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Mr. Ancram: There are no mobile abattoirs in Northern Ireland.
Livestock Imports
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) adult cattle, (b) calves, (c) sheep/lambs, (d) pigs and (e) other livestock were imported into Northern Ireland in each year since 1985.
Mr. Ancram: The information requested is given in the table.
Recorded imports of livestock into Northern Ireland 1985-1993 (including shipments from Great Britain)
|Adult cattle |Calves |Sheep and lambs |Pigs |Other <1>livestock
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1985 |191,873 |2,190 |67,274 |59,237 |1,829,300
1986 |202,708 |330 |57,186 |63,955 |2,573,730
1987 |145,551 |133 |70,074 |61,829 |2,454,222
1988 |170,706 |583 |55,337 |45,955 |942,620
1989 |111,788 |639 |75,834 |52,516 |949,201
1990 |113,400 |512 |53,012 |53,251 |1,702,045
1991 |82,505 |280 |50,503 |78,142 |1,837,359
1992 |64,790 |748 |113,957 |100,391 |1,145,495
1993 |50,119 |1,656 |<2>2,370 |<2>67,777 |<2>785,831
<1> Includes poultry and horses.
<2> The statistics for imports of sheep, pigs and other livestock in 1993 are incomplete. With the implementation of the Single
Market and the consequent closure of border posts full statistics on imports, especially from the Republic of Ireland, are not
available for 1993.
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Illegal Netting
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patrols for the control of illegal netting were carried out on Lough Neagh in (a) 1991, (b) 1992, (c) 1993 and (d) to date in 1994.
Mr. Ancram: The number of patrols carried out by the Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland for the control of illegal netting on Lough Neagh is set out in the table:
Year |Number of patrols ------------------------------------------------------ 1991 |116 1992 |123 1993 |167 1994<1> |171 <1> up to 30 September.
TRANSPORT
Newcastle Bypass
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received and from whom, about the extension of noise insulation protection to further properties since the opening of (a) the A1 western bypass in Newcastle and (b) the Woolsington bypass;
(2) what amount of compensation has been paid to Newcastle city council for its properties affected by the
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Woolsington bypass scheme; and what sum of compensation has been paid in total to all other property owners in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne affected by the scheme;(3) how many properties have been granted noise insulation protection in respect of (a) the A1 western bypass in the city of Newcastle and (b) the Woolsington bypass; how many such properties in each case were in the ownership of Newcastle city council; and what was the cost of such noise insulation protection on each scheme.
(4) what amount of compensation has been paid to Newcastle city council for its properties affected by the Newcastle western bypass scheme; and what amount of compensation has been paid in total to all other property owners in the city of Newcastle affected by the scheme.
Mr. Watts: As these are operational matters for the Highways Agency, I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 17 October 1994:
You tabled a number of questions about noise insulation protection and compensation for properties affected by the Newcastle Western Bypass and Woolsington Bypass schemes.
As this is an operational matter relating to the Highways Agency I have been asked to reply.
I will answer your questions in the order raised:--
On the Newcastle Western Bypass 1,105 properties were granted noise insulation protection, 525 of which were local authority owned
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at a total cost of £547,000. No properties were granted noise insulation costs on the Woolsington Bypass.No compensation was paid to Newcastle Council for properties affected by Woolsington bypass scheme. The total sum paid to other property owners is £370,000.
On the Newcastle Western Bypass scheme 80 appeals were received from owner/occupiers of which 20 were successful. No appeals were received for the Woolsington Bypass scheme.
Newcastle City Council were paid £520,000 in compensation for its properties affected by the Newcastle Western Bypass. Payments to other property owners amounts to £4.93 million.
Taxe Uniforme
Mr. Shersby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the French Minister of Transport the desirability of abolishing the taxe uniforme imposed on British ferry passengers landing in France.
Mr. Norris: I understand that the taxe uniforme is charged on all ferry companies using certain French ports. We are seeking further information to see whether this tax breaches Community law and will then consider whether to raise the matter with the French authorities.
