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Air Traffic Control
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instigate an immediate inquiry into the running of NERC and NATS. [7854]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
No. I see no reason to instigate an Inquiry of this kind.
14 Jul 1997 : Column: 18
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what checks are made of the contents of freight lorries before they are allowed into the Channel Tunnel. [7921]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Eurotunnel staff carry out regular checks on the contents of freight lorries using the Channel Tunnel.
Hauliers carrying goods classified as "Dangerous" are required to notify Eurotunnel on arrival at the tolls. The goods are checked against the permitted carriage list and cleared for travel. Staff are informed so that special arrangements can be made for loading the lorry in a specified location on the shuttle so that, in the event of an incident, the emergency services can be informed.
Mr. Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps have been taken to preserve the integrity and functioning of the overhead power lines in the channel tunnel in the event of a fire. [7920]
Ms Jackson:
Changes to operating procedures relating to action to be taken in the event of a fire alarm on board an HGV shuttle, arising from the implementation of recommendations contained in the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority's Inquiry Report, have meant that the risk to the overhead power line, the catenary, has been reduced. However, in response to Recommendation 4 of the Safety Authority Report, Eurotunnel are employing consultants to examine the feasibility of reducing the chances of the catenary tripping.
Under the changed procedures the operators--Eurotunnel--no longer operate a drive-through policy or one in which the locomotive and amenity coach is de-coupled and driven through. Consequently the preservation of the integrity of the overhead power line is of less importance to the safety of people in an emergency. In the event of a fire on board an HGV shuttle the running tunnel systems will be configured for an emergency and the train will be brought to a controlled stop alongside a cross passage door for evacuation into the service tunnel.
Mr. Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the risks involved in allowing freight to be transported through the channel tunnel in lattice-sided wagons. [7919]
Ms Jackson:
This is a matter for the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission, advised by the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority. In its Inquiry Report into the incident on 18 November 1996 the Safety Authority concluded that the semi-open design of HGV shuttles could be used in a way that secured the safety of people. Before approval was given for the resumption of HGV shuttle services, the Commission and the Safety Authority examined a detailed submission by the operators of the Channel Tunnel, Eurotunnel, and satisfied themselves that the operating procedures proposed were such that semi-open HGV shuttle wagons were able to be operated safely.
14 Jul 1997 : Column: 19
Dr. Whitehead:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the consequences of increased container vessel size for the provision of United Kingdom container port facilities; and what assessment he has made of the impact of such considerations upon a United Kingdom ports strategy;[8436]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Measures needed to accommodate larger vessels are for the port authorities concerned in the first place. The Government is committed to encouraging the use of short sea shipping as an alternative to road transport where this is a practical and economic option. The Government is undertaking a transport policy review which will cover, amongst other things, the potential for a shift to short sea shipping, particularly for freight, as part of a policy to promote a progressive shift to less environmentally damaging modes; the environmental impact of ports, including surface access arrangements; and the role of ports in promoting regional development. The Government intends to publish a White Paper on an integrated transport strategy next Spring.
Mr. Tyler:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by company the genetically modified organisms currently approved for (a) field testing and (b) marketing in the United Kingdom. [8041]
Angela Eagle:
To date 124 consents for the experimental release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Great Britain have been granted since the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 came into force on 1 February 1993. By company, these GMOs are:
(2) what assessment he has made of the feasibility of encouraging short sea routes as part of a United Kingdom port strategy; and if he will make a statement. [8435]
14 Jul 1997 : Column: 20
| GMO | |
|---|---|
| Rhone Merieux Belgium (1 consent granted) | Rabies Vaccine |
| Societe Nationale d'Exploitation des Tabacs et Allumettes (1 consent granted) | Tobacco with herbicide tolerance |
| Vemie Veterinar Chemie GmbH (2 consents granted) | Vaccine against Aujeszky's disease in pigs |
| Plant Genetics Systems N.V. (1 consent) | Oilseed rape hybrid system with herbicide tolerance for seed production only |
| Monsanto Europe (1 consent) | Soya beans with herbicide tolerance for import and storage for processing only |
| Ciba Geigy (1 consent) | Maize with insect resistance and herbicide tolerance for unrestricted use |
| Bejo Zaden B.V. (1 consent) | Chicory hybrid system with herbicide tolerance for seed production only |
These GMOs are not necessarily being marketed in the UK. The consents for Plant Genetics Systems and Monsanto were granted by the United Kingdom, whereas the other consents were granted by other member states.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Serious Fraud Office (Annual Report)
Gillian Merron:
To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to lay before Parliament and publish the annual report of the Serious Fraud Office for the year 1996-97.[7088]
14 Jul 1997 : Column: 21
The Attorney-General:
The report was laid before Parliament this morning then published. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Mr. Desmond Browne:
To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to (a) lay before Parliament and (b) publish the annual report of the Crown Prosecution Service for 1996-97. [8768]
The Attorney-General:
The annual report of the Crown Prosecution Service will be laid before Parliament tomorrow and then published.
Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Strategic Defence Review
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of those attending the two Foreign Office seminars on the Strategic Defence Review, indicating the organisations each represented. [7823]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: The following participants from outside Government participated in the seminars hosted by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Secretary of State for Defence in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 July and in Coventry on 11 July:
3 July. Sir Brian Fall (Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, Chairman), Josh Arnold Foster (UN Association), Menzies Campbell MP (Liberal Democrats), Professor Michael Clarke (King's College, London), Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold (RUSI), Jack Dromey (TGWU), Paul Eavis (Saferworld), Dr. Jonathan Eyal (RUSI), Sir Timothy Garden (RIIA), Dr. James Gow (King's College, London), Charles Grant (The Economist), Dr. Owen Greene (Bradford University), Dr. Rosemary Hollis (RIIA), Martin Kettle (The Guardian), Dave Knight (CND), Mark Laity (BBC), Alan Lee Williams (Atlantic Council), John Lloyd (New Stateman), Anne McElvoy (The Spectator), John MacKinlay (King's College, London), Edward Mortimer (Financial Times), Sebastian Pease (Pugwash), Dan Plesch (BASIC), Dr. Alex Pravda (St Antony's College, Oxford), Dr. Stephen Pullinger (ISIS), Professor Ron Smith (Birbeck College), Jon Snow (Channel Four), Dr. Claire Spencer (Centre for Defence Studies), Lord Wallace (LSE), Rt Hon Sir George Young MP (Conservative Party).
11 July. Sir Michael Alexander (RUSI, Chairman), Malcolm Chalmers (Bradford University), Professor Julian Cooper (Birmingham University), Dr. Anne Deighton (St Antony's College, Oxford), Professor Lawrence Freedman (King's College, London), Dr. Phil Gordon (IISS), Dr. David Greenwood (Aberdeen University), Professor Eric Grove (Hull University), Dr. Tim Huxley (Hull University), Rebecca Johnson (Disarmament Intelligence Review), Robert Key MP (Conservative Party), Dr. Patricia Lewis (VERTIC), John Lloyd (AEEU), Paul Rogers (Bradford University), John Roper (RIIA), Jane Sharpe (Centre for Defence Studies), Prof Edward Spiers (Leeds University), David Travers (Lancaster University), Paul Wilkinson (St Andrews University).
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