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Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the DVLA, including performance related element ; and what is the length of time of the chief executive's contract.
Mr. Chope : The chief executive of the DVLA has been appointed from 2 April 1990 to 1 April 1995.
The maximum salary that the chief executive could be paid in 1991-92 is £48,000 per annum. In addition he is eligible for special bonus payments amounting in total to a maximum of £9,000 over the first two- year period. The special bonus payments which may be payable for the remaining three years of the appointment have yet to be determined.
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the vehicle inspectorate as an executive agency ; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the agency ;
(2) if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the vehicle inspectorate since its establishment as an executive agency ; and if he will identify separately those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status.
Mr. Chope : The chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate executive agency will be writing to the hon. Member.
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those new facilities for staff including nurseries and healthcare schemes which have been introduced in the driver and vehicle licensing agency since its establishment as an executive agency ;
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(2) how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the driver and vehicle licensing agency as an executive agency ; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the agency ;(3) how many staff were in post on the date that the driver and vehicle licensing agency was established as an executive agency ; and how many staff are in post now ;
(4) if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into the driver and vehicle licensing agency since its establishment as an executive agency ; and if he will publish a break-down by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern ;
(5) how many appointments from the private sector have been made to the driver and vehicle licensing agency at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency ; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable including performance related element in each case ;
(6) when the last annual report for the driver and vehicle licensing agency was published ; and when the next one is due ; (7) if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the driver and vehicle licensing agency since its establishment as an executive agency ; and if he will identify separately those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status ;
(8) what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the driver and vehicle licensing agency ; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded ;
(9) if he will give details of all bonus schemes in operation in the driver and vehicle licensing agency.
Mr. Chope : The chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing executive agency will be writing to the hon. Member.
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency including the performance related element ; and what is the length of time of the chief executive's contract.
Mr. Chope : The chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency has been appointed from 2 April 1990 to 1 April 1993.
The maximum salary that the chief executive could be paid in 1991-92, depending on performance, is £38,610 per annum, but a further general increase is expected on 1 August 1991. In addition he is eligible for special bonus payments amounting in total to a maximum of £6,500 over the three-year period.
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when the last annual report for the Vehicle Certification Agency was published ; and when the next one is due ;
(2) how many appointments from the private sector have been made to the Vehicle Certification Agency at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency ; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable including performance related element in each case ;
(3) what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency ; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded ;
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(4) how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the Vehicle Certification Agency as an executive agency ; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the agency ; (5) if he will give details of all bonus schemes in operation in the Vehicle Certification Agency ;(6) if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into the Vehicle Certification Agency since its establishment as an executive agency ; and if he will publish a break-down by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern ;
(7) if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the Vehicle Certification Agency since its establishment as an executive agency ; and if he will identify separately those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status ;
(8) how many staff were in post on the date that the Vehicle Certification Agency was established as an executive agency ; and how many staff are in post now ;
(9) if he will list those new facilities for staff including nurseries and healthcare schemes which have been introduced in the Vehicle Certification Agency since its establishment as an executive agency.
Mr. Chope : The chief executive of the Vehicle Certification executive agency has written to the hon. Member.
Correspondence
Sir Dudley Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington can expect a response to his letter of 5 April, proposing a meeting with a deputation about noise in the Shrewley and Hatton areas of Warwickshire emanating from the M40 motorway.
Mr. Chope : My hon. Friend will know that the meeting which he requested is being arranged.
British Rail
Mr. French : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been achieved by British Rail towards the targets set out in its commercial plan for divesting itself of surplus land.
Mr. Freeman : On 24 October 1983 the then Secretary of State published the objectives that he had agreed with the chairman of British Rail, which asked the board to continue to pursue a vigorous policy of property development and disposal. British Rail has been successful in divesting itself of its surplus land. Since 1 January 1984, British Rail has disposed of over 23,000 acres.
Mr. David Nicholson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what record he has of or what representations he received from British Rail about its inability to recruit the most suitable applicants for posts in top and middle management or skilled scientific and professional grades owing to inadequate or non-competitive salaries.
Mr. Freeman : None. The British Railways Board is responsible for salaries and recruitment of its staff.
Motor Insurance
Mr. French : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it obligatory for evidence of third party motor insurance cover to be displayed in vehicle windscreens in the same way as vehicle excise duty.
