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Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many times between December 1991
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and 30 September 1992, on what dates, for what purpose and on what basis civil servants and others serving as PSA Projects board members formally and informally met representatives of companies bidding for PSA projects ;(2) how many times, on what dates, and for what purpose, and on what basis civil servants and others serving as PSA Projects board members formally and informally met representatives of the Tarmac Group between 1 December 1991 and 30 September 1992.
Mr. Redwood : Many meetings would have taken place both formally and informally between individual members of Tarmac and other companies bidding for PSA Projects, as with other major construction industry companies, in the normal course of business.
In addition during the due vigilance phase of the sales process both the board and individual board members met the shortlisted bidders. Following Tarmac's selection as preferred bidder at the end of September and before exchange of contracts on October 1 there was a meeting between the board and Tarmac Construction to discuss Tarmac's plans for the business and their communication to PSA Projects staff and a number of discussions between individual board members and Tarmac representatives on particular aspects of the prospective sale.
Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many outstanding claims against PSA Services have been lodged by companies within the Tarmac Group ; what is their total value ; and what is the total value of such claims relating to work at the Faslane and Coulport submarine bases ;
(2) how many outstanding claims against companies within the Tarmac Group have been made by PSA Services ;
(3) what arrangements he has made to settle outstanding claims lodged by Tarmac companies against PSA Services following the sale of PSA Projects to Tarmac Construction Ltd.
Mr. Redwood : There are no outstanding claims against the Tarmac Group of companies by PSA Projects or vice versa. Since 1 April 1992 the contracting authority for Government works contracts has been the individual client department. Any service provided by PSA Projects has been solely as agent.
Mr. Wicks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements exist to ensure that surplus staff from PSA Projects will be matched with vacancies in Departments and that Departments do not recruit externally while there are surplus staff in the same grade in PSA Projects.
Mr. Redwood : PSA maintains constant contact with other Government Departments through its personnel change unit which was specifically set up for the purppse of identifying alternative posts for all surplus staff in PSA. These Departments are sympathetic to the PSA's situation and generally respond positively to our approaches. Most Departments consider surplus PSA staff before embarking upon any external recruitment, but if they decide to advertise outside the service PSA staff are normally invited to apply.
Mr. Wicks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the dates, times and places, during the three-month period up to the sale of PSA
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Projects, of the internal meetings other than those with trade unions, at which PSA management discussed how the Agency's equal opportunities policies would be applied to the PSA Projects sale ; and if he will make a statement on each step taken arising from those meetings, with regard to application of those policies.Mr. Redwood : PSA Projects personnel staff, and representatives from the group personnel directorate, which has overall responsibility within PSA Services for all equal opportunities matters, regularly held meetings throughout the three-month period up to the sale of Projects, to discuss how the Department's equal opportunities policies should be applied in the sale of PSA Projects. The main meetings took place on 30 July 1992 in Marsham street and 21 September and 23 October 1992 in Croydon. Steps taken as a result of these meetings were :
(a) to produce a paper for the trade unions setting out the proposed secondee selection criteria and arrangements for the avoidance of sexual and racial discrimination.
(b) to undertake a further survey of the ethnic origin of those staff in PSA Projects who have hitherto declined to provide this information in order to improve the quality of information held on the ethnic origin database.
(c) to establish central monitoring by the equal opportunities unit of the secondee selection process.
Mr. Wicks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action was taken to ensure that there was no direct or indirect discrimination in the selection of PSA Projects staff for secondment ; and if he will list the measures taken to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or disability.
Mr. Redwood : The trade unions were consulted about the proposed criteria for the selection of secondees in October 1992.
The procedures to be adopted in the selection of staff for secondment were set out in a letter from the then managing director of PSA Projects to all his senior managers. This letter drew specific attention to the requirement of the equal opportunities legislation and the importance of avoiding any direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or disability. A copy of this letter was given to the trade unions in December 1992.
Throughout the selection process the results were monitored centrally to ensure that no direct or indirect discrimination had taken place.
Other measures undertaken during 1992 included the issue of guidance to all staff about the avoidance of racial or sexual harassment in the workplace. A new complaints and grievances procedure was also agreed with the trade unions and issued to staff throughout PSA Services in the form of a staff circular in advance of the PSA Projects sale.
Mr. Wicks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what written guidance was given to PSA Projects staff, setting out the appeals procedure to follow if they were turned down for secondment and they believed this was done on the grounds of gender, race or disability.
Mr. Redwood : The appeals procedure for staff to follow in the event of any complaint or grievance including any on sexual or racial discrimination grounds was set out in a departmental notice which was agreed with the trade unions and issued to all PSA staff in April 1992.
