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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 16 May 1995
TREASURY
Manufacturing Industry
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of by how much imports of manufactures would have to fall in each industry to take up the spare capacity of each of the principal import-saving and export industries, all other things remaining the same; [23792]
(2) what estimate he has made of by how much exports of manufactures would have to increase in each industry to take up the spare capacity of each of the principal
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import-saving and export industries, all other things remaining the same. [23791]Mr. Nelson: The Confederation of British Industry's April Quarterly Industrial Trends survey reported the strongest rise in export optimism since July 1973. This does not suggest that manufacturing companies are running short of spare capacity.
Tobacco
Mr. Barron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in each year since 1965 the cost, in current and in real terms, of an average (a) packet of 20 cigarettes, (b) 250g of hand-rolling tobacco, (c) packet of five cigars and (d) 250g of pipe tobacco. [22960]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: Information on average prices for tobacco products is not readily available. The table gives information based on manufacturers' recommended retail prices during the period 1965 1995 for the current leading brands of tobacco products. I regret that the figures for hand-rolling tobacco, cigars and pipe tobacco between 1965 and 1976 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Cigarettes HRT Cigars Pipe
|Actual |Real |Actual |Real |Actual |Real |Actual |Real
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1965 |0.27 |2.72
1966 |0.27 |2.61
1967 |0.23 |2.14
1968 |0.24 |2.18
1969 |0.26 |2.23
1970 |0.26 |2.12
1971 |0.26 |1.96
1972 |0.27 |1.88
1973 |0.27 |1.74
1974 |0.32 |1.84
1975 |0.42 |2.02
1976 |0.45 |1.75
1977 |0.49 |1.64 |<1>7.70|25.72 |0.52 |1.74 |<1>6.95|23.22
1978 |0.55 |1.67 |<1>8.90|27.05 |0.54 |1.64 |<1>7.50|22.80
1979 |0.66 |1.83 |<1>9.20|25.57 |0.55 |1.53 |<1>7.80|21.68
1980 |0.73 |1.71 |9.10 |21.37 |0.63 |1.48 |7.70 |18.08
1981 |0.95 |1.97 |10.10 |20.98 |0.72 |1.50 |8.30 |17.24
1982 |1.02 |1.89 |13.20 |24.48 |0.89 |1.65 |10.50 |19.47
1983 |1.09 |1.93 |14.60 |25.80 |0.97 |1.71 |11.60 |20.50
1984 |1.23 |2.07 |15.60 |26.23 |1.03 |1.73 |12.10 |20.34
1985 |1.33 |2.13 |17.50 |28.01 |1.14 |1.82 |12.50 |20.01
1986 |1.48 |2.25 |18.90 |28.67 |1.18 |1.79 |13.10 |19.87
1987 |1.52 |2.22 |21.10 |30.81 |1.22 |1.78 |13.60 |19.86
1988 |1.56 |2.20 |21.40 |30.25 |1.24 |1.75 |13.90 |19.65
1989 |1.63 |2.14 |22.30 |29.33 |1.29 |1.70 |14.30 |18.81
1990 |1.67 |2.04 |23.00 |28.10 |1.35 |1.65 |15.00 |18.33
1991 |1.80 |2.02 |25.10 |28.15 |1.46 |1.64 |15.70 |17.61
1992 |2.08 |2.24 |29.00 |31.22 |1.64 |1.77 |18.00 |19.38
1993 |2.27 |2.40 |31.70 |33.56 |1.76 |1.86 |19.10 |20.22
1994 |2.52 |2.60 |35.30 |36.47 |1.91 |1.97 |21.10 |21.80
1995 |2.70 |2.70 |36.80 |36.80 |2.02 |2.02 |22.60 |22.60
<1> 10 ounces.
Note:
Actual prices at 1 January. Real prices at January 1995 prices, calculated
using the RPI (All Items).
