§ Ms Julie MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many public toilets were closed between April 1998 and April 1999; [120489]
(2) what plans he has to introduce best value performance indicators covering the provisions of public toilets; [120492]
(3) if he will make public toilet provision a statutory obligation for local government; [120491]
(4) what plans he has to tackle vandalism and drug misuse in public toilets. [120490]
§ Ms Beverley HughesOwing to changes in the definition used by the Audit Commission, it is not possible accurately to ascertain the total number of public toilets closed between April 1998 and April 1999. However, while the total number of public toilets counted in England increased from 6,128 to 6,643, the number of public toilets open more than 12 hours a day decreased from 6,128 to 4,133. Figures for Wales are not yet available.
The Audit Commission has specified, for the current financial year, a mandatory performance indicator for local authorities in respect of
the number of conveniences sites provided by the authority normally throughout the year.The Government have no plans to specify a best value performance indicator in this respect, or to replace the current discretionary power to provide public toilets with a statutory obligation.
The Government believe that the most effective way to tackle drug misuse and vandalism is through co-ordinated preventive action at a local level, involving all of the relevant agencies such as the police, local authorities and schools. That is why police and local authorities now have a statutory duty, under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, jointly to develop partnerships to tackle crime and disorder in their area.
The strategies which have been produced by the 376 partnerships in England and Wales include a wide range of initiatives—many of which specifically target drug misuse and criminal damage.