Grant scheme, and some £2.5 million will be made available for improved rural transport as part of the rural transport package announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget.
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to improve rural transport services; and if he will make a statement. [38128]
Mr. Hain:
The Government are developing an integrated transport policy which will reflect our election Manifesto commitment to protect transport services in rural areas. The policy will be set out in a UK White Paper to be published later in the spring, together with a complementary transport policy statement for Wales. In line with the development of this policy, an additional £2.5 million is to be made available in 1998-99 for improved rural transport services in Wales, as part of the rural transport package announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement of 17 March.
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he has taken to encourage the provision of bus services in rural Wales, with particular reference to Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [38460]
Mr. Hain:
Local authorities have the powers to subsidise socially necessary bus services out of the resources allocated to them. In addition, some £2.25 million will be made available in 1998-99 to improve rural bus services in Wales, including Flintshire, as part of the Bus Partnership Fund announced in the Budget by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
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