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Column 189
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 17 May 1989
NATIONAL FINANCE
Spot the Ball" Competitions
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was collected in value added tax on "spot the ball" competitions in each of the last three years.
Mr. Lilley : I regret that information is not available at a sufficient level of detail for estimates to be made.
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Higher Education (Research)
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish an estimate in current prices of his support for research in higher education through (a) the Universities Funding Council, (b) the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council and (c) the research councils.
Mr. Jackson : Estimated expenditure on research in higher education in 1989-90 is as follows :
|£ million
--------------------------------------
UFC |780.0
PCFC |10.3
Research councils |345.1
|---
Total |1,135.4
Open University (Assistance to Commonwealth)
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the contribution made by the Open university in assisting Commonwealth countries in establishing universities and other teaching-at-a-distance educational establishments.
Mr. Jackson : Staff from the Open university have undertaken numerous short-term specialist consultancies and have organised workshops throughout the Commonwealth, in Africa, Asia, and Australasia. They have also arranged familiarisation and specialist programmes for visitors from Commonwealth countries. In addition the Open university has played a major part in planning and developing Open universities in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Immigration Appeals
Mr. Darling : To ask the Attorney-General if, pursuant to his answer of 5 April, Official Report, column 185 , he will list the total number of immigration appeals (a) lodged and (b) lodged and ready to proceed.
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The Attorney-General : On 29 March, the most recent date for which figures are available, 14,186 appeals had been lodged with the immigration adjudicators and 465 applications for leave to appeal had been lodged with the immigration appeal tribunal. On that date, the total number of cases lodged and ready to proceed to a hearing (a) before the adjudicators was 2,627 ; and (b) before the tribunal was 262.
DEFENCE
Headquarters Contracts
Mr. Nellist : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the precise amounts paid to each of the following contractors by his Department in respect of headquarters contracts in the year ended 31 March 1988 (a) Wimet Wear Parts Ltd., (b) J. S. Chinn Holdings Ltd., (c) Abbey Panels Investments plc., (d) Coventry Climax Engines Ltd., (e) Cornercroft Engineering Ltd., (f) Rotherham and Sons Ltd., (g) Commercial Shearing Inc., (h) Dunlop Ltd., (i) Alvis Ltd., (j) Lucas Aerospace Ltd., and (k) GEC Telecommunications Ltd.
Mr. Sainsbury : The payment made to each of the following companies in the year ended 31 March in respect of headquarters contracts were as follows :
|£ million
-------------------------------------------------
Coventry Climax Engines Ltd. |1.75
Dunlop Ltd. |13.00
Alvis Ltd. |21.00
Lucas Aerospace Ltd. |35.00
Payments made to GEC Telecommunications Ltd. are included within the total payments made to the General Electric Company and cannot be separately identified.
We have no record of any headquarters contracts having been placed with any of the other companies listed.
Mr. Nellist : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the general differences which occur between individual memoranda of understanding governing the international collaborative production of military equipment in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Sainsbury : Within the general framework used for memoranda of understanding governing collaborative projects, issues which arise for consideration on a case-by-case basis include arrangements for management, contracting, cost and work-sharing, intellectual property rights and exports to third parties.
Mr. Nellist : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is possible to identify, from the records used to compile the regional disaggregation of expenditure published on page 62 of "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988", volume 2, the proportion of expenditure made to Rolls-Royce plc. which was allocated to the west midlands standard region in that analysis.
Mr. Sainsbury : It is not possible to identify payouts to individual companies from the information used to compile the regional disaggregation of expenditure published in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates". Furthermore, it would be a breach of commercial confidence to give the degree of detail requested for an individual company.
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Mr. Nellist : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the precise amounts paid to each of the following contractors in respect of headquarters contracts by his Department in the year ended 31 March (a) National Plastics Ltd., (b) Commercial Hydraulics Keelavite Ltd., (c) Kalmar Climax Ltd., and (d) Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Mr. Sainsbury : The payments made to each of these companies in the year 31 March 1989 in respect of headquarters contracts were as follows :
|£ million
---------------------------------------------------------
National Plastics Ltd. |4.7
Commercial Hydraulics Keelavite Ltd. |2.3
Kalmar Climax Ltd. |2.1
Jaguar Cars Ltd. |1.4
Mr. Nellist To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the value of headquarter contracts awarded by his Department on behalf of foreign Governments in each of the five years up to 31 March 1988.
Mr. Sainsbury [holding reply 4 April 1989] : The information in the format requested is subject to commercial confidentiality. However, defence export sales by British industry are expected to be worth some £3,500 million in 1988. In earlier years, the figures were :
|£ million
------------------------------
1984 |2,250
1985 |2,900
1986 |5,900
1987 |3,500
Further information concerning deliveries of defence equipment is given in table 2.7 of volume 2 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989" (Cm. 675 II).
Malaysia (Arms Sales)
Miss Lestor : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there was any reference to United Kingdom overseas aid to Malaysia in any of the correspondence in 1988 concerning arms sales to Malaysia, a memorandum of understanding on which was signed in September 1988.
Mr. Sainsbury : All dealings between the two Governments on the proposed sale of arms were formalised in the memorandum of understanding signed in September 1988. No mention is made in that document of overseas aid to Malaysia.
ENERGY
Electricity Privatisation
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has received any representations from the chairmen designate of Power Generator and National Power seeking the creation of a separate national nuclear generation corporation as part of the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.
Mr. Michael Spicer : I have discussions from time to time with both chairmen-designate of the successor
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companies to the CEGB about a wide range of issues relating to the reorganisation and subsequent privatisation of the electricity industry. These discussions are necessarily confidential.Druridge Bay
Mr. Beith : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many dwelling houses, including any used as holiday accommodation, will be transferred from the ownership of the Central Electricity Generating Board to National Power in connection with the transfer under the provisions of the Electricity Bill of the area proposed for a nuclear power station at Druridge bay, Northumberland.
Mr. Michael Spicer : Under clause 63 of the Electricity Bill, the CEGB would be required to prepare a transfer scheme for the allocation of all its assets to the successor companies. The proposed transfer of assets would be subject to my approval but is, initially, a matter for the CEGB. I am therefore asking the CEGB to reply to the hon. Member direct.
Oil Rigs (Safety)
Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what information he has as to whether the process pipework and vessels on the Piper Alpha platform were originally designed to comply with requirements of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers MR 01 75 standard for handling sour oil and gas ;
(2) if he is aware of any occasions in the United Kingdom continental shelf of premature failure of platform piping or vessels due to cracking induced by sour oil or gas ;
(3) what information he has as to whether during production from the Piper Alpha platform any sections of piping or vessels handled oil or gas which would be designated as sour by the NACE standard ; (4) whether the operator of the Piper Alpha platform at any time informed the certifying authority of the handling of sour oil and gas and agreed a suitable programme of non- destructive testing to determine the suitability of the piping and vessels to handle sour oil and gas.
Mr. Peter Morrison : My Department has not received any reports of premature failure of offshore installation piping or vessels in the UKCS due to cracking induced by sour oil or gas. The bulk of the Piper Alpha installation was designed before the NACE MR 0175 standard was published. However, all installations are required to have a certificate of fitness issued by a certifying authority. The CA must ascertain, inter alia, that the materials employed are suitable for handling the products involved.
I am advised that, from 1986, the levels of hydrogen sulphide produced from some of the Piper Alpha wells was increasing, and that the NACE standard would now designate some of the oil and gas on the platform as "sour". The owner is required to provide sufficient information to the CA for an independent assessment of the design to be carried out and for a periodic survey of the equipment to be undertaken.
My Department understands from the CA that Occidental discussed with it a corrosion monitoring system, including non-destructive testing, which was designed to assess the suitability of the piping and vessels to handle the oil and gas involved, including the expected
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levels of hydrogen sulphide. Only when the CA is satisfied that it is proper to do so will it issue or renew a certificate of fitness.Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has received a report on the causes of the recent explosion on the Cormorant Alpha platform ; if he will make it his policy to publish any such report ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Morrison : The investigation into the cause of this incident is still in progress. As the hon. Member knows, and for reasons I have already explained, it would not be in accordance with our normal practice to publish the report on the findings of the investigation. I shall ensure that any lessons to be learned will be passed on to the industry at the earliest opportunity.
Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has concerning the recommencement of production on (a) the Cormorant Alpha platform and (b) the Brent pipeline system.
Mr. Peter Morrison : The latest information that my Department has from Shell indicates that the company believes there is a reasonable probability that start up of the Brent pipeline system will be achieved by 26 May 1989. Shell does not expect that the Cormorant Alpha platform will resume production before July 1989.
Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will obtain and place copies of the daily transcript of the inquiry into the Piper Alpha tragedy in the Library.
Mr. Peter Morrison : The transcript is already accessible to the hon. Member at a number of locations, including my offices at Millbank, but I am happy to assist him further by placing a copy in the Library.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Quangos
Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of members of each quango and non- departmental public body.
Mr. Ian Stewart : A table giving this information has been placed in the Library.
Public Order
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parades were notified to the police under the terms of the Public Order (N.I.) Order 1986 in each of the years 1986, 1987 and 1988 ; what information organisers of parades are expected to give in the notice to police ; and what form this information has to take.
Mr. Ian Stewart [holding answer 5 May 1989] : In respect of parades notified to the police in the years 1986, 1987 and 1988, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his question on 10 May 1989 at column 444. Those figures relate to parades under the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987. No similar order was made in 1986. The information required from parade organisers is a matter for the Chief Constable. However, I understand
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that the organisers are expected to give sufficient information to enable him to make adequate policing arrangements for the particular occasion.FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Gibraltar Shootings
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will now reconsider his decision not to hold a full public judicial inquiry into the shootings in Gibraltar of Mairead Farrell, Daniel McCann and Sean Savage ; (2) if he has received a copy of the independent report, commissioned by Amnesty International, on the Gibraltar shootings of Sunday 6 March 1988 ; and if he will make a statement ;
(3) if he has received a copy of the independent report, commissioned by the National Council for Civil Liberties, on the Gibraltar shootings of Sunday 6 March 1988 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Waldegrave : We have received copies of the reports by Amnesty International and the National Council for Civil Liberties. We remain of the view that there are no grounds for holding a further inquiry into the deaths of Mairead Farrell, Daniel McCann and Sean Savage.
AIDS
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the role of his Department's AIDS unit ; how many staff and at what grades are employed in it ; what is its budget for the current financial year ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar : In the diplomatic wing, AIDS is the responsibility of the narcotics control and AIDS department. Its role is to consider the foreign policy implications of our AIDS-related policies. Staff dealing with AIDS are 15 per cent. one DS4, 30 per cent. one DS5, 100 per cent. one DS9, 50 per cent. one DS10 and 30 per cent. one S2A. NCAD has no dedicated budget but AIDS-related assistance may be funded from assistant under- secretaries' general purpose budgets. AIDS-related assistance under the overseas aid programme is coordinated by the Overseas Development Administration health and population division. HPD staff dealing with AIDS are 10 per cent. grade 5, 90 per cent. SEO, 55 per cent. HEO, 95 per cent. EO, 70 per cent. AO, 5 per cent. personal secretary, 40 per cent. typist. The ODA has committed £7.2 million so far for expenditure this financial year on AIDS prevention and control. Of this, £5.4 million will be administered by HPD.
Guyana (Elections)
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Guyanese authorities to ensure that procedures operate for free and fair elections ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar : We have no plans to make such representations to the Guyanese authorities. National elections are not due to be held in Guyana until 1990 and the great importance which we attach to the principle of free and fair elections is already widely known.
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British Council
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resources are specifically allocated to the British Council to subsidise the travel costs of scientists engaged in the British-German academic research collaboration programme ; what is the maximum grant available to individuals ; and what are the criteria by which this sum is determined.
Mr. Eggar : The British Council is contributing £175,000 towards the cost of the joint British-German academic research collaboration programme in this its first year. A part of this money is for organisational visits but the major part is intended to contribute to both the travel and the living costs of British scholars supported under the programme. A standard contribution of £150 is offered towards the cost of travel, together with a standard contribution towards living expenses while the British scientist is in Germany at the rate of £200 per week. The contribution towards travel, which is not intended to cover all travel costs, is based on the cheapest return air fare between most airports in Britain and Germany.