Mr. Barron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received in the last year concerning tobacco taxation; how many have been in favour of (a) an increase and (b) a decrease in the level of taxation; and if he will list the representations received. [22961]
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Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: We have received anumber of representations. The majority ofthese asked that tobacco taxation should be keptat a minimum. I regret that more preciseinformation could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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Alcohol Smuggling
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the estimated loss in tax due to illegal imports of (a) beer and (b) wine for (i) 1980, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1990, (iv) 1994 and (v) 1995. [23260]
(2) what is the estimated amount of illegal imports of (a) beer and (b) wine for (i) 1980, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1990, (iv) 1994 and (v) 1995. [23259]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: Before the completion of the single market on 1 January 1993 only seizures of spirits were separately recorded as seizures of other alcoholic drinks were insignificant. It is by definition impossible to calculate the true extent of smuggling and there is no current estimate. The actual amount of goodsseized and the corresponding revenue evaded duringthe last two financial years are shown in the table.
Beer Wine
Financial year |Revenue |Quantity |Revenue |Quantity
ending |(£000s) |(hlitres) |(£000s) |(hlitres)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 March 1994 |500 |7,000 |155 |840
31 March 1995 |1,000 |11,000 |330 |1,900
Cross-border Shopping
Sir Thomas Arnold: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the loss of revenue from cross-border shopping. [23357]
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Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: Estimates for the amount of legal cross border shopping for alcohol and tobacco in the year to December 1994 are now available.
The consequential loss of tax revenue may be expressed in one of two ways. On the traditional measurement, which formed the basis of the Customs and Excise advice to the Treasury and Civil Service Committee in 1994 and excludes both additional consumption effects and pre-single-market purchases, the revenue loss would be £210 million compared with the previous estimate of £200 million. However, given the additional passage of time, I am minded in future estimates to stop deducting the value of the pre-single-market element. On that adjusted basis the total revenue loss is £360 million.
Privatised Companies
Ms Armstrong: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the administrative costs of the share offers relating to (a) International, (b) Associated British Ports, (c) British Aerospace, (d) the British Airports Authority, (e) British Airways, (f) British Petroleum, (g) the British Steel Company, (h) British Telecom, (i) Britoil, (j) Cable and Wireless, (k) Enterprise Oil, (l) the National Freight Corporation and (m) Rolls- Royce on the basis of the answer of 23 March, Official Report , column 287 . [23027]
Sir George Young [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The table shows the administrative costs for the sales requested. These costs have been shown disaggregated into the same categories as the answer of 23 March, Official Report , column 287 to the degree that this information is held centrally. Administrative costs for these sales of just under £1 billion need to be set in the context of their gross proceeds of over £32 billion.
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Administrative costs<1> of privatisation
£ million
|Selling
|and other |Receiving |UK advisers |UK
|Year |commissions |marketing<3> |bank costs |Fees |underwriting |Other costs<3>|Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amersham International |1982 |- |0.1 |- |- |0.4 |- |2.9
Associated British Ports |1983 |- |0.3 |- |- |0.4 |- |2.6
|1984 |- |0.1 |- |- |<4>0.9 |- |1.4
British Aerospace |1981 |- |0.6 |- |- |<4>2.3 |- |5.6
|1985 |- |1.9 |- |- |7.0 |- |17.8
BAA |1987 |4.2 |10 |16.0 |2.4 |13.6 |- |46.2
British Airways |1987 |2.9 |6.2 |8.3 |4.3 |7.8 |5.2 |34.7
BP |1979 |- |- |- |- |3.8 |- |7
|1983 |- |- |- |- |8.3 |- |22.8
|1987 |2.1 |48.3 |4.7 |5.4 |38.2 |55.3 |<5>154.0
British Steel |1988 |1.7 |11.6 |4.3 |5.6 |21.3 |13.9 |58.4
BT |1984 |13 |14 |20 |6 |74 |58 |185
|1991 |30.2 |38.8 |39.1 |7.4 |- |66.9 |182.4
|1993 |48.5 |29.2 |14.9 |5.6 |- |32.9 |131.2
Britoil |1982 |- |0.3 |- |- |9.8 |- |12.6
|1985 |- |4.1 |3.7 |- |6.9 |5.6 |23.3
Cable and Wireless |1981 |- |0.3 |- |- |<4>3.4 |- |8.9
|1983 |0.2 |0.9 |- |- |4.3 |- |12.5
|1985 |- |2.8 |- |- |8.7 |- |21.4
Enterprise Oil |1984 |- |0.2 |- |- |<4>7.0 |- |10.7
National Freight Consortium |1982 |- |- |- |- |- |- |0.3
Rolls-Royce |1987 |4.2 |4.0 |11.0 |2.2 |12.5 |- |33.9
<1> Only costs borne by the Exchequer are shown. Costs shown include VAT and stamp duty, but exclude the cost of incentives and interest earned on application
monies.
