HC Deb 28 February 1996 vol 272 c624W
Mr. Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the 1996–97 charging scheme for local authority air pollution control under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. [18261]

Mr. Clappison

Charges 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 April 1991.

With the approval of the Treasury, and following consultation with local authority associations and industry, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales have made a revised scheme specifying the scale of fees and charges to take effect from 1 April 1996. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is revising the parallel scheme for Scotland on the same basis, and will be making a separate announcement.

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 increased by £15 to £610, the substantial change fee is increased by £15 to £650, and the annual subsistence charge is increased by £20 to £625.

The scheme will be laid before both Houses and a copy placed in the Libraries.