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Land Rover Rail Link
Mr. John M. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will indicate (a) when a public inquiry is likely to be set up into Land Rover's proposed rail link to the West Coast main line and (b) the likely venue of such an inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [125869]
Mr. Hill: On 10 February the Secretary of State announced his decision to hold a public inquiry into the application under the Transport and Works Act 1992 by Rover Group Ltd. for an Order to authorise a rail link from Land Rover's Solihull factory to the West Coast Main Line. At that time, Rover Group Ltd. owned the Land Rover business.
Following the disclosure in March that BMW intended to dispose of the Rover Group and to sell the Land Rover business in a separate transaction, the application has been held in abeyance pending the outcome of the proposed sale. I understand that BMW and Ford have now signed an agreement for the sale of the Land Rover business.
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Once the completion of the disposal has been confirmed, it will be for the new owners of Land Rover to decide whether they wish to proceed with the proposed rail link. If they do, we will need to consider with them whether the Order applied for by the Rover Group can properly be taken forward, or whether that application should be withdrawn and a new one submitted. I shall keep the hon. Member informed of progress.
Flaxmill Project, Shrewsbury
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the delayed funding from Advantage West Midlands for the Flaxmill project in Shrewsbury; and if he will make a statement. [125942]
Ms Beverley Hughes: As my hon. Friend will no doubt be aware, there have been several representations in connection with the funding package from Advantage West Midland (AWM). I refer him to my response of 13 June 2000, Official Report, column 548W, which states that the project has received an approval for a grant from AWM towards restoration of the building, to be given when funds are available.
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to visit the Flaxmill project in Shrewsbury to view progress in saving the building; and if he will make a statement. [125944]
Ms Beverley Hughes: I currently have no plans to visit the Flaxmill project.
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the significance of the Flaxmill building in Shrewsbury to the United Kingdom's national heritage. [125941]
Ms Beverley Hughes: I understand that the former Ditherington Flax Mill and attached former malt kiln were designated Grade 1 listed buildings on 10 January 1953. The cast iron framed building dates from 1797. The mill also includes several Grade II buildings at risk. All buildings appear on the English Heritage register as Grade A--buildings at risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric with no solution agreed.
Section 28
Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with (a) Childline, (b) the NSPCC and (c) Barnardo's about the repeal of section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988; and if he will make a statement. [126166]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The Government have had no discussions with Childline, the NSPCC or Barnardo's about the repeal of section 28. I understand that the organisations do not hold official positions on the repeal.
M60 (Denton to Middleton)
Mr. Bennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects
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the M60 from Denton to Middleton to be open for public use; and if he expects it to be opened as a whole or in sections. [126094]
Mr. Hill [holding answer 15 June 2000]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Andrew Bennett, dated 19 June 2000:
- I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Keith Hill, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the completion of the M60 between Denton and Middleton.
- We expect to open both sections at the same time later this summer.
- I shall write to you again when I have a firm date.
Byker Heat Station
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000, Official Report, columns 195-96W, what assessment he has made of the possible occurrence of potential health risk to small children using the bridleway and allotments listed as having received toxic ash from the Byker Heat Station. [126006]
Mr. Meacher [holding answer 15 June 2000]: Following discussions involving senior officials of the City Council and the Environment Agency, and having received advice from the Food Standards Agency, the Director of Public Health for the Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority and the Head of Public Health and Environment Protection for Newcastle City Council jointly issued precautionary advice on 6 April 2000 which included the recommendation that children aged two and under should not play in the named allotments to avoid contact with the ash.
This precautionary advice is expected to remain in force until further investigations have been undertaken to enable proper assessment as to whether or not there has been any exposure to the dioxins and heavy metals, and therefore a potential risk to health. This will include further testing on eggs, soil and vegetables.
London Underground
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 2000, Official Report, column 311W, concerning EU legislation relating to direct expenditure by London Underground, for what reason his answer did not list the legislation concerned. [126205]
Mr. Hill [holding answer 15 June 2000]: The arrangements are, in principle, subject to a wide range of treaty provisions including, notably, Title V (Transport) and Title VI (Common rules on competition, taxation and approximation of laws). Specific legislation which may be relevant includes the state aid rules, the EC Merger Regulation and the Utilities Directive. Ultimately, it would, of course, be for the European Court of Justice to rule on the applicability of treaty provisions and associated legislation.
Road Closures
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend
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the road traffic regulations so that a formal road closure order is not required by the police to close roads for carnivals and parades organised by charities. [126204]
Mr. Hill [holding answer 15 June 2000]: Local authorities have powers under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close roads for the purposes of local carnivals and fairs. Additional powers in the Road Traffic Regulation (Special Events) Act 1994 enable authorities to make orders to close roads for any sporting event, social event or entertainment which is held on a road. The police's powers to close roads are to enable them to deal promptly and safely with emergencies and public order matters.
It is a matter for the local authority to decide whether to support a request to close a road for a carnival or parade organised by a charity and, if so, whether use of their powers under the 1847 Act or 1994 Act would be appropriate.
We have no plans to amend the requirement on local authorities to make orders before they close roads. There are no Regulations governing the procedures local authorities must follow under these Acts. It is therefore entirely for the local authority to decide, in the light of the likely impact of the event on the community, the procedures to follow, including the level of publicity and notices in the press.
We have no information on the numbers of parades and carnivals held every year on the road and consequently cannot estimate the cost to charities if local authorities charge, as they can do, for orders under the 1994 Act.
Home Ownership
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to promote home ownership. [126405]
Mr. Raynsford: Our policy on home ownership is set out in the Housing Green Paper "Quality and Choice: a Decent Home for All", launched by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 4 April.
Single Currency
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the costs of switching from the pound to the euro for his Department. [126401]
Ms Beverley Hughes: Should the UK decide to join the euro, the cost of a changeover would depend on the detailed approach taken to a changeover.
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