House of Commons Hansard Debates for 23 Nov 1994

Mr. Watts: There are no plans to amend the Railway Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 to require compensation to be paid for loss of trade resulting from highway closure necessitated by railway bridge works. Retailers and other businesses have no legal right to any prevailing level of passing trade and temporary reductions in traffic flows have to be accepted as part of the commercial risk of running businesses.

Driving Licences

Sir David Steel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend driving licence legislation so that United Kingdom citizens who moved abroad with short-period driving licences do not have to retake their driving tests on their return.

Mr. Norris: We plan to use the new powers under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 to enable drivers who can prove that they held a full short period licence before 1 January 1976--when such licences were replaced by ones valid till age 70--to regain their full driving entitlement without having to pass a further test.

LGV Driving Schools

Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what amounts of correspondence he has received on the issue or regulation of LGV driving schools.

Mr. Norris: The Department has received nine letters in the last 12 months asking about the regulation of LGV driving instruction.

Unauthorised Road Works

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the penalties for engineering work carried out on main roads for a period of longer than three

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months which has not been approved by the Highways Authority.

Mr. Norris: The carrying out of unauthorised works on or to a highway would constitute unlawful interference with the highway. Part IX of the Highways Act 1980 sets out the various offences of unlawful interference with a highway and specifies the penalties by way of a fine appropriate to each.

Radioactive Materials (Transport)

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when Road Transport will implement the current IAEA regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials, first published in 1985.

Mr. Norris: Most road transport in the United Kingdom of radioactive materials is already being undertaken in conformity with current IAEA regulations. United Kingdom regulations implementing those IAEA regulations should be made by March next year.

Road Closures

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are taken to avoid closing main roads in trading areas to all traffic for engineering work for the two weekends before Christmas.

Mr. Norris: This is a matter for the traffic authorities concerned.

Staff Annual Reports

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will analyse the annual staff report markings for 1994 in his Department by gender, grade and ethnic group.

Mr. Norris: The Department already does so.

Road Schemes

Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to reassess all road schemes for which contracts have not yet been let to take into account the recommendations of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution.

Mr. Watts: Very careful consideration will be given to all of the Royal Commission's recommendations.

Railways

Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to include in the criteria for public contribution to railways costs the social and environmental benefits of attracting traffic to rail from road.

Mr. Watts: It is already the Government's policy to subsidise loss- making passenger services, because they perform a valuable social service. Grants are also available to the rail freight sector to encourage a switch from road to rail in recognition of environmental and other benefits.

Cycling

Dr. Twinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has made to the report "Trust Pedal Power-A Review of Transport Policies and Programmes

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1994 95", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norris: I expect to discuss aspects of this report with representatives of the cyclists' public affairs group, when I meet them soon. I am pleased that the report recognises the opportunity offered by the new package approach to local transport funding. Our circular on transport policies and programmes draws local authorities' attention to the importance of incorporating cycling provision within their package bids where appropriate. We shall give due weight to such provision in the forthcoming settlement.

Environment Action Programme

Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken under the fifth environment action programme to strengthen the environmental input into the transport policies of the European Union.

Dr. Mawhinney [holding answer 22 November 1994]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I seek to ensure full consideration of environmental impacts at all appropriate stages in the development of transport policies in the European Union.

Driving Standards Agency

Mr. Rooker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the reason for the delay in settling the 1 April 1994 pay award for driving examiners and the executive and clerical support grades of the Driving Standards Agency.

Mr. Norris [holding answer 22 November 1994]: This is an operational matter for the Driving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from S.J. Ford to Mr. Jeff Rooker dated 23 November 1994: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your question concerning the reason for the delay in settling the 1 April 1994 pay award for driving examiners and the executive, clerical and support grades of the Driving Standards Agency.

