Written Answers To Questions
Monday 22 January 1996
Treasury
Incomes
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been (a) the percentage change in real personal disposable income and (b) the index of real personal disposable income, taking 1966=100 in each year since 1966. [9319]
Information on real personal disposable income and the index of real personal disposable income, both based on 1990, is published annually in the CSO Blue Book and quarterly in the CSO press notice "Quarterly National Accounts" and is held on the CSO database. All sources are available in the Library of the House. The figures are given in the table—the 1990 based index has been re-referenced to 1966=100.
Percentage change in real personal disposable income | Index of real personal disposable income | |
1966 | 2.1 | 100.0 |
1967 | 1.5 | 101.5 |
1968 | 1.8 | 103.3 |
1969 | 0.9 | 104.2 |
1970 | 3.8 | 108.5 |
1971 | 1.2 | 109.5 |
1972 | 8.4 | 118.7 |
1973 | 6.5 | 126.4 |
1974 | -0.8 | 125.4 |
1975 | 0.6 | 126.1 |
1976 | -0.3 | 125.7 |
1977 | -2.1 | 123.1 |
1978 | 7.4 | 132.2 |
1979 | 5.7 | 139.7 |
1980 | 1.5 | 141.8 |
1981 | -0.8 | 140.7 |
1982 | -0.5 | 140.0 |
1983 | 2.7 | 143.7 |
1984 | 3.6 | 149.0 |
1985 | 3.4 | 154.0 |
1986 | 4.5 | 160.8 |
1987 | 3.4 | 166.3 |
1988 | 6.0 | 176.2 |
1989 | 4.8 | 184.7 |
1990 | 1.8 | 188.0 |
1991 | -0.1 | 187.9 |
1992 | 2.3 | 192.2 |
1993 | 1.6 | 195.4 |
1994 | 0.7 | 196.7 |
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households have. incomes (a) less than £5,000 a year, (b) £5,000 to £15,000 a year, (c) £15,000 to £20,000 a year, (d) £20,000 to £50,000 a year, (e) £50,000 to £100,000 a year and (f) more than £100,000 a year; and of each of these groups, how many and what percentage have incomes that are (i) wholly earned, (ii) wholly unearned and (iii) part earned and part unearned. [9324]
The figures are not available in the form requested.
Financial Services Act 1986
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when section 164 of the Financial Services Act 1986 was brought into force. [10638]
Section 164 of the Financial Services Act 1986 has not been brought into force and was repealed when the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995 came into force on 19 June 1995. Regulation 10 of those regulations contains an equivalent provision to section 164.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the enforcement of penalties for (a) carrying on, and (b) purporting to carry on, investment business without authorisation or exemption, under section 4 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [10434]
Prosecutions for contraventions of section 3 of the Financial Services Act are brought before the courts where there is a realistic prospect of securing a conviction and the public interest is in favour of a prosecution. Enforcement of any penalty under section 4 of the Financial Services Act imposed by the court is a matter for the court concerned.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the penalties for (a) carrying on and (b) purporting to carry on, investment business without authorisation or exemption, under section 4 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [10435]
I have no plans to do so.
Tortoises
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what seizures of tortoises and tortoise products were made by Customs and Excise in 1995. [10153]
Statistics for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species seizures made by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in 1995 are complete only for the first nine months to 30 September. In that period, there were two seizures of tortoise products imported in breach of CITES requirements together with 794 live specimens.The latter figure includes one large seizure of 674 specimens found in the possession of crewmen on board an east European vessel which called temporarily in the United Kingdom.
Banks (Overcharging)
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to provide that banks pay compensation to customers for the consequences of overcharging; and if he will make a statement. [9880]
[holding answer 18 January 1996]: There are no plans to introduce such legislation. Arrangements already exist for customers' complaints to be pursued, either through banks' internal procedures or, where they are exhausted, by involving the banking ombudsman.
Banking Contracts
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consult the Governor of the Bank of England with a view to making changes in the standard inclusion in banking contracts of repayment on demand; and if he will make a statement. [9881]
[holding answer 18 January 1996]: No. The precise form that a particular loan takes is a commercial matter to be agreed between a borrower and his bank. Since 1992 there has been a shift in small business lending away from overdrafts, which are repayable on demand, and towards a greater proportion of fixed-term loans.
Bank Customers
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consult the Governor of the Bank of England with a view to establishing guidelines to ensure protection coverage for hank customers in cases of (a) bank malpractice, (b) overcharging and (c) breach of contract; and if he will make a statement. [9882]
[holding answer 18 January 1996]: The code of banking practice and the banking ombudsman scheme already provide guidance on these issues, and offer definitive and flexible methods of resolving disputes. Customers now have far more information than ever before about banking practices, fees and interest payments, and about what they should do if they wish to discuss, or complain about, the services they receive.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will implement the recommendations of the Government's 1989 review of banking services to provide for (a) the power of a bank to withdraw any complaint which has wide ramifications or raises important legal issue from the banking ombudsman's jurisdiction to be exercised only with the concurrence of the ombudsman, (b) compulsory production by a bank of any relevant documents of information and (c) publication of information about a complaint if a customer consents; and if he will make a statement. [10232]
[holding answer 18 January 1996]: Recommendations (a) and (b) are now reflected in the latest version of the banking ombudsman's terms of reference—paragraphs 20–22 and 5(b) respectively. The ombudsman does not publish details of customers' complaints but his annual report does quote figures on the types of complaints received by the ombudsman. The report also quotes examples of specific complaint, without revealing the identity of the complainant, to illustrate the circumstances of a particular case.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to require banks to establish hank customer councils; and if he will make a statement. [10234]
[holding answer 18 January 1996]: No. This is a matter for banks and their customers.
Channel Tunnel
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to provide financial support or guarantees to Eurotunnel in respect of the re-financing of the channel tunnel. [10114]
[holding answer 18 January 1996]: No.
Trade And Industry
Exports
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were United Kingdom relative export unit values at current rates of exchange (a) at the latest available date and (b) at the time of United Kingdom entry into the exchange rate mechanism. [9786]
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply of 16 January 1996, Official Report, column 526 given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the same question.
Nuclear Power Stations
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent research has been initiated by his Department into early decommissioning of nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement. [10089]
My Department has not initiated any research into the early decommissioning of nuclear power stations. However, my Department together with Nuclear Electric, is providing funding for the early decommissioning of the prototype advanced gas-cooled reactor at Windscale.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent research the Government have initiated into the use of robotics in the decommissioning of nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement. [10088]
The Government have not initiated any research into the use of robotics in the decommissioning of nuclear power stations. However, I am advised that in 1993–94 the nuclear installations inspectorate identified the use of telerobotics as a nuclear safety research issue that the nuclear licensees should address. As a result, Scottish Nuclear, on behalf of the licensees, undertook research on telerobotics safety-related control and protection.
Business Links
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to bring about a business link in East Lancashire. [10634]
The chairman of the business link national assessment panel had detailed discussions with the chairman of the East Lancashire training and enterprise council about its proposals for a business link in East Lancashire. Those proposals were considered by the assessment panel in December, which concluded that they needed to be developed further in conjunction with other partners.
The Government office for the north west has convened a series of meeting with ELTEC, the local chamber of commerce and the local authorities concerned. This has led to the establishment of a working group involving all partners and the Government Office, that is committed to developing an agreed bid for consideration by the assessment panel.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average number of clients held by personal business advisers in business links; and what is the largest and smallest number of clients. [10415]
Our latest information indicates that the average case load of a personal business adviser is around 40 clients. Most have between 21. and 50; none are known to have more than 100.
Resider And Rechar Programmes
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals to grant additional funds to the United Kingdom under the European Union Resider and Rechar 1994–1997 programmes were discussed at the management committee meeting of member states in December 1995; and if he will make a statement. [10422]
The committee's agenda included a Commission proposal to allocate an additional 60 mecu to the United Kingdom for Resider, Rechar, Retex and Konver together, for 1998 and 1999. These are programmes of European structural funds grant for designated areas which have lost jobs in, respectively, steel, coal, textiles and defence.The UK asked for a larger allocation. Before a decision is taken, the committee will meet again; the European Parliament is also being consulted.I plan to make a statement after the allocations for these and certain other similar programmes have been settled.
British Coal
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list opencast deposits identified by British Coal on land in its ownership in north Wales; [10927](2) if he will list the landholdings of British Coal in north Wales which are subject to sale currently; if he will list those land holdings of British Coal in north Wales which will be considered for sale in the future; and if he will give the current land use of all of these land holdings. [10926]
These are matters for British Coal.
