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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 21 November 1991
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Sunday Trading
Mr. Pike : To ask the Attorney-General what recent discussions his Department has had with local authorities regarding enforcement of existing Sunday shopping legislation ; and if he will make a statement.
The Attorney-General : I have had correspondence with three local authorities in England recently concerning enforcement of the law and, in particular, the effect of recent decisions of the courts. A local authority in Northern Ireland has also asked me whether I would be prepared to consent to an application for an injunction against a retailer that was allegedly breaking the law. My consent is needed under the law of Northern Ireland.
TRANSPORT
Seat Belts
Sir Eldon Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to require seat belts to be fitted in buses (a) used to transport school children and (b) in all buses and public service vehicles.
Mr. Chope : By reason of European Commission directives, it is not possible for the United Kingdom unilaterally to require seat belts on all seats in new buses and coaches.
Highways
Sir Eldon Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the announced £1 billion additional expenditure is to be invested in highways in East Anglia ; what sums are currently being spent on highways in this region ; and if he will publish a list of the trunk road schemes currently under construction, shortly to be started and in preparation in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex with the approximate cost of each.
Mr. Chope : The £1 billion additional expenditure over three years announced by the Secretary of State on 6 November is almost all for public transport provision throughout the country, including East Anglia. Provision for highways was not increased.
Forecast expenditure on motorways and trunk roads in the Department's eastern region--the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire--is estimated at £312 million in 1991-92.
The total of local authority expenditure budgets for local roads in these counties for 1991-92 is £102 million capital and £198 million current.
Following is a list of the motorway and trunk road schemes in progress in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
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----------------------------------------------------------
Norfolk, National Schemes
Under construction
A47 East Dereham-North Tuddenham
A47 Norwich Southern Bypass Contract 1
Contract 2
Contract 3
Contract 4
A12 Gorleston Relief Road
A47 Narborough Bypass
A10 Brandon Creek to Southery
To start construction this financial year
A11 Thetford to Bridgham Heath
A11 Besthorpe to Wymondham
In preparation
A17/A47 Tilney High End to Sutton Bridge
A10/A47 A134 Hardwick Roundabout
Improvement
A47 Hardwick to East Dereham
A47 North Tuddenham to Easton
A47 Blofield to Acle
A47 Acle Straight Improvement
A11 Fiveways Roundabout to Thetford
A11 Roundham Heath to Attleborough
A11 Attleborough Bypass Improvement
A140 Dickleburgh to Norwich
A140 Scole to Dickleburgh
A47 Walpole Highway-Tilney High End
Suffolk, National Schemes
In preparation
A12 Hartlesham-Wickham Market
A12 Wickham Market-Saxmundham
A12 Saxmundham Bypass Dualling
A12 Saxmundham-South of Wrentham
A12 South of Wrentham-Kessingland
A12 Lowestoft Relief Road
A12 South of Four Sisters GSJ
A45 Quarries Cross GSJ
A45 Rockery Cross GSJ
A140 Beacon Hill-Scole
Essex, National Schemes
Under construction
A127 Rayleigh Weir GSJ
In preparation
M25 Junctions 25-28 Rapid Widening
A127 M25-Rayleigh Weir
M12 M25-Chelmsford
A12 Chelmsford Bypass Widening
A12 Hatfield Peverel-Marks Tey Widening
A120 Stansted-Braintree (100 per cent. grant)
M11 Junction 5 North facing Slips
M11 Widening
A13 Wennington-Mar Dyke
A120 Braintree-A12
A1 (North Yorkshire)
Mr. Robert Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost of the upgrading to motorway standards of the A1 in North Yorkshire and the completion date of the programme.
Mr. Chope : Seven A1(M) upgrading schemes are wholly or partially within the county of North Yorkshire. The estimated cost of all these schemes at current prices is approximately £550 million and completion is expected within 10 years.
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Orange Badge Scheme
Mr. Channon : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to bring forward amending regulations regarding the orange badge scheme for the disabled.
