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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 15 May 1990
TRANSPORT
Speed Limits (Western Avenue)
Mr. Hanley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the speed limits on the Western avenue between the White City and the Hoover building were last assessed ; and whether he intends any changes in the near future.
Mr. Atkins : The current speed limits along this stretch of the A40 have applied for a number of years. There are no immediate plans to make any changes to the existing limits on this stretch of the A40, but the situation will be reviewed as and when circumstances change.
Weight Restriction Signs
Mr. Hanley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the weight restriction signs which were removed during the gales earlier this year on the one-way flyover at the Hogarth roundabout, at the junction of the A4 and A316, will be replaced.
Mr. Atkins : Yes. The damaged sign gantry will be replaced during night time hours in the week commencing 21 May.
Bus Passengers
Mr. Ernie Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report the requirements and regulations covering folding crew seats and jump seats used by bus passengers.
Mr. Atkins : The requirements for crew seats in buses are contained in the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) Regulations 1981, (SI 1981/257) as amended by SI 1982/1058. The relevant regulations are Nos. 3, 6, 25, 26, 28, 28A and 45A.
The requirements for seat belts for bus crew seats are contained in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, SI 1986/1078, as amended by SI 1987/1133. The relevant regulations are Nos. 46 and 47.
The Conditions of Fitness Regulations do not permit the use of crew seats by bus passengers. Neither do they refer to "jump seats". However, any seat used by a passenger must comply with regulation 28.
Channel Tunnel
Mr. Fearn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to increase the amount of funds available for the construction of the channel tunnel rail link.
Mr. Freeman : We are currently considering proposals submitted by BR and its private sector partner, Eurorail, for a high-speed link between London and the channel tunnel.
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Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress the health and safety at work working group has made in the establishment of compatible accident reporting systems and procedures for the exchange of information on accidents during work on the channel tunnel.
Mr. Freeman : Accidents are reported to the national authorities in the United Kingdom and France under existing regulations and procedures. I understand that information about accidents is exchanged through the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority and its health and safety working group, and a standard reporting form has been developed to ensure the compatibility of information about individual accidents.
Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what dates the health and safety at work working group of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority met ; and what was discussed ;
(2) if he will give details of the discussions that have taken place within the health and safety at work working group of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority on particular health and safety problems associated with the construction of the channel tunnel.
Mr. Freeman : I understand that the health and safety at work working group of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority meets on average once a month to discuss various topics to do with health and safety in the channel tunnel. The group has principally been concerned over the last year with issues relating to the safety of workers on both the British and French sides during the construction phase.
Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place within the health and safety working group of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority over the need to harmonise working standards and practices when the tunnels meet ; and whether there will be a harmonisation of relevant national legislation.
Mr. Freeman : I understand that a series of discussions has been held in the health and safety working group of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority on the health and safety arrangements which will need to be put in a place to ensure an optimum safety regime when the tunnels meet. When the safety authority reaches conclusions, the intergovernmental commission will consider how best to make arrangements within the provisions of the treaty.
Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what date the safety report referred to on page 4 of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority annual report 1988-89 was received ; and what actions stemmed therefrom ;
(2) on what date the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority received an adequate preliminary risk analysis of risks and hazards from Eurotunnel.
Mr. Freeman : I understand that at an early stage in the design of the project Eurotunnel submitted a preliminary risk analysis for the terminals and tunnels. Since then, certain Eurotunnel submissions on individual aspects of the design and operation of the system have been accompanied by safety reports which provide elements of a safety analysis. However, as the chairman of the safety
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authority said in his letter of November 1989 submitting the annual report, the authority sees a need for a full hazard analysis to be commissioned by the concessionaires and audited by the maitre d'oeuvre. The safety authority will be closely involved in designing and monitoring the study and assessing the significance of the results.Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority's annual report 1989-90 will be published.
Mr. Freeman : I understand that the report is under preparation by the safety authority and should be published in the autumn.
Traffic Lights
Mr. Higgins : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Worthing of 21 February, Official Report, column 818, if, he will intervene to ensure that the traffic lights at the junction of St. George's road and Garden way, London, are not operated in future.
Mr. Atkins : The London borough of Southwark is the responsible highway authority for St. George's road and Garden Row. Representations about the future of the traffic lights at the junction of these two roads should be directed to that council. I understand, however, that the early indications are that the pedestrian accident rate has in fact improved since the lights were installed.
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable was set for the installation of additional traffic signals at the junction of Newham way, A13 and Tollgate road, Beckton ; when he now expects them to be operational ; and if he will state the reasons for any delay.
Mr. Atkins : I regret the delay in installing the new traffic signals which was originally planned for last summer. This was due to several factors including difficulties over design and contract procedures. Tendering is in hand with a view to work starting in July for completion in October.