Street Vendors (Licences)
Mr. Butcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will institute a licensing regime to legitimise street vendors of cold drinks, flowers, newspapers and other items for (a) 400 yd of the Westway to the east and west of its junction with Old Oak Common lane and (b) at other selected junctions on the A40 Westway.
Mr. Norris: This question raises an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. John Butcher, dated 17 October 1994:
The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your question about instituting a licensing regime to legitimise street vendors on the A40 Westway at the junction with Old Oak Common Lane and other selected junctions.
The Highways Agency as the responsible highway authority for trunk roads such as the A40 does not have the powers to institute a licensing regime. These rest with the local authorities in London who have powers under section 24(1) of the London Local Authorities Act 1990 to designate a street as a licence street where vendors may apply for street trading licences. However the local authority must obtain the consent of my Agency before designating any part of a trunk road or issuing an individual licence under section 25(5) of the 1990 Act.
My Agency would not normally consider giving consent for the types of trading activities described which take place on the carriageway of the A40 to the east of Old Oak Common Lane, or at other locations because these unlicenced street vendors can be a distraction and potential safety hazard to motorists. They also might encourage motorists to park in unsafe positions on the trunk road whilst purchasing their products.
We monitor all such situations and where problems are identified we ask the Metropolitan Police to take action to have street traders removed and the local authorities to use their powers under section 34 of the 1990 Act to prosecute them.
Vehicle Emissions
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the extent of non-compliance with vehicle construction and use regulations in respect of motor vehicle emissions.
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Mr. Norris: An assessment to the year ending 31 March 1994 of the vehicles failing to comply with the in-use emissions requirements of the construction and use regulations is given in the table. For light duty vehicles, the assessment is based on returns from MOT test stations--2 per cent. sample--and for public service and heavy goods vehicles, from annual test statistics.
Vehicle |Number tested |Number failing
|emissions test
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cars, other passenger vehicles up to 12 seats
and light goods vehicle up to 3T |21,244,344 |1,636,739
|(7.7 per cent.)
Private passenger vehicles over 12 seats |23,510 |531
|(2.26 per cent.)
Light goods vehicles over 3T and up to 3.5T |214,255 |13,989
|(6.53 per cent.)
Public Service Vehicles |86,254 |2,328
|(2.7 per cent.)
Heavy Goods Vehicles |576,121 |13,827
|(2.4 per cent.)
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints about excessively smokey vehicles have been referred to the vehicle inspectorate in the last five years.
Mr. Norris: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Vehicle Inspectorate under its chief executive, Ron Oliver. He has written to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ron Oliver to Ms Joan Walley, dated 20 July 1994: SMOKEY VEHICLES
You recently asked a parliamentary question about the number of complaints the Department of Transport had received concerning smoky vehicles. Because the Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) has operational responsibility for this matter I have been asked to reply.
VI coordinate the Smokey Vehicle Hotline. This service allows members of the public, and other interested bodies, to report vehicles seen producing excessive smoke. The scheme was set up in 1991 and since then 8,259 complaints have been received. A breakdown of the total is given below:
Year |Number ------------------------- 1991-92 |1,484 1992-93 |2,481 1993-94 |2,888 1994-95<1> |1,407 Total |8,249 <1>To date
I hope this answers your question but if you have any further queries about this, or other operational matters relating to VI, please write to me.
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many cases operator licences have been (i) raised or (ii) withdrawn because of complaints about excessive smoke in the last five years.
Mr. Norris: Such information is not available.
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for legislation to require local authorities to carry out spot checks of polluting vehicles; and if he will make a statement.
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Dr. Mawhinney: We have no such plans. We are concentrating our efforts on improving current enforcement techniques through better targeting and publicity, and through increased public awareness. I made an announcement about this on 11 October and a copy has been placed in the Library.