Mr. Chope : Amending regulations will be brought forward within the next fortnight. The intention is that the new scheme should come into effect on 2 March 1992.
Vehicle Licensing
Mr. Rowe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to alter the public service vehicle and goods vehicle licensing system to extend to parish councils the right to make representations about public service vehicle and goods vehicle operating centres ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope : A commitment to amend the goods vehicle operator licence provisions to give a general right of environmental representation for parish councils was made in 1989. This followed a wide-ranging review of operators licensing and acknowledged the role of parish councils as representative of local communities. A change to the primary legislation will be required.
Public service vehicle operating centres are not currently subject to environmental control through operator licensing. This is being reviewed at present.
M5 (Drains)
Mr. Ted Garrett : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the motorway contractor's proposals in the M5 junctions 6 and 8 widening contract to change from modern drains specification to traditional drains.
Mr. Chope : The contractor's proposal to use filter drains instead of Fin drains was within the scope of the Department's specification and the terms of the contract.
Road Accident Statistics
Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make arrangements to obtain information, for inclusion in the annual road accident statistics, about the numbers of fatalities and injuries in road accidents in Great Britain resulting from the use of motor vehicless which have been stolen or driven without the owners' consent, resulting from the use of motor vehicles driven for other criminal purposes, and resulting from the use of motor vehicles by the police in connection with the performance of their duties, including when pursuing drivers of vehicles which have been stolen or taken without the owners' consent or used for other criminal purposes.
Mr. Chope : I shall write to the hon. Member.
Building Contracts
Mr. Ted Garrett : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with John Laing Construction and other major motorway road contractors regarding changing contract specifications after a contract has been awarded by public tender.
Mr. Chope : There are regular discussions with the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors about matters of common interest.
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Road Accidents (A1)
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many deaths and how many injuries have occurred as a result of road traffic accidents on the A1 road between Morpeth and the Scottish border in each of the last 10 years.
Mr. Chope : The number of deaths and injuries as a result of accidents on the A1 between Morpeth and the Scottish border during the period from 1980-90 are shown in the following table :
|Fatal |Serious|Slight
----------------------------------------
1980 |8 |42 |66
1981 |6 |25 |92
1982 |6 |40 |91
1983 |7 |20 |77
1984 |11 |33 |74
1985 |4 |35 |112
1986 |6 |35 |84
1987 |5 |18 |68
1988 |4 |24 |65
1989 |8 |26 |72
1990 |4 |33 |127
|-------|-------|-------
Total |69 |331 |928
Motorways (Drainage)
Mr. Ted Garrett : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that the motorway contractors adhere to consulting engineers' specifications for drainage on major contracts.
Mr. Chope : Under the terms of the contract the engineer has a duty to consider alternative materials or methods put forward by the contractor and may approve their use provided they meet the criteria set out in the Department's specification for highway works and represent good value for money.
Air Pollution
Ms. Hoey : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he intends to take to combat air pollution caused by road transport.
Mr. Chope : Stricter limits on emissions have very recently been agreed by the United Kingdom and its EC partners.
On 26 June the EC Council of Ministers adopted an amending directive 91/441/EEC setting tighter limits on emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by new cars and light vans. The standards set by the directive will require almost all new petrol-engined cars from the end of 1992 to use three-way catalytic converters and to run on unleaded petrol. Diesel cars and light vans will need to comply with a strict limit on
particulates--smoke.
Pride of Portsmouth
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the dismissal of the British crew members of the Pride of Portsmouth.
Mr. McLoughlin : Mr. McCluskie of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers has
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written to the Secretary of State concerning the owners' decision to replace the British crew members of the Pride of Portsmouth with foreign nationals. I will be responding shortly on behalf of the Secretary of State and will answer the points made by Mr. McCluskie.Scandinavian Star
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will obtain a copy of the Danish inquiry into the case of the Scandinavian Star.
Mr. McLoughlin : A copy of the inquiry report on the Scandinavian Star accident has been requested from the Danish maritime authorities.
