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Betting Duty
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much his Department has received in revenue from betting duty in each quarter of each of the last three financial years; [10999]
- (2) what estimate he has made of the loss of betting duty as a result of recent cancellations of horse race meetings. [11000]
Mr. Oppenheim [holding answer 16 January 1997]: The betting duty receipts--that is, general betting duty--for each quarter of the last three financial years are as follows. All figures are £ million.
| Quarter | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 138 | 138 | 120 |
| 2 | 140 | 137 | 124 |
| 3 | 122 | 118 | -- |
| 4 | 108 | 96 | -- |
No estimate has been made of the loss of betting duty as a result of recent cancellations of horse race meetings. There is no duty due in respect of bets made at a racecourse. Off course betting has continued for Irish and other foreign horse racing and for all-weather courses in this country.
TRANSPORT
Channel Tunnel (Safety)
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the most recent fire involving a train being used as part of the new emergency procedures in the channel tunnel. [11515]
17 Jan 1997 : Column: 400
Mr. Watts: On 19 December 1996, smoke was detected in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit of an empty tourist shuttle train on stand-by at a platform on the Folkestone terminal. Kent fire brigade attended and extinguished a small electrical fire.
A second tourist shuttle was immediately prepared for use as a replacement stand-by train.
Roads Programme (Property Purchases)
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what property his Department holds for the purposes of the present and previously planned roads programme, indicating (a) the number of houses, (b) the number of other properties and (c) the extent of land holdings; and what was the total amount spent in purchasing the property in each of these categories. [10846]
Mr. Watts: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Smith, dated 17 January 1997:
17 Jan 1997 : Column: 401
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what action (a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority has taken following the recent announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration relating to Thailand's non-compliance with international aviation standards; [11529]
Mr. Bowis:
Thailand's civil aviation authority has been assessed by the Federal Aviation Administration under its international aviation safety assessment programme as "Category II, Conditional". This means that FAA inspectors found areas that in their opinion did not meet international safety standards, but services by the country's carriers continue to be permitted to the United States under heightened FAA surveillance.
We take FAA assessments into account in deciding whether to ask the Civil Aviation Authority to inspect a particular country's aircraft operating into the United Kingdom. We also take into account whether the country is participating in the International Civil Aviation Organisation's safety oversight programme. Thailand has been assessed by ICAO and we are awaiting the outcome of that mission.
One airline registered in Thailand operates into the United Kingdom. Thai Airways International operates a daily scheduled service into Heathrow: the Department does not currently plan to ask the CAA to ramp check its aircraft but will keep the matter under review.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he received from chief officers and the board of (a) London Transport and (b) the City of London about the Government's annual settlement for London Transport; what they told him about the effect of the settlement on London Transport's investment programme and existing infrastructure; and if he will make a statement. [11063]
Mr. Bowis:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I meet the chairman and other members of the board of London Transport on a regular basis and discuss this and other matters. No representations have been received from the Corporation of the City of London.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his timetable for the privatisation of London Underground power generation facilities; what consultation he has had on this; what guarantees in respect of future investment will be required; and what assurances he expects in respect of its continuing reliability. [11081]
Mr. Bowis:
The provision of power supplies to the underground is an operational matter for London Underground. It is currently in negotiation with two short-listed bidders for a project under the private finance initiative which would meet the underground's future power generation and distribution requirements.
17 Jan 1997 : Column: 402
Reliability of supply and the bidders' investment plans are matters being discussed with the bidders. London Underground hopes soon to decide on its preferred bidder.
Ms Glenda Jackson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the consultants, outside organisations and individuals employed by London Underground Ltd., for advice on introducing a private sector element into the (a) organisation, (b) operation and (c) funding of (i) the London underground system and (ii) London Underground Ltd., the duration of their employment and the total cost of their employment in each of the years 1992 to 1997. [11096]
Mr. Bowis:
This is a matter for London Underground Ltd. However I understand that it employs outside parties from time to time to advise on matters including disposals, contracting out and projects under the private finance initiative.
Ms Jackson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the consultants, outside organisations and individuals employed by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies, for advice on introducing a private sector element into the (i) organisation, (ii) operation and (iii) funding of (1) the London underground system and (2) London Underground Ltd., the duration of their employment and the total cost of their employment in each of the years 1992 to 1997. [11097]
Mr. Bowis:
The Department has made no such appointments.
Mr. Harry Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for a fast rail link between Heathrow and central London other than the Heathrow to Paddington service; what interim station stops are being considered for inclusion; and if he will make a statement. [11013]
Mr. Bowis:
BAA has recently announced that it is considering the introduction of a sister service to the Heathrow express, which will operate between St. Pancras and Heathrow. This service would start to operate from 1999 and possible stops being considered include West Hampstead, Ealing Broadway, Hayes and Harlington.
Mr. Allen:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ensure that incentives aimed at reducing absenteeism do not extend to absenteeism as a result of work-related injuries. [11085]
Sir Paul Beresford:
None. My Department has no responsibilities for reducing absenteeism from work. The Health and Safety Executive is, however, constantly looking at ways of reducing work-related injuries.
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what property his Department holds for the purposes of the present and previously planned roads programme, indicating (a) the number of houses, (b) the number of other properties and (c) the extent of land holdings; and what was the total amount spent in purchasing the property in each of these categories.
The information is not available in the form requested. The Highways Agency's previously planned (pre-November 1995) roads programme required 3,176 properties/plots at a purchase cost of £301.6M. The Highways Agency's present programme will require 1,411 properties/plots at a purchase cost of £119.8M.
The purchase price excludes compensation payable for disturbance, home loss removal expenses and fees, etc. In addition we hold some 700 properties/plots in connection with schemes previously under construction or completed which were not listed in the November 1995 budget announcement as either withdrawn or in the programme. These are needed for operational reasons or are for eventual disposal when vacant. The purchase price of these properties/plot was £61.7M.(2) if he will list those airlines registered in Thailand operating to or from United Kingdom airports. [11528]
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