Official Gifts
To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons details of official gifts received by Ministers in his Department are not available before 1994–95, as indicated in his answer of 4 July, Official Report, column 146. [10178]
Information in respect of gifts received by Ministers before April 1994 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Systematic Biological Research
To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his Department's letter of 12 September 1995, what progress has been reported to Her Majesty's Government by the United Kingdom systematics forum, on its identification of priorities for systematic biological research. [8411]
The United Kingdom systematics forum published its "Review of 1994–95" on 6 October 1995 and produced a preliminary report, "Priorities in Systematic Research and Training" in September last year.I am pleased to be able to announce today that the Office of Science and Technology will be providing a further three years' funding to the systematics forum from 1 April this year, amounting to a total of £86,000. Since it was established in 1994, the forum has done much to foster closer communications within the community it serves, This new commitment will enable it to focus on devising a national strategy on priorities for systematics research.OST will explore integration of the forum into an existing learned society during this new funding period so that the links built within the systematics community are maintained.
Private Finance Initiative
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what have been the running costs relating to the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) staff costs, (ii) information technology and (iii) other costs. [10969]
The running costs relating to the tendering process of the private finance initiative within my Department and its associated bodies since its introduction are as follows:
£ thousand | ||||
1992–93 | 1993–94 | 1994–95 | 1995–96 | |
Staff costs | Nil | Nil | 111.5 (11.5) | 1163.4 (159.1) |
IT | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Other costs | Nil | Nil | 111.5 (11.5) | 122.4 (21.8) |
1Real costs in brackets. |
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent on external consultants in the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) legal fees, (ii) publicity costs, (iii) accountancy fees and (iv) management consultancy fees. [10970]
No money has yet been spent by my Department on external consultants in the tendering process for projects under the private finance initiative.
Forte Hotels
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to act under the Financial Services Act 1986 in respect of Granada group's decision to understate publicly its intention for the disposal of the Meridien and Exclusive hotels of Forte plc. [9808]
[holding answer 16 January 1996]: Section 47 of the Financial Services Act 1986 provides that it is an offence for any person to seek to manipulate the market in or the price or value of any investments by issuing a statement, promise or forecast which he knows to he false or misleading. If the hon. Member has evidence of improper conduct, he should write to me.If the bid by Granada Group plc for Forte plc is successful, it is possible that any subsequent disposal or proposed disposal by Granada of assets acquired from Forte might be subject to examination under the merger control procedures of the Fair Trading Act 1973, depending on the nature of the particular disposal in question and of the acquirer.
Scott Inquiry
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide a breakdown of the spending by his Department on external advice in relation to the Scott inquiry; and how much has been spent on legal advice and for whom. [10223]
[holding answer 18 January 1996]: The amount so far spent by my Department on external advice in relation to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry is £293,870. The names of individuals and their legal advisers are confidential to them.
Competitiveness
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" was modified by the results of any environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department; [8668](2) if "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" has been subject to an environmental appraisal using the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment"; and if he will publish the appraisal; [8666](3) what procedures have been put in place by his Department to monitor the environmental impacts arising from the implementation of "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead"; [8669](4) what alternative courses of action from those detailed in "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" were considered in any environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department. [8667]
The 1994 White Paper, "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win" was the first comprehensive audit of the UK's competitive position. The 1995 White Paper, "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" updated the analysis, and it will be reviewed and developed further in the competitiveness White Paper due to be published later this year.The White Papers have, analysed the main factors influencing competitiveness. They identified the primary responsibility of companies themselves to improve their competitive performance. They also outlined policies and initiatives across the whole of Government to help create the right framework and conditions to foster that improvement.
Against this background, the White Papers considered the relationship between environmental issues and competitiveness. The 1995 White Paper sets out the implications for business of the Government's commitment to sustainable development. It addresses the way that tax and regulatory policies are used to achieve environmental objectives and identifies the challenges and opportunities for business managers. There was no specific, separate written environmental appraisal of the White Papers themselves. It is a matter for each Government Department and individual company to consider and monitor the environmental implications of their activities in the normal way—including, where appropriate, the need for a written environmental appraisal.
Responsibility for managing the competitiveness agenda within the Government now lies with my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Office of Public Service in the Cabinet Office.
Lord Chancellor's Department
Warrants And Process (Transfer)
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations his Department has received expressing concern over the proposed transfer of responsibility from the police to magistrates courts committees of the execution of warrants and the service of process; and how many of these have been received from members of police forces. [10985]
My Department has been in consultation with representative bodies within the magistrates courts community and other interested parties, including the Association of Chief Police Officers, over the proposed transfer of responsibilities, which has now been postponed with a view to its taking effect on 1 April 1997. In addition to these consultations, my Department has received correspondence on the subject of the transfer from individual justices chief executives and clerks to magistrates courts committees, justices clerks, local authorities, the chairman of an area criminal justice liaison committee and interested private firms. I have also received representations from Members of Parliament for the Kirklees area, including the hon. Lady. My Department has received one letter from the Metropolitan police expressing concern over the progress of the transfer of responsibility.
Private Finance Initiative
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been spent on external consultants in the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) legal fees, (ii) publicity costs, (iii) accountancy fees and (iv) management consultancy fees. [10961]
All expenditure on external consultancy has been incurred in the current financial year. Expenditure to date is (i) legal fees—nil, (ii) publicity costs—nil, (iii) accountancy fees—nil, (iv) management consultancy fees—£108,464.
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's department what have been the running costs relating to the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) staff costs, (ii) information technology and (iii) other costs. [10962]
All expenditure was incurred in the current financial year. Expenditure to date is (i) staff costs—£153,000, (ii) information technology—£1,500, (iii) other costs £3,000.
Public Interest Immunity
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what arrangements are in place to ensure that justice is done on the basis of accurate information in a court case where public interest immunity is claimed to suppress certain evidence; and if he will make a statement. [9498]
In each individual case, the authority for deciding claims relating to public interest immunity rests with the courts.
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance he intends to issue to (a) departments, (b) executive agencies, (c) non-departmental public bodies and (d) outside bodies and arms-length organisations which he has responsibility for, or an interest in, regarding the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [9218]
I refer to the answer given by my right Hon. Friend, the Minister for Disabled People on 15 January 1996, Official Report, column 417. I will ensure that my Department and any bodies for which it is responsible will be made fully aware of their responsibilities under the Act.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Official Gifts
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will put on public display those gifts received by Ministers in his Department. [10161]
Gifts received by Ministers are not put on public display.
Penguins (Falkland Islands)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the population change in Gentoo and Magellanic penguins in the Falkland Islands over the last 10 years. [10160]
There is insufficient recorded material from which to draw detailed conclusions on the state of the penguin populations in the Falkland Islands.A recent survey of Gentoo penguins indicates that there are approximately 65,000 breeding pairs which suggest a decline of around 10 per cent. over the last 10 years.An accurate estimate of the population of Magellanic penguins is more difficult. Figures based on recent study plots suggest a very approximate total of 300,000 breeding pairs, which could show a decrease of up to 30 per cent. over the past five years.
Hong Kong And China
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Hong Kong and Beijing. [8570]
[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1996, column 410]: I regret that the last paragraphs of my answer of 15 January were inadvertently omitted. The full answer is as followsMy right hon. and learned Friend, the Foreign Secretary, visited Hong Kong and China from 6 to 11 January.In Hong Kong he met the governor, members of the Legislative and Executive Councils, senior Hong Kong Government and British officials and business and community figures. This gave him an invaluable opportunity to hear at first hand the views and concerns of the people of Hong Kong about their future.My right hon. and learned Friend was warmly received in Peking and held frank and constructive discussions with President Jiang Zemin, Premier Li Peng, Vice Premier Qian Qichen, and the Director of the State Council Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Lu Ping. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary's discussions gave him an opportunity to describe to Chinese leaders the mood in Hong Kong and to discuss with them ways of maintaining confidence there. We made substantial progress on several specific issues. The Chinese assured my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary of their commitment to a successful transition and to the preservation of a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong after 30 June 1997.We also agreed to develop further our bilateral links in all areas: political, economic and commercial. As part of this dialogue my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary registered our concerns over reports of human rights abuses and urged china to address these issues quickly and openly.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Woodland Improvement Grant
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what role the woodland improvement grant will play in encouraging coppicing for the purpose of reducing the decline in the numbers of woodland butterflies and moths. [9322]
The first projects eligible for the woodland improvement grant are those which encourage informal public recreation in woodlands. Further projects, which may include coppicing to enhance the nature conservation value of woodlands, will be considered in due course.