Ferry Safety
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the implications for safety of British passengers travelling on ferry services crewed and staffed by non-English speaking officers and ratings.
Mr. McLoughlin : This is kept under review. Surveyors make unannounced safety inspections of foreign registered passenger ro-ro ferries visiting United Kingdom ports and, among other items, they are instructed to check that enough crew can speak English to be able to give announcements and communicate with United Kingdom passengers in an emergency.
Road Schemes
Sir John Stanley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will be issuing for consultation the criteria he proposes to use in exercising his discretionary power under section 62 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 to acquire property which is seriously affected by his Department's road schemes ; and whether he expects to make the criteria public before the end of 1991.
Mr. Chope : Guidelines for the use of the new discretionary power to acquire property seriously affected by the Department's road schemes will be announced as soon as possible. The guidelines will be reviewed in the light of experience, and any representations received will be taken into account.
Lyme Bay
Mr. Steen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to inform all the agencies to which he wrote on 22 July about anchoring in Lyme bay that ships may continue to call off Lyme/Torbay for legitimate servicing, and that they may anchor there for that purpose for periods of time.
Mr. McLoughlin : Letters sent out by my Department on 22 July were directed to the owners of three ships and referred specifically to the long -term anchoring of those ships in Lyme bay with the attendant risk of large -scale pollution. It is not proposed to write again to these owners on this matter.
Fishing Vessels (Accidents)
Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to the losses of the fishing vessels (a) Girl Fiona, (b) Inspire, (c) Alert II, (d) Boy Shaun,
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(e) Sylvia Marita, (f) Jake II, (g) Tarradale II, (h) Pearl, (i) Mhari L and (j) South Stack which had Marine Accident Investigation Branch inquiries ; which of these were published ; which had any other inquiry and of what nature ; and which of those were published.Mr. McLoughlin : All the accidents occurred before July 1989, when the marine accident investigation branch was set up. Under the pre-existing system losses were investigated by the Department's surveyors, but there was no provision for making reports available for general release, unless the accident was subject to public inquiry. The loss of Boy Shaun, being an Irish vessel, will have been investigated by the Irish authorities. None of the incidents listed by the hon. Member led to such an inquiry. Summary reports of the surveyor's investigations into the losses of Mhari L and of Inspire were produced and the hon. Member will recall having being sent copies.
The deaths of those lost in the accidents were subject to inquest, fatal accident inquiry or to a death inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Acts. Reports of such proceedings are not published though the findings are made known to those concerned.
Since July 1989, specific provision has been made in the relevant regulations for the reports of investigations submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport to be published under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988.
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will instigate a full public inquiry into the sinking of the Wilhelmina J ; and if he will make a statement ;
(2) if he will instigate a full public inquiry into the sinking of the Ocean Hound ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : Both accidents are the subject of investigation under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Accident Investigation) Regulations 1989. Such investigations are very comprehensive and are the most expeditious means of establishing the nature and cause of a marine accident, and my right hon. and learned Friend is not minded to order full public inquiries.
Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about incidents involving (a) United Kingdom and (b) other fishing boats in United Kingdom waters and submarines in each of the years (a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c) 1991 to date ; what action he is currently considering to reduce such incidents ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : The fishing vessels reported to the Department as having been involved in incidents or suspected incidents in UK waters with submarines from1 January 1989 to date are as listed, together with the reported date incident.
Vessel |Date of Incident ------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Dawn |3 January 1989 Lau Ann |22 January 1989 Spes Bona (and Arturus and Strathayre) |27 February 1989 Seagull |31 March 1989 Northern Lights |31 March 1989 Laurel |17 April 1989 Huntress |28 June 1989 Scotia |13 November 1989 Sarah Marie |7 December 1989 Moray Adventurer |4 October 1990 Antares |22 November 1990 Green Eagle |14 December 1990 Delvan |13 February 1991 Maritan |19 February 1991 Hercules II |February 1991 Wavecrest, Alpha and Athena |6 March 1991 Swyn-Y-Mor |20 March 1991 Saffron |12 November 1991
All are UK vessels except the Laurel--Isle of Man--and the Sarah Marie-- Jersey.
A sub-group of the Department of Transport's fishing industry safety group- -which will include representatives of the fishing industry, the Fisheries Departments and the Ministry of Defence--will meet on 9 December to discuss safety issues arising from the interaction of fishing vessels and submerged submarines. My Department is also giving urgent consideration to the recommendations contained in the determination of the fatal accident inquiry which followed the loss of the Antares with regard to the issue of fishing vessel safety certificates, the siting of liferafts on fishing vessels and arrangements for the carriage of emergency position indicating radio beacons and will consider the marine accident investigation branch's recommendations as soon as these are available.
British Rail
Mr. Fearn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had over his proposals to privatise British Rail.
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Mr. McLoughlin : We have had a number of representations about British Rail privatisation. We expect to publish proposals soon.
Pilots
Mr. Steen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to arrange for consultations to take place between his Department and the United Kingdom Pilots Association, Europilots and local pilots before decisions are taken and changes made which affect the livelihoods of the pilots ; if he will ensure that guidelines are published in consultation with the pilots regarding anchoring of tankers in Torbay and Lyme bay : and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : The action taken with regard to tankers in Lyme bay did not affect the overall demand or the arrangements for pilotage and the Secretary of State saw no need to consult the pilot organisations. I have arranged to meet my hon. Friend to discuss these questions.
Marine Accident Investigation Branch
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list and give full details of all investigations carried out by the marine accident investigation branch since April 1991 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : A list of investigations will be found in the appendix to the occasional marine accident investigation branch publication entitled "Summary of Investigations" ; the next edition is to be published before the end of this year. The list of investigations carried out between 1 April 1991 and 15 November 1991 is as follows.
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Date of accident |Name of vessel |Type of vessel |Flag |Size |Type of accident
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 July 1991 |Valulla |Class V Passenger |United Kingdom |112.06 grt |Fire
|Launch
24 July 1991 |Pride of Baltimore II |Sailing ship |United States of |97 grt |Grounding
|America
28 July 1991 |Southern Comfort |Class V Passenger |United Kingdom |- |Accident to Person
29 July 1991 |Loch Maravaig/ |FV/ |United Kingdom/ |12.59m/ |Collision
|Amity |FV |United Kingdom |20.68m
30 July 1991 |Larrissa/ |FV/ |United Kingdom/ |37m |Collision
|Rebis |FV |Danish |-
30 July 1991 |Jubilence |Cargo |United Kingdom |475 grt |Accident to Person
31 July 1991 |Thomas William |FV |United Kingdom |9.75m |Capsize/Sinking
1 August 1991 |Geestcape |Cargo |United Kingdom |8,030 grt |Fire
5 August 1991 |Kedarost |FV |United Kingdom |23.41m |Fire
5 August 1991 |Emerald |Bulk Carrier |Isle of Man |1,583 grt |Fire
12 August 1991 |Ocean Hound |FV |United Kingdom |21.40m |Sank
17 August 1991 |Fidelity |FV |United Kingdom |14.33m |Grounding
22 August 1991 |Autobahn |Vehicle Carrier |United Kingdom |499 grt |Machinery Failure
25 August 1991 |Un-named power boats |Power boats |Various |Various |Grounding
28 August 1991 |Calby Queen/ |Passenger/ |- |- |Collision
|Un-named tender |Tender |- |-
2 September 1991 |Ocean Crest |FV |United Kingdom |24.34m |Accident to Person
4 September 1991 |Esso Mersey |Tanker |United Kingdom |11,898 grt |Explosion
5 September 1991 |Margaret & William II/|FV/ |United Kingdom/ |10.90m |Missing
|Jacobus Broere |Tanker |Netherlands |3,693 grt
12 September 1991 |CPC Gallia |Cargo |Antigua |6,500 grt |Grounding
18 September 1991 |Arran Lass |FV |United Kingdom |15.24m |Fire
19 September 1991 |Mountwood |Passenger Ferry |United Kingdom |464 grt |Contact
