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Speed Limits
Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to encourage the use of 20 mph speed limits in urban areas. [2395]
Mr. Bowis: There are now around 300 20 mph zones in place. These have been very successful in reducing accidents. We have recently ring fenced £1 million of transport supplementary grant for the creation of additional zones in appropriate areas.
VHF Radio Service
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he has issued to commercial and pleasure craft in respect of the phasing out of the VHF radio service. [2569]
Mr. Bowis: I have asked the chief executive of Marine Safety Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
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Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Barry Field, dated 7 November 1996:
Mr. Field:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with commercial fishermen about phasing out VHF radio services. [2574]
Mr. Bowis:
I have asked the chief executive of Marine Safety Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Barry Field, dated 7 November 1996:
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the occasions when rolling stock operated by private freight companies have been involved in accidents on the west coast main line; [1437]
Mr. Watts:
The information requested is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Barry Field:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects the new tender for digital selcall to be published; [2570]
(3) how many vessels in the United Kingdom rely on VHF radio for emergency purposes; and what transitional arrangements he intends to introduce for digital selcall; [2575]
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(4) what discussions he has had with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution about digital selcall for emergency use. [2573]
Mr. Bowis:
I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to, my hon. friend.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Barry Field, dated 7 November 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the advice which has been issued to commercial and pleasure craft in respect of the phasing out of VHF radio services.
There are no plans to phase out the use of Channel 16 in the UK in the foreseeable future. The UK is however keen to promote the voluntary adoption by non-SOLAS vessels of Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS) principles and the use of automated distress calling. Further information on what is involved is contained in a Marine Safety Agency (MSA) leaflet entitled GMDSS: Radio of the Next Century which has been available for some time. The MSA is also active in promoting the positive benefits of GMDSS at boat shows and other similar commercial events around the country.
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question on the discussions that have taken place with commercial fishermen about phasing out VHF radio services.
The fishermen's organisations are aware that the UK is committed to the continued use of Channel 16. HM Coastguard will maintain a listening watch on Channel 16 for as long as necessary after 1 February 1999 and all SOLAS Convention ships in the UK Search and Rescue Area are encouraged to continue to maintain watch on Channel 16 where possible for as long as necessary. Internationally, the UK in conjunction with other European administrations, will seek agreement at the next World Radio Conference in 1997 to Channel 16 remaining a calling frequency for non-SOLAS vessels.
(2) if he will list those railway accidents occurring on (a) the west coast main line, (b) the east coast main line and (c) London rail routes since privatisation. [1444]
(2) what plans he has to re-equip Her Majesty's Coastguard with digital selcall equipment; and when VHF will be phased out; [2572]
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the introduction of Digital Selcall, how it affects the use of VHF and our consultations with the RNLI on this subject.
The Agency awarded a contract for Digital Selcall, more properly known as VHF Digital Selective Calling (VHF (DSC)), to GEC-Marconi Communications Ltd. on 3 October to supply and fit equipment at 105 sites around the UK coastline. Her Majesty's Coastguard will begin to be equipped with VHF (DSC) from mid-January with the aim of completing in February 1999 to coincide with the start date for full implementation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), of which VHF (DSC) forms a part. On 1 February 1999 GMDSS will become a requirement for all SOLAS Convention vessels over 300 Tonnes.
As VHF radio, in particular the VHF Distress Channel 16, is essential for the voice response to VHF (DSC) digital alerts, there are no plans to phase it out.
The total number of UK vessels with VHF licences is over 51,000 of which nearly 48,000 are pleasure vessels. Vessels which do not come under GMDSS legislation are not required to fit VHF (DSC). HM Coastguard is particularly anxious that non-compatibility of distress frequencies should not constitute a risk to the safety of non SOLAS Convention vessels which do not install VHF (DSC) equipment, and Ministers have already given a commitment not only to ensure that HM Coastguard maintains a listening watch on Channel 16 post 1 February 1999, but also that all SOLAS Convention ships in the UK search and rescue area should be encouraged to maintain watch on channel 16 where possible for as long as necessary. In addition to that the Coastguard Agency together with the Marine Safety Agency are presently pushing for agreement by the International Maritime Organisation and the World Radio Conference that channel 16 should continue to be monitored and used as a calling frequency for some time after 1 February 1999.
Although RNLI lifeboats are not subject to SOLAS, the requirements for GMDSS have been discussed at liaison meetings between the Coastguard Agency and the RNLI. I understand that all the RNLI's All Weather Lifeboats will be fitted with both VHF and M/F DSC equipment. The existing distress frequencies distress frequencies will continue to be used as they are at present for distress communications. Communications between RNLI lifeboats and HM Coastguard will not be affected by the introduction of the GMDSS.
State Opening (Costs)
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what was the total cost to the House of the state opening of parliament. [2806]
Sir Raymond Powell: The total cost of the state opening of Parliament on 23 October has not yet been calculated, but some £24,000 has been set aside by the House for this purpose.
Line of Route Visitors
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans he has to improve facilities for Line of Route visitors with
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specific reference to a cafeteria facility, improved toilets and facilities to shelter visitors when queuing in unfavourable weather. [2945]
Sir Raymond Powell: On 12 July 1994, the House approved the first report of Session 1992-93 from the Catering Committee which recommended that the area currently occupied by the Westminster Hall cafeteria should be converted into a visitor centre to include appropriate toilet facilities. This recommendation cannot be implemented until the opening of the new cafeteria in phase 2 of the new parliamentary building. There are no plans to improve the facilities to shelter visitors queuing in unfavourable weather which have been provided within the Sovereign's Entrance since 1990.
Palace of Westminster (Wheelchair Access)
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) what plans he has to provide facilities that will allow access to wheelchair-bound hon. Members to all relevant areas of the Palace of Westminster with specific reference to the Chamber of the Commons; [2943]
- (2) what plans he has to improve facilities to allow access to wheelchair-bound visitors to the Line of Route, Terrace, dining and Committee rooms; [2944]
(3) what plans he has to provide facilities that will allow access to wheelchair-bound civil servants to all relevant areas of the Commons with specific reference to the Officials' Box in the Chamber. [2946]
Sir Raymond Powell: I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 8 February 1995, Official Report, columns 243-45, which describes in detail the conclusions of the review by the Accommodation and Works Committee of access to the House for disabled people. Since then, the Parliamentary Works Directorate has implemented the approved improvements. These improvements enable hon. Members and civil servants who are wheelchair users to access relevant areas of the Palace of Westminster, including the Chamber of the Commons and visitors who are wheelchair users to access the Line of Route, the Terrace, and the dining and Committee rooms. There are no plans currently to make the Officials' Box in the Chamber accessible to wheelchair users. In the event that a wheelchair-using civil servant was required to support a Minister, it is envisaged that he or she would be able to do so from the area adjacent to the Officials' Box. However, a handrail has been fixed in the Officials' Box to assist persons with disabilities.
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