<2> Including the operation of the Share Information Office (where applicable).
<3> Includes overseas expenses.
<4> Incudes some advisory fees.
<5> Excludes the cost of the Bank of England purchase scheme (27m).
Income Tax
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish estimates for the revenue cost in 1996 97 and for a full year of reducing the 20 per cent. tax rate to (a) 5 per cent., (b) 7 per cent., (c) 9 per cent., (d) 10 per cent., (e) 12 per cent., (f) 15 per cent., (g) 16 per cent. and (h) 18 per cent. on taxable income of (i) £1,000, (ii) £2,000 (iii) £3,000 and (iv) £3,200 retaining any balance of £3,200 at the 20 per cent. rate. [23354]
(2) if he will provide estimates for the revenue cost in 1995 96 and for a full year of reducing the 20 per cent. tax rate to (a) 5 per cent., (b) 7 per cent., (c) 9 per cent., (d) 10 per cent., (e) 12 per cent., (f) 15 per cent., (g) 16 per cent. and (h) 18 per cent., on taxable income of(i) £1,000, (ii) £2,000 (iii) £3, 000 and (iv) £3,200 retaining any balance of £3,200 at the 20 per cent. rate. [23974]
Sir George Young [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The table gives available estimates showing the variation in revenue costs over the specified ranges of tax rates and bands of taxable incomes. No change in the rate of advance corporation tax or the rate of tax on dividends has been assumed.
Full year revenue cost, at 1995-96 levels<1> Band of taxable |5 per cent. |(£ billion) lower|18 per cent. income (£) |rate 10 per cent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1,000 |3.8 |2.5 |0.5 2,000 |7.3 |4.9 |1.0 3,000 |10.5 |7.0 |1.4 3,200 |11.1 |7.5 |1.5 <1> The figures include consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax.
Tax Burden
Mr. Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out in the form of table 4A9 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1995 96, revised tables, what the average ratio is if non-North sea taxes and national insurance contributions to non-North sea gross domestic product for (a) 1965 66 to 1969 70, (b) 1970 71 to1973 74, (c) 1974 75 to 1978 79 and (d) 1979 80 to 1996 97. [21759]
Sir George Young [holding answer 28 April 1995]: The figures requested are (a) 34 per cent., (b) 34 per cent., (c) 36 per cent. and (d) 37 per cent. But the tax burden should not be looked at alone. Since 1979 the public finances have been in much better shape and people are much better off than in the period 1974 75 to 1978 79.
The average public sector borrowing requirement has been 2.5 per cent. of gross domestic product well below the 6.8 per cent. average during the 1974 77 to 1978 79 Government. Sound public finances are the key to lasting improvements in living standards.
VAT on Fuel
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount which will be raised from VAT on domestic fuel in 1995 96, 1996 97 and 1997 98 at its present rate of 8 per cent. [24366]
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Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: The total revenue raised from the introduction of VAT on domestic fuel is estimated to be as follows:
Year |£ million ------------------------------ 1995-96 |1,230 1996-97 |1,320 1997-98 |1,325
Publicity
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure on (a) all forms of publicity and (b) all publications and pamphlets produced for his Department and for all the agencies and public bodies for which his Department and is responsible for each year since 1979, including the budgeted figure for 1995 96, (i) including and (ii) excluding privatization-related expenditures and expressed in 1994 prices; and if he will supply information for the period from 1 April 1993 to 1 March 1995 showing (1) the nature and (2) the purpose of each publicity campaign and of each publication involving the expenditure of more than £50,000.
Mr. Nelson [holding answer 17 March 1995]: The Treasury has no central budget for publications. Expenditure on publications and pamphlets since1988 89 was as follows:
|£
------------------------------------------------------------
1988-89 |202,700 |272,197
1989-90 |207,285 |260,136
1990-91 |218,531 |253,854
1991-92 |139,865 |161,892
1992-93 |171,311 |180,090
1993-94 |202,719 |206,773
1994-95 |238,139 |238,139
No individual publication between 1993 to 1995 cost more than £50, 000.
Comparable data relating to the agencies and public bodies responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The Treasury does not have a specific advertising budget. Since 1993, £8.1 million has been spent on advertising the sale of the Government's remaining share in the electricity generating companies in England and Wales.