In the light of this no separate guidance for PSA Projects staff was thought to be necessary.
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Rents
Mr. Raynsford : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 10 November 1992, Official Report , column 738 , when he expects the Housing Corporation to publish its report on rents and affordability.
Mr. Baldry : The Housing Corporation's report, "The Affordability of Housing Association Rents", was published on 15 December 1992 and a copy was placed in the Library.
Travellers
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of (a) the traditional travelling community and (b) the new age travellers.
Mr. Baldry : The Department does not hold information in the form requested. Section 16 of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 defines gipsies as "persons of nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin". In some cases, the Courts have held that individual new age travellers are gipsies within the statutory definition. Local authorities in England and Wales undertake regular counts of gipsy caravans in their areas, and in January 1992 English local authorities counted a total of 12,777 gipsy caravans.
Cable Identification Colours
Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent of harmonisation of cable identification colours in the EC.
Mr. Baldry : Preliminary discussion on the possible harmonisation of cable identification colours has taken place within technical committees responsible for electro-technical standardisation at European and international level.
The representation of United Kingdom interests in these negotiations is the responsibility of the British electro-technical committee.
Electrical Contractors
Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether an electrical contractor from another Community country will be required to comply with BS 7671 when carrying out an electrical installation in the United Kingdom after the completion of the single market.
Mr. Baldry : In accordance with treaty obligations United Kingdom regulatory authorities, public purchasers and certain private bodies would not be able to insist on strict compliance with the British standard. Compliance with a specification offering equivalent performance would also be acceptable under present arrangements.
Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in which other EC states British electrical contractors have to comply with that state's national regulations.
Mr. Baldry : In general the details of regulations applicable to electrical installations are a matter for individual member states. Information on particular
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regulatory and other requirements applicable to British electrical contractors can best be obtained from the appropriate national authority. Where there is EC legislation--for example, relevant clauses of the workplace directive 89/654/EEC--affecting installations, the requirements of national regulations in all countries should be satisfied by meeting the requirements of the directive.Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions of United Kingdom legislation govern compliance with BS 7671.
Mr. Baldry : Compliance with BS 7671 is not an express requirement under United Kingdom legislation for electrical safety. However, compliance with the BS may be used as evidence in claiming conformity with certain statutory requirements. In this the role of BS 7671 is essentially the same as that of the "regulations" for electrical installations previously published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
Home Improvements, Liverpool
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of resources is available to Liverpool city council for home improvement grants in the current financial year ; how many homes will be renovated in the current year ; how many applications remain to be approved and works commenced ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baldry : The level of resources dedicated to house renovation grants is a matter for Liverpool city council to decide within the framework of its capital programme and available resources.
Urban Programme
Mr. Turner : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate his Department has made as to the impact on voluntary organisations of phasing out the urban programme ;
(2) what procedures were followed by his Department in deciding to phase out the urban programme ; and what guidance his Department has received in assessing the impact on the voluntary sector of changes in policy.
Mr. Robin Squire : There will continue to be a substantial urban programme (UP) in 1993-94 amounting to £176 million. We will honour in full existing commitments, including those for the voluntary sector and provide £20 million for urban partnership fund projects as part of the new capital partnership programme. It is open to local authorities to involve voluntary organisations in their urban partnership fund proposals. The decisions on the urban partnership were taken having regard to all the relevant factors, including their effect on the voluntary sector.
Mr. Turner : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many urban programme funded (a) social welfare and health and (b) housing projects targeted at ethnic minority communities will end in each of the financial years 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96 ; and what is the financial cost of these projects in each year ;
(2) how many urban programme funded (a) social welfare and health and (b) housing projects run by voluntary organisations will end in each of the financial years 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96 ; and what is the financial cost of these projects in each year ;
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(3) how many urban programme funded (a) social welfare and health and (b) housing projects will end in each of the financial years 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96 ; and what is the financial cost of these projects in each year.Mr. Robin Squire : This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Empty Offices
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the current level of empty office space in (a) central London and (b) Greater London.
Mr. Baldry : Information on the level of empty office space in central and Greater London is not kept by this Department.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the conversion of empty office blocks in London to housing ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baldry : A number of housing associations have been able to convert commercial property in London for short-term occupation by the homeless, and they are continuing to investigate properties on the market which might be suitable for this type of use. However, the scope for such work does appear to be fairly limited, compared with opportunities for permanent housing provision by more orthodox means.
