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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 31 October 1995
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
Mr. Colin Shepherd: To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress has been made by the House of Commons Commission in selecting a candidate for the post of Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
Mr. Beith: A report recommending to the House Sir Gordon Downey KCB, formerly Comptroller and Auditor General, is being published at 3.30 pm today as HC789. Copies are available from the Vote Office.
PRIME MINISTER
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 31 October 1995. [38647]
The Prime Minister: This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.
Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 31 October. [38467]
The Prime Minister: This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.
Office Costs
Dr. Wright: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the expenditure on his office broken down into (a) salaries and (b) other costs for each year since 1980 81, in 1994 95 prices. [38823]
The Prime Minister: Figures on a consistent basis are not available. In 1980 81, recorded spending on my office and Chequers on the votes of the Civil Service Department/Cabinet Office was £3.684 million in 1994 95 prices. In 1981 82, charges were introduced for the use of Ministry of Defence aircraft. Including those charges, spending was, at 1994 95 prices, £4,649 million in 1981 82 and £4.852 million in 1982 83. In 1983 84, charges were introduced by the Property Services Agency for buildings and services. Including those charges, spending was, at 1994 95 prices, £5.197 million in 1983 84. In 1984 85, charges were introduced for the use of the
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Government car service and for service personnel at Chequers. Including those charges, spending was, at 1994 95 prices, £6.193 million in 1984 85 and £6.830 million in 1985 86. In 1986 87, the cost of office services was included in the No. 10 budget. Including those costs, spending since then has been as follows:
£ million
|Total costs
|1994-95
|prices |Staff |Other
------------------------------------------------------------
1986-87 |7.469 |2.513 |4.956
1987-88 |7.741 |2.519 |5.222
1988-89 |8.777 |2.550 |6.227
1989-90 |9.600 |2.703 |6.897
1990-91 |9.533 |2.385 |7.148
1991-92 |9.450 |2.487 |6.963
1992-93 |10.866 |3.043 |7.298
1993-94 |9.384 |3.327 |6.057
1994-95<1> |7.671 |3.217 |4.454
<1> In 1994-95 spending of £0.718 million on communications
was transferred from No. 10 budget to the Cabinet Office
budget.
DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Office of Public Service (Costs)
Mr. Sykes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals there are to change the 1995 96 cash limit and running costs limit for the Office of Public Service. [40940]
Mr. Freeman: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for the Office of Public Service-- class XVIII, vote 1--will be increased by £1 million from £52, 713,000 to £53,713,000 and the gross running cost limit will be decreased by £4,019,000 from £82,849,000 to £78,830,000. The changes are to reflect the machinery of government changes announced on 5 July 1995; the Office of Science and Technology being transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry; and the deregulation unit and competitiveness division being transferred from the Department of Trade and Industry--class IV, vote 1. The opportunity has also been taken to take up capital end year flexibility transferred from Her Majesty's Treasury--class XVII, vote 1--due to adjustment in the timing of completion of the pension administration system. Provision is also made for the privatisation expenses of executive agencies. The increase will be charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.
Sickness Absence
Mr. Brandreth: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the overall level of sickness absence in the civil service. [40721]
Mr. Horam: The average number of working days' sickness absence per staff year in 1994 was 9.2, representing a reduction of 9 per cent. over 1993. This is equivalent to 8.4 working days per person, and is comparable with the level for the service sector generally set out in a recent Confederation of British Industry survey of other employers.
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I have placed in the House Libraries copies of the report by the Civil Service Occupational Health and Safety Agency on sickness absence in the civil service during 1994, which contains a comprehensive analysis of the figures about the civil service.Civil Service Statistics
Mr. Butler: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when "Civil Service Statistics 1995" will be published. [40942]
Mr. Horam: "Civil Service Statistics 1995" was published today and copies have been placed in the Library. This publication updates and revises civil service staff numbers for 1 April 1995 and highlights key trends in civil service staffing statistics for the financial year 1994 95. Revised copies of the civil service staff in post summary for 1 April 1995 have also been placed in the Library.
LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
Grants
Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Lord President of the Council for what grant-giving funds his Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38606]
Mr. Newton: The Privy Council is not responsible for making any grants.
Statutory Instruments
Mr. Gill: To ask the Lord President of the Council how many statutory instruments were laid before Parliament between 16 July and 16 October. [38719]
Mr. Newton: During the period 16 July to 16 October 1995 inclusive, 274 statutory instruments were laid before the House of Commons.
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Madden: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applicants refused asylum have appealed against the refusal to a special adjudicator since 1993; how many such appeals have, to date, been lodged; how many appeals have been upheld; how many appeals have been dismissed; how many appeal hearings are pending; how many special adjudicators have, to date, been appointed; and how many appeal hearings on average are held each week. [40444]
Mr. John M. Taylor: In the period July 1993 to September 1995, the immigration appellate authorities received 18,204 asylum appeals from the Home Office and disposed of 7,718. Hearings were pending in approximately 8,400 of the asylum appeals outstanding at the end of September 1995. On average, 260 appeals are
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listed for hearing each week and approximately 150 are determined or otherwise disposed of. The immigration appellate authorities do not keep statistics on the outcome of asylum appeals. Since July 1993, 25 full-time and 52 part-time special adjudicators have been appointed.TRANSPORT
Cash and Running Costs Limits
Mr. Dunn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits and running costs limits; and what proposals there are to change the cash limit and running costs limit of the Office of the Rail Regulator for 1995 96. [40881]
Sir George Young: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made:
(i) The cash limit for class VI vote 1 (Highways Agency) will be increased by £12,295,000 from £1,863,279,000 to £1,875,574,000. The increase in the cash limit includes the take up of £11,831,000 capital end year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995 ( Official Report columns 776-82 ) and adjustments in funding relating to the consolidation of the Highways Agency's role between this vote and class VI vote 2 and class VI vote 5. Running costs provision on this vote will increase by £135,000 from £86,889,000 to £87,024,000 reflecting a transfer from class VI vote 2.
(ii) The cash limit for class VI vote 2 (Administration and Transport Services) will be increased by £12,351,000 from £165,054, 000 to £177,405,000. The additional provision includes the take up of £776,000 running costs end year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995 ( Official Report columns 776-82 ); increases in administrative capital expenditure; the transfer of funds to class VI vote 1 for (£135,000) running costs and professional advisers fees; the transfer of funds to class VI vote 8 for various rail consultancies (£1,960,000; and, the transfer of funds from this vote to class VI vote 5 for road safety publicity expenditure.
(iii) The cash limit for class VI vote 5 (Roads and Local Transport) will be increased by £1,608,000 from £513,157,000 to £514, 765,000. The increase includes take up of £1,787,000 end year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995 ( Official Report columns 776-82 ); the transfer of receipts currently paid to the consolidated fund for interest on subordinated debts arising from the Severn Bridge to class VI vote 1; and, various transfers of funds between this vote and class VI vote 1; and, class VI vote 2.
(iv) The cash limit for class VI vote 6 (Department of Transport: Other Transport Agencies) will be increased by £1,660,000 from £80, 156,000 to £81,816.000. The increase includes the take up of £1,200, 000 running costs end year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995 ( Official Report columns 776-82 ) for various items of running costs and an increase in administrative capital expenditure.
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(v) The cash limit for class VI vote 8 (Office of the Rail Regulator) will be increased by £1,822,000 from £8,629,000 to £10,451,000. The increase includes the take up of capital end year flexibility entitlement of £162,000 as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995 ( Official Report column 776-82 ); a transfer of running costs provision (£1,960,000) from class VI vote 2 to cater for higher than expected expenditure on legal consultancies and the consequential increased levels of VAT receipts (£300,000) that have arisen.(vi) The Department of Transport Local Authority Capital cash limit has been increased by £6,354,000 from £347,552,000 to £353,906,000. This reflects partial take up of capital end year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995 ( Official Report column 776-82 ).