Information about publicity costs since 1979 including publications and pamphlets, for the Treasury and the Chancellor's agencies and public bodies, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Unleaded Fuel
Mr. Wray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake a review of the excise differential favouring unleaded and super- unleaded fuels. [24182]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory [holding answer 15 May 1995]: My right hon. and learned Friend will be reviewing the tax treatment of all road fuels in the run-up to the budget in the normal way.
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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Malaysia
Miss Lestor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs between which dates in March and April 1989 the Secretary of State for Defence visited Malaysia; which Malaysian Government Ministers he met; and if aid funding for Malaysia was discussed during that visit. [22675]
Mr. Goodlad: My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Younger, while Secretary of State for Defence, paid a visit to Malaysia on 31 March 1989 as part of a tour of the region. He met the Malaysian Ministers of Defence and Finance. The purpose of his visit was to discuss defence matters, but it is normal for a Cabinet Minister on such visits to discuss any important outstanding issues. In a general discussion on bilateral issues with the Finance Minister, he asked about progress on two planned civil infrastructure projects for which aid and trade provision support had been offered--the Pergau dam and another project not in the event won by a British firm.
Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the report on dual capable nuclear technology, prepared by John Large, sent to him by Greenpeace on 4 May; and what response he has made to the questions raised about United Kingdom nuclear export policy in the report. [24399]
Mr. David Davis: I have seen the report sent to the Foreign Secretary by Greenpeace. It points to dangers of which we are aware, but it underestimates the complexities of developing nuclear weapons. I am satisfied that our nuclear export policy meets our obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty not
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to assist, encourage or induce non-weapon states to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons.Brazil
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Brazilian President on his recent visit to the United Kingdom, regarding human rights abuses and in particular the case of Wagnor dos Santos. [24487]
Mr. David Davis: The Brazilian Government are well aware of the concern felt in Britain about human rights abuses. We are in regular touch with them.
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek assurances that the safety of Wagnor dos Santos will be safeguarded by the Brazilian authorities and that the shooting of him will be investigated with a view to bringing those responsible to justice. [24488]
Mr. David Davis: We understand that the case of Wagnor dos Santos is under investigation by the Brazilian authorities. Our embassy is monitoring developments.
Immigration
Dr. Kim Howells: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many entry clearance applications were (1) made, (2) granted and (3) refused in (a) New York, (b) Moscow, (c) St. Petersburg, (d) Accra, (e) Lagos, (f) Abuja, (g) New Delhi, (h) Bombay. (j) Calcutta, (k) Madras, (l) Dhaka, (m) Islamabad, (n) Karachi and (o) Colombo in the financial years (i) 1992 93, (ii) 1993 94 and (iii) 1994 95 to the latest convenient date. [22648]
Mr. Baldry [holding answer 9 May 1995]: During 1992, 1993 and 1994 calendar years the number of UK entry clearance applications 1) made, 2) granted and 3) refused in the posts listed was as follows:
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1992 1993 1994
|Applied|Issued |Refused|Applied|Issued |Refused|Applied|Issued |Refused
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a) New York |15,425 |15,033 |157 |17,498 |17,312 |130 |18,726 |18,559 |110
b) Moscow |50,303 |49,732 |1,502 |61,367 |59,743 |1,624 |86,661 |84,761 |1,900
c) St. Petersburg |- |- |- |1,429 |1,313 |116 |16,622 |15,820 |607
d) Accra |16,699 |11,507 |5,048 |15,753 |11,051 |4,094 |16,130 |11,684 |3,825
e) Lagos |47,181 |31,552 |11,145 |44,526 |29,447 |9,894 |49,176 |32,411 |10,529
f) Abuja |- |- |- |- |- |- |6,113 |4,955 |655
g) New Delhi |39,291 |32,261 |3,464 |37,148 |31,652 |3,708 |43,258 |35,857 |7,373
h) Bombay |38,913 |34,905 |4,301 |37,988 |34,125 |3,785 |43,425 |39,924 |3,342
j) Calcutta |7,156 |6,538 |232 |6,826 |6,491 |253 |7,308 |7,139 |153
k) Madras |10,363 |10,079 |291 |10,348 |10,043 |247 |12,807 |12,624 |204
l) Dhaka |18,414 |14,043 |3,901 |19,359 |14,990 |4,447 |20,861 |14,615 |5,892
m) Islamabad |45,625 |31,611 |10,791 |41,485 |30,715 |9,526 |42,445 |29,850 |10,018
n) Karachi |23,397 |19,169 |2,610 |24,368 |20,712 |2,181 |28,266 |22,921 |2,516
p) Colombo |9,026 |7,139 |1,172 |9,200 |7,937 |874 |9,969 |7,610 |821
It should be noted that St. Petersburg started entry clearance work in November 1993 and Abuja in February 1994.