Fish Stocks
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the treaty on straddling fish stocks; and highly migratory fish stocks; and what action has been taken to place limits on catches of (a) tuna and (b) swordfish which migrate through international waters and stocks of (i) flounder, (ii) halibut and (iii) other fish which straddle the territorial waters of different countries. [8246]
The United Nations agreement for the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations convention on the law of the sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks was adopted by the conference on 4 August 1995. It opened for signature on 4 December 1995 and was signed on that date by 25 states, including the United Kingdom in respect of certain dependent territories. The EC and its member states have not yet completed the required internal procedures for signature.Much of the content of the agreement has to do with the establishment of regional fisheries organisations and their activities. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, which the United Kingdom joined on 14 November 1995, adopted at its 1995 meeting further measures to limit the catches of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic and to allocate percentage national shares for the catch of north Atlantic swordfish. The North-West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation has adopted for 1996 a zero catch limit for yellowtail flounder and a total allowable catch of 27,000 tonnes for Greenland halibut on the Grand banks.
Farm Incomes
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the latest estimate of farm income for (a) each standard region, (b) for England and (c) for the United Kingdom, together with the equivalent figures for the previous three years in constant prices, indicating the yearly percentage change and the cumulative percentage change in each case; and if he will make a statement; [9019](2) if he will list the latest estimate of farm income together with the equivalent figures for the previous three years in constant prices, indicating the yearly percentage change and cumulative percentage change in each case; and if he will make a statement. [9020]
The latest available estimates of total income from farming, covering years from 1990, for the United Kingdom, the four countries and each standard statistical region within England are as follows. The figures are presented in real terms, first in £m at 1990 prices and then as indices—1990=100. The latter set thus show cumulative percentage changes from 1990 and both allow easy calculation of annual changes. The figures have been derived from those shown in table 6.5 of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1994" and tables 5.2 and 5.3 of issues of "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom".A provisional estimate of total income from farming in 1995 for the United Kingdom will be issued by press release on 31 January and corresponding country data will be issued by the other agricultural departments. "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1995" and "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom
1 1994–95", both to be published on 19 March, will provide further details, including English regional data for 1994.
Total income from farming in real terms (as deflated by RPI): £ million 1990 prices
| |||||
1990
| 1991
| 1992
| 1993
| 1 1994
| |
United Kingdom | 2,300 | 2,174 | 2,599 | 3,531 | 3,687 |
England | 1,821 | 1,701 | 2,055 | 2,775 | 2,800 |
Wales | 134 | 131 | 134 | 209 | 225 |
Scotland | 212 | 176 | 218 | 326 | 398 |
Northern Ireland | 134 | 167 | 194 | 223 | 265 |
England regions
| |||||
North | 132 | 128 | 182 | 228 | n/a |
Yorkshire and Humberside | 240 | 202 | 230 | 285 | n/a |
East Midlands | 336 | 332 | 317 | 452 | n/a |
East Anglia | 397 | 345 | 363 | 415 | n/a |
South East | 219 | 220 | 240 | 428 | n/a |
South West | 164 | 136 | 299 | 432 | n/a |
West Midlands | 171 | 194 | 253 | 333 | n/a |
North West | 162 | 144 | 172 | 201 | n/a |
Totals may not add owing to rounding.
1 Provisional.
Total income from farming in real terms (as deflated by RPI): Indices 1990=100
| |||||
1990
| 1991
| 1992
| 1993
| 1 1994
| |
United Kingdom | 100.0 | 94.5 | 113.0 | 153.5 | 160.3 |
England | 100.0 | 93.4 | 112.9 | 152.4 | 153.7 |
Wales | 100.0 | 97.4 | 99.9 | 155.7 | 168.0 |
Scotland | 100.0 | 82.8 | 103.0 | 153.9 | 187.9 |
Norther Ireland | 100.0 | 124.3 | 144.1 | 165.8 | 197.6 |
English regions | |||||
North | 100.0 | 97.2 | 138.3 | 172.8 | n/a |
Yorkshire and Humberside | 100.0 | 84.4 | 95.9 | 118.9 | n/a |
East Midlands | 100.0 | 98.9 | 94.4 | 134.6 | n/a |
East Anglia | 100.0 | 86.9 | 91.3 | 104.5 | n/a |
South-East | 100.0 | 100.3 | 109.4 | 195.4 | n/a |
South-West | 100.0 | 82.8 | 182.0 | 263.0 | n/a |
West Midlands | 100.0 | 113.2 | 147.7 | 194.9 | n/a |
North-West | 100.0 | 88.6 | 106.0 | 124.0 | n/a |
1Provisional. |
Live Animal Imports
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to permit the importation of breeding cattle from North America through the port of Avonmouth. [9855]
[holding answer 17 January 1996]: The port of Avonmouth has applied for approval as a border inspection post—BIP—to handle imports of cattle from third countries including north America. EC inspectors have recently visited the port in order to assess its suitability as a BIP and their report is awaited.
Health
Hospital Waiting Lists
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of patients dying while on the waiting list for bypass surgery, (a) nationally and (b) by region. [10748]
Description | Run by | Number of calls | Cost £ |
Blood Donor line | Managed by the Central | 78,516 (April to December | 33,074 |
Office of Information for | 1995) | ||
the Department of Health | |||
Drinkline | Drinkline (non-profit making | 44,000 (October 1993 to | 516,000 (DH funding for |
limited company) | January 1996) | 1993–94–1995–96) | |
Health Information Service | NHS—regionally provided | 1,000,788 (April 1992 to | 8,113,170 (April 1992 to |
Service | December 1995) | March 1996 Includes all | |
costs associated with | |||
establishing the service and | |||
in initially publicising its | |||
availability) | |||
Health Literature line (including the | Managed by the Central | 255,885 (April to December | 108,026 |
Organ Donor line) | Office of Information for | 1995) | |
the Department of Health | |||
National AIDS Helpline and National | Network of Scotland Ltd. | 386,953 (April to December | 1,569,000 (estimated total |
Drugs Helpline | (independent company | 1995) | 1995–1996 cost) |
contracted by the | |||
Department of Health) | |||
National AIDS Helpline | Broadcasting Support Services | 4,200,514 (January 1990 to | 6,038,000 |
and Network Scotland | December 1994) | ||
(contracted by the | |||
Department of Health) | |||
Sexwise helpline | Managed by the Central | 784,016 (April to December | 366,854 |
Office of Information for | 1995) | ||
the Department of Health | |||
Committee safety medicines freephone | Medicines Control Agency | 1,977 (January 1994 to | 7,510 (call costs only) |
December 1995) |
Details of the helpline numbers are as listed:
- Blood Donor line: 0345 711 711
- Drinkline: O345 32 02 02
- Health Information Service: 0800 66 55 44
- Health Literature line: 0800 555 777
- National Drugs helpline: 0800 77 66 00
- National AIDS helpline: 0800 567 123
- Sexwise: 0800 28 29 30
I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Health (Dr. Mawhinney) gave the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms Primarolo) on 19 May 1994, Official Report, column 557.
Helplines
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all the helplines, or schemes which include a helpline service, for which his Department provides any funding, stating which are (a) independent organisations, (b) run by his Department or agencies of his Department of (c) of another classification; how many calls each received in each of the last five years; and how much money each received from his Department in each of the last five years. [9800]
Information on the eight main information lines and one run by the Medicines Control Agency is listed.
Committee Safety Medicines: Dial the operator and ask for freephone CSM.