In making any pay offer to staff for 1994 95, the Agency must be limited to what it can afford. Without ways of generating new money DSA's offer, had it been made quickly early in 1994, would have been very small, and at best no more than one per cent. The Agency has tried since then to work up the pay increase to a higher level through productivity arrangements. In an attempt to generate higher productivity, and therefore earn more fees, the Agency has made an offer of 2.5 per cent. on average payable in the form of an attendance bonus. In acknowledgement of the delay since April part of this, in the form of a lump sum bonus not linked to attendance has been offered.

Equines

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to increase the number of equines in service in London streets; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norris [holding answer 22 November 1994]: None.

MV Norrana

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the co-ordinates of the location of the ferry MV Norrana when fire was discovered on board at 00.22 hours on 9 April 1990.

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Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from C.J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.

The position of MV `NORRANA' at 0022 on 9 April 1990 was 51 34.7N 005 44.9W.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the times at which, during the fire incident on board the MV Norrana on 9 April 1990 (a) the call for helicopter and firefighter assistance was received by Her Majesty's Coastguard, (b) Her Majesty's Coastguard requested search and rescue helicopters and firefighters from RAF Brawdy and Dyfed fire service, (c) search and rescue helicopters took off from RAF Brawdy, (d) helicopters arrived at Haverfordwest to pick up firefighters, (e) the helicopter took off with firefighters, (f) the helicopter arrived over MV Norrana and (g) firefighters began to be lowered.

Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.

During the fire incident on board the MV `NORRANA' in April 1990 (a) the call for helicopter and firefighter assistance was received by Her Majesty's Coastguard at 23.19 on 8 April, (b) Her Majesty's Coastguard requested search and rescue helicopters from RAF Brawdy at 23.20 and firefighters from Dyfed Fire Service at 23.22, (c) search and rescue helicopters took off from RAF Brawdy at 23.40, (d) not recorded, (e) the helicopter took off with firefighter at 00.07 on 9 April, (f) the helicopter arrived over MV `NORRANA' at 00.20, and (g) firefighters began to be lowered at 00.25

Operation Sea Fire

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what emergency service personnel and equipment, were placed on board the Stena Sea Lynx prior to exercise Operation Sea Fire on 17 October.

Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Mr. C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:

The Secretary of State for Transport had asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.

During exercise SEAFIRE on 10 October 1994 no emergency personnel or equipment, except directing staff (distaff) were placed on board prior to

exercise.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the co-ordinates of RAF Chivenor, of the position of the ferry Stena Sea Lynx throughout Operation Sea Fire on 17 October, and the pick-up point in West Glamorgan for firefighters involved in the exercise.

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Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Mr. C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.

The details of co-ordinates you requested are:

a. RAF Chivenor: 51 05N 04 09W.

b. Stena Sea Lynx during exercise SEAFIRE on 10 October 1994: 51 10N 005 30W - Vessel drifted during exercise.

c. Grid reference for pick-up point for West Glamorgan Fire Service: Sheet 159 672 989.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he intends to take to ensure that search and rescue helicopters respond within the one-hour limit set by his Department and the Ministry of Defence following the Operation Sea Fire on 17 October.

Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from C.J Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.

The MOD/DOT target is to locate search and rescue (SAR) helicopters in order to provide a helicopter at a range of 40 miles anywhere off the coast of the United Kingdom in 1 hour by day and 100 miles in 2 hours by night. These criteria are based on readiness states of 15 minutes by day and 45 minutes by night, timings which in normal circumstances are usually bettered.

Market Testing

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are (a) the results of the market test of his offices in Eastcote, (b) the total cost to public funds of the market test to date and (c) his estimates for the savings per year that he expects his Department to make.

Mr. Norris: (a) Eastcote Office Services lost the distribution market test. Call off contracts have been set up for the supply of stationery and office equipment. Eastcote is to close on 31 March 1995; some staff will transfer to central London. (b) £112,100 (c) £655,000.

Staff Annual Reports

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the reporting year 1992 93 the annual staff report box markings for female typists excluding typing manager grades.

Mr. Norris: Thirty box one, 270 box two, 211 box three, and three box four.

