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Answering member
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Alun Michael
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
More
Michael, Alun (14)
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
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Publisher
Westminster Hall adjournment debate on the food industry in West Wiltshire.
Westminster Hall adjournment debate on the food industry in West Wiltshire.
Lead member
Andrew Murrison
Answering member
Alun Michael
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Adjournment debates
Subjects
Dairy farming; Employment; EU law; Industry; Food; Labelling; Redundancy; Prices; Meat products; Milk; South West; Wiltshire; Employment by sector
Date
15 June 2004
Reference
422 c157-64WH
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
House
House of Commons
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the navigability of rights of way; and what measures he plans to improve it.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the navigability of rights of way; and what measures he plans to improve it.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 May 2004
For answer on
27 May 2004
Answered on
27 May 2004
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the navigability of rights of way; and what measures
he plans to improve it. [175263]
Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
The Countryside Agency rights of way condition survey in England in 2000, found between 87 and 89 per cent. of routes
"usable" by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. In addition, the statutory "best value" performance management framework requires
local highway authorities to measure the ease of use of their rights of way, by carrying out annual surveys and reporting against
their rights of way performance indicator.
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires local highway authorities to prepare rights of way improvement plans. These
plans encourage highway authorities to take a strategic look at their rights of way network, with a view to accommodating modern
patterns of demand and use and providing better for the needs of users. The Government have provided additional funding to enable
the preparation of these plans.
Legislation
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
Subjects
Navigation; Rights of way
Date
27 May 2004
Reference
175263; 421 c1771-2W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding was given by (a) the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, (b) the Rural Enterprise Scheme and (c) landfill tax to village halls in each of their years of operation....
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding was given by (a) the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, (b) the Rural Enterprise Scheme and (c) landfill tax to village halls in each of their years of operation....
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 March 2004
For answer on
18 March 2004
Answered on
18 March 2004
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding was given by (a) the
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, (b) the Rural Enterprise Scheme and
(c) landfill tax to village halls in each of their years of operation. [159677]
Alun Michael: Only very partial information is available. I list such information as we have: (a) Aggregates Levy Sustainability
Fund
The Fund was introduced by the Finance Act 2001 and came into force on 1 April 2002. The levy was set at £1.60 per tonne of
aggregates produced. The fund was launched in 2002 and will continue for at least a further three years. The Fund consists of
£20 million for England for 2004-05 and is distributed by a number of organisations including the Countryside Agency, English
Heritage, English Nature, and Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Somerset county councils. Information is not collected in a form that
permits the total amount of funding for village halls from this source to be established, but, up until last May, at least £70,776
has been distributed to village hall projects. (b) Rural Enterprise Scheme
Funds are available under the Rural Enterprise Scheme (part of the England Rural Development Programme, or "Pillar 2" of the Common
Agricultural Policy) to help `renovation and development of villages' and `basic services for the rural economy and population'. The
scheme is selective and is delivered by Defra's Rural Development Service in line with regional budgets and priorities agreed with
local partners. Support is provided to village hall and other community projects but disaggregated figures relating solely to
village hall projects are not available. Total funding for the relevant two measures is as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
£000
2001-02 126
2002-03 1,146
2003-04 13,053
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
1 Forecast. (c) Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
Under the Landfill Tax Credit scheme landfill operators can reduce their tax liability by funding environmental or community
projects. The scheme is not available to all village halls (the scheme's rules mean that projects have to be within 10 miles of a
landfill tax operator's site). Grants are issued through registered environmental bodies and each will have its own priorities.
Action for Communities in Rural England estimate that perhaps £1 million has been provided for village hall projects.
The scheme was reformed from 1 April 2003. Approximately one third of funding (around £47 million) is to be made
available through a reformed tax credit scheme for spending on local environment projects. Village halls, where they meet the
criteria, will still be able to apply for funding. Government have no involvement in how the funding is spent. As yet, it is not
possible to say what proportion will go to support village halls.
Subjects
Community development; Aggregates levy; Finance; Landfill tax; Sustainable development; Village halls; Rural development programme
Date
18 March 2004
Reference
419 c425-6W;419 c427-8W; 159677
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what work she has commissioned into (a) the value to communities of village and community halls and (b) the repair and renovation needs of village and community halls.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what work she has commissioned into (a) the value to communities of village and community halls and (b) the repair and renovation needs of village and community halls.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 March 2004
For answer on
12 March 2004
Answered on
12 March 2004
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what work she has commissioned into
(a) the value to communities of village and community halls and (b) the repair and renovation needs of village and
community halls. [159675]
Alun Michael: I have discussed this issue with ACRE, The Village Halls Forum and other stakeholders, and Defra is about to
commission research on the repair and renovation needs of village halls and on the value of the activities that take place in
village halls to the communities they serve.