(vii) The Department of Transport running costs limit has been increased by £16,000 from £413,448,000 to £413,464,000 and the Office of the Rail Regulator running costs limit has been increased by £1, 660,000 from £8,220,000 to £9,880,000.
The overall increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.
Newbury Bypass
Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated financial benefit of the A34 Newbury bypass; and if he will publish the full cost benefit analysis carried out in respect of this road. [38209]
Mr. Watts: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked its chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 31 October 1995:
As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the financial benefits of the Newbury Bypass. The net present value of the benefits of the scheme, at current prices, range between £124.8 million on low traffic growth assumptions and £285.6 million high traffic growth.
The full cost benefit analysis used to take the scheme through the statutory procedures is a bulky document which is not readily copied. I have therefore enclosed copies of the traffic and economic evidence presented to the 1988 Inquiry which, effectively summaries the full cost benefit analysis. The full cost benefit analysis can of course be made available for inspection if you would like to see it. I also enclose a copy of the report prepared by the Study Team who as part of the study commission by the then Secretary of State, looked again at the traffic forecasts and the scheme's economic evaluation.
European Rail Services
Mr. Gunnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his current target date for the start of direct through-rail services on the west coast main line to Brussels and Paris. [39989]
Mr. Watts: European Passenger Services Ltd., which will operate these services, expects them to start in the first half of 1996.
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Mr. Gunnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is his current target date for the start of direct through-rail services on the east coast main line to Brussels and Paris. [39988]
Mr. Watts: European Passenger Services Ltd., which will operate these services, expects them to start in the first half of 1996.
Passenger Transport Executives
Sir Irvine Patrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total number of people employed by each of the passenger transport executives in the metropolitan counties. [40575]
Mr. Norris: This information is not held by my Department.
Rail Investment
Mr. Chris Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the capital investment in Britain's railways made annually over each of the past 10 years in real terms excluding capital investment in channel tunnel related infrastructure and rolling stock. [40241]
Mr. Watts: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 6 June 1995, Official Report , column 49 .
Unlicensed Heavy Goods Vehicles
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable he has for introducing legislation on the impounding of unlicensed heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a
statement. [40306]
Mr. Norris: The option of seeking powers for traffic commissioners to order the seizure and impounding and, where necessary, disposal of unlicensed illegally operated heavy goods and passenger vehicles is currently being examined by my Department as part of an assessment of the scale of illegal operations and effective measures for dealing with it.
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many times the illegal operations working group has met; what its recommendations are; and if he will make a statement; [40307] (2) if he will place a copy of the reports of the illegal operations working group in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [40308]
Mr. Norris: The Department of Transport's illegal operations working group has met twice and sometimes three times each year since it was established in August 1989. The group monitors the current approach in directing enforcement against illegal operations working within the constraints of existing powers and resources. Its report for 1994 95 described the main aspects of enforcement action directed against illegal HGV operators in 1994. A copy of its report has been placed in the Library of the House.
Repeater Signs
Mr. Stern: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will reconsider that aspect of the Traffic
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Signs Regulations and General Directions 1984 which prohibits repeater signs on a road where there is street lighting. [40276]Mr. Norris: The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 require repeater signs on unlit roads with a 30 mph limit but do not allow them where there are street lights because the presence of street lights is the indication of a built-up area. In the past, repeater signs were allowed in some 30 mph limits, but this caused enforcement difficulties. Some drivers prosecuted for speeding on roads without repeaters claimed that their absence led them to believe that a 30mph limit did not apply. Were we to permit repeaters on some lit 30 mph roads we would have to require them on all. The reality is that although drivers generally know what speed limit applies some choose to ignore it.
Motor Cycle Noise Act 1987
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what accounted for the delay in bringing into operation as from 1 August the Motor Cycle Noise Act 1987. [40482]
Mr. Norris: Regulations under the Motor Cycle Noise Act had initially to be postponed pending the outcome of negotiations on a new European Commission proposal on replacement silencers. The ensuing directive, 89/235/EEC, prompted the British Standards Institute to update BS 193 which was not completed until 1990. These requirements had to be transposed into domestic law before drafting of the regulations to control supply under the Motor Cycle Noise Act could begin. Regulations were laid before Parliament on 14 September 1995 but do not come into force until 1 August 1996 in order to allow stockists sufficient lead time to clear or mark their current stock.
