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a contract to manage the area computer centre at Norcross, Blackpool; Child Support Agency, technical servicesagreement--development of Child Support Agency computer system; Child Support Agency live support--maintenance of child support agency computer system; framework agreement for computer and related services--consultancy support; Focus' 95--outsourcing contract for data centre services elements of ITSA's service delivery. This includes management of the area computer centre at Norcross, Blackpool.
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TRANSPORT
Long-distance Haulage Industry
Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the value to Britain's invisible exports of the long-distance haulage industry. [32570]
Mr. Norris: In 1994, it is estimated that UK road hauliers contributed £520 million to UK invisible exports.
A3 Trunk Road Works
Mr. David Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he now expects the A3 trunk road works in the region of Guildford to be completed; what penalty clauses are in operation for time overruns; and what compensation will be paid to those businesses which have suffered a prolonged downturn in custom as a result of the roadworks and consequent delays; [33643]
(2) what studies he has made of the traffic delays caused during 1995 by the A3 roadwork operations in the Guildford region; what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the conduct of the contactors with the local authorities and with the signposting and provision of information to motorists; and if he will make a statement. [33642]
Mr. Watts: These are operational matters for the highways agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my right hon. Friend. Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Howell, dated 17 July 1995:
The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about roadwork on the A3 at Guildford.
No studies as such, have been made of the traffic delays caused during 1995 by these roadwork. Traffic conditions are, of course, being watched closely by operational staff supervising the contract. Our agents, Surrey County Council, are monitoring carefully, the performance and conduct of the contractor as part of their contract supervision role. It would not be appropriate to comment further on this prior to the completion and final settlement of the contract. We are satisfied with the adequacy of the signposting which extends from the M3 at Winchester to the M25 junction at Wisley. Information to the public has been given a high priority. A full press briefing was held before the start of works and frequent television and local radio interviews have been held as works have progressed.
Provided no unavoidable delays occur, the works are expected to be completed by the end of July. The contract is of the lane rental type which provides for the contractor to be charged £20,000 for every day he overruns the contract completion date, as adjusted for any delays caused by factors outside his control. The contract also provides for the payment to the contractor of a bonus for early completion.
There is no provision at law for compensation for loss of business because of changes in traffic arising from roadworks.
Rail Services (Support Payments)
Mr. McLeish: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each train operation unit or company, the support payments made to the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising to British Rail, under section 52 of the Railways Act 1993. [34207]
Mr. Watts: The Director of Passenger Rail Franchising is currently negotiating with the British Railways Board
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the level of support for passenger rail services, under section 52 of the Railways Act 1993, appropriate of reach train operating unit or company in the current financial year. I will write to the hon. Member when the level of support has been agreed and will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.Four-wheel Drive Off-road Vehicles
Mr. William Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the main conclusions of his Department's research collating figures involving four-wheel drive off-road vehicles with particular reference to (a) the period of survey and (b) the total number of accidents in which such vehicles were involved, indicating the proportion of total accidents constituted by this figure. [34040]
Mr. Norris: Personal injury road accident data obtained by the police and reported to the Department using the STATS19 accident report form show that in 1994, four-wheel off-road vehicles were known to be involved in approximately 3,400 accidents, a figure which constitutes 1.5 per cent. of the total number of accidents.
Mr. William Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the four-wheel drive off-road vehicles involved in accidents collated in his Department's research were fitted with bull-bars; how many pedestrian-only accidents involving (a) children and (b) adults were recorded, indicating the vehicle's speed at the time of the accident; how many involved pedestrian deaths in respect of (a) and (b); and if he will indicate the numbers of (i) cars and (ii) light commercial vehicles
involved. [34041]
Mr. Norris: The information requested is not available. The Transport Research Laboratory is currently analysing the accidents identified by the police during 1994 which involved a vehicle fitted with a bull bar. Its report is expected to answer questions as far as possible.
British Rail (Catering Products)
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which companies have been shortlisted to supply British Rail with catering products; and if he will make a statement on what the contract is worth and what it entails. [34084]
Mr. Watts: The supply of catering products to British Rail and the details of any relevant contractual arrangements are commercial matters for the British Railways Board.
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Channel Tunnel Rail Link
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it remains his policy that the channel tunnel rail link will be built only within the route and limits of deviation specified in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill and in the documents listed in that Bill. [34134]
Mr. Watts: Yes. Construction of the route on the lands defined in the hybrid Bill is a minimum requirement of the competition.
