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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 19 April 1989
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
South Africa (Sanctions)
Mr. Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the issue of nuclear sanctions against South Africa will be on the agenda for the forthcoming Council of Ministers meeting in Granada, Spain, on 15 and 16 April ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Chalker : There was no discussion of nuclear sanctions against South Africa at Granada, although the possibility of South Africa's accession to the non-proliferation treaty was noted and EC Foreign Ministers agreed to keep it under review.
It remains our policy not to supply any materials or equipment to South Africa which would aid her nuclear programme. This policy is exercised through the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1985.
Prisoner Repatriation Agreements
Mr. Wheeler : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report the progress made on concluding prisoner repatriation agreements with Egypt, Peru and Thailand ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar : Details of our negotiations with Foreign Governments are confidential. However, the present position is as follows. The agreement with Egypt was to have been signed in Cairo in December 1988. Unfortunately, this did not prove possible. Discussions continue.
The Peruvians proposed a revised draft text of a proposed agreement in July 1988. Further discussions will shortly take place with the Government of Peru.
A Thai delegation is expected in London in the next few months to discuss the outstanding points on the proposed agreement with Thailand.
British Citizens (Convictions)
Mr. Wheeler : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out, for each of the last five years for which figures are available, the number of British citizens who are convicted of offences abroad and who have not received custodial sentences, giving the nature of the offences and the sentences passed ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar : The information requested is unavailable. There is no requirement for us to be notified of non-custodial sentences enforced on British nationals by foreign courts.
Turkey (Detentions)
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Turkey regarding the
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detention of Dr. Nihat Sargin and Mr. Haydon Kutlu ; and what effect Turkey's continued detention of political prisoners has on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Turkey's application for admission to the European Community.Mrs. Chalker : The Turkish Government are well aware of our concern about such cases, and our expectation that they should respect and abide by the human rights conventions to which they are a party. Turkey's application to join the EC has been referred to the Commission for its opinion. Once available, the Council of Ministers will consider it further, taking into account all relevant factors including Turkey's human rights record.
TRANSPORT
King's Cross Fire
Mr. Fraser : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now authorise the reimbursement of the legal costs of the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority in relation to its representation at the King's Cross public inquiry.
Mr. Portillo : We see no reason to question Mr. Fennell's judgment, reached after careful consideration of representations from the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority, that it was not appropriate that it should receive an order for costs, notwithstanding his acknowledgement of the substantial contribution made to the proceedings by the authority.
The Road User and the Law"
Mr. Clelland : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses he has received to date to the White Paper, "The Road User and the Law".
Mr. Peter Bottomley : We have had over 90 representations from hon. Members, interested organisations and members of the public. We welcome the enthusiastic public response that the White Paper has received.
M5 (Wellington Access)
Mr. David Nicholson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the closure of the southern exit off the M5 motorway at junction 26 and its consequences for access to Wellington ; why the closure is necessary ; and what temporary signposting measures he is taking to assist southbound motorway traffic heading for Wellington.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : The work involves the complete reconstruction of about one mile of the southbound carriageway including that length through the interchange abutting the southbound slip road, which has to be closed for reasons of practicality and safety. The work should be completed before the spring bank holiday.
Signs warning of the closure were installed at junctions 25 and 26 about four weeks before work started. The diversionary routes are well signed on the M5, A38 and A358 at strategic positions. These routes are little longer but may take more time depending on the level of traffic congestion in Taunton.
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Representations have been received from the Wellington chamber of trade, a local manufacturer and a member of the public, concerning the alternative route through Taunton and its signing.M1-M25 Junction
Mr. Pawsey : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 April to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth, when he expects to conclude his consideration of what remedial action is required to ease the way for traffic leaving the M1 and joining the M25.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : We expect to make an announcement in early summer following completion of the current comprehensive review of the road programme.
