§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research is being carried out into the ecological aspects of reclaiming derelict and disturbed land.
§ Mr. Graham PageUnder a contract from the Natural Environment Research Council, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, a comprehensive survey of published work related to derelict land research is being undertaken by Mr. G. T. Goodman of Swansea University. Government bodies doing research in this field include the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Forestry Commission. Research is also being carried out in university departments, much of it with grants from 117W N.E.R.C. A list of some of this work is attached.
A SELECTION OF WORK DONE IN UNIVERSITIES
§ Aberdeen University (Department of Agriculture). Studies in soil structure with particular reference to topsoil fertility.
§ Birmingham University (Department of Agriculture). Plant growth on spoil heaps and in pulverised fuel ash. (Department of Civil Engineering) Soil surface phenomena in relation to water and soil stabilisation techniques.
§ Cambridge University (Department of Agriculture). Soil structure of land damaged by industry.
§ Edinburgh University (Departments of Architecture, Urban Design and Regional Planning). The Lothians Regional Survey and Plan.
§ Glasgow University (Department of Civil Engineering). Physical properties of ash in relation to soil mechanics. (Department of Social and Economic Research) The Lothians Regional Survey and Plan.
§ Keele University (Department of Geography). Reclamation of derelict industrial areas.
§ Leeds University (Department of Botany). Growth of trees and shrubs in pulverised fuel ash.
§ Liverpool University (Department of Botany). Nutritional problems associated with the reclamation of deredict land. The reclamation of metalliferous mine waste using tolerant plant populations.
§ London University (Department of Agriculture). Soil structures.
§ Manchester University (Department of Town and County Planning). Landscape surveys and reports.
§ Newcastle upon Tyne University (Department of Agriculture). Restoration problems in opencast workings with reference to soil moisture and structure. Land reclamation generally. (Department of Town and Country Planning) Landscape reclamation studies.
§ Nottingham University (Department of Civil Engineering). Soil stabilisation studies.
§ Southampton University (Department of Civil Engineering). Soil structure systems.
§ University College of Wales, Swansea (Departments of Civil Engineering, Geology, Geography and Botany). The lower Swansea Valley Project. Bibliography of research on derelict land reclamation.
§ York University (Department of Agriculture). Toxic soils and vegetation. (Department of Planning) Landscape reclamation studies.
M4 Motorway (Extensions)
§ Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he expects that the construction of the extensions of the M4 motorway in Berkshire will be completed.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineI expect that the section between Tormarton and Stanton St. Quintin (north of Chippenham)118W will be opened in the summer. It may be possible to open a further length in the autumn and the whole motorway in England by the end of the year, but there have been additional works arising from earthworks instability on some contracts and it is too early to give precise dates.
Mansfield and Bolsover (Driving Tests)
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to discontinue the Driving Examination Centre at Mansfield; and what alternative facilities will be available to the people in those parts of the Bolsover constituency affected by the change.
§ Mr. Concannonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to discontinue the Driving Examination Centre at Mansfield; and what alternative facilities will be available to the people of the Mansfield constituency.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsBecause of waiting restrictions outside the present driving test centre at Mansfield, and operating difficulties at the relief centre, Sutton, it is planned to move soon to new premises in Outram Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Traffic Safety Code for Road Works
§ Mr. Mulleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the findings of his Department's examination of the use of flashing lamps to mark the extremities of road works and similar purposes; and if he will now amend the Traffic Safety Code for Road Works to permit battery-operated flashing danger lamps to be adopted by authorities desiring to use them on grounds of efficiency and economy.
§ Mr. PeytonI am still examining various types of lamps. Efficiency and economy are important but the effect on drivers must also be considered.
Goods and Services (Prices and Costs)
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, without involving a disproportionate amount of time and effort, he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as much information as may be readily available, giving a list of any rises in prices and costs of items of goods and services for which he has had to give Ministerial 119W approval or sanction, during the period between 18th June, 1970 and Thursday, 18th March, 1971.
GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Learner Driver Tests Fee increased from £1.75 to £3.25 on 4th January, 1971. The fee for the Invalid Carriage Test was abolished on the same date. These increases were approved in the period specified and come into effect on 1st April, 1971. Old Price New Price Putting … … … … … 2½P 5p Swimming in Serpentine Lido: Adults— Weekdays … … … … … 5p 7½p Weekends and Bank Holidays … … … … … 7½p 12½p Children— Weekdays … … … … … 2½p 3p Weekends and Bank Holidays … … … … … 4p 5P Football (per game)* … … … … … 25p 50p Golf: Single rounds— Weekdays … … … … … 37½p 40p Weekends and Bank Holidays … … … … … 50p 55p Day tickets— Weekdays … … … … … 50p 55p * But games on unmarked pitches will be free.
GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHERS Tyne Towage Rates General increase of 5 per cent. All on 12th October, 1970. Increase of 100 per cent. for ship launching Extension of weekend surcharge period Master Porter Rates (in Liverpool)
20.5 per cent. increase on 11th August, 1970.
3 per cent. increase on 12th October, 1970.
Various increases in commodity differentials on 17th September, 1970 and 1st February, 1971.
Ferries Revised scales have been approved for— East Cowes/West Cowes Ferry … … … Approved 30th December, 1970 Seacombe and New Brighton Ferries … … … Approved 21st January, 1971 Renfrew and Erskine Ferries … … … Approved 5th November, 1970 Dartmouth/Kingswear Higher Ferry … … … Approved 10th February, 1971 Dartmouth/Kingswear Lower Ferry … … … Approved 11th February, 1971 Teignmouth/Shaldon Ferry … … … Approved 26th August, 1970 Local Authority Rent Increases
(Shown in shillings and odd pence, based on a 52-week rent year)
Authority Weekly Average Increase Portsmouth C.B. 9 3 Barnet L.B.C. 7 6 Redbridge L.B.C. 10 0 Sutton L.B.C. 9 11 Epsom and Ewell B.C. 6 8 Tewkesbury B.C. 6 8 Chippenham B.C. 9 4 Glossop B.C. 7 9 King's Lynn B.C. 7 0
120W
(Not all have yet come into effect)
§ Mr. Peter WalkerYes. But I could not vouch for the completeness of such a list without elaborate inquiries.
121W
Authority Weekly Average Increase Tyldesley U.D.C. (seven houses only) 11 1 Fleet U.D.C. 7 5 Melford R.D.C. 4 8 Witney R.D.C. 5 6 Strood R.D.C. 9 7 Guildford R.D.C. 5 0 West Dean R.D.C. 7 6 St. Albans R.D.C. 9 10
MAXIMUM WATER RATES AND METER CHARGES Maximum Water Rate (in the £) Maximum Meter Charge (per thousand gallons) Water Undertaking Old New Old New West Cumberland Water Board … 3s. 6d. 5s. 0d. Nene and Ouse Water Board … 4s. 0d. 6s. 0d. *Bath C.B. … 3s. 6d. 5s. 6d. Calderdale Water Board … 3s. 0d. 4s. 6d. Leicester C.B. … 3s. 3d. 7s. 6d. *Mid Kent Water Company … 20p 28p Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Water Company … 23.75p 38p *South Derbyshire Water Board … 15p 21.5p Birmingham C.B. … 5p 7.5p *Fylde Water Board … £1 £1.50 15p 19p (fixed charge) *Thanet Water Board … 15p 19p West Cornwall Water Board … 17.5p 25p Coventry C.B. … 17.5p 28p *Brighton C.B. … 12.5p 18p *Lune Valley Water Board … 15p 19p North West Leicestershire Water Board … 8.33p 20p 20p 45p Rickmansworth and Uxbridge Water Company 12.5p 25p Colchester and District Water Board … 25p 43p Oxfordshire and District Water Board … 12.9p 22.5p 33.33p 47.5p Lee Valley Water Company … 20p 32p Watford B.C. … 15p 25p * Increase less than that sought. Note: These are increases in maximum charges, not necessarily actual increases.
Motorway Service Areas
§ Mr. Merlyn Reesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what control he has over the prices charged at motorway service areas.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineDetailed control is a matter of day-to-day commercial management. Lessees are required by their lease to provide services at reasonable prices.