Property Taxation Europe
Mr. Jessel : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the countries in the Council of Europe which have a property tax which applies to houses and flats.
Mr. Robin Squire : The information requested is not available in respect of Cyprus, Malta, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Hungary, Czechoslovakia or Poland. However, "Revenue Statistics of OECD Members 1965 -1991" indicates that all other members of the Council of Europe collect recurrent and non-recurrent taxes on the use, transfer or ownership of property. Taxes on the use of properties for residence, where the amount payable is a function of the users' personal circumstances, are treated as taxes on income and are not separately identified.
City Challenge
Mr. Turner : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements his Department has made for a third round of bidding for city challenge funds in 1993-94 ; and what arrangements will be made in respect of future city challenge bids.
Mr. Robin Squire : The future of city challenge will be considered in the light of the general review of urban needs to be undertaken in 1993 and progress in the areas successful in the first two competitions.
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TRANSPORT
Company Cars
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the proportion of cars in, entering or leaving central London in peak hours whose total running costs are not met wholly by the taxable income of their owners or drivers ; and what are the comparable figures available since 1980.
Mr. Norris : A survey conducted in 1989 found that 85 per cent. of cars entering central London during the morning peak (7 to 10 am) received some form of travel assistance from their company or employer for the journey being undertaken. Comparable figures from surveys conducted by the GLC in 1982 and 1985 are 74 per cent. and 78 per cent. respectively. The types of assistance received in 1989 are shown in the following table.
Type of travel assistance received for car journeys to central London
during the morning peak (7-10 am): 1989
|Per cent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage receiving any form of travel assistance: |85
Type of assistance received (per cent.)<1>
Parking space provided |50
Parking charges fully or partly paid |25
Mileage allowance |8
Self-employed tax relief or company allowance |8
Fuel costs fully or partly paid |38
None |15
<1> Percentages sum to more than 100 because more than one form of
assistance may be provided.
Railway Expenditure
Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much capital expenditure British Rail incurred, or plans to incur, on regional network track renewal in each year from 1980 to 1994.
Mr. Roger Freeman : The figures for British Rail's expenditure on track renewals between 1980 and 1991-92, the latest year available, are in the table.
|£ million<1>
---------------------------------------
1980 |244
1981 |238
1982 |200
1983 |253
1984-85 |232
1985-86 |196
1986-87 |181
1987-88 |195
1988-89 |163
1989-90 |173
1990-91 |131
1991-92 |163
<1> In 1991-92 prices.
Rail Privatisation
Mrs. Gorman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish current and historical profit and loss accounts and balance sheets for each of the proposed rail passenger franchise units ; and if he will set a date for publication.
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Mr. Freeman : It is our intention to provide financial information to bidders for franchises, with accounts based on the financial performance of the British Rail units to be set up to "shadow" the service groups to be franchised. The information will be made available to bidders when they are formally invited to tender.
Mr. Spellar : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provisions will be made for reimbursement of local authorities for investment in capital programmes in proposals for privatisation of the railways.
Mr. Freeman : A number of local authorities have supported worthwhile railway investment projects in order to secure enhanced services or facilities for local people. The benefits which the local authorities were seeking to secure will continue to be provided. Where the local authorities' investment has been made on the basis of British Rail providing a particular service this obligation will pass to British Rail's successor. So there is no case for reimbursement.
Mrs. Gorman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that British Rail cannot act in a manner detrimental to current private passenger and freight operators until Railtrack is totally separated from British Rail passenger and freight operations.
Mr. Freeman : My right hon. Friend and I remain in close touch with the chairman of the British Railways Board. I remain confident that British Rail will do all that it can to ensure an effective transition.
Rolling Stock
Mrs. Gorman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers he has to allow locomotive, wagon and rolling stock manufacturers to acquire surplus British Rail assets for sale or lease to private sector operators in advance of franchising legislation receiving the Royal Assent.
Mr. Freeman : This is a commercial matter for British Rail. British Rail is always interested to hear from those who wish to be included in tender lists for surplus rolling stock. For example, freight locomotives have already been sold to railway manufacturers for refurbishment and use in the private sector.
Mrs. Gorman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to publish an inventory, on a regular basis, of the locomotive, wagon, and rolling stock assets of each proposed passenger franchise and provide the same information for freight services.
Mr. Freeman : An inventory of rolling stock assets, including locomotives and wagons, for BR's existing passenger profit centres was published in the consultative document, "The Franchising of Passenger Rail Services", which we issued in October 1992. Updated information will be provided to bidders for passenger franchises when they are formally invited to tender. Information on the assets of the freight businesses will be contained in the information memorandum which will be provided for each business when it is offered for sale.
