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Mr. Watts: I understand that no bid has yet been accepted by Railtrack and no access charges have been agreed.
Mr. Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of service he expects to be operated over the Manchester airport rail link, southern spur from May 1996; which destinations will be covered; and which train operators will be involved. [30551]
Mr. Watts: Commercial negotiations are still under way on these issues.
Eurostar
Ms Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects Eurostar east coast main line services to northern England and Scotland to be operational. [30495]
Mr. Watts: This is an operational matter for European Passenger Services. I understand that they intend to introduce Eurostar services along the east coast main line early next year.
Transport: The Way Ahead"
Ms Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those new policies he has implemented as a direct result of his "Transport: The Way Ahead" consultation. [30969]
Dr. Mawhinney: It would be premature to announce results from the discussions of "Transport: The Way Ahead.
Ms Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has so far received in support of rail privatisation during his "Transport: The Way Ahead"
consultation. [30968]
Dr. Mawhinney: "Transport: The Way Ahead" invited views on a wide range of transport issues by the end of
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September. In the two weeks since publication, no formal responses have been received.Ms Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the findings of his "Transport: The Way Ahead" consultation. [30967]
Dr. Mawhinney: Decisions on publication will be taken after comments on "Transport: The Way Ahead" have been received and considered.
Ms Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost to his Department of the production and distribution of the document "Transport: The Way Ahead", speeches by the Secretary of State for Transport. [30982]
Dr Mawhinney: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) on 22 June.
Efficiency Report
Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions he has drawn from the report of the efficiency scrutiny of the traffic area network published by his Department on Friday 16 June; what steps he is taking to remedy the weaknesses in vehicle monitoring and inspection which it identifies; and if he will make a statement. [31021]
Mr. Norris: The report is still being considered and no conclusions have yet been drawn from it.
Road Rage
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proposals he has to investigate the effect on road safety of the phenomenon known as road rage; [31013]
(2) what representations he has received concerning the effect of the phenomenon known as road rage. [31012]
Mr. Norris: I have received proposals from the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) and from Mr. Edmund King, Royal Automobile Club, which I am still considering.
Noise Abatement
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the hon. Member for Coventry, South -East will receive an answer to his question of 18 May about European grants for noise abatement in respect of airports outside London. [30781]
Mr. Norris: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 22 June.
Cycling
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to highway authorities concerning the provision of advance startling lines for bicycles at suitable signal-controlled intersections; and what action in this regard is being taken by London boroughs. [30804]
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Mr. Norris: Guidance has been given in the form of traffic advisory leaflets, which are distributed free to local authorities and other interested bodies. Four leaflets have been issued. The most recent one, TAL 8/93, summarises the findings of the research studies on all our trial installation of advance stop lines, and provides basic design details. We expect this advice to be reflected within the 1,200 mile London cycle network which is now under construction.
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority
Mr. Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of the South Yorkshire passenger transport authority to discuss the impact of rail privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [30267]
Mr. Watts: I met the chairman of the South Yorkshire passenger transport authority in April this year along with representatives from other PTAs to discuss the future funding of PTE-supported railway passenger services from 1996 97.
My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State met the chairman of the South Yorkshire passenger transport authority in May, and the director general of that passenger transport executive earlier this month to discuss a range of transport issues.
Road Congestion
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to bring forward his new initiatives aimed at reducing urban road congestion. [30490]
Mr. Norris: Local authority circular 2/95, giving guidance on transport policies and programme submissions for 1996 97, makes--clear that in providing funds for local authorities through the TPP system, the Department will give particular priority to measures which reduce road congestion.
The Government will be responding shortly to the Transport Select Committee's report on urban road pricing.
Newbury Bypass
Sir David Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations (a) for and (b) against the Newbury bypass he has received since his announcement of delay to the latest commencement date. [29562]
Mr. Watts: Between 19 December 1994 and 21 June 1995 we received some 492 letters and 4,655 pre-printed postcards in favour of proceeding with the Newbury bypass. Most of these came from the Newbury area. We have also received four petitions in favour of the bypass containing a total of 12,700 signatures. During the same period, we have received some 398 letters and 59 pre-printed postcards opposing the bypass. The majority of these came from outside the area.
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Channel Tunnel
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what he expects to be (a) the gains and (b) the losses to the United Kingdom tourist industry from the construction of the high-speed link to the channel tunnel; and what is the expected net rate of return. [29445]
Mr. Watts: The Government have not made any assessment specifically in respect of tourism.