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Mr. Chope : No. Compulsory motor insurance in the United Kingdom focuses on the driver rather than a particular vehicle. A windscreen disc would not prove, therefore, whether a vehicle was being driven in accordance with the terms of a valid insurance policy.Road Safety, Blackburn
Mr. Straw : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make decisions on recommendations from the Lancashire constabulary and Lancashire county council as to road safety on the A6119 Brownhill drive, Blackburn ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope : As soon as possible after receiving the
recommendations. I shall then write to the hon. Gentleman.
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Road Inquiries
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those people appointed as assessors to assist the panel inspectorate over the last five years ; and if he will list their relevant qualifications ;
(2) in how many trunk road inquiries since 1985 an assessor has been appointed to assist the inspector.
Mr. Chope : There have been 10 occasions since 1985 when an assessor has been appointed to assist the inspector conducting the inquiry into a trunk road scheme. The assessors and the inquiries in which they were involved are as follows :
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Scheme |Region |Year |Assessor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------East London River Crossing |LRO |1985-86 |G.Heath, CTP, FRTPI, FBIM, JP A406: East of Falloden Way to East of High Road Finchley |LRO |1986-87 |G.B.Cummings, CEng, FICE, FIHT A65 Burley Bypass |YHCPD |May 1987 |P.J.Amblin, CEng, MICE, MIWES, MPTPI A6(M) Stockport North/ |NWCPD |November 1987/ |Professor E.A.Rose, MSc, Dip. Arch., ARIBA, FRTPI, FRSA South Bypass |March 1988 A34 Newbury Bypass |SECPD |1988 |A.Langton, CEng., DipTP, MICE, MRTPI, MIHT A3 Milford Bypass |SECPD |1989 |Dr. George A. Goutty, JP, MA, MSc., MPhil., PhD AA Dip., | DipTP, MRTPI, ALI A406 Regents Park Road Junction Improvements |LRO |1988-89 |E.R.Emery, VRD, CEng, MICE, MIHT, DipTE A17 Wigtoft-Sutterton Bypass |EMRO |January 1990 |J.R.Coward, MCD, BA(Arch.) Hons., RIBA A638 Doncaster North Bridge Relief Road |YHCPD |1990-91 |G.A.Goulty, JP, MA, MSc., MPhil., PhD, AAdip, ARIBA,ALI East London River Crossing |LRO |1990-91 |M. Astrinsky, RIBA, MRTPI, DipTP
ast London River CrossingRO. Heath, CTP, FRTPI, FBIM, JPA406 : East of Falloden Way toEast of High Road FinchleyLRO. B. Cummings, CEng, FICE, FIHT65 Burley BypassHCPDay 1987. J. Amblin, CEng, MICE, MIWES, MPTPIA6(M) Stockport North/ South BypassWCPDovember 1987/March 1988rofessor E. A. Rose, MSc, Dip. Arch., ARIBA, FRTPI, FRSA34 Newbury BypassECPD. Langton, CEng., DipTP, MICE, MRTPI, MIHTA3 Milford BypassECPDr. George A. Goutty, JP, MA, MSc., MPhil., PhD AA Dip., DipTP, MRTPI, ALIA406 Regents Park Road Junction
ImprovementLRO. R. Emery, VRD, CEng., MICE, MIHT, DipTE17 Wigtoft-Sutterton BypassMROanuary 1990. R. Coward, MCD, BA(Arch.) Hons., RIBAA638 Doncaster North Bridge Relief RoadYHCPD. A. Goulty, JP, MA, MSc., MPhil., PhD, AAdip., ARIBA, ALIast London River CrossingRO. Astrinsky, RIBA, MRTPI, DipTP
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those public inquiries into trunk road proposals since 1985 which have involved consideration of the effect of the proposed scheme on (a) sites of special scientific interest, (b) national parks, (c) areas of outstanding natural beauty, (d) heritage coast, and (e) scheduled ancient monuments ; and in which of these cases an assessor was appointed to assist the inspector to consider the environmental consequences.
