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Runway Capacity

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the conclusion of the runway capacity in the south-east--RUCATSE--study that a new full runway would provide for the equivalent of five years' traffic growth. [32908]

Mr. Norris: The RUCATSE study did not produce any general conclusion that a new runway would provide for the eqivalent of five years' traffic growth. The speed at which a new runway is taken up would depend on which site was chosen and when it was introduced. RUCATSE showed that, with new runways at either Heathrow or Gatwick in 2010, these would be full by 2015, with traffic being drawn in from the other London airports, but that the take-up of a new runway at Stansted would be much slower.

Traffic Area Offices

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what contingency plans he has in place to amend the traffic area boundaries in the event of Parliament not approving secondary legislation; [33292]

(2) if the Government's proposals to close the traffic area offices in Manchester and Cardiff can proceed before the secondary legislation to amend the traffic area boundaries has been approved by Parliament. [33292]

20 Jun 1996 : Column: 527

Mr. Norris: There is nothing in legislation which requires the Secretary of State for Transport to provide an office in each traffic area, so the approval of new boundaries by Parliament is not necessary before the closure of offices. We would seek to make whatever arrangements for dealing with the work were most efficient. We will be consulting the Council on Tribunals.

Heathrow Terminal 5

Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he estimates a fifth terminal at Heathrow would be completed in the event of the inquiry finding in favour of its construction. [33360]

Mr. Norris: Following submission of the inspector's report, the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport are responsible forjointly determining whether BAA plc's application for planning permission for a fifth terminal should be approved. The construction timetable thereafter would be a matter for BAA plc.

Fuel Taxation

Sir Peter Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he intends to take to protect United Kingdom coach and heavy goods vehicle operators from unfair competition resulting from lower fuel taxation in other EU countries. [33345]

Mr. Norris: Fuel duty is only one element of the costs that affect the international competitiveness of road transport operators. We have supported the introduction of minimum rates of fuel duty in the EU. The rate of duty on fuel in the UK is of course a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Satellite Navigation Services

Sir Michael Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to ensure that the European centre for future satellite navigation services is based in the United Kingdom. [33255]

Mr. Norris: My Department is involved in discussion about the need for a European centre for future satellite navigation services. The case has not been established for such a centre, but if it is we will ensure that UK interests are protected.

Aircraft Movements (Punctuality)

Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he collates relating to the punctuality of aircraft leaving and arriving in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on trends over the last five years. [33109]

Mr. Norris: The information relating to the punctuality of aircraft leaving and arriving in the United Kingdom is available in the Civil Aviation Authority monthly and annual publication "Punctuality statistics". My Department issues quarterly press notices with summary tables and with comment on these statistics. The level of punctuality achieved in 1995 was higher than that for 1990 and 1991, although slightly lower than that achieved in 1994.

20 Jun 1996 : Column: 528

Excalibur Airways

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the country of registration for all aircraft operated by Excalibur Airways operating to and from the United Kingdom. [33533]

Mr. Norris: Excalibur Airways currently operates one aircraft to and from the United Kingdom, which is registered in Antigua.

Air Accidents

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken with regard to safety recommendation 95-25 of the air accident investigation branch, as detailed in paragraph 2.9.1 of air accident report 1/96. [33284]

Mr. Norris: The Department of Transport has accepted and implemented the recommendation to which the hon. Member refers. Permit procedures have been reviewed and changed in order to clarify permit and safety responsibilities regarding applications by foreign operators involving the use of wet-leased aircraft.

These measures were announced on 10 January by my noble Friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping. A copy of the announcement--Department of Transport press notice No. 9--was, at that time, placed in the House of Commons Library.

Health and Safety

Mr. Ian McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost in each of the past five years of rectifying working conditions that were the responsibility of his Department and its agencies, to bring them to acceptable health and safety standards, detailing incidents involving information technology and those involving expenditure of more than £5,000. [33523]

Mr. Norris: This information is not available.

Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in each of the past five years health and safety problems in his Department and its agencies have been reported via internal monitoring; and on how many occasions the Health and Safety Commission has become involved. [33520]

Mr. Norris: My Department has carried out a survey in each of the past five years of health and safety incidents and produced an annual report for the permanent secretary. The Health and Safety Executive has been involved five times.

London Underground (Serious Crimes)

Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many serious crimes were recorded on the London Underground during 1995. [33107]

Mr. Norris: Crime figures on the London Underground are not collected by calendar year, but the figures for the most serious crimes in 1995-96, and as compared with the equivalent figures for 1994-95 were:

Violent assaults: 418--down by 15.7 per cent.
Robberies: 578--down by 5.9 per cent.
Indecent assaults: 154--up by 3.2 per cent.

20 Jun 1996 : Column: 529

Small Ships Register

Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations his Department and the Marine Safety Agency have received about the delay in the awarding of the contract to run the small ships register by the agency; [33282]

(2) what discussions he has had with the director of the Marine Safety Agency about the small ships register and the awarding of the contract for running this service; [33280]

(3) what steps he is taking to ensure interested parties have the opportunity to bid for the contract for the small ships register from the Marine Safety Agency. [33281]

Mr. Norris: I have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Barry Field, dated 20 June 1996:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Questions enquiring: (a) what representations have been received about the delay in awarding the contract to run the Small Ships Register; (b) what discussions have taken place with the Marine Safety Agency about the Small Ships Register and the awarding of the contract for running this service, and, (c) what steps are being taken to ensure interested parties have the opportunity to bid for the Small Ships Register from the Marine Safety Agency.
To date no representations have been received about the delay in awarding the contract for running the Small Ships Register. Nor have any discussions taken place with the Secretary of State about the Small Ships Register or the awarding of the contract as this is an operational matter which has been dealt with within the Agency.
In the event that the contract for operation of the Small Ships Register is relet there will be a full competitive tendering exercise and all parties who have expressed an interest will be invited to tender together with any other parties who may be identified as potential suppliers.

Street Works Advisory Committee Report

Mr. Riddick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the final report of the Street Works Advisory Committee. [34209]

Mr. Norris: The committee's report is published today, with the Government's response, which is set out in joint highway authority and utilities circular No. 1/96 (Department of Transport), 25/96 (Welsh Office). Copies of the report and circular have been placed in the Library.

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