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Low Flying
Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for further legislation regarding low flying to combat aircraft noise. [24699]
Ms Glenda Jackson: We are considering whether new legislation may be required in respect of civil aircraft noise disturbance, whether that is attributable to low flying or to other causes.
Millennium Compliance
Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines he has issued to local authorities (a) on dealing with computer systems which are not millennium compliant and (b) on budgeting for the costs of remedying computer systems which are not millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [24704]
Mr. Raynsford: Local authorities are responsible for their own systems and have access to high quality advice on this issue from the Local Government Management Board, the professional body of local government IT officers (SOCTIM) and other professional bodies. My officials have also kept the Local Government Association (LGA) informed on the steps being taken by central government. In addition, the Government have published best practice guidance on millennium compliance. The LGA's views on the pressures faced by all local authorities were taken into account in our proposals for local government revenue expenditure in 1998-99.
Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate for each local authority of the costs of dealing with computer systems which are not millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [24702]
Mr. Raynsford:
The Local Government Association (LGA) highlighted the possible level of pressures local authorities might face in preparing for millennium computer compliance. Their estimate of £500 million, with spending of at least £100 million required for 1998-99, was based on the overall cost to local authorities. The LGA's
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views on the pressures faced by all local authorities were taken into account in our proposals for local government revenue expenditure in 1998-99.
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those roads for which he is responsible where lighting columns are life expired and need replacing. [24280]
Ms Glenda Jackson
[holding answer 21 January 1998]: The Highways Agency is responsible for lighting columns on the trunk road network. Lighting columns on local roads are the responsibility of the relevant local highway authority.
The Highways Agency is not aware of any life expired lighting columns on trunk roads as corrective action is taken when problems arise or preventive maintenance identifies signs of defects.
Mrs. May:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many public inquiries on applications for motorway service areas were completed in the period 1 May to 31 December 1997; and what was the estimated cost of each inquiry to his Department; [24582]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Three motorway service public inquiries were completed between 1 May and 31 December 1997: M4 Maidenhead area; A1(M) North Yorkshire and M25 Junctions 15-16 (Elk Meadows). The only such public inquiry currently under way is one which opened on 20 January into a motorway service area proposal at Redbourne on the M1 between Junctions 8 and 9.
A substantial part of the cost of all four inquiries to my Department will be the time spent on them by staff of the Highways Agency as part of their normal duties. The time spent specifically on these cases could not be separately identified.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was (a) the amount of Housing Rent Account surplus used to finance rent rebates, (b) the number of council tenants paying full rent in each local authority area in which Housing Rent Account surpluses are being used and (c) the financial contribution made per week by each tenant paying full rent in each local authority area in the most recent available year. [24710]
Mr. Raynsford:
In 1997-98, we estimate that £1,228.6 million of notional Housing Revenue Account surpluses will be used to meet the cost of rent rebates granted by housing authorities in England. In the same year, we estimate that 1,038,873 council tenants will not be granted rent rebates, and will therefore pay full rent.
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The full amount of a tenant's rent, irrespective of whether he or she is granted a rebate, is a credit to the Housing Revenue Account and contributes towards any notional rental surplus. In 1997-98 the average weekly unrebated rent per dwelling for all council tenants in England is £41.18.
Mr. Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial criteria are used by his Department in determining the cost of a road accident for a (a) fatality, (b) serious injury and (c) slight injury; and in each case what is the current figure. [24485]
Ms Glenda Jackson
[holding answer 21 January 1998]: The values attributed to the avoidance of deaths and injuries in road accidents in 1996 were (a) fatal £983,710; and (b) serious accident £118,030; (c) slight accident £11,590. These values take account of medical costs, lost production, the cost of police and courts, insurance administration, property damage, and human costs based on the widely accepted concept of "willingness to pay".
Mr. Brake:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional resources have been allocated in the financial year 1998-99 to the Vehicle Inspectorate to enhance safety regulation in road transport. [24772]
Ms Glenda Jackson
[holding answer 22 January 1998]: Additional resources have been allocated to the VI for road safety enforcement activities in the financial year 1998-99. The total available for this activity will be £16,295,000, an increase of £246k over the current year's allocation.
Mr. Alasdair Morgan:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of the regional office of the Driving Standards Agency at Haymarket House, Edinburgh. [24420]
Ms Glenda Jackson
[holding answer 22 January 1998]: The Driving Standards Agency is currently reviewing its Area Office structure. The Agency's preferred option is to relocate the driving test booking operation from Haymarket House to its Newcastle Office but to retain a number of administrative activities, such as handling examiner deployment, customer service and estates functions, in Edinburgh. We expect to announce the results of that review soon.
Mr. Alasdair Morgan:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of the driving test centres at (a) Edinburgh, Newington, (b) Saltcoats, (c) Hamilton, (d) Aberfeldy, (e) Girvan, (f) Cumnock, (g) Callander, (h) Fort Augustus, (i) Tarbert, (j) Bettyhill, (k) Helmsdale and (l) Duns. [24421]
Ms Glenda Jackson
[holding answer 22 January 1998]: The Driving Standards Agency is currently reviewing its test centre estate across England, Scotland
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and Wales to ascertain whether there is scope for rationalisation while retaining satisfactory levels of service. There are no plans at present to withdraw the driving test service from any of those centres identified by the hon. Member. Any proposals to close particular test centres at a later date would be subject to consultation with local driving instructor groups, local authority interests and the Members within whose constituencies those centres are located.
Mr. Burns:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the plans by the Driving Standards Agency to move the driving test centre in Beeches Road, Chelmsford to another site in the town; and when he expects the move to take place. [25290]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Driving Standards Agency proposes to relocate its driving test centre to a new site at the Chelmar Business Park. Subject to contracts being agreed and the due planning process being completed, a new centre should be opened either later this year or early next year.
(2) how many public inquiries are currently in progress in respect of applications for the development of motorway service areas; and what is the estimated cost to date of those inquiries to his Department. [24578]
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