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the percentage of (a) female support grades and (b) male grade 7s receiving box 1, 2 and 3 markings in 1992 93 on the basis of the information supplied in his answer of 18 July, Official Report, columns 69- 70.

Mr. Norris: (a) box one nil, box two 32 per cent, and box three 68 per cent.

(b) box one 5 per cent., box two 53 per cent., and box three 42 per cent.

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Cycling

Dr. Twinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has planned or already undertaken to assess the potential of cycling and walking for short journeys.

Mr. Norris: We have undertaken a review of the published literature on studies of short trips involving pedestrians and cyclists, as part of our research programme, and we expect to publish it in the new year.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what protection he intends to give to the west Dorset coast of special scientific interest affected by the A35 Chideock Morcombelake bypass;

(2) what protection he intends to give the Roughs site of special scientific interest affected by the A259 Dymchurch M20 junction 11 improvement;

(3) what protection he intends to give to the Combe Haven site of special scientific interest affected by the A259 Bexhill and Hastings Western bypass;

(4) what protection he intends to give to the Pevensey levels site of special scientific interest affected by the A259 Pevensey Bexhill improvement;

(5) what protection he intends to give to the Camber Sands, Rye harbour site of special scientific interest and Walland marsh site of special scientific interest affected by the A259 Rye bypass.

Mr. Watts: 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 Ms. Joan Walley, dated 23 November 1994 :

The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. Watts has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the protection it is proposed to give to a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSS1) affected by proposed schemes to improve the A259 trunk road between Pevensey and Rye in East Sussex. The proposed A259 Pevensey-Bexhill Improvement would involve the construction of a new second carriageway generally on the north side of the existing road. The widening has been designed to minimise the impact on the Pevensey levels SSS1. The proposals include the creation of about 2.5 ha of new woodland and scrub habitat and over 5000 metres of new ditch. The new planting would increase the habitat available to reed and sedge warblers and the new length of ditch would substantially increase the aquatic habitat. Arrangements would be made to rescue and relocate, as far as possible, any important plan specimens before construction started. An improved drainage system would better control run-off from the road.

The proposals for the A259 Bexhill and Hastings Western Bypass include a high viaduct across Combe Haven, instead of an embankment, to minimise landtake and reduce the impact on the SSSI. Special measures would be taken to keep damage during construction to a minimum and to restore the area as far as possible. Large scale planting of native trees and shrubs to reflect local conditions would be carried out. Elsewhere along the scheme, the development of wetland habitats in ditches and storage ponds would help replace lost habitats.

Detailed proposals for minimising the A259 Dymchurch M20 scheme on the Roughs SSS1 have been made available to the public inquiry which is underway at present. These include measures to replicate, as far as possible, existing conditions. This would include grading the earthworks to match existing gradients and re-using soils

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and local seed sources to encourage the re- establishment of a varied species rich grassland. At the top of the cutting, a near vertical rock face would be created. Rocks with a particular good cover of lichens and mosses would be set aside during the contract to be replaced on the new rock face. Translocation of tree bark would also be carried out with a view to recolonising trees in the area. Road drainage would be kept separate from ground water issuing from the cuttings. The ground water would be diverted into existing streams to help maintain their natural habitats.

The preferred route for the A259 Rye Bypass has not yet been designed in detail and will, in any event, be subject to review as part of the A259 Guestling Thorn to east of Rye Planning Conference. As presently envisaged, the route would be placed in tunnel where it crosses the Camber Sands and Rye Saltings SSS1. The salt marsh is expected to recover quickly once construction is complete. The Rye Harbour and Walland Marsh SSS1s would be affected by the route but an objective of the detailed design will be to keep its impact to the minimum possible.

Where appropriate, the proposed protection measures referred to above have been developed in consultation with English Nature and the National Rivers Authority.

On the A35 Chideock-Morcombelake Bypass, this scheme has recently been fully debated and examined at a public inquiry and it would not be proper for me to comment on the Minister's behalf at this stage. The Inspector will submit his report and recommendations to the Secretaries of State for Transport and the Environment in due course.