Road Taxes
Mr. Devlin : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what he estimates would be the approximate annual yield of a road tax of £50 per car, and £100 per coach or lorry, with 100 per cent. supplements for foreign-registered vehicles entering an exclusion zone drawn on a radius of eight miles from the Aldwych in London.
Mr. Atkins : I do not have annual figures for vehicles entering such an exclusion zone.
M40
Mr. Tim Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what year he expects the proposed widening of the M40 between junctions 1 and 3 to be completed ; and what traffic flows, by volume, density and mix, he anticipates at Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield at this time and in the following 10 years.
Mr. Atkins : Consultants are to be appointed later this year to investigate options for carrying out the work--the preferred scheme is expected to be announced in 1990.
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Subsequent progress would depend upon the nature of the scheme selected and the statutory procedures involved. Completion could be achieved by the late 1990s.Actual traffic flows and forecasts between M25 (junction 1A) and Beaconsfield (junction 2) are shown in the table.
Year |Vehicles per| Weekday
|day (000s) | HGV's
----------------------------------------------------
1990 |80 |9
2000 |120-140 |12
2010 |140-175 |12
Bradford-Leeds Rail Electrification
Mr. Madden : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, following the meeting he had with the West Yorkshire passenger transport executive and others on 26 April, the authority has been asked to supply further information regarding electrification schemes between Bradford and Leeds ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Freeman : The West Yorkshire passenger transport executive was asked to supply further information on 1 May. We will consider its application for credit approvals for the scheme in the light of that information and the resources available.
Mudflaps
Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he intends to take to ensure that mudflaps and other equipment on heavy goods vehicles are so designed as to reduce the lateral spray which can obscure the vision of other drivers, particularly when overtaking or being overtaken.
Mr. Atkins : Regulations requiring heavy goods vehicles and trailers to be fitted with spray reducing devices have been in existence since November 1984. The European Commission has put forward proposals for a directive on spray broadly in line with our regulations. The fitment of spray suppression devices is also a requirement of the heavy goods vehicle test.
Difficulties can still, however, arise with spray from vehicles in adverse conditions. Research into this problem is now taking place. Any additional requirements resulting from this research would need agreement withinthe European Community.
ENVIRONMENT
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each of the last three years those sites of special scientific interest in Staffordshire which have been damaged by operations which were granted planning permission.
Mr. Trippier : I am advised by the Nature Conservancy Council that between 1 April 1987 and 31 March 1990 there was no reported case of damage by activities given planning permission in Staffordshire.
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Radiation
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many successful prosecutions have been completed under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 ; which organisations were found guilty ; and on what dates.
Mr. Trippier : Since the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 came into force in 1963 there have been some 13 successful prosecutions in England for breaches of the Act. Because of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 it is inappropriate to give details of individual convictions.
Toxic Waste
Mr. Devlin : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Devizes (Sir C. Morrison) of 23 April, Official Report, column 2, if he will give further details of the research being carried out into toxic and problem waste management and chemical, thermal and biological detoxification.
Mr. Trippier : The following two broad headings which were used in my previous answer include the listed detailed objectives : Toxic and Problem Waste Management
To determine a variety of ways in which asbestos waste of various types may be reliably and economically destroyed.
To determine operational quality control procedures for the assessment of cement-based solidified wastes under field conditions. To determine the extent of any potential hazard arising from disposing of mercury containing batteries with household waste. Waste Management
To determine the general operating conditions under which PCBs can be destroyed by high temperature hydrogen reduction.
To determine whether waste acids or other suitable chemicals may be utilised to degrade persistent pesticide wastes.
Environmental Protection Bill
Mr. Vaz : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, how many representations he has received from (a) local authorities and (b) members of the public concerning the extra funding necessary to implement provisions in the Environmental Protection Bill ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : My Department has received a number of comments from both local authorities and members of the public about the Environmental Protection Bill. The vast majority have been supportive of the new provisions. Some representations have been made about funding to implement relevant parts of the Bill, but I have been able to give the assurance that the new charging systems provided for in parts I and II of the Bill will provide local authorities with an entirely new source of finance from which to fund their new duties. Savings as a result of streamlined procedures for dealing with statutory nuisance under part III will also release resources. We are currently seeking local authorities' views on the cost of implementing the draft code of practice on litter and refuse in part IV of the Bill, and additionally we have commissioned consultants to undertake a survey of 20 local authorities to determine whether extra resources will be required.
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Nature Conservancy
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the latest currently available cost to him of his proposals to split nature conservancy representatives between England, Scotland and Wales.
Mr. Trippier : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) on 17 January, Official Report , column 252 .
Building Research Establishment
Mr. Tim Smith (Beaconsfield) : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what specific financial, efficiency and quality of service targets he has approved for the Building Research Establishment for the current year and for the longer term.
