§ Mr. MerchantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the 1997–98 charging scheme for local air pollution control under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. [18920]
§ Mr. ClappisonCharges 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 1997.
The main changes are that the standard application fee is increased by £25 to £1,040, the substantial charge fee is increased by £15 to £665, and the annual subsistence charge is increased by £15 to £640.
635WIn addition, an adjustment has been made to the scheme this year to introduce variable payment arrangements for operators of mobile crushing and screening plant allowing for reduced payments for multiple plant.
The scheme has been laid before both Houses and a copy placed in the Libraries.