§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the 1996–97 charging scheme for local air pollution control in Scotland under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. [25181]
§ Mr. KynochCharges to cover the costs of local enforcing authorities in regulating processes which are subject to part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 were introduced in Scotland in April 1992.
With the approval of the Treasury, and following consultation with local authority associations and industry, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has made a revised scheme specifying the scale of fees and charges to take effect from 31 March 1996. From 1 April, the new Scottish Environment Protection Agency has taken over the regulation of these processes.
The main changes are that the standard application fee is increased by £25 to £1,015, the application fee for a former Alkali Act works is reduced to £300, the substantial change fee is increased by £15 to £650, and the annual subsistence charge is increased by £20 to £625.
The scheme has today been laid before both Houses of Parliament and a copy placed in the Libraries.