Form Ag1
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of his Department's form AG1. [9907]
Supplies of form AG1 are available from Her Majesty's Stationary Office in the normal way.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to making MRSA a notifiable disease; what representations he has received, and from whom, on this matter: what assessment he has made of the effect of the non-notifiability of MRSA on its recorded incidence; and if he will make a statement. [10269]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the advantages of making MRSA a notifiable disease. [10594]
No representations that methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus—MRSA—should be made a notifiable disease have been received in recent years.The statutory notification system requires doctors who are directly responsible for patient care—not laboratories—to notify diagnosed and suspected cases who are suffering from certain diseases. About 80 per cent. of people who acquire MRSA. do not develop any infection and are not therefore suffering from a disease. When MRSA infection does occur, it can take the form of many different diseases, ranging from trivial skin infections to pneumonia or septicaemia, all of which are more commonly due to other causes. MRSA infection cannot be diagnosed clinically but only by laboratory tests. Notification of clinically suspected cases of all these diseases would be wholly impracticable. Appropriate control measures are taken in hospitals when MRSA is identified—such control action is not dependent on whether or not MRSA is notifiable.Current data on the incidence of MRSA are compiled by the central public health laboratory of the Public Health Laboratory Service. The PHLS believes that its data on the incidence of MRSA are among the most complete of any country in the world.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to social services departments on the treatment of patients with MRSA discharged from hospital; and if he will make a statement. [10268]
The Department held a seminar in December 1995 on methicillin—resistant staphylococcus aureus in the community which was attended by representatives from social services departments: a further seminar is being planned. The Department intends to issue guidance shortly to social services departments about MRSA and to provide them with leaflets, which are currently being prepared, for distribution to nursing and residential homes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's annual expenditure on (a) research into MRSA and (b) developing new antibiotics. [10598]
The Department of Health is currently funding, through the regional research and development programme, two research projects totalling £46,000 per year into the detection and prevalence of methicillin—resistant staphylococcus aureus. It is also spending £2 million on studies on the surveillance and costs of hospital acquired infection including MRSA infections. The regional research and development programme includes many projects which involve antibiotics. Of these, two, totalling about £300,000 per year, are on research into antibiotics. There are also eight RHA-funded research projects relating to antibiotics totalling about £210,000 per year.About 20 per cent. of the NHS drugs bill goes into research and development of new drugs by the pharmaceutical industry and the industry in the United Kingdom is currently spending in excess of £1.5 billion. This includes research into antibiotics, some of which are intended specifically for use against MRSA.The Public Health Laboratory Service is conducting research into the genetics of MRSA and into the behaviour and virulence of different strains of MRSA, and is also co-operating with the pharmaceutical industry on testing new antibiotics.The MRC, which receives its grant-in-aid from my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, is funding a research project costing £538,000 over five years into staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the severity of the problem of MRSA in (a) Britain and (b) France, Germany, Italy and the United States of America. [10596]
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus was a considerable problem in British hospitals in the mid-1980s, then receded, but has increased again in the last two to three years. Data on incidents of MRSA are compiled by the central public health laboratory of the Public Health Laboratory Services—PHLS, which defines an incident as three or more patients with the same strain of the organism. About 80 per cent. of patients with MRSA are only carrying the organism and have no infection from it. In 1994, the PHLS recorded 1,081 incidents of MRSA and in the first six months of 1995 there were 750 incidents. Most of these incidents were short lived.Whilst it is clear from papers published in the medical literature that the other countries have problems with MRSA in some hospitals, the Department is not aware of any central collation of data on MRSA in any of these countries and we are unable to assess the severity of the problem there.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining the department's policy on controlling the spread of MRSA. [10597]
The Department's policy on the control of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in hospitals is contained in guidance published jointly by the Hospital Infection Society and the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, circulated to the NHS in September 1994 under cover of EL(94)74 entitled "Improving the Effectiveness of the NHS".The Department also published guidance on the control of infection in hospitals in March 1995 under cover of HSG(95)10 "Hospital Infection Control". This includes new advice on the surveillance of MRSA. Copies of both documents are available in the Library.
Intensive Care Beds
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his Department's guidelines to health authorities or NHS hospital trusts on the number of fully medically supported intensive care beds to be available at any one time. [10320]
It is for health authorities and national health service trusts to determine the level of intensive care provision that is needed by their local populations.
Mental Health Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the response from health authorities to his letter sent in August 1995 requesting information on the state of mental health services in each health authority; [10738](2) if he will list the number of health authorities
(a) providing a comprehensive mental health service, (b) who will be in a position to provide such a service if given sufficient investment by the end of 1995–96 and (c) who will not achieve it by the end of the current year. [10739]
An announcement will be made shortly.
North Mersey Community Health Trust
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the reduction in the management costs of the North Mersey community health trust will be redeployed into the trust's clinical services. [10712]
This is a matter for North Mersey community national health service trust to decide. The hon. Member may wish to approach Mr. R. James, chairman of the trust, for details.
Prescription Charges
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in the year 1994–95, how many NHS prescriptions were dispensed for prescription-only medicines at the relevant standard charge which could have been purchased on private prescription at less than the relevant standard charge; [8620](2) in the year 1994–95, how many prescriptions were dispensed at the relevant standard charge. [8621]
When an item is dispensed privately, the pharmacist may add a private dispensing fee to the cost of the medicine. The amount of that fee is at the pharmacist's discretion. It is not therefore possible to calculate the number of prescription items which would, if purchased as private prescriptions, cost less than the NHS prescription charge.In England in 1994–95, it is estimated that 50.7 million prescription items were charged at the point of dispensing.
Quitline
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Quitline programme in combating teenage smoking. [9021]
The Quitline telephone helpline which provides advice on smoking cessation for all age groups was launched as a Freefone number on 7 November 1995. The performance of the service in its first year is being carefully evaluated.
Patient Transfers
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in 1995 had to be transferred to other hospitals because they could not be treated at their local hospital; and if he will indicate the trust to which these belonged; how many of these transfers arose from (a) a lack of beds and (b) a lack of suitable staff; how many of the patients died; and if he will make a statement. [10464]
The information is not available centrally.
Benzodiazepines
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what quantity of benzodiazepines was prescribed via community pharmacists in England and Wales in each of the last four years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [9886]
The available information for England is shown in the table. Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Number of prescription items dispensed for benzodiazepines: 1991 to 1994 | |
England | |
Year | Prescription Items (millions) |
1991 | 15.7 |
1992 | 14.8 |
1993 | 14.3 |
1994 | 13.8 |
The data are from the "Prescription Costs Analysis" (PCA), are for England only and are based on the number of prescription items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors.
Prescriptions
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the figures for disbursements by the Prescription Pricing Authority in England for each year since 1990 in respect of payments for drugs to dispensing doctors and drugs supplied by prescribing doctors in terms of (a) net ingredient cost, (b) discounted cost, (c) VAT, (d) container allowance, (e) dispensing fee, (f) on cost and (g) in total; and if he will make a statement. [9888]
Information on the actual payments, made direct by family health services authorities to doctors in England is shown in the table.
Year
| Net ingredient cost £ million
| Net ingredient cost less discount £ million
| On cost allowance £ million
| Percentage to basic price
| Fees £ million
| Container allowance £ million
| Total payment oxygen £ million
| VAT £ million
| Total cost £ million
|
1990 | 163.4 | 153.8 | 17.2 | 0.0 | 30.4 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 23.1 | 225.8 |
1991 | 186.2 | 175.0 | 19.5 | 0.0 | 33.6 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 29.7 | 259.2 |
1992 | 219.3 | 206.2 | 23.0 | 0.0 | 35.1 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 36.0 | 301.9 |
1993 | 255.6 | 240.6 | 26.8 | 0.0 | 36.7 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 41.8 | 347.5 |
1994 | 288.7 | 271.9 | 30.3 | 0.0 | 38.6 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 46.7 | 389.2 |
1. The information was obtained from the Prescription Pricing Authority.
2. The total cost is the remuneration and reimbursement paid for prescriptions dispensed by doctors and for personally administered items. This is calculated from the net ingredient cost of drugs appliances and chemical reagents dispensed, less a discount calculated from the discount scale, plus an on-cost allowance, a dispensing fee per prescription, a container allowance per prescription, and a VAT allowance where applicable. Payments are made in accordance with Paragraph 44 of the General Medical Services Statement on Fees and Allowances.
European Directives
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will place in the Library copies of the guidance notes, office notes and other relevant documents which relate to his efforts in (a) removing gold plating from existing domestic regulation and (b) ensuring new European directives are not gold plated; [10054](2) what new systems he has put in place to ensure that European directives are not gold plated in domestic regulations. [10066]
My Department's policy is not to gold plate European Community directives by the addition of unnecessary. burdens when implementing them in the United Kingdom. We keep existing legislation under review in the light of this policy. Official guidance on gold plating is currently being reviewed in consultation with other Government Departments.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is undertaken by his Department (a) directly and (b) indirectly by financing research elsewhere into combat-induced post traumatic stress disorder; and if he will indicate for (b) the organisations involved and the total funding provided. [10538]
No such research is being undertaken by the Department of Health. The main agency through which the Government supports biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provision is made by his Department for the treatment of combat-induced post traumatic stress disorder; [10536](2) what provision is made by his Department for respite care for sufferers of combat-induced post traumatic stress disorder. [10539]
It is the responsibility of health authorities to assess the needs of their population and to secure, through contracting, services to meet those needs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of ex-service (a) men and (b) women suffering from combat-induced post traumatic stress disorder. [10537]
No such estimate has been made.
Antibiotics
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many courses of antibiotics were administered in Britain in 1970, 1980 and in each year from 1990 to 1995. [10595]
The available information for England is shown in the table. Information relating to Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales.
Number of prescriptions dispensed for antibiotics | |
England | |
Year | Prescriptions (millions) |
1980 | 32.8 |
1990 | 39.8 |
1991 | 43.7 |
1992 | 43.4 |
1993 | 47.7 |
1994 | 45.8 |
Notes:
1. Antibiotics are those preparations in the British National Formulary [issue 26, September 1993] therapeutic group 5.1—antibacterial drugs.
