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Freight Facilities Grants
Mr. Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the total budget for the current year allocated to freight facilities grants, (b) the amount spent so far and (c) the estimated year-end spending. [16231]
Mr. Watts: The information is as follows:
(a) £5,423,000
(b) £923,528
(c) £3,604,700.
Mr. Watts: Unspent freight facilities grant provision in 1994-95 and 1995-96 served to offset spending pressures generally elsewhere on the administration and transport services vote. An overall surplus arising on the vote in each year was surrendered to the Consolidated Fund.
Trans-Pennine Road
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from business and commercial organisations concerning the possibility of a second major trans-Pennine road supplementing the M62. [16224]
Mr. Watts: I am not aware of any recent business or commercial representations concerning the possibility of a second major trans-Pennine road supplementing the M62.
Road Lighting
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice and guidance he has issued to
18 Feb 1997 : Column: 492
local authorities concerning their road lighting policies, with particular reference to the effect of those policies on the countryside and tranquil areas. [16229]
Mr. Watts:
The Highways Agency publishes road lighting standards and advice, including measures for the limitation of environmental intrusion, for use on motorway and all-purpose trunk roads. In particular the booklet "Road Lighting and the Environment", held in the House of Commons Library, describes how the environmental impacts of road lighting can be reduced and problems resolved. It is for local highway authorities to decide the extent to which they use this advice.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the ways in which his Department has demonstrated the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through an environmental audit of (a) energy use and (b) waste management within those buildings his Department occupies; and if he will make a statement. [16425]
Mr. Bowis:
My Department sets targets to improve energy and waste management efficiency and cost effectiveness by environmental audit and other means. Progress is reported in the annual working environment report.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the presence of (a) hazardous materials and (b) ozone-depleting substances within those buildings which his Department occupies; and if he will make a statement. [16282]
Mr. Bowis:
My Department publishes an assessment in its annual working environment report. A copy is in the House of Commons Library and on the Department's Internet site--http://www.open.gov.uk/dot/dothome.htm.
Mr. Nicholas Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to consult (a) local authorities, (b) industry bodies and (c) representatives of the unemployed about the impact upon regeneration
18 Feb 1997 : Column: 493
projects of those aspects of the Road Traffic (Reduction) Bill which are supported by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [16013]
Mr. Watts:
We have made it clear that, in deciding whether to set traffic reduction targets, local authorities would need the flexibility to take into account traffic growth consequent on regeneration projects, so that these objectives do not conflict, and that the Bill would need to be amended to this effect in order to secure our support. We would want to consult a wide range of bodies in drawing up guidance to local authorities on this point.
Mr. Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the administrative and operational impact upon local authorities of the responsibility for implementing those provisions of the Road Traffic (Reduction) Bill which are supported by his Department. [16011]
Mr. Watts:
We shall be discussing detailed implementation of the Bill's requirements with local authorities. The approach we support would result in little if any additional administrative or operational impact above the activities local authorities should already undertake in compiling their transport capital investment strategies.
Mr. Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications for planning policy and procedure of the implementation of those provisions of the Road Traffic (Reduction) Bill which are supported by his Department.[16012]
Mr. Watts:
The process of setting traffic targets would need to dovetail with local land use plans, which in turn would need to reflect local authorities' traffic forecasts. We would intend to issue guidance on this area.
Mr. Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to undertake a compliance cost assessment of the Road Traffic (Reduction) Bill; and if he will make a statement. [16009]
Mr. Watts
[holding answer 17 February 1997]: The Road Traffic (Reduction) Bill will not impose a cost on business; there is no need, therefore, for a compliance cost assessment.
Mr. Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the British Roads Federation and (c) other industry bodies, in connection with the impact on the economy of acceptance of the principles of the Road Traffic (Reduction) Bill; what was the thrust of those representations; what response he intends to make to them; and what plans he has to consult with industry bodies prior to proceeding with, or facilitating the progress of, any legislation to impose restrictions on road traffic. [16010]
Mr. Watts
[holding answer 17 February 1997]: We have received representations from the CBI, BRF, other bodies and a large number of individuals. The vast majority of these representations have been in support of the principle underlying the Road Traffic (Reduction) Bill: that local authorities should have a clear vision of the pattern of road traffic growth in their areas, and establish targets as part of their strategy for addressing that growth. Our response to these representations is to
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indicate the Government's position, which I explained in my speech on the Bill's Second Reading. Subject to the Bill completing its remaining stages we plan to consult a wide range of bodies on the mechanics and process of its implementation.
Mr. Ainger:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of the plans and inventories of equipment and (b) a list of the expertise which is currently available to the marine pollution control unit and the Coastguard Agency; and if he will indicate how the availability of equipment and expertise to those bodies has changed in the past five years; [16258]
(3) what (a) arrangements and (b) memoranda of understanding exist between the marine pollution control unit and other departments or public bodies in Wales; and if he will place copies in the Library; [16259]
(4) how many staff were employed by the marine pollution control unit in each year from 1986 to 1996.[16261]
Mr. Bowis:
I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 18 February 1997:
The current arrangements with public bodies in Wales are fully covered in the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping. The MPCU and Environment Agency are currently discussing a Memorandum of Understanding to replace the present one which was agreed between the MPCU and the National Rivers Authority. The environmental agencies, including the Countryside Council for Wales, are involved in these discussions.
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Mr. Ainger:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the marine accidents investigation branch inquiry report into the Sea Empress.[16260]
Mr. Bowis:
Subject to the completion of the consultation process required by the accident investigation regulations, the chief inspector expects to submit his final report to the Secretary of State next month. The report will then be published as soon as possible.
(2) what advice or guidance was given by the marine pollution control unit to Milford Haven Port Authority on its contingency plans for dealing with oil tanker casualties and major oil spillages prior to the Sea Empress disaster on 15 February 1996; [16257]
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the Marine Pollution Control Unit.
(16258)
A broad outline of the expertise that can be called upon is contained in the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping (NCP), a copy of which is in the House of Commons library. The NCP also contains summaries of the counter pollution equipment owned by the Marine Pollution Control Unit (MPCU), listed in an appendix. The equipment and expertise available to the MPCU is under continuous review and is frequently augmented. For example, in the last five years the Chemical Strike Team has been strengthened, new equipment has been purchased for at-sea and shoreline clean-up operations, a new aerial contract has come into operation, a new operations room in the Agency's headquarters in Southampton has been commissioned and call off contracts and framework agreements have been set up to facilitate speedy access to supplementary expertise and equipment during a major incident. A database of available equipment has also been set up and is regularly updated.
(16257)
Under the current voluntary arrangements, Milford Haven Port Authority sent the MPCU a copy of their 'Anti-oil Pollution Plan' revised in June 1992. The MPCU suggested a number of changes to the document. Following the grounding of the oil tanker BORGA at the entrance to Milford Haven in October 1995, the MPCU held a meeting with the Port Authority and suggested further amendments to the contingency plans.
(16259)
Mr. Ainger:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if inspectors of the marine accident investigation branch have interviewed the staff of Smit Tak who were involved in or associated with the Sea Empress salvage operation.[16262]
(16261)
Staff in Post figures for MPCU from 1986 to 1996 are as follows:
1986 to 1994: 13
1994: 9.5
1994: 10.5
1996: 12.5.
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