Unsafe Vehicles
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) coaches and (b) heavy goods vehicles have been found to be unsafe in each of the last five years; and how many prosecutions have taken place as a consequence. [34142]
Mr. Norris: Information relating to numbers of prosecutions is contained in Home Office and Scottish Office statistics. The statistics show the number of offences and not the number of vehicles found unsafe. Consequently, the information does not distinguish between road vehicle types.
The relevant figures are shown in the table below:
England and Wales Scotland
|Offences
|prosecuted in |Offences
Year |Offences<1> |Magistrates court|Offences<2> |Prosecuted
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989 |389,043 |97,351 |48,179 |10,797
1990 |383,715 |89,419 |47,477 |9,897
1991 |382,078 |91,890 |46,765 |8,839
1992 |381,232 |93,504 |47,775 |7,980
1993 |383,382 |87,354 |51,387 |6,557
<1> These figures relate to circumstances where a vehicle or vehicle part has been found to be in a
dangerous or defective condition including brakes, steering gear, tyres. They also include offences of
using a vehicle in a dangerous condition and other related offences. The action taken includes prosecutions
(shown separately), vehicle defect rectification notices issued, written warnings and fixed penalty notices
issued.
<2> The offences covered are offences under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and
the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.
Scotland
Year Offences Offences
prosecuted in Magistrates court Offences Offences Prosecuted 1989 389,043 97,351 48,179 10,797
1990 383,715 89,419 47,477 9,897
1991 382,078 91,890 46,765 8,839
1992 381,232 93,504 47,775 7,980
1993 383,382 87,354 51,387 6,557
These figures relate to circumstances where a vehicle or vehicle part has been found to be in a dangerous or defective condition including brakes, steering gear, tyres. They also include offences of using a vehicle in a dangerous condition and other related offences. The action taken includes prosecutions (shown separately), vehicle defect rectification notices issued, written warnings and fixed penalty notices issued.
The offences covered are offences under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.
Bus and Coach Safety
Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to expand the work of the Vehicle Inspectorate to achieve higher standards of bus and coach following the Operation Tourist crackdown; and if he will make a statement. [34083]
Mr. Norris: We are committed to increasing compliance with the safety standards for buses and coaches through an effective enforcement regime. The joint Vehicle Inspectorate and police Operation Tourist crackdown--which involved staff targeting tourist coaches suspected of having safety defects on holiday routes in the south and west on 8 July-- demonstrates that commitment.
Regular roadside enforcement checks and checks of vehicles at operators' premises are an essential tool for increasing compliance with safety standards. Special
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roadside enforcement exercises such as Operation Tourist provide an opportunity to target one specific vehicle type. Moreover, an additional £100,000 has recently been made available to the Vehicle Inspectorate for enforcement work in relation to buses and coaches this financial year.Transport Supplementary Grant
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which highway authorities in England had three or more new schemes approved for transport supplementary grant in his approvals for (a) 1994 95 and (b) 1995 96. [34133]
Mr. Norris: No authority had three or more new schemes approved for transport supplementary grant in either of these years.
Railways (Noise Insulation Regulations)
Mr. Jacques Arnold: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the draft Noise Insulation Regulations for New Railway Lines; and if he will make a statement. [34569]
Mr. Watts: The Draft Noise Insulation Regulations for New Railway Lines and associated technical memorandum have been laid before Parliament today. The regulations are intended to provide equity of treatment as between those living alongside new railway lines and those living alongside new roads, who are protected by existing noise insulation regulations.
Although I fully expect developers of new railway lines to take all practical measures to reduce railway noise at source, there will inevitably be instances where this may not be possible or cost-effective.
The new regulations will create a duty, in the case of new lines and additional tracks constructed alongside existing lines, to provide insulation, or a grant for the costs of carrying out insulation works, when noise exceeds certain levels. They also give a discretionary power to offer insulation in the case of certain alterations to existing railway lines.
With a number of new railway projects either planned or under construction, it is only fair and proper that people who live alongside these lines should have a similar degree of statutory noise protection that their neighbours living near new roads have benefited from over the last 20 years.
In the case of existing railway lines, which now carry new channel tunnel rail traffic, noise mitigation schemes have been agreed between BR/Railfreight Distribution and Kent and Surrey county councils and the London borough of Bromley. Under these schemes, acoustic barriers are being erected at affected locations alongside existing lines to and from the channel tunnel. They are being jointly funded by the organisations involved, with Government assistance.