M1 (Traffic Flow)
Mr. Pawsey : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 April to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth, what action he will be taking to reduce congestion during peak hours to restore traffic flows between junctions 9 and 10 of the M1.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : We are seeking to increase capacity, assist traffic flow and offer improved alternative roads.
Our current programme includes the provision of climbing lanes for use by slow moving heavy goods vehicles in both directions from junction 9. The northbound one will extend the whole length between junctions 9 and 10, creating an extra lane. The southbound one will extend 1.41 km. from junction 9. Work is planned for 1991-92. The possibility of further improvement is being considered in the current review of the road programme.
Motorways (Traffic Flows)
Mr. Pawsey : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the current hourly traffic flow standards for (a) two-lane motorways and (b) three-lane motorways.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : The Department uses "design reference flows" rather than traffic flow standards when designing motorways. These indicate only the starting point for detailed economic and operational assessment of options.
The Department's design reference flows for a dual three-lane motorway range from 50,000 to 79,000 vehicles per annual average day in the design year (15 years after the road opens). Comparable figures for a two-lane motorway are 28,000 to 54,000 vehicles per day.
The capacity of roads is substantially greater than design reference flows.
Road Building
Mr. Rathbone : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what Government financial assistance has been allocated to county road building and improvement programmes for 1988-89 and for 1989-90.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : The 108 local highway authorities in England were given a total capital allocation of £567.111 million for capital expenditure in 1988-89 on
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road building and improvements. Of this £191 million was provided by way of transport supplementary grant towards the cost of schemes of more than local importance. The corresponding figures for 1989-90 are £513 million and £204 million respectively.Mr. Rathbone : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what Government financial assistance has been allocated to East Sussex's road building and improvement programme for 1988-89 and for 1989-90.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : East Sussex county council was given a capital allocation of £7.180 million for expenditure on road building and improvements in 1988-89. Of this £2.121 million was provided by way of transport supplementary grant towards the cost of schemes of more than local importance. The corresponding figures for 1989-90 are £6.720 million and £2.482 million respectively.
Forth Rail Bridge
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications for transport safety of the decision to withdraw the services of watchmen from the Forth rail bridge.
Mr. Portillo : Whilst this is a management matter for British Rail, which considers that the decision does not endanger safety, I understand that watchmen's duties were to guard against risk of fire from steam trains and to deter trespassers when the only other means of crossing the Forth was by ferry.
Derbyshire (Traffic Problems)
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set up a departmental inquiry into traffic problems in Dronfield, Derbyshire.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : An A61 Trunk road bypass on Dronfield was opened in October 1975. Any traffic problems within Dronfield are a matter for the local highway authority, Derbyshire county council.
Publicity Campaigns
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all current publicity campaigns being conducted by or for his Department or one planned for the first three months of 1989-90, indicating those which involve television advertising and the starting and finishing dates of each campaign.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : It would be extremely difficult to draw up a complete inventory of all the Department's publicity material (posters, leaflets, TV and radio "fillers", etc) which are likely to be issued or broadcast during the current quarter. Nor could all this material be properly dignified with the title of "campaign". The Department produces a wide range of publicity material, particularly in the road safety field, which will be available throughout the period in question. Specific campaigns to be conducted during the first three months of 1989-90 are as follows :
--child seat belts ("Belt Up in The Back") from 24 April --merchant navy reserve from 17 May
--drink/drive ("Drinking and Driving Wrecks Lives") from 12 June to mid July.
Only the drink-drive campaign involves television advertising.
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We try, with limited success, to offer information constantly for news and current affairs coverage of the causes of road casualties.Road Accidents
Mr. Bowis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he proposes to take to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents.
Mr. Channon : I have today announced a series of proposals in a document "Pedestrian Safety : Making Walking Safer". I am placing copies in the Library. The measures include :
1 A major pilot "Traffic Club" demonstration for pre-school children, funded by General Accident, and covering some half a million children.
2 Proposals to amend the road hump regulations so as to allow them to be used more widely, and to help and encourage local authorities with area wide traffic calming and urban safety schemes.
