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Operators' Licences
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by traffic area office the number of objections to the issue of an operator's licence received from the police for each of the last five years. [33297]
Mr. Norris: The numbers are as follows:
| TAO | 1991-92 | 1992-93 | 1993-94 | 1994-95 | 1995-96 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Eastern | 9 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| North Western | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| West Midlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eastern | 2 | 33 | 22 | 29 | 29 |
| South Wales | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Western | 6 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
| South Eastern and Metropolitan | 38 | 36 | 26 | 10 | 10 |
| Scottish | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Next Step Agencies
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the areas of policy which have been devolved to next steps agencies since April 1992. [33362]
Mr. Norris: Ministers retain overall responsibility for policy and would be consulted on any major decisions. Officials of the Department's agencies prepare policy advice for Ministers where they are in the best position to do so. Two agencies have specific day-to-day policy development responsibilities within a framework determined by Ministers.
The Marine Safety Agency, established in April 1994, has responsibility for developing and reviewing marine safety and pollution prevention policies and standards and to represent the Department's interests in those areas nationally and internationally.
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 485
The Highways Agency, established in April 1994, has responsibility for developing and co-ordination land and compensation policy issues across the whole Department.
Mr. French:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of motorists who currently drive without vehicle insurance. [33556]
Mr. French:
To ask the secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has come forward with to tackle the problem of uninsured drivers; following his Department's consultation with the Association of British Insurers. [33557]
Mr. Norris:
I am expecting a formal report from the Association of British Insurers soon. We will be deciding on the way forward after we have seen that report.
Mr. Waterson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has completed his review of policy on fifth freedom passenger charter flights. [33701]
Sir George Young:
On 10 January this year, my noble friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping announced a package of measures relating to the safety of foreign-registered aircraft, one of which was a review of policy on charter flights from the UK by airlines from countries other than those they are serving, known as fifth freedom charters. We have now completed the review of passenger charter flights, following consultation with UK airlines, tour operators and brokers and other interested bodies. We intend to make a number of changes aimed at ensuring that fifth freedom charter services continue to be the exception to the normal rule that UK holidaymakers travelling by charter airline should be carried either on UK carriers or on carriers from the country of destination. The changed procedures will give UK airlines more opportunity to offer services, while continuing to allow some flexibility, in the interests of passengers, where they are not able to do so.
The changes are as follows:-
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 486
The changes to the timetable for applications and the introduction of the published procedure will come into effect from the beginning of the winter season. The limit to the numbers of flights will be applied from 1 August this year. Applications received before this date will not count towards the limit for the current season.
Mr. French:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to transfer the responsibility for the enforcement of road tax to local authorities. [33552]
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to promote competition and consumer choice between the principal London airports. [32128]
Mr. Norris:
The Government's response to the report of the runway capacity in the south east group stated that they wished to provide the opportunity for the less busy airports in the south-east to develop. Greater choice for consumers is also promoted by the Government's policies for liberalisation of air services. The RUCATSE response highlighted the opening up of Stansted and Luton for transatlantic flights.
The Transport Select Committee report on UK airport capacity, published on 21 May, included a recommendation that, during the present quinquennial review of BAA, the Civil Aviation Authority and Monopolies and Mergers Commission re-examine whether BAA should remain the provider of services to the three main south-east airports, or whether Gatwick and Stansted should be owned and operated separately from Heathrow. The Government will be responding to the TSC report in due course.
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) on how many occasions in each Session since 1991-92 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of (a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions; [33591]
Sir John Wheeler:
This information is not available.
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 487
Mr. Chris Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of pharmacies in Northern Ireland by year since 1979. [33080]
Mr. Moss:
The information requested is not available prior to 1983. The number of pharmacies in Northern Ireland in April of each year since 1983 is as follows:
(a) the number of fifth freedom flights which any one foreign carrier can operate from the UK in any one season--apart from flights which are permitted under EC legislation or other international agreements will be limited to 10 return flights;
Fifth freedom flights will be permitted only where no UK airline is able to offer a suitable aircraft, and provided that the authorities of the foreign airline are prepared to offer similar opportunities to UK carriers and that the necessary certificates are presented to my Department.
(b) applications for permission to operate fifth freedom flights must normally be made at least six weeks in advance of the flight. Late applications will in certain circumstances be permitted provided they are made at least five working days in advance of the flight;
(c) applications will be published in the Civil Aviation Authority's official record in order that any UK airline may object if it has a suitable aircraft available. Late applications will be circulated to airlines by telex for objections. All decisions on applications will be published subsequently.
(2) how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each Session since 1991-92; and if he will list in how many cases (a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [33575]
1983: 509
1984: 511
1985: 520
1986: 523
1987: 534
1988: 527
1989: 513
1990: 510
1991: 506
1992: 506
1993: 510
1994: 508
1995: 502
1996: 504.
Customer Charters
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list (a) the customer charters which are currently in use within his Department and its executive agencies and (b) the charters which have been withdrawn. [32834]
Sir John Wheeler: Eleven charters published by the Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Departments and their agencies are currently in use. A list is given below.
A Charter for Patients and Clients
Social Security Agency Customer Charter
Training and Employment Agency Customer's Charter
The Parent's Charter for Northern Ireland (Department of Education (NI))
Northern Ireland Housing Executive Tenant's Charter
Northern Ireland Railway Passengers Charter
Royal Ulster Constabulary Charter
Ulsterbus/Citybus--Bus Passengers Charter
Child Support Agency Northern Ireland Charter
Courts' Charter for Northern Ireland
The Charter for Further Education in Northern Ireland
No Northern Ireland charters have been withdrawn.
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