2. The data for 1980 and 1990 are not consistent with data from 1991 onwards. Figures for 1980 and 1990 are based on fees and on a sample of 1 in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Figures from 1991 are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.
Treliske Hospital
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency referrals by general practitioners at Treliske hospital, Cornwall, the hospital was unable to admit on the weekend of 6 and 7 January. [10462]
This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact John Williams, chairman of Royal Cornwall Hospitals national health service trust for details.
Dental Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue further regulations in respect of the crowning and capping of teeth on the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [10707]
I announced proposals for the reform of the general dental service on 5 April 1995, Official Report, columns 1214–15. One of the measures proposed was the introduction of more rigorous prior approval procedures to ensure that the general dental service provides only those treatments which are clinically essential and for which there are no clinically acceptable, less costly, alternatives. We will implement the reforms in due course.
Manchester Health Commission
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what submissions were made to the Under-Secretary at his meeting on 17 January with representatives of the Manchester Health Commission and the city's community health councils; what response he gave; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement. [10997]
Representatives of Manchester health authority and the three Manchester community health councils gave a verbal account of the problems affecting health services in the city, supporting their case with written evidence. I listened sympathetically to their views and undertook to consider any potential solutions.
Private Finance Initiative
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the running costs relating to the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) staff costs, (ii) information technology and (iii) other costs. [10954]
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 15 January at column 337. Tenderers bear their own costs. Further information is not available centrally.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on external consultants in the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) legal fees,(ii) publicity costs, (iii) accountancy fees and (iv) management consultancy fees. [10953]
The information requested is not available centrally. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. McAllion) on 9 January at column 71.
Population Statistics
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number and percentage of the population of (a) men aged 65 years and over and (b) women aged 60 years and over in each of the past five years; and what are the expected figures in each of the next 20 years. [11095]
The latest available information is shown in the table.
England and Wales | ||||
Men aged 65 and over | Women aged 60 and over | |||
Year | Thousands | As percentage of total male population | Thousands | As percentage of total female population |
Estimates | ||||
1990 | 3,225 | 13.0 | 6,179 | 23.8 |
1991 | 3,257 | 13.0 | 6,189 | 23.7 |
1992 | 3,283 | 13.1 | 6,184 | 23.6 |
1993 | 3,306 | 13.1 | 6,173 | 23.5 |
1994 | 3,323 | 13.1 | 6,150 | 23.4 |
Projections (1992 based) | ||||
1995 | 3,355 | 13.2 | 6,144 | 23.3 |
1996 | 3,384 | 13.2 | 6,140 | 23.2 |
1997 | 3,409 | 13.3 | 6,141 | 23.1 |
1998 | 3,427 | 13.3 | 6,146 | 23.1 |
1999 | 3,445 | 13.3 | 6,155 | 23.1 |
2000 | 3,470 | 13.3 | 6,160 | 23.0 |
2001 | 3,499 | 13.4 | 6,150 | 22.9 |
2002 | 3,531 | 13.4 | 6,162 | 22.9 |
2003 | 3,567 | 13.5 | 6,199 | 23.0 |
2004 | 3,603 | 13.6 | 6,253 | 23.1 |
2005 | 3,637 | 13.7 | 6,306 | 23.3 |
2006 | 3,657 | 13.7 | 6,363 | 23.4 |
2007 | 3,696 | 13.8 | 6,507 | 23.9 |
2008 | 3,757 | 14.0 | 6,620 | 24.3 |
2009 | 3,832 | 14.2 | 6,709 | 24.5 |
2010 | 3,904 | 14.5 | 6,787 | 24.8 |
2011 | 3,977 | 14.7 | 6,855 | 25.0 |
2012 | 4,133 | 15.2 | 6,918 | 25.2 |
2013 | 4,253 | 15.6 | 6,986 | 25.4 |
2014 | 4,349 | 16.0 | 7,055 | 25.6 |
2015 | 4,431 | 16.2 | 7,119 | 25.8 |
2016 | 4,504 | 16.5 | 7,192 | 26.0 |
Abortions
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions in total have now been performed in England and Wales under the provisions of the Abortion Act 1967; how many and what percentage of that total were performed in an emergency to save the life of the mother; and if he will give a breakdown by region of that total and the relevant figures and percentages. [6796]
[holding answer 18 December 1995]: The total number of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act in England and Wales on residents and non-residents from 1968 to 19941 was 4,054,340. During this period 140 abortions were performed in an emergency, certified by the operating practitioner as immediately necessary, so as to save the life of the woman. A breakdown by region of the total and the relevant figures and percentages, excluding data for 1968 and 1969, is in the table.
Number of abortions 1970–1994 1,2
| |||
Health authority of usual residence3
| Total number of abortions
| Performed in emergency (F of 5)4
| Percentage of total abortions
|
England | 3,140,723 | 100 | 0.00 |
Wales | 151,320 | 7 | 0.00 |
Northern | 147,389 | 6 | 0.00 |
Yorkshire | 189,160 | 6 | 0.00 |
Trent | 245,489 | 9 | 0.00 |
East Anglia | 97,728 | 6 | 0.01 |
NW Thames | 379,451 | 8 | 0.00 |
NE Thames | 373,285 | 11 | 0.00 |
SE Thames | 294,696 | 7 | 0.00 |
SW Thames | 234,336 | 3 | 0.00 |
Wessex | 143,269 | 9 | 0.01 |
Oxford | 144,154 | 4 | 0.00 |
South Western | 160,792 | 9 | 0.01 |
West Midlands | 351,747 | 9 | 0.00 |
Mersey | 141,916 | 6 | 0.00 |
North Western | 237,311 | 7 | 0.00 |
Non-residents | 683,837 | 3 | 0.00 |
Total | 3,975,880 | 110 | 0.00 |
1All data for 1994 are provisional. | |||
2Figures for 1968–69 are not held on a comparable basis. | |||
31994 figures based on 1993 RHA boundaries. Other boundary changes have not been reflected in the figures. | |||
4Abortions performed under statutory grounds 5 (1970–April 1991) and F (April 1991–present)—i.e. where in the case of emergency it was necessary to save the life of a woman. |
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning annually resulting in death and injury are the result of a work-related incident. [9709]
I have been asked to reply. Statistics on incidents of carbon monoxide-CO-poisoning resulting from work-related incidents are not available.
Transport
London Underground (Accidents)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) minor injuries were suffered by (i) passengers and (ii) employees of London Underground in each of the last 10 years. [8111]
The information, which has been provided by London Underground Ltd. on the basis of accidents reported by them to HM railway inspectorate, is set out in the following tables. Figures are not available for 1986.
Injuries on London Underground 1987–1995 | |||
Year | Fatal | Serious | Minor |
A. Passengers | |||
1987 | 82 | 25 | 2,597 |
1988 | 59 | 32 | 2,999 |
1989 | 53 | 32 | 2,839 |
1990 | 35 | 48 | 1,915 |
1991 | 37 | 45 | 1,198 |
1992 | 32 | 32 | 1,491 |
1993 | 58 | 89 | 2,004 |
1994 | 55 | 87 | 1,980 |
1995 | 42 | 82 | 2,262 |
Injuries on London Underground 1987–1995
| |||
Year
| Fatal
| Serious
| Minor
|
B. LUL employees
| |||
1987 | 2 | 13 | 369 |
1988 | 1 | 6 | 284 |
1989 | 0 | 6 | 348 |
1990 | 6 | 17 | 339 |
1991 | 2 | 26 | 474 |
1992 | 1 | 17 | 551 |
1993 | 0 | 46 | 506 |
1994 | 2 | 41 | 440 |
1995 | 1 | 86 | 354 |
Notes:
1 Fatal injury figures cover (for passengers) all non-medical related incidents including suicides and accidents involving trespassers, and (for employees) include accidents involving contractors working for LUL. Minor injuries exclude cases involving only minor cuts and bruises.
2 1995 figures do not include data for December.
Newbury Bypass
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the costs per day of security staff and other security measures employed at the Newbury bypass site; [9345](2) what estimate he has made of the likely delay caused by action directed to prevent the building of the Newbury bypass; [9346](3) if Her Majesty's Government will now carry out a new cost benefit analysis of the Newbury bypass. [9344]
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what are the costs per day of security staff and other security measures employed at the Newbury Bypass; if the Government will now carry out a new cost benefit analysis of the bypass; and what estimate has he made of the likely delay caused by action directed to prevent the building of the bypass.
There are no figures available for security costs at this early stage; costs will in any event vary from day to day.
The economic evaluation shows the western bypass to be very good value for money. We will not be carrying out another COBA.