Subjects
Community centres; Repairs and maintenance; Research; Village halls
Date
12 March 2004
Reference
418 c1768W;418 c1770W; 159675
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research she plans to commission into the effects on health of low frequency noise from wind turbines.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research she plans to commission into the effects on health of low frequency noise from wind turbines.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 February 2004
For answer on
25 February 2004
Answered on
25 February 2004
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she plans to commission into the
effects on health of low frequency noise from wind turbines. [154765]
Alun Michael: Defra is not currently researching the effects of low frequency noise from wind turbines on health. However, as part
of Defra's research programme on noise and nuisance issues, research has been let to better understand the assessment, management
and effects of low frequency noise as a whole.
Subjects
Noise; Research; Wind power; Turbines
Date
25 February 2004
Reference
418 c429-30W;418 c449-50W; 154765
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason noise from wind turbines has been excluded from the study at Salford University into low frequency noise sponsored by her Department.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason noise from wind turbines has been excluded from the study at Salford University into low frequency noise sponsored by her Department.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 February 2004
For answer on
23 February 2004
Answered on
23 February 2004
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason noise from wind turbines has
been excluded from the study at Salford University into low frequency noise sponsored by her Department. [154767]
Alun Michael: The study being carried out by Salford University aims to provide a method for assessing low frequency noise. Salford
University has been asked to identify a number of examples of different types of low frequency noise for detailed investigation to
determine how assessment of such noises could be carried by Local Enforcement Practitioners. Salford University are due to report
shortly on the examples recommended for detailed investigation.
Subjects
Noise; Research; Wind power; Turbines; University of Salford
Date
23 February 2004
Reference
418 c152-3W;418 c153W; 154767
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the constraints on rural diversification imposed by planning requirements; and what recent discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on a more permissive planning environment for farmers seeking to diversify....
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the constraints on rural diversification imposed by planning requirements; and what recent discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on a more permissive planning environment for farmers seeking to diversify....
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
29 April 2003
For answer on
12 May 2003
Answered on
12 May 2003
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the constraints
on rural diversification imposed by planning requirements; and what recent discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on
a more permissive planning environment for farmers seeking to diversify. [111270]
Alun Michael: An assesment of the approach taken by the local planning authorities in England to diversification of farm businesses
was published by the Department for Transport, Local Government anf the Regions in October 2001 [1]. The report found that overall
83 per cent. of the planning applications considered had been approved nontheless, all planning authorities in rural areas are being
encouraged to follow best practice and reach the standard of the best.
The Government's proposals [2] for reform of the planning system reflect the need for the system to be faster, simpler and more
predictable, and to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. As part of a review of all existing planning policy
guidance signalled in the proposals, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently reviewing Planning Policy Guidance note 7
[3] which sets out policies specifically for rural areas. Within the Government's objectives for sustainable development, the
overall aim is to make the planning system more responsive to the needs of all rural businesses, taking account of all relevant
economic, social and environmental issues. The Government has provided a significant injection of extra resources into local
authority planning services to help with delivering the step change represented by the overall package of reforms.
The Department continues to work closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on ensuring that the effectiveness and
relevance of Government planning policies and other planning issues is kept under review.
[1] The Implementation of National Planning Policy Guidance (PPG7) in Relation to the Diversification of Farm Businesses, October
2001, ODPM
[2] `Sustainable Communities--Delivering Through Planning', July 2002, ODPM
[3] The Countryside-- Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development' (PPG7), February 1997, part updated March 2001,
ODPM
Subjects
Farmers; Planning; Rural areas; Diversification
Date
12 May 2003
Reference
111270; 405 c10-1W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Land Use Policy Group. - Includes ref to "Europe's Rural Futures'.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Land Use Policy Group. - Includes ref to "Europe's Rural Futures'.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
29 April 2003
For answer on
12 May 2003
Answered on
12 May 2003
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the
Land Use Policy Group. [111271]
Alun Michael: :Ministers and officials meet regularly with the England bodies that make up the Land Use Policy Group which are the
Environment Agency, the Countryside Agency and English Nature, all of which are sponsored by the Department. Recently, officials
have taken part in meetings of the group and presentations on their recent report "Europe's Rural Futures". We look forward to a
continuing close relationship with the LUPG, and to a continuing valuable contribution by the Group to policy development.
Subjects
Land Use Policy Group
Date
12 May 2003
Reference
111271; 405 c7W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, What further support she intends to give to farmers' markets. (Failed OPQ).
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, What further support she intends to give to farmers' markets. (Failed OPQ).
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
31 March 2003
For answer on
3 April 2003
Answered on
3 April 2003
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what further support she intends to give to
farmers' markets. [106703]
Alun Michael: We welcome the development of farmers' markets and the benefits they can bring consumers and farmers alike. Farmers'
markets continue to be eligible for support under the Rural Enterprise Scheme and the Agriculture Development Scheme, provided that
the projects for which funding is sought meet the required eligibility criteria. A number of projects relating to farmers' markets
have received funding under these schemes. In addition, the National Association of Farmers' Markets continues to receive financial
support from the Countryside Agency, which we grant-aid.