Nitric Acid
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety criteria have been adopted by his Department to cover the international transport to and from the United Kingdom of radioactively contaminated nitric acid; what prohibitions exist on the transport of such materials by air; and what information has been received by his Department in regard to the import of nitric acid into the United Kingdom by (a) air and (b) sea transportation, respectively.
Mr. Norris: The international rules for the safe transport of dangerous goods by sea and air are set out in the international maritime dangerous goods code and the convention of international civil aviation respectively. In addition, the transport of radioactive materials within, to and from the United Kingdom must comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency standards. These international codes and conventions, plus the multi-modal provisions of the UN recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods, are reflected in the appropriate United Kingdom domestic legislation. My Department is not aware of any recent radioactive nitric acid imports by sea or air.
Vehicle Tax and Insurance
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average percentage increase in (a) vehicle tax and (b) vehicle insurance between August 1992 and May 1994.
Mr. Norris: The average percentage increase in vehicle excise duty, also known as vehicle tax, between August 1992 and May 1994 was 18 per cent.
Although the Government do not monitor particular motor insurance premium levels there is an element in the RPI which accounts for vehicle insurance. That shows that the average percentage increase in vehicle insurance between August 1992 and May 1994 was 17 per cent.
Road Surfaces
Mr. Page: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research is currently being carried out into whisper concrete.
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Mr. Watts: This question relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Laurie Haynes to Mr. Richard Page, dated 17 October 1994: The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning research into "whisper concrete".Whisper concrete is a new method for applying the texture to concrete roads. It was developed in Europe and involves exposing the aggregate in the surface to create a random texture capable of providing adequate skid resistance. Trials are underway on the M18 near Thorne and the A564 Foston Hatton Hilton Bypass. These are necessary because of the need to establish the practicality of constructing whisper concrete capable of meeting our skid resistance requirements which are higher than those in countries using whisper concrete.The Transport Research Laboratory is involved in research to monitor trials and to advise the Highways Agency on the construction and performance of this new surface.
Buses
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he is taking to reduce the pollution caused by old and badly-serviced buses and coaches;
(2) how many of the buses currently operating on British roads reach acceptable levels in terms of exhaust emissions.
Mr. Norris: All public service vehicles are subject to annual roadworthiness tests which, since September 1992, have included metered checks for diesel smoke. The number of PSVs failing the annual test in 1993 -94 was 2,328 out of 86,254 or 2.7 per cent. of the total.
PSVs are also subject to regular roadside checks for both emissions and safety purposes. During 1993-94, 24,521 PSVs were inspected at the roadside in addition to checks at operators' premises. The overall failure rate for the two types of checks was 1.05 per cent. A further 5,165 emissions--only roadside checks resulted in a failure rate of 2.8 per cent.
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage bus operators to introduce modern, less polluting buses.
Mr. Norris: We have allocated over £20 million since 1992 for specific local authority bus priority measures. These include a low floor bus demonstration project and the conversion of buses to run on compressed natural gas and liquid petroleum gas.
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the age profile of the buses on British roads.
Mr. Norris: The requested information is given in the following table:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pre 1978 |11,608 |2,192 |13,800
1978 |3,357 |521 |3,878
1979 |3,970 |1,271 |5,241
1980 |4,592 |2,113 |6,705
1981 |3,606 |1,839 |5,445
1982 |3,224 |2,546 |5,770
1983 |3,444 |4,326 |7,770
1984 |3,274 |5,021 |8,295
1985 |2,502 |6,037 |8,539
1986 |2,631 |7,527 |10,158
1987 |2,618 |8,464 |11,082
1988 |3,189 |9,267 |12,456
1989 |3,242 |10,230 |13,472
1990 |2,897 |8,702 |11,599
1991 |2,124 |6,675 |8,799
1992 |2,324 |6,221 |8,545
1993 |2,656 |6,023 |8,679
1994 (January, February, March) |688 |1,734 |2,422
|---- |---- |----
All |61,946 |90,709 |152,655
The table shows vehicles licensed at the end of March 1994, and recorded by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency as having bus or coach body type, regardless of taxation group.