Nigeria
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest political developments in Nigeria. [24183]
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Mr. Baldry [holding answer 15 May 1995]: The national constitutional conference is expected to present its report to the Nigerian Government in June. We urge the authorities to respond quickly to the conference recommendations and announce their plans for the next stage of the political process, including a credible timetable for an early transition to civilian democratic rule.
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Sierra Leone
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to prevent the recruitment of mercenaries, including former members of the British armed forces, by the Government of Sierra Leone. [24296]
Mr. Baldry [holding answer 15 May 1995]: The recruitment of mercenaries of whatever nationality is a matter for the Government of Sierra Leone.
Rwanda and Burundi
Mr. Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to strengthen the United Kingdom's diplomatic representation in Rwanda and Burundi. [24916]
Mr. Baldry: We have informed the Government of Rwanda of our intention to replace the British Government's liaison office in Kigali with an embassy as soon as protocol and staffing formalities permit. We have also established a temporary office in Bujumbura staffed by a diplomatic service officer.
TRANSPORT
Gospel Oak to Barking Line
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when resignalling of part of the Gospel Oak Barking line to replace obsolete semaphore and colour light signalling will be undertaken. [24490]
Mr. Norris: I understand form Railtrack there are no current plans to replace the signalling equipment on the Barking Gospel Oak line.
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the condition of railway viaducts and over- bridges on the north London line, between Gospel Oak and Camden Road stations; if they are able to carry heavy freight trains with special reference to the Mendip rail aggregate trains; what restrictions are currently being imposed on the section of railway between Gospel Oak and Camden Road; and what remedial works are required on the viaducts and over- bridges in the Kentish Town area to permit all freight trains to traverse the line. [24489]
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Mr. Norris: Railtrack inform me that work is now under way on the arch at Kentish Town. This is due to be completed in mid-June and there can then be a resumption of freight traffic. Railtrack is at the moment carrying out a complete structural survey of the north London line.
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if passenger services over the Gospel Oak Barking line are delayed more than 30 seconds when freight trains are diverted over the line; and if passenger trains are cancelled to avoid Railtrack Anglia incurring financial penalties from the freight train operators. [24491]
Mr. Norris: Railtrack is required to treat both freight and passenger operators fairly. I understand from Railtrack that no passenger trains have been cancelled to avoid Railtrack incurring financial penalties. All train operators are entitled to penalty payments from Railtrack if their services are delayed.
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much are the penalties imposed on Railtrack when passenger trains are cancelled on the Gospel Oak Barking line. [24492]
Mr. Norris: Penalties for the cancellation of trains are payable under the existing track access agreement and are a commercial matter between Railtrack, the train operating unit and the British Railways Board. I understand that a new performance regime is currently being negotiated between the British Railways Board, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and Railtrack, and will be subject to the approval of the Rail Regulator.
Severn Tunnel
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for the temporary or permanent closure of the Severn tunnel. [24485]
Mr. Watts: There are no plans for the temporary or permanent closure of the Severn tunnel.
Road Accidents
Mr. Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many casualties have been killed, seriously injured and slightly injured on (a) A-class non-trunks roads, (b) trunk roads and (c) motorways for each year since 1990 in (i) England and (ii) in the United Kingdom as a whole. [24452]
Mr. Norris: The information requested is shown in the following table. Figures are given for England and Great Britain as equivalent data for Northern Ireland are not available.
