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Channel Tunnel

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 27 November, Official Report, column 266, if he will require Eurotunnel to publish the results of evacuation tests in the channel tunnel. [7647]

Mr. Watts: It is for Eurotunnel to decide whether the results of evacuation tests in the channel tunnel are published. My Department has no power to require publication.

Rail Privatisation (Consultants)

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many consultants employed by Samuel Montague in relation to rail privatisation were paid over £100 per hour. [7649]

Mr. Watts: The rates of pay of employees of consultants are a matter for their employers.

Rail Service Information

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the provision of information on rail services by Rail Direct; and if he will make a statement. [8019]

Mr. Watts: Since April 1996, my Department has received 14 representations about the provision of

9 Dec 1996 : Column: 35

information on rail services by Rail Direct and other telephone inquiry bureaux.

Rail Passenger Complaints

Mr. Rogers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average cost of dealing with a railway passenger's complaint under the former system in the last year in which it operated; and what procedures are now in place to deal with complaints. [7966]

Mr. Watts: The information requested on the average cost of dealing with railway passenger complaints is not available.

All train operators have in place a complaints handling procedure which has been approved by the Rail Regulator and conforms to the guidelines issued by him. The procedures, among other matters, detail time limits for action so that complaints are kept informed of the progress in dealing with their complaint.

Polystyrene (Fire Risks)

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 29 November, Official Report, column 418, if he will place in the Library copies of the research undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive into the fire and smoke hazards of polystyrene, together with its recommendations. [7775]

Mr. Watts: Copies of the reports "Assessment of fire hazard of materials: Report 1/8/88 to 1/11/88", G. Atkinson, HSE report and "The medium scale fire test facility: final report on commissioning trials", R. K. Wharton, HSE report 1985 have been placed in the Library of the House.

Railway Claims

Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to persuade private wagon owners to join the claims, handling and allocation arrangements operated by Railway Claims Ltd. [8084]

Mr. Watts: The Rail Regulator published a consultation document in August 1996, about insurance against third party liability, a copy of which was placed in the Library. He intends to initiate a group to explore the railway claims handling and third party liability issues raised by the operation of private wagons.

Drivers (Eye Tests)

Mr. William O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many police forces in the United Kingdom have instituted on-the-spot eye tests for drivers; and if he will make a statement. [8094]

Mr. Bowis: We have no information on the policies of individual police forces in respect of on-the-spot eye tests. In the event of a road traffic incident, the police make a judgment about whether eyesight may have been a factor, and act accordingly--using the number plate test as a quick check if necessary.

Mr. O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce on-the-spot eye tests for drivers; and if he will make a statement. [8095]

9 Dec 1996 : Column: 36

Mr. Bowis: None. Drivers are reminded of the need to assure themselves regularly that they can still meet the requirements of the number plate test and of their statutory obligation, if they cannot do so, to cease driving and notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Rail Franchises

Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the value of the performance bonds which could be called in by the franchising director in the event of the need to terminate each of the franchises so far awarded. [8079]

Mr. Watts: The information is available in respect of franchises which have commenced operation, and is set out in the table:

Performance bond
Franchise(£ million)
Cardiff Railway Company0.90
Chiltern Railway Company2.15
Connex South Central14.50
Connex South Eastern19.50
Gatwick Express2.50
Great North Eastern Railway17.75
Great Western Trains16.50
Island Lines0.15
LTS Rail4.00
Midland Main Line6.50
South Wales and West5.00
South West Trains21.00
Thames Trains4.25

Fatal Accidents

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatal accidents there were per 1,000 miles of travel on British (a) railways, (b) motorways and (c) non-motorway roads in the last year for which figures are available. [7498]

Mr. Bowis: This information is not available in the form requested.

French Lorry Drivers' Strike

Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress has been made in securing compensation from the French authorities for British lorry drivers who were stranded during the French lorry driver dispute; [8114]

9 Dec 1996 : Column: 37

Mr. Watts: My right hon. Friend obtained firm assurances from the French Transport Minister that claims for damage to vehicles or loads and for loss of earnings will be considered, and as quickly as possible. We are seeking to clarify this week with the French authorities the procedures and administrative arrangements for submitting claims. Thereafter, we shall press the French for swift settlement.

Shipping

Mr. Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on Government plans to promote the environmental advantages of shipping as a means of transporting freight. [7839]

Mr. Bowis: It must be for industry to determine whether water can provide both a practical means to its transport needs and make good commercial sense.

We encourage industry to consider the benefits of using shipping as an alternative to road transport where this is feasible.

Freight facilities grants are available for inland waterway capital developments that can demonstrate environmental benefits through saving lorry miles.

9 Dec 1996 : Column: 38

Mr. Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to support the British-registered merchant navy. [7840]

Mr. Bowis: We recognise that shipping makes an important contribution to our nation's well-being. We have put in place a range of targeted measures, including simplified procedures, liberalised officer nationality requirements, substantial and effective financial assistance to seafarer training and tax incentives to replace aging tonnage.

We have also taken tough action against sub-standard shipping and continue to urge other countries to exercise discipline in the use of market-distorting state aids.

These measures are making a positive contribution to the industry's competitive position in increasingly competitive international markets, the attractiveness of the red ensign and career opportunities for British seafarers.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

Magistrates

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the perceived political loyalty of magistrates in each area of Wales, appointed in each of the past seven years. [7499]

Mr. Streeter: The stated political affiliation of magistrates in each preserved county in Wales appointed in each of the past seven years, is as follows:

9 Dec 1996 : Column: 37

Preserved CountyYearConservativeLabourLiberal/ DemocratPlaid CymruIndependentNot knownTotal
Clwyd199059522023
199148023017
19921810911039
1993116700024
199496510021
19951010110022
19963401008
Dyfed199033400313
199156332019
199262305016
199347535024
199414214012
199568483332
19960401005
Mid Glamorgan1990611010119
1991613006025
1992311110016
199345410014
199437213016
19952410007
19961701009
South Glamorgan199076614023
199172323017
199296610325
1993109313026
199468205021
199557303018
199669401020
West Glamorgan199098402023
199186100015
1992812500025
199385214020
1994113711023
199509002011
19961300004
Gwent199063003012
199164300013
199226200010
199335101012
1994312102018
199535002010
19962300207
Gwynedd199054134017
19911100002
199232630014
19930002002
19941004005
19952313009
19963112007
Powys19900000000
19911110003
19922011206
199322311110
19940000000
19952020004
19960000000

9 Dec 1996 : Column: 39

9 Dec 1996 : Column: 39


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