Wing Bypass
Mr. Walden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made, following the Wing bypass investigation last year, of the progress by the Highways Authority. [39887]
Mr. Watts: My hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) announced in January last year that progress on the A418 Wing bypass scheme will be subject to the outcome of the A5-M40 study. The 1994 roads programme review placed the scheme in the longer-term category. In the meantime, no further assessment has been made.
Road Improvements (Stonehenge)
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he has recently carried out with (a) the Secretary of State for National Heritage, (b) the chairman of English Heritage, (c) the National Trust and (d) other interested organisations in respect of (i) the A303 and (ii) the A344 and the effect that their upgrading would have on the World Heritage site at Stonehenge; what were the results of his discussions; and if he will make a statement. [40003]
Mr. Watts: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
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Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 31 October 1995:As you know the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question in which you sought information about the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down improvement scheme.
The Highways Agency have consulted the Department of National Heritage, English Heritage and the National Trust throughout the preparation of this scheme. Recognising the unique sensitivity of the World Heritage Site at Stonehenge, the Agency have arranged a planning conference which will give all interested parties an opportunity to explore and debate possible ways of overcoming the traffic problems on this length of the trunk road. Conferences on other schemes have been successful in identifying a consensus on the major issues and possible ways forward. The Department of National Heritage, English Heritage and the National Trust will be sending delegates to the conference. All other organisations known to have interest in the scheme have been notified of the arrangements for the conference.
An assessment of the possible routes identified thus far is given in Preliminary Assessments Reports which are available to the public. Any of the possible solutions illustrated in the conference brochure would help to reduce the effect of traffic on Stonehenge.
Transport Surveys
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the opinion polling, including group work, currently being undertaken by his Department. [39894]
Mr. Norris: The Department of Transport regularly carried out surveys in connection with various transport issues. Details are listed in "Transport Statistics Great Britain" and "Quarterly Transport Statistics," copies of which are held in the House of Commons Library. None of these surveys involve opinion polling, although some of them will include questions of opinion about specific transport matters.
The following current surveys include some group discussions: survey of attitudes and behaviour of adults to wearing rear restraints; survey in connection with child road safety creative development research; interactive survey to examine public attitudes to transport policy and environment.
Car Park Security (British Rail)
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail on the security of their car parks; and if he will make a statement. [39898]
Mr. Watts: I have regular discussions with British Rail on many aspects of railway operation, including passenger security issues.
Research Funding
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the research projects currently funded or part funded by his Department. [39770]
Mr. Norris: The Department currently funds more than 500 research projects and I have arranged for a list of the projects, wholly funded or part funded by my Department, to be placed in the Library.
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Passenger Rail Services (Sales)
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of passenger rail services he expects to be sold off by 1 April 1996. [39793]
Mr. Watts: We expect that franchises for a significant proportion of passenger rail services will have been awarded by 1 April 1996. The sales process for the first three franchises--Great Western, South West Trains and LTS Rail--is now in its final stages. The franchising director aims to select franchisees for these franchises by the end of the year, with private sector operation commencing in the first few months of 1996. The sales process has started for a further four franchises: InterCity East Coast, Midland Main Line, Network SouthCentral and Gatwick Express. These seven franchises represent 40 per cent. of passenger services by revenue. Preparation of sales documentation is under way for the next stages of the programme.
Stratford Station
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to protect the safety of passengers, and the local community, in respect of the proposed increase of rail traffic at Stratford station, East London due to the (a) completion of the London Transport Jubilee line and (b) Eurotunnel traffic, and the transportation of trains carrying radioactive spent fuel rods through the station; and if he will make a statement. [39555]
Mr. Norris: The construction of new or altered railway stations or lines requires approval under the Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 1994. In addition, the Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 1994 are designed to ensure that the safety implications of all railway operations are taken into consideration, and that effective arrangements are put in place to control risk, especially at the interfaces between operations. Any significant changes to the operation of the railway would require corresponding change to the railway safety case of the operator concerned. These and other health and safety requirements are monitored and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate.
