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Radioactive Material (Transport)
Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the specifications of the packaging used for (a) surface transport of radioactive material, (b) air-shipment of radioactive material and (c) flight data recorders. [3134]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Packages used for air and surface transport of radioactive material are expected to meet a series of performance standards, which are to be found in the document published by the International Atomic
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Energy Agency entitled "Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 1985 Edition (As Amended 1990)" a copy of which is in the library. The standards are accepted world-wide and are the same for all modes of transport.
There is no set specification for flight data recorders, this is left to the authorities of individual countries. However the latest standard to be applied in the UK is contained in the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment specification ED-55 "Minimum Operational Specification for Flight Data Recorder Systems", a copy of which will be placed in the library.
Dr. Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many consignments of MOX fuel been transported by air in the United Kingdom in the last 12 months; and what type of packaging was used. [3133]
Ms Jackson:
There have been five such consignments within the last 12 months. All the consignments were carried in Type B packages, approved and certificated for use within the United Kingdom, in accordance with UK statutory requirements.
Dr. Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the implementation date of the new IAEA recommendations on the transport of radioactive material. [3132]
Ms Jackson:
In order to keep its domestic legislation governing the transport of radioactive material in line with international modal regulations, the UK plans to use the implementation dates to be set by the relevant international modal organizations. The secretariats of the relevant organizations have agreed to recommend a common implementation date of 1 January 2001.
Mr. Miller:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct local authorities to re-examine the case for speed restrictions where previous road traffic accidents have resulted in fatalities. [3634]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Guidance provided by the Department to local authorities on setting speed limits, contained in Circular Roads 1/93, includes a recommendation that the accident history should be a factor in determining the imposition of a particular speed limit. But it is for local authorities themselves to decide what to do.
Mr. McDonnell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the planning application for a Fifth Terminal at Heathrow Airport. [3670]
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Ms Glenda Jackson:
I confirm that the Government is adhering to a policy of strict neutrality in respect of the planning application by BAA plc for a Fifth Terminal at Heathrow. We are placed in a quasi-judicial position because the determination of the application will be the responsibility of the Secretary of State. The public inquiry into BAA's application is currently under way, and we will study the resultant Inspector's report carefully before reaching any decision on the issues that are being examined.
Ms Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decision he has reached on the proposed Birmingham Northern Relief Road; and if he will make a statement. [3751]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Inspector's report on the 1994-95 public inquiry into the proposed Birmingham Northern Relief road has been received and is being considered. No decision has been taken on the scheme.
Mr. Fearn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the use of public transport in Merseyside. [4017]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Guidance relating to the 1998-99 Transport Policies and Programmes (TPP) budget will shortly be issued to local authorities and passenger transport authorities. This guidance will emphasise that bids for funding must demonstrate effective plans for reducing car dependency and encouraging other modes of transport including public transport, cycling and walking. Package bids will be partly assessed on the extent to which they provide for the development of integrated and sustainable transport policies.
Through the TPP, Capital Challenge and Objective 1 programmes a substantial investment has been made in improving the public transport infrastructure in Merseyside and it is anticipated that future Package bids within the region will, through appropriate targets for bus and rail passenger usage, adequately reflect the value of this investment.
Mr. Cash:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his plans for the future role of the Bank of England fulfil the criteria required for joining the single currency. [1693]
Mrs. Liddell
[holding answer 12 June 1997]: The proposed changes to the Bank of England will not make it compatible with the requirements in the Treaty which would apply if the United Kingdom were to adopt the single currency.
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Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters with regards to the environment he intends to raise at the G7 Economic summit in Denver.[2875]
Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
[holding answer 10 June 1997]: Along with his colleagues my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be seeking to argue for policies to promote sustainable development. We will ensure sustainable economic growth only by making all policies--including importantly environmental ones--take full account of all costs and benefits, including ones relating to the environment.
Mr. Tyrie:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has set a date for decisions on the reform of the PFI; and if he will make a statement. [3763]
Mr. Geoffrey Robinson:
The Government will be responding on 23 June to the review of the PFI process by Malcolm Bates.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will publish the report reviewing the private finance initiative. [4135]
Mr. Robinson:
The summary and conclusions of the Bates report on PFI will be published in full on 23 June when the Government responds formally to the report. I will arrange to place a copy in the Library.
Liz Blackman:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Building Societies Commission plans to challenge the Halifax Building Society's policy in respect of share payouts to savers with learning difficulties. [2188]
Mrs. Liddell:
The Building Societies Commission have no powers to consider the merits of a society's proposals for making shares available to members, when it converts to a plc. That is for the Board and the members to decide. The Commission have already confirmed the transfer of the Halifax Building Society to Halifax plc. A copy of the decision has been placed in the library.
Mr. Green:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria he will use to assess the liability of companies for the windfall tax. [3316]
Mr. Heald:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the technical issues relating to the operation of the windfall levy upon which he is seeking representations from companies. [3559]
Mr. Norman:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of return on its investment for a regulated public utility his Department will deem to be excessive. [3705]
Mr. Geoffrey Robinson:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer will announce details of the windfall tax in his Budget statement.
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Mr. Green:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of a windfall tax on pension funds which own shares in utility companies. [3317]
Mr. Robinson:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer will be considering a wide range of factors in reaching his view on the windfall tax. He will announce details of the tax in his Budget statement.
Mr. Ruffley:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received from accountancy organisations regarding the proposed windfall tax on privatised utilities; and if he will make a statement; [3676]
Mr. Robinson:
Treasury Ministers are treating representations from companies and other bodies as confidential.
Mr. Ruffley:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions the Treasury has had with the Commission of the European Union regarding the introduction of a United Kingdom windfall tax on the profits of certain privatised utilities. [3677]
Mr. Robinson:
There are standard arrangements for making the Commission aware of tax changes introduced in the Budget.
Mr. Heald:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the companies from which he has invited representations on the technical operation of the windfall levy. [3558]
Mr. Robinson:
The press notice issued on 13 May invited representations from any company who felt they had an interest in the matter.
Mr. Heald:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library copies of the consultation documents on the operation of the windfall levy. [3560]
Mr. Robinson:
No consultation documents have been issued.
Mr. Ian Taylor:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on corporate investment plans of the proposed windfall tax.[3742]
Mr. Robinson:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer will be considering a wide range of factors in reaching his view on the windfall tax. He is consulting the regulators and will announce details of the tax in his Budget statement.
Mr. Ruffley:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what calculations the Treasury has made as to the financial impact the proposed windfall tax will have on United Kingdom pension funds. [3683]
Mr. Robinson:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer will be considering a wide range of factors in reaching his view on the windfall tax. He will announce details of the tax in his Budget statement.
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(2) what representations he has received from United Kingdom pension funds regarding the proposed windfall tax on privatised utilities; and if he will make a statement.[3675]
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