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Written Answers
5 MARCH 1993
plain that we are ready for the talks to proceed on the basis of the Joint Declaration, the principle of convergence with the Basic Law, and the relevant understandings and agreements reached between China and Britain. We consider the Governor's proposals are wholly compatible with these.
As far as we are concerned, we are ready to talk immediately. Following further exchanges in Peking in recent days, there remain only a few points of disagreement which could and should be resolved quickly. In the meantime, we and the Governor decided to defer gazettal for a fourth time.
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on Hong Kong will be laid before Parliament.
Mr. Goodlad: The report is being published and laid before Parliament today. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
ENVIRONMENT
Thames Helicopter Pad
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action his Department is taking in respect of the plans submitted by Thames Heliport plc for a mobile helicopter pad on the Thames; and what representations he has received.
Mr. Baldry: I am aware of the proposal by Thames Heliport pic for a floating heliport on the Thames. The scheme's promoters have been encouraged to discuss their plans with the appropriate local planning authorities. It is, of course, for those authorities to consider whether an application for planning permission should be made.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received correspondence on this matter from the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Ms. Hoey), the Theatres Trust, the Shakespeare Globe Trust, the London Rivers Association, the London Boroughs Association, and from the London borough of Tower Hamlets.
Isle of Wight
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the start date of a new authority for the Isle of Wight and the arrangements for a shadow authority for the island.
Mr. Howard: In line with my announcement on 21 December I have consulted the authorities on the Isle of Wight about the timing and arrangements for structural change. In the light of this consultation I intend, if Parliament approves a new local government structure for the island in due course, to establish any new authority on 1 April 1995, with a shadow authority elected in May 1994. This will ensure there is adequate time for preparation of effective arrangements for the provision of services to the people. The county council elections will go ahead on 6 May and are not affected by these proposals
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Written Answers
Radiation Leak, Sellafield
326
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he plans in the arrangements for publishing details of leaks of radiation from Sellafield, following the leak of 13 February.
Mr. Maclean (holding answer 2 March 1993]: Any need for change would be based on the outcome of current investigations of recent incidents, which would have to be discussed and agreed with other Government Departments.
Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications of the recent leak at Sellafield for the process and cost
oxide of decommissioning the thermal reprocessing plant.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 2 March 1993]: None. The process and cost of decommissioning is primarily a matter for the Department of Trade and Industry and Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate.
Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he received from the meteorological Office at the time of the recent leak from Sellafield about weather conditions in the area.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 2 March 1993): No information was received from the Meteorological Office.
Pollution Inspectorate
Mr. Gareth Wardell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish (a) the total staff complement of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and (b) the number of field inspectors currently in post at HMIP; and what were the corresponding figures for (a) and (b) for the air pollution inspectorate at the point of transfer to HMIP.
Mr. Maclean (holding answer 3 March 1993]: HMIP currently employs 169 inspectors out of a total complement of 377-5 staff. On its formation in April 1987 HMIP had a total complement of 199 staff, including 42 inspectors and eight sampling officers who transferred from the former industrial air pollution inspectorate.
Capital Expenditure
Mr. Straw: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since I April 1990 every instance of his using his powers under section 40(6) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to give a direction to treat expenditure as being for capital purposes, showing separately in each case the name of the authority or authorities, the estimated amount of the expenditure and his reason for giving the direction.
Mr. Howard [holding answer 4 March 1993]: Directions under section 40(6) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 have been issued between 1 April 1990 and 2 March in respect of the following types of expenditure:
Redundancy costs
Directions have been issued in respect of substantial expenditure on lump-sum redundancy or
payments.
Late rating adjustments
severance
Directions have been issued in respect of substantial “late