WALES
Welsh Language
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has given to health authorities in Wales on ensuring wherever possible that patients whose first language is Welsh, have access to Welsh-speaking nurses in hospitals in Wales.
Mr. Grist : Welsh Office Health Circular WHSC(IS)117 "The Health Service and The Welsh Language", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, recognises the importance of individuals being able to converse in their mother tongue during contact with the Health Service, and asks authorities to offer appropriate services wherever this would be reasonable and practicable.
Museum of Welsh Antiquities
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning his case for safeguarding the future of the museum of Welsh antiquities, and the associated art gallery, at Bangor ; whether the Welsh Office are making any direct financial contribution towards the upkeep of these facilities ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : Six representations about the future of the museum of Welsh antiquities and the art gallery at Bangor have been received. The Welsh Office does not provide direct financial support for local museums and galleries. But local sources of funding for such facilities may be supplemented by the Council of Museums in Wales and the Welsh Arts Council which are centrally funded.
Access (Development)
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional monies are to be made available other than the higher education quantum to promote the development of access throughout Wales.
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Mr. Wyn Roberts : £50,000 is being made available from the higher education quantum in 1989-90 to establish a Wales access unit that will encourage the development of access courses giving entry to higher education. The university of Wales has been invited to join and contribute to the initiative.
Expenditure
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish an analysis of expenditure shown in table 17.1 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989-90 to 1991-92" Cm. 617 on a similar basis to his reply of 25 January 1988, to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams), Official Report column 108.
Mr. Peter Walker : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) on 31 January 1989 at columns 97-110.
Bathing Water
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To aks the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the Welsh water authority commenced its current review into the costs of alternative schemes to deal with the 11 Welsh bathing beaches that do not conform with European Community bathing water directive 76/160/EEC ; on what date the current review is expected to be completed ; and if he will arrange for the review to be published.
Mr. Grist : Conclusions from the review of the bathing water compliance programme will be included in information made available prior to the flotation of Welsh Water.
Campaigns
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library details of each campaign mounted by his Department in 1985-86 and each successive year, including, in each case, the objectives of the campaign, the intended audience and the outcome of the monitoring of the achievement of the intended objectives, and national research conducted for him by the Central Office of Information together with a note of the intended objectives in the campaign in 1989-90.
Mr. Peter Walker : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 10 May 1989, at columns 437-8.
Housing Investment
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a list of his initial housing investment allocated to local authorities in Wales for (i) 1989-90, (ii) 1987-88, (iii) 1985-86, (iv) 1983-84, (v) 1981-82 and (vi) 1979-80, at constant 1989-90 prices, separately distinguishing each authority.
Mr. Grist : Initial housing allocations at constant 1989-90 prices, by local authority, for the years 1981-82, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1987-88 and 1989-90 are shown in the following table. Initial housing allocations are not available for 1979-80.