Property Purchases

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many properties have been acquired under the Department's discretionary purchase scheme since its introduction in January 1992; what was the total value; and how much money has been allocated out of the Department's budget to the scheme this year.

Mr. Watts: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Geoffrey Clinton-Brown, dated 23 November 1994 :

As you probably know, since the creation of the Highways Agency in April this year, it falls to me as Chief Executive to write to MPs who have tabled questions on matters which relate to operational matters of the Highways Agency and to give the information requested.

In answer to your question about the discretionary purchase scheme operated by the Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, the position is that approximately 540 properties have been acquired to date. Total purchase costs have amounted to a little over £60.0 million. Excluded from this total are legal surveyor fees, plus disturbance compensation, where payable, and also departmental handling costs. Separate provision is not made in the Department's budget for this scheme but it is covered by the overall Lands budget for 1994 95, totalling £236. million.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Norman Shaw Buildings

Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what steps he takes on a daily basis to ensure that tradesmen's vehicles, refuse collection trucks, post office vehicles and other motor vehicles do not obstruct access to or prevent parking in the Norman Shaw north car park on the part of hon. Members or their staff.

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Mr. Michael J. Martin: The arrangements for parking are kept under regular review by the Administration Committee. If the hon. Gentleman has details of any specific difficulties being experienced I shall invite the Committee to consider them.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what consultations he has had with right hon. and hon. Members with offices in the Norman Shaw Buildings before proceeding with the redevelopment of the car park at those buildings; what was the total cost of that work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael J. Martin: As a consequence of work commencing on the phase 2 site the Administration Committee gave approval for the five parking spaces in Canon Row reserved for residents of the phase 1 building to be transferred to the area in the Norman Shaw car park between the main gates and the entrance barrier. In order to compensate for these spaces, an additional six spaces were provided in the inner courtyard of Norman Shaw north. Members with rooms in the Norman Shaw buildings were informed of these revised arrangements in a notice issued by the Serjeant at Arms on 2 February. The removal of the security hut at the Embankment entrance this summer has enabled the layout of the Norman Shaw car parks to be improved with an overall gain of a further six spaces. The total cost of the redevelopment work was £43,400 including VAT.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) what consultations he had with right hon. and hon. Members with offices in the Norman Shaw Buildings before proceeding with the installation of card-controlled access gates in the tunnel giving access to the Palace from Westminster underground station; what was the total cost of that work; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what consultations he had with right hon. and hon. Members with offices in the Norman Shaw Buildings before proceeding with the provision of new security gate access facilities at those buildings; what was the total cost of that work; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what consultations he had with right hon. and hon. Members with offices in Norman Shaw Buildings before proceeding with the development of card- controlled access equipment to the rear door of the Norman Shaw North Building; what was the total cost of that work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ray Powell: The installation of automatic access controls at these entrances is in line with the policy on access to the precincts approved by the House in 1989. It is not the practice to publish details of the costs of security measures which have been implemented.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee how many parking spaces at the Norman Shaw Buildings are currently allocated to staff with residences within the Palace and its outbuildings; and who are the staff concerned.

Mr. Michael J. Martin: Six spaces are allocated to the following: the Speaker's Secretary; the Clerk of the House; the Serjeant at Arms; the Deputy Serjeant at Arms; the Head Office Keeper and the Second Office Keeper.

Residential and Overnight Accommodation

Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will give a

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breakdown by building, size and location of all residential and overnight accommodation which is currently available within the Palace and its outbuildings and by whom precisely that accommodation is used; and if he will estimate the annual cost of providing that accommodation in terms of construction, maintenance, decoration, cleaning, notional lost rental value and other costs.

Mr. Ray Powell: Details of House of Commons residential and overnight accommodation within the parliamentary precincts are contained in the parliamentary space audit database. I have asked the Director of Works to write to the hon. Gentleman. Details of the annual cost could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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