Mr. Chope : My right hon. Friend's statement on 28 March, Official Report, column 238 indicated the heads under which performance targets had been set for the Building Research Establishment for 1990-91. I can give the following figures :
|Targets
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
net vote cost |£1,764,000
untilisation rate for chargeable staff |1 per cent. improve-
|ment on previous
|financial year
non-Exchequer income as a percentage of |8.4 per cent.
total income
Figures for other targets are commercially sensitive for the agency and will be treated in confidence. Performance targets for the longer term are currently being developed as part of the agency's corporate planning process.
Common Land
Sir Michael McNair-Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to introduce legislation about the administering of common land and the rights of ordinary people on land designated as common.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms. Walley) on 11 May 1990, Official Report, column 244.
Radioactive Substances
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the Environmental Protection Bill to take account of the concerns expressed by Dudley council concerning radioactive substances.
Mr. Trippier : No. The regulation of radioactive substances is a Government responsibility. The Radioactive Substances Act 1960 already requires local authorities to be consulted in respect of proposals to dispose of radioactive waste from nuclear licensed sites or where a local authority would be required to take special precautions. The Environmental Protection Bill further provides that local authorities will receive copies of every application for authorisation to dispose of radioactive waste from organisations in their area.
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Recycling, Palace of Westminster
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are made for the recycling of waste paper removed from the Palace of Westminster in bins now labelled "For Recycling Only" ; how that paper is sorted ; and what is the percentage efficiency and the cost over the past year of recycling waste paper from the Palace of Westminster.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 14 May 1990] : Waste paper set aside for recycling is roughly sorted on site before being removed, free of charge, by the contractor.
Local Government Finance
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to lay the relevant parliamentary orders specifying the budget reductions required of those authorities designated for charge capping in 1990-91.
Mr. Portillo [holding answer 14 May 1990] : While there are related matters before the courts it would not be appropriate for me to comment.
Mr. Hardy : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what amount of deprivation Oxford, Cambridge, Kent, Dorset, Hampshire, Bedfordshire, the Isle of Wight and Rotherham were assumed to suffer under the determination of the standard spending assessment for 1990-91.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 14 May 1990] : Standard spending assessment make no explicit assumptions about levels of deprivation. A number of the individual service elements of standard spending assessments take account of social factors. A full description of the methodology used for calculating standard spending assessments is given in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England) which was approved by the House of Commons on 18 January.
Local Government Revenue
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer in the Official Report, 3 May, columns 617-18, to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East, if he will list the local government areas in England for which equivalent figures are available.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 14 May 1990] : Equivalent figures are available for the following areas :
Avon
Buckinghamshire
Derbyshire
Dorset
Durham
Isle of Wight
Kent
Lincolnshire
Northumberland
Surrey
Warwickshire
West Midlands
West Sussex
Wiltshire
Toxic Chemicals
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has received from the National Rivers Authority as to what investigations are
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taking place into the leakage of highly toxic chemicals into the River Bourne from a timber and building supplies site ; what action the Government are taking to ensure that dangerous chemicals are contained in vandal-proof structures ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Heathcoat-Amory [holding answer 14 May 1990] : My officials were kept informed on this incident by the National Rivers Authority when it occurred. Since then the authority has been carrying out a full investigation but its report is not yet complete.
No decision has yet been made on whether regulations or guidelines on the storage of dangerous substances need to be strengthened.
Housing Transfer (Rochester and Medway)
Mr. Soley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give details of the new funding arrangements for the housing transfer in Rochester and Medway ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Michael Spicer [holding answer 11 May 1990] : Details of the funding arrangements are a matter for the financiers and the proposed purchaser of the housing. Any requests for such details should be made to them.
Pollution Inspectorate (Vacancies)
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many professional vacancies remain unfilled at Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution ; what he proposes to do to remedy the situation ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory [holding answer 11 May 1990] : There are currently 25 professional vacancies in Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, seven of which are reserved for successful candidates to date from the current recruitment competition. We are continuing to recruit actively to fill the remaining posts.
Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has also introduced an additional assistant pollution inspector recruitment grade, for candidates with full professional qualifications and at least two years industry experience, who will qualify as pollution inspectors through further training and experience in the inspectorate. This will widen the recruitment for future pollution inspectors, while fully maintaining the present professional standards. The first recruitment competition for APIs is now in progress.
Peat Extraction
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make environmental impact assessment mandatory on all planning applications for the extraction of peat.
Mr. Moynihan [holding answer 11 May 1990] : Environmental assessments cannot be made mandatory on all planning applications for peat extraction, as each case has to be considered on its merits. EAs will be required, however, where the proposed development is likely to have a significant environmental impact.
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ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Supply Index
Mr. Devlin : To ask the Attorney General if he will make a statement about the decision of the Lord Chancellor's department not to participate in the Government supply index.
The Attorney-General : The Lord Chancellor's Department has made no decision about participation in the Government supply index. It is being considered as a part of the overall strategy for the computerisation of purchasing information systems within the Department.
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