HC Deb 14 November 1988 vol 140 cc489-90W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those aspects of his responsibilities which include a functional responsibility within Wales.

6. Mr. Ridley

Normally my responsibilities cover England alone, but in some cases they entail a functional responsibility within Wales. These are as follows:—

Property Services Agency

Responsibility for the functions of the Property Services Agency: providing, managing, maintaining and furnishing property used by the Government througout the United Kingdom and abroad.

Conservation and wildlife

  • (a) Registration and inspection of birds listed under schedule 4 of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
  • (b) Registration and inspection of sellers of dead birds.
  • (c) Licensing of various activities relating to birds, as specified under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
  • (d) Issuing reports to the EC on the UK impletnentation of and derogation from the EEC birds directive and reports relating to the United Kingdom's obligations under the Berne, Bonn and other international agreements.
  • (e) Issuing import and export licences under the convention on international trade in endangered species to applicants from Wales.
  • (f) Supporting the commons commissioners who adjudicate in disputes over the registration of common land and village greens in England and Wales under the 1965 Commons Registration Act.
  • (g) Representing the United Kingdom at international fora covering wild life matters.

Environmental Affairs

  • Covering the Welsh interest in the United Kingdom's international dealings on the environment.

Local Government Affairs

  • (a) Responsibility for the local government superannuation regulations and for related appeals by local government staff.

Similar responsibilities in respect of compensation for local government staff made redundant or retired early. (b) Responsibility for most functions relating to the rating system throughout England and Wales, and for regulations as to the form of mortgages and the terms of issue of stocks and bonds entered into or issued by local authorities for the purpose of borrowing and connected matters. However, under the new local government finance system, these functions will be transferred to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales.

Water Services

  • Sponsorship and regulatory functions in respect of the Severn Trent water authority, part of whose area lies within Wales.

Housing and Construction Industry

  • (a) Responsibility for making regulations relating to building control in England and Wales. The administration of the regulations in Wales is, however, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  • (b) Responsibility for general sponsorship of the construction industry throughout the United Kingdom relating to:
  • —policy on construction codes and standards
  • — EC matters
  • — export promotion
  • — public purchasing policy affecting the construction industry
  • —collection of statistics from private contractors
  • (c) Responsibility for the administration of the homeloan scheme and the option mortgage guarantee scheme both in England and Wales, except where the head offices of participating institutions are in Wales.

7. In addition I sponsor a number of public bodies whose remit includes Wales. My responsibilities in these cases extend to such matters as the appointment of members and the provision of grant-in-aid.

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