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Car Airbag Systems
Mr. McNulty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the safety of car airbag systems. [16132]
Ms Glenda Jackson: We continue to collect detailed information on a sample of road accident injuries as part of the Department's research programme, and this allows us to monitor effects such as airbags in cars. To date, we are not aware of any cases of airbags having caused serious injuries in the UK.
In 1993 the Department commissioned TRL to investigate airbag effectiveness. This was largely a review of published research on both airbag testing and airbag performance in the field. By necessity, this review was mainly based on the experience in the USA where airbags, which are required by law, are far more prevalent than in Europe.
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US airbags tend to be more aggressive than those in Europe, as the US seat belt wearing rate is low and airbags are designed to be the primary source of protection. TRL therefore also looked at the sample of accidents in the UK to establish the role which airbags had played. However, the number of accidents examined was small, and there was insufficient evidence to reach a conclusion on the efficacy of airbags in European cars. The results of this study were part of a wider European paper presented at the Enhanced Safety Vehicles conference in 1996. TRL also carried out some very limited laboratory testing to supplement the information already available for grossly out of position occupants where there is a considerable injury risk.
Overall, international research indicates that airbags reduce the risk of serious head and chest injuries for vehicle occupants and any adverse effects are minimised if the vehicle occupants use their seat belt correctly and sit as far from the airbag as is comfortably possible. In particular rear facing child restraints should never be used in a front facing passenger position where an airbag is fitted.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the amounts raised from tolls, and the cost involved in collecting the tolls, for (a) the original Severn Bridge and (b) the second Severn Bridge in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [15963]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The accounts for Severn River Crossing plc show that in the year ending 31 December 1996 they had a turnover from toll revenue of £47.2 million. Separate figures for the toll revenue from each crossing are not available but 75-80 per cent. of the traffic uses the new bridge. Toll operating costs and maintenance are not dis-aggregated but, with administrative expenses, total running costs amounted to £7.6 million.
Mr Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many planning applications he has called in since 1 May; [16465]
Mr. Raynsford:
Since 1 May this year, 95 planning applications have been called in and 60 called-in applications have been determined.
Mr. McDonnell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those London boroughs which have introduced ethnic monitoring of planning applications. [16482]
Mr. Raynsford:
The Department does not collect information on local planning authorities' monitoring of the ethnic background of applicants for planning permission. The Local Government Association has commissioned research on "Race and the built environment". The resulting good practice guide will be
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published in the New Year and will contain information on the extent of ethnic monitoring of planning applications by local planning authorities.
Mrs. Brinton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to enhance the role of water companies in the water planning process. [16402]
Angela Eagle:
Under section 37 of the Water Industry Act 1991, water companies already have the duty to develop and maintain an efficient and economical system of water supply in their areas. In revising current planning policy guidance for local authorities we will consider how increased emphasis may be given to the impact of proposed development on water supply provision.
Mrs. Brinton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will create forums to include water companies and all of the planning authorities in an area to discuss resource issues. [16403]
Angela Eagle:
The Department's current policy guidance requires local authorities to consult with all infrastructure providers, including water supply companies, when preparing their development plans. The creation of discussion fora is a matter for local government.
Mr. Dafis:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will increase the resources devoted to controlling fly tipping. [16394]
Angela Eagle:
The responsibility for monitoring illegal fly tipping, clearance of the wastes involved and pursuing offenders lies with a number of organisations including local authorities, the Police and the Environment Agency. My Department has no conclusive evidence that fly tipping in England is increasing. However the Environment Agency is continuing to monitor the situation closely and is working with the other bodies to implement a three-part strategy: First, to enhance co-operation with local authorities to monitor and control fly tipping and prosecute offenders--an emergency hotline number has been established and widely published for information on vehicles and individuals involved on fly tipping to be given; secondly, to gather the more reliable information needed, the Agency is working with the Tidy Britain Group to produce a comprehensive study of the incidence of fly tipping before and after the introduction of the Landfill Tax. It is intended that this report will be published in Spring 1998. It should assist the Agency and others, particularly local authorities, to respond to fly tipping in a co-ordinated, proportionate and effective manner; thirdly, the Agency continues to work with a broad range of partners including trade associations, landowners and local government to encourage good waste management practice.
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Ms Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the Environment Council meeting of 16 October. [16322]
Mr. Meacher:
With Lord Sewel, I represented the United Kingdom at the Environment Council which took place in Luxembourg on 16 October.
The Council reached political agreement on the proposal for a new Drinking Water Directive. This sets new standards in line with current scientific thinking for the quality of drinking water; these will provide additional protection for human health. The text also provides for much greater subsidiarity and flexibility for Member States. It will now go forward for the opinion of the European Parliament. The Council further developed the Community's negotiating position for the Third Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Kyoto, Japan, in December this year.
In the debate on the landfill directive, I indicated our strong support for the tight regulation of all landfills but that greater flexibility was needed on the requirements for biodegradable waste going to landfill. In the discussion of the Strategy prepared by the Commission to reduce the problems of acid rain in the Community I made it clear that the UK strongly supported action on this, though more technical work was needed to clarify the benefits and costs--a view shared by the majority who spoke.
The Council also noted the progress of discussions on the directive tightening emissions from light commercial vehicles and on the Water Framework Directive. The Commission made a presentation on its Communication on Environmental Taxes and Charges which was not discussed.
Ms Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the resources made available to the Energy Saving Trust in each of the last five years; and what is next year's budget. [16173]
Angela Eagle:
My Department has provided funding for the Energy Saving Trust since 1995-96 as follows:
Funding of up to £19,000,000 has been made available for 1997-98. The budget for 1998-99 has not yet been finalised.
Ms Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the work of the Energy saving Trust's energy efficiency programme. [16174]
Angela Eagle:
The Energy Saving Trust's "Energy Efficiency" programme has our full support. It aims to promote energy efficiency to domestic consumers so that they can save money and help the environment. The Trust's October campaign of promotional activities under the programme has just been completed, culminating in "Energy Efficiency Week" between 20 and 27 October.
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(2) how many planning applications he has determined since 1 May. [16466]
1995-96: £500,000
1996-97: £25,000,000.
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