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West Coast Main Line
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been invested in the infrastructure of the west coast mainline by (a) Railtrack plc and (b) the Department of Transport, (i) in each year since 1993 and (ii) since May 1996. [1374]
Mr. Watts [holding answer Thursday 31 October]: It is not for the Department to invest in the west coast main line. Railtrack was formed on 1 April 1994 and therefore
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would not hold investment information before that date. However, the company has confirmed the following investment details for each financial year since 1994:
1994-95: £47.6 million
1995-96: £50.9 million
1996-97: £70.1 million.
Diesel Fuel (Spillages)
Mr. Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into preventive measures to stop diesel fuel spillages from vehicles. [1932]
Mr. Bowis: None. Legislation is already in place aimed at preventing the spillage of diesel fuel from vehicles.
Taxis (Pedestrian Deaths)
Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pedestrians have died after being hit by taxis in each of the past 10 years. [1942]
Mr. Bowis: The number of pedestrians reported to have been hit by taxis in each of the past 10 years is shown in the following table.
| Years | Fatalities |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 19 |
| 1987 | 17 |
| 1988 | 29 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1990 | 13 |
| 1991 | 17 |
| 1992 | 14 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1995 | 8 |
Rolling Stock
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the average age of mark 1 rolling stock currently in operation on the rail network; and if he will make a statement; [1877]
- (2) how many mark 1 rolling stock are currently in operation in the UK rail network. [1876]
Mr. Watts: The latest figures held centrally show the position as at 31 March 1995 and these are shown as follows. The rolling stock companies were privatised last year and the current position is a matter for them.
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| Vehicle class | Units on lease as at 31 March 1995 | Build date |
|---|---|---|
| 101 (Heritage) | 76 vehicles and 1 two car unit | 1957-60 |
| 117 (Heritage) | 14 two car units and spare vehicle, and 27 vehicles | 1957-60 |
| 121 (Heritage) | 4 vehicles | 1960 |
| 205 | 1 two car unit and 10 three car units | 1957-59, 1962 |
| 207 | 4 two car units | 1962 |
| 302 | 28 four car units | 1958-60 |
| 303 | 45 three car units | 1959-61 |
| 304 | 6 three car units | 1960-61 |
| 305 | 15 three car units and 5 four car units | 1960 |
| 308 | 21 three car units | 1961 |
| 309 | 8 four car units | 1962-63 |
| 411 | 106 four car units | 1958-63 |
| 412 | 7 four car units | 1959-63 |
| 421 | 139 four car units | 1964-72 |
| 422 | 23 four car units | 1970-72 |
| 423 | 190 four car units | 1966-74 |
| Mk1 coaches | 12 vehicles | 1959-63 |
| Mk1 catering | 7 vehicles | 1960-61 |
| Motorail | 4 side loaders and 47 General Use Vehicles | 1960 |
| Brake Guards Vans | 27 vehicles | 1960 |
National Bus Pension Fund
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what action he is taking to pass to the trustees of the National Bus pension fund the moneys paid to the Government in respect of the fund; and how much money is involved; [1924]
- (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of his response to the report of the pension ombudsman into the National Bus Company pension inquiry. [1923]
Mr. Watts: The pensions ombudsman has issued his final determination on a complaint against the trustees of one of the pensions funds of the former National Bus Company--the bus employees superannuation trust. The complaint relates to the arrangements under which a surplus in the fund of £103 million, after tax, was paid to my Department in 1990. The trustees, to whom the determination is directed, are in touch with my Department about it. The Department is considering the determination and taking legal advice before replying to the trustees. It may be necessary and appropriate to ask the courts to make a ruling on the complex issues involved, including the sum involved should repayment of the surplus be required.
I will inform the House of my response to the trustees.
Rail Safety
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on automatic train protection. [1878]
Mr. Watts: I refer the hon. Member to the answers to questions on this subject on 29 November 1995, Hansard, volume 267, columns 785-86, and 23 July 1996, Hansard, volume 282, columns 137-38.
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Heavy Goods Vehicles
Mr. Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what current circumstances HGVs over 38 tonnes can use United Kingdom roads. [1573]
Mr. Watts: The following categories of vehicles may exceed a gross weight of 38 tonnes:
- (1) Certain 6-axle articulated vehicles and vehicle/trailer combinations carrying containers or swap-bodies to or from a railhead as part of a combined transport journey, up to a maximum weight of 44 tonnes.
(2) Vehicles carrying abnormal indivisible loads or designed for special purposes.
(3) Locomotives pulling trailers and when operating under a permit issued by a highway authority.
Eurostar
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the operation of Eurostar trains north of London. [1987]
Mr. Watts: The Department has received no recent representations about regional Eurostar services.
Public Relations
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on (a) advertising, (b) public relations and (c) entertainment in each of the last five financial years. [1277]
Mr. Bowis: The information is not available in the form requested.
The spend on advertising is:
The figures relate to the Central Transport Group only, and exclude information on agencies which could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Mrs. Roche:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the (a) women who are mothers and (b) men who are fathers who are employed by his Department have received any assistance from the Department with child care. [1294]
Mr. Bowis:
Although the civil service collects statistical information on staff employed in Government Departments and executive agencies, we do not collect
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information on the parental status of individual staff. It would be inappropriate for us to request this information from staff.
Mrs. Roche:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many women are currently employed by his Department; and what proportion this is of the total. [1260]
Mr. Bowis:
I refer the hon. Lady to the reply given by the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Norris) to the hon. Member for Cunningham, South (Mr. Donohoe) on 7 June 1996, volume 278, column 593.
Mr. Rowe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimate for the final cost of widening the Sandling stretch of the M20. [1882]
Mr. Watts
[holding answer Friday 1 November]: The estimated total outturns given in the trunk roads in England 1994 review was £118.7 million, excluding VAT. It is not our practice to publish updated estimates while final accounts remain to be settled.
The spend on hospitality is:
1991-92: £4,667,000
1992-93: £5,759,000
1993-94: £4,256,000
1994-95: £4,518,000
1995-96: £6,493,000.
Public relations and entertainment expenditure is contained within the above figures.
1991-92: £102,000
1992-93: £127,000
1993-94: £220,000
1994-95: £123,000
1995-96: £106,000.
Nursery School Gardens
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research she has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned regarding the educational benefits of having nursery schools with on-site nature gardens; and if she will make a statement. [1589]
Mr. Robin Squire: The Government wish to encourage schools to make the best use of all their resources, both indoors and outside. The Department has a good record of research into the educational value and effective management of outdoor resources for all types of school, including nursery schools.
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