3 A campaign this autumn to encourage the greater use of reflective material on children's clothing.
code Enlisting the help of the motoring organisations in improving driver awareness of pedestrian safety. Mr. Bowis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of General Accident's support for the Government's efforts to reduce road accidents and road casualties.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : General Accident has supported the Government's road safety efforts magnificently. Its initiatives since 1986 have included :
1986
a. National Children's Poster Competition--Winning efforts used as basis of 1988 General Accident calender.
b. Roadsafe Family of the Year Competition 1986.
c. "The Road's Story" Booklet.
d. 100 sets of interactive video equipment.
e. Interactive video programme--funded jointly with Department of Transport "Road Show".
f. Advertising Campaign--£750,000.
g. Support for the regions of United Kingdom not primarily covered by the Department of Transport--Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. h. Reflective conspicuity aids.
i. Gallup Polls--Driver behaviour (September)
Drink/Drive (December).
j. Road Safety Officer/Department of Transport/GA Regional Liaison Meetings.
1987
a. "The Road's Story" Booklet--revised edition--making 3.5 m in total.
b. Welsh edition of "The Road's Story".
c. 100 sets of interactive video equipment.
d. Interactive video programmes--funded jointly with the Department of Transport--"Roadsafe Family of the Year" and "The Bike Show". e. Reflective conspicuity aids.
f. "Roadsafe Family of the Year" competition 1987.
g. Support for the regions of the United Kingdom not primarily covered by the Department of Transport--Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
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h. Video in support of PACTS--Children wearing suitable restraints and seatbelts in rear of car.i. 1988 General Accident Calendar.
j. Road Safety Officers Conference--Exeter.
k. Gallup Poll--Children/Parents Driver (August)
"Dumbos and Yobs" Drink/Drive (December).
l. "Are you prepared to be safe?" Leaflet giving advice for those going abroad on holiday.
m. Road Safety Officers/Department of Transport/GA Regional Liaison Meetings.
1988
a. "On the Motorway"--a new Road's Story' booklet.
b. "Roadsafe Family of the Year" competition 1988.
c. "Lorry Driver of the Year" competition 1988.
d. Police National Motorway Safety Campaign.
e. National Competition in support of Motorway Safety Campaign. f. Police Summer Conference on Road Safety.
g. "Trouble Free Motoring"--a paperback by Roger MacDonald ex BBC. h. 25 more sets of interactive video equipment.
i. Interactive video programmes funded jointly with Department of Transport --"The Collector" and "Streetsense".
j. Gallup Poll on Motorway Driving.
k. Support for regions of United Kingdom not specifically covered by Department of Transport--Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. l. Research Fellowships--£500,000 for six projects. These cover various aspects of road safety, including road crossing skills for children, and driver behaviour amongst women, the elderly, and young drivers.
m. "Positive Cycling" booklet--a joint initiative with the Department of Transport and CTC.
n. Road Safety Officers/Department of Transport/GA Regional Meetings.
o. Road Safety Officers Conference--Solihull
p. Exhibitions--International Motorshow, Welsh Show, Scottish Roadshow and London Road Safety Officers "Eurosafe" '87.
q. Launch of "FIRMS"--an insurance package designed to provide fleet operators with an incentive to include driver training as part of fleet management.
1989
a. "On the Road in GB" for visitors abroad.
b. "Highway Code for Young Road Users".
c. "Lorry Driver of the Year 1989"
d. Re-print "The Road's Story" and "On the Motorway.
e. 25 more sets of interactive video equipment--total now 250. f. Interactive video programmes--jointly with Department of Transport. One based on "Highway Code for Young Road Users". g. Road Safety Officers Conference--Reading.
h. Research Fellowships.
i. Support for regions of United Kingdom not specifically covered by Department of Transport--Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. j. Road Safety Officers/Department of Transport/GA Regional Liaison Meetings.
k. Gallup Poll--Pedestrians.
l. Pilot Traffic Club for pre-school children.
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