Mr. Chope : The information on individual schemes is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All schemes in the national trunk road programme have for many years been subjected to a very full environmental appraisal. Landscaping, ecological and other environmental aspects of scheme design are always important factors in route selection to ensure that the minimum of disturbance is caused by new roads to the surrounding environment. The advice of interested bodies such as English Nature, the Countryside Commission, English Heritage, the National Trust, the Landscape Advisory Committee and the Royal Fine Art Commission is sought and their views are made available to the public inquiry. Specialist advice is also sought wherever appropriate and if necessary specialist consultants are appointed.
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Since 1985 specialist assessors have been appointed to assist inspectors at public inquiries into the following trunk road proposals where environmental or aesthetic factors were a major consideration :East London River Crossing (1985-86 and 1990-91)
Burley Bypass
A6(M) Stockport North/South Bypass
A3 Milford Bypass
A17 Wigtoft Sutterton Bypass
A638 Doncaster North Bridge Relief Road
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public inquiries there have been into trunk road proposals in each year from 1985 to 1991.
Mr. Chope : The information is as follows :
|Number ----------------------1985-86 |41 1986-87 |44 1987-88 |29 1988-89 |31 1989-90 |40 1990-91 |34
Motorways
Mr. Ashdown : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the latest available figures for the numbers of vehicles crossing over the central reservation of motorways and dual carriageways in the last year for which these figures are available.
Mr. Chope : Information is available only in cases where the vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in personal injury. In 1989, the latest year for which data are available, there were 111 such vehicles on motorways which left the carriageway offside and crossed the central reservation. The equivalent figure for dual carriageways was 742.
Mr. John Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what restrictions there are for the use of fast lanes on three lane motorways by coaches and lorries.
Mr. Chope : Coaches of over 12 m long and goods vehicles with an operating weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes are banned from using the outside lane of motorways.
A41 Bypass
Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the cost of constructing the A41 bypass from the M25 to the junction to the west of Berkhamsted.
Mr. Chope : The A41 bypass is divided into two schemes, Kings Langley and Berkhamsted.
The contract for the construction of the Kings Langley bypass has been awarded to A. F. Budge (Contractors) Ltd. and is worth about £20 million. Tenders have been invited for the construction of the Berkhamsted bypass which has been estimated to cost £25.8 million.
Cyclists
Mr. Rathbone : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government have taken recently to improve the safety of cyclists using public roads.
Mr. Chope : Recent initiatives are detailed in the Department's memorandum to the Transport Select Committee hearing on cycling. The Committee's minutes of evidence have now been published.
We are continuing to add to the body of published technical advice for local authorities on means of providing for cyclists, which now exceeds 30 traffic advisory leaflets and four more detailed local transport notes.
We are encouraging the use by local authorities of urban safety management techniques, which can make a significant contribution to reducing accidents to the most vulnerable road users such as cyclists. This effort has been underpinned by the introduction of more flexible road hump regulations, and an increasing number of authorisations for the use of 20 mph speed limits.
Our recent child safety campaign was designed to raise the awareness of the potential dangers to child cyclists on the road, and to encourage the wearing of cycle helmets. This has been supported by complementary campaigns by the private sector.
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Stansted Airport
Sir Fergus Montgomery : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy not to grant additional licences for the United States or other carriers for services from Stansted airport, in preference to or separate from such licences being available to all airports in the United Kingdom.
Mr. McLoughlin : No. While we aim to facilitate balanced development of services to all airports, we must retain the flexibility to respond to the specific circumstances of particular negotiations.
Air Routes (Competition)
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had to date about the need for increased competition on major air routes from Heathrow to western Europe.
Mr. McLoughlin : My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has received a number of recent representations concerning aviation competition in Europe.
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to conduct a further review of competition policy on western European air routes ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has no present plans to undertake a review of competition policy on air routes in western Europe.
A primary United Kingdom objective in the liberalisation of air transport within Europe remains the creation of conditions in which fair and open competition between carriers can flourish. Progress towards this objective has already been achieved. Current EC regulations together with our bilateral arrangements presently provide the scope for more than one airline of each country concerned to serve the major western European routes.
We expect the EC Commission's proposals for the third stage in the creation of the single market to provide further opportunities for airlines by opening up all intra-Community routes to competition. It is for Governments to create these opportunities and for airlines to take them up.
Air Fares
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he proposes to take to reduce air fares on western European air routes operated on a bilateral basis by two national airlines.