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present estimated capital cost of building the high-speed link to the channel tunnel; how much will be contributed from public funds directly by way of loan or grants and indirectly by way of operating subsidies; what is his estimate of the external cost benefits; and what is the projected annual rate of return to public funds. [29443]
Mr. Watts: The Government are currently holding a competition to select a private sector consortium to design, build, finance and operate the channel tunnel rail link. The size and composition of the public sector support, the size of the external cost benefits and the capital construction cost will be determined by the outcome of the competition.
Traffic and Vehicle Examiners
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) traffic examiners and (b) vehicle examiners were in post in each of the last 10 years broken down by whether they were stationed at (i) vehicle testing stations or (ii) other offices. [27867]
Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Vehicle Inspectorate agency.
I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from R. Oliver to Ms Joan Walley, dated 26 June 1995: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions on how many traffic vehicle examiners were in post for the last 10 years and their location.
I provided details of numbers in a previous reply (ref PQ 523/94/95 and my letter of 25 January 1995). Information for the last 10 years and where staff were located can only be provided at disproportionate cost. I can provide you with an up to date figure on numbers employed at the end of May 1995. There were a total of 365 vehicle examiners and 160 traffic examiners. We are currently recruiting around 25 additional traffic examiners and around 35 vehicle examiners to increase complement, cover anticipated retirements and substantially fill current temporary posts.
Motorways
Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 18 May, Official Report, column 348 , relating to motorway noise in how many cases the actual growth in traffic has exceeded the anticipated traffic growth as projected by his Department in estimating future noise levels; and what steps his Department takes to correct inaccurate predictions about predicted traffic levels and noise levels. [28168]
Mr. Watts [holding answer 20 June 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency.
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I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 26 June 1995:As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts MP, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking in how many cases the actual growth in traffic has exceeded the anticipated traffic growth as projected by the Department in estimating future noise levels and what steps are taken to correct inaccurate predicted traffic levels and noise levels.
Comparisons are not made between the anticipated and actual growth in traffic used for noise level prediction. This is because entitlements to noise insulation are assessed in the light of actual conditions pertaining at the time the scheme is first open to traffic, on the basis of the best estimate of traffic available. A map showing eligible properties is published within six months of opening and offers of noise insulation must be accepted within a year of opening. The Noise Insulation Regulations require the noise calculations to be reviewed in individual cases on appeal, again within the first year.
Mr. Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of producing and distributing the brochure "Transport: The Way Ahead", speeches by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Dr. Mawhinney: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) on 22 June.
PRIME MINISTER
Downing Street Gates
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what consideration has been given to strengthening the ornamental gates to Downing street; [30609]
(2) what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of retaining the gates in Downing street. [30608]
The Prime Minister: Security at Downing street is kept under constant review.
Island Games, Gibraltar
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 20 June, if the Government raised any objection to the Princess Royal attending the Island games in Gibraltar in July. [30656]
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 20 June, what is the Government's policy on other members of the royal family attending the Island games in Gibraltar in July 1995. [30655]
The Prime Minister: No member of the royal family other than the Princess Royal has received an official invitation to attend the Island games in Gibraltar.
Ministerial Speeches
Mr. Barnes: To ask the Prime Minister on what recent occasions Ministers' speeches have been published by their Departments at public expense; and if he will make a statement. [29754]
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The Prime Minister [holding answer 22 June 1995]:
It is usual practice for ministerial speeches made on official occasions to be published and distributed to the press by their departmental press office. This does not apply to speeches made in a party political context which are distributed through the party machinery.
Crown Immunity
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all areas within (a) his Department, (b) agencies under his Department's control and (c) organisations for which he has ministerial responsibility to which Crown immunity applies; what consideration he has given to removing this, and if he will make a statement. [28644]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 15 June 1995]: The reference to the Crown immunity in the question is taken to refer to legislation which does not bind the Crown. Certain legislation is expressly applied to the Crown. In most legislation, however, particularly older legislation, there is no such express provision. In those circumstances whether legislation applies to the Crown will depend upon the implications to be drawn from the drafting and context of the legislation.
French Nuclear Tests
Mr. Alfred Morris: To ask the Prime Minister what backing Her Majesty's Government are giving to the Government of Australia, New Zealand and others in the Asia/Pacific region in their protests against the French Government's intention to resume nuclear testing in the Mururoa atoll; and if he will make a statement. [30385]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 22 June 1995]: In our view the international community's main priority is the early conclusion of a comprehensive test ban treaty. While we recognise the concern of some countries, particularly those in the south Pacific, over the French decision to suspend their moratorium on nuclear testing, we do not believe that a strictly limited programme of tests should affect the prospects for this.