26 September 1991 |Brummi/ |Cargo/ |St. Vincent/ |423 grt |Collision
|Norina |FV |United Kingdom |39.25m
26 September 1991 |Diamond |Bulk Carrier |Norway |35,873 grt |Explosion
29 September 1991 |Marga Cortes |Cargo |Honduras |499 grt |Stranding
1 October 1991 |Whispering Hope/ |FV/ |United Kingdom/ |10.42m |Collision
|Sagacity |Cargo |Bahamas |1,594 grt
4 October 1991 |Hoverspeed G8 |Ro-Ro Passenger |Bahamas |3,003 grt |Broken down
5 October 1991 |Farstream |Tug/Supply |United Kingdom |1,583 grt |Accident to Person
14 October 1991 |Freedom |FV |United Kingdom |14.33m |Fire
20 October 1991 |Sally Star |Passenger |Bahamas |9,120 grt |Fire
28 October 1991 |Sincere |FV |United Kingdom |9.35m |Grounding
31 October 1991 |Rix Eagle |Barge |United Kingdom |292 grt |Explosion
Environmental Assessments
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the tendering procedure adopted by his Department when employing consultants to undertake an environmental assessment.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 20 November 1991] : Generally the tendering procedure for appointment of the main consultant is by means of a one or two-envelope competition, dependent upon the cost of the works. Under the one-envelope system, quality and financial bids are assessed together.
Under the two-envelope system, quality is first assessed and then the financial bids are considered. The quality envelope contains the consultant's proposals for handling and staffing the commission and details of the firm's relevant experience. A panel gives an overall quality marking to each tender. Tenders which receive unacceptable quality markings are not considered further. The second envelope is then opened in which the consultants provide details of their financial bids. The contract is awarded to the consultant who tenders the best balance of quality and price.
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria outside consultants are required to meet when appointed by him to carry out an environmental assessment.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 20 November 1991] : The consultants who are appointed to undertake the preparation and supervision of trunk road schemes are generally large multi-disciplinary civil engineering firms which have significant resources and well-proven skills. They are responsible for the full range of duties associated with each commission, including an environmental assessment where appropriate. Many large firms have a separate specialist division dealing with environmental matters. Where a consultant does not have, or needs to supplement, in-house environmental expertise, he will appoint a sub-consultant. Such appointments require the Department's approval. The Department considers proposed appointments on the basis of relevant expertise, capacity to undertake work and a proven track record.
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the findings of the standing advisory committee on trunk road assessment report ; and
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what timetable he envisages to incorporate the recommendations of that report into his Department's environmental assessment procedures.Mr. Chope [holding answer 20 November 1991] : Early next year.
Birkham Wood
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what alternative routes he considered to the proposal to build a road through Birkham Wood.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 20 November 1991] : Five routes were considered by the inspector at the public inquiry in 1989 before the Secretary of State confirmed the route proposed by North Yorkshire county council.
Road Fund Taxes (Coaches)
Mr. Adley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each European Community country the road fund tax payable on (a) a 30-seater, (b) a 40-seater (c) a 50-seater and (d) a 60-seater coach.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 18 November 1991] : The information requested is not available for all member countries. Not all countries use seating capacity as a basis for calculating VED rates. Many use gross vehicle weight instead. Accurate comparisons between the two systems are difficult to make as there is no direct correlation between seating capacity and weight.
