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Rail Public Service Obligation Grant
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the public service obligation grant made to the railways for each year since 1992. [38585]
Mr. Watts: The information requested, for the three years 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1993-94, is as follows:
| Year | Public Service obligation grant payments (£ million cash) |
|---|---|
| 1991-92 | 892 |
| 1992-93 | 1,155 |
| 1993-94 | 930 |
1993-94 is the last year in which public service obligation grant was paid.
Automatic Train Protection
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of automatic train protection trials that are in operation, on what lines they are operating, the number of trains on which automatic protection is fitted, the number of trains on which automatic trainprotection is operating and the number of drivers trained in the use of automatic train protection. [38522]
Mr. Watts: Two automatic train protection equipment trials have been undertaken, one on the Chiltern line and the other on the Great Western main line. The trials were designed to allow technical evaluation of different equipment. The numbers of trains fitted and crews trained for the purposes of the trials are not available.
The trials have now been completed and it is intended that the schemes will be brought into full normal operation by October 1996.
London Underground operates a "train stop" type automatic train protection system throughout its network.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made regarding the introduction of automated train protection. [38521]
Mr. Watts:
Railtrack's train protection strategy is a major programme incorporating several initiatives which will further reduce the number of signals passed at danger. These initiatives include:
(i) the bringing into full service operation of the pilot ATP schemes on the Chiltern and Great Western routes, planned for October 1996.
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(ii) the development of a train protection warning system to replace the existing automatic warning system at selected locations. This will provide train stop and red signal speed trap facilities. The development contract was let by Railtrack earlier this year and equipment has been installed which will allow trials to take place.
(iii) the development of radio-based cab signalling, initially as part of the modernisation of the West Coast main line. Two development contracts have been let and work is proceeding.
In addition, other initiatives to prevent SPADS, including a driver reminder appliance, have been the subject of successful trials and wider application is planned to follow.
Although it is not reasonably practicable to fit on a network wide basis the system of ATP which have piloted, the Health and Safety Executive would expect to see a form of ATP, or an equivalent protection system, incorporated on any new high speed line such as the channel tunnel rail link and fully considered in any new major resignalling scheme.
The HSE's HM railway inspectorate will be closely monitoring progress towards delivery of Railtrack's train protection strategy.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has made to the ROSCOs in relation to the introduction of black box recorders in trains. [38525]
Mr. Watts:
None. The Health and Safety Executive's guidance calls for the provision of black box recorders and most new passenger rolling stock is equipped with diagnostic and data recording equipment.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include in section 14 of the Health and Safety at work, etc. Act 1974 a regulation to ensure that accident investigation reports are published and disseminated throughout the railway industry. [38545]
Mr. Watts:
Section 14 already provides that the Health and Safety Commission may direct an investigation into an accident and publish a report. The commission's stated policy is to publish reports of serious accidents investigations carried out under the 1974 Act. In addition, the commission's railway industry advisory committee is examining existing arrangements for disseminating information gained from accident investigations.
Mr. Allen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average English local authority transport capital settlement, including grant and credit approval, as a percentage of the amount bid for; and what were the corresponding average percentages for (a) Labour-controlled councils and (b) all Conservative-controlled councils. [39054]
23 Jul 1996 : Column: 139
Mr. Norris:
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 8 July 1996, Official Report, column 73. Figures are not kept according to the political control of the council.
Mr. Chidgey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the chairmen of rail users consultative committees both central and regional are or have been active in the Conservative party. [39133]
Mr. Watts:
The information is not available. Current chairmen of the rail users consultative committees were never required to provide information concerning their political activities, although applicants responding to notices about membership are now requested to supply such details. The conditions of chairmen's appointments contain guidance concerning political activity designed to ensure any such interests do not prejudice the committees' work.
Ms Harman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what surveys he has done to ascertain the percentage of children wearing seat belts in cars; and if he will make a statement on the findings. [39250]
Mr. Norris:
Surveys of car occupant restraint use are conducted every six months. The latest survey, in April, showed that 95 per cent. of children under the age of 14 were found to be wearing restraints in the front passenger seat of cars but only 79 per cent. were found to be wearing restraints in the rear seats of cars. We regularly run publicity campaigns on the importance of wearing belts and our recent campaign was aimed specifically at encouraging children to wear restraints in the rear seats of cars.
Ms Harman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued in respect of the age at which children no longer require supervision as pedestrians. [39275]
Mr. Norris:
The Department has issued joint guidance, with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and other road safety bodies, on the topic "Teaching Children To Be Safer Pedestrians". This advises that children up to the age of seven should always be supervised. Above this age, parents and carers need to judge what level of supervision is required depending on local traffic conditions and the experience and responsibility of the child.
Ms Harman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (i) what proposals he has and (ii) targets he has set for reducing death and injury to children on the road; [39276]
Mr. Norris:
My Department has today announced a strategy to reduce child pedestrian fatalities by a quarter by the end of the century. This would save the lives of at least 30 children a year and reduce serious injuries by some 1,000 a year.
23 Jul 1996 : Column: 140
Under the strategy, the Department will continue to promote educational initiatives to reduce deaths and injuries to children on the roads.
Mr. Steen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what working papers have been circulated to his Department by the European Commission in the course of its preparations for the EC bus and coach directive. [39157]
Mr. Norris:
Numerous working group documents, including those from other member states, as well as an early version of Commission proposals have been circulated.
Mr. Devlin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will ensure that any connection road built between Elton and Longnewton ancillary to the proposed A66 grade separated junction is reserved for the use of buses only; [38924]
(3) when he expects construction work to commence on the A66 grade separated junction at Longnewton. [38922]
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 23 July 1996:
(2) what plans he has for educational initiatives to reduce death and injury to children on the road. [39277]
(2) if he will make a statement on the timing of the compulsory purchase orders for the construction of the A66 grade separated junction at Longnewton; [38923]
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