The National Radiological Protection Board, on behalf of the Department of Transport, carries out periodic surveys of the radiological impact of the rail transport of irradiated nuclear fuel flasks and other radioactive materials. The radiation levels give no cause for radiological concern with current traffic levels.
M4 (Repairs)
Mr. Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the estimated costs for the current repairs to the M4 between junctions 8 and 9 and 6; [39590]
(2) what plans he has to reduce congestion on the M4 between junctions 8 and 9 and 6, caused by roadworks; [39588]
(3) what representations he has received concerning the disruption caused by roadworks on the M4 between junctions 8 and 9 and 6; [39592]
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(4) what are the estimated costs to business of the roadworks on the M4 between junctions 8 and 9 and 6; [39589](5) when he expects the roadworks on the M4 between junctions 8 and 9 and 6 to be completed; [39587]
(6) if he will list the contractors who bid for the current roadworks on the M4 between junctions 8 and 9 and 6 on the M4; [39591]
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 Mr. Paul Murphy, dated 31 October 1995:
As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the current roadworks on the M4 between Junctions 8/9 and 6.
This essential maintenance work includes overlaying the existing worn out surface with new hot rolled asphalt, upgrading the existing safety fencing, hardening of the central reserve and bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction works. The scheme is programmed for about 21 weeks and is expected to be completed in mid March 1996. The estimated cost of these works is about £10.1m. The agency has made no estimate of the costs to business arising from these works.
We have sought to reduce congestion arising from the scheme by giving wide publicity before the works started on both local and national radio and in the press. Warning signs were also erected on the M4 and M25 giving advance warning of the impending works. In addition, leaflets giving information and advice about the works have been distributed to local libraries, garages, service stations and Heathrow Airport. Many organisations, including the AA and RAC, were also notified in advance of the works starting. To minimise disruption during the course of the works, a minimum of two lanes will be kept open in each direction and slip road closure at Junction 7 will be restricted to night-times. As an incentive for the contractor to complete the works as quickly as possible, the contract has been let on a lane rental basis. This provides a bonus of £20,000 a day to be paid to the contractor for early completion but imposes a similar charge on the contractor if he overruns.
During the first week of the scheme, 36 telephone calls about the disruption caused by the works were received on the information line and about a dozen were received direct at the Agency's regional office.
The contract has been let to Camas Associated Asphalt. However, without the agreement of each of them, the Agency would not wish to publish the names of the other contractors who submitted unsuccessful bids as this is considered to be commercially confidential.
European Directives
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action remains outstanding in order to implement European directives under United Kingdom law. [39764]
Mr. Watts: There are currently 16 EC directives relating to transport that need further action to implement them in the UK. Steps are being taken to draw up the secondary legislation required for 12 of these. Of the remainder, one requires further legislation at the European level before steps can be taken to implement it in the United Kingdom; discussions are under way with industry on how to implement two others and the remaining one affects the channel tunnel and discussions are taking place with the French authorities on how to implement that aspect of it.
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Ministers' Appointments (European Institutions)
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what appointments he and his Ministers have with colleagues from European institutions in the next month. [39765]
Sir George Young: My hon. Friend the Minister with
responsibilities for local transport and road safety plans to meet the Transport Commissioner, Mr. Kinnock, on 13 November to discuss the draft EC bus and coach directive and bull bars.
Opposition Spokesmen (Civil Service Contacts)
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when members of Her Majesty's Opposition will be able to meet officially with civil servants in his Department to discuss implementation of policies after the next general election; and if he will make a statement. [39616]
Sir George Young: My right hon. friend the Prime Minister agreed with the then Leader of the Opposition in 1992 that such contacts should be permitted from early 1996.
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Rolling Stock Manufacturing (Job Losses)
Mr. Chris Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many job losses have taken place in the railway rolling stock manufacturing industry in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [40243]
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