§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when 468W he last received written advice from the Scientific Authority for Animals; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineAt its last meeting on 17 April the authority advised on applications for import licences for endangered species, licensing policy under the Washington convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora and the United Kingdom proposals for the third meeting of parties to the convention to be held in New Delhi next February. Licences were refused or allowed and the United Kingdom proposals were developed in accordance with the written advice subsequently received.
In addition to regular two-monthly meetings a sub-committee of the authority, upon which members serve in rotation, advises each week on licence applications under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 and individual members and the chairman are generally consulted on matters as they occur.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Royal Fine Art Commission; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe Royal Fine Art Commission provides advice on certain building projects submitted by my Department. The latest written advice was received in March. The comments made by the commission on the proposals for the particular project have influenced the further development of the design of the building.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe seventh report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, on agriculture and pollution, was published on 18 September 1979. Interested bodies have been consulted on the Royal Commission's recommendations and there have been debates in both Houses of Parliament. The Government's response to the report will be given as soon as possible.
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§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the regional councils for sport and recreation; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State with special responsibility for sports maintains regular formal and informal contacts with the regional councils.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's first annual report, which was submitted to the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Scotland and Wales on 8 May, has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
We will carefully consider the advice it contains.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Property Advisory Group; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineIn March I received the group's report on the structure and activity of the development industry which will be published shortly.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Noise Advisory Council; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI regularly receive advice from the Noise Advisory Council. Most recently I have seen the council's report on Government noise insulation policies, which my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and the Minister of Transport and I will consider in the light of current restraints on public expenditure and manpower.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the National Consultative Council for the 470W Building and Civil Engineering Industries; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 2 April when I announced my decision to discontinue the National Consultative Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries.—[Vol. 982, c. 290.]
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England: and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI received on 8 April the commission's latest report on proposals for boundary changes. When the statutory period for objections has elapsed I will decide on implementation of the proposal by order.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Hydraulics Research Station Advisory Committee: and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI last received a written report from the Advisory Committee on 1 August 1979. In it the chairman offered the Committee's views on the possible privatisation of the Station. This advice has made a useful contribution to my Department's continuing analysis of the possibility and manner of transferring HRS to the private sector.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Housing Services Advisory Group; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe group began its current programme of work early last year and the relevant reports will not be completed until later this year.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Historic Buildings Council for England; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe council writes to me regularly on matters affecting the preservation of historic buildings and 471W towns and conservation matters generally. In particular, they provide monthly advice on applications for repair grants under section 4 of the 1953 Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act and section 10 of the 1972 Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act. I receive from the chairman an annual report which describes the work of the council and offers advice on other matters such as the state and condition of historic buildings and the effects of taxation on their upkeep which help me to formulate my policies in this field. The next annual report will be published on 3 June 1980.
§ Mr Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Commission on Energy and the Environment; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI expect the commission to advise me by the middle of next year of the results of their first study into the longer term environmental implications of future coal production and use. Details of its study were set out in their introductory " Review of Activities " published last October.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Building Research Establishment Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe advisory committee's functions under its terms of reference are to advise the director of BRE on the work of the Establishment and to report annually to Ministers. The submission of a report this year has been postponed pending the outcome of a review of the committee's terms of reference.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Building Regulations Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineOn 18 February 1980 I received advice from the Building Regulations Advisory Committee on the future of the building control system. I472W am taking account of this in the formulation of proposals for consultation.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Ancient Monuments Board (England); and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineMy Department has recently received the minutes of the last meeting on 28 March of the Ancient Monuments Board for England, which is the usual channel for transmitting its advice. My officials are in consequence proceeding with 59 proposals to schedule monuments under the Ancient Monuments Acts, for which the board's approval is statutorily required. In addition, as a result of the board's advice, a further dozen pieces of work are being undertaken. The board meets every two months. The board also addresses its advice to me personally; the last occasion on which it did so concerned the Grange, Northington. which I subsequently decided should be preserved.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Advisory Committee on Works of Art in the House of Commons; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have received no communication from the committee since its reconstitution in March. This committee consists of Members of the House and appointed by Mr. Speaker and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. It meets three or four times a year primarily to consider proposed acquisitions of works of art for the House. I would not expect to be consulted formally except in special circumstances.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Advisory Committee on Rent Rebates and Rent Allowances; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI received written advice from ACRRRA last week on, among other matters, how take-up of benefits might be further encouraged, but I have not yet had an opportunity to consider this in detail. In recent months 473W ACRRRA has recommended the introduction of an earnings disregard in the calculation of rebates and allowances, announced on 20 September 1979, the raising of the maxima for rebates and allowances, announced on 18 March 1980, and the extension of eligibility for rebates and allowances, which is effected in schedule 13 to the Housing Bill.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Advisory Committtee on the Protection of Birds (England and Wales): and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineAt its last meeting on 20 March the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds (England and Wales) advised on bird sanctuary orders, proposals for the Wildlife and Countryside Bill, the status of birds of prey and various aspects of licensing. The written advice of the committee on these topics was accepted.
In addition to the regular three-monthly meetings, a committee of three members advises each week on applications received for licences to import or export birds and individual members and the chairman are frequently consulted on matters as they arise.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Advisory Committee on Local Government Audit: and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe committee started work about a year ago and is now preparing its first report.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Water Space Amenity Commission; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe chairman of the commission wrote to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services on 15 January 1980. No specific action was necessary. The commission also gives advice, written and otherwise, to the National Water Council, water authorities and voluntary organisations.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he 474W last received written advice from the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England); and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe Royal Commission on Historical Monuments advises me through my officials, continuously, both directly and also via the Secretary of the Commission who is a member of the Ancient Monuments Board which meets bi-monthly. The Commission's advice about the historical and architectural significance of monuments and buildings is a major element in decisions about their conservation.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Sports Council; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State with special responsibility for sport maintains regular formal and informal contacts with the Sports Council.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Nature Conservancy Council; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI regularly receive written advice from the Nature Conservancy Council. The council last wrote on 7 May providing further advice about provisions in the proposed Wildlife and Countryside Bill. This is being considered by my officials in consultation with the council.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the New Towns Staff Commission; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have received no written advice from the New Towns Staff Commission. This commission was established to advise on the arrangements for safeguarding the interests of staff affected by the transfer of rented housing from new town development corporations to district councils, the first phase of which took place on 1 April 1978. The commission will have an increasing role at the time of future transfers.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the 475W Commission for the New Towns; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe Commission for the New Towns is an executive body whose function is to manage and turn to account property transferred to them from development corporations. I do not receive written advice from them but they are required to submit to me an annual report which is laid before the House: copies are available in the Library.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the London Housing Staff Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe London Housing Staff Advisory Committee became the London Housing Staff Commission on 20 December 1979 with the task of supervising the transfer of staff from the Greater London Council to those local authorities receiving housing transferred by Order under Section 23 of the London Government Act 1963. As part of that function, the commission advises me from time to time, the last occasion being at the end of March.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Development Commission; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI receive such advice on a continuing basis and take action as appropriate. I last received correspondence on 30 April.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Countryside Commission; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI receive advice from the commission on a continuing basis and take action as appropriate. In addition, on 2 May I visited the commission at its headquarters and had wide-ranging discussions on matters of current interest.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last received written advice from the Advisory Panel on Institutional Finance in New Towns; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have not had occasion to seek advice from the panel. It476W does, however, meet monthly in order to give advice to individual development corporations on proposals for the financing of commercial and industrial development. It last met for this purpose on 29 April 1980.