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I would like to see BR/Railfreight Distribution actively entering into similar agreements with other local authorities whose areas might be similarly affected in future.North Downs Line (International Freight)
Mr. Carrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the use of the North Downs line as a route for international freight trains avoiding London. [34435]
Mr. Watts: In August 1994, Railtrack reported to me that the North Downs line was not a commercially viable alternative route. I asked officials to report to me whether there was likely to be any environmental benefits which could justify the development of the North Downs line at public expense. They have concluded that there are not. I have today placed a copy of their report in the Library of the House.
Coastguard Agency
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the Coastguard Agency has implemented efficiency savings; to what extent; and what further changes he intends to make before April 1996. [34028]
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 Ms Joan Walley, dated 13 July 1995:
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.
PO 2343/94/95 We were successful in meeting our 3% running costs efficiency target by means of:
--rationalising the accommodation and common services provision in HQ;
--reductions in administrative staff, following a staff inspection, leading to a more effective HQ support organisation;
--reducing property maintenance cost;
--reducing IT maintenance costs;
--reducing administrative costs.
Further efficiency measures for 1995 96 are detailed in our Business Plan and are currently under consideration.
Vehicle Inspectorate
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the annual basic pay for traffic examiners, senior traffic examiners and vehicle examiners in each year since 1984; [33586] (2) what were the numbers of immediate and delayed prohibitions imposed by the Vehicle Inspectorate on trucks for each year since 1984; [33582]
(3) how many hours were lost in Vehicle Inspectorate enforcement for each year since 1984 because police resources could not be provided; [33584]
(4) how many staff are employed within the Vehicle Inspectorate (a) full time and (b) as part of their other duties to train (i) traffic examiners and (ii) vehicle examiners; [33587]
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(5) how many senior traffic examiners were employed for each year since 1984; [33585](6) what targets the Vehicle Inspectorate has had regarding enforcement for each year since 1984; [33589]
(7) how much was spent on vehicle examiners and traffic examiners, not including testing station staff, for each year since 1984. [33581]
Mr. Norris: These are operational matters for the Vehicle Inspectorate agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ron Oliver to Ms Joan Walley, dated 13 July 1995: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions on our enforcement activities.
The number of immediate and delayed prohibitions on HGVs since 1984 is shown in the attached Annex A. Early information about the number of unproductive hours (attendance hours) resulting from unexpected withdrawal of police resources was provided in my reply to PQ 482/94/95 on 18 January. Discussions with police are continuing over delivery of support throughout the country and how this should continue to be monitored.
Details of the Vehicle Inspectorate's targets are published each year in its Business Plan and are available from the House of Commons library. These have been issued since 1989.
The additional £350,000 funding which has been made available to VI, together with other decisions on additional work, means that we are currently recruiting more traffic and vehicle examiners. My reply to you of 26 June (ref PQ 1939/94/95) gave general details of the number of traffic and vehicle examiners being recruited across the Vehicle Inspectorate to increase complement, cover anticipated retirements and substantially fill current temporary posts.
There are 4 full and 8 part time trainers involved with internal training from VI staff. A proportion but not all of their work would be devoted to traffic and vehicle examiner training.
Annex B provides details of pay ranges for traffic examiners, senior traffic examiners and vehicle examiners for the past 3 years. There is no basic rate of pay; progression through the pay spine is related to performance markings in the annual staff reports. We do not hold details of pay ranges prior to 1991.
Annex C provides details of the number of senior traffic examiners for the last 4 years. The Vehicle Inspectorate did not take on traffic enforcement activities until 1991.
Annex A: Immediate and delayed
prohibitions issued to heavy
goods vehicles for roadworthiness
defects
All prohibitions
Year |Immediate|Delayed
----------------------------------------
1984-85 |3,619 |6,956
1985-86 |5,545 |8,477
1986-87 |4,260 |5,331
1987-88 |7,693 |11,727
1988-89 |7,774 |10,446
1989-90 |7,816 |9,433
1990-91 |9,229 |10,615
1991-92 |9,827 |10,788
1992-93 |11,041 |11,040
1993-94 |10,834 |11,426
1994-95 |11,516 |11,788
Annex B: National pay 1991-1993 Year |TE |STE |PTO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1993 |Min-£11,208 Std<1>-£14,307 |Min-£14,126 Std<1>-£16,835 |Min-£11,766 Std<1>-£16,168 1992 |Min-£11,097 Std<1>-14,165 |Min-£14,022 Std<1>-£16,668 |Min-£11,592 Std<1>-£15,929 1991 |Min-£10,444 Std<1>-£13,605 |Min-£13,332 Std<1>-£16,009 |Min-£11,146 Std<1>-£15,316 <1> These figures are the "Standard" pay which staff in these grades will reach before the upper levels of performance-related pay apply.