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Road accident casualties by severity and road type in England and Great Britain: 1990-93
Non-trunk A-roads Trunk roads Motorways
|Killed |Seriously injured|Slightly injured |Killed |Seriously injured|Slightly injured |Killed |Seriously injured|Slightly injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
England
1990 |1,781 |19,078 |92,325 |804 |5,781 |23,818 |211 |1,500 |8,255
1991 |1,604 |16,441 |85,628 |649 |4,650 |21,363 |208 |1,272 |7,775
1992 |1,435 |15,844 |87,383 |594 |4,225 |21,562 |219 |1,214 |8,408
1993 |1,374 |14,724 |89,209 |526 |3,853 |20,712 |181 |1,233 |8,912
Great Britain
1990 |2,088 |22,079 |103,950 |1,023 |7,423 |28,800 |229 |1,643 |8,969
1991 |1,855 |19,160 |96,429 |848 |6,165 |26,086 |234 |1,394 |8,377
1992 |1,671 |18,407 |97,790 |792 |5,575 |25,852 |238 |1,338 |9,046
1993 |1,589 |16,871 |99,160 |689 |5,035 |24,933 |201 |1,338 |9,507
Pedestrian Deaths and Injuries
Mr. Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what were the national quarterly figures for (a) pedestrian deaths, (b) pedestrian serious injuries, and (c) pedestrian slight injuries for people aged 60 years and over for the period 1990 to 1993; [24453] (2) what were the national quarterly figures for (a) pedestrian deaths, (b) pedestrian serious injuries, and (c) pedestrian slight injuries for people aged 60 years and over for his Department's baseline years of 1981 and 1985. [24455]
Mr. Norris: The information requested is shown in the following table.
Pedestrian casualties aged 60 and over
Number of casualties
|Fatal |Serious |Slight |Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1981 |947 |3,912 |6,334 |11,193
1985 |869 |3,866 |6,060 |10,795
1981-1985 Average |895.6 |3,908.8 |6,340.0 |11,144.4
1990 |Quarter 1|254 |968 |1,806 |3,028
|Quarter 2|167 |642 |1,369 |2,178
|Quarter 3|141 |692 |1,387 |2,220
|Quarter 4|277 |1,115 |1,879 |3,271
|-------- |-------- |-------- |--------
|Total |839 |3,417 |6,441 |10,697
1991 |Quarter 1|178 |812 |1,488 |2,478
|Quarter 2|128 |619 |1,308 |2,055
|Quarter 3|172 |661 |1,362 |2,195
|Quarter 4|276 |990 |1,704 |2,970
|-------- |-------- |-------- |--------
|Total |754 |3,082 |5,862 |9,698
1992 |Quarter 1|172 |767 |1,320 |2,259
|Quarter 2|120 |545 |1,170 |1,835
|Quarter 3|156 |559 |1,203 |1,918
|Quarter 4|230 |924 |1,655 |2,809
|-------- |-------- |-------- |--------
|Total |678 |2,795 |5,348 |8,821
1993 |Quarter 1|171 |646 |1,298 |2,115
|Quarter 2|102 |515 |1,168 |1,785
|Quarter 3|119 |572 |1,166 |1,857
|Quarter 4|240 |858 |1,560 |2,658
|-------- |-------- |-------- |--------
|Total |632 |2,591 |5,192 |8,415
Mr. Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the quarterly figures for (a) pedestrian deaths, (b) pedestrian serious injuries and (c) pedestrian slight injuries for people aged 60 years and over in Birmingham for the period 1990 to 1993. [24456]
Mr. Norris: The information requested is shown in the following table.
Severity
Year |Quarter|Fatal |Serious|Slight |Total
--------------------------------------------------------------
1990 |Q1 |1 |23 |42 |66
|Q2 |9 |17 |22 |48
|Q3 |2 |7 |26 |35
|Q4 |7 |25 |40 |72
1991 |Q1 |5 |23 |34 |62
|Q2 |2 |14 |32 |48
|Q3 |3 |17 |37 |57
|Q4 |6 |27 |28 |61
1992 |Q1 |6 |18 |36 |60
|Q2 |5 |12 |46 |63
|Q3 |3 |16 |30 |49
|Q4 |6 |24 |47 |77
1993 |Q1 |3 |19 |22 |44
|Q2 |1 |9 |31 |41
|Q3 |4 |19 |21 |44
|Q4 |6 |26 |42 |74
Annual totals
1990 |19 |72 |130 |221
1991 |16 |81 |131 |228
1992 |20 |70 |159 |249
1993 |14 |73 |116 |203
Kiwi Arrow and Pelander Collision
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reports he has received of the collision off the Isle of Wight between the Kiwi Arrow and the Pelander; what were the weather conditions at the time of the collision; what assessment he has made of the bearing the Donaldson report has on the circumstances of this collision; what reports he has had from the port authorities where these two ships docked; if he intends to hold an inquiry; what representations he will be making to the International Maritime Organisation about this accident; what representations he is making to the ship registers of the two vessels; what reports he has received from his inspectors about these two vessels; what reports he has received from Her Majesty's Coastguard about this incident; and if he will make a statement. [23780]
Mr. Norris: At the time of the collision between Kiwi Arrow and Pelander the sea was calm and visibility was approximately five nautical miles. The Solent coastguard responded immediately to the distress call, but both ships were able to proceed to Southampton under their own power. Two surveyors from the Marine Safety Agency carried out a port state control inspection of both ships to examine the damage.
