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Concrete (Thaumasite)
Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the problems associated with the thaumasite form of sulphate attack on concrete. [37704]
Mr. Raynsford: During recent strengthening operations on two of the older overbridges on the M5 in Gloucestershire, an unexpected deterioration was noted in some of the concrete columns below ground level. Consultations with BRE identified this as the thaumasite form of sulphate attack. Foundations on a further three bridges were examined and were found to be exhibiting similar deterioration.
The Highways Agency's view is that this does not pose a threat to the structural stability of the bridges, nor is there any risk to the safety of road users. The Agency are drawing up a programme to identify which bridges might be subject to this form of problem and to investigate those bridges.
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BRE has been conducting research into this form of sulphate reaction since 1990 for my Department. But until the cases on the M5 were discovered last week, only three such incidents of damage to concrete foundations had previously been identified in the UK. It appears that compliance with standard design guidance on protection against sulphate attack does not guarantee protection of concrete against the thaumasite form of reaction. At present, BRE are undertaking both laboratory and long-term field studies into this phenomenon. These studies have led them to the conclusion that this form of sulphate reaction can only occur when there is a combination of:
The expert independent advice received from the BRE is that, while they believe that their initial findings indicate the need for wider study, they are strongly of the view that any damage to buildings would be gradual and there is no danger to people in buildings.
In the light of the problems discovered on the M5, I have today appointed Professor Leslie Clark to chair an expert group to study the phenomenon further and to report to me as soon as possible. The Group will develop guidance and advice on any implications for existing buildings and structures and on the design and specification of new construction.
Mr. McDonnell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to lay the regulations under section 58 of the Environment Act 1995 for mine operators to notify the Environment Agency before abandoning a mine or part of a mine. [37705]
Mr. Meacher:
I am today laying before the House, together with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths), The Mines (Notice of Abandonment) Regulations 1998. The Regulations will come into force on 1 July 1998. On 4 March, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) made the necessary Commencement Order to bring the remainder of section 58 and 60 of the Environment Act 1995 into force on 1 July. This period of notice will allow mine operators time to put in place the necessary steps to avoid a criminal liability for failing to notify the Agency of proposed abandonment.
These Regulations are being introduced following extensive consultation with interested parties. Copies of the responses received are available from the Departments' libraries. The Regulations will help the Environment Agency ("the Agency") avoid an unexpected minewater breakout resulting in serious contamination of controlled waters by enabling the Agency to identify appropriate action to prevent pollution or treat minewaters when a mine or part of a mine is abandoned.
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The Regulations require mine operators to notify the Agency at least six months before abandoning a mine or part of a mine and to publish a notice in at least one local newspaper where the mine is situated. They set out the precise contents of both the notice to be given to the Agency and the public notice in a local newspaper. The notice for the Agency requires the operator to give an opinion as to the consequences of the proposed abandonment with relevant supporting information. Variations to the timing of the notice will apply where abandonment follows an emergency, and in some cases of insolvency. Where a phased programme of abandonment is planned, this could be notified to the Agency and published in local newspaper at one time, so as to reduce the burdens on the operator.
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has also brought into effect the remainder of section 60 of the Environment Act 1995. This removes the statutory defence against prosecution from the owners and former operators of mines abandoned after 31 December 1999, where a polluting discharge is "permitted" to flow from an abandoned mine or part of a mine.
Mr. Fearn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are taken to ascertain the accuracy of information supplied by another country suggesting that an individual applying for a visa to enter the United Kingdom may be a security risk to that other country; and what account is taken of such information in determining an individual's visa application. [36851]
Mr. Fatchett:
Any information supplied by another government in relation to a United Kingdom visa application at the respective British Mission would be carefully evaluated, including against the background of the information available on the visa application. Any information would be given appropriate weight when deciding the application under the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
Mr. O'Hara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to (a) establish permanent diplomatic representations in the Republic of Moldova or (b) move Moldavian accreditation from Moscow. [37210]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
There are no plans to open a British Embassy in Moldova. We have no plans to transfer accreditation from the British Embassy, Moscow. We are however hoping to appoint an Honorary Consul in Chisinau by the end of this year. The question of diplomatic coverage of Moldova is kept under regular review.
Sir Teddy Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (a) purpose and (b) budget of the People's Europe Project. [37072]
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Mr. Doug Henderson:
The aim of the People's Europe 98 conference is to promote and widen public debate on the challenges facing Europe; in this way to help make the EU more open and closer to the citizen; and to provide a means to promote the views of civic society within the European Union. The budget for the project is the responsibility of the organisers. My Department is providing £70,000.
Sir Teddy Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what European Communities funding will be available to support the People's Europe Project. [37096]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
The European Commission intends to provide about £70,000 from the EC budget toward the cost of the People's Europe 1998 conference. The European Parliament is likely to make a further, smaller contribution. It is possible that EC funds may be available to Non-Governmental Organisations that are contributing to the conference.
Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff of the European Commission based in London possess diplomatic immunity. [37165]
Mr. Fatchett:
Under the 1965 Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the European Communities, 26 members of staff at the European Commission based in London enjoy Diplomatic Immunity. This is only in respect of acts carried out in their official capacity.
Mr. Llwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial contribution the UK has made to UNICEF in each of the last five years. [37060]
(a) A source of sulphates, a commonly found in clay soils;
(b) Very wet, cold conditions; and
(c) A source of calcium carbonate in the concrete (limestone aggregate in the cases investigated).
| Year | £ million |
|---|---|
| 1993-94 | 12 |
| 1994-95 | 25 |
| 1995-96 | 27 |
| 1996-97 | 22 |
| 1997-98 | (12)10 |
(12) Provisional
Refugee Children
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) projects and (b) financial aids are provided to help reunite refugee children with their families in areas of conflict. [37054]
Mr. Foulkes: I have been asked to reply.
The Department for International Development (DFID) supports a number of organisations which help to reunite refugee children with their families. Prominent among these is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who work in most of the world's crisis affected countries and whose mandate includes protection and tracing. We have recently agreed a core contribution of
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£15 million (1997/98 financial year) for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). We support and work closely with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), whose mandate is the protection of children's rights: in 1996/97 DFID provided a core contribution of £8.5 million. We have also contributed a sum of £200,000 in support of the work of the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict to ensure protection, healing and rehabilitation of war affected children.
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