We do not expect the protest action to delay the scheme significantly. The target for completion is Summer 1998.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 16 January, Official Report, columns 500–01, on what date compensation was first paid under the Newbury bypass compulsory purchase order; how much compensation has been paid to date; what negotiations with landowners are expected to be concluded; and what is the estimated total amount of compensation to be paid under the order. [10650]
[holding answer 19 January 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Stephen Byers, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the A34 Newbury Bypass.
The first payment of compensation for land compulsorily acquired for the Newbury Bypass was made on 17 May 1994. To date the Agency has paid just over £1.2m compensation from an estimated total land expenditure figure of £8.25m.
It is impossible to predict with any certainty when all land compensation negotiations will be concluded. Many claimants prefer to wait until the road is built and operational before submitting their claims for disturbance and injurious affection.
Road Scheme Protests (Cost)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to carry out a new cost-benefit analysis of the Newbury bypass to take account of increases in the costs of the road; [10439](2) what were the total security and legal costs that resulted from protests against the building of the M 11 through residential areas; [10433](3) what assessment he has made of the effect of the additional security costs at the Newbury bypass site on the cost-benefit analysis calculations prepared for the road scheme; [10440](4) what were the total security and legal costs that resulted from protests against the building of the motorway through Twyford down. [10432]
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the costs of security at Twyford Down; the effects of the additional cost of security at Newbury on the cost benefit analysis for the scheme, the total security and legal costs resulting from protests against the M11, and what plans there are to carry out a new cost benefit analysis of the Newbury Bypass following the increase in the costs of the road.
The legal and security costs resulting from protests at Twyford Down amounted to £3.9M (including VAT).
Costs associated with the additional site security element required to complete the Newbury Bypass cannot be established at this early stage. The final outcome will depend on the level of protest action. But given that the present value benefits of the scheme are estimated as being between £83M and £150M, the additional cost would not have any significant effects on the cost benefits of the scheme.
The security and legal costs resulting from protests against the Al2 Hackney to M11 Link Road were in the order of £10M.
We have no plans to carry out a new cost benefit analysis of the Newbury Bypass. Cost benefit analysis are carried out as part of the decision making process for the road schemes. In this case they showed that the scheme is very good value for money.
Road Repairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Highways Agency to have completed its computerised road repair database. [9334]
The Highways Agency operates a number of computerised databases which contain information on road repairs. Further improvements to these systems are being developed.
School Buses
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve safety measures on double-decker school buses. [9896]
None.
Traffic And Transport Advice
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 9 January, Official Report, column 48, if he will list the advice on traffic and transport matters and its legal status issued by his Department in the last year. [9898]
Most of the advice the Department of Transport issues each year to local authorities on traffic and transport matters is not statutorily binding but is concerned with the dissemination of good practice.The only binding advice issued to local authorities in 1995 originated from the Highways Agency, and concerned new or revised standards for trunk roads and motorways. The agency requires local authorities acting as its agents to comply with these standards. The following documents were published in this category:
THE DESIGN MANUAL FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES.
- BD 41/94: Reinforced Clay Brickwork Retaining Walls of Pocket Type and Grouted Cavity Type.
- BD 42/94: Design of Embedded Retaining Walls of Pocket Type and Grouted Cavity Type Construction.
- BD 44/95: Assessment of Concrete Highway Bridges and Structures.
- BD 53/95: Inspections and Records for Road Tunnels.
- BD 57/95: Design for Durability.
- BD 58/94: External and Unbonded Prestressing.
- BD 62/94: As Built, Operational and Maintenance Records for Highway Structures.
- BD 63/94: Inspection of Highway Structures.
- HD 26/94 Amendment No.1: Flexible Composite Pavements.
- HD 27/94 Amendment No. 1: Porous Asphalt on Heavily Trafficked Roads.
- HD 31/94 Amendment No 1: Maintenance of Bituminous Roads.
- HD 35/95: Technical Information (on the use of reclaimed materials).
- SD 10/95: The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations: Requirements for Health and Safety File.
- TD 41/45: Vehicular Access to All-Purpose Trunk Roads.
- TD 42/95: The Geometric Design of Major/Minor Priority Junctions.
- TD 45/94: Motorway Incident Detection Automatic Signalling (MIDAS).
- TD 46/94: Motorway Signalling.
- Volume 11 Amendments: Environmental Assessment.
THE MANUAL OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR HIGHWAY WORKS
- Volume 0: Model Contract Document for Highway Works—England. 1994 Edition.
- Volume 1: Specification for Highways Works—1994 Edition.
- Volume 2: Notes for Guidance on the Specification for Highway Works—1994 Edition.
- Volume 3: Highway Construction Details—1994 Edition.
- Volume 4: Bill of Quantities for Highways Works—1994 Edition.
THE TRUNK ROAD MAINTENANCE MANUAL
- Volume 1: Amendment number 5.
- Volume 2: Amendment number 3.
- Volume 3: Amendment number 1.
The following non-binding advice was issued by the Department of Transport to local authorities on traffic and transport matters in 1995:
- Local Authority Circular 1/95—Guidance on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement outside London.
- Local Authority Circular 2/95—Transport Policies and Programme
- Submissions for 1996–97.
- TPP Submissions for 1996–97—Guidance Notes.
- TPP Submissions for 1996–97—Information Required on Individual Highway Structural Maintenance Schemes.
- TPP Submissions for 1996–97—Supplementary Guidance Notes on the Package Approach.
- TPP Submission for 1996–97—The Local Government Review.
- The Local Government Review—Local Authority Transport Responsibilities.
- PPG13 A Guide to Better Practice (joint with the Department of the Environment).
- Circular Roads 1/95—Traffic Signal and Speed Camera Signing.
- Circular Roads 2/95—Deregulation: The Control of Dogs on Roads Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1995; and Advice on Designating Roads. All Roads within Geographical Areas.
- Circular Roads 3/95—Traffic Signs to Tourist Attractions and Facilities in England.
- Local Transport Note 1/95—The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings.
- Local Transport Note 2/95—The Design of Pedestrian Crossings.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 1/95—Speed Limiter Signs—A Guide to Good Practice.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/95—Raised Rib markings.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 3/95—Cycle Routes.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 4/95—The "SCOOT" Urban Traffic Control System.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/95—Parking for Disabled People.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 6/95—Pedestrian Crossings—Assessment and Design.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 7/95—Traffic Islands for Speed Control.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 8/95—Traffic Models for Cycling.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 9/95—Cycling Bibliography.
- Traffic Advisory Leaflet 10/95—Traffic Calming Bibliography.
- Better Places through Bypasses: Report of the Bypass Demonstration Project.
- Working Drawings for Traffic Signs Vol. II and III.
- Road Safety Education in Schools—Good Practice Guidelines.
- Re-statement of Recommended Specification for Buses used to Operate Local Services.
- The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges:
- BA 43/94: Strengthening, Repair and Monitoring of Post Tensioned Concrete Bridge Decks.
- BA 51/95: Assessment of Concrete Structures Affected by Steel Corrosion.
- BA 53/94: Bracing Systems and the Use of U Frames in Steel Highway Bridges.
- BA 57/95: Design for Durability
- BA 58/94: External and Unbonded Prestressing.
- BA 63/94: Inspection of Highway Structures.
- HA 44/91 Amendment No.1: Earthworks—design and Preparation of Contract Documents.
- HA 66/95: Environmental Barriers—Technical Requirements.
- HA 70/94: Construction of Highway Earthworks.
- HA 71/95: The Effects of Highway Construction on Flood Plains.
- HA 72/94: Use and Limitations of Ground Penetrating Radar for
- Pavement Assessment.
- HA 73/95: Site Investigations for Highway Works on Contaminated Land.
- HA 74/95: Design and Construction of Lime Stabilised Capping.
- HA 75/95: Trunk Roads and Archaeological Mitigation.
- SA 4/95: The Introduction of the Manual of Contract Documents
- for Highway Works.
- TA 66/95: Police Observation Platforms on Motorways.
- TA 67/95: Providing for Cyclists.
Rail Freight Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what due diligence processes his Department has undertaken in relation to the Wisconsin Central and Loadhaul/Omnitrax bids for the British Rail Freight businesses. [9916]
All bids were evaluated in detail by British Rail and its professional advisers, and then discussed with my Department before a preferred purchaser was selected.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway freight grants were granted in each year since 1987; and what was their total value in each year. [10865]
The Government have awarded 28 railway freight facilities grants since 1987. The value of the awards were as follows:
- 1987: £2,595,810
- 1988: £651,473
- 1989: £4,145,985
- 1990: £765,000
- 1991: £1,771,000
- 1992: £7,601,500
- 1993: £403,000
- 1994: £2,911,720
- 1995: £7,348,219
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of freight grants in encouraging the transfer of goods from road to rail. [10880]
More than 200 schemes have benefited from these grants at a cost of £90 million, removing more than 3 million lorry journeys per year from the roads.