As the incident occurred outside the United Kingdom's territorial waters and involved non-UK registered ships, the responsibility for accident investigation rests with the flag states of the Kiwi Arrow and Pelander. However, an inspector from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch visited the ships when in Southampton to obtain background information concerning the incident which has been sent to both administrations.
The flag states have been asked to advise of the outcome of an investigation into the causes of this accident. Under the provisions of the international conventions, any representations made to the International Maritime Organisation on the circumstances of this collision will be a matter for the flag states. The flag states have been asked to inform the MSA of the measures they intend to take to ensure that the ships comply with international requirements before departure. Neither ship will be permitted to leave Southampton until the MSA is satisfied that they are fit to proceed to sea.
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Until the full facts of this incident are known and its causes established, it would be premature to make an assessment of any bearing the Donaldson report might have on the circumstances of the incident.Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contact his Department has had with the French marine authorities about the collision between the Kiwi Arrow and the Pelander off the Isle of Wight; and what joint action channel marine countries and authorities can take to prevent incidents of this type. [23781]
Mr. Norris: The collision was in the UK search and rescue region and the immediate response was coordinated accordingly by Solent coastguard. No assistance was sought from the French authorities because UK lifeboats and other vessels were in the vicinity and were available to render adequate assistance.
No contact with the French has been made since because neither Kiwi Arrow nor Pelander is registered under the French flag and the accident occurred in international waters.
The UK Government and marine authorities will continue to work closely with all our European partners, including our counterparts in the channel, in order to seek to eliminate incidents of this nature and to minimise the pollution of the seas and endangerment of life at sea. My Department, through the Coastguard Agency and the Marine Safety Agency, maintains regular contact with the French authorities about safety, search and rescue and counter-pollution matters in the English channel.
Heavy Goods Vehicles
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many foreign HGVs were (a) stopped for safety checks, (b) found defective and (c) not permitted to continue in each of the last three years. [24039]
Mr. Norris: The number of foreign HGVs inspected at the roadside and prohibited from use because of defects likely to cause danger of injury is as follows:
|Immediate
|prohibitions
----------------------------------------------------------------
1994-95 |5,575 |310
1993-94 |6,060 |230
1992-93 |6,175 |413
Delayed prohibitions are not issued to foreign vehicles.
Passenger Boats
Mr. Hawksley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the consequences of the implementation of regulations introduced by the Marine Safety Agency on
passenger-carrying boats on narrow, shallow canals; what account was taken of the existing safety record; and if he will make a statement. [24145]
Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.
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Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Warren Hawksley, dated 16 May 1995 :The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the regulations for passenger carrying vessels on narrow, shallow canals.
New regulations for passenger vessels operating on inland waterways were introduced in 1992 following an extensive consultation exercise. As a result of the consultation the inland waterways were split into four categories, the required survivability standard and scale of safety equipment varies according to the risk associated with the category of water.
Passenger vessels of the type you have asked are in the least onerous category, narrow waterways with a depth of water of up to 1.5 metres. The requirements applied to these vessels were not significantly changed.
The MSA is currently assessing all merchant shipping regulations as part of the Government initiative on deregulation. This will include the safety requirements for small passenger vessels.
Herald of Free Enterprise
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which are the two long-term recommendations of the Herald of Free Enterprise inquiry that have not been implemented; and why there were considered unnecessary; [22908]
(2) which are the two long-term recommendationsof the Herald of Free Enterprise inquiry that havebeen implemented in alternative ways, and what theseare. [22911]
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