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A66 (Longnewton)
Mr. Devlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to issue compulsory purchase orders for land at Longnewton to construct the proposed A66 grade separated junction. [34318]
Mr. Watts: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Tim Devlin, dated 25 June 1996:
As you know the Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when he intends to issue the Compulsory Purchase Orders for land at Long Newton to construct the proposed A66 grade separated junction.
As you are aware, a Public Inquiry into the draft Orders for this scheme was held in September 1995. The Inspector's report is now being considered by Ministers and a decision is expected shortly.
DoA Ltd. (Liabilities)
Mr. Mark Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 21 May, Official Report, column 124, whether he intends to proceed with the guarantee to Strathclyde Passenger Transport in respect of the liabilities to it of DoA Ltd. [34991]
Mr. Watts: The guarantee was entered into by my Department on 17 May, and will have effect for so long as sums are payable under the terms of the deeds of assumption.
European Passenger Services Ltd.
Mr. Mark Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations led him to enter into the guarantee, laid before the House on 20 May, covering the obligations of European Passenger Services Ltd. at Ashford International station. [34992]
Mr. Watts: When EPS was a subsidiary of the British Railways Board, BRB guaranteed to the developers of the new station at Ashford that EPS would pay rent for occupation of part of the station and a toll based on passenger numbers. After ownership of EPS passed from BRB to the Secretary of State, it made sense for the guarantee also to be transferred. The guarantee includes provision for its replacement in due course by the new owners of EPS.
Mr. Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations led him to enter into the guarantee, laid before the House on 20 May, in respect of leases of night stock by European Passenger Services Ltd. [34993]
Mr. Watts: When EPS was a subsidiary of the British Railways Board, BRB guaranteed leasing obligations for rolling stock to be used on overnight passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. After ownership of EPS passed from BRB to the Secretary of State, it made sense for the guarantee also to be transferred. The guarantee includes provision for its replacement in due course by the new owners of EPS.
26 Jun 1996 : Column: 142
British Railways Board (Contingent Liabilities)
Mr. Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to give the British Railways Board the assurance proposed in the minute on the board's contingent liabilities laid before the House on 7 June. [34973]
Mr. Watts: Yes. The British Railways Board's annual report and accounts 1995-96 are due to be published shortly. Before British Rail's auditors can approve them on a going concern basis, they must be satisfied that adequate funds will continue to be made available to meet any financial obligations arising from the Board's present or future liabilities or liabilities arising out of past transactions, events and circumstances. The provision of funds and expenditure by the British Railways Board will be subject to the procedures and controls indicated in the minute.
Contracts
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the average value of contracts awarded by his Department, (b) the value of (i) the smallest and (ii) the largest contract awarded, (c) the number of contracts with a value of (1) £0 to £999, (2) £1,000 to £9,999, (3) £10,000 to £49,999, (4) £50,000 to £99,999, (5) £100,000 to £499,999, (6) £500,000 to £999,999 and (7) above £1,000,000 and (d) the total number of contracts awarded in 1995-96. [34141]
Mr. Norris: The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
Compliance Cost Assessments
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to ensure that each legislative measure put forward by his Department contains a compliance cost assessment (a) relating to small firms and (b) in respect of which small firms have been consulted. [34140]
Mr. Watts: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Central Railway Group
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 17 June, Official Report, column 342, if statutory blight purchase notices served on Central Railway plc before the parliamentary debate to approve the company's scheme will be enforceable against the company after the debate is held and regardless of whether the House approves or rejects the motion. [33998]
Mr. Watts: A blight notice properly served in accordance with section 150 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 will continue to be enforceable against Central Railway plc if the House passes a resolution approving the Central Railways proposals. If the House rejects the motion, the order applied for could not be made. The land would cease to be blighted from the date the application was withdrawn or I determined to reject the application.
26 Jun 1996 : Column: 143
Ms Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [33578]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 19 June 1996]: The information is not available for the period 1991-92 except at disproportionate cost. For the calendar years 1993 to 1996, the numbers of cases are as follows:
| Year | Total | (8)(a) | (9)(b) | (10)(c) | (11)(d) | Withdrawn | Pending |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 1996 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
(8) (a) = Department's decision upheld by the court.
(9) (b) = Court found for the applicant.
(10) (c) = Department submitted to the judgement.
(11) (d) = Department appealed against the decision.
Ms Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [33595]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 19 June 1996]: The information is not available for the period 1991-92 because information on judicial review cases in that period could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. No legislation has been introduced into Parliament by the Department of Transport from 1993 with the purposes mentioned in the question.
HEALTH
Oral Contraceptives
Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the advice referred to from the Committee on Safety of Medicines was given under the requirement of the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations etc) Regulations 1994. [31912]
Mr. Malone: The Committee on Safety of Medicines provides advice in accordance with its functions under the Medicines (Committee on Safety of Medicines) Order 1970 (No. 1257).
Health Services, London
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of the British Medical Association to discuss health services for Greater London. [33108]
Mr. Malone: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets representatives of the British Medical Association to discuss a wide range of issues.
26 Jun 1996 : Column: 144
Edgware and Barnet Hospitals
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the proposed private finance initiative contract at Barnet hospital. [33618]
Mr. Horam: The first stage of the Barnet hospital redevelopment is already under way, and is being publicly funded. The proposed private finance initiative contract would be for the second stage. The trust has identified a preferred bidder, with whom it is discussing its requirements.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the planned land use at (a) Edgware hospital and (b) Barnet hospital under the proposed PFI contract at Barnet hospital. [33619]
Mr. Horam: Major redevelopments are planned at both Barnet and Edgware hospitals. All the land at Barnet hospital will continue to be required by the national health service. Plans for the future of Edgware hospital will allow some of the land at Edgware to be released. Any proceeds from land sales will be used to benefit the NHS.
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