29 Jan 1996 : Column: 483
Written Answers to Questions
Monday 29 January 1996
TRANSPORT
Aerial Advertising
Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations his Department held with representatives of astronomical groups in the process of drawing up the Civil Aviation (Aerial Advertising) Regulations 1995 (S.I., 1995, No. 2943). [10367]
Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if an environmental impact assessment in accordance with European Union procedures of the implications of the Civil Aviation (Aerial Advertising) Regulations 1995 (S.I., 1995, No. 2943) was carried out. [10363]
Mr. Norris: No. Environmental impact assessments are required only for certain development projects. They are not appropriate for policy changes regarding advertising.
Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make it his policy to exempt national parks from the Civil Aviation (Aerial Advertising) Regulations 1995 (S.I., 1995, No. 2943); [10364]
- (2) if he will make it his policy to exempt areas of outstanding natural beauty from the Civil Aviation (Aerial Advertising) Regulations 1995 (S.I., 1995, No. 2943). [10366]
Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers are available to local authorities to control aerial advertising in their areas. [10365]
Mr. Norris: Under the provisions in class A to schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992, a person may display an advertisement on the side of a tethered balloon, subject to certain restrictions, on any site for a maximum of 10 days in any year. Any display which exceeds this period requires the express consent of the local planning authority under those regulations. However, this form of advertising is prohibited in national parks, the Broads, areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas or areas of special control of advertisements.
Advertisements on vehicles, including aircraft and airships, which are normally used as moving vehicles, are permitted under the regulations.
Royal Train
Mr. Tony Banks:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles the royal train travelled in 1994-95 on official business; and how often the royal train was used by those other than members of the royal family. [11570]
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Mr. Watts:
Between 1 April 1994 and 31 March 1995, the royal train travelled 14,246 miles to enable members of the royal family to carry out official engagements. The train was not used by anyone other than members of the royal family during this period.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 January 1996, Official Report, column 34, which members of the royal family other than Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales used the royal train in 1995. [12085]
Mr. Watts:
The Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Kent.
Mr. Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the royal train is used by members of the royal family for travel unconnected with official duties. [12015]
Mr. Watts:
The royal train is used by members of the royal family for travel only in connection with their public duties.
Mr. Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 January 1996, Official Report, column 34, if he will list the starting point and destination of each of the journeys in the royal train undertaken by (a) Her Majesty the Queen, (b) HRH the Prince of Wales and (c) the other members of the royal family. [12011]
| Start point | Destination |
|---|---|
| Paddington | Cheltenham Spa |
| Slough | Southampton Eastern Docks and return |
| Slough | Coventry |
| Paddington | Exeter St. David's |
| Euston | Crewe |
| Windsor and Eton Riverside | Tattenham Corner |
| Euston | Stockton |
| Euston | Stoke on Trent |
| Start Point | Destination |
|---|---|
| Paddington | Worcester Shrub Hill |
| Paddington | Tiverton Parkway |
| Euston | Glasgow Queen Street |
| Perth | Euston |
| Euston | Aberdeen |
| Kemble | St. Bees |
| Gatwick Airport | Victoria |
| Kemble | Hull |
| Cambridge | Lairg |
| Aberdeen | Euston |
| Euston | Perth |
| Paddington | Newport |
| Kemble | Penzance |
| Euston | Runcorn |
29 Jan 1996 : Column: 485
Road Salting
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will examine alternatives to the use of salt, with special reference to urea, in de-icing on roads; and if he will make a statement. [11646]
Mr. Watts [holding answer 25 January 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 29 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what alternatives he has examined to the use of salt, with special reference to urea in de-icing on roads.
Mr. Allen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received following the publication of "Managing the Trunk Road Programme" on 28 November 1995 from (a) hon. Members, (b) local authorities and (c) other organisations and individuals. [12386]
Mr. Watts:
We have received many representations about trunk roads following the publication of "Managing the Trunk Road Programme." The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Bayley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) inquiries and (b) bids were received from companies or individuals interested in purchasing the British Rail central printing unit at York; how many employees work in the unit at present; what was the unit's turnover in 1995; when the unit is due to close; what will
29 Jan 1996 : Column: 486
happen to its staff; and what consideration led to the decision not to sell the unit as a going concern. [11677]
Mr. Watts:
The central printing unit employs 10 staff and currently forms part of BR's York facilities management group. Its turnover is not separately identified within the group. The future of the unit--which is a management matter for the BR board--is currently under consideration.
Mr. Bayley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date and for what reasons the contracts of employment of the (a) managing director, (b) production director, (c) finance director, (d) personnel director and (e) commercial director of Interlogic Control Engineering were terminated by the British Railways Board; and what severance terms they were offered. [11678]
Mr. Watts:
These are management matters for the British railways board. Severance terms are a matter for BR and the individuals concerned in accordance with the terms of their contracts of employment.
The Highways Agency has studied the value of salt as an anti-icing agent in relation to a variety of alternatives. These have included acetate, glycol and alcohol based materials as well as urea.
The studies, carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory have consistently shown that salt is a very effective anti-icing agent in virtually all conditions experienced in Britain. It also offers good value for money, even after taking account of the corrosive impact on structures.
Urea is an alternative agent, although some six or seven times more expensive than salt, which is used in some areas particularly susceptible to corrosion such as the original Severn crossing and the Midland Links Viaducts where its less corrosive properties have been considered particularly important. However, it is less effective as an anti-icing agent at times of particularly low temperatures and has environmental disadvantages in so far as it oxidises when in solution with water, giving off ammonia. This ammonia can pose a considerable threat to aquatic life especially in smaller water courses.
The Highways Agency remains alert to the possibility of using alternative de-icers, but at present salt remains the most effective agent giving good value for money.
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