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Initial local authority housing capital allocations: 1989-90 prices
Local Authority |1981-82 |1983-84 |1985-86 |1987-88 |1989-90
|£000 |£000 |£000 |£000 |£000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alyn and Deeside |2,803 |3,796 |2,195 |2,178 |1,728
Colwyn |2,087 |3,376 |2,083 |1,989 |1,598
Delyn |1,523 |2,521 |1,505 |1,566 |1,276
Glyndwr |1,021 |2,279 |1,568 |1,400 |1,114
Rhuddlan |1,066 |1,616 |935 |1,032 |841
Wrexham Maelor |3,519 |5,211 |4,285 |4,555 |3,680
Carmarthen |2,026 |4,968 |3,400 |3,344 |2,263
Ceredigion |2,894 |4,178 |2,609 |2,696 |1,916
Dinefwr |975 |1,955 |1,135 |1,237 |1,007
Llanelli |2,620 |4,421 |2,837 |2,600 |2,096
Preseli |1,889 |3,030 |2,297 |2,084 |1,554
South Pembrokeshire |1,325 |3,255 |2,081 |2,146 |1,483
Blaenau Gwent |4,158 |9,635 |5,833 |10,389 |6,105
Islwyn |3,153 |6,456 |4,789 |6,009 |3,194
Monmouth |2,133 |4,107 |3,606 |2,920 |1,898
Newport |7,190 |10,622 |6,576 |6,198 |4,798
Torfaen |3,549 |5,941 |3,795 |4,378 |3,343
Aberconwy |1,630 |2,727 |1,607 |1,537 |1,252
Arfon |3,077 |4,231 |2,588 |2,450 |1,944
Dwyfor |975 |1,267 |743 |1,245 |783
Meirionnydd |1,280 |1,857 |1,088 |1,041 |848
Ynys Mon |1,523 |3,561 |2,281 |2,574 |1,765
Cynon Valley |3,092 |4,810 |3,036 |5,351 |3,276
Merthyr Tydfil |3,488 |4,280 |2,603 |3,758 |3,061
Ogwr |6,215 |7,981 |5,135 |5,656 |3,599
Rhondda |6,215 |8,195 |5,554 |7,980 |10,392
Rhymney Valley |4,311 |6,936 |5,245 |6,861 |4,335
Taff Ely |6,976 |8,114 |5,224 |5,382 |3,792
Brecknock |1,417 |2,181 |2,043 |2,123 |1,360
Montgomeryshire |1,417 |2,196 |1,651 |1,726 |1,386
Radnor |640 |1,659 |972 |1,042 |747
Cardiff |14,410 |19,609 |12,962 |17,085 |11,037
Vale of Glamorgan |3,732 |5,234 |3,026 |3,405 |2,591
Port Talbot |2,133 |2,695 |1,654 |3,359 |2,323
Lliw Valley |3,549 |5,427 |3,189 |3,222 |2,464
Neath |2,056 |3,508 |2,642 |3,301 |2,251
Swansea |8,728 |15,143 |8,856 |8,607 |6,900
|----- |---- |----- |----- |-----
Total Districts |120,793 |188,977 |123,628 |144,427 |106,000
Local Authorities (Capital Allocations)
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library, for each local authority in Wales, its capital allocation, in total for 1989-90, showing the percentage change from (a) 1988-89 and (b) 1981-82.
Mr. Grist : The information requested is shown in the following table. The total amount to be allocated for 1989-90 is £336.9 million of which £307.3 million has been allocated to date. A copy of this answer will be placed in the Library of the House.
Local authority |1989-90 allocations to|Per cent. change from
|date £000 |1981-82 to 1989-90
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alyn and Deeside |2,774 |-21.37
Colwyn |2,365 |-8.69
Delyn |2,823 |24.58
Glyndwr |1,616 |16.01
Rhuddlan |2,995 |60.93
Wrexham Maelor |7,080 |22.77
Carmarthen |3,319 |12.89
Ceredigion |2,868 |5.13
Dinefwr |2,131 |111.20
Llanelli |4,187 |7.50
Preseli Pembs |3,358 |67.31
South Pembs |2,196 |53.78
Blaenau Gwent |11,553 |119.43
Islwyn |4,439 |27.78
Monmouth |2,779 |31.71
Newport |6,928 |-17.10
Torfaen |6,069 |76.37
Aberconwy |3,645 |75.58
Arfon |3,210 |-10.41
Dwyfor |1,464 |34.81
Meirionnydd |1,665 |2.46
Ynys Mon |2,973 |52.15
Cynon Valley |7,915 |186.05
Merthyr Tydfil |5,478 |39.00
Ogwr |5,475 |2.26
Rhondda |12,707 |130.16
Rhymney Valley |7,578 |46.80
Taff Ely |5,148 |-19.27
Brecknock |2,120 |21.49
Montgomeryshire |2,171 |53.86
Radnor |1,042 |17.21
Cardiff |15,290 |-10.21
Vale of Glamorgan |4,031 |-20.68
Port Talbot |3,544 |56.68
Lliw Valley |3,608 |3.50
Neath |3,512 |62.22
Swansea |10,418 |10.85
Clwyd |12,840 |49,80
Dyfed |16,948 |89.00
Gwent |24,019 |16.16
Gwynedd |7,903 |10.93
Mid Glamorgan |26,648 |43.08
Powys |6,110 |15.20
South Glamorgan |18,132 |0.29
West Glamorgan |22,247 |79.44
|------- |-------
Total |307,321
Water Quality
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Gower on 2 May, Official Report, column 59, if he will place in the Library details of the time limits on the derogations and delays relating to the non-compliance of potable waters in Wales with the European directive relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption 80/77/EC.