Transport Supplementary Grant
Mr. Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the transport supplementary grant bid for authorities within each English region for each of the past five years against the final transport supplementary grant settlement agreed for each region; and if he will express the settlement as a percentage of the bid for each year and for each region.
Mr. Norris: The figures in the following table represent gross expenditure accepted for transport
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supplementary grant in the years specified for local authorities in each region. Resources are distributed to individual local authorities on the basis of the bids contained in their annual transport policies and programme submissions. TSG is paid at a rate of 50 per cent. of accepted expenditure, after adjustment for underspending in previous years.Mr. Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much transport supplementary grant was paid out in total to each English region for each of the past five years; and if he will express this for each year in total and for each region in terms of transport supplementary grant per capita and transport supplementary grant per kilometre of road.
Mr. Norris: The figures are shown in the following table.
1993-94 1994-95
Region |TSG £000 |Per capita £ |Per/km of road £|TSG £000 |Per capita £ |Per/km of road £
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South East |77,718 |10.08 |1.90 |74,184 |9.62 |1.81
South West |32,278 |4.19 |0.79 |25,251 |3.27 |0.62
West Midlands |61,856 |8.02 |1.51 |52,958 |6.87 |1.29
North West |49,858 |6.46 |1.22 |42,367 |5.49 |1.03
Merseyside |15,098 |1.96 |0.37 |7,782 |1.01 |0.19
North East |24,347 |3.16 |0.59 |17,282 |2.24 |0.42
Yorkshire and Humberside |54,584 |7.08 |1.33 |36,571 |4.74 |0.89
East Midlands |21,509 |2.79 |0.53 |12,462 |1.62 |0.30
Eastern |35,283 |4.58 |0.86 |25.411 |3.29 |0.62
London |58,310 |7.56 |1.42 |35.165 |4.56 |0.86
|---- |---- |---- |---- |---- |----
ENGLAND |430,841 |55.87 |10.52 |329,433 |42.72 |8.04
1993-94 1994-95
Region |TSG £000 |Per capita £ |Per/km of road £|TSG £000 |Per capita £ |Per/km of road £
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South East |77,718 |10.08 |1.90 |74,184 |9.62 |1.81
South West |32,278 |4.19 |0.79 |25,251 |3.27 |0.62
West Midlands |61,856 |8.02 |1.51 |52,958 |6.87 |1.29
North West |49,858 |6.46 |1.22 |42,367 |5.49 |1.03
Merseyside |15,098 |1.96 |0.37 |7,782 |1.01 |0.19
North East |24,347 |3.16 |0.59 |17,282 |2.24 |0.42
Yorkshire and Humberside |54,584 |7.08 |1.33 |36,571 |4.74 |0.89
East Midlands |21,509 |2.79 |0.53 |12,462 |1.62 |0.30
Eastern |35,283 |4.58 |0.86 |25.411 |3.29 |0.62
London |58,310 |7.56 |1.42 |35.165 |4.56 |0.86
|---- |---- |---- |---- |---- |----
ENGLAND |430,841 |55.87 |10.52 |329,433 |42.72 |8.04
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Rail ElectrificationMr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what date has been set for the completion of
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electrification of the West London line between Clapham and Willesden Junction; and if he will now initiate a study of the benefits arising from running a frequent urban electric ring-rail service from North Woolwich to Woolwich Arsenal via these junctions.Column 99
Mr. Norris: The West London line electrification scheme was completed in July 1993. However, this scheme did not include one short stretch of line between Mitre Bridge and Willesden Junction which will form part of the north London works, due to be electrified late next year.Studies into the feasibility of new rail services, such as a ring-rail service, are a commercial matter for British Rail train operating units and Railtrack.
Motor Cars
Mr. Spearing: To ask the secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number of (a) driven-miles and (b) passenger miles, respectively, travelled in motor cars in each year since 1983.