Annex C: Total number of STEs from 1992-95 Date |Total number of STEs --------------------------------------------------------------- 31 May 1995 |24 25 May 1994 |25 30 April 1993 |30 31 May 1992 |35
Consultants
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of employing consultants in connection with privatisation programmes in which his Department has been engaged since 1980. [33449]
Mr. Norris: Gross voted expenditure since 1980 by the Department on the employment of consultants on privatisation programmes involving the Department, and other costs associated with these privatisations, has been some £122 million.
Aviation (Safety Recommendations)
Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 31 March, Official Report , columns 830 31 , if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions between the Civil Aviation Authority and the joint aviation authorities at the meeting which was due to be held in April on the issue of the lack of an existing system whereby the joint aviation authorities can respond as a body to safety recommendations raised by national investigating authorities. [31642]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 3 July 1995]: It was agreed that the existing International Civil Aviation Organisation system for receiving and responding to safety recommendations remains appropriate and effective. Under ICAO, responsibility for continue airworthiness rests with the state of design. This remains the case where certification is against a Joint Aviation Authorities harmonised code adopted by that state. Should the recommendation affect a JAA code, the state of design would normally refer the issue to the JAA; the JAA would close their action by confirming any resultant change made to the code.
Midland Metro
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 1995, column 57 , what assessment he has made of how much more local funding is necessary before the Government release the funding they have promised for the midland
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metro line; how many jobs will be created by the new line; what other such rail lines are planned for the west midlands; and what percentage of funding for the midland metro line will come from the local area, and how much will come from the Government.Mr. Norris: After considering proposals for funding from local authorities in the west midlands, I am pleased to announce that we are now satisfied with the level of local funding being provided for this project. I can therefore confirm that the Government will provide £80 million of funding, as requested by the local authorities. Together with the local contribution and the funding expected to be provided by the European regional development fund, this provides sufficient funding for the scheme to go ahead. Midland metro line one is excellent news for travellers in the west midlands; it will be good for the environment and provide motorists with an alternative form of transport in a congested corridor.
DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Civil Servants
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullins) of 23 May, Official Report , column 534 , if he will define the nature of behavioural conditions that can be applied to civil servants. [34205]
Mr. Horam: The business appointment rules for Crown servants make provision for applications by civil servants to take up new employment after they leave the service to be approved subject to behavioural conditions, which may include an absolute or qualified ban on involvement of the applicant in dealing between the prospective employer and the Government, or a ban on involvement by the applicant in dealings between the prospective employer and a named competitor or competitors of that employer. If a behavioural condition is considered necessary, it will be tailored to meet the particular circumstances of the case.
Prime Minister's Questions
Mr. Winnick: To ask the First Secretary of State if he will be answering questions on behalf of the Prime Minister when the latter is absent from the House. [34292]
The Deputy Prime Minster: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by the Prime Minister.
Ministerial Duties
Mr. Winnick: To ask the First Secretary of State (1) what involvement he will have in Departments of state; and if he will specify the Departments; [34293]
(2) if he will list his responsibilities with particular reference to those he undertakes as Deputy Prime Minister. [34288]
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The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 11 July. Official Report , column 496-97 .
Mr. Winnick: To ask the First Secretary of State if he will list all the duties to be undertaken by the Deputy Prime Minister; and if he will make a statement. [34031]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the replies which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) and for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 11 July 1995, Official Report columns 496-97 .
Ministerial Responsibilities
Mr. Winnick: To ask the First Secretary of State how he intends to account to the House for his ministerial responsibilities. [34038]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 11 July, Official Report , column 496 .
Departmental Staff
Mr. Winnick: To ask the First Secretary of State what is the number of staff who will be directly responsible to him; and if he will list their duties. [34289]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 11 July 1995 Official Report , column 496 .
Ministerial Accommodation
Mr. Winnick: To ask the First Secretary of State what ministerial accommodation he has now; and if he will also state the total amount of accommodation used by the staff directly accountable to him. [34287]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce), given today.
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