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Prime Minister on what date his French counterpart informed him that the French Government would recommence the testing of nuclear weapons. [30047]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 22 June 1995]: We have very close contacts with the French Government on a wide range of defence questions, including defence procurement, issues of mutual interest and nuclear matters, including testing. I discussed both subjects when I saw President Chirac on 10 June. The details of these discussions remain confidential.
Home Truths Campaign
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received on the home truths campaign by young people; and how he is replying. [30048]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 22 June 1995]: My office has no record of this campaign. However, any representations will receive replies as appropriate.
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Attack Helicopters
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with his French counterpart concerning the purchase of attack helicopters by the Ministry of Defence. [30046]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 22 June 1995]: We have very close contacts with the French Government on a wide range of defence questions, including defence procurement, issues of mutual interest and nuclear matters, including testing. I discussed both subjects when I saw President Chirac on 10 June. The details of these discussions remain confidential.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Military Equipment (Export Licences)
Mr. Bennett: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 4 May, Official Report, columns 290 91, if he will list by country the military list classification of all goods refused relevant export licences in 1994. [15753]
Mr. Ian Taylor: The information requested is set out.
Military List (`ML') Export Licence applications refused in 1994
|Refusals |ML classification
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Algeria |2 |1, 4
Argentina |9 |9, 10, 11, 15
Burma |1 |10
Croatia |1 |8
Cyprus |5 |1, 7, 18
Dijibouti |1 |1
India |1 |7, 11
Indonesia |2 |3, 5, 7, 15
Iran |21 |4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11
Israel |4 |1, 5, 7, 16
Macedonia |1 |13
Nigeria |1 |1
Norway |1 |15
Sierra Leone |1 |18
Singapore |1 |11
Slovenia |1 |15
Sri Lanka |2 |3
South Africa |1 |5
Sudan |8 |1
Sweden |1 |11
Syria |3 |3
Taiwan |1 |15
Turkey |1 |3
Yemen |4 |6, 10, 11
Amway UK Ltd.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with persons representing the interests of Amway in the last three years either formally or informally to discuss matters relating to the interests of Amway. [29848]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: We have been consulting widely over proposals to improve the effectiveness of the legislation controlling pyramid selling and similar trading schemes. As part of this process, Ministers have had two meetings, one in 1992 and one last month, with a
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delegation from the Direct Selling Association. On the earlier occasion, the delegation included a representative of Amway UK Ltd. Also I understand that almost all Members of Parliament, including most DTI Ministers, have been approached at least once during the last three years by constituents representing Amway.BMARC
Mr. Cousins: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many export licences were applied for by BMARC under the military list between 1984 and 1990: and how many were turned down; [29167] (2) how many military export licences were applied for by BMARC between 1984 and 1990; and how many of those applications were refused; [29479]
(3) how many military export licences were applied for by BMARC between 1 September 1988 and 31 March 1990; how many of those licences did not supply end user statements or certificates; and how many of the applications in that period were rejected. [29480]
Mr. Byers: To aske the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral statement of 13 June Official Report , columns 595-606, how many export licences were granted to BMARC for the export of naval guns and ammunition to Singapore; and how many of these applications did not have the full supporting documentation. [29258]
Mr. Ian Taylor: Hon. Members have asked a number of questions about BMARC, which require detailed work on over 400 export licences. I shall write to the hon. Members as soon as I have a substantive answer to their questions.
Mr. Cousins: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral statement of 13 June, Official Report , column 595, on BMARC, if any of the BMARC export licences which were the subject of his recent statement to the House had been drawn to the attention of Ministers prior to March 1995. [30065]
Mr. Taylor: No, to the best of our knowledge.
Brent Spar
Mr. Dobson: To ask the President of the Board of Trade at what time and date, and by what method, Ministers or officials in his Department were first made aware of the decision by Shell UK to abandon plans to dispose of the Brent Spar installation by deepwater disposal. [31004]
Mr. Eggar: I received the information from Shell UK at a meeting which took place at approximately 4.30 pm on 20 June 1995.
Utility Regulators
Mr. Hain: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the salaries of the telecommunications, gas, electricity and water regulators for each year since their inception; and what has been the percentage change in their earnings since their inception in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms. [29335]
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Mr. Eggar: The Director General of Water Services is appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Wales and information about his salary is a matter for them. The information requested in respect of the telecommunications, gas and electricity regulators is as follows:
Mr. Bryan Carsberg--now Sir Bryan--was appointed from July 1984 at an initial salary of £50,000 per annum.