Vehicle- and passenger-miles: cars and taxis<1>: 1983-1993
billions
Year |<1>Vehicle-miles |<2>Passenger-miles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1983 |144 |242
1984 |152 |255
1985 |156 |260
1986 |164 |274
1987 |177 |295
1988 |190 |316
1989 |206 |343
1990 |209 |347
1991 |208 |346
1992 |209 |347
1993 |209 |347
<1> Vehicle-miles derived from the national road traffic survey. Data for
cars only cannot be separated from the series for cars and taxis.
<2> Passenger-miles derived from vehicle-miles and occupancy rates (persons
per vehicle) from the national travel survey. In 1993 the occupancy rate
for cars and taxis was 1.66.
Channel Tunnel Rail Link
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to paragraph 5.7.1. of his publication "Channel Tunnel Rail Links" and European Passenger Services in Competition Overview publish on 31 August, if he will state the likely planned line speed between any stations of non-international passenger trains.
Mr. Watts: Neither the acceleration rate not the speed of non- international passenger trains on the channel tunnel rail link has yet been determined.
M25
Sir Cranley Onslow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the report the Highways Agency on the options for increasing the capacity of the M25 between junctions 10 and 12.
Mr. Watts: I understand from the Highways Agency that it needs more time to complete its work on the possible options for the scheme. A further announcement will be made as soon as possible.
Sir George Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated time before the brushed concrete surface between junctions 8 and 10 of the M25 is in need of major maintenance or replacement.
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Mr. Watts [holding answer 21 July 1994]: This question relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir George Gardiner, dated 17 October 1994:
The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the estimated time before the brushed concrete surface between Junctions 8 and 10 of the M25 is in need of major maintenance or of replacement.
The existing concrete surface is in good condition. We do not expect it to require resurfacing for at least 10 years or strengthening for at least 20 years.
Sustainable Development Strategy
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken to implement the programme announced by the Prime Minister in January for a sustainable development strategy in respect of the relative costs and benefits of various modes of transport within a free or a managed market.
Dr. Mawhinney: Since the launch of the sustainable development strategy in January we have made good progress in developing a framework within which people can exercise their transport choices in ways that are consistent with our overall environmental goals. A number of measures have been taken which will contribute to such a framework including:
publishing jointly with the Department of the Environment a new planning policy guidance note on transport (PPG 13),
agreeing a new set of standards for emissions from new passenger cars for introduction in January 1997,
publishing guidance to encourage local authorities to devise balanced and coherent transport strategies for their areas, establishing the Highways Agency,
conducting a review of the roads programme,
recently announced initiatives on vehicle emissions covering roadside checks and tighter MOT limits from January 1996. In determining each of these measures we have put particular weight on the need to take account of relevant costs and benefits.
IRA Bomb
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport where was the British Transport police officer who located in London an IRA bomb device on 22 August; and how far from a London Underground or British Rail property he was.
Mr. Watts: The British Transport police officer was checking litter bins in Regent street, approximately 25 m from the nearest entrance to Oxford Circus underground station.
Trunk Telephone Lines
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with the chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency concerning the sub-contracting of the sale of M prefix personalised number plates to a telephone-sales company and the consequent blocking of trunk telephone lines; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Norris: I have discussed this issue with the DVLA's chief executive. The agency is working closely
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with the telesales company to ensure the delivery of a satisfactory and efficient service for customers. It will be reviewing the provision of services for the release of N registrations next year. Over 28,000 calls were dealt with in the first week of this year's launch resulting in the sale of 7,600 numbers. No trunk telephone lines were blocked during this period.Birmingham Relief Road
Dr. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the net present value of the Birmingham northern relief road according top the cost benefit analysis evaluation of the scheme.
Mr. Watts: This question relates to matters which are the responsibility of the Highways Agency; the chief executive is writing to the hon. Member.
Letter form Lawrie Haynes to Dr. Tony Wright, dated 17 October 1994:
You asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the net present value of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road according to the COBA evaluation of the scheme.
As part of the evidence to the current public inquiry, the Department has indicated that the scheme has a net present value of £195 million.
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