Mrs. Gorman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that British
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Rail does not scrap locomotives, wagons and rolling stock which could be acquired by the private sector (a) for operations in advance of franchising routes and (b) for refurbishment to create a second-hand market in advance of refurbishment.Mr. Freeman : BR's policy is to dispose of life-expired rolling stock by competitive tender. Not all disposals are scrapped. BR is storing securely the best assets which successor private operators might be able to use.
Tankers
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps his Department takes, in the case of sightings of unidentified tankers being reported in the Minch, to determine the identity of the vessels concerned ;
(2) in what ways his Department has pursued reports of sightings of tankers in the Minch as promised in the Government response to the 40th report of the Public Accounts Committee, Session 1990-91 in December 1991 ;
(3) how many sightings of tankers in the Minch have been reported to his Department since their request for such reports in the Government response to the 40th report of the Public Accounts Committee in December 1991 ;
(4) what was the precise wording of the request for reports of sightings of tankers in the Minch referred to in the Government response to the 40th report of the Public Accounts Committee, Session 1990-91, December 1991 ; and to whom this request was made.
Mr. Norris : In the summer of 1991 the Highland regional council held a symposium on tankers in the Minch attended by representatives of many interested organisations. At the symposium, my Department issued a general invitation to report sightings of vessels which might be large laden tankers to my Department. This invitation was followed up in detailed paper by my Department for the Council, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. On a number of other occasions we have asked that local people should report any sightings of tankers in the Minch to the Department. In a new initiative, supported by my Department, the Highlands regional council is shortly to issue a leaflet outlining the voluntary reporting scheme. The Department has received no reports of laden tankers over 10,000 tons grt using the Minch from any source. Any such laden tanker identified would be investigated by the Department to discover the reasons for its presence in the Minch. There is no means of investigating unidentified tankers.
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to consider a requirement on all tankers and bulk carriers passing through British waters to carry equipment to allow them to be tracked by satellite in the same manner as for passenger aircraft.
Mr. Norris : Extension of existing surveillance arrangements for ships fall within the terms of reference of Lord Donaldson's inquiry announced by my right hon. Friend.
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department currently takes to monitor the movement of laden oil tankers around the British Isles.
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Mr. Norris : A reporting system for loaded oil and chemical tankers of over 1600 grt is in place in the channel and Dover strait (MAREP). This provides detailed information about such ships to surveillance centres. In addition the channel navigation information service monitors by radar all traffic in the Dover strait and its approaches.
Channel Tunnel
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on the route for the channel tunnel rail link ; and if he remains committed to the construction of an international station at Stratford.
Mr. Freeman : An announcement will be made as soon as possible. The Government's view has not changed that the route should run via Stratford and Union Railways route studies have taken account of this. The opportunity for a station at Stratford is thereby preserved.
Sir Keith Speed : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive and subsequently publish the report by Union Railways on the channel tunnel rail link.
Mr. Freeman : A report has now been received. We shall move as quickly as possible to commence public consultation.
International Driving Licences
Mr. Dover : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to remove the requirement for United Kingdom drivers to hold a current international driving licence when driving in other European Community countries.
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : United Kingdom licence holders driving within the European Community are not required to hold an international driving permit in addition to a current full driving licence.
Green Card Insurance Certificate
Mr. Dover : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether a green card insurance certificate is now no longer required by United Kingdom drivers driving in other European Community countries.
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : United Kingdom motor insurance policies provide third party cover in all EC member states. Drivers are not required to have a green card though they may find that in some countries the green card is more easily recognised as evidence of insurance than their insurance certificate.
Farm Vehicles
Mr. Pickthall : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are taken by his Department to ensure proper lighting and registration marking on farm vehicles and on the implements they tow.
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Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : Requirements covering the fitting and use of lamps and reflectors on all vehicles used on public roads, including agricultural tractors and trailers, are set out in the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (SI 1989-1796). There is also a requirement that a registration mark should be displayed on agricultural machines and trailers in the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 (SI 1971/450). Enforcement of these rules is a matter for the police.
Press Office
Mr. Milburn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.
Mr. Norris : Details of staff in post in the Department's press office from 1984 (including administrative support) are as follows :
Year |Total staff in post ------------------------------------------------------------ 1984 |12 1985 |11 1986 |11 1987 |10 1988 |10 1989 |12 1990 |12 1991 |13 1992 |13
Before 1984, the information division was a common service of the Department of Transport, Department of the Environment and Property Services Agency. Figures prior to 1984 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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