Subjects
Government assistance; Farmers; Markets
Date
3 April 2003
Reference
402 c796W;402 c797W; 106703
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of rural poverty in Wiltshire; and if she will make a statement. - Including table and ref to The state of the countryside 2002.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of rural poverty in Wiltshire; and if she will make a statement. - Including table and ref to The state of the countryside 2002.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 March 2003
For answer on
24 March 2003
Answered on
24 March 2003
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of rural
poverty in Wiltshire; and if she will make a statement. [104155]
Alun Michael: We do not have data on rural poverty at the county level although local authorities may have undertaken work on
poverty in their area. In England as a whole fewer rural households than urban households are below 60 per cent. of average
household income which is accepted as a normal poverty indicator.
The average (median) income is approximately £18,000 per annum, so the 60 per cent. level is approximately £10,800. Figure 1
compares urban and rural levels of income-poverty.
Figure 1. Households in income poverty
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Rural Urban
Number of households 5,918,756 15,202,778
Household income less than 60 per cent. of 1,347,399 4,031,904
the median
Total (percentage) 23.2 26.5
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Source: Countryside Agency, (2002) "The state of the countryside 2002", Countryside Agency, Cheltenham.
In 2001, 1 per cent. of rural wards in the South West had an average household income of below £15,000 per year, compared with 7 per
cent. of urban wards.
Figure 2. Average (mean) household income, 2001
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Percentage of wards with household income:
Less than £15,000 £15,000- £20,000 £20,000- £25,000 £25,000- £30,000 Above £30,000
South West
Rural 1 27 39 24 8
Urban 7 42 33 12 5
All England
Rural 2 20 29 27 22
Urban 9 28 26 19 18
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Source: Countryside Agency, (2002), "The state of the countryside 2002: South West", Countryside Agency, Cheltenham
Subjects
Disadvantaged; Poverty; Rural areas; Wiltshire
Date
24 March 2003
Reference
104155; 402 c6-7W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, What her Department's age retirement policy is.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, What her Department's age retirement policy is.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
27 January 2003
For answer on
30 January 2003
Answered on
30 January 2003
Subjects
Age; Executive agencies; Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Equality; Government departments; EU action; Older workers; Retirement
Date
30 January 2003
Reference
398 c1007-8; 94172
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact on village halls of regulations introduced since 1997.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact on village halls of regulations introduced since 1997.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 January 2003
For answer on
22 January 2003
Answered on
22 January 2003
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on
village halls of regulations introduced since 1997. [91844]
Alun Michael: No such specific assessment has been made. However, all proposals for regulation which have an impact on businesses,
charities or voluntary bodies must be accompanied by a regulatory impact assessment. The necessary checks and balances required
under the system ensure that regulation is necessary and proportionate and the risks, options, benefits and costs are fully
explored.
I am aware from correspondence that concerns have been expressed in particular about the impact on village halls of the "Disability
Discrimination (Providers of Services) (Adjustment of Premises) Regulations 2001". However the Disability Discrimination Act
requires service providers to do only what is reasonable in all the circumstances, and there is no question of unreasonable costs
being imposed.
I have recently discussed concerns expressed about the prospective impact on village halls of the Licensing Bill currently before
Parliament with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dr Howells).
Subjects
Access; Disability; Licensing laws; Village halls; Statutory instruments
Date
22 January 2003
Reference
91844; 398 c350W;398 c350-1W
House
House of Commons
Westminster Hall adjournment debate on air quality in market towns.
Westminster Hall adjournment debate on air quality in market towns.
Lead member
Andrew Murrison
Answering member
Alun Michael
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Adjournment debates
Subjects
Air pollution; Pollution control; Urban areas
Date
8 January 2003
Reference
397 c90-6WH
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
House
House of Commons
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what recent assessment he has made of air quality standards in market towns. - Inc ref to National Air Quality Information Archive at www.airquality.co.uk.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what recent assessment he has made of air quality standards in market towns. - Inc ref to National Air Quality Information Archive at www.airquality.co.uk.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 December 2002
For answer on
16 December 2002
Answered on
16 December 2002
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of air quality standards in market towns.
[86900]
Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
Air quality in the UK is monitored through the national air quality monitoring networks, which comprise over 1,500 automatic and
non-automatic monitoring sites. Many of these monitoring sites are situated in small towns. Historic and current levels of air
pollution at all of these sites can be checked via the National Air Quality Information Archive at www.airquality.co.uk For some
sites, this information is updated on an hourly basis. For others, the information is updated on a monthly or quarterly basis,
depending on the type of site.
In addition to this, local authorities carry out their own reviews and assessments of air quality in their areas, in order to
identify any pollution hotspots. Several authorities have identified potentially elevated levels of air pollution in small towns,
particularly alongside congested streets. In these cases, authorities are required to designate air quality management areas and to
draw up action plans setting out what they intend to do to remedy the situation. Details of all the air quality management areas
designated by local authorities to date, together with information on their action plans where available, can be found via the local
air quality management section of the National Air Quality Information Archive (www.airquality.co.uk).
Subjects
Air pollution; Pollution control; Monitoring; Standards; Market towns
Date
16 December 2002
Reference
396 c609-10W;396 c625-6W; 86900
House
House of Commons