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NORTHERN IRELAND

Strangford-Portaferry Ferry Service

Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the replacement of the MV Portaferry vessel used on the Strangford-Portaferry service. [15667]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its Chief Executive Mr. W. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from V. Crawford to Mr. Eddie McGrady dated 17 November 1997:

The Secretary of State has asked the Chief Executive to respond to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question about progress on the replacement of the MV Portaferry vessel used on the Strangford Lough ferry service. In Mr McCoubrey's absence, I am replying.

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Invitation to Negotiate documents were issued on 4 July 1997 to 4 companies who prequalified under the Private Finance Initiative process. Three of the companies subsequently withdrew from the bidding process although we are confident the remaining company will submit its bid by the due return date in December 1997. Assuming this bid represents value for money against the public sector comparator, we expect that the contract for the operation of the ferry service will be awarded in the Spring of 1998 with the replacement ferry becoming available about a year later. The timing of the replacement vessel will depend on whether a refurbished or new ferry is to be provided.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Roads Schemes

Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on changes in policy in relation to the funding of major road schemes in Northern Ireland since 1 May. [15676]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from V. Crawford to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 17 November 1997:

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive to respond to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question about changes in policy in relation to the funding of major road schemes since 1 May. In Mr McCoubrey's absence I am replying.

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There have been no changes to the policy of funding major roads schemes in Northern Ireland since 1 May 1997. With the level of funding available for major road works being severely restricted, the policy remains that the only schemes being promoted are those which are being carried out under the Private Finance Initiative.

You will be aware that the Government is carrying out a fundamental review of transport policy and intends to issue a White Paper on an Integrated Transport Policy next year. This will be complemented by a policy statement on transport in Northern Ireland. The Government is also undertaking a Comprehensive Spending Review also to be completed next year. Both reviews have the potential to change the policy of funding major roads schemes.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been the funding allocation to the maintenance programme in each roads division in each year from 1 April 1987 to 31 March 1997; [15668]

(2) what has been the funding allocation to major and minor roads schemes in each roads division in each year from 1 April 1987 to 31 March 1997. [15669]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its Chief Executive Mr. W. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from V. Crawford to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 17 November 1997:

The Secretary of State has asked the Chief Executive to respond to your recently tabled Parliamentary Questions about the funding allocation to the major road works, minor road works and road maintenance programmes in each Roads Division in each of the last 10 years from 1 April 1987 to 31 March 1997. In Mr. McCoubrey's absence I am replying.

The information is set out in the attached tables.

I hope you find this information helpful.

19 Nov 1997 : Column: 211

Funding allocated to road maintenance in each Division of Roads Service has, for the period in question been as follows:

Road maintenanceExpenditure in £000's

Financial year	Ballymena	Belfast	Coleraine	Craigavon	Downpatrick	Omagh
1987-88	6,195	9,217	5,404	7,813	9,166	8,605
1988-89	6,275	9,583	6,261	8,477	9,298	9,541
1989-90	7,272	11,044	7,019	9,015	10,438	10,739
1990-91	7,792	11,142	7,734	10,259	10,903	12,101
1991-92	7,350	11,195	7,727	9,842	10,465	11,398
1992-93	7,815	10,993	8,065	10,162	10,345	12,513
1993-94	7,134	10,762	7,699	9,893	10,202	12,640
1994-95	7,903	12,619	8,495	11,236	11,540	14,484
1995-96	10,524	15,255	10,998	13,990	13,356	19,472
1996-97	10,957	14,796	10,792	14,667	12,368	19,335

All figures relate to maintenance of roads. Operation and maintenance costs of street lighting and car parks not included.

Figures from 1995-96 are inclusive of supervisory and other indirect administrative costs not previously apportioned on a Divisional basis.

Funding allocated to major road works (i.e. works costing over £200,000) in each Division of Roads Service, for the period in question, has been as follows:

Major road works Expenditure in £000s

Financial year	HQ(6)	Ballymena	Belfast	Coleraine	Craigavon	Downpatrick	Omagh
1987-88	690	1,071	3,169	1,821	1,784	890	793
1988-89	1,755	3,063	1,999	986	1,844	1,827	694
1989-90	100	1,895	6,510	1,298	1,233	2,217	3,144
1990-91	35	1,518	4,991	1,091	1,313	2,782	3,379
1991-92	--	2,308	8,430	1,813	2,807	2,982	1,600
1992-93	--	706	7,759	1,634	377	1,744	1,646
1993-94	--	1,846	12,679	1,586	1,368	888	300
1994-95	--	1,526	11,231	1,291	4,571	521	814
1995-96(7)	--	605	7,421	748	7,385	880	2,724
1996-97	126	2,631	7,455	288	2,628	1,744	1,882

(6) Relates to schemes handled centrally.

(7) Figures from 1995-96 are inclusive of supervisory and other indirect administrative costs not previously apportioned on a Divisional basis.

Funding allocated to minor road works (ie works costing less than £200,000) in each Division of Roads Service has, for the period in question, been as follows:

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Minor Road WorksExpenditure in £000s

Financial year	Ballymena	Belfast	Coleraine	Craigavon	Downpatrick	Omagh
1987-88	1,341	1,480	1,271	1,174	1,401	1,382
1988-89	1,078	1,399	1,147	1,057	1,307	1,306
1989-90	1,372	1,656	1,450	1,422	1,338	1,555
1990-91	1,441	1,878	1,449	1,791	1,552	1,653
1991-92	1,292	1,510	1,285	1,430	1,282	1,284
1992-93	1,273	2,022	1,629	1,636	1,630	1,638
1993-94	2,272	2,568	2,612	2,629	2,398	2,471
1994-95	2,383	2,821	2,477	2,686	2,315	2,448
1995-96(8)	2,765	2,737	2,708	2,795	2,919	3,301
1996-97	2,248	2,716	2,245	3,275	2,274	2,346

(8) Figures from 1995-96 are inclusive of supervisory and other indirect administrative costs not previously apportioned on a Divisional basis.

19 Nov 1997 : Column: 213

Gas Market

Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what preparations have been made to expand the gas market throughout Northern Ireland. [15666]

Mr. Ingram: Further extension of the gas market depends on private sector investment. To assist possible future development Government are facilitating a feasibility study into extension of the gas industry to the North West of Northern Ireland and have participated in a feasibility study into Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland gas interconnection.

Driving Disqualifications

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the application of driving disqualifications imposed in Great Britain on Northern Ireland driving licence holders. [13018]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Separate legislation governs the issue of driving licences in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland. There is mutual recognition throughout the United Kingdom of driving licences issued under both jurisdictions, however, there is no provision in the legislation for a driving disqualification incurred in one jurisdiction to be recognised in the other. Accordingly, a Northern Ireland driving licence holder disqualified in Great Britain cannot drive there, but can continue to drive in Northern Ireland. The reverse is also the case. This situation has obvious road safety implications for Great Britain and Northern Ireland and its resolution will require primary legislation to apply to both jurisdictions. It is intended to take this forward at the earliest opportunity.

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