Mr. Grist : I shall arrange to place the relevant information in the Library of the House as soon as possible.
Sewage Sludge
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a list of the outfalls around the Welsh coast where consents have been given by his Department to the Welsh water authority for the disposal of sewage sludge.
PRIME MINISTER
EC Commission
Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Southend, East of 8 May, if she has provided advice to Ministers about the procedures which are available to them in cases where the Commission submit proposals for legislation which do not fall within agreed Community competence ; and if she will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : As I have told the House, we will continue to examine carefully whether proposals for EC legislation fall within agreed Community competence and we shall continue to deal with such proposals in the Council of Ministers in whatever way best protects and promotes British interests.
House of Commons (Attendance)
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions she has attended the Chamber on official duties in the past 12 months, apart from when dealing with oral questions.
The Prime Minister : I frequently attend the Chamber on official duties.
Poverty (Manchester)
Mr. Kaufman : To ask the Prime Minister whether she will agree to meet, either in Manchester or London, a group of constituents of the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton who are living in poverty.
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Airport Policy (Scotland)
Mr. Allan Stewart : To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received from Scottish industry and commerce concerning Scottish lowland airports policy ; and what reply she has given.
The Prime Minister : I have received representations from a Scottish bank, the chairman of a major Scottish firm and two Scottish chambers of commerce. In reply I have said that it was clear from the financial information on Prestwick airport submitted by BAA plc, along with its request for a review of the Scottish lowland airports policy, that there had in fact been a steady improvement in Prestwick's financial position. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, having consulted my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, concluded that a review of current policy would not be appropriate. I also pointed out in my reply that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland considers that access to Prestwick could be improved and that steps are in hand to improve both rail and road access to the airport.
TRANSPORT
Channel Tunnel
86. Mr. Gerald Bowden : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what forecast studies of increased rail freight tonnage, following the opening of the Channel tunnel, his Department has made ; whether the proposed rail routes for this traffic will be able to cope with any substantial increase ; and to what extent the exporting base of the country in the north will be efficiently served by these routes and thus able to fully compete in the European market.
Mr. Portillo : In compliance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act, British Rail have to publish before the end of this year their plans for Channel tunnel freight and passenger services. The plans will take into account BR's widespread consultations with national and regional interests and customers. BR is satisfied that the rail network itself is capable of handling the substantial increase in freight traffic that is envisaged, but this report will look at the adequacy of road/rail interchange facilities and the need for improvements in local rail access.
Traffic Speed
Mr. Adley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has available on the average speed of traffic in (a) central London, (b) Paris, (c) Rome and (d) Madrid.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : I have been asserting for a year that traffic moves faster in London than in comparable cities. I do not know whether this is true. So far no one has contradicted the claim. Comparisons of average traffic speeds between cities are difficult. The figures we have show speeds of 20 kilometres per hour or less for most major cities. Differences in survey method and coverage do not permit any firm conclusions to be drawn about differences. Speeds in central London are regularly surveyed at three or four-year intervals using timed runs over a
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network of 160 km of road, including all A roads. In 1986, the average speed between 7 am and 7 pm was found to be 18 kph. Full details are published in statistics bulletin (87)41. A copy is in the library.The available information for other cities is more limited. For Rome, the Rome municipal administration has provided figures for 1986 relating to the 13 km bypass route around the historic centre. The centre itself, covering roughly 14 square kilometres, is subject to traffic control measures which permit only residents, public transport and vehicles with special tickets to enter in the periods 7 am to 11 am and 3 pm to 7 pm. A series of timed runs commencing at 7.30 am, 10.00 am, 12.30 pm and 5.30 pm produced an average speed of 20 kph.
According to the office of the mayor, the average traffic speed in Paris in 1987 was estimated at between 14 and 15 kph. Details of the survey method used and the area covered are not available. Our searches have failed to locate any statistics on the average traffic speed in Madrid.
I believe traffic does move faster in Berlin, where few drive in from the suburbs.
British Rail
Mr. Adley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with whom he is consulting over his Department's consideration of the future of British Rail ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Portillo : My right hon. Friend expects to consult widely in due course if a decision is made to privatise British Rail.
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