HL Deb 05 March 1997 vol 578 cc134-5WA
The Viscount of Oxfuird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give details of the 1997–98 charging scheme for local air pollution control under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Earl Ferrers)

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 honourable friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State 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 change fee is increased by £15 to £665, and the annual subsistence charge is increased by £15 to £640.

In 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.