§ Mr. Merlyn Reesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what form is taken by the regular checks made on operating standards at motorway service areas and competition amongst operators and what criteria form the basis of such checks.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThere is competition between sites for customers: for example seven sites on M1 are shared between five operators. Officials make unannounced visits, question the public and observe their reactions, report on whether the terms of lease are being observed, and look at the state of cleanliness, efficiency and maintenance. All complaints to the Department are followed up with the concessionaires. Public Health and Fire officials also regularly inspect the sites.
122W
§ Mr. Merlyn Reesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment for what period the monopoly franchises to operators on motorway service areas last; and in what circumstances such franchises may be terminated.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineSites are usually leased on a 50-year term although for some minor ones it is 21 years. Conditions under which leases are terminable are contained in the leases of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
Archway, London
§ 48. Mr. O'Halloranasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake a further examination of the problem regarding Archway Bridge, A1 Road, N.19 in view of the fact that another fatal accident has recently occurred; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeytonNo. I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member on 29th January, 1971.—[Vol. 810, c. 215–16.]
British Railways and Transport Commission (Financial Interests)
§ Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 123W undertakings in which British Railways and the Transport Commission have a direct financial interest.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsFollowing is the information:
- British Rail Engineering Ltd.
- British Rail Hovercraft Ltd.
- British Rail—International Inc.
- British Transport Hotels Ltd.
- British Transport Ship Management (Scotland) Ltd.
- Britravel Nominees Ltd.
- Channel Tunnel Co., Ltd.
- Containerbase Federation Ltd.
- Containerbase (Leeds) Ltd.
- Containerbase (Liverpool) Ltd.
- Containerbase (London West) Ltd.
- Containerbase (Manchester) Ltd.
- Containerbase (Scotland) Ltd.
- Derwent Valley Light Railway Co.
- Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbour Co.
- Freightliners Ltd.
- Guernsey Stevedores Ltd.
- London (East) I.C.D. Ltd.
- Pullman Car Co., Ltd.
- Railway Sites Ltd.
- Sealink Ltd.
- Sealink Travel Ltd.
- Societe Anonyme de Navigation Angleterre-Lorraine-Alsace.
- Societe Belgo-Anglaise des Ferry-Boats S.A.
- Societe Ferroviaire Internationale de Transports Frigorifiques (Interfrigo).
- Societe Internationale Pour le Transport par Transcontainers (Intercontainers).
- Sutton Bridge Dock Co.
- Sutton Harbour Improvement Co.
- Transportation Systems and Market Research Ltd.
This list includes only those companies in which the Railways Board holds more than 5 per cent. of the equity.
The British Transport Commission was dissolved by the Transport Act, 1962.
Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to amend the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, in order that coaches used for outings must have temporary ramps to enable wheelchair cases to participate.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsI do not consider that this should be a statutory requirement.
Rail Service, Rochdale (Closure)
§ Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement in view of the report 124W by the Transport Users' Consultative Committee following the public inquiry into the proposed closure of the passenger train service between Oldham (Mumps) and Rochdale, in which the Committee found that the closure would cause hardship which could not be alleviated.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsNo. The report of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee and other relevant factors are being considered. A decision will be made as soon as possible.
Channel Tunnel
§ Mr. Sheldonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish revised estimates of traffic densities through the proposed Channel Tunnel.
§ Mr. PeytonIn due course.
Private Housing Estates (Garages)
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the laws under which developers of private housing estates derive their power to determine which design of garage owner-occupiers erect; and what procedure exists for the owner-occupier to appeal against the developers' decision.
§ Mr. AmeryIn so far as the developer and a purchaser agree to restrict the design or erection of future building they would be subject to the law relating to restrictive covenants which is within the responsibility of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor.
Council House Building, Coventry
§ Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to Coventry City Council in the question of the future building of council houses.
§ Mr. AmeryNone. The questions of determining the housing needs of its area and how to meet them are for the council to decide in the first instance.
Palace of Westminster (Industrial Accidents)
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many industrial accidents have been reported to 125W authorities responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the Palace of Westminster in the last 10 years.
§ Mr. AmeryRecords for the past five years only are available. Two hundred and nine industrial accidents were reported during this period of which 192 were of a minor character requiring only first aid.