Director general of telecommunications
Percentage change
|Salary |Cash terms|Real terms
Year |£
-------------------------------------------------------
June 1985 |50,000 |0.0 |-6.5
June 1986 |55,022 |10.0 |7.4
June 1987 |60,224 |9.5 |5.0
June 1988 |62,903 |4.4 |-0.2
June 1989 |66,341 |5.5 |-2.6
June 1990 |71,780 |8.2 |-1.5
June 1991 |81,915 |14.1 |7.8
June 1992 |87,808 |7.2 |3.2
There was a period of several months in 1992 93 when the deputy director general was promoted temporarily at a salary of £60,000 per annum until a new director general was appointed. Mr. Don Cruickshank was appointed in April 1993 at an initial salary of £120,000 per annum.
Percentage change
|Salary |Cash terms|Real terms
Year |£
-------------------------------------------------------
April 1994 |123,300 |2.7 |0.2
April 1995 |126,400 |2.5 |-0.8
Mr. James McKinnon--now Sir James--was appointed for a period of three years from August 1986 at an initial salary of £47,000 per annum.
Director general of gas supply
Percentage change
|Salary |Cash terms|Real terms
Year |£
-------------------------------------------------------
April 1987 |47,000 |0.0 |-4.1
April 1988 |47,000 |0.0 |-3.8
April 1989 |56,150 |19.5 |10.6
The director general was reappointed for a period of five years from August 1989 at an initial salary of £59,800.
Percentage change
|Salary |Cash terms|Real terms
Year |£
-------------------------------------------------------
April 1990 |63,390 |<1>6.0 |<1>-1.9
April 1991 |69,120 |9.0 |2.5
April 1992 |73,216 |5.9 |1.6
April 1993 |73,216 |0.0 |-1.3
<1> Percentage change since reappointment August 1989.
Ms Clare Spottiswoode was appointed for a period of five years from November 1993 at an initial salary of £70,000. By April 1995 this had risen to £73,725 through annual increases of 2.7 per cent. in 1994 and 2.5 per cent in 1995.
7
Percentage change
|Salary |Cash terms|Real terms
Year |£
-------------------------------------------------------
April 1994 |71,925 |2.7 |<1>0.9
April 1995 |<2>90,000 |<3>25.1 |<3>21.1
<1>Percentage change since appointment November 1993.
<2>Salary determined in June 1995 but backdated to
November 1994.
<3>Percentage change from April 1994 to April 1995.
Professor Stephen Littlechild was appointed for a period of five years from September 1989 at an initial salary of £71,000 per annum.
7
Director general of electricity supply
Percentage change
|Salary |Cash terms|Real terms
Year |£
-------------------------------------------------------
April 1990 |75,260 |6.0 |-1.2
April 1991 |82,030 |9.0 |2.4
April 1992 |86,900 |5.9 |1.6
April 1993 |89,410 |2.9 |1.6
April 1994 |94,280 |5.4 |2.8
The director general was reappointed for a period of five years from September 1994 at an initial salary of £100,000.
Percentage change
|Salary |Cash terms|Real terms
Year |£
-------------------------------------------------------
April 1995 |£102,500 |<1>2.5 |<1>-0.3
<1> Percentage change since reappointment September
1994.
Mr. Hain: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the external directorships held and remuneration received by each of the telecommunications, gas, electricity and water regulators. [29336]
Mr. Eggar: No external directorships are held at present by the telecommunications, gas or electricity regulators.
The Director General of Water Services is appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Wales and questions relating to his terms of appointment are matters for them.
Information on the current remuneration of all the main utility regulators has been placed in the Library of the House by the respective sponsoring Departments.
Konver Initiative
Ms Hodge: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money Britain has received to date from the European Konver fund for arms conversion; and if he will give details of the projects the money has gone to. [30203]
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Mr. Eggar: The purpose of the Konver initiative is to accelerate, with grants from the European Community structural funds, the diversification of economic activities in areas heavily dependent on the defence sector, so as to render them less dependent on this sector and encourage the adjustment of commercially viable businesses in other sectors. For Konver II, up to 1997, the Government have secured some £79 million, of which a first instalment should be received later this year. The UK was allocated some £18 million for Konver 1993.
For further details, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) on 3 April 1995, Official Report , column 901 2 .
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