The current yearly rates applicable in those countries for which information is available are as follows
United Kingdom VED rates for buses and coaches are calculated according to seating capacity Seating capacity |£ ------------------------------------------------------------ Up to 8 |100.00 9-16 |130.00 17-35 |200.00 36-60 |300.00 61 and over |450.00
Germany
Buses and coaches are taxed according to their net maximum weight and the number of axles. The current yearly rates are as follows :
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Maximum 12 month VED rate
weight (kg) |(sterling equivalent)
|2 axles |2 axles plus
|£ |£
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14,000 |806 |755
15,000 |959 |870
16,000 |1,172 |1,017
17,000 |1,396 |1,172
18,000 |1,630 |1,334
19,000 |1,874 |1,506
20,000 |2,129 |1,678
Greece
Tax on private coaches is charged at £3.86 per seat. Yearly rates for a range of coaches (rounded to the nearest £) are as follows :
Seating |12 month rate
capacity |(sterling
|equivalent)
|£
------------------------------------------
30 |116
40 |154
50 |193
60 |232
Ireland
Coaches are taxed according to seating capacity. The current yearly rates are as follows :
$
Seating |12 month
capacity |VED rate
|(sterling
|equivalent)
|£
------------------------------------
9-20 |94
21-40 |150
41-60 |207
61 and over |263
Luxembourg
Coaches are taxed according to the net weight of the vehicle. Tax rates increase for every 200 kg. Current rates for a range of coaches are as follows :
Net weight |12-month
(kg) |VED rate
|(sterling
|equivalent)
|(£)
------------------------------------
14,000 |30
15,000 |32
16,000 |34
17,000 |35
18,000 |37
19,000 |39
Netherlands
Luxembourg
Coaches are taxed according to the net weight of the vehicle and the type of fuel used. There are small diffferences in taxation depending on the province in which the coach is registered. Rates increase for every 100 kg. Current rates for range of coaches in the province of Zuid-Holland are as follows:
Net weight 12-month VED rate
(kg) (sterling equivalent)
|Benzine or|Other fuel
|diesel (£)|(£)
--------------------------------------------
14,000 |1,375 |4,597
15,000 |1,456 |4,917
16,000 |1,538 |5,237
17,000 |1,620 |5,556
18,000 |1,701 |5,876
19,000 |1,783 |6,196
20,000 |1,864 |6,515
Spain
Coaches are taxed according to seating capacity. The current yearly charges are as follows :
Seating |12-month
capacity |VED rate
|(sterling
|equivalent)
|(£)
21-50 |103
50 or over |128
A1 (Bypasses)
Mr. O'Brien : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many towns along the route of the A1 have been bypassed ; how many towns are planned for bypasses to be constructed; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Chope [holding answer 19 November 1991] : The provision of bypasses for towns and villages is a continuing feature of the trunk road programme. Since the early 1960s some 26 towns have been bypassed as a result of realignment of the A1. Our current plans to upgrade the A1 to motorway largely follow the corridor of the existing A1.
Thornbridge Viaduct
Mr. Rooker : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when work is expected to finish on the Thornbridge viaduct of the M6 motorway in Birmingham ; and what are the reasons for, and costs of, the delays in completion.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 19 November 1991] : The Thornbridge viaduct contract south of Thornbridge avenue is on programme for completion in March 1992. No delays are expected on this contract.
Traffic Forecasts
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account he has taken of the recent report by the Association of County Councils into increased traffic forecasts when considering the future of his roads programme ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 20 November 1991] : My right hon. Friend welcomes the Association of County Councils' report "Towards a Sustainable Transport Policy" as a contribution to the important debate on how we should respond to the continuing growth in demand for travel, both in urban areas and between them. A range of measures is needed, including investment in roads, and in public transport, traffic management, and attention to land use planning. The Department's road traffic demand
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forecasts are not a target ; the programme of investment in inter-urban road improvements strikes a balance between the economic benefits from avoiding future congestion, which are recognised in the report, safety benefits, and environmental and other considerations.Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many sites of special scientific interest are within 100 m of options for alternative trunk routes currently under consideration by his Department ; and if he will name each site of special scientific interest and proposed route ;
(2) how many sites of special scientific interest are within 100 m of currently proposed routes for trunk road improvements ; and if he will name each site of special scientific interest and the name of the proposed route.
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