Mr. McLoughlin : We believe that airlines should be free to set their own fares with a minimum of regulatory intervention. As a safeguard, however, European Community measures already exist which provide that fares may not be excessive in relation to the relevant costs. The introduction of the single European market in 1993 will provide greater freedom for setting fares responding to market forces, and we shall continue to urge that safeguards are provided against excessive fares.
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Second Severn Crossing
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if falling interest rates result in any reduction in the total sum which was agreed with the concessionaire for the second Severn crossing in 1989 ; what was the prevailing relevant interest level at the time of that agreement ; and what is its equivalent level today.
Mr. Chope : Under the concession agreement with Severn River Crossing plc, SRC bears the risk of changes in interest rates. Changes in rates, in either direction, do not affect SRC's tolls or revenue entitlement under the agreement. The concession agreement was executed on29 October 1990, when the clearing bank rates was 14 per cent. ; the rate is now 11 per cent.
Greater Manchester Relief Road
Mr. Lewis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish his Department's preferred routes for the greater Manchester western and northern relief road ; and when he expects the public consultation process to start.
Mr. Chope : Public consultation on stage 2 of the relief road (M56- M62) is planned for the autumn. It is hoped to follow with consultation on route options for stage 3 (M62-M66) in the winter. Preferred route announcement would follow consideration of the consultation response at each stage.
Motorway Slip Roads
Dr. Marek : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles per day use the slip roads in each of the directions between the M53 and M56.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 12 July 1991] : The information is as follows :
Slip road |Number of |vehicles ----------------------------------------------------M56 westbound to M53 northbound |9,533 M56 westbound to M53 southbound |9,618 M53 southbound to M56 eastbound |9,522 M53 northbound to M56 eastbound |9,939
Dr. Marek : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the slip roads joining the M53 and the M56 were originally constructed to the specified standard.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 12 July 1991) : Yes. The opportunity has been taken to resurface these slip roads during the reconstruction of the main carriageway.
A259, Kent
Mr. Speed : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements are planned for the A259 road in Kent over the next three years.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 11 July 1991] : The national roads programme includes five schemes, at various stages of preparation, for improving most of the A259 trunk road in Kent. Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures, I hope it will be possible to start construction of the Brookland diversion, within the next three years, and of bypasses to New Romney, St. Mary's
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Bay, Dymchurch and Hythe, together with an improvement at Walland Marsh in the mid to late 1990s. The regional programme provides for small-scale works, mostly aimed at improving traffic flow and/or safety, which can usually be implemented more quickly. Eleven such schemes on the A259 in Kent are at present firmly programmed for 1991- 93.Diesel Engines
Mr. Gill : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement about the potential benefits to the environment of encouraging the greater use of diesel engines in motor cars.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 10 July 1991] : Compared with their catalyst petrol-engined counterparts, diesel cars are generally worse emitters of NOx and particulates, but better on carbon monoxide and CO . Given that diesel cars usually enjoy a 20 to 30 per cent. advantage in fuel economy, and that duty on diesel fuel is slightly less than on petrol, there is already an implicit encouragement towards diesels, particularly for high-mileage users.
EMPLOYMENT
Disablement Advisory Service
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's policy towards the training and guidance given to individual disablement advisory service managers ; and what plans he has to improve this guidance and to ensure national consistency and quality.
Mr. Jackson : Disablement advisory service managers currently undertake a six-month nationally designed training programme which includes a mix of distance learning, off-the-job training modules, a development workshop and personal development projects.
Written guidance about operational procedures is provided centrally. Further guidance is provided by the Employment Service's head and regional offices as required.
The training programme is currently being examined and will be revised to reflect the planned changes, which my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 16 April, to the services provided by the Department for people with disabilities. The training programme for managers in the new service will continue to be delivered to nationally defined standards. Written guidance will also be revised to reflect the roles and functions of the new assessment and counselling teams.
Officials will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the training programme and will establish competencies to enable them to measure the effectiveness of those providing the service. They will also devise a set of qualitative performance measures to ensure that those providing the new arrangements deliver a more professional and coherent service for people with disabilities.
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what appeal procedure is available to disabled people who are dissatisfied with the decisions of the local disablement advisory service manager regarding aids and equipment for employment.
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Mr. Jackson : Questions on operational matters in the Employment Service executive agency are the responsi-bility of Mike Fogden, the agency's chief executive, to whom I have referred this question for reply.
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