Socially Necessary Rail Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail services in England and Wales he plans to designate as socially necessary; and if he will make a statement. [10085]
This is a matter for the Franchising Director. He considers the services to be specified in passenger service requirements on a franchise-by-franchise basis. When setting passenger service requirements he is required by his instructions and guidance from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to consider each service individually, taking account of all surrounding circumstances. Where services are essential but unprofitable to run, the Franchising Director will set the PSR close to or at the level of the British Rail timetable in operation at the time. Where a train is exceptionally lightly used and is not an essential service he may omit it from the PSR where he considers that its inclusion would not provide value for money. He has specified a number of socially necessary but uneconomic services in the PSRs that have so far been finalised.
West Coast Main Line
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current estimated cost for the complete refurbishment of the west coast main line between London and Glasgow. [9926]
The overall cost of the west coast main line core investment programme has been estimated at about £1 billion.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport where the signalling technology proposed for the modernisation of the west coast main line is currently installed; and what assessment he has made of its operational liability. [10309]
Railtrack informs me that in-cab signalling technology is currently employed in differing forms in various parts of the world, but is not identical to the system planned for the west coast main line. For this reason, Railtrack intends to let further development contracts for the signalling system during the first quarter of this year and expects that a reliable signalling system can be developed within the time necessary for the modernisation works.
Rail Privatisation
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 9 January, Official Report, column 29, what is the budgeted expenditure for 1996–97 for the employment of consultants and other advisers in the Officer of Passenger Rail Franchising. [9942]
The budget has not been finalised. It will be published in the transport report in due course.
A590, Cumbria
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to start on the High and Low Newton improvements on the A590 in Cumbria; and how much has been spent to date in preparations, including land purchase. [10094]
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my right hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Michael Jopling, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the High and Low Newton improvements on the A590 in Cumbria.
You will have seen from the Secretary of State's announcement on the Road Programme on 28 November that this scheme has been included in the main programme but against a background of continued pressure on public spending, I am unable to give you a firm start date. All I can say is that it will be brought forward as quickly as resources and statutory procedures allow.
To date preparation costs total £889,400 in addition to lands costs of £230,000.
Motorway Noise
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to use porous asphalt on the areas of the M4, between junctions 5 and 8, which are being resurfaced. [10193]
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the use of porous asphalt for resurfacing a section of the M4 between junctions 5 and 8.
Resurfacing of the M4 between junctions 5 and 8 is being undertaken using a conventional hot rolled asphalt surface similar to that originally laid on this section of motorway,
There are statutory obligations which require the Highways Agency to provide noise attenuation measures but these relate only to new or substantially altered roads. Maintenance can only be undertaken in the most cost effective way. Although I recognise that porous asphalt surfacing does cut down the noise generated by vehicle tyres it is significantly more expensive to provide, requires special highway drainage, costs more to maintain and has a shorter life than hot rolled asphalt.
Porous asphalt was not therefore considered suitable as a replacement for the existing surface for the M4.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it is his policy to use major works on motorways to reduce the impact of motorway noise on nearby homes. [10183]
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the use of major works on motorways to reduce the impact of motorway noise on nearby homes.
There is a statutory requirement to consider the impact of noise on nearby homes only in the case of works involving the construction of a new road or of improvements which alter the line or level of an existing road. It is Departmental policy to regard this as covering the widening of motorways. In such cases, the scheme will include appropriate measures designed to mitigate noise and other environmental impacts. In the case of other roadworks such as minor improvements and structural maintenance which have no subsequent effect on the position of traffic relative to adjacent properties there is no requirement for such impacts to be reviewed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he encourages the use of porous asphalt to reduce noise pollution near motorways. [10184]
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the use of porous asphalt to reduce noise near motorways.
The Highways Agency has developed with industry a general specification to permit the use of porous asphalt. Its adoption is encouraged where conditions are suitable and where the benefits can be shown to outweigh the higher costs associated with its use.
Railway Stations
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new stations have been opened on the rail network in the last three years; and what estimate he has made of the number to be opened on the railway system during the next three years. [9946]
Twenty-two new stations have been opened on the rail network since January 1993. There are plans for 17 new stations to be opened over the period 1996 to 1998.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish for each British Rail region and for British Rail as a whole for each of the last available three years (a) the total number of railway stations and halls and (b) the total number of such stations and halls with ticket sales offices, indicating (b) as a percentage of (a) in each case. [8917]
The information requested is not available for each British Rail region. The information requested at (a) for BR as a whole is as follows:
- 1992–93: 2,482 stations
- 1993–94: 2,493 stations
- 1994–95: 2,506 stations
(b) is available only for 1994–95. Of the 2,506 stations, 1,316 or 53 per cent. had ticket sales offices.
Driving Standards Agency
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many chief executives there have been at the Driving Standards Agency in the last five years. [10485]
Prior to the current chief executive who joined DSA in April 1995 there have been two substantive DSA chief executives in the last five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the salary of the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency is linked to the performance of the agency. [10486]
Yes
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the loss of the Driving Standards Agency's chartermark will affect the chief executive's salary. [10487]
The recent loss of the charter mark by DSA was mainly due to the fact that car driving test waiting times were exceeding the DSA service standard, and DSA was also failing to meet certain other customer service targets such as speed of telephone answering. The chief executive's salary partly depends on achievement of such standards and targets, and will be reduced as a result of their non-achievement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what action he is taking to improve service levels at the Driving Standards Agency following the recent loss of the charter mark award; [10490](2) what plans he has to address service problems at the Driving Standards Agency; [10489](3) if he will instruct the Driving Standards Agency to improve its telephone system. [10694]
I have reviewed the situation at DSA and authorised the following actions to improve service levels.
The recruitment of 25 per cent. additional staff to increase staff numbers on the telephones and the installation of new technology phone systems which distribute calls to the booking clerks more efficiently.
Recruitment and training of additional contract examiners to reduce test waiting times. These are being taken on at an average of 10 per month.
Steps to reduce the number of short notice test cancellations, including measures to achieve reductions in staff sick absence. A new compensation code for candidates whose tests have been cancelled at short notice has been implemented.
Improvement in external communications with the introduction of an external newsletter and a range of other measures.
The implementation of customer satisfaction tracking later this year and other new systems to improve the handling of complaints.
Heavy Vehicles (Testing)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many buses in the Greater Manchester area failed safety tests in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; [10318](2) how many heavy goods vehicles were tested in the north-west region on emission standards; and how many of them were
(a) prohibited and (b) prosecuted. [10319]
I have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Jim Callaghan, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions on the number of heavy goods vehicles tested on emission standards in the North West and how many were prohibited and prosecuted. Your other question asked how many buses in the Greater Manchester area failed safety tests in 1992, 1993, and 1994.
Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are tested for emissions standard as part of their annual test. Details of the number tested in the North West Region and the percentage of those which failed on smoke emission are shown in Table 1. Vehicles which fail this part of the test would not be prohibited but would be required to rectify the fault before a test certificate was awarded.
Emissions are also checked as part of the HGV spot checks for roadworthiness that are carried out throughout the year. The Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) has no single enforcement area comprising the North West "region", it is covered by 3 VI Enforcement Areas. Smoke emission checks were carried out on a total of 2,968 HGVs of which 73 (2.46%) were issued with prohibitions. Prohibitions can only be removed when the vehicle has been rectified and inspected again by VI to show that it is fit for service. Prosecution for emission offences is reserved for very serious neglect and for serial offenders. Details of the number of prosecutions for emissions as a result of routine spot checks can only be provided at disproportionate cost. There were no prosecutions following last year's "blitz" checks on HGVs in the North West.
Details of the number of buses which failed their annual test in the Greater Manchester area are shown below.
1992–93
| 1993–94
| 1994–95
| |
Total number tested | 2,861 | 3,868 | 4,357 |
Total number failed | 825 | 756 | 863 |
Number of HGVs tested and percentage failed on smoke emission: North West
| ||
1994–95
| ||
VI HGV testing station
| Tested
| Percentage failed
|
Carlisle | 3,733 | 1.7 |
Milnthorpe | 3,065 | 2.4 |
Barrow | 529 | 1.7 |
Kirkham | 8,325 | 1.8 |
North Manchester | 10,604 | 1.6 |
South Manchester | 12,317 | 2.0 |
Simonswood | 12,828 | 0.52 |
Bromborough | 2,651 | 0.9 |
Wrexham | 5,416 | 1.9 |
Mersey Docks And Harbour Company
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the profits of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company for the years from 1989 to 1995. [10330]
These are matters for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. Details can be found in its annual reports and accounts for the years concerned.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representation Her Majesty's Government have on the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. [10331]
None.
Al Gateshead Western Bypass
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of properties compulsorily purchased by the Highways Agency in the Gateshead area from April 1994 to date in connection with the Agency's proposed Al Gateshead western bypass; and what has been the total cost of the purchases. [10555]
Since April 1994, nine properties have been purchased at a cost of £1.6 million. They have been purchased under statutory blight provisions which enables affected owner-occupiers to require the Department to buy their property in advance. The question of compulsory purchase does not arise.
Royal Train
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport where the royal train is kept when it is not in use; and how many times it was used by (a) the Queen, (b) the Prince of Wales and (c) other members of the royal family in the last 12 months. [10639]
The royal train is kept at a secure rail depot in Buckinghamshire when it is not in use. During 1995 the train was used eight times by Her Majesty the Queen, 14 times by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and on 10 other occasions by members of the royal family.
Road Building
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy when road contractors are ahead of schedule and the new work required is dependent on the allocation from the next financial year. [10488]
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what is the policy when road contractors are ahead of schedule and the new work required is dependent on the allocation from the new financial year.
Road building activity is governed by the terms of commercial contracts between the Highways Agency and road contractors. Within this framework, it is incumbent upon the Agency to manage its financial affairs in such a way that requirements arising from the annuality of Government accounting are met.
M62 Relief Road
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new tenancies and on what terms have been granted by the Highways Agency or those acting on its behalf in the Bury, South constituency since the announcement of the cancellation of the M62 relief road. [10938]
No new tenancies have been granted by the Highways Agency's managing agents following my announcement of the withdrawal of the M62 relief road from the trunk roads programme. Twelve tenancies which had previously been secured by payment of deposits have come into effect since my announcement. In all these cases, the tenants have been granted one-year fixed-term agreements.
Seat Belts And Child Seats
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answers of 29 November 1995, Official Report, column 752, what progress he has made on seat belt regulations and child seat concessions. [10925]
I intend to lay the regulations before the House in early February.
British Bus
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to investigate the activities of British Bus. [10937]
None, other than the normal monitoring of bus companies' operations by the Traffic Commissioners.
Bicycles (Light Emitting Diode Lights)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ban the use of LED lights on bicycles. [11052]
We have no plans to ban the use of LED lights on bicycles. A recent public consultation exercise was carried out asking for views on prohibiting the use of non-approved lights on bicycles. We are currently analysing the responses.
Heathrow Flight Paths
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what factors led to the change in the main easterly departure flight path from Heathrow via Dover in the early 1990s [10827](2) what inquiries about the main routing of Heathrow air traffic to the east were received by the Civil Aviation Authority prior to the change in the main easterly departure flight path from Heathrow towards Dover; [10829](3) what is his responsibility in respect of setting flight paths from Heathrow; [10826](4) if he will restore the main easterly departure flight path from Heathrow via Dover to its former line; and whether he will make a statement; [10830](5) what efforts were made to consult affected local communities about the change made in the early 1990s in the main easterly departure flight path from Heathrow towards Dover. [10828]
The main easterly departure route from Heathrow towards Dover has remained unchanged for over 25 years, apart from minor but essential adjustments from time to time to compensate for movement in the position of magnetic north. At the present time, the position of magnetic north is decreasing by about 7.2 minutes a year in relation to true north and points in south-east England. This departure route has used a track of 287 deg. to the relevant navigational beacon since 19 August 1993, when it was adjusted from a track of 288 deg. to compensate for magnetic drift since the previous such adjustment made in 1986.The Secretary of State has taken responsibility for the routes taken by departing aircraft from Heathrow up to an altitude of 4000ft. Aircraft using this particular route must attain this altitude before reaching the area of Norbury in south London, but in practice most do so much nearer the airport. Once an aircraft has reached 4,000ft. it may be vectored off the route by air traffic control on to a more direct heading to its destination. This long standing practice is essential for the efficient management of air space.
Car Ownership (Greater Manchester)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the projected increase in car ownership in the Greater Manchester area over the next five years. [11037]
Car ownership in Greater Manchester is predicted to increase by between 6.5 per cent. and 10.5 per cent. over the next five years, depending mainly on the growth in the local economy. This represents an additional 56,000 to 96,000 cars owned. The forecast is based on census data. The 1991 census showed that households in Greater Manchester owned 814,000 cars.
Central Railways Plc
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral statement of 15 January, Official Report, column 403, what plans he has to ensure that, in the event of a proposal from Central Railways plc to re-develop the central railway being deemed of national significance, Parliament will be adequately informed of the relevant national issues. [10048]
The documents to be deposited with Parliament in this event include a briefing note by the Department. We would expect to deal with relevant national issues in that note and in opening the debate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that before any application from Central Railways plc to re-develop the central railway under the Transport and Works Act 1992 is submitted to Parliament (a) the application fully complies with the Act in relation to the funding of blight and (b) that Central Railways plc produces conclusive and irrefutable evidence that it can fully fund the inquiry process. [10049]
The Transport and Works Act rules require applicants to provide concise details of their proposals for funding the cost of acquiring blighted land within the meaning of section 149 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. If Central Railway plc were unable to meet its statutory obligations to acquire such land, the application would fail. Similarly, if it were unable to finance the inquiry it would be forced to withdraw the application.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that any application made under the Transport and Works Act 1992 in regard to the central railway submitted by Central Railways plc complies with all the requirements of the Act with particular reference to the submission of adequate information including maps of the proposed route at a scale of not less than 1:2500 before the application may be placed before Parliament and that local authorities affected will be consulted in this process. [10046]
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering applications by Central Railway plc for partial, conditional or absolute waivers from compliance with certain application requirements under the Transport and Works Act rules. If we judge that local authorities should be consulted before reaching a decision, we will do so.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from local authorities along the route of the proposed central railway about the likely compliance of the proposals to be made by Central Railways plc with the requirements of the Transport and Works Act 1992. [10045]
We have received a number of representations. These will be taken into account in considering the applications by Central Railway plc for waivers from compliance with certain requirements of the Transport and Works Act rules.
Transport And Works Act 1992
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provisions of the Transport and Works Act 1992 require the submission of a statement to justify a proposal made under the Act in relation to national planning or transport policy or economic or technical considerations. [10047]
There is no requirement for a statement in relation to national planning or transport policy, but Parliament has the opportunity to consider the case in principle for any application judged to be of national significance. Any applicant for a works order involving compulsory land acquisition would need to be able to demonstrate that the project is technically feasible and financially viable, and that the public benefits of the proposals outweigh any private disbenefits before the order is approved.
European Directives
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will place in the Library copies of the guidance notes, office notes and other relevant documents which relate to his efforts in (a) removing gold plating from existing domestic regulation and (b) ensuring new European directives are not gold plated; [10055](2) what new systems he has put in place to ensure that European directives are not gold plated in domestic regulations. [10065]
My Department's policy is not to gold plate EC directives by the addition of unnecessary burdens when implementing them in the UK. We keep existing legislation under review in the light of this policy. Official guidance on gold plating is currently being reviewed in consultation with other Government Departments.
Bull Bars
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new proposals he has to ban the use of bull bars; and if he will make a statement. [11064]
I recently met Neil Kinnock of the European Commission. It was agreed that the best way forward was for the Commission to bring forward a proposal for an amendment to the existing external projections directive. This would specifically address bull bars and help remove obstacles to effective national action. The initiative now rests with the Commission and we will be urging them to announce their plans as soon as possible.
Waste
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his letter G/PSO/26593/95 of 15 December, what response he has made to summary point 8 of the report by Dr. Martin Angel of Southampton in respect of the expedition of the provision and funding of waste facilities in ports. [8413]
I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 1 November 1995, Official Report, column 309.
Mv Derbyshire
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that direct image transmission from site is installed on the MV Derbyshire; and if he will make a statement. [9912]
While we have not ruled out this possibility, we are advised that there would be considerable technical difficulties and that the cost would be significant in relation to the total resources available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will permit two MV Derbyshire Family Association nominated technical experts to be included in the expedition to the wreck of MV Derbyshire; and if he will make a statement. [10245]
The views of the Derbyshire Family Association are being taken into account in the development of the arrangements for the return expedition to the wreck.No commitment can be made at this stage as to who will be on board the vessel used in the expedition.
Rail Ticket Offices
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each British Rail region and for British Rail as a whole all rail ticket sales offices on BR stations and halts which have been staffed wholly or partly by volunteers in the last 12 months, indicating the date on which such service ceased or is due to cease; and if he will make a statement. [9302]