| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Integrated Transport Policy
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those organisations that have responded to date to the consultation exercise on an integrated transport policy. [12973]
Ms Glenda Jackson: Some 20,000 copies of the consultation document on developing an integrated transport policy have been sent out to members of the public and organisations. So far, around 4,000 responses have been received and officials are now entering details of these on to a database so that they can be properly analysed. The great bulk of responses received to date are from individuals and it is likely that most organisations such as business and local authorities will contribute nearer the closing date of 14 November.
A full report on the consultation exercise will be published with the White Paper.
Drivers (Eyesight)
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research his Department has evaluated into the awareness of drivers of poor eyesight. [12863]
27 Oct 1997 : Column: 726
Ms Glenda Jackson:
In 1995 the Department commissioned Professor W.N. Charman of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology to undertake a thorough review of the research on driver vision standards.
The Department published his report earlier this year and it is available as "Road Safety Research Report No. 2 vision and Driving--A Literature Review and Commentary". I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's estimate of the number of drivers in the United Kingdom who are unaware that their eyesight is below the safe minimum standard. [12793]
Ms Jackson:
A survey carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory 1992 found that about 2.5 per cent. of drivers did not meet the statutory requirement of being able to read a number plate in good light from a distance of 20.5m with glasses or contact lenses if worn. A subsequent survey commissioned by others has suggested a higher figure. It would clearly be difficult to establish how many of the drivers concerned were unaware that their eyesight had fallen below the required standard. The Department strongly advises drivers to check themselves against the number plate standard regularly. Where eyesight is below the required standard, the normal remedy will be to obtain new glasses or contact lenses. Drivers who cannot meet the standard must notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency immediately and stop driving; otherwise they are committing a criminal offence. Drivers who require glasses or contact lenses in order to meet the standard must wear them whenever driving.
Mr. Webb:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the gross cost to the public sector if all local authority rents were to be cut by 10 per cent.; and what would be the cost net of savings in housing benefits. [12836]
Mr. Raynsford:
A 10 per cent. reduction in guideline rents in 1998-99 for housing revenue account local authorities in England would have the following estimated effects:
| Effect | Present value (£ million) |
|---|---|
| Loss of gross rental income | 5,819.6 |
| Savings in rent rebates | 4,378.2 |
| Saving in public expenditure linked to the RPI | 1,341.4 |
| Net public expenditure cost | 100.0 |
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what increase in subsidy to housing associations would be necessary to produce a reduction of 10 per cent. in the average level of housing association rents. [12835]
Mr. Raynsford:
Rent subsidies are not paid to housing associations. Social housing grant is a capital grant paid
27 Oct 1997 : Column: 727
on new housing association development, but any changes in the grant rate for new development would not directly affect rents on existing housing association stock.
Mr. Levitt:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the regulations for the carriage of minerals by rail in order to secure the same control on dust emission as is required by road transport. [12760]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Local authorities already have adequate powers to control dust emissions from minerals carried by rail. They can impose planning conditions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and take enforcement action under the statutory nuisance provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley), of 21 July, Official Report, column 430, on how many occasions an inquiry into a strategic or unitary development plan has proposed large-scale releases of green belt land for housing; and if he will list those which he or his predecessors have called in or have requested modifications. [12974]
Mr. Raynsford:
This information is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Bayley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the direct cost to public funds of the local government review process in England between April 1992 and March 1997.[12941]
Mr. Raynsford:
The cost of the Local Government Commission, which undertook the structural review of local government during those years, is as follows:
| Year | Total expenditure £ million |
|---|---|
| 1992-93 | 2.056 |
| 1993-94 | 5.146 |
| 1994-95 | 7.913 |
| 1995-96 | 4.047 |
| 1996-97 | 2.099 |
Working Time Directive
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps are being taken to extend the scope of the European Union working time directive to cover transport workers. [12879]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The European Commission published a White Paper in July on proposals for extending the provisions of the working time directive to
27 Oct 1997 : Column: 728
the excluded sectors. We are currently considering this and will reply to the Commission in due course.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local authorities currently piloting congestion charging schemes; and what plans he has for extending such trials. [12990]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
An experiment funded by my Department is under way in Leicester. This is a research project using volunteers. Compulsory charging could not be undertaken, even on a trial basis, without new primary legislation. Whether to introduce such legislation, and whether to facilitate further experimental schemes, are issues that the Government are considering as part of the preparation for the integrated transport policy White Paper.
Mrs. Browning:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Rio II treaty on United Kingdom policy towards gas power. [11102]
Mr. Battle:
I have been asked to reply
The United Nations General Assembly special session on 23 to 27 June 1997 did not result in any treaty commitments. However, in considering applications for gas-fired and other forms of power stations, we will ensure consistency with the wider objectives of secure, diverse and sustainable supplies of energy at competitive prices and meeting environmental targets.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what analysis the Government have carried out on the environmental labour and development impact of the multilateral agreement on investment. [11864]
Mrs. Roche:
I have been asked to reply.
The Government are committed to safeguarding the international environment, to eliminating abusive labour practices and to promoting sustainable development in both developing and industrialised countries. We would not want to see an agreement which undermined our environmental, labour or development policies.
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations she has received from asylum seekers relating to their living standards. [11656]
Mr. Keith Bradley:
We have received approximately 40 letters about the benefit position of asylum seekers from hon. Members, members of the public and asylum
27 Oct 1997 : Column: 729
seekers' representatives. We have also received a copy of